The Fourteenth Key (The Chronicles of Terah Book 3) (6 page)

When Kevin got to the reception area with Theresa and Hayley, Alek was waiting. “There’s no reason for you to have to make this trip,” Kevin said as he opened the door to his office. “Why don’t you call it a day?”

“I’ll be glad to, sir, when you do.” Alek picked up the heaviest of the three bags, the one loaded with herbs and food.

Kevin didn’t bother to argue. He might be the Master Sorcerer of Terah, but it didn’t mean anything to anyone in the castle. They did whatever they wanted to no matter what he said.

As soon as Theresa and Hayley had their bags in their hands, Kevin stepped into the group and took out his key. Moments later, they were standing on the road in front of the Chapel of Light in Ashmont. All of the buildings around them were dark except the chapel, and there was only one window with a light shining through it there. All in all, Ashmont looked deserted.

Kevin led the way to the front door and knocked. A couple of minutes later he heard faint footsteps and the door opened a few inches. The same lady who had come to the door for Gen. Crandal peeked out, but the light from the glowstone lamp she carried in her hand cast shadows on her face that made her look quite old.

“Good evening,” Kevin said. “Sorry to disturb you, but I’ve brought Sister Theresa and her assistant, Hayley, to help you with the chapel while Sister Janine’s in Glenarbour.”

“Shhh,” the lady said harshly with her finger to her lips and a deep frown on her face. “The children are asleep,” she whispered, “and Sister’s trip is secret. We don’t want anyone to know where she is.”

“All right.” Kevin frowned. Brena hadn’t given him any reason to think this trip was clandestine, but if that’s what Janine wanted, she must have her reasons. “Sorry. Now, if we could come in …”

The lady stepped to the side and opened the door. As she waved them into a small parlor, she said, “My name’s Alma. I’ll get Sister for you. Won’t be but a minute.” Then she shut the parlor door and left them in the dark.

“Did anyone notice where a glowstone lamp was before she shut the door?” Theresa asked. “It’s so dark in here I can’t see my hand in front of my face.”

“It wasn’t this dark outside,” Hayley said. “They must have heavy drapes on the windows.”

“Or no windows,” Kevin added.

“Can’t you do something, Kevin?” Theresa asked. “You know, with magic?”

“I guess I could start a fire,” Kevin answered with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. “Which piece of furniture would you like for me to burn?”

“Seriously? You can’t make some kind of light? Even a small glow?”

Before Kevin could answer, the door to the parlor opened and a faint light spilled in. The younger lady Kevin had seen speaking with Gen. Crandal earlier walked into the room. “I don’t know why Alma left you in the dark.” She went straight to a small table and opened a glowstone case. “Just wasn’t thinking, I guess. Not that anyone’s thinking straight around here today.” Then she walked over to Theresa. “You must be Sister Theresa. Sister Brena said you’d be here, but from her letter, I got the impression it would be closer to bedtime. I’m Sister Janine, the resident sister.”

Theresa introduced Hayley, and then said, “I’d like to introduce Myron. And Alek, his guard.”

Janine nodded in their direction.

“The town was dark when we arrived,” Kevin said. “Is that normal?”

Janine shook her head. “People are scared. Common sense says the slavers are far away by now, but you can’t help but feel like they’re out there, in the shadows. Most people have gone somewhere else for the night, to family members living farther inland, to the inns at Sandy Creek or Creedmore, some are even camping in the woods. They want to be as far as possible from the river.”

Kevin frowned. “Do you mean you two and the children are the only ones left in Ashmont?”

“Asar and his family are still here. And Lt. Martyn and Sgt. Nance, of course, and a couple of the single men, but most of the families have left, at least for tonight.”

“Do you think they might feel safer if there was a sorcerer around?” Kevin asked.

“Probably, but we can’t afford to hire one, and sorcerers don’t work for free, so that’s not an option open to us,” Janine answered.

“I’ll have one here, at the chapel, before bedtime, and he can stay as long as he’s needed, until people feel safe again.” Kevin turned to Alek. “Guess you and I better go back so we can find Marcus.”

“I’ll stay the night, too,” Alek said. “That way I’ll be here in the morning when you come back to take Sister Janine to Glenarbour.”

