Erik tightened his fingers on the reins and his horse pranced nervously. Soothingly, he ran his palm down the horse's neck.
"I have tried to find other ways to solve the mystery of the gem," Iliana said. "When someone dies, their life tapestry is once more as empty as when they are born. I have thought to collect the tapestries of the dead. I have a master weaver who will create for me a tapestry at my own direction."
"You think to create another life tapestry?"
"Yes, a life tapestry for the green emerald, a story that will show me the way to the gem."
Erik shook his head. "It has been my experience we write our own destiny, Iliana, not rely upon a tapestry to mirror the actions we have taken. Have you created this tapestry?"
She shook her head. "The master weaver has not been able to successfully weave such a tapestry." She looked at him, her eyes a deep blue imprinted upon his heart. "When you leave, you will take us with you?"
Erik nodded. "Of course I will take you and William."
Iliana looked back again, nudged her horse into a faster walk as Ulrich drew nearer. "How can I have been with you when there is no memory?" she asked. "No memory of you, your touch, your scent," she murmured. "How can it be so? Please tell me again about that time."
"Three years ago I made a run in the Merry Maiden to ports along the east coast. One morning, after a particularly grueling storm at sea, I went to my cabin to rest my sleep deprived body. When I awoke, it was to find a young woman in my cabin. Imagine my surprise, and my delight, a woman had appeared as if dropped from the heavens. By all that is holy, we were three days out to sea. She told me she was on a quest and needed help in her search for a green gem that would save her people."
She frowned. "That is my quest."
"Could you have been injured in this time traveling and your memory wiped clean as a slate?" Fiercely, suddenly, Erik said in a low voice, "I wish William were mine -- I wish he were mine instead of another's."
Iliana looked away, and he nudged his horse closer, leaned from the saddle toward her and reached out his hand to gently cup her cheek. "But it matters not. It is you I care about, and the boy is yours, so he will be easily cared about also."
She drew in a sharp breath and her eyes met his. "Erik."
He gave her a charming, roguish smile, but his eyes were deadly serious.
"Many would not welcome another's child," she said.
"I am not many," he said simply. He looked out over the hills and the small valley below. "I grew up without a father. I would not wish that on another child."
She nodded. "It bothers me that William has no father, but I look forward to the day we can leave. When my mission is complete -- this mission is not easily abandoned, no matter the hardship."
"When you came to me aboard my ship, you were consumed with thoughts of the green gem."
"All I know is it is an emerald, and of such a large size that is quite rare. I have heard tales of the gem, with its strange inscriptions and drawings. Some say the stone itself is under a spell of enchantment, while others say it is held in an underground tomb and guarded by otherworldly creatures."
"And what do you believe, Iliana?"
"From all I have learned, from the knowledge that has come to me, the mystery of the gem and its legend first arose in ancient lands, around the time of Cleopatra. The stone itself has mystical healing powers, as do many true emeralds. An emerald with clarity is forgiven many faults, but one with the true green that shines and heals, that gem is a treasure to be coveted. Men have died while trying to steal this gem while those of blood lineage have carried it to safety and hidden it through thousands of years." She looked around as Erik turned his horse back along the track and they once more rode alongside a wooded area. "It is said to possess a rare power, but I do not know the true extent. Many have sought to keep this emerald for their own gain, but none survived to tell the tale of their journey."
"And it must be moved every hundred or so years?"
"Only to disappear once again." Iliana shrugged. "If I can secure the gem and bring it here to the keep, only then can the people's future be secured. The gem's power will give the land the opportunity to heal, people can once more sow seed without half of it rotting in the ground, and the fields will know abundant harvests. Bad times have befallen the people of this region. Nature herself seems a blight on the land. There will be much work necessary to make this right once more."
"And you are the only one in this world who can find and move the gem?"
"Yes. I am under service to complete this mission. Until it is fulfilled, my life is not my own." She looked at him. "I tried once to leave."
