“You’re right. It was one of my worst days. I don’t ever want to be in that position again.”
“Well, you will be. But let’s not dwell on that today. Laryn said there was something you wanted to talk to me about, something about a young sorcerer and a bridge. What’s that all about?”
After Kevin explained Lynda’s problem, and that he was planning to meet her that afternoon to see if he could help her out, Shadron volunteered to go with him.
“It’s been a while since I’ve done anything like that. Could be a lot of fun,” Shadron said with a quick nod. “Want to take Steve with us? I imagine he’s about had it with talk about the wedding.”
“Sure. But I have a quick question. You haven’t asked me anything about Steve, and you didn’t ask him any questions at lunch. And if we’re in Zander working on a bridge, you won’t have an opportunity to talk to him this afternoon. Aren’t you even curious about the man Laryn’s going to marry?”
“She’s my younger sister, but she’s had a lot more life experience than I have. She’s lived with giants, worked with a dragon, and traveled all over Terah. She’s walked into all kinds of situations and managed to walk back out. When Badec was sick, she ran that office for a year, and kept things calm enough that there were no magic wars and no major problems with the other races. I trust her judgment more than any other person’s I know.”
Then Shadron paused for a moment and looked at Kevin. “From the bits I’ve gathered, Steve’s been with you since you came to Terah. I imagine you’ve gotten to know him quite well by now, and in a lot of different circumstances. If there was some reason why Laryn shouldn’t marry him, you’d have said something by now.” Then he grinned. “Besides, Kyle wrote me after you were there Wednesday night. He liked Steve, and he said his dogs did too, and that right there was good enough for both of us. Those dogs are never wrong. So, shall we get Steve and go see a lady about a bridge?”
~ ~ ~ ~
Three hours later, three muddy men climbed the steps to Shadron’s front porch.
Kayla and Laryn were seated in the front room talking when Kayla spotted her husband. She ran to the front door and shook her head. “No, you don’t. You’re not coming in my house, not like that. I’ll bring you a bucket and soap, and some clean clothes.” Then she looked down to his feet. “And another pair of boots.”
“What about them?” Shadron asked, nodding towards Kevin and Steve.
“They can come in,” Kayla said hesitantly. “They’re guests.”
Shadron shook his head. “No they’re not. They’re family.”
Laryn stepped past Kayla onto the porch. “I wouldn’t let any of you in my house either, not with all that mud on you.” Then she shook her head. “How did you get so dirty anyway? You two are sorcerers, and you,” she said, pointing at Steve, “were just supposed to watch.”
“I couldn’t let them have all the fun,” Steve said with a glint in his eye. “Besides, I’m pretty good with a hammer.”
“And a crowbar, and a shovel, and a pitchfork,” Shadron added.
“Pitchfork?” Kayla asked, frowning. “Why did you need a pitchfork? You were fixing a bridge!”
“Helps to have a clear area when you start putting in the supports,” Shadron answered.
“We had to borrow the tools,” Kevin added, grinning, “and while we were there, we cleared up a few misunderstandings.”
Laryn frowned. “What kind of misunderstandings?”
“Seems the people of Zander were under the impression Lynda was responsible for doing the repair work all by herself,” Kevin answered. “I explained, or rather all three of us explained, that she’s a sorcerer, not a carpenter. She’s there to help them, not to do their work for them. They have to do their part. She can lift the wood, even hold it in position, but if they want it to stay put, they’ve got to get in there and make it happen.”
“You might say we encouraged their participation in fixing the bridge,” Shadron said, grinning even more than Kevin.
Steve nodded. “And since it’s a lot easier to get people to do something if they see you pitching in, we had to get into the mire and help.”
“And that’s how we ended up caked with mud,” Shadron said. “Now, are you going to let us in? We’re starving out here, and we could use something to drink, too.”
Kayla shook her head. “I’ll bring you some scog. I’ll even make you a sandwich, but I’m not letting you in my house until you clean up.”
