As they dismounted, a boy ran from the stable and said, Care for your horses, gentlemen?
Erik said, Who are you?
Gunther, said the boy. Im the smiths apprentice, sir.
Erik tossed the reins to the boy. Is your master about? asked Erik.
Hes taking his midday meal in the kitchen, sir. Should I fetch him for you?
Erik said, Never mind, I can find the way. The boy took the horses and led them away.
Roo said, Your replacement?
So it seems, said Erik shaking his head. He cant be more than twelve or so.
You were younger when you started helping Tyndal around the forge, reminded Roo.
Roo followed Erik as he moved to the rear door, the one that led directly into the kitchen. Erik pushed open the door and stepped through.
Freida, Eriks mother, sat at the kitchen table talking to Nathan the smith. She looked up as Erik came through the doorway. Her eyes widened and her color drained away. She half stood; then her eyes rolled up into her head and she swooned, caught by the smith before she fell to the floor.
Damn me, said Nathan. Its you. It really is.
Erik hurried around the table and took his mothers hand. Get some water, he instructed Roo.
Roo got a pitcher and filled it from the pump at the sink and brought a clean kitchen rag, which he wet and placed upon Eriks mothers brow.
Erik looked across his mothers still form at the man with whom she had been eating and saw the smith regarding him with amazement in his eyes, which were brimming with tears. Youre alive, he said. We didnt know.
Erik swore. Im an idiot.
Roo took off his travel cloak and sat down, motioning to Duncan to do the same. Rosalyn! he shouted. We need wine!
Nathan shook his head. Rosalyns not here. Ill get us a bottle. As he stood, he said, Theres a lot to be talked of, it seems.
A moment later he returned, with Milo the innkeeper a step behind. The innkeeper said, My gods! Erik! Roo! Youre alive!
Erik and Roo both exchanged a glance, then Roo said, Well, it was a secret, wasnt it?
Nathan said, Are you hunted?
Roo burst out laughing. No, Master Smith. We are free men, by the Kings own hand. And prosperous ones, as well. He jingled his purse significantly.
Nathan pulled the cork of the wine bottle he carried and poured a round of drinks while Freida regained consciousness. She blinked and said, Erik?
Here, Mother.
She threw her arms around his neck and started to cry. We were told you were tried and convicted.
We were, said Erik softly. But we gained our pardon and were set free.
Why did you not send word? she asked, a slight note of reproach in her voice. She touched his face as if uncertain of his substance.
We couldnt, said Erik. We were in the Princes service and he glanced around the room we were not permitted to let anyone know. But thats all in the past.
She shook her head slightly in amazement. She touched his cheek, then kissed it. Resting her head on his shoulder she said, My prayers are answered.
Nathan said, She prayed, lad. He wiped away a tear. We all prayed for you.
Roo saw that Eriks own emotions were starting to rise, but Erik forced them down, never having been one to show his feelings openly. Roo took a deep breath, suddenly feeling self-conscious over the moisture gathering in his own eyes.
Erik asked, What of you? How are you?
Freida sat back and took Nathans hand. There have been changes.
Erik glanced from his mother to the smith. You two?
Nathan smiled, We wed last summer. Then his expression darkened. Youve no objections, I take it?
Erik let out a whoop and leaned across the table and seized his stepfather in a bear hug, nearly knocking the wine over; only Roos quick reflexes saved it. Objections! Youre the best man I know, Nathan, and if I could have named my father, it would have been you. Sitting back he looked at his mother with an unashamed tear rolling down his cheek, then he took her in another bear hug and said, I am so happy for you, Mother.
Freida blushed like a bride. He came to me and was so sweet when you fled. He saw to my hurt every day, Erik. She touched Nathans cheek with more tenderness than Erik could ever remember her showing anyone, including himself. He made me care again.
Slapping his hand on the table, Erik said, We celebrate! To Milo he said, I want your best bottle and a meal tonight to embarrass the Empress of Kesh!
Done! said Milo, his own eyes glistening with emotion. And Ill only charge you cost.
Roo laughed. You havent changed, Master Innkeeper.
Wheres Rosalyn? said Erik.
Milo and Nathan exchanged glances and Nathan said, Shes with her family, Erik.
Erik glanced around, not understanding. Family? Youre her father
Roo reached over and took his friends arm. Shes with her husband, Erik. He looked at Milo. Is that what Nathans saying, Milo?
Milo nodded. Aye, and Im a grandfather, too.
Erik sat back. His emotions were in turmoil. Shes had a baby?
Milo looked at Erik. Thats a fact.
Erik said, Whos the father?
Milo glanced around the room and said, She married young Rudolph, the bakers apprentice; you know him? Erik nodded. Hes now a journeyman and will set up his own ovens soon. Shes living with his family, over by the square.
Erik rose. I know the house. I want to see her.
Freida said, Go slowly, son. She also thinks youre dead.
Leaning over to kiss his mother again, he said, I know. Ill try not to scare her to death. I want her to come tonight. Then he added, With Rudolph.
Roo said, Ill go with you.
Freida squeezed his hand. Dont be long, else Ill think this all a dream.
Erik laughed. Hardly. Roos cousin Duncan will charm you with tales wondrous and improbable.
The cousin smiled. Nathan looked at the handsome Duncan and said, Hell not be charming her too much, Im thinking.
Erik laughed. Well be back soon.
Roo and Erik hurried from the kitchen, through the empty common room of the inn, and out the front door. They hastened down the street that led to the towns square and hardly noticed those few townspeople who stopped to stare in open amazement at the familiar figures of Rupert Avery and Erik von Darkmoor hurrying along. One man dropped a crock of wine as his eyes widened at the sight of the reputedly dead men striding past. One or two others tried to say something, but Roo and Erik were away before they could give voice to the greeting.
Reaching the town square, they turned and made their way to the bakery where Rudolph worked and lived. At the front door Roo saw Erik hesitate. Roo knew Eriks feelings for Rosalyn were never simple. She was like a sister to him, but at the same time there was something more. Roo and the others around town knew that Rosalyn was in love with Erik, even if he had been too thick to know. At least, he had been aware just before his departure from Ravens-burg that her feelings for him were more than sisterly. He had talked about it with Roo more than once. And Roo knew that Erik still didnt really understand how he felt about her.