Authors: Mackenzie Morgan
Kevin took out his key to Terah and handed it to her. “You know how to use this, right?”
Rhianna frowned as she looked at the key, but she nodded.
“Take it. Go home, change clothes, and bring it back. I’ve got half an hour before I need to leave, and what will they do if I’m late? Leave without me? And while you’re gone, I’ll talk to Marshall. Promise.”
Rhianna nodded and took the key. “I’ll meet you at the stable. And while you’re picking them up, I’ll let Marshall know he’s not alone, and if he needs someone to handle his grandfather, all he has to do is let me know.”
“Where will you be when I get back with them?”
“Where are you planning to bring them?”
“Here, to the reception area.”
“I’ll be here.” Rhianna turned the key and left to go change clothes.
~ ~ ~ ~
Marshall had mixed feelings when Kevin told him his family was coming to visit. He was excited about seeing his father, and he was looking forward to spending more time with his mother, but the thought of seeing his grandfather made his stomach queasy. He didn’t remember his grandfather all that well, but one thing he did remember. You did what that man said, period. And he was afraid his grandfather would try to make him go back to Farragon. He wasn’t going, but he didn’t want to have to spend the whole weekend arguing with the man. The only good thing he could think of was Myron and Rhianna had both said they’d back him up.
Rhianna was waiting with Chris in the reception area when Kevin returned with Dougan, Murphy, and Eryn. Dougan and Eryn recovered almost immediately, but the trip through the energy field left Murphy weak and nauseated. While Ariel helped Murphy to a chair and Elin got him something to drink, Cameryn offered refreshments to Eryn and Dougan. Eryn graciously accepted, but Dougan waved her off.
Rhianna nodded to Cameryn as she walked over to join Dougan. “Good morning, Dougan. It’s nice to meet you.”
Dougan hadn’t noticed Rhianna standing off to the side. He nodded at her and then looked at her a bit more carefully. “You’re a warrior elf.”
Rhianna smiled and nodded.
“Who was your trainer?”
“I had several, but I worked with Duane more than any of the others.”
“He’s good. I imagine he made you earn it.”
Rhianna’s smile widened. “He did, more so than most as he wanted to be sure no one accused him of taking it easy on me.”
Dougan frowned. “And why would he?”
“He’s my brother.”
Dougan’s eyebrows arched. “You’re one of Hayden’s?”
Rhianna nodded.
“Weldon is your uncle.”
Again, Rhianna nodded.
“Are you here because a sorcerer enslaved an elf? Is the council demanding action on this?”
Rhianna shook her head. “I live in Milhaven. I was already here when we found out about Eryn. The only reason we did was while I was out at the stable one day, Marshall said my eyes looked like his grandfather’s. When he said that, I asked a few questions, and Myron took it from there.”
“So you aren’t here in an official capacity?”
Rhianna shook her head again.
“You want to be here? Among these humans?”
“Yes,” Rhianna said. “Same as you, in Farragon.”
Dougan gave a slow nod and asked when he’d be allowed to see his grandson.
“I’ll take you down to the stable as soon as his parents are ready to go,” Rhianna said. “And before you ask, it was Marshall’s idea to meet you there. He prefers the outdoors, as I’m sure you can understand.”
Ten minutes later, Rhianna led Marshall’s parents and Dougan out of the castle and down to the stable.
Kevin watched from one of the windows in the reception area and shook his head. “I’m going to owe her so much for dealing with him this weekend. But I have to admit, I’d gladly pay whatever she wants as long as I can stay out of it.”
“Pay her?” Ariel asked.
Kevin shook his head. “Figure of speech. It means she’s doing me a big favor. She’s not expecting anything in return, but if you happen to know of something she’d like to have, don’t keep it to yourself. I’d love to give her something as a show of appreciation.”
Ariel nodded and turned back to his work.
~ ~ ~ ~
As far as Kevin could tell, things went smoothly Friday evening. He and Rhianna had dinner with their guests, and afterwards she suggested Dougan join her for a walk while Marshall showed his parents where he lived and introduced them to Neiven. While they were gone, Kevin took Nikki for a quick walk and retreated to his room.
