Category: Fantasy Publisher: Createspace
ISBN-10: 1452802912
Type: Fiction
Pages: 304
Copyright: April 16, 2010
ISBN-13: 9781452802916
In a strange twist of fate, the Chevalier du Morte, finds himself suddenly catapulted into the role of Grand Master of the Order of the Red Cross of Gold when four members of the Order are struck down simultaneously in a mysterious incident. He is plagued by the idea that he has committed the unforgiveable sin while trying desperately to discover the whereabouts of the Djinn creature whom he suspects has put a curse on the Order. Once more, he inadvertantly incurs the wrath of the Grand Master and another of his beloved Brothers turns against him and calls for his head. He must defeat the Djinn, defeat his own personal demons and figure out some way to get things back to normal before the entire Order falls to pieces.
In Book XII:. The Son of the Moon, Sir Ramsay finds himself in charge of the Order of the Red Cross as its newly elected, but reluctant Grand Master. His son is acting very strangely and the Djinni has started a family with the intention of reclaiming the lands of the ancient race of the Djinn. Someone plots the Knight of Death's downfall even as Meredith attempts to help him regain his equilibrium. His relationship with his wayward children is non-existent and he finds himself actually afraid of them. As the Ramsay clan grows and the sons and daughters of the Order come of age, some of them begin to question their own heritage.
Excerpt
“I understand grounded, mother.” Luke looked at her in amazement. “I just don’t understand why you are so angry. We were only having fun. We are children, you know. We have the right to have fun!”
“Fun?!” Merry sighed and looked at the ceiling. “Getting into trouble with the law is not having fun, Luke. And for you to drag Nicole with you. That is unacceptable! Your father will beat you senseless when he comes back.”
“No, he won’t,” Luke objected and shook his head. “He doesn’t care what we do. He doesn’t even think about us. He only cares about his car!”
“And you should care about his car!”
Merry knew this conversation was pointless. She was arguing with a seven-year-old in a grown-up body. “If you would settle down a bit and try to be good, he would pay more attention to you. He is ashamed of you and your behavior. You make him look bad in the eyes of his Brothers. He is the Master. He has a reputation to uphold. You should be proud to be his son! Perhaps when you are older, you will understand. You know nothing of your father. It would behoove you to learn something about him, before you make stupid remarks about him.”
“Oh, now I’m stupid, am I?” Luke pouted and frowned. “I don’t understand anything, Mother! I don’t understand how I can be younger than Andy d’Ornan and look like this.” He held out his arms and then tossed his head. He had his father’s hair, but he kept it cut short. He had his father’s deep blue eyes and her face. He was a very nice looking boy. “I don’t understand how I can do the things I do and yet, you treat me like I’m a baby! What am I? Where did I come from? How did this happen? What did you do? What did my father do? Can you tell me? Can you explain to me why I’m a freak?” his voice cracked and he blubbered like a typical seven-year-old. “Mom, can you tell me why when I act like a freak, you punish me? If I am a freak, then why should I not be freaky? Should I be a sky-diver or a firefighter? Should I be out there playing soccer or be in a monastery somewhere? Or maybe a zoo? Or a sideshow in a circus? What will you buy me for Christmas this year? A set of toy soldiers or a subscription to Penthouse?” his voice suddenly regained composure and he glared at her.
Merry drew back her hand to slap him and then thought better of it. It would not help anything. She had no idea what to say to him. He had a point. She had no answers for him.
“Luke, all I can tell you is that I love you. I will do anything within my power for you. All you have to do is behave. Do what I ask you to do. I don’t ask a lot of you or your sister. I let you do most anything you like. I would like to see you go to the University in Edinburgh like your brother Marco. You like your brother Marco, don’t you?”
“I don’t know him. I’ve only seen him a couple of times,” the boy shrugged. “He doesn’t talk to me! He thinks I’m a freak.”
“What about Reuben d’Ornan? I’ve seen you talking to him,” she asked him in frustration. “You need to make friends with the boys at the Academy. If you would just behave a bit, I could persuade Sir Barry to take you into the Academy. I know you’re only seven, but you’ve already mastered all the subjects I’ve given you. You’re a genius, Luke. Do you realize that? You can do anything you want. Be anything you like. You could make your father and me very proud of you. Think about it... please? For me? I know you love me, Luke.”
Luke sat in the chair in front of his desk and stared at her with his arms crossed over his chest.
“You do love me, don’t you, Luke?” She placed her hand on his cheek. She was very close to tears now. Tears of frustration and impatience. She needed Mark Andrew there to consult with him about this. They had to do something about the twins before they got themselves into trouble and they couldn’t get them out with fines and restitution. She couldn’t imagine what would happen when the local authorities began to take a real interest in Luke and Nicole Ramsay. It was a disaster in the offing.
He placed one hand over hers and then stood very slowly. He was already taller than her.
“Of course, I love you, mother.” He hugged her tightly and then put one hand on her forehead. Before she could react he kissed her in a way that was totally unacceptable.
Merry pushed him away and then slapped him.
“Luke! Don’t you ever do that again!” she shouted at him.
He smiled at her and then sat down again. He swiveled the chair around and put his back to her.
She watched in shocked horror as he began to work on his computer terminal as if she weren’t even there in the room.
“Don’t leave this room!” she told him angrily. “I mean it! When your father returns, you and I and your father will have a long talk!”
Luke shrugged.
“Whatever!”
Merry stood a bit longer to see what he was looking up. She memorized the web address and then left to find Nicole. The girl was in her room, sitting in the middle of her bed, dressed in a long black gown. She was sitting straight up with her head held back, her eyes closed. Meditating apparently.
“Nicole?” Merry asked softly so as not to startle her. The girl opened her eyes slowly and lowered her head. Her eyes were sky blue and her hair was blond and curly like her mother’s, but her face was more like her father’s. She was a perfect combination of genetics.
“Yes, mother,” the girl said coldly. She was very unhappy about having spent a day and a night in jail and now she had been confined to her room.
“I would like to know if you need anything,” Merry said gently and sat down on the edge of the bed. She reached for the girl’s hand. It was cold and clammy, almost lifeless.
“I need to get away from here,” Nicole told her. “I don’t like these people and they don’t like me!”
“That’s nonsense, Nicole. You and your brother have just made everyone mistrust you. If you and Luke would settle down a bit, people would like both of you better. I know it’s hard for you. You don’t have any friends here and no one understands, but I love you and I want the best for both of you. I was just talking to Luke and he said...”
“I don’t care what Luke said. It was not my fault! It was not my idea. He is the only one I have to talk to!” Nicole cut her off. “He understands!”
“I know he does,” Merry said softly. “But you forget about me. I understand and I love you.”
“You don’t care any more than Mark Ramsay!” Nicole told her. “He looks at me and he shudders. Why is that?”
“He doesn’t know what to do with you. He is not used to children, Nicole. He doesn’t know how to talk to you.” Merry defended the girl’s father. Mark Andrew had told her that the girl scared him. Scared the Knight of Death! Incredible. Mark Andrew rarely ever said anything like that.
“I don’t need anything,” Nicole told her suddenly. “You don’t have to worry. I’m not going anywhere. I have no where to go.”
“You’ll be fine,” Merry told her and stood up. What more could she say? It was useless. “I’ll send up something for you to eat in a bit.”
“Sure, fine. Whatever,” Nicole said sarcastically and resumed her former pose, closing her eyes.
Merry left her and leaned against the door outside in the hall. Crying would do no good. Perhaps Oriel could visit with Nicole and they could talk... about what, Merry had no idea. Even Simon avoided the twins.
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