“Have you heard of theTruth Seekeramulet?”
“I vaguely remember it being a powerful relic of some kind.”
“Aye it is. Legend has it that the wearer can compel any person to tell the absolute truth.”
Dalziel sat up straighter, feeling a hint of excitement. “That would be a powerful amulet to get, indeed.”
“True, but it has a condition. Only someone who shares the bloodline of the goldsmith who forged it can wield it. Find the relic and find such a person, and you have a powerful instrument of political gain.”
“But truly, it must only be a myth.”
“Not so. Because, it would seem, there is a young novice from Saddell Abbey on her way here as we speak, with such a relic. She is a protégé of an old friend, Abbess Murdina.”
“Really? And she is coming here to just hand this relic to you?”
“Aye, I am to keep it safe from a small Norman cell group called theBrotherhoodwho want to get their hands on it.”
“That seems an easy enough task. But why is this an issue?”
“Well, because it seems this lass is betrothed by proxy to a Norman baron, and he is on his way here to demand that they wed immediately.”
“I still do not follow, Your Majesty.”
“Abbess Murdina never acts without an agenda. Her entire life is a chessboard, and we’re merely pawns in a greater game. I suspect Murdina has sent this lass to me because she is the one who can unlock the powers of the relic.”
Dalziel was contemplative, if not a little shocked. “Then that is certainly a problem.”
“So, you see my dilemma now? If I allow her to wed this Norman baron, that gives the Normans the power of the relic. Who kens what troubles they can unleash upon us all? However, if I refuse, then all my political interests from Normandy toAngliaare thrown into a state of uncertainty.”
“Perhaps it is worth meeting this novice first and testing whether she has such powers. If she does, then I believe she will be a far more valuable if she was on your side and not that of the Normans.”
Macbeth gave Dalziel a genuine smile. “Aye, that is wise indeed. I believe, Dalziel, married life has made you even sharper than before.”
“I give due praise to my wife, Your Majesty. Clarissa keeps me on my toes with the trouble she creates. If I’m too slow, it can lead to disaster or our house burning down.”
Macbeth burst out laughing in response.
***
