“Because your people were murdered alongside my uncle and aunt. Someone needs to answer for those gypsy deaths as well.”
Sardel stared hard at the young duke before continuing with their conversation.
“Your suspicions are correct. Avikar was the ringleader. He controlled the entire operation, directing the merchandise that came in and out. His man, Nils, was the go-between, but it was Avikar who controlled everything.”
“That’s what I thought, and now it all fits. I’m convinced he murdered my uncle to get to the throne of Telkur, but I promise you, he won’t get away with it.”
“How are you going to stop him?” Sardel asked. “Kill him?”
“No, I don’t work that way. I need you to testify at the Grand Council meeting and tell them that Avikar was your sole contact for the Telkur smuggling ring.”
“Do you take me for a fool, boy? A Grand Council meeting? You want me to testify at a Council meeting and arrange my own death sentence?”
“No, I assure you that you’ll have my personal guarantee of safety. I’ll issue the edict giving you safe passage. No one will hold you against your will and you can leave once the Council meeting is over.”
Sardel sat back in his chair pondering Ty’s request, but Crestov leaned between the two.
“Sardel’s testimony would only be hearsay. Avikar would simply deny everything. There would be no real proof of his involvement and, with his rank and title, the Council would surely believe him over an outlawed gypsy.”
Sardel sat up in his chair, and leaned over to Ty.
“What if I told you I have undeniable proof that Avikar was the ring leader, proof that I can present to the very noses of the Grand Council. What would that be worth to you?” Sardel asked.
It was Ty’s turn to be intrigued. What could Sardel possibly produce that would be undeniable?
“What kind of proof?” Ty asked.
“I told you, uncontestable, undeniable proof. What would that be worth to you? Sanctioned trade? Legitimate trade agreements between your duchy and the Gypsy Nation?”
It was Ty’s turn to sit back and think. His mind was racing with the implications of Sardel’s words. Sardel had undeniable proof of Avikar’s treachery? Could he sanction trade with the gypsies? What havoc would that wreak? What sanctions would the Grand Council impose on his duchy?
There were many who believed that trade with the gypsy nation should be legitimized, but none had tried to make it a reality. There was too much bad blood between the gypsies and the duchies. Could this be the chance to heal that rift, and bring Avikar down, all at the same time?
“I would have to see this proof first,” Ty said. “If I think it’s as uncontestable as you claim, you’ll have your trade agreement with the Persing Duchy. I cannot guarantee any other agreements with other duchies. I can only speak for my own realm.”
Sardel was impressed.
“Smart, young man. I wouldn’t have it any other way. You’ll have your proof.”
Trinity and Crestov looked at each other, both realizing what had occurred between Ty and Sardel, and the momentous change their agreement would bring.
The four of them left the tavern shortly thereafter. Sardel’s uncontestable proof was aboard his ship, hidden in a cove not far from the city. Ty was initially hesitant to follow Sardel out of the city, but Sardel reminded the young duke that any business they conducted together would be with mutual trust and respect. Ty agreed, knowing that either he or Trinity could open an escape portal if necessary. Nonetheless, it was a dangerous course of action for a crowned Duke of Otharia to follow.
The inlet was well concealed by the surrounding vegetation. Sardel followed the trail without error, and they ended up on a small beach. A sleek ship was moored far enough out in the cove to afford a quick get away. A signaling light alerted those on the ship that someone was on the shore. A dinghy was dispatched from the ship.
“I’ll be back with your proof,” Sardel said, getting into the small dinghy.
Ty had no recourse but to wait with Trinity and Crestov for Sardel to return.
While they waited, Ty looked at Crestov. “Master Crestov, I can’t help but wonder at your involvement in all this.”
“My Lord, I’m but a simple businessman. These affairs of state, that you and Sardel are conversing about, are well above my meager levels of comprehension.”
Ty chuckled at his answer. “Why is it that I get the feeling that your meager levels of comprehension are quite vast, Master Crestov?”
“My Lord, I thought you a telekinetic, not an empath,” Crestov replied with a sly smile.
Trinity covered her mouth to hide a smile, and then pointed to the returning dinghy.
“Here comes Sardel, and he’s not alone.”
“Now, what’s he up to?” Ty wondered out loud.
The dinghy bumped against the beach, and two people got out. Sardel and his companion, whose features were hidden in the depths of a cloak, walked straight to Ty.
“My young lord, here’s the proof you seek.”
Sardel’s companion lowered the hood from her head.
Ty stood speechless. He stared at the woman in front of him, but couldn’t believe his eyes. It was the uncontestable, undeniable proof that Sardel had promised. Standing before him was his dead aunt, Lilliana, the Duchess of Telkur. He took a hesitant step toward her as she looked at him.
“Aunt Lilliana,” Ty stuttered. “Is it really you?”
Lilly stared at the young man in front of her. He was a total stranger and no glimmer of recognition entered her mind.
Ty closed the distance between them and went to embrace her, but she mistook his intentions. Before anyone could react, Lilly had the young man’s arm locked behind his back and her knife at his throat.
“I don’t know what your intentions are, boy, but move another muscle and it will be your last,” Lilly said.
