She was not a thrill-seeker by any means, yet the spirit world intrigued her, and it wasn’t every day that she was offered the opportunity to explore such realms. Sara was a firm believer in following her gut instinct, which, in this instance, was compelling her to investigate. If she didn’t act now she would regret it, especially if she never got another opportunity.
The pull Sara felt was like being immersed in a beautiful piece of music from which she couldn’t surface; real-world commitments floated away as she curled up in the chair and allowed the sedative experience to engulf her fully.
AENGLA LAND, NORTH SEA EMPIRE
Today promised to be one of the happiest in Tianna’s young life. To finalise her marriage to Edwin Ryder, a man she felt sincere affection for, and to finally have his suit accepted by her aunt, would be a great relief.
Tianna’s family had land holdings and a ship dock on the western bank of Orwell River, just four miles south of the town of Gipeswic in Suffolk. Their fortune and social standing had increased rapidly during the previous decades via sea-trade with the Continent, and thus they had acquired the family name Marchard — a highly respected name in these parts. Her father, George Marchard, had been a seafarer in his younger days, but upon the death of his own father, had returned to Suffolk to run the family business. His younger brother, Tianna’s Uncle Leonardo, helped to expand the business by venturing as far as Constantinople in search of rare wares, clothes and spices to import to their homeland. Leonardo’s wife, Rosalind Marchard, often travelled with him and was deemed one of the most worldly women in the kingdom. At the time they had married, Rosalind was also considered one of the most beautiful ladies in the realm — with her long locks of chestnut-red hair, large hazel eyes, and a marked bold and free-spirited nature. Sadly, the couple had never had any children of their own, but her childless state afforded Aunt Rosalind the freedom to accompany Uncle Leonardo on his travels, and she told Tianna that she considered that fair compensation.
Her aunt also possessed the extra-sensory gift of prophecy, which she did not advertise openly. But as a true oracle was a rare commodity, she had been known to use her unique talent to gain the favour of people in high places and had been gifted many rare treasures in exchange for this service.
The Marchard family was thriving until the spring of 1016 when Danish raiders sailed up the Orwell River, en route to Mercia, ravaging as they went. Tianna’s father died defending his dock and ships from plunder, and later that same day her mother had been slaughtered defending their home. Had it not been for the pedlar Jacob Ryder, Edwin’s father, visiting their house that day, Tianna may have been murdered or taken hostage herself. Ryder ordered his son Edwin to flee with Tianna while he stayed to help fend off the raiders. Both Edwin and Tianna lost their loved ones that day. Their trials and loss had bonded the pair in friendship and given rise to their frequent contact in the years that followed. Tianna saw Edwin every few weeks when he would visit the docks with his older brothers to purchase stock for their marketplace.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Tianna’s uncle, Leonardo, planned to return to Suffolk to restore and run the docks, but was set upon by thieves and tragically murdered en route from Constantinople. Had her Aunt Rosalind not travelled ahead of her husband to organise their affairs at home prior to his arrival, she would have surely fallen victim to her husband’s sad fate. Tianna would have found herself orphaned at age eleven, with a household and business to run and no family elder to arrange her marriage. Had that been the case, the happy circumstance in which she found herself this day might never have eventuated, as the young heiress would surely have been bullied into wedding sooner.
For Edwin’s suit was not the first she had considered. Soon after her father’s death there had been many suitors for the young heiress and her holdings. Among them was the Northman, Thorkell the Tall, whom the new King Canute had made Jarl of East Anglia. For although Tianna was not royalty, she was a noblewoman and a vassal to their new king. The jarl had many boats and his interest in Tianna, she suspected, was purely financial and geographical. The marriage would have meant a rise to royal status for her family, but quite apart from the fact that the jarl was five times her age, Tianna had not forgotten that Thorkell had been among the Danes who had murdered her family, and so she refused to even consider his suit. Thorkell might have exerted his power to force the marriage upon her, had his king not married the widow of the previous king of Aengla Land, Emma of Normandy, and converted to Christianity. King Canute was eager to appease and reassure the local peoples he had conquered that he would uphold their laws and customs, and according to Christian law, a woman must freely consent to marry.
