Page 35 of The Ranger
“And because no one knows you,” Markhel stated.
Vale put an arm around his wife. “What do you mean?”
“King Jaireth does nothing without purpose. He did not send the two of you here on a whim, or to let your mate meet some of her father’s family. There is something else, and I’m beginning to think I know what it is.”
“Is that why Dallan and Shona aren’t here?” Belle asked.
“Yes. I suspect so.” He went to the barn door and gazed across the barnyard to the houses beyond. When Dallan and Shona were here matching your son Thackary to Pepper Kincaid in 1969, the Time Master encountered an enemy. That same enemy has an interest in Clear Creek, but we’re not sure why.”
“Enemy?” Vale said with alarm. “What are you talking about?”
He turned to them. “Let us not speak of it now. I must confirm some things with Kwaku first. I did not mean to worry you.”
“The word ‘enemy’ is enough to worry anybody,” Makama said. “But we appreciate you mentioning it. So do we need to watch our backs or what?”
“I will take care of it.” He crossed his arms and sighed.
“But we’re the ones supposed to be helping you bond and join,” Makama said.
“Oh dear,” Belle cut in. “We’ll have to get this all straightened out before Colin and I speak to Harrison and Major. They’ll be riding in soon. Honoria too.”
“And she knows nothing?” Makama asked.
Belle shook her head. “I’m sorry, but not a thing. Every time Colin tried to speak to Harrison, something always came up or Harrison didn’t want to hear it. Neither Major nor Harrison are eager to see Maida wed. She is, after all, the baby around here.”
“Despite your other grandchildren?” Vale asked.
“Yes, because she and her brother Duncan are the first to become old enough to marry. Duncan’s been old enough for a few years now but has no desire to wed yet.”
Markhel nodded. “We understand.”
“This is going to be hard on them,” she said. “Very hard. Especially since it’s Maida.”
Makama went to a bale of hay and sat. “This just keeps getting more and more complicated, and we’ve barely started.”
Vale sat beside her. “Don’t worry, we’ll think of something to make them understand.”
Markhel watched them a moment then looked at Maida’s house again. His chances of bonding were starting to look slim.
* * *
Kwaku and Zaraglided through the tall prairie grasses, silent and quick. The only ones that might see them were the Snows, a family that built their home about a mile or so outside of Clear Creek. They’d been there for years now, and some of their children were already married.
Kwaku didn’t care about that. He was intent on one thing and one thing only. “Why do you hurry, husband?” Zara asked. “Surely the old village has been erased as instructed.”
“Because I do not wish for our enemy to reach it first. There must be no trace of it left.” He stopped and surveyed their surroundings. They were nearing the tree line. They would have to cut through the forest and go over the small mountain range to the prairie beyond. There was nothing out there save for what used to be an Indian village. But it was gone now, erased. Still, Kwaku wanted to make sure.
He started off again, his strides long and sure. Zara kept up with no problem. She was back to normal, they both were. After being kidnapped by Bartrol—a Muiraran gone mad—and almost killed, the couple had taken months to recover from the ordeal. He meant to spend time with Dallan, his protégé, and further his training, but King Jaireth kept sending him out on assignments. He’d been training the boy for years, and he’d done well despite setbacks and complications of the last few matches he’d overseen. But he was young, and his days as Time Master were just beginning.
Zara slowed next to him, and he stopped again. “What is it?”
She looked at him and smiled. “He is with her.”
Kwaku laughed, a low, rolling sound. He didn’t want anyone to hear but couldn’t help his reaction.
“Will he survive this?” she asked, her voice filled with worry.
“Ah, Pretty One.” Kwaku drew her into his arms. “I cannot say. It is too early. We do not know if she will accept him, and if she does, we do not know if she can handle him.”