The Fourteenth Key (The Chronicles of Terah Book 3) Page 13

  “Sled? As in snow?” Kevin asked.

  Laryn nodded. “In good weather, Kyle takes the wagon and the road, but there’s snow on the ground at least six months out of the year up here. Wagons are useless then. People use sleds pulled by dogs.”

  “And Kyle trains dogs,” Kevin said with a nod. “Does he sell them?”

  “Not exactly. People bring him their dogs and he trains them. He has a knack with animals, just like Shadron. Part of our elven heritage. I imagine the rest of us have it too, but they’re the only ones who’ve done something with it.”

  “Does he just train sled dogs? Or does he train for other things, too?”

  “I’ll let Kyle explain it to you,” Laryn said as they emerged from the tunnel. “There he is now.”

  Kyle’s house was off to the side of a small mountain hollow. He’d cleared the area in front of his house to make a work and play area for the dogs, and his dogs were everywhere. Kevin counted fifteen, mostly between fifty and seventy-five pounds, although a couple were decidedly larger, and four were young pups. The pups were running around nipping at the dogs’ feet, jumping on their sides, biting their tails, and in general making nuisances of themselves, but the adult dogs seemed to take it all in stride.

  A man who looked a lot like Laryn, only taller, walked through the pack, petting them, handing out bits of what looked like jerky, and laughing at the antics of the puppies.

  Kevin was riveted. He’d always wanted a dog, but had never been allowed to have one. Too messy his foster mother had said. Too much trouble. Funny enough, most of the kids he knew had parents who felt the same way. Their houses were show places, places to entertain, places for business, places that were used to impress, and animals did not belong there.

  Kyle walked over to join them, followed by half the dogs. He kissed Laryn on the cheek and shook Steve’s hand. Then he turned to Kevin and asked, “See one you like?”

  Kevin nodded. “All of them. To tell you the truth, I’m jealous. You get to spend your day with dogs. Want to trade places with me?”

  Kyle laughed and shook his head. “I’ll keep my life just as it is.”

  Then he led them into his house. There were only four rooms, but the rooms were huge. The kitchen was an eat-in kitchen, for the dogs as well as humans. Dog bowls lined one wall, with large buckets of water on each end and in the middle. The living room had a couple of couches and several chairs, and lots of big pillows scattered about on the floor. The other two rooms were bedrooms, one for Kyle, and one for guests, but from the looks of the guest room, most of Kyle’s guests had four legs.

  During dinner, Kevin asked Kyle how he trained his dogs, how he taught them what to do.

  “I listen to them,” Kyle answered. “Like most animals, they know what they’re meant to do. Some are meant to herd, some to pull sleds, some to track, and some are meant to be nannies or companions. Training’s easy when you let them do what they’re meant to do. The hard part is convincing the human who wants me to train his dog to herd that he doesn’t have a herder, he has a tracker. I can usually work out trades so people end up with what they need, but sometimes the humans can be a bit of a pain.” Then he grinned and added, “But they don’t want to push me too far. After all, I am a sorcerer.”

  “Well, someday, when you find a dog who wants to be a companion, keep me in mind,” Kevin said.

  “Will do,” Kyle said with a nod. Then, after a moment, he added, “Might have one now, but I want her to get a little older before I say for sure. Let’s see what she says in another month.”

  “Just be sure she’s housebroken,” Laryn said. “Remember what happened the last time you brought one of your pups with you. I thought Cryslyn was going to kill you.”

  Kyle shook his head. “I don’t know what her problem was. I cleaned it up. But yes, I’ll be sure she’s housebroken.” Then he stood up from the table and looked at Steve. “You two go on in the living room and have a seat. Myron, you can help me feed the dogs.”

  After Steve and Laryn left the kitchen, Kyle started filling up the dogs’ bowls. “After we get the dogs fed, you can take them outside and play with them. They’ve got lots of toys out there, and they’ll be more than willing to share. I’m going into the living room and find out everything I can about Steve.”

  “Thanks, but I have to meet Marcus in Ashmont,” Kevin said as he set out the filled bowls. “I should be back in an hour, provided nothing’s happened that I need to take care of.”

