Taste of Treason (21 page)

“Well done, boy,” he said. “Two Bibles. I’ll wager that dented its dignity.”

But Rob ignored him. He looked past Byram.

“Where is she? Where is Alys? Is she dead?”

“Nay, she is not,” Luke said. “I give you my word. Byram, can you get Rob to the Queen Mother? I will try and wake these people up.”

He waited until the captain left the room and then grasped one of the huge candle holders. Muttering an incantation, he lit it with his fingers. It would take some little while until the wakening candle worked its magic. Making sure that the flame was steady, Luke hurried to the door.

The courtiers were beginning to stir as if they had been in a deep sleep. Luke shut the door behind him, putting an evasion spell on it to deter any person from entering the bedchamber. As he hurried from the Queen’s apartments, his main concern was to find Gwenette. Keeping to walls and shadows, he made his way to the Holy Day closets. He must make sure that Gwenette had suffered no lasting harm from Nimrod’s attentions and any treatment he needed to effect would be more powerful in the sanctified air of God’s house.

Leaving Joss at the door, Luke ran into the darkness of the Chapel Royal. It was empty. Fear rose into his throat with such urgency he could hardly breathe. The aftereffects of his encounter manifested in a sudden physical weakness. He slumped into a pew, head in hands, muttering a heartfelt prayer of gratitude that he was safe. But his relief was mixed with terror. Where was Gwenette?

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Had Nimrod managed to get to Gwenette as well as Alys? He was in no doubt that when his adversary found he had been tricked and the Queen was not where he thought she was, his anger would have been fearful.

Mayhap that was what had saved Luke. He knew perfectly well that a sunderer as powerful as this one could fell him with little effort. So why had he not done so? Another puzzle. Luke sat back in the pew, his mind swirling in confusion.

Did sunderers enjoy the struggle so much they considered it a game? Was Nimrod playing with Luke? Or was it something much more profound?

The situation was grim. Alys had disappeared. Gwenette was not where Byram had last seen her and Luke was sure her ordeal would have left her too drained to move without help.

Rob was injured, and although he could ease the boy’s pain, he was not yet able to mend a broken bone, a procedure that needed the skill of an Elemagus. Not for the first time, Luke wished with all his heart that Roland Dufay was here and not in France.

Despite the best of intentions, he had made a mess of everything. Corbin and Bertila were still in danger from the rabid Frayner. He had no idea where to begin searching for Gwenette or Alys. Byram now knew he was more than just the Outer Green apothecary, something that, for all the captain’s promises, picked at Luke, reinforcing his feeling of vulnerability.

Above all this was the knowledge that the enemy had a definite aim in mind, one that overrode the extinguishing of a nuisance elemancer. A purpose that took all his power.

Was that it? Whatever plan he had, there was no energy left over to destroy Luke? But that made no sense. Luke’s memory went back to his goading words and grew hot with embarrassment at the drivel he had shouted.

With his thoughts in tumult, Luke dropped again to his knees. There was one authority he could call on far superior to any sunderer. The intensity of his prayers asking God to aid him, show him the way to succeed in his mission, took every ounce of his conscious mind.

“Heavenly Father, I beg you to show me the way.”

His head dropped in exhaustion onto his chest, leaving him powerless to resist the descending trance even as he realized Joss was not there to protect him. This trance was different to any he had experienced. His normal entry into a trance was through a mist or fog, but not this time. All was clear and he found himself in his inner serenity chamber. Breathing a sigh of relief, he realized that he was not at risk in this place of spiritual safety but he did not shed the remnants of fear immediately.

“You are safe and need fear nothing.”

Luke spun round but he was alone.

“Who are you?”

“Trust.”

Was this some new trick of Nimrod’s, something to lure him to destruction? How had the sunderer gained access to this place?

“Trust,” the voice said again and Luke felt duty-bound to comply.

A few moments later, Luke felt his essence rise from his body. He could see his kneeling form, head in hands in the pew. As he rose higher, Joss, upright and tense at the chapel door, came into view. Then he had somehow breached the roof for he could see the palace spread out below him.

“Just as all parts of this building connect one with the other, so the events and deductions from your investigation connect also. You do not know how arches keep from falling to the ground, but you accept that they will not. In the same way, you must have belief that you will not fail.”

“I do not know how to solve this mystery,” Luke replied.

“You must fulfill your purpose, which is thwarting your enemies and preventing them from fulfilling theirs.”

Luke raised his head to find himself back in the chapel pew.

All this was too much to take in. An overwhelming lassitude kept him seated when he knew he should be on the move. Thoughts passed through his mind as unheeded as clouds sailing across a blue sky. Much later, he stirred. First, he must find Gwenette and Alys. Rolling his shoulders, Luke closed his eyes and sent out mental feelers.

