Return to Alastair (4 page)

Tahn was inside the wall on the north when he heard horses and a voice that sounded familiar. He gave a shrill whistle to alert the guard at the nearest corner and then scaled the wall with the hard-won agility that had earned him reputation among Samis’s mercenaries.

As he expected, it was a soldier named Saud, with two others hired and armed by the House of Trent. One of them carried the baron’s trefoil insignia and an especially ornate pouch. They were special messengers, that was obvious. But Tahn could never consider any message from the Trents to be good news.

“The Dorn might be out for your blood, Saud,” one of the others was saying. “He’ll remember you. Do you suppose they’ll break peace before long?”

“Benn Trilett won’t break peace. He covets it too much for that.” Saud spoke with confidence. He was a big man, coarse and comfortable in command of men. “And who’s to say that Dorn is still here?” he continued. “He’s got battle in his soul. He couldn’t be content with this place for long.”

“But a lovely lady can soothe a beast,” said the soldier with the pouch. “Perhaps she has fire enough to make him forget his sword.”

“Ah, yes, that Netta—” Saud began.

“Be careful what you say,” Tahn spoke suddenly.

All three men spun around toward the wall, and Tahn jumped down.

“Dorn!” Saud exclaimed. “You’re half ghost! Why do you lurk and spy on us so?”

“I do my job. What is yours today?”

“You can see plainly enough. We’ve a message for your Lord Trilett. Will you bar us from him as you did the last time?”

“You don’t need to see his face for the word to reach his hand. Give me what you bring.”

“We haven’t even reached the gate!”

“It’s not far. You can wait there, and I’ll see that you get provisions for your return home.”

“The young baron asked that we deliver his happy news in person to Benn Trilett,” Saud insisted. “Who is the head here? You or he?”

Tahn was not moved. “I’ll ask if he wants to see you.”

Saud shook his head. “What could three of us do within these walls? What are you afraid of, Dorn?”

“Your young baron had a ruthless father. He claims he is different, but he has retained you as the head of his men—”

“I’m only the servant of my lord.”

“You’re a murderer!” Tahn countered. “You were with the old baron to take the name of Trilett from the earth. You would have slaughtered Lady Netta. And you would have been happy to see me die with the blame of it! If Lord Trilett asks to have you in, I will give him his pleasure, but without his word, you will never see inside these gates.”

Saud stared at him coldly. “There’s no war between us.”

Tahn stepped in front of their horses. “Give me your message.”

“You insult Baron Lionell of Trent!”

“You can explain to him my reasons. Perhaps he would see fit to dismiss you.”

The youngest messenger looked up at his captain. “I don’t think we’ll persuade him.”

“Shut up!” Saud shouted.

“Give me your message,” Tahn repeated. “Then wait by the gate. I’ll come to you if there is an answer. The men will bring customary provision either way.”

“You’ve a cold way with a joyful word,” Saud complained.

“You’ll tarnish your lord’s reputation by such rudeness.”

“I’m not here for his reputation.”

Saud snorted. “Fine. Have the message. Let the Triletts bear the fruit of your conduct till Benn tires of you ruling his gate. Give him Baron Trent’s pouch, Hamlin.”

The young soldier handed over his message, and Tahn put the pouch over his own shoulder. Then he led them to the gate, where two men were already standing outside, waiting for them.

“Keep them here until I give you word,” Tahn told his guardsmen and then went quickly inside.

He ran the distance of the lane toward the great house. Netta was on the porch again, but he barely took time to look at her.

“Where is your father?”

“With Jarel,” she told him, her eye on the embroidered pouch. “A message from Lionell Trent?”

“Yes, lady.” He couldn’t help his frown. Seven Triletts had died because of Trent ambition. And though it had been at the former baron’s orders, he did not trust Lionell or his men now.

He hurried inside, to the marble-floored room where Lord Trilett conducted most of his business.

Benn looked up with a smile and saw the official pouch immediately. “Have I guests at the gate?”

“Three soldiers bore the word, sir. They are waiting.” He handed Benn his package and glanced for a moment at Jarel, Netta’s cousin, who was seated in the nearest chair.

Benn unwrapped and read the roll that had been in the soldier’s pouch.

“Is there a problem?” Jarel asked him.

