Authors: Mackenzie Morgan
Kevin sighed. “Then I don’t guess I should send her a letter explaining all of this, should I? And the sorcerer of Riordan’s a woman, Judith.”
Rhianna shook her head. “Probably not a good idea, but whatever plan you come up with, you need to do it soon.”
~ ~ ~ ~
Later that evening, while he was brushing Nikki, Kevin told Chris about his conversation with Rhianna.
“Any idea how we can get Marshall’s mother out of there?” Chris asked.
Kevin shook his head. “I’m hoping you’ll come up with something.”
Chris thought for a moment. “Nothing’s jumping out at me.”
“How much do we know about Petri’s background?” Kevin asked as he got up off the floor and sat down on the couch.
“Not much. Why? Are you afraid he might be an elf, too?”
“Not really, but when he got here, he told Cryslyn he wanted to work in our office. From her reaction, I don’t think that’s ever happened before.”
“Probably not, but he’d worked as a page in Starvos’s office. It’s what he knows how to do, and he likes the work. I don’t think we should read anything into that.”
“I know, but we know Judith kept Marshall’s mother when she sold him. What if Starvos has Petri’s parents? I was wondering if maybe he’d threatened to harm them if Petri didn’t find a way to work in the offices here and let him know what’s going on.”
“I don’t know,” Chris said slowly. “From what he told Joan, she thinks Starvos sold him because his daughter was interested in him. Besides, Starvos had no way of knowing who might buy him.”
“True, but maybe he didn’t care whose office he ended up in. Maybe they all spy on each other.”
Chris laughed. “That would not surprise me one bit, but do you have any reason to believe Petri’s passing information?”
“No, but he’s in a good position to do it.” Kevin patted the couch beside him. Nikki jumped up and settled down with her head in his lap. “See if Joan can find out anything about his family. If they’re still in Jardin, maybe we can use the same plan for getting them that we use for getting Marshall’s mother out of Riordan.”
“What plan?”
“The one you need to come up with. And while you’re coming up with a plan, see if you can find out her name, her husband’s name, and her father’s. We want to be sure we get the right woman.”
~ ~ ~ ~
Shortly after breakfast Thursday morning, while Kevin met Glendymere for sparring practice, Chris, Rigel, and Marcus went to the island to pick up Doreen’s tools. Rhianna and Doreen were waiting at the construction site when they returned. While Chris and Marcus returned to the castle, Rhianna, Doreen, and Rigel made short work of building a tool shed that could double as a workroom later. By the time Marcus joined them after lunch, they were ready to begin working on the foundation of the house.
Meanwhile, back at the castle, Kevin and Chris met in Kevin’s office to discuss the morning’s mail. “Anything interesting?” Kevin asked.
“I heard from most of your relatives this morning.”
“Why?” Kevin asked, frowning.
“Dara wrote the others to warn them that you might be dropping by with an undesirable companion.”
“Did she tell them who it was?”
“Some female warrior elf who was staying at the castle. Oh, and she said you sent her a letter inviting yourself and your guest to lunch last weekend.”
“What? She wrote me demanding I set a date and time!”
“I know. We kept her note, and you might want to take it with you when you go see the others, especially Allisandra. She’s not at all happy you went to see Dara first, but she’s blaming me. She wants to know why in the world I let you take anyone to Dara’s at all, much less before meeting the others. And she wants to see you and your guest this Saturday for lunch.”
“All right,” Kevin said. “We can do that. Even if she’s mad at me, she’ll be nice to Rhianna.”
“And Rhianna will love those gardens,” Chris added. “Kayla’s note was much nicer. She wants to know if you could come to lunch Sunday as Lysa and Brandt will be there. She said they didn’t get to meet Steve until right before the wedding, so she’d like for them to meet your friend before things get hectic.”
“Hectic? How did she make the jump from lunch to a wedding?”
“You’re taking Rhianna around, introducing her to your family, which is what Laryn did right before she got married. Anyway, isn’t that what you want everyone to think? That you two are serious about each other?”
Kevin frowned. “Involved, yes. Ready to talk marriage? No.” He groaned. “Rhianna’ll have a fit.”
“Maybe not. This whole thing was her idea, remember?”
“No it wasn’t. It was Xantha’s idea. Hayden jumped in and rammed it down her throat.”
Chris shrugged. “But it wasn’t your idea. She can’t blame you if it’s working better than anyone expected. Anyway, do I confirm Allisandra for Saturday and Kayla for Sunday?”
