Stormlands ( Book 2 of the Torrent Skies Saga)

Chapter Forty-Four: And Trouble Never Sleeps

The next few days passed in the blink of an eye. There was no shortage of welcomes, and no shortage of work. Her mornings had been spent with Zino, going over a hundred different documents concerning the town, and her manor. Brazen was off early every morning, to explore the town, and fish from the docks. Fykes lounged about in his underwear, and laughed any time the subject of work of any kind rose. Katerin was able to convince him to wear pants for lunch, and as they ate Zino approached with a frown.

"I'm sorry, my lady. I'd forgotten about this. Someone stopped by, to give you this. Said it was no hurry and that they were a friend." He held out a hand in a thick envelope, with a graceful yet blank wax seal on it's cover.

Katerin opened it as she ate, and immediately knew the sender, from the perfume on the envelope. She was wondering where Mordai had gone. Graiden hadn't yet mentioned him, but she had assumed it had been because there were many other topics to discuss.

"When did Mordai come by?"

"Charming fellow, silver hair. About two months ago." Zino's frown deepened. "I had Typhon check it for any magic, but he said there was nothing to worry about."

"Oh, he wouldn't do that to me," Katerin smiled as she pulled the folded parchment from the envelope, and flipped it open.

'Dearest lady Katerin,

I hope you can forgive me for not awaiting your return. I had some pressing business back home, that I needed to see too. But don't you worry that beautiful hair of yours. No ones in trouble. I wrote this to say my farewells, and to offer my wishes that you found whatever it might be that you went off searching for.

Also, I must give my thanks. Not only for the tournament invitation, embarrassing as my loss was, but also for the loan. I do promise to spend it well. And when you figure out my little ploy, do apologize to those poor saps, on my behalf.

Sometimes I wonder if you think me forgetful of all the times you helped me out of trouble, and so it is in the spirit of that, that I offer you this warning. Don't return to Hearth-Home.

I am sorry, but I can't have you, or that rube who shares your bed, interfering here, for awhile. It's in your best interest to simply stay away. As I think you might find yourself to be most unwelcome, in the presence of the guards.

Yours sincerely and with love,

Mordai.'

Katerin read the letter, and read it again. Her expression morphed, her eyes narrowed, and the lines of energy on her arms began to glow, though they were not nearly as bright as when she used magic.

"Katerin?" Fykes asked, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, your face only does that when you're angry," Brazen said, around a mouthful of food.

"Godsdammit," she said, as she pushed her plate away and rose from her chair. "I'll be right back." She took quick steps down the hall and around the corner. "Zino," she called, as she rapped quickly on his office door."

He opened the door, with a wide-eyed gaze. "Yes, my lady?"

You do not have to call me my lady, she thought. But instead she said, "Is anything missing from the vault?"

"Not that I am aware of, my lady."

"Please check?"

"Of course." Zino moved to his desk, unlocked the middle drawer, removed a false bottom from it, and pulled his key to the manors vault free. As Zino moved for the basement with quick steps, Katerin chewed her lip.