Laryn laughed. “It’s time for us to head home anyway. These two need to get cleaned up too, and I’m sure Miranda can come up with something to hold them over until dinner.” Then she hugged Kayla. “I enjoyed spending the afternoon with you. We need to do this more often now that I’m not quite so busy all the time.” Laryn looked at her brother and frowned. “No way I’m hugging you. You’re too muddy.”
Shadron wrinkled his nose at her. “Don’t forget to send me some plans once you decide how you want your house built, and you need to figure out where you want it, too.” Then he added, “Near a well would be good. I hate sinking new wells.”
Laryn nodded. “I’ll let you know, and thanks.” She put her hand on Kevin’s arm and nodded to Steve to do the same.
Kevin took out his key. “Kayla, thanks for lunch. And Shadron, thanks for the help with the bridge.”
Kayla nodded as Shadron said, “I enjoyed it. And remember, visit anytime.”
Chapter 17
Rhianna's Role
Glendymere and Rhianna were waiting when Kevin and Chris arrived in Willow Canyon Sunday morning. After Glendymere and Kevin left for the canyon lands, Chris said, “Let’s go for a walk while we talk.”
Rhianna glanced around the canyon. “All right, but it’ll be more like pacing.”
“Do you know the way to Rainbow Valley?”
Rhianna nodded and pointed towards the trail up Wildcat Mountain. “Up to the top and down the other side. I don’t mind, but we’d have to turn around as soon as we got there.”
“Actually,” Chris said as he turned towards the cave, “there’s another way. Come on.”
As they walked through Glendymere’s reception area, Chris asked, “Where’s Landis this morning?”
Rhianna laughed. “Sleeping. She said she’s going to sleep all day.”
Chris led Rhianna down the main passageway, but before they reached Glendymere’s chamber, he turned down a side tunnel and walked several feet before stopping. Half a dozen glowstone torches were hanging on the wall. Chris took two down, took the covers off, and handed one to Rhianna. Then he opened the heavy wooden door that led to a large tunnel.
As Chris closed the door behind them, he asked, “How do you like being a sorcerer’s assistant?”
Rhianna wrinkled her nose. “I’m not sure. Most of the time it’s boring, and when it’s not boring, it’s worse. I never knew Landis could be such a whiner, and I’ve known her all her life.”
Chris laughed. “And when she’s not whining, she’s snarling, and somehow it’s all your fault.”
“Exactly. One minute she’s excited, usually because she managed to do something right, and then, ten minutes later, she’s all discouraged and wants to go home and forget about being a sorcerer.”
“At least she has that option. Kevin didn’t. But that might have made things easier for us. He had to push on, to keep trying.”
Rhianna laughed.
“What?”
“It throws me when you call him Kevin. I have to stop and think who you mean,” Rhianna said with a chuckle. “I’m not so sure she does have a choice, not if everything we’ve heard about Rolan is true.”
“Well, I’ve met him. He’s worse than anything you could have heard. And if he’s decided to kill Landis, which we all believe he has, he won’t stop until one of them is dead.”
“So what can I do about it? How do I help her?”
“First of all, she has to make up her mind whether or not she’s going to train. Then,
if she decides to train, she has to decide how far she wants to take it. You can’t do any of that for her, but you can insist that she think about it and make a decision.”
“All right. But what do I do if she decides it’s not worth it?”
“You let her quit.” Chris said with a shrug. “You can’t force her to train. She has to want it or you’re both wasting your time. But if she does quit, she’ll have to live a very secluded life somewhere far away from Brendolanth. When she leaves here, she’ll be a marked woman.”
“I’m not sure she really believes he’d have her killed.”
“He will if he gets a chance, but there’s no way I can prove it to her.”
They walked in silence for a few minutes. Then they came to the round chamber that had four tunnels leading out. Chris took a moment to explain where each tunnel went and then they continued down the passage that led to Rainbow Valley.
“Have you been through the caves we lived in while Kevin worked with Glendymere?” Chris asked.