  Kyle nodded. “Well, if you get back before dark, make yourself at home with the dogs. We’ll find you when Laryn and Steve are ready to go. And feel free to drop by anytime you like. You don’t have to wait for Laryn to visit. The dogs and I are here most of the time, and if I’m not, some of them will be.”

  ~ ~ ~ ~

  Marcus was sitting on the front porch of Lt. Martyn’s house cleaning his fishing gear when Kevin got there. Kevin sat down beside him and asked, “Did you find out anything?”

  “I don’t know,” Marcus answered. “I talked to everyone I could find between here and the Kivee and then for several miles each way. Almost everyone I talked to remembered the boat I told you about, the one that everyone says could not have been used to transport that many people, but no one remembers seeing any other unknown boats. All the rest belonged to people who’ve lived here for years.”

  Kevin nodded. “Did anyone notice which way the boat went Saturday morning?”

  “Three different people said it headed south, but all three are positive there was no way that boat had even a dozen people on board. It’s like the captives just vanished.”

  “Do you think it would do any good to talk to people farther down the river?”

  Marcus shook his head. “I think we’ve found out everything we’re going to.”

  “At least we know it headed towards the Agrenon Bay, not Glenarbour. That’s one thing.”

  “Provided the slavers were on that boat. We don’t know anything for sure.”

  Kevin shook his head. “If the slavers were on a boat, and we pretty much have to assume they were, then it must have been that one. It’s the only one that didn’t belong here.”

  “I know, but everyone who saw it said that there couldn’t have been that many people on board.”

  “How could they tell?”

  “Fishermen who’ve been around boats all their lives can tell,” Marcus said. “But if the captives weren’t on that boat, where did they go?”

  After a few minutes, Kevin said, “I want you to tell Gen. Crandal everything you’ve found out. Maybe he can make sense of it. Now, do you know if anyone around here knew all the people who lived in Syrando?”

  “Several did. Why?”

  “I want to bring Sister Janine back tomorrow. I don’t think the captives are going to show up there, but just in case they do, I want someone there on the day of the auction who can let us know if any of the residents of Syrando are there.”

  “Sgt. Nance knew all of them. I think a couple of the other men did, too.”

  “I need someone who won’t tell anyone anything about the auction or what happens there. Would he be discreet?”

  “From the little bit I’ve been around him, I’d say yes, especially if you told him to keep his mouth shut.”

  “Could you talk to him tonight and see if he’d be willing to go?”

  Marcus nodded.

  “If he agrees, tell him he’ll only be gone one day. One of us, probably you, will pick him up before the auction and then bring him back afterwards. He’ll go as an army representative looking for recruits. All he’ll have to do is let Karl know if he spots anyone from Syrando.”

  Marcus frowned. “Karl isn’t going to buy them, is he?”

  Kevin shook his head. “We’ve got someone else who’s going to do that, but be sure he understands that he can’t ever let anyone know about this. If word gets out that we’ll pay to get our people back, we’d turn everyone who lives in Camden into a potential h
ostage.”

  Marcus nodded and then asked, “Are you taking Theresa home tomorrow?”

  Kevin nodded. “I think it’s time for all of us to go home. I don’t see much else we can do here.”

  “Do you want me to tell her?”

  “I’ve already told her. But I haven’t mentioned it to the guards. Will you tell them to be ready to go tomorrow morning?” When Marcus nodded, Kevin stood up. “Well, if there’s nothing else, think I’ll go back to Kyle’s and play with the dogs.”

  “Dogs?”

  Kevin grinned. “Turns out I have an uncle who trains dogs, and I’ve got an open invitation to come play with them any time I like. First real perk I’ve found on this job.”

  Marcus frowned. “Perk?”

  “Benefit, advantage, bonus, privilege …”

  Marcus smiled and nodded. “Got it. Have fun.”

