The Rambling Spy

by Mackenzie Morgan

  Weldon thought for a moment. “But would she refuse an appointment as a training instructor?”

  Hayden frowned. “Can you refuse?”

  Weldon shrugged. “No one’s refused since I’ve been involved, but I guess you could.”

  A slow smile spread across Hayden’s face. “Hard to refuse if you aren’t asked. Do you have to ask?”

  “I always ask them to accept the appointment, but I guess I could phrase it in such a way that she wouldn’t have the opportunity to say no.”

  “Tell her she’s been appointed because she got Rolan’s men out of North Amden, make it an honor. No way she could refuse that.”

  Weldon nodded. “I can come up with something along those lines.”

  “How long would she be there?”

  “We used to have one set of instructors handle the first year, the skills part, and a second group handle the second year, the one we call the applications year.”

  Hayden nodded. “That’s the way it was when I was there.”

  “Me, too,” Weldon agreed. “And it was the same way when we were instructors. It was a one-year commitment. But we changed the program twenty years ago. Now instructors stay with the candidates from beginning to end so they serve for two years at a time.”

  “Good. Even if she opts out after the first group, two years will give her plenty of time to get over this foolishness.”

  “What are you going to tell Gwynn?”

  “Not a thing,” Hayden said. “This is coming from you.”

  “What do you want me to tell her if she asks if you had anything to do with it?”

  “Tell her no. Let her think it came from the council. Tell her it’s in honor of Rhianna’s success with the Rolan issue. She’ll accept that.”

  Weldon nodded.

  “When will Rhianna have to be here?’

  “The end of January.”

  “That’s a long time. I don’t suppose you could make it any sooner?”

  Weldon shook his head. “Not without making her suspicious. It hasn’t been that long since she was a trainee herself. If I asked her to come earlier, she’d know something was up.”

  “And if she didn’t, Duane would.” Hayden sighed. “I hope nothing happens in the meantime that can’t be changed.” After a moment, Hayden asked, “When can you let her know?”

  “Near the end of December.”

  “Why so late?”

  “The council has to approve the roster before the instructors are notified.”

  “Why?”

  Weldon shrugged. “I have no idea. No one’s ever objected to anyone before. If an elf doesn’t have the required skills, they wouldn’t be a warrior elf to start with, and if they didn’t live up to the code, we’d have stripped them of the title when the problem came up.”

  “Like Owen tried to do with Rhianna. Do you think he’ll try to block her appointment?”

  “I don’t know, but I hope not. He’d have to have grounds, and if he tries to blame Rhianna for his daughter’s failure, I’ll insist Carris appear before the council to explain how it was Rhianna’s fault. And if that happens, I’ll call in the instructors along with Rhianna to answer the charges. But hopefully it won’t come to that.”

  Hayden stood up and stretched. “So, you’ll take it from here?”

  Weldon nodded. “Do you want me to let you know how the council meeting goes?”

  “Not by letter, unless you want to let your brother know the council has honored his daughter with an appointment, and if you write me about it, word it that way, honored with an appointment.”

  “Got it.” Weldon leaned back in his chair. “Just out of curiosity, what reason did you give Gwynn for coming down here today?”

  “I told her I wanted to see if any of the bounty hunters had come back.”

  “And she believed you?”

  “I guess. She didn’t question it. So, have there been any reports?”

  Weldon grinned and shook his head. “Not a one.”

  “Good. I’m sure she’ll be happy to hear North Amden is once again safe from Rolan’s men.”

  Chapter 25

  Family Business

  Kevin was in his office Monday afternoon when Ariel opened the door. “Cryslyn and Miranda would like to see you.”

  Kevin nodded. “Send them in.”

  As soon as they came in, Cryslyn handed Kevin two sheets of paper. “Do you know anything about these.”

  The letters were from Dara with adjustments and additions to the lists of “accommodation requirements” she’d sent him six weeks earlier. Kevin reached into his bottom desk drawer and pulled out the lists. “She’s talking about these.”

  Cryslyn scanned her list. “They’re coming this weekend. When were you planning to give us these?”

  “I wasn’t. As far as I’m concerned, the best place for them is in the trash.”

