In the several months he had known her, Robert had never before seen Serenity this angry. Even when she witnessed he and his men on their first encounter, she was not angry. He was ashamed of himself, of letting his temper almost destroyed not only his men but the chance for peace and a settled country. He had failed himself, his people and his King but worse, he had failed her.
Days it had taken. Weeks even, to agree the details of their alliance, choose the warriors and others that would join them in his castle. Weeks to try and get back into Serenity's good graces. She still wasn't entirely happy with them, but Robert took consolation in the fact that she was still mad at Aelfwine too.
Something about the man just… it wasn't that he was a Saxon, or that he was a skilled and formidable warrior who had killed many of his people. No he could understand these things, even admire and respect the man. He may have even liked the man, despite his Saxon ideals if not for the fact that the damned man had the audacity to break into his castle and steal his charge from him. He had promised Serenity she would be safe in his home, among his people and Aelfwine had made a liar out of him. What was worse, he couldn't do much about it, he had to obey the orders from his King. Orders that where made with the information Robert provided in his reports.
Robert looked up from his trencher of food to watch the mix of Norman and Saxon warriors and women. There were very few children in the castle, safer to keep them out of the battle areas, but the small form of Osgar could be seen mingling among the warriors. The boy had shown a remarkable affinity for the knights, their equipment, horses and battle tactics. He even had his own practice sword and was slowly gaining strength and confidence. He would make a fine man someday soon. Robert was proud of the boy, would be proud to call him his son. Perhaps he would adopt the child, if he and Serenity agreed. But a boy needs a mother as well as a father. Not that any man would admit it but, even fully grown, a mother always holds a special place in his heart. Will always be someone he will make time for and at least listen to… It had been months. And nothing could be found of Serenity's family.
Roberts eyes search out the figure he wanted to see most. He could no longer deny the place this phenomenal women held in his heart. Brilliant, beautiful and compassionate… He loved her. He wanted her by his side, as his wife. Always. But she was like no women he had ever met. Would she be happy with him or was he being selfish? Should he ask for her hand?
Roberts thoughts were interrupted by the voice of his right hand man. He looked up to at his man and sat back.
"My Lord, the gathering is due to begin."
"Very good, thank you Percival. Inform the Saxon leaders and Lady Serenity. I will be in the meeting chamber with the rest of my advisors. Bring them straight to me."
"As you wish my Lord."
Walking to the meeting chamber, Robert could only hope a solution would be found swiftly and that Serenity's anger had eased. He entered through the thick doors and saw them gathered. He had been surprised the King was willing to entertain and alliance with what was left of the Saxon ruling class. Not that it was a bad thing, on the contrary, Robert thought it wise to end the fighting. The country could ill afford it now. But the King had been so adamant about destroying any who thought to rise against him in his new kingdom.
Looking around for Serenity, he found her at the back of the room, almost hidden, observing the men. She seemed different, determined. When the room noticed his presence, all fell quiet.
"Gentlemen, let's get to work. We need to plan our next move. Making this alliance was the first step in thwarting this man who has made himself out enemy. Moving our forces to the castle will make defence and training easier. Those most vulnerable are hidden away from our main forces here and we have plentiful supplies. Aelfwine, how are the Saxons settling in? Have there been any incidents?."
“Thus far, all is well Lord Robert. Each one here has worked hard to ensure that all runs smoothly.”
“Good. Now to business. This traitor is dangerous. He has manipulated both sides, resulting in major loss for us all. He hides well and has great influence over people. We need to capture him and then he must be dealt with."
A brief silence lasted after Roberts summary before Aelfwine spoke up.
"Where do we start? We don't even know who this person is."
“We know what he has done.”
“Do we? Until recently, we thought all the deaths were caused by each other. A view I am not entirely willing to dismiss”.
“What are you saying? Are you trying to blame us now Norman?”
“Gentlemen, enough of this. We have already agreed to a truce. We must turn our attention to protecting our people.”
The chamber erupted into a babble of noise as ideas, arguments and frustration flowed with no cohesive thought or order. Robert withheld a groan as he watched the first attempt at cooperation become a veritable shouting contest.
Robert looked around the room trying to find someone who could bring all here together, to act as one. But he found none, even Aelfwine seemed to have withdrawn from the chaos, deep into thought. Then he heard a voice rise above the rabble.
"Does anyone have a map?"
