Knight of Runes (22 page)

He drove his men hard over the fields, across the Stone River and through the forest but he could not outrun the storm. He arrived wet and tired in the late afternoon. Stuart’s captain met them in the courtyard.

“Lord Arik, Sir Stuart’s questioning the thieves. Your men can go to the guard room to dry out while I take you to him. He’s in the old barracks.” Arik and Marcus dismounted and followed the captain.

The rain still came down in sheets. Arik, head down in the storm, was eager to speak to the thieves. He wondered if they were the same men who had attacked them earlier in the year. If so, perhaps he would finally have some answers.

Arik and Marcus entered the old barracks. It was a long structure, bare except for a few chairs and a table. Eight men sat on the floor with their hands tied behind their backs, and one of Stuart’s men stood menacingly in front of each of them. A ninth man sat in a chair, Stuart and his captains around him.

Stuart greeted them and spoke quietly as they took off their wet cloaks. “I knew you would want to question these men. At the festival, you mentioned some difficulties at the log bridge. I wanted to know if these were possibly the same men.”

Arik looked at each man carefully. They had the closed look of trained soldiers. His chin dropped and his lips pressed tightly together in frustration. He shook his head. “Stuart, these are not the same men who attacked us.”

Stuart led the way to another private chamber where they could speak uninterrupted.

“I told him the same thing.” Doward entered the room behind him.

“I didn’t know you were here,” said Arik, abruptly turning his back on the tinker.

“I was visiting Sir Stuart when they brought in these men. So you agree these are not the men who attacked us at the bridge. Stuart’s men claim these men were more organized and professional. If the captain and his patrol hadn’t arrived when they did, the farmer would have been killed. These men appear true mercenaries.”

The old man was right, thought Arik. The question was—who did they work for?

“We can get them to talk,” said Stuart, his arms flexed, every muscle tense.

“It may be better for them to escape so we can follow them back to their encampment.” The men turned to Marcus.

“Not a bad idea,” said Arik. “We could let one or two of them escape. Stuart?”

“What do we have to lose? Let’s plan a deception. We have to make it seem real or all will be lost.”

“I’ll keep them here for a few days. Then we’ll transfer them to Fayne Manor. On the way, we’ll make it convenient for two men to escape. Arik, your men will be hidden and waiting for them. Once they escape both our patrols will track them to see where they go.”

“Let’s get our guests to their new quarters.” The guard trooped out.

“Arik, you and Doward must come with me to the library. I’ve a warm hearth and some good ale to share.”

“Tell me, has Rebeka found anything new in the books?” asked Doward as they walked.

“No.” Arik was short with Doward. He had nothing to say to the old man. He turned back to Stuart.

“We must leave for the Manor,” he said. “Send for Marcus.”

“Arik, stay until the storm subsides. The roads are treacherous.”

“No, Stuart, I have pressing matters at the Manor. I must get back quickly.”

“I’ll give Marcus your orders. I expect a report any time now about the roads. Let me see what my man has found.” Stuart excused himself, leaving Arik and Doward in uneasy silence.

“Have you had any word about Katherine?”

“No. Now all I need to do is rid myself of Rebeka and things will be back the way they should be.” Arik turned away, but Doward grabbed his arm.

“What do you mean, Arik?”

Arik shook his arm free of Doward’s grasp, strode over and slammed the library door. “What have you been up to, old man?”

Arik took the amulet and ribbon out of his pocket and showed them to Doward. “Victor found these late yesterday when he searched Oak Meadow. In case you don’t remember, this is Letty’s amulet and Rebeka’s ribbon. She claimed she didn’t know anything about it but I saw the recognition in her eyes. She gave herself away.”

“Perhaps she doesn’t know the significance of the amulet.”

Arik put his face into Doward’s. “What were you two arguing about by the lake?”

“The woman is always arguing about something.”

“Don’t toy with me.”

“I assure you I’m not toying with you,” Doward began, but Arik didn’t let him finish.

He waved his hand dismissively. “Lies are all I get but I’ll get the truth. A day in the dungeon will loosen her tongue.”

“What do you mean, lies?” Arik wouldn’t be intimidated. He met Doward squarely.

“What have you done, Arik?” Doward demanded.

“I questioned her and she gave me lies. Why would my solicitor Hughes send her to review documents in my library?” He was pleased to see Doward looked guilty.
So he does know something.
“I left her in the dungeon,” he said, his voice hard.

