Druid Knights 02: Knight of Rapture

by Ruth A. Casie

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “George should be here any minute.” Cora poured herself a second cup of tea. “What do you think Louise will say?” She stirred her cup and took a seat at the library table.

  With Rebeka safe, Arik shifted his concern to Louise and her attack. If she was responsible and the arsonists wore Bran’s tattoo, how was this all connected? He was eager to hear what George had found out.

  “Hello, everyone. I’ve brought a guest.” George came through the library door followed by Detective Chief Inspector Bardsley.

  “Tea, Detective?” Rebeka held the pot poised to pour another cup. She, too, was eager to hear the results of the interrogation. George took the pot out of her hand and poured his own cup.

  “No thank you, Dr. Tyler. I’ll be quick. I’ve come with Mr. Hughes to give you an unofficial report.”

  “Then the interrogation is over,” Cora said.

  “Yes. It was quite interesting. Almost bizarre, if you ask me.”

  Charles came in with a trolley carrying six boxes of documents. “Put them over here, please.” George pointed to one of the bookcases. Charles made quick work of it and left the room, closing the door behind him.

  “I wanted to return these to you. They’re from Louise’s office. Mr. Hughes has verified they’re the missing Fayne Manor documents,” Bardsley said.

  Arik could almost hear a collective sigh of relief from around the table. The detective was nice enough but he hoped he’d leave soon. He wanted to see what was in the boxes.

  “It seems Lady Emily had given the documents to the Trust’s researcher, as they requested, before she asked me to assist her in finding Rebeka.” George took a sip of his tea. “When the Trust confirmed her claim they ordered the documents returned to Lady Emily. Their researcher had other ideas.”

  “Don’t tell me. Louise was the researcher.” Cora put her cup down hard on the saucer. “She always had that I-know-something-you-don’t attitude about her.” Arik considered that for a moment. Cora was right.

  What did Louise know that they didn’t? He glanced at the boxes stacked by the bookcase. He was more eager to go through them.

  “According to Ms. Richards’s statement, it was obvious that when Lady Emily approached the Trust an heir didn’t exist,” Bardsley said as he took an offered scone. “Her plan was to forge a new proclamation giving the land to one of her ancestors and eventually make her claim to Fayne Manor and all proceeds.” Arik listened, his rage boiling beneath the surface. That anyone was attempting to take his domain… Rebeka’s touch got his attention. His temper cooled, a bit.

  “One of her ancestors?” Cora asked. “How is that possible?”

  “Proclamations include mother’s and father’s family names for land rights,” Rebeka said. “We use legal documents all the time for following family lines.” Arik threaded his fingers in hers and noted that she was as agitated as he was.

  “Yes, she altered Mannis’s mother’s name to point to her family. Her plan was to have someone present her forged proclamation after May the first,” Bardsley said as he raised the cake slightly. “Very good scones.” He took another bite.

  “May the first. That was the deadline she said the Trust gave us.” Rebeka had a quizzical look on her face. “I understand all that but why the fire?” Magick is at its strongest several times a year—Beltane is one of them. Arik half expected to see the Shade. He had a strong feeling that Louise had a specific reason for picking May 1.

  “Someone at the Trust found the old newspaper article. She panicked. She had our friends that are in custody torch the newspaper to cover up the theft of the file they had on the Lady Emily. That’s what they burned at the mill,” Bardsley said. “She must’ve believed she had everything under control and panicked when Rebeka sent her the picture and article.”

  “In the meantime,” George said, “the Trust was experiencing some financial differences with Trust accounts Louise managed. She needed to make certain we didn’t make any requests. That would draw attention to her. She contrived a story we were being investigated. I confirmed with Mr. Blake that they’ve been suspicious of Louise all along.”

  “That’s when the Trust called us in to investigate.” Bardsley leaned back in his chair. “Louise has been suspected of fraud for some time. When we found the arsonists we showed them her picture and things started to fall into place.” Arik still had unanswered questions, ones Bardsley couldn’t answer. He was still concerned about the tattoos on the arsonist’s arm and the May 1 date.

