“You trust him, Rafe?” Tess asked.
“The Germans, Bavarians I think, were strict about their honor codes when Rowle was young. If he swore to offer us hearth and bed then it would violate everything he believed in.”
“But does he still believe in it?” Cris asked.
“He’s sworn our safety, in front of his ‘apprentice.’ If he were to betray our trust, how would he ever get Alex to believe anything else he said? Besides, I think he’s confident that he can always come after us later, he doesn’t need to attack us in his home.”
Beast grunted something and I chose not to hear him.
Lights came on, not under the carport, but on the walls and along the edges of the wide deck on the side of the house. I raised my hands; Cris took my left, and Tess my right. We walked up the drive toward the steps that led up to the deck. The steps were carved of stone, the same granite that made up the four faces of Rushmore. It was shortly after noon, but the sky was so dark that recessed lights came on as we reached the steps. We climbed into the face of a strong wind, growing stronger as we walked. When we reached the deck, the wind was cut by the mass of the house. From here, I could see that the walls were made up of at least sixteen-inch thick, Swedish cope logs. Everything about the house spoke of power and money. How long had Rowle lived here? When he stopped serving Fate, did he settle down? I’d always assumed he kept moving, like all the Wanderers. Even the months we’d spend working out of Joe’s little cabin had given me a touch of claustrophobia. I was always anxious to get back on the road.
There was a six-place setting of a very expensive looking furniture set arranged around a fire pit in the center of the wide deck. Ten-foot high, French doors led into the house. As we approached it, a shadow appeared in the glass doors and then both doors opened inwards. Rowle stood in the doorway, wearing what I swear was a smoking jacket over lounging pants. Not exactly how I would have pictured him.
“Welcome, Wanderers and lady. Welcome to my home. You may feel comfortable while you are here. Eat, drink, and rest. In the manner of my people, I offer you the protection afforded to all who come in peace.”
His smile wavered as he noticed the crossbow slung over Tess’s back. “Let me add one footnote to that, the rules say that I must honor your safety as long as you draw no blood in my home.”
Tess nodded slightly and then said, “I wouldn’t think of violating such an offer of peace.”
Rowle’s smile brightened again. “Excellently put, Wanderer. Raphael is training you properly.” He seemed to notice Bruno for the first time and smiled. “I see you’ve picked up a stray. Wyvern’s have been known to make good familiars among the witches, but I’ve never seen a Wanderer with one.”
Tess stroked Bruno’s head. “He’s a pet. I think he’s cute.”
Rowle smiled and then glanced upwards at the growing storm, just as the first of countless snowflakes swirled down. He snapped his fingers and the wind and cold disappeared as an energy shield formed over his deck. “Come in, come in. I have a fire in the hearth and Alex is setting out drinks and snacks.”
“Thank you for having us,” I said. “I look forward to speaking with you at length.”
“And I with you. Now, come along, oh, you may tell your beasts that they may shelter in the barn if you like.”
I turned to look back at Beast and Maia. If the storm became as bad as it was threatening, then they might like shelter. I waved a hand and our familiars leapt into the air and flew to us. The porch was plenty wide for them to set down, but not while Rowle’s energy shield was up.
When they were within earshot, I shouted, “You can stay in the barn while we talk. The storm looks to be bad.”
“Very well,” Beast growled.
Maia nodded in the affirmative.
I turned back to Rowle. “How about your familiar? Is it in the barn?”
“Certainly, but he has his own paddock. Your animals will not be bothered as long as they stay out of his area.”
Animals, what Wanderer thought of his familiar as an animal?
“You hear that Beast? Leave his familiar alone.”
“I understand,” Beast said and the two of them flew off over the house.
Rowle stood to the side to let the women enter and motioned for me to precede him also. I gave him a nod and stepped into his home’s great room. It fit that definition in every way. The ceiling rose to a peak at least twenty feet above the hardwood floors. More hardwood, tongue and groove by the look, made up the sloping sides of the cathedral ceiling. A massive stone fireplace rose all the way to the ceiling on our right, between the French doors and a bank of windows. The faint smell of burning wood filled the room and there was a glow of the fire against the furniture and the ceiling. A wide seating area made up the space in front of the fireplace. A long sofa of dark leather and two wide over-stuffed chairs of the same material were at either end with square end tables bearing lamps fitting into the corners. As we entered, the lamps lit with a soft glow.
A formal dining area with a long table of thick wood surrounded by a dozen high-back chairs took up most of the left side of the room and in the back was a