***
Serenity had hardly heard the wordless noise around her, she had hardly hear Robert's introduction. Already she was making plans, trying to understand who they were working against and how to go about ending this war. Capturing this one instigator may not be enough, but it was a start. If he was smart he would have made contingency plans. First they needed to know all they could about his actions so far.
At her question, the noise around her suddenly stopped. In the silence, she looked up into the surprised and irritated faces around her.
"Why is there a women here. This is a war council not a village fête."
Before anyone could answer or add to this complaint, Robert spoke up.
"Because I summoned her here. Do you to question me Sir West? Do you believe you know better than I who among my people can aid me best?"
“No M’Lord. I meant no disrespect,”
The chastised Sir West dropped his eyes from his Lords anger and resolved to think before speaking again. The awkward silence that had followed lingered until Perceval, Roberts right hand man at the castle, a man Serenity was not overly familiar with, appeared with several large sheets of parchment. Laying them on the long table, Serenity saw the maps she requested, the castle clearly marked of each one.
"Thank you Sir Perceval. Now, we mark on the maps, in the order they occurred, the locations of each attack we, perhaps we can learn something."
As Roberts military men began to outline the information she requested, Serenity watched the map. Slowly, a pattern began to emerge and a smile tugged at her lips. Now they had a start.
"What do you think My Lady? What do you see that we do not?"
Serenity looked up at Robert, drawn from her contemplations. She realised the room was again quiet, the men looking at her waiting for her to explain.
"My Lord look. He began here, in the Northwest with the first battle, near the coast. But look. See here? He has moved steadily Southeast towards where we are now at the castle. So he's either following something or he has a target. Either way, we know that he has to be somewhere close to each battle. From the little information we have, we know he has a personal role in each confrontation. How long have the attacks been going on. When did they begin?"
"About six months ago My Lady" answered Robert's captain "although…"
He seemed reluctant to continue.
"Although what, sir? It could be important."
"… Forgive me My Lady but, in the three months since you arrived, there seem to have been more battles… especially in this area, close to the castle. If he had followed the pattern you showed us, he should have moved further Southeast by now." He indicated where on the map.
There was an uncomfortable silence, but no one dared speak against her. Serenity knew she needed to put to rest any doubts or fears they had. They would be foolish not to be suspicious but, now more than ever they could not afford for them to turn against her or one another.
"I see what you mean Captain. Indeed it is a strange coincidence. My presence is a factor perhaps? A new element so close to Lord Robert could have made the traitor nervous, made him increase his attacks, try to destabilise the area. Or it could simply be that Lord DeMontford is a powerful adversely in the area, a known warrior. Or that attacking a castle takes more effort, more men to tackle, more battles, more time. Yet if you consider the manner of my appearance, rather out of the blue, my family’s disappearance, that you don't really know who I am. Of course you are suspisous. Alternatively, take into account, I have brought to light some of this and requested the current cooperation… it is difficult to know. So the question is, do you trust Lord DeMontfords and Aelfwines judgment in this, in me?"
Someone from the back of the room asked, “Now My Lady?"
"I'm afraid so. We do not have the luxury of time."
***
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The Captain who had first brought up the issue nervously shifted. He felt bad that he had indirectly accused Lady Serenity of treachery. He cleared his throat and spoke up, "My Lady, you have done nothing at all to harm us since you arrived. In fact you have made us stronger. If My Lord trusts you and we know he has good judgement then we will trust you My Lady."
Robert breathed a silent sigh of relief and watched as Serenity smiled at the captain and nodded her head in acceptance. Looking around the room, he saw the truth of the captains words in every face, including the Saxons. He was glad, Serenity could not be in danger, especially from his own men. She had lowered her eyes so she wouldn't betray how much their acceptance meant to her but he knew. Truthfully, she had been afraid. She whispered a thank you, so quiet only he had heard.
"You're welcome"
Roberts reassured her, gently resting his hand on her back. She looked up at him smiling and determination to do whatever she could to help these men shone from her eyes. They had all become so dear to her.
Robert took over the discussions.
"Captain, you are correct. He has spent a great deal of time here, more than anywhere he has previously been. We can use it to our advantage. We know he has to be close by in order to plan and put into action the skirmishes. But he had to be able to reach both sides. These maps show all the villages, so then he has to be based either… here or… here."
He indicated two villages on the map that were equally close to the castle and the lines marking the borders of his immediate boundary. The lands beyond, though technically Roberts, were full of the Saxon rebels as there just weren't enough men to secure them permanently yet.