Kevin nodded his thanks and turned to Theresa. “Do you need anything from home?” When she shook her head no, he held out his arm to Alek and they left.

~ ~ ~ ~

When Kevin and Alek returned, Chris was at his desk in the outer office.

“Have you seen Marcus this evening?” Kevin asked.

“I saw him half an hour ago,” Chris answered. “Do you need him?”

Kevin nodded. “Are any of the pages still around?”

Chris shook his head. “I told them they could go after I got back from dinner.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Alek said. “Any idea where he was headed?”

“To wash up. He spent the day helping a farmer put in a new well and he was covered in mud. He said he was going to eat after he got clean, so if he’s not in the bath house, check the dining room.”

Alek nodded as he left the office.

“What’s going on?” Chris asked as he followed Kevin into his office. “I thought you’d be done once you got back from Ashmont.”

“I thought I would be too, but the people in Ashmont are so spooked by the raid that almost everyone left town, at least for the night.” Kevin sat down at his desk. “I don’t think any slavers are still in the area, but since most of the houses are vacant, tonight would be a good time for thieves to hit. I’ll feel better about the people who stayed behind if Marcus is there to keep an eye on things. Then, when Alek heard me tell Sister Janine I’d bring a sorcerer to stay at the chapel tonight, he volunteered to stay, too.”

“How long do you plan to leave Marcus there?”

“I’m not sure. Probably as long as Theresa and Hayley are there.”

“Hayley will appreciate that.”

Before Kevin could answer him, there was a quick knock on the open door.

“You wanted to see me?” Marcus asked as he walked in.

Kevin caught Marcus up on everything that had happened. “I’d like for you to go to Ashmont and keep an eye on things, and while you’re there, take a good look around the area and make sure the slavers really are gone.”

“Do you think I could borrow a boat from someone while I’m there?” Marcus asked.

“There were some boats at the dock in Syrando. I’m sure no one would mind if you used one of those.”

“Do we have time to go by my house so I can pick up my fishing gear? No one will look twice at me if I’m just another fisherman on the river.”

Kevin took out his key. “Do you have anything scheduled for this week?”

“Just a couple of minor jobs. Nothing major or urgent. I’ll give Alek a list of who I’m supposed to work for and he can let them know I’m out of town. I’ll reschedule them when I get back.”

Kevin glanced at Alek and raised his eyebrows.

Alek nodded. “I’m sure Rigel or I can get in touch with everyone without any problem.”

“Thanks,” Kevin said as he handed the key to Marcus. “Do you know how to use this?”

“I think I’m supposed to picture the place I want to go, turn the key, and I’ll end up there. If there’s any more to it than that …”

“That’s it. Just be sure my hand’s on your arm before you turn the key.” Kevin put his hand on Marcus’s arm just as Alek touched Marcus’s shoulder.

Soon they were standing in front of a farmhouse. Kevin had expected the house to be dark and a little rundown due to Marcus’s absence. What he saw was a home full of light, laughter, and, if his ears were to be believed, children. Kevin turned to ask Marcus what had happened, but the blush on Marcus’s face stopped him.

“Sorry,” Marcus said with a sheepish grin. “When you handed me the key, I was thinking I’d like to see my sister, and her farmhouse flashed in my mind. I guess that’s how we ended up here.”

Kevin laughed. “That hasn’t happened to me yet, but I’m sure it will one day. How far do you live from here?”

“Five minutes if I walk, less if I fly.” Then he cleared his throat. “I haven’t seen my sister since I left here last June, and I’d like to check on them and be sure everything’s all right if we have the time. I want to be sure Caleb’s not giving her too much trouble.”

“Caleb?”

“My seven-year-old nephew.” Marcus handed the key back to Kevin. “He’s the only one in her family who inherited magic, so my sister and her husband are keeping him at home. I want to be sure he’s doing all right.”

“Would an hour and a half give you enough time to get your stuff and spend some time with them?”

Marcus nodded.

“Okay. See you then,” Kevin said, and with a turn of the key, he and Alek went back to his office.

When he returned, Chris was at the desk he used in Kevin’s office. “Where’s Marcus?”

“I’m going back to get him later,” Kevin answered as he sat down.