“No.” The Trilett patriarch looked up at them. “We are invited to a wedding. Lionell Trent has finally declared a bride.”

“You’re not going, are you?” Tahn asked immediately.

Benn smiled. “I trust Netta will not choose to go. Your name is excluded from the invitation, though your courtship of her is no secret to the nobles. I know how she feels about that. She’ll not be pleased to go without you. And it would be rather a relief to me to have her stay at home.”

Tahn shook his head. “Surely you don’t entertain the idea of going, my lord, considering what the Trent name has cost you.”

“You don’t understand the way of nobility, son,” Benn maintained. “It is almost a game. Each move has its purpose in how it relates to the rest of the noble houses. I can influence the others by what I do, and God knows the people need that.”

“What about you?” Tahn asked Jarel.

“I’m not good at the game anymore,” the young man said bitterly. “Nor do I want to play it. Lionell could marry the north sea and I’d have no interest. My brothers should be here to get wives and not be lying in their graves.”

Benn nodded. “We don’t forget them. But we move on with the responsibilities God has given us.”

Tahn studied him for a moment. “They can have a wedding without you, sir.”

The Trilett patriarch smiled kindly. “Perhaps they will.

I’ll not go into the devil’s den unless I am bidden of God for a purpose.”

Devil’s den? Tahn had never heard Benn Trilett speak out quite so harshly. “Has Lionell Trent shown his hand for evil?”

Benn looked over at his nephew, and Jarel suddenly stood. “I have friends,” Jarel said simply. “They have told me how he conducts himself.”

Jarel’s is a different game,
Tahn was thinking.
Were it not for the restraint of his uncle and his God, this young Trilett would yet seek vengeance, though the old baron is already dead.
“Will there be a message in return?” Tahn asked.

“Indeed,” Benn answered. “Congratulations are in order. And I must send a gift, of course.”

Jarel and Tahn both looked at him.

“We do well to cultivate peaceful relationships,” Benn told the younger men. “But I respect your cautions.” He sat down and took up his quill pen. “With my own hand,” he said. “And the Trilett seal. Will you take it to them when I finish, Tahn?”

“Allow me,” Jarel told him. “I promised Father Anolle I would come to see him this morning. I’ll be on my way to the gate anyway.”

Benn nodded. “The sight of a Trilett will do them good. They’ll not be able to tell Lionell that we scorned them. But you’ll not leave until they are well on their way, Jarel.”

“Of course, sir.” He leaned back and studied Tahn for a moment, then cleared his throat and caught Tahn’s gaze. “So when will we have a wedding around here?”

And Tahn immediately tensed with this sudden change of thought.

“In its good time,” Benn answered for him, without even looking up. “I am not averse to patience in such matters.”

“Nor to the mysterious Dorn for a son-in-law,” Jarel added, smiling at Tahn’s discomfort. He crossed his arms and addressed him again. “Her love for you is obvious by now. And your feelings for her have been clear to me from the beginning. Why bother to toy with it? Jump in wholly and tie yourself to us more than you already have!”

Tahn stared at him, not completely sure if he was serious.

“Jarel,” Benn scolded. “You make the young man pale. True, he is a part of us, and I love him already like a son, but you can’t drive hearts like cattle. Let them find their own way.”

Tahn turned to look at Netta’s father gratefully. “Thank you, sir.”

Benn smiled. “My pleasure.” He turned his attention back to the letter he was crafting. “This won’t take long, but you may as well breakfast without me. I’ll not keep the messengers standing as I eat.”

“I’ll wait,” Tahn told him.

“I think I’ll eat in town with the good priest,” Jarel told them, watching Tahn again. There was something so deep about Tahn that it was hard for Jarel to imagine having such a creature become the spouse of Benn Trilett’s only surviving child. But it would surely happen, and Jarel could almost look forward to the sparks it would create among the nobility in the land. But no matter how far removed Tahn was from noble finery, he was sincere after their safety. And he was sincere in his feelings for Netta. For those things, he had a right to belong.

Benn finished his congratulatory message quickly, wrapped it in fine paper, and tied it carefully with a ribbon. Then he took another paper and wrote out a list. “Jarel, I want you to tell Josef to gather these things to be sent out on a cart in a few days. Lionell and the Lady Elane should be pleased for the gift.” He gave his nephew the wrapped message. “This is for the men today. Give them my greeting and make sure they are refreshed.”

