The Fourteenth Key (The Chronicles of Terah Book 3) (54 page)

“And in the meantime, we need to search North Amden. If she was with an elf, there’s a good chance she’s hiding somewhere in there.”

“Sir,” Cpt. Yardner said, hesitantly.

“Oh, stop worrying. I won’t send assassins into elf territory. We’ll send scouts. Tell them to check out every human staying there, and if they find her, they’re to keep an eye on her and let me know immediately. I’ll take it from there.”

Chapter 50

A Busy Day

Right after breakfast Friday morning, Kevin, Chris, Ariel, and Petri met in Kevin’s office to go over the list of ministers to be picked up. Ariel had his list and Petri had the one from Joan’s office. Kevin sincerely hoped the two lists would agree.

“I’ve divided them into two groups,” Ariel began. He handed one list to Chris and the other to Kevin. “Myron, I asked the ministers to limit their luggage to what they could carry in one hand, leaving the other free to put on your arm. All the ministers who agreed went on Chris’s list. The ones who said there was no way they could do that went on yours.”

Kevin nodded as he looked over his list. After a moment, he frowned. It looked longer than he’d expected, so he counted them. Thirty-two. “I thought we had fifty-one ministers coming this weekend.”

“That’s right,” Petri said, glancing at his own list. “Forty-two are bringing their wives. The other nine aren’t.”

Kevin looked over at Chris. “How many are on your list?”

As Chris counted, Kevin glanced at Ariel. A faint blush crept up the page’s face.

“I’ve got nineteen,” Chris said. “You?”

“Thirty-two.”

Chris and Kevin both looked at Ariel for an explanation. “I’m so sorry, Myron, but everyone on your list said the only way they could carry everything was to leave Laryn’s gift behind. They asked if we wanted them to do that, and if so, would I explain to Laryn why we were unable to deliver her wedding gifts. I didn’t know what else I could do but put them on your list.”

Kevin looked at his list and shook his head. “There’s no way I can pick that many people up in an hour.”

“We let the host families know the wives might be late,” Ariel said. “If you start around 2:00, don’t you think you should be done by 6:00?”

“I don’t know. That’s not even ten minutes per minister. I guess it’ll all depend on whether or not they’re ready when I show up.”

Ariel nodded. “I sent messages to everyone to be ready by 2:00. Don’t let them say they didn’t know.”

Kevin shook his head. “Most of the wives have never traveled through the energy field before. I hate to just drop them off and leave before they recover.”

Petri handed Kevin and Chris a second list. “Joan thought of that. This is where the wives you’re picking up are staying. If they’re at the inn, you can take them straight there. Sister Hayley will be there to take care of them. If they’re staying at the chapel, Sister Agnes will handle it. But if they’re staying with a family, take them to the Governor’s House. Sister Theresa will be there to take care of them and match them up with the family hosting them.”

“Where’s Joan going to be?” Chris asked.

“In her office,” Petri answered, “in case any problems come up.”

Kevin and Chris looked over the lists he had handed them and nodded.

Ariel handed each of them a folder. “These are the town maps you asked for. The ministers sent them in, and there’s a house marked on each map. I hope they’re accurate.”

“Me, too,” Chris said as he glanced through his folder. “Where do you want us to take the men?”

“Out back,” Petri answered. We’ll have some snacks and scog set up on the patio for them, and the guards will show them where they’ll sleep.”

Ariel nodded. “They’ll be easier to handle than the wives. They’ve done this before. None of them should have any problems.”

Kevin set the folder down on his desk beside his two lists. “You two have done a thorough job getting this together for us. Thank you.”

Ariel nodded, but Petri’s mouth popped open for a second. Then he snapped it shut and imitated Ariel’s nod.

“If there’s nothing else,” Ariel said as he stood up, “we’ll leave and let you go through it.”

“Could you send someone down for coffee?” Chris asked. “I think it might take us a while to work out a route.”

Again, Ariel nodded. He glanced at Kevin to see if he had anything to add, but Kevin was already flipping through maps, so the two pages left the office and pulled the door to behind them.

When they were back in the main area, Petri turned to Ariel and asked, “Does he do that often?”

Ariel frowned. “Do what?”

“Say thank you.”

Ariel nodded. “All the time.”

