LESSON 18
COERCION

It was five-thirty in the afternoon by the time I had finished reading Lillet’s account and when I noted the hour, I made for the shower to freshen up before my dinner engagement with Molier.

It was plain to see why Albray had not wanted me to read the old document, for it did not exactly paint a sterling picture of his character. I must admit I was a little surprised at the way he had played the holy priestess for sport and I could not help but wonder if he was doing the same to me? Albray had warned that Molier was trying to undermine my regard for my knight and protector, and I hated to admit that a tiny seed of doubt had been planted. And yet, I had seen Albray and Lillet together in the astral realms. Whatever had transpired between them in life had certainly not affected their deep regard for each other in the afterlife. But perhaps in the afterlife all was automatically forgiven.

As I showered, I cursed my lack of spiritual knowledge and reminded myself that I was only getting half of the story as far as Lillet was concerned. Where was the scroll she had penned after this one? Had she had the opportunity to continue her account? I also cursed that I had still only read three-quarters of Ashlee’s account by this stage, and I had yet to discover if Molier was indeed behind the kidnapping of Lady Susan Devere.

While I dried myself, I resolved to keep my dinner engagement short so that I might continue reading Ashlee’s journal before I retired this evening. I was fast running out of time to unravel the truth behind the Star-Fire Temple locked in the mount beneath me. Tomorrow Andre would return with the white powder I suspected would unlock the ancient shrine. As I had yet to master my psychic skills fully, how could I expect to combat evil forces seeking to misuse the mysterious celestial powers that, according to legend, resided in the temple?

Once dressed, I summoned Albray, as I had promised I would prior to facing Molier. When he arrived, my knight observed me for a moment, appearing a little taken aback.

I’ve never seen you wear a dress before…you look beautiful. His compliment was given rather begrudgingly, and I could tell he was perturbed that the occasion was dinner with Molier.

Thank you. I ignored his jealous air. I’m glad you like it. I placed Albray’s stone amongst the belongings in my bag for safekeeping, as I didn’t want to risk carrying the charm into Molier’s presence. Once Albray was summoned he could sense my need of him just as well without it. I’ll be off to dinner now and I don’t plan to be late in returning.

You seem distant, Albray noted. You read Lillet’s story?

The scroll only recorded her movements to where she was sailing with Molier to St Jean d’Acre, I informed him as I retrieved the scroll from my table to return it to Molier. The information seemed to be a blow to Albray.

That explains your reserve this evening.

You’re imagining it. I smiled to reassure him.

I wish I were.

His persistent argument was starting to get on my nerves. You were wrong about Lillet, okay? She was in love with you.

Don’t tell me that! he protested.

I rolled my eyes. What did he want me to say? It’s the truth. I’m sure you had your reasons for toying with her emotions as you did—

I toyed with HER emotions. That IS rich. It was she who toyed with my heart!

I held a hand up in truce. I don’t want to go into this right now . .. I’m going to be late for my business meeting.

Fine! Albray vented his annoyance. Go to Molier.

I turned and headed for the tent flap.

But it will serve you no better than it did Lillet, or me.

Look! I glanced back at him as I exited. Can I count on you this evening, or not?

Of course. Saving damsels in distress is my lot, I’m afraid.

I had to leave before I said something I’d regret. And they say women are irrational in love.

I heard that, Albray called after me.

‘Good,’ I muttered, without looking back.

Don’t mention me in his presence, or the stone, or Ashlee’s journal. He gave me his instructions as an afterthought.

You must think me daft. I reached Molier’s abode and knocked.

I waited for the door to be answered and desperately tried to recall the subject matter of the conversations I had had with Albray, prior to Akbar informing me that my tent was probably bugged. I had surely mentioned Albray’s name—probably Ashlee’s and Molier’s as well. Had I mentioned my relationship to Ashlee? Maybe Molier was not aware that I was a daughter of the blood? Doubtful, or why would he have come? For the opening of the gate, of course—the inscription apparently stipulated only that a woman bearing bread was required to enter first. How many people would translate this to mean a daughter of the Grail bloodline?

Keep an open mind, I reminded myself. Much of what I knew about Molier had come from a two-hundred-year-old journal and a knight who had been dead for eight hundred years! Time to apply my logical, questioning, scientific mind to this conundrum—it had virtually not had a look-in since I’d met Albray.

Two hours later, following a very pleasant evening, I stepped back out of the caravan, unharmed and unruffled.

Molier hadn’t broached any of my taboo subjects. He had given me Lillet’s manuscript to read because it related to the history of the site. Molier’s was the only copy of the scroll in existence, and it had been passed down to him through the ages via his ancestors—along with his melatonin disorder. Either Molier was a very cunning liar, or he did not have my tent bugged and Albray was mistaken in his belief that this was the same man who had taken his life. Maybe, in the afterlife, Albray had lost touch with earthly matters?

Well, that was pleasant, Albray commented cynically as I entered my tent.

Yes, it was, I concurred. Sorry if all our industry talk bored you.

Molier was quite the historian and had told numerous stories about many of the sites I’d only dreamed of visiting, both actual and mythological.

Albray was clearly unnerved by how smoothly the evening had progressed. I had to admit that from where I stood there was little actual evidence to support his claims about Molier.

And what did your etheric sight tell you about the man? he queried. Did you not plainly see how dark his light centres are?

I could hardly sit there and go into a trance, I argued, trying to avoid admitting that the thought had not occurred to me. I think he might have been a bit suspicious.

Albray did not take the news well. There is no point in having psychic ability if you don’t use it!

Well, getting mad at me is hardly going to aid your cause. I moved to my desk and switched on the light.

My cause! He was now infuriated. It’s not my life at stake here.

I turned to confront him, aware of the intense anger I projected. I never felt under any threat before I met you, I pointed out, and the look on his face told me that I had cut too deep. Even I realised then that I was sounding like Lillet.

Albray’s jaw was clenched and, for a moment, he could not look at me. Do you want to know what I liked so much about Miss Granville? He finally raised his dark eyes to mine. She was always prepared to give me the benefit of the doubt. She was a good friend.

