"You must take them on your journey," said Sorenta. "You never know when they may come in useful. And who knows, maybe young William will need his in the future for his own daring adventures."
Iliana shrugged, and with a smile Rowenna folded them tightly and tucked them into Iliana's saddle bag.
"God speed," said Rowenna. She stepped up to Erik with William in front of him in the saddle. "Good bye, little William." William kicked his feet and Rowenna touched his small foot in its leather shoe, then she stepped back.
"We pray for your safe return to your own time," said Lady Graziela, "but do remember you are welcome here if you do not find the doorway you seek. There are no words to repay what we owe."
"Journey far until you can pass no further," said Sorenta. "You will find a port rich with history and a sea that will embrace the spirit of your souls, eager to show you the way back."
"Good bye, Sorenta," Iliana said fondly. "Good bye."
And so it was they left Dutton Keep. As they crossed the drawbridge over the moat, they soon came upon people working the fields. Iliana marveled at the activity in the fields and the village, the new bloom that hung even over the hills in the distance. There were many waves of goodbye and calls of good wishes.
Iliana looked at him. "Edward was looking quite glum. What did you say to him?"
"I told him he was in charge of overseeing the security of the keep. He was to report anything troublesome directly to Albert, the new officer in chief."
She smiled. "A big responsibility and certainly it brought a big smile to his face."
"He's a good lad and I will miss him," Erik said. He looked over at her. "And you, Iliana, will you miss this place?"
Iliana smiled, looking at the village behind them. "Some of the people, surely, but anything else? No, I do not think so, though I admit I am anxious to see the place we will call home."
"As am I," remarked Erik. He smiled and laughed aloud.
Iliana lifted a brow.
"I packed your flamberge rapier," he said. "Did you forget?"
"I did not forget. I was unsure about bringing it to my new life."
He laughed. "My dear, it will make a grand tale. A sword you had fashioned for your hand in the thirteenth century, when that style of sword never made an appearance until the sixteenth century."
"I don't know -- perhaps I saw it in my travels?"
"Most definitely."
"How can you be so sure?" she asked.
"When we arrive at my ship, God willing, I will explain."
"One more mystery, Erik?"
"And easily solved," he said.
As they rode the same rutted paths Erik had taken upon his journey here, she thought of the differences that had been wrought. But she feared, too, what they might find.
"The quicker the journey to the sea, the better I will like it," he said. "We can better assess the situation once we know what will be found at the coast." No sooner had he spoken then he saw a rider fast approaching and another group of riders hard on their heels.
"Iliana," Erik said quickly, "you and William ride for the cover of the woods. Quickly. Stay safely under cover until I come for you."
She looked toward the approaching riders. "Erik --"
"Please," he said, "Go now."
Iliana spurred her horse for the cover of the trees, but not before she saw the face of the lone rider. With fear in her heart, she saw a blond haired man with an uncanny resemblance to Erik. He'd been flushed out and was headed directly for Erik, his face that of a man desperate and seeing his own death.
¤¤
Erik saw his chance to intercept Camdork, but before he could do anything, the man's horse stumbled and fell to the ground and lay there, sides heaving with exhaustion. Camdork rolled on the stony ground, his sword in hand as he gained his feet. As if realizing the futility of outrunning the riders that would soon be upon him, he took a stance, his sword at the ready. Erik saw he only had one good hand, the other, no doubt broken that night in the stable, hung at a twisted angle.
Erik dismounted and slapped his own horse, heading him in the direction of where Iliana waited in the woods. He wouldn't allow Camdork an easy means of escape.
"Where is my man Jock?"
"No doubt the bottom of the sea." He laughed. "I ripped him apart and then I burned your ship in the water."
Erik drew a deep breath, a hard ache welling inside. "So is this the end you envisioned?" he asked softly. "Dying alone on a barren plain?"
"This is no end, it is the beginning!" Camdork yelled. He rushed Erik, his sword arm up and slicing downward toward his shoulder.
