When she reached her office, she wasn’t surprised to find Duncan waiting for her. Rather than speaking to him right away, she headed straight outside.
He followed her into the garden but stood back out of her way. She emptied the bowl and then refilled it with fresh water. Silently, the two of them assumed their accustomed positions on opposite sides of the green glass as the water churned and swirled.
She stared across into Duncan’s pale eyes as if she would find the answers to her questions there rather than in the swirling water. When his grim expression softened slightly, some of her own tension faded.
The surface of the water slowly smoothed out to reveal the first image. The sisters stood grouped around a large funeral pyre, their heads bowed in prayer. She shuddered at the size of the fire; too many had died that day.
The vision of the flames faded away to reveal several of the sisters riding in the farm wagon they used once a year to haul supplies back from the capital city. This time it was leaving the abbey loaded down with baggage and wooden crates. Other sisters rode behind the wagon surrounded by grim-faced men led by Josup.
So the gods agreed she needed to send the sisters out of Ifre’s reach. She recognized Margaret, Joetta, and Berta, but where was she? She leaned closer but didn’t find herself in either the heavily laden wagon or on horseback.
She continued her vigil, hoping that the gods would choose her destiny for her. Once again the water swirled, erasing everything that had been reflected there.
“Guide me, please. This I pray.”
But instead of the goddess who ruled over the fields and forests, a different form appeared in the water, rising up out of the surface fully formed out of the crystal clear liquid. Despite her diminutive size, there was no mistaking the power the goddess wore as comfortably as she did her clothing.
Even if Lavinia didn’t immediately recognize the woman, Duncan obviously did. He dropped to his knees and bowed his head.
“My Lady of the River.”
“Sir Duncan, my avatar and warrior.”
Lavinia’s own knees gave out on her. Never before had she heard of a god appearing in person to speak directly to a mere human. But then Duncan was not an ordinary man. Although he was showing his respect, he did not appear to be particularly afraid. She was.
“How can I best serve you, my lady?”
Rather than answer Duncan immediately, the goddess gestured with her hand, leaving Duncan frozen and staring out of eyes that were no longer pale, but a rich, dark brown. What was happening here? The goddess then turned to study Lavinia. She wanted to look away from the Lady of the River, but the power of the goddess’s gaze held her prisoner.
“It appears that Captain Gideon is not the only one of my avatars whose heart has been claimed by someone other than me. My Duncan is a fierce warrior and a brilliant scholar. He’s known little of love and gentleness in his life; yet his soul and honor remain unsullied.”
The goddess floated closer to Lavinia’s side of the bowl. “Rise to your feet and answer me this, Lady Lavinia. Are you worthy of such a man? In truth, I have my doubts. Your fear overrules your wisdom. He deserves better.”
The words lashed at Lavinia, leaving their mark on her heart. Only a fool would argue with a goddess, but she felt compelled to defend herself. “I was seeking the wisdom of the gods, my lady.”
The goddess snorted in derision, hardly an expression Lavinia would have ever expected from one of the holy ones. The Lady then shook her head.
“My child, it is not up to the gods to direct each step you take in your life. That would steal your free will from you. It should be your own choices, right or wrong, that guide your life. Don’t search in the water for your answers. Search within your heart.”
Then the goddess tilted her head to the side, once again studying her with an intensity that left Lavinia feeling weak. “You have great potential. Do not waste it. Your people need you.”
She turned her attention back to Duncan. “And this man needs your strength of purpose as well. Your indecision weakens him and divides his loyalties. That must cease immediately. Fail to give him what he needs, and it will have disastrous consequences. More than his life is at risk. His soul is as well. Know that it will take all of us—gods, avatars, and the people of Agathia—to defeat what your brother is about to unleash upon this land.”
When she gestured again, awareness flowed back into Duncan’s expression. He blinked, and his eyes were once again pale, bearing the mark of his service to the Lady.
“Sir Duncan, your captain has need of you. Do not delay returning to his side. Your enemy grows stronger.”
He shot a quick look at Lavinia before nodding. “I will ride for the keep before first light.”
“Sooner would be better, but I understand that there is much left to do before the good sisters here will be safe. Just remember that the days until we will meet at the river grow shorter with each passing minute. Use your time wisely.”
Once again Duncan bowed. “I will endeavor to do my best.”
The goddess laughed softly. “That is all I have ever asked.”
Then her form blurred and flowed back down into the bowl. The surface of the water remained mirror smooth, but no more images appeared.
Duncan gently picked up the bowl and poured its contents on the ground where the plants had been burned by the water poisoned by Ifre Keirthan’s dark magic. This time the few plants that were left swayed and grew several inches in a matter of seconds.
“Amazing.”
He returned the bowl to its stand. “Yes, she is. I’m sorry if her presence frightened you.”
Frightened was too weak a word for the rush of emotion she’d experienced, but Lavinia kept that to herself. “Does she often appear to you and your friends?”