~ ~ ~ ~

Kevin and Chris worked on the lists and maps all morning. By lunch, their folders were set up in order starting with the northernmost districts. Each map had the names of the minister and his wife as well as where the wife would stay over the weekend.

After lunch, Kevin handed Chris the key to Terah. “It’s time to pick up the family. You’ve been to Allisandra’s house, so you shouldn’t have any trouble getting there. She’s bringing flowers, so it may take more than one trip. If you take care of her, I’ll get the rest of them.”

Chris took the key, nodded, and left.

Kevin decided to pick up the rest of them in age order.

Shadron, Kayla, and two teenagers were in the living room waiting for him. There was a stack of luggage and another stack of baskets that looked like they contained food.

As soon as Kevin arrived, Shadron introduced his daughter, Lysa, and his son, Brandt.

Then Kayla took over. “Shadron, pick up our luggage, and don’t drop that cake I made for the reception. Lysa, Brandt, come on. Put your hand on Myron’s arms so we can go. He doesn’t have time to wait for you two to dawdle around. And it’s been a while since you’ve done this, so stand still for a minute when we get there. I don’t want you making a mess in his office.” She put a hand on Myron’s shoulder and looked over at Shadron who was still getting everything sorted so he could pick it all up.

“I can get some of it,” Kevin offered.

Shadron shook his head and scooped up the whole lot in one bundle. “Just had to get it stacked right.” He put his hand on Kevin’s other shoulder, and with a flick of Kevin’s key, they were gone.

A few moments later they were standing in the reception area.

“Ariel,” Kevin said, “please show Shadron and Kayla to their room upstairs.” He turned to Lysa and Brandt. “Cryslyn thought you might like to stay in the basement with the teenagers who work here. It might be more fun than hanging out upstairs with the old folks.”

Lysa looked over at her mother, who nodded. “Thanks. We’d like that.”

Kevin turned to Cameryn. “Do you know which rooms Cryslyn set up for them?”

Cameryn nodded as she stood up and turned towards Lysa and Brandt. “If you’ll come with me, I’ll show you where you can put your stuff.” They picked up their bags and followed her out of the office.

Ariel stepped over to Shadron and Kayla. “If you’ll come with me, I’ll show you to your room. We’ll bring up your luggage in a moment.”

Kayla shook her head. “You don’t need to do that. Shadron can carry our things. Now, if you’ll show us the way, we’ll get out of here. See you later, Myron.”

Before Shadron and Kayla could get out of the office, Kevin turned his key and was off to Danyelle’s. When he got there, Danyelle was outside with her four children. Norrie and Teron recognized Kevin and ran over to him, all excited because they were going to his castle. As Kevin corralled the little ones and made his way over to Danyelle, she introduced her daughters, Sadie and Ashney. According to Danyelle, Ashney was ten going on thirty while Sadie was an eight-year-old tomboy.

Then Danyelle said, “And the next time you come to dinner, we’ll have fish. I had no idea you were so fond of it until Laryn wrote me after you got back home. Sorry about that. But you’ll get your fill next time.”

Sedwin stepped out of the house and said, “The luggage is ready whenever you are.”

“We drew straws to see who would pack and who would wrangle the children. I lost,” Danyelle said with a laugh as she picked up Norrie. “The others should be all right, but this is her first trip. If you can get the luggage, I’ll carry her. That should make this a bit easier for her.”

It took two trips, but within a few minutes, Danyelle and her family were in the hands of the pages and Kevin was on his way to Dayed’s.

As soon as he arrived at Dayed’s, he knew he’d made a mistake. Dara and her son, Jasyn, were in the living room, and she was livid. “We expected you first thing this morning. We should have been the very first to be picked up. After all, Dayed’s responsible for everything connected to the house Laryn and Steve are going to live in. He’s spent the last month cutting lumber, building cabinets, and getting the house ready to put together. He should have been first on your list, but since it’s mid-afternoon, I’m sure the others are already there.”

Kevin figured there was no way to smooth it over, so he decided not to try. “Where’s Dayed?”

“He’s in the lumber house,” Dara snapped. “Haven’t you been out there yet?”

Kevin shook his head, and since the quickest way out of the room was the key, he turned it and went to the lumber house.

Dayed was at his desk when Kevin arrived. He looked up and asked, “Went by the house first, didn’t you?”