  “Your man Bill was right. He did hear a woman’s voice. She hid in the shadows while her men took care of the documents and Bill. Before she left she told them to burn down the mill.” Bardsley got to his feet. “I’m happy to tell you that this case is closed. And I’m glad of it. The woman has this self-satisfied grin that has the Trust concerned she may have compromised other properties. They’re reviewing that now.”

  “Yes, she’s a bit unnerving. She sees me and nearly breaks out laughing. They’ve ordered a psychiatric evaluation,” George said.

  “Well, if you’ll excuse me,” Bardsley said. George started to get up. “Please, sir. That won’t be necessary. I’ll find my way out.”

  Bardsley left the room.

  “That was interesting,” Rebeka said. Arik wouldn’t call it interesting.

  “George, did you speak to the men in custody?” Arik wanted to make sure Bran wasn’t involved. “About the tattoos.”

  “Yes. He said Louise took him to a tattoo artist in Avebury. She gave the artist the design and paid the fee. I got a good look at the tattoo.” He took out his phone and thumbed through his pictures. “Here.” He showed them a photo.

  Arik and Rebeka moved to see what he had. “It’s a heta as Marle described,” Rebeka said. She glanced at Arik. “It’s not Bran’s mark.”

  “But it’s close enough. Louise knows more than she’s saying.” He looked at the boxes again.

  “I’ve got to get over to the garden house. I see you’re eager to get to the boxes. Call me if you find anything interesting.” She kissed him and started to leave.

  “Wait for me,” George said. “I have to get back to the office. I want to finish up this business with the Trust. We can touch base later. Come, Cora. I’ll drop you off at home.” The three left. Arik didn’t want to be ungracious but he was glad they were gone. Rebeka was right. He wanted to read these documents. He was certain the secret Louise held was in them.

  He took one of the boxes to the table and settled himself in the chair. It was going to be a long day. The manor journals were the first to tackle. They were stacked in chronological order. He located the 1606 journal and pulled it out. His heart pounded as he opened the final pages dated April 29, 1606, and read Logan’s entry.

  For a fortnight, Bran’s forces have been gathering at the western edge of the field. I’ve taken every precaution and had the farmers and villagers move behind the wall. Marcus and Doward agree the attack will come soon. It is clear Bran intends to leave no one alive.

  At Doward’s insistence Robert and I took Skylar and Aubrey to Autumn Chase to protect the family line. Skylar begged to marry Robert. I could not deny her. He has sworn if we do not succeed he will return to Autumn Chase and care for them both.

  I fear I have failed. I promised to defend Fayne Manor and keep it safe. I had no idea Rebeka’s life depended on Fayne Manor’s survival. I will keep searching for Maximillian’s writings hoping to find a solution. It is our last hope. We make our final stand tomorrow on Beltane and pray the gods are with us.

  He read the words over and over until he could recite them from memory. The book fell from his hand.

  Something clicked. Something Louise had said.

  He pulled out his cell phone and replayed the conversation Louise had with Rebeka at her office. Louise may not be all that crazy.

  “…All I need to do is wait. Soon enough you’ll fade away.”

  Fade away.

  He r
eread Logan’s words. “I had no idea Rebeka’s life depended on Fayne Manor’s survival.”

  He pulled everything out of the boxes. There were books and documents before 1606 but he found only minor papers without any family information after 1606. The next journal was dated 1670. The farms were not doing well and he recognized only a few of the villagers’ names.

  He raked a trembling hand through his hair. He couldn’t keep the information from her. Hiding it would not change the outcome. Think. He needed to find something, anything that showed him the manor survived after 1606. Anything.

  “Where’re you taking that box?” Rebeka was entering the museum when one of the new Trust interns fumbled with a box at the door.

