The Fourteenth Key (The Chronicles of Terah Book 3) (99 page)

For a moment, no one spoke while Alastar continued to scowl at Kevin. Then, without breaking eye contact, he turned his key, and was gone.

Almost like a sigh, tension left the island and calm settled in its place. The drama was over, at least for that day.

While most of the other sorcerers congratulated Kevin and left for home, Malcolm and Rolan remained standing off to the side. Malcolm was too stunned to do more than stare at Kevin. When Damien was the only council member left standing with Kevin, Malcolm took out his key and, without a word to anyone, left. But Rolan remained, waiting and watching, until once again, Damien’s glares made him uncomfortable enough to leave.

“That’s the one you’ve got to worry about now,” Damien said to Kevin.

Kevin shook his head. “He’s not going to challenge me.”

“No, he’ll come at your back.”

Kevin laughed. “He’s been trying to do that since before I took my seat.”

“Well, don’t underestimate him. And thanks for saving my life out there.”

Kevin shook his head. “I didn’t save your life. You’d have played it straight and waited until you could challenge her.”

Damien smiled. “Actually you’re right, but I would have challenged her right here, today. I wasn’t kidding when I said she wasn’t leaving this island alive.”

Kevin frowned and glanced over at Glendymere. “Could he have done that? Challenge her today?”

Glendymere nodded.
“It’s never been done before, but I don’t see any reason why he couldn’t.”

“You’d have allowed it?” Kevin asked.

“I’d have taken their keys and insisted on a couple of hours rest break to make it fair, but I’d have allowed it. Better to go ahead and get it settled today than let it drag on.”

Damien nodded, told Kevin he’d see him next month, and left for home.

“Now, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way, too,”
Glendymere said as he spread his wings. Then, just before he took off, he added,
“I think we can forgo practice tomorrow morning, but I expect to see you Tuesday.”

Chapter 84

Aftermath

While Kevin made the rounds of his aunts and uncles, Chris took care of getting everyone back where they belonged. By mid-afternoon the office was fully staffed and open for business. Kevin was in his office with Nikki, and Chris was at his desk outside, both going through messages and mail that had accumulated over the past week.

Kevin was a bit concerned about Elin’s reaction to being back, so he called her into his office to talk to her.

“I’m all right,” Elin said as she shut the door.

Kevin frowned. “I hadn’t asked you yet.”

“No, but you were going to,” she answered. “That woman’s dead now, so I’m not afraid she’s going to pop in here and grab me again. Oh, and thank you for rescuing me. She wanted to give me to Rolan and let him hurt me to make Chris tell him whatever he wanted to know. She was really mean.”

Kevin nearly laughed, but he managed to swallow it. “Yeah, she was.”

“So, anyway, I’m fine, but I do have one request. I want to spend more time working with Cpt. Darrell. I want to learn how to use the knives, and I want a dagger I can keep with me all the time, and I want him to teach me how to use it.”

Kevin grinned. “I think that can be arranged, but Joan’s even better with a dagger than Darrell is. Why don’t you ask her to help you?”

“Do you think she would?”

Kevin nodded. “Go ask her.”

“Thanks, I will.” Elin stood up and started to leave. Before she opened the door, she glanced back and asked, “Was there anything else?”

Kevin grinned. “Nice to have you back, Elin. We missed you.”

Chris came in after Elin left and sat down. “I’m about done and dinner’s in an hour. Are you ready to call it a day?”

Kevin nodded. “I think I’ll go for a walk with Nikki before dinner. Want to come?”

Chris shook his head. “I’m going to lie down for a bit. I didn’t sleep much last night. Just be sure I’m up for dinner.”

~ ~ ~ ~

Dinner that evening was quite an event. Miranda and her staff had prepared a feast for everyone who worked at the castle, the soldiers who were stationed there, and anyone from Milhaven who wanted to come, with a special invitation sent out to the women and children who had been rescued from Gwendolyn’s dungeon.

Two huge tiered cakes sat on a table in the center of the room. When it came time for the cakes to be cut, Miranda presented Kevin with a knife and asked him to do the honors. He cut the first few slices to thunderous applause and then handed the knife back to Miranda. As he headed back to his table with a slice of cake in his hand, Joan stepped up to walk beside him.

“She wanted a congratulations cake in honor of the duel, but I didn’t think you’d like that,” she told him.

“No, but I like the welcome home theme. It fits.”

“But I do want you to know how happy we all are that you won,” Joan said. “And for the record, I can live the rest of my life just fine without you ever doing that again.”

Kevin laughed. “You and me both.”

“I don’t know how you and Chris do it. I wasn’t even there and this was the most stressful day I’ve had since we landed on this world. I can’t imagine what it was like for you two.”

