patrons there at this hour, but even one was enough to sound the alarm. Gammon motioned him over to the cook’s table and went to pour him some of last night’s beef stew, which was simmering in the kettle set over the stove flame at a low heat.
“You really ought to give it another day,” he said, but Reyn didn’t respond. He was finishing the last of his stew when there was a knock at the kitchen door leading in from the great room. He looked up expectantly. He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had knocked on that door. Staff used it mostly, and there was no reason for them to knock.
Gammon walked over and pulled the door open. The black-cloaked stranger from the night before was standing there.
His eyes settled on the boy. “Would you be willing to spare me a few moments of your time?” When Reyn hesitated, he added, “I can sit with you right there. You won’t have to move. Just a few moments.”
Reyn wanted to say no. In fact, he was all prepared to say no, but something stopped him. Maybe it was the way the stranger was looking at him or maybe it was simply his own curiosity. The stranger had known he had magic. Could he possibly teach Reyn more about it, how to manage it so he wouldn’t have to keep living in fear of losing control? He nodded and beckoned the other over.
The stranger took the chair across from him. “You certainly are full of surprises. Everyone’s talking about you.”
“What do you want?” Reyn asked, anxious to get on with things.
“You’re planning to leave?”
How did he know that? Reyn shrugged. “It seems like a good idea.”
“I’d like you to stay another couple of days. I have business that needs my immediate attention, but I don’t want to lose track of you. I can be back quickly enough when it’s finished.”
“I don’t think I have two days. I doubt that I have two hours.”
“The Fortrens?”
“You seem well informed about my situation.”
“I am well informed about most things, your singing included.”
Reyn paused. “You know what I can do?”
“I not only know what, I know why. I meant what I said last night. There is a history to your talent, and I can tell you all about it. I can offer you better understanding of what it means and perhaps give you a way to control it.”
“But not now?”
“My business is pressing, and the need to address it is urgent. I must go at once. But I will be back, and we can talk then. At length, if you choose.”
“Well, perhaps you can tell me a way to reach you?”
“Or perhaps not. You intend to disappear somewhere the Fortrens and their ilk can never find you. One of the Southland cities, perhaps? Well, I need to be able to disappear, as well. So I need you to wait right here.”
He paused, his bladed features taking on a strangely feral look. “What if I guarantee you that the Fortrens will leave you alone until I get back? What if I can make certain they will not try to harm you? Or even come into the village?”
Reyn gave him a dubious look. “I think you offer more than you can deliver. The Fortrens aren’t the sort to listen to reason.”
The stranger stood up. “I’ll speak to them immediately. I’ll make the time. You won’t have to worry. Look for me in two days. You will be glad you waited. I will make it worth your while in more ways than one.”
And like that, without waiting for a further response from the boy, or even giving him another glance, he was out of his chair and gone.
Arcannen left the Boar’s Head quickly, anxious to wrap things up in Portlow so he could make his appointment in Sterne. He was already thinking ahead to what he would do once he got there, his plans taking shape as he mulled over his options. But now there needed to be some revisions. The boy was intrigued enough by Arcannen’s promise to reveal more about the nature of his magic that he would stay where he was for two days. Although once back again, Arcannen knew he would need more than a few promises to persuade the other to his cause.
What he would need was something the boy didn’t have but would want, even if the boy didn’t know what it was.
Fortunately, his sorcerer’s talents allowed him to divine the