The Fourteenth Key (The Chronicles of Terah Book 3) (66 page)

“And one of those is your spy?” Landis asked.

“Maybe,” Kevin said. “They all had the opportunity to slip away and let Saryn and his buddies know your plans, but we don’t have any proof that any of them actually did it.”

“So you’re going to lay a trap, with Landis as bait,” Rhianna said.

“Let him finish,” Landis said, cutting her eyes over at Rhianna. “What’s wrong with you anyway?”

“I don’t like anything that puts a target on your back,” Rhianna snapped, “but go ahead. Tell us the rest of this plan of yours.”

Kevin went through Darrell’s plan, with special emphasis on the part about Landis not leaving the castle at any point.

Rhianna’s face relaxed a little. “That might work,” she admitted. “But as soon as you capture the assassin and your spy, Rolan will send more.”

Kevin nodded. “That’s why we’re not going to capture them. All we want to do is identify them, figure out who’s who in this game.”

“How are you going to do that?”

“We’re hoping the assassin will get tired of waiting for Landis and lead us back to their hideout. It would be nice to know what all the assassins look like.”

“But what’s the point? She’ll still be in danger whenever she comes to Milhaven.”

“I agree, and that’s why I’m going to find some other place for her to study when she leaves here. Milhaven’s not safe for either of you right now.”

Rhianna shook her head. “They’re not after me.”

“Unless they see you as an obstacle to getting to her.”

“Hope they do,” Rhianna mumbled.

“So, Landis, are you willing to go along with this?” Kevin asked.

Landis shrugged. “I can’t think of any reason why not.”

“Good. Now, we have four errands we can use, but we’re having trouble coming up with the last two. Did anything happen while you were there last time that we might be able to use?”

Landis frowned. “Like what?”

“I don’t know,” Kevin said. “Someone you met, someone you heard about that you’d like to meet? Something you’d like to see? Someplace you’d like to go? Anything like that.”

“Wait,” Rhianna said. “Did Marcus help you come up with the errands?”

Kevin shook his head. “He doesn’t know anything about this yet. Why?”

Rhianna turned to Landis and asked, “What about the kitten?”

“That’s right,” Landis said. “When we were there, Marcus lifted a cedar tree so we could rescue a kitten. We could hear it crying, but we couldn’t get to it, and the poor thing was so boxed in by tree branches it couldn’t get out. The lady who lived there said we could have it as soon as it was weaned if we wanted it. It should be old enough now. We could go get it.”

Kevin frowned. “We could use that, but if we make arrangements for you to pick up the kitten, we’ll have to get it. What are you going to do with it? Keep it here? Have you talked to the giants about it? Or Glendymere?”

Landis laughed. “I can’t picture Glendymere sharing his cave with a kitten, and it wouldn’t be fair to ask the giants. No, if we get it, we’ll take it to Crinsor Run.”

Kevin glanced at Rhianna, who nodded. “The kitten would love it there, and there are lots of other cats around for it to play with.”

“Do you remember the lady’s name?” Kevin asked.

Landis shook her head. “Sorry, but Marcus will. He knew her.”

“I’ll check with him. Anything else you can think of? We need one more.”

Rhianna snapped her fingers. “Remember the older lady? The one who brought us muffins and tea? I can’t remember her name, but she lived in the cabin that had the pine tree leaning against the chimney. We could always take her a basket. I bet Ashni would bake some stuff for her if we asked.”

“I’m sure she would,” Kevin said, “but one of the people we’re trying to check out is on the kitchen staff. We’ll ask her to get a basket together.” Then he looked at Landis. “Any chance you remember her name?”

Landis shook her head.

He glanced over at Rhianna, but she shook her head, too.

“Maybe Marcus will,” Kevin said. Then he stood up to go.

“When is this supposed to take place?” Rhianna asked.

“Sorry,” Kevin said. “I forgot to mention that. Next Saturday.” Then he looked at Landis. “I’ll be here to pick you up around 8:00.”

“We’ll be ready,” Rhianna said as she stood up.

“Uh, sorry Rhianna, but I’m only picking up Landis this time,” Kevin said. He felt his cheeks grow warm.

“What do you mean, only Landis?” Rhianna put her hands on her hips and fire flashed in her eyes.

“Remember what Saryn said? If he’d known an elf was with her, he wouldn’t have tried it?”

“Actually, he said if he’d known that both a sorcerer and an elf would be there he probably wouldn’t have tried it. Why not leave Marcus out? Send him somewhere else. I’ll stay with Landis.”

