Knight of Runes (16 page)

Arik deposited Rebeka in front of the cottage.

“I’ll go on to Jeannie and help with Alfred and Luke.”

“No, woman, I’ll see to it.” Arik rode toward the stable, leaving her stunned standing out in front of the cottage. She slowly turned and went in.

“Luke, what are you doing here?”

“Lord Arik told me to go to Jeannie. I asked her if I could bring you your pouch. You left it on the mare. So I waited for you. She said she saw no harm in it but I was not to go anyplace else.” Luke finally took a breath. “Rebeka, is my father all right?”

“He’s wounded. Arik took him to Jeannie. I’m sure he’s fine.” She hoped she told him the truth.

Luke nervously paced the cottage wringing his hands. “He told me not to go to the meadow. Why did he have to come for me? Once I saw the men, I hid in the mill. If he wasn’t there, they would’ve gone. I know where to hide.”

He stopped his pacing and stared at her, a look of misery on his face. “I should’ve listened to him.” He started pacing again, unable to remain still. The usually active boy had his chin dug into his chest and was unnaturally quiet. He stopped in front of the window. “Drago told me the birch wood was special and would protect the baby.” He turned and faced her, his lip trembling. “What should I do?” He shrugged his shoulders and lifted his palms, pleading for direction.

“Luke, what do you think you should do?” She thought of her father asking her very much the same question when she got into trouble. If the situation wasn’t so serious, she would have laughed.

Luke sat on the stool by the hearth his fists clenched, shaking his head. She watched as emotions played across his face, morphing from distraught to resolve. After several minutes, he got up and headed for the door.

“Where are you going?”

“I have to go and see Lord Arik to get my punishment and my father to ask his forgiveness.” Filled with determination, he left the cottage and made his way across to the Manor.

Rebeka stood at the door and watched the boy’s back. There was something almost manly about his determined walk. She sank into the door frame, resting her back against the straight edge. The adrenaline from the fight long played out left her feeling empty and tired. She also still reeled from Arik’s rebuff. She hoped Luke’s confrontation with Arik would end better than hers.

“Good day, Rebeka.”

Startled, she turned. “Doward, where have you been? When did you get back?”

“I arrived as Marcus and his men were chasing out after Arik.”

“Then you know what happened. Doward, the leader said something very strange to me before Arik killed him. All the way back I kept playing it over in my mind but it doesn’t make any sense to me.”

“What did he say?”

“Come inside where we can talk in private.” He followed her as she stepped inside and sat at the table.

Doward looked at her closely. “What did he say that has you so upset?”

“He said, ‘You are the one. You are the threat we’ve been told would come.’ I have no idea what he meant. And, Doward, I noticed these men wore the same mark as the men in the river raid. I saw the
H
branded on the inside of their wrists. But these men were much better trained.”

Doward straightened in the chair and took a deep breath. His hand tapped rhythmically on the table, a nervous type of habit. After a few minutes, he let out a deep resigned sigh and took her hand. “Rebeka, I think it is more important than ever to make certain no one, not even Arik, knows you traveled through time. I’d like to borrow your things from the future. Perhaps there’s something you’ve overlooked. I know you’ve kept them hidden. I’m afraid if they’re found, especially after what these men have said, you’ll be in mortal danger.”

“You may be right.”

“I’ll bring them back to you when it’s safe. Keep your pack. Everyone has seen you with it. It would be more suspicious if it is gone.”

She emptied her pouch and gave him all her belongings “I’ll take good care of them,” he told her. “What have you found out?”

“Several things that I still need to put together. The lightning does not come from the weather. It’s controlled in some way. I’m still trying to find out how. I also think the runes and chants are the key to traveling through time.”

“Yes, I see druid magic here. This is beyond my abilities.” She sensed his deep concern. “You should speak to Logan. He has some insight about magic.”

“Logan has already started helping me.” She was relieved. She had a good feeling about the work she and Logan were doing.

“Rebeka, I want to get these things away before anyone sees them. I must go.”

