Kate Mosse - Labyrinth

How dare you address her like that!“ exclaimed Alais. ”

“You are welcome to look, Dame Oriane, if it pleases you,” said Esclarmonde mildly.

Oriane suddenly grabbed Alais’ arm. That is enough from you,“ she said, digging her sharp nails into Alais’ skin. ”You declared yourself ready to the Chateau, so let us go.“

Before she knew it, Alais found herself back in the street. The soldiers so close behind her that she could feel their breath on the back of She had a fleeting memory of the smell of ale, a calloused hand over mouth.

“Quick,” said Oriane, poking her in the back.

For Esclarmonde’s sake, Alais felt she had no choice but to comply with Oriane’s wishes. At the corner of the street, Alais managed to throw a final glance over her shoulder. Esclarmonde was standing in the doorway, watching. Quickly, she raised her finger to her lips. A clear warning to say nothing.

In the donjon , Pelletier rubbed his eyes and stretched his arms to relieve the stiffness in his bones.

For many hours, messengers had been dispatched from the Chateau Comtal carrying letters to all of Trencavel’s sixty vassals not already making their way to Carcassona. The strongest of his vassals were independent in all but name, so Pelletier was mindful of the need for Raymond-Roger to persuade and appeal rather than command. Each letter laid bare the threat in the clearest terms. The French were massing on their borders preparing for an invasion the like of which the Midi had never seen. The garrison at Carcassona had to be strengthened. They must fulfil their obligation of allegiance and come with as many good men as they could muster.

“A la perfin ,” said Trencavel, softening the wax over the flame before setting his seal upon it. At last.

Pelletier returned to his Viscount’s side, nodding to Jehan Congost. He had little time for Oriane’s husband usually, but on this occasion he had admit Congost and his team of scribes had worked tirelessly and efficiently. Now, as the servant took the final missive to the last waiting messenger, Pelletier gave the escrivans permission to leave too. Following Congost’s lead, one by one they rose, cracking the joints of their stiff fingers, rubbing tired eyes, gathering up their rolls of parchment, quills and inks. Pelletier waited until he and Viscount Trencavel were alone.

“You should rest, Messire ,” he said. “You need to conserve your strength.”

Trencavel laughed. “Forca e vertu, ‘ he said, echoing the words he’d spoken in Beziers. Strength and courage. ”Do not worry, Bertrand, I am well. Never better.“ The Viscount put his hand on Pelletier’s shoulder. You my old friend, do look in need of rest.”

“I confess the thought is attractive, Messire ,” he admitted. After weeks of broken nights, he felt every one of his fifty-two years.

“Tonight we will all sleep in our own beds, Bertrand, although I’m that hour is still some way off, for us at least.” His handsome face grew solemn. “It is essential I meet with the consuls as soon as possible, as many as can be gathered at such notice.”

Pelletier nodded. “Do you have a particular request?”

“Even if all of our vassals heed my call, and come bringing a fair contingent of soldiers with them, we need more men.” He spread his hands.

“You wish the consuls to raise a war chest?”

We need enough to buy the services of disciplined, battle-skilled mercenaries, Aragonese or Catalan, the closer to hand the better.“

“Have you considered a raise in taxes? On salt, perhaps? Wheat?”

“It’s too soon for that. For now, I would rather try to gather the funds we need through gift than obligation.” He paused. “If that fails, then I will consider more stringent measures. How progresses the fortification?”

“All masons and sawyers within the Ciutat , Sant-Vincens and Sant-Miquel have been summoned, as well as from the villages to the north.

Work to dismantle the choir stalls in the cathedral and the priests’ refectory has already begun.“

Trencavel grinned. “Berenger de Rochefort will not like that!”

The Bishop will have to accept it,“ Pelletier growled. We need all the timber we can get, as quickly as possible, to start work constructing the ambans and cadefalcs . His palace and the cloisters are the closest source of wood available.”

Raymond-Roger held up his hands in mock surrender. I’m not challenging your decision,“ he laughed. ”The hoards and brattices are more important than the Bishop’s comfort! Tell me, Bertrand, has Pierre-Roger de Cabaret arrived yet?“

“Not yet, Messire , although he is expected at any time.”

“Send him straight to me when he comes, Bertrand. If possible, I would delay speaking with the consuls until he is here. They hold him in high esteem. Any word from Termenes or Foix?”

“None yet, Messire .”

A while later, Pelletier stood looking out over the Cour d’Honneur, his hands on his hips, pleased at how quickly work was progressing. Already, sounds of sawing and hammering, the rumble of cart wheels delivering wood, nails and tar, the roar of the fires in the smithy filled the courtyard.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Alais running across the courtyard towards him. He frowned.

Why did you send Oriane to fetch me?“ she demanded as she came level with him.

He looked bewildered. “Oriane? To fetch you from where?”

“I was visiting a friend, Esclarmonde de Servian, in the southern quartier of the Ciutat , when Oriane arrived, accompanied by two soldiers, claiming you had sent her to bring me back to the Chateau.” She watched her father’s face for signs of a reaction, but saw only bafflement. “Is she speaking the truth?”

“I have not seen Oriane.”

“Have you spoken to her as you promised, about her behaviour in your absence?”

“I have not yet had the chance.”

“I beseech you, do not underestimate her. She knows something, something that could harm you, I am convinced of it.”

Pelletier’s face turned red. “I will not have you accusing your sister. This has got-”

“The labyrinth board belongs to Esclarmonde,” she blurted out.

He stopped as if she had struck him. What? What do you mean?“

“Simeon gave it, remember, to the woman who came for the second book.”

“It cannot be,” he said, with such force that Alais took a step back.

“Esclarmonde is the other guardian,” Alais persisted, talking faster before he stopped her. “The sister in Carcassona of whom Harif wrote. She knew about the merel too.”

“And Esclarmonde has told you she is a guardian?” he demanded. “Because if she has, then-”

“I did not ask her directly,” Alais replied firmly, then added. “It makes sense, Paire. She is exactly the nature of person Harif would choose.”

She paused. “What do you know of Esclarmonde?”

“I know of her reputation as a wise woman. And have reason to be grateful to her for the love and attention she has shown to you. She has a grandson, you say?”

“Great-grandson, yes. Sajhe. He is eleven. Esclarmonde comes from Servian, Messire . She came to Carcassona when Sajhe was a baby. The timings all fit with what Simeon reported.”

“Intendant Pelletier.”

They both turned as a servant hurried towards them.

“ Messire , my lord Trencavel requests your presence immediately in his chambers. Pierre-Roger, Lord of Cabaret, has arrived.”

“Where is Francois?”

I know not, Messire .“ Pelletier glowered at him in frustration.