Kevin nodded.

“Sorry about that. I should have warned you to meet me out here, but by the time I thought about it, it was too late.” Dayed stood up and approached Kevin with his hand out. “Good to see you again.”

After they shook hands, Kevin asked, “How do you want to do this?”

“All we’re taking today is the lumber. Is Shadron already there?”

Kevin nodded.

“Good. We can bring him back with us and he can help with the lumber. If all three of us carry some, we’ll be able to make it in four or five trips. We’ll pick up Dara and Jasyn later. I don’t want to deal with her until all the lumber’s in place.”

Dayed showed Kevin the huge pile of lumber that needed to go and picked up a bundle. Kevin picked up a second bundle, and a moment later they were at the site Laryn had chosen for her house. After they unloaded, Kevin and Dayed went to the castle to pick up Shadron. Three trips later, all the lumber was in place. After everything was ready for Saturday morning, Dayed and Kevin went back to Dayed’s house to pick up Dara, Jasyn, and their luggage.

“Well, it certainly took you long enough,” Dara said when Kevin and Dayed arrived. “We’ve been waiting for simply hours.”

“Sorry,” Kevin said as he scooped up the luggage. “Now, if you’ll take hold of my arm, we’ll be on our way.”

Dayed picked up his son as Dara put her hand on Kevin’s sleeve. Before he could turn the key, she jerked her hand back and brushed it off. “Your tunic is filthy. You should take better care of your appearance. After all, you hold a high position and need to look the part even if you don’t act it.” After brushing his sleeve off, she put her hand back on his arm.

When they arrived in his office, Kevin handed Dara over to Elin, figuring Dara would be appeased by the way the young girl would fawn over her.

With a quick turn of the key, Kevin went to Kyle’s. No sooner had he stepped out of the energy field than Nikki spotted him. She dashed across the yard and jumped up on him with all four paws, nearly knocking him over.

“Looks like we need to work on greeting people,” Kyle said with a laugh as he came out of his house.

“I like the way she says hello,” Kevin said as he knelt down and gave her ears a good rub. “Much nicer than some of the greetings I get.”

“Maybe now, but I’m not sure you’ll feel the same way when she weighs fifty pounds. Anyway, we’ll work on it. Are you ready to go?”

Kevin’s face fell as he stroked Nikki’s head. “I’ve got to start picking up the ministers in fifteen minutes, and I’d like spend a few of those here. My office is chaos.”

Kyle laughed. “No hurry. I’m ready whenever you are.”

“Where’s your luggage?”

Kyle frowned. “Didn’t you get my message?”

“I must not have. What?”

“I don’t like leaving the dogs overnight unless I absolutely have to. I wrote and said I needed to come back home every night if at all possible and asked you to let me know if it was going to be a problem. Since I didn’t hear from you, I didn’t make arrangements for someone to stay with the dogs. If you can’t bring me back, I’ll stay here.”

Kevin shook his head. “I didn’t get the message but it’s no problem. After dinner? Or do you want to come back earlier than that?”

“Is tonight’s dinner anything special? I mean as far as Steve and Laryn are concerned.”

“I don’t think so, but it’s all I can do to keep up with what I’m supposed to do. We’ll check with the pages. They’ll know. Anyway, it won’t take a minute to bring you back. I can do it whenever you want to.”

Then Kevin stood up, told Nikki he’d see her later, and as Kyle touched his arm, he turned the key.

~ ~ ~ ~

It was 2:00 by the time Kevin got to his office. Chris was going through his maps again.

“Did you get Allisandra settled?” Kevin asked as he sat down at his desk and picked up his own folder.

Chris nodded. “She’s been making flower arrangements ever since she got here. She’s working in the dining room right now, and both Miranda and Cryslyn are hovering over her.”

“Watching her arrange flowers?”

Chris shook his head. “They’re expecting her to go into labor any minute. I overheard Miranda tell Cryslyn they need to have a sister stay at the castle while she’s here. How pregnant did you say she is?”

“When we were down there in early October, she told Laryn she was a little more than six months. Guess that makes her about eight months now.”

“Well, she looks like it could be any minute.”

“Let’s hope not. This weekend is complicated enough already. All we need is for someone to have a baby in the middle of it.”