Nemesis

by Margit Sandemo

  ‘Not that I have high thoughts of myself’, smiled Tancred to himself. ‘But the name Paladin draws people in. I’ve learned that. Even though Mum married Dad without the faintest idea of how aristocratic he was! I’m sure he appreciated that. I shan’t tell Molly that I belong to high nobility. I want her to love me for my own sake.’

  Love ... it was a word that Tancred had never used about a girl before. After all, he had only seen – and put his arm around Molly – for a short moment.

  He must be crazy!

  But wasn’t that what you became when you fell in love?

  He was shown into an elegant drawing room.

  It did not look as if they were short of money. All the furniture was the latest fashion – although he would prefer proper furniture that was inherited. Of course, you could add on, but surely you did not throw out all the furniture, which had been passed through generations, just to be modern? This was what they seemed to have done here.

  Count Holzenstern was a somewhat stout man, stylish but maybe he dressed too ostentatiously. I suppose he’s trying to act younger than his years, thought Tancred with youthful tolerance. Countess Holzenstern was rather boring, which was why he could not remember what she looked like. Her stiff and anxious face was a kind of façade. She seemed afraid of having wrinkles if she smiled too often.

  While they were talking to one another across the table, Tancred discovered that Mrs. Holzenstern was of very noble birth, something she did not forget to emphasise. Maybe this was to make Tancred understand that Stella was a good match for a Paladin? And had not Aunt Ursula mentioned something about Mrs. Holzenstern’s sister, the Duchess?

  But Tancred did not give a damn for noble birth. He wanted Molly!

  Where was she, he wondered.

  Afterwards Holzenstern took Tancred out to show him the fields. The ladies stayed behind indoors because it was too cold for them.

  Tancred tried to fish for information from Holzenstern. “This estate doesn’t seem very old does it?” Tancred asked.

  “No, it was built in the late 1500s. It’s not a hundred years old yet.”

  “But Askinge ...is an old name, right?”

  “Yes, it is. There was a castle or fortress here before. But no matter how hard I’ve tried to find traces of it, I’ve never come across anything.”

  Tancred shuddered. He had hoped that the Holzensterns might have solved the mystery.

  Hesitating somewhat, he said: “I’m wondering whether I might have seen it. The ruins, that is.”

  “What? Where?”

  “To be honest, I don’t know. I actually lost my bearings after the party yesterday and came across a strange building. A pretty spooky ruin.”

  “Near here?”

  Holzenstern was very interested.

  Tancred stopped abruptly and looked around. The forest was more withdrawn here but from what he could see, it consisted mainly of deciduous trees.

  “No, I don’t think so, although you never know. I’ve no idea where I was.”

  “Do you think you can find it again?”

  “Hardly. I don’t feel any desire at all to enter that wood again.”

  Holzenstern looked at him entreatingly. “If you were to do so, would you then kindly let me know? I’m most interested in the past history of Askinge. Do you honestly mean to say that you saw it?”

  “Yes, I will swear to it,” said Tancred. “But I met Dieter this morning and he told me that no such ruin exists. He ought to know since I believe he was born here?”

  “Dieter? No, he arrived later than us.”

  “Is that so? I see!” Tancred laughed slightly. “He told me about a witch who devoured men.”

  “Salina? Yes, she was said to be quite a woman. I once heard a historian from this part of the country describe her thus: ‘With hair like a burning river at sunset; eyes that radiate insatiability. ...’”

  Good heavens, thought Tancred. The description is absolutely spot on!

  For a brief moment he felt dizzy and he had to force himself not to flee in panic.

  “Count Holzenstern,” he said bravely as he swallowed. “Actually, Old Askinge probably no longer exists.”

  “What?” said Holzenstern, stopping abruptly on the lush grass field. “But you saw it for yourself, didn’t you?”

  Tancred looked unhappy. “Yes, but I also saw something else. I met Salina, the witch!”

  There was great silence.

  “Are you pulling my leg?”

  “If only it were the case!” sighed Tancred.

  “No, I met her inside the castle. And she was ... unbelievable! Then I woke up at the edge of the forest not very far from here. Count Holzenstern, I thought I was going mad. But, you see, I’ve thought about it. And I’m beginning to perceive an explanation ...”

  “Go on! I don’t understand any of this!”

  “Well, you see, the reason why I believe that Old Askinge no longer exists is that on my mother’s side I hale from a very strange kin, the Ice People of Norway. Many of the members of this kin are clairvoyant. They see more than other people and are able to carry out strange things. I tended to believe that I was not one of them ... But after last night ...”

  He was silent and lost in his own thoughts. The horrendous events of the night swept over him once more.

  “Well, so be it!” said Holzenstern. “Because nobody else has ever seen this ruined castle. Don’t you think ... that if we walked through the forest here, then maybe you could get on the track of it and find the spot? Something is bound to remain. The foundation wall perhaps – which will be completely overgrown now.”

  “I don’t think I’ll be able to find it again,” said Tancred nervously. “You see, all of a sudden, a mystical path opened up in the forest. And I doubt whether it exists. I believe it was only there for me.”

