Authors: Mackenzie Morgan
While he talked to Tolliver, Kevin kept his eye on Rhianna and, with Laryn’s words echoing in his mind, watched to see if there was anything that appealed to her.
Rhianna took her time looking through the household items, clothing, and tack, but when she got to the knives and daggers, her interest was genuine. She fingered a couple of the knives, but one dagger in particular caught her eye. The blade had some nice etching on it and the curved strand of metal at the top of the hilt was a bit unusual. She picked it up, held it in her hand. It fit perfectly. She checked its balance, flipped it in her hand a couple of times. Then she put it back down and moved on, but a couple of minutes later, she went back and picked it up again.
Kevin used his seeing eye as well as his real eyes to be sure he knew which one she was so interested in. He was half-tempted to get it for her while they were there, but remembering what Laryn had said, he decided to wait and come back later and buy it for her.
After looking around a little more, Rhianna joined Kevin at the back and complimented Tolliver on his store and selection of goods.
Tolliver thanked her as he walked them to the door. “I’m glad you dropped by. Hope to see you soon.”
Once they were out on the street, Kevin asked, “Do you feel like dropping by the chapel, or are you ready to head back to the castle?”
Rhianna shook her head. “The chapel’s fine with me, especially if there’s a chance we might get something to drink. I’m thirsty.”
Kevin nodded and turned towards the chapel. As always, Kevin went around back.
“Don’t they use the front door?” Rhianna asked. “The last time we were here, everyone used the back door.”
“The front door’s for patients or people who have business at the chapel. People dropping by for social reasons use the kitchen entrance. Keeps us out of the way while the sisters deal with their patients.”
Rhianna nodded and raised her hand to knock on the door.
Kevin reached around her and opened the door to the back porch. “This door only leads to the porch. After the incident with Saryn, my bodyguards insisted on enclosing the porch so I can come and go without being an easy target.”
“But you’re in plain view when you walk down the drive and through the backyard.”
“I usually use the key.”
Rhianna nodded. “I didn’t think about that. Smart move on their part.”
Kevin laughed. “I guess. At least I haven’t been shot yet.”
By that time, Hayley, who was in the kitchen mixing up some herbs, realized someone was on the back porch and opened the door. “Hi, Myron. Come on in. Is Theresa expecting you?”
Kevin shook his head. “We were in town so I thought we’d say hello. Is she busy?”
“She’s with a patient right now, but she’ll be done in a minute. That’s who I’m mixing this up for. While you’re waiting, help yourself to the coffee. I’m sure there’s enough in the pot for two more cups. I’ll make some fresh as soon as I finish up here.”
While Hayley finished mixing the herbs, Kevin poured two cups of coffee and handed one to Rhianna. “Do you remember Rhianna? You met her the day Marcus got shot.”
Hayley nodded. “I thought that was you,” she said, looking at Rhianna. “I never did get a chance to thank you for taking Saryn down. If it hadn’t been for you, that day could have ended up a whole lot worse.”
Rhianna felt her face grow warm. “I’m sorry I didn’t spot him before he got that first shot off. I should have. I hate to admit it but my guard was down. The last thing I expected was to be shot at in the backyard of a Chapel of Light.”
Hayley grinned. “Me, too. But I sure am glad you were there.” She picked up the packet she’d mixed. “Let me get these to Theresa. I’ll be back in a minute.”
Kevin and Rhianna sat down at the table and drank their coffee while Hayley was gone. A few minutes later, she and Theresa walked back into the kitchen.
Theresa sat down at the table with Kevin and Rhianna while Hayley made a fresh pot of coffee. “Any reason you’re here, or just out for the day?” Theresa asked.
“Just wandering around town a bit,” Kevin answered. “You remember Rhianna, don’t you?”
Theresa looked at Rhianna. “Are you visiting with us for a while?”
Rhianna nodded. “I’m going to be at the castle for the next week or so, maybe longer.”
Hayley turned towards Rhianna. “How’s the other girl? I can’t think of her name right now. Myron’s apprentice. How’s she doing?”
“Landis, and she’s fine as far as I know. I haven’t seen her lately.”
Hayley raised her eyebrows. “But I thought she was your friend, that you were helping her.”
“I was protecting her,” Rhianna explained. “Myron asked me to watch over her until he could get something set up for her, someplace where she can study in safety. He’s moved her now, so I’m no longer needed.”
