HEAT!

Chapter 9

Not far from the village itself, behind a curtain of towering oaks, up a long winding driveway, lies Fairfax Manor, home of Theodoric. On any given day, the house itself is rather quiet unless Theodoric is hosting a grand ball or banquet. But now, with two extremely momentus events coming up, both house and grounds were abuzz with activity. Noblemen and their ladies from near and far gathered on this grand day to witness the most astounding feats and partake of Lord Fairfax's generosity. Today, so many people gathered on the south lawn, enjoying a sumptuous luncheon and marvellous entertainment. This, of course, was preceded by a morning of hunting, with Theodoric himself bagging a huge stag which would serve as centerpiece for tomorrow's wedding banquet. And, in the midst of this throng, no one ate heartier or told the most thrilling tales as Edgard, the Blue Knight.

At his side, seated at the long table, was Lady Pavia, his betrothed. Edgard counted himself fortunate to be one of the very few allowed into Theodoric's inner circle. Lady Pavia, just turned sixteen, was Theodoric's maternal cousin. So close they were as children that people often mistook them for siblings. She was quite the pretty lady with her lithe petite figure, pale complexion, abundant dark hair and sapphire blue eyes. She too counted herself fortunate to be paired with the famous Blue Knight, and had her dear cousin to thank. Theodoric himself, seated next to Pavia, beamed with pride as he introduced the happy couple to his guests.

Theodoric, a tall, slender, dark-haired, blue-eyed gentleman, cut quite a handsome figure in his rich black velvet ensemble. His present mood, while cheery, hid a hard heart and devious mind. A man known for his grasping ruthlesness, Theodoric commanded immediate respect and awe even from those near and dear to him. He stood for no nonsense, no disobedience in the slightest lest the offending party find him or herself on the receiving end of his cruel temper.
It was no secret, even among the aristocracy, that Theodoric was becoming quite the embarrassment, given his past behavior and deeds. Those nobles gathered today, careful not to be overheard by the man, whispered amongst themselves that Lord Fairfax recently usurped several lucrative trade contracts for himself. One of those men Theodoric cheated was none other than Fabian Martel, a wealthy merchant who was also Lady Fairfax's brother. Rumor had it that Fabian, along with his new bride, was en route to Ninegates at his sister's request. What could possibly transpire between these two men once they meet face to face? Would such a meeting, perhaps the resultant duel, mar an otherwise joyous occasion? Bets were secretly placed that Fabian would call out Theodoric during the tournament, some wagering that said drama would take place during the wedding. Whatever the outcome, Theodoric, according to those nobles, just might meet a bitter end.

Griselda, her autumn good looks still able to turn heads, was not present as she had minor household business to attend. In the quiet of her private chambers, she read the letter just delivered from Wellsbrooke. That note read, in part:

My dearest Lady Fairfax,
By the time you receive this, we shall be within a day's ride of Ninegates. By "we" I mean my husband, my two children, myself, and someone else. I can't reveal the other person's identity as he/she will make him/herself known at the tournament. M'lady, I thank you for all timely assistance. All your, and our, sufferings shall come to an end.
I am, m'lady...
Lucy Rivière

Going to the window which overlooked the south lawn, Griselda could see them – her husband and his guests – feasting and reveling merrily while so many people in Ninegates and beyond are still suffering under Lord Fairfax's cruel thumb. It greatly pleased her that Fabian was due here later today. And it grieved her that Lady Pavia, an innocent, sweet-tempered girl who had yet to manifest her cousin's cruel streak, was to be paired wiht Edgard. How horrible that child's fate once Edgard becomes her lord and master. Pavia will certainly suffer the worst sort of abuse and depravity at his hands.

