The Fourteenth Key (The Chronicles of Terah Book 3) (9 page)

“I’ve got a couple of questions if you’ve got a minute,” Kevin said.

Gen. Crandal nodded.

“If the captives show up in Glenarbour, do you have any ideas on how we can rescue them?”

“I don’t think it’s going to be an issue, but on the off chance they do show up, I’d find someone to go to Glenarbour and buy them.”

“If we do that, wouldn’t slavers start capturing our people just to take them to Glenarbour and sell them back to us?”

“That’s why you need to find someone who has no connection to you, your house, or Camden. It needs to be someone from far away who cannot be traced back to you. But it also needs to be someone who has done business with the slavers before, because a new face draws questions.”

“All right.” Kevin sat down at his desk. “Do you have someone in mind?”

Gen. Crandal shook his head. “I’m not sure who your father used. You might want to ask Laryn about it. But if you do get the chance to buy them, you can’t bring them back to Camden any time soon, and they can never go back to Syrando. But I don’t think you’ll have to worry about it. I think they’re headed south, and our best chance of finding them is with the men on the boat.”

“I think so too, but just in case they do show up in Glenarbour, I want to be ready. I’ll check with Laryn.”

Gen. Crandal nodded. “Now, if there’s nothing else, I’m going home. It’s been a long weekend.”

“It certainly has. Thanks for everything, General.”

Chapter 6

Laryn Lends a Hand

During dinner Darrell told Kevin three of his guards were ready to go to Ashmont and remain there as long as needed. “I told them to work twelve hour shifts, but I’m leaving it up to them as to who works when.”

“I’ll take them to the chapel and let Marcus introduce them to Sgt. Nance.”

Darrell nodded.

After they finished eating, Darrell said the guards were waiting in his office. Kevin got up and turned to Chris. “I won’t be gone long. Would you find out if Laryn has a few minutes this evening? I need to talk to her about something.”

“As long as it’s not about the wedding, it should be fine.”

“Have they been at it all day?”

“Try all weekend. I think she was hiding this afternoon. No one could find her anywhere.”

“Didn’t you suggest they ask Cryslyn to handle it?”

“That’s who she was hiding from.”

Kevin chuckled and shook his head. Then he and Darrell left the dining hall.

When they reached the guard office, Darrell handed Kevin a note. “While he was here today, Lt. Martyn offered to let the guards stay at his house while they’re in Ashmont. This is a note to Sgt. Nance asking him to open the house and take care of whatever they might need.”

Kevin put the note in his pocket and he and the guards left for Ashmont.

When they arrived at the chapel, Kevin knocked on the front door. After a couple of minutes, Theresa opened it, looking a bit harried. “Is everything all right?” he asked.

Theresa nodded. “But I need to talk to you.”

“Okay, but first I want you to meet Aaron, Josef, and Brandon. They’re going to help Sgt. Nance until the men return home. I thought Marcus could introduce them.”

Theresa smiled, opened the door, and motioned the three guards in. “Marcus is in the kitchen.”

After the guards went inside, Theresa stepped out on the porch and pulled the door to behind her. “You don’t think the slavers are still around here any more than I do. What are you worried about?”

“Looting. I don’t know if it’s a problem here, but at home a deserted town would be a prime target. That’s why I want someone on guard at night. I want these people to come home to find their homes and businesses just like they left them. I want them to feel silly for leaving, not glad they did.”

Theresa nodded.

“Now, what did you want to talk to me about?”

“I want you to take the children to Joan tomorrow morning. I’d send them tonight, but they’re already asleep.”

“Asleep? This early?”

“They’ve had a long day, and a trying one.”

“What happened?”

“Let’s just say Alma is the perfect aide for Janine. She runs a tight ship, and I do mean tight. She had them up at daybreak today, and they’ve had chores all day long. At one point, I heard Caitlyn say she wanted her mother. Alma told her she’d never see her mother again, so she might as well accept it, and if she had any hope of finding a new mother, she better show that she’s a hard worker and knows how to do chores.”

“And what did you say?”

Theresa shrugged. “Nothing. I was afraid I’d only make matters worse. After all, this is not my chapel, as I’ve been reminded several times today.”

“I’m sorry, Theresa.”