With the ceiling slits in the dungeon cell, the rain would quickly make the cell miserable. The night chill would make it dangerous for anyone to stay there very long.
I have to return to her,
thought Arik.

“Sit down, Arik, and let’s talk.”

Something in Doward’s voice made Arik reluctantly take a seat. Perhaps now he’d get some answers.

“I came down the trail through the forest and felt a great disturbance. I followed the scent and found Rebeka dazed and confused. On our way to Fayne Manor you came upon us.” He waited to make certain Arik understood.

“Where did she say she came from?”

“She told me she had family business in London and Hughes, your solicitor, sent her to review documents in your library.”

“You can’t believe that, Doward.”

Doward had Rebeka’s things in his pack. He pulled out a letter and handed it to Arik.

Arik read the letter several times before the meaning of the words sank in. “This is an introduction and a request that I give Rebeka Tyler access to the Fayne Manor library documents. It’s from George Hughes.” He dropped his hand with the letter into his lap. His mind raced. “Why didn’t she give me the letter? I’ve never seen this.”

“I don’t know. But, Arik, no harm must come to her. Of this I am certain. She must not die or all is lost.”

Arik knew it also but for a very different reason. She was an important piece to the puzzle but also to him.

Stuart and Marcus entered. “Arik, you and your men will have to stay the night. The river has overflowed its banks. Logan, Skylar and Aubrey came earlier today to visit with Beatrice and Holly. We can make a small fête. You can all stay the night.”

“Stuart, I cannot stay. The others can but I must get back to the Manor immediately. It’s a matter of life or death. Marcus, I’ll not ask the men to ride in this. Bring everyone to the Manor when the weather changes.”

Marcus shook his head. “No. I’ll leave a man in command to bring them home. I’ll go with you.” Arik nodded in agreement. He appreciated the gesture.

“I’ll also come with you. You may need my help.” Doward tapped Arik on the shoulder.

Arik, Marcus and Doward rode through the downpour. While they raced toward Fayne Manor, Arik mentally reached out to Rebeka to see how she fared. He could only see soft images, nothing concrete. He’d have to wait a little longer for his magic to strengthen.

When they finally reached the river, they had never seen it so angry. It ran wild and spilled far over its banks, making it impossible to cross.

Arik dismounted and went down to the river’s edge.

“If we string a rope across the river, we could use it to guide us to the other side. If we can’t cross here, we’ll need to go north but it’s a full day’s ride from here. It’s not an option.”

“Arik, even if one of us got to the other side with a rope I’m not certain the horses would make it. If we lose any one of them…the danger is great,” said Marcus.

“I must get back, Marcus.” Arik stood tense looking at the river and surrounding area.

“Let me try to cross, Arik. I’ll tie the rope around myself and try to get across. If the river proves too fast and I don’t succeed at least you will have the line to reel me back in like a big fish.” Marcus tried to make light of the situation.

“Wait. If we can slow down the flow, even a little, the horses will be able to cross. It would only take three boulders, four at most.”

“Arik, how do you propose to do this great feat? We would need all your men to shift any one of these boulders,” said Doward.

Magic.
He smiled at Doward. “Are you certain?” Doward understood. “If you lose your concentration while we’re crossing…you know the danger.”

“The magic still builds but I must act now. We can’t waste another day.” Arik turned toward Doward with a pained gaze. “I promised you I would protect her. She reminded me and what did I do? I left her there defenseless. Worse than defenseless, I did exactly what Katherine wanted me to do. I am killing her. You and Marcus need not go. I will cross. Go, return to Stuart.”

Neither man left. Arik didn’t think they would, and he had no time to argue. He needed to make his preparations. He gave instructions to Marcus and Doward to cross the river when it slowed.

It would take Arik some time to work the spells needed but it was far better than going to the bridge up north.

Astride his great horse, Spirit, Arik closed his eyes and cleared his mind. For his plan to work, the weather and his vision would have to be clear. He concentrated and thought of a sun-filled day. In his mind’s eye, the rain stopped and the sun began to shine.

