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 got an extra room,’ said Ratigan quickly.
Roz chuckled. Walking to the door, she said, ‘The poor lad fears I have evil desires on him.’
Ratigan laughed and said, ‘There was a day I wouldn’t have objected, but there’s a girl down in Marquenet I’ve got my eye on and I’d not want her to think ill of me.’
‘A girl?’ said Hatu. He didn’t know the wiry teamster well, but had spent enough time with him to think this a highly improbable turn of events. ‘Tell us more.’
Ratigan smiled, waved his hand and said, ‘Some other time. Goodnight.’ The two wagoners departed.
Alone with Hava, Hatu said, ‘Well, as I now have a day before I must travel, and we have guests who may wish to eat upon arising, we’d better clean up.’
‘Yes,’ agreed Hava. ‘This is harder work than I imagined.’
They entered the kitchen and Hatu looked around. ‘Less to do than I thought.’
‘Gwen showed me how to do some bits here and there along the way, rinsing mugs and letting them dry.’ Hava pointed to a ridged wooden rack next to a tub of slightly dingy washing-up water.
‘Oh, that’s what that is for,’ observed Hatu. ‘Very clever.’
They set about cleaning and less than an hour later Hatu said, ‘Fair enough.’
‘The windows,’ said Hava.
Hatu smiled and nodded. ‘I would have forgotten. I’ll be back.’
He moved quietly up the stairs, not wishing to disturb his two guests, and went to the far end of the landing and closed the window. As he passed one of the closed doors he heard faint voices. This was a little odd, since each man had his own room, but he assumed they had something to discuss.
He caught a word and froze, listening carefully to what little he could hear through the door, then silently hurried away, thanking his years of training which enabled him to tread quietly enough to avoid alerting the two men to his presence. He reached the near end of the landing, closed the window and hurried down the stairs to where Hava waited.
One look at his