Alienor fairly tripped over Giselle in her haste and met Iolande in the corridor outside the solar.The older woman’s expression appeared stark by the light of the lamp she carried, and her fine pale hair hung loose down her back.
Giselle tossed surcoats over both women, tut-tutting under her breath about the chill in the air as all three hastened down the stairs to the hall.Alienor pulled up her hood and took Giselle’s cold hand within her own, barely noting that the maid seemed to share her sense of urgency.The three descended the steps together, each certain that ’twas Dagobert and Eustache who returned.
To their astonishment, ’twas another knight who stood into the hall, awaiting them.A short, curiously featured man stood behind him, surveying the hall with open curiosity.The knight removed his helmet and had barely time to run a hand over his brow before Alienor launched herself toward him.
“Guibert!”she cried as he caught her close.
He studied her features then smiled with affection, his eyes widening when he noted the fullness of her belly.“Already ripe,” he said, laughing, and swung her into the air with mock difficulty, kissing her on both cheeks and straightening her hood with paternal pride.“Your lord must indeed be proud.”
“Aye,” Alienor responded simply, flushing at her uncertainty.
“It suits you well,” Guibert teased, pinching her chin as he had done when she was a little girl.
“I am so glad to see you,” she confessed.
“Aye, ’tis good to meet again,” he acknowledged gruffly, and she saw him blink back tears before he pulled her into another bone-crushing hug.“All is well here?”he demanded in a husky whisper that only she could hear and Alienor knew he asked about more than her health.
“He is a good man, just as you vowed,” she said with a small smile.
Guibert grinned in return.“’Tis good,” he said with obvious relief.He turned then to greet Iolande.“’Tis a harsh road that leads to your door these days, my lady,” he jested.
“Indeed, the path is no longer as easy as once it was,” Iolande admitted.“I am glad that you and your companion found your way.Welcome!”
Her words drew attention to the man who had so far stood silently at Guibert’s side.He was short of stature, his hair straight and dark.His complexion was uncommonly golden; his eyes narrow and tipped upward at the outer corners.
He smiled, revealing a set of crooked teeth surrounding one gold one.Alienor wondered how old he was, noting now the slight bend of his shoulders beneath the heavy black coat he wore and the network of lines on his face.
“Although it must be said, my lady, that the most difficult paths often lead to the greatest reward.”He spoke with a strange accent and Alienor wondered from whence he had come.His manners were gracious, though, and he bowed low over Iolande’s hand.“’Tis most gratifying to meet once more, Iolande de Goteberg.”His expression turned mischievous as he glanced up at Iolande.Alienor was surprised to find her mother-in-law apparently astonished to silence.
“Kado,” she whispered finally and the man laughed.Iolande touched his cheek, her blue eyes filling with tears and her mouth working for a moment.“Tis truly you, Kado, after all these years.I can scarce believe it!”
“’Tis me, Iolande, even after all this time.”
“Kado!”The two embraced, their emotion-filled reunion bringing tears to Alienor’s eyes, though she knew not the identity of this man.
Kado and Iolande parted, their expressions serious as they studied each other silently, tracing the passage of the years on once-familiar faces.
“Alzeu?”Kado asked simply, and Iolande’s joy was banished.She bit her lip and shook her head and Kado dropped his gaze to the floor, shaking his own head sadly.
“I had so hoped to see him again,” he murmured.
Iolande took a deep breath and clung to Kado’s hand.“’Tis fifteen long years since he was killed.”Her voice was husky and the tidings prompted Kado to shake his head sadly.
“And your boy?”he prompted finally.
Iolande sighed.“We had hoped for his return when we heard that someone had come up the east face.”Alienor saw tears rising again in her eyes.“’Tis two months since we have had word from him and already this year the king has imprisoned him once.”
And sentenced him to die.That was not to be forgotten, in Alienor’s view.
“Your tidings are little better than mine,” Kado conceded, and it seemed the full weight of his years settled on his shoulders.He took Iolande’s arm and led her slowly to the high table in the hall, pausing to turn to Giselle.“Have you a bite and a sip for an old man?”
“Of course, sir!”Giselle nodded before she slipped away.
It seemed to Alienor that Kado’s glance lingered on her for a moment, as if he thought he knew her, too.Then he shook his head, turning his attention to Iolande as he seated himself beside her.
“’Tis Arpais you seek,” Iolande guessed.
Kado nodded, his exhaustion evident.“Aye,” he admitted, gesturing to Guibert.“I met this knight in a tavern in Carcassonne and he has proven to be a mighty listener.”The two smiled at each other in admiration.“And quick with a blade, which is no small advantage in these times,” Kado added.
