Treasure So Rare (Women of Strength Time Travel Trilogy)

by Grace Brannigan

  "It was not that long ago you were determined to kill him."

  "I admit I am conflicted."

  "It is wise to trust yourself, whatever your judgment might be, but make no final decision in haste lest you regret it once done."

  Iliana stared at her son. "For a moment," she murmured, "I fell deeply into a memory. Is he too, a sorcerer? How is it that I almost believed him? How would he know my hair is dark when all others see light gold hair?"

  ¤¤

  Iliana pushed the great wooden door closed, thankful she had thought to spread goose's grease along the iron hinges earlier that morning. Ever since the arrival of Camdork and his men, she had not had a moment's respite. Despite the provisions and work the presence of fifty extra men entailed, Iliana was more inclined to worry about their proximity. She was truly saddened by the murder of her maid. Agnes had never harmed anyone. What if it was not Camdork? Could it have been the sorcerer who crept into the village at night?

  Camdork meanwhile had taken over Sir William's empty chambers. It still irked Iliana that he had shunned the small cell-like chamber she had had Edward take him to. She had been as ungracious to him as she was capable, and still the man took no hint. He remained polite and courteous. Iliana knew she should be ashamed of her conduct, yet she could conjure no feeling of remorse.

  It had been reported back to her that Camdork had laughingly told Edward he could not torture his six foot three frame in such a puny bed. He had then proceeded to enter each of the private rooms until he found what suited his needs. He had taken possession of Sir William's empty chamber with its enormous bed, and Iliana supposed the knave would have taken over her chambers had he not first found another suitable to his needs.

  Iliana pulled her hood up and looked quickly about. Lightly, she ran toward the second courtyard, her slippers silent on the dirt underfoot. The sky was overcast and moonless, the air warm. Knowing her way from long practice, Iliana did not falter in the darkness. When she reached the twisted double tree, she stopped, willing her body to relax and her heart to still. She had learned it was not safe to enter the sacred circle with her mind in turmoil. She must discover the truth of Agnes' death, for it troubled her greatly, not knowing who had been responsible.

  Rowenna swore Agnes spoke of meeting Camdork, yet he denied any involvement. It had been he who called in her constable to investigate the death.

  Constantly playing in her mind was Camdork's scurrilous reputation. His actions of years' past did nothing to encourage her to think he would ever speak the truth. Yet what if he spoke the truth, what if she were wrong? Did she dare accuse one of the queen's favorites on suspicion alone? She needed proof, of that she was certain.

  Camdork had been strangely silent on their upcoming nuptials. He had not sought to claim his rights, as Iliana feared he would. Nor had he called the priest to perform any ritual services. She wondered anew at his waiting game.

  Slowly drawing in her breath, Iliana derived strength from the night around her. She moved forward carefully, a familiar energy enveloping her as she walked toward the trees growing in an eight foot circle. Entering the circle, Iliana found the rock which was fashioned into a seat, and sat down. She closed her eyes, letting the energy of the circle envelope her. It was not long before she felt another presence, and Iliana let the burden of her responsibilities fall from her shoulders. A new peace entered her, lifting her gently as the air danced and wove around her with blue, green and pink light.

  ¤¤

  Pinching the candle wick, Erik extinguished all light, then instantly regretted it as he ran his knee into a tree stump. Gritting his teeth, he cursed mightily under his breath and halted to look around him. A fine fix, this. He'd been indulging his penchant for cigars, smoking the last one he'd stashed before they'd taken his own garments, when he'd caught a glimpse of someone slipping across the courtyard. He was almost certain it was a woman.

  With the recent grisly discovery of Iliana's maid, Erik was on high alert for anything suspicious, so it was out of necessity he had quietly followed the shadowy figure.

