Authors: Mackenzie Morgan
Cpt. Garen nodded.
“What cover story have you used for who you are, why you’re living like you are, why you don’t have families?”
“We told anyone who asked we were freelance soldiers.”
“And everyone was all right with that?”
“Actually not that many people have asked, and most of the ones who have were just making conversation. When anyone asked where we were staying, we said we had a camp near the mountains.”
“So if you were to pick up and leave it wouldn’t cause any concerns.”
“Well, that’s not entirely true. Most of us could leave and chances are no one would notice, but there’s one who can’t just up and leave.”
“Why not?”
“He’s seeing someone in town, and from what I understand, they’re considering marriage. His absence would definitely be noticed.”
Kevin frowned. “Who?”
Cpt. Garen hesitated, so Dani said,
“Petar is seeing Callie, whoever they are.”
“Let me guess,” Kevin said. “Petar.”
Now it was Cpt. Garen’s turn to frown. “How did you know?”
“I didn’t. It was a guess, but I know he’s been seeing Callie and last week when Cpt. Lawrence went into Fenway’s you were sitting with them.”
Cpt. Garen grimaced. “Careless of me.”
“But back to Petar and Callie. That’s going to be a bit of a problem.”
“The way I see it, it’ll force him to either ask her to marry him or tell her it’s done.”
“Anyone else in your group involved with anyone in Milhaven? Close friends? Working on something with someone?”
Cpt. Garen shook his head. “Only Petar.”
Kevin nodded. “I’ll be honest with you, Cpt. Garen. I believe your offer is sincere, although I’m not sure whether your goal is to protect Landis or get rid of Rolan.” Garen started to speak, but Kevin shook his head. “I know, you see them as the same. Anyway, there are several people I need to talk to before I make a decision, but the first person I need to consult is her foster father. Unless he agrees we should tell her what you’ve said, I won’t do it.”
Cpt. Garen nodded.
“But regardless of what I decide, I think it’s time for you to join your families. You have a lot to discuss. If you and your men join Landis, you’ll have to stay where she is until she’s ready to leave, and that place is totally isolated. There won’t be any changing your mind once you get there either. And we’re talking years, maybe as many as seven or eight.”
Cpt. Garen nodded again.
“How many of your men are single?”
“Three, counting Petar.”
“They’ll have to leave when you do.”
“We discussed that before I approached Cpt. Lawrence.”
“And Petar went along with it?”
“I asked him specifically. He said he was in.”
Kevin nodded. “You’ll need something to tell the assassins. If you just disappear, they’ll probably notify Rolan, and the last thing I need is for him to send more men down here.”
“I’ve already thought about that. I’ll tell them we heard there was a young red-headed apprentice in a small valley north of here, up near Jonquin’s cave. I thought I’d ask them if they want to go check it out or if they want us to. I’m betting they’ll choose to stay here and let us take the chance of irritating Jonquin.”
Kevin grinned. “And if they choose to go off chasing the rumor, that’s fine, too. Now, what about the townspeople. Some of you will have to go into town tomorrow and let it be known you’re leaving the area so no one will go out looking for you. Any thoughts about that one?”
“We could say we’ve accepted a job and leave it at that.”
“That’s as good as anything else, but I’m not sure how Callie will feel about it.”
“I don’t know either.”
“I guess that’s for them to work out,” Kevin said. “Now, any questions?”
Cpt. Garen nodded. “One, but it’s a big one. If we do join Landis, will our families be able to go with us? I mean, if we can’t leave, and we’ll be there for several years...”
Kevin nodded. “If I end up taking you to join Landis, it’ll be up to you as to whether or not your families go, but they need to understand that once they’re there, they’re staying. No one leaves until she’s trained.”
“I understand.”
“And I would suggest you let each family make its own decision. Some of the women might not be willing to commit to living in a remote and isolated area for years on end. I’ll bring food and supplies in on a regular basis, but there won’t be anywhere for them to go. And please believe me when I say you won’t be able to leave, not until Landis does.”
Cpt. Garen nodded. “When do you want us to be ready to leave Milhaven?”
Kevin thought for a moment. “Thursday afternoon, right after lunch.”
