by L. A. Kelly
“Are all of Samis’s men drugged killers?” Jarel asked with a scowl.
“Yeah. I guess so.”
“So does Mr. Dorn use the drug too?”
Vari looked at him in surprise. Why hadn’t it occurred to him to wonder about that? “No. He’s not had any. And it’s been too long since he was caught. We’d have seen sign by now. He must have been through it before we found him.” He shook his head. “I wish I could have helped.”
“Could he be hiding it?”
Vari stopped in his tracks. “No, sir! He wouldn’t hide it from me.”
Jarel turned his head, but Vari wasn’t finished. “You may never love him like I do, Mr. Trilett, no matter what he’s done for you. But you can at least have some respect for him or I’ll have you off your horse in a minute!”
The Clareys rode closer, but Tobas waved his hand at them.
“I did not mean any insult,” Jarel said.
“Yes, you did! He saved the lady’s life, sure as we breathe, and probably her father and you too. And he saved mine, and the little ones. It should matter to you, especially since he follows Jesus now. But you try to make him a vile thing so you can be better than him. I heard what you told the lady. And you’re nothing in my eyes till you can see a man for what he is.” He kicked at his horse and glanced at Tobas. “Let’s get going. I need to be done with this trip.”
With Tobas’s money, Vari purchased a bottle of tincture from the seller Tahn had told him about. Marcus had woken, and he reached for it greedily.
“Take it easy,” Vari cautioned. “You may want to keep your head about you.”
Marcus sipped and capped the bottle. “Thank you, Vari. I’d fight a demon from hell for you right now.”
“You got your own demons. You need Jesus. He took the tincture out of me, Marcus. Without the struggle. I just didn’t need it anymore. He’d do the same for you.”
Marcus scoffed. “You always had some of God about you, Vari. Rather die and meet him than kill for the master. But I’ve given him no cause to care about me.”
“He needs no cause. He made us. And he cares, no matter what we do. That’s just the way it is. He loves you. I think that’s why he had you meet up with us. So you’d know it.”
“Hard to believe.”
“I know what I’m talking about. I think he likes to forgive people, if they’ll give him the chance. You don’t have to keep on like you are.”
“I’ll find work or something.”
Vari looked over to the rest of his group. “You could come with us. If you understand we’re all Christians and you’d have to keep in line with that.”
Marcus shook his head. “I’m fearing the Dorn right now. Your word and his aren’t the same thing. He knows what I’ve done, better than you do. I’m going to stay here a while.”
“You ought to come to him. He won’t hurt you. He won’t turn you away, either. You know what he did for me.”
“I’m not cut out for that, brother.”
Vari sighed. “My friend will give you a little money and some food. Getting work’s a good idea. If you have trouble, you know I’ll do what I can for you. But this is it for the tincture.” He glanced at Jarel for just a moment. “I’d feed you anytime, but I won’t get you another bottle. When you’re ready to get free of it, you come to me. I’ll be with the Dorn and the Triletts, and we’ll help you. You’ll see how much better things are when you’ve got God’s help.”
Marcus was looking at him in wonderment. “Why are you doing this?”
“I know what it’s like. And none of us is cut out for this world on our own. Remember what I told you. Talk to God, all right? He knows you’re scared. He’ll help.”
“Thanks, Vari. You’re better than I expected. Will you give me my sword back?”
“If you pledge to me you won’t use it unless you have to. Don’t hire out with it, and don’t become a bandit, Marcus. You come to us first.”
“I never had no father, Vari. It wouldn’t be you if I did.”
Vari understood the defiance in his words, but he didn’t let it trouble him. “If you want your sword, you’ll give me your word.”
“Why do you think I’d keep it?”
“Because I helped you. And I’d help you again. And you don’t have nobody else you can count on.”
For just a moment, Marcus’s eyes misted, but he fought it away and stood up. “All right. You got my word. I’ll find decent work. I’ll figure something out.” He opened his bottle and took another sip.
“Stretch it out as long as you can,” Vari advised him. “The more you drink, the harder it is when you haven’t got it. Go easy. Make it hurt a little every time. Maybe you’ll get the will to get rid of it.”
Marcus took his hand. “I don’t know where you’re going with your friends, but I owe you now. You go on. I’ll be okay.”
“God be with you,” Vari told him and placed the sword in his hand.
Marcus sheathed his weapon, took hold of his horse’s lead rope, and walked away.
23
Netta sat quietly in a back room of the church with a collection of psalms on her lap. Tahn was stretched out on his blankets. It was good to see him sleeping so peacefully. But she couldn’t concentrate on reading with her mind returning to Jarel’s words. “Keep your heart with all diligence.” She looked at Tahn again. Lord, am I wrong to appreciate him so? I thought he was a monster, but instead I find in him rare bravery and even kindness. But such need. I still find myself longing to help.
Father Anolle stepped in quietly. “He sleeps, daughter?”
“Yes.” She looked up with a grateful sigh, hoping for the chance to speak to the priest.
But Tahn rolled to his side and opened his eyes.
