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A/N: To answer a question asked by Heyna Blackstar in a review this story takes place between The Silver Chair and The Last Battle. An OC (my made up son for Rilian, who is introduced later) is the king. Thanks for reminding me to clarify Heyna!
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Chapter 4
Governor Varen looked up from his pile of paperwork at the sound of a knock on the door. "Come in," he called.
A servant entered and bowed before stating, "There is a man in the courtyard waiting to see you."
Varen was interested. Earlier that week, the day after the horses were stolen, a note had been found on his desk that said: Will find horses, don't worry. It had not been signed, but the governor knew who it was from anyway. Varen stood and exited his study, walked down the stairs, and entered the courtyard. There, leaning against the stables, was a familiar hooded figure.
"Ayron!" the governor called out.
The figure turned and threw back his hood, revealing a smiling face with light brown hair and green-gray eyes.
"Varen!" he exclaimed as the two shook hands. "It's been too long; how are you?"
"Doing well. What brings you here to Beruna?"
Ayron gestured towards the stables. "I came here on a matter of missing horses." Once inside the stables Ayron continued. "I tracked the thieves up north to the marshes. Don't really know what happened to most of the horses, but I was able to reclaim fourteen of them." Varen ran his eyes along the stalls. Inside, he recognized many of the horses, but at the very end were four new ones.
"I don't recall seeing these before," he said, examining them. All of them were brown with various markings.
Ayron grinned. "Let's just say they're a repayment gift from the thieves." This said while he petted a friendly mare with a wide blaze down her face.
Varen laughed, and the friends continued talking until Ayron announced it was time for him to leave. Varen, of course, protested, but Ayron remained firm. After promising to try and find time for another visit soon, he left, acutely aware that someone was following him.