Edwin was the fourth-born son of Jacob Ryder, who marketed imported wares in Huntingdon. Edwin’s older brother had taken over the family land holding there and he and his brothers had expanded into a mobile peddling business in the wake of their father’s death. In marrying Tianna, Edwin could manage the running of her family’s import business and docks, which her aunt had rebuilt and managed since the death of their menfolk, and much of their imports could then be sold on to Edwin’s brothers.
To Tianna’s mind their match made perfect sense, and as she grew into womanhood it was plain to her that Edwin found her attractive. Her coming of age came and went, and she continued to fend off suitors. By the time she reached the age of thirteen, Tianna had feared that if Edwin didn’t ask for her hand in marriage soon she would be forced to consider another, as her aunt could not continue to manage the family business on her own. Out of sheer desperation Tianna broached the subject with Edwin, who confessed that he’d been working very hard for his brother to be able to afford the bride price set by her aunt. She had told Edwin that she would gladly waive the fee for his suit, but Edwin would not hear of it. Nor would he allow his brother to forward him the sum to secure their match. If he was to be blessed with Tianna’s hand in marriage and guardianship of her lands and business then he wanted to earn that right fair and square. This admission overjoyed Tianna as she saw the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. She suggested that Edwin come and work for them running their docks, as he could take the pressure of her ageing aunt, work off Tianna’s bride price, and learn the family business at the same time.
For a year, Edwin assisted Rosalind and Tianna with running the docks, meeting the clients, managing the dock workers, keeping the books and turning a good profit. Edwin had proven himself to be a great asset, and was well liked by their honourable clients and workforce, and despised by anyone who sought to take advantage of his would-be kin. Her aunt had always had a soft spot for Edwin, but after working with him this past year she absolutely adored him.
Today was the day he would finally and formally submit his suit, the response to which went without saying.
* * *
The great hall of the Marchard Manor built by her uncle was far grander than the home Tianna had been raised in.
Further downriver from her father’s house and dock, her aunt’s house was surrounded by trees. The stone manor could not be clearly seen from the river and thus it had been overlooked by the Danish raiders three years earlier. Primarily built from stone from the basement floor all the way up to the top of the high walls of the ground level rooms, this house provided excellent storage for their imports as, even in the case of a fire, the stone would protect the wood supports and the goods stored in the basement. It was overwhelming to both Edwin and herself that this estate, and one alongside it that had belonged to her parents, would both be theirs one day, along with all the treasures the Marchard family had collected over the years.
Aunt Rosalind was entertaining Tianna’s newly betrothed with wine as she told them the tale behind the strange tapestry that hung over the mantle of the large fireplace. ‘This depicts the Greek creation myth of man and woman as cited by Plato.’ She began at one side of the tapestry, pointing to where four-armed, four-legged, two-headed creatures were portrayed. ‘It is said that the g
ods were bored and created these very powerful creatures who, after a time, grew demanding and rebellious and needed to be restrained. Thus the gods tore them asunder, and in so doing halved their power. The gods healed their bodies that became man and woman, and scattered them to the ends of the earth. Since then, every man and woman has searched the world to find their other half and unify their power.’
Tianna had heard the story before, and always found it tragically romantic; yet she felt in her soul that she had found her other half in Edwin.
‘My late husband and I always regarded each other as equals. Despite our childless state, our marriage was a happy one because of our mutual respect for each other.’ Rosalind may have greyed, wrinkled and rounded from age, but when she reflected on her husband, the young, love-struck maid within shone through.
Edwin, only four years older than Tianna, squeezed the hand of his betrothed and looked to her fondly, smiling. ‘That we have, Lady Rosalind.’
‘That is very plain to see,’ she assured him as she moved to take a seat in her preferred chair. ‘Only good can come from the melding of two such like-minded individuals, so obviously in love.’
