Shair nodded. “If you wish. Java was quite impressed by you when she was here, so I’m sure she will be delighted to have you stay. She also liked the name of Highland for this town.”
Lord Frontain nodded at that. “A good choice.” He led her over to his desk and positioned a chair for her. There was a large pile of petitions, and Shair shook her head at them.
“I hope at least some of them will be willing to move to the other towns,” She said under her breath, but Lord Frontain heard her.
“Some of them are from the other towns. When the Guard evacuated the garrisons, a large number of people came here rather than returning to Lender’s Dale.”
Shair looked at him with wide eyes, then grinned. “That’s good to know. Now, Lord Barry Spurlock is interested in the land south of the town. What’s there?”
“The best of the farmland, Lady Skyhaven,” he replied, and Shair looked at him curiously.
“My name is Shair, Lord Frontain.”
Lord Frontain smiled at her, nodding his head. “Endar. I suppose that a little familiarity is appropriate.”
“Very well, Endar, let’s sort these by who wants the same things. I suppose we’re going to have a number of people asking for the same prime holdings. Let’s do yours first. Which house do you want?” she asked, looking at him closely.
Lord Frontain smiled and bowed his head. “The house I want is here in officer’s country. It’s the three-story mansion that’s serving as the Officer’s Quarters.”
He was obviously a little shy to be asking for so much, but Shair didn’t mind. “Very well, it’s yours.” She laughed at his look of surprise. “I will exact a price, though. I want you to be Lord Mayor here and keep the peace. That’ll keep you busy. Now, as to the rest...”
Shair and Endar spent seven days reviewing the petitions they received, and, much to Endar’s surprise, she gave preference to the tenants of the lands and shops rather than the lords. Shair explained that, “Java is more concerned with the welfare of the people who produce the goods than for those who buy them.”
Lord Frontain shook his head in wonder. “A strange lady, our young princess. But, she is not a noble by birth, so she sees things differently than we do.”
“She does. She most certainly does. By my count, we have sixty families willing to return to North Kilber Pass, twenty families willing to go to Roaring River, and one hundred and seven who want to stay here. There are also a number of your Guardsmen who wish to retire and put down roots here. That’s all to the good, to my way of thinking. After all, they did build these towns. They also provide me with a ready-made force of peacekeepers. First choice to the Guardsmen then.” So saying, she picked up the pile of requests from the Guards and began signing them, making deeds for the properties in question.
Lord Spurlock was persuaded to go to Roaring River as Lord Mayor, along with the people who were willing to make the effort to turn it into a town. His wife, Lady Betta, was not happy with the change, but she accepted that it was better than trying to start fresh in Lender’s Dale. Three former Guardsmen went with them, with orders to relieve the mercenaries she had left behind.
Lord Valiant Chilcof and his wife, Lady Theresa, traveled to North Kilber Pass as Lord Mayor. They had been there before the Guard had pulled out and wished to return. They led the people who had followed them to Highland back to the town that they had decided to call home.
Lord Chilcof had owned a quarry on the east bank of the Lender River, and accepted Shair’s suggestion of a quarry in North Kilber Pass as a godsend. Lady Theresa confessed that they had not really known what they were going to do with themselves. Lord Captain Frontain sent his last orders to the Guardsmen in North Kilber Pass along with them, relieving them of their post. Shair felt good about the whole thing, seeing that six of the families were former Guardsmen who had married refugee women.
...Thunder Ridge and Vandalburg are prospering. Vince took a commission in the Duchy of Riverdale for the winter season and is taking three hundred men with him. They have been having trouble with bandits up there. He said he is planning to visit Marta on the way back next year. Randy is sitting out a season. He said they all need the time to get the farmers settled and the barns built.
The mills are still producing as much as they can, but it is going to Lender’s Dale. I am using the account to pay taxes and wages with. Kaster is being generous, but his treasury is all but depleted. They need the tax money.
