William continued. “Knowing their desire to explore the museum we searched there first. The belongings of Benjamin Erwin were disturbed. It seems they broke in and then left. We have closed all the city gates and search for them now. Known hangouts of James Dixon have been ransacked, but they were not there. I fear they may have already left the city. In fact, I am confident they have escaped.”
Eylene cursed. I should have killed them when I had the chance. Lana was right. “Do we know what they took from the museum?”
William shook his head. “No, your Grace. We searched the chests, but found only his books, clothes and odds and ends. Junk mostly. If they found anything of value, we have no idea what it would be.”
“You checked the contents against the inventory?”
“Yes, your Grace. Nothing is missing.”
“I see. What do you recommend now?”
“Your Grace? Short of sending out patrols, I fear we will not find them. Lana has spoken to the guard and can offer no assistance. She says she cannot locate them with her powers. There is one other thing…”
“Yes?”
“The collars are missing. It appears they found them and left with them.”
Eylene felt her anger rise and heat flood her body. “What? They took the collars? And the Device? What of the Device?”
William looked grim. “Gone, your Grace.”
“GONE!?” shrieked Eylene.
“Yes, your Grace. Only the cables and equipment remain. The Device is gone.”
Eylene glared at the Captain General with open anger. “They were secure in the gaol. Tell me how they could have escaped? They were drugged with collars around their necks! How could this happen?”
“We know someone helped them. The gaol cells were opened, unlocked. We are trying to determine who it is now. Someone is a traitor. We will find him. Access to that section of the dungeon is carefully monitored. Few knew we had them locked up. Whoever it is, they risked much and knew we would discover them. If he has not fled already, then we will find him and deal with him.”
“See that you do! I will crucify him! Find the prisoners. Get the word out to the villages and cities. I want them found and killed on sight. Spare no expense.”
“As you command, your Grace. I wished to speak to you about the villages. There has been an incident you should be aware of…”
A soft knock at the door interrupted them. Eylene called out, and the door opened admitting Lana and Kennit Doirich. They strode in and came over to the table and sat without permission. The Captain General looked affronted. Eylene kept her face impassive and sat in her seat. She glared at the male draoi. She hated their garb. Thin brown fabric that looked like it would better serve a load of potatoes or turnips. The man sat and crossed his legs and looked far too comfortable. “You must be Kennit,” was all she said.
Kennit smiled and Eylene was glad to see it waver when he glanced at William and saw the distress the man was under. His eyes lost a little focus and then he looked at Lana with an expression of surprise. It was only for a moment, but it was clear to see. He uncrossed his legs and plucked at his robe. He forced a smile and addressed Eylene.
“Yes. I am Kennit. Your Grace? Do I address you correctly?”
Eylene pursed her lips and nodded her head once.
“I am so very pleased to finally meet you. Lana has spoken so much of you I feel I already know you. I apologise for my dress. I’ve come straight from the farm.”
“Have you now? How quaint. What news of the farm?”
“The draoi are now split. Some still remain with the Cill Darae, Nadine Arbor. The others side with me and Lana. As Lana has told you, we have control over the motes and were blocking Nadine and Will. Nadine has managed to get past that. I know not how. She is strong beyond belief. But Will is still under our control, I’m happy to report. With Katherine, Dog, and Heather locked up we have little to fear. I have full faith that my draoi are in control.”
“Katherine, that dog, and Heather have escaped.”
Kennit's mouth dropped open. He looked at Lana and saw the same look of shock. “H-how can that be? They were collared. In your gaol?”
“Yes, they were. Someone helped them escape. They are gone. They took the collars and the Device with them.”
Lana gasped. “The collars and the Device? No! It can’t be!”
Eylene was pleased that Lana was equally upset. She had been worried Lana might turn on her. Her reaction seemed genuine. “I’m afraid so. They escaped, entered the museum, and then left. We don’t know if they found anything of value amongst Benjamin’s belongings. William reports everything is still there.”
“They didn’t take anything?” asked Lana, the doubt in her voice was loud to hear.
William stirred. “We checked the contents against your inventory. Nothing was taken.”
Lana sank back in her chair. “Something’s not right. They were so intent on the museum and Benjamin’s belongings. They were following a clue from Faroe Island. If they went back, they were looking for something. Maybe it wasn’t a thing…” Her voice trailed off.
“They left without anything it seems. If it was a something else they needed to see, then get over there and look through everything again,” said Eylene. “Meanwhile, I’m warning the guard in the cities and villages to look for them, but from what you’ve told us, they can easily hide. Can you find them?”
Lana’s eyes went vacant for a moment. When she focused on Eylene, she shook her head. “No, they are gone. I can’t find them.” She lost focus again and then her eyes went wide. “I can’t see the other draoi, either!”
Kennit swung in his chair toward her. “What?” Kennit froze for a moment and then started. “I can’t see them anymore. Any of them!”
Eylene watched as the two druids lost focus and disappeared into their power. She had seen Lana do this countless times and knew she had to wait patiently. She glanced at William and then patted his hand when she saw the distress in his face. William was always such a kind boy in Shape, a pity he can’t see the use of the druids. In moments the druids stirred and looked at each other. Talking to themselves again, I hate when Lana does that.