“Yes, Uncle. And then I need to be going,” Jarel said. “I will be back at dinner.”

“Don’t insult them,” Benn added.

“Would I, indeed?” Jarel asked him.

“Pray for them, Jarel, while you are with the priest,” Benn instructed. “Pray for Lionell and all his family.”

“I hear you,” the young man replied. He bowed to his uncle and then left them quickly.

Benn turned to Tahn. “I worry for Jarel sometimes,” he admitted. “He does not always understand me.”

Tahn nodded. “I could not help him much there.”

But Benn smiled. “I think you could help him a great deal. You forgive better than you know. You move on. It is part of your strength.”

“I’m blessed of God to have your favor.”

“You’re blessed of God. That is enough to be said. You needn’t return to the gate. Jarel knows wisdom enough for such things. Would you join me at the table now, or have you other business?”

Tahn bowed his head for a moment. “There is another matter I sought to discuss with you, my lord, but at your pleasure.”

“Sit down. I’ll hear you now.”

Tahn sat, watching Benn carefully. He was such a good man. He could be counted on to kindly consider a request. But it seemed such a strange time to make it. “The matter can wait, my lord.”

“I don’t want to wait,” the nobleman said. “Speak your heart to me. I see you by yourself of late, and I know you have a need.”

He sighed. “I need to make a journey. And I need money, sir. But I cannot repay you except with my work when I return.”

“Every day you work,” Benn told him, “and you refuse to receive anything but your upkeep. I owe you much by now. Where are you going?”

“Alastair, sir. I begin to remember a woman. And a baby. I need to know what relationship they are to me.”

Benn searched the young man’s eyes. There was an earnestness in them, almost a fear. He had often wondered about Tahn’s past. He would not refuse him. “The money is for the travel, then?”

“No, my lord. I’ve traveled many times without money. I would fare well enough. But Alastair is a difficult town. I don’t know what might be required to discover what I seek.”

“You’ll have what you need,” Benn assured him. “But consider your safety. Could your past in Alastair still put you in danger? And aren’t there men of Samis who are now bandits in that region?”

“You know I shall be watchful, sir.”

“Yes, but for the sake of our peace, don’t go alone, son.”

“I will take Lorne.”

Benn nodded solemnly. “When will you leave?”

“As soon as I can be secure of your safety here. Even today, with your permission.”

Benn was quiet for a moment. He didn’t like the thought of Tahn’s absence. And he knew Netta wouldn’t like it either. She had taught Benn that this strong soul was often vulnerable, as though the protector himself might need their protection. But God was with him; there could be no doubt of that. Jesus had brought him from a life of blood to one of peace. And the Lord would be with him if any of those still-dark warriors crossed his path.

“I trust the order you have set with our guards,” Benn said. “They know what to do. We have no threat at the doors. Do what you must, and godspeed. But remember that you do us no disservice to bear arms in the journey.”

5

I
t was past midday before Tahn was ready for departure.

Benn stood and watched his daughter kiss the quiet soldier. And Temas, the tiny child, reached for the nobleman’s hand.

“How long will he be gone?”

“I don’t know, child,” Benn answered. “But he will be well.”

“I would be scared if Samis wasn’t dead.”

“I know.” He knelt beside the girl. “There’s no cause for fear now, though.”

They watched Tahn and Lorne ride together to the gate. Netta stood apart from the others.

“Are you crying?” nine-year-old Doogan asked her.

“No.”

“It’s all right to miss him.”

Netta smiled. “Thank you.” She turned to find all the children looking at her and took a deep breath. “Shall we practice our sums?”

“Do we have to?” Stuva frowned.

“No.” She sighed. “Not immediately, I suppose. Go and play a little while, but don’t trouble Hildy in the kitchen.”

Vari walked solemnly toward the gate. As the rest of the children scattered, Benn turned to his daughter.

“I trust God for Tahn, Netta.”

She took his hand. “I can’t imagine what it must be like.”

“He’ll be fine.”

“They nearly killed him, Father.”

“Do you mean Alastair or the soldiers of Samis?”

She stared at him, suddenly near tears. It was both. And had things changed?