Old Magic(65)

‘Her parents died in a fire. She came to Blacklands for food and shelter. The nuns took her in but already she was with child. It was strongly rumoured she had been seduced by the devil,’ Isabel hisses. ‘She remained at Blacklands until the birthing. The nuns knew of her evil sorcery and tried to cleanse her, but even her own magic wasn’t enough to save her life.’

‘She died?’ I ask.

‘Yes, in childbirth.’

Kate swears, softly under her breath. Both Richard and Isabel’s eyes fly to hers. They are not used to such words coming out of the mouth of a Lady. Thankfully, Kate recovers quickly and mutters, ‘Such a shame. The baby, I mean. To be motherless at birth. Who raised him?’

Their attention successfully diverted, Richard says, ‘Ah, now that is another mystery.’

Again Isabel takes up the explanation, ‘Some say he was raised by the crows that feed out of Blacklands. But of course this is nonsense. Others believe the nuns raised him before he ravaged and killed them all while still a youth, claiming their convent for himself.’

I’m going for the nuns’ story, even though both stories have the feel of exaggeration. These people sure are a superstitious lot. They’re so isolated up here, they probably believe anything, and make up half the stories themselves for pure amusement.

‘How can you not know the truth?’ I ask. ‘After all, the two castles are neighbours.’

‘The nuns were self-sufficient and lived reclusive lives. Years could pass before anyone saw or heard from them,’ Isabel explains.

‘One thing is certain,’ Richard’s voice is suddenly deadly serious. ‘Rhauk is powerful and evil. I strongly advise you do not accept his invitation to dinner. Not only does he want our lands, the income we gain from them, but he has a personal vendetta with our family.’

Now we’re getting somewhere.

As Richard relates the tale, the room falls silent. He looks at me. ‘Did your father ever tell you why he moved away? Relinquishing his title and lands to me?’

I shake my head, eager for him to explain it all. ‘Your mother, Eloise, was a beautiful young woman. Many desired her, but none as much as your father – and Rhauk.’

Kate finds another chair, pulling it up beside me. ‘Both courted her, and it was clear she had affection for them both, but when forced into a decision, she chose your father. Rhauk could not accept her decision, and on their wedding night your father claimed he kidnapped his virgin bride. No one saw Rhauk do it. I was on guard duty that night myself and didn’t see a thing. No one broke through our defences. Yet your father slipped into a state of shock, muttering for days a crazy story about Rhauk’s eyes. No one could make much sense of his words. By first light Eloise had wandered back, dazed and somewhat mindless for days afterwards.’

Moisture glistens in Richard’s eyes, and Isabel leans down with comforting arms around his neck. The tears help me glimpse in him a softer side. To members of his family he is loyal and compassionate. And I sense he is carrying a guilty conscience at what happened the night of his elder brother’s wedding, especially considering he was on guard duty. Perhaps he thinks he should have protected them better. A thought hits me; considering it was the evening of a celebration, maybe Richard was a drunken guard that night. And now he is Lord of Thorntyne Castle and all its estates, while his brother hides himself somewhere in a foreign land.

‘It was rumoured that Rhauk seeded Eloise with child, for the infant born nine months later strongly resembled Rhauk. The rumours cut deeply and Lionel took his young family far away.’ Richard’s eyes clear and focus on mine. ‘How goes your brother?’

My ‘brother’ is supposed to return to claim his rightful inheritance sometime in the future, there’s a battle described in the heritage book, so at least I know of him, and that he lives. ‘He is well.’

‘You have seen Rhauk. Who does your brother resemble, now that he is a man?’

This is a tricky question. I don’t have any idea. I shrug, as if I don’t care. ‘I know him only as my brother.’

This seems to satisfy Richard, who stands suddenly as if tired of the conversation. He looks about him, observing the quietness in the room, and starts bellowing orders to continue with the clean-up.

Kate and I go out into the bailey. We need to hash over everything we have learned. Rhauk is obviously the one we want. And I think Jillian’s timing is perfect. But we need to discuss tactics. How are we going to stop this man?

One thing is certain, no matter Richard’s warning, we will have to go to dinner.

Blacklands awaits us, and all Rhauk’s mysteries.