The Warrior Elf (49 page)

Judith shook her head. “So it’s true?”’

“That my father’s a warrior elf?” Eryn paused long enough for Judith to nod. “Yes, it’s true. His name is Dougan. He’s worked for Edwin in Farragon for longer than I’ve been alive. That’s where he met my mother. He trains village soldiers, especially those who live along the coast, and Farragon’s got a lot of coastline. I don’t know if he’s still there, but he was when I was captured.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Judith asked.

Eryn shrugged. “It was too big a gamble. I might have if it had just been me, but I wasn’t taking any chances with Marshall’s life. But back to my question. How did you figure it out?”

Judith shook her head. “I didn’t.” She tilted her head towards Kevin. “He told me.”

Eryn looked at Kevin. “And you are?”

“I’m sorry,” Kevin said. “My name’s Myron. I’m the Sorcerer of Camden.”

Eryn gave a quiet chuckle. “You’re also the Master Sorcerer.” She frowned as she looked at him again. “But why are you dressed like that?”

“I didn’t want anyone to make a fuss over my visit.”

Eryn nodded. “So, how did you know?”

Kevin glanced towards Rhianna. “She told me.”

Eryn turned and looked at Rhianna. “How did you know where I was?”

“Marshall told me.”

“Marshall?”

Rhianna nodded.

“But he has no idea his grandfather’s an elf.”

“I know, but when we met, he said my eyes were like his grandfather’s and he’d never seen anyone else with red eyes.”

Eryn shook her head. “I thought about telling him about my father a hundred times, but you know how children are. I was afraid he’d let it slip to the wrong person and get himself killed.” Eryn paused, then asked, “How did you run into Marshall?”

“I’m staying in Milhaven right now, and he takes care of Myron’s horses and dog. We met at the stable one day.”

“So you bought him?” Eryn asked Kevin.

“My governor did.”

“Since his father’s human, he’s legally a human. Do you plan to keep him as a slave?”

“We don’t have any slaves at the castle, or anywhere in Milhaven. He’s free to come and go as he pleases. It was his idea to work at the stable. I did ask him to look after my dog, but they both seem happy with the arrangement.”

“I want to talk to him.”

Kevin nodded. “I fully expected you would. When we left, I asked my assistant to find him.” When she frowned, Kevin added, “He spends a lot of his day exercising the horses. Sometimes he stays in the pastures, but most of the time he takes them for runs through the woods.”

Eryn smiled. “I bet he likes that.”

“He seems to, but you can ask him yourself when we get back.” Then Kevin looked at Judith. “Is there anything else?”

Judith shook her head and turned towards Eryn. “I wish you’d told me when you first got here. I’d have taken you both back home.”

Eryn paused before answering. “Thank you. I believe you would have. I didn’t know you at first, but after we’d been here for a while, I knew we were safe as far as you were concerned.” Her gaze became icy when she looked at Preea. “But I wasn’t so sure how some of your staff might react.” Then she looked back at Judith and smiled. “I bear you no hard feelings. I was never mistreated at your hands. I’ll make sure my father knows that.”

“Thank you.” Judith took Eryn’s hand. “I wish both you and Marshall the best. Take care of yourselves.”

While Judith was talking, Kevin had stood up and quietly taken out his key. “Then if there’s nothing else, I guess we should get going.” He held his hand out to Judith as she stood up. “Thank you for your assistance with this matter, and for your hospitality.”

Judith smiled and shook Kevin’s hand. “Thank you.”

Rhianna put her hand on Kevin’s arm as he turned to Eryn and said, “If you’ll take my arm, we’ll go see your son now.”

~ ~ ~ ~

A few moments later, they were in Kevin’s office. Eryn was bent double trying to deal with the nausea. Rhianna put an arm around her and told her to stay put for a few minutes and let it pass. Kevin opened his door, motioned for Ariel, and asked him to get a glass of water for their guest.

After Kevin handed Eryn’s water to Rhianna he turned back to Ariel. “Where’s Chris? And do you know where Marshall is?”

“Nikki wanted to go out so they took her. They should be back any minute.”

Kevin nodded. “Tell Chris to join us when they get back, and don’t let Marshall leave until I talk to him.”

“Do you need anything else?”

“Not right now,” Kevin said. “Thanks.”

With a nod, Ariel closed the door.