Rhianna thought it would be best to keep their guests away from the castle Saturday, so before everyone headed to bed Friday evening, she suggested that Marshall saddle some horses Saturday morning and show his family around the area. After an early breakfast, Rhianna picked up the picnic basket Miranda had prepared for them, and the five of them left for the day.
Kevin had only been in his office a few minutes when Hayley knocked on his door. “Have you got a minute?”
“Sure, come on in.” Kevin wasn’t sure, but he thought this might be the first time she’d ever come to see him on her own. “What can I do for you?”
“Do you have time to take me to Bridgeport this morning?”
“Just you?”
Hayley nodded. “Marcus said you’ve got some guests this weekend so he needs to stay here, but I’ve got patients up there I need to see. It’s been weeks since I’ve checked on them, and there’s no other sister around for miles. I want to be sure everyone’s all right, and I need to check on the babies...”
Kevin held his hand up for her to stop. “Take a breath, Hayley. It’s fine. You don’t have to justify it. You’re a sister. All you need to do is say you want to go.”
“You don’t think I’m being silly for wanting to check on them?”
“Of course not. What gave you that idea?”
Hayley shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess it’s because I’m not their sister. I haven’t been assigned to that area, but I still feel responsible.”
“Let me ask you something,” Kevin said. “Is there another sister working out of Bridgeport whose feelings will get hurt if the people turn to you?”
“There’s no sister up there at all.”
“So, for all practical purposes, you are their sister.”
Hayley sat up a little straighter.
“What time do you want to go?”
“As soon as you can take me. I brought everything I’ll need,” Hayley said. “At least I think I did. I hope I did.”
Kevin laughed. “Well, if you get there and realize you need something you don’t have, when we pick you up, you can get it and we’ll take you back. No problem.”
“Are you sure?”
Kevin nodded. “So, do you want to go now?”
Hayley jumped up. “If you have time.”
“I’ve got time.” Kevin stood up. “And Hayley, if you want to go every week, we can arrange that. We may not always be able to take you on a Saturday, but we’ll get you there.”
A few minutes later, Kevin and Hayley were in Marcie’s front yard with a large bag of herbs, bandages, and other supplies. “What time do you want me to pick you up?” Kevin asked.
“Would it be too much trouble if I stayed until tomorrow?”
“No trouble at all, but it’ll have to be around lunch. Right now my morning’s pretty full.”
Hayley nodded. “I’ll be back here by lunch tomorrow. Any time after that will be fine.”
“See you tomorrow,” Kevin said. Right as he started to turn the key, Marcie’s front door opened and Caleb ran down the steps.
“Hi, Myron,” Caleb yelled as he picked up Hayley’s bag. “It’s all right. I’ve got it.”
As Caleb lugged Hayley’s bag up the steps, Kevin grinned and left for home.
~ ~ ~ ~
Sunday dawned clear and bright, the type of day that begged for people to get out and enjoy it. Unfortunately, Kevin would be lucky if he found time to enjoy five minutes of it.
It started with a quick trip to Rainbow Valley. Warren and Torrey had been at the cave for a little over a month, and even though Torrey had already gone home for a visit, she was ready to go again. She wanted to take a few more things back home, pick up some others, visit some friends, and go by the dry goods store.
Warren hadn’t been back since the day they’d left and he wanted to talk to Colin and Ryan to be sure things were going smoothly. The fact that Myron checked in with them once a week and gave him a full report wasn’t enough. He wanted to hear how things were going for himself.
When Kevin got to the cave, they were both pacing, eager to be on their way. He picked up the bag Torrey had packed, held out his arms, and a few moments later, they were in Torrey’s kitchen in Walnut Springs.
“What time do you want me to pick you up?” Kevin asked as he got ready to head back.
“Wait a minute.” Torrey started digging through the bag she’d packed. She pulled a couple of cheesecloths out and handed them to Kevin. “The one in your right hand is for Chris. The one in your left is for Laryn and Steve. And tell Chris I said if Marcus is anywhere around, he needs to share.”
Kevin grinned. “I will. Now what time do you want to go back?”
“Later this evening would be fine with us,” Warren said.
Kevin paused. He had a meeting with Robyn at seven and he had no idea how long it might last. “I’ve got a meeting tonight. I have no problem dropping by afterwards to take you back, but it’ll be nine or later before I can get here.”
