The Trojan Icon (Ethan Gage Adventures Book 8) by Dietrich William

Author:Dietrich, William [Dietrich, William]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Tags: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Burrows Publishing
Published: 2016-02-07T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 21

Astiza

I was invited to a women’s banquet in what, from a distance, appeared to be a ruin. Balbec Castle is a fossil that must date from medieval times, since the centuries have pitted its walls and its windows are dark arrow slits. Some of the parapets have collapsed into rubble from age and neglect. The fortress overlooks a narrow shepherd’s pass in the Carpathians once used by barbarian raiders, but this threat is as anachronistic as the castle itself. Yet while the aerie is too high and remote for ordinary life or commerce, it is useful as a remote hideaway.

A sinuous ridge wound ten miles upward from village to castle, the world brown and gray as I rode my horse up the rocky path. Lingering snow patches were old and dirty. In the last mile the vegetation disappeared entirely except for lichens on wind-scoured stone. Taller peaks cast Balbec into gloom, and swirling cloud gave it a malevolent air. Thunder rumbled constantly, as if lightning was curiously attracted to its towers. A mournful keening rose and fell with the wind and, as I drew nearer, I saw that the cry’s source was a curious flag. It was a tubular wolf’s-head standard that inflated like a Chinese banner and howled with every breeze.

I trembled with anger that our ‘fellowship’ had gambled my son’s life in this foul place. Yes, I will lead my family out of Balbec Castle. But not necessarily Caleb and Dolgoruki.

My journey began with an invitation. In the deepest dark of the previous night, a leather binder had been slipped under our crude door in the village of Szejmal. Inside was a parchment invitation inked in red from a careful hand.

If you seek unity, come to my castle before sundown tomorrow. Instead of a signature, there was the outline of a wolf.

And under that, Alone, to my Banquet of Immortality.

Or he dies.

I left while my husband was still unconscious, reluctantly admitting to Caleb that yes, Ethan might not let me go if awakened. Our resulting plan is quite mad, but Caleb and Dolgoruki have essentially burned our ships and bet all on desperation. Somehow I must distract and bargain with Cezar Dalca. Somehow I must employ my son.

Caleb promised the men will follow but he wasn’t brave enough to even face my gaze. I’d thought his odd glances had been from male desire, but now I know better. He’d planned my sacrifice from the beginning. “Soon, all debts will be balanced,” he promised.

“The woman in Philadelphia? Is that was this is about?”

“It’s about putting things right.”

“You preached reconciliation.”

“I strive for it, but also for justice.”

“Only forgiveness frees the heart. So I forgive you, Caleb.”

He winced as if I’d slapped him.

“But I can never respect you. All you’ve accomplished is to prove you’re a small man, much smaller than my husband or son.”

“Astiza—”

“No antique icon is worth eternal damnation.”

“Can’t you see? This is for all of us.”

But I’d already swung up onto my mare and started her on the road to Balbec.

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