"This knave works to stay anonymous. He would disguise himself as someone recently brought in by the new Lord to live and work. He's cunning, so he'll be able to slip in and out as he wished. I suspect that when he encounters our soldiers, he would work in the lower ranks where he can hide his identity. The menial workers, kitchen staff. Places where staff are always changing. That's where he hid before. A village is more difficult as new faces stand out so it should be easier to find him."
Aelfwine nodded.
"I agree My Lord. It is sensible, but we will have to search carefully. We cannot alert him to our purpose. What about the security of the castle? We know he moves about a lot and he most likely has found a way in. We cannot risk him hearing our plans.”
“We must only speak of them in this room, nowhere else and with no one else. Agreed?” Everyone nods their ascent. “Good. Captain, I want you to double the guard but keep it discreet. If by some chance he does get in, I don't want to make him suspicious. Keep the extra guards in casual garbe but make sure they're well-armed. I don't want any man in danger.”
The Captain bowed to his Lord. There followed a lull in the discussion and hopeful conversations were murmured among those gathered in the chamber. Robert could tell Serenity had given only half her attention to his words. Her brow furrowed in concentration, probably trying to follow the little spark of a thought that had struck her. Still frowning she muttered.
At her softly uttered words, those closest to her, including Aelfwine and Robert, turned questioning eyes to the Lady. Unaware, Serenity continued to study the map before her in concentration. When she didn’t continue, Robert spoke.
“Lady Serenity?”
Startled from her reverie, Serenity looked up into the curious faces around her. Turning to Robert, eyebrows raised, she waited.
“You asked ‘Who is he’…”
“My Lord, we know nothing about him, so we do not know how to proceed. Would it be possible to send a scout to the coast where he first appeared? I believe if we can ascertain who this man is, we will have a better chance of finding and stopping him.”
Robert nodded.
“I agree with this suggestion My Lady. What would you suggest our scout look for? If we do not know anything about this villain, we have nothing to reference when looking for him.”
“Tell him to look for anything out of place, anything that doesn’t belong. I don’t think interrogating the locals will help, he knows how to blend in. Search areas he can hide, the forests, the keeps. I have a feeling he will know it when he sees it. But whatever happens, he must return within six days.”
One of the Saxon leaders frowned. “Why six days Child?”
“I do not think it wise for the scout to be away from the safety of the castle for long. Especially as we do not know how this man will react. He may be observing our movements. If there is something to be found, our scout may be in danger.”
“Very well. One and a half days travel each way. That leaves three days left to search. We will also begin discreet scouting of the two villages, small groups under the guise of running errands for the castle. No one is to leave the castle without orders or permission.”
The discussion continued, details were discussed and finalised for all the aspects of life in the castle, the upcoming searches both in the villages and the scouring mission and he schedules for guard duty. All was divided equally with members of both sided involved in all aspects. Eventually the meeting began to wind down.
***
Serenity’s mind ticked away, blocking out all around her. What was it? Something nagged at her persistently pulling at her attention. She just couldn’t quite…
There! Her eyes went wide in understanding as she gasped. Her hand went to her mouth.
“How could I have been so blind?”
Once again the room’s attention was on her but still she barely noticed. She began to pace in agitation, eyes moving constantly trying to think. Was she right?
“My Lady?… my Lady… Serenity!”
Robert stepped into her path as she paced and held her upper arms to still her. Looking down into her face he waited until she focused on him.
“What is wrong.”
“He…”
Serenity paused, trying to gather her thoughts. She gently broke out of Roberts grasp and crossed her arms across her body. Lips pursed, she paced away from the table and back again.
“He attacks indiscriminately, Norman, Saxon. And now we have a truce we are bound to look to other potential enemies. Who is he? A Norman, a Saxon, Scotsman, Welsh, Irish, French? He seems to not care at all who prevails or who is harmed. This isn’t about starting a war.”
One of the advisers spoke up. “Of course it is My Lady. He cannot expect his actions and the battles he has caused to not result in a war or uprising.”
“No, good Sir. Though a war or uprising may occur as a result of his plans, it is not his purpose. He wants a person… One specific person. Someone he believes will be present at his orchestrated disturbances. He causes enough trouble and this person will come. Be drawn in. That is why he favours neither side.”
They could all see the how she could be right. When no one said anything, Serenity looked to Robert curious of what he thought. He frowned but nodded. Aelfwine was the first to follow her line of thought.
