Amazed, Iliana watched as her son, held in the crook of his arm, pressed his chubby hands around the man's throat.
Erik turned towards her, let her take William, still holding the dragon at arm's length.
He moved toward the fire in the grate, kicked at the logs until the flames roared fully to life and tossed the dragon into the fire. It burst with a big puff of white powder that sifted down across the logs.
"Are you demented?" she snapped, fear still riding her as she watched the dragon disappear. Even as William twisted in her arms, reaching toward the man, she stepped back and half turned from him. "That could have disemboweled and killed you!"
He lifted a brow. "Disemboweled me? I've had bigger rats aboard my ship. Come, show me your hand," he said, holding out his own hand with its long fingers, but she avoided him. "You are angry," he observed. "I would think that would make you happy if I had been disemboweled," he added.
Stiffly, she said, "You saved my son, and I am grateful." He was right, it could have killed him and that would rid her of him. Then why was she angry?
"Where did it come from?" he asked.
"Agnes brought carved toys for William right before -- before she died." Quickly, she bent over William's bed and removed the carved horse from his bed linen. She turned it over, relieved to find it had not been spell cast. "Why put a spell of magic over a wooden toy and make it come alive?"
"You are telling me a toy dragon came to life through magic?"
She nodded.
"And why am I not surprised?" he asked, sighing. "Like many things in this world it does not have a reasonable explanation."
Iliana walked over to her life tapestry. She leaned closer, gently touched the woven cloth and the scene became much clearer. She looked back at him, frowning. In the tapestry he stood beside her, the dragon writhing in his hand and behind him there appeared a shadow. Was he two men?
Iliana drew in a startled breath, suddenly understanding what she was seeing. He had two faces. She was reminded she could not trust him, no matter what he showed on the surface.
"I am thankful for your assistance in keeping William safe," she said, "but you must leave now." How could she have forgotten even for a moment he was her enemy?
Erik moved to the door, pushed it closed and leaned back against it. "I think not."
Chapter Six
Iliana placed William on the bed furs, then stood between Erik and her son.
"Iliana, there is no need to hover over that child. He is quite safe. I do not eat babies."
She stubbornly maintained her stance, her arms cross in front of her.
Erik sighed. "I cannot believe you do not remember our time together."
"We have never spent time together," she said.
"You don't recall that time -- you really do not?" he asked, then when she did not reply, he said, "I have begun an investigation into Agnes' death. I would see whoever killed her brought to justice." He put his hand up when she opened her mouth. "Yes, I know you suspect me or my men."
Sarcastically, she said, "Surely as a rebel you are not afraid of punishment for the killing of a servant girl."
"When was the last time you saw Agnes?" he asked patiently.
"Last night after the evening meal. Agnes put William to bed for the night. She was meeting someone and I admonished her that it was late already, but she swore she would be on time for her duties in the morning." She lifted her chin. "Sadly, that did not happen."
Iliana moved to sit on the bench beside her window embrasure, her attention focused on the scene below. Her window faced to the west, she could see clearly the small entourage making its way to the village. Word of Agnes' death had passed quickly, as news was wont to do. "Poor, dead Agnes." Iliana could not help but wonder what the villagers would do now. Another innocent dead.
The sorcerer Mandrak had warned the people about such an occurrence if the green gem was not found; indeed, his dire warnings had stirred the people for months now. Iliana feared the scheme to stir unrest was working. The people might flee or disappear in the night. Surely her seventy-five men at arms could not be expected to till the fields, see to the grain, and cut the hay -- what managed to grow in this barren land?
Iliana looked away from the village, her eyes resting on the sea in the far distance. Was this to be the end?
She turned to him, found him staring at William as he dozed once more on the bed furs, a frown on his face.
"Whose child?" he asked gruffly.
Iliana lifted her chin. "Mine."
"The father?"
"There is no father." She looked back out the window, her fists clenched. "Surely it is not your concern. Your concern is the keep and the lands."
A knock at the door was a welcome interruption. The man's presence in her chamber made her too uncomfortable. His green eyes, his size. If he chose to harm her, her small dagger would only inflict so much damage.
Erik opened the door and Sorenta entered the chamber.
"Sorenta." Iliana hurried past him to welcome the old woman.
"'Tis not glad tidings I bear, my lady Iliana."
Iliana urged the woman to a stool. She looked over her shoulder at Erik. "You may leave."
"I would stay," he said, moving to settle himself against the window, crossing his feet. "You need your hand seen to."
Impatiently, she returned her attention to Sorenta. "Tell me."
"The village buzzes with unrest, people stand idle in the fields, the laundry sits unwashed in vats, what food there is rots on the tables. With the death of Agnes, they fear the curse of Mandrak is truly upon them. Some have already packed up their families."
Iliana turned to him. "You see!"
"Tell me what is happening," Erik said. "What is the curse?"
Sorenta closed her eyes. "Fear rules the common folk, spreading across the countryside. There is talk of curses and plagues. I have seen the end as it can unfold. Darkness and death." She turned her attention to Erik. "Mandrak is a sorcerer who wishes power over the realms, this one and beyond."