It was some time before he pinpointed Gwenette. He should have known that Queen Anne would have intervened. Feeling more cheerful, he tried to find Alys, but no matter which corner of the palace he directed his mind towards, she was nowhere to be found. With a heavy heart, he rose and made his way to the Queen Mother’s apartments.

“Master Ballard,” she said when he entered her chamber and bowed. “We wondered whence you had fled.”

“I did not flee. I prayed for strength and tried to find Alys and Gwenette.”

Her mouth twisted in what might have been a smile.

“Gwenette is here. Did you not think I would take care of my own?”

Luke bowed again.

“Madam, I should have. I fear my mind was on other things.”

Her expression became serious once more.

“We know you find this task onerous. We have good news for you. News which will, we hope, take that strained look from your face.”

Luke looked up at her as she beckoned. From the shadows, a tall dark-haired man dressed in mud-spattered clothes walked forward. Luke felt like throwing his cap into the air in joy.

“Master Dufay. I was never so glad to see anyone as I am to see you.”

Dufay smiled. “I am aware you have struggled of late. Her Grace has been telling me of your travails and that of your friends.”

Luke stifled an exclamation.

“Rob and Gwenette. How are they?” He swung back to look the question at Queen Anne, but it was Dufay who answered.

“Gwenette is sleeping. She suffered a great shock and will not be fit to speak of it until the morrow. Rob’s arm will ache for a while. I have mended the break, but, being so new a repair, it will be painful for a few days. Do not let him overuse it, Luke.”

“You calm my mind, sir, and I thank you. However, we have another vulnerable soul at risk. I have tried to find Alys, but cannot. Is there any way we can discover what the demon has done with her?”

“Alas, no. He has covered his tracks well and I am too fatigued to concentrate as I need to. I have ridden from Dover to report to Her Grace and found a mess that would tax anyone.”

“I think he has some fell purpose for Alys, but I cannot fathom what it is. We must get her away from him.”

“At the moment, Luke, we must all rest as the enemy will be doing. I think it best that you and Rob return home. If the sunderer overlooks us here, we give him another weapon. Thus far, I hope that Queen Anne has evaded discovery.”

Luke turned, his fists clenched in frustration.

“Your Grace, I have been thoughtless and Master Dufay is right. We must go. Is Queen Madeleine safe?”

“She is. Leave via the secret passage. We do not want you seen around the palace when you have no business here. Do not worry overmuch. Master Dufay and I will protect my daughter-in-law. Your task is to destroy the threat to her.”

The journey home was made in silence. Rob seemed dazed but whether that was because of the pain from his arm or the disappearance of Alys Palmer, Luke could not tell. It was only when they had walked back from the Royal Mews and were climbing the stairs that Rob stopped and turned.

“You may as well tell me the truth, master. Alys is dead, is she not?”

Luke sighed. “Look, boy. If she had perished, I would know it. I do not minimize the danger she is in. It is clear that our enemy has her in his power, but it is equally clear that he has a use for her and until she fulfills that, he will not harm her.”

“It is Frayner.”

“How do you know that, lad?”

“Were you not listening earlier? He knows how I feel about Alys and promised her to me if I would betray you.”

Luke felt another rush of warmth for his kinsman and smiled.

“Yes, I am well aware of his blandishments. Fear not, Rob. We shall rescue Mistress Alys and put a smile back on your face.”

But Rob did not brighten. Luke gestured for him to continue climbing the stairs.

“Master Dufay was right. We are all too tired to think of solutions tonight. Let us arm ourselves with a sound sleep and see what morning brings.”

As Rob turned back, Luke wiped his hand up his tunic front and threw a cloud of sparkling gold stars onto the boy’s shoulders. Rob might not think he was going to sleep, but the minute his head hit the pillow, he would be insensible until dawn.

It was not until Luke sat on his own bed pulling off his boots that a bone-deep weariness swept over him. The only good thing that had happened today was that Elemagus Dufay had returned.

In truth, Luke knew that whilst Dufay might counsel him, when it came to the crux, the Elemagus was not made of the stuff of heroes. All he wanted in life was to study his magic and the power of numbers in the hopes that any discoveries he made would enhance the art of elemancy and enable the fight with sunderers to be on a more equal footing. Dashing from one crisis to another, giving battle to the enemy, was not Roland Dufay’s way. However, his counsel was invaluable, and Luke felt another weapon had been added to his armory.