She was eager for more information and was glad when Logan and Marcus came to the cottage in the early evening, before dinner.

“Logan, how is Alfred?”

“The injury wasn’t bad. Jeannie cleaned and bandaged it. He will be fine in a few days,” said Logan.

“What happened to Luke? He left here determined to confront his father and Arik.” They sat at the table. The men were comfortably seated. She on the other hand struggled not to fidget in her chair. A strained smile planted on her face, she took a deep breath and waited to hear the worst.

“He surprised us all. The boy has always been somewhat flighty and self-centered. Today we saw another side of him. He stood in the Great Hall where we were talking. To be honest, no one thought about Luke. He solemnly addressed my brother. ‘Lord Arik, I’ve come for my punishment,’ he announced. Well, we were all startled.” Logan sat back in the chair, his arm stretched out on the table, fingering the scrap of linen cloth.

“The boy is always around playing tricks,” Marcus added. “He’s been an annoyance and getting in the way. But today, he absolutely surprised me.”

Logan smiled his agreement. “Arik didn’t coddle the boy. He asked if Luke understood why he was to be punished. The boy didn’t hesitate. He took full blame for his actions. He didn’t waiver and he didn’t cry. Not an easy feat standing in front of Arik when he’s not pleased.”

“What did Arik do?” She sat on the edge of her chair and wondered if he had the boy whipped or starved or something even more sinister?

“Arik was impressed,” said Marcus, patting her clasped hands that were on the table.

She calmed a bit and looked at Logan. “And…?”

“Arik told him he would still be punished. He told him to report to the stable master and muck out the stalls for the next three weeks. Then he asked if Luke had any questions. The boy asked for his father’s forgiveness. Before leaving, Luke walked up to Arik and pledged this would never happen again. Arik accepted the pledge.” Logan took a deep breath and lifted his chin. “I’m proud of the boy.” He gave the table one tap and stood ready to leave.

“Yes, he surprised me—” Marcus too got to his feet, “—and I feel it in my bones he’ll be one of Arik’s best. I know I would be glad to train him myself when the time comes. Well, I must get back to the men. Before I leave, I have something for you, Rebeka. You cannot always depend on your great staff. I know it is your weapon of choice but when the men told me you were on the ground today with only a stone in your hand, we realized you carry nothing else. I brought you this dirk, a gift from the men. They insist you carry it.” He handed her a scabbard and a twelve-inch, single-edged blade with an intricately carved oak handle. “I have a feeling you know how to use it.”

“Yes, I do but I don’t need a knife. I have my staff.” She gently pushed his hand away. “I can’t accept such a gift.”

“You can’t insult all my men,” Marcus said, a smile in his voice. “And if you cannot use your staff? You must carry something else,” he said more seriously.

She took the dirk from him with a trembling hand. “I understand, Marcus.” She looked from one man to the other. “I’m grateful for their concern and will carry it with me. Please thank the men for me.”

“Good. I’m glad this is done. One other thing. I would like you to show me how you use your staff.”

“Both of us,” said Logan.

Surprised by their request, she agreed.

“Well, I must be going. Good eve, Rebeka, Logan.” Marcus left, closing the door behind him.

“I must leave also. It’s almost time for the evening meal. If possible, I’d like to go over Letty’s journals with you tomorrow.”

He turned at the door. “Marcus wasn’t the only one concerned about you. We were all concerned. Any one of us would tear the man apart who dared to touch you.”

“Logan…I don’t know what to say.”

“There is no need to say anything. Rebeka. You’re not alone. Not here.” He turned and left, leaving her to ponder his words.

With Shade stabled for the night, Doward once again enjoyed the company at Arik’s table.

“Katherine, it is good to see you up and about. I understand you’ve been too ill to dine with the family. I hope you have recovered.”

“Thank you for your concern, Doward. I’m much recovered.” She gave a gracious nod.

“I see Rebeka is living in the cottage. Will she not be joining us?”

