Savior

by Loren K. Jones

  Jah’Moke has Arten’s permission to marry me, and we are going to go to Equintain as soon as possible. Jah’Moke is staying at Robin’s for the time being, until the formal announcement.

  What are you calling the inn? Sabrina said she had a few ideas, but that you two had not decided yet. Use the strongbox or just requisition wood from Fillin. The quarry is a long haul, but from my point of view, a good stone first floor is a good idea. It will keep the Scouts from throwing knives at the walls.

  I’m sending Daria a letter as well, asking her to use the money in the strongbox as a fund to help out the Firewalkers and their families. I transferred an additional thousand gold to the account with the Gold Merchants for Mountainstand County from the Link County Account. That leaves the strongbox available for whatever our friends need.

  This is the formal part. I have been approached by a number of refugees from Lender’s Dale concerning the disposition of the three towns that the Guard built. They are supposedly all but empty. I am unsure of the true state of the towns and would like you to investigate. Use your own judgment as to who you grant rights to. One man tried to claim that, since he had been there for most of the war, he should be granted the entire northern town. The fact that Duke Kaster paid for everything did not matter. Possession and all of that. I told him to talk to you. Give any of the mercs who are interested first choice, but I don’t see a reason to let those towns become ghost towns.

  Love,

  Java

  Shair nodded as she read the last part. Several people had already approached her with claims on the towns. She had thought of the towns as good places for retired mercs and had investigated them when she had first arrived back in Firedale. The entrance of the traders caused an abrupt end to the letter reading. This was private, only for the Firewalkers to share.

  Sabrina went to face Granden again and looked at his men. “Welcome to the Scarlet Dragon. I am Sabrina Derinsham, and this is my partner, Lady Shair Skyhaven. We do not allow fighting in the inn. If you feel rowdy, take it outside. As your employer may have informed you, this is not a whorehouse. There are, however, a large number of unattached women here, so I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.”

  Shair picked up where Sabrina left off. “The laws of Greencastle are in full force here and are enforced by myself and the Firewalkers. Behave, and you will have no trouble.” Shair stepped aside and waved the men in to the common room. There were seats available, and the women made room for the men at their tables. Shair joined Sabrina and the three girls they had hired as helpers serving beer and ale, and soon the room was ringing with laughter. Lothar smiled and slipped out with the rest of the letters for Firedale. He would deliver them to Captain Rivers in person.

  The sentries escorted him to see the captain without a fuss. One of them had been with Shair when she had gone to Whitehall, so he was recognized. Lieutenant Coopersmith was still speaking with Captain Rivers when he arrived, and he hesitantly entered the office.

  “Lothar, we meet at last,” she said with a broad smile, standing to take his hand. She looked him over carefully, then grinned again. “Merrit should have kept you.”

  Lothar burst out laughing at that. “That’s exactly what Maren said in Whitehall! I’m going to have to have a long talk with Merrit about this.”

  “You’re going to talk? I’d think that after so long you would have better things to do.” Klamath laughed too, and waved him to a seat. Turning back to the lieutenant, she nodded. “Tell your captain that he is welcome to come visiting.”

  Lieutenant Coopersmith nodded and saluted, then turned and walked out of the door. Klamath shook her head and looked at Lothar. “Did he tell you what he was here for?” she asked, watching him closely.

  “No, he didn’t. You don’t look happy, Sir,” Lothar replied, falling naturally back in to the patterns of a merc.

  “His captain is my mother’s cousin. We are the shame of the family, but, seeing as I am now the captain of a famous company, they want to reestablish the family ties,” Klamath said with a bitter twist to her mouth. “I think he’s looking for an introduction to one of our royal friends.”

  Lothar nodded and laid the letters on the desk. “These are the rest of the letters for you and your command, Captain.”

  “Thank you, Lothar. How long will you be staying?” she asked, sorting through the letters.

