‘In what?’ asked Erik.
‘Avery, Jacoby, and von Darkmoor! Milo and Nathan are loading up in Malac’s Cross with things that will be needed here, and I expect that shortly we’ll have a brisk trade set up.’
Erik laughed. ‘Roo, you’ll never change.’
Karli said, ‘He’s changed.’ She blushed. ‘We’re going to have another baby.’
Erik laughed. ‘Well, go inside and I’ll see what I can do about getting us something to eat.’
They headed for the keep, and Erik looked at Kitty. ‘You have no idea how wonderful you look.’
She said, ‘No, but I know how wonderful you look.’
Erik said, ‘Let’s eat, then I’ll show you where I’m staying.’ He put his arm around her and they slowly walked to the keep, just enjoying the nearness of each other.
Erik entered the room and Patrick said, ‘Captain! Is your family settled in?’ Everyone in the room laughed. Erik saw Owen, Calis, Arutha, and the other surviving nobles of the Western Realm in the conference room, and saw Pug and Miranda standing in an anteroom beyond.
Erik blushed. ‘Yes, sir.’ He had introduced Kitty to the Prince the night before. It had taken a messenger pounding on Erik’s door with a summons from the Prince to get Erik out of Kitty’s arms this morning. Nathan, Milo, Rosalyn, and the others had arrived, and found their way to the keep. Roo was off bartering and making deals, so the Prince had sent for Erik to find quarters for his family.
Patrick said, ‘I’ve got enough governance and military matters before me to confound two Kings and a dozen Dukes, Erik, but I wanted to take care of one issue before things dragged out much longer.’
The door opened and Erik tensed as he saw a soldier escorting Mathilda into the chamber. The old dowager Baroness bowed before the Prince, but when her eyes met Erik’s, they burned with hatred.
‘Milady,’ said Patrick. ‘I wanted you here so I could put a certain matter to rest.’
‘Highness?’ asked Mathilda.
‘It’s fairly common knowledge you harbor Erik von Darkmoor some ill will -’
Mathilda interrupted. ‘Don’t use that name! He doesn’t deserve to be called von Darkmoor!’
‘Madam!’ said Patrick, slamming his hand on the table. ‘You forget yourself! I forgive much because of your pain, but speak cautiously!’
The old woman almost bit her tongue to keep from speaking, but she bowed her head slightly. Patrick’s tone was ice. ‘Your late husband pointedly refused to deny Erik that name! More, he has earned it! You will put aside any ill will you have against Captain von Darkmoor. He is my man and serves me. If any harm comes to him that I can trace back to your offices, madam, your rank or family connections will do nothing to spare you my wrath. Is that clear?’
‘Yes,’ she said in tones as cold as the Prince’s. Then she looked at Erik and with barely controlled rage she said, ‘Well, bastard, there is nothing to stop you now, is there? With Manfred dead and you the only one of Otto’s bastards to wear his name, your friend here can name you Baron now.’
‘Madam! How dare you!’ Patrick motioned for a guard to take Mathilda away.
‘Your Highness,’ said Erik. ‘Please forgive me, but let her stay. There’s something I need to say to her.’
Patrick didn’t look pleased, but he said, ‘What?’
Erik looked at Mathilda. ‘Madam, you have hated me without knowing me for my entire life. I can only blame my father’s weakness for other women as the cause, though knowing you as briefly as I have, I can now understand it.’ She bristled at this. ‘Perhaps if you had been loving, kind, and gentle, he might still have strayed and there is no fault in you.
‘It doesn’t matter. My father is dead and so are your sons. But I will not be the next Baron of Darkmoor.’ Erik looked directly at the old woman and locked gaze with her. ‘You have a grandson.’
Mathilda said, ‘What? What nonsense is this?’
Erik said, ‘No nonsense. He’s Stefan’s son.’
Mathilda’s hand came to her mouth and moisture gathered in her eyes as she asked, ‘Where is he?’
‘Here, in the castle.’
‘Who is his mother? I want to see him!’
Erik motioned for a guard and said, ‘Go to the inn across the bridge and find Milo, the innkeeper from Ravensburg, and his daughter, Rosalyn. Bring them and the baby here.’
Patrick said, ‘Somewhere else, Captain, if you don’t mind.’
Erik said, ‘Bring them to the great hall.’
Patrick said, ‘Madam, please wait for them there. I’ll send Erik along in a minute.’
After Mathilda had departed, Patrick, Prince of Krondor, said, ‘Captain?’
Erik said, ‘Highness?’