"Do you know that I mean no one here any harm? Tell her."
The old woman smiled, one thin brow lifted. "It is not for me to convince Iliana of anything. Words sometimes have less meaning than deeds."
"And now someone wields sorcery toward my son's playthings," Iliana said grimly. "If he would show his face, I could fight him. But he plays with my son's wooden toys and makes of them a deadly weapon." Iliana glared at Erik.
"I saved you from that dragon," he said. "Surely you don't see me as that threat," he said impatiently. "But I do agree we need to eliminate these other threats," he said, a glint in green eyes.
"This is no game." She put up her hands as if to shoo a fly. "Be off. This is serious, sir." She glared at him. "If you are careless and get killed, no doubt another will replace you and come for my head."
His eyes were suddenly intense. "We shall make sure you keep your head with its glorious dark curls."
Startled, Iliana stared at him.
He dropped his idle pose by the window and came to stand beside her. "Dark curls that I have seen splayed across your shoulders as you slept." His eyes looked deeply into hers and for an instant of time, she felt mesmerized by his words and by his closeness.
She shook her head. "No -- I --" Something in his eyes pulled at her. She wanted to fall deeply into them and the emotion she glimpsed hidden inside. She drew back.
"I hope that one day you will remember," he said solemnly. He nodded at Sorenta, opened the door and left, closing it behind him.
Iliana stared in front of her, her breath at an uneven pace, her mind unsettled.
"That one has the ability to help you retrieve the gem or lose it forever," Sorenta said solemnly.
"He is a mercenary, an opportunist in this time of unrest! I saw him on my life tapestry, and a shadow lurks behind him. Surely it is an indication he shows the world two faces."
Sorenta seemed to shrug. "There are twins of emot
ion involved, one so different than the other. I agree he is not as he seems."
"Nothing is as it seems," muttered Iliana. "We have a murderer in our midst, perhaps in this very keep." Distressed, she beseeched the old woman. "What am I to do? The sorcerer is capable of foul deeds in his desire for the gem. Would he turn a child's plaything deadly to warn me I am not beyond his grasp?"
"It is a possibility if he grows impatient. If this Erik will help you in your quest, then why not take advantage?"
"You forget it was not that long ago I was determined to kill him. How can you think I can trust him? I haven't been able to entrust anyone with the knowledge of this quest."
"It is your decision Iliana. Do not be hasty lest you regret it."
"How can he imply we were once lovers? Surely I would know a man who had been my lover." Her glance fell on her son. "How foolish a question. I should ask instead why should any memory be withheld from me?"
"Give me your hand so that we may attend to it."
Iliana held out her hand and let Sorenta smooth on her healing creams, but her thoughts were on Erik. Could she have forgotten if she had met him before? What purpose would there be for him to fabricate such a story?
¤¤
Iliana pushed the great wooden door closed, thankful she had thought to spread goose's grease along the iron hinges earlier that morning. Ever since the arrival of Erik and his men, she had not had a moment's respite. Despite the provisions and work the presence of these extra men entailed, Iliana was more inclined to worry about their proximity. She was truly saddened by the murder of her maid. It was so unfair, the taking of any young life, and Agnes had never harmed anyone.
Erik had taken over Sir Robert's empty chambers. It still irked Iliana that he had shunned the small cell-like chamber she had had Edward take him to. She had been as ungracious to him as she was capable, and still the man took no hint. He remained polite and courteous. Iliana knew she should be ashamed of her conduct, yet she pushed away any feelings of guilt.
It had been reported back to her that Erik had laughingly told Edward he could not torture his six foot three frame in such a puny bed. He had then proceeded to enter each of the private rooms until he found what suited his needs. He had taken possession of Sir Robert's empty chamber with its enormous bed, and Iliana supposed the knave would have taken over her chambers had he not first found another suitable to his needs.
Iliana wondered how close Mandrak lurked? She was certain he would never give up his quest to find the gem, but even should he find it, he could not touch it. As the lineage holder, only she could do so. The man had a scurrilous reputation. His actions of years' past did nothing to encourage her to think he would ever speak the truth.
She pulled her hood up and lightly ran toward the second courtyard, her slippers silent in the night. The sky was overcast and moonless, the air warm. Knowing her way from long practice, Iliana did not falter in the darkness.
Slowly drawing in her breath, Iliana derived strength from the night around her. A familiar energy enveloped her as she slowed to a walk when close to the trees growing in an eight foot circle. When she reached the twisted double tree, she stopped, willing her body to relax and her heart to still. She had learned it was not safe to enter the sacred circle with her mind in turmoil.
Entering the circle now, she found the rock which was fashioned into a seat, and sat down. She closed her eyes, letting the energy of the circle envelope her. It was not long before she felt another presence, and Iliana let the burden of her responsibilities fall from her shoulders. A new peace entered her, lifting her gently as the air danced and wove around her with a gentle blue light.
¤¤
Pinching the candle wick, Erik extinguished all light, then instantly regretted it as he ran his knee into a tree stump. Gritting his teeth, he cursed mightily under his breath and halted to look around him. A fine fix, this. He'd been indulging his penchant for cigars, smoking the last one he'd stashed before they'd taken his own garments, when he'd caught a glimpse of someone slipping across the courtyard. He was almost certain it was a woman.