My heart sank. I am your friend. I just need—

He held up a finger to warn me against continuing. Our business this evening seems concluded…so if I may be dismissed? He motioned to the bag in which the stone was hidden.

I obliged and as he vanished my heart was suddenly mournful that there would be no blissful dreams of love-making this night. ‘All the more reason to keep reading, I guess.’

FROM THE HONEYMOON JOURNAL OF LADY SUSAN DEVERE

I have been separated from my journal for some time and have not had the opportunity to chronicle the events that occurred after reaching Marseilles with my husband. I shall do so now, and cast my mind back to the frightful time of my abduction.

I recall arriving in the lovely seaport of Marseilles quite late in the day. Lord Devere and I found a rather exclusive and lavish hotel in which to take up residency whilst awaiting word from Mr Devere and our dear sister.

Unbeknownst to me, my lord had arranged a surprise for the following day, and over breakfast in the dining room he announced as much.

I asked him what I’d done to deserve a surprise and he replied, ‘You married me.’

It was moments like this which made it plainly obvious to me what a sound life decision that had been.

After breakfast we strolled down to the huge seaside marina where locals and guests alike were taking their leisure on the water in all manner and size of craft. The sun was shining, the breeze had a warm edge and there was hardly a cloud in the sky.

‘Lovely weather for boating, I presume.’ I had never had the opportunity to try leisure cruising before.

‘You think?’ My lord’s tone of voice was rather neutral, and my heart sank. Obviously, my surprise lay elsewhere. But when I was led to a wharf where several small, but grand, sailboats were moored, I realised my husband had been teasing me.

‘You are going to take me sailing!’ I squeezed his arm tightly.

‘Would that be pleasing to my countess?’ He smiled broadly.

‘I could think of nothing that would please me more,’ I said, although I did have one worry. ‘I didn’t know you knew how to sail, my lord?’

‘Did you not?’ He pretended to be surprised that he’d never mentioned it. ‘Well then, aren’t I the man of mystery.’

‘So it would seem,’ I said admiringly, and kissed his cheek.

When we arrived at our vessel, aptly named My Only Love, I was completely delighted by the single-berth sailboat. The owner told Lord Devere that a large hamper of food was in the cabin as requested and that he would expect our return by evening the next day.

I was absolutely ecstatic to learn we were to spend a night on the water together. The notion was incredibly romantic, in my opinion.

‘What if our brother comes to Marseilles looking for us?’ I asked, wondering if Lord Devere had overlooked this possibility.

‘I feel sure it will take more than a day for my brother to resolve all issues with his wife. In the meantime, I cannot see why we should waste the opportunity to enjoy our honeymoon. I have left word with the consulate and a message at the guesthouse that we shall return on the morrow,’ he assured me.

It seemed my husband had overlooked nothing.

The day was spent sailing around just beyond the port. We did not want to venture too far, in case the weather turned bad. We needed only enough distance from civilisation to secure a little privacy and room to manoeuvre.

My lord seemed to be in his element on the water and I admired how he handled the rigging and generally had complete control of the vessel. I played my part several times when, to my great delight, my husband allowed me to take a turn at the rudder.

Coming on to evening we dropped anchor within sight of the city, had a picnic dinner on deck and then watched the sunset as Marseilles lit up in the distance.

I don’t think I have ever known a more perfect day, and my relationship with my husband reached a level of closeness that I’d never thought might be possible. He left the Earl of Oxford back at port and was just James Devere, the man—my husband and dear friend.

At sundown we retired to our cabin which was dimly lit with gas lanterns.

My husband went first and then lent me a hand to descend the slim stairs. ‘You realise that out here we have no friends to visit, dinner parties or dances to attend. Whatever shall we do with ourselves all evening?’ His cheeky grin was extremely seductive.

‘I fear that we shall be forced to retire early, my lord.’ I closed the distance between his lips and mine. ‘And as I have no maid to help me undress, perhaps you could be of assistance?’

‘Oh, the hardship of being at sea.’ His kiss lulled me into a state of complete abandonment, and within moments we were horizontal on the cabin’s large bed.

This seemed the perfect end to the perfect day, until we felt our vessel bump into something and there was the sound of a scuffle up on deck.

‘What was that?’ I panicked, my mind instantly leaping to conclusions. ‘Pirates?’

‘This close to the harbour?’ My husband’s reasoning set my mind at ease. ‘We’ve probably hit a log or something.’ He shrugged, far more interested in caressing my inner thighs.

He moved in to resume kissing me, until I held him at bay when we felt another bump.

‘Would you like me to go and check?’ he offered reluctantly, knowing full well that that was precisely what I desired. ‘Don’t move.’ He stole a kiss before embarking on his investigation.

No sooner had Lord Devere scaled the cabin stairs than he was landing back on the floor with a thud, and four masked men leapt down into our quarters—all armed with swords.

They dragged my husband to his feet and my lord retaliated, elbowing one man in the stomach while managing to retrieve his sword. He began fighting off the other masked men. One of the swordsmen slipped by him, however, to hold a blade at my throat. Lord Devere had no choice but to relinquish his weapon.

‘Lady Susan Devere?’ the man who held me captive inquired. Since my husband was held at swordpoint once more, I feared for our lives too much to lie. I nodded, whereupon my husband was asked to turn around and was knocked unconscious with the hilt of a sword.

I screamed and then begged my captors not to harm him any further. I vowed to cooperate with whatever it was they had in mind for me, if they would only spare my husband’s life.

The man holding me captive nodded. The others then bound and gagged Lord Devere and left him on the cabin floor.

I was hauled up the cabin stairs, and I knew that if there was any chance of my kin finding me I needed to leave something behind that might supply a clue—something belonging to my abductors that might have a psychic imprint on it. I pretended to trip and grabbed at the coat of the man in front of me, ripping the pocket from his jacket. I surreptitiously flung the piece of fabric into the cabin behind me, while the man grumbled about my clumsiness. I was hauled upright once again and urged forward.

Up on deck, it was easy to see that the bump we’d heard had been made by the large vessel that was tied up to our own. ‘Where are you taking me? What do you want?’

