On the drive down to Inverness, she had finally got Jasper talking about himself.
“I am curious as to what life was like for a Voktere growing up. Were you educated in the normal way?” she asked as she put some speed on the RangeRover.
“Yes. Even in Norway we have schools.”
Birdie smiled. “I meant was your schooling any different because of your family’s secrecy?”
“No. I went to school, graduated then went on to University in Oslo.”
“What of your wife?”
He stared out the window at the scenery. “Lars’ mother was not cut out for the Voktere lifestyle. She left shortly after he was born.”
“Does she see much of Lars?”
“Not since the day she moved to America. He was three years old.” The hatred of his wife was evident in his voice.
“At least he has had the benefit of knowing his father.”
“Meaning?”
“Erin last saw her mother when she was four, likewise she has virtually no memory of her. Her father was killed when she was eight. Since then she has lived with the coldest of step-mothers.”
“So I should not beat myself up that Lars only had one parent?”
“Exactly. One is a damn sight better than none.”
“But the boy has not exactly had a stable family life. Being a Voktere does not come without its dangers.”
Birdie laughed. “The role of future High Priestess of the First and Second Realms isn’t actually a walk in the park either. Lars has been prepared for his future most of his life. Erin kind of had it thrust on her when she came across a Skodrin and Holskund.”
Jasper let out a rare chuckle. “Okay, let’s agree that both children have not had it easy.”
“Where Erin differs, is that she has no-one to turn to for help. She possesses powers we can only imagine. And I know it scares her. She’s fiery enough as it is, yet knowing that all it takes is one moment of anger and she could kill those she loves, that must be terrifying to live with.”
“I do believe I saw a flash of that temper on the day I arrived.”
“Trust me, that was nothing. When she loses her temper, the Loxhadrin really starts to fly. And you don’t want to be within a five mile radius.”
“Thanks for the advice,” Jasper smiled.
“So what is it you’re keen to research at the Library? I thought most items were on-line nowadays.”
“A lot of the reference material can only be accessed from the Library’s archives. Erin was asking me about a link between the McLomards and the Voktere family.”
“Why would she think there was one?”
“Because she has come across the Voktere crest in the house.” He twisted his signet ring. “She recognised the insignia on my ring and asked about it.”
Birdie’s brows knit together. “I’ve never see the crest before. Perhaps it is in one of the many books we have?”
“I don’t think so. She said she could not show it to me, which signifies it is somewhere private.”
“Do you think this link could signify anything?”
“Perhaps. I believe it is worth exploring all avenues, even if they look unimportant. The key is sometimes in the minutest of details.”
They continued on in silence for a while. Birdie was wracking her brains trying to think where Erin could have seen the Voktere crest. She drew a blank.
“Have you ever been to the Second Realm?” she continued her interrogation of Jasper.
“No. I’m not really the adventurous type. I prefer a more research based role.”
“I would never have guessed,” Birdie teased. “It is a shame though, you would enjoy the Lokranor Archives.”
“You’ve been inside the Archives?”
“Yes. Researching Erin’s prophecy. After we found her mother was still alive, her future shifted dramatically. That was where we discovered she has two Valkarin blood lines in her.”
“You are forgetting also that I am part of the Vokteren. We are not altogether welcome in Lokranor.”
“Oh yes, I forgot,” Birdie puffed out her cheek. “Since Erin arrived back here, all past allegiances seem to have been given a good shake up. Would you believe Heinrekh himself walked through the door a few weeks ago?”
Jasper’s draw dropped wide open. “You had Heinrekh under your roof?”
“Yes. King Olav had stupidly taken his girlfriend Sasha hostage. As she is Erin’s closest friend, Heinrekh quite literally lit the touch paper and stood back.”
“Which is why Prince Wilhelm and his cousin are now living with you,” he nodded. “The prince is smart for one so young. He chose the correct side to stand on.”
“That is what you will discover about Erin, she does not take sides. She sees the right or wrong in each event. On that particular occasion, Olav was the one who commit the crime, so she by all accounts handed his butt to him.”
Jasper shook his head. “He must be insane to lose his only asset. Two assets if you count his heir.”
“Yes, Wilhelm will be a huge help when we make our move to get Lodraill. His knowledge of military strategy will be invaluable.”
“Is there a relationship between Wilhelm and Erin?”
Birdie thought about her response for a moment. “Yes and no. The attraction is there, as well as many feelings, but Erin is young. Now they are both living in the same house, perhaps something more concrete might develop. “
“Do you mind me asking why you are alone?”
