Paris nodded. “Almost exactly thirty years now,” he said, sobering dramatically. He sighed heavily, looking to his oldest and dearest friend. “Are we really so old, William? Look at all of the men who have gone before us– Corin, Ranulf, Kieran and more. Ranulf was the first, as I recall, but he was old even back when he was training us as young knights. His death from old age was not surprising. But still… I do miss the man. He was gruff and hard as only Ranulf could be.”
William smiled as he thought on the knight who had been well into his fifth decade when William and Paris and Kieran were in their prime. It was a moment of reflection on men who had passed on before them, keeping their memories alive by speaking their names. Wistfully, he smiled.
“I think the point I was making is that the Helm of Shame battle was the last thing Kieran ever heard in this life,” he said, thinking on that moment of loss and still feeling as if it had happened only yesterday. “I hope that when my time comes, I will hear you in one ear and my wife in the other. She can speak of her love for me and you can speak of our days of glory.”
But Paris shook his head. “You do not want to hear my voice in your ear,” he said. “You only want to hear Jordan, for the two of you have shared a love that most men only dream of. It is only right that she should be the last thing you ever hear.”
William forced a smile. “I hope so,” he said quietly. “But I want you to know something, Paris. You and I have been friends for almost seventy years. Aye, it has been that long, and there is no man on earth, save Kieran, that I would rather go through this life with. You have been a thorn in my side, and a pain in my neck at times, but a more loyal and true friend has never existed. If I never again have the chance to tell you that, then I am telling you now. Much as it was a privilege to be with Kieran as he drew his last, know that it has been my greatest privilege to call you my friend, and we will continue to be friends in the next life. The bond we have between us does not end with death.”
Paris reached out, grasping William’s hand that was on the tabletop. They held on to one another for a moment, tightly, reaffirming ties that had always been there and would forever be intact. It was a rare moment of emotion between them.
“Nay, it does not end,” Paris said, uncharacteristically emotional. “It will never end with us. Other than my wife, you are the one person in this world who understands me and I am a difficult man to understand. I know that.”
William smiled faintly. “Caladora was a saint.”
Paris’ blue eyes took on a distant and sorrowful reflection. “It is strange, William,” he said. “I lost Caladora last year, but to me, it does not seem as if she is gone. It is as if she is only in anotherchamber, or out with the chickens, or in the kitchens. I feel as if all I have to do is turn a corner and there she’ll be. She is a ghost that is with me always, but it brings me comfort. I do not know if that makes sense, but that is how I feel.”
William squeezed his hand. “It makes sense,” he said softly. “I believe she is with you. She was always so worried about you, so attentive, and I do not think she has left you. I do not think she can. I think that when you die, she will be standing right next to your bedside to take your hand and lead you into eternity.”
Paris forced a smile. “It is a good thought,” he said. “Do you know something, William? In our entire life together, she never once scolded me or admonished me. Never once, in all of the foolish things I said or did. How is it that I deserved such a gentle creature?”
William shook his head. “You were fortunate, I suppose.”
“Verily.”
The conversation faded as each man was lost to his own thoughts, about the days and loves of the years that had passed them by. A pair of servants entered the cold, cavernous hall at that point, carrying peat and kindling, and they moved to the great hearth to start the fire for the evening. William and Paris simply sat there in silence, thinking and reflecting. Finally, William stirred.
“We seem to have gotten off of the original subject,” he said, scratching his head. “I came here looking for Tommy and being that he is not here, I have a suspicion on where he might be.”
Paris looked at him, curiously. “Where do you think he is?”
William was back to the expression that suggested his entire existence was in turmoil. “You know Desmond de Ryes.”
“I do. He serves Tommy at Wark.”
“The man has a sister, a Beguine, who has taken over the foundling home at Edenside.”
“The one with the recent scandal? With the servant who was selling the children?”
“The same.” William paused. “Tommy has feelings for the woman. He might have gone there to see her.”
Paris’ eyebrows lifted in disbelief. “Surely you jest.”
“I wish I was.”
There was more disbelief on Paris’ part. “Great Bleeding Christ, William,” he hissed. “Tommy has enough trouble without… without bedding a widow pledged to the church. What in God’s name is he thinking?”
William held up a hand to ease Paris’ outrage. “You’ve not met this woman,” he said. “She is beautiful, young, and intelligent. Jordan thinks very highly of her, and if the situation were any different, she would make a perfect wife for Tommy and he would have my blessing. But the situation isnotdifferent and I’ll not let him complicate things, at least until we can settle the immediate situation with Adelaide. After that… after that, we’ll deal with whatever Tommy might be feeling for Lady Bowlin.”
Paris could only shake his head. “This is all madness,” he said. “If you think your son is at Edenside with this Lady Bowlin, then go and retrieve him. He does not need this complication.”
“I know.”
“In fact, I will go with you. I need to get out of this place, anyway, and clear my head.”
“Why do you say that?”
Paris shrugged. “Adam is not well,” he said. “Even now, he sleeps a great deal. Death lingers at Northwood, William. First it came for Caladora, now it comes for Adam. They say that death always comes in threes, so it makes me wonder who is next. I did not want to go to the fair today because I simply did not want to leave the castle with all that is happening here. But going with you to beat some sense into Tommy… that, Iwilldo.”
