"And why should you think I am any different?" Ulrich demanded, towering over him.
The pretender grinned. "Ulrich, you play the game, but I consider myself a good judge of character. Not to say you haven't carried out your own share of desperate acts, but you are not of the same ilk as Mandrak."
"Make no assumptions. Times are desperate and there is much you do not know, pretender."
"And time grows short, does it not Ulrich? I would like to know more."
"You better remember to keep that arrogance hidden when next Mandrak shows up," Ulrich muttered. "I would hate to see you killed intruding where you don't belong."
The pretender rubbed his arm. "Oh, when will that be?"
"He does not confide in me, but I see he grows impatient. He wants the green gem found."
"And what of his penchant for murdering young women -- do you condone such deeds? Do you know anything about that?"
Ulrich sat down again, picked up his knife and resumed the sharpening. "You had best worry for yourself instead of thinking of the peasants."
"He will discard you just as easily as he would me," the pretender said. "Never forget that."
"Ach, be off with you." But Ulrich knew the truth in his words.
"He is weak and uses people."
Ulrich felt a tightening across his shoulders. Quickly, he looked around them. "By all the saints, silence yourself before you get both of us killed."
"So is Mandrak's influence so wide he can see and hear everything?" the pretender asked. "He has your ears attuned to talk of his misdeeds."
"I bow down before no man."
"Perhaps," the pretender mused, "Mandrak is not a man. I've heard he's the spawn of the devil. I relish meeting him again."
Ulrich waved his hand at him. "You are a dead man to speak like that. Be gone."
"He has to stop scuttling about at some point. How can you instill fear if you hide away like a fainthearted maiden?"
"You are mad. You have no idea of what you speak."
"Of course I do. He's a bully, nothing more."
"Yea," Ulrich resumed his seat on the stump. "Let me remind you of your words when he turns your innards to your outers."
The pretender merely smiled in the torchlight. "Innards to outers. I will remember that. Thank you, Ulrich. I bid you good night."
Ulrich remained silent.
As the pretender walked away Ulrich knew one did not talk in such a way about the sorcerer. He was able to summon powers beyond most people's understanding. Ulrich shook his head and muttered a short prayer of protection.
¤¤
Iliana gently placed the last emerald in its square filigree setting, then carefully attached a pearl to the bottom point, sitting back to look at the effect of emerald chips and garnets in the lovely delicate brooch. The piece was quite pleasing to the eye, the gems catching the light and winking at her. It was not often she had time to create a piece of jewelry, but she'd awakened early this morning with dreams disturbing her all night long, and she'd known she needed protection from the evil swirling so heavily about the keep. Beside the brooch was a smaller replica that she had fashioned for William. She pulled her mantle about her shoulders, shivering as the wind whistled through the walls, the draft along the floor making her legs feel like ice. The month of May was devilishly cold, how could she weather another bitter season in this cold, drafty place, but what choice was there?
She straightened from her workbench, rubbing her legs. If the chill continued, she would have a fire in her chamber tonight.
Iliana stared at her life tapestry on the wall, confused by the scarlet hues the usually golden tapestry had taken upon itself. The tapestry had been like that for two days, ever since the night she had met Erik in the sacred circle.
She thought of him continuously in the intervening days, her emotions warring between confusion and anger. He had admitted that scoundrel Mandrak had brought him here. That alone worried her, but then why not keep it hidden?
What if he lied to her and was practicing his own clever deceit? Could he really be a time traveler? He claimed she had visited his time three years before and yet she had no recall.
Iliana shivered. And what if what Erik said was true, that he had had been forced to come here? Could he be an ally against Mandrak?
Iliana could never forget the green gem, the priceless treasure that was her mission to find. She was selfish to think only of herself, but now there was William. She could not risk his life. But what if the way through time did not allow William to pass? He had been born in this world, while she -- she did not know her roots. Her early life was something that remained hidden to her own life tapestry.
It had been three years or more she searched for a treasure which remained elusive. She had searched other worlds, other times, but there had been no clues, nothing to show her efforts were leading her closer. And if she failed would she and the people in this world disappear?
A knock on her door startled her. She pressed a hand to her heart, letting it calm before she called out, "Come in."
The door opened and Erik stood on the threshold.
"What is it you want?" she asked coldly.
"We need to talk," he said. "Things were left badly the other night."
"I don't see the need for any --"
"But I do." He stepped inside and closed the door.
Iliana came to her feet. "Leave my chamber," she said angrily. A sense of betrayal fueled part of her rage.
He shook his head. "I need to say my piece and then if you wish me to leave, I will." He sighed. "Iliana, Mandrak forced me to come here. He put a knife in one of my seaman and threatened the rest. With my ship no longer seaworthy my men were in danger of being killed. I had no choice. Mandrak wanted me to discover what I could of the green gem."
"And why would he think I would trust you with such information?"
"Somehow he knew of the time you had spent on the Merry Maiden."
"You told him of this supposed time I was aboard your ship?"
"He knew of it already. He has powers I don't understand. He had already put everything in place for my arrival."