“Oh,” Hayley said. “I must have read things wrong. I thought the two of you were friends.”
“We were, but it was a temporary arrangement. I imagine we’ll be friends again one day, after she’s finished her training, but for now, it’s best if she stays hidden.”
Kevin had watched Theresa during that exchange. Her eyes had narrowed and there were frown lines on her forehead. She wasn’t buying it.
“That’s sad,” Hayley said. “Landis must be lonely without having you there to talk to.”
Kevin laughed. “Landis is much too busy to worry about talking to anyone. Besides, she has other people with her. But she’s safe now, so Rhianna doesn’t need to be there to protect her.”
“Changing the subject,” Theresa said, looking hard at Kevin, “I want to go to Rainbow Valley this weekend. Can you take me Friday and pick me up Sunday afternoon?”
“As far as I know,” Kevin answered. “If for some reason I can’t, Chris can.”
Theresa nodded as Hayley filled everyone’s cup with fresh coffee. “Now, where has Myron taken you today? Who have you met?” she asked, looking at Rhianna.
For the next half hour, conversation centered around Tolliver’s and Fenway’s. When Kevin commented on how much he’d enjoyed his lunch, Theresa said, “You need to come here for lunch before long. Blair’s an amazing cook. Eating one of her meals is a treat. In fact, why don’t you come to lunch tomorrow? Rhianna needs to meet Sister Agnes and our aides.”
“Don’t you need to give Blair a little more notice?” Rhianna asked.
Theresa laughed. “She never knows how many to expect for a meal so she always makes extra. Our leftovers are the talk of the town. We send them home with patients all the time. After all, good food is one of the best medicines.”
Kevin nodded. “If you’re sure it’ll be all right with her, we’ll plan to be here. But if it turns out it’s not convenient, send a note to the castle tomorrow morning.”
“Will do,” Theresa answered.
An hour later Kevin and Rhianna rode back up the road from Milhaven to the castle. Kevin was tired, but he felt like their first outing as a couple had been a success, and as he planned to make a quick trip back into town to pick up that dagger, the rumor mill should be working overtime by evening.
~ ~ ~ ~
When they got back to the office, Duane was waiting for them. He looked at Kevin and said, “Thought I’d take her off your hands for a while and let you get some work done.” Then he turned to Rhianna. “Mind going for a walk with your brother?”
Rhianna smiled, put her arm through Duane’s, and turned towards Kevin. “See you at dinner tonight.”
As soon as they left, Kevin went into his office and shut the door. He took out his key but before he could turn it, Chris walked in, took one look at the key, and frowned. “Where are you off to?”
“I’m going to Tolliver’s. Laryn called it.” Kevin grinned. “Rhianna found a dagger she liked. Only thing in the whole store she went back to. I’m going to go get it for her.”
Chris laughed. “You know you don’t have to do it all in one day, right?”
“I know, but the sooner the rumors start, the sooner Rolan will get word of it, and the sooner he’ll pull his men out of North Amden and this charade will be over.”
Chris shook his head. “It’s not going to be that quick, Kevin, and running through everything Laryn suggested in the first few days might backfire on you. If you move too quickly, people will get suspicious.”
“You mean I shouldn’t go get the dagger? She really liked it, Chris.”
“If you want to get her the dagger, that’s fine, but don’t do it because it’s on a checklist.”
Kevin paused. “Chris, it was all I could do not to get it for her right then and there. Her eyes lit up when she saw it, and when she picked it up, she was almost drooling. I want her to have it.”
Chris nodded. “Then you’re getting it for her for the right reason.”
“Okay, back in a minute.”
Kevin turned his key and left the office for Tolliver’s.
“Oh!” Nan said as she put her hand over her chest when Kevin suddenly appeared. “You gave me quite a start. Do you do that often?”
Kevin frowned. “What?”
“Pop in here like that.”
Kevin shook his head. “This is the first time I’ve done it, but it was faster than flying.”
“Flying,” Nan said slowly. “Yes, I imagine it would be. All right. What can I do for you?”
Kevin walked over to the display of knives and daggers and picked up the one Rhianna had liked. “I’d like to buy this,” he said as he handed it to Nan. “And when you send the bill to Cryslyn, would you put a note on it that this is to be paid out of my personal account?”
