Free Rise of a Merchant Prince by Raymond E. Feist

I’ll only charge you cost.”
    Roo laughed. “You haven’t changed, Master Innkeeper.”
    â€œWhere’s Rosalyn?” said Erik.
    Milo and Nathan exchanged glances and Nathan said, “She’s with her family, Erik.”
    Erik glanced around, not understanding. “Family? You’re her father—”
    Roo reached over and took his friend’s arm. “She’s with her husband, Erik.” He looked at Milo. “Is that what Nathan’s saying, Milo?”
    Milo nodded. “Aye, and I’m a grandfather, too.”
    Erik sat back. His emotions were in turmoil. “She’s had a baby?”
    Milo looked at Erik. “That’s a fact.”
    Erik said, “Who’s the father?”
    Milo glanced around the room and said, “She married young Rudolph, the baker’s apprentice; you know him?” Erik nodded. “He’s now a journeyman and will set up his own ovens soon. She’s 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 you’re dead.”
    Leaning over to kiss his mother again, he said, “I know. I’ll try not to scare her to death. I want her to come tonight.” Then he added, “With Rudolph.”
    Roo said, “I’ll go with you.”
    Freida squeezed his hand. “Don’t be long, else I’llthink this all a dream.”
    Erik laughed. “Hardly. Roo’s cousin Duncan will charm you with tales wondrous and improbable.”
    The cousins smiled. Nathan looked at the handsome Duncan and said, “He’ll not be charming her too much, I’m thinking.”
    Erik laughed. “We’ll 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 town’s 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 Erik’s 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 Ravensburg 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 didn’t really understand how he felt about her.
    Suddenly embarrassed by his own hesitation, Erik entered the bakery. Rudolph stood behind the counter, and when he looked up he said, “Can Ihelp—” His eyes widened as he said, “Erik? Roo?”
    Erik offered a friendly smile. “Hello, Rudolph.” He extended his hand as he crossed the small space between door and counter. Roo followed.
    Rudolph had never been what either Roo or Erik would count a friend, though in a town as small as Ravensburg all the children of similar age know one another. “I thought you dead,” he half whispered, as if afraid to be overheard.
    â€œThat seems to have been the general opinion,” Roo said. “But we were freed by the King.”
    â€œBy the King?” asked Rudolph, clearly impressed, as he took Erik’s hand and gave it a perfunctory shake. Then he shook with Roo.
    â€œYes,” said Erik. “And I’m back.” When Rudolph’s expression darkened, he quickly added, “For a few days. I’m the