“Probably for the same reason you are. After Erin’s father was killed, any chance of a normal life I had vanished. It is difficult to hide the existence of the Second Realm and James’s legacy to his daughter from a partner.”
Birdie pulled up in front of the library. “I need to collect a few provisions. Can I meet you inside later?”
“Of course,” Jasper slipped out the car.
She watched him head into the building with a wry smile on her face. Their lives were not altogether dissimilar. Both studious, both harbouring family secrets that they did not particularly want, and both with headstrong children.
Jasper had been buried in the archives for a good few hours, it was his idea of paradise. So many old scrolls and documents to sift through. He had come across a brief article linking Alexander McLomard and Broslin Voktere together, some nine centuries ago. There was only one reason why a Voktere and McLomard would join forces, and that would be to contain Heinrekh’s predecessor if they got too close to Valkarin’s tomb.
It seemed strange that an article of this nature should be in a public library but the document was very old and most people would not understand what they were reading. It detailed a meeting between the two, whereby two copies of a book were drawn up, one to be held by each family. In times of trouble, they would come to each other’s aid with the knowledge contained in the Book of Gateways. Jasper’s eyes widened in surprise. Surely not, was his first thought. He continued reading. The books were to be hidden from view and only ever seen by the head of the family, so secret was the information within. Each household would mark the other’s crest into the fabric of their homes as a sign of allegiance.
Jasper sat back in his chair and rubbed his temples. He had of course heard rumour of the book, never had he imagined there were two. And if Erin has seen the Voktere crest, then at one time the book had been in the McLomard’s possession. He felt slightly breathless as the next thought popped into his mind. What if she had found the book? He imagined the Voktere copy had long been lost, as part of the Castle had been destroyed by fire two hundred years ago. If Isafor had a copy, he would have shown him.
Birdie broke his train of thought. “Are you ready to go? I need to get back to Muirhead.”
“Yes,” he packed up his notepads. He would use the trip home to ask about the McLomard home.
“Did you find a link to the two families?”
“Yes. We had an alliance about nine hundred years ago, similar to our pact today.”
“It
is strange how history has a habit of repeating itself,” Birdie responded, her mind clearly on trying to negotiate the late afternoon traffic. In Frejboren, rush hour consisted of about ten cars.
“Talking of history, when was the McLomard house built? It is in impressive condition.”
“Work was started on it about five hundred years ago, the most recent wing is around three hundred years old.”
Jasper felt his spirits plummet. The crest Erin had seen was obviously not Broslin Voktere’s original mark.
“Although,” Birdie continued as she pulled onto the motorway, “the South Tower was built around part of the original house that was already standing, some nine centuries ago.”
His mood soared again. “I understand the South Tower has just been re-opened.”
“Yes, Wilhelm is occupying it. We thought it best to give him some space, he is not used to living in such close quarters with others.”
Jasper had not been this excited ever. Erin had possibly made the discovering of the millennia. And if she had, she had wisely not said anything about it. When you discover something of that magnitude, who do you tell?
Birdie picked up on his change in mood. “You found something at the library, didn’t you? You’re grinning like a cat that has just been given a bowl of double cream.”
“Unless I am putting two and two together and getting five, I think I may have. I need to speak with Erin first to know for sure. But if I am right, our path into Vasmaar will be much smoother.”
“I guess I’d better hit the accelerator then.” Impatience was a McLomard trait.
As is always the way, when in a hurry, a legion of tractors seemed to be out to the road. And as a result, Birdie’s language started to deteriorate.
“Are you always this aggressive behind the wheel?” Jasper glanced at her hunched stance.
“No. I’m just in a hurry to get home. I’m not very good at secrets. I like to know everything right away.”
Jasper laughed. “I bet you were a nightmare around Christmas.”
“Yes,” she threw him a scowl and honked her horn. “Jacques could drive that bloody tractor quicker.”
“Hey, Jasper,” Erin headed into the study. “I understand you were looking for me?” Luckily he was, otherwise she was not quite sure how far she would have gone with Wilhelm.
“Yes,” he paced up and down. “I did some research on how the Voktere crest came to be in your house.”
“You found something?” she was intrigued.
“I came across a document relating to an alliance struck up nine hundred years ago between Alexander McLomard and Broslin Voktere.”
“A McLomard-Voktere alliance, surely not,” she smiled.
“To mark this alliance they each had the other’s crest engraved into their house. And as the only part of this house that goes back that far in time is in the South Tower, that is where I imagine you found my family’s crest.”