  Having steadily begun to look into Camdork's so-called mission for the queen, he remained suspicious of everyone. A word here and there among the men had garnered a bit of information, but he felt there was much more to be had. He had not been idly playing war games but had insinuated himself into their conversations, or the edges thereof. It both irked and pleased him that these men, the mercenaries Camdork had hired to ride with him, had no clue he was not their true leader. Many stories had come to light during the time he had spent with these men, and much of it gave him a sick churning in his normally iron-clad stomach. To be sure, the man had to be stopped, for Camdork was a monster who thought nothing of snapping the neck of another, be it man, woman or child, over a perceived offense. He couldn’t fathom that the man had pleased a queen. What queen would favor someone who made a habit of dastardly acts? Or...was it all an act? Was he really involved in something other than what he claimed, keeping the countryside safe for his queen?

  A slight crack of twigs underfoot made him pause. Erik waited, trying to pierce the darkness, but then all fell silent. Carefully, he inched forward, still unable to see much of anything. There appeared to be even denser trees and brush before him. He shook his head, perplexed. By the saints he would stake his life the figure had walked into the trees where he stood, and he should have heard some sound...yet the night remained hushed.

  Erik turned and began to retrace his steps, then stopped dead. The scent of roses was abruptly, powerfully all around him. Even as the scent overpowered his senses, it began to fade. Inexplicably, Erik felt his body responding as an image of Iliana came to mind.

  "Son of a bitch." Erik drew out his cigar, managed to relight it, then clenched it between his teeth.

  He stepped forward and peered once more into the trees, but it seemed impossible for anyone to have passed through here. If he had a bit of light, it might be easier to tell. There was nothing for it but for him to come back during the day. If there were tracks of any kind, he would find them.

  ¤¤

  Warmth radiated around Iliana, filling her, touching the very dregs of loneliness which were ever present. Time was running out, she sensed it. But would she be successful? And what would happen to her and William if she failed to find the treasure?

  "Alas, I have not yet found the green gem," she murmured dispiritedly.

  It is nearer all the while, even as the tempest draws closer. Keep close your faith, for only through the green gem's purity and your own strength shall you survive the storm. He shall help protect you.

  Iliana became very still. "He?" she asked the voice all around her. "I know not any man who would step forward and safeguard me. Forever am I reminded of my true aloneness in this world. This is the first time you have told me of a man."

  Seek out the one who has come.

  Disbelieving, Iliana stirred uneasily. "Surely you do not speak of Camdork! He is a dishonorable savage." Yet even she felt her words lacked true conviction.

  He holds the answer to the way back that you seek. Only he can help you disclose the secret of the green gem.

  Iliana rose to her feet, her eyes focusing blearily on the dark forest all around her. Her connection, like a silken thread, was broken.

  The voice which came to her in this sacred circle she had learned to trust. Iliana rubbed her eyes, then clenched her fingers tightly, worried about the implications of what she had learned. How could she seek him out? How did she dare trust him?

  Iliana sealed the energy and left the circle.

  She had not gone far when she heard her name being called. Hastily wiping her eyes dry, Iliana turned to find John the storyteller behind her. He was dressed in dark clothes, as was she, with a dark mantle over his head. Iliana felt a moment's unease, then pushed the thought aside when she saw his grin.

  "John, what are you about this time of night?"

  Sheepishly, he held up a brace of hare. "I
did not expect to see you tonight, my lady."

  "It is apparently so." Iliana grimaced, not pleased. "You push our friendship, John, to let me know you have been poaching. It is a grave offense, if the steward were to catch you. One in the forest at night may not present dire circumstances, but if many should decide to follow your example --"

  John bowed his head abjectly. "Please do not be angry. The night lured me, 'tis true, but only because I know of a family in dire need of this feast of rabbit or I would not venture out on such a pursuit."

  Instantly, Iliana berated herself. "Of course, I should have known someone was in need of assistance. But, John, never again should you do this, you know the law as well as I. I cannot stand behind you should you be caught taking game. Send the family to me. I shall provide if a family goes hungry."

