Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

And that’s how we ended up in Will’s carriage and six, a huge monstrosity of a vehicle that by the great miracle of space comfortably fit together Allard and Ware on the same seat as Vargas’ flashy outfit. Well, almost.

“Stop squishing me!” she snapped as she used her hips to push against Ware.

He was forced up against Allard’s side and glared at his feminine companion. “There is plenty of room for all of us!”

“Not when you keep squishing my dress!” she growled.

Will, Steven, and I watched their bickering from our bench across the way. The worn man sat on Will’s other side and stared in bewilderment at the bickering couple with poor Allard bearing the brunt of Ware’s weight.

Steven swallowed a lump in his throat and looked up at Will as we rolled down the road. “My Lord, I assure you again that I have nothing to hide from you.”

Will smiled down at him. “It isn’t your word I am going to inspect, Steven. I trust you are telling the truth and that is why we are going to investigate the barn.”

He blinked at Will. “Is. . .is there something amiss in the woods, My Lord?” His face paled and drooped. “The harpies haven’t returned, have they?” I shuddered at the remembrance of those horrible hags.

Will shook his head. “I doubt we will ever see their like in this area for a very, very long time. No, I wish to inspect your property in case a new rodent has been brought in via the road. There is always a chance such vermin or other troublemakers are carried via carriage to new parts.”

Steven bobbed his head. “I see what you mean, My Lord. I must admit my farm is one of those closest to the road and would be the first struck by such evil beasts.”

“Have you noticed anything else amiss?” Will inquired.

Steven thought for a moment before he shook his head. “Nothing, My Lord, except. . .”

Will lifted an eyebrow. “Except what?”

Steven furrowed his brow before he lifted his eyes to his lord. “Except that I swear I heard a coach on the road a fortnight ago.”

“Why should that arouse suspicion?” Ware spoke up. “Carriages may drive at all hours if they have lanterns to guide them.”

Steven shook his head. “That is just the thing, sir.” Ware riled a little at the common title. “There were no lights. I have a clear view of the road from my bedroom window and though I heard wheels I saw no lanterns to guide the coach. It must have been a good-sized one with many horses, too, or I would not have heard it so clearly.”

“Would you say four horses?” Will asked him.

The farmer nodded. “Oh, yes, My Lord. I would say exactly that many.” Our company glanced at one another and even Vargas stopped her fidgeting long enough to frown. Our newest companion looked about us and his ashen face paled even more. “W-why? Is something the matter?”

Will smiled and clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Nothing at all. We were expecting company with a team of four and haven’t heard from them, but you said this carriage passed a fortnight ago?”

Steven nodded. “Yes, sir. I haven’t heard it since but perhaps it hasn’t returned from where it is visiting.”

“Perhaps not,” Will agreed, sounding all too certain about that fact.

Our carriage rolled its way through the woods south of the intersection we had passed through earlier that day until the forests parted enough to allow fields to grow. They were filled with green grass and vast swaths of wheat, and some even had vegetables that resembled corn. Farmers plied their trade plowing, harvesting, watering, and other back-breaking work, but they had time enough to stop as we passed and give us a wave.

I leaned out and noticed Raines always made sure to return the favor, and Will often did, as well. “Does everyone know you that well?” I wondered.

“Of course they do, miss!” Steven spoke up as he bobbed his head. “My Lord here goes around a couple of times a year inspecting the crops and seeing how folks are doing.”

“It is about time for one of my travels, isn’t it?” Will commented.

“It is, sir, and the folks have been pretty eager to see you,” Steven returned.

Will lifted an eyebrow. “Why is that?”

Steven dropped his gaze to the floor and fidgeted with his hat. “Well, My Lord, you see, someone’s been going around telling everyone that they could get along just fine without you.”

Will lifted an eyebrow. “Someone? Who is it?”

The farmer whipped his head up and shook it back and forth hard enough that I thought he might lose it. “He’s not from around here, My Lord! He’s a fellow calling himself Donald Wrecan and he’s been trying to convince more than one eager ear that we don’t need to pay any of the taxes that are coming up.”

“When did he arrive here?” Will asked him.

“About three weeks ago,” he replied.

Will frowned. “I had not heard about him.”

“He hasn’t been eager to meet with you,” Steven mused as he crossed his arms over his chest. “He’s been going from farm to farm helping out with the harvests and some of the loose chores, and that’s when he’s been making his pitch. Some folks suggested he go talk to you but he said he wasn’t that good at speaking.” The farmer gave a harumph. “He’s good enough to be talking to the folks at the pub these last two nights trying to get them to write out a charter or some such thing to get you to sell the land to them.”

A dark cloud settled on Will’s brow. “I see. I will have to meet with this Mr. Wrecan as soon as we have a look at your barn.”

We soon reached Steven’s farm, a quaint little establishment with a small house and chicken coop, and a sizeable barn to fit the livestock and what they would need to overwinter. Cows grazed lazily in the field adjoining the barn and barely glanced up as we rolled past them up the dirt driveway. A woman stepped out of the chicken coop with her apron filled with eggs and a small girl of ten peeked out from behind her.

The carriage rolled to a stop in the barnyard between the coop and house, and we all piled out. Vargas and Ware wrinkled their noses at the random chicken droppings but Allard was tactful enough to not stare at them. Will didn’t give them any mind as he helped me down and turned to Steven.

“I don’t wish to alarm your wife and daughter, so please tell them I’m merely here for the usual inspection.”

Steven nodded. “Of course, My Lord.” He turned to his family as they joined us. “Look who we have here today, Emily! Lord Thorn himself come to admire our little farm! And he’s brought a few friends to come see!”

His wife didn’t look very convinced but she bowed her head. “It’s a pleasure to have you here, My Lord. Were you wanting something to eat or drink?”

Will smiled at her. “I believe I recall two years ago having some of your daughter’s cookies. They were delicious then and I expect they have only improved with age.” Even Ware perked up at the mention of snacks.

Sarah blushed and nodded. “You have a good memory, My Lord. She just made some this morning. If you’ll wait a moment, we’ll fetch them.” She grasped her daughter’s hand and the pair hurried into the kitchen.

Will waited for them to be out of earshot before he turned to Steven. “Take my friends into the barn and show them where you heard the noise.” Steven nodded and led away the dragon lords and lady.

Emily returned with a plate of cookies, a confused expression on her face, and her daughter still clinging to her apron ties. “Where have the others gone?”

“They wanted to see your wonderful barn,” Will told her as he admired the cookies. “May I?”

“Oh, of course! Help yourself!”

Will snatched a treat from the plate and inhaled the whole thing in two bites. He licked his lips and winked down at Sarah. “As perfect as I remember. Maybe even better.”

I plucked one from the plate and tasted it. The cookie melted in my mouth and I couldn’t help but gobble mine up, too. “Wow. These are really, really good.” I took another one and held it up to Sarah who I winked at. “You’ll have to show me how you cook these so well.”

Emily smiled and nodded. “You both are too kind.”

Allard stepped out of the open swinging door of the barn and caught Will’s eye. “Lord Thorn, there’s a question I had about a breed of cattle in here.”

Will lifted an eyebrow. “Very well.” He turned to our hostess and nodded at the platter. “Would you mind if I had my friends try Sarah’s cookies?”

“Oh no,” Emily assured him as she handed him the plate. “Please eat all you want.”

Will nodded. “Thank you so much.” His eyes rolled over to me. “Why don’t you stay here for a moment? We should be out soon.”

His gaze flickered to the woman and her frightened daughter. They already looked ready to bolt out of fear. I smiled and nodded. “I’ll be glad to talk with them for a while.”