Anolle moved immediately toward him. “I’m glad you have woken. A stranger has come asking for you. He said that he knows you but that you would not recognize his name. He’s not armed.”
With a groan, Tahn struggled to sit. Still he was so sore, so bruised.
“Is he alone?”
“Yes, son. And I don’t believe he’s a threat.”
“Then I will meet him, sir.”
Netta laid the psalms aside and stood.
“No, Lady,” Tahn told her. “Stay here, please.”
Benn had come in behind Anolle. There was a depth of compassion in his expression. “One of our friends is with the man outside,” he said. “He told me his business. I am comfortable to allow him in. Shall I bring him to you?”
“No. I’m coming out. I should meet the man before he enters your refuge, sir.”
Benn stepped forward and took Tahn’s arm. “Let me help you, then.”
Together they went out, and Father Anolle followed. Tahn leaned on Benn and a staff the priest had given him. A tall man in common dress stood with one of the villagers in the churchyard, and his large horse grazed behind them. The stranger looked up at them and immediately approached. At the base of the steps, he made a quick bow.
“Tahn Dorn, I thought you were dead. When I heard what happened here, I had to come.”
“I don’t know you.”
“You know my work. My name is Marc Toddin. Your former master hired me to track you.”
Tahn looked away. “You did a good job of it, sir.”
“Perhaps so. But I owe you an apology. I didn’t know the true color of what was going on until they kidnapped the girl.”
“I wanted to free her.” Tahn bowed his head. “Did they take her with them?”
Toddin smiled. “No, sir. I did.”
Tahn looked up at him.
“When you told her to run on and leave you, I took her on my horse in the woods. Two of them chased us a while, but I lost them over time. I took her to her home.”
“Sir! With all my heart I thank you!”
Benn looked at the singular relief in Tahn’s face, knowing it was for a girl whose name he didn’t know. The nobleman bowed his head. There was something very humbling ab
out this Mr. Dorn. Triletts had the reputation, but not such heroics.
“I wish I could have done something for you then,” Toddin was saying.
“You did.”
But Toddin fidgeted a bit. “I went home with my pay. My wife was in need of about half of it, and I figured it her due for my absence. But I brought you the rest. I don’t like being part of wrongdoing.” He took a bag of coins and set them on the steps at Tahn’s feet.
But Tahn protested. “You’re worth your hire, Mr. Toddin. You can’t be blamed. I can’t accept your money.”
“I wish you would. It doesn’t feel right in my pocket.”
Tahn was quiet for a moment. “I can’t take a man’s pay. If you can’t keep it, maybe it can go to a needy soul.”
Toddin looked to the priest. “May I put it in your hands to be used where you see it right?”
“Yes, son,” Anolle told him. “And God bless you.”
“You’re certain your wife will not lack for it?” Tahn asked.
“We have enough. I’m certain.”
They clasped hands. “I live in Alastair, sir,” Toddin said. “If you ever need my assistance.”
Tahn nodded. A friend in Alastair. That was beyond mortal arranging. “Thank you, sir.”
With another bow, Toddin turned to go.
Tahn watched him. It was a wonder the man would come. It was an equal wonder that he’d gotten up to meet a stranger with so little question. That was almost careless. But it had been right.
Toddin was already halfway down the street. Everything was so quiet now. Tahn looked at the peaceful shops and suddenly saw a man’s face appear in the upper window of the building across from them. The face disappeared almost instantly, but not before Tahn recognized it as familiar.
“My lord,” he said to Benn, “have you known any of the baron’s men to be about?”
“No. And I don’t expect any open trouble from them now.”
“Have the people reported to you any of the mercenaries?”
“No,” Benn answered, following his eyes. “Is there a reason you are asking now?”
“One of them is in the room above the shop there,” he said, gesturing with his head.
“Mercenary soldier?”
Tahn nodded.
“Could he be dangerous to us now?”
“Any of them could be. Have I another pie among the gifts?”
“Yes. You have.” He looked at him with question.
“Could you call two of your friends, fighting men if there are any, and ask them to take it to the man there watching?”
“You would win an enemy by feeding him?”
“If there have been no others about, he has probably been left alone to his post. He will be hungry by now.”
“You have a large mercy, Mr. Dorn.”
“I’ve received mercy. I can afford to extend it. Perhaps he will hesitate at causing us harm.”
“And if he doesn’t welcome the offering?”
“I think he’ll not hurt your men if they are careful. If it were his orders to attack, he’d have done it by now. He’s here to watch. So they’ll know if I leave.”
“You expect he’s alone?”
“I hope so. I hope there wasn’t another now following Vari. That troubles me.”
“No one’s been seen. And I assure you this town is watching. There are capable men with your boys, as well.”
Tahn nodded. “Tell them to ask him to come and speak with me.” He looked up at Father Anolle, who hadn’t said a word. He didn’t need to. Trust. That’s what he’d say. We are all in God’s hands.
They had not gotten into the church before a rider came swiftly toward them.
“My lord!” the man called and stopped his mount at the base of the steps. “Josef tells me there are four men with the insignia of Trent entering the town.”
“Thank you,” Benn told the man. “Watch them but do not interfere.”
