The Vlakan King (Book 3) (37 page)

Tera didn't mind the soldiers helping around the inn, in fact there was less work for her to do and she spent most of her free time with her mother. Jaele was bearing up pretty well with the news about Ian and Tera didn't completely understand it. She did know her father wasn't coming home anytime soon. Whatever trouble he was in wasn't over yet and Davan was in Cresida trying to help him. She missed Davan but at least she could tease the soldiers, especially Docaw who was a Peradon kid anyway. The sergeant was stern but Sergeant Sneppe didn't bother her. Tera followed Gileas around whenever she could until the Daerlan decided to lose her. Tera tried not to be too intrusive but she had never seen a Daerlan up close and the fact that Gileas was female made her that much more interesting. Gileas made a point of speaking to Tera once a day after breakfast and then made sure the girl couldn't find her the rest of the day.

One afternoon Tera was alone in the main room of the inn when an old man came in. He looked around and stretched and walked to a table and sat down. There were only four other patrons sitting at a table near the far wall. They played cards for an hour every day after lunch.

"May I get you anything sir?" asked Tera.

"Why thank you. A little ale would be nice. I haven't had any in years."

Tera filled a tankard and brought it to him. He took a long pull and sighed.

"Very nice. Brings back quite varied memories. Hmm. You have a nice inn, young lady. Do you run it all by yourself?"

"Ha! Of course not! It's my parents' inn. I'm too young to run an inn."

"Well, if you say so. You are a sharp young lady; what schooling have you had?"

"I know my letters and I can write." Few children in Peradon could boast of that.

"Good. There is a school north of Nantitet that would be perfect for you."

"I don't want to go to Nantitet. I want to join the Red Boars like my mother did and see the world."

"Ah, the world will come to you young lass. You will see things you never imagined if you go to the school in Nantitet."

Tera looked at the old man. His cloak looked to have scales.

"Is your cloak made out of an animal?"

"Yes. It is very old. It is dragon skin."

"Dragons aren't real. That just stories."

"They were real once. I think it is sad that they all died out despite their cruelty. This skin belonged to a dragon called Draghar. He was very cruel and difficult to kill."

"Did you have to kill him? I would have like to have seen him. I don't like killing animals. They have a place in Landermass too."

"You are correct. I wish more people believed as you. But Draghar did not keep to the high places and terrorized Wierland for many seasons. He killed many people and would not leave the valleys where the farms were. We tried reasoning with him but dragons don't think people are very intelligent and he wouldn't listen to us. I have lots of stories of dragons that I could tell you if you are interested."

"Are you a teacher?"

"I was, but long, long ago. There are other teachers now. Teachers with more patience than I. Do you remember a trader named Brevin Tarbin?"

"Yes. Brevin used to come here all the time. I haven't seen him in months. He is one of my mother's favorites. Do you know where he is?"

"Yes, he is no longer a trader. He is the headmaster of the school I spoke of. It's in Nantitet."

"Brevin? Are you sure we are talking about the same person? He only seemed interested in stew and ale."

"I assure you we are speaking of the same person. I think stew and ale are fine interests for a headmaster. Brevin has a place saved for you at the Mage Academy. I would say the year after next you should go see him. I foresee great things for you Tera Greyrawk. Great things."

"How do you know my name?"

"I asked around. People tend to talk freely with harmless old men. Now if you excuse me, I must be going." He put three coppers on the table and silently stood.

The old man walked to the door. His old dragon skin cloak shimmered brightly for a heartbeat.

"What's your name?" asked Tera. He turned and smiled at her and she felt she had known him all her life.

"Ran. Call me Ran. Goodbye for now, Tera. We'll meet again." He walked through the door. Tera ran after him and bumped into Sneppe who was stepping through the doorway.

"Sneppe! Where is he? Where did he go?"

"Careful girl. If I wasn't so large you'll leave tracks on the back of my head."

"Where's the old man?"

