“Times change,” said James.
“In some ways, maybe,” said the old woman. “Others, not at all.”
James said, “Well, perhaps someday we can sit in more comfortable surroundings and discuss it. But right now we have other worries.” He gestured outside at the fading sun.
“I saw,” said the woman. “That’s why I thought you might be from the village, come to burn me.”
Jazhara said, “That was ‘Father’ Rowland. He was rallying the villagers to come here and do just that.”
“How did you stop him?” asked the woman.
James said, “With my rapier. He was no priest of Sung.”
“I could have told you that,” said the old woman. “His pores just oozed evil. I think that’s one of the reasons he wanted me gone; he realized I knew him to be a charlatan.”
“There had to be another reason,” said Solon. “You would hardly have been a compelling witness against him just because you sensed the evil in him.”
The woman nodded. “It is because I know the secret of Haldon Head and Widow’s Point.”
James said, “Will the secret explain what is going on around here, and why we cannot raise that ship?”
“Undoubtedly,” said the old woman.
Jazhara asked, “What is your name?”
The old crone paused and then laughed. “It’s been so long since anyone has called me anything but ‘witch’ or ‘old woman’ I can scarcely remember.” She sighed. “Call me Hilda.”
“Hilda,” asked James. “What is the secret you spoke of?”
The old woman looked around, as if fearful of being overheard. “Below the cliffs, in a deep cavern, lies an ancient place. It is a temple of evil, older than the memory of the oldest living human.”
“What sort of temple?” asked Solon, his hand reflexively going to the hilt of his warhammer.
Hilda stood slowly and crossed to an old wooden chest. She threw back the lid and reached inside. From within she removed a small cloth pouch. Handing it to Solon, she said, “Open it.”
The monk did so, and when he saw what was inside, he seemed loath to touch it. “This is like those others,” he whispered. He shook the thing into his hand and held it out. Upon his palm was a carved metal hand of either pewter or iron, within which rested a black orb, fashioned from a stone like obsidian. But unlike obsidian, however, it did not reflect the light of the fire.
The old woman said, “I do not know who first built the Black Pearl Temple, but they were not human.”
Solon put the artifact back into its pouch. “My order has a catalogue of every cult and faith known to man in the Kingdom, the East, and down through Kesh. As a Defender of the Faithful, I have studied those documents. I have never heard of such an order as the Black Pearl.”
The old woman sighed. “And yet it exists.” She took the pouch from Solon. “What lies below the cliffs is a festering evil. It is partially to blame for why so many ships are drawn to their demise on the rocks below. It is why few try to farm the good land that lies between the village and my hut. Those who do try grow restless or fearful and leave after a season or two. Even the hunters avoid the woods around here.”
“How is it you can abide?” asked Kendaric.
“This,” said the old woman, holding up the pouch. “It is a talisman and protects me from their evil, as if I were already one of their own. I’d like you to have it, for you face a grave challenge.” She looked into the eyes of each of her guests before handing the pouch to Solon, who accepted the gift with a nod of thanks. She sat down again, and said, “And it is more.”
“What?” asked James.
“It’s a key. If you go down the pathway to the rocks below, turn into what appears to be a small alcove fashioned by the sea in the rocks. There you will see a small, faint pattern in the rocks, at my eye level. With this key, a door in the rocks will open.”
“You’ve seen this done?” asked Jazhara.
“Yes,” said Hilda. “Many times I have spied upon those who come and go below. One of my talents is concealment. I was standing but a few feet from the porch when you passed, yet you had no inkling, right?”
Jazhara smiled and nodded. “True.”
“Have you tried to use this to get in?” asked James.
“Yes,” admitted Hilda. “I’ve tried. But I did not get in.”
“Why not?” asked Kendaric.
“Because only those who are sworn in the service of those black powers in the temple can use it. I tried, but the door would not open.”
James said, “Then how can we use the key?”
“I believe you have one choice,” said the woman. “In the village a creature hides. I do not know who he is or what his name is, but that he is there is certain. He is the one who first infected those who became blood-drinkers. He is a servant of those dark powers below. I don’t understand his purpose, for it’s only a matter of time before the Prince comes to Haldon Head with his army to set things right.”