Free Duty: a novel of Rhynan by Rachel Rossano

establish an army
presence in Wisenvale, why are you here?” Landry asked.
    “Supplies.” Irvaine sighed.
    “My cousin has been draining the village dry for
years,” I explained. I didn’t like the way Landry had looked at
Irvaine. It was as though he thought the worst of him. I reminded
myself that Landry didn’t know him as I did.
    “My wife speaks the truth.” Irvaine briefly outlined
the situation. “I left behind half the men to defend Wisenvale and
prepare the village for the winter. Which reminds me…Horacian?”
    The steward stepped to my side and offered a bow.
    “I need the account books, harvest records, and the
latest census logs.”
    Horacian’s face drained of color. I was tempted to
lay a hand on his arm to steady him.
    “My lord, I did not expect you to ask for them so
soon…. I mean, we didn’t–”
    Irvaine’s gaze narrowed on his steward. “In whatever
state they may be, I need the records.”
    The steward took a shaky breath, wavering slightly
with the effort. For an apparently healthy man, he appeared
suddenly ill. “I cannot, my lord.”
    The air thickened. Irvaine stood and stepped down off
the dais. After crossing the short distance separating him and us,
he asked, “Why?”
    The single word, uttered calmly, wrought a singular
effect. Horacian sank to his knees. “Sir Jorndar took them. He
claimed them as his right as the late Lord Irvaine’s heir apparent.
He showed me King Trentham’s decree. It had his seal. He said
Mendal would honor it because of the child. I believed him or I
would have never–”
    “Aiden?” Irvaine turned to Rathenridge who was
already trotting toward the back of the room.
    “Enroute.” He called over his shoulder as he forced
the heavy outer door open and disappeared into the sunlight
beyond.
    Irvaine looked down at the man before him and asked
the question burning my tongue. “What child?”
    “Rolendis is with child.”
    My hands grew cold. Another innocent life had been
thrown into the mess. I wanted to cry.
    “Is the child her husband’s?”
    Horacian’s head snapped up, fire flaring in his eyes.
“Are you accusing my daughter of unfaithfulness, my lord?”
    “No, I am asking the question that every man, woman,
and child will ask for the rest of the child’s life unless we can
prove beyond doubt that the child is legitimate. Have no fear. I
mean her and the babe no harm. I simply must know. The answer
determines how we proceed.”
    Wary trust flickered in the steward’s features. He
swallowed carefully. “Four months past, Lord…my late master sent
for Rolendis. She traveled to join him at the battlefront and
returned a month later.”
    Relief lightened the lines around Irvaine’s mouth.
“Good. Then it is his.” He met my gaze briefly before moving toward
the dais and the waiting Landry.
    “My lord?” Horacian scrambled to his feet. “What will
happen to my daughter?”
    Irvaine looked at me, a question in his eyes. I
answered it.
    “We will make sure she and the child are cared for
and protected.”
    Horacian relaxed into relief. “Thank you, my
lady.”
     
    *~*~*~*~*~*~*
     

Chapter Ten
     
     
    Horacian led Irvaine, Lord Landry, and me to a barren
room. A massive table hunkered beneath the single window. Stacks of
books, parchment, ink, and candle nubs crowded the surface as
though the master only stepped away for a second. A chair, the only
one in the room, stood against the wall opposite the door.
    “My lady, let me.” Horacian dusted off the chair.
After bowing me into it, he bowed to Irvaine. “The late Lord
Irvaine used this room for conducting business, but we haven’t used
it recently. Do you wish for refreshment, my lord?”
    “Yes.” He raised his brows to Landry.
    “Not for me, my lord.”
    “Repast for two then.”
    Horacian bowed once again before leaving us alone.
Landry moved to the corner opposite the door and leaned back
against the stone.
    Irvaine paced the length of the room, seven strides,
and