“You have a valid point,” Chris said, biting his lip to keep from laughing. “What would you suggest?”
“We go as husband and wife! That way no one would give us a second look!”
“And you’d be all right with that?” Kevin asked.
Doreen rolled her eyes. “Of course I would. I wouldn’t agree to go if I wasn’t!”
Kevin looked at Rigel, who’d gone a bit red. “And you?”
Rigel turned to Doreen. “But if we stayed in the same room, we’d be legally wed.”
“Not if we don’t tell anyone! We won’t be the first people to spend the night in the same room without making it official.” She cut her eyes at Kevin. “You aren’t planning to tell anyone, are you?”
“Of course not. That’s up to you two.”
“But if we sign the register at the inns…” Rigel began.
Doreen shook her head. “We don’t have to use our real names. And if you’re worried about Kitridge and Zara, once we meet up with them, I can stay with her and Kitridge can stay with you. No one will ever know. You don’t have to worry about losing your job.”
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Rigel asked.
Doreen nodded. “It sounds like fun. And I want to be there when Myron grabs that man. We’ll see how much he likes being jerked out of his life! Now, when do we leave?”
“You didn’t tell her?” Kevin asked Rigel.
“We didn’t get that far.”
“As far as we know now, probably Wednesday morning.”
“Then I need to get home. I’ve got a lot to do.” Doreen glanced at Chris. “Can I get you to take me back? I don’t have time to walk.”
“If we’re done here, I’ll take you.” Rigel glanced at Kevin, who nodded. “Just give me a minute to get a buggy.”
“I thought you were on duty tonight,” Doreen said.
Rigel looked at Chris. “I won’t be gone long. Brandon’s in the barracks.”
Chris nodded.
“Thank you for agreeing to go, Doreen,” Kevin said. “I hope you both have a good time.”
~~~~
Tuesday morning, Cryslyn intercepted Kevin on his way to breakfast. “Could I see you for a minute?”
Kevin nodded and followed her to her office. After she shut the door, she said, “If you’ll lend me your key, I’ll get started.”
Kevin took his key off his chain and handed it to her.
“From what Chris said, Rigel and Doreen need to go to Lander's Point, have horses available when they get there, and you’d like for that to happen tomorrow. Is that right?”
Kevin nodded.
“And you want me to get them on a boat?”
“If possible. If they just show up, someone might wonder how they got there.”
Cryslyn nodded. “I’ll see what I can work out. If I can’t arrange passage on a boat, I’ll see if I can come up with something else. And Doreen agreed to go?”
Kevin grinned. “She thinks it’ll be fun.”
The corner of Cryslyn’s mouth tilted up. “You wouldn’t be playing matchmaker, would you?”
Kevin shook his head vigorously. “Not me, not ever. I’ve had too many people try to set me up with their daughters, nieces, single friends, and so on to ever do that to someone else.” Kevin took a breath. “We didn’t want anyone to think Kitridge and Zara had a bodyguard with them. That could make them a target for bandits. If Rigel has a woman with him, people will see two couples traveling together. We asked Doreen because she and Rigel know each other well enough to pretend to be married. And we know she’s good at playing a role. Remember how she acted when she first got here? She had everyone convinced she was a spoiled little rich girl. Nothing could be farther from the truth. And she’s pretty good in tough situations, too.”
“Actually, I agree. She’ll be a good partner for him, in this and in marriage, if they ever get around to it.” Cryslyn picked up a folder from her desk. “Will you be around this afternoon?”
“As far as I know.”
“Then I’ll see you when I get back.”
~~~~
Six hours later, a tired and hungry Cryslyn knocked on Kevin’s open door. “I’m back. It’s set up. Do you want details?”
“Not particularly,” Kevin said.
Cryslyn nodded as she took Kevin’s key off the chain she wore around her neck. “We’ll need to leave by seven tomorrow morning.”
“I’ll let them know. Want to meet them here or in your office?”
“Let’s meet in here. My office is a bit small.” Cryslyn handed the key back to Kevin. “See you then.”
~~~~
By eight Wednesday morning, Rigel and Doreen were on a boat headed for Lander's Point. They got there around lunchtime, picked up the horses Cryslyn had arranged for them, and headed out of town.
“Do we have a map or directions?” Doreen asked.
Rigel laughed. “Fine time to ask, after we ride out of town.”
“I didn’t want to say anything where someone might hear. Besides, I know you. You probably have our whole trip mapped out.”
“We’re going to Styler’s Creek. With luck it’ll be big enough to have an inn. If not, we’ll see if we can bed down in someone’s hayloft.”
Doreen shrugged. “Fine with me. Any idea how far it is? It’ll be dark before long.”
“No idea,” Rigel said as he looked around the area. “I’d say we could make camp, but after everything Chris and Myron said about this place, I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“What kind of things?”
“Swamps, snakes, alligators, bugs…”
Doreen wrinkled her nose. “Then if we aren’t in Styler’s Creek by the time it starts getting dark, I say we stop at the next house and ask if they’ll let us sleep in their barn.”
