23: Like It's The End

Chapter 23 of "A Grail for Eidothea" (one more chapter to go!)

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Eidothea’s Father has found a surveyor and engineer who excavated beneath the Baths to fix the spring’s water flow. They find the man at a bookseller/printer and Jasper engages him to take he and Eidothea underground. Once there, the Grealseeker ring glows brighter than ever.

I slipped the ring off its chain and onto my finger. Under my breath, I cast the spell my grandmother taught me and connected with the Grealseeker ring.  It pulled me into the dark behind Mr. Smith, toward the dead end. Jasper followed.

“Miss Pendyr?”

“Oh, it is just too … wonderful for words,” I managed.

The ring’s light increased in volume.

“Give us a moment, would you, Mr. Smith?” Jasper asked. I heard the clink of coins exchanging hands and squelching footsteps moving away.

Jasper stood close behind me, holding up his lantern. Not that we needed it, for the ring blazed with a silver fire. “We must be close,” he breathed.

I forgot all about my claustrophobia. “It is here.”

The ring drew me to the “rubbish” layer. I pulled out a round river rock and caught the gleam of metal.

“A moment more!” I heard Jasper call back down the tunnel.

I trusted Jasper to take care of any interruptions. I dug into the rocky layer with my hands, pulling small stones free, until at last I removed a clay encrusted bowl. I pushed away some of the wet clay with my thumbs. The pearls inlaid around the rim of the bowl blazed in response to the ring.

“This is it,” I breathed. I had the foresight to bring a plain cloth bag and I slipped the Greal into it.

The light from both ring and Greal faded. Jasper’s orange-hued lantern became the only light. I met Jasper’s wide-eyed gaze with one of my own.

“I can hardly believe it,” he breathed.

I grinned and flung my arms around his neck. “We did it!”

“You did it,” Jasper corrected. His lips came down upon mine, one arm tightening about me.

In the heat and semi-dark, I melted into him. Only thin linen layers separated us. I kissed him back, wanting more.

Coughs and shuffling feet brought me back to my senses. I pulled away, my gaze dropping to his mouth. I caressed his jaw, my forefinger grazing over his bottom lip, leaving a streak of reddish clay.

“We should go,” Jasper murmured, his voice husky. He took my hand and we retraced our steps to the ladder. The dim lamplight hid our blushes but not the sidelong, speculative glances from Mr.  Smith and his man.

We climbed the ladder into the cool oily odour of the print room. My skirts, coated from the knees down in iron-rich mud, clung to my calves and threatened to trip me. I tried to wipe my muddy hands on my already ruined skirt. Mud transferred to my pelisse as I shrugged it on.

Jasper turned his back and I gasped at the sight of two muddy hand prints emblazoned on his back. His waistcoat soon covered the transgression.

Blushing, I picked up my cloak, fastening it at the neck. I patted the cloth bag, making sure the Greal was secure. Soon, I would be on my way back to Caer Morgana.

Jasper faced me and smiled, looking relaxed for the first time since I knew him. “Shall we go?”

We took our somewhat embarrassed leave of Mr. Smith. Out on the street, I looked for my father, and felt a little relieved at his absence. Not that he could make out my flushed cheeks in this dark.

Jasper caught my hand, his thumb smoothing over my palm as it had in the tunnel. I had not bothered replacing my gloves. My mud-stained hands would ruin them.

His other hand ran through his hair, tousling it out of its coifed contours. “I never believed we would … and yet here we are.”

Did he mean the kiss or the success of our quest? He had forgotten his lantern, his expression hidden by the night.

He caught my hands, his words tumbling with panic. “I thought we would have longer to search for the Greal together. That you would not have to leave so soon. You will not go straight away, will you? Your father will want to see what your mother searched for and…” He took a deep breath. “Do you have to go?”

“You know I do. The dreigiau môr future and our future is at stake.” My heart beat fast. I knew his blurted words meant he spoke of both kiss and quest.

He drew me closer. I gazed up at him despite the dark, afraid my pounding heart would betray me. “Stay with me.”

“What?” I was glad of the dark.

He pulled me in, arms around my waist. “Stay with me. You and I together can use the Greal to change the future. We are of both worlds, after all.”

I shook my head, trying to rein in my skittering heartbeat. “You do not understand. You gave me your assistance unreservedly, but there is more. There is a purpose to the Greal and it needs to return to them.”

“More?” Jasper’s forehead rested against mine. “Will you come back to me?”

I let out a shaky sigh. “I do not know. I only see the next step ahead.” I took his face between my hands, although it was too dark to see. “I cannot make a promise I am not sure I can keep. The ocean calls to me even now.”