“No. Taelor has, with Sari, but Landis and I have either been on top of Wildcat Mountain or in Willow Canyon.”
“Well,” Chris said as they came to a door, “Welcome to one of the best places I’ve ever lived.”
“Better than the castle?”
Chris paused with his hand of the door knob and turned towards Rhianna. “The castle’s like living in a fish bowl. There are a lot of conveniences, like being able to send someone down to the kitchen to find something to eat any time of the day or night,” Chris said with a grin, “but there’s precious little privacy.” He opened the door and led Rhianna through the room that used to be Kevin’s and on to the main tunnel that led to the common rooms. “It’s worse for Kevin than it is for me, but it can smother you sometimes. Here? We had it made. Granted, Kevin and I were spoiled. The others took such great care of us. Joan and Ashni were forever fixing special treats for us, and I have to admit, we didn’t have to do any chores around here. It was always clean, always a pleasant place to decompress. Kevin and I lived in our own little world while we were here. Our biggest worry was what Glendymere would ask Kevin to do next. I know it wouldn’t be the same now, but there have been quite a few days when I would have gladly come back here to live.”
When they reached the common room, Chris sat down on one of the armchairs and motioned for Rhianna to have a seat. “How is Landis doing with her training? What has she been able to do?”
“She can make a ball now and pour energy into it, or at least that’s what she and Glendymere say. You couldn’t prove it by me, but Glendymere seems pleased. I know he’s planning to take us to the coast before long to let her start drawing energy from the sea. That should be fun!” Rhianna said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Why?”
“I have a feeling she’ll have to stand in the surf to find her connection, and unless Glendymere takes us someplace warm, she’s going to be full of complaints.”
“Then tell him to take you somewhere warm, and where the water’s warm, too.”
Rhianna frowned. “I can’t tell him something like that. It would be … I don’t know … disrespectful.”
Chris laughed. “No it wouldn’t. He’s a dragon. I doubt he’s ever been cold in his life. No, this is exactly the type of thing you need to do. She can’t concentrate on what he wants her to do if all she can think about is how cold she is. You need to speak up. He won’t get upset with you.”
Rhianna didn’t look convinced.
“Look, anything you can do to make her environment better, do it. I made them put in a stove so I could make coffee. Glendymere would never have thought of that, but it made a big difference to Kevin. And don’t let her stay on one thing too long, switch things around, go back to stuff from last week, last month, and make her take breaks, lots of breaks.”
Rhianna laughed. “I know why Glendymere thought we should talk. I’ve wanted to do some of those things but I thought I was sticking my nose in, being presumptuous.”
Chris shook his head. “You have to look at it like you’re in charge.”
“No, I’m not,” Rhianna said, shaking her head.
“Not of what she has to learn. Glendymere’s in charge of that, but you’re in charge of where, when, and how. If you think she needs a break, say so. If he can tell she’s on the verge of a breakthrough, he’ll say no, but otherwise, he’ll be fine with it. Just don’t take it as a criticism when he overrules you. It isn’t. He knows more about what’s in her head at that precise moment than you do.” Then Chris laughed. “And if he ever, ever says he wants to work with Landis by herself and you can take the morning or afternoon off, grab it and don’t look back.”
“Does that happen often?”
“Right offhand, I only remember it happening once, but we were in a push. Kevin had a deadline. Landis doesn’t, so you may get more breaks.”
“Speaking of breaks, I think Landis needs a few days away from here, away from all of this, to figure things out. Any chance of that happening?”
Chris frowned. “Hasn’t Kevin taken you back to Crinsor Run a few times?”
Rhianna nodded. “But we’re only there for one night. We get there late Saturday afternoon, right before dinner. Everyone comes to the house for dinner, and I do mean everyone, and then we come back Sunday morning after Myron finishes his workout with Glendymere. It’s nice, but it doesn’t give us much free time, and I think she needs some time to herself right now.”