“Well?” interrupted Eylene after the silence went on for too long. “What have you found?”
Lana looked stricken. “We can no longer spy on the other draoi. We are cut off from them.”
“How is this possible? You assured me that only you had the knowledge to do so.”
“No longer, it seems. The motes say they have higher authority. We cannot order them to respond to us as before. We are certain it is Katherine. The motes said as much.”
Eylene leaned forward. She could sense William next to her looking back and forth between them confused. “That is impossible. The collars should have stopped them from using their powers and speaking to the motes. If Katherine has done so, then the collars are removed. You said only I could remove them.”
Lana nodded and Eylene could see tears forming in her eyes. “I know. It is as it should have been. The Device was quite specific. I don’t understand how she could have removed it. I can only tell you what I learned! We were so successful. Everything was working exactly as the knowledge said it would if applied properly.”
Eylene felt suddenly very tired. “You said only you could control the motes. That this would allow the Church to deal with the druids with ease. How does this change things?”
Lana stammered. Kennit slouched back in his seat. She glared at him and then answered. “I do not know. This is so sudden. It’s true that with our unique control over the motes we had the upper hand. Katherine and Dog together are a force of nature unto themselves. You remember Cala? The stories from there? That was her and Dog. Unfettered she is a danger, a true danger to the land. The collars gave us a chance to defeat them.”
Eylene sighed. “We took them down once before.” She glanced at the handgun carried by William. He saw her look at it and smiled.
Lana looked
frightened now. “You should have killed them! Killed them when I told you to!”
“Enough! I didn’t, and that is on me. How do we find them?”
Kennit raised his hand like a school child. Eylene looked at him and he spoke. “We know where they are going. Back to the Rigby Farm.”
“And how does that help us?”
Kennit smiled. “Your Church Guard is armed with handguns that can strike down as many draoi as they can fire lead bullets. There is nothing the draoi can do against them. That, coupled with the herb mixture, should make them immune to our powers.”
“You would advise that we hunt down the druids and strike them down?”
“Yes. Nadine sent them all out to the villages. They should be arriving soon. Find them and kill them on sight. Take them down one by one.”
“I would not have my Church do this alone, Kennit,” replied Eylene. “I would have your druids sharing the risk equally. Together with my guard we can deal with these outlaw druids.”
Kennit smiled. “Of course.”
“I need you to pledge yourself to me. Swear your allegiance. I must have your loyalty.”
“And you shall have it.”
Emily knocked on Brent’s bed chamber door and waited with her other hand holding a small silver tray which held a steaming mug of hot milk. She hummed a little tune and tapped her foot. After a moment, she pursed her lips and knocked again.
“What?” Came a gruff response from Brent.
“It’s me,” replied Emily.
There was a moment of silence and then Brent yelled out. “And?”
Emily ground her teeth. “I have your bloody milk. I’ve just made it and I’m standing here waiting to come in and give it to you.”
“Dammit. One moment. I’m not decent.”
Emily felt her heart beat a little faster and chastised herself. You’re not some midshipman, Emily. Get a grip.
In a moment the door was wrenched open and Brent stood staring down at Emily with an annoyed expression his face. He was wearing nothing but a pair of undershorts and Emily forced her gaze back to his face. Emily managed a shaky smile at him and pushed past him into his chamber. The first thing she noticed was that he had piled the pillows up against the headboard of the bed and had made a nest of sorts. On the bed, all around where he had been lying, were folders and files. She glanced at the bedside table and spied an almost empty bottle of Cala whiskey. She looked for a glass and failed to see one.
She huffed and went over to the bedside table and placed her small tray next to the whiskey. She turned around and saw Brent staring at her. She looked herself up and down and then frowned at him. “What?”
“You’re out of uniform.”
Emily felt a laugh threatened to escape her and clamped it down. “Yes, well. It’s two in the morning, I’ll have you know. I’m in my jammies. I couldn’t sleep, I got up and saw the light under your door. You should be sleeping,” She waved a hand over the bed and the files. “Not, working. Honestly, you need to rest sometime.”
Brent scowled and moved past her to reach for the bottle of whiskey.
“Uh-uh,” cried Emily, and snatched the bottle away from him. “No more of this. I brought hot milk. Drink that and sleep.”
“Milk? I’m not a child. Give that bottle back. That’s an order.”
“Not a chance.”
Brent glared at Emily. “You overstep your duties. You are not my nanny. Give me that bottle.”
Emily held the bottle behind her back. “Nope.”
Brent blinked at her. “Lieutenant Barkhouse, give me that bottle. That’s an order.”
“Nope.”
Brent growled and lunged to her right side and tried to snag the bottle. Emily twirled away and stepped back. Brent tried again and Emily repeated the move. This time a little laugh escaped her. Brent staggered a little and straightened. He ran a hand through his hair and squinted at Emily. “This is not a game. I want that bottle. Hand it over.”
Emily shook her head and a grin broke across her face. Her teeth shone in the lamp light and brightened her face. The little bit of exertion had reddened her cheeks and her freckles stood out a little in contrast. Brent grew still and stared at her for a long moment. Emily grew uncomfortable and her smile faltered. “What are you staring at?”