“Guess I’d better get back. We’ve got a lot to do,” Cpt. Garen said. “And Myron, no matter what you decide, thank you for hearing me out.”
Kevin nodded and turned to Chris. “Can you take him back?”
“Where to?” Chris asked as he took out the key.
“My office.” He looked at Cpt. Garen. “When I get back, you can show me where your camp is.”
Chris took out his key as Cpt. Garen put his hand on Chris’s arm.
As soon as they were gone, Dani and King Merdin made themselves visible.
“So, what did you think?” Kevin asked.
“Everything he said was true,”
Dani said,
“but you’re right that he may be more interested in seeing Rolan dead than protecting Landis, although in his mind, the two things really are the same.”
Kevin nodded and looked at King Merdin. “What did you think?”
“From the bits I’ve gathered, it sounds like the girl needs protection, but I’m sure you’ve got that covered.”
“He does. She’s with Glendymere.”
“Dani! No one’s supposed to know that.”
King Merdin laughed. “You were talking about her at the meeting last month. Every telepath there would have picked up on it. But don’t worry. None of us will tell anyone. Your secret’s safe. But if she’s with Glendymere, she’s as safe as she can be. Why are you thinking about making other arrangements?”
“Because I can’t leave her there. He says it’s all right, but it’s not. She’s been living with the giants since early last fall. They’re good about it, but it’s an imposition. I need to move her somewhere else, and when I do, I’ll need someone to provide protection. I was thinking about using some of my guards, or maybe some of our soldiers, but if these men are serious, they might be my best option.”
“I don’t know if it means anything, but when you mentioned her foster father, the name Hayden flashed through the captain’s head.”
“That’s her foster father. They must have known each other. That’s good. Hayden will have an opinion about him.”
“The sincerity is there, at least on his part. Can’t say as far as the others are concerned.”
“Thanks for checking him out for me, Dani. You have no idea how much that helps. I appreciate it.”
“Anything else?” King Merdin asked. When Kevin shook his head, King Merdin took out his key. “Then we’ll be on our way. Just hang the chimes if you need us again.”
“Thanks,” Kevin said as King Merdin turned his key.
~ ~ ~ ~
Cpt. Garen and Chris were sitting in Kevin’s office quietly talking when Kevin got back.
“Everything okay?” Chris asked as he handed Kevin the key.
Kevin nodded and looked at Cpt. Garen. “Ready to go?”
Cpt. Garen stood up and put his hand on Kevin’s arm. Kevin held the key out to Cpt. Garen. “You know how to do this, right?”
“Concentrate on where I want to go and turn the key.”
“Right.”
“I think it might be better if we don’t go directly to the camp though. My men are probably a bit on edge wondering what’s going on and I’m not sure how they’ll react if we just suddenly appear.”
Kevin nodded.
A few moments later they were on a narrow road that wound its way up the side of a mountain. Cpt. Garen pointed to a trail that looked more suited to animals than humans. “Our camp is a hundred yards down that path.”
“Do you want me to go with you now? Or would you rather talk to your men alone.”
“We can do it either way. It’s up to you.”
“Why don’t you talk to them now and I’ll drop by this evening to answer any questions?”
Cpt. Garen handed Kevin’s key back to him. “We’ll look for you around sunset.”
Kevin nodded as he turned the key and left for his office.
After Kevin was gone, Cpt. Garen followed the trail to the camp where he and his men had been living for two years. Just as he expected, they were all there waiting for him.
“So, how did it go?” Petar asked at the same time Synead asked, “Did you talk to Myron?”
Cpt. Garen held up his hand for them to stop and give him a moment. “Is there any coffee?”
Tyler laughed and headed over to the fire ring to get the captain a cup while the others found seats on the various stumps and logs they’d been using as chairs. Once Cpt. Garen had sipped some of his coffee, he said, “We’ve got a lot to do over the next forty-eight hours.” Then he told them about his conversation with Myron and the current plan to reunite them with their families. “We may or may not be joining Landis. He hasn’t decided one way or the other about that yet. But each of us needs to decide whether or not we’re willing to do it if he does make the offer. From what he told me, if we join her, we’ll be in an isolated location, and he won’t let any of us leave until she’s fully trained, and as you know, that takes years.”