“I can’t send Marcus away, Rhianna. He knows where all the places are, and after last time, no one would believe for one minute I’d let her go anywhere without a sorcerer.” Kevin took a deep breath. “If you’re there, the assassins won’t try anything, and it’ll all be for nothing. It’s not like she’s going to be gallivanting all over the country side. She’s not going to leave the castle, and I’ll be with her the whole time.”

“Are you going to go to breakfast with her? While she’s making all these arrangements?”

“I hadn’t planned to, but if it’ll make you feel better, I can.”

“Rhianna, let it go,” Landis said sternly. “I’ll be fine.” Then she turned to Kevin. “Everything’s fine, just the way it is. I’ll be ready.”

With a quick nod, Kevin took out his key, but before he turned it, he looked at Landis. “Still got it?”

She frowned.

Kevin grinned. “The energy you were storing when I got here. You were going to try to hold it while we talked. Still got it?”

“Oh,” Landis said, her eyes lighting up. “Still there. Didn’t lose a drop!”

“Great,” Kevin said. Then he turned the key and left Willow Canyon.

~ ~ ~ ~

Kevin made a side trip to Shadron’s farm on his way back to the castle. He got there right as Shadron was coming out of the barn.

As Kevin started walking towards him, Shadron put down his bucket and asked, “What brings you out this way?”

“I’ve got a few questions, and I need to ask a favor.”

“Let’s go get a cup of coffee and talk in the kitchen,” Shadron said.

When they reached the front steps, Shadron paused. “Unless it’s something we need to discuss in private?”

Kevin shook his head. “It’s not for public knowledge, but Kayla’s fine.”

Shadron nodded as he opened the front door and waved Kevin through. “Kayla?”

“In here,” she answered from the kitchen. “It’s not time for lunch yet.”

“Coffee, for two.”

“Oh?” Kayla turned towards the door, still stirring the pot on the stove. “Myron! How nice. Are you going to be able to stay for lunch? There’s plenty.”

Kevin smiled and shook his head. “No one knows I’m here. If I’m not back soon, Chris will have half the guard out looking for me.”

“And you wondered why I didn’t want that job.” Shadron pulled out a chair and sat down.

Kayla took the pot of stew off the stove, poured two cups of coffee, and set them down on the table. “I’ll be out back if you need me,” she said as she left the kitchen.

“She’s smart like that,” Shadron said with a nod towards the back door. When Kevin frowned, he explained. “You show up, unannounced, in a bit of a hurry …” Shadron shrugged, “She figures something’s up. And she’s right, isn’t she?”

Kevin nodded. “I’ve got a few questions I need to ask.”

Shadron nodded for him to continue.

“I know all of you are sorcerers, but I also know the lives you’ve made for yourselves don’t involve magic. I don’t mean to insult you or any of the others, but how strong are you?”

Shadron frowned. “I don’t know how to answer that. Can you give me a little more information, like what you want us to do?”

Kevin told Shadron about the attack on Landis and Darrell’s plan to identify both the spy and the assassin. “I need six spotters. Darrell thinks I need to be at the castle, going about my regular business, so I can’t be one of them. And Marcus can’t since he’s supposed to be escorting Landis. So I need six sorcerers who can hide out from before daybreak until this thing is over, probably around sunset. You’d need to watch a house, a yard, or a trail from a distance, and if one of the assassins shows up, follow him back to his camp.”

“Do you expect the assassin to be a sorcerer?”

Kevin shook his head no. “I’m expecting an archer, but with Rolan, you never know. It could be a sorcerer, but it’s not likely.”

“Well, all five of us are definitely strong enough for that,” Shadron said, frowning.

“But something’s bothering you.”

“Allisandra,” Shadron said. “If we leave her out, she’ll never forgive any of us, but she’s so close to delivery …”

“Is she good enough to keep an eye on the yard and surrounding woods from inside a building?”

“Of course. Why?”

“I could put her at the chapel with Theresa. Then, if she spots an assassin, she and Theresa can follow him in the chapel buggy. No one would look twice at Theresa taking the buggy out.”

“Riding in a buggy would have to be easier than trying to fly with that extra cargo,” Shadron said with a slight chuckle. “You know she’s got to be off balance these days, but don’t you dare tell her I said that.”

Kevin laughed. “Let’s hope she’s not the one who gets the assassin.”

“Do you want me to notify the others?”