The masked men ignored my questions and thrust me aboard their vessel. I was horrified when I saw the last man to leave our boat raise the anchor.

‘No! He’ll drift out to sea!’ I appealed, but my heartfelt pleas fell on deaf ears.

The kidnapper’s vessel got under way and I was left alone on deck to watch my husband’s boat drift aimlessly. It occurred to me to jump overboard and swim back to my lord’s aid. Admittedly, I hadn’t swum since I was a child, and the clothes I was wearing would be weighty and cumbersome once wet. The buttons were at the back of my frock, but they were already partially undone, thanks to my lord’s attempts to disrobe me. It was my hope that I could rid myself of my heavy outer garments once I hit the water, as I certainly wasn’t game to remove them on a ship loaded with strange men.

I rose up to tip myself over the safety rail, when my arms were grabbed and I was hoisted back on board.

‘You cannot leave yet, my lady,’ said the bandit who had thwarted my escape attempt. ‘There’s someone who wants to see you.’ He set me on my feet and pushed me in the direction of the cabins.

FROM THE TRAVEL JOURNALS OF MRS ASHLEE DEVERE

At the British consulate in Marseilles we learned of the hotel Lord and Lady Devere were residing at, and at the hotel we were advised that the couple were not expected back from boating until later in the day.

This confirmed Albray’s claim that we would find Lord Devere off the coast in a small leisure craft. Mr Devere was not as ready to believe everything Albray said as I was and my husband felt the need to check my knight’s story before rushing off to hire a boat and crew.

Cingar proved true to his word. At the docks, he was greeted warmly by many mariners who were all willing to negotiate a good price to service our needs. The field of bidders was narrowed down when we told them that we’d most probably need to purchase passage to Italy, and might even require passage as far as Alexandria.

In the end, it was an Italian captain who secured our payment. He went by the name of Falcone Bellaccino, although his crew referred to him as Captain Falco. He was bound for Napoli and then Sicily, and did not object to taking a few detours. His vessel, a medium-sized trade ship, was stocked, crewed and ready for immediate departure which was very much in his favour. We were assured that, once the last of the ship’s cargo was offloaded in Sicily, Captain Falco was prepared to take us anywhere in the Mediterranean that we wished to go—as long as we were prepared to make it worth his while.

Cingar, Jessenia and another male from the gypsy band would accompany us to find Lord Devere. We would need to sail the hired leisure vessel back to port. Without doubt, Lord Devere would wish to join us in the pursuit of his wife, provided that my brother-in-law had not been too badly hurt during Susan’s abduction. The other men of Cingar’s clan who had escorted us to Marseilles would return the horses to the gypsy caravan. Cingar promised that his clan would take the greatest care of Destiny, my treasured steed. I’d never thought to become so attached to an animal, and I knew I would miss this horse during the journey ahead. Be that as it may, I could not bring myself to subject the thoroughbred to a prolonged sea voyage to a far-off land with a climate vastly different to the lush lands of France.

Albray had told me exactly where we would find Lord Devere’s boat, and my husband did not have the means or time to check this particular claim. Captain Falco was understandably curious about our certain knowledge of the position of our friend’s missing craft, and even how we knew the craft was missing—given that our brother and his wife were not expected back until later this day. We convinced the captain that it was our best guess, and as we were paying him well he didn’t mind obliging our whims.

I held no misgivings, knowing that Lord Devere’s vessel would be found exactly where Albray had said it would, but Mr Devere was clearly surprised when the lookout spotted a small boat adrift.

‘Are you sure this is James’ vessel?’ My husband persisted in his suspicions as the captain brought our larger vessel alongside the leisure craft.

Albray served my husband a presumptuous glance. ‘May your wife banish me from her service forever if I am wrong.’

Devere found this challenge uplifting, since he would be pleased by the outcome either way. Although Albray was but a ghost, my husband clearly resented another male being so close to me and I did my best to ignore his jealousy. Despite my marriage vows and my love for my husband, Albray was still a most trusted ally. I was not prepared to give up his counsel short of completing the quest my dear Lord Hereford had set for me.

Devere and Cingar boarded the smaller vessel and then aided me to embark—sea travel was a new experience for me and I was yet to find my sea legs.

My husband was relieved to discover his brother bound and gagged in the cabin, but still alive. The discovery was also heartbreaking, as Susan’s disappearance was now confirmed.

‘Thank god, Earnest,’ Lord Devere exclaimed when his gag was removed. ‘How on earth did you find me so quickly?’

‘I have a gift,’ Earnest replied, cutting through his brother’s bonds.

‘Lady Devere has been abducted,’ the lord advised in a panic.

‘I know,’ Earnest answered calmly.

‘How could you know?’ Then he waved off his irrelevant question to ask a more pressing one. ‘Do you know who took her?’

‘We have a suspicion,’ Earnest advised his brother.

‘We?’ James queried and upon looking around to sight me, the lord’s mood soured as he got to his feet. ‘The catalyst of this entire mess,’ he accused, ready to unleash his pent-up rage on me. The lord’s light-body, usually free of blemish, now sported a growing dark mass over his heart.

‘I am as concerned as you for Susan’s wellbeing. She is my oldest and dearest friend—’ I tried to head off the impending outburst.

‘You have a fine way of showing your friendship,’ he snapped. ‘Expecting my wife to lie for you and place herself in danger several times over, all to satisfy your agenda.’

‘This was not my wife’s fault!’ Earnest diverted his brother’s anger toward himself. ‘If anyone is to blame, it is me.’

‘Absolutely correct,’ James agreed. ‘You and your mysteries.’ He glanced from my husband to me. ‘Allow me to let you in on a little secret I’ve discovered during this misadventure of ours. There is only one great mystery in this world and that is how two individuals, in a world of people, can find true love and happiness the like of which I and my wife shared! And now, thanks to your duplicity with each other, the one soul I truly care about has been stolen from me and taken god knows where!’

My brother-in-law’s words bit deep into my heart, for I had found my true love at the cost of my dearest friend losing hers. I cast my eyes downward in shame and spotted a piece of torn fabric lying on the floor of the cabin. ‘Is this yours?’ I retrieved the item that captured my interest.