He concentrated on each boulder, planning how he would move them. It took a while for the first one to even budge from the bank. But slowly it began to roll and finally it fell into place. He shifted the second one a bit more quickly and set it into place. Time ticked by slowly, the day darkened into early evening. The swollen river’s current eased, but not enough. He would need to position two more boulders. He scanned the pile of rocks and found the ones he needed. Once again he concentrated. The bolder started to shift but something caught his attention and his concentration lapsed for a moment. A feeling of desperation seeped into his mind, turning his blood cold. He couldn’t spend more time here. He needed to get across the river, now. He centered himself again, redoubled his effort. His heart raced as he chose the largest boulder. Pushing himself to the limit, Arik made the large bolder stir. Finally, he rolled the stone into place.

The racing current eased off. But for how long? Doward and Marcus crossed the river while Arik remained on the bank holding the boulders in place. He needed to keep his focus. The danger lay in him being distracted. If that happened, the boulders would then return to their original place. Marcus called to him when they reached the other shore.

Arik and Spirit started across the river. Midway, fear lanced through him. He saw Rebeka huddled in the dungeon, her shallow breathing echoed in his ear, and something else. She sang softly—some strange song. The vision cleared as quickly as it came to him, but it was too late. The boulders were gone and a wall of water rushed toward him. He pushed his gathering powers to the limits. He held up his hand and let loose his command, “To hearth and home.” An iridescent sphere settled around him and his horse, sending the raging water flowing over them. Enclosed in the sphere, they crossed the river to the other side. When they stepped onto the bank, the spell collapsed.

“We must hurry. I saw her in the cell. It’s not good. The rain and cold are quickly taking their toll.” He looked at the two men with new resolve. He would not give up, nor would he let her die. They raced toward the Manor. He raced to Rebeka.

Rebeka hiked in the mountains near the university. In her head, Jim Sturgess’
Across the Universe
faded. Somehow she got turned around, and she couldn’t find her way back. She searched for a familiar landmark but saw none. Her anxiety built. She picked up her pace and pushed on, hoping she headed in the right direction.

The rock slide, there it is!
She reached the slide and found the trail beyond it that snaked its way up the mountain. It was a difficult climb. Her feet were heavy and uncooperative, but with every ounce of her strength, she moved forward. She could see the rim of the ledge ahead. The adrenaline rushed and her heart pounded. She forced her feet to work and with a final burst of energy, she crawled over the crest. Darkness had fallen. She lay there on her stomach, draped over a large rock, her head turned to the right. She needed to calm down and control her breathing.

She saw him come out of the lake, the water sluicing off his muscular body. She squinted—the light he radiated was so bright. He came toward her, mesmerizing her with his blue-green eyes. Arik’s eyes. They seemed to hold the answers to all her questions. Close to her now, he shook his head and sent a spray of water over her.

He kept shaking his head faster and faster. The water pelted her. She blinked but her eyes didn’t focus. She picked up her head and tried to think. She expected to see the night sky or a canopy of trees above her. Again, she blinked and the shadows became clear. She saw the stone walls of the cell and the openings in the ceiling. She turned toward him again but only saw the frail light of the torch bracketed to the wall. She sat up, the cell came back into view and she realized it rained heavily.

The ceiling let in the rain as if she stood outside in a rainstorm and either the drain in the corner didn’t let the water down or couldn’t accommodate the volume, she wasn’t sure. It didn’t matter. The result was the same and the foul water was spreading. She needed to get away from the pooling water and out of the rain. To add to her misery, the cold left her shivering, something she tried to ignore. Soaked, she searched the cell for anything that could help her. She had to regain control.

Protection, she needed protection. She dragged the table under the torch, shoved the narrow bed frame beneath it and arranged the bed slats together to create a small platform. She propped the table legs that were against the wall up on the bed frame to create what would have to do for a lean-to. She wanted to make certain the water ran off the table toward the center of the room.

She checked her work to make certain it was sturdy. There wasn’t much space but what she had would keep the rain off and she hoped the small space would help trap some of the heat. With nothing else for her to do, she crawled onto the bed slats and huddled in a fetal position. She tried to separate her mind from her body, but couldn’t reach a place of contentment. She began a soothing chant and slowly centered herself before she fell asleep to dream of a swift flowing river and Arik sitting astride Spirit.

“Tell me,” he commanded. Her eyes fluttered open. She knew in her fevered mind Arik wasn’t there. “Tell me,” he ordered once again.

“I can’t tell you.” She spoke to the empty room. “You wouldn’t believe me anyway.”

“Tell me,” he demanded but she dare not answer. She closed her eyes and slept.

“Rebeka, I told you not to tell anyone. Not anyone. Do you understand? You must trust me on this.” Arik’s face twisted and morphed. Now Doward’s face loomed large in front of her.