Kevin shook his head. “I didn’t have time to worry about things, but I think Chris aged a bit today.” Then he laughed. “When we got back I asked him if he wanted something to eat and he said maybe later, that the thought of food made him feel sick.”

“Chris didn’t want food?” Joan asked, eyebrows raised. “Is he all right?”

Kevin nodded. “Judging by the meal he put away tonight, I’d say yes.” As he sat down, he said, “Thanks for making the cake.”

Joan smiled and walked off to join Karl.

While Kevin was eating his cake, Laryn and Steve sat down across from him. “I’m sorry you had to go through all of this,” Laryn said, “but from what I heard you did a good job.”

Kevin glanced at Chris and back at Laryn. “Did Chris tell you about it?”

Laryn shook her head. “Glendymere gave us a blow by blow account. You tried to keep from killing her, but she forced your hand. I hope her son settles down before the March meeting.”

“He probably will,” Kevin said. “I can’t imagine how traumatic it would be to watch your mother die like that right in front of you.”

“You may be right, but watch your back anyway.”

“That pendant’s new, isn’t it?” Chris asked her.

Laryn fingered the pendant hanging around her neck and frowned. “It was a wedding gift from Glendymere. It’s a mother’s pendant.”

“Don’t you like it?” Chris asked.

Steve laughed. “She likes it. She’s just a little scared of it.”

“Why?” Kevin asked.

“Well, these are stones from Glendymere’s collection,” Laryn began.

“And?” Chris prompted.

“He claims his stones are more powerful than any others,” Steve said, “and, as you know, he’s taking credit for our marriage, saying the stones he gave me set it up.”

“And he gave you a mother’s pendant.” Kevin grinned. “No wonder you’re worried.”

Steve laughed as he stood up. “According to Glendymere, we should be welcoming another member into the family by this time next year and Laryn’s not sure she’s ready for that.”

Laryn stood up and shook her head. “What will be, will be, and not because of any stones. Come on. Kevin and Chris both look beat. Let’s get out of here so they can slip away.”

After Laryn and Steve left, Kevin said, “You know, they had a good idea. Slipping out of here sounds real good about now. I’m tired.”

“Me too, but I want another mug of scog,” Chris said. “You go pick up Nikki and I’ll meet you upstairs in a few minutes.”

By the time Chris made it upstairs with a tray of goodies as well as two mugs of scog, Kevin and Nikki were settled on the couch.

“I thought you were just going to get some scog,” Kevin said as he picked up a mug.

“I was, but Miranda already had this fixed for us and I didn’t have the heart to say no.” Chris popped a cookie into his mouth. “By the way, while you were cutting the cake Gen. Crandal came by. He said the slavers who raided in Heron’s Gulf have been captured.”

“All of them? Alive?”

“Two of them were captured. The other four were killed.”

Kevin nodded. “We’ll have to go pick up the captives tomorrow.”

“Wish we’d find the Kivee River gang, the ones who started this whole mess.”

Kevin nodded. “Preferably before they do any more damage. They’re ruthless.”

“Wish we could have found Caitlyn’s mother.”

“We might yet,” Kevin said. “We still have to pick up the captives Gwendolyn left with Bianca and Trivera. And there could be others we haven’t heard about yet.”

Chris yawned. “Maybe now that Gwendolyn’s out of the way, the slavers will back off a bit.”

“Her family’s been in the slaving business for generations from what I’ve heard, so I imagine they’ll keep on sending slavers out. But at least now they don’t have access to an extra key.”

Chris nodded. “And maybe, since you rescued so many, they’ll go somewhere else to get them.”

“Don’t count on it.”

Chris stood up and stretched. “I’m ready for bed, and I’ll sleep a lot better tonight knowing that woman’s gone.”

“Alastar may end up being just as bad.”

“Or worse, but that’s tomorrow’s headache.” Chris put his mug on the tray and nodded towards Kevin’s. “Are you done?”

Kevin picked up his mug, swallowed the last bit, and set it down on the tray. “Now I am.”

Chris picked up the tray and headed towards his door. “Good night.”

Kevin nodded as Chris went into his room and shut the door. Then he and Nikki wandered out onto the balcony. The sky was clear, and as it was a new moon, the stars were bright. Kevin gazed towards the mountains as he reached down and petted Nikki’s head. “I’ve got a friend I’d like for you to meet. He’s a pegasus, but he’ll look a lot like a horse to you. How would you like to go visiting with me tomorrow? You can meet some elves while we’re up there, too.”

Nikki gave a little yap and licked his hand.

“I thought you might like that,” Kevin said with a chuckle. Then he turned back towards his room. “Let’s get some sleep, girl. Tomorrow’s a brand new day.”