‘I cannot believe you, Mrs Devere.’ James was clearly vexed by the distraction.

Having the fabric in hand, I could answer my own question, for I received a brief vision, from Susan’s perspective, of her ripping the piece of cloth from the jacket of one of her abductors. ‘No, this belongs to one of the men who took Susan.’ I was excited at this discovery, as was my husband, who moved closer to me.

‘What can you see?’ he inquired, while his brother growled in disbelief.

I closed my eyes and focused on the clue. ‘The man who wore this is bound for Italy,’ I gasped and opened my eyes, ‘and he is in the service of Christian Molier.’

Lord Devere frowned. ‘Molier? Why do I recognise that name?’

‘The Arsenal Library in Paris,’ my husband said to jog his brother’s memory. James had never actually met Molier, but had heard about him in conversation.

‘Your associate in Paris!’ Lord Devere became decidedly steamed-up once more. ‘What does he want with Susan?’

‘He wants me,’ I said abruptly, to calm the man. ‘And there is no reason to believe that he will harm Susan.’

‘And I am expected to believe that, am I?’ Lord Devere protested at the leap of faith I was requiring him to make.

‘We found you, did we not? And we shall find Susan too.’ Tired of justifying myself, I turned and exited the cabin.

‘We have arranged to have this vessel taken back to port,’ Earnest advised his brother. ‘We can take up the pursuit of Lady Devere’s abductors immediately.’ He motioned James up the stairs.

James, holding on to his anger, was unsure about obliging us. ‘You had better be right about this, Earnest, or so help me god I’ll—’

‘I am sure,’ he confidently declared, before his brother could finish the threat. ‘But every second could be precious. Let us not dally here any longer than needed.’

The lord retrieved his few belongings from the cabin and accompanied his brother up on to the deck where I was arguing with Cingar. ‘Oh no, not gypsies,’ James whined in protest, but stopped short of accusing them of intending to steal the craft he’d hired, instead of returning it to port.

Both Cingar and myself chose to ignore Lord Devere to pursue our argument. ‘You only vowed to see me to the sea, which you have done, and now you must return to your people,’ I insisted.

‘My man will return this boat to port and Jessenia and I can rejoin our families in Italy once I know all is well with you.’ Cingar would not hear of departing yet, despite the assurances of my husband and I that we could take it from here.

After four days at sea, I was more deathly ill than I had been during my first day on the waters off Marseilles. It was clear that ship life did not agree with me at all. My husband had looked a little green for a couple of days, but had grown accustomed to the boat’s rocking and was now as fit as a fiddle and rather enjoying the voyage.

I was very grateful that Cingar and his wife had insisted on accompanying us to Italy. Jessenia was a tireless nurse and succeeded in making me feel infinitely better than if I had had to cope with my illness alone.

‘Captain Falco said to inform you that we should be in sight of the Tiber today,’ Jessenia announced when she brought me breakfast in my cabin, where I had spent most of the voyage.

At the mouth of the Tiber River we would pass the ancient city of Ostia, on our way to the modern port that lay a few miles upstream. Here large craft docked and passengers for Rome could hire smaller craft for a journey up the river, or travel overland to the Holy City. This was where I hoped to spy the vessel that had carried Susan away. I had received an impression of the boat from the piece of torn fabric I had found. Albray had assured me that he could confirm my vision, for he had witnessed the abduction first-hand and seen the vessel for himself.

‘Dry land would be a dream come true.’ I forced a smile as I sat upright to try and force myself to eat something. This meal could actually be considered as a lunch. My stomach always seemed to be more unsettled following a horrid night’s sleep and I could not take food too early. My nights at sea had been plagued by vivid dreams of searching for something I couldn’t find: these left me drenched in sweat and had me awake every few hours.

‘I have a real treat today,’ Jessenia boasted. ‘Freshly made bread, and a pot of real tea, compliments of the captain’s private stock.’

I was delighted. Tea was a rarity at sea. I had been craving a warm brew, and plain fresh bread, baked daily by the ship’s cook, seemed to be the only food I could stomach. ‘You are an angel.’ I emphasised my delight. ‘Do thank the captain for me.’

‘He wishes only to see you well again.’ My beautiful gypsy nurse poured a cup of tea and passed it to me on a saucer.

I took a couple of sips and then sighed with delight.

‘It is surely unusual for someone to remain seasick for so long,’ Jessenia ventured to comment as she pulled up a chair and sat at my bedside. ‘In fact, I am beginning to suspect that it is not just the sea voyage that is causing it.’

I scoffed at her concern. ‘I have rarely known a sick day in my life.’ A fact that was making my current plight all the harder to tolerate. ‘Do I have the symptoms of some other illness?’

‘The sickness in the morning, the vivid dreams, the perspiring and broken sleep,’ she listed. ‘They all seem to add up to pregnancy.’

‘Pregnancy!’ I objected, and the cup rattled violently in its saucer. Jessenia relieved me of it. ‘Please, goddess, no.’

Jessenia smiled at my referral to the goddess, for her people were avid believers in the Great Mother, Danu, or Diana, whose daughter Aradia brought all witchcraft to the world. ‘Is it possible that this could be the case?’ She attempted to dispel my horror until I’d examined the possibility thoroughly.

‘I suppose…’ I was reluctant to admit I had not bled since I’d been reunited with my husband. My monthly time was now well overdue. The realisation made my stomach turn, for many reasons, and finding my bedpan my compulsion was obliged.

A pregnancy could place my whole mission in peril, for if Devere found out, I was fairly confident he would do everything in his power to prevent me travelling further. I was even more fearful of Devere’s secret brotherhood discovering I was with child, for I suspected they hoped for this very outcome when they had matched me with Devere in the first place.

‘You haven’t mentioned your suspicions to anyone, have you, Jessenia?’ I tried not to sound as panicked as I felt. I was relieved when Jessenia shook her head. The poor woman obviously didn’t know what to make of my unfavourable reaction.

‘My people believe it is a great blessing to fall with child so early in a marriage.’