Theresa gave her head a quick shake. “No, she’s right. I’m only filling in. They have a very efficient chapel, with everything in its place and a place for everything. I’ve never seen one quite so organized. It’s just not what I’m used to.”

“How’s Hayley handling it?”

“She’s walking on eggshells, but she’ll be all right. She’s good at sensing what it takes to get along. Now, were you able to get Janine to trust you to handle things?”

Kevin shook his head. “Not really. I’m going to meet her at daybreak Tuesday morning for a progress report, although I think I’m the one who’s supposed to report.”

“Don’t mess around with her. She means business, and if the people from Syrando show up there …”

“I know. I’m working on it. I’ve already had one argument with a couple of the council members about sisters treating escaped slaves. I don’t need to have a sister help a whole group escape. Believe me, I’m taking her very seriously.” Kevin took a deep breath. “I need to speak with Marcus for a moment, and then I’m heading home. Is there anything you want me to bring when I come back tomorrow morning?”

“Not that I know of. Are you coming just to get the children? Or do you have something else you need to take care of?”

“As far as I know, just to get the children, although I’ll probably drop by tomorrow evening to check on things.”

“I’ll have them ready by 9:00. Is that all right?”

Kevin nodded.

“Okay,” Theresa said. “I’m going back inside. I’ll send Marcus out.”

While Kevin waited for Marcus, he looked up and down the street. Most of the houses remained vacant, but a couple looked occupied tonight. Maybe things would get back to normal before too long.

“You wanted to see me?” Marcus asked as he stepped out on the porch.

“Just for a moment,” Kevin said. “Did you talk to the guards?”

Marcus nodded.

“I want you to let them stand guard tonight. They know you’re here, and if they need you, they’ll get you, but I want you to get some sleep so you can take a boat out tomorrow. See what you can find out about the slavers and their boat. We’ve got a squad of soldiers waiting near the mouth of the Kivee and I want to give them all the information we can.”

Marcus nodded. “I wasn’t sure what you wanted me to do today, so I stayed around here. Getting out on the river tomorrow will be a nice break.”

Kevin looked at Marcus with questions in his eyes.

“I’m not complaining,” Marcus said. “It’s just that I’m used to the way Theresa and Hayley run a chapel, and things are a little different here, not as relaxed, more formal.”

Kevin nodded. “The guards are going to use Lt. Martyn’s house while they’re here. Why don’t you stay there, too? I’m sure it’ll be more comfortable. Theresa has her pendant. She and Hayley will be fine.” Kevin took the note out of his pocket. “Give this note to Sgt. Nance when you introduce the guards. He has the keys to the house and he’s supposed to make sure they have everything they need. Do you need anything from home?”

Marcus shook his head.

“Then I’m heading back. Good luck. I’ll check in with you tomorrow evening.” Then Kevin took out his key, turned it, and left.

~ ~ ~ ~

Chris and Laryn were waiting in Kevin’s office when he returned from Ashmont.

Laryn nodded at Kevin. “Chris said you needed to see me?”

Kevin sat down at his desk and explained about Sister Janine. “When I go to Glenarbour Tuesday, I want to be able to tell her I have everything in place for rescuing the captives if they happen to turn up there. And knowing her, she’ll want details.”

Laryn looked doubtful. “I know the sisters keep information to themselves, but I’m not sure it’s a good idea to give her any names.”

“I agree, but I want to be able to tell her arrangements have been made, and I want to sound like I’m telling the truth. She doesn’t have much faith in sorcerers in general, and, for some reason, me, in particular.”

“Well, we only had the chance to buy some of our people back five times. The first three were a long time ago, and the person we used then is no longer available,” Laryn explained. “The last two times Gov. Shardin covered it for us.”

“Gov. Shardin? From Wyndsor?” Kevin asked.

Laryn nodded. “Trivera isn’t outspoken about it, but she feels the same way we do about slavery. We bought a few of her citizens back for her, too.”

“How does it work?” Chris asked. “Does Gov. Shardin just show up and buy them? How does he know which ones are our people?”