Her aunt made them both blush with the comment.
‘I feel sure that Tianna’s parents would be as happy as I, to give their blessing to this match.’ She held high her goblet of wine. ‘To your long and prosperous marriage.’
‘To us,’ Edwin and Tianna chimed in, and drank.
‘Is that what your spirits predict for us, Lady Rosalind?’ Edwin queried, and as Tianna winced, he must have realised he’d made an error. ‘I mean no offence, but it is rumoured that you were once an accomplished oracle, yet I have never heard you speak of it.’
‘My aunt does not consult the oracle any more—’ Tianna advised, hoping her tone might deter him from pursuing the subject, but her aunt raised a hand to quiet her and her warm smile assured them both that she was not upset.
‘I need only see you together to know that this is a match made in heaven,’ she advised. ‘There are many places I have visited where oracles are highly sought after and respected, but here is not one of them. I vowed to my husband, before returning home, that I would leave my oracle ways on the Continent. It was the last promise I ever made him, and I intend to keep it.’
‘I am so very sorry to have—’
Her aunt raised a hand again to prevent his apology. ‘All these rare ornaments, art and furnishings you see around you are more than riches to me . . . they are an account of my life with Leonardo. Each piece evokes a vivid image of the people we met, places we visited and adventures we shared. Still, as remarkable as my adventures were, I would have exchanged them all for a child of my own. My dear niece is as close as I will ever come to having a child in this life.’
Tianna felt so touched by her aunt’s sentiment, that she could feel tears welling; she didn’t know what she would have done without her guidance these three years past.
‘Know then, Edwin,’ Rosalind concluded, ‘that I bestow on you my most precious treasure.’
‘An honour and a privilege that is beyond my greatest expectation, my lady.’ Edwin could barely contain his joy. ‘I aim to repay your trust with your niece’s greatest happiness.’
Tianna’s smile was beginning to make her face ache; she’d never felt so elated — her dear aunt seemed to be having the same problem.
‘Well then.’ Rosalind placed her goblet on the table, appearing well pleased with the morning’s negotiations. ‘All that is left to do is set the wedding date.’
* * *
Jarl Thorkell was dining alone in his great hall; he had a housemaid on his lap and a goblet filled with ale in his hand, and felt set to have a fine evening. When a servant entered to inform him that Lord Thomas de Moray was requesting an audience, Thorkell was most put out. He released the maid and she fled the room via the servants’ entrance.
‘Don’t go far,’ he commanded, whereupon she whimpered her compliance and closed the door in her wake.
‘Jarl Thorkell.’ Thomas bowed as he was shown into the hall and waited for the jarl to wave him forth before approaching his table to address him more intimately.
‘Lord de Moray, back so soon from the Continent?’
This young local lord had been favoured by their king to run an errand as his envoy, and looked decidedly under the weather for his travels.
‘It was a short though enlightening trip.’ He smothered a cough with his hand.
Thorkell found the statement intriguing and invited his guest to be seated. ‘How so?’
The lord took a seat at Thorkell’s end of the table to get straight to the point. ‘I hear that the heiress to the Marchard docks in Gipeswic is to be married to a young pedlar from Huntingdon.’
Thorkell’s mood soured. ‘Are you here to vex me?’
The lord mopped sweat from his brow. ‘On the contrary, I know of your designs on Tianna Marchard, and if you wish it, I believe I know of a means to thwart the match.’
‘And risk losing the king’s favour?’ After swapping sides in the war for Aengla Land several times, Thorkell didn’t wish to push his luck with Canute. The fact that he had trained the king as a lad would not save him if he defied the ruler again.
‘If the couple decided they no longer wished to wed then the king would respect that wish,’ the lord suggested and all Thorkell could do was laugh.
‘She’s been holding out for his suit for years!’ Thorkell had spies keeping an eye on the situation. ‘I have tried every means at my disposal to win this maid’s favour. So how, may I ask, do you expect to get her to forget the fact that my men murdered her parents and turn the situation around to my favour?’