Shaking her head, Griselda summoned her personal servant, giving the order: "Bette, please inform Lord Fairfax that I am feeling a bit under the weather today. And make sure I am not disturbed."
The servant curtsied and obeyed her mistress' request. As soon as Bette exited the chamber, Griselda flung on a dark cloak then made her way down the backstairs. No way would she be accosted by her husband as he would certainly ask question after question as to why she is not present at this afternoon's festivites. It's really none of his business if I choose not to attend this sham of a party. It's nothing more than a pathetic excuse for Theodoric to show off his ever-growing wealth and power.

Griselda, on her way to the stables, paused a bit as she heard voices. She knew these men rihgt away –– Edgard's minions, Herman and Archel. She hung back a bit, hiding behind the mounds of hay; she didn't want the men to know she was eavesdropping. What passed between Archel and Herman gave Griselda some comfort.

Ah, so the seeds of discord have been sown...Archel is furious that Edgard garners the glory while he and Herman do the dirty work. Young Archel is angry, bitter, becuase it shows in his voice...I wonder if he will try something, such as sabotage tomorrow's games...

"I tell you, Herman. His lordship personally GAVE Lady Pavia to Edgard! After all we've done for him, Edgard gets the booty!"
"Archel, don't be so bitter. We should not complain. We have a magnificent house in which to live, plenty of eatables, and his lordship pays us good money..."
"It's not that, Herman! What other nobleman would give his own cousin in marriage to a...a...faker, an imposter knight?"

Griselda couldn't believe what she was hearing. Imposter? Faker? Is Archel talking about Edgard? Surely he is mistaken...or isn't he?

She wanted to listen to more but the men soon exited the stables, continuing their conversation. Griselda, armed with that snatch of words –– Edgard is a faker and imposter –– quickly grabbed an already saddled horse, mounted, then cantered out of the barn and down the backroad towards the village.

°°°°°°

From a safe distance, just within eyeshot of Fairfax Manor, Medra and Samira watched the festivities. There was little time to lose as their plot of bringing down Theodoric and Edgard. Medra scowled as she watched Theodoric heap praise after praise upon Edgard.
"O, look at the scoundrel!," she said, "lapping it up like the common dog he is!"
"Now, Medra," said her draconic friend, "let Edgard have his moment in the sun. Come tomorrow he'll wish he was dead."

Medra nodded, then remembering her part of this scheme, prepared to leave. "I haven't forgotten that I was to return to the future, to fetch Paul and Jamie Morrow."
She pondered a bit then added, "I know Paul is a dragon, like you, Evelyn, and Morib. What will happen to him once he's here? And what do you have planned for the daughter?"

Samira smiled thinly, replying, "Once he knows truth, Paul will have the choice of either taking on his true draconic form or remain human. He is a good man, and all that goodness will serve him well, either as dragon or human. As for the sister, I can only tell you this..."

Their confab was interrupted by the approach of Fergus, the mysterious stranger who breezed into Ninegates days ago. At first, Medra was suspicious of the lanky, red-haired gentleman, being that it was he who revealed the dragons' magic password to Edgard. But Fergus turned out to be their strongest ally, and he had good news on this day.

"Medra, Samira," he courteously addressed, "I've been looking for you. Morib said you were here, watching Theodoric fete his aristocratic friends."
Medra mused bitterly. Yes, the cruel Theodoric, murderer of her parents, rapist of Lucy...showering praise and accolades on Edgard, an equally depraved man of the worst sort.
"Fergus," she said, "what brings you here?"
"Madame," he replied, "I've good news. We've gained another ally, and someone who'd you'd least suspect."
Samira looked at him quizzically. "And who is this new ally?"

Her question was immediately answered as hoofbeats rapidly approached. At first the trio feared one of Edgard's minions had found them, but that was not the case. Climbing up a tall tree, Fergus could see that the rider was not a man, but a woman. He recognized her at once.

"She is our newest ally," he announced as he scrambled down.
The horse, a fine bay, slowed to an easy canter. The rider came into focus. This was no ordinary lady, thought Medra, but a member of the nobility. The woman was dressed in fine attire of deep blue velvet and silk. The tall hennin with its white silk veil flopping in the breeze and the many exquisite jewels attested to this woman's wealth and status.

