“To lay siege,” he confirmed, and Dagobert’s heart sank.
“’Twould be madness,” Eustache muttered under his breath, but Dagobert heard the concern in his friend’s voice.
Truly, things were turning for the worst and he sighed with dissatisfaction.There would be no leisure for him this night.He had to learn every detail that the messenger remembered, and with all haste.
“I would speak with you in private,” he said to the knight, gesturing along the passageway when the man nodded.Despite the proven loyalty of Dagobert’s household, the hall was no place to discuss such delicate matters.
Alienor had not beenable to bear the prospect of Iolande’s evening draught of wine, for her stomach was uneasy.Alienor had refused the chalice politely but firmly.The flicker of panic that lighted her mother-in-law’s eyes struck her as odd, for ’twas not that great a breach of the lady’s hospitality.The expression was banished as quickly as it appeared, leaving Alienor wondering whether she had imagined it as she lay abed.
It was the first time she had been unable to sleep in her marital bed.
How curious.She tended to sleep well, but certainly her circumstances had changed and could be said to be unsettling.She had expected a restless night sooner.
Was she making much of little to ponder that quick change in Iolande’s expression?
What if there was something in the wine to encourage her sleep?
What if she might see more than she should by not accepting the wine?
It was an intriguing notion and one that gained in credence as she waited and her thoughts churned.The unicorn chewed steadily, consistent if naught else.Would Alienor witness the “transformation” this night?As much as she intended to hold to her vows to respect her husband’s privacy, ’twas only natural that she was curious.Or so Alienor told herself as she studied the beast and waited.
The sky outside her window grew ever darker, the fire flickered low in the grate as the sounds of merrymaking in the hall below faded into oblivion, and still Alienor stared wide-eyed at the canopy over her bed.Without a doubt the hour was late, the air outside thick with the expectant silence of the night.The moon rose and climbed into the indigo sky, casting its silver rays into the room, and still Alienor did not sleep.
Still Dagobert did not change.She rolled over and stared at the unicorn, who returned her regard unblinkingly.Alienor propped her chin on her hand and, recalling their disagreement of the night before, wondered if her spouse had the powernotto change, just to spite her.
A tapat the door disturbed Alienor’s slumber, her heart leaping in her throat at the sound before she opened her eyes and noted the full brightness of the morning.
“I would light the fire in the brazier, my lady, for the morning is chill,” came Giselle’s voice through the thick wood door.
The unicorn lifted its head at the sound of the other woman’s voice.Had he refused to change, or had she missed it all?Alienor hated that she could not be certain.She rose and unlocked the door, admitting her maid.
Giselle bustled about with characteristic efficiency and soon, the fire was made, the bed linens pulled up and hot water poured for Alienor’s bathing.When the younger girl made to take the unicorn’s lead and escort it to the stables as she did each morning, Alienor stayed her with one hand.Enough was enough.Had she not kept her side of their bargain?She expected Dagobert to keep his share of their agreement, and if he would not grant her the opportunity to tell him, then she would tell this beast.
“I would have a word with my husband afore he goes,” she said, and Giselle looked startled.
“But, my lady—” she protested.
Alienor silenced her with a look.
“I will speak with him,” she repeated.
The maid’s glance darted from one side to the other as if she sought some escape.“Aye, my lady,” she agreed, her uncertainty clear.She surrendered the lead with obvious reluctance.
“Alone,” Alienor insisted.
Giselle hesitated only a moment before she bobbed a curtsy and ducked out of the room.
“I be waiting in the hall,” she said with a bright smile, then turned and fled the chamber.
Alienor did not note the maid’s haste, for she never lifted her gaze from the unicorn’s disconcerting yellow eyes.She crouched down before him.“Now, my lord, listen to my words and listen well...”
“Oh, my lord!”
Dagobert looked up at the sound of Alienor’s young maid.Someone knocked rapidly on the door to the chamber where he had held council throughout the night and Eustache shrugged.When that man turned to open the door at Dagobert’s gesture, Giselle burst into the room.She pushed past an astonished Eustache, her brown eyes wide.The older knight stood and straightened his tabard.
“Sir!My lady would speak with the unicorn,” she whispered.
The men’s gazes met over the girl’s head and Eustache’s expression turned grim.
