said, naming the capital city of the neighbouring kingdom of Ilcomen. ‘Anyway, I expect it’ll be different with you and this lout. Children underfoot in no time, I’m sure.’
‘It’s not that I’m not pleased to see you, Roz, but what brings you to Beran’s Hill?’ Declan said. ‘Certainly not just to visit me and Ratigan.’
For a second her expression turned serious. ‘I do owe you two my life, and I’ll never forget that, but I’ll let my partner explain.’
‘Partner?’ asked Declan, looking at Ratigan.
Hatu had placed an ale in front of each of the other five and sat next to Hava, the two of them content to silently watch the others, though Hatu occasionally glanced at the stairs against the possibility one of their two guests might appear.
Ratigan said, ‘I ran into Roz in a town called Amberly, halfway between Ilagan and Marquenet; you take a little road a few hours up into the hills, and down to a nice little valley. I was delivering some freight but mostly picking up a big load of fabric from the wool fair.’ Looking at Declan he said, ‘Remember, I told you about it when we left Ilagan on our way here?’
Declan nodded.
‘After dropping off my cargo, I ran into Roz at the west freight yard in town and we had a drink and talked. One of my wagons had broken a spoke, and …’ He looked to Roz and said, ‘You finish.’
She grinned. ‘I was going back to Ilagan empty, and Ratigan didn’t want to wait for his second wagon to be fixed, so I agreed to haul a load of cloth to Marquenet for a fee, see what I might pick up there heading back to Ilagan, and … with Jack gone and things turning nasty in the east, I wanted to find more business to the west and north, and Ratigan had more business than he could handle.’
‘I needed more wagons,’ added Ratigan, ‘but couldn’t afford to invest in new ones, so I was losing business.’
‘So, we decided to team up. I have no reason to stay in one place, as you know,’ she said to Declan.
‘So now you’re partners,’ said Declan, shaking his head in wonder.
‘Yes,’ said Ratigan with a grin. ‘I now have new wagons and Roz has new markets.’
Hatu asked, ‘What do you mean “things turning nasty in the east”?’
Roz said, ‘Sandura has claimed Passage Town, so the last free city in the east is gone.’
Declan’s brow furrowed. ‘Passage Town? I thought that was in the Covenant, sort of. Not in Sandura, not in Ithrace, so people could come and trade freely. Was I wrong?’
‘It was,’ said Roz, ‘but not any more. Sandura hoisted its banner over it a few months ago, according to what traders from the east tell us.’
Ratigan said, ‘Sandura has been fighting two barons on his northern border, and rumours abound he’s going to claim that land when the fighting’s done.’
Declan said, ‘So what’s next – Ilcomen?’
‘Maybe,’ said Roz. ‘No one knows, but everyone is arming as if he’s coming west.’
‘A fair number of free cities and small baronies are stuck between the two kingdoms, and the nomads of the Sea of Grass aren’t going to take kindly to an army marching across what they claim as their people’s lands.’
‘So, everyone is buying weapons,’ said Declan. ‘I keep getting orders from Copper Hills and the baron here. I’m thinking about taking on another smith.’
Gwen said, ‘Really?’ Her tone implied more than curiosity.
Hatu looked at Hava, who gave a slight nod. Both understood that Declan might be in a bit of trouble. Hava tried hard not to smile and almost succeeded.
Declan also understood at once. ‘Just thinking about an apprentice,’ he said quickly.
Gwen seemed to accept that at face value.
‘Anyway,’ Ratigan said, ‘we’re going to organize ourselves and set up a larger yard up here and get Randal some help.’
‘I’ve got good people in Ilagan, so we’ll both operate out of Marquenet.’
‘So, we’ll be seeing more of you,’ said Gwen, her tone flat.
Roz smiled. ‘I think a little. Most of my contacts are to the east of Ilcomen, so mostly I’ll try to keep business out that way going as long as I can.’
‘Well,’ said Declan, standing and nodding in Gwen’s direction. ‘I’m glad to see you again and pleased you met Gwen and our hosts. If you need a wagon fixed or a horse shod, you know where to come.’
‘Good to see you again, Declan.’ Roz gave him a light buss on the cheek, then surprised Gwen a little by doing the same to her. In a mock whisper, she said, ‘Don’t tell him I said so, but you found yourself a solid lad there.’
As he turned to leave, Declan asked, ‘One thing, have you word of Edvalt?’
Roz shook her head. ‘Those slavers returned and fired the town. A few fisherfolk came back and rebuilt their huts, but what you knew of Oncon is gone, Declan. Where Edvalt and Mila landed, I don’t know. Perhaps with their daughter in … whatever that place was she moved to?’
‘It didn’t have a proper name, but they call it Riverside Village, as it’s on the banks of the Tohon River.’
‘Well, they may be there. Not much business for a good smith that far from the road. Next time I’m down that way I’ll ask around.’
They said their goodnights and after Declan and Gwen departed, Roz smiled and said, ‘He picked a good one.’
Hava said, ‘I like Gwen.’
‘She knows I used to have my way with Declan,’ Roz admitted with a smile. ‘It’s an intuition some women have.’
Hava shrugged. ‘I wouldn’t have guessed.’
‘Some don’t,’ admitted Roz.
Hatu looked at Ratigan who grinned broadly. ‘So, he’s in trouble?’
‘For something he did before they met?’ said Roz. ‘Not likely, unless she’s meaner than I think. But she’ll let him know those days are past.’
‘I don’t think she needs to,’ suggested Hatu. ‘I haven’t known Declan for long, but he doesn’t seem the type.’
‘He’s not,’ agreed Roz. ‘I’ve known him since he was barely able to grow a hair on his chin, and he’ll never break a vow. He’s a good and even gentle man in his way, but he’s got more steel in him than any sword he’s made. If he makes a promise, he’ll keep it or die trying.’
Hava said to Roz, ‘Do you need a room?’
‘No,’ she answered. ‘I’m bedding down over at Ratigan’s little house.’
‘I’ve
