Oracles of Delphi Keep (25 page)

Only a few minutes later, the taxi turned left down a street sheltered by huge oak trees. There were large brown-stone apartments set back among the trees, and as the car came to a stop at the end of a cul-de-sac, they had a lovely view of a well-tended park nestled neatly at the end of the road. “Here we are,” said Perry from the front seat. “Children, out you go.”

While Perry settled the tab with the driver, Thatcher and the children piled out of the car and waited on the curb, staring up at the building in front of them. Large stone carvings encircled the door, which was painted peacock blue and adorned with a bold brass knocker. Ian was anxious to get inside and meet the earl’s aunt, so once Perry had rejoined them, he and Carl raced up the stairs. Thatcher followed and grabbed the knocker on the door, giving it three loud clacks.

Ian could hear squawks and peeps and whistles inside, and he noticed everyone on the stairs looking a bit nervously
at one another as the strange chorus continued. Finally, a clicking of heels told them the door was about to be opened, and when it was pulled wide, a tiny woman with big brown eyes and a small puckered mouth stood there. She was dressed in a maid’s uniform. “Good morning,” she said pleasantly; then over her shoulder she called out, “They’re here, me lady!”

“Well, show them in, Bessie,” called a melodic voice from deep within the flat.

“This way, then,” she said, holding the door open.

Perry and Thatcher pulled their hats off as they entered the foyer of the spacious flat. “We’re here to see the Lady Arbuth—” Perry began.

“Yes, yes,” Bessie interrupted with a wave of her hand. “We know.”

“The earl has called ahead for us, then?” asked Thatcher, pivoting to look at the small maid.

Bessie laughed like he’d said the funniest thing. “Oh, no,” she said, giggling. “The earl would never spoil the fun.”

Thatcher opened his mouth as if to ask a question but Bessie was already closing the door behind them, saying, “Me lady is in the parlor. This way, if you please.” And she hurried down a hallway. Thatcher followed the maid; Perry and Theo went next, with Ian and Carl, exchanging quizzical looks, bringing up the rear.

As they walked deeper into the interior, Ian soon learned the source of all the noise they’d heard when they’d knocked on the door. To his amazement and delight, the parlor they were led into was filled with feathers.

There were brilliantly colored parrots and parakeets and
cockatoos and lovebirds, all resting on perches or in cages surrounding a pleasantly plump woman with curly blue-white hair, brilliant cobalt eyes, half-moon glasses, and a playful smile on her creamy white face. In front of her was a table with a large tray piled with seven tea settings and several plates full of delicious-looking biscuits. “Good morning to you,” she said as they all filed in.

Behind her a large gray parrot with red tail feathers mimicked, “Good morning! Good morning!” Ian shuffled as close as he dared to one beautiful white cockatoo with a brilliant yellow comb on top of its head. He barely resisted the urge to reach out and stroke it while Perry offered a low bow to the lady and said, “Good morning, my lady. Your nephew the Earl of Kent sends his regards.”

Lady Arbuthnot chuckled softly. “I’ll bet he does,” she quipped. Ian forgot the cockatoo and focused on the earl’s aunt. He liked her immediately.

Perry stood straight again and he must have noticed the seven settings on the table, because he said, “Oh, my, I’m so sorry to intrude! You obviously have company coming and we’ve barged in unannounced.”

Lady Arbuthnot tilted her head back and laughed heartily. “Oh, my dear young man,” she said as she gave him a wave, “the company I’ve been expecting is
you
. Now, won’t you please have a seat?”

Ian observed six chairs set neatly around the table. He caught Thatcher and Perry exchanging a curious look, but Theo had moved forward to take a seat and was offering Lady Arbuthnot her hand. “It’s lovely to meet you,” she was saying.

Ian gave Carl a nudge, and the boys took Theo’s cue and quickly sat at the table. Thatcher sat down next, and Perry took the last of the seats.

Thatcher then cleared his throat, obviously unsettled by the lady’s announcement that they’d been expected, and said, “Yes, well the reason we’ve come, my lady—”

“I know why you’ve come,” she interrupted, and looked intently around at the children, who all squirmed slightly under her gaze. “One of you is an oracle,” she said lightly, “and has the gift of sight.”

Theo’s hand squeezed Ian’s under the table while his mouth dropped open in surprise. “Er … yes,” said Thatcher. “Are you sure the earl hasn’t called ahead to explain our visit?”