I forced a smile, knowing she was happy for me. ‘How long until it starts to show?’ I knew nothing about children or childbirth, as it was hardly a course of study that had ever interested me.

‘Maybe ten weeks,’ she advised, ‘but as you are so slight, perhaps less.’

‘And how long to Alexandria from Sicily?’

Jessenia was starting to catch the drift of my questioning. ‘Two to three weeks at the most.’

With any luck I could complete my journey to the Sinai and be back home in England before my husband became aware of my condition.

‘I would be very grateful if we could keep this theory between us for the time being,’ I requested.

‘But surely your husband will be overjoyed?’ She edged around making any promise.

‘I should not get his hopes up until I’m more certain of my condition, and even then I should wait until it is clear that I am likely to carry the child to full term,’ I lied. The gypsy woman would not have understood my true concerns, even if I had been able to share them with her.

‘It is hardly my place to go against your wishes,’ she assured me. ‘But I should take care, if I were you, of what activities you indulge in, as your body could be more prone to suffer injury and fatigue.’

‘No more thundering around on horseback and clashing swords with bandits then.’ I made light of her warning.

Jessenia smiled, although her concern did not lift. ‘As most mothers would tell you, your body and your life are no longer your own.’

Here I was, a psychic, and yet I’d been unable to predict my own pregnancy! Now that Jessenia had suggested it, however, I knew her hunch was correct. I did not feel at all myself; rather, I felt a sensation similar to that of Albray seizing control of my body. It seemed I now only had partial control over my own being; there was another will operating inside me that was just as determined to have its way. I immediately noticed how hungry I was; the poor little mite must have been starving.

I reached for the bread and began to devour it.

Now that I’d accepted my predicament, perhaps I’d be able to overcome this illness and keep food down.

Later that day I felt much improved, and was able to make my way up to the deck to view the port at the mouth of the Tiber River.

The vessel that had stolen Susan away was not hard to spot. There were few large vessels moored here at present, and it was particularly extravagant in design.

‘That’s it, The Sea Grail.’ I pointed it out.

I agree, Albray advised Devere and me.

‘Sounds like a name the brothers would use,’ Devere noted, not as sceptical as usual; he’d obviously psychically scrutinised the fabric, too. ‘She’s light in the water,’ he commented to his brother, who realised that this was not to our advantage.

‘If this is the vessel we seek,’ Lord Devere paused to emphasise his words, ‘and she’s not carrying cargo, she may have arrived quite some days ahead of us.’ He was angered by this possibility, and even more vexed at the means we were using to advise him.

I’ll go see if your friend is still on board. Albray vanished to go about his mission.

‘And how are we to know for sure whether Susan is on board?’ Lord Devere queried. ‘We can hardly just climb on and search it.’

‘I have certain sources who are currently finding out for me,’ I replied, ‘although I doubt very much that you would want to know any more than that.’

My husband cringed, able to foresee the clash of beliefs that was about to take place.

‘I am hardly going to invade another vessel on some supposed spirit’s say-so!’ Lord Devere was very close to losing his temper.

‘Fine,’ I assured him. ‘No one is forcing you to come.’ I turned and walked to the opposite side of the deck to avoid any further unpleasantness.

‘Maybe you should leave this to us?’ my husband said, as he could see that Lord Devere was frustrated by my response. ‘After all, it is our fault that Lady Devere was abducted. If we are wrong about this vessel, then only we shall suffer the consequences.’

‘And what if you are right?’ Lord Devere reasoned with himself. ‘How would it appear to my wife if I have not participated in her rescue?’

Earnest smiled, sympathetic to his brother’s feelings. ‘You have more chivalry than commonsense, it would seem.’ His smile turned into a cheekier grin.

‘And this is surprising to you?’ Lord Devere let his anger go, resigning himself to following our lead, for better or worse.

‘Not really,’ Earnest admitted. ‘I think it runs in the family.’ He looked at me and noted Albray suddenly appear. He joined us to hear the knight’s report.

Lady Devere is still on board, under guard. They have her locked in quarters below deck, beyond the galley.

‘Great!’ My husband wasn’t at all inspired by the news. ‘We’ll only have to sneak past the entire crew to get to her.’

You see all those windows just below the bow of the ship. Albray pointed them out. One of the windows on the other side belongs to the cabin where your friend is being held.

‘Locked, you said?’ Devere queried.

Padlocked on the outer door and inner window.

My husband was again disheartened.

But the windows are only made of glass and timber. Albray smiled and, catching his drift, Devere smiled too.

‘Where is Molier?’ I thought to ask.

Not on board, but I shall track him down once you have finished with me and report back.

‘And the Fire vial?’

It is on board, locked in an iron safe. I have never before seen a lock the like of it, for there is no hole for a key.

‘We should just concentrate on getting our sister to safety.’ Devere warned me against pushing our luck.

‘Of course, you’re right,’ I agreed, my mind still mulling over how to get around Molier’s security measures. ‘I think we could do with some professional help. I need to consult with Cingar. Perhaps there is a way of gaining access without smashing any windows and raising the alarm. The more of a head start we can get on our journey eastwards the better. Albray,’ I turned to my knight, ‘I am guessing Molier is somewhere between here and Rome. Please find out how many days he is away.’ He vanished and we turned to seek out Cingar, only to find Lord Devere staring at us, undoubtedly concerned for our mental health.

‘Who on earth are you both talking to?’

‘You don’t want to know,’ Earnest advised.

‘The good news is that Susan is on board,’ I added on a positive note. ‘And I believe I have a plan.’

‘Grand.’ Lord Devere forced a smile. ‘That is so very reassuring.’

With a bag full of gold francs supplied by Lord Devere, Cingar and his wife rowed ashore and were able to secure the aid we required.

Albray returned that afternoon. He had discovered that Molier was indeed in Rome, negotiating with the Vatican over the collection of rare biblical texts, and it would take several days for him to rejoin his vessel.

Come nightfall, the Devere brothers, Cingar and I rowed across to the wharves and waited in the rowboat. Cingar’s ‘aid’ was due to arrive soon. Our target was docked at the end of the longest wharf. To ensure a fast getaway, Captain Falco had moored offshore.