  Holzenstern shuddered. “This is beginning to turn very eerie indeed! Although I’d love to find Old Askinge, I’m glad that I’m not clairvoyant! I don’t think I’m at all keen on meeting Salina the witch!”

  “Can the old building not have been situated here? Here where the new building lies?”

  “No, no! It was moved far, far away because of Salina. The air, the soil, everything was so poisoned by evil magic that the entire place was levelled to the ground.”

  ‘That sounds like the legend of the Valley of the Ice People,’ thought Tancred. ‘The condemned are always banished!’

  For the first time in his life, he felt a deep affinity with his strange ancestors. Tancred had always just smiled politely at all the stories, since he had least connection with the family in Graastensholm and Linden Avenue. Of course, that was if you left out Tarjei’s son, Mikael, who probably didn’t know that he belonged to a strange family.

  Now Tancred no longer smiled at his family stories. He felt that he was part of them.

  He needed to change the subject.

  “At yesterday’s party, I heard that you’ve had problems with a young relative. Was her name Jessica? Has she come home yet?”

  Holzenstern’s face was red with anger. “No, she hasn’t. We have a couple of men out searching for her, but that tart, Molly, is with her, and she’s devilish!”

  Tancred felt like pulling his ear but controlled himself. “Jessica didn’t have reason to disappear like that, surely?”

  “No! Certainly not after all the things we’ve done for her. My wife left her magnificent castle in Holstein to take care of her cousin’s daughter, Jessica, when the poor girl lost her parents. We’ll return as soon as she’s of age. But we can’t realise this dream when she behaves so irresponsibly. I’m speechless!”

  His voice broke. Tancred was afraid that he might begin to weep.

  But Holzenstern quickly regained his equilibrium.

  “If only we could be rid of Molly. She’s th
e guilty one. She’s always up to mischief and gets Jessica involved. Yet, every time we intervene, Jessica is sick with grief and so we must get hold of Molly once again. Jessica claims that Molly is her only link to when her parents lived.”

  “Where do they run away to?”

  “Well, previously they didn’t get very far before they were found. This time is worse.”

  “How long have they been gone?”

  “Let me see ... They disappeared the day before yesterday. They could be anywhere by now.”

  ‘Well, not terribly far,’ thought Tancred. ‘Because I met Molly yesterday. And she was scared ...’

  He asked cautiously: “Was there any particular reason for them to run away?”

  Holzenstern shrugged his shoulders. “Oh, well. It was probably the usual ... poor Jessica is so incredibly sensitive. And my wife reproached her – very gently – that she was up far too late that evening. And the next morning both had disappeared.”

  “I understand, Count Holzenstern. I’ll keep my eyes open. If I see or hear anything, I’ll let you know.”

  “Thank you, that’s very kind of you. We’re so nervous for the poor child.”

  “I can well understand that. But now I’ve taken too much of your time. I’d appreciate it if you’d visit me soon.”

  “I’d be very happy to do that.”

  Tancred went over to the horse but stopped halfway. “And ... may I ask you not to tell anybody anything about my strange visions last night? Of Old Askinge? It’s better to keep quiet about such things.”

  “I was about to suggest the very same, Mr. Paladin,” smiled Holzenstern. “People can very easily jump to all sorts of conclusions.”

  “Yes, I wouldn’t like to have a bad reputation here. Goodbye!”

  He rode home with his gaze continuously turned towards the fringes of the forest, in case he would catch sight of Molly.

  But entering the forest ...? No, thank you, he had enough of it!

  Tancred had been away much longer than he had thought. It was evening and dinner awaited him at a table laid just for him.

  He ate and retired to his room to think about the situation. By now he was convinced that the blood of the Ice People had played a trick on him last night. It was sure to be Old Askinge and Salina, the witch, he had seen – but the castle had long since sunk into the earth. Besides, he wasn’t interested in finding the exact place where it had once been.

  No, he would do what Holzenstern had said. He would forget the vision.

  Instead he would focus on Molly and Jessica Cross. That day he had not done much to try and find them, except snooping about at New Askinge – but where was he to search?

  Molly had said the neighbouring parish. But for heaven’s sake, there was a neighbouring parish in every direction!

  Anyway, he would have to begin the search early tomorrow morning because he just had to meet Molly again.

  He began to pull off his boots but then stopped.

  A historian in the village. That was what Holzenstern had said. Surely that man was bound to know more about Old Askinge and Salina.

  Who could it be?

  No. Tancred did not want to know any more about the ghost castle. His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden noise. Something smacked gently against the window pane followed by small, light taps. Like grains of sand ...

  For a moment, Tancred sat motionless. Then he switched off the light and walked over to the window.

  The glass was thick and curved but he saw a distorted figure down below. The face, which was impossible to discern – it was just a blur – was looking up towards him. But it must be ...

  It had to be Molly! Somebody had locked his window and it was impossible to open. He pointed towards the large gate with big movements of his arm and the girl walked in that direction.