They met chest to chest as Erik deflected the blade with his own, the sound of hardened steel ringing deafeningly in his ears and across the open field. Erik had seen eyes such as Camdork's before, the desperation of men who knew death waited just a hair's breadth away. Camdork had that knowledge and he fought hard and viciously.
The man was like a madman, but in the end the disadvantage of using only one hand and arm lost him his sword. It flew from his hand and landed five or more feet away.
Erik stood over him, breathing hard, and then Desryn's troop reached them. With a nod to Desryn, he turned and walked away. There was no purpose for him to kill Camdork, the man would have his justice in time.
"God speed, Erik," Desryn called after him.
"Yes, God speed!" shouted Camdork, and his slightly insane laugh followed Erik. "That's what your man Jock said as we ripped his limbs from his body."
Iliana trotted toward him, the destrier tied to her saddle. "Come away, my love," she said softly, "it can do no good to hear the ravings of a madman."
"It will do me good to push his teeth to the back of his head," Erik said tautly.
"Da, Da."
William, still in Iliana's arms, stiffened his body and leaned away from her, holding his arms down to Erik. Iliana quickly gripped him before he could fall.
"Da, Da, Da." William's cries grew more insistent.
Erik's face softened, and he took the boy as the lad stared up at him with his deep green eyes.
Erik looked at Iliana, then at William. "Come," he said. "It is time to go."
¤¤
Late afternoon was almost upon them when Iliana suddenly saw a rush of images. She stopped her horse, blinking rapidly. The monastery, her journey through a dark tunnel of time. Suddenly, many questions had answers, knowledge she had sought for three years.
Erik looked back and turned his mount to trot back to her. "Iliana?"
"It is you," she whispered hoarsely. "I cannot believe I have been blind to the truth. Erik, it was because of you I was able to unlock the secret of the green gem."
"Iliana, you found the gem."
"But I could not have done it on my own. You showed the people how to fight back, and you brought us out of the red soil hills."
"You inspired them to fight."
"You are a rare treasure." She laughed. "Erik Remington in the guise of Weinroof of Camdork, a fitting mockery, don't you agree? The salvation of Dutton Keep came cloaked in the disguise of a scoundrel."
"And you sacrificed your life for this mission, never forget that. I have never encountered a woman so brave or strong." He looked down at the glossy dark curls on William's head. "Remember this moment, William. Your mother is a hero of uncommon courage."
Iliana stared beyond Erik. "I see a glisten of the sea," she said with rising excitement.
"Aye, there it is." Erik looked down at his son. "Come, William, let us see if the Merry Maiden awaits."
They rode quickly toward the sea, the sand flying beneath their horse's hooves.
The sea with its jeweled depths appeared as calm as glass, the sun warm upon their heads and...the harbor lay empty.
Iliana's excitement dimmed and instead she felt a tightness in her chest. Erik looked up and down the coast, then out to sea. Would they return to Dutton Keep, or would they travel further abroad? "I am sorry, Erik," she said, an a
che in her heart.
"So has Camdork spoken the truth?" he wondered aloud. He dismounted, then lifted William down from the saddle. Iliana dismounted and held out her arms for her son. "Do not look worried," he chided gently. "All will be well."
Iliana took William into her arms and kissed his cheeks. In her saddle bag were packed fruit and vegetables and bits of lamb. "I will change William into dry garments and feed him. No doubt he is hungry."
Erik looked back toward the way they had come, frowning. "Iliana, do you know if there is a port in a nearby town?"
"There is, Erik, but it does not matter."
"Of course it matters, my love, perhaps my ship sailed to a --"
Iliana pointed and Erik turned on his heel. The Merry Maiden sailed around a great rock, her sails billowing, his men standing on the deck, waving and cheering. Erik put his arm around Iliana.
"There she is," he said proudly and with obvious relief. "There she is."
¤¤
Erik was loath to leave behind the destrier. He knew the stallion would be good breeding stock should they make it back through time. However, they needed a harbor dock to load the horses onto the ship.