  “The men who are doing the renovation at the blacksmith’s came across more artifacts. I’m putting them in the workroom behind the garden house with the other items being processed. It’s really exciting. Like our own archeological dig,” the intern said.

  “Yes, very exciting but it’s not surprising. This area is rich with artifacts. We’ve found objects and documents about the estate that date back to 1086,” Rebeka said.

  “It’s very humbling to find something that old. I’ve got to hurry back. We’re going to Avebury. There’s a lecture on the energy emitted by the standing stones. Afterward we’re going to measure it. All very magical, if you ask me.”

  “The magick is greater at the stone’s middle but if that’s hard to find try the base. Here, let me hold the door for you.” The intern sidestepped through the doorway.

  The memories and excitement of new discoveries, regardless of their importance, brought a smile to her lips. She still tapped in to that elation and satisfaction when she unlocked a translation or pieced together the mysteries of the past. All very romantic for sure but as a teacher it was rewarding when she saw the discovery on her students’ faces. It was like an initiation of sorts into some special society that only they understood. Staying here with them would not be difficult.

  She came out of her daydream and moved on to the area with the new exhibits. This area focused on village life. The last of the items had been put in place and was ready to be displayed for May 1.

  The cases were arranged by occupation. She compared the items in each case to their picture on her tablet, its description and how it was to be displayed.

  Item 050106, in the case with miscellaneous items, held her attention. She took out her cell phone and dialed. “Come to the garden room, the village exhibit. There’s something here you should see.” She clicked off her phone and checked the item number on her tablet.

  Her head came up at the staccato sound of Arik’s long, purposeful strides across the wooden floor as he entered the room. He stood next to her.

  “What is it?”

  “I don’t remember this item when we planned the displays. I looked it up in our catalog. Louise marked it specifically for the May 1 display.” She pointed to the object in the case.

  “I checked the description. Miscellaneous piece of metal,” Rebeka said. “Why Louise would put it into the exhibit is beyond me. I don’t see the merit when we have so many other, more identifiable items. Did she discuss this with you?”

  An agonizing moment ticked by as it registered. “No, I’ve never seen it before.”

  “Is it important? I think we’ll get questions and we won’t have any answers.”

  “It could be anything,” he said, struggling to keep his voice calm, wanting to tear the item from the case and heave it into the seventeenth century. If only he could.

  “I assume you’re right.” She opened the case and removed the object.

  “I’ll take that. I’d like to take a better look at it.”

  She gave him the piece of metal. “I’m sorry I bothered you.” She closed the case and turned off her tablet.

  “It’s not a bother. I’m glad you showed it to me.”

  “I have a few more things to finish here then I’m going over to the mill to review those exhibits before they test the waterwheel. Want to join me?”

  “Not right now. Perhaps later. I have things that need my attention.” He took her in his arms and kissed her deeply. She snuggled against his chest.

  “I won’t get finished if you keep doing that. But after seeing this,” she gestured to the case, “I want to review all of Louise’s work. There are a lot of decisions that need to be made.”

  “Yes, there are.” He went to the garage with his arm around her. He turned her around and held her by her shoulders. “I love you, Beka. More than life itself. I love you.”

  She slipped her arms around him. “I love you, too, and I thank the day I fell into your arms. I wouldn’t change any of it. Now,” she said, stepping back, “I have to get this finished. I’ll see you later. Then you can show me how much you love me.” She got in her car and pulled away.

  He watched the red taillights fade as the car drove off. He returned to the manor and went to his tower room. He reviewed the metal piece. The cleaved marking, the shape of the fragment, the embedded bits of stone and angle of the break told him it was a piece from a broken siege hook.

  May 1. Louise knew what this was and its significance. That was why she had grinned at George during the interrogation.

  He stood in the center of the tower room and stared at the now dim runes and searched them for an answer but found nothing. He paged through the books that were strewn on the table and slammed each closed, tossing it aside when he didn’t find what he needed. He picked up the next book with the same results. He pulled out parchments. His finger traced the words and symbols as he searched for an answer. He tossed them on the pile on the floor.

