How do I ask about her illness? Approach the subject of her impending death? I need to know how much time she has left. And how soon I can get back to Biarritz.
Strangely, the thought of returning to Aquitaine did not beckon Cardin with its promise of remote refuge and escape from the painful past. Instead, the idea of leaving Brocéliande and abandoning Lukaz a second time filled him with overwhelming remorse and shame.
He’s mercilessly teased for being a bastard because you’ve been absent his entire life. Are you going to break his heart and abandon him again? Condemn him to a life of ridicule and pain? By the Goddess, Cardin, what kind of father are you?
He accepted a goblet of rich red wine from his father and sat down at the oak table with his parents and oldest brother.
Gaultier spared him the difficulty of broaching the delicate subject. “Maman is being treated by Ulla, who is a giftedguérisseuse. Using her exceptional knowledge of healing herbs, Ulla prepares elixirs and tinctures, which she givesMamantwice a day.” Dark eyes shining with love, Gaultier smiled sadly at Laudine. “We hopenotre mèrewill be with us through the whole holiday season.”
Laudine reached across the table and squeezed Cardin’s calloused hand. “You’ve made my Yuletide wish come true. Thank you for coming home, son. It means the world to me.” She stroked the hair on his knuckles and gazed at him with golden eyes gilded by the candlelight. “Most days, I feel well enough to teach my student priestesses and cultivate the herbs and plants in the glass greenhouse of myverrière.But sometimes, I must take to my bed, overcome with fatigue. I pray the Goddess gives me the strength to welcome in the New Year.”
Esclados rose from his chair, the greying streaks in his black hair glistening like strands of silver. “Come, my love. It’s time for bed. You must rest as much as you can.” Helping Laudine to a stand, he bid goodnight to his two sons while his wife kissed Cardin and Gaultier on both cheeks.
“See you in the morning. Lukaz is most anxious for you to watch his archery lesson with Ulla. And join them in the hunt. Goodnight. It’s so good to have you home.” Laudine linked her arm though her husband’s as Esclados led her away from the table where their two sons finished the goblets of wine.
Cardin watched his parents cross the expansive foyer and climb the stone stairs leading to the bedroom on the upper level.I’ve been gone nearly seven years, wasting my life away. Now, I’m finally home, just in time to say goodbye. By the Goddess, I’ve been a fool.
The jarring scrape of Gaultier’s chair against the wooden floor as he rose to his feet interrupted Cardin’s melancholic reverie. “Well, I’m off to bed too.Morbleu, it’ll be good to sleep on a mattress again!Dors bien, mon frère.Sleep well. See you in the morning.” He downed his wine, set the empty mug upon the table, and clasped Cardin on the shoulder before heading up the stairs.
Alone with his thoughts, Cardin stared into the fiery embers glowing in the hearth. The haunting image of Ulla danced in the flickering flames.
My mother’s healer.
My son’s teacher.
A wounded warrior, just like me.
He ducked his chin in gratitude as the servants accepted his empty goblet and cleared the table. Cardin, pensive and solemn, retired to the bedroom of his childhood where he removed his boots, tunic, and breeches.
And dreamt of the beguiling beauty and his forgiving, adoring son.
Chapter 11
A Trio of Wolves
In the alcove of her small kitchen, Ulla stared out the open window where her hens picked at grubs in the dewy morning grass behind the grey stone cottage. She inhaled deeply, relishing the rich, decadent aroma of wild plums which wafted in on the warm breeze. Mingling with the ripe fruity fragrance was the heady floral scent of whiteaubépineblooms tucked amongst the dense hedgerow which enclosed her backyard. She sighed, savoring the moment, before directing her attention back to her task at hand.
She’d just finished preparing an assortment of herbal tinctures, ointments, and elixirs, placing the carefully labeled jars inside the cupboard where she stored her healing supplies. Lukaz would be here soon for his archery lesson. And his father, Laudine’s somber son Cardin, would be with him.
Ulla reflected upon the drastic changes in the dashing, debonair knight she remembered from long ago to the sullen, suffering man of the present.
Basati. He’s savage, like his name implies. Fierce and feral, like a wolf. Wounded and vulnerable, like Vill was when I first found him. Withdrawn and melancholy, like Lukaz before he began his lessons and met our animals.
The Basque Wolf of Biarritz. A wretched loner who gambles excessively, drinks too much mead, and fights in every tavern in town. So very different from Sir Cardin de Landuc, the finest royal archer for King Guillemin of Finistère.
Just like Vill and Lukaz, Basati needs nurturing care.
As a wave of curative compassion flowed through her, Ulla smiled at the stark realization.
All three of them need me.
A trio of wounded wolves for me to heal.
A knock at the cottage door interrupted Ulla’s reverie. She glanced at her yew bow and quiver of arrows leaning against the wall in a far corner of the kitchen. Vill leapt up and dashed to the front entrance, his tail wagging with lupine delight.
Vill knows it’s Lukaz. I wonder how he’ll behave around Cardin—who perhaps prefers to be called Basati.
With a hand command for Vill to sit, Ulla opened the front door to greet her guests.
