Stardust (43 page)

His footsteps carried him quickly through the rain-slicked corridors. In the background he could hear the hammers and chisels as his men worked to break through the solid rock. He had to hurry. With the wizard
’
s knowledge, it would be only a matter of hours before the workers found the living portal.

As he entered his previous sleeping chambers, his pace slowed and then stopped. Someone was slipping through the narrow passageway he had found.
“
Stop,
”
he called, wishing for the small jeweled dagger that had graced his belt not many moons before. It had disappeared during his time in the desert.

The black shrouded figure stopped and paused. For a second Bartok feared the person would not obey his command. But his fears were unfounded. They heeded his word and backed slowly away from the entrance. His breath caught in surprise as the covering lowered and bright silver hair was revealed to his sight.

“
Selina,
”
he gasped,
“
what are you doing here?
”

Selina stood proudly, willing her shaking body to stop its trembling. She had hoped never to see her former master again. But she would do anything to ensure the success of Darvek
’
s journey. Even now, he and the others made their way behind the waterfall. If she could stall Bartok long enough, they would secure the life stone of Palermos and never again would any citizen be subject to such cruel leaders.

“
I am here for the same reason as yourself,
”
Selina said softly, removing the warm gloves from her hands.

Bartok was torn with indecision. Before him stood the greatest regret of his life. But he had no time to beg forgiveness for his past. Neither Selina nor his uncle must reach the cavern before him.

“
I can
’
t allow you to continue, Selina. My uncle is evil and must be stopped.
”
He moved forward, determined to do whatever was necessary.

“
What?
”
Selina was truly puzzled now.
“
Your uncle is not here, Bartok. I have come with the King and Queen. They are the rightful rulers of Palermos.
”

“
You mean you do not travel with Saatan?
”
he asked, rushing forward to grab at her shoulders. He shook her in his agitation, causing her slender neck to sway with his strength.
“
Tell me the truth, I beg of you.
”

Selina was shocked at the change that had taken place upon Bartok
’
s features. No longer were they a cruel mask hiding the evil thoughts of his mind. His pale blue eyes held regret and sadness, two emotions Selina had sworn did not exist within his hardened soul.

She placed her hands against his chest, pushing to break the bruising contact. Immediately Bartok released her, pacing worriedly about the chamber.
“
Forgive me,
”
he said.
“
I did not mean to harm you.
”

“
Bartok.
”
Selina feared
this new Bartok was but a figment of her imagination, some form of wizardry Saatan had cast to capture them.
“
What has happened? You have changed.
”

Bartok looked at the woman who had shared his life for many moons. He remembered the frightened girl who had sat for hours listening to him read the words of the ancient ones. He remembered the time when their relationship had changed, when he had become cruel and heartless.

“
Forgive me,
”
he said again, seeking forgiveness for the past.

“
I do not understand.
”

“
There is not time for me to explain. Know only this, you and I seek the same thing; to return the stone to its rightful place. If Saatan is allowed to mine the crystal, all of the galaxy will be forced to his will.
”

He once again placed his hands on her shoulders. This time, his touch was soft and loving.
“
I have changed. You must believe that, Selina.
”

Selina tensed, ready for flight.
“
I do not know what to believe,
”
she whispered, torn between her old fear and the pleading look in his eyes.

Bartok held up his hands in a submissive gesture.
“
I cannot force you to believe me, Selina. I can only ask that you give my words your consideration.
”

Selina was again startled by Bartok
’
s words. He had said he would not force her. The old Bartok would not have hesitated to use force on her. Saying not a word, Selina smiled and led the way through the crevice.

Inside the large cavern, Queen Lalona, King Jalon and Darvek waited patiently for Selina to join them.

“
By the Sacred Lorta, what is the meaning of this?
”
Darvek noticed the man behind Selina and immediately drew his sword, preparing to defend not only his fealty, but also his love. Most especially his love. He would not let Selina be harmed again. She had suffered much.

Bartok stopped,
turning to Selina for guidance

“
Please, Darvek.
”
Selina placed a restraining had on her warrior
’
s arm.
“
Bartok only wishes a chance to speak with you and King Jalon. It seems to be a matter of utmost importance.
”

Darvek
’
s rigid muscles strained against Selina
’
s small hand.
“
I do not trust him, and neither should you.
”
His harsh whisper filled the small cavern.

“
But Darvek, there is a difference.
”

“
I cannot believe you.
”
Now Darvek
’
s furious gaze was directed right into her upturned face.

Selina felt the force of his a
nger and it hit her like a blow.

