“Aye,” Dagobert agreed, shaking hands with the man.“It has been long indeed,” he added in a murmur, then cast a speculative glance over his shoulder.The king’s knights gathered around a blazing fire outside their tents, not a stone’s throw away, oblivious to the conversation.
“Alienor is my son’s wife,” Iolande told Roger.
The man bowed to Alienor.“We heard tell of the wedding, we did,” Roger began, but Dagobert interrupted what was sure to be a lengthy recollection.
“What word is sent from Foix?”
“Tales of support en route.”Roger offered a tight scroll to Dagobert after a moment’s hesitation.“I could save the climb by giving this to you here.”
Dagobert ignored his comment, unfurling the parchment and squinting in the darkness as he endeavored to read the script in the scant light from the distant fire.Troops, food and reinforcement in but a month, he read, letting the parchment furl shut with a snap.“Have there been other such messages?”
“Aye, Peter’s son in Aragon sent tiding of support in his intent to avenge his father’s murder.Queribus continues to send supplies.Toulouse always sends word of the support they rally there.”
“Raimon de Toulouse?”Dagobert demanded, surprised when the other man nodded.’Twas odd that Raimon would betray him, then offer to support the defense of Montsalvat, and he could not surmise the man’s true intent.Did Raimon want Montsalvat for himself?Dagobert spared a glance up to the fortress, amazed that ’twas suddenly the focus of so much attention.
He had to talk to Eustache.
“Can you get us into the keep?”
His question drew an immediate nod from Roger.
“Aye, though ’tis easier farther north.”He gestured to the right.
“Let us go, then.”Dagobert was impatient to be inside the fortress again.He was anxious to discuss the matter of Raimon with Eustache.It made no sense that these troops lingered, with the intent of conquering Montsalvat as word of his confinement must have reached them.
“I would spare my lady as much of the night’s chill as we can,” he added, drawing Alienor closer to his side.When Roger looked mystified, Dagobert explained.“The babe comes in but three months.”
“Ah.”Roger nodded, then cast a questioning glance over Dagobert’s shoulder.“Are you just three then?”
Dagobert was confused in his turn.“Aye.Why?”
“What of Eustache?”Roger asked.
“Eustache?”Iolande repeated.
“Eustache?”Dagobert asked at the same time.
“’Tis two months since he rode out to find you,” Roger admitted.“I had assumed you would all return together, but it seems I speak out of turn.”
“Where did he ride?”Dagobert demanded, even as a chill settled around his own heart.What had befallen Eustache?’Twas unlike him to be impulsive and less so to send no word.Dagobert marveled that his companion would do such a thing, especially after he had been entrusted with responsibility of the fortress.
Who now guarded the keep and kept the attackers at bay?
“Toulouse,” Roger supplied.“A message came from there sealed with your mark.All assumed that you summoned him thence, for he rode out with all haste.”
Alienor gasped.Dagobert closed his eyes, easily recalling the loss of his possessions on the night that he and Alienor had been arrested.Raimon must have claimed his signet ring and used it in his stead.He wondered who else Raimon had summoned, and what other messages the count had sent in his name.
“Two months ago and there has been no word?”Dagobert asked, and Roger nodded in agreement.“You are certain of this?”
The other man looked affronted.“Thrice weekly do I make this climb, sir.I know more of the doings at Montsalvat than any other.”
Dagobert nodded.He hoped his horse had not yet wandered too far afield, for ’twas clear what he must do.“You should easily see my wife and mother within the keep then.”He ignored the startled glance Alienor cast his way.
“My lord?”Roger asked in bewilderment.
“I ride to Toulouse,” Dagobert replied curtly.“See that the women make the climb safely and take special care of my wife’s condition.”
Roger hesitated for a moment and Dagobert recalled his statement that he no longer needed to make the climb to deliver his message.With a grimace of distaste, Dagobert dug Jordan’s purse from his tunic and tossed a coin to the man, disliking the gleam of avarice that lit the man’s eyes before it vanished.For a moment, Dagobert doubted his decision to leave the women with this man, but he knew that he had little choice, feeling responsible for Eustache’s undoubtedly ill-fated ride to Toulouse.
