He saw to the stabling of their beasts, chased the excited children upstairs to leave their gear, then freed them to explore.
“Here, that’s for you to spend. Remember it has to last the whole time we’re here.”
Ciara and Trovagh dashed off to count. “We’re rich.” Ciara was looking at the handful of coins.
Trovagh grinned at her. “Not as much as it looks,” he informed her. “Father must have been saving coppers again. But it does mean we can split it more easily. And we don’t have to worry about changing it or anything.”
Ciara was looking about her. “Oh, jugglers.” They watched the entertainment for a while, dropping a copper in the laid-out hats. Then it was the lines and rows of stalls. Trovagh would have bought food but Ciara was more practical.
“The inn’s been paid for all our meals. Let’s go back and eat there free.”
They raced, laughing, back to the inn, there to share well-roasted mutton, new bread with fresh butter, and apples to follow.
“Hm.” Trovagh caught a drip of butter. “Good idea of yours, Cee.” He grabbed a couple of the apples, handing one to her. “Let’s go see the beast market.”
They raced off again. Tarnoor smiled after them. They were having a wonderful time, bless them both. He returned to his discussion with the innkeeper.
“Yes, my lord. Rumors have reached even to Teral and farther south. People are buying all they can afford of supplies. I’ve had word another trader arrives in the morning bringing beasts for sale and Sulcar-traded goods.”
Tarnoor sat up at that. “You mean some trader is in from the coast?”
“Aye, my lord. Trader Tanrae is from hereabouts. He returns home to be with his family for a while.” He leaned closer and his voice dropped. “Word is that with the trouble in Kars the man wishes to be well away from any possible fighting. Where there is war, merchants and traders do not profit. Worse, their goods, gear, and beasts may be impressed by the army. Tanrae’s parents are at a garth several days south. His wife and children live with them. The man’s heading that way once he has sold most of his merchandise.”
“But has he not sold it in Kars before he departed?”
The innkeeper shook his head. “I hear the cargo was landed from a ship well to the south of Kars. Tanrae planned to go on to the city.”
Tarnoor understood now. “I see, but then he heard the news, so he chose to travel swiftly in the opposite direction. A wise man. What goods are you sure he has for sale? It may be we shall remain a day to see.”
The list was interesting enough to ensure that. The children arrived back to eat in the early evening. Tarnoor seized on them.
“We remain here tomorrow.” He hastily hushed the yells of delight. “Ciara. I want you and Trovagh to check the herb stalls for me. Quietly! Buy nothing. Do not appear too interested. If Ciara sees any herb we do not have at Aiskeep and may need in case of war, remember where you saw it. Come back and get Hanion. I shall rely on you both in this. Ciara, you are to take Hanion’s arm. He will buy what you casually pick up to sniff or look at. A squeeze is yes, a light pinch is no. I want none to guess you have herb knowledge lest they guess more. I trust you both to be sensible and careful.”
It was this transaction that produced danger. Seran might never have noticed the children if they had been at other stalls. But Lanlia had been well-known for her healcraft and herb knowledge. He knew Trovagh, enough to recognize the boy as Seran passed the stalls. Then he saw the girl. His step faltered. Ciara did not look like the Old Blood, but she did look very like her mother. And it was that resemblance Seran recognized. He sucked in a long breath. The brat’s brother had killed Tylar, Seran’s father.
It would be fitting if she had an accident here at the market. He was pasturing his stock at her garth now but from what he saw, she and the boy were close. He saw danger to his own plans in that. Under the new laws of Kars and Yvian, she had no claim to Elmsgarth. But Yvian was dead. If the duchess returned she might favor another female. If one of the powerful clans set up another duke they, too, might favor the girl. She seemed to be well in with Tarnoor’s son.
The old lord was no fool. Elmsgarth would make a fair dowry. If Aiskeep held it from the girl it might be sold to any who had coin to buy. Good fertile land well away from likely trouble, a large house in weather-tight condition, pens and barns standing ready… Tarnoor could gain a fine price for Elmsgarth if he ever chose to sell. Seran glared at the unsuspecting children. Tarnoor didn’t live in great state, nor did he travel to Kars to toady to those in power. Still all knew he was related by birth and marriage to two of the clans. But if he did not have the girl in his hands, his claim to the garth would be greatly weakened.
Seran smiled, a look of vicious anticipation. The stream was deep. True in summer it did not flow so strongly but it should be sufficient to drown the Witch’s daughter. Over the remainder of the morning he stalked the children, now free from Hanion. In a large, busy market there would be possibilities.
Tarnoor was busy elsewhere. Trader Tanrae had arrived with goods both interesting and useful. The two men were busy talking prices and haggling with enthusiasm. Tarnoor made a last purchase and gave instructions for its handling and delivery. He was about to leave the trader when Trovagh appeared looking distressed.
“What is it, where is Ciara?”
“She’s gone. Hanion bought as she showed him. Then he went back to the inn. Cee and I went to look at the beast market again. She was right beside me, when I turned around she’d gone.”
Tarnoor wasted no time. Better he made a fool of himself than anything happened to the girl. “Run to the inn,” he instructed Trovagh. “Tell Hanion to turn out every man but a couple to guard our wains. I want the market combed, stallholders asked if they saw Ciara. Hop to it, lad.”
Trovagh raced away while Tarnoor turned to the trader. “I regret I must leave you so abruptly, but as you have heard, I have something to attend to.”
Tanrae nodded slowly. “How old is the little maid?”
“Ten years all but a week. It was for her name day I purchased some of the wares you offered.”
“Yes, so I surmised. You will not mind if I and my men also aid the search? I have a daughter of that age myself.”
Tarnoor bowed formally. “I would be deeply grateful, trader.”
He hurried from the tent with the trader at his heels calling his men.
Tanrae gave quick instructions. Within minutes the hunt was up. In a small tent among the beast tents Seran snarled. Damn that Aiskeep brat. He’d missed the girl so fast, raised the alarm so quickly, that Seran had no time to get her away. He could kill her. But Tarnoor had enough authority to hold everyone here. There was no telling what he would do if he recognized Seran.
There might be no evidence, but what lord required that if he preferred to ignore it? Seran glared at the struggling bundle beside him. Best he left the damned girl here and slipped away. There’d be another day. One he’d win next time. Thanks be to Cup and Flame she hadn’t seen his face.
He unlaced the tent flap cautiously. Fortunately the hue and cry had not yet reached this end. He thrust the squirming bundle out and laced the flap again. Then he pried up the rear of the tent and crawled beneath. By the time men were walking down this row he would be well away.
He was. Nor could Ciara say who had laid hands on her. It was Tanrae who almost tripped over the trussed girl. His yell brought everyone from Tarnoor to Trovagh running. Tarnoor slashed the cords and a ruffled, frightened, furious child emerged spitting out horsehair. Investigation of the horse blanket used betrayed nothing. Seran had stolen it elsewhere. The rope was ordinary cord used for many things in a market. Nor could any remember selling it in particular or to whom. Tarnoor kept his guesses to himself.