He frowned. “No, in the past we’ve seen her only when it was time for the five of us to face her judgment. However, she appeared to Gideon not long after we were called forth by Lady Merewen. I don’t know what to make of it except that we’ve all sensed that this calling is different. We’re not sure why.”
Lavinia found herself blurting out, “Your eyes were the prettiest shade of brown.”
She’d clearly confused him. “What?”
“While the Lady spoke to me, it was as if she’d turned you into living stone. You looked the same as you always do except your eyes were dark brown, not pale like they are now.”
Duncan stared down at the empty bowl, his expression sad. “Until I came into the Lady’s service, they were brown like my mother’s.”
He crossed to where Lavinia stood. “The Lady truly spoke directly to you, yet I didn’t hear any of it. What did she say?”
When she nodded and stepped toward him, he held out his arms. At his touch, even the kiss of the sun felt warmer on her skin. Together they banished the chill of fear she’d been living with for hours.
Laying her cheek against Duncan’s chest, she did her best to explain. “Your Lady said I should search in my heart for answers, not in the water. That the gods cannot make all of our choices for us without stealing that which makes us human.”
Then she smiled. “I’m not sure your goddess thinks I’m good enough for you.”
She felt the wave of shock roll through Duncan at her announcement. “In truth, she said that?”
Lavinia nodded. “My indecision and fear are weakening your ability to do your duty.”
Duncan’s arms tightened around her. “I have never failed the goddess in my duty. I will not this time, either.”
“I know that, and so does she,” Lavinia assured him.
But she had decisions to make, her own honor to protect. It would be far easier for her to think clearly if she were alone with her thoughts. “There is much to be done before morning. I will need to get the sisters organized to leave. After that, I will pack the books that cannot be left here for Ifre to find. I’ll also set aside the ones that will be of the most use to you and your captain.”
<
br /> Despite her brave words, her body trembled with all that had happened and her continuing fear about their uncertain future. Duncan gently tipped her chin up, bringing her gaze up to meet his.
“You’re not alone in this, Lavinia. We will face the future together, no matter what it brings.”
Then he kissed her with such sweetness that it brought tears to her eyes. The Lady of the River had said Duncan was a good man, his honor and soul shining mirror bright. If the goddess had been right about Lavinia claiming Duncan’s heart, she would have to work hard to be worthy of such a gift.
She kissed him back, pouring into the embrace everything she felt but couldn’t yet give voice to.
Then the dinner bell rang and shattered their brief moment of peace. It was time to rejoin the others and set their plans into motion.
* * *
Once again Ifre had taken to his bed. Damn his sister! He’d been laid low as soon as the slaughter of his men had begun. His weakness had been compounded a short time later when the backlash from the destruction of his talismans hit him. The remaining power in the connection had snapped back hard enough to leave him screaming in pain.
His physician’s foul concoction had barely begun to work, leaving Ifre queasy and nearly immobilized.
Lavinia would pay for this. That was all that mattered now. He imagined her stretched out on his altar, her arms and legs chained to the posts as he carved her up into tiny pieces. Her agony and her blood would provide the final push, releasing the cloud of blackness he’d worked to create.
Even now, it stirred within him, approving of the direction of his thoughts.
Once he had the darkness firmly within his command, no one would dare stand against him. First of all, he would sacrifice any who dared impede his relentless march toward total power. To distract himself from the pounding in his head, he began to count off the people he would go after first.
He smiled.
All those sisters had conspired to hide Lavinia from him. They moved to the top of his list. There were others who’d done more to thwart him, but knowing her friends died because of her would only increase the power he could harvest from Lavinia’s agony.
Next would come the bastards who had slaughtered his men. When had the abbey hired armed guards? Probably right after Lavinia destroyed his coins. It was doubtful that she’d remain cowering in the abbey now, but he’d send another troop of men to find out.
When he could crawl back out of bed, the first thing he would do was cast a tracking spell, using his blood to enable his men to follow Lavinia. Even though she and he had different mothers, their father’s blood would’ve forged a common bond between them. As he thought of her blood and his, he sensed another presence, one that was both new and increasingly familiar. It caressed his mind, polishing the jagged edges of his pain into exquisite sharpness.
Even from his room on the top floor, he sensed the blackness pulsing down below in his private chambers. He reached out with his mind, absorbing its strength. It raced through his body, arousing his bloodlust. Oh yes, this was what he’d been working toward all along.
He slowly sat up on the edge of the bed and considered his options. There was bound to be someone available that no one would miss. One of the servants perhaps. It would take but a touch of his hand right now to capture a woman’s mind, making her willing to follow him down below to his chambers.
Once there, he would release his hold over her. What fun would it be if she had no will left with which to resist him?
He straightened his clothes and checked his image in the mirror. Right now the sweet blackness was running so hot within him, he feared that it would show in his face or at least his eyes. But, no, the image he saw reflected in the mirror was completely normal.
It was time to cull his newest victim from the herd. Then the evening’s festivities would begin. He’d feed the darkness and reap the rewards for his efforts. This time when he went after Lavinia, no power in the world would stand against him.