Here in Firedale, we are all fine. Klamath has taken to the leadership role quite naturally. The company is sitting out the season as well, with the exception of the force in Hiddendell. I don’t think you realized what you were doing by giving the mercs these towns. The companies do not have to pay rent anymore, so a lot of their expenditures went away. Randy, Vince, and Klamath have all raised pay a little, as well as providing a better retirement than the League provides.
I’ll be traveling with Sammy when she comes to Whitehall for your wedding, so I’ll see you then. Be well, and don’t pull your knives on anyone you don’t intend to kill.
Love,
Shair
* * *
Lothar and the traders entered Morrisdale twelve days after leaving Firedale. Trader Savinden sat on the seat of his wagon and stared. “She chose this as her capital?” he whispered.
Lothar burst out laughing. “I tried to tell you, Granden. Morrisdale is a very small place.”
“But--I thought you were exaggerating! This isn’t small, it’s minuscule!” he all but cried, staring at the sparsely populated valley.
Lothar simply laughed again and rode on. His family’s farm was closer than the Sheridan farm, and he stopped in there first. A man came out of the barn as he dismounted in front of the house.
“What can I do for you, good sir?” he asked, but Lothar simply stared. “Well, are you dumb? Didn’t you hear me? What do you want?” the man asked again, his impatience obvious.
“Aaron? Is that really you?” Lothar asked, staring at the man before him.
“My name is Aaron. Who are you?” the man replied.
“Lothar,” Lothar replied and grinned as his little brother finally recognized him.
“Lothar!” he shouted as he rushed to hug his brother. “I don’t believe this! Anness said you might show up. Come in, come in,” Aaron said excitedly, opening the gate and waving Lothar through. “Bethany is inside cooking supper. Come along.” Aaron was all but dancing with excitement as he led Lothar to the house.
Bethany came out and looked at her brother-in-law for the first time since she was a child, recognizing him by his resemblance to her husband. “Lothar,” she said, smiling. “Come in and wash up.” She backed into the house and returned to her kitchen.
Lothar set foot in his family home for the first time in more than thirty years, looking about curiously at the changes that time and his brother had made. “It’s good to be home again,” he whispered, looking at the old, familiar house with new eyes.
“Who’s here, Father?” a young man asked as he entered the room.
“Davin, this is your Uncle Lothar,” Aaron replied, smiling as his son met his uncle for the first time.
“I heard a lot about you! General Merrit told me about you and her running off when you were kids,” the young man answered, his eyes wider than his smile.
“Oh, she did, did she? Lies, all of it!” Lothar automatically replied, making his brother laugh.
“How long will you be staying, Lothar?” Aaron asked, his head tilted to the side.
“Not long. It depends on Merrit. I have a good place to return to, if I choose. But I want to try and make a go of it with her again. If she’ll have me again,” Lothar replied, grinning.
“Well, the good general will have to wait until tomorrow,” Bethany said from the door of the kitchen. “You are ours tonight. Davin, go get the others. Supper is ready.”
Davin ran out and soon returned with another boy and two girls. Lothar exchanged greetin
gs with his nephews and nieces, greeting Byron, Jen, and Sindal. Sindal was the eldest, at sixteen. Davin was next at fifteen. Byron was twelve, and Jen was ten. “I am very pleased to meet you all at last,” Lothar said as he smiled at his family.
“We are glad to meet you, too, Uncle Lothar,” Sindal replied.
Lothar and his family spent the night getting to know each other. Aaron was slightly concerned about his status as a servant, but Lothar waved it away. “Lady Robin is the best of mistresses. She is of common birth, and finds being a noble to be tedious. She’s easy to work for.”
The morning sun found Lothar at the gate of the Sheridan farm. “How may I be of service, Sir?” a diffident young Guardsman asked, his freckled face almost making Lothar laugh. Did I ever look that green?
“I am carrying messages for Duchess Samantha and General Marston, along with a few others. May I pass?” he replied, smiling at the young man.
“I’ll see that the proper parties get the messages,” the young man replied, but Lothar shook his head.