  “Just today. Granden is headed to Morrisdale with his spices. I think he’s going to be disappointed, but he’s convinced that the new capital is going to be a gold mine for him.” Lothar paused to smile and shake his head. “Lady Robin and the princess both told me that Duchess Samantha is not the frivolous sort.”

  “No, not frivolous at all. She’s still living with Merrit’s parents,” she said, smiling at his obvious surprise. “Java made her quarry and mills available for Duchess Samantha to use at will, but she’s been concentrating on rebuilding the rest of the duchy, not her own comfort.”

  “That’s a surprise. I would have thought that she would have at least built a manor house by now,” Lothar replied, his wide eyes making Klamath laugh.

  “Not our Sammy. She’s too much like Java.”

  * * *

  Shair took her letters to her room late that night and re-read them, then opened the one with the royal seal.

  Lady Shair, you don’t know how long we have wanted to welcome you back to the nobility! Java and Marta had us both speechless with their announcements concerning the changes that Java arranged. Marta’s resignation was the biggest surprise. We didn’t think she would ever give up the Firewalkers.

  Java and Jah’Moke are doing well, considering they are acting like a pair of besotted teenagers. Jah’Moke is hesitant and diffident, but we are doing our best to make him feel at home. The council, as expected, objects to him on principle, but Java made it clear that it was Jah’Moke or no one.

  There are a number of lords who are trying to worm their way into Link County. Watch out for trouble out there and pull rank if you have to. That is what Java did. She finally used her authority as Lady of Link County and told the lords that if she gave it to anyone, she would give it to her parents. You should have seen their faces! It was a priceless moment.

  Be well, Shair, and let us know what is happening out there.

  Arten and Naria

  Shair nodded to herself as she finished the letter. Kaster had told her much the same thing concerning the disposition of Mountainstand County. Sabrina came in and saw her with the letters and smiled.

  “Anything new?” she asked as she slipped out of her apron.

  “No, just a warning from about lords trying to take over,” Shair replied, grinning. “I have a few letters to write in reply, but they’ll wait. This has been a long day.”

  “Yes, and I’ll be glad to be rid of those traders. I have seldom seen a more conceited bunch of idiots,” Sabrina complained as she continued to undress. “Not many of them are sleeping in the wagons, no matter what their employer thinks. The Firewalkers were talking about trying to wear them out tonight.”

  Shair laughed at that and joined Sabrina in bed, cuddling close. “I’ll start writing tomorrow. Tonight, I just need to rest.”

  “Rest?” Sabrina asked, the tone of her voice making Shair smile fondly.

  * * *

  Shair sat in the small office she shared with Sabrina and considered the letter she was writing. Java needed to know the whole story about what was happening in her county.

  My Darling Java, I am so happy that you have finally found your balance with Jah’Moke and Robin. Sabrina and I have named the inn the Scarlet Dragon. The sign is painted to show a blood-red dragon blowing flames at the sky. The colors match the Firewalkers’ Dress Uniform. There is a lot to explain about the past few months...

  Shair and Sabrina had left Greensboro and returned to Firedale. Once they returned home, they immediately made arrangements to build the inn. Sabrina had saved a modest amount from before the war that she had
managed to transfer out of Lender’s Dale before Frander’s men could seize it, but it was nowhere near enough to buy enough wood to build an inn with, or to pay workmen. Klamath solved that problem by volunteering the Firewalkers to help build it, while Shair’s savings made up for the shortfall of funds. It had taken only three weeks to finish the inn, and Sabrina took care of the furnishings.

  The Green Dragon was not abandoned. Another cousin of Sabrina’s had come to Firedale seeking her and had purchased it from her for a good price, keeping it in the family. He had owned an inn in Lender’s Dale itself and had fled at the first word of Frander’s attack. He’d had to arrange to make payments to Sabrina, but at least the inn was in business.

  Shair had waited until she was sure Sabrina did not need her underfoot, then took twenty Firewalkers, ten Vandals, and ten Thunderfeet on an inspection tour of the county. They traveled north first to check out the towns that the guard had built. It took twelve days to reach the northern-most town.

