He nods and I try sitting again. I explain about the curse being in the wine, and how Rhauk tricked his half-brother by making him think the wine, of a far superior quality than his own, was a gift from the King.
‘You’ve got to be kidding.’
‘Am I laughing?’
He finally catches on. If there’s anything funny in all this, then the joke is on us. Jarrod’s head falls back, considering. His gaze explores the darkening sky, seemingly enthralled in the pattern of emerging stars. Eventually they drift to mine. ‘Jillian was out by twenty years.’
I shrug. ‘No one’s perfect.’
‘But why did Rhauk tell us he was still brewing the curse when he’d finished it twenty years ago?’
I think about this for a long moment, and then it comes to me. ‘He was always playing games. And he lied to get what he wanted.’
‘He wanted you.’
‘Yes, to replace Eloise. And he wanted revenge. The curse was his revenge, but as long as we thought it wasn’t complete yet, he could manipulate us to suit his plan.’
‘To have you,’ Jarrod confirms.
‘He promised he wouldn’t produce the curse as long as I stayed with him. That was the arrangement.’
‘So what was that wine in the tower?’
Finally I understand. ‘That was the curse, all right. Just more of it. He probably gave Lord Richard a fresh supply every year, under the guise, of course, that it was from the King.’
Jarrod straightens and moans. ‘So what does this all mean, Kate? Was it all for nothing?’
I have to think. ‘No, I won’t believe that.’ And then I remember the words from the ancient scripts. ‘“The only way to stop the curse is to end the sorcerer’s life”.’
‘What?’
I start pacing the short plot of grass in front of him again, this time with excitement. ‘Let’s stop and think a minute. The ancient text said you had to end the sorcerer’s life. Jarrod, that’s exactly what you did. You killed Rhauk – the sorcerer.’
‘Which means exactly …?’
Suddenly everything fits into place. ‘The curse is ended, Jarrod. For you at least. From this moment on.’
He stares at me, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
‘I don’t mean this moment in medieval times. Nothing will change for your ancestors, the curse will still run its course. After all, your ancestors have been drinking the wine for twenty years. I mean when we get back to our time.’
‘I hope you’re right, Kate.’
I smile, actually I beam. Smugly. I have been so far, I can’t help thinking.
He stands over me, peers down into my face, both eyebrows lifting halfway into his forehead. Belatedly, I remember he can read my private thoughts!
Heat burns my face, and I wish it was even darker. I wonder, how am I going to cope with someone who knows what I’m thinking? I could try to block him but my powers haven’t returned yet. I hope my gift hasn’t been permanently damaged. I couldn’t stand that.
Suddenly a shout erupts from the battlements. ‘Scots!’
The single word reverberates as word is passed on. Chaos erupts. But it’s a chaos with a certain order to it. These people have done this drill before – and they’re ready to do it again – to defend their lands and livelihoods. As the villagers are rushed into the bailey Isabel takes control, arranging suitable locations and jobs for them. Lord Richard is putting on his chain mail and ordering his knights to action.
It’s an amazing scene, something I consider myself privileged to witness. And as much as I’d love to stay and be a part of this battle, nowhere in these grounds is going to be safe.
Jarrod has the same thoughts. ‘Let’s get out of here.’
I nod and look for a quiet place in the organised chaos.
Part Three
Return
Jarrod
She makes me promise never to read her thoughts, no matter the circumstances. I don’t want to anyway, so the promise is easy to keep. Without it, there would be a problem with privacy. This agreement makes things easier between us.
We arrive back at the same place we left, by the creek in the forest. Jillian’s still standing where we left her, keeping a silent vigil in the rainforest, keeping the circle blazing and protected. It turns out we were only away a few hours, even though it was over a month at Thorntyne Keep. She hands me my watch and glasses. I thank her, glad to have them back.
It darkens quickly with the candles extinguished, but I hardly notice. We’re both exhausted, the return journey has taken a lot out of us both, but especially Kate, who hasn’t recovered completely from Rhauk’s drugs. Jillian and I have to help her walk.