His arms tightened. “Do not go. Not yet. Stay until the illuminations?”

I hesitated. Would a day’s delay make a real difference? “I have never seen fireworks before.” My resolve weakened.

Mr. Smith hailed us and we burst apart guiltily. “You are still here? Mr. Tregallas, you left your lantern behind.” He handed it to Jasper. “Miss Pendyr, please return home safely.” He sketched a short bow and walked off into the night.

We took our time returning to Gay Street. We suspended our conversation to prevent words we dare not say. Next to me his physical presence loomed, so near and yet at a distance.

I ascended the first step into my uncle’s house.

“Will you stay?” He tried to keep the note of pleading out of his voice. “At least until after tomorrow?”

I paused, turning on the step. “My aunt would have much to say if we left Bath without seeing the illuminations. I will see you tomorrow evening.” I ducked a quick curtsey and hastened inside.

Father waited in the front parlour. He ignored the mud I scattered in my wake and drew me to sit by the fire. “What news?”

I sank onto a sofa chair. I would brush off the mud myself on the morrow. “We found it, Father. I have it.” I glanced over my shoulder at the curtained windows. “Perhaps I should not show it here.”

“Tomorrow.” Father patted my hand. “I am sure your uncle will loan me the use of his library. For now, to bed. You will be rising soon enough.”

In my borrowed bedchamber, I undressed by the single candle that flickered by my bedside. I wanted to wash off the mud but that required calling for assistance and heated water. I dare not disrupt the household at this hour.

I wrapped myself in a long robe and curled up on the low sofa at the foot of my bed.

18th April, 1814

I spent the morning helping clean mud from carpets, furniture, my clothing and my body. I am not sure if I have rid myself of all of it.

The afternoon was filled with a return to Mme Guilliame, the modiste for a fitting of my wedding gown. It is beautiful. Aunt has declared she will remain in Bath until my gown is ready.

Jasper arrived promptly for the evening’s festivities. Our tickets to the illuminations included a light supper.

Too bad I will never wear that gown.

It took two baths and during the second one, I demanded some privacy. Alone, I washed off the mud caked onto the Greal.

It is made of hammered silver. Around the rim, dark lines formed a border, within which pearls are embedded. Two small handles on each end flattened so that if fit snugly into each palm. It is ancient and beautiful.

My father’s eyes lit up when he saw it. He held out his hands and I placed the Greal in them. “It is rather small,” he mused. “A drinking vessel.” His eyes misted. “If only your mother could be here to see this.”

I sat on his chair’s armrest and gave him an awkward, one-armed hug. We sat, remembering Mother, and marvelling at our find.

At last I spoke. “We have the Greal. I must return to the sea, Father, without delay.”

Father pursed his lips. “So soon?”

“We need to stay one step ahead of Lord Tregallas. Will you go speak with Jasper, Mr. Tregallas, this afternoon and arrange a plausible story in addition to making travel plans? I want to leave tomorrow.”

He agreed. We met again briefly before Jasper arrived to accompany us that evening to Sydney Gardens. He took us both aside before our departure. “If anyone asks, we are indeed headed home, but you plan to honeymoon in Wells within the month.”

At my raised eyebrows, Father added, “Mr. Tregallas thought it necessary to distract his father.”

I felt glad for the Greal hidden in my skirts. I insisted on wearing the bulky pocket. Susan looked askance at it but said nothing. Like the rest of the household who had been pressed into cleaning the house, she was probably pleased to be rid of us on the morrow.

A festive air filled the streets. Carriages and people clogged the cobblestones. Jasper had arrived on foot and advised we walk, despite the press of people. As we ascended to the higher levels of Bath, the pavements grew even more congested.

Jasper drew close, shielding me from the worst of the crowd, the hard outline of the Greal pressed between my hip and his leg. I had been too afraid to let it leave my side, and now I feared for pickpockets.

He knew what it was and without my having to ask, Jasper slung his arm around my waist. With my hand protectively in front, nobody could reach my pocket.

We finally passed through the ornate gates of Sydney Gardens. Once at our table, we dined simply on soup, bread and cold chicken. All the while music played with a definite, defiant martial air.

Jasper spoke little, surface chatter, but I noted his anxious glances. I had no words to reassure him.

Aunt Norah touched my forearm, drawing my attention. We had not spoken much all day. I rather think she feared I had done something sinful to have been so covered in mud. “Mr. Tregallas, will you take Miss Pendyr for a stroll? I imagine the fireworks will not occur for some time.”

Jasper flashed her a grateful grin. “It would be my pleasure to escort both of you.”

My aunt waved in dismissal. “There are so many people. I feel much more secure here. Just remain on the paths.”

