The rain stopped about midday and by evening The Laughing Green was packed with customers. The tavern was so busy Rori barely had time to breathe, never mind think about getting ready to possibly leave. He was taken by surprise when he saw Nolan sitting at one of the tables. Nolan gave him a sign to bring him a drink and when Rori handed it to him, Nolan slipped a message into Rori’s pocket.

  Rori gathered up a bunch of empty mugs and took them to the kitchen. Dropping them off in a vat of mostly clean water, he moved to a relatively quiet corner of the kitchen. The note said, “Get your stuff and meet me outside the back door as soon as you can.”

  Rori started to head back out to talk to the bartender, but before he could Malcomb entered the kitchen. Before Rori could speak the Malcomb said, “I know. You’re leaving. You’re a good man Karl. Come back if you ever need an actual job.”

  Then turning to the cook, the bartender said, “Send somebody to get your cousins. We are unexpectedly shorthanded.”

  Rori raced up to his room and gathered his few belongings. Perhaps it was the influence of spending time with military men, but everything he had fit in one backpack. It was only moments later that he was heading out the back door. Nolan was standing in the shadows waiting for him.

  “Where are we going?” asked Rori.

  “Never mind that. We need to move quickly. People are watching and I’d rather they weren’t. Put on your backpack and this cloak. Then get ready to run and no talking.”

  Nolan led a long course through the city. At times they ran as fast as they could down the middle of the street. Other times they skulked slowly through the shadows. They circled around and crossed their own path half a dozen times. At some point it started raining again, but this time it was just a constant drizzle without the lightning and thunder.

  In the beginning Rori could see quite a few people that were trying to keep up with them. Some running along rooftops. Others trying to stay in the shadows and alleys. But as their run continued, the number dwindled until, as far as Rori could tell there was nobody left. Not long after that, Nolan turned in a new direction and they ran full speed for several miles twisting through the streets but always generally heading west. They crossed through a courtyard Rori did not recognize and then instead of heading out on the street on the opposite side, Nolan veered to the right and into a doorway. A small amount of light seeped out around the edges of the closed shutters and door of the house.

  They stepped out of the rain into a cozy foyer lit with a couple of candles. There were four stuffed chairs arranged around a rug beside a fireplace. Sitting in them was Kedra and two other people Rori didn’t recognize, but who, for some reason, looked strangely familiar.

  Nolan began taking off the cloak he was wearing and motioned for Rori to do likewise. When they were done, Nolan handed both cloaks to the two strangers. Without a word they began putting them on.

  While they were doing that, Kedra handed a small stone to Nolan and then another to Rori. She set the small blue spindle Rori had seen before in the upturned palm of her left hand, then she began casting in a low voice. The other two people then went through a doorway that led further into the house. As Kedra was finishing her spell, Rori thought he saw the blue spindle once again move almost imperceptibly. Then Kedra grabbed Rori and Nolan’s hands and the three of them teleported away.

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  “What was that about?” asked Rori.

  They’d arrived standing beside a large gazebo that was sitting on a well-kept lawn. Wherever they were now, it had not rained. The moon seemed to be in about the same relative place in the sky, so they couldn’t have gone too far. The moon was bright enough to provide some visibility, but its light was augmented by several lanterns that were shining at regular intervals along the stone path that led from the gazebo in both directions.

  In one direction the path went down a hill and through some trees. Beyond the trees Rori could just make out the water from a lake or pond reflecting back the moonlight. In the other direction the path headed up to the crest of the hill and over the other side. Given the amount of light he could see in that direction there must be several buildings just out of sight behind the hilltop.

  “Maybe nothing,” said Nolan. “Maybe everything. I heard whispers that there was going to be an attack tonight. Piecing that together with some other gossip, it’s possible the attack was going to be against you. And if it should turn out that I was wrong, it never hurts to make the people who are always trying to report on me think something important is happening.”

  “What was the deal with the cloaks? And who were those people? They looked familiar but I don’t think I actually knew them.”

  Nolan laughed before saying, “Hopefully the people who were following us will be as confused as you. They are just two acquaintances of mine chosen because in the darkness they look relatively close to you and me.

  “They were sneaking out a secret back entrance that unfortunately has become less than secret. Only the people watching me don’t know that I know that they know about it. If the ruse works, they should follow that pair the rest of the night before realizing it.”

  Rori stared at Nolan for a moment and then said, “You’re lying about something. But I’m not sure which part or what.”

  “Good for you that you noticed,” said Nolan without explaining further.

  “Are you two done?” asked Kedra.

  “Yes, ma’am,” said Rori. “So where are we?”

  “We are where we hope you will be staying until the conclave. So please do not do something to let your enemies know you are here,” said Nolan leading the other two over to the path and up the hill.”

  “I promise to stay out of sight.”

  “Oh, you don’t have to stay hidden. Making sure you stay on the grounds should be good enough.”

  “What grounds? Where are we?” asked Rori.

  “Let’s go see,” said Kedra with a smile. Nolan just shrugged.

  As they crested the hill Rori realized he’d made a mistake in thinking there were several buildings on the other side of the hill. He could see now that it was actually just one large building, a mansion in fact. The stone path continued down to a large patio on the back of the building. There was also someone already halfway along the path heading up the hill to meet them.

  At first, despite the lanterns, the darkness made it hard to make out exactly who was coming. But his eyes grew adjusted and as she got nearer Rori realized it was Karyn. She was wearing the same long dress she had been wearing the last time he’d seen her. She was barefoot and her hair was down. It was the first time he’d ever seen it that way. It fell onto her shoulders in waves and curls that moved with her as she walked. She looked completely at ease, and Rori was struck once again by her beauty. When she got near enough, he could see the symbol of Meredith on the chain around her neck. However, he was a little concerned to see the easily read disappointment on her face.

  “What’s wrong?” Kedra asked before Rori could.

  “Oh nothing. You had said that you were bringing . . .” Karyn’s words trailed off.

  Nolan chuckled and turning to Rori said, “Take off the ring.”

  Rori pulled the ring from his hand and though he couldn’t see the face of Karl disappear to be replaced with his own, he could see the way Karyn’s face lit up.

  “What is this place? Why are we here?” asked Rori.

  “It’s my house. Why wouldn’t I be here?”

  “I’m glad to see you,” said Rori. “Your home is amazing.”

  “Is that all you can say?” said Karyn with a mischievous smile.

  “Oh. Hi. I guess,” Rori said awkwardly aware of Kedra and Nolan standing nearby.

  “Rori. It’s my house. There is nobody I don’t implicitly trust for miles around us. I haven’t seen you in months. If you think you’re getting away with a greeting like that, you’re fooling yourself.” And just like before she stepped forward, put her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her. Only this time, he was immediately kissing her back.