Raymond E. Feist - Queen of Storms

An Unplanned Event and A Surprise Reunion Chapter Two: An Unplanned Event and A Surprise Reunion Chapter Three: More Mysteries and a Short Journey Chapter Four: Reflections and Bloodshed Chapter Five: Celebration and Murder Chapter Six: Destruction, Abduction, and Rage Chapter Seven: Loss and Determination Chapter Eight: Recovery and Resolve Chapter Nine: Disasters and Questions Chapter Ten: Captives and Mysteries Chapter Eleven: Investigations, Discoveries, and the Unexpected Chapter Twelve: Changes on Fate’s Tides Chapter Thirteen: Plans and Consequences Chapter Fourteen: Reversals and the Unexpected Chapter Fifteen: Appraisals, Guesswork, and Repurposing Chapter Sixteen: Revelations and Secrets Chapter Seventeen: Voyages and Disasters Chapter Eighteen: Choices, Chaos, and Change Chapter Nineteen: Betrayal, Acceptance, and Piracy Chapter Twenty: Planning and Resolutions Chapter Twenty-One: Triumph and Escape Epilogue: Reunion and Dark Harbingers By the Same Author About the Publisher

Gwen entered the forge and Declan asked, ‘How is it?’

She didn’t need to ask what ‘it’ was. She nodded and smiled. ‘Fine. To be truthful, Hatu’s fixed up the place far better than Da ever did.’ She fell silent, looking puzzled.

‘What?’

‘There’s something about that man.’

‘Hatu?’

‘Yes. Hatushaly. It is a bit of a foreign name, isn’t it?’

Declan crossed to the forge and began putting his tools away. ‘Well, I expect there are places where Declan sounds foreign.’

She nodded. ‘I like him, in a way. I also like Hava; she’s been kind.’ She let out a slow breath. ‘And as I said, the inn has never looked this good. They even cleaned out the cold cellar and completely organized the bathhouse. I’d bathe there myself.’

Declan had never used the bathhouse, having the luxury of a tub of his own in the house that came with the smithy. But he’d heard stories, and judged Leon, Gwen’s father, to be a less than fastidious innkeeper. Given how run-down the place that passed for an inn in his own home village of Oncon was, Declan hadn’t been put off by the condition of the Three Stars. He rather enjoyed it there, but the truth was that what he had enjoyed was Gwen’s company, and it didn’t matter much where that was.

‘Speaking of bathing,’ he said, ‘I could do with a wash. Would you mind heating some water while I clean up?’ He glanced out of the door where the afternoon light was starting to fail. ‘Or if you need the time to get supper ready, I’ll bathe when I’ve finished.’

‘Supper?’ she said as if remembering something. ‘Actually, we’ve been invited to dine at the inn tonight, as Hava and Hatu’s guests.’

‘That’s kind of them,’ said Declan. He smiled broadly. ‘So, if you’d please heat up some water for me, I’ll be as clean as that new inn!’

She laughed, one of the few times he’d heard a sound of genuine amusement from her since the murder of her father. ‘I’ll do that.’ And off she went.

Declan continued to put things away and wished Jusan was there to help, but he was down at Ratigan’s new freight yard arranging for a wagon to ship more swords south to Baron Dumarch. The order had surprised the young smith, for the baron had his own weapons smith in his keep. Still, it was a good order and would settle all of Declan’s costs for the coming half-year, perhaps longer. For a moment Declan wondered if there was enough trade coming his way to take on another smith. Jusan was now a journeyman, and they didn’t have a proper apprentice … perhaps it was time.

He finished up just as Jusan appeared at the door. Declan said, ‘So, are we set?’

Jusan nodded. ‘Ratigan’s fellow … ah, Randal? I don’t know why I have a problem remembering names.’

Declan frowned. It was something about Jusan that annoyed him – one of the few things – that he seemed almost unable to remember names of people until he’d met them several times.

Jusan said, ‘Anyway, we have a wagon ready to leave the day after tomorrow.’

‘Not tomorrow?’ asked Declan.

‘No,’ said Jusan. ‘Seems Ratigan had only two in the yard, both due to leave at first light, and … Randal said there were more wagons bringing up goods from Marquenet late today, and as they’ve just made the trip and back, he’s going to rest the horses for a day before they make it again, so they’ll be free the day after.’

Clapping Jusan on the shoulder, Declan said, ‘Business is good all over, it seems.’ Jusan smiled at that. ‘It’s time to bring in an apprentice, I’m thinking.’

Jusan paused, then nodded. ‘I wouldn’t say no to an extra pair of hands to do the work around here.’

‘Well, you were a poor apprentice,’ Declan said jokingly, ‘but perhaps you can train up a better one.’

‘Funny,’ said Jusan, showing he didn’t think so.

‘I’ll spend a bit of time in the city when I get there and ask Gildy if he or the other smiths have a boy who’s ready to train. If not, we’ll ask around here.’

‘Jacob Berry’s son, Callum, seems a likely lad. He turns up now and again and asks questions.’

Declan said, ‘Curious type, then?’

‘A bit scrawny.’

‘So were you when you first arrived,’ said Declan, amused. ‘Solid work and good food will put some muscle on him.’

Jusan nodded. ‘When you get back, then.’

‘If I haven’t found a more likely boy, we’ll have a word with Callum Berry. Now, I’m off for a bath and Gwen and I are going to eat at the inn.’

‘It’s open then,’ said Jusan with a satisfied nod. ‘I’ll tell Millie we’re on our own.’

‘Where is she?’

‘Down at the market, I think,’ said Jusan. Millie had been the other barmaid at the inn when it had burned down and had been terrified to the point of refusing to leave the house Declan and Gwen shared with Jusan and her. She was slowly recovering, and her being at the market alone was a good sign that healing was under way.

‘That’s good,’ said Declan. ‘Now, finish closing up: I’m off for a hot bath.’

Jusan smiled and started on the work while Declan walked briskly towards the house, as if truly eager for a bath. Then Jusan realized Declan would be alone with Gwen for a while and chuckled softly. Two young couples sharing close quarters had put a strain on privacy, so the journeyman smith decided he’d take some time organizing the smithy and wait until Millie returned from the market before entering the house.

THE COMMON ROOM WAS BUSY. Word had spread that the Inn of the Three Stars was again open and many townspeople had decided to stop in and see how the repairs had turned out.

Hatu was learning quickly that working behind the bar was a great deal more demanding than he had anticipated, for while a few folks had just dropped in to look around and then departed, many decided to have at least one ale before heading home.

Gwen and Declan entered the chaotic common room and Gwen had taken one look before motioning Declan to take a seat, then hurrying over to Hava’s side. The new proprietors of the inn appeared overwhelmed, and Gwen saved Hava from dropping a large platter of food on the floor. A quick consultation ended with Hava handing the tray to Gwen, who turned and carried it to a corner table where four men waited to be served, while Hava disappeared back into the kitchen.

Declan observed the commotion and saw his wife enter the kitchen. He waited a minute, then rose and worked his way through the growing crowd as more people entered and finally got behind the bar next to Hatu. ‘Lend a hand?’ he asked.

Hatu looked at him with gratitude. ‘Where did they all come from?’

Declan chuckled. ‘We should have expected this.’ Without another word to Hatu, he turned to three men clamouring for attention and took their orders. Within a few minutes the pace at which drink orders were filled increased noticeably. After the demand for service died down, Hatu exclaimed, ‘Thank you!’ He grinned. ‘I’d still be swamped had you not joined in.’