Her words seemed to break the trance Brent was in. He shook his head. “Sorry, it’s just you looked different for a moment.”
“Different? This is some trick. I’m not giving you the bottle. Where’d you get this? I gave orders that all booze was to be removed from your chambers. How’d you get this? Who gave it to you?”
“Young lady, I outrank you. Whatever orders you gave I overturned.”
Emily glared at Brent. “You are an idiot Brent Bairstow. This…” she shook the contents of the bottle for emphasis. “This is not an answer. You are drinking too much.”
“How would you know?”
“I was a yeoman in the Navy, you idiot. If there’s anyone who knows how to drink, it’s sailors. I’ve seen good men and women fall under its spell. You have a drinking problem.”
Brent shook his head. “I don’t. I just need it to get over these rough days. It helps me sleep.”
“Sleep? It’s two in the morning!”
Brent looked around his chamber. His clothes were strewn across the floor and tossed into the corner. A tray of food—his supper from yesterday—sat untouched on a serving tray beside the bed. The gravy had congealed on thick slabs of carved meat and roast potatoes. Two flies were enjoying the fare. Brent turned a little to take in the whole of the room and unconsciously reached under the tie of his undershorts to scratch himself.
“Sir!”
Brent pulled his hand out and had the good graces to look ashamed. “Sorry.”
Emily looked horrified for a moment and then pointed with her free hand to the milk. “It’s getting cool. Drink it up. I’ll be back in a moment.”
Emily left the room carrying the bottle with her. She marched over to the doors leading out into the Outer Chamber and swung it open with force. The door swung freely, and the doorknob smashed into the wall. Inside the Outer Chamber the Captain of the Outer Chamber jumped a good foot off the ground in fright. He spun toward the door and saw Emily advancing on him. He spied the bottle of whiskey in her hand and held up his hands in surrender. “I had no choice! He ordered me to bring it to him! He’s the Regent!”
Emily could see the two nearby corporals smirk at the words. She glared at them and they had the sense to clear their expressions and look straight ahead. She strode up to the captain and glared up at him. “No more! Not a drop! You are not doing him any favours. I swear if I find one more drop of whiskey inside his chambers I will have you keelhauled. Am I making myself clear?”
The captain nodded and looked down at Emily. Emily handed the bottle to him and turned and marched back into the Inner Chambers. She slammed the door shut and went back into Brent’s chamber. She found him rummaging through an armoire. He was bent over with his ass in the air.
“It’s gone,” she said simply and went over to the bed. She gathered the folders and files.
“Dammit, woman. I want you out of here. Pack your things.”
“I don’t think so,” she replied and placed the folders on the small desk. She turned toward Brent and placed her hands on her hips. She waited until he stood and looked at her and pointed to the bed. “Get in.”
“No.”
Emily snorted and strode over to Brent and grabbed his shoulders and turned him to toward the bed and gave him a small shove. “Bed. Now.”
“No.”
Before she could think, she slapped his ass hard. “Get to bed!”
Brent jumped forward and cried out and grabbed his bum. “What the…? You just hit me!”
“I spanked you. As I would any stubborn child. Get in the bed. Now!”
Brent scurried over to the bed and slid under the thick duvet and glared up at her. “I want you gone
in the morning.”
Emily didn’t answer and walked over to the side table and then sat on the edge of the bed. She took the mug of milk and handed it to him. He took it in both hands and glared over the rim at her. “Drink,” she ordered.
Brent continued to glare at her for a moment and then drank the milk. He first took a small sip, testing the temperature, and then gulped it down.
“Easy, drink slowly. You’ll choke.”
Brent finished the milk and handed her the mug with a smug look on his face. Emily took it and placed it on the tray. She looked at him and saw for a moment a look of despair in Brent’s eyes. It was gone in a heartbeat and he glared at her. All he does is glare, she thought. She reached out and smoothed the hair on his brow and combed the hair away from his eyes.
“You need a haircut. You’ve gotten shaggy. I’ll schedule one tomorrow.” She continued to stroke his hair for a moment and stopped when she heard a soft snore from Brent. She looked down at him for a moment and then leaned forward and kissed his brow.
She rose, gathered up the tray that carried his forgotten supper, stacked the milk tray on top, and left the room. She came back in, snuffed out the study lantern, and left closing the door quietly behind her.
Sixteen
Near the Crossroads, September 902 A.C.
GETTING OUT OF Munsten was as simple as walking out. They hid their passage and made haste down the road toward Rigby Farm. They contacted Nadine and told her what was happening and what they had found. Nadine found it curious that Gaea would have a power source. Katherine agreed, but kept it to herself.
They ran with draoi speed until James said they needed to stop for the night. He needed food in his belly and for once Katherine agreed with him. So did Heather and soon after Dog disappeared to hunt down some game.
They built a small fire a few miles from the road and huddled around it, seeking the familiar warmth of a fire. It gave comfort, and they hunched forward until the flames heated their faces. It was a very warm summer night, but none of them complained.
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