He knocked on Birdie’s door early next morning, she was a little groggy. “We had visitors, how about you?”
She checked the second camera, the chip was missing. “I guess I did. I hate being right all the time.”
“Does this cause us any problems?”
“No, it validates that we are photographing wildlife as that is exactly what is on the memory chips. You have the real footage we wanted.”
“Then perhaps we should have breakfast and check out quickly.”
Sasha was busy getting organised for University, there was just so much to do. Her cases were packed and her car full to overflowing. She was not really one to go for Fresher’s week, but saw it as an opportunity to go shopping to kit out her student flat and buy all her course books. And possibly do some serious retail therapy.
Angus was staying at the house for a while as their mother was disappearing off on an extended holiday for a couple of months and the estate still had to be managed. She was going to miss home. But she was going to miss Heinrekh more. In such a short period of time, he had become a major part of her life. And then there was her friendship with Erin. They too had become close and now she was deserting her too. She just hoped that Heinrekh and Erin could refrain from killing one another whilst she was away.
She headed into the bathroom to remove her makeup and get ready for bed. In the morning she would be off. Was she really prepared for this? She would soon find out. Slinking out the bathroom, she nearly jumped out of her skin as Heinrekh was lounging across her bed.
“What are you doing here?” she squeaked.
“I wanted to spend this last night with you,” he shrugged.
“Angus will go berserk if he finds you here.”
Heinrekh headed to the door and turned the key. “Happy?”
A huge grin spread across her face. “Yes.” She ran over and kissed him. “I will miss you tomorrow.”
“Then let us waste no more of the time we have left.” He tossed her onto the bed and slipped off his shirt.
Sasha’s pulse quickened gazing at that magnificent torso. She would have to come back in a couple of weeks, she could not last much longer without him.
CHAPTER 10
“Yikes,” Erin murmured looking out the window of the car. “This place must top the list for most depressing town.” It looked like a farming town from a millennia ago. The houses were cramped and either constructed out of wood or corrugated metal. The main road through was just dirt, and the whole town looked positively bleak.
“Welcome to the bustling metropolis of Frejboren,” Birdie announced. “On the bright side, we have a hotel as opposed to an extra scary pub.”
“And Magnus is no longer puking.”
“I never actually threw up,” he hissed.
“That’s my big, brave Viking,” she pinched his cheek affectionately.
“Perhaps we should drug her again,” Magnus moaned. “Last night my ears actually got some rest.”
Erin poked out her tongue. “Do you know where the hotel is, Birdie?”
“It can’t be too difficult to find.” It was. Shoe-horned in between a pub and an electrical store, they drove passed it twice before seeing it.
“A nice five star establishment with a Michelin star restaurant to match,” Erin joked.
“Hopefully I might be allowed to eat something this time,” Magnus grumped.
“Let’s park up, check in then get some lunch. We can do sleuthing afterwards.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Erin yawned.
The hotel was, in fact, no improvement on the pub. The rooms were badly in need of decoration, and the whole place felt quite damp. Suddenly, Erin longed for the comforts of her home. It was warm, welcoming and had decent food. Yes, she’d actually called Muirhead warm.
They stocked up on groceries so there would be no going hungry later. Once fully fuelled, they continued on the same deception as the day before, following the path of the wildlife first and foremost. It seemed to take forever to get around to Voktere Castle. It was situated up on top of a small hill, a few hundred feet above the grey sea below. It was such a depressingly eerie place. Some of the walls of the castle were still standing, but most of it has fallen to ruin.
Erin sat down on a pile of old stones to have her energy drink they had bought at the store. As she looked around her something seemed out of order; it dawned on her a few minutes later. The damage to the stones she was sitting on was fairly new. She stood up and examined the evidence, it seemed a fight had occurred there recently.
She walked along a ridge of stones as Birdie and Magnus photographed items of supposed note. In true teenager style, she had lost interest and was busy climbing over the ruins, it was far more fun.
“Do you normally treat an ancient ruin with such disrespect?” an elderly man appeared from an underground entrance.
Erin froze mid step. “I’m sorry. I thought this was just a pile of old stones.”
“It is the remains of Voktere Castle.”
“Again, my apologies. I had no idea.” She jumped down off the wall. “My aunt is photographing the wildlife.”
“Are you visiting for long?”
“No, we’re just here for a day. Then it’s on to another location.”
“Where are you from?”
“Thurso, in Scotland.” Erin decided it was time to turn the questioning back to the old man. “Do you live in Frejboren?”
“Yes.”
“Have you spent your whole life there?”