  "They are new to the town, they know not of your generosity. Not all lords and ladies provide for their people." If she sensed a note of bitterness, Iliana did not have the time to ponder it. The light was breaking, dawn would soon see the village stirring. As bits of light began to steal closer, Iliana stared at his forehead. "John, have you hurt yourself? You are bleeding."

  He stepped back. "No, my lady, just a branch in the night."

  She thought she heard something at the far end of the courtyard, and she stood still, looking deeply, but the dark hid whatever it was.

  "I must hurry, John, before the keep is awake. Do not chance this again," she warned.

  "I promise," he said.

  As Iliana hurried away, she threw a last glance over her shoulder. "Shall I see you noontide?"

  "Nay," called John, "I will be unable to attend the festivities. Do not worry. I shall meet up with you again. The children have need of my stories, have they not?"

  "Yes, John, good day," she called softly back to him.

  Indeed, Iliana thought, the children were greatly entertained by John. He had appeared one day, traveling from the north, he said, and was a storyteller by trade. He had taken to telling stories in the great hall, spinning tall tales about knights and dragons. The young man had looked ill the first time he had come to the hall looking for food. She had allowed him food, and as he talked, she'd thought the children would be greatly entertained by his stories. The arrangement worked splendidly. Iliana was still somewhat disturbed that she had found him about so late at night. It was the first time she had encountered someone when she visited the sacred circle. She could not afford to be careless and would have to be more cautious in the future.

  ¤¤

  Mandrak watched her hurry away. He had been close, so close. Even now the circle was closed to him, yet he felt the vibrations as the power settled down into the earth, the roots of the trees reaching deep, deeper than even his sorcery could penetrate. He melted back into the shadows, waving his arm to pull a cloak of spells about him. Even though he grew impatient, he would wait for the right time. Several shadows moved across the courtyard, young lovers, no doubt. His lip curled. How much time was wasted in youth, when there was real power within their grasp, did they but know it.

  As he left the walls of the keep behind, he summoned his witches. He smiled secretly, so easily were they led by the promise of power. A few gaudy baubles here and there, the promise of spells never before seen, and they were his to command. When he had the power of the gem in his hand, he would rid the earth of their filth. Dirty scavengers, their eyes bright with greed and lost hope.

  As he stood at the edge of the wood, they gathered around him, keeping a respectful distance as they should. All except for Sorenta. That one he did not trust fully. He sensed something different about her and he watched her closely these last weeks. All the witches save her pandered to him, but she stood aloof, watching, watching.

  Horses approached. Mandrak waited for them to come to him. His nostrils twitched, his heightened senses picking up the most minute of details. Camdork and two other men. Dirty, smelling of swine, they were a disreputable looking bunch.

  "Sorcerer." Camdork jumped from his horse and even in the dark Mandrak saw the pitiful condition of his mount. "I have arrived as promised."

  "Who are these men you travel with?"

  Camdork looked behind him. "My trusted men."

  Mandrak walked away from the two who remained mounted. "And what have you brought me? Have you brought me news of the gem?"

  "Nay. I heard tales of it being seen, that is all."

  "I want more than tales." Mandrak snapped. He turned his head, listening. "You were otherwise occupied, were you not? I fear you did not look for the gem at all."

  Camdork laughed, and Mandrak heard his uneasiness. "Of course I have done as promised. I rode all night to get here for our meeting."

  "You have dallied with the queen when you should have been here within this place. Her court sucks more life from you every day and in your ignorance you know nothing."

  "I have placed my men inside those walls, what more could I do? You declared my mission here cursed."

  "Your mission to bed the fair Iliana was doomed. You should have taken yourself within those walls. Now you have done me no favors, placing a pretender in the walls when it is you who should gather information."

  "Sorcerer!" Camdork exclaimed, "my man Ulrich watches and reports to me. The pretender is --"

  "The pretender is clever," Mandrak said coldly. "He watches and listens to everything. I merely told you to befriend him, keep him close, not to let him go in your stead."

