Labyrinth (41 page)

Alais held her ground. “But I will be going in the opposite direction,” she said, looking from one to the other. “And you did not answer my question. If the traditions of the
Noublesso
do not prohibit me taking this burden from my father’s shoulders, then I offer my service in his place. I am more than capable of protecting myself. I am an excellent rider, skilled with sword and bow. No