Sardel put his hand on Lilly’s shoulder.
“Lilly, put your knife away and let me introduce you to Duke Tyrian Persing. I do believe he’s your nephew.”
Lilly’s knife dropped to her side, and she pushed Ty away from her.
“Sardel, what are you talking about? I don’t know this boy.”
Ty bowed to Lilly.
“Sardel is right, my lady. I’m your nephew, and you’re Duchess Lilliana Telkur. I can hardly believe my eyes. We thought you were dead.”
Lilly laughed as she put her knife away. “Duchess? Do I look like a duchess to you?”
Trinity curtsied to Lilly. “It’s true, my lady. You are the Duchess of Telkur.”
“I am afraid it’s all true,” Sardel said.
He handed her an object.
Lilly looked down to see a vaguely familiar ring, the signet ring of the House of Telkur, worn only by the ruling duke and duchess. Confused, she looked at Sardel. “What does this mean?”
“It means your life has come full circle, my dear Lilly.”
Excerpt from the field journal of Catiana Spencer:
Excalibur was a sword infused with magical powers. Legend claims the sword was given to King Arthur by a hand rising out of the waters, referred to as the Lady of the Lake. The sword and scabbard were said to be imbued with enchantments that gave its bearer enormous power. The scabbard was said to protect the owner from being mortally wounded, while the sword was supposed to be unbreakable. Unfortunately, like most of the items from this fabled time, both sword and scabbard have been lost in antiquity.
Chapter 34 – The Mansion
“String them along, but let them get in. I’ll turn off the motion sensors in the trophy room so there’s no chance of tripping them.”
Munroe looked at Blackheart skeptically. “You want them to get in?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Why? I don’t understand.”
Blackheart shot his nephew a disappointed look.
“I’m not surprised, Munroe. You’ve never been overly attentive to the family busin
ess. Too busy trying to steal the family jewels, I think.”
Munroe tried to hide his shock, but his stomach clenched in a nervous spasm. Blackheart was known throughout the underworld for his ruthlessness towards anyone that crossed him, including family.
“Please, Munroe, don’t look so shocked. If I wanted you dead, it would have happened long ago when you stole that first piece.”
Munroe looked around, nervously, for the coup de grâce, but, surprisingly, nothing happened.
“Now that you’ve come to me with this information about these three foreigners, I have much better plans for you. I believe it’s time you become fully initiated into the family business, you being my favorite nephew and all.”
Munroe’s confusion was written all over his face. His plan, of turning the three over to Blackheart for a reward, was not turning out quite as he planned.
“Fully initiated?”
Blackheart put his arm around Munroe’s shoulder in a familial way. “Ah, yes. There are many things that you don’t know about the family that you should know. Maybe once I’ve explained everything to you, you’ll stop trying to steal from us.”
Munroe tried to return his uncle’s smile, but it came across hollow.
***
The twins, and Eclair, had been up for hours, talking through the events of the past few days.
“This is really incredible,” Eclair said. “Those goblets prove we’re in the same area as the original exploration team, but I think we’ll need a lot of luck finding the traveling crystal.”
Dyla stood and walked to the window. The early morning crowds were just beginning to scurry up and down the streets.
“The people here have no PSI ability to speak of,” she said. “I’ve probed everyone we’ve come in contact with, and I’ve only found one or two with the slightest hint of power. We need to use extreme care with our abilities so we don’t arouse any undue suspicion. Besides, we only have our personal crystals and we shouldn’t use them up needlessly. There’s no telling when or if we’ll be able to replace them.”
“Agreed,” Darius said. “I see no advantage in telling either Cat or Munroe anything that isn’t necessary for our mission. I seriously doubt that they’d believe we’re from another planet, anyway. Some things are best kept secret.”
Dyla suddenly held her hand up for silence and motioned to the door. She moved to the door, and Darius followed. Darius placed his back against the wall, ready to strike when Dyla opened the door. With a sudden rush, she whipped the door open, only to find Munroe standing there, smiling.
“Good morning; I hope I didn’t wake you.”
Darius stepped away from the wall. “Not at all, we’ve been expecting you.”
Munroe sauntered into the room. “Excellent, shall we begin?”
***
The mansion, bathed in daylight, provided no additional clues than the night before about how the team could gain entry into the grounds. All the trees were pruned back, in order to allow no access over the wall, and the front gate looked even more ominous in the light. There was a key-coded access pad, and a remote sensor, that allowed access to authorized vehicles and people. There was a rear gate for deliveries, but it had closed-circuit cameras, providing around-the-clock surveillance. Munroe informed the trio that the room where the security guards monitored the grounds was directly across from the rear gate.
Strolling across the street in front of the mansion, Darius shook his head in disgust.
“I don’t see any way of getting in. Maybe if we had blueprints pinpointing the positions of the sensors, we could find a route in, but that would take more time than I care to spend.”
“The only blueprints of that place are locked in Blackheart’s vault,” Munroe replied. “The sensor areas are designed to be overlapping, to prevent anyone from gaining entry through the fields. Blackheart has guarded against pretty much everything.”