  Chapter 13

  Brena Steps In

  Kevin was more relaxed when he got home from Kyle’s than he’d been in a long while, but as soon as he got in bed, thoughts of the confrontation with Janine the next morning chased any hope of sleep away. After tossing and turning for hours, he got dressed and went outside to run through his magic routine. He was still so tense after his workout that he wanted to go through it again, but he didn’t have enough time.

  When he got back to his room, Chris was sitting on the couch sipping a cup of coffee.

  “You saw?” Kevin asked as he picked up the other cup and took a sip.

  Chris nodded. “Worried about today?”

  “It showed, huh?”

  Again Chris nodded. “Want me to come with you?”

  Kevin shook his head. “She’d think we were ganging up on her, which would make her even more stubborn than normal.”

  “Well, you know, Brena’s in charge of the sisters. If she tells Janine to do something, doesn’t she have to do it?”

  “I would think so, but I don’t know that much about the sisters. I’m not sure anyone outside the Sisterhood does.”

  For the next few minutes, they drank their coffee and ate the pastries Chris had scrounged up in the kitchen. Then Kevin said, “Wonder where Alek is? He usually checks on me by this time to be sure I’m up.”

  Just as those words left Kevin’s mouth, there was a knock on the door. Kevin laughed as he called out, “Come in.”

  Alek opened the door and stuck his head in. “Just wanted to be sure you were up. Still heading out to Glenarbour around 5:00?”

  Kevin shook his head and stood up. “Slight change in plans. We’ve got to go by Timera Valley first and pick up Sister Brena. I’m coming down now.”

  “Yes, sir. I’ll be in your office when you’re ready,” Alek said as he pulled the door to.

  “Good luck,” Chris said as he stood up and picked up the tray.

  ~ ~ ~ ~

  Ten minutes later, Kevin and Alek were in Brena’s kitchen waiting for her to finish her morning tea.

  “Are you sure I can’t get you something to eat?” she asked.

  “No, thank you,” Kevin answered, wishing Brena would hurry up.

  “Well, then,” Brena said as she picked up her cup, “I guess we might as well go.”

  “Do you know Janine?” Kevin asked. “Personally?”

  “No, but we’ve corresponded several times over the years. Why?”

  “I’m not sure she’ll believe you’re you. Is there anything that identifies you as the head of the Sisterhood?”

  Brena thought for a moment. “Not that I know of. I wasn’t given anything special when I took over.” She fingered her pendant for a moment. “This is the same pendant I was given when I trained. I never considered the possibility I might have to prove who I am. Interesting idea.”

  Kevin sighed. “Interesting isn’t the word I’d use in this case. If Janine doesn’t believe you, how will we get her to leave Glenarbour?”

  “I know enough about her that she should believe I’m who I say I am, but that may not be enough to get her to go home.”

  “Did you come up with a backup plan?”

  “Not yet. Hope I don’t need one.” Brena put her hand on Kevin’s arm. “Does traveling through the energy field mess you up as much the third time as it does the first couple of times?”

  “You tell me,” Kevin said as he turned the key, and a minute later, they were standing between the shed and the hedge in Glenarbour.

  “Not as bad as when we went to Glenco,” Brena said between deep breaths, “but still not my favorite way to travel.”

  As Brena was speaking, Janine stepped around the corner of the shed and glared at Kevin. “You’re late. And who is this? I thought these meetings were meant to be secret. And where are your two men? They were supposed to be here by 5:30.”

  “They’re right here,” Caezar said as he and Ramen followed Janine into the space behind the shed.

  Brena smiled at the two ex-soldiers. “I’m not sure I’d have recognized you if I’d met you on the street. You look good all cleaned up.”

  Ramen bowed towards Brena. “Thank you, ma’am.”

  Janine humphed and glared at Brena. “Who are you?” Before Brena could answer, Janine turned to Kevin. “I don’t know why you brought another sister here. We have more than enough already. This chapel’s only big enough for one, and now we have two. Another one will just get in the way. You can take her back to wherever she came from.” Then she turned back to Brena. “No offense, Sister, but you’re not needed here.”

  “Well, I hope not,” Brena said. “I have enough to do in Timera Valley.”

  “Timera Valley?” Janine asked. “Just who are you?”