“I am to deliver these personally. Please send for Captain Sheridan. She knows me.” Lothar smiled at the young man and saw his unease.
“A moment, please,” he murmured and turned toward the house. Lothar didn’t see the signal, but ten troopers came to the gate at a run. “This man claims to have messages that he must hand deliver to the duchess and the general. Escort him to Captain Sheridan. He claims that she knows him,” the guard told the troops, and Lothar was allowed in the gate. “Forgive us, but you must be searched.”
Lothar nodded and held his arms out to the sides, allowing the Guards to check him for hidden weapons. Once they were satisfied, they led him to Anness.
“Captain Sheridan, there is a man here to see you,” one of the men said, and Anness waved him in to her office.
“Yes? How may I help you...Lothar!” she suddenly shouted and jumped forward to hug him as the troopers pushed in to the room. They stopped dead at the sight of their captain kissing the stranger. Anness waved them away and seated Lothar by her desk. “Gods, Lothar, warn a woman you’re coming! I almost fainted.”
Lothar laughed. “I have letters for you from Lady Robin and Princess Java. There are also letters for the duchess and Merrit, as well as a few others.”
“Merrit’s going to faint,” Anness said, grinning broadly. “I can’t wait.” Standing, she pulled him back to his feet and led him to Merrit’s office. “Merrit, a messenger from Hiddendell is here to see you.”
“Send him in, Anness,” Merrit said absently. Looking up from her desk, her face went pale as Lothar entered the room. Merrit’s hands began shaking and she knocked over her glass of wine as she tried to stand.
Lothar stared at his wife and just about fainted. “Merrit?” he whispered, afraid that it was a dream. He could see the woman in front of him, her weather-lined skin and gray hair, but overlaying her was his memory of the pert-nosed girl he’d called wife.
Merrit walked to him and reached up, caressing his face with one finger. “Is it really you?” she asked, her voice so soft that Anness barely heard her. Like Lothar, she could see the changes time had made, but she could still see that boy from up the road her father had picked as he husband.
Lothar bent down and kissed her, confirming they were both really there. Merrit surged into his embrace and they kissed passionately. Anness stood by the doorway and smiled as she watched. Lothar is exactly what Merrit needs. When they finally came up for air, Anness poured both of them a fresh glass of wine. Then she stepped back and grinned.
“Lothar, what are you doing here?” Merrit asked in a breathy whisper, not letting go of him.
“Lady Robin sent me as a messenger. I have letters from the princess and Lady Robin for you, Anness, and the Duchess, along with a few names that I don’t recognize,” Lothar replied, keeping his arms around Merrit.
“Those girls!” Merrit exclaimed. “They’re going to give me a heart attack if they keep this up!”
Lothar and Anness laughed, then they sat down to get caught up. “...So she moved the capital here. We’ve been rebuilding carefully, trying not to bankrupt Java.”
Lothar nodded. “Lady Skyhaven said you were taking care of needs above wants.”
Merrit nodded, sipping her wine. “Yes, Duchess Samantha is following Java’s lead. She’s a good Scout.”
Anness left Merrit and Lothar alone while she delivered the rest of the letters. Duchess Samantha received her letters and immediately dismissed the people she had been interviewing. She opened Java’s letter first, eagerly devouring the news from her mentor.
Dearest Sammy, I am so excited! Jah’Moke has Arten’s permission, and we don’t expect my father to have any objections. We are going to go ask soon.
Robin has had a visitor from Winterhaven. Lord Mage Marlan Gerrin stopped in to say hello and took her to supper. She said that she shocked him but hopes that he comes back.
I am a bit sad about Robin. She is looking for a husband. I cried when she said that. I had hoped that we would always be together, but she needs her own life too.
Did Panit come and see you? He said he would like to. I like him Sam, and he would be a good partner for you, if you like him. At least he is not after your title. When Sabrina described you to Kaster and Werrin during supper, he sighed and said that he would like to meet you some-day. And that was after we told them about your temper. He is also about as cute as they come.