With the recent grisly discovery of Iliana's maid, Erik was on high alert for anything suspicious, so it was out of necessity he had quietly followed the shadowy figure.
Having steadily begun to look into Mandrak's burning desire to obtain the gem, he remained suspicious of everyone. A word here and there among the men had garnered a bit of information, but he felt there was much more to be had. He had not been idly playing war games but had insinuated himself into their conversations, or the edges thereof. It both irked and pleased him that these men, the mercenaries Mandrak had hired to ride with him, had no clue he was not also a mercenary. He supposed there could be worse things in this world. Many stories had come to light during the time he had spent with these men, and much of it gave him a sick churning in his normally iron-clad stomach. To be sure he was certain Mandrak saw no value in the life here and had to be stopped.
A slight crack of twigs underfoot made him pause. Erik tried to pierce the darkness, but then all fell silent. Carefully, he inched forward, still unable to see much of anything. There appeared to be even denser trees and brush before him. He shook his head, perplexed. By the saints he would stake his life the figure had walked into the trees where he stood, and he should have heard some sound...yet the night remained hushed.
Erik turned and began to retrace his steps, then stopped dead. The scent of roses was abruptly, powerfully all around him. Even as the scent overpowered his senses, it began to fade. Inexplicably, Erik felt his body responding as an image of Iliana came to mind. Sweet Jesus, if only she would remember their time together. Was it all a pretense on her part?
Erik drew out his cigar, managed to relight it, then clenched it between his teeth.
He stepped forward and peered once more into the trees, but it seemed impossible for anyone to have passed through here. If he had a bit of light, it might be easier to tell. There was nothing for it but for him to come back during the day. If there were tracks of any kind, he would find them.
¤¤
Warmth radiated around Iliana, filling her, touching the very dregs of loneliness which were ever present. Time was running out, she sensed it. But would she be successful? And what would happen to her and William if she failed to find the green gem treasure?
"Alas, I have not yet found the green gem," she murmured dispiritedly.
It is nearer all the while, even as the tempest draws closer. Keep close your faith, for only through the green gem's purity and your own strength shall you survive the storm. He shall help protect you.
Iliana became very still. "I do not know any man who would step forward and safeguard me. Forever am I reminded of my true aloneness in this world."
Seek out the one who has come.
"Surely you do not speak of Erik! He rides with a troop of mercenaries. He is a rebel intent on taking what is not his." Yet part of her felt her words were too harsh. He had shown no sign of taking anything by force.
He holds the answer to the way back that you seek. Only he can help you disclose the secret of the green gem.
Iliana rose to her feet, her eyes focusing blearily on the trees all around her. Her connection, like a silken thread, was broken.
The voice which came to her in this sacred circle she had learned to trust. It had drawn her to this sacred circle as long as she had been here. Iliana rubbed her eyes, then clenched her fingers tightly. How could she seek him out? How did she dare trust him?
Iliana sealed the energy and left the circle.
¤¤
Mandrak had watched the pretender try to find his way into the sacred circle without success. He itched to take action, but cautioned himself to patience. He'd set this in motion, and he still felt it a good plan to have the pretender gain Iliana's confidence. He was certain together they would uncover the gem. Once accomplished, the gem would come into his possession. After that, he would take care of what needed to be
done.
It was unfortunate he had had to kill the serving wench Agnes. He would have to be more careful in the future in choosing his targets. Mistakes could cost him dearly.
Mandrak watched the lady Iliana hurry back to the keep. He had been close, so close to gaining entry into the circle. Even his magic could not penetrate that shield of protection, yet even so he still felt the vibrations as the power settled down into the ground, the roots of the trees reaching deeper than his sorcery could penetrate. He melted back into the shadows, alert as two young lovers walked past him without even knowing he was there. His lip curled. How much time was wasted in youth, when there was real power within their grasp, did they but know it.
Mandrak's thoughts moved into the future. When he had the power of the gem in his hand, he could return to his time and he would then wield power over all. They would not dare to refuse him anything he wished. No longer would he be an outcast in his own world. The green gem would restore vitality and life to him. It would be wasted here, hidden away for a century at a time. Only he knew its true power and potential. For so long he had tracked its lineage. When Sir Robert had died, he'd seen his opportunity to finally have the gem as his own. It was just a matter of it being found. And he knew Iliana would find it, he just hoped it was before the stone's power ran out.
As he watched a horse and rider rode through the gate. His nostrils twitched, his heightened senses picking up the most minute of details. Ulrich, his trusted man.
Ulrich dismounted.
Mandrak stepped forward. "I see you take seriously your guard duties of this keep, Ulrich."
Ulrich nodded. "It is my job to keep out those who do not belong."
Mandrak smiled. "Then I am glad you know who lines your pockets."
Ulrich bowed his head. "Of course."
"Have you any news of the gem?"
"Nay. I have not heard the lady speak of it at all."
Time Travel Romance Collection Page 58