Four hours later, as the sun was going down, they rode into Styler’s Creek. It was small, but it had an inn. As they dismounted, Doreen whispered, “I know you’re uncomfortable about this. I’ll get us signed in while you take the horses down to the livery stable.”
Rigel shook his head as he untied his bag from his saddle. “I’ll take care of them after I get you settled.”
“I can get us settled all by myself.” Doreen untied her bag and held her hand out for his. “Go on. Take care of the horses. I’ll check out the room and meet you in the tavern. I’m starving.”
The look in Doreen’s eyes told him arguing was futile, so he handed her his bag. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Later that evening, after they’d eaten, Doreen led the way upstairs and opened the door to the small room. Rigel frowned as he looked around. “I was planning to sleep on the floor, but I don’t think there’s enough room. I’ll go down to the stables and sleep with the horses.”
“Don’t be silly,” Doreen said as she turned towards him. “You’ll sleep right here in this bed with me.” Then she put her hands on his shoulders, “I know you want to sleep with me as bad as I want you to, and that’s all that matters.”
“We’d be taking a big chance. If anything happens because of it…”
Doreen shook her head. “The only thing that could happen is I might end up pregnant. I don’t care what people say, but I know you do, so if I do, we’ll say we got married while we were away. Has anyone at the castle ever told you that you can’t get married?”
“I’m a guard. We have to live at the castle.”
“But did anyone ever say you can’t get married?”
“No, but…”
“There are no buts. If no one said guards can’t marry, you’re fine. All you have to do is keep living at the castle.” Doreen turned the bed down. “As for tonight, we’re married, and your wife is ready to go to bed.”
~~~~
Later that evening, after a quick trip to the island, Kevin and Nikki joined Chris in Kevin’s room. As soon as they got back, Kevin hung the chimes from the balcony. Then he sat down and picked up his scog.
“So yo
u can give him a heads up?”
Kevin nodded. “I’d love to have King Merdin and Dani in place when we put them in the jail. I know there’s not much way that’s going to happen, but if I let them know it’s close, maybe they’ll get here in time to do a little listening before I have to question them.”
“Easier to question someone when you know the answers.”
“I’d just love to be sure we’ve got the right guys before I start. If they’re the innocent businessmen they claim to be, I’d hate to put them through the ordeal of jail and questioning.”
“If they’re businessmen, pay them for their time, take them back to where you picked them up, and give them their stuff back. They’ll be fine and they’ll have a story to tell that’ll get them free drinks for weeks.”
Kevin shook his head. “Not sure I want that story told. Might need to buy their silence, too.”
“Good luck on that.” Chris drained his scog and set his mug on the tray. “Now, if there’s nothing else, think I’ll get some sleep.”
~~~~
Friday evening Kevin wanted to take Nikki for a walk through the woods. It’d been a while since they’d done that and he’d missed it, almost as much as he’d missed walking with Rhianna. She’d been gone for more than a year, but he missed her just as much that night as he had the first week she’d been gone, if not more.
Kevin shook his head as he and Nikki wandered through the woods Rhianna loved so much. If he’d had any idea how much he was going to feel her absence that evening, he’d never have headed into the woods. More than ever, he was determined that once he got her back, he was going to find a way to convince her to stay.
Kevin sighed and turned around. Time to go back to the castle and find some kind of distraction, something else to think about. If nothing else, he’d grab Chris and go to Fenway’s for a while.
But Chris wasn’t in the office, so Kevin and Nikki headed upstairs. And there he found a distraction waiting for him. King Merdin was sitting on the couch and Dani was stretched out along the top.
“Good evening,” King Merdin said. “Enjoy your walk?”
“We did, thank you, but how did you know we’d gone for a walk?” Kevin asked as Nikki climbed up on the couch to say hello.
“Chris told us,” King Merdin answered as he rubbed Nikki’s ears. “He’ll be back in a minute. He went downstairs for refreshments. I told him it wasn’t necessary, but he insisted.”
Kevin laughed. “Chris doesn’t need a reason to go for food. If I ate like he does, I’d be big as a house. I don’t know how he does it.”
Chris walked through the connecting door with a large tray in his hands at that point. “I don’t know how I do it either, but I’m grateful every day that I can, and I hope it never changes.” The tray he set on the coffee table had a pitcher of scog, three mugs, a bowl of cream for Dani, a plate of brownies, one of cookies, a platter with cake slices, and off to the side were some jerky treats for Nikki.
King Merdin looked at all the food. “How long is this meeting going to take?”
Kevin laughed and shook his head as Chris poured scog in the mugs. When Chris handed him one, Kevin took a sip and said, “We’re closing in on our guys.”
“The ones who had that key?”
Kevin nodded. “If we’re right.”
“And finding out is where we come in.” King Merdin reached for one of the cookies. “Where are they?”
“In Brighthaven.”
“Can’t go much farther without a boat. Any idea when they’ll get here?”
“Not exactly,” Kevin said. “Do you remember Rigel? He went with us when we rescued the captives.”
King Merdin thought for a minute. “You had two with you. One had light hair and one had dark.”