‘That, I do not know—’
De Moray’s response immediately enraged Thorkell, who stood and thumped a fist down hard on the table. ‘Then why are you wasting my time?’
‘I have learned from a very reliable source that the Lady Tianna’s aunt, Rosalind Marchard, was a renowned oracle on the Continent,’ he explained in haste, preventing Thorkell from lashing out at him. ‘She could supply an answer for every question, they say.’
Thorkell scoffed at the suggestion. ‘She will hardly advise me to spite her own niece.’
‘She need never know. The oracle remembers naught of her counsel when she emerges from her trance.’
Now that news was very interesting and roused a smile from Thorkell as he was again seated. ‘Go on.’ He reached for a goblet to pour his guest some ale.
‘The problem is that since her return home the Lady Marchard has given away the craft—’
Thorkell refrained from handing the drink to de Moray. ‘Lord, you try my patience!’
‘Hear me out,’ his guest implored, awaiting his drink, which he appeared to desperately need. ‘I swear to you,’ he coughed into his hand, ‘the conclusion will be to your liking.’
The jarl relented and placed the drink in front of de Moray. ‘I’d get to the point quickly if I were you.’
‘The oracle only provided her service in exchange for a gift. So if you were to offer her a gift that she could not refuse for, say, sentimental reasons, then I feel sure she would oblige you.’ The lord took a good swig of ale.
‘I feel sure you are going to tell me where to procure such a gift?’
Thorkell hoped for the lord’s sake that was the case.
‘As it happens, I stumbled across some of the Lady Rosalind’s possessions, which were stolen from her husband when he was murdered by thieves en route home from Constantinople. I took the liberty of purchasing two chairs that her husband had commissioned and presented to his wife as a twentieth anniversary present. I had thought of selling them back to her directly, but then it occurred to me that they might be of some interest to you.’
Thorkell smiled, but he had questions. ‘What’s in it for you? Money is not your only motivation, surely?’
‘My dear Jarl, one cannot have too many friends in high places,’ de Moray r
eplied. ‘Especially if one has a certain distaste for war.’
The lord’s cowardice made Thorkell sick to his stomach; perhaps he should send de Moray to the frontlines just to spite him? ‘Seems a small price to pay,’ Thorkell humoured him.
‘In addition to the price of the chairs, of course,’ de Moray stated, making it clear that he expected to be well paid for his service also, as he broke into a coughing fit.
‘Then I won’t detain you any longer.’ The jarl wanted de Moray and his sickness out of his hall. ‘Speak to my chamberlain about your fee on your way out.’
The lord polished off his drink, and rose. ‘A pleasure doing business, Jarl Thorkell.’ He left the hall, coughing and sweating as he went.
* * *
When Rosalind received correspondence from Jarl Thorkell requesting an audience, she was naturally wary. He did state in the missive that he wished to discuss a matter completely unrelated to her niece, and thus Rosalind felt she must oblige him. He was the senior jarl of King Canute and the regent of Aengla Land at present while the king was in Denmark sorting out his affairs there. The jarl had seemingly conceded graciously to her niece’s rejection of his suit and so the lady felt it best not to give him any additional cause to resent her family.
In order to avoid any unpleasantness or distress, Rosalind suggested meeting with the jarl at his court in Norwich. The jarl, having business to attend to near her manor, insisted on coming to her. Thus Rosalind arranged to meet with him on a day that Edwin and Tianna would be detained at the docks, overseeing the arrival of a large shipment of wares from the Continent.
True to his name, Jarl Thorkell was extremely tall. He was perhaps a little younger than Rosalind, but still appeared a burly fellow, with a mass of coarse blond hair that was contained by a piece of fabric bound around his head. He did not dress as extravagantly as royalty might, but maintained a warrior’s guise. His battle scars added to his formidable presence, which may have frightened someone with less worldly experience than Rosalind. His steely blue eyes appeared to stare straight through her as he awaited an answer to his proposition.