Sudden understanding came upon Iliana. "The messenger," she muttered. "So there is no war in the queen's court?"
"I do not know for certain."
"And the countryside likely is not rife with battles and skirmishes." She looked at him, her gaze narrowed. "And where are my men who were to arrive with the new gems?"
"I imagine Mandrak has waylaid them."
She pressed her lips together. "Or worse, killed them."
"Iliana, why do you think it's impossible you traveled to my time?"
"I always remember the places I have seen. It is as if I am there. I see many things, but even though I experience these places, I am never truly there."
"It was you," he said, "you who came to taunt me with your dreams, your search for the green gem, then you vanished without a word when you did not find what you sought, discarding promises made."
Unbidden, her curiosity was aroused."What promises?"
"Of a future together."
Iliana moved to stare out her window, pushing her tapestry aside. It had felt like a long time since she'd thought of the future in terms of love. She turned back to Erik.
"Mandrak wanted you to do take the gem?"
"Yes. He wants it as badly as you do."
"He's killed innocent people in his quest to find the gem. However, I am the only one who can find it and secure it."
"Iliana, we have to work on this together. We'll find a way to restore the gem without him getting his hands on it but let me help you."
"How can I trust you?"
"Who else will you trust?" he asked.
Iliana turned to face him. His face looked earnest and she thought of the help she could use, since her efforts had so far proved futile. She had to trust someone.
"Sir Roberts' belongings were searched when I arrived here. His papers, the few he left, w
ere also deciphered and shown to be of little help."
"What type of papers?" he asked.
"Letters to the abbess in the monastery on the edge of the red soil hills. They had known each other since children. It appeared she was his confidante at times."
"That sounds promising, and yet nothing of value turned up?" Erik frowned. "And what of his letters to the abbess? Have you asked to see if she has those letters? Could they provide a clue?"
"The abbess would contact me if she felt there was something of importance in any correspondence she may have."
"Maybe even she does not understand its importance."
"The abbess is a very shrewd business woman. But, perhaps a visit is in order," Iliana conceded. "I traveled many worlds to search for answers. I even went back to the time Sir Robert became the lineage holder of the gem."
"And what did you find?"
She gave a slight smile. "A young man well aware of the importance of his duty, and very clever. He moved the gem many times during his almost eighty years."
"You were able to see some of the places he moved the gem?"
She nodded. "Some, but obviously not all. Each search was unsatisfactory."
"Would you let me see the letters?"
She nodded. "I will give you the letters, and we shall go from this day forward to see how far we can trust each other. I will see that they are brought to your chamber."
"Fair enough," he said.
She studied him soberly. "I hope your men do not suffer and this turns out well for all of us."
Erik nodded, his expression grim. "I would agree with you."
He moved toward the door. "It is a fair brisk day. Would you care to go riding?"
"Riding?" she asked, taken aback.
He hesitated. "I assumed you rode."
"I ride," she said, "Of course I do. I was surprised by your request, is all."
"Come with me," he said, holding out a large hand invitingly. "Surely it is a good idea if it brings a smile to your face?"
Iliana placed her hand in his and his larger hand closed around hers, gently pulled her closer. With the barest touch, his lips brushed hers. Iliana's heart leapt and her stomach muscles clenched with desire, but she pulled back. "This trust will build slowly," she said cautiously.
"Of course. Where is the little one?" he asked, looking around the small room.
With her breath quickening she tried to respond naturally. "Rowenna has care of William today," she said. "It is laundry day and he amuses himself with the other children in her care."
"So he is well occupied. Do you wish to go?"
"Yes, but I must change," she said.
"Then please do so." Iliana stared into his eyes, bright and green. She frowned.
His brow went up at she continued to stare. "Iliana? Do I have mud on my face?" he rubbed a hand briskly over his chin stubble. "Ah, I neglected to shave this morn. I apologize for coming to you a ruffian with whiskers."
"That is fine." She cleared her throat, suddenly heated in the room as she acknowledged the heat pooling between her legs. She now saw beyond the man who had come as an enforcer to take the land. Now she reacted to him as an attractive blond haired, green-eyed man. A man who claimed to have searched for her through time. A man in search of his lover.
"I see you differently," she said.
"I hope you will remember in time."
"There are other places in memory I do recall. Even the life tapestry has hidden those times from me."
Erik frowned. "Who controls the life tapestry?"
"I do not know. Each day a new scene is woven."
"And every person has a life tapestry? I am sure I do not have one."
"Sorenta said you do. Where did she say it would be found?"
"Under the dragon, though I have no idea where that might be."
Excited, Iliana grabbed his sleeve. "Quickly, come with me. There is a dragon tapestry in the great hall. Surely you have seen it."
She led the way through the tower room, down the stairs and into the great hall. She stopped in front of the dragon tapestry in the great hall area.
"I see this each time I sit at this table," he confirmed, "but I did not think she meant this dragon. There is nothing here," he added, looking at the wall under the dragon.
"I was certain --" Iliana lifted the heavy tapestry and stared at the stone wall on which it hung. "I was so certain this must be the dragon of which she spoke."