  Miranda shook her head. “Everyone’s weekend will be better if she doesn’t start off with a list of complaints.”

  Kevin laughed. “No matter what you do, Dara will find plenty to complain about. You don’t have to pay any attention to those lists. I’m serious. Ignore them. Tell her I never gave them to you. Trust me, she’ll believe you.”

  Cryslyn grinned. “All the same, we’ll do what we can to keep her happy. Don’t worry about it.”

  ~~~~

  Friday morning dawned bright and clear, perfect for working outside. After running through his practice routine, Kevin stopped by the kitchen. As he walked in, Miranda handed him a cup of coffee. “Thanks,” he said as he took a sip. “You’re in early.”

  Miranda nodded. “Got a bit to do. Some of the stuff Dara wants isn’t on our normal list, and the girls aren’t familiar with the preparation.”

  Kevin shook his head. “You don’t have to cater to her. Everyone else will be perfectly happy with anything you serve.”

  “Dara was explicit about what she wanted served at every meal. I doubt the others would be happy with her choices, so we’re doing two menus this weekend. One for Dara, and one for everyone else.”

  “You know that’s ridiculous, right?”

  “I know, but maybe it’ll keep her happy.”

  “Nothing will keep that woman happy.” Kevin sighed. “Just remember you’re the one in charge, not her. She has no say about anything related to this castle, the staff, or anything else. She’s a guest, and not a particularly welcome one.”

  Miranda bit back a smile. “Myron, she’s your aunt. She’s married to one of your father’s brothers, and for that reason she’ll always be welcome here.”

  Kevin raised his eyebrows and just looked at Miranda.

  “All right, she’ll always be tolerated here.”

  “That I can agree with.” Kevin drained his coffee. “But I can’t help but wonder how such a nice guy ended up marrying such a woman.”

  “Hush, now. You never know who’ll hear what you say and repeat it.”

  Kevin shrugged. “I’m sure it wouldn’t come as a big surprise to her.” Then he set his cup down. “Thanks again for the coffee. Guess I’d better get going. It’s going to be a busy day.”

  Half an hour later, after getting Nikki settled with Marshall and glancing through the overnight mail, Kevin left for Shadron’s.

  Kayla had a pot of coffee on the stove and pastries in the oven. “Have a seat. Shadron’s giving some last minute instructions to his foreman,” Kayla said as she poured Kevin some coffee. “The pastries will be out in about five minutes.”

  Kevin sipped his coffee. “Are Lysa and Brandt coming?”

  Kayla nodded. “But not until later, when I go. You and Shadron are going to Dayed’s to pick up the wood, aren’t you?”

  Kevin nodded.

  “I don’t see any reason for us to go until you’re done with all of that. You can pick us up when you pick up Danyelle and Allisandra.”

  “Lunch time?”

  “That’ll be fine.” Kayla poured another cup of coffee as Shad
ron came through the back door and handed it to him. He took a sip as he pulled out a chair across from Kevin.

  Shadron tilted his head to Kevin and asked, “Have you had breakfast yet?”

  Kevin shook his head. “Miranda was busy, so I grabbed some coffee and left.”

  “I can fix you some eggs,” Kayla offered as she took the pastries out of the oven.

  Kevin shook his head. “No thanks, but I wouldn’t say no to one of those pastries.”

  After Kevin and Shadron ate a couple of pastries, Kayla bagged up the rest and handed them to Shadron. “To keep you going until lunch. I’ll make some more for the children.” Then she kissed his cheek.

  Kevin stood up and took out his key. “I’ll be back before lunch. Miranda’s planning for everyone to eat at the castle.”

  Then Kevin and Shadron left for Dayed’s workshop. When they got there, Dayed’s eyes went straight to the bag in Shadron’s hand. “Is that food?”

  Shadron laughed and handed him the bag.

  Dayed took out a pastry. “You’re a life saver. Dara said she had too much to do to fix anything for me this morning. I’m starving. Tell Kayla I love her.”

  “You can tell her yourself,” Shadron said. “Now, which stack of wood’s going with us? Myron and I’ll take a couple of loads while you eat.”