“Doward, I must tell. I must tell.” She pleaded with the cold wet air. “Doward, I must tell him.”

“Soon, Rebeka, I need time to understand why you are here and what role you play in all this. Soon, Rebeka, soon, soon…” Doward’s voice faded. She struggled to hold on to reality.
Reality.
A croaked laugh escaped her lips. There was no reality or logic, not here. But he
was
here. “I will wrestle for a lady’s favor.” Arik stared at her again, smiling now. She smiled back, ready to tie her violet ribbon on his thigh but before she could, he stayed her hand. She looked up into his face. All she saw were smoky, passionate eyes. The anger returned to his voice. “Tell me!”

Why don’t I tell him the truth? How much worse can it be? He would have believed me, wouldn’t he?

“Doward,” she called out to the empty room. “I must tell him, I must. I must tell him.” The fight gone, her head dropped back onto the bed, seeking rest.

“You’re the one. You’re the threat!”

Now Katherine glared at her from above. Rebeka drew on her last bit of courage to confront her enemy.

“What threat? I am the one what?” Her voice barely a whisper, she tried hard to gather her thoughts. She watched as the tableau unfolded.

Skylar, Logan and Aubrey sat in her cottage talking. She stood high on a perch in the rafters behind a transparent stone wall. The door of the cottage flew open and four men burst into the room, overwhelming them. She stared in horror when the men overpowered Logan, slashing away at him. His life blood seeped out over his tunic as he fought on to protect his nieces.

Frantic to help them, she took action and strained to free herself from behind the wall. She searched for her walking staff but it stood abandoned next to the hearth. She banged on the wall with her hands and feet and threw herself against it with all her might but the solid stone didn’t budge. She yelled for help, for Arik. She stood there unable to turn away as they murdered each person she loved.

Katherine entered the room and Rebeka tried to warn her of the danger, but froze. Katherine picked her way through the carnage, trying to avoid getting the blood on her skirts. She searched each victim, her anger growing. In a fit of rage, she looked up and saw Rebeka, a wide satisfied smile spreading across her face.

Someone came to the door and gave a command. Katherine gave a last look at Rebeka and returned her attention to the others. The murderers hid themselves waiting. Arik burst into the room. Once again Rebeka fought frantically from her confinement. She yelled to Arik to be careful but had to stand by helplessly as the murderers descended on him like a wild pack of animals. Katherine was among them, hacking away. She knew he could not survive. Katherine looked up at her and laughed as she took her dagger and plunged it into Arik’s heart.

Rebeka slid down the smooth stone enclosure and crumpled to the floor. She drifted off again.

Chi–yah,
the words came softly to her mind. She stood in her
dojo,
working her staff. The steady drumbeat in her head punctuated each move. She progressed through the familiar
katas
with her sensei. Focused on her technique, her muscles were schooled to go through the forms following the prescribed patterns. She began a long sweeping movement. In the middle of the
kata,
her sensei blocked her staff with his hand. This was not the correct form. She faced her teacher and watched as his face became Arik’s. To her surprise, her staff started to glow where he held it, and as she watched, the light traveled up the staff toward her hand.

Fear shot through her. Her father’s voice filled her head. “Hold the
Protector
, never lose it, do you hear me, Beka? Never let go of the staff. Keep it with you always and never let go. To hearth and home, Beka. To hearth and home.” She braced herself for the burning she knew would come when the light touched her. Her hand trembled as the light got closer but there was no pain. Instead, peace, strength and completeness enveloped her.

The light disappeared and so did Arik. Still she held the staff tightly. “I’ll never let it go, Dad, never.”

But it was too late. All was lost now. No music, no drums, no past, no future. Nothing but her.

She roused to the spicy scent of cinnamon and clove. She floated on a strong wind wrapped in the promise of warmth. Opening her eyes she saw his face. She knew it was an illusion but it was a comfort, nonetheless.

“I’ll tell you,” she whispered. “I honestly didn’t know.” Her heart raced. She could feel the urgency build. She tried to get up but couldn’t move no matter how much she struggled.

“Tell me?” he asked softly. He caressed her slowly, pushing her hair from her cheek. He bent down and covered her mouth with his. She was lost and on fire. She opened her eyes, straining to focus on his face. “I’ll tell you,” she said.

“I love you,” she told him. She gave up then and floated away into oblivion.