"How is it you failed?"
"I reached the edge of the boundary marked by red soil. It is the dragon territory. I could see and then hear the movement of their wings. I dared to cross the line that first time, and then as the dragons took to the air, they bore down upon me." She looked at him. "Then -- I remembered no more until I awoke, and much time had passed. I had been lying ill all that time, as if under a spell." She frowned. "From time to time I have memory of the worlds I visited searching for the gem."
"What hold this quest has over you!"
"All I hold dear is in a fine balance between this world and the next." Iliana lifted her chin, met his eyes. "Should I walk away, I shall perish with the people of Dutton Keep, forever a prisoner in another time."
Erik pressed a fist to his chest. "I swear by all I value, I will help you. Together we will see this mission to an end. This is merely an intricate riddle."
"Perhaps," she said slowly. "But then I am not very good at riddles."
"What do you know of Mandrak and his quest?"
"I fear if he gains possession of the gem, the world will fall into total chaos. The land here needs the gem, but he seeks to control its power. I am afraid he will take it somewhere else."
"He told me he needed to return it to his world, and in turn it would save both worlds," Erik said. "As much as I do not trust the man, could there be truth in what he says?"
"I don't know how it can be the truth," she said. "I have a terrible sense of doom about him."
"Parts of his story rings true to me since I do believe he is desperate to recover the gem. He also told me he believes only you can find it." Erik looked at the clouds making their way across the horizon. In the distance the keep's dark walls stood in sharp contrast against the blue sky.
As before, Erik noted the peculiar light that hung about the keep, deep like the color of blood. It was a sight that he still found unsettling. "Am I the only one who thinks it peculiar, the light that hangs about that place?"
Iliana twisted in her saddle. "You see the light also?" she asked. "It hangs like blood in the skies. It has been that peculiar light as long as I have been here. Many do not seem to notice."
Erik sighed. "So many unanswered questions, Iliana." He looked at the clouds scuttling across the sky. "It looks like we may have rain. Let's give the horses a real chance to stretch their legs."
And they were off, racing across the field toward the keep with its blood red skies.
As they cantered past Ulrich, Erik saluted the man, ignoring his sour-faced expression. Ulrich had little to say, but Erik thought there was much the man allowed none to see.
¤¤
As the pretender and the lady Iliana rode back toward the keep, their horses swiftly eating up the dusty ground, Ulrich urged his mount into a trot. "Now I am a nursemaid," he grumbled, "as if there are no important duties awaiting me, no men to train -- I must follow the pretender and see that he finds no mischief. Methinks mischief has found him in his pursuit of the lady Iliana."
"Psst. Man -- wait upon me."
Ulrich drew his sword as a man and horse stood just in the tree line of the forest on his right. He did not recognize him at first as his head was covered by a dark cowl. He lifted his head.
"My lord Mandrak," Ulrich said with surprise.
"Dismount from
your horse and spend a moment," remarked Mandrak.
Ulrich returned the sword to its scabbard and dismounted. He wished to be off, but Mandrak paid him in bits of gold, it was his right to demand his attention.
"When I followed Remington in his world, he struck me as a man who went about his business, keeping his activities well hidden from the world. Such secrecy is normal in government operations as he was engaged, but I wonder can I trust him to deliver what I demand of him?" Mandrak turned to Ulrich. "Do you think he is doing as I asked?"
"Yes." Ulrich chose his words carefully. "He seems to gain her trust more each day. He also seems protective of her and the child."
"Yes, the child." Mandrak's expression became thoughtful. "I need a man I can trust such as yourself to accompany me on my journeys -- more than just this one mission. As you know I will pay you well. I can offer you riches beyond what you know."
"Of course, if that is your wish," Ulrich said, but he wasn't as certain as he had once been. He had seen too much of Mandrak's dark side. Dark, even to him, who had seen much war.
The sorcerer stepped closer and suddenly swept his cowl back, leaving his head and face exposed to Ulrich's gaze.
