“Aye, my lord,” Roger agreed.
“Another two shall I have for you on my return when I see my wife safe,” Dagobert vowed, watching as the man nodded.
“And should you not return?”he asked.
Dagobert slipped his arm proprietarily around Alienor’s waist.“Should three moons pass and I do not return, my lady wife will see to your wage.”He knew there were adequate resources hidden within the keep to cover the payment.
Roger nodded and squinted up at the sky.“’Twill be nigh dawn by the time we arrive,” he warned.
Dagobert breathed a silent sigh of relief, certain that his offer was enough to see to Alienor’s safety.
“But, Dagobert—” Alienor protested, her words cut short when he laid his finger gently across her lips.He smiled down at her, seeing only her fear for Eustache and her own climb ahead in her tawny eyes.Would that her heart would fret so over him!
“Worry not, my love,” he whispered.“All will be well.”He tightened his arms around her for a heartbeat when he kissed her forehead, unable to trust himself to say more.Before he could reconsider his choice, Dagobert released her, meeting Roger’s eyes one last time before he pivoted and strode into the darkness.
Alienor bit her lip,straining to watch the shadow that was Dagobert slip from rock to rock until she could no longer distinguish his form.He had been almost relieved to quit her side, she thought with irritation.She glanced at this Roger, who was supposed to see to her survival, and instinctively distrusted the man.She met Iolande’s gaze, seeing that the older woman was similarly dissatisfied with the situation, then looked back over the rocky expanse in search of Dagobert.
Curse him!And he rode to Toulouse, no less, the very place where they had already been betrayed!As much as she respected the friendship between Dagobert and Eustache, she could not help but wish that Eustache had not ridden out to Toulouse.His choice had been well-intentioned, to be sure, but it seemed his ride and Dagobert’s pursuit could only end poorly for both men.Alienor blinked back pointless tears as she followed Roger and Iolande to what he called the start of the path, then realized that he addressed herself and Iolande in a whisper.
“We are fortunate that ’tis the east face.”Roger looked between the two women as if assessing their strength.“But the climb is still not an easy one, the paths twisted and treacherous.I do not intend to rouse your fear, but I would have you know the truth of it before we begin.”
At his warning, Alienor surveyed the path.Though the mountainside appeared to be nigh a sheer drop, closer inspection revealed that it was not.Alienor was relieved that she could discern a narrow path, though it wound in and out of sight.It was steep in places, open to the sky in some and tucked behind rocks in others, but it was a path.She might have to crawl on all fours and she would avoid looking down, but she could do this feat.
“I came down the east face,” Iolande said.“And I will return by it, sure enough.”
Roger nodded, his gaze lingering on Alienor’s rounded belly.
“Though we be mere women, we are tough enough,” Iolande continued.“Lead on, Roger.”Alienor stifled a smile, knowing the man would be hard-pressed to match her mother-in-law’s determination in the face of adversity.
Chapter 12
September 1243
“Eustache!”Dagobert took the chance and whispered his friend’s name through the narrow window that allowed a measure of air into the cellars below Raimon’s home.
The count’s domicile could no longer be called a keep, for its walls had moved outward to encompass all of Toulouse.Raimon’s home was only a larger and finer version of the other houses in this prosperous town, though ’twas well defended.
Darkness had fallen and even the sentries could do little to dissuade Dagobert from this impulsive choice.He was out of time and coin, and still he had learned little of Eustache’s situation.In two months of hiding and trespassing, the only place he had been unable to search was Raimon’s cellars.If Eustache was not within, Dagobert would have to conclude that his loyal companion was lost.
Was there a stirring in the shadows behind the barred window?Dagobert hoped it might be so.He spared a quick glance over his shoulder to verify that the street was empty, then leaned down to whisper again.
“Eustache!”he hissed, a little louder this time.
The answering groan from below was both unmistakable and familiar.Dagobert closed his eyes in relief before the realities of the situation assailed him.How would he free Eustache from the cellar, if the knight was unwell?How would both of them escape from town if his companion could not walk?
“I will need your assistance to gain your freedom,” Dagobert whispered.
Eustache muttered a curse.“Aye, ’tis exactly that kind of aid I expected,” that knight replied.
Dagobert smiled, reassured that his companion was sufficiently hale to complain.
Footsteps echoed around the corner and Dagobert straightened.“Later, my friend,” he whispered then dove into the shadows of a nearby alleyway.He held his breath as two men paced past, their mail revealing their role as sentries.They argued the merit of some change to their routine and he closed his eyes with relief when they had strolled past, evidently without noticing him.
Would Eustache be able to ride?To run?Dagobert was determined to rescue his friend and began to scheme how it might be done.
“Someone comes over the wall!”The urgent whisper passed through Montsalvat, eventually reaching the solar.When Giselle repeated it in the solar, Alienor hastened to rise and dress.She could hear activity in the hall and bailey below, even though it was the middle of the night.
Could it be Dagobert?She could only hope as much.
