Kate Mosse - Labyrinth

He sat forward, his black eyes alive. “Even then there were verses, lays, circulating in the courts of the north. In Champagne, the troubadours and minstrels were singing of a magical cup, a life-giving elixir, too close to the truth to be ignored.” Pelletier nodded. He too had heard such songs. “So weighing all things in the balance, it was safer to keep myself apart. I would never have forgiven myself if I had led them to your door, my friend.”

Pelletier gave a long sigh. “I fear, Simeon, that despite our best efforts we have been betrayed, although I have no hard and fast proof of it. There are those who know of the connection between us, I am convinced of it. Whether they also know the nature of our bond, I cannot say.”

“Something has happened to make you think this?”

“A week ago or more, Alai’s came across a man floating in the river Aude, a Jew. His throat had been cut and his left thumb severed from his hand. Nothing else was taken. There was no reason to think so, but I thought of you. I thought he had been mistaken for you.” He paused. “Before this there have been other indications. I confided something of my responsibility to Alai’s, in the event that something happened to me and I was unable to return to Carcassona.”

This is the moment to tell him why you are come.

“Father, since you-”

He held up a hand to stop her interrupting. “Have there been any indications your whereabouts have been discovered, Simeon? Either by those who sought you in Chartres or others?”

Simeon was shaking his head. “Of late, no. More than fifteen years have passed since I came south and I can tell you that, in all that time, there has not been a single day when I’ve not expected to feel a knife at my throat. But, as to anything out of the ordinary, no.”

Alai’s could keep silent no longer. “Father, what I have to say has bearing on this matter. I must tell you of what has happened since you left Carcassona. Please.”

By the time Alai’s had finished, her fathers face was scarlet. She feared he would lose his temper. He would allow neither Alai’s nor Simeon to calm him.

“The Trilogy is discovered,” he ranted. “There can be no doubt about it.”

“Be still, Bertrand,” said Simeon firmly. “Your anger serves only to cloud your judgment.”

Alai’s turned to the windows, aware of the growing levels of noise in the street. Pelletier, too, after a moment’s hesitation, raised his head.

“The bells have started again,” he said quickly. “I must return to the suzerain’s residence. Viscount Trencavel expects me.” He stood up. “I must think further on what you have told me, Alai’s, and consider what should be done. For now, we must concentrate our efforts on departure.” He turned to his friend. “You will come with us, Simeon.”

While Pelletier had been talking, Simeon had opened an ornately carved wooden chest that stood on the far side of the room. Alais edged closer. The lid was lined with deep crimson velvet, gathered in deep folds like the curtains around a bed.

Simeon shook his head. “I will not ride with you. I will follow with my people. So, for safety’s sake, you should take this.”

Alais watched Simeon slide his hand along the bottom of the chest. There was a click, then a small drawer sprung open at the base. When he straightened up, Alais saw he was holding an object enclosed in a sheepskin chemise.

The two men exchanged glances, then Pelletier took the book from Simeon’s outstretched hand and concealed it beneath his cloak.

“In his letter, Harif mentions a sister in Carcassona,” said Simeon.

Pelletier nodded. “A friend to the Noublesso is my interpretation of his words. I cannot believe he means more.”

“It was a woman who came to take the second book from me, Bertrand,” Simeon said mildly. “Like you, at the time I confess I assumed she was no more than a courier, but in the light of your letter…”

Pelletier dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his hand. “I cannot believe Harif would appoint a woman guardian, whatever the circumstances. He would not take the risk.”

Alais almost spoke, but bit her tongue.

Simeon shrugged. “We should consider the possibility.”

“Well, what manner of woman was she?” Pelletier said impatiently. “Someone who could reasonably be expected to take custody of so precious an object?”

Simeon shook his head. “Truthfully, she was not. She was neither highborn nor in the lowest station of life. She was past the age of childbearing, although she had a child with her. She was traveling to Carcassona via Servian, her hometown.”

Alais sat up straight.

“That is a meager amount of information,” complained Bertrand. “She did not give you her name?”

“No and nor did I ask it, since she bore a letter from Harif. I gave her bread, cheese, fruit for the journey, then she left.”

They were now arrived at the door to the street.

“I do not like to leave you,” Alais said abruptly, suddenly fearful for Simeon.

Simeon smiled. “I shall be fine, child. Esther will pack those things I wish to take with me to Carcassona. I will travel anonymously in the crowd. It will be safer for us all if I do so.”

Pelletier nodded. “The Jewish quarter lies on the river, to the east of Carcassona, not far from the suburb of Sant-Vicens. Send word when you arrive.”

“I will.”

The two men embraced, then Pelletier stepped out into the now crowded street. Alais went to follow, but Simeon put his hand on her arm to hold her back.

“You have great courage, Alais. You have been steadfast in your duty to your father. To the Noublesso too. But watch over him. His temper can lead him astray and there will be difficult times, difficult choices ahead.”

Glancing over her shoulder, Alais dropped her voice so her father couldn’t hear. “What was the nature of the second book taken by this woman to Carcassona? The book that yet is unfound?”

“The Book of Potions” he replied. “A list of herbs and plants. To your father was entrusted the Book of Words, to me the Book of Numbers.”

To each their own skill.

“I think that tells you what you wanted to know?” Simeon said, looking knowingly at her from under his bushy eyebrows. “Or perhaps confirms a thought?”

She smiled. “ Benleu .” Perhaps.

Alais kissed him, and then ran to catch her father up.

Food for the journey. A board too, perhaps.

Alais resolved to keep her idea to herself for now, until she was sure, even though she was now all but certain she knew where the book would be found. All the myriad connections that ran through their lives like a spider’s web were suddenly clear to her. All the tiny hints and clues missed, because not looked for.

As they hurried back through the town, it was clear that already the exodus had begun.

Jews and Saracens were moving toward the main gates, some on foot, some with carts laden down with belongings, books, maps, furniture; financiers with horses saddled and carrying baskets, chests and scales for weighing, rolls of parchment. Alais noticed a few Christian families in the crowd too.

The courtyard of the suzerain’s palace was bleached white in the morning sun. As they passed through the gates, Alais saw the look of relief on her father’s face as he realized the Council was not yet concluded.

“Does anyone else know you are here?”

Alais stopped dead in her tracks, horrified to realize she’d not thought of Guilhem at all. “No. I came straight to find you.”

She was irritated by the look of pleasure that flashed across her father’s face.