Cpt. Garen drank some more coffee. “So, once we join our families, you need to talk to your wives and figure out what you want to do. If you want out, that’s fine. No hard feelings.” He looked at the three single men. “You need to decide if you’re willing to put off finding a wife and having a family for that long. There won’t be any extra women around for you to court. And really think about that before you say it doesn’t matter. Six or seven years is a long time.”
Cpt. Garen took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “But between now and Thursday lunch, we have to get ready to leave Camden.”
“I need to go into town.” Petar stood up. “I’ve got to talk to Callie.”
“Before you go,” Cpt. Garen said, “we need to go over the reason why we’re leaving here.”
Petar shrugged. “We were offered a job, one that’s too good to pass up, and we need to get moving or they’ll hire someone else.”
Cpt. Garen nodded. “And that has the added advantage of being true.”
“What are you going to tell those other men from Trendon?” Alyan asked.
“That we’ve heard of a red-headed apprentice in a small valley north of here, up near Jonquin’s cave. Thought I’d ask them whether they want to investigate the rumor or if they want us to.”
Alyan laughed. “We all know what their answer to that one will be.”
“Well, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’ve got some sorting and packing to do.” Synead stood up. “How much can we take with us? I mean, I’ve got a couple of young children and I’ve made some stuff for them while we’ve been sitting around here. I’d like to take it to them so they’ll know I was thinking about them.”
“I know,” Cpt. Garen said. “I can’t answer that question, but Myron’s coming this evening to talk to us and answer any questions we might have. I’m going into Tolliver’s tomorrow to pick up a couple of little things for Gilean and my children.” Then he turned to Petar. “If you’re going to town, go now. I want you back here before Myron gets here.”
“Yes, sir,” Petar said. “I’ll be back before the sun goes down.”
Chapter 36
Time to Go
It was late afternoon by the time Petar tied his horse in front of Fenway’s and hurried into the kitchen.
“What are you doing here?” Callie asked as she tended the food on the stove. “Is something wrong?”
“No, but I need to talk to you. How soon can you get out of here for a while?”
Callie frowned. “It’s almost dinnertime, Petar. We won’t be done with dinner for a couple of hours.”
“I know, but once the food’s ready Ainsley can handle things for a little while. When do you think you’ll be able to slip away for half an hour or so?”
“Whatever this is can’t wait until I’m done for the day?”
Petar shook his head. “I have to be back at camp before sundown.”
“Why?”
“I’ll explain when we talk,” Petar said. “So, how long before you can get out of here for a bit?”
Callie looked around the kitchen. “Can you give me an hour?”
Petar nodded. “I’ll meet you out back.”
“All right, but this better be important.”
~ ~ ~ ~
An hour later, Petar was pacing around the backyard at Fenway’s when Callie walked through the back door. He grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the woods.
“Where are you taking me?” Callie asked as she stumbled along behind him.
“Someplace where we can talk privately.” When he reached a small clearing, he turned to face her, took her hands in his, and looked at her for a moment. “Callie, I’ve got to go.”
“Go? Where?”
“I’m not sure where I’ll end up, but it’ll be a long way from here.”
“Why? What’s happened?”
“I’ve been offered a job, a good job, one I’ve wanted for a long time.” Petar gently squeezed her hands. “I can’t pass this up. I’ve got to go.”
Tears gathered in Callie’s eyes. “I understand. I always knew this might happen. When do you have to leave?”
“Thursday.”
Callie’s eyes widened. “Thursday? As in the day after tomorrow Thursday? That one?”
Petar nodded.
Callie’s shoulders fell like she’d been deflated. “When will you be back?”
“I don’t know if I’ll ever be back here again.”
Callie closed her eyes as tears leaked out and started down her cheeks.
Petar gently shook her hands. “Callie, look at me.”
Callie slowly opened her eyes and looked at Petar’s face.
“I want you to come with me, as my wife.”
Callie’s mouth dropped open, but she didn’t say anything.
“Please say you’ll be my wife, Callie.” Petar could feel tears gathering in his own eyes. Nothing had ever been this important to him before. If she wouldn’t go, he wasn’t sure he could.