Nan smiled and nodded. “Be glad to.” She took the dagger over to the back counter to write up the purchase. “You don’t remember me, I’m sure, but I was one of the women in the dungeon. I never did get a chance to say thank you for rescuing us. It was a wonderful thing you did, coming for us.”
“I’m sorry it took me so long to find you.”
Nan shook her head. “You cared enough to come. You have no idea what that means to us. You’ll have our undying gratitude forever.”
Kevin felt the blush creep up his face. He wasn’t sure what to say, so he said, “You’re welcome.”
“This is for the young lady who was with you this afternoon, isn’t it? I noticed her looking at it.”
Kevin nodded.
“Then why don’t I find a little box for it.” Nan looked under the counter and found a box that was perfect for the slim dagger. She lined the box with a bit of cloth, placed the dagger inside, closed the box, and fished around under the counter for a moment. She came back up with some lacy blue ribbon. After she ran the ribbon around the box, she said, “A nice bow on top will set this off just right.” She tied the bow and handed the box to Kevin. “Girls like little things like that, you know.”
Kevin smiled and thanked her. “Are you going to be working here permanently?”
“I’m not sure,” Nan answered. “I like working in a dry goods store, grew up in one at home. Joan said she’d try to find me a position somewhere, but when Tolliver heard I had experience, he asked if I would help out here for a while. As to whether or not I stay, that’s up to him.”
“Well, I hope you do,” Kevin said. “Nice having you around. And thanks again for the box and ribbon.”
Nan nodded as he took out his key. “You’re welcome, and good luck with the girl.”
Chapter 13
The Summons
Tuesday morning Kevin stopped by Cryslyn’s office on his way to breakfast. “Could I ask you to do something for me?”
“Sure,” Cryslyn said as she set her tea cup down.
Kevin handed her the box containing the dagger from Tolliver’s. “Could you have someone put this in Rhianna’s room while she’s out? On her dresser or nightstand, some place where she’ll find it.”
“I’ll take care of it myself,” Cryslyn said. Then she noticed the bow. “Did Nan fix this for you?”
Kevin nodded.
“I thought so.” Cryslyn smiled. “Service has certainly improved since she started working there. Hope she stays.”
Later that morning, as they headed towards the chapel for lunch, Kevin introduced Rhianna to a few of the farmers between the castle and Milhaven. Everywhere they went, people offered them refreshments. To keep from seeming rude, they accepted, and by the time they reached the chapel, food was the last thing on their minds. Then the aromas from the kitchen hit them and their mouths started watering.
Blair served a simple meal of stew and bread, and although stew was standard lunch fare, hers was anything but standard. Kevin seldom ate bread with stew, but hers smelled and tasted so good he ate three pieces.
While they were eating, Sister Agnes said, “Since there aren’t any sisters working in North Amden, I assume you grow your own medicinal herbs. Is that right?”
Rhianna shrugged. “We grow a few, like woundwort, but most of our herbs are for cooking.”
Sister Agnes frowned. “Then how to you care for the sick?”
“Elves seldom get sick, but if we do, we find a Chapel of Healing,” Rhianna said with a smile. “Our biggest threat is injury, which is why we all have woundwort on hand.”
“But there’s usually someone around to close the wound for you, isn’t there?” Duri, one of the aides, asked.
Rhianna shook her head. “Healing hands is a human gift, but we heal quickly. Most of our wounds heal over in less than a day.”
“Have you ever been wounded?” Sherri, the newest aide, asked.
Rhianna laughed. “Many times, but only in training.”
Sherri turned up her nose. “Glad I’m not an elf.”
“Not all elves go through training,” Rhianna explained. “Only the ones who want to be warrior elves, and there are a lot of tests you have to pass before they let you train.”
“You
wanted
to do that?” Sherri asked.
“I’ve always wanted to be a warrior elf. I started practicing as soon as I learned how to hold a bow.”
“Even though you could get hurt?”
Rhianna nodded. “You’re here because you want to be a chapel aide. If someone sick comes in, you could get sick taking care of them. Do you let that stop you?”
Leira, the woman who’d worked with Sister Agnes for over twenty years, shook her head. “It’s part of the job. I’ve gotten sick more times than I can remember.”
Rhianna nodded to the younger aides. “You don’t stop training because you can get sick, and warrior elves don’t stop training because they can get hurt. You can’t practice defending yourself if you don’t get attacked, same as you can’t practice caring for sick people if you don’t work with sick people. And it’s a lot better to get hurt in practice than killed in battle.”