Winds Of Eternity Part 5

"You're not going to release him?" she said fearfully.12.

"We may have no choice. But if he is released, we shall begin by trying his followers - beginning with you."

"Me?"

"You are a known member of his coven. Mistress Pearce can attest as to your connection with Judah Zachary and that you have spent most nights away from this house, and she will do so - unless you agree to testify against him."

"Master Collins, I am not certain that I can do that - but I do have something that might help." She lifted the cloth-wrapped object from a table and carried it over to him.

Amadeus looked down at the gold and jewel encrusted mask in awe as well as fear. "Zachary has spoken of a Mask," he murmured.

"That is it. The Mask of Baal. It is a major part of his power. Will it help?"

"Yes, but it is not enough. A mask is not proof of witchcraft. You can provide that proof."

"You do not understand, Master Collins. If I were to speak against Judah with him sitting there, watching me, looking at me, I would be unable to utter a single word. He would destroy me."

Amadeus considered that for a moment. "His eyes could be covered with a dark cloth. Would that solve the problem?"

"Yes, but -"

Aaron placed a hand on her arm. "If she does testify, Master Collins, all charges against her would be forgotten?"

Collins turned to him. "If she leaves the village, yes."

"She was going away with me anyway, sir. Well, Miranda?"

She drew on Aaron's strength, for inside she saw shaking in terror. "I -I will testify against Judah Zachary, Master Collins."

"A very wise decision, young woman."

The next morning, Judah's hands were bound and a dark cloth tied over his

eyes. He stood in the box, listening carefully to every nuance of the judges' voices. Collins' voice was more confident today. Yesterday he had been a man on the verge of defeat.

"We have found a witness who will testify as to the accused's heinous crimes," Collins said. "Call the witness."

A witness? Judah thought. Who would dare testify? Who would dare risk my wrath? He did not have to wait long for the answer.

"How long have you been a member of Judah Zachary's coven?" Amadeus asked.

Judah listened carefully so he could identify the voice of the traitor. "Almost -four years."

Miranda!! She is betraying me! Telling the judges about Jonas Thome's death.

"He called me to his house and told me that Master Thorne was trying to create trouble for him in the village. Judah made a house of cards and spoke an incantation, calling Satan to help him. He said the card house was also the Thorne house, and the cards began to burn. Jonas Thorne and his family died that night in a fire that destroyed their house."

"Why did you not come to the authorities at that time?"

Through a red haze of fury, Judah burst out, "She is lying! That never happened! You are a liar, Miranda."

The accused will stand quiet," Collins instructed. "Answer the question, young woman."

"I did not dare tell anyone, sir. Judah - Judah said that if I ever told he would kill me."

"I tell you - she is lying! I refused to marry her and she is trying to punish me for it! Miranda, you do not know what you are doing!"

Shaking, Miranda looked at the judges. Amadeus nodded, and she ran from the room into the corridor where Aaron waited. He held her tightly, feeling the tremors that shook her as he listened to the judge order the blind-fold removed.13.

"Judah Zachary, it is the decision of this tribunal that you are guilty of practicing witchcraft. Although the usual punishment for this crime is death by hanging, it has come to our attention that it might not be effective in your case."

Judah heard a voice inside his head. A voice not his own. Aaron's voice. How did Elsbeth die, Judah? How?

Collins voice brought Judah back to the courtroom. "You will be beheaded, Judah Zachary. Your head will be placed on public display in the square as a warning to others of their fate if they follow your example. Your body will be buried in a secret location - along with the Mask of Baal."

At the realization that the Mask was in their hands, Judah's fury broke its bonds. He screamed, "MIRANDA!!" She had done more than testify against him, she had delivered him unto his enemies. "You will pay, Miranda! You will ALL pay!" His dark gaze swept the judges. "I set a curse on all of you. You will regret your decision of this day. You AND your families."

Aaron hurried Miranda from the building, straight to his cabin on the Sea Witch. There, he poured her a brandy and told her to lay down in his berth to rest. He drew the curtains and sat across the cabin, a watchful eye on her. He would not believe her safe until Judah was dead and the ship underway for Martinique. Aaron had no doubt that Judah would order retribution--but if he could get Miranda to Martinique, he was sure she would be safe. He still wondered at his instant attraction to her. A memory came, unbidden of Marie reading the cards long ago, revealing a past life about which Aaron could recall only bits and pieces. But Marie had seen a blonde woman in that life, he recalled now. Could it have been Miranda in another life as well?

"Aaron?"

Her soft voice brought him back to her, and he knelt beside the berth, taking her hand. "I am here, my love."

"Is it - truly finished?"

"It will be soon. We will set sail tomorrow morning."

"Must we stay?"

"I have to be certain that it is done, Miranda. You will stay here," he began.

"No. I would rather be at your side."

"That is where you belong," he told her, kissing her. She clung to him. "Oh, Miranda."

"Hold me. Never let me go."

"Never. You are mine, Miranda. You will always be mine." He pulled away slightly to look at her face. "I have something for you."

"What?"

"Stay there." He went across to open a cupboard door and removed a wooden box from inside. Raising the lid, he looked inside. "I bought this from a man who had just returned from the Orient. I did not know why I bought it. Perhaps I knew that I would meet you." He lifted a necklace of sapphires into the candlelight.

"Oh, Aaron. They are lovely."

"They match your eyes. Allow me to put them on." Even with her simple dress of rough cotton, the blue stones made her look like a queen. "When we reach Martinique, I will buy you silks and satins. No more cotton gowns for the woman I love."

She smiled at him. "Tell me again about your home there."