by Amy Cross
***
“I'm afraid I sent my staff back to the mainland,” Edgar explained as he placed a plate of food in front of Kate. “I needed to have a few more items fetched, and I wasn't anticipating visitors so I felt that I would be able to get along just fine by myself. They'll be back tomorrow, but for now, you're going to have to endure my cooking.”
“It looks great,” Kate replied, and she was telling the truth. Although Edgar had dismissed his skills in the kitchen, he had quickly and seemingly with little effort rustled up a steak and salad. Kate hadn't even realized she was hungry until the smell of the food had hit her a moment ago, but now her stomach was rumbling.
“I offered something to Ephram and Anna,” Edgar continued, bringing his own plate of food to the table, “but it seems that my hospitality is tolerated only so far as it is deemed necessary. Evidently, the wrongs of my ancestors are going to be held against me.”
“He's probably just worried about his grandmother,” Kate pointed out as she began to cut a slice from her steak. “Have you had any luck with the phones yet?”
“Unfortunately not,” came the reply, “but I think everything will be okay. She just needs to rest, and then in the morning my staff will return and someone will drive you all back to town, where a doctor can be summoned.”
“I'm afraid news of your van wasn't warmly received,” Kate told him. “Apparently some of the locals aren't happy about the idea of cars on the island.”
A faint smile crossed Edgar's face.
“You enjoy upsetting people?” Kate asked.
“Sometimes. Just a little.” He paused. “But the truth is, my estate is large and a motorized vehicle is absolutely necessary. It's not as if I intend to go racing through the streets of the old town in a sports car.”
Now it was Kate's turn to smile.
“So tell me about yourself,” Edgar said after a moment. “You're here for a visit, as I understand the situation, but I truly get the impression that you're not the type of woman who wants to spend her time baking on a beach. You were out by the stones on the north of the island, I believe. A passing interest, or something deeper?”
“You saw me?” Kate asked, a little disturbed by the idea that she had been observed earlier.
“One of my men reported that he spotted you heading that way,” he replied, “and I could only assume that the stones were your destination. Actually, I share your interest in them. It's so rare in the modern world for anything to remain a mystery, and yet those stones seem to have defied all attempts to come up with an explanation. I've read extensively on their history, and it seems that no consensus has been reached, and they have never been conclusively linked with any known civilization or group.”
“Someone must have put them there,” Kate pointed out, “and they must have had a reason.”
“Perhaps they shall remain a mystery forever,” Edgar suggested.
“If I thought that,” Kate replied with a faint smile, “I wouldn't find them so interesting.”
“It's the possibility of resolving the mystery that interests you?”
“No mystery is unsolvable,” Kate told him. “The clues are there. We just need to study them, get to understand them, look at the context, and eventually the answers will become apparent. They have to.”
“And is that how you hope to make your name?”
Kate opened her mouth to reply, but the words stuck. It certainly had occurred to her over the past twenty-four hours that she might bolster her reputation in the academic world if she could reveal the truth about the stones of Thaxos, but she wasn't sure she wanted to admit to these ambitions. Not yet, anyway.
“The most convincing study I read,” Edgar continued, “postulated that the stones were put in place by a forgotten civilization that once inhabited the island. There are certainly a few other indications of a religious or at least faith-based purpose, perhaps even human sacrifice. So perhaps there was a civilization here that has so far, for various reasons, completely eluded the history books.”
“Sounds a bit melodramatic,” Kate told him. “Do you really believe that could be true?”
“I prefer to keep an open mind. It's certainly possible that there was a forgotten civilization here once, and then it's not much more of a leap to suggest that they practiced human sacrifice.”
“One day we'll get to the bottom of it,” Kate continued. “Nothing remains a mystery forever. It's just a matter of working hard until the answer becomes apparent.”
“I admire your optimism,” Edgar replied. “Many intelligent and educated scholars have tried to explain the meaning and purpose of those stones, but perhaps you will succeed where they have all failed. I must say, I admire anyone who believes in herself enough to keep pushing.”
“It's just a side project,” Kate continued. “I'm not an expert, by any means. My regular work is as an archivist. I've been working on a project in London relating to the Second World War. When that's over in about a month, I'll be looking for a new contract, maybe in a different area.”
“The past interests you?”
“The past excites me,” she explained. “Anyway, the past and the present, and the future... Sometimes I think they're not as separate as we imagine.” She paused for a moment. “I'm sorry, I must sound incredibly pretentious. This is a great steak. Most people nuke them or leave them too chewy, but it's perfect.” She paused for a moment as she realized that he hadn't even asked her how she wanted her food prepared; he seemed to have simply guessed.
“Perhaps I was just lucky,” he replied.
“Sure,” Kate said with a smile, before suddenly realizing that she was actually managing to relax in Edgar's company. This realization snapped her back into line and wiped the smile from her face, as she found herself feeling a little shy. She'd never been very good at socializing with strangers, preferring to get to know people slowly and maybe then open up, but something about Edgar made her feel as if she was moving much faster. As much as she liked having a good conversation, she was a little worried about the apparent change in her own character.
“You seem uneasy,” Edgar said after a moment.
“No,” she replied, “it's just... I guess it's this dress, maybe. I've never worn anything like it, and it seems kind of expensive. I'm just worried about damaging it.”
“You can't damage it,” he replied. “Please, don't concern yourself with such things.”
Outside, there was another rumble of thunder, although at least there had been no lightning so far.
“I'll make up a room for you after we've eaten,” Edgar continued. “I would be honored, though, if you would join me in the conservatory for a drink before you retire to bed. It's not every day that one gets to enjoy a panoramic view of this island being battered by a storm, and I hope you won't think me macabre if I say that I'm rather looking forward to the experience. I'd also like to pick your brains regarding the stones and their possible origins. I always believe that when one meets someone with similar interests, one should seek to discuss those interests and perhaps explore new ideas. After all, two heads are better than one.”
“Sure,” Kate replied, although once again she felt uneasy as she realized how quickly she was falling into a normal social situation. “Although I'm very tired, so I don't know if I'd be very good company. Maybe I should just go to bed.”
“But if -”
“I hope you don't think I'm being rude,” she continued. “It's just that I've had such a long day, and I get the feeling that tomorrow's going to be pretty intense too.”
“But -”
“Thank you for understanding,” she added, hoping to make her decision final.
“Of course,” Edgar replied, clearly a little disappointed. “Sometimes I forget how easily people tire. You must forgive me for being a little too enthusiastic.” He paused for a moment. “However, if you are to retire so early, I must ask a small favor. I'm having a small party on Saturday night. There'll be food, music, people
... Just my way of opening the place up again and bringing some life back. If you're still on the island, I'd be honored if you would consider attending.”
Kate paused, feeling as if she was being put on the spot.
“Please,” Edgar continued, fixing her with a determined, unblinking gaze. “I must insist that you attend.”