He descended to the great hall. A slow ripple of awareness rolled through the room as his courtiers noticed his arrival. As usual, they all vied for his attention. If they knew his truth, they wouldn’t be strutting around the room like so many colorful birds. They’d be running for the door and the fastest way out of town.
He let them think they were safe. For the moment they were, but not for long. As he wended his way through the room, stopping to chat with a few people along the way, he kept his eye out for a likely victim.
A movement on the far side of the room caught his attention—a pair of servant girls. Luscious and sweet, they looked as if they were fresh from the country, their skin tanned from the sun and their limbs strong from physical work.
They would be perfect for his purpose. The only question was which one to choose. Blonde or brunette? But then again, why did he need to choose at all? He approached them, pasting a look of embarrassed concern on his face. As soon as they recognized him, they dropped into a low curtsy.
“I know you are both busy, but I’m afraid that I have need of your services.”
The older of the pair immediately got a suspicious look in her eyes although she tried to hide it. “We should let Lady Theda know where we’ll be, my lord. She won’t be pleased if we abandon our posts.”
He chuckled good-naturedly. “I’ll make sure she knows that I borrowed you.”
As soon as he touched her cheek, her eyes lost their sharp focus. Her younger companion was easier to capture. They trailed along behind him as docile as could be as he led them toward the door that led to the lower level of his home. He’d send them on ahead to wait for him and join them later. They were his to use as he saw fit, but he’d prefer their disappearance not be associated with him for now.
Theda would guess, but she wouldn’t say anything. She stood to lose too much if she tried to interfere with his plans.
He locked the door behind the two women and hoped they enjoyed the journey down below. After all, it was the last one they’d ever make. Come midnight, their dying screams would fuel the hunt for his sister.
* * *
Three hours later, he led his two guests into his private chambers. The blackness shrieked inside his head, demanding more blood. Ifre put a hand on the wall to steady himself as the ravenous hunger battered against the inside of his skull. With the power behind his magic growing stronger, so did its need for more blood and more pain.
Ifre did his best to placate the shapeless monster, promising the blood would start flowing within minutes. As he and his two companions made their way down the passageway, he found himself staring at the soft sway of the older one’s hips. His manhood stirred to life, a different hunger making itself known.
He smiled. Oh yes, he would feed the blackness a fine meal indeed.
* * *
The next morning, tired but satisfied with the night’s pleasures, Ifre strolled outside with members of his court trailing along behind him. The bright sunshine immediately pierced his eyes with painful shards of light, causing him to stumble. One of his courtiers caught his arm to steady him. Ifre jerked his arm free but forced himself to acknowledge the man’s gesture with a quick nod before continuing on.
His growing connection to the darkness coiled and writhed within his chest in reaction to the light. The unsettling sensation slowed his steps and made it difficult to continue forward to where his men awaited their orders. Finally, Ifre took refuge under a nearby tree, its thick foliage providing enough shade to give him some respite.
The darkness demanded he return to the comfort of his secret chambers, away from the light and back to the blood. Ifre fought for control, all the while pretending to inspect the troops in mounted formation in front of him. With a great deal of effort, he subdued the darkness enough to speak to his army.
He stepped forward. “Soldiers of Agathia! I have received word your captain and his men have been slaughtered by the same enemies who killed my friend and loyal subject, Lord Fagan
!”
A ripple of shocked anger rolled through the troops, causing their horses to stir restlessly.
“I want you to track down those responsible for the death of your leader and your brothers. I had sent them on a mission to the abbey at the edge of the Sojourn Valley to convey an invitation to Lady Lavinia, my sister. Instead, they were greeted with treachery and death.”
Ifre drew himself up to his full height, looking suitably grim and resolute. “Here are your orders: Find those responsible and make them pay for their crimes.”
One particularly brave individual called out, “And what of your sister? Has she been taken prisoner?”
Was it time to announce her betrayal? Would they believe him? His sister had always possessed a talent for charming the rabble. No, better to let them discover her treachery for themselves.
“Your mission is to find out what has become of Lady Lavinia and escort her back here to safety.”
He then gave the newly promoted captain a small token that would lead the troops straight toward Lavinia, tracking her by the common blood bond. There hadn’t been time to infuse his power into another set of individual talismans.
The necklaces took too much time to prepare, especially for so many at once. It was a risk sending his men out with their free will intact, but right now he had no choice. The longer he delayed seeking retribution, the weaker he would appear and the better chance that Lavinia and whoever was aiding her would find another hiding place.
Worse yet, they might join forces with others who would oppose him. That could prove disastrous if they attacked before he was ready for them. Once his power reached its full potential, no one would be able to stand against him.
Until then, though . . .
“Ride, warriors of Agathia! May the gods guide and protect you! Avenge your captain, avenge your friends, avenge the honor of your ruler and your land!”
Her Knight's Quest: A Warriors of the Mist Novel Page 24
