“The Greek goddess of pernicious sorcery,” de Vere answered softly. “She is as vile and as evil as Lucifer himself and is the queen of the dead. Continue, Gaston.”
A muscle in Gaston’s jaw twitched. “It goes on to say that Guy also confessed to such crimes as sodomizing goats, changing the course of the weather by burning snakes, and having sex with his wife’s sisters in hopes of planting a demon seed; he hoped to bring Satan back to earth in the flesh. De Tormo furthermore states that he is a personal witness to the sanctuary in which these dark spells were cast.”
The room was eerily silent. Remington watched Gaston’s face intently, seeing the emotions that were usually so well controlled. Gaston lowered the missive and turned his eyes to the body of the priest, stiffening on the bed.
“He signed it as his dying declaration, swearing that Satan was taking his life because he knew too much of Guy’s dark workings. He says the only way to be rid of such evil is to desecrate Guy’s body and erase all written record of his name.”
Jasmine and Skye were terrified. “Remi…,” Jasmine whispered. “What of the story Father de Tormo had us memorize? Is what he says really true?”
Remington was shaking. “No, it is not. He lied, Jassy. He is probably burning in the fires of hell right now for this falsehood, but he did it for Gaston and I. As a dying declaration, it will weigh more heavily that any testimony any living person can give. The church will take it almost as the word of God.”
Everyone in the room turned to look at the cooling corpse, thinking of the most unselfish sacrifice from a most arrogant and annoying man.
“Why would Guy confess these things? Was he looking for absolution?” De Vere asked thoughtfully. “If the church believes he was confessing to repent, the missive could mean nothing.”
Gaston shook his head. “De Tormo says that Guy was not confessing in the literal sense, but more to brag of his accomplishments. The priest claims that Stoneley was very proud of his dark alliance and told de Tormo these things simply because he was well aware of the priest’s inability to discuss confessions. He knew de Tormo would not, and could not, tell anyone.”
De Vere nodded, clarified, and moved away thoughtfully. Gaston clutched the missive in one hand and Remington in the other. He tore his gaze away from de Tormo, turning to his knights.
“Mobilize the men. We leave in an hour.”
*
Exactly an hourlater, everyone was ready to leave but Remington. Gaston searched everywhere for her, but was unsuccessful in locating her.
He wasn’t truly concerned, merely annoyed. Nicolas and the earl were looking for her, too, when Gaston finally met up with de Vere near the keep’s chapel.
“I found her,” de Vere announced. “She’s in the chapel.”
“In the chapel?” Gaston repeated. “What on earth is she doing in there? Remi does not believe in God.”
John smiled and jerked his thumb toward the stained-glass structure. “Go and see for yourself.”
Puzzled, Gaston did as he was told.
Remington was sitting in the front pew. On either side of her sat Dane and Trenton. Gaston entered quietly, skirting the outside aisle as he approached, hearing the soft rumble of Remington’s voice. Gradually, her murmured words became clearer.
“…..he was considered the wisest man in the world. The Queen of Sheba, hearing of Solomon’s wisdom, traveled to Israel by camel caravan to test the king’s intelligence. With her, she brought all sorts of valuable goods; spices, gold, precious stones as gifts for the king,” her arm was casually draped around Trenton, gazing at Dane as she spoke. Gaston slowed his pace, listening. “She tested Solomon with many, many difficult questions, but he answered every one of them perfectly. Impressed, she praised the god of Abraham for creating such a brilliant man and she fell madly in love with him. Solomon had many wives, but he courted the queen on his magic carpet that was carried by desert winds, bringing her costly gifts. The only problem, however, was the fact that the queen worshipped the sun instead of the one true god. Solomon would not marry her unless they worshipped the same deity.”
“I would not marry her, anyway,” Dane sniffed. “What a bold wench to attempt to test a man’s intelligence.”
Trenton nodded in agreement. “Queen or no, I’d take my hand to her backside, the saucy female.”
Remington scowled at the boys. “Since when do you address women in those terms? I do not think I like it.”
“Not all women. Only women who do not know their place in the world,” Dane insisted.
Remington raised an eyebrow at her son. “Dane, I fear you have been listening to arrogant knights and their loud talk. Men respect a woman who knows her mind and is a valuable asset.”
Dane wrinkled his nose. “Wenches are no good.”
Trenton tittered and Remington was about to lay into both of them when Gaston came to the rescue.
“She’s right, you know. ’Tis a good thing to have an intelligent, beautiful woman by your side and you’d better watch your next move, or I suspect your mother will plant her hand in a place few have touched.”
Remington tittered now as Dane and Trenton looked uncertain. Gaston sat down next to Dane, smiling at the three of them. “The column is ready when you are, my lady.”
She gave Trenton a squeeze and lowered her arm. “I am ready, I suppose. I just wanted to see the boys one last time.”
