Kevin nodded. “Thank you. We’d love to, if it’s no trouble.”
“No trouble at all,” Gwynn said as she shut the kitchen door.
“Why do I get the feeling that she wants Hayden and Duane to vouch for us?” Chris asked with a grin. Then he turned to Taelor and took a good look at him. Taelor was a little shorter than Kevin and he was still slim, but he no longer looked frail. His bronze skin didn’t hang on his bones any more and his dark eyes looked calm for a change. “You’re looking a lot better now than the last time we saw you. Back then you looked more like a skeleton than a man, and a jittery one at that. Now you look healthy and relaxed.”
Taelor pulled out a chair and sat down. “This valley is so peaceful that it’s easy to forget what’s going on in other places. I’m going to hate to have to leave.”
Kevin frowned. “Leave?”
Taelor nodded. “Hayden has made arrangements for Landis to study magic with the great dragon Glendymere, and then I was under the impression that she was going to Milhaven to study with you.”
Kevin nodded. “She is, and I was expecting you to accompany her, but when you said that you had to leave, I thought you meant right away.”
“No, not until fall.” Then after a moment, Taelor asked, “Is that why you’re here? Did you come to meet Landis? Would you like for me to introduce you?”
“Not right now. I’ll meet her this evening. I really came to talk to you,” Kevin said. “I have a few questions I need to ask you about Rolan. Do you mind?”
Taelor shook his head.
“You were at the castle in Trendon when Rolan got there, weren’t you?”
Taelor nodded.
“What happened?” Kevin asked.
Taelor look puzzled.
“Between Rolan and Tsareth,” Chris prompted.
Taelor’s eyes grew hard and cold. “We were all in the sitting room, Tsareth, my mother, and me, when Rolan stormed in. He didn’t even greet his father. He just demanded that Tsareth resign as the Seated Sorcerer of Brendolanth and hand the chair over to him.”
“What was Tsareth’s reaction?” Kevin asked.
Taelor took a deep breath and slowly sighed it away. “Tsareth was so quiet that I was afraid he was going to do it, but then he told Rolan no, that it wasn’t time yet. He said that he would resign as soon as Rolan developed some restraint and learned to control his temper, his ambitions, and his magic.”
“How did Rolan react to that?”
“He started tossing energy bolts around, destroying the furniture, burning up the pictures on the walls, the rugs, everything. Then he challenged Tsareth to a duel.”
“Did Rolan formally challenge Tsareth? Did he go to Badec?”
“No, he didn’t. When Rolan challenged him, Tsareth told him that if he really wanted to duel for the seat he’d have to convince Badec to sanction it, but Rolan said it was a family matter and no one else’s business. Tsareth tried to reason with him, but it didn’t do any good. Finally he agreed.”
“Did you see the fight?” Chris asked.
Taelor nodded. “I don’t know if Tsareth would have killed Rolan or not, but he never got the chance. He walked over to the side of the field and took off the Key to Terah. When he turned around to head back to his end of the field, his back was towards Rolan. I heard Rolan roar and the next thing I knew, it was over.”
“Who else was there? Who else witnessed the duel?” Kevin asked.
“The only other person there was Tsareth’s second.”
“Rolan didn’t have anyone there for him?”
Taelor shook his head no.
“Where is Tsareth’s second now?” Chris asked.
“He’s dead. The same blast that killed Tsareth killed his second and knocked me unconscious.”
“How did Rolan explain Tsareth’s disappearance?” Kevin asked.
“The next morning Rolan announced that Tsareth had passed away during the night, that he had died peacefully in his sleep.”
“Died in his sleep?” Kevin asked with a frown.
Taelor nodded. “I couldn’t say anything because Rolan told me that if I talked about the duel he’d have my mother killed.” Taelor shrugged and continued, “The threat worked until my mother died. Then he didn’t have anything to hold over my head anymore.”
“And that’s when you left,” Kevin said.
“And that’s when I left,” Taelor agreed.
