"But I don't know when right now is, my lady. All is dark in here."
I stop and concentrate. Even though I have been unconscious much of the time, my very cells remember the passage of time. "It is the second morning after I came here, not long before dawn." I pause. "Where does he spend his mornings?"
Dante's face twitches. "If I tell you, will you do what you did last time? Will you go to him?"
I stroke his head and speak in a gentle hypnotic voice. "You have to tell me. You are my friend. You are the only one I can trust. It is imperative that I destroyL andulf before I leave here. Not merely for the safety of you and me, but for the well-being of all people everywhere. You can see that, can't you? His evil has spread far and wide. I must stop it here at its source."
My words go deep into Dante. "He causes much suffering in many lands," he whispers as he nods to himself.
"And that suffering can stop today. Tell me where in this castle he spends his mornings?"
"But, my lady, if you leave me now, when will I see you again?"
I continue to stroke his head. "Remember the pool of water where we slept the night before we came to the castle? It was off the road. Do you think you would be able to hike back there?"
He nods vigorously. "I can do it. I know these woods. When will you meet me there?"
"This evening. I can get there by then. Can you?"
"I am sure of it, my lady. If I do not stop to rest."
""You can stop to rest. If I get there before you, I will wait."
He grips my arm fiercely. "Do you promise, my lady?"
"I promise you, Dante. With all my heart." I pause and sharpen my tone. I know my next words must feel as if they cut right through him like knives but the time has passed for gentle persuasion. "Now tell me where Landulf is."
Dante speaks quickly, startled. "He is probably not in the castle now. He spends most mornings at the ancient oracle, where Venus was long ago venerated."
"Where is this spot?" I demand.
"It is a stone circle built into the side of the cliff at the back of the castle." He gestures downstream. "That way opens onto a stream that falls not far from the place. But it is a dangerous spot, my lady. His power is greatest there, and the spirits protect him. You will not be able to get to him. You have to wait until he leaves the circle."
"We will see." I pat Dante on the back. "Before this day is through, you and I will meet again. It will be a time of rejoicing. The evil enemy will be defeated and good friends will be together and free to go where they wish."
"To Messina?" he asks excitedly.
"Yes, we can go to Messina." I hug him. "Take care of yourself, Dante. You are much loved by me."
He hugs me in return and speaks in my ear.
"You are my love, my lady."
15
The dark path leads to light, but the sun is not yet up when I exit the underground passageway and stand on the edge of the cliff and look out at the vast panorama. A large section of the south shore of Sicily is indeed visible. The sea is purple and there are few clouds. The closest beachfar below and perhaps three miles distantis occupied by a large contingent of soldiers. I can see the color of their skin, their black and green flags that wave in the morning breeze.
Arabs. Moslems.
They could not be so near without LordL andulfs consent.
The duke is not far away, off to my left, down about five hundred feet. As Dante warned, he sits in the center of a circle of stonesdefined by the shape of the ledge and the pointed rocks that enclose itin another pentagram. This five-pointed star appears to have been drawn by blood, and there is something red and slimy in his hands. He sits on his knees with his back to the cliff and I do not know what thoughts run through his corrupt mind. I only know he will be dead in a few minutes.
I start down the cliff.
Venus shines bright in the eastern sky.
I take her white light as a good omen.
I come within fifty feet of the stone circle before I pause. There is a young woman chained to the cliff just below me, and I see Landulf has the Spear ofLo nginus with him at the center of the pentagram. I find it odd that I did not see it at first since I have not let him out of my sight on the hike down the cliff. But the fact does not concern me; the girl does. She is the one who assisted me when I rescued her and her friends from the cage. Like her friend, who was sacrificed at the black mass, she wears a white robe and looks terrified. Yet except for the three of us, I sense no one else in the vicinity. I descend another thirty feet, silently, staring at Landulf s back. I know it is him. The girl sees me and I motion for her to remain silent. Her eyes are suddenly wide with hope, and I have to wonder if that is good. This all seems too easy.