  “Nothing.” With a sweep of his hand he tossed everything off the table.

  “Give me the answer.”

  He stood at the wall, his hands fisted at his sides. “Give me the answer.” His demand turned to pleading. He slammed his fists against the wall. “Give me the answer.” Again the wall accepted his fury. Over and over he made his demand and tried to beat the runes into submission. But the stones were cold.

  “Great Mother, give me the answer.”

  His forehead rested on the wall as he considered his options. Did he have any? He let out a groan. Leave her. The idea tore out his heart.

  He stood back from the wall. He knew what he had to do and what it would cost him—no, both of them.

  “Give me strength.” He closed his eyes and chanted to the Great Mother.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Arik, dressed in the clothes he had arrived in all those weeks ago, entered Autumn Chase with his duffel bag and climbed the stairs. He took his clothes out of the duffel and put them on the bed. He placed his tablet and cell phone on the desk. He twisted his wedding band on his finger and hesitated. He couldn’t part with it. He left the room and didn’t look back.

  He was so focused on his next task that he was startled to see Cora standing next to his motorbike.

  “I got back from the caterer about Sunday’s brunch. I didn’t know you were here. Is Rebeka with you?” Fayne Manor was everything he fought for, everything he loved. No, not everything. His everything was at the mill, reviewing the exhibit.

  “No, she’s busy getting the new exhibits ready.” He would miss Cora and the way she took control. “I came to return some things. I left them in the suite.”

  “You didn’t need to make a special trip. I’m sure it could’ve waited until Sunday. But I’m glad you’re here. Everyone has accepted for Sunday brunch. They’re all looking forward to spending time with you and Rebeka.”

  He took her hand. “Thank you for everything, Cora. I need to go back.”

  “No need to thank me. You go on. Hope the mill test goes well.” He got on the motorbike. “I’ll see you at brunch.” She stepped back and he rode off.

  He pulled the motorbike into the garage and, like a man going to the gallows, he entered the gatehouse. The garrison was empty. Relieved, he stood by the hearth and opened the d
ruid sanctuary. The deeper he got into the tunnel, the more he shed the twenty-first century and became the knight and warrior he had been. He crossed the main chamber, trudged down to the druid weaponry and opened the gate. The prize he was after was under the cloth on the long table.

  He hesitated but buried his emotion deep where it wouldn’t interfere with what he had to do. He took his sword and scabbard and buckled them on then left the sanctuary. He tripped the mechanism and slid the stone back in place.

  “I saw you go into the sanctuary.” Arik turned at the familiar voice. “I made certain no one disturbed you,” the major said.

  “Thanks. Are the men gathered for this week’s meeting?” He needed to assure the chain of command.

  “They’re outside.” Arik and the major left the gatehouse and stood in front of the men.

  “Good afternoon.” He studied each man, determined to remember them and their stories.

  “Good afternoon, Lord Arik,” they replied in unison.

  “I see the work goes well. The mill stone has been set and is ready for the first milling test. The fields are planted. And work has started on the houses. You’ve all worked hard and you have my thanks. Unfortunately, I have not had good news from home and I must return.”

  A rumble of concern rolled through the men like a tidal wave.

  “Is Dr. Tyler going with you?” someone asked.

  Arik took a deep breath. “No, not this time. She’s needed here. There is a lot that needs to be done.” He let the men settle before he continued. “The major will be in command. Treat him as you would me. That will be all.”

  “Sir,” Jaxon called out. “We hope your troubles are few and resolved quickly.” The others voiced their alarm.

  He was startled by the men’s words. “Thank you. Your concern is appreciated.” Each man came forward and shook his hand and hoped he would be back soon.

  “Lord Arik, you can count on me for anything, anytime. Just say the word,” the major said.