“So you’re the only witness to the fact that Rolan killed his father,” Chris said. “No wonder he’s so desperate to have you killed.”
“What did he do about the funeral?” Kevin asked. “There was no body.”
“He told everyone that Tsareth had told him a long time ago that he didn’t want to be buried in the family tomb, that he wanted to be cremated. Rolan set an urn on the table in the office and told everyone that he had already honored his father’s wishes and that the urn contained Tsareth’s ashes.”
“And Tsareth’s other children didn’t question that?” Kevin asked.
“They didn’t have much of a chance. Rolan told them that they had twenty-four hours to get their stuff and get out of Trendon, and that if they wanted to continue living, they would never come back.”
“How did they take that?” Kevin asked.
“Robyn, the oldest, told Rolan to enjoy the position while he had it because he wouldn’t have it for long, but none of the others said anything at all.”
“He had guts,” Chris mumbled.
“Guts, but very little magical power. That’s the only reason Rolan didn’t kill him. Rolan just laughed at him.” Taelor shook his head. “The only one that’s a real threat to him is Landis. I’m surprised he hasn’t had her killed.”
“I imagine he’s tried,” Kevin said.
“Probably,” Taelor agreed. “I have to admit that I’m worried about her. When she leaves here, she’ll become a target. I don’t know if she’ll survive long enough to learn how to defend herself.”
“They said the same thing about me,” Kevin said with a slight grin.
Taelor nodded, but he didn’t look happy.
Kevin decided that it was time to change the subject. He stood up, stretched, and asked, “Is Xantha around? I’d like to see him while we’re here.”
“I’m not sure, but we can go see,” Taelor said as he stood up.
Taelor led Kevin and Chris through the woods towards the meadow where the horses lived. There was a barn on the far side, but no fence.
“Where’s the pasture for the horses?” Chris asked.
“They have free range here. There are no fences or pens.”
“How do the elves keep up with their horses then?” Kevin asked.
“They live with the animals; they don’t own them. If an elf wants to ride a horse, he asks permission. If the horse agrees, fine. If not, the elf either finds another horse or walks.”
“What about cows and chickens?” Chris asked. “Don’t they keep them for eggs and milk?”
“There are some cows around, and Hayden milks the ones who come to the barn to be milked, but it’s up to the cows. And there are quite a few chickens, but where they roost is their choice. If they roost in the barn, their eggs are gathered. Otherwise, their eggs aren’t touched.”
“Are you trying to tell me that chickens actually think about it and choose where to lay their eggs?” Kevin asked skeptically.
“Well, sort of. If I hadn’t lived here for the past nine months, I might have trouble believing it too, but I’ve seen chickens go to the barn to roost, and I’ve seen them go other places. Whether or not they’re thinking about it, I don’t know.”
“They don’t think about it the way you think about things, but they do understand that eggs laid in the barn are gathered,” Xantha told all three of them. Then he said, “Why don’t you come up and join me?” privately to Kevin.
Kevin looked up at the blue sky for a few moments. Then he spotted the snow white pegasus. “Be right there,” he
answered Xantha in his mind. Then he said, “If you two don’t mind, I’m going to fly up and join Xantha for a while.”
Chris grinned and said, “Have fun!”
Taelor nodded. “Chris and I’ll just walk through the woods for a while. I want to hear what the Tellurians have been up to for the past year.”
“See you in a little while then,” Kevin said as he lifted straight up in the air as if he were in an invisible elevator.
After Kevin was gone, Taelor turned to Chris and said, “I still have trouble believing that the guy I knew as Kevin is really Myron, the Master Sorcerer of Terah.”
“Sometimes I have trouble believing it, too.”
“How does he know Xantha? Was he fostered in North Amden?”
“No, his foster home was far away from here. But he’s known Xantha all of his life. At Badec’s request, Xantha formed a mind link with him right after he was born.”
“Have you known Xantha for a long time, too?” Taelor asked.