I waited until we had traveled beyond their hearing. “Why did you invite her to join us? I have been wanting to speak with you privately all night.”

He leaned again me, making sure of the Greal’s presence. “Have you? I am flattered.”

I ducked my head to hide my red cheeks. Though it grew dark, hundreds of multi-coloured paper lanterns lit the pathways. Most of the ticket holders remained at their tables, some visiting their neighbours. The younger set chose to roam, like us.

Jasper continued, “I asked your aunt because it was the proper thing to do, but I am very glad she refused.”

“Did you have to explain all of the mud to your agent?” I asked. “My uncle’s staff wanted to ask, I could tell, but they did not dare. They disapproved, as did my aunt.”

He nodded in polite greeting to a couple passing before answering. “Does she indeed? She seemed quite ready to throw us together again. As for me, no explanations were demanded, but I had the presence of mind to be seen drinking whiskey at breakfast. That amused my father’s agent no end.”

“I am sure it did.” My grip tightened on his elbow.

He rested his hand over mine. “I refused to discuss the cause of my drinking. I knew the mud would raise suspicion, so after breakfast, I asked my father’s agent to find us a house to live in at Wells. That will keep them at bay for now.”

“The agent will report back to your father—“

“— that we are definitely looking for the Greal but we have not found it yet. When I return to Pysgota Mawr without you, it will be too late for my father to act.” Jasper seemed pleased with himself.

We walked until we reached the labyrinth’s entrance. It seemed well-lit within.

“Shall we try it?” Jasper glanced at me.

I agreed. “The paths are too populated. Some privacy for our conversation would be nice.”

We entered the labyrinth, truly a maze with the clipped hedges towering over our heads. Lanterns set at regular intervals gave sufficient light. We did not meet a single soul, and our pace slowed.

“I will miss you,” Jasper murmured.

I looked up at him. The lanterns cast half his face into deep shadow. “I will miss you also.” My declaration sounded awkward.

Jasper stopped, turning to face me. “I wish I could come with you.” He touched my shoulder, then my cheek. “I would marry you in truth, Eidothea. My heart is so full of wanting to be by your side on this adventure, with wanting you. Since that kiss—“

I blushed. “Yes,” I breathed. “That kiss.”

In all the bustle of the day, I had not forgotten the heat of that tunnel, how my heart pounded under the delicious onslaught of his soft, open-mouthed kisses.

“I know circumstances forced our engagement, but that seems a gift to me for I could be by your side forever.”

“I want that too but I cannot promise.” As soon as I spoke the words, I knew I meant them. In just a few short weeks, Jasper had become my partner, a trusted fellow adventurer, and last night he became my fiancé in truth. I felt uneasy: our feelings were now aligned but he was still a Tregallas. “I do not know what will happen once the Greal is returned, or how my role as prophet will be fulfilled.”

“Prophet?” Jasper stared at me. “This is why you had that vision?”

I nodded.

“I know nothing of how matters work below the sea. My father never saw fit to teach me, but I vow I will support you in any way possible.” He framed my face tenderly with his hands. “I love you, Eidothea. I will spend my days at the shoreline waiting for you, until you return to me.”

I stared up at him. Instead of protesting, as I knew I ought, my gaze dropped to his lips and lingered there. I remembered our kiss and yet … I met his gaze again and stepped closer to him. Even on this cool night, I felt his body heat. “Jasper, I—”

Jasper pulled me through an opening in the hedge and into an embrace. His lips met mine and our world shrank to just the two of us.

I hungered for his kisses and clung to him, tilting my head and standing on tiptoes to be even nearer. This was madness, but I did not want us to stop, even if it meant this moment became a bittersweet memory.

He held me tight, one hand cupping the back of my neck. I felt secure and yet like I might shatter at any moment. My fingers combed through his hair, moving forward, brushing his ear.

The world twisted and fell.

We still kissed but no longer in the secluded labyrinth.

A wind whipped through me, as if I wore nothing but my shift, or nothing at all. Our lips parted, Jasper’s pale face barely visible in the dark. “I will not lose you,” he said, his voice raw. His face contorted. He kissed me again, all the sweet softness gone. He kissed me hard and I tasted salt.

A sharp pain, like none I had ever experienced, pierced my side. I screamed into his mouth, struggling against him, feeling a hot wetness at my waist. He pushed me away and I stumbled back against the rail. Fog surrounded us.

He held a knife, dripping with my blood. His other hand held the bag containing the Greal.

One more chapter to go!

Eidothea’s diary does not have convenient chapter titles for me, so I’ve been making them up. Here’s the source of this week’s:

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