“Not quite everything,” Eclair said confidently. “I can get us in.”
“How do you propose to do that? Fly?” Munroe asked sarcastically.
Eclair smiled mischievously. “Hmmm, something like that.”
Darius looked at Eclair, and immediately knew he was thinking of making them invisible. He didn’t particularly want Munroe privy to Eclair’s powers. It would invite too many questions.
“I don’t like what you’re thinking,” Darius said.
“Neither do I,” Dyla said. “There must be another way.”
Munroe’s head swiveled between Darius and Dyla. “What are you three talking about?”
Darius continued walking toward their car, parked down the street.
“Let’s get out of here, and talk this over.”
***
It was late afternoon when they finally made it back to their room. Eclair had finished telling Munroe his plan for getting into the mansion. Munroe looked from Eclair to the twins, waiting for the punch line to this bizarre joke. They all looked back at him with serious faces.
“I’ve never heard of such rubbish,” Munroe cried. “Turn invisible?”
“It’s called PST, personal stealth technology,” Eclair replied, calmly. “It’s cutting edge. We have one unit that should be able to cover all of us for the short distance to the mansion.”
“That’s crazy. I’m beginning to think you’re all mad. I thought you were professionals, not escapees from a loony bin.”
“Loony bin?” Eclair asked.
“You know, mental ward.”
Darius looked at Eclair. “Show him.”
“OK, if that’s the only way he’ll believe us.”
Eclair stood and walked to the center of their room, and promptly disappeared.
Munroe gasped. “Bloody hell! Where did he go?”
“Haven’t you been listening?” Eclair whispered. “I’m right beside you.”
Munroe jumped, to the delight of Eclair, who laughed and let his concentration go, promptly reappearing beside him.
“My god, I’ve never seen anything like that. How does it work? How do I get one, and where do you wear it?”
Munroe was carefully looking Eclair over for any tell-tale signs of the equipment, but nothing was readily apparent.
“Hold on, Munroe. You won’t find anything,” Dyla said. “It’s completely inconspicuous; and as for getting one, that won’t happen either. It’s cutting edge, top secret, and currently exists in experimental form only.”
Munroe challenged Dyla. “How did you get it then?”
Dyla put her hands on her hips and stood firm. “Always with the questions. Be satisfied that we have one, and it will get us into the mansion. All you need to worry about is completing your part of the job. Do that successfully, and you’ll be paid handsomely.”
“Will it work for all of us?”
“Yes,” Eclair said.
Munroe paused, taking everything in. “When do you want to go in?”
“Tonight,” Darius said.
“Tonight won’t work. We’ve already missed our window of opportunity for today.”
“What do you mean; what window?” Darius questioned.
“The best way is through the delivery gate. All deliveries happen in the morning and afternoon. We’ve already missed the afternoon delivery. We’ll have to wait until tomorrow. If we time this right, we should be able to walk right in, grab the goods, and leave the same way.”
“The device does have its limitations,” Eclair chimed in. “It’s only good for a short period of time.”
Darius nodded, remembering that Eclair had his limitations when bending light around multiple people.
“Munroe, can you draw a detailed map of the inside of the mansion? We’ll get inside the mansion during the afternoon delivery, but we’ll have to wait until dark to move around. We can study the map today, and be ready to go in tomorrow.”
“Absolutely, and I know the spot we can hide inside until it gets dark.”
“Good, it’s settled,” Darius said.
“Let’s go downstairs for a drink. Then I’ll draw the map.”
Dyla and Eclair were the first to the door.
“Sounds like a plan. I’m parched,” Eclair said.
***
It turned out that the hiding place Munroe had in mind was dark, and below ground level. Blackheart had a large wine cellar, containing expensive wines from around the world. Luckily, Blackheart was merely a collector of fine wines, not a consumer, and rarely visited the place.
It was surprisingly easy to enter the mansion, having practiced walking together while being cloaked the previous day. The only incident they had was during practice, when Dyla grabbed Munroe by the throat and threatened to unman him if he ever touched her again.
“But I couldn’t see,” Munroe had pleaded, innocently. “I was just trying to maintain contact.”
After that, Munroe was placed between Darius and Eclair.
The deliveries to the mansion happened on schedule, exactly as Munroe had predicted. They simply followed a delivery truck into the back court. While the guards were keeping an eye on the delivery guys, the group slipped through the back door, and down to the wine cellar, where they would wait until the early hours of the morning to examine the artifacts.
“By the way,” Darius asked Munroe. “What did you tell Cat about not seeing her yesterday?”
“That was easy. I told her I was taking you around to meet some of my more illustrious contacts in Soho, to gather more information about the artifacts. You see, I took her there once before, and that was all she needed. She vowed she would never come back again. That was probably why she was concerned about you staying in that area last night. In any case, I told her we would catch up with her tomorrow afternoon.”
“Sounds good.”
The group waited out the hours. Each stood a watch while the others sat back and rested, or tried to rest.
“What’s this?” Eclair asked, holding up a long cylinder with a clear lens.
“It’s a flashlight,” Munroe said. “Haven’t you seen a flashlight before?”
The Quest for Nobility Page 25