“Not as long as Kevin has, but I’ve known him for a while.”
“So, what’s been going on since I last saw all of you?”
Chris laughed and told Taelor some of the things that had happened to them over the past year.
“At least now no one is looking for you any more,” Taelor said wistfully.
“They don’t have to. Everyone on Terah knows where to find us.”
They walked along in silence for a few minutes. Then Taelor asked, “What was it like, living and working with a dragon?”
“We didn’t really live with him. No one does. The giants had fixed us a place to live in a nearby valley. But working with him was great. I was terrified the first day, but after I got over that I really had a good time.”
“What are the giants like? Are they friendly? Or do they just tolerate humans?”
“They’re terrific people. You’ll enjoy knowing them.”
“How many are there?” Taelor asked. “Is it just one family?”
Chris nodded. “There are four of them. Blalick and Ashni are married, and Macin and Sari are their children, but they’re grown. They’re about the same age as Darrell and Theresa.”
“You were Kevin’s assistant, right?”
Chris nodded.
“What did the others do while you and Kevin were working with Glendymere?”
“Different things. Karl and Blalick worked together on whatever chores needed to be done while Joan and Ashni cooked and made clothes for all of us. Steve and Darrell spent a lot of time working out, and Macin joined them whenever he could. Sari helped Theresa gather herbs and set out herb beds. In fact, Theresa’s there right now. She and Sari are checking the herb beds that they set out last year, and then they’re going to go up in the high country to gather some of the rare herbs that grow up there.”
“Maybe I can help with the herbs then. I’ve been wondering what I’m going to do while Landis is working with her magic.”
“Aren’t you going to be her assistant?”
Taelor shook his head. “Landis and Rhianna have decided that Rhianna’s going to be her assistant, but don’t say anything about it yet. No one else knows. Let the girls be the ones to tell Hayden and Gwynn. I’m not sure how they’re going to feel about their youngest daughter leaving North Amden.”
“And Duane,” Chris added. “I’d hate to be the one to have to tell him that his kid sister is going to be in harm’s way.”
Taelor nodded. They walked along in silence for a few minutes and then he asked, “Does Theresa have her own chapel yet?”
“No, she’s been helping out in Milhaven, but Sister Agnes is the sister in charge.”
“So Theresa isn’t really tied down,” Taelor said. “Does she visit Willow Canyon often?”
“Well, this is the first time she’s gone back since we left, but things have been fairly hectic. I don’t know how often she might go back in the future, but I do know she’s planning to be there for a while next fall, gathering and preparing herbs for several of the local chapels.” Chris looked at Taelor and asked, “You really like her, don’t you?”
Taelor lowered his eyes and starred at a spot on the ground. “I admire her skills, and I appreciate the risk she took to take care of me when I was wounded. That’s all.”
“Right,” Chris mumbled.
Taelor felt a flush start creeping up his cheeks. “We need to be getting back. I’m sure Hayden and Gwynn are wondering where we are.” Then he turned around and started walking towards the house.
~ ~ ~ ~
While Chris and Taelor were walking through the woods and talking, Kevin was soaring through the sky on Xantha’s back. After they had been flying for a little while, Xantha asked, “So, what brings you to Crinsor Run? Are you here to ask my help in finding a mate?”
“You know better. I came to talk to Taelor.”
“And to meet Landis and see if she’s the girl from your vision.”
“Okay, you’re right. I want to know if she’s the one who will fight Rolan one day.”
“You could have just asked me, you know. I’ve met her. You keep forgetting about this mind link, but never mind. She’s the one you saw. She’ll fight Rolan one day. So teach her well.”
They flew around for a little while longer and then Xantha landed in a meadow near a pretty little stream. “I’m going to eat a bit. Do you want to talk about what’s on your mind, or do you just want some peace and quiet to think for a while?”
“I want to talk to you about it,” Kevin began. “One of the federation representatives said something that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about. Sandy, the gargoyle, mentioned that what we really need is some way for the Council of Sorcerers to select a new Master Sorcerer if something happens to me before I have an heir. I’ve been thinking about that ever since, and I think he made a good point.”