“Tell Kevin Landis needs to step away from all of this and figure out what she wants to do. He’ll understand. Why don’t you go home Thursday evening and stay until Sunday evening? That would give you time for the family and for yourselves.”
Rhianna frowned. “Any particular reason you chose those times?”
“I know his schedule. Right now those times are free.”
“Guess I need to talk to Landis first, and then Glendymere, before I say anything to Myron.”
“Checking with Glendymere is a good idea, but just tell Landis. We had an old saying back where I came from. ‘It’s easier to ask forgiveness than to get permission.’ If you ask Landis, she may come up with a dozen reasons why she can’t go, but if it’s already arranged, the worst that can happen is she’ll fuss and say you should have checked with her first.”
Rhianna laughed.
“And when that happens,” Chris continued, “tell her you will the next time, and then ignore her. When she needs another break, set it up, and then tell her. When she reminds you that you were supposed to clear it with her first, tell her there wasn’t time, you had to ask Kevin while he was here.”
“You’re saying I should do what I think is best, as if she were a child?”
Chris nodded. “Kevin was so focused on the magic I’d have to remind him to eat, to put on his coat, to get some sleep … just like looking after a child, and if you throw those mood swings in there, it’s like looking after a two-year-old, but don’t ever tell Kevin I said that.”
Rhianna laughed again. “I guess we need to head back.”
Chris stood up. “Glendymere can be a good ally in this thing. When you have concerns, he’s a good listener.”
“He is that,” Rhianna agreed. “It was his idea that I talk to you.”
“Has it helped?”
“More than you know.”
“Well, if you ever want to talk again, let Glendymere know. He’ll set it up.”
~ ~ ~ ~
Chris and Rhianna were back in Willow Canyon when Glendymere and Kevin returned from the canyon lands. Chris elbowed Rhianna and nodded towards Glendymere.
Glendymere looked at Rhianna, but when she didn’t say anything, he tilted his head and said, “Yes?”
Rhianna cut her eyes at Chris, then looked back at Glendymere, took a deep breath, and said, “I think Landis needs to get away for a few days and figure out what she wants to do. I’d like for Myron to take us to Crinsor Run Thursday evening and then pick us up Sunday evening.”
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“You think three days will be sufficient?” Glendymere asked.
“I’m not sure,” Rhianna admitted, “but she’s floundering right now. She hasn’t really committed to this yet.”
“And why do you think that is?”
“She knows everyone expects her to be a sorcerer, but she’s not sure she wants to be one. I don’t think she had any idea how hard it’s going to be, or how long it’s going to take.” Rhianna glanced towards Kevin. “All she knew about becoming a sorcerer was Myron did it in less than a year. I think she figured a year, maybe two since she’s not part elf, then fight Rolan to avenge her father’s death and get on with the rest of her life. I don’t think she ever expected being a sorcerer to become her whole life.”
Glendymere nodded. “I agree. She needs to figure out what she wants, but back to my question. Do you think she’ll get it figured out in three days?”
Rhianna shook her head no. “But I hope three days will be long enough for her to figure out what the problem is.”
Glendymere turned towards Kevin. “Can you take them home Thursday? And pick them up Sunday?”
Kevin looked at Chris, and when Chris nodded, he said, “Sure. No problem. Would 5:00 be all right?”
When Rhianna nodded, Glendymere said, “Good. That’s settled. Chris, what are you going to do while Myron works with Rhianna?”
“I thought I’d go up and say hello to Blalick and Ashni.”
“Good. I’m going to take a nap.”
~ ~ ~ ~
After Chris and Glendymere left, Rhianna turned to Kevin. “We don’t have to do this. If we’re going home next weekend, my father can show me how to make the wind blow.”
“I know, but Glendymere asked me to do it,” Kevin said as he walked towards a willow tree on the bank of the stream. He was nervous, but it wasn’t as bad as he’d expected. “He’ll want you to do more than stir up the wind. You’ll need to make storms for her to work with too, maybe even a tornado.”
The Fourteenth Key (The Chronicles of Terah Book 3) Page 16