“Gov. Wrenn bought slaves for Camden and Gov. Shardin bought slaves for Wyndsor. Neither of them bought a lot, so they didn’t show up at every auction, but they bought enough that their attendance didn’t attract any undue attention. I’m not sure how they managed it, but since the slaves are on display for a couple of hours before the auction, they found a way to let each other know which ones to buy. No money changed hands between the two of them. That was settled later, through trade, using goods to cover the purchase price.”

“So Karl needs to meet with Gov. Shardin,” Chris said.

Laryn hesitated. “I don’t know, Chris. Myron and Trivera don’t know each other well enough yet. There’s no trust there at this point, no common ground. She might be hesitant to even acknowledge she had this kind of arrangement with Badec.”

“Does she realize you knew about it?” Kevin asked.

Laryn nodded.

“Would you go talk to her, explain that I’d like to have the same arrangement with her that my father did, and see if she’s willing to work with me?”

Laryn thought for a moment and then nodded. “I don’t see where that would cause any problems, but if she’s willing to do this, I’m stepping out of the picture. You and she will have to work out the details between you.”

“Agreed,” Kevin said. “When can you go?”

Laryn laughed. “Guess I’ll go now.” She stood up and held out her hand for Kevin’s key. “It’s mid-morning there.”

~ ~ ~ ~

The only similarity between Trivera’s castle in Valez, Wyndsor, and the castle in Milhaven was that both were made of stone. Trivera’s castle consisted of six buildings surrounding a central courtyard. Only one building was accessible by road, the one that housed the government offices.

When Laryn knocked on the door of the government building, a guard opened it and stepped to the side for her to enter. “I’d like to speak with Byron if he has a moment,” Laryn said. “Please tell him Laryn from Camden requests a few minutes of his time.”

The guard left to deliver her message.

A couple of minutes later, Byron stepped out of the hall that led to his office. “Laryn, nice to see you again. You wish to speak with me?”

“If you have a few minutes.”

“Of course,” Byron said as he led the way towards his office. “I know it’s been a while, but I’d like to offer my condolences on the loss of your brother. Badec was a good man. We hated to see him go.”

“Thank you,” Laryn said as tears gathered in the corners of her eyes.

If Byron noticed, he ignored it as he opened the door to his office and motioned for her to enter. “Norine, would you get us some refreshments, please?” he asked one of the pages. Then he looked at Laryn and asked, “Coffee? Or would you prefer scog? It’s evening in Camden now, isn’t it?”

Laryn nodded. “Scog would be nice. Thank you.”

When they were both settled with a mug of scog, Byron asked, “What can I do for you?”

Laryn explained about the slaver raid and the possibility the captives might show up in Glenarbour. “Do you think Trivera would be interested in working with Myron like she did with Badec?”

“Have you discussed this with Myron?”

“Yes.”

“And he’s in favor of it?”

Laryn nodded.

“And he’s willing to send his governor to any auctions where we think some of our citizens might show up?”

Again, Laryn nodded. “Myron’s as against slavery as Badec was, and he’s willing to do anything he can to help rescue captives. He’d go buy them himself if he wasn’t afraid it would make every citizen of Camden a potential hostage.”

“And it would,” Byron said with a nod. “Your timing’s pretty good on this one, Laryn. Saturday, after the council meeting, Trivera asked me to go see you and ask if you thought Myron would be interested in working with her the same way Badec did. She didn’t want to approach him herself, and she wasn’t sure I should approach his assistant since none of us really know him yet. But she did tell me if you thought Myron would be interested, she’d make an appointment with him to discuss it.”

“If she wants to meet with him, we need to set it up pretty soon. The Glenarbour auction’s only a couple of weeks away.”

“I assume you have someone who can identify them?”

Laryn nodded.

“Let me speak with Trivera. She’s not here at the moment, but she’ll be back this afternoon. But regardless of whether or not Trivera feels she and Myron need to discuss it, our governors need to meet,” Byron said. “Who’s your governor now?”

“Karl, but we haven’t said anything to him about any of this. We wanted to get your reaction first.”

“Would he be willing to go along with it? And can you trust him to keep it to himself?”

“Yes, to both questions, as long as you don’t count his wife, but she’s also his assistant.”

Byron smiled. “I imagine Gov. Shardin’s wife knows, too.” Then he stood up. “Let me speak with Trivera this afternoon. If she wants to talk to Myron before the governors meet, I’ll let you know.”