“Have you come up with a plan?”
“I’ve been thinking about one. I have a vacancy coming up in one of my districts, so I’ve invited three sorcerers to compete for the position. While I was working on that, I started thinking that maybe we could do the same type of thing for the Master Sorcerer’s position.”
“Hold a competition?”
Kevin nodded, more to himself than to Xantha since nods don’t transmit telepathically. “But rather than invite three candidates, we could open it to any and all of the seated sorcerers who want to compete.”
“And what sort of things would this competition involve?”
“I don’t know, and to be honest, that’s not my problem. I don’t think it should include a challenge to the death or a lot of experienced sorcerers are going to die, but I imagine Glendymere and a couple of the other dragons could come up with something.”
“And who would judge this thing?”
Kevin shrugged. “Maybe the federation representatives should watch the competition and vote on the new Master Sorcerer, or maybe the other council members, or maybe a few of the dragons. I haven’t worked that out yet.”
“You’ve got some more thinking to do before you present it.”
“I know. I’m hoping they’ll go along with it when I point out that once a new Master Sorcerer is named, he or she could still be challenged by anyone on the council. It would just give them a new target.”
“I’m not sure I’d put it quite like that when I presented it,” Xantha said with a quick chuckle.
“Why not? It’s what I feel like most of the time.”
“Maybe you should start smaller, like present the idea of a competition for any vacant chairs on the council, and work up to the Master’s Chair from there.”
“I hadn’t thought about that, but that’s a good idea. I wonder how many of the seated sorcerers don’t have heirs. I know I don’t, and from what I’ve heard, neither does Rolan.”
“No, but Rolan has a couple of brothers and sisters. His chair would pass to the oldest magical sibling, wouldn’t it?”
“I don’t know. I guess I need to
talk to Laryn about this. There’s just so much that I don’t know.”
“And that may be to your advantage. Your thinking isn’t limited to what’s always been done in the past,” Xantha pointed out. “Talk to Laryn, and don’t forget about Tyree. He’s a good one to sound things out on, too. And in the meantime, shall we start looking for a mate? I saw a couple of nice looking girls around Milhaven while we were there for Badec’s funeral. Want me to check them out? See who’s available? Be happy to do that for you!”
“No! No! And no! I’ll find my own mate eventually,” Kevin insisted. “And don’t get any ideas about manipulating me or the girls in any way to get us to meet!”
“I wouldn’t do that,” Xantha said in a sugary voice.
“Right! Xantha, I’m serious. When it’s right, I’ll know it, and until then, just let it be.”
Xantha continued grazing for a while and let Kevin enjoy lying in the sun. Finally Kevin broke the companionable silence. “Xantha, did you hear what Taelor said about Rolan and Tsareth?”
“Yes.”
“What did you think of it?”
“I think Rolan’s a very dangerous and evil man who thinks that he can have whatever he wants as long as he has the power to take it, but you already know that.”
Kevin nodded. “What do I do about it?”
“I have no idea. You’ll need to talk to Laryn and find out what, if anything, you can do. Human laws are beyond me. Half the time they seem to be contradictory. Talk to Laryn and Tyree. You can trust their judgment.”
“Okay,” Kevin said as he got up and brushed himself off. “I hate to, but I guess we really should head back. Gwynn invited us to stay for dinner, but I need to spend a little time with Duane, and then I need to get someone to introduce me to Landis before we all sit down to eat. Are you ready to go?”
Xantha took one last bite of grass and nodded. Then the two of them soared into the sky and headed back to Crinsor Run.
~ ~ ~ ~
When Kevin and Xantha returned to the meadow, Duane was waiting for them. Like most elves, he was almost seven feet tall. His cat-like eyes glowed like two red coals in a handsome face that looked much younger than his hundred years.
The Dragon's Flame (The Chronicles of Terah # 2) Page 12