Warren glanced at Torrey, who nodded. “Nine’s fine with us, or later if need be. We could stay until tomorrow morning if that would help.”
“It’s up to you. Either way works for me,” Kevin said.
Torrey glanced around her kitchen. “I’d rather go back tonight, no matter how late it is. Everything I need for breakfast is there.”
“What about dinner this evening?” Kevin asked.
Torrey shook her head. “I imagine we’ll have a few invitations for dinner before the day’s out, but if we don’t, we can eat at the tavern. Dinner’s no problem. But my favorite coffee pot’s at the cave, and I’d like to be there for breakfast.”
Kevin nodded. “I’ll see you this evening.” And with a twist of the key, he was gone.
~ ~ ~ ~
When Kevin left Walnut Springs, he headed for the canyon lands to spar with Glendymere. When they were done, Glendymere asked how things were going in Milhaven.
“Fine as far as I know. Rhianna’s playing hostess to a warrior elf who’s visiting this weekend.” He shook his head. “I don’t know what I would have done without her. He was not pleased to find out his grandson works at the castle.”
“Thought he was a slave?”
Kevin nodded.
“Is the boy an elf?”
“Not legally, but more than I am. He’s really good with animals, so I guess that’s where his talents lie. I want Rhianna to teach him some self-defense, but I don’t think he’ll ever be much of a fighter.”
“Speaking of fighters, have Rolan’s men left North Amden yet?”
“If they have, no one’s told me. I hope they’ll start pulling out by the end of the summer though.”
“As long as it’s before someone gets killed.”
Glendymere stood up and stretched his wings.
“Landis is doing well. I’ll start backing out in a couple of weeks and let her spend more and more time with Warren.”
“When do you think she’ll be ready to leave Willow Canyon?”
“She could leave now, but she’ll do better if I work with her for another month or two. After that, I’ll just be there to help when she runs into a problem.”
“Then I need to think about moving her.”
“I’ve told you that’s not necessary. She can stay at Wildcat Mountain or move down to the caves. She’ll be perfectly safe either place.”
“I know, and I may take you up on it for a while.”
“But you still plan to move her. Any idea where?”
“Remember the island I took her to when she talked to her brother?”
Glendymere nodded.
“I’m thinking about using that one.”
“She should be safe there.”
Kevin nodded. “I may need to ask you to do something for me before I move her, but I don’t know yet.”
Glendymere did a quick scan of Kevin’s thoughts.
“I’ll check those men out before you take them to the island if you want me to. And you’re right. Having her own guard will be good when she comes back, and she’ll have to one day. She can’t stay there forever.”
“When she does, he’ll come after her.”
“We’ll deal with that later. For now, let’s let her learn how to be a sorcerer.”
~ ~ ~ ~
Kevin barely had time to wash up and change into fresh clothes before it was time to take Dougan, Eryn, and Murphy back to Farragon. When he got to his office, he asked Chris where they were.
“At the stable, telling Marshall goodbye. I think he’d appreciate it if you went out there to pick them up.”
“How do you know?”
“He sent Neiven in here to be sure you knew where they were so you could come get them.”
Kevin laughed.
“You need to head on out there and rescue that poor boy. I imagine Rhianna’s about ready to be rescued, too. She hasn’t left Dougan’s side except to sleep since he got here.”
“We owe her,” Kevin said as he started towards the door.
“Oh, yeah,” Chris said. “You owe her big time.”
When Kevin reached the stable area, he heard voices coming from inside, angry voices. As he rounded the corner and stepped into the stable, the conversation abruptly stopped. Rhianna was standing off to the side with her lips pressed tightly against each other. Marshall looked like he was ready to take a swing at something, Eryn was wringing her hands, Murphy was staring at the ground, and Dougan was glaring, first at Marshall, then at Kevin.
“Good morning,” Kevin said as if he hadn’t noticed a thing. He looked primarily at Dougan. “You said you wanted to leave before noon. Do you have your bags with you? Or do we need to go back to the castle to get them?”
“I’m afraid we’ll be a little late going home.” Dougan glared at Marshall. “My grandson has yet to start packing.”
Kevin looked at Marshall. “Were you planning to go somewhere?”
Marshall shook his head and returned his grandfather’s glare.