  The Guard commander had built this town as a fort, and there were a number of Guardsmen still in residence when they arrived.

  “Halt! Who are you?” a voice called from above the open gates, and Shair looked up to see a man in Greencastle’s uniform looking down at her.

  “I am Lady Shair Skyhaven, Lady High Chatelaine of Mountainstand County. I wasn’t aware that any Guardsmen were still in these towns,” she shouted back, then rode cautiously forward. She was met just inside the gate by a sergeant and three troopers.

  “You are the keeper of the county for Princess Java?” the sergeant asked, clearly not wanting to believe that it could be true. “Forgive me, but do you have any proof of that, Lady?”

  Shair nodded. She had been expecting questions and had brought along her commission from Java as proof. “Where is your officer, or did they leave you in charge?”

  “No, Lady, not me. Lieutenant Parkinston is in charge. He’s at the Blue Mountain. Please follow Trooper Vertan. He’ll take you there,” the sergeant said, motioning to one of the men at his side. The man led off and soon they were dismounting in front of a large inn. The trooper went up the stairs quickly and inside before Shair could follow.

  She entered the inn, followed by the forty men and women of her patrol, and found the trooper standing at attention next to a middle-aged man in an unbuttoned officer’s uniform. They both looked at Shair as she entered, and the lieutenant stood unsteadily to greet her.

  “You’re the lady?” he asked, his voice slightly slurred.

  Shair frowned at him. Gods Below, how did a man who got drunk so early in the day become a lieutenant? “I am Lady Skyhaven. And you, Lieutenant?” she replied.

  “Lieutenant Darvin Parkinston, at your service,” he replied, saluting sloppily. “What do you want?”

  Shair let her expression reflect her disapproval of the lieutenant. Obviously, his daddy is important. Or rich. “I am inspecting Princess Java’s county, Lieutenant. Specifically, the three towns the Guard built. How many people are still in residence?”

  “Not enough. Fifty, maybe sixty. Most went home to Lender’s Dale. What does the princess plan for us?” Lieutenant Parkinston asked, staring at her with a belligerent expression on his face. “We’re stuck here by the duke’s orders.”

  “You are stationed here, by the duke’s orders, the same as Guardsmen in other towns throughout the duchy,” Shair replied coolly, the edge in her voice growing sharper. “As for the princess’ plans, she is looking for people to settle these towns.”

  “Ha!” the lieutenant barked, throwing his head back. “There’s nothing here to draw people to these towns. That’s why there were no towns here before.”

  “We shall see, Lieutenant. We shall see,” Shair replied, looking about. An elderly man in a dirty apron was standing off to the side, watching her carefully. “Who are you?”

  The man stepped forward cautiously. “I am Wellington Vordees, Lady. I have been innkeeper here for four years.”

  Shair nodded. “Did you build the inn, or did the Guard?”

  “The Guard, Lady Skyhaven,” Lieutenant Parkinston supplied. “We needed an inn or three with so many troops here.”

  “And are the other inns still occupied?” she asked, looking at the lieutenant.

  “With so few people? No, they’re as abandoned as the rest of the town,” Lieutenant Parkinston snorted, sneering at the idea of another inn.

  Shair frowned but nodded anyway. Turning back to Wellington, she smiled. “We will need rooms for forty of us. Do you have the room?”

  Wellington swallowed, then shook his head. “No, Lady. I only have three open rooms at the present time.”

  “Then we will occupy one of the other inns. Trooper Vertan, please lead us to another inn, and we will set up camp,” Shair instructed, but Lieutenant Parkinston objected.

  “Now just one minute! The Guard built this town, and we’re in charge here,” he said loudly, stepping forward to face Shair.

  Shair smiled thinly. “No, you are not. I am in charge here. These towns reverted to Princess Java at the end of the war.” Turning to Wellington, she nodded. “We will be back for supper. Please have enough prepared. After twelve days of field rations, we’re all in the mood for something good.” At his nod, she turned and left the inn, followed by the rest of her patrol. Trooper Vertan hurried to obey her, moving into position to lead the mercs.