  An hour later, all the wood for the addition had been neatly stacked behind Laryn’s house and the furniture Dayed had made for the nursery was stored in one of the empty rooms in the castle basement. While Shadron and Dayed joined Laryn and Steve for a cup of tea, Kevin left to go get Kyle.

  As soon as Kevin dropped Kyle off, Laryn’s brothers and Steve went outside to start working on the nursery. An hour later, everyone but Dara had been picked up. Allisandra, Danyelle, and Kayla were in the kitchen with Laryn, Sedwin had joined the brothers outside, and Craven had taken Lysette and Danyelle’s two youngest to the playground. Brandt had gone in search of Marshall and Lysa had gone to the castle kitchen to see if she could help with lunch.

  When there was no way around it, Kevin left to go get Dara. She was waiting in the front parlor, surrounded by more luggage than Danyelle and Allisandra combined. “Late as always, I see,” she said. “I was expecting you an hour ago.”

  “Sorry,” Kevin mumbled as he scooped up her bags. “The others are at Laryn’s. Would you like to join them?”

  Dara shook her head. “I need to see to my accommodations and get unpacked.”

  Kevin nodded. “Then we’ll go to my office.”

  Once they arrived in the reception area, Kevin nodded towards Cameryn. “Would you run down to Cryslyn’s office and ask her to have someone show Dara to her room?”

  After Cameryn left, Dara said, “I’ll join the family for lunch. What time will they be seated?”

  Kevin frowned. “Lunch is served from noon until two.”

  Dara shook her head. “That’s fine for the staff, but when the family is in residence, certain protocols should be observed, and a proper meal time with proper seating is one of them. You are entirely too lax in the way you run this castle. Your staff needs someone in charge who knows what they’re doing.” Then she turned to Ariel. “You. Run down to the kitchen and tell the cook that the family will be seated for lunch promptly at one. Then run out to Laryn’s and tell them the same.” When Ariel didn’t immediately move, she put her hands on her hips and glared at him. “What are you waiting for? I gave you an order. Go!”

  Ariel looked at Kevin and raised his eyebrows. Kevin, who was standing behind Dara’s back, shrugged and then gave a single nod.

  “Yes, ma’am,” Ariel said as he turned to go.

  “Your servants don’t respect you, Myron. If they did, they’d move when they’re given orders. You’re letting this place fall to pieces.”

  Kevin took a deep breath, but kept his mouth shut. A moment later, Cryslyn arrived to show Dara to her rooms. “Good morning, Dara. As you requested, we have three rooms prepared for you. If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you up.”

  “My luggage,” Dara said.

  “I’ll bring it,” Kevin said as he scooped it up.

  Once Dara was installed in the guest quarters, Kevin and Cryslyn left her to unpack. On their way downstairs, Kevin shook his head. “Three rooms?”

  “I assumed she wanted one for her and Dayed, and one for the child. She did ask that one room be set up as a sitting room, but I didn’t see her son.”

  “I didn’t either,” Kevin said. “And she didn’t say anything about picking him up later.”

  “Oh, well. Not our problem. She has what she asked for. See you later.”

  Ariel was back when Kevin got to the office. “Sorry about that,” Kevin said, “but it’s easier on everyone if we go along with her.”

  “I know.”

  “What did Miranda and Laryn say?”

  “Miranda laughed and said she can be seated anytime she wants, but no one’s going to serve her. She can fix her own plate just like everyone else. Laryn rolled her eyes, and her sisters laughed.”

  “Good. Where’s Chris?”

  “In your office. He said it was the safest place to be while Dara’s in the building.”

  “Chicken,” Kevin said as he opened the door to his office and went inside. “You can come out now. Dara’s upstairs.”

  “She’s still in the building. I’m staying put.”

  Kevin laughed. “Anything I need to know about?”

  Chris shook his head. “It’s been quiet so far.”

  “Good. I’m going to see how the work’s coming along. I’ll check in with you later.”