Kevin nodded. “Actually, I was planning to go see Shadron for a few minutes Sunday anyway. After lunch, Rhianna can visit with Kayla and the kids while Shadron and I slip away for a bit.”
“Okay. Now Danyelle’s letter. She said she’d have plenty of seafood for you this time, but you need to check with your friend and see if she likes seafood, too. If not, let her know and she’ll fix something else for her.” Chris smiled. “And she said Norrie’s all excited that she’s going to meet a real warrior elf.”
Kevin laughed. “I’ll make sure Rhianna’s dressed the part.”
“When do you want me to set that one up?”
“Next Thursday for dinner?”
Chris made a note. “Any particular reason?”
“This weekend’s full and I have to go to Rainbow Valley Monday evening. And at some point before Thursday I’ve got to go to Walnut Springs to talk to Colin and Ryan.”
Chris nodded. “I’ll see if Thursday will work for her. Now, what about Kyle?”
“We’ve already been to Kyle’s.”
Chris held up one of the messages. “He said he hoped you didn’t think that little trip out there Sunday was counting as your visit. He’s expecting you to come for a meal.”
Kevin shook his head. “How about Saturday evening.”
“After lunch at Allisandra’s?”
“No, the next weekend, the Saturday after we have dinner with Danyelle. Make that our last family visit.”
Chris jotted the date down on Kyle’s message. “All right, I’ll get these letters off this afternoon while you’re gone.”
~ ~ ~ ~
Half an hour later, Kevin was in Warren’s living room in the midst of everything Torrey planned to take to Rainbow Valley. “You realize I’ll be out there a couple of times a week and can bring you whatever you need, right?” Kevin asked as he looked at the crates of food, pots, pans, plates, mugs, and utensils.
“I know, but if we’re going to live there, I want a well-stocked kitchen and a full pantry,” Torrey said. “You said I could take whatever I wanted.”
“And I meant it. We can take all of it.”
Torrey nodded. “And after you take this, I’ve got a pot of stew on the stove that needs to go. I have a cake we need to take too, and some fresh bread on the counter. I told Colin I’d leave him some stew, so while you’re taking all of this,” she waved her hand around the living room, “I’ll get his dinner dished up.”
Kevin nodded. “Warren, want to grab a few boxes?” Kevin asked as he picked up a couple of crates with an outstretched hand.
Warren used an outstretched hand to scoop up several bags of clothes and linens. “What room are we going to?”
“The dining room,” Kevin answered. “We’ll use the table to sort stuff.”
When they got there, Laryn was in the kitchen standing at the stove.
“Where’s Steve?” Kevin asked as he set the crates he was carrying down against the far wall of the dining room.
“I sent him up to Ashni’s for some cinnamon. He’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“Are you making dinner?” Kevin asked.
Laryn nodded.
“I think Torrey did, too,” he said.
“Just means we’ll have plenty for tomorrow night.” Laryn put the lid on the pot she’d been stirring. “Do you need any help?”
Kevin frowned. “I think it might be better to wait until Torrey’s here to start unpacking.”
Laryn nodded. “Is all of that kitchen stuff? Or does some of it need to go to the bedroom?”
Warren pointed towards the bags he’d brought. “Those are our clothes and linens, but don’t bother with them. I’ll take them as soon as we finish bringing the other stuff.”
Laryn lifted her eyebrows. “Other stuff?”
“My wife packed nearly everything we own.” Warren shook his head. “She said since we’ll be living here, she wants to have everything she needs.”
Laryn nodded. “Makes sense to me. Best to have something and not need it than need it and not have it.”
“That’s what she said when I told her she didn’t need half this stuff,” Warren said. “Guess it’s a woman thing.”
“Well, go get the next load, Myron,” Laryn said, heading back to the stove, “We’ll get it sorted after Torrey gets here.”
Two hours later, all of Torrey’s crates, boxes, and bags had been unpacked and her stuff stored. She and Laryn had handled the kitchen while Warren, Kevin, and Steve had tackled the bedroom. By the time they were done, everyone was ready to eat. As Steve set the table, he asked Kevin if he was joining them.
“I’ve got to head back,” Kevin answered. Then he looked at Warren. “I’ll check in with you Sunday. I won’t have much chance before then because I’ve got the federation tomorrow and lunch with Allisandra Saturday.”