By that time Eryn was standing up straight and sipping some water. Kevin walked around his desk and took a seat in his chair. When Eryn looked at him, he motioned to the chair in front of him. “Have a seat. You’ll be fine in a few minutes.”

“I’d rather see Marshall.”

“He stepped out of the castle for a moment. Ariel will let us know when he gets back, but before you talk to him, I want to make one thing clear.”

Eryn looked hard at Kevin. “Go ahead.”

“When Marshall got here, he asked to work in the stable. He hadn’t been here long before he proved he was ready to oversee the stable, the animals who live there, and all the equipment that’s housed there. It’s a man’s job and he’s handled it well, even though he’s still in his teens. He’s earned the respect of the castle staff, and that’s not something to be taken lightly.”

Eryn nodded, but there was a frown on her face as she waited for him to continue.

Kevin took a deep breath. “When he first came, I promised him a home here for as long as he wants, and I meant it. You’re welcome to stay here as long as you like too, but I know you’ll want to go home and I don’t blame you. And I know he’s your child and you’ll want him to go with you, but the choice has to be his.” Kevin paused. “What I’m trying to say is should he choose to go with you and live there, no one here will try to stop him, but if he decides he wants to stay here and continue managing the stable, I’ll back him up. Personally, I’d like for him to get to know his father and grandfather no matter where he chooses to live, and if he chooses to live here, the three of you are welcome to visit him as often as you like. It’s no trouble with the key. But no one is going to make him go back to Farragon unless he wants to.”

At first Eryn didn’t move or speak. Finally she gave a slight nod. “I understand what you’re saying, but before I respond, I need to talk to my son.” After a moment, she added, “Privately.”

“Of course.” Kevin stood up. “Rhianna, would you see if they’re back yet?”

Rhianna opened the door, looked out into the reception area, and shook her head as she closed it again. “Where did they go?”

Kevin rolled his eyes. “Nikki wanted to go out, so Chris and Marshall went with her.”

“Why didn’t they let one of the pages take her?” Rhianna asked.

“Your guess is as good as mine.” Kevin sat back down and looked at Eryn. “I’m sorry. I expected Marshall to be here when we got back.”

“If you don’t mind my asking, who’s Nikki?” Eryn asked.

Kevin smiled. “My dog, although she’s more puppy than dog. She’s not a year old yet.”

Eryn grinned. “They’ll probably be a while.”

“In the meantime, can we get you something to drink? Or maybe something to eat? I’m sure there are some refreshments in the main office.” Kevin stood up. “We might as well wait out there as in here.”

“I wouldn’t say no to a little something to eat. I haven’t had lunch, and breakfast was a long time ago.”

Rhianna opened the door to the reception area and led the way to the refreshments. After Eryn fixed a small plate and poured herself a cup of tea, she sat down at the conference table to eat. Rhianna joined her with a cup of tea while Kevin poured himself some coffee.

Eryn was finishing up when the door opened and a bundle of yellow fur came flying through the door heading straight for Kevin. Nikki was halfway in his lap before she slowed down. Kevin laughed and ruffled the fur around her face. “Eryn, I’d like for you to meet Nikki. Her enthusiasm tends to get in the way of her manners.”

Eryn smiled the first real smile Kevin had seen as she reached over and stroked Nikki’s cheek. “She’s lovely.”

“Mother!” Marshall exclaimed as soon as he heard her voice.

Eryn stood up when she heard him and the two of them met halfway in a big embrace. After a moment, Marshall stepped back and looked at his mother. “Why are you here? How did you get here?”

Eryn laughed as she took her son’s hand. “Myron came for me.”

Marshall looked at Chris. “Is that why you asked me all those questions the other day about who my parents were and where we were from?”

Chris nodded.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because we weren’t sure we’d be able to get her,” Kevin answered. “I’m sure you and your mother have a lot to talk about. Why don’t you use my office?”

Marshall paused. “Could we talk out at the stable? I want her to meet Watson. And Neiven.”

Kevin nodded. “If it’s all right with your mother.”

Eryn motioned towards the door. “Lead the way.”

~ ~ ~ ~

After Kevin changed into his normal clothes, he and Rhianna waited in the reception area for Eryn and Marshall to get back, much to Ariel’s annoyance. Elin spent the whole time talking to Rhianna rather than working. When Marshall opened the door for his mother two hours later, Ariel all but cheered, but when Eryn asked if she could speak with Kevin privately, Rhianna was left in the reception area with Elin again.