‘This may not work, you realise?’ my husband whispered to me. ‘These men could well be sworn to chastity by their order.’

‘Were you?’ My question was rhetorical. ‘Besides, they’re Frenchmen.’

‘Here they come.’ Cingar pointed to the small crowd of ladies making their way up the wharf, their arms loaded with supplies.

‘Ahoy there!’ the woman in front yelled, before ascending the gangway.

When members of the crew spied the gathering of women, whistles and cries of approval sounded. ‘What can we do for you, ladies?’

‘It is more what we can do for you, gentlemen,’ the lady replied. ‘Lord Molier instructed us to feed his men in his absence. We have brought fresh food, wine and company. May we come aboard?’

Molier had left one of his personal staff on board to keep an eye on the crew, and he was hesitant to give consent. However, he was eventually persuaded by the rest of the crew to allow the women on board—they knew as well as he did that their superiors would not be back for days, in any case.

‘I still don’t know about this.’ Lord Devere was very edgy.

Albray motioned to the bow, where I spied Susan watching the commotion from a window.

‘My lord…’ I gestured to the window and upon sighting his love, Lord Devere leapt to his feet. ‘Susan!’

‘Shhh!’ All three of us yanked him down to a huddled position. Thankfully, our prey had not heard a thing over the din they made welcoming the whores.

‘My wife is here,’ James said in amazement.

‘You were in doubt?’ I teased, relieved that my brother-in-law would finally throw his all into our quest. Well sighted, I commended silently to Albray, thankful for the timely intervention.

Anything to stop him whining, Albray commented, and both my husband and myself had to smother our amusement.

‘I take back every negative comment I’ve ever made about your methods.’ Lord Devere finally awarded us our due. ‘I shall never doubt you again.’

Praise the Great Mother, a convert!

‘Best wait until this rescue is over before you start thanking us,’ Mr Devere suggested, settling back against the side of the boat to await the signal from our decoys that it was clear to board.

An hour or so later the whistle came, and we crept from our rowboat onto the wharf and made our way swiftly up the gangplank.

‘All dead to the world,’ announced the woman in charge of the covert mission, and her associates chuckled.

‘I guess my great-grandmother’s sleeping potion really works,’ Cingar commented, amused, as we moved past the unconscious crew.

‘If it works nearly as well as her sleeping spell, they’ll be out for days,’ said Devere, a little spitefully, having been a victim of the spell.

‘It’s not quite as potent. Depending on how much they’ve consumed, it should keep them under for the better part of a day.’ I was delighted by the result, despite my husband’s feelings about my methods. ‘I am truly blessed to have a gypsy witch among my otherworldly associates.’

‘Don’t say any more,’ Lord Devere pleaded in a whisper. ‘That’s really a bit more information than I need to know.’

My brother-in-law was a good Christian and I well knew that my connections and means were too unorthodox and unnerving for him. ‘I feel certain god will not send you to hell for using heathen means to save your wife.’ I couldn’t resist a dig at his staunch religion, in which I held no faith whatsoever.

‘Indeed.’ He didn’t agree. ‘I think I am most fortunate that we live in this century and not the fifteenth, or we’d all be burning for tonight’s deeds.’

‘Only if we get caught,’ I retorted boldly, and the lord ventured a smile.

At the entrance to the galley level stairs we were met by one of the most attractive of the ladies, dangling a set of keys taken from her unconscious victim. “Twas as easy as taking sweets from a baby.’

I graciously took the keys from her and cast my eyes back to Lord Devere, who bowed his head to concede his admiration and gratitude. Then we headed below.

Albray led me to the room where Susan was being held captive and after a short guessing game with the keys, we finally found one that fitted the lock and the door swung open.

‘James!’ Susan exclaimed in disbelief, and rushed into his waiting arms. ‘I’ve been so worried.’ She shed tears of relief that he’d not perished at sea. ‘How did you escape?’

James motioned back to Earnest and me, who waved from the doorway. ‘I knew that somehow you’d know.’ Our dear sister rushed to embrace us both. ‘You found my clue?’

‘We did.’ I squeezed her briefly, shedding a tear of relief myself. ‘We can discuss this later, as time is something we don’t have an abundance of.’

‘Too true,’ James agreed, grabbing Susan’s hand and leading her down the passageway, to where Cingar was waving at us to hurry up.

‘Cingar has booked passage for you both on a ship bound for France early tomorrow. He’ll lead you to your transport.’ I backed up in the opposite direction.

‘And where do you think you are going, Mrs Devere?’ My husband, who’d headed after the others, halted.

‘You know that there is something else I have to do,’ I said regretfully. ‘I am unsure of how long it might take and have no wish to endanger anyone further. I shall meet you back at the rowboat as soon as I can.’

‘I am not departing without you,’ Devere and Cingar insisted as one, which immediately made me furious.

‘When are you men going to learn that I can take care of myself!’ I had backed up to the corridor where Albray stood in wait for me.

‘We have to talk, Ashlee.’ Susan also implored me to leave with them. ‘Molier is more than he seems. He is dangerous beyond all imagination, even your imagination.’ Susan resisted her husband’s gentle tug toward the exit. ‘You must believe me. He is more powerful and dark than anything you have encountered in the past.’

‘I do believe you,’ I assured her, ‘but some events are fated, and we must rise to the challenge without thought for the cost.’ This is what Albray had done, and I glanced at him, proud that he was a kindred spirit. I didn’t have to know the details of his demise in service of the greater good; his whole being radiated the unmistakable aura of a hero, too decent to boast of his own miraculous deeds. ‘Take my kin to their transport, Cingar, or I shall never forgive you.’ I made a break for the corridor, following Albray—my husband was hot on my heels.

‘I should have known he’d be behind this,’ Devere commented when he saw Albray.

Albray stopped in front of a door and I shuffled through the keys in search of one that might fit the lock. ‘Either you are going to help us or not. If the answer is not, then please just leave us to it. ’

‘Of course I’ll help.’ Devere stopped as he caught up with me. ‘I just wish you would confide in me every once in a while.’

