He had been silent too long.
Dagobert felt the weight of the company’s attention.Their confusion and Iolande’s frown prompted him to dip his thumb into the chalice.He lifted his hand to trace Thierry’s birthmark with wine but stopped mid-gesture.
This choice he had and he would leave it to his son.
Dagobert wiped his thumb on his tunic to the shock of all.He closed Thierry’s garments against the slight chill before he surveyed the assembly.“I do not pass the quest to my son,” he said simply, drawing a gasp from all around him.
Iolande raised her eyebrows high but said naught.
Dagobert took a deep breath before he explained.“The quest of my father and his father before him has brought many changes to my life,” he said, his conviction growing with every word.“Events that would have been beyond the experience of most men.I saw Alzeu killed before my own eyes for his quest, saw lust for vengeance in the eyes of a trusted neighbor, sampled the hospitality of the king’s dungeons and barely escaped the bite of the executioner’s blade.I would not take back my vows, even had I known all of this would be my destiny.”Dagobert took Alienor’s hand, lifting her fingers to his lips and pressing a kiss there “My vow to my father also brought me a bride like no other.For the love of this woman alone I would endure it all once more.”
The crowd murmured in approval of his words and he was not surprised to find Alienor’s eyes glazed with unshed tears.
“This woman has given me a strong son within a year of our nuptials, even as the king’s forces await outside the gate.They would destroy all those who would take the pledge to regain the birthright of our bloodline.To pursue the quest means almost certain death, and having tried my hand, I consider my oath satisfied—if not for the wits of my wife and my mother, I would not stand here before you.This is too heavy a burden for me to choose for my son, long before he can choose for himself.I would give him the chance to grow to manhood before he swears to take this path, give him the chance to live, whether he ultimately takes that chance or no.He is my son and I claim him as my own blood, naming him Thierry de Pereille that he might have whatever protection may come from my family name on his path ahead.”He looked down at the baby in his arms.“But he will not be hunted.He will not be burdened unless he so chooses.”Dagobert took the chalice from Iolande’s hands and lifted it aloft for his final words.“I bid you welcome Thierry de Pereille as a son of the Light, son of mine, and fruit of the vine!”
“Welcome, Thierry de Pereille!”the crowd shouted as one.
Dagobert drained the chalice in one draught as was the custom, then choked when Eustache thumped him unexpectedly on the back.
Iolande took the chalice from his hand, filled it and passed it to Alienor.She then drank of the wine herself in turn, then passed it around the assembly.Dagobert stared down at his son, barely hearing the congratulations of those clustered around him until a familiar voice pierced his thoughts.
“Are you sure?”Alienor whispered, and he threw her a grin, never having felt so certain of anything in his life other than his love for her.
“Aye,” he said firmly, watching her smile at the conviction in his eyes before she reached up to kiss him.Dagobert held her tight, his heart thumping as he hugged his family close to his chest.There were just the three of them and ’twould be more than enough.
Somehow they would find their way.
The soundsof revelry continued unabated in the bailey as Alienor and Dagobert changed into their traveling clothes in the solar.Their finery from the evening was crushed into their already-bulging packs.
Alienor had been most surprised by Dagobert’s choice this night.Perhaps they could break free of the king’s judgment and find a haven to raise Thierry.She had not asked their path once they escaped the keep, telling herself that she wanted there to be no risk of anyone overhearing their plans.She suspected that Dagobert had not decided.
Thierry had fallen asleep after his feeding.Alienor helped Dagobert slip the dozing baby into a strange pack slung tight against his chest that Eustache had devised.
“’Twill be safe enough?”she fretted, earning an encouraging smile from Dagobert.
“’Tis most secure, love, and he will likely sleep while we risk our necks,” he teased, and she smiled back at him.
Alienor lifted her pack and slipped the straps over her shoulders as she cast one last glance at the draped bed that had served them so well.
“We shall find another on which to make merry music,” Dagobert whispered in her ear, and she felt herself flush even as she turned to swat him.He pointed at Thierry with twinkling eyes, implying that she would wake him up, and Alienor shook one finger at her husband in mock disgust.
“Now the truth is revealed about this ploy,” she teased in return.“’Twas no gallantry to insist you carry both babe and bundle, for you mean to use him as defense.”
“Such grave offense do you give me with your accusations, my lady,” Dagobert replied, feigning an injury.
Alienor laughed, knowing that he jested so that they might both find the leaving easier to bear.
Iolande appeared at the door and Alienor immediately sobered, knowing that the time of partings was upon than.To her surprise, Iolande was dressed in dark traveling clothes, as well, and her blue eyes sparkled.
“Kado, they have not crept away without us,” she called over her shoulder, much to Alienor’s confusion.
Her grandfather’s appearance in his travel-stained cloak doing naught to clarify matters.
“What nonsense is this?”Dagobert demanded.
Iolande lifted her chin.“We are navigators,” she declared.
Dagobert and Alienor exchanged a glance.“I do not understand,” he confessed.