  “This way, Lady Skyhaven. The closest inn with that many rooms is the Red River,” he said, walking quickly up the street. It was a short trip, and they could still see the sign for the Blue Mountain when they reached their destination. The Red River was a very large building, much larger than the Blue Mountain, or the Scarlet Dragon. The door was tightly closed, as if someone had been careful when they had left. Trooper Vertan led Shair up the steps and opened the door, having to use his shoulder to break it loose. “We closed up the vacant buildings to discourage the vermin. One of the Master Magi laid spells on the entire town, but they don’t discourage raccoons or larger animals.”

  Shair nodded. “Thank you, Trooper. That will be all. We’ll see to ourselves from now on.” She nodded to acknowledge his salute, then started inspecting the inn once he had left. “Verris, take Elin and a few others and find us fodder for the horses. Elrin, take some help and find a well. The rest of us will get set up here.” She acknowledged Verris and Elrin’s salutes and then went upstairs to check the rooms.

  The Red River was a three-story building with a total of twenty-five rooms. Shair was impressed by the size of the rooms on the second floor. This inn had been built to serve the more affluent of the refugees and Guard officers. That, or it had been built by someone who had meant to stay. Several of the men and women had already paired off, so she let them figure out their own arrangements. Archer Davin Northchappel of the Thunderfeet came to find her while she was still inspecting the third floor. Snapping a quick salute, he came to attention to report. “Lady Skyhaven, there is no firewood in the building. We’re going to have to forage.”

  Shair nodded. “Go see the Guards. They may have a stockpile. If not, take ten troopers and see what you can scrounge. The forest around here is pretty sparse, but it should have at least some deadfall for us,” she ordered and acknowledged his salute in kind.

  She finished her inspection, then chose a small room on the first floor for herself and spread her bedroll in the framed box. It looked like the barman’s cubby Sabrina had included in the Scarlet Dragon. The unglazed window was shuttered tightly and let in very little light through the crack between the shutters. She lit a small candle and set up her paperwork on a corner table. The first thing to do was to name the town. The Guard had simply called it the North Garrison.

  Before Java left for Whitehall, they had worked up a list of names that they liked for the towns, and Shair considered which would be the most appropriate. She settled on North Kilber Pass, naming it after the pass through the mountains it had been built to block. It was getting late, so she made
sure that her people were settled, then led them back to the Blue Mountain.

  Lieutenant Parkinston was still there, though it looked like he had made at least some effort to clean himself up. Four other Guardsmen were there as well, along with about thirty men and women who looked at the mercs with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation. Shair nodded to Lieutenant Parkinston, then addressed the room at large.

  “I am Lady Shair Skyhaven, Chatelaine of Mountainstand County. Princess Java has appointed me to see to her holding while she is in Hiddendell. How many residents are missing from this group?”

  An elderly man stood and bowed to Shair before speaking. “There be an easy twenty that do not be present here, Lady.”

  Shair nodded. “Very well. Tomorrow morning, I would like to have a meeting with the entire population. There are a number of things that I must find out about the town before I can make an educated decision as to its disposition. I can offer you this assurance: I will not displace anyone without good reason. If you have made a home here, you will be able to keep it.”

  Her announcement released the undercurrent of tension that had permeated the inn, and people began speaking quietly amongst themselves as she and the rest of the patrol took seats at the available tables. Beer and a good beef stew with crusty oat bread made for a substantial meal, and the mercs enjoyed it to the accompaniment of jokes about each other’s cooking.

  The night passed quietly with the exception of occasional bumps and laughter from some of the rooms. The morning sun found the mercs seeing to their horses while Shair called a meeting in the town square. There was no fountain, as was customary, so she stood on the porch of what had been a store to address the gathered people.

  The residents of the town were mostly older men and women, but there were a few younger families present as well. She began by informing them of the name that she had decided on for the town.