“’Tis a casual pace you take, Imbert,” the jailer observed, making a note in his ledger.“And with one the king is most anxious to entertain.”
“There were too many of us for the task,” the knight who had arrested them said.“And well you know it, Otho.”
The jailer flicked a thumb at Alienor.“Who is the woman?”
“His wife.”
The jailer’s eyebrows rose, his gaze now assessing as it slid over her.Alienor felt Dagobert stiffen beside her but she kept her eyes downcast, hoping that the situation would not become worse than it already was.
“’Tis no wonder you would have her to the last,” the jailer commented to Dagobert with a wink.“I will not be the one to spoil your pleasure.”He picked up his keys and worked through them until he found the one he sought.He shot a sharp glance at the other knight as he stood.“Have you naught better to occupy yourself, Imbert?”he demanded.“’Tis a foul smell you bring to my dungeon, truth be told.”
The other knight’s eyes narrowed but he stepped away, smiling as he eyed the jailer.“’Tis the king who plots my path, not I, and you know it well, Otho.”
The jailer watched the knight climb the stairs before turning his attention back to the two that stood before him.The two men studied each other in silence for a moment, the shorter man finally bowing his head in the gesture of deference.
“I am from Mirepoix,” the jailer confessed in an undertone, naming a town near Montsalvat, and Alienor’s heart leapt.
Might he assist them to escape?Some of her hope must have shown in her eyes for the older man shook his head slowly.
“No, lady.I am not so selfless as to exchange my family’s lives for yours.”Hope died a quick death in Alienor’s heart as the jailer took a few steps along the stone hallway.He beckoned for them to follow.
“’Tis not luxurious accommodations,” he observed as they trailed behind him.“You will have a larger, drier cell and each other’s company for this night at least.”
Metal grated on metal as he turned the key in the lock of one heavy door, then the door opened to reveal a dark stone room.Alienor thought she glimpsed a small creature running away from the light before she was ushered inside the small space.She shivered at the dampness and glanced around the barren chamber.
The ceiling was oppressively low, the stone walls sporting a growth of lichen, the floor unswept and dirty.An iron shackle hung from a chain in one corner and she looked abruptly away, not even wanting to imagine being chained thus.The jailer undid her hands and she wrapped her arms around herself against the cold, wondering what infestation they would catch in this foul place.
“Might we have a light?”Dagobert asked quietly while the jailer untied his hands, and the man looked up at him.
“You might set the pallet afire.”
Alienor tried to keep her lip from curling at the dirtiness of the straw pallet in one corner.
“You have no reason to unlock the door should I do as much,” Dagobert replied.
The jailer nodded, his gaze traveling over the cell.Alienor followed his survey and noted that naught else in the small room could burn.
“You speak the truth, but I should not take the chance.”
Alienor saw impatience tighten her husband’s jaw.
“I give you my most solemn word that I will not start a fire,” he insisted.
The jailer studied Dagobert, then mutely handed him the oil lamp he carried and left the cell.The key turned in the lock and Alienor risked a glance to her husband, her gaze caught by the intensity in his gray eyes.
“I would see you once before the end,” Dagobert whispered, and tears filled Alienor’s eyes.
“’Tis true then that they will kill you?”
“Aye,” he acknowledged simply.
“But why?”Alienor demanded in frustration.“What have you done to deserve such a fate?And how can you be one of the kings of Rhedae?I thought that a fable told to children.”
Dagobert regarded her silently before a rueful smile twisted his lips.“Would you know the full truth of it, my lady?”
She nodded, her heart clenching when he sighed and ran one hand over his forehead.He looked so burdened and she wished she could be of aid to him, somehow.
“’Tis a long tale, but I suppose we have time enough.”There was a new weariness in his voice and Alienor did not like the change.“And ’tis only fitting that you know the fullness of the truth.”