Medra gaped in awe. This she couldn't believe! "Griselda? Lady Fairfax! SHE is our new ally?," she exclaimed incredulously.

Fergus, knowing that Griselda's presence may be unsettling for Medra and Samira, put those ladies' minds at ease. "Griselda is my lost love. She and I were to be married, but Theodoric, in his usual grasping manner, charmed her away from me. She has never forgotten me, and she is willing to bring down her husband, along with his hired minions."

As Griselda dismounted and approached, Samira felt something stir within. The dragon had never met Griselda, but there was something about the woman that seemed oddly familiar. Lady Fairfax ran up to Fergus, kissed him deeply, then introduced herself to Medra and the dragon.

"I am most likely the last person with whom to align yourselves. But do not fear. I hate my husband, and his many misdeeds have not gone unnoticed by myself. Theodoric has been party to the most horrendous crimes, and not just the murder of your parents, Medra, or your sister's rape. Lucy, my maid, was a victim, and recently my brother was cheated by my husband. It may please you to know that Lucy, as well as my brother, are en route to Ninegates as we speak. They will be here in time for the games tomorrow, and what they will reveal will be more than enough to defeat my husband and his minions."

Griselda then went on to recount what she overheard in the stables. "Archel complained to Herman about Edgard receiving the glory...then he said something about Edgard being a faker, an imposter."
"What?," said Fergus, "the Blue Knight isn't who he claims to be?"
Griselda nodded. "That's what I heard. But the men left before I could hear any more. So, if Edgard is indeed an imposter, who, in reality, is he?"
Medra shook her head, saying, "He may be pretending to be a knight so he and his friends could worm their way into your husband's good graces. You see what has transpired since Theodoric hired those thugs, and I can safely say that his lordship KNOWS Edgard is a sham."
"All the more reason," rejoined Fergus, "to put an end to this chicanery and skullduggery once and for all."

Intently listening to this conversation, Samira peered into Griselda's sapphire blue eyes, detecting the familiar. She tried to suppress her surprise and shock but could not. Under her breath, without the others hearing, she said, "Evelyn..."

°°°°°°

Meanwhile, in the distant future...

"The bitch can't hide forever, Paul," she said bitterly. "And with InterPol involved, she WILL face the consequences for killing Daddy."

"Jamie..."

Giving up, Paul decided to go back to the car, go home and forget finding Astrid. In a way, he hoped and prayed Astrid had nothing to do with his father's death. She couldn't have set that fire, but she was seen leaving the house right before it went up in flames. Dad was still inside –– Maybe HE accidentally started it, probably fell asleep with a burning cigarette...

Jamie, in disgust, started to hurl the crystal wand into the water. Thank the goddesses that Maribel showed up. Now, thought Paul, how did she find us? How did she know we were here?

"Paul," called out Maribel, "Jamie MUST point that wand to the sun! Force your sister! Do it!"
But Paul stayed rooted to his spot by the car, not comprehending what Maribel was saying. And she did look somewhat out of place in her early medieval attire. Oh what the hell, thought Paul as he ran up to Jamie, grabbing her arm.

"What the fuck are you doing? You worthless piece of crap!," Jamie shouted as she tried to free herself of her brother's grip.

The siblings wrestled, falling to the ground, the wand swinging madly. Maribel, seeing this, sprang into action, putting herself between the siblings. Jamie continued to curse Paul as Maribel, pinned between them, grabbed Jamie's hand. With much effort, Maribel forced Jamie's arm upright, pointing the wand towards the noonday sun.
In an instant that wand glowed and hummed in response to solar heat and light. The trio – Maribel, Jamie, and Paul – still an entangled heap of bodies, vanished in a blaze of light and color.

To BE CONTINUED...go to chapter 10

Copyright©2003, 2004 by Pepper Shriver*. All Rights Reserved.
*My pen name :-)