Chris looked around at Alek. “I have a feeling the two of you may be up all night, so why don’t you go down to the kitchen and stock up on some snacks.”

Kevin nodded. “Good idea.”

After Alek left, he asked, “What are you working on?”

“Your schedule for next week.”

“Looks like you’re adding stuff. Anything I need to know about?”

“Nothing you need to worry about tonight.” Chris put the calendar away. “How’s tomorrow looking, other than taking the sister to Glenarbour.”

“I’ve got to take Gen. Crandal to see the children first, but speaking of Glenarbour, do you have any idea where the chapel is? I don’t recall seeing one when we rode through last year.”

Chris shook his head. “But I’m sure someone can point you in the right direction once you get there.”

“I’d rather not do that if I can help it. Sister Janine wants to get there quietly. I don’t think she’d be very pleased if she had to walk through town with me.”

“You could wear your old clothes.”

“Excuse me, but I was writing a note to Rigel to let him know where I’ll be,” Alek said as he knocked on the open door. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I can tell you where the chapel is.”

“If you know where it is, you can use the key and take us straight there,” Kevin said. “Problem solved.”

Chapter 4

Sunday Morning

Chris got up shortly after daybreak Sunday and opened Kevin’s door, expecting to find him asleep. The room was empty, so he stepped out on the balcony and looked towards the east. Every morning Kevin crossed the river behind the castle and, sheltered in a small grove of trees, practiced his magic. The faint glow that rose and fell above the treetops told Chris where Kevin was in his routine. As he neared the end, Chris went downstairs for coffee.

Miranda was pulling a tray of golden brown buns dripping with honey and nuts from the oven as Chris walked in. He practically drooled as he stared at the fresh honey buns.

“Chris, I swear you look like you could devour the whole lot.” Miranda set the tray on the counter, trying to swallow her laughter. “Want to take a couple upstairs?”

“Yes, please,” Chris said as he tried to remember why he was there. Coffee. He filled two cups and set them on a tray.

“I’m going to ask Myron if he got one,” Miranda said as she handed Chris a plate with four honey buns. “And bring my plate back.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Chris picked up the tray and left.

Kevin was in his room when Chris got back with breakfast. Kevin sniffed a couple of times and said, “Something smells good.”

Chris set the tray on the coffee table and picked up a honey bun. “You have to try one of these. Miranda said she’ll ask you about them later.”

“She wants to make sure you share.” Kevin picked up the smallest bun and took a bite as he sat down.

“When are you leaving for Ashmont?”

“Gen. Crandal said he’d meet me at 8:45. I want to get a little work done first though. I thought I’d go through the messages that are piling up on my desk,” Kevin answered between bites. “These are good.”

“I know.” Chris reached for another honey bun. “We’ve already taken care of the urgent ones. Why don’t you let the rest go until tomorrow?”

“I don’t know how much of yesterday’s going to spill over into tomorrow. I need to take care of everything I can while I’ve got a few minutes.”

“Okay. Put anything you want me to deal with on my desk. I’ll check in later.”

Kevin nodded as he finished his coffee. “Guess I’ll go on down. See you when I get back.”

~ ~ ~ ~

Kevin got two of the messages answered before his mind started to wander. How could he explain anything to Rhianna when he couldn’t put two words together when she was around? His mind went to mush, and even if he could get the words together in his head, they’d never come out of his mouth right.

Kevin shook his head, sat up in his chair, and tried to focus on the messages. He picked up the next one, but after he read it through twice without knowing what it said, he put it back down. That elf was messing his head up from a thousand miles away. There was no way he’d ever be able to teach her.

The knock on his door was a welcome interruption. He leaned back and said, “Come in.”

“Are we still on for this morning?” Gen. Crandal asked as he set a small pack on the edge of Kevin’s desk.

“I’m ready any time you are.”

“Anything happen after I left?”

Kevin told Gen. Crandal about Sister Janine’s request to go to Glenarbour, the exodus from Ashmont, and his decision to have Marcus stay there for a while.

Gen. Crandal frowned. “Do you have any reason to think the slavers are still in the area?”

“No. I was afraid bandits would hear about the abandoned stores and decide to take advantage of it.”

Gen. Crandal nodded.

“How did things go on your end?”