Lady Arbuthnot rolled her eyes but the smile never left her face. “I have not heard from my nephew in over a month, and that wicked boy knows that the next time he rings me, he shall have no excuses left not to visit with his dear auntie, but that’s another matter. You’re curious as to how I knew you were coming and how I knew of your mission?”

Ian and the others nodded.

The lady smiled wisely while she reached for the teapot and poured them each a cup. Ian noticed that when Theo’s cup had been filled, Lady Arbuthnot looked her square in the eyes and gave a little wink. “I know of these things because, of course, I also have the gift of sight.”

No one spoke. What was there to say, really? Congratulations?

That was all that came to Ian’s mind, and he struggled with the idea that the lady seemed a bit off her own nutty.

“I assure you, I’m perfectly sane,” she said, and looked pointedly at him as if she’d just read his thoughts. Ian felt an immediate heat shoot to the top of his head, and dropped his eyes to the table. “Now, drink your tea,” Lady Arbuthnot said pleasantly. “And I shall give a look into each of your futures.”

Not wanting to appear any more troublesome, Ian immediately picked up his teacup and took a sip. As far as tea went, he thought the brew was exceptional, with a light orange scent and a slightly sweet flavor without that bitter after taste. While he and the others sipped their tea, Lady Arbuthnot passed around one of the plates of biscuits and Carl took a handful before Perry cleared his throat and gave him a pointed look.

Lady Arbuthnot laughed again, the sound infectious in its merriment. “Oh, let him have his treats,” she admonished. “The boy’s been half starved until recently, poor lad. Here,” she added, handing him the entire plate. “You have these, and if you want more, simply speak up, all right?”

Carl gave her a delighted smile and set the plate down in front of him while he shoveled several cookies into his mouth. “Fank ew, my wady,” he mumbled through a mouthful of sweets.

“And you,” she said, pointing to Ian, “you I shall read first, as I believe you’re the one that trouble is most attracted to, no?”

Ian regarded her nervously, feeling embarrassed to be singled out. He didn’t know what to say, so he simply shrugged.

“Drink the rest of your tea, young man,” she commanded. “And hand me the cup when you’re through.”

Ian had no choice but to down the rest of his tea quickly. Lady Arbuthnot nodded with approval and took the cup from him. She gazed into it before she closed her eyes, and a moment passed before she spoke. “Yes,” she said. “It’s as I thought.”

Ian didn’t like the deep frown that replaced the happy expression she’d worn since they’d entered the parlor. “You’re the one they’re after, Ian,” the lady said smoothly, and Ian jumped a little, because they hadn’t formally introduced themselves to her yet.

“Who’s after me, exactly?” Ian asked, and noticed that his voice quivered slightly.

Lady Arbuthnot opened her eyes and looked at him intently “A great evil has your scent, Ian. Be very careful where you tread. But wonderful travels are ahead of you, along with great peril. You hold the destiny of everyone you’ve brought along here today in the palm of your hand. You alone hold the key. It is a difficult burden for one so young to carry,” she said with a sigh. “But it is your destiny to be of great importance in this world.”

Ian gulped as all eyes around the table looked at him. He’d felt the hair rise on the back of his neck while Lady Arbuthnot had spoken, and he knew that her words were indeed true. He couldn’t fathom how he knew that, though. And how would he become so important, and what great peril lay ahead for him? He wanted to ask her but he didn’t have the chance, because abruptly, Lady Arbuthnot set his cup down and looked around the table at the group. “Who’s next?” she asked happily. Everyone hurried to put their teacups on their saucers. No one wanted to go next. “Oh,
come on, then,” she said with a chuckle. “You’re up.” And she pointed to Thatcher.

“But I’m not finished,” Thatcher said lamely as he lifted his cup and took the tiniest of sips.

“No excuses,” Lady Arbuthnot said with a merry laugh. “Now, drink up.” Thatcher was compelled to finish his tea quickly and hand her his cup. Ian felt himself tense as the earl’s aunt looked into the bottom of the fine porcelain and again closed her eyes. He wondered if everything the lady predicted for her guests held such dire consequences. “I see a rooftop,” she began, and Ian felt a tingle of disappointment. “It’s made of thatch, and I am told this points to you.”

“My name is Thatcher,” the schoolmaster said with a slight gasp.

Lady Arbuthnot’s eyes flashed open. “Yes, of course!” she said, and clapped her hands happily. “And who is this Elizabeth?” Ian saw Thatcher blush crimson as his brother let out a bark of laughter.

