Kate Mosse - Labyrinth

“His soul is prepared,” said the parfait .

Alais nodded. She sat on the bed, holding her father’s hand. Viscount Trencavel stood on the other. Pelletier was barely conscious, although he seemed to feel their presence.

2›“Messire? 2›

“I’m here, Bertrand.”

“Carcassona must not fall.”

“I give you my word, in honour of the love and obligation that has been between us these many years, I will do all I can.”

Pelletier tried to lift his hand from the blanket. “It has been an honour to serve you.”

Alais saw the Viscount’s eyes were filled with tears. “It is I who should thank you, my old friend.”

Pelletier tried to raise his head. “Alais?”

“I’m here, Father,” she said quickly. The colour had gone from Pelletier’s face now. His skin hung in grey folds under his eyes. “No man ever had such a daughter.”

He seemed to sigh as the life left his body. Then, silence.

For a moment, Alais did not move, breathe, react in any way. Then she felt a wild grief building within her, taking her over, possessing her, until she broke down in an agony of weeping.

A soldier appeared in the doorway. “Lord Trencavel?”

He turned his head. What is it?“

“A thief, Messire . Stealing water from the Place du Plo.”

He signalled he would come. “Dame, I must leave you.”

Alais nodded. She had worn herself out with weeping.

“I will see him buried with the honour and ceremony that befits his status. He was a valiant man, both a loyal counsellor and trusted friend.”

“His church does not require it, Messire . His flesh is nothing. His spirit is already gone. He would wish you to think only of the living.”

“Then, see it as an act of selfishness on my part, that I wish to pay my last respects in accordance with the great affection and esteem in which I held your father. I will have his body moved to the capela Santa Maria.”

“He would be honoured by such evidence of your love.”

“Can I send anyone to sit with you? I cannot spare your husband, but your sister? Women to help you with the laying out?”

Her head darted up, realising only now that she had not thought of Oriane once. She had even forgotten to inform her their father had been taken sick.

She did not love him.

Alais silenced the voice in her head. She had failed in her duty, both to her father and to her sister. She got to her feet.

“I will go to my sister, Messire .

She bowed as he left the chamber, then turned back. She could not bring herself to leave her father. She began the process of laying out the body herself. She ordered the bed to be stripped and freshly made, sending the contaminated covers away for burning. Then with Rixende’s help, Alais prepared the winding sheets and burial oils. She cleaned his body herself and smoothed the hair from his brow so that, in death, he looked like the man he had been in life.

She lingered a while long, looking down at the empty face. You cannot delay any longer .

“Inform the Viscount his body is ready to be taken to the capela , Rixende. I must inform my sister.”

Guirande was asleep on the floor outside Oriane’s chamber.

Alais stepped over her and tried the door. This time, it was unlocked.

Oriane lay alone in her bed with the curtains pulled back. Her tousled black curls were spread over the pillow and her skin was milky white in the early morning light. Alais marvelled that she could sleep at all.

“Sister!”

Oriane opened her green cat-like eyes with a jolt, her face registering alarm, then surprise, before taking on its customary expression of disdain.

“I have ill news,” she said. Her voice was dead, cold.

“Could it not wait? The bell for Prime cannot yet have rung.”

“It could not. Our father-” she stopped.

2›How can such words be true? 2›

Alais took a deep breath to steady herself. “Our father is dead.”

The shock registered on Oriane’s face, before her habitual expression returned. “What did you say?” she said, her eyes narrowing.

“Our father passed away this morning. Just before dawn.”

“How? How did he die?”

“Is that all you can say?” she cried.

Oriane flew out of bed. “Tell me what he died of?”

“A sickness. It came on very quickly.”

Were you with him at the hour of his passing?“

Alais nodded.

“Yet you did not see fit to inform me?” she said furiously.

I’m sorry,“ Alais whispered. ”It all seemed to happen so fast. I know I should have-“

“Who else was there?”

“Our Lord Trencavel, and…”

Oriane heard her hesitation. “Our father did confess his sins and receive last rites?” she demanded.“ He died in the Church?”

“Our father did not die unshriven,” Alais replied, choosing her words with care. “He made his peace with God.”

She has guessed.

“What does it matter?” she cried, appalled by Oriane’s callous acceptance of the news. “He is dead, sister. Does it mean nothing to you?”

“You have failed in your duty, sister,” Oriane jabbed with her finger. “As the elder, I had more right to be there than you. I should have been there. And if, in addition to this, I discover you allowed heretics to paw over him as he lay dying, then make no mistake about it, I will make sure you regret it.”

“Do you feel no loss, no regret?”

Alais could see the answer in Oriane’s face. “I feel no more for his passing than I would for a dog in the street. He did not love me. It is many years since I allowed myself to be hurt by the fact. Why, now, would I grieve?” She took a step closer. “It was you he loved. He saw himself in you.” She gave an unpleasant smile. “It was you he confided in. Shared his innermost secrets with.”

Even in her frozen state, Alais felt colour fly to her cheeks. What do you mean?“ she said, dreading the answer.

“You know perfectly well what I mean,” she hissed. “Do you really think I do not know of your midnight conversations?” She took a step closer. “Your life is going to change, little sister, without him to protect you. You have had things your own way far too long.” Oriane darted out a hand and grabbed Alais by the wrist.

“Tell me. Where is the third book?”

“I do not know what you mean.”

Oriane slapped her with her open hand.

Where is it?“ Oriane hissed. ”I know you have it.“

“Let me go.”

“Don’t play games with me, sister. He must have given it to you. Who else would he trust? Tell me where it is. I mean to have it.”

A chill ran down Alais’ spine.

“You can’t do this. Someone will come.”

“Who?” she demanded. You forget our father is no longer here to protect you.“

“Guilhem.”

Oriane laughed. “Of course, I forgot that you are reconciled with your husband. Do you know what your husband really thinks of you?” she continued. “Do you?”

The door flew open and slammed against the wall.

“That is enough!” Guilhem shouted. Oriane immediately dropped her wrist as Alais’ husband strode across the room and gathered her into his arms. “Mon cor , I came as soon as I heard the news of your father’s death.

I’m so sorry.“

“How touching!” Oriane’s harsh voice broke the intimacy between them.

“Ask him what brought him back to your bed,” she said spitefully, not taking her eyes from Guilhem’s face. “Or are you too afraid to hear what he has to say? Ask him, Alais. It’s not love or desire. This reconciliation is because of the book, nothing more.”