“I come on behalf of my House to offer our congratulations,” the man from the corner said.
“What congratulations? What are you talking about?”
“On your victory, of course.”
Jamshir could only stare at the man, absentmindedly wiping a bit of drool from his chin. Was there something he wasn’t remembering?
“I … there was no victory … Solomon came….”
“Oh, yes, we know that, of course. Solomon, the hero, returned just in time to pull Towering Oaks from the fire. Or did he?”
“Did he? Of course, he did, you dolt! I watched him with my own eyes! He destroyed the Soul Gaunts with his blasted magic sword!”
He was panting now, a little dizzy from his outburst. He sank into a chair and gulped down the rest of his wine.
The other man moved forward smoothly and poured Jamshir another cup.
“You misunderstand me. Please calm yourself, Lord Jamshir. What I meant was that yes, he did return, but did he really do it in time?”
“What are you talking about?”
“How many died? Before he got there. How many Towering Oaks soldiers were laid beneath the trees?”
“A lot,” Jamshir replied. His voice grew quiet, almost petulant. He didn’t care. Let this man think what he wanted. When word got out….
“Yes. A lot. Including Jediah, who always had designs on your throne, as he did your father. He is gone, and yet, here you are.”
At the mention of his father, Jamshir scowled into his wine. Why were people always bringing him up? Comparing them. Letting Jamshir know by signs subtle and not that they didn’t think he was half the ruler, or man, that Roland was.
Lord Roland. Jamshir chuckled and took a drink. Lord Roland. Mustn’t forget that.
“Lord Jamshir,” the man in black continued, “again, allow me to convey the well-wishes of House Subtle Hemlock, and congratulations on a job performed masterfully.”
“I did win,” Jamshir whispered.
“Now,” the man went on, as if Jamshir hadn't said a word. “There is more to be done.”
“More?”
“Oh, yes. More. You must strike now, while the time is ripe, before Towering Oaks can recover their full strength.”
“I don’t know. There are still many of them left, to say nothing of Whispering Pines. Perhaps I’d be better off going in another direction.”
“Such as?” A hint of suspicion entered the other man’s voice, and Jamshir grinned. If he wasn’t mistaken, a hint of fear was there, as well.
He affected an air of nonchalance and shrugged. “Perhaps the other Houses would like to know of the existence of House Subtle Hemlock, and how they corrupted their beloved ruler.”
He laughed, but the other man stayed silent.
“That would be a very bad idea, Jamshir,” he said after a moment.
Jamshir surged to his feet. “Lord Jamshir!” he screamed. “It’s Lord Jamshir!”
The man in the black robe bowed slightly again. “Of course, Lord Jamshir,” he muttered. “My apologies.”
Jamshir allowed himself to sink back into his chair.
“Remember who you work for,” he said, raising his cup to his lips again.
“We never forget,” the other man said softly.
Chapter 1
“No!” Shireen jumped to her feet, which didn’t surprise Solomon in the least. He had figured on that being her reaction.
It was a couple of weeks after the burials of Florian and Jediah. Luke, Lacy and Daisy stayed on as guests for a few days, saw more of the Greenweald, and then returned home. He smiled thinking of them. They were doing well, and Daisy was adjusting to being just a dog, not a Hunting Hound any longer.
The paperwork and details that came with cleaning up after Jamshir and the Soul Gaunt attack was more than Solomon had been anticipating, and before he knew it, days had gone by. Enough to have sent Shireen and Orlando out on a scouting mission, to make sure that all was at peace in the Greenweald once again.
It was, with no sign of any errant Soul Gaunts or other dangers. The two even went to Whispering Pines, where they were given a polite, though slightly chilly welcome. Whispering Pines had not chosen a new Head of House to replace Florian yet, and was being overseen by a council of elders.
But now, the bulk of the details were taken care of and House Towering Oaks was operating again. They still had a long recovery, but they were moving in the right direction.
Solomon accepted the position of Head of House, although reluctantly. Not that he had much choice, he reflected.
But he only accepted under one condition; that he would take the time to find Celia first. He would bring her home, and if she still wished, he’d stay by her side for the rest of his life.
And now was that time.
“You agreed,” Solomon said, his voice light as he sat back in the chair behind Jediah’s desk. His desk now, he thought, fighting back the wave of sadness that threatened to drag him under when he remembered his lost friend.
"Yes, but." Shireen stopped, her mouth working as she tried to come up with a reason to push this day back further. She sat back down, glaring at him.
“But?” Solomon prompted.
“But…it’s not time yet. Whispering Pines doesn’t even have a Head of House.”
“And?” He was trying not to smile.
“And, well, maybe they’ll want your input.”
She was reaching. Now Solomon did smile. “They haven’t asked me yet,” he said. “What else do you have?”
He really wasn’t playing games with her. Shireen didn’t have any desire to be Head of House, even for a short time. She told him that she didn’t have the temperament for it, although recently, she had shown how capable she really was. Solomon wanted to honestly answer any objections