“She’s not part of the family and her stay is overly long. We…” Arik glared at Katherine and she paused briefly. “I thought it best she stay in the cottage. For more privacy,” she added.

“Ah, I see. I’m certain she’ll report the incident to His Majesty. How you were concerned about her privacy, Katherine.” Having made his point, he smiled as Katherine squirmed in her chair. He glanced at Arik but his expression told him nothing.

The meal progressed with polite conversation but the mood was definitely subdued. Even Katherine was not her biting spiteful self. Doward endured the solemn table and waited for the right time to speak to Arik.

“Well, m’lord, once again a fine meal at your table.”

They walked over to the hearth.

“Can I speak with you in private?”

“Of course, Doward, let’s talk on the terrace. It’s a warm eve.”

“I spoke with Rebeka before the meal. I’m concerned for her.”

Arik didn’t move. He kept his gaze steady and straight ahead.

Doward looked in the distance to see what engrossed him. “She told me the leader accused her of being
the one,
the threat, before you killed him. She has no idea what he meant.”

“Surely you see she lies, Doward.” He turned to face the old man. “I must protect my people. All these weeks and she still has found nothing. How much longer must I wait? How much more destruction must I witness? No, Doward, she lies.”

Doward kept his voice calm and even. “You are wrong, m’lord. Her light is pure. There is no evil, I’m certain. Besides, she was the target of the attack. Why else would the men have waited? They didn’t wait for you. They didn’t have a force big enough, even for an ambush, to lie in wait for you. You didn’t want to see Alfred. Whoever told the girl to find you knew Rebeka was with Mary and wouldn’t let Mary go.”

Arik’s gaze didn’t falter.

“Are you so set against her you can’t see her innocence? She’s in greater danger than at first imagined. Arik, she’s important to your cause I’m certain.
She
is the key!”

Doward concentrated hard. He had never ventured to intrude on Arik’s mind before, not even when he taught Arik his first chants and spells. He must be subtle. Arik’s defenses were strong but he couldn’t let Arik detect him. He pushed against the barrier in Arik’s mind to help him see the truth, and found it craftily constructed. Never had he encountered a barrier like this before. It was bound in grief and guilt and there was something else, another’s influence. Arik wouldn’t recognize the interference unless he knew it was there, and Doward knew he couldn’t break it down all at once. He would have to allow Arik’s barrier to unravel on its own. Doward set things in motion and withdrew, exhausted.

“I still protect her, when she lets me. You worry for no reason, Doward. You do have a good point though. Alfred confirmed the men waited for something or someone, and the men hiding in the trees…it all speaks of an ambush. Were they waiting for her? Was she their target? And if she was, why?
‘The One, the key.’
Do you think she’s the key?”

“This is not the first time someone has attacked her. Someone is scared, surely you see that.”

“I will think about what you’ve said.” Arik turned back to Doward and spoke softly. “This problem won’t be solved tonight.”

“No it won’t, but I fear for her, Arik. Her enemies are close and I fear they’ll soon strike. You must know she is not a threat to you.”

“Calm yourself. I won’t let anything happen to her. You need some rest, my friend.”

“You’re right of course. My old bones are in need of sleep.” Doward shuffled into the Manor a bit hunched over and dragged himself up to his room.

“Rebeka, Rebeka, are you there?”

Reluctantly, Rebeka got up from the table strewn with books and maps and opened the door to Aubrey who waited impatiently. “The first harvest of the season is next week. I can’t wait for the celebration. Everyone joins in. There will be games and contests and dancing and lots of food. It will be so wonderful.” Aubrey rushed into the cottage.

Rebeka got caught up in the child’s infectious enthusiasm as she hummed and danced around the room pretending to dance with one partner after another. Finally, she stopped in front of Rebeka and gave her a deep bow. Giddy with laughter, Rebeka curtsyed and the two danced around the room in peals of laughter. Colliding with the furniture, they both landed in heap of giggles on the sofa.

“Oh, before I forget, Uncle Arik would like to see you,” said Aubrey between gulps of air.