Ulrich had fought in many bloody battles where limbs were severed or crushed, but never had he seen a face as if eaten away, an eye socket exposed. It fair churned his stomach and he felt in danger of losing the little food he had partaken of hours before.
As he watched, the sorcerer's face changed, become smooth, until the skin became whole and healthy once more.
"You see that I have powers beyond your understanding?" remarked Mandrak with a small smile. "You must understand my urgency to find the gem before I rot to a corpse in this godforsaken land?"
"Aye, my lord."
"You will not disappoint me?"
"No, my lord sorcerer."
He stepped back from Ulrich, and his face slowly changed back to the rotted flesh.
"My lord?"
Mandrak looked up at him.
"My wood carvings were taken."
Mandrak steepled his fingers. "I took the wooden animals. I compliment you, Ulrich, such fine work you do. And how did you come by your talent?"
Ulrich shrugged, but clearly Mandrak awaited a reply. "My kin had a shop long ago. Wood carvings were made for the children from the pieces too small for the furniture."
"Interesting. You take exception to my taking your carvings?"
Carefully, Ulrich said, "A child's plaything was brought to deadly life."
"I see your concern. It was an inducement for the lady to realize the power I wield. I will brook no interference in obtaining the gem."
"That I understand. I thought to mention an observation."
"Yes?"
"A mother without her child may lose the will to live."
"I see your point," Mandrak said. "And how did you know about the child's dragon?"
"I heard the Lady Iliana tell one of the serving girls the child was not allowed wooden toys. I noticed her hand was wrapped and there was a wound on her neck."
"Very observant, Ulrich. This is why I pay you so well. Continue to observe, and when the lady finds the gem, I must have it. Do you understand?"
"Yes. I will report to you."
"Do you know anything of the circle of trees in the keep's courtyard?"
"No, my lord." He hesitated. "I know the lady goes there often."
The sorcerer paced away from him. "I have tried to gain entry so that I might learn to harness the power of the circle, but it appears to be protected by an energy even I cannot penetrate. I will need to gain entry when Iliana is within." He nodded his head, a macabre smile lighting one side of his face. "I shall bring forth more power than this world has ever seen. The world, the oceans, the very earth will tremble beneath my feet. None will match my magic!"
Ulrich's stomach churned.
"When I have the power of the gem, all this --" he waved at his face, "will go away."
With a grin he rubbed his hands. "Even now triumph swells in my breast. I would learn all the secrets. No mortal man will sway me from this purpose." He looked at Ulrich. "You must alert me when next the lady Iliana visits the circle of trees."
"How will I know where to find you?"
Mandrak smiled. "I will find you," he said. "Do not worry. I will know exactly where you are."
"Very good, my lord."
"Now go. Be ready to report to me on the morrow."
In relief, Ulrich mounted his horse and rode back toward the keep. Burned in his memory were Mandrak's intense, gleaming eyes. He had seen those eyes before, that intensity on the battlefield, in the eyes of men gone mad from the horrors of war. Glumly, Ulrich knew such madness did not bode well for anyone.
Chapter Nine
Iliana left the sacred circle of trees, drawing deeply of the night air. The night sky was inky tonight, the moon disappearing behind the clouds, then reappearing only briefly. She held the lantern high, away from her face, careful not to get close to the foul odor of the burning oil. Tonight was one of the nights she felt as if events were moving forward. She had seen a cavern in her travels, and a gleaming gem.
Most of the men had settled in for the night, and she did not see even a dice game by lantern or candlelight. In fact, the quiet around her as she crossed the first courtyard felt uneasy, causing the hair along her neck to rise. She stopped and turned, moving her lantern to the right and left, but she saw no other person. A small animal moved in the corner of the yard, toward the stables, perhaps a rat. Iliana pulled her light cloak about her, then turned to hurry on her way. She came up against a solid body and with a small screech looked up.
