~*~

“Master Tallen!” came a young boy’s voice from just outside the forge.

Tallen held up one hand and continued his work for a few more moments before turning to the boy. “Yes Allen, what can I do for you?”

“The new King is coming!” he cried out. “He’ll be here in a few hours! Klessen came back in a gallop to tell everyone. We’re sure he’ll be stopping by to see you sir, the town council wanted to tell you that so they sent me right away.”

Tallen’s brows furrowed, this was unexpected. Why would the King be coming here except to… He shook his head and tossed a tarlin to the boy, who deftly caught it, and waved his hand. “Good news Allen, thank you. I’ll get my forge in shape for the gentleman then.”

“Yes sir!” Allen gasped out before turning and dashing down the road. Tallen took a breath and returned to his work, stopping only when it wouldn’t ruin his current project. At that point, he moved into the house and looked for Reid. He found the boy in the practice area outside, sword in hand, moving through the routines Tallen had set for him. Tallen watched Reid for a few moments, judging his progress by the number of mistakes he made. Finally, after four months of brow beating, the boy seemed to be getting somewhere. Tallen felt a small surge of pride as he watched Reid. Eventually he might even be fight ready.

“Lord Tallen,” Reid said when he stopped his exercises, turning to Tallen and lifting his brows. “What is wrong?”

“Nothing,” Tallen said immediately, and when Reid looked at him in disbelief Tallen laughed. “Alright, not nothing, but nothing much. The King is coming to town. I have reason to believe he will be here at some point, perhaps this evening for dinner.” Reid dropped his sword and hastily picked it back up.

“The King?” he said, eyes wide. “Why would he come here? This seems like quite a long way away from the castle. What would cause him to make this trek? What is here for him?”

“Me,” Tallen said as he turned away from Reid. “And My Lady.” He began to walk away from the area but stopped when a hand was placed on his shoulder. He glanced over his shoulder at Reid. “Yes?”

“You aren’t going to leave, are you? Would you relocate to the castle if he asked you?” Reid was breathless and his hand trembled. As much as Tallen wanted to reassure him, he couldn’t.