indicated me. ‘In other instances the counterbalance could assume the form of a tragic event that will trigger a great outpouring of human compassion, or a miraculous occurrence to stimulate inspired thought in the masses.’
I had to refrain from gulping in fright and longed for Albray to be by my side; I felt stripped of my greatest weapon without Albray. I needed to find myself a ringed stone and fast! Andre would return with the shipment of white powder today, but with any luck he might arrive late in the day so that the grand opening of the temple would have to wait until the sun was at its zenith tomorrow. That would give me one more day to finish Ashlee’s account, and to find myself a new treasure stone and complete the summons to get my dearest ally to return.
‘Molier’s consumption of the Fire-Stone, when he lacks the Gene of Isis to transmute its divine benediction, has driven him quite mad, I believe,’ Akbar said. ‘I can’t claim to know his reasoning or true purpose for wanting to gain access to the Ark. Perhaps he aspires to true godhood, who knows?’
According to Lillet’s account, the moment Molier had swallowed the Fire-Stone he had felt himself to be a god, so why should he need to pursue it any further? Unless he now fancied keeping the company of the gods in their realm? I was still theorising when we finally reached the mess tent. Even though the sun barely tainted the darkness with the first signs of dawn, our camp chef was up and preparing food.
‘In any case, Molier’s intentions are of no concern. We must thwart him,’ Akbar insisted, and again it was a struggle not to appear daunted.
‘Then I had better eat up, stock up and get back to my tent,’ I replied, forcing myself to sound enthusiastic. ‘I still have much work to do.’
I had to admit that I did feel better for having food in my belly; my nerves had settled down. My date with destiny was fast approaching and being afraid was not going to make it go away.
Apart from reading the rest of Ashlee’s journal and seeking a new charm, I had also vowed to Lillet to try and find a way to release Albray from his vow to the Elohim Council of Hathor.
‘Now don’t stress out,’ I cautioned myself, despite the workload that had suddenly piled up. ‘I can do this. I just need to tackle one challenge at a time. Ashlee…’ I decided to get the journal out of the way—with a little luck, that would leave me the rest of the day to complete my other objectives.
I pulled the large journal from my bag and placed it on the desk before me. I found my place and began to read. FROM THE HONEYMOON JOURNAL OF LADY SUSAN DEVERE
I insisted on waiting for Ashlee on the dock at Ostia—I would not go anywhere without first warning her of my concerns about Molier. I suspected that he, too, was a powerful psychic, and that when he had abducted and imprisoned me he had probed my mind for information about my dear sister-in-law. I personally had found his presence very unnerving and, whatever his intention toward Ashlee, I knew deep in my gut that his purpose was malign.
My stubbornness dismayed my husband and Cingar, who both insisted that I would do well to stick with the plan and board my transport home. The ship would be departing port in but a few hours.
My wait proved to be of no avail, as when Ashlee and her husband disembarked from Molier’s ship they were in such a hurry to get to their own vessel that they would not listen to what I had to say.
‘I am so sorry, Susan,’ Ashlee said, already on board the rowboat that would take her to her ship. ‘We have no time to waste. Cingar will show you to your transport,’ she advised once again, while Mr Devere had untied the rowboat.
‘You are not leaving without me,’ Cingar insisted, jumping aboard before my brother-in-law could push off.
‘Don’t be ludicrous, Cingar!’ Ashlee was annoyed at him. ‘Jessenia is awaiting you on shore. What will your new wife think when you don’t show?’
‘She knows of my decision to accompany you all the way to the East,’ Cingar argued.
‘But who shall see my kin to their boat?’
‘I am not entirely useless,’ Lord Devere said. ‘We are capable of seeing ourselves to the vessel.’
‘There you have it.’ Cingar took a seat, not to be moved, and my sister-in-law did not waste time arguing.
‘Then let us depart.’ She gave Devere the nod to push off and waved to me. ‘I’ll see you in Europe soon, I promise.’
Dutifully, I accompanied my husband to our ship, but inside I felt I was letting our kin down. ‘So, that is that, the adventure is over.’ I spoke my mind, no longer able to bite my tongue.
‘Well, that is hardly something to be disappointed about.’ My lord seemed surprised by my melancholy. ‘I had rather thought you might be relieved.’
‘I would have thought so too.’ I saw his point and could not explain my contrary feelings. ‘But…must we return home? Could we not see the quest through to its end?’
‘My dear Lady Devere,’ my husband was now sounding a little annoyed, ‘have you forgotten that we do have responsibilities to our shire and to the queen?’
‘Yes, of course.’ I forced a smile. ‘How silly of me.’ I had no chance of competing with my lord’s duties and thus I resigned myself to our lot, which I had happily agreed to when I had married Lord Devere.
‘I’m sorry, my love.’ My husband could clearly see my discontent. ‘You know I will always grant you anything that it is within my power to give, but by the time we return we will have already extended our honeymoon, and —’
‘I know,’ I interrupted, heartened that he cared about my feelings. ‘Our sister is in good hands with your brother and Cingar,’ I reasoned. ‘I’m sure they can handle any problems that might arise better than I.’
My lord smiled and kissed my hand, thankful for my understanding and support, and I was glad to give it.
‘My Lord and Lady Devere?’ A man’s voice addressed us from the shadows of the darkened dock-front buildings.
‘Who wishes to know?’ My husband swept me behind himself as he turned to seek our stalker.
An older gentleman came forward onto the dockside, holding a lantern high so that we might see his face. ‘My