  Tancred’s heart was thumping as he snuck through the many rooms towards the hall. Everybody had gone to bed. There were no lights.

  Furious at the creaking sound from the lock, he turned the key, opening the door carefully.

  A small, brown shadow dashed in.

  “Come,” whispered Tancred, taking her hand. They entered Tancred’s room without being seen and he locked the door.

  It was Molly! His own little Molly!

  He felt a warm and strong urge of protectiveness.

  “Thank God you’ve come,” he said with a sigh. “I’ve been very worried.”

  He had thought of her so often that he addressed her informally. After all, she was a maid so it would only seem natural.

  But this was not how he saw her. She was his Molly, and that was sufficient.

  She seemed much shaken.

  “Do take off your coat,” he said gently. “You’re safe here.”

  “No, no. This isn’t the proper thing to do in a man’s room. I ought not be here at all.”

  “Forget etiquette. This is a special situation.”

  But she kept on her worn coat.

  And they say that she’s a tart, he thought with horror.

  He showed her over to a small sofa and seated himself next to her.

  “Now let me hear what you’ve got to say.”

  “Oh, I’m so distraught! My friend’s gone! Disappeared.”

  He looked questioningly at her. “Where was she when you and I met yesterday?”

  “She had already gone by then. I ran away so quickly because I was looking for her.”

  “You should have asked me to help you.”

  “But I didn’t know who you were – and we must be careful.”

  “You told me that you’d be looking for a job in the neighbouring parish?”

  “This was just something I invented, sorry! My friend and I are completely helpless. We just wanted to get away ... and then she disappeared and I’ve roamed the area. I only had you to get in touch with.”

  “I’m glad you came. Tell me, why do you both run away all the time?”

  Her eyes turned dark as she said, “I can’t tell you the reason why.”

  “But have you no confidence in me at all?”

  “It seems that I do, doesn’t it, or I wouldn’t be here now!”

  “Yes, of course. Sorry!”

  She was unbelievably pretty. Tancred tried not to look at her too much but something touched his heart – or thereabouts. He wasn’t completely sure. He felt such pain because he liked her so much. Her hair was blond and quite straight. She had clearly tried to pull out all the fir needles and grass. Her eyes were very expressive and her nose was very beautifully shaped. But right now the downturned corners of her mouth made her look like a dejected little girl.

  “Well?” said Tancred, encouragingly. “What happened?”

  “We fled yesterday night. First, we hid in the stable at Askinge and then I had to run inside once more to get some money, because we’d forgotten that. And when I returned ... when I returned to the stable, she wasn’t there. I waited for quite some time, whispering her name, but she had disappeared without a trace. Finally, I had to leave the farm late in the morning. I thought that she’d entered the forest, so I began to look for her but I couldn’t find her.”

  “Then you found me instead,” smiled Tancred.

  “Yes,” she said with a shy smile. “And I’ve been looking for my friend ever since. Most of the time I lay quietly on the edges of the New Askinge estate, because I felt that it was the most likely place to find her. I just don’t understand!”

  “No, she wasn’t at Askinge because I was there today. You see, I wanted to know a bit more about you both.”

  “And do you know more now?”

  “No, but I’d be grateful if you’d call me by my name, which is Tancred.”

  She nodded silently and shyly.

  “Good!” he said. “What do you suggest we do now?�
�

  “I don’t know. I simply don’t know!”

  Tancred waited for a moment.

  “What if you told me a bit about yourselves?” he said in a low voice.

  She started.

  “No!” she whispered.

  He was still waiting.

  Then she said: “I think they’re holding her prisoner, Tancred.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I think they’re holding her. That’s what I think.”

  “What do you mean by that? She lives at Askinge! So why would they hold her prisoner?”

  Molly began to weep.

  “That’s why we ran away because she was afraid ... that somebody ... would hurt her.”

  Tancred put his arms around the weeping girl.

  “You see,” she stammered, “when I came back, I could see that there had been a struggle.”

  “Good grief,” he whispered. “How long were you gone?”

  “I had to search for the money. It took a while – I’m not sure how long.”

  “But tell me why they wanted to get a hold of her. And who are ‘they’?”

  “We don’t know who they are. It might be one or several persons. But there are many reasons.”

  “Tell me some of them!”

  She twisted and turned. “She ... No, I’ve promised not to say anything. Can’t you wait a while?”

  “You make it difficult for me but ... all right, then.”

  “Thank you. I don’t want to deceive you, Tancred, but I have good reason to keep quiet.”

  “You were scared yesterday when I introduced myself in the forest.”

  “Yes, because Countess Ursula Horn often mixes with the Holzensterns.”

  Tancred laughed. “She’s trying to have me married off to Stella.”

  “No, for goodness sake, don’t have anything to do with that family! There’s so much bad blood ...”

  “That’s also what Ursula Horn said.”

  “It comes from Mrs. Holzenstern’s side. Her father and Jessica’s paternal grandmother are siblings.”

  “Do you mean that Stella also carries bad blood in her?”