“But then who does he want and for what purpose? It is most likely a man and one of the gentry or Nobel class who have the authority to deal with the kind of trouble he is creating.”
Robert nodded and continued the thought.
“And it is not likely to be the King. Even should he decide to travel this far from the capital, he would bring an army to quash the trouble. He would be too well protected. I will send a missive to all the local ruling class and warn them of the risk. No one is to travel alone as of now. I think that is enough for today. Be about your business.”
The gathering stood and bowed before filing out of the meeting chamber. Serenity waited for the room to empty before letting out a deep sigh. She felt drained. Being cooped up in the castle without her customary excursions outside and having to face the combined leaders of the shaky alliance had left her feeling almost claustrophobic. Robert had indicated for Aelfwine to remain. When the three of the were alone, Serenity relaxed into a chair and closed her eyes.
“Good work Serenity. Thank you both for your input. It is a good beginning.”
“Indeed, Serenity. Lord Robert is correct. You have given us a great advantage.”
Serenity smiled. She didn’t like that her role had become so prominent. She worried that she was interfering too much. If this was real, she could change history, and if it was not, she could become to entwined in this life she’d never get out. It was a dangerous balance to keep. Standing, she headed towards the door.
“What aren’t you telling us Serenity?”
***
At his quietly asked question, Serenity froze. He knew she had been hiding something. And now he believed he knew what it was. She turned to face him and, from the corner of his eye, Robert caught the movement of Aelfwines’ startled glance between them.
“In the gardens, you didn’t just fall asleep or faint did you? It was him. What did he do? What aren’t you telling us?”
“…”
“I saw the fear in your eyes when you woke. Please tell us, this could be important.”
“Wait, My Lord, Serenity a moment please. What incident in the garden?”
Robert didn’t take his eyes off Serenity as she moved to the fire, her back to them both. He wished he could see her face and know her thoughts. Keeping his eyes trained on her still form, Robert answered Aelfwine.
“Shortly before you took Serenity from the keep, I found her unconscious in the inner garden, cold to the touch. The atmosphere in the garden was… too quiet. Threatening. Serenity insisted she had fallen asleep in the warm sun and she was well but…”
Her quiet voice interrupted him.
“I was sitting on the ground, enjoying the warm sun. At first, the coolness on my skin didn’t bother me, I thought the breeze would pass. But there wasn’t a breeze. I thought the wind was rustling the leaves, but as I got colder, I heard the whispering. I couldn’t move, I tried but it was so cold and I was getting so tired. I tried to fight it but the more I tried the worse it got. As I dropped to the ground, I felt his fingers on the back of my neck easing me down before everything went dark. Then I woke looking into Roberts face... I saw nothing, I can’t even be sure someone was there.”
“What else Serenity? I’ve seen it in your eyes. Sometimes you just stop and look around, like you’re looking for something.”
She half turned from the fire to look at them both. Her arms were crossed protectively across her body and Robert could see she was reluctant to say more but he needed to know.
“Sometimes it felt like we were being watched around the castle…”
Robert frowned and Aelfwine stepped forward asking,
“Do you mean the servants and retainers? They are curious.”
“No that’s not what I mean. It felt like someone who didn’t belong, someone who wasn’t quite right, it just felt like they weren’t part of the community around them, so foreign and yet hidden so well.”
“You think it was the one we’re looking for. Presumably he was watching the castle for his plans, Lord Roberts castle is difficult to penetrate.”
“You would know Aelfwine.” Robert quipped.
At his comment, Aelfwine grinned cheekily at his way but Robert found he was not as irate as he pretended. Against his initial instinct, he was beginning to actually like the Saxon Nobel who was more like a… mischievous puppy.
“True… but why would he focus on Serenity in the garden? And how did he do that. It sounds unnatural.”
Serenity, who had been quiet since recounting her tale, surprised them both by spinning around. Her hands had moved to her hips as she looked thoughtfully at the table.
“No, it’s nothing like that Aelfwine. We know he is very manipulative and charismatic, but I think he is also very smart.”
Robert was totally confused. And he could see by the look on Aelfwine face that we too was lost. They glanced at each other before Robert tentatively asked.
“You think he merely… decides on course of action and others just… follow?”
Serenity smiled as if he had answered an age old riddle.
“Not exactly but in essence, yes that’s what he is doing.”