"Surely it does not matter if I have a life tapestry?"
"Of course it is important," she said quickly. "If you do not have a life tapestry, you are dead." She frowned. "Or dead inside."
"Iliana," he said gently, turning her to face him. "I am not from this time. I do not exist here."
She stared at him and almost told him he was wrong, but she didn't know for sure.
"Do not look worried," he said, smiling. "It's time to go riding."
¤¤
Ulrich rode behind them as they left the stables. The man looked as dark and glum as usual. Since his job was to spy on them and pass information to Mandrak, Erik decided the man could be as glum as he liked, he would make sure he heard nothing of their conversation.
As they rode along the edge of the forest, Erik wondered if they were also being watched from within the thick dark woods.
"I do not trust this densely wooded area. The trees themselves might have ears. Let's ride further afield."
And he urged his horse into a canter, skirting the woods for the open field. He looked back to make sure she followed, and she too urged her horse into a canter. Across the open field they rode, and it had seemed like forever since he had ridden freely on the back of a good horse. Despite the fact that it was Mandrak's destrier, the animal was a good mount. If he could find a way to take him back with him, he would. The thought brought a smile to his face. How to get the animal aboard the Merry Maiden?
"This is my passion, you know," he said. "My brother and I had a fine stable in years past."
She smiled at him shyly, acknowledging, "I can see how you enjoy the ride."
They slowed to a brisk walk. Erik turned in the saddle to see Ulrich trailed them far behind. Unless the man had exceptional hearing, they should be able to have a private conversation.
"What do you smile about?" she asked curiously.
"When I leave I will take this horse with me. In truth, it is Mandrak's horse, but he's of good stock. I would begin an entire stable around him, with a string of sturdy mares." He grinned. "I just wondered how I would get him aboard my ship."
"You train horses for warfare?" she asked curiously.
Erik shook his head. "Not for warfare. We raised horses and sold them to wealthy buyers when we lived in the Catskills -- in the Americas. After Darien left, I sold everything and went back to the sea."
Iliana had a curious light in her eyes and Erik had the notion she was sizing him up.
"You come from another world and another time," she murmured, shaking her head. She met his glance directly, hesitated then blurted, "I, too, am from another place."
Erik halted his mount. "And from where do you hail?"
She frowned. "I don't know where I belong, but I know it is not here."
"And what of William? What of his father?"
Iliana looked at him, her lips pressed tightly together. He was chagrined to see tears in her eyes.
Pain settled beneath his ribs. "You still love the boy's father?"
Iliana drew a deep breath, and she tried to smile. "There is no love," she assured him. "There is no man. I don't know how I came to be with child." She put her head back proudly. "It is one of the areas even the tapestry refuses to show me. At times, the tapestry denies me what I would know about my own life."
Erik frowned. "Or could it be the tapestry shows you only what you yourself know and remember? If you have no memory of an event, it does not show it?"
Iliana looked startled. "I never thought of it in that manner," she admitted. "B
ut remember, I do see other things in my tapestry that I did not witness."
"Such as the death of Sir Robert?"
"Yes," she said slowly, "but I was told of his death and in dying he passed the blood lineage of the gem to me. From everything I have experienced, the tapestry writes the story and our lives are acted out." She shook her head. "In the beginning I rebelled. I could not believe a tapestry would tell me what my life experience would be."
"What happened?"
"The first memory I have in this place was when I awoke from a terrible fever. Many were reluctant to come to the keep or work there. They feared a plague or an illness had befallen me and that it would spread and take their lives.
"When I awoke I suffered greatly with confusion. My memories were swirling inside my head, but nothing was clear to me. I knew I was Iliana but my life began that day." She bit her lip. "The confusion lasted seven days, and when I finally recovered, many weeks later I discovered I was with child. I was devastated and afraid."
It hurt Erik to hear her say that. "And what changed?" he asked.
"Sorenta cast the runes and told me my child had been made in love. How could I even think to turn away from my own flesh and blood? And as I began to feel well again, I drew strength knowing my child was wanted, even though the memory remained hidden. When I look at the life tapestry of that time, it is merely a swirl of color, a blank slate." She looked behind them at Ulrich, who still kept a good distance.
"Let us ride further ahead," Erik said. They rode up a small hill to the peak, the wind buffeting them gently. As they stood at the top, Erik looked beyond the hills. "I can see the sea," he said. "Yet my ship lies east of there." He leaned back in the saddle. "Each day I wonder how my men are faring, and I wonder about Markin, the young lad who Mandrak so callously stabbed. If my men could ever manage an escape, they might find a way to free the Merry Maiden and sail out to sea."
"They would leave you?" she asked in surprise.
"It would be for their safety that they move further from shore. Mandrak does not seem equipped with ships, so that is in our favor."
"For now," she said.
"Yes." He hesitated, but knew she must be told. "I am fairly certain Mandrak is responsible, at least for Agnes' death."
"I fear it, too. My life tapestry showed a shadow hiding in the woods, and a blood trail leading to that shadow."
Time Travel Romance Collection Page 62
