"You see that I have powers beyond your understanding?" remarked the sorcerer with a small smile.
"Aye."
"Do not give me a reason to come find you."
"No, my lord sorcerer."
He stepped back from Ulrich, and his face slowly changed back to the rotted flesh. He turned to Camdork. "You took one of my spells," he accused.
Camdork frowned, but Ulrich saw the tell-tale flinch of his eyes.
"You turned a child's carving into a weapon for your own amusement. What did you hope to gain by unleashing a fighter dragon upon Lady Iliana?"
Ulrich clenched his jaw. The dragon gone missing from his pouch.
"It was to get rid of her brat," Camdork said. "That brat will be a distraction when I wed the lady."
Mandrak put his hand up and Ulrich saw Camdork's mouth moving, but without sound.
"If a mother loses a child, what reason is there for her to live? What reason is there for her to search for the treasure? This is your last interference in my business. Next time I will unleash six fighter dragons upon you. It will be great sport to watch them rip you apart."
Mandrak turned to Ulrich. "The Lady Iliana is searching for a most spectacular green gem," he remarked. "Let her find it, but once found, I must have it. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"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 a spell even I cannot break. 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. A mere girl is no match for my wits and magic!"
Ulrich's stomach churned again in queasy protest.
"No, my lord sorcerer."
"When I have the power of the gem, all this --" he waved at his face, "will go away."
With a grin of malice and greed, 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."
"Yes. How will I know where to find you?"
The sorcerer smiled again and Ulrich dropped his gaze to the ground. "I will find you," the sorcerer 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."
With barely a glance at Camdork who still could not speak, 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. He was convinced the sorcerer was indeed mad.
Glumly, Ulrich knew it did not bode well for anyone, especially himself if the sorcerer took a liking to him.
Chapter Ten
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. Why, she wondered as she had wondered before, did she see only bits and pieces of what she needed to know? Why was she not given the entire story so that she could find the gem without further delay? She felt as if someone played with her, allowing her only so much, nothing more.
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 something solid and with a small screech looked up.
"Ulrich! You startled me," she said.
"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 Camdork's men?"
"Of course," he said. "My lord Camdork'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, have you had your repast? 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. His shoulders slumped. How had he come to this point where the face he showed was no longer the man he was?
"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. For a moment 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.
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 the rending burn in his chest. Then gradually, he was pulled up, as if a babe in its mother's arms, 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. He felt the force of the light energy filling his body, expanding him in all ways, so that 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. Despite the pain, 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, eyes closed, all of time now 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, containing the light, and then he hid his hands inside his wide sleeves.
When the light around him fully faded, Mandrak rose to his feet. He left the circle of trees, feeling the change within and the power he now held contained within his body.
He walked across the courtyard, barely noticing Ulrich's eyes wide and watching. He stopped, lifted his hand and looked at the leakage of light, then up at Ulrich.
"What do you think of it, Ulrich?"
"Y-your face, my lord."
Mandrak touched his face with one hand.
"Your skin is ripped away, my lord sorcerer."
Mandrak smiled. "But it does not matter." He pressed his palms over his face, then lifted them to the top of his head. "Now?" he asked, smiling.
Ulrich blinked, stepped back. "Your face is once more as fresh as a young man's."
"Of course. I have the power to heal myself." He looked up into the night sky. "It is glorious to feel this power pulsing through me. Glorious." Slowly, his face changed back to the rotting flesh. "Await my further orders," he instructed briskly.
"Yes, my lord sorcerer."
¤¤
Iliana moved quietly through the keep, up the stairs and along the short hall. She knocked upon Erik's door, then gently pushed it inward.
"Erik?" she called softly. He stood at the window embrasure, the linen covering pushed aside, as he stared out into the dark night. Naked from the waist up, with merely his leggings in place and barely covering his well muscled calves, his bare feet were placed upon what had to be a cold stone floor. He turned at her entrance, a smile lighting his eyes and then his face.
Iliana studied his well muscled chest, the light tracing of hair which ran down into his leggings. Hard muscle and brawn, and a fearsome scar on his neck and chest.
She moved into his chamber. "Erik -- how fares your wound?"
Erik turned his arm so the wound was more easily seen, the flesh knitted together, but still pink. "It is healing well," he said dismissively, "Sorenta supplied me with more of the healing powder." He smiled. "That, and your healing touch."
Iliana gently touched the skin beside the wound. "Good, there is no heat under the skin."
"Do not worry over it," he said. Instead, he smiled down at her, the light and desire in his green eyes her undoing. It fanned a spark in Iliana which had lain dormant, suppressed, for a very long time. Erik closed the small gap between them, reached out and grasped her shoulders. Slowly, he urged her into the heated warmth of his embrace.
Iliana touched the warm skin of his back, closed her eyes and inhaled his scent, but then pulled back slightly. She touched the scar on his neck which ran down over his chest. "Erik, the scars you have are most fearsome. Please tell me how this occurred." Gently, she traced the scar, its once puckered skin now flat and white. Up close like this, she could see where the skin had been torn and then pulled together.
"Iliana, it is not a pretty tale. Perhaps it is best left for another time. I have lived a life full of danger, I will be the first to admit that to you. Overall, I have been successful in my quests, but I will admit I have not always followed the prudent path."
She gave a slight shiver. "Please, Erik, I would know now." She looked up at him, gave him a slight smile. "We have all night, do we not?"
"William?"
"He sleeps with Rowenna by his side."
"Then let us be comfortable instead of by this drafty window." He took her hand and led her to the bed. He clasped her around the waist and she gripped his muscular arms as he lifted her onto the high bed. They half-reclined on the bed furs, his fingers tracing up and down her arm. Iliana tried to concentrate as he began his story.
