As Muller drew up to the castle drawbridge he saw his wife, Angelica, waving from the side of the bridge. He pulled up on his horse's reins and dismounted.
"Is anything wrong? Are you all right?"
Angelica smiled. "Of course. I am fine. Just out for a stroll. How did things go at the Traveler's camp?"
Muller relaxed. "As expected. No trouble. You were not worried, were you?"
"No, why would I be? Just out for a walk when I saw you."
Muller looked a little puzzled. Angelica had never met him before on his return from doing the king's bidding. In fact, she had never shown much interest in his work before. He supposed women worried more when they were expecting a child.
"I was just on my way to report to King Geoffrey."
Angelica turned to go. "Then I will not keep you."
"I will be home shortly," Muller called after her.
"As you will," Angelica called over her shoulder as she hurried off.
Muller pulled the heavy carved wooden door to the throne room open and saw that King Geoffrey was already there, seated at the round table.
Geoffrey waved Muller to a seat. "Did the Travelers leave peacefully?"
Muller answered as he pulled out a chair. "Yes. They tried a few stratagems to no avail, then gave in and left peacefully."
"What stratagems?"
"They said they were friends of Prince Avor and Princess Electra. That their main reason for stopping at the lake was to visit them."
"How could they be?"
"They said they had known Princess Electra all her life in Chase Bound. Then they hinted that Prince Avor had a romantic relationship with one of the Traveler girls. They said both Electra and Avor had been their guests for dinner the night before.
"Do you suppose there is any truth in their statements?"
Muller shrugged his shoulders. "I could find out."
"Hmmm." King Geoffrey ignored Muller's offer and began to unroll a small scroll he held in his hand. "We have received another invitation from our friend, Bataar. This time he invites Fernland's royal family to attend the annual Nomadic Games to be held for the first time in Taz."
"You are not considering going, are you?"
"No. But I know Prince Avor will be desperate to go. He is fifteen now and the idea that he may have been attracted to a Traveler girl gives me pause. Perhaps it is time that I loosened the reins a bit."
"You will allow the Prince to attend the games?"
"As it happens, the Physician Rabar plans to return to Taz on one of their ships. He wants to bring back the herbs he feels he needs to cure the Caliph. Foolishness, I'm sure. Our own physician assures me a round of blood letting would likely cure the Caliph. But I do see certain opportunities in a return to Taz."
"For Prince Avor?"
King Geoffrey again ignored Muller's question while he stared at the ceiling and drummed his fingers on the wooden table. "As you know, our army has been unable to duplicate the exploding arrows, except with the small samples you brought back with you. They have not been able to locate the white powder here in Fernland."
"That is true, Your Majesty. I have men looking for it throughout Fernland. Physician Rothman believes it is likely an evaporate. A substance generally found near a desert lake."
"It is unlikely you would find such a substance in Fernland as there are no desert lakes here." King Geoffrey looked at Muller as if he wondered about his intelligence.
"Once our port is completed, we will have access to traders who may know of such a powder," Muller replied.
King Geoffrey nodded. "But in the meantime, we may fall behind in the race to arm ourselves sufficiently."
"We will enlarge our search at once, Your Majesty."
King Geoffrey leaned closer to Muller. "Or...we could send you back to Taz on the ship to find Barburee's source for the powder."
Muller thought briefly of Angelica and wondered if he should mention to the king that his wife was expecting their child. He quickly decided against it. "Of course. I am at your service."
"I have a good deal to think about. I would feel better about allowing Avor to go if I knew that you were with him. I will advise you of my decision." King Geoffrey did not signal Muller that the audience was over. He seemed to be deep in thought. He looked up, surprised that Muller was still there. "Anything else I should know about the Traveler's departure?"
Muller thought back to his discussion with El Grande. "I told them that Serafina was wanted for General Pommell's murder. They asked if there were a reward for her capture. I told them ten gold pieces."
King Geoffrey nodded. "Which way did they go when they left?"
"Toward Henge."
King Geoffrey stood up. Muller quickly stood as well.
"I will send word soon regarding Taz. I believe Physician Rabar plans to leave within the week."
"I await your orders." Muller bowed and headed for the door.
As Muller neared his little cottage by the stables, he slowed and thought what he would say to Angelica. If she was worried by his confrontation with the Travelers, how would she react to the news of his return to Taz. In an effort to show his bravery, he may have even exaggerated the dangers he faced as a prisoner of the Great Khan.
Angelica was eating cheese and bread by the fire when he entered the cottage. She smiled when she saw Muller.
"Would you care for some cheese and bread?" she asked.
"That would be most appreciated." He sat down at the other side of the fireplace.
Angelica chatted as she sliced the bread. "So the Travelers moved on without trouble?"
"I was most insistent that they do so. Of course it helped to have the Royal Guard at my beck and call."
"Did they return to Chase Bound?"
"No. They decided to move on to Henge. I wouldn't be surprised if they make an effort to capture Serafina. They seemed most interested in the reward of gold pieces."
Angelica paused and stared at Muller with a worried expression. "You told them about that?"
"They asked about her. One man in particular seemed interested in her whereabouts."
"What did he look like?"
Muller stared at his wife. "I didn't take much notice. Why?"
"No reason," she said quickly. "I suppose I am thankful to Serafina. Otherwise I would not have met you." She smiled her delightful smile.
"I don't want to worry you in your condition, but there is a chance I may be ordered back to Taz soon." Muller looked anxiously at his wife.
"What condition?"
Muller coughed and stammered. "I mean since you are with child."
"I'm not worried," she said. She began to hum a tune as she topped the bread with a slice of cheese.
Muller tilted his head and studied his wife without comprehension. Perhaps sudden shifts in mood were also the result of her condition.