"Ulrich! You startled me," she said, taking a step back and raising the lantern.
"I am sorry, my lady. I saw a light and came to see who was about. It is my guard tonight."
"Then I am sorry I startled you, Ulrich. I did not know anyone else was about."
"It is late for you to be out, my lady. We keep a watch but there are dangerous animals about. At times they get within the gates."
"Then perhaps we should close the gates," she said, frowning. "They should be closed to keep out intruders. Please do close them."
He nodded. "I will instruct my men."
She looked at him. "Don't you mean Erik's men?"
"Of course," he said. "My lord Erik's men."
"Then see to it. I will leave you to your duty."
He bowed his head. "Good evening to you, my lady."
She began to walk away, but suddenly turned back. "Ulrich, is that your stomach I hear rumbling?"
"No my lady."
"I would see that food is brought out to you, to relieve your hours of watch."
He looked surprised. "Nay, my lady, do not stir yourself. I have already partaken of food."
"One more thing, Ulrich. Why is it you are the only one I see on guard duty?"
He cocked a bushy dark brow at her, as if surprised she had taken note. "I am in command of the men at arms," he said. "I prefer this duty, so I have made it mine."
"Well, I thank you, Ulrich, for your steadfast duty in keeping us safe," she said softly, turning and hurrying across the courtyard and into the keep.
Ulrich sat down on a small wooden bench the washer women used for their washing. He rubbed his beard. How had he come to this point where the face he showed was no longer the man he was? He'd hired himself out for so long, he had lost sight of the fact that there was still kindness in the world. Lady Iliana's words brought that home to him.
"Ulrich." Ulrich brought his sword up as he swiftly regained his feet. Mandrak came from behind him. "You have done well. I feel the energy of the sacred circle is open to me tonight."
With hard eyes, Ulrich watched the sorcerer approach the small circle of trees. Surely, he thought, with Mandrak gaining entry to the sacred circle, all was now wrong with the world and it would soon grow more desperate.
As Mandrak approached the double tree he threw back
his hood, his hands reaching upwards toward the gnarled tree limbs that formed an arch. For once the circle was unprotected, he could feel its vulnerability. He rubbed his hands, barely able to restrain a shout. Finally, luck had brought him to the circle so that he may harness its unearthly power. Powers he had aplenty, but this place had been denied him. Even a gifted time traveler had limitations.
He stepped forward, ducking his head slightly to avoid the limbs which began to tangle and close the way in. He pushed them aside and with a knife he hacked at the limbs that would deny him entry. The cut limbs looked as if they bled after he cut them, but he did not care. He needed to get inside.
Once inside the sacred circle, he stood there, looking up, his arms and hands extended behind him. A blinding flash of light, almost like a lightning bolt, went into his chest. The force of the bolt threw him to the ground. He lay there for long moments, his cheek in the dirt, feeling a deep burning in his chest. Weakly, he hit his chest to keep the smoldering material from bursting into flame.
Gradually, he was pulled upright by the force of the energy, until he stood on his own feet. The blinding light around him swirled and danced, and he slitted his eyes almost closed at its extreme brightness. The force of the light energy filled him, expanding, until he saw pictures, places, events, marks of history. It all played before his eyes and he watched, fascinated, despite the horrific pain of the white light piercing his chest. He fed on the energy until gradually it began to lessen, as did the pain.
"No," he said between gritted teeth. "I would have all of the power -- I demand more energy, more light." And the full force of the energy once again poured into his chest like a bolt from heaven or hell, filling him completely, until he felt as if his skin should burst to let it out as it went in.
Mandrak fell to the ground again, eyes closed as all of time now crammed inside his head. All the evil, the good, the history, the power of those long gone. It was all his to use as he pleased.
When he opened his eyes he stared at his hands. The ends of his fingers were cracked open and light leaked out, spraying like water from his fingertips. With a laugh he closed his fists tightly to contain the light.
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