“What do you mean it is my turn? I just finished my turn.”
“Unc Demdem, you turn cause rule say you turn,” Rosie said, placing her hands on her hips a sure imitation of her mother scolding a patient.
Dem blinked several times and shrugged, taking yet another turn: it was his fourth in a row. He was playing with Oser’s three-summer-old child. Like most children her age, she made up games had constantly changing rules. Unlike most children of three, she made up her rules, so she lost. Dem was accustomed to losing to children, so this was both refreshing and frustrating.
“Better now we same,” Rosie said, moving Dem’s chip six more spaces than he actually rolled. “Make ‘appy” she said, bouncing on her chair.
Dem smiled at the child, “You always make me happy, my littlest lady.”
“Excuse me, Dem, but I have a letter for you.” It had only been a day since he received the letter about Eira’s family. Could something have happened, or did they find out some facts? The messenger Carl held out a slim tri-folded parchment with a green seal on it. Dem relaxed slightly; it was from the group he had heading to Rohan.
“Take my place while I read this. It’s Rosie’s newest game.” Dem winked at Carl and headed off to one of the better-lighted tables.
“It Unc Demdem’s turn, so you move,” Rosie informed Carl.
Dem smiled to himself over Rosie’s comment before tuning out the world to concentrate on this letter. Would it be filled with darkness, light, or somewhere in between? He studied the seal; it had not been broken, neither had yesterdays. His messengers were good, but Dem knew there is always someone better out there, waiting.
He broke the seal and began reading.
“Hello, Father,
“We are well and nearing Rohan. I still think there are better towns closer to the Gap to buy mead from than Edoras, but we will follow your instructions. Well, unless we find something better in Snowborne. I will be glad when your lifemate has enough to brew his own mead. These trips are annoying.
“We ran into a couple of men looking for your lifemate’s sisters. They await just inside the border of Erigion for you to send a guide to them. I figured you would want to see them safely to their destination. I know how you dote on his family and friends.
“I have heard of people seeking them. I don’t know if it was this group alone or if there are more. Could be messengers sending letters or whatnot from their friends in Rohan, and they wouldn’t need a guide.
“Something did puzzle me, though. Two men were looking for his brother-in-law once we crossed into Dunland. We heard nothing of these men in Erigion, however. So I must wonder if they returned home or took a shorter route. Sadly I know of no shorter routes unless you go to no settlements to get supplies.
“We hope to be in Rohan by the time you receive my update. Hope things are going well with your lifemate and the inn we are buying supplies for. Give my love to mother.
“R.”
Dem went to the door to the yard and motioned for six men to come to him. When they had gathered, he gave them their assignment. When that was taken care of, he went to find Egfor. He was going to need to place guards on his family…and him. He would let Egfor tell his family, though.