“Most of it yes.”
Erin glanced at the walls of the ruins. “Then I guess you must have seen more of this Castle than that which remains now.”
He chuckled. “Politely put but yes. I have seen it crumble.”
“How long ago was it deserted? Centuries?”
“Just a few.”
“I find old ruins fascinating. They tease you with the secrets they once held.”
He looked at her quizzically.
“Sorry, it’s my overactive imagination at work. You wonder what caused the Castle’s decline, what battles were fought within its walls, any grisly murders or crimes of passion. What sort of people lived and died here. Life centuries ago must have been fascinating.”
“I know what caused the castle’s decline. It was the death of the last member of the Voktere family.”
Erin let her shoulder’s slump. “I was hoping for something a little more dramatic. Never mind.” She looked around for Birdie and Magnus. “I should probably take some photographs for my aunt, earn my keep,” she sighed dramatically. “It was nice talking to you.” She headed off in the exact direction of the gateway. If the old man was Vokteren he would most likely stop her. She got to within about a foot before he called out.
“I would not walk through the archway, the structure is not safe.”
She stopped and took a step back, looking up at the arch. She could see no problem with it. “Thank you. I forget some of these structures are not that stable.” She deliberately walked around it. Once reunited with Birdie, she took a camera off Magnus.
“I do believe I’ve just met a Vokteren. Now to keep up the pretence, I need to take photos. Point something out.” Erin kept her voice very low.
“Over there,” Birdie pointed. “It is a snow hare.”
Erin started snapping. She hoped the old guy bought the bored teenager routine, she did it very well! After a while, they headed back towards the village, stopping very now and then and photograph something.
“You met a Vokteren?” Birdie murmured when they were well away from the castle.
“He came from what looked like the crypt, so I think he must have been. We had a brief chat, largely about me not climbing over the ruins. You might be interested to know, however, that there has been recently activity there.”
“What kind of activity?” Magnus asked.
“A fight of some sort. A couple of the walls have been damaged, scorched by what could have been blue energy,
and all between the gateway and the crypt. I think our friend has been using this gateway.”
“Then it is definitely off limits.”
“Why? If Heinrekh has been through, then we know this gateway definitely leads to Vasmaar and is working. It makes it the logical choice.” Erin was sure this was the one.
“What about the Vokteren guarding it?” Magnus grunted.
“Perhaps they might give us safe passage as we are just rescuing mum.” Erin was forever the optimist.
Magnus laughed loudly. “You are forgetting that the High Priestess of Lokranor was the one who fought with Valkarin. Lodraill is a descendant form the original Priestess. Do you think the Vokteren are going to welcome the relative of the one who trapped Valkarin in another realm?”
Erin puffed out her cheeks. “When put like that, maybe you have a point.”
“I do get the feeling that there are less guards at Frejboren than Grunfeld. I saw no shadows here.” Birdie look at the screen on her camera. “I think Erin is right that there was a scuffle at the Castle, which may be why the guard has moved over to the other site, thinking that might come under attack next.”
“We’ll check thoroughly when we get home and make a decision as to which gateway is our best shot.” Magnus prodded Erin. “You’re looking a little glazed over?”
“Just tired. Your snoring kept me awake,” she yawned.
“You were the one bringing the beetles down from the rafters. I’ve heard walruses make less noise.”
Erin whacked Magnus on the arm. “Likening a woman to a walrus will get you hurt, Selvig.”
“Stop it, you two,” Birdie snapped. “It really is like having a couple of squabbling toddlers.”
They both poked their tongues out at each other simultaneously.
Dinner that night consisted of a mix of cold cheeses, meats and crackers, which they had bought at the local store. Birdie did not want to risk getting drugged a second night in a row. Erin was desperate for sugar. Chocolate in fact. She glanced out the window onto the street below.
“Can I just pop over the road? The store is still open.”
“You probably should stay out of sight.”
“But I’ll get crabby and moody if I don’t get my fix,” Erin whined.
“Fine. Just there and straight back. Do not talk to anyone,” Bridie groaned.
“Yes, yes. And don’t take sweets off strangers. I know the drill,” Erin responded flippantly as Birdie handed over some Euros.
“Bring me a Coke,” Magnus shouted as she disappeared out the door.
Erin headed down the deserted street a short distance before crossing to the store opposite. She grabbed a pile of chocolate bars, a couple of packs of biscuits and some Cokes for Magnus. That should round her evening off nicely in a diabetic haze. She was leaving the store when she saw a very recognisable figure go into the bar next to the hotel. Crap, what was Heinrekh doing here? If he saw her, the element of a sneak attack from the Third Realm would be gone. She flattened herself against a doorway whilst she pondered her next move.