We accomplish things faster when we act on our own. Albray fuelled my husband’s anxiety.

‘Albray,’ I cautioned him. ‘Do I have to dismiss you?’

‘What a good idea.’ Devere seconded the motion and I rolled my eyes, frustrated with the argument and my lack of success with the keys.

‘I shall insist that you both leave in a minute!’ I said crossly and stamped my foot. I shuffled through the keys once more. ‘Where is the key to this wretched door?’

Perhaps Molier has it? Albray was annoyed that he’d overlooked such a major detail.

I nodded. ‘None of these fit.’ I leant my head against the door, defeated.

‘Then there is no point in loitering here any longer.’ Devere was not unhappy at our failure.

You don’t seem to understand. Albray decided to enlighten our unwilling accomplice. If we can steal the Fire vial then Molier loses his power…he is entirely dependent on its subtance!

‘Well, how are we expected to steal it if we cannot unlock the door?’ Devere retorted. ‘You’re being unreasonable and placing my wife in unnecessary danger.’

There is another way we might gain entry. Albray gave me a knowing look, implying I should recognise the means to which he referred. Remember your escape from the library? he hinted further, not wanting to give too much away before we were agreed.

‘How did you manage that?’ My husband’s curiosity made me uneasy.

Albray was suggesting that I use the substance contained in the Star vial hidden on my person, in order to penetrate the wall. The only problem was that I had not yet disclosed to my husband that I had this treasure, and given the enmity between my knight and Mr Devere, producing the vial at this moment was bound to cause more trouble.

I wouldn’t suggest it unless there was no other way. Albray attempted to assuage my suspicions that he might be trying to rile my husband.

‘Is it dangerous?’ Devere was immediately concerned for my welfare.

‘Not physically dangerous, no.’ I skirted around the question, knowing my husband was going to be very disappointed in me.

Devere backed up a step, sensing that Albray and I were again keeping secrets from him. ‘What then?’ His voice had an underlying sense of betrayal.

I figured the best way to break the news was to produce the item, so, putting my hand down the front of my garments, I drew out the vial.

My husband may have been awed by the presence of the vial, but he was emotionally confused at the same time. ‘You’ve had it all along?’

‘Hereford entrusted it to me,’ I confirmed and Devere’s hurt was obvious.

‘You do realise I have the ability to read your mind?’ He directed the question at me and I nodded. I was aware that his psychic powers had strengthened. ‘At any time I could have read your mind and discovered your secret, but I did not! And do you know why?’

‘Because you trust me?’ I said timorously.

‘More the fool me!’ Devere barked, and turned away to contain his anger.

‘I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I had to be sure you no longer served your brotherhood, who would probably do anything to obtain possession of this substance.’ I referred to Hereford’s death.

When Devere turned his eyes back on me, his expression was very dark indeed. ‘After what Chavi Choron told you, you still doubt my loyalty? Tell me, how long until you forgive me my one misstep?’

And he wonders why we never tell him anything. Albray was fed up with the delay, but his comment made me fume.

‘Dismissed.’ I turned my ire on him.

No, don’t, he appealed rather desperately.

‘Dismissed…’

I’m sorry I spoke…but we are—

‘Dismissed.’ As Albray vanished, I looked at Devere.

‘Thank you.’ He seemed mildly pacified by the development.

‘If I didn’t trust you, I would not have produced the vial now,’ I informed him, removing the stopper and placing a few of the tiny sparkling particles on my tongue.

‘I don’t see that you had much choice in this case.’ Devere was unconvinced.

‘If I had desired you to be absent I could have arranged that, believe me.’ The substance caused my body to shiver with awareness. It was only then that I recalled my pregnancy and I was immediately concerned at the effect the Highward Fire-Stone might have on my developing baby. A bit late to consider the consequences now…I scolded myself for not considering the child first. I replaced the Star’s stopper and returned my treasure to its hiding place. When I looked up, Devere was smiling.

‘I have not proven easy to shake off in the past, if memory serves,’ he said, moving closer to become more intimate with me.

‘I have been lenient on you.’ I placed both my hands on the surface of the door.

‘Is that right?’ My challenge amused him.

I nodded. ‘I shan’t be long.’ I focused my will on the object beyond my fingertips and, as I felt its solidity give way, I pushed myself on through to the other side.

‘That was amazing.’ My husband spoke through the door to commend me.

‘Trouble is, it’s pitch dark in here,’ making my next feat a wee bit difficult. Then it occurred to me: ‘The Star vial.’ Producing the item, I was surprised at the amount of light it awarded in a pitch dark room. Now where is this safe?

It seemed I had dismissed Albray too soon, but rather than call him for help, I had another idea. I walked over to Molier’s desk, to probe it for its owner’s psychic imprints. Laying a palm upon it I perceived a cold, apprehensive premonition that compelled me to desist in my inquiry. I continued nonetheless and my attention was directed to a painting of the Black Madonna on the wall.

The sound of scratching on glass startled me. It was coming from beyond the drawn blinds in the cabin.

‘Are you all right?’ Devere requested an update, as he must have heard my gasp.

I approached the curtains and, swallowing back my fear, I drew the heavy fabric aside to discover a raven beyond the windows. It rasped at the thick glass with its claws, determined to penetrate it, and its angry squawks shot sharp waves of panic through my being, as if I was the cause of its senseless determination. ‘Yes, I’m fine,’ I answered Devere and breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Shoo.’ I urged the creature to give up its impossible quest.

My attention returned to the painting despite the bird continuing to make its ruckus. I crossed the room to search for a latch around the inner back edge of the picture frame and upon triggering a mechanism, the picture swung open like a cupboard door. ‘I’ve located the safe.’

Albray had been justified in saying that the lock that secured the iron door was rather ingenious. It was a long-barrelled padlock with no keyhole, just consecutive rings of numbers. I had heard of such devices, known as combination locks. They were an invention of the master craftsmen of the Orient. As lock picking had become an art in recent times, this type of lock was used to protect the holdings of the major banking establishments in Europe. Some of these had over a million combinations and to run through them all without interruption would take about two thousand years. It was fortunate for me that most of the world’s inhabitants were ignorant of the art of psychometry. There were six numbered dials on this particular lock and as I placed my finger on the first ring of numbers I was compelled to roll it around to the number five; then the next dial suggested the number two, and the next number six.