Darvek ignored her pain-filled look as he continued hotly,
“
This m
an kept you--against your will –
and forced you to do things you did not want to do. And now you have the audacity to try and defend him to me. This I cannot fathom.
”
With angry strides, he walked swiftly from her stunned figure and took a rigid stance beside his king.

“
Darvek,
”
Queen Lalona
’
s voice filled the tense silence,
“
perhaps we should all calm down and allow Lord Bartok to speak his piece.
”

“
But he cannot be trusted. Why should we listen to the words of a traitor?
”
Darvek
’
s fury was uncontrollable. In truth, he did not care what words Bartok had to say. He only knew he did not want him near Selina. What if she decided she had made a mistake in leaving Bartok
’
s side?

“
I must agree with my beautiful wife,
”
King Jalon stepped forward.
“
Let us all be seated, then we will talk.
”

Darvek whirled around, disbelief etched on every feature.
“
I will not sit down with such as he.
”

King Jalon turned to face his closest friend.
“
Darvek, I speak now not as your king but as your
brother. There are things we do not yet know which
must be made known to us. Mayhaps Bartok has knowledge which will be of assistance to us.
”

Darvek teetered, torn between his heart and his head. Finally he hunched his shoulders in defeat. With ill-concealed grace, he strode to a ledge made naturally into the stone wall and sat down.
“
Then by all means,
”
he stated sarcastically,
“
let
’
s us get this
‘
discussion
’
under way.
”

Selina turned away, preparing to walk with Queen Lalona while the men talked.

“
No,
”
Bartok spoke suddenly.
“
I would prefer
both of you stay. What I have to say matters greatly to us all.
”

The two women, as if sensing the importance of the words to come, each sat by their man. Selina felt Darvek
’
s arms close around her and draw her close. She
sighed in relief, knowing
his anger was directed toward the hands of a fate he could not change, rather than her. It warmed her heart to know he was torn inside by the thoughts of her past. She squeezed his hand, hoping to show him how unimportant everything else was compared to the love they shared.

“
I have recently discovered,
”
Bartok began, his eyes focused on a point past the couples
’
heads,
“
that my uncle was slowly poisoning me with the passion juice.
”

Selina gasped as Darvek snorted in disbelief. She saw King Jalon and Queen Lalona nod their heads in understanding and was ashamed of herself at not having seen the signs as well: Bartok
’
s sudden personality change from the shy young scholar to the lavish prince. She sighed in regret at her own blindness, thinking of the pain and suffering she could have saved them both.

As if sensing her feelings, Bartok took her hand, ever mindful of the sharp gaze of Darvek.
“
Do not castigate yourself, Mistress Selina. Perhaps at first I did not know of Saatan
’
s actions, but later, I allowed myself to be lulled by the pull of the drink. It is I who most humbly begs your forgiveness.
”

Selina looked at the man before her, surprised to see he now looked not many moons older than her own self.
“
It is Saa
tan who should pay for this. Neither
you
n
or I.
”

“
Thank you.
”
Bartok smiled, relief evident in both his posture and face.

“
Now, my son,
”
Jalon said,
“
tell us what you know.
”

“
I do not know if you will believe me,
”
he mused.
“
At times I do not believe myself.
”

“
What?
”
Darvek said, suddenly overcome with an uncontrollable sense of foreboding.
“
What is it?
”

“
I have visited within the gates of Aerman,
”
he told his stunned listeners.

They all spoke at once, asking questions and expressing their disbelief.

Finally Bartok held up his hand.
“
As I traveled to the desert to retrieve Hadem for my uncle, my horse was swallowed by a great sand worm and heat sickness overcame me. When I awoke, I was surrounded by grome-like beings and I supped with Benkyar himself.
”

Jalon was the first to speak coherently.
“
How can this be? All the stories of the ancient ones would have the gates of Aerman enclosed beneath this very mountain.
”

Bartok nodded his head.
“
I too have heard the stories.
”

“
Do not limit yourselves with stories of old,
”
Queen Lalona said.
“
I, for one, believe Bartok.
”
She smiled reassuringly at the pale-eyed man.
“
It is good to have you back, my son.
”

“
I am sorry for the words and actions which caused you pain, my Queen. Please forgive me.
”

“
We have all regretted our actions of late, Bartok. But perhaps this is the gods
’
way of giving us a chance to redeem ourselves. Do you not think so, my love?
”
She turned her attention to the king who seemed to be lost in deep thought.

“
I believe you are correct, my heart,
”
Jalon smiled.
“
But I have only one thought that disturbs me.
”