How curious. A command appearance.
“Of course.” She hadn’t spoken to Arik, well not directly, since the incident at the mill some days ago. “Tell him I’ll be right there.” She left Aubrey on the sofa and sat at the table. She wanted to finish translating this section of Leticia’s journal. She had a feeling the section contained something urgent. Each time she opened the book it turned to this page and the diagram it held. She kept reading the same section over and over, and each time she understood a little more. When she finally pieced the translation together, it described the four directions—north, south, east and west—as well as up and down. This next section looked like a primer, magic for beginners.

“No, I’ll wait for you. If I leave you to come on your own, I’ll only have to come back and get you. You’ll get lost in the books! Hurry, let’s not keep Uncle Arik waiting.”

No, let’s not,
Rebeka thought. “Heaven forbid!” she said sarcastically.

“I’ll wait for you outside.” Aubrey went outside before Rebeka could ask what Arik wanted.

Rebeka sat at the table, a far-off look in her eyes. She admitted it, Arik haunted her. His presence was everywhere. She touched her fingers to her lips and conjured the gentle feel of his lips against hers. A moan escaped her parted lips, waking her from her daydream. Her own thoughts startled her. Better not to go there. There was nothing to be gained.

She put the books away and left the cottage. “Come on, Aubrey, we don’t want to keep the lord and master waiting.” They walked the short distance to the Manor, Aubrey dancing at her side the entire way. Rebeka hadn’t heard the child talk so much since she arrived. How long was it now? She arrived in early May and next week it would be August. She needed her camera. She needed to see where she belonged. Every day a bit more of the memories faded. Faces faded and names were lost. Little by little this Fayne Manor was more real than the other one.

“Uncle Arik wants to speak to you alone.” Aubrey gave Rebeka’s hand a squeeze as they approached the Great Hall.

Rebeka walked into the room. “Arik, you wanted to see me?”

Arik, deep in conversation with Marcus, gave her a cold stare. He seemed annoyed at the interruption and made her wait while he finished speaking to his captain.

“Yes, Arik, I’ll see to it right away. I know the village will be excited to hear the plans for the harvest celebration.” Marcus turned and saw Rebeka. “Good day, m’lady.” Marcus gave her a big smile as he left the room.

Rebeka waited for his lordship to deem it appropriate to address him, crossing her arms and pressing her lips together in a tight line to show her impatience.

“I want to know what progress you’ve made with your research. You’ve been at it a long time. You must’ve read every book in the library.” He spoke matter-of-factly, without any emotion.

Her head tilted as she considered her response. She hadn’t thought about reporting her findings to him. What was she going to tell him? She didn’t have any information about the weather and she couldn’t let him know she searched for a way to travel through time.

“Arik, I have little to tell you right now. I’ve gone through many of the books.”

“Woman, what have you found in Leticia’s books?” He spoke softly but directly. He didn’t demand, accuse or intimidate. He simply asked the question. It threw her totally off balance.

How did he know she had them? Did Logan tell him? He stood there calmly waiting for her response as if her having books he thought had been destroyed was an everyday occurrence. Her arms dropped limply to her side. There was no point in denying it. “How do you know I have her books?”

His face searched hers. He smiled, appearing to have found what he looked for. “Aubrey asked me to translate a rune. It was unique to Letty. When I asked her where she saw it, she told me it was in a book you were reading.” He looked away from her for a moment. “I knew they hadn’t been destroyed. Where did you find them?”

“They were in the cottage. I found them…” Dare she tell him where? “…they were in a hiding place in the chimney.” The words came tumbling out. “In cleaning up, I stumbled and reach out to catch myself, pulling on the metal ring. Next thing I knew the wooden door opened. The books were hidden there.”

“So, what have you found?”

“Her books are filled with her thoughts.” Rebeka had checked the translations several times. The book was indeed Leticia’s personal journal. She was very open in her feelings about her family. Her children she loved without boundaries. She tenderly spoke about each one. Her brothers she admired, she was proud of them and held them both with great affection.