“Yes. You’re pretty good at this sleuthing.”
“I am not without talent,” he gave a faint smile. “Now, is there any chance I can see it?”
“The crest?”
“I meant the book.”
“Book?” Erin was caught off guard.
“The one the crest protects.”
“What makes you think there is a book behind the crest?” This guy had done his homework too well, she cursed.
“The document referred to each family having a copy of the Book of Gateways. I imagine the one in Voktere Castle has long been destroyed. But something tells me yours is intact.”
“That was over nine hundred years ago. Nothing like that could have survived.”
“Humour me. I am curious to see how my family’s crest was carved so many years ago.”
She was saved by the arrival of yet another unexpected visitor. Gudrun.
“Erin,” the queen kissed her on the cheek cordially. “I do hope I am not disrupting you too much, but I wanted to see my son.”
“You are most welcome, Gudrun. Come I will take you to him.” Erin glanced back at Jasper with her best apologetic look. “We can conclude this matter later?”
He nodded, clearly unimpressed with being side-lined.
“Wilhelm is in the South Tower,” Erin showed her the way. “We thought he could do with his own space.”
“And how is he?”
“Getting used to First Realm ways. But I know he misses you.”
Gudrun waived her hand dismissively. “Nonsense, all I ever did was nag him.”
“I would disagree.” And the proof she needed was seeing Wilhelm’s face when he set eyes on his mother. She felt them alone.
Erin managed to track down Birdie later. Finding an undisturbed corner of the house was becoming difficult.”
“Can I have a word?”
“Of course, Erin. What’s on your mind?”
She glanced out the window, the weather was still holding. “How about we go for a stroll, the dogs could use it?”
Birdie understood, they need complete privacy. “Good idea. I am in need of a stretch before it gets dark.”
Wrapped up warm, they headed out towards the loch. “So what is it you need to discuss? Your relationship with Wilhelm?”
Erin felt the colour flood back into her cheeks. “No, not Wilhelm.”
“You are taking precautions, aren’t you?”
Erin’s cheeks turned from pink to puce. “I am not sleeping with Wilhelm,” she hissed. “And before you say it, this talk has absolutely nothing to do with him. Actually that’s not entirely true, it has nothing to do with our relationship.”
“Fine. Then what is it?”
“Did Jasper tell you what he was researching?”
“Yes, some connection between the Voktere and the McLomards.”
“The concise version is to say that there was a treaty, and each party given a copy of a certain book to safeguard. I’ve found said book.”
Birdie wasn’t that clued in. “A book? What is it about?”
“The Book of Gateways.”
The choking sound her aunt emitted made Erin think she’d inhaled several mosquitos. “That actually exists?”
“Yep. Buried for centuries in the South Tower.”
“How did you find it? People have been searching for that for centuries?”
“And all it takes in one hormonal, curious teen. Go on, you can say it.”
“Say what?”
“That I’m quite brilliant,” she beamed.
“Of course you are, you’re a McLomard,” Birdie retorted. “Who else knows about this find?”
“This is the reason for this talk. Wilhelm obviously. He was with me when we found it.”
“And no-one else?”
“No. Jasper is pretty sure I’ve unearthed it. That’s what he was trying to get out of me when Gudrun appeared.” Erin threw a stick for Jacques. “How well do you trust Jasper?”
“I’m not sure,” Birdie mused. “He keeps very much to himself, but being part of the Vokteren has cost him his family.”
“Hopefully we can retrieve Lars for him.”
“Yes. He has no burning ambition to lead the family to greatness, but I get the impression if he were to discover the book is in our possession, he would feel honour bound to share this with the Vokteren. And that would bring us a whole manner of other problems.”
“The question is, what do I do with it? I’m not altogether sure that it is safe staying in the South Tower. But where else can I hide it that it cannot be detected through sorcery.”
“Your concealed chamber?”
“Too obvious.”
“The Mausoleum, perhaps?”
“Not a bad option, but I really don’t want it that far from my sight.”
“The house does have other hidden locations.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I know of one. There is a passageway from your father’s bedroom down to his concealed chamber. There must be a good spot between the two to hide the
book.”
“That sounds pretty good. I take it you know how to get in?”
“Of course. We spent most of our childhood hiding in these passageways.”
“Great. When we get back, you can show me to how to get in and later, after dinner, perhaps you can keep Jasper busy whilst I sneak off and remove the book from its current location.”
Realms Gate: A Realm Divided Page 16
