Arriving in Collinswood

"No," Zular answered, lifting up the long visor which had hidden his face. "Lady Rowena should have no more troubles along her road. And," Zular smiled at his captain, "it doesn't matter where she goes, my eyes shall always be upon her. But we must go to Bannock. There is much I need to prepare." While the Lady of Suffex played an important role in Zular's schemes, there were other more pressing matters to which he needed to attend. For one, Zular knew that the King's messengers that had been sent to Croix had not as of yet returned. And he sincerely doubted that they would. But who knew what tricks the Dragon would play on the King? Zular on the other hand knew exactly what the Dragon was doing in Croix. And he intended to be fully prepared to smash the Dragon's forces when the time was just right. And the men of Suffex would play a crucial role in that. So to Bannock he now rode.

In the due course of time Rowena did finally arrive in the Duchy of Collins and was then escorted to Collinswood, the estate of Duke Barnabas. The sprawling castle-mansion lay perched upon a majestic cliff top which overlooked the bustling capitol city of Collinsport. Rowena could not help but be awed by the sweeping views of the surrounding countryside on the one hand and the endless expanse of the dark blue ocean on the other. She was struck by how that mighty sea seemed to loom over them, filling up the very sky, as if it was watching them; in fact, she found it almost too overpowering and felt the need to escape from the ocean's strangely oppressive presence.

She was glad therefore when she was taken to a cheerful waiting room who's windows faced out to a luxurious garden and not the sea. But her relief soon turned into vexation for her wait dragged on far longer than she had anticipated. And she was not used to waiting on anyone. But it was not until evening time that Barnabas was ready to see her and instead of a private audience Rowena found herself presented to the Duke in the dining hall with his assembled family and retainers. As well as Barnabas there was his wife Josette, his daughter-in-law Daphne (his son Quentin was patrolling the sea lanes outside of the harbor), the majordomo Benjamin Stokes and Sir Peter Bradford, the captain of Barnabas' Knights.

It was only when the dinner feast was well underway that the Duke asked Rowena the reason for her visit.

"My brother," Rowena replied. "Jarlath."

"Ahh, so you have heard the rumors of the blind youth," Barnabas said. "And what of the other rumors? Of the mountains which walk, the demon of fire, or the wolf terror which kills with its very eyes? Hmmm? I do not know what to believe, the rabble from Pirates Cove are so full of fear. But I do know this, evil and black sorcery must never be underestimated or disregarded. To do so will only cause you to suffer great pain. I know this only too well. What then do you propose? Will you rush with all speed to the edge of the great channel? Will you seek out your missing brother, facing great danger and leaving all else behind?"

Rowena stared at Barnabas, his question cutting her deep. "I just want to know if he's still alive."

"And what of your other brother?" Barnabas asked. "It is said he now travels deep into the Calamari, in search of some great magic with which he can defeat the Dragon. Do you wish to rush to his side as well?" Rowena frowned, she had not heard this. So Barnabas quickly told her of the knight who had come to the Royal Court and the story he had told of meeting Fred and Fred's warning about North Umbria. "He must have reached Caemlyn shortly after I left," Rowena said with frustration. "But Croix Keep, is it truly under the Dragon's dominion?" Barnabas shrugged, "We still await word. But fear not for Suffex, dear Lady, for Zular has not been idle in ordering the knights and keeps of that land."

"Zular!" Rowena spit out the name. "He is a thief and a liar! He's stealing my land right from under me and there is nothing I can do. But why he is being allowed to do this I don't understand. He is as much a threat to you and the other lords as he is to the Family D'Honaire!"

Barnabas scoffed at this. "Zular is a child, spending his days playing at duke. It is Sarlo that tells Zular what to do. But Sarlo's ambition is greater than he is and so he will ultimately fail. He must be watched, true, but there is no reason to fear him. No, the real intrigue comes from within the royal court itself. There are many fief-lords and royal seconds who wish to wear the crown when Emery lives no more."

Rowena fell silent as she considered Barnabas' words. Could he be right? Was Zular just a puppet? And if so, could it be possible to forge an alliance with him instead of trying to fight against him? Certainly, if not for Zular's men, she and her party would never have reached Collinswood. But how could she be so wrong about him? And yet Barnabas, with far more experience than she, was absolutely positive that Zular was not the real threat. Still, in the matter of alliances, Rowena would far prefer to deal with the House Collins.

1. But would Duke Barnabas even bother with a Family on the verge of aristocratic oblivion?

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