“Yes, sir. And if they come here?”
“Let them come. They’ll not get this far without drawing attention.”
“Yes, sir.” The man took his leave of them, and Benn turned back to Tahn, who was leaning on the stair rail with a frown.
“They’d not be in Onath if they weren’t coming here,” Tahn told him. “You can’t trust them, even with the baron dead.”
“I know that,” Benn assured him. “Let me help you inside.”
Lionell Trent’s messengers made their way through the quiet streets.
“You’re not welcome here!” someone shouted.
Most of the people who saw them watched in silence. But slowly from out of shops and houses, men began to follow the riders on foot. Whatever their business was, they would not be left to it unwitnessed.
“They’ve got sticks and such,” one of the soldiers whispered to his companion, their captain. “You suppose they’ll let us leave?”
“We’ve come in peace,” the man replied. “They’ll be all right when they see that.”
“I hope they see it before we get to the church,” the youngest soldier said. “They’re liable to kill us if we try to go in.”
“Leave that to me,” the captain told them. He stopped his horse. “Citizens!” he called out. “Tell me if the honorable Lord Trilett may still be found in your esteemed holy church!”
“Go home!” a man front and center in the crowd told him.
The captain bowed to him. “We cannot, sir, until we deliver a message personally from the young Lionell Trent. He wishes to express his regret for the actions of his departed father. He has sent us in peace. Please, good men! Help us to deliver our letters and we shall go with our gratitude.”
The man in the crowd picked out a sturdy teenager from the group. “Run ahead and tell the guards at the church to alert our lord. We’ll escort them.”
Then the man turned his attention back to the soldiers. “Give us your weapons. Peaceful messengers don’t need them. You’ll have them back when you leave Onath.”
One of the soldiers began to protest, but his captain immediately stopped him. “Of course, sir. They are but a traveling precaution.”
When the soldiers had given over their weapons, the group of townsmen surrounded them as they progressed to the churchyard, where more men were waiting. Benn Trilett and Father Anolle came out together.
The captain immediately dismounted and bowed himself to the ground at the base of the steps. His men followed him. “Gracious Lord Trilett,” the captain said. “I beg you to receive us in peace. We come with letters from your countryman, Lionell Trent, who continues in mourning for the breach his father caused between your noble houses.”
The captain looked up at Bennamin Trilett’s face, which at that moment looked as immovable as stone. “We are his humble servants, Lord, and yours,” the soldier continued. “Allow us to present his message.”
Lord Trilett did not move from his position on the highest step. He did not give them the customary greeting or the courtesy of a more private audience. “Proceed, sir.”
The captain removed two rolls from the pouch at his side and took a step forward. But Benn Trilett nodded to one of his guardsmen, who took the papers from the soldier’s hands and carried them up the steps to him. The crowd waited in silence as Benn read both messages.
“He has acknowledged the wrongdoing,” Benn addressed the people. “He says it was his father’s alone, not his. He sends an apology and his sympathy for our loss. He pledges peace and asks for it in return. And he mentions a gift for our rebuilding.”
One of the other soldiers pulled a box from a saddlebag. The guard brought it to Benn’s hands. It was full of gold coins.
“I do not wish his money,” Benn said and closed the box.
“Sir!” the captain exclaimed. “To refuse a gift is an insult.” “You are right. Let us not insult the young baron. I will give this to the church to finance the repairs of the rectory.”
The captain frowned.
“Thank you
for your labor,” Benn told him. “The people will allow you to go in peace.”
“Have you no word in return for our lord?”
“Tell him I received his message. I thank him for his expression of sympathy. And he can expect peace.”
“You will not put it in writing for our hand, Lord?” the soldier asked with some surprise.
“No. Your mouth will be sufficient. You have no interest in poor relations between your lord and me, I trust.”
“None, sir. Of course not.”
“Very well. I would be grateful if you return my answer swiftly. Extend my condolences to the Lady Trent in her grief.”
“Yes, sir.” All four soldiers returned to their horses.
“Cabot,” Benn spoke to his guard. “See that they have provisions for their journey.”
Benn and Father Anolle watched the soldiers leave with their reclaimed weapons.
“You may have insulted them,” Anolle told him, “by refusing to entertain them in the ordinary fashion.”
“I have little stomach for custom today,” Benn answered. “Let Lionell understand that ordinary relations are not won back so easily. He can take some time at earning that. It will not hurt the Trents nor their soldiers to wear humility for a season.”
“You don’t believe him innocent then?” Anolle asked at a whisper.
“I know the young nobles of our land. Until the cost became too great, he enjoyed his father’s ambition.”
When the soldiers were gone, Benn drew the people’s attention again. “Publish it about,” he told them. “I will hire honest men to be soldiers in my service. I am grateful to you all beyond words. You are my dear friends, but you have families and other labors you must return to.”
“Benn!” Anolle exclaimed. “The House of Trilett has never kept soldiers.”
Lord Trilett looked up to the darkening sky. “And we have not had the power to prevent the evil of those who have, Father. There’s not even a just and organized law in our land anymore! We can do more for our countrymen than pray for them only.”