“Her thoughts…? What else were they filled with?” A pained look crossed Arik’s face. Or was it guilt? She wondered if he blamed himself for his sister’s death. He was her protector and he had failed her. She gave him some space and stood at the window looking out at the garden.

“They contain recipes for her salves and creams,” she continued. “Jeannie may be interested in some of those. There are some references to the land and more about where to plant particular trees and bushes and where to place stones. She believed in the old ways.” The words tumbled out on their own, surprising her.

“Yes, she was very special. She believed strongly she was a protector of the land. She even convinced the king.”

Rebeka’s mind raced.
I’ve been reading words and not seeing their meanings.
She almost missed Arik’s next words.

“You’ve gone through almost all the books and documents in my library. I don’t know what else there is for you to do. I hoped you would find something, anything to help us but I see you have not.”

Rebeka felt the color drain from her face, leaving her cold. She clenched her fists. Was he dismissing her? Was he going to have her leave? Was she expendable? She stood still unable to move, unable to breathe.

“I don’t think you fully know Letty’s abilities. It’s not something widely known.”

“No, Arik, you’re correct.”

He chuckled. “You must look from all angles to get the full view.”

When she turned and looked at him, she didn’t see criticism but something else. She smiled back. “You’re right. I’m not necessarily a believer of the old ways. I need to go over the books again with an open mind.”

“Yes, you should. Can you read them? Even the runes?”

“Yes, I can. Well most of them. She writes in several different languages and uses symbols.”

“Who taught you?” He had a wary look in his eyes. “They’re not widely known.”

“My father taught me how to read the runes.”

His veiled expression gave her no hint of his thoughts. She suspected he would be suspicious. How could she explain her knowledge without telling him she was from the future? Leticia’s runes were nothing like the ones she studied at the university but almost the same as the ones her father taught her, runes and silly chants. How could she explain that?

Jeannie came into the room and went about setting trenchers on the table for the midday meal. Aubrey trailed behind her with linens, glancing up at her and Arik every few moments.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll get back to work.” She was keen to return to the runes again.

“Uncle Arik, did you ask her?” Aubrey bristled with anticipation.

“No, I did not. We spoke of other things first.” He trailed off as Katherine, Logan and Skylar entered ready to begin their meal.

“Ask her what?” asked Katherine.

“Ask Rebeka to our table for the harvest festival,” Aubrey whispered to her.

Katherine’s eyes flared. She put on a big smile but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Go ahead, just as you promised,” Aubrey coaxed her uncle.

Rebeka looked from Aubrey to Arik. What was going on? What did he promise?

“All right, Aubrey, be still.” Arik took Rebeka’s hand, gave a courtly bow and brought it up to his lips. He gently placed a kiss on her knuckles. “Please do me the honor of joining us at our table during the festival meal next week.” The formal invitation left Rebeka speechless.

“Oh, Uncle Arik, how gallant you are. Wasn’t he, Rebeka?” Aubrey clapped her hands.

Arik still held Rebeka’s hand. They were staring at each other. It wasn’t the kiss that set things in motion. It was staring into each other’s eyes when their defenses were down, no barriers, they could truly see into each other’s…soul. Rebeka was shaken, and so, she thought, was Arik.

Arik leaned in close to her. “You’re supposed to tell me you’re honored at the invitation and you of course accept.”

Rebeka reluctantly drew back her hand. Arik stood up straight. They both let loose a tense laugh.

“Lord Arik.”

He raised his eyebrow, making her smile.

“I would be most honored to be your guest at the harvest festival.” She gave her acceptance with a deep and most graceful curtsy.

“It will be wonderful,” Aubrey said, hugging them both. “You wait and see. No village has a harvest festival like ours. Wasn’t Uncle Arik gallant! He promised me he would be gallant and make you a perfect invitation.”

“Come, Aubrey, Lord Arik, your meal awaits. You may go, Rebeka. I am certain you have much to do.”

She smiled at Arik. She did have much to do.