"What?"

"An old man walked through the door just before me. He had a dragon skin cloak."

"There wasn't anyone. You are the only I saw come out the door." Tera looked up and down the street but the old man wasn't in sight. Sneppe cocked his head as if listening, his hand moving to his sword.

"Come back in Tera," said Sneppe. "I think you'd be safer inside. There's a taste of magic in the air. Dragon skin?" He spoke the last softly to himself as if recalling a memory.

"Yes, yes you're right," said Tera. "Magic. I've always known that taste. I'm gonna be a Mage one day."

"Well, Lady Mage we could use some of your magic. We need to clean this room before your mother returns. Let's get to it."

The main force of the Talos Company was unloading supplies and cleaning gear. Dvorak Annis and Moria were feeding the horses and rubbing them down. Hobart sat under the big tree inspecting his bow. Taina stood talking with Faeya Ryr; Gerrand was napping. Blackthorne had already shut the door to his cabin and Wynne was banging on the door. Kerreth stood to one side staring into the woods. Hobart noticed the movement in the trees and waved to Navir who walked up to Kerreth. Navir looked into the black eyes and patted the giant's arm. He sat down next to Hobart.

"Where's Brevin?" asked Navir.

"At the Mage Academy. Apparently he's resuming his headmaster duties."

"And Jarius?"

"Still in Cresida with Davan. I think Jarius finally has a friend."

"Good. That boy is a headache. I hope Wynne leaves him alone for a time so he grows up."

"Did Kerreth respond to you?" asked Hobart.

"No. I couldn't even tell if he looked at me. He was useful at Nantitet?"

"Oh yes. He was unstoppable. Couldn't see any difference in his fighting, just his conversation might be improved. Do you think you could talk to Blackthorne? Does he have to stay this way? Taina and Moria are near despair. They think Blackthorne has snared his soul somehow."

"Well, Kerreth was dead. They should give Blackthorne the benefit of the doubt. If Kerreth was valuable during battle the way he is, do they prefer him to be dead? I don't know that my interference would help. Blackthorne no longer tolerates my meddling as he once did."

"Wynne?"

"Perhaps she could help, but she is unpredictable. I think our best bet is Faeya."

There was movement next to them and Kerreth sat down and leaned against the tree. The tree shook a bit and Hobart dropped his bow.

"Well, that's promising," said Moria coming out of the barn. "There must be some of Kerreth in there if he's already learned to be lazy."

"He has good teachers," said Navir.

There was an explosion and a loud scream from Blackthorne's cabin.

"Wynne in there?" asked Moria.

"Good guess," said Hobart.

"Let's be charitable," said Navir. "They may work it out yet."

"Might take a while."

"Time is one thing we do not lack," said Navir. "We are swept by its tide little changed over the centuries. It is our blessing and our curse."

"Not our only one," said Moria, looking at Kerreth.

"No, not our only one," said Navir. "But we have all the time in the world to remove our curses."

"Is that your way of saying be patient?" asked Moria.

There was an explosion from Blackthorne's cabin. A small hole in the roof allowed a pungent aroma to fill the area.

"We ought to move his cabin downwind," said Hobart.

Suddenly, the air freshened. Dvorak sat down next to them. "I think I use that spell more than any other I know."

"Can you dampen sound too?" asked Hobart. "I'd like to take a nap."

"I'm afraid you'll have to endure the noise. That's one spell I haven't mastered."

"But you have mastered stew," said Navir. "Any chance of stew for dinner?"

"There might be," said Dvorak.

"Stew!" said a gruff voice. They all turned to Kerreth who smiled crookedly. "Stew," he repeated.

"Well, I guess you'll get him back eventually Moria," said Navir.

"I guess so. That's definitely Kerreth in there." She reached out and grabbed his hand. Kerreth gave a slight squeeze in response. Moria sat down next to him and snuggled in close. His arm surrounded her and she closed her eyes and smiled.