Kevin nodded. “Rigel’s the one with dark hair. Anyway, he’s down there with my tracker and a key following the two men we’re interested in. I want to do this as quietly as possible, so I don’t want to confront them in a town. I want to get them one night when they make camp, but the area they’re in right now isn’t conducive to setting up a camp. We’ll have to wait until they move back towards the north and start making camp again. ”
“That’s one of the few areas we stay away from. It’s too dangerous. I don’t know why anyone lives there.”
“To be honest, I don’t either,” Kevin admitted. “The district sorcerer for Brighthaven hasn’t requested a transfer though so he must like it there.”
“So how do you want to do this?” King Merdin picked up another cookie. “If we’re going to listen after you bring them here, we’ll need to be here.”
“I’ve been thinking about it, but I can’t figure out a way to make it work. Chances are I won’t have any warning.”
“Well, we can try. Hang the chimes before you go get them and we’ll get here as soon as we can. If luck is on our side, I’ll get the message in time for us to overhear something.”
“We could keep them separated until King Merdin gets here,” Chris suggested. “We could put each of them in a cell and leave a guard in the hall so they know they’re not alone. They won’t say anything worth hearing until they think they are.”
Kevin nodded. “That would give us a little time.”
“Even if we don’t make it in time to listen at the jail,” Dani said, “we’ll be here for the questioning.”
“And that’s the main thing. It really helps having you around when I’m trying to get at the truth.”
“If they’re the ones who had the key, what do you plan to do with them?” King Merdin asked.
“That depends on them.”
“What do you mean?”
“He’s not sure they were willing slavers.”
Kevin tilted his head towards Dani and nodded. “They had Gwendolyn’s key. I doubt it was their idea to use it. They may have organized the raids, even found the men who raided, but she had to be behind it. They may not have had a choice, but if they were involved in any way, I won’t let them stay in Camden. They’ll either end up in jail or back in Landoryn.”
King Merdin nodded and picked up another cookie.
Kevin looked back and forth between King Merdin and Dani. “Any other questions?”
King Merdin glanced at Dani for a moment and then shook his head. “I think that about covers it.” Then he looked at Chris. “Thanks for the refreshments, and tell whoever made those cookies that they’re delicious.”
Chris grinned. “That’ll make Miranda’s day. Why don’t you take the rest of them with you? There are more in the kitchen and she makes a fresh batch every week.”
King Merdin looked at the cookies, hesitated, and then said, “Well, if you’re sure…” After he put the remaining cookies in his pockets, he took out his key. “Ready, Dani?” The large cat stood up, stretched, and put his paw on King Merdin’s shoulder. “See you soon,” King Merdin said as he turned his key.
~~~~
By the time Rigel and Doreen reached Creekside the following Monday afternoon, Rigel was signing them into inns under their own names. He was beginning to hope someone at home would find out so they could be open about it, even if it did cost him his job.
After registering them at the inn, Rigel took their horses to the livery stable while Doreen unpacked the few things they’d need for the night. By the time Rigel returned, she was waiting outside.
“Let’s walk around,” she said as she put her arm through his. “I’m stiff from riding.”
A little while later, Rigel saw Kitridge and Zara ride into town, so he and Doreen headed back towards the inn. After Rigel introduced Doreen, he and Kitridge took the horses to the stable while Doreen went upstairs with Zara.
After they ate dinner, they all went back up to Kitridge’s room so Rigel could explain Myron’s plans. When he was done, he asked, “Do you know where Mikos and Devron are now?”
Kitridge shook his head and took a map out of his bag. “I’ve marked their trail. I know where they were three
days ago, but we had to leave their trail to come here, so I don’t know where they are right now, but they can’t have gone too far.”
“Where do you think we should go from here?”
Kitridge pointed to a town to the west. “I thought we’d head over there and see if anyone in that area’s seen them. From what I understand, the horses can’t go much farther south. Folks down there travel by flat bottom boats, and according to everyone who knew him, Mikos hates boats. I doubt he’d go back to living on one if he could help it.”
“A swamp would be a good place to hide though,” Rigel said. “I know I’d think twice before following him into one.”
“Let’s hope we don’t have to,” Kitridge said.
Doreen shook her head and looked at Zara. “I’m not riding off into any swamp. If the guys want to trudge around in a swamp, I’m making Rigel take me home first. I have a couple of extra bedrooms upstairs. You’re welcome to come with me if you want to.”
Zara nodded. “I might take you up on that.”
“Let’s worry about that when and if it happens,” Rigel said. “As for now, when do you want to leave tomorrow?”
“I’d like to get an early start, but I want to eat before we go,” Kitridge said. “Want me to knock on your door when we’re ready to go down for breakfast?”
Rigel nodded. “Guess we’d all better get some sleep. See you in the morning.”
Chapter 65
Capture
It took a week to pick up the trail and close the gap until they were a day behind Mikos and Devron, but until Mikos headed north towards more solid ground, that was as close as they wanted to get. While they trailed their quarry, the two couples had a lot of time to get to know each other, and by the end of the first full week of May, had become good friends. Then, on that Friday, the trail finally turned north.
The Rambling Spy Page 68