“Oh and, Rebeka,” Katherine continued, looking down her nose at her. “The harvest festival meal is attended by all the neighbors and other lords. You’ll have to wear something more…appropriate.” She smirked at the loose peasant dress Rebeka wore tied with an apron.

Ah, the evil stepmother herself.
Rebeka stifled a laugh. This was turning out to be a really bad fairy tale.

“I wouldn’t want to embarrass Lord Arik or the family,” Rebeka said.

“Yes, well you would fit in more at the villagers’ table outside,” Katherine smirked.

“Katherine, you go too far! Enough of your sour attitude. If a dress is lacking give her one of yours.”

“Oh, Uncle Arik, I can give Rebeka one of mine,” offered Skylar. “Jeannie can alter it without—” She didn’t get to finish her sentence.

“No. Katherine will give her a dress,” Arik ordered. “Won’t you, cousin?” Arik spoke with a definite clipped tone, his face red with anger.

The warm room instantly turned ice cold.

“Yes, Lord Arik, as you wish.” Katherine glared at Rebeka.

“Thank you again, Lord Arik, for the invitation and Lady Katherine for the offer of the dress. If you’ll excuse me, I’d like to get back to my research.”

Rebeka left the room. Long strides took her quickly to the cottage. She couldn’t get out of there fast enough. The look on Katherine’s face following Arik’s rebuke had sparked a moment of pity for the woman, but it was clear to Rebeka that she would pay for that. She needed to get away from Katherine and her toxic attitude, and Arik and his…She stopped midthought. She would think about Arik later, along with the kiss he placed so delicately on her knuckles. Her hand still tingled. She didn’t recognize this Arik nor did she know how to respond to him, although her body certainly did.

“Rebeka, I was coming to see you.” Skylar entered the Manor kitchen, a bundle in her arms as Rebeka returned from her morning “walk” with a basket of harvested herbs for Jeannie.

“Cousin Katherine asked, well maybe not asked more like ordered, me to bring you this dress. She said you could keep it.”

“Dress, what dress?” Rebeka teased.

“The dress you are wearing to the harvest festival,” Skylar told her, a sense of panic in her voice.

“Oh, I almost forgot.” Rebeka smiled. Even Jeannie smiled. No she hadn’t forgotten at all. For the last week, Rebeka had noticed the village abuzz with activity. Everyone was involved in the planning or building and she hadn’t been able to see or talk to anyone without hearing what they were doing for the festival.

Everyone was planning what they would bring, donate and wear. Even Rebeka.

“Everyone seems to have a task,” said Rebeka.

“Oh, yes. Uncle Logan is in charge of the making the stalls and tables for the games and contests. Jeannie and I manage the food and decorating. Aubrey, well she is in charge of the children’s games,” said Skylar.

Katherine, on the other hand, appeared to do nothing. “Does Katherine participate?” she asked.

“Only hosting with Uncle Arik. She thinks the festival is a great expense and wasted on the villagers.”

It didn’t surprise her. Katherine was not beloved by the villagers.

“So, you didn’t forget about this, then?” Skylar smiled as she unfolded the dress, but her face turned to shock at the condition of the brown material. She turned to Rebeka, outraged.

“You can’t wear this! Cousin Katherine knows you can’t wear this to the festival. It’s no more than a rag!”

Rebeka and Jeannie examined it. The quality of the material was good and the shape wasn’t bad, though it would need to be taken in. But someone had slashed the bodice of the gown, the sleeves were held on by a thread and the skirt was spotted and dirty. “Jeannie, it’s hopeless,” Rebeka gasped.

“No, m’lady, more of a challenge. Anything you wear will look wonderful. Wait you’ll see.”

“Jeannie, there’re only two days before the festival and with all you have to do, I can’t ask you…” Rebeka was disappointed, but did not want to show it.

“Ah, m’lady, it won’t take long. You’ll see. I’ll come by the cottage after the midday meal. After all Lord Arik has asked you to attend. I won’t let him or you down.”