“Where’s Nikki?” Marshall asked after his mother followed Kevin into his office.

“Chris took her out for a walk.”

“I’ll see if I can find them,” Marshall said.

Rhianna stood up and stretched. “Think I’ll see if Corin’s around. If Myron wants to know where I am, tell him I went for a ride but I won’t be gone long.”

As Rhianna followed Marshall out the door, Ariel hissed, “Elin, either go get the mail or start on these papers. I don’t care which, but do something.”

Meanwhile, Kevin and Eryn had settled in Kevin’s office. After a few comments about his castle and the grounds, Eryn said, “I’d like to take you up on your offer to stay here for a while. Not long, maybe a week.”

“Would you like to stay at the castle or would you rather stay in town?”

Eryn hesitated. “I don’t want Marshall to feel crowded. Is there someplace else I could stay for a few days?”

Kevin nodded. “There are some rooms over the tavern, but I’d suggest staying at Doreen’s house. I know she has an extra room, and that’s where Rhianna’s staying.”

“If you think she won’t mind,” Eryn said.

“She won’t, but I’ll have Rhianna ask her if you wish. There are a couple of other women living there, too.”

“Are they all related?”

Kevin shook his head. “When Doreen built her house, she put in some extra bedrooms hoping some of the other women we rescued would move in and help her manage it.”

“Rescued?

“Last fall there were several raids orchestrated by one man. We tracked him down and rescued everyone we could find. We’re still looking for the rest of them.”

“And Doreen was one of them?”

“She was in a dungeon when we found her.”

“Marshall said you told him he was no longer a slave as soon as he got here. Is that right?”

Kevin nodded. “Everyone on our staff’s here because they want to be, and they’re free to leave whenever they want to.”

“He seems to like it here, and he’s fond of the man he’s staying with. I think his name’s Neiven.”

“He’s been here a long time. I think he was here while my grandfather was Master Sorcerer, but I could be wrong about that.”

“Neiven speaks highly of you. Marshall does, too. And Marshall was very impressed with your uncle, the one with the dogs. I understand you let him stay with your uncle for a while this winter.”

“Kyle trains dogs and Nikki was one of his. I took Marshall up there so Kyle could teach him how to work with her.”

“And you took him back, along with the pup, before you fought Gwendolyn.”

Kevin nodded.

“Why?”

Kevin hesitated and then shrugged. “I didn’t know how the duel would turn out, and if I lost, the best place for both of them was with Kyle. I knew he’d take care of them.”

Eryn smiled. “You were looking out for his safety. That means a lot, and it’ll make it a lot easier for me to go home if he chooses to stay here.”

“You haven’t asked him what he wants to do yet?”

Eryn shook her head. “Not in so many words, but I got the message when he told me to tell his father he said hello and that he was getting along just fine. I think that was his way of telling me how he feels without coming right out and saying he’s not going home with me.”

“I can’t say I’m sorry.”

Erin grinned and then said, “You were right. He’s grown into a man now, and a man has to find his own place. That’s why my father’s not in North Amden with his parents and why my husband’s not a fisherman with his father. Sons need to go their own way.”

“What was his reaction to finding out he’s part elf?”

Eryn laughed. “He was pleased, said that’s why he’s so good with animals. And he’s planning to ask Rhianna if there’s anything else about being an elf he needs to know.”

“I don’t think Marshall realizes it, but my whole family has elven blood, including Kyle.”

“He didn’t mention it, but I think he already knows. Kyle may have told him. It would explain how he knew elves have a gift with animals. There’s no way he’d have known that unless someone around here mentioned it. I avoided any and all talk about elves while he was growing up, and I didn’t see any while I was in Grayford, so I doubt he ran into any at Judith’s.”

“While we were at Judith’s, you said you were treated well, but I got the impression that wasn’t strictly the truth.”

Eryn paused. “I’m fairly certain Judith’s not aware of some of the things that go on in her castle and I didn’t want to stir anything up.”

Kevin nodded.

“Don’t worry. I won’t cause any trouble for anyone. The slavers had no idea we were elves. I wouldn’t mind if someone went after them for what they did to everyone in the village, but they can’t be blamed for what they didn’t know. And since the slavers had no idea, neither did the auction house or Judith’s governor. Since I was assigned to the business area of the castle, I did meet Judith shortly after I got there, but she had no idea where we were from or anything else.”