"Captain, am I glad to see you. I feared you dead," exclaimed Jock when he rowed to shore. Normally bland of expression, Jock stared with wide eyes at Iliana, then William, then back to his captain.
"I thought you dead also, Jock, and Camdork swore he sent you to your maker." Erik expelled his breath, shaking his head. "Thank the lord you are well, as are the men. Do not ask to me explain now," he said, clasping his quartermaster's hand, "but yes, this is Iliana whom you met three years ago, and this is my son William."
Slack-jawed for a moment, Jock shook his head. He nodded respectfully at Iliana, then looked at Erik. "The little time I've been here, Captain, I've learned there are things which cannot be explained."
"You have no idea. But I am heartily glad to see you are well, Jock."
"I managed to escape -- Camdork wasn't much concerned with me anyway. He had wheelings and dealings he was involved in. For all his talk of the queen, he was a scheming one, that's for sure."
"For which he will pay dearly," Erik acknowledged. "Jock, I would bring the horses with us. Iliana is certain there is a harbor hereabouts. Do you know of such a harbor?"
"Aye, Captain. We've sailed this sea so many times in these last weeks, I know it like the back of my hand. Just beyond this bit of land there lies a seaport. The loading docks appear quite sturdy and should do us well to load the horses. The men will have to get busy putting up makeshift pens."
"When William is fed, we shall ride there. I want to be off before dark falls."
"Aye, Captain, I don't mind setting sail." Jock looked upwards. "And I don't care if I never see another dragon the rest of my life."
"Don't talk badly of the wer-dragons," Iliana said, feeding William bits of meat. "They helped save our lives."
Jock looked doubtful but made no further comment.
It was decided they would ride to the seaport town while Jock rowed back to the ship and the Merry Maiden was brought round into the harbor.
Iliana had never been to the seaport town, but she knew vaguely of its existence. Now, as they entered the town, dusk had begun to settle. Torches lit the waterfront, and a celebration kept the town bustling. Happy faces, running children, food being cooked on open fire pits. It was certainly a festive air.
They were almost to the wooden docks where the Merry Maiden already waited, when three young men hailed them down and stepped in front of Erik's horse. Erik leaned forward in his saddle and surveyed the happy troupe.
"What is it you celebrate?" he asked.
"The whole countryside celebrates," one of the young men said with a big grin, and it was apparent as he swayed on his feet that he'd imbibed more than his share of ale.
His friends, similarly unsteady on their feet, nodded vigorously. One friend placed an arm across his mate's shoulder. "We are free men. It is a cause for all to celebrate. The fields are lush once more, the water flows freely to our crops, and no boys are marched off to the queen's war. Her ladyship has worked a miracle, and we are free to live once more."
Erik laughed. "It is surely a cause to celebrate," he said, lifting a brow as he looked at Iliana.
The first young man waved his arm. "Come and join us, travelers. Your party is most welcome."
"Aye, that is generous," Erik said, "but we have a ship that sails, and there is no time to delay."
The first young man raised a jug in the air. "On your return journey then," he called as they trotted away. "Upon your return."
"Let us hope there is no return journey," Iliana said simply, hugging William's warm little body to her.
"Aye. It is time we set sail for home," said Erik. He dismounted at the bottom of the wide sturdy plank leading to the Merry Maiden. Jock and seaman Markin greeted them enthusiastically, Markin taking the reins of the destrier.
"Captain, you have been sore missed!" exclaimed Markin.
"It is good to see you also, Markin. This is Iliana and my son William. Let us not linger. Handle him gently," Erik said to the young man as he led the destrier up the plank to the ship.
He turned and took William in his arms, dropped a kiss on the sleeping boy's dark curls, then lifted a hand to Iliana. She dismounted slowly, a bit stiffly, and she was brought into his other arm. He hugged her, dropped a kiss on her nose.
Jock took the reins of Iliana's horse and a smile lit his face.
"Jock," Erik said, "In my arms I have all that I hold dear."
Jock's thick whiskers widened his cheeks as he smiled. "Aye, that I can see, Captain."
"Take the mare up before us. You have a separate holding area for the mare?" he asked.