Thatcher cleared his throat and pulled at his collar. “She is a young lady I am an acquaintance of,” he said meekly.

Lady Arbuthnot nodded wisely. “There is a choice before her, young man. And I know she will choose you, but events far out of your control will pull the two of you apart afterward. My advice is to save her this heartache and go forward alone.”

Thatcher looked shocked. “What events?” he asked.

Lady Arbuthnot shook her head sadly but did not elaborate. “You will be asked to join a quest which centers around this young man,” she said, again pointing to Ian, who felt his own cheeks flush with heat, and he began to wonder with
irritation why the lady was picking on him of all people. “This request is not one you can ignore,” she continued. “Although the way before you is fraught with dangers you can’t even imagine, you must proceed through the fog.”

Thatcher’s expression turned puzzled as he glanced from Ian—who simply shrugged—back to the lady. “I’m afraid I don’t quite understand,” he said to her. “What sort of quest?”

Ian nodded. He wanted to know more about this quest too, but Lady Arbuthnot had already set down Thatcher’s cup and was looking expectantly at Perry. “You’re next!” she sang.

Perry handed her his cup and Ian noticed that his hand shook slightly. Lady Arbuthnot gazed into the bottom of the cup and again closed her eyes. “Ah, yes,” she said. “P is for … Percy … no … no, it’s more like … Perry, and G is for … Goodwill?”

Perry gasped. “Good
win
,” he corrected. “Perry Goodwyn.”

Lady Arbuthnot opened one eye. “That was good, wasn’t it?” she asked with a knowing smile.

“Very good,” he admitted, clearly impressed. Ian saw that his schoolmaster had gone rather pale.

“Yes, now, you,” she said, opening both eyes and pointing to Perry, “are brother to him?” And she pointed to Thatcher.

“Yes, my lady,” he said. “We’re twins, in fact.”

Lady Arbuthnot smiled. “You shall share much the same destiny. You too will be asked along on this quest. It will be fraught with the unknown and unexpected, but you are required to go as well. You must proceed even when you think there is no hope, for you see, Perry, there is always hope.”

Perry’s face reflected Ian’s troubled thoughts. What quest was she talking about and why did she keep bringing up all of this danger business?

He opened his mouth to ask her, but the lady turned abruptly away from Perry and focused on Carl, who had also gone starkly pale when he realized it was his turn. “And now you, young man,” she said.

Reluctantly, Carl passed his teacup forward, and the lady did the whole peering-into-the-cup-and-closing-her-eyes bit. Ian sat back in his chair and crossed his arms with a scowl. He was beginning to believe that maybe the lady was full of nonsense. He could hazard a guess that the next thing she mentioned would be that Carl was going on a quest filled with danger.

She surprised him, however, when she opened her eyes and a sad expression replaced the merry one she’d been wearing. “Oh, my … you poor, poor boy,” she said softly. “You’ve been through some awful ordeals for someone so young.”

Carl let out a small noise that sounded like a squeak.

“Your mother, Jillian, is very sorry she had to leave you, dear. She tells me that she held on as long as she could, as she very much wanted to stay with you, but her lungs were very weak and she couldn’t battle her illness any longer in the end.”

Carl’s lower lip began to tremble and moisture welled in his eyes as he struggled to hold on to his composure. Again, he made a squeaking noise.

“Your mother also tells me you’ve been very brave and she was with you in that awful place by the water. You were
in another orphanage before my nephew found you, am I right?” Carl nodded and dropped his eyes to the tabletop.

The lady continued. “Well, she’s thrilled that you’ve come to live at the keep. But, she wonders if that was the right move, because she knows that now you will be asked to become a warrior as brave as any that have ever walked the earth. She says that it is your destiny to be a keeper of sorts for this young man.” The lady glanced at Ian, who squirmed under her focus again. “He will need your protection and your fierce courage and you shall not fail him, even if it means putting your own life in danger.”

Carl sniffed loudly, cleared his throat, and looked up at Ian, and in that moment something odd passed between the boys that felt to Ian like a silent understanding that from this date forward, the two would always be the best of chums.

“Your mother says she will be with you along this journey, and you must never doubt her love or the pride she has for what a fine young man you are,” the lady finished as she handed Carl his teacup, and the boy looked at the bottom as if he were searching for the face of his mother among the bits of tea leaves.