Treasure So Rare (Women of Strength Time Travel Trilogy) (12 page)

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.