She must have seen the sceptical look on his face because she rolled her eyes and elaborated.
“Alright. If you were in the midst of a battle, about to chase another foe and someone yelled at you, “Don’t go”, would you be inclined to listen?”
Both men shook their heads in the negative. Serenity, seemingly satisfied with this, nodded and smiled.
“Ok. Now in the same situation, what would you do if some yelled “Halt!”? Are you then more likely to listen?”
Both men stood silently, contemplating what she had said. Before either could give an answer, she continued.
“See? You can see the same result everywhere. The words you use affect how people respond. What about rumours?”
Again, Robert was confused by the sudden change in topic. Looking over to Aelfwine, he didn’t look much better off.
“Robert if you hear a particularly unbelievable rumour one or two times. You will mostly likely dismiss it, correct? But what if you heard the same rumour twenty, thirty, fourth times from many people. You would start to believe there was some truth to it, yes?”
Robert nodded.
“This is what he’s doing. He starts by telling a lie, like “Rebel Saxons were potted village, they plan to attack us”. He tells it to as many people as possible over and over, mentioning it here and there, “Hey, did you hear what about that attack?”. He repeats rumour over and over again until it becomes his truth. Then he uses the drugs to make them more susceptible to him and push them into action… It’s horrifically brilliant…”
Robert was stunned. It was like the politics at the Kings court but much more subtle and far more deadly. Who could one man have caused so much damage?
The three of them discussed the consequences behind this discovery. They agreed that they should keep this information to themselves. Robert was worried too many would resort to tales of magic and Faye and he didn’t want anything like that associated with Serenity. Robert wasn’t sure Aelfwine was entirely convinced. Lost in his own thought, Robert didn’t catch Serenity’s last words.
“But how does he know…?”
***
Serenity sat in her solar, a place of refuge and stared out at the sky. She was tired. The war meeting and the following questioning with Robert and Aelfwine had left her drained and feeling a little vulnerable.
She couldn’t let any notions of magic or the supernatural gain any credence. For one it could draw attention to her unusual arrival and she didn’t want the locals persecuted for their more superstitious beliefs. And she didn’t like reliving the incident in the garden and she still wasn’t convinced she should be interfering so much in the past. What if she irrevocably altered the timeline? Then again, if this was all on her mind, she needn’t worry about such things, it wasn’t real. That thought sent a shaft of pain through her heart. What if Robert and Osgar weren’t real? And Aelfwine, Gawain, all the people she had come to love here?
The tears she had kept at bay for so long poured down her cheeks. The pain was too much. Either this was real and she would never get home to her family again, or it was all in her mind, and those she felt so much for never even existed. What a horrible thought. Great racking sobs tore from her chest and robbed her of breath. It hurt. It hurt too much. Serenity cried and rocked herself trying to control her feelings, but she had been in control too long and now it was broken. She squeezed her eyes tight and wish with all her heart for her mum and dad. For the comfort of their arms, their gentle words and the sage advice they seemed to have in abundance. She felt so lost.
Eventually, the tears slowed, her breathing evened and she heaved a great sigh. Too tired to think anymore, and too hurt to contemplate her situation, she decided to take the easy way out and go to sleep. It had been a long day…
The mists hung around her, enhancing the already dark landscape, but the expected clamour of battle, death and screamed pleas was absent. Instead, the silence engulfed her, waiting. Looking around, Serenity expected to see the shadows that dogged her dreams. Were they gone?
No. Not gone. There, in the mist, the shadows watched. For the first time they were still. Serenity stepped forward. She trembled as she realised she should have been afraid. But she wasn’t. For the first time, she could almost see the shadows, the people they represented. Almost. Frustration suddenly reared in her. What did they want? And what could she possibly do? Was this even real? She was losing her mind.
“Return”
A voice whispered from all around. In her head? Return where? What? Or who? ... Serenity took another step forward. Deep breath.
“Return to beginning. All back. Last two. Changes. Must return. Erase.”
What? What does that mean? Where am I supposed to return to? My time? The field near the battle?
“Did you bring me here?”
“… Message. To you. For you. Listen. Beginning, end. You loop. Go back. Take back. Erase changes.”
“But I don’t understand. How do I get back? I don’t want to erase anything. I don’t want to lose them.”
“No time. Listen self, heart. Must end. Save them. Back. Erase changes, heal. He’s dangerous.”
“What? Who? … Hello?”
But the shadows in the darkness were silent.