  ~~~~

  Around mid-afternoon, while Shadron and the crew at Laryn’s were putting the roof on the new room, Gildan rode into Milhaven.

  When he’d left Trendon, he’d headed south into Nandelia and then east. He figured he’d have to pay for information about Myron and his family, so he wanted to pad his stash of coins before he reached Camden. He did a little stealing, a little gambling, and spent a few days in Glenarbour at the Octuro tables. Before he rode into Camden, he’d doubled the money in his pouch.

  As he traveled through Camden, he stopped at taverns and engaged the locals in conversation about local affairs and Camden in general. By the time he rode into Milhaven, he had a pretty good feel for how things worked. The only thing that surprised him was the genuine affection most of the residents felt towards the House of Nordin. He’d only been in Brendolanth five years, the last two at Rolan’s castle, but he could vouch for the animosity most of Brendolanth felt towards the House of Gergin, or at least the current head of that house.

  Gildan watched the people who were out on the main street as he rode through Milhaven. They wandered through town in no apparent hurry, stopping to chat as they went. It was nothing like Trendon where the residents walked quickly from one place to another with their eyes down and their mouths shut.

  After he boarded his horse at Korman’s stable and got a room for himself at the inn, he ventured into the tavern to see what he could learn.

  As soon as he sat down, Fenway brought him a mug of scog. “Figured you could use this. Did you get settled upstairs all right?”

  Gildan nodded and took a swallow of scog. “Thanks.” Then he sniffed a couple of times. “Something smells good.”

  Fenway smiled. “Blair’s the best cook I’ve ever known, probably the best in Camden. It’s a wonder I’m not as big around as I am tall.”

  Gildan smiled. “Guess I know where I’m eating dinner tonight. If you’re not busy, why don’t you grab a mug of scog and join me. My horse is the only one I’ve had to talk to for the past few days.”

  “Don’t mind if I do. Back in a minute.” When Fenway came back, he brought two mugs of scog and a small plate of fruit pastries. “Thought you might be ready for a snack. These were left over after breakfast this morning.” Then he set a fresh mug in front of Gildan and sat down across from him with his own. “Where are you from?”

&nbs
p; “Originally, Riordan,” Gildan said, sticking to a sanitized version of the truth. “I grew up there. When I was eighteen, I set out to explore the world. I lived in Nandelia for about ten years, bouncing around doing odd jobs, before I ended up in Brendolanth. I was there about five years before I decided to move on.”

  “Where are you headed now?”

  “I don’t know. I might stay around Camden for a while. I like what I’ve seen so far, but I want to do a little more looking before I settle down. What about you? Where are you from?”

  Fenway laughed. “I was born about a mile from where we’re sitting. Met the girl I ended up marrying almost as soon as we could walk. We talked about exploring when we were younger, see if we could find some place we liked better, but soon Ainsley was on the way, so we took over the inn and tavern and never looked back. Have to say I haven’t regretted it. We had a good life here.”

  “Had?”

  “Wife passed on a few years back,” Fenway said.

  “Sorry,” Gildan said softly. “Since you’ve lived here all your life, you must know a lot about the House of Nordin.”

  Fenway nodded. “You could say so. Why?”

  “I didn’t pay much attention to the way things worked in Riordan, I was too young, but in Nandelia, Damien may be the Seated Sorcerer, but his brothers, sisters, and children all help out, especially if anything happens like a bad storm. I figured that was the way things were everywhere.” Gildan paused and drank some scog. “Then I went to Brendolanth. From what I understand, when Rolan took over, he kicked everyone related to him out of Trendon and threatened to kill them if they returned. And I know from personal experience that when disasters happen, the people are on their own. How are things done here?”

  Fenway leaned back in his chair. “When Badec was alive, it was similar to what you described in Nandelia. One of his sisters, Laryn, was even his assistant.”

  “I didn’t think a sorcerer could be an assistant to a seated sorcerer.”

  “She isn’t a sorcerer. She’s the only one of the brothers and sisters who isn’t, and she’s the only one who lives around here. The others are spread out, all over Camden. Allisandra lives down in Ardmore, near Agrenon Bay. Her husband’s a blacksmith. Danyelle’s family has a farm outside Stanton, near the top of Heron’s Gulf. Kyle has a place in the mountains near Newbury up in Lochland. Shadron’s ranch is between here and Glenarbour, outside Emerson, and Dayed’s sawmill is near Cedar Grove in Mandoryn. I know all of them, and I can tell you every one of them would do anything they could to help young Myron out, but as he’s an only child, he’s more or less on his own.”