Don’t stint on rebuilding. I want to be able to come visiting and see a thriving duchy. If you need anything extra, just ask Shair. She has complete control of Mountainstand County.
You will get a formal invitation to the wedding, but it won’t be for a year or more. Be sure that you bring Anness and Merrit. Until I get something else to write about, be well.
Love and kisses,
Java
Samantha smiled and laughed as she finished Java’s letter. “Java likes you, Pan,” she said over her shoulder to her visitor. “She thinks you’re cute, and that we would make a good match.”
“I tend to agree with that, Sam. Although, I’m not sure I’m cute. I prefer handsome,” Panit Cambar said from the sofa where he was reclining.
“I think that you’re cute and handsome,” Sam said as she kissed him. “Have you thought about it?”
“Well, in Greencastle, it’s usually the man who proposes, but this isn’t Greencastle. Are you sure you want to rush into this?” he asked, looking at her closely.
“There is no one else, Pan,” Sam said, running her fingers through his hair. “There has never been anyone else. You confirmed that the first time we made love. Yes, I’m sure. And I’m not rushing. Mother had three children by the time she was my age.” She grinned and Panit laughed.
“Well, then I accept your proposal, Duchess Samantha. I would be honored to be your husband,” Panit said formally, then kissed her.
“Don’t we have to ask your parents?” Sam asked, laughing.
“Why? Dad hauled mom off and married her, then told Grand Da about it. We have a family tradition of impropriety,” Pan said, grinning at Samantha’s glittering eyes.
CHAPTER 6: OLD FRIENDS
True friends are family from other parents.
Ancient Wisdom
THE MONTH AFTER JAVA AND JAH’MOKE’S return from Equintain was a continuous round of council sessions, court, and the occasional crisis to spice things up. Jah’Moke was showing a definite talent for government, and both Arten and Naria were pleased with his progress. It was during the last few weeks of the winter that Duke Arten received word that Duke Senden Winters of Winterhaven was on his way to visit.
Arten held his head in his hands after hearing the news. “Gods Below, I didn’t want to see him again. Senden is such a twit! He is almost my age, but he married a girl your age, Java. We attended the wedding during the first year of the war. He was so besotted with her that we may as well have not even been there. She’s his third wife, by the way, and he h
as a son who’s actually older than her. I wonder what he wants?”
Duke Senden arrived two weeks after the message, accompanied by a parade of retainers. His wife was with him, as were all three of their children. She was still nursing the third child, and Naria frowned.
“Senden Winters, whatever possessed you to bring a nursing mother on a winter trip like this? That carriage is no place for a newborn.”
“She wouldn’t stay home, Naria. Not after she found out about my plans to come here.”
Naria walked to the enclosed carriage that the duchess was riding in and peeked in past the curtains. “Shhh,” a voice whispered, “he’s sleeping.” A young woman’s head peeked through the curtains and smiled. “Duchess Naria, I am happy to see you again,” she whispered, smiling softly.
“Duchess Nerassen, welcome to Hiddendell,” Naria whispered back, bowing her head.
Java was jolted by the duchess’ name. Arten and Naria had only referred to her as “the Child Bride.” Walking carefully forward, she peeked around Naria. She whispered, “Nera?”
Nerassen smiled broadly when she saw Java. “Hi, Java,” she whispered.
Naria was looking back and forth between Java and the Duchess of Winterhaven with a curious expression on her face. Nerassen saw the look and held a finger to her lips. “It’ll wait,” she whispered, then disappeared back inside the coach. The door opened, and the duchess backed out with her baby in her arms.
Naria’s eyes softened when she saw the baby, and she took control of the duchess immediately. Java followed closely at Nerassen’s other side, grinning broadly. The Firewalkers had never heard what had happened to Nera Flowerstan after she had left the company, or at least Java hadn’t. Finding out that Nera had gone home to marry the duke was a pleasant surprise. Two maids followed them, carrying a pair of warmly bundled older children.
Savior Page 16