  “Sister Brena.”

  Janine frowned. “I’m not sure I believe you.”

  Brena sighed. “It never crossed my mind that you might not believe me, but Myron called it. All right. Let me see. First, you trained with Roslyn in southwestern Nandelia. What was the name of that village?” Brena thought for a moment and then nodded. “Caruthers. That’s it. And then, shortly after I sent you your pendant, a young boy drowned in a flash flood. There were some accusations flying around about his death. Caused quite an uproar. In the end, Roslyn suggested you needed your own chapel.”

  Janine’s mouth dropped open, but she didn’t say anything, so Brena continued. “Next I assigned you to a chapel in Blackout Point. That sister had retired, but the chapel aide was still there and doing the best she could to take care of the town. Things went relatively smoothly for a while, but then there was a problem over your handling of a three-year-old orphan. Seems several people around town disagreed with your approach to orphans, especially the young ones. Got a few letters about it, including one from the chapel aide who suggested you might be needed somewhere else. So I moved you to Ashmont, where you seem to have found a good fit. At least I haven’t had any letters of complaint yet.” Brena paused and looked at Janine.

  Janine shrugged. “Anyone who worked at the chapel in Timera Valley would have access to our records, but let’s say you really are Sister Brena. What are you doing here?”

  “I came to thank you for your efforts here, and for the loyalty you’ve shown to your patients. That’s one area where you excel. You do take your responsibility to your charges seriously. But now it’s time for you to go back to Ashmont and see to the ones there.”

  “I can’t leave Glenarbour!” Janine said. “We haven’t rescued the captives yet. They haven’t even shown up.”

  “And they probably won’t,” Kevin said. “Marcus questioned everyone he could find between Syrando and the Kivee, and then up and down the Kivee for miles. He knows which boat the slavers were using and it was last seen headed towards the Agrenon Bay. We have soldiers waiting near the mouth of the river for them to show up.”

  Janine chewed on her bottom lip for a moment. “Did anyone see the captives on board that boat?”

  Kevin shook his head. “No. But the slavers wouldn’t have had them on deck that close to home.”

&n
bsp; “That may be, but if they weren’t seen on that boat, you don’t know they’re on it. They could be anywhere, including on their way here.” Janine turned to Brena. “I can’t leave yet, Sister Brena. Sorry.”

  “We know there’s a possibility the captives could show up here,” Kevin said. “We have plans to take care of any who do.”

  “Who’ll identify them if I’m not here to do it?”

  “We have it taken care of, Sister, but I’m not going into details.”

  Janine shook her head. “I’m sorry, but that’s not good enough. I’m staying here.”

  “I’m sorry to hear you say that,” Brena said. “We need to pick Theresa up this morning. I’ve got to send her to another chapel. I’m sorry you won’t be returning to Ashmont but at least Alma’s there.”

  “What do you mean, I won’t be returning? That’s my chapel, my home.”

  “Was your chapel, until you turned it down.”

  “I haven’t turned it down, Sister. What are you talking about?”

  “I need a permanent sister in Ashmont today, not in a couple of weeks. Things need to get back to normal around there. If you can’t fill that need, I’ll find another sister who can.” Brena turned from Janine to Kevin. “I need to get back to Timera Valley so I can check my books. There are a couple of young sisters who are ready for their own chapels and I want to look over the notes from their training sisters. I’m sure I can find a good match. Would you be willing to pick her up and take her to Ashmont? I’d like to have someone in place by this evening.”

  “Sure,” Kevin said as he held out his arm. “We can go now if you’re ready.”

  “Wait!” Janine grabbed Brena’s arm. “Just wait a minute.” Then she turned to Kevin. “You really do have a plan in place to rescue any of the people from Syrando who end up here?”

  Kevin nodded.

  Janine chewed on her bottom lip again. Then she looked at Brena. “All right. I’ll trust that Myron has things under control. I’ll return to Ashmont.”

  Brena smiled. “I’m glad you made that decision. And I’m sure the people of Ashmont will be pleased. Now go get your stuff together. We need to get Theresa on her way.”