  "Well, it is done now," Camdork said sullenly. "What would you have me do, change places now?"

  "Be warned your usefulness to me is becoming unsatisfactory."

  Camdork stood up straight. "I have useful contacts in court. I will go back to my queen and learn what there is to know about the green gem you seek. I will report back when I return."

  Mandrak looked at him, not hiding his disdain. "Then do so. Leave now. I will expect useful information upon your return."

  "You will not be disappointed." With a curt nod, Camdork mounted his already exhausted horse and with his men, rode quickly back into the forest as light began to break in the sky.

  Mandrak watched him go, thoughtfully. Camdork had proved to be a disappointment. He sighed. Mere men were weak, and Camdork weaker than most in seeking out human pleasures. Mandrak narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. He and Camdork shared some of the same perverse pleasures, but whereas Camdork took great delight and satisfaction in his perversions, he felt curiously detached when torturing those weaker than himself.

  Beyond that, he knew Camdork played a more dangerous game than the pleasures of the flesh. If the queen were to find out, no doubt he would be sentenced to death.

  He turned to the three crones who stood silently, awaiting his direction. "I would hear your news," he said. "Tell me what you know of my lady Iliana and what I may use to gain her cooperation?"

  ¤¤

  Erik stared out the barn door at the light breaking in the sky. He ran the brush over his horse's hindquarters slowly, listening, casually dropping his other hand to the knife at his hip. The destrier nudged him and he picked up the wooden bucket and poured it into the horse's trough.

  "How fares my lady Iliana?" queried a voice from behind him.

  Erik ran the heel of his palm across his borrowed mount's jaw, then turned around. The shadows half concealed the dark figure standing in the stable corner, but then Camdork stepped from the shadows. He was now clean shaven. Erik had been aware for some time that he was being observed, but he had waited to see what transpired. He got an unsettling feeling looking at the other man. With his clean shaven face, they looked even more alike.

  Casually sliding his dagger back into its crude sheath, Erik turned fully to face Camdork, one brow raised. The man looked rough, dressed in tattered dark clothing and short boots. Beyond him Erik saw his horse, its poor head hanging to the ground, blood flecked foam along its mouth.

  "Your horse is ready for death, Man, have you no notion how to treat an animal?"


  Camdork laughed somewhat sourly. "Yea, we've been riding all day. I need a fresh horse. I would have killed the worthless mount, but he at least got me here. Look at me," he laughed, "Peasant's garb stolen for a good cause, surely. I am quite unnoticeable, would you not agree?" He jerked his head back toward the horse. "Even my horse is a borrowed nag and quite unremarkable. There is nothing to make me memorable. A perfect situation so that I might discover what plot is afoot against my queen."

  "So you say," Erik commented. "Do you know what happened to the girl Agnes?" he asked, watching the man closely.

  Camdork shrugged. "There was one you could have had for the picking."

  "So it was you who killed the girl?"

  Camdork snapped irritably, "A serving girl -- so what? You sound concerned. Do not become overly comfortable, pretender, for you shall not be here overlong. I grow weary of sleeping in the damp forest." Abruptly, his voice changed. "How do you find the fair Iliana? Is she as beautiful as her sister Graziela?"

  Erik kept his face impassive.

  "Yea, I am sure she is even more beautiful," Camdork added, grimacing.

  Erik watched a strange looking black owl land on a limb in a massive tree beside the stable. It turned its head and watched them with bright red eyes.

  "These circumstances are damnable, to say the least," Camdork lamented. "Having begun this, I must see it through. She is not unduly suspicious?"

  Dryly, Erik said, "She seems only to recall the past and what you had done. She was not excessively welcoming. One would think she despises you."

  Camdork laughed. "It is to be expected. It is a boon to find another sister available, and I have to wonder where she was hidden when last I stayed here. From all accounts she has been on her own far too long. I've a desire to dig myself in deep here, after all there are business needs which must be seen to and this location is perfect to catch traders as they pass through."