“You’re going to Allisandra’s Saturday?” Laryn asked from the kitchen. “When did that get arranged?”
“Today. She sent Chris a note saying Rhianna and I were to come to lunch on Saturday, and she’s rather irritated we went to Dayed’s first.”
Laryn laughed. “She’s upset you’ve been to see Dara, not Dayed. Dara can be a real pain, but no one sets a nicer table or has a more elegant house.”
Kevin turned up his nose. “Personally, I don’t like her house. It’s too formal, too stiff. It doesn’t look like anyone even lives there.”
“I like Kyle’s house myself,” Steve said. “It’s comfortable.”
Laryn looked at Torrey. “My brother’s a bachelor, and his house has big rooms, big furniture, and big dogs.” Then she looked back at Kevin. “Be sure Rhianna sees Alli’s gardens.”
“I will.” As Kevin took out his key, he looked at Torrey and smiled. “I hope you like it here, but if you don’t, all you have to do is say so. I can move you somewhere else.”
Torrey shook her head. “There’s no need for that. We’ll be fine. Don’t worry about us. But I do hope you’ll bring your friend to meet us.”
“I’m sure you’ll meet her before long,” Kevin said. “She and Landis are very close, and have been most of their lives. She came here with Landis last fall.”
“Is that how you met her?” Torrey asked. “Through Landis?”
Kevin hesitated, not sure how to answer, but before he could decide, Laryn spoke up. “She’s Duane’s sister, and Myron’s known Duane all of his life. In fact, it was through Duane’s family that Myron met Landis.”
“So she’s a long-time family friend,” Torrey said with a nod. “That’s nice. Well, don’t forget to bring her by. We’d love to meet her.”
“I will,” Kevin said with a nod. “See you Sunday.”
Chapter 18
The Federation of Terah
Rhianna and Corin left the castle right after breakfast Friday morning headed for Doreen’s construction site. Rigel showed up shortly after Rhianna got there, soon followed by Brandon and Trent. Marcus joined them an hour or so later and then they really started making headway. By lunchtime, the foundation was nearly finished. While the men went back to the castle for lunch and to see if they were needed anywhere else that afternoon, Doreen and Rhianna went to Fenway’s.
After they ate, Rhianna called Ainsley over and pulled a couple of coins out of her pocket. “Everything was really good. How much do we owe you?”
Ainsley shook her head. “Nothing.”
Rhianna frowned. “Surely you charge for meals here.”
“We do, but yours are billed to the castle,” Ainsley said. “Myron told me to send your bill to Cryslyn and add a note that it’s to be paid from his account.”
“Oh,” Rhianna said. “I see. Well, we still owe you for Doreen’s lunch. How much was that?”
“No, you don’t,” Ainsley said. “I’ll include hers on the bill I send Cryslyn.”
Doreen shook her head. “No. I’m sure Myron didn’t mean to pay for mine. Here, let me pay you.”
Ainsley shook her head as she backed away from the table. “You need to take this up with Myron. As for me, I’m going to do what he told me. I’m sending the bill to Cryslyn. Go argue with them.”
Rhianna shrugged. “Guess our lunch is on Myron today.”
“But I can’t let him pay for mine,” Doreen insisted. “Here. Let me give you enough money to take care of mine and you give it to him.”
Rhianna shook her head. “Let him pay. I’ll talk to him about it later, but for today, he bought our lunch. Now, let’s get back to work.”
~ ~ ~ ~
Back at the castle, as Kevin and Chris finished their lunch, Chris asked, “When do you want to leave for Federation Isle?”
“In about half an hour,” Kevin answered. “I want to drop by the office and then I’ve got to change clothes.”
Chris nodded. “I’ll pick up the gifts Neiven made for the brownies and meet you upstairs.”
Twenty minutes later, Chris and Kevin left for Federation Isle. A few minutes after they got there, Yara’s throne rose out of the waves.
“Good afternoon. Hope things are going well in Camden.”
“Pretty well,” Kevin answered. “And for you?”
“Quite well, thank you.”
“Yara, do you remember the deserted island in the Trynordic Ocean you found for me?”
“The one with forests and mountains on one end and a plateau on the other?”
“That’s the one. I’d like to put a few people out there for a while.”
“A sorcerer?”
“A teacher, a student, and a few other people,” Kevin said. “Nothing like the sorcerer I planned to put there at first though.”
“I don’t mind as long as they don’t bother the sharks. That’s one of their breeding areas, and they were there first.”