‘What do you think you are doing?’

I heard a stranger’s voice echoing down the hallway beyond the room.

‘Someone is awake,’ my husband advised me through the door, and I heard him draw the gypsy sword that he still wore.

‘I’m almost there,’ I yelled back, hoping he could hold our foe for just a few more seconds. I locked the fourth and fifth numbers into place. Once the sixth number revealed itself, I expected the lock to somehow open, but instead the end of the cylindrical lock fell away to reveal a keyhole. ‘Damn it!’ I uttered under my breath, concerned for my husband as I heard swords clashing outside the door. I could not will the lock undone, but I could try to reach through the solid iron door.

It’s no different to changing the composition of the parchment, I recalled Albray advising me in the library. You have the ability to do this, but if you need faith in yourself then call upon the strength of your foremothers.

I closed my eyes to focus my intent on the thick cold iron at my fingertips.

Women of my blood . ..

If my intent will serve the greater welfare,

lend to me your expertise,

to turn this iron to air!

My entire body began to tingle with an empowering force that was distinctly feminine: soft, graceful and intuitive. I rested my hand on one of the strongest materials known to man, and willed the Fire vial to me. I had expected to feel crystal making contact with my palm, but what was drawn into my possession was velvet. I quickly withdrew my acquisition into the light of the Star vial.

Upon opening the red case I beheld the other half of the treasure I had been seeking—a vial, like that of the Star, that emitted a red light from a scarlet substance. I returned the Star to its usual resting-place in order to run my fingers over the glowing red treasure.

I am watching you, Mrs Devere.

I was startled by a malign whisper that registered in both my mind and my ears. The source was inside the room. It was only then that I realised the bird had ceased its protest. The temperature in the room had dropped. I swung around to confront the most horrific apparition I had ever encountered and could not prevent a squeal from escaping my lips.

For the most part the entity was composed of vapour. This seemed to be gaining entry to the room through the almost non-existent gaps around the closed windows. A pale, drawn face had taken form amid the vaporous presence: red eyes with yellow pupils that appeared all the more sinister in the red glow of the Fire vial lying in the open case in my hands.

I’d think twice before challenging me, the devilish entity advised me. I’ve been wielding these powers a lot longer than you have.

That’s when I recognised the phantasm. ‘Molier,’ I uttered, astonished, as I backed toward the door.

The entity smiled and a red substance dripped from the sides of its mouth. How can you possibly hope to outsmart a god?

I wasn’t about to debate the issue, for it was painfully clear that I had no idea of what Molier was capable of.

Upon my speedy return through the door, I collided with my husband and we both collapsed over a third party and onto the floor.

As I scrambled to my feet in a panic, my husband grabbed my wrist to reassure me.

‘It’s all right. I have already relieved him of consciousness.’ Devere believed my haste stemmed from fear of the swordsman on whom we’d fallen.

‘We have another concern.’ I looked back to Molier’s office to see the vapour spilling into the hallway from the keyhole and underneath the door.

‘What is it?’ Devere, spotting the phenomenon and sensing its ominous nature, got to his feet and we began to run down the corridor.

‘This is pointless.’ I abruptly halted and turned to confront the massing entity. ‘We can’t possibly outrun it.’

‘We have to try,’ Devere appealed, but I shook my head, not to be moved.

Albray, Albray, Albray. I had been a fool to dismiss my guardian.

As my knight’s spirit presence manifested behind me to perceive the foe we faced, he didn’t waste a second. In the name of the goddess, I repel you! Say it.

I repeated his words with the same sureness and authority that Albray had employed in citing the command to me.

I blind you to my being and banish you back to yours.

As I issued this command, I felt a great force gather at my back, just behind my heart where the Star vial now sat. This energy burst through my heart centre and shot outwards through my extended fingers in pursuit of the phenomenon that had threatened me.

A tormented wail sounded from the entity, and its vaporous substance withdrew back through the gaps in the door.

‘Woo-hoo!’ I acknowledged how liberating the experience had felt. I turned around to find my husband in a rattled state—he’d turned as pale as a sheet.

‘You speak in tongues now? Tongues that speak—what language was that—some sort of ancient Aramaic?’

‘What are you talking about? I was speaking English,’ I insisted, but as Devere adamantly shook his head, I turned to Albray. ‘Was I not?’

I didn’t do anything. He washed his hands of responsibility. All I did was advise you to use the aid you had already rallied around yourself.

‘My foremothers,’ I realised, amazed that they had literally spoken through me.

‘Then why the Eastern dialect?’ Then it dawned on Devere. ‘Unless you refer to her ancient foremothers?’ The man turned a shade paler still.

Albray smiled at my husband’s reaction. ‘Now you, too, have heard the combined feminine voice of the High Council of the Elohim, to whom I, your wife and yourself are but humble servants.’

‘The vials belong to them,’ Devere deduced, having been drawn into recollecting the tutelage he’d received from his brotherhood. ‘I had never truly believed that the female protectors written of in Grail legend existed.’

Where do you think the Arthurian accounts of a castle of women who guard the Grail sprang from?

‘Carbonek.’ Devere cited the name of the castle. ‘They also called it the Temple of Wonders…the Palace of Adventure.’

That is where we are bound.

Devere’s eyes shot across to Albray. ‘You know the whereabouts of this palace?’

I should do, I died there.

I looked from man to ghost and back again. ‘Would someone like to fill me in on what you’re both talking about?’

Gladly, Albray granted. But would it not be better to discuss this on board our own vessel?

‘For once I agree with you.’ Devere took hold of my free hand, as the other was tightly clutching a red velvet case. ‘Let us put some distance between this vessel and us…not that distance seems to matter any more.’

Molier cannot seek you in his spirit again. The command of the ladies of the Elohim will bind him to that.

‘But he is capable of other feats?’ I assumed.

As are the both of you, Albray assured me, motioning Devere and myself in the direction of the exit.