Tonight’s adventure had been a close call, and it could so easily have gone the wrong way. Had it done so, his essence might even now be wandering, unable to go forward to salvation, powerless to do anything save roam in perpetual darkness. The thought made him shiver.

Why had his opponent not gone for the deathblow when he had the opportunity? Was it the Bibles that Rob had heaved at him? The thought gave Luke comfort and with comfort came a renewed courage. He believed with all his heart that he did God’s work for His greater glory. Clicking his fingers, Luke called Joss up onto the bed and as she curled around him, he fell asleep.

* * *

The next morning, Rob’s arm, though heavily bruised, was well on the mend. Sadly, his mind was still too full of Alys to attend to what Luke said. In the end the apothecary lost patience.

“Tell me, lad, would you like to forget about the wench for all time?”

Rob sprang up from the table, tears forming in his eyes.

“I love her. I will never forget her.”

Luke leaned down until they faced each other like wrestlers at a fair.

“I could make it so that you forget ever meeting the girl, and if you do not stop moping like some mewling scullion, I will. Get ahold of yourself. God’s teeth, one whiff of a petticoat and your wits desert you.”

“Rather like you with Mistress Paige?”

Luke stood up and scowled at his companion.

“I have known Gwenette a deal longer than I have known you or this chit of a girl. Have a care, Rob. I would not like a woman to come between us.”

Rob stood up. “I shall continue my duties, never fear,” he said. “But if anything happens to Alys, you will be to blame. Think on that, kinsman.” Spitting the last word, he stormed from the house, slamming the door behind him.

Luke sat at the table, his head in his hands. Once more, he promised himself that he would never permit a woman to have such a hold over him. However, that did not resolve his current dispute with Rob. Luke downed a jack of small beer and tried to eat breakfast. The entry of Roland Dufay was a welcome diversion.

The Elemagus took one look at Luke’s face and sat down opposite him, pouring himself a drink.

“I can see that not all is serenity in your house.”

Luke told of his quarrel with Rob. The Elemagus pondered for a few moments, before looking up and meeting Luke’s eyes.

“It seems to me that you have a chance to mend a fence, and I suggest you do that if only to grant yourself some peace of mind. And do it soon. This affair is too important to waste time and energy on a difference of opinion.”

“You are right, of course, sir. I will talk to Rob.”

“I must speak with you regarding last night. Although your thoughts were scattered and disparate, I read something deeper in them, something that I recognized as important even though I do not know what it is. Now that you have had an opportunity to sleep, please tell me the details of your meeting with this latest enemy.”

Luke took a while to gather his thoughts, then gave the Elemagus a comprehensive account of what had occurred. As he spoke, Dufay’s face grew more thoughtful, and when Luke finished, he remained staring into space.

Luke, recognizing that his colleague was thinking something, waited in patience. When Rob came back into the kitchen, his face still set in anger, Luke motioned to the boy to stay silent.

“Aye. Most interesting,” Dufay said after a long pause. He looked up at Rob. “I think Master Ballard has something he wishes to say to you, lad.”

Luke cleared his throat.

“Aye, Rob. You may rest assured that we will do our utmost to find and restore Alys to you. I spoke harshly, but that is only because I am anxious.”

Rob sat down next to his master.

“Nay, Luke. ’Twas me in the wrong. I know you to be a just man, and most masters would whip a servant who spoke to them in the way I did to you.”

“What good fortune that I used my only remaining whip last week,” Luke replied with a grin.

“Now that you have made your peace with each other,” the Elemagus began, “it is only fair that I tell you what I discovered in Paris. You need to hear this, too, Rob, for it affects your task as Luke’s helper.”

Rob exchanged glances with Luke as he sat beside him. For a few moments, it appeared as if Dufay was unsure how to proceed.

“You must know,” he said at last, “that good does not always win.”

“I’ve known that since I was a child,” Luke replied, frowning.

“I realize that.” Dufay’s voice betrayed irritation, but Luke could also hear the memory of an old hurt in the tone. “Do you think I might have a goblet of wine, please?”

Luke gestured for Rob to get them all a drink. The boy took away Dufay’s empty jack and brought back three goblets and a jug of wine. When he was seated once more, Dufay continued.

“Do you remember Kolby Verrall?” The question was abrupt.

“Aye, the Elemagus before you, sir. He died when his horse threw him.”

“No, Luke. He died because he was the last target of a unique group of sunderers and I, in my ignorance, did nothing to help him.” He raised his gaze from the table and stared into Luke’s eyes. “You know of Custodes Tenebris, but I have discovered they now have an inner circle of sunderers who come together when the stakes are high. They will have concluded that you would be given this latest investigation. This inner circle I spoke of will have two aims, the first, to cause England to fall into chaos.”