"Aye," Jock said over his shoulder, rolling his eyes, "and let us hope the mare does not go into heat on the journey back."
Erik laughed and tugged Iliana along with him. "Come, let me introduce you once again to The Merry Maiden and her crew."
¤¤
Iliana stood at the rail beside the man she loved. Today, she had seen yet another side to this fascinating man. Erik, captain of the Merry Maiden, a man whom she knew to be accustomed to the sea, was also a man who loved being a father. He took William about with him as they sailed, explaining to the child the workings of the ship.
No matter their future, Iliana felt content and loved. Some of the memories from her previous time on board the ship had returned, but not all. Perhaps there would always remain the elusive memories.
And then there was the story of her sword which had afforded Erik amusement. In his cabin, he showed her his sword collection. Five swords, all flamberge rapiers, all similar in appearance to her own waved-blade rapier. He had collected them over time, and none of them had been created before the mid 1500's. Had she seen his collection and this sliver of memory had stayed with her? It was one of the missing bits of information that might never return.
They rode the ocean swells, sailing west toward his homeland. Iliana was not sure what to expect, but by the third day she sensed something was troubling Erik. He and Jock continuously consulted their maps and charts, and each time they came away looking less than reassured.
Finally, Iliana blurted, "Erik, I know something weighs upon you. Please, you must tell me if we are in danger or lost at sea."
He looked up from the chart he was currently studying, spread out upon a makeshift table. For a moment he looked affronted, and then he laughed. "Iliana, my dear, I assure you we are not lost."
"Then what troubles you so that you frown and Jock stomps across the deck as if killing the weevils in the wood?"
Momentarily distracted, Erik gave a bark of laughter. "And what do you know of weevils?"
"Markin told me about the weevils that jump from the biscuits when the men eat them, and that's why Jock stomps around on deck."
"Hmm. We do need to talk." Erik motioned her over to where the charts and maps lay upon the
table. "Where is William?"
She smiled. "You know Jock has become quite taken with him."
Erik laughed. "Aye, I've never seen anything like it. Jock turning quite soft for my son." It pleased him. But now he looked down at the chart with a frown. "This chart shows our course when we arrived in this time." He traced with his finger a path from a land mass and across the sea to England. "Here, in the Sargasso Sea we were sucked into a whirlpool vortex, a strange phenomenon I had never experienced in my years on the sea." He moved his finger closer to England. "We emerged here."
"And we sail the same course?" she asked.
"Aye, but we have been on the sea three days and when we arrived, it only took half a day." He frowned. "As a seaman I know is logically impossible to traverse the sea in that amount of time."
Iliana bit her lip. "Do you think we have missed the whirlpool vortex through time?"
He shrugged, troubled. "I know nothing for certain, except that it's all different this time."
"And when we reach the land of your birth, what will we find if we remain in this time?"
Erik looked out over the vast sea. "Wilderness. Beyond that, I don't know."
Iliana took his hand and Erik pulled her close to his side. For a moment, Iliana wished she had her life tapestry. Suddenly, she recalled the Abbess's words. She pushed back from him.
"Erik, the Abbess said that which I once shunned I may now embrace. She stated I had the power to return from whence I came. Have I been blind to the way back?" she asked. "Perhaps we are not meant to return to your time, but to my time."
Erik caught his breath. "How do we do that?" he asked.
Iliana lifted her shoulders and looked up at the cloudless sky. "I remember a dream of falling from the sky, but I never fell to the ground." She caught her breath. "It was a wer-dragon who brought me here. The keepers of the sky." She gripped his arm. "Could that be the way back after all?"
They both looked toward the blue sky.
¤¤
Four more days they rode the seas. Not being a seasoned sailor, Iliana was grateful the sea remained calm and the weather balmy. It was midday through the fourth day that the dark winged creatures appeared in the sky. Jock spotted them first, and one of the sailors in the rigging called out the winged creature's fast approach.
Treasure So Rare (Women of Strength Time Travel Trilogy) Page 22
