Page 9 of Highland Guard
“Naomi, do you remember the night you arrived here? You wore a necklace?”
“I remember. You and Sister Bisset took it for safekeeping.”
“Aye, I sent it to a nunnery in Perthshire, where it is hidden still.”
“Is it still safe?”
“No. That is why I need to talk to you. I believe that theBrotherhoodkens its location and intends to steal it.”
“Why do they want it so much? Tis just a necklace.”
The abbess took a deep breath and said, “Tis not just a necklace, lass. Tis a relic of great power. Many seek it, many have died protecting it. It is called theVeritas Quaesitor, the Truth-Seeker amulet.”
“Why did my father have it, then?”
“Your mother was Florie Ross, a member of theOrder. Your father was an elite tagmata fighter and member of theBrotherhoodin service to Duke Sergius of Naples. A Norman cleric stole it and traded it to the duke in exchange for land. Your mother was to steal it back. During that time, she met your father who was guarding it.”
“Wait, do you mean to tell me my parents met over that necklace?”
“Aye, they did and by some miracle, they fell in love, took it with them and disappeared to the south of Italy, where you were born. It is the reason your father was murdered.”
Naomi was quiet for a long time. Thinking about her parents and a love so deep it defied duty and reason. They sacrificed everything for this silly necklace. She was reeling from the news. “Why did they not return it to the abbey?”
“Because your mother was betrothed to a Scottish nobleman. If she returned, she would be duty bound to marry for the clan and she could not risk separation from your father or you.”
“Why is this amulet so important?”
“According to the legend, the amulet gives the wearer the power to compel others.”
“Compel them to do what?”
“To tell the absolute truth. But it is only powerful when worn by one who shares the blood of the chosen.”
“Surely that is nonsense, abbess? Tis magic and sorcery. We should not be delving into such things.”
“No, lass. It is true. I have seen things that defy our understanding of the world. This amulet is one of them. Therefore, we cannot let theBrotherhoodget their hands on it.”
“So, what do you wish me to do?”
“I need you to retrieve it and deliver it to the king of Scotland.”
***