"When I was a lad at sea barely into my teen years, I began working for my government. This government is similar to the courts as you know them today in your world. I began by doing a little spying. I was very good at my job but it was fairly secretive work. As time went on, I received increased responsibilities due to my diligence. During this time I met my brother Darien in a tavern fight."
She looked at him wide-eyed. "You fought with your brother?"
He smiled in reminiscence. "Yes, we were caught up in a fight. As we were about to beat the tar out of each other, we really looked at one another. We knew right away something unusual was happening. We exchanged our stories, and decided in the end we shared the same father. Darien knew his father until he was fifteen, where upon his -- our father -- just disappeared one day. I never knew the man, as he left my mother before I was born."
"I find that sad, Erik, that you never had your father. And yet it is a familiar story, is it not? Look at my own little William," she mused. "And yet you and your brother found each other, that is surely a reason to rejoice?"
"Yes -- and it was a chance encounter. My route to the sea was chosen by me, whereas Darien's was not. When we met, he had just quit the sea. But that really is a story for another time. As my adventures for the government grew more dangerous, I began to track a treacherous fellow who went by many names. I was not even sure of his real identity, only the current name at any given moment. There was nothing he would hesitate to do for money, no deed too evil. I had been tracking him for six years or more. One night he and four men jumped me on my own vessel as we sat docked in the harbor. He killed two of my men that night. We fought and he laughed as he slit my throat with a dagger. He swore to cut off my head, and he nearly succeeded."
His eyes were the darkest green she had ever seen.
"I did not think I would survive that night," he added somberly. "I had been left for dead, but not before I had turned his own dagger on him and stuck him in the heart."
Iliana's hands felt ice cold, and she buried them in the bed furs. "Erik, how did you survive?" she asked, pressing a light kiss along the scar on his neck.
"My brother Darien came looking for me. I had tried to staunch the flow of blood but it was going badly. He found me, packed the wound tight with cloth and got two men to carry me to land. I vaguely recall the carriage ride as he dashed through the streets of Virginia to a surgeon friend of his. I was lucky that day. The surgeon patched me up as best he could and I wavered between life and death for ten days. Much of it I do not remember, but when I finally awoke, I could not speak."
"Erik." Iliana soothingly pressed her lips to his neck, moved along the scar with her lips, tears filming her eyes as she thought of what he had suffered. "And yet you recovered," she said, "although it must have been a painful and often disheartening journey."
He nodded. "Just before I came through this time, I had once again foiled this fellow's plans for slave trading. Our crews got into a skirmish and he threw himself in the sea, to his death, I presume. None could have survived with the gut wound he suffered. It was unjust in its way. Because of the harm he inflicted on others, I regret I was not able to bring him to justice."
"Justice may have been served upon him, nonetheless," she said, pressing a soft kiss just to the side of his mouth. "Perhaps he was eaten by a sea creature."
Erik looked at her, grinning. "Perhaps. I see you are bloodthirsty."
"I hate the idea that he hurt you," she blurted, "so it is fitting that he should meet such an end." Iliana frowned. "But what of the first time, when he cut your neck and you managed to stab him? How did he survive that?"
"You are right to question that, Iliana. I do not know, but it was rumored he'd sold his soul to the devil."
Iliana shivered, then snuggled close to Erik. "That is frightening, Erik."
"He was pure evil. How else would he survive a knife thrust to the heart?"
&n
bsp; Gently, Erik splayed his fingers along her jaw. She drew in a deep breath, closed her eyes as his mouth touched hers. Many years of buried need rose to the surface, engulfing Iliana, heating her body to liquid fire.
Iliana had thought this man was her enemy and now she craved his touch. She wanted to be part of him, feel the breath in him catch as hers did the same. She wanted to make love with him among the bed furs, as the chill air outside threw frost upon the morning grass.
"How long have I waited?" he murmured against her lips. "How long have I yearned to find you, Iliana -- to find you again?" He smiled. "To have you in my arms. Do not tremble, my love, do not fear me."
"I do not fear you, Erik. I fear I may disappoint." She firmed her lips, allowed him to lift her face to his. "I spent seven nights in your bed. Why then can I not remember?" she asked with frustration.
The darkness of her hair flowed between them. Erik pulled her ever closer, enfolded her in his embrace and she rejoiced in the heat of his skin next to her.
Touch and the sensation of fingers over skin, a wild heat enveloping them. Anticipation curled a tight knot in Iliana's stomach.
Her fingers played tentatively over his chest, daringly moving across a taut, flat stomach.
His lips moved across her cheek, lightly caressed the skin of her jaw, touched ever so briefly, too briefly, upon her lips.
Iliana lay flat on her back beside Erik, then leaned on her elbow, closer, closer, her hips sliding across his lower body, her eyes opening, looking at him, seeing her own reflection in his eyes.
"Your eyes are green like the emerald I seek," she said in wonder.
Erik's gaze sharpened. "Aye," he said, "you spoke those words before."
"'Tis true," she whispered, then frowned. "How could I think you were him? You speak the truth where he knows only deceit. You are not him, he is not you." A mixture of fear and relief raced through her. "When you first arrived I cursed your arrival, your arrogance, but as I learn about you, Erik, I am not sorry you are here. I am glad you have found me, and I hope a time will come that I recall our time together."
Erik laughed, and he gave her his grin. "It matters not, now does it, my lady Iliana? Tonight is the beginning of our first time together. I hope it pleases you so that you never think to leave again."
Treasure So Rare (Women of Strength Time Travel Trilogy) Page 15