Kevin shook his head. “I’ll do it.” Kevin finished his coffee and stood up to leave.

“Before you go, you said you need six. Who’s the sixth?”

“I thought about asking Warren.”

Shadron nodded. “He’s a good sorcerer, strong enough to be seated if he weren’t in Camden.”

Kevin agreed. “And he’d make a better one than half the ones on the council.”

Shadron nodded again. “Why don’t you bring everybody back here afterwards for dinner. We’re all going to want to know what happened.”

“Including Warren? And his wife, Torrey?”

“Sure. Bring Torrey out when you pick us up. She can wait here with Kayla.”

“Thanks. I will,” Kevin said, taking out his key. “See you soon.”

~ ~ ~ ~

As soon as Kevin left Shadron’s, he made a quick trip to Ridgeville to pick up Yani and Thanzer. When they got back to the castle, Kevin said, “I’ve got a full schedule today, so I’ll have one of the pages escort you to Debra’s house. Serra should already be there.”

“How long can we stay?” Yani asked.

“I have an appointment this afternoon, and I’m not sure how long it will last. If you’re not here when I get done, I’ll come to Debra’s to pick you up. But if you decide you’ve stayed long enough, I’m sure Korman will run you back up here. Snacks will be set out in here as well as in the dining room, so feel free to have some refreshments while you’re waiting for me. Now, do you have any other questions?”

Thanzer shook his head and put his arm around his wife. “Thank you for setting this up. We do appreciate it.”

Yani nodded. “And don’t worry. I’m not upset with Debra. You were right, and after I got over the shock, I knew it. She’s not to blame for any of this.”

Kevin nodded. “Serra will be pleased you feel that way. She’s a bit protective of the family she has here.”

Yani smiled. “I picked up on that last week.” Then she tilted her head a bit towards the door and said, “Now, if it’s all right, we’d like to be on our way.”

~ ~ ~ ~

Kevin had received a note from Kyle earlier in the week suggesting he and Nikki spend a few hours at the castle Sunday afternoon to see how Nikki reacted to the place. He was supposed to be at Kyle’s house at 2:00, and he didn’t plan to be late.

Lunch on Sunday was served at 1:00, and Kevin had something he needed to do while plenty of people were in the dining room. He hadn’t mentioned Nikki’s impending visit to any of the castle staff, and he needed to let both Cryslyn and Miranda know before he picked her up. He planned to tell them during lunch, in the dining room, with other people around. He didn’t want them to yell at him about bringing a dog into the castle and he figured neither woman would be willing to make a scene in front of an audience.

When he reached the dining room, Cryslyn had just sat down to eat, and for the moment, she was by herself. Kevin sat down across from her and explained Nikki would be arriving soon for a visit. When he finished, she did fuss, but she fussed at him for not letting her know earlier so she could get some cushions made.

Miranda’s reaction was similar. She was irritated with him for not telling her in time for her to have treats ready, and she told him to give her a list of Nikki’s favorite foods so she could have some ready for the next visit. Kevin had no idea what Nikki liked, but he said he’d have a list for her by the end of the day.

The way those two women acted made him grin all the way back to his office. He hoped they really felt that way. The more time he spent around Nikki, the more he liked her, and if he had to make a choice between her and any of the staff members, he knew which one he’d choose. He could always find new staff members.

Kevin dropped by his office to be sure everything was ready for Nikki. He’d asked Cryslyn for an extra blanket a couple of weeks ago, and she’d sent him a nice thick quilt. He wasn’t sure how she’d feel if she knew it was folded up on the floor next to his desk, but he knew Nikki would like it. After he made sure the water bowl he’d put next to the blanket was filled, he ran up to his room to grab the warmest cloak he had and his heaviest boots.

When he’d dropped by to see Nikki last week, he hadn’t bothered to change clothes before he went. He’d stepped out of the energy flow into the middle of a blizzard. As soon as he was dressed for frigid conditions, he turned the key and went to Lochland.

It was cold when he arrived in Kyle’s yard, but nothing like it had been the previous week. He glanced around to see if he could spot Nikki, but by the time he spotted her, she was bounding across the yard at a mad dash. He prepared for a full body tackle, but when she reached him, she danced around him, wagging her tail so hard it shook her whole body, but she didn’t jump. She rubbed against his legs and licked his hands, and as soon as he bent down to pet her, licked his face, but at no point did she put her paws on him. Kevin was impressed. He rubbed her ears and said, “I could get used to this.”