“You appear to be hiding?” The voice behind her made her jump.
“I am,” she retorted.
“From Heinrekh of Vasmaar?”
“Yep.” She turned to face the elderly man she had met up at Voktere Castle.
“Might I enquire why?”
“We don’t get along too well,” Erin pulled a face.
He laughed softly. “Heinrekh has that effect on people. But as he has killed many of my friends, I will help you avoid his detection. You are staying in the hotel?”
“Yes. I cannot get too close to him or he will detect me.”
The old man ushered her into the shop behind them. It looked like an old book store. “You are correct. I can sense it too.”
“Sense what?”
“Your life force. You have blue energy, do you not?”
Erin gave an apologetic smile. “Regrettably, yes.”
“You are the prophesised child we have heard much about.”
“I don’t believe in prophecy. I think many are made and people pick which one suits their situation best. I should know, I’ve been the talk of several the last few months.”
“Why do you seek the gateway, if not to challenge Heinrekh?”
“Heinrekh has my mother.”
“Then why do you not strike now when he is here in Frejboren?”
“The small matter of an energy shield I have not yet figured out how to remove.”
“Why would he have your mother behind such a shield?” The old man looked at her curiously.
“She is not without powers herself.” He stared at her, waiting for her to continue. “She is Lokranor’s High Priestess.”
“And she is one captive he would not wish to lose, especially with her daughter growing more powerful by the day.”
Erin studied him for a moment. His face was pretty weather beaten, but his white hair gave him such an amiable aura. She was not afraid of him, the only person who had the power to challenge her was Heinrekh.
“Are you a Voktere?” she asked.
“You mean a member of the Vokteren?”
“No. I’ve already surmised you are part of the Vokteren. But I also believe you are a descendant of Isafor Voktere.”
“For one so young, you are quite knowledgeable.”
“When people are trying to kill you, you start to learn quickly,” she shrugged.
“Yes. I am a Voktere descendant.”
An idea popped into Erin’s head. She leant against a bookcase, her gaze never travelling too far from the view of the bar across the street. “This might sound a little weird, but perhaps we could be beneficial to each other on this one occasion.”
“How so?” His face was impassive.
“Heinrekh seeks Valkarin’s tomb, not I believe to resurrect him, but most likely absorb his power. My sole aim is to rescue my mother. If you have any knowledge that will help me release the shield which holds my mother captive, Heinrekh will be severely weakened. Much of his increased power comes from having Lodraill in captivity. And a weakened Heinrekh means he will have less power to harm your followers.”
“An interesting proposal. But was it not a High Priestess who trapped Valkarin in the Second Realm.”
“Millennia ago. I am not suggesting a peace treaty, just a temporary cease-fire whilst we tackle a common enemy.”
The old man considered her words for a moment. “All you require from us is some instruction?”
“Instruction or advice. I live in hope that someone else other than Heinrekh knows how to use blue energy.”
“I will need to consult with the Vokteren before I can say any more. First, I shall require proof that you are who you profess to be.”
Erin raised her hand but he grabbed it. “Not here. Blue energy leaves a trace which Heinrekh will pick up easily.” He pulled her to the back of the shop and through a doorway. “Follow me.”
He headed down a creaky set of wooden stairs to the basement. Erin hesitated. This was the part in films where you screamed at the screen asking why the idiot thought it would be a good idea to follow. She prayed she was not being totally foolish. She did have her energy source if needed.
She followed him into a room lit by flaming torches. The door slammed behind her and the flames went out. Shit, she swore to herself. She’d been trapped. In a flash she spun around hitting every torch with Loxhadrin, they burst back into life. Raising her hands, she drew up a field of energy around her, one pulse from which would most likely vaporise everyone in the room.
“Relax, Erin of Muirhead. We have seen what we needed to. You are indeed the chosen one. My brothers and I will offer you our assistance.”
Erin remained motionless, not knowing whether to trust them or not.
Another cloaked figure stepped forward. “Isafor speaks the truth. We mean you no harm.”
“Isafor?” Erin lowered her hands and the shield. “You’re not….”
&n
bsp; The old man laughed. “No, my child. I am not that old. I just happen to be named after the first Voktere.”
“Do you mind if we head back upstairs? I’m really not good in enclosed spaces and I’d hate to hurt someone just for sneezing.”
There was some muffled laughter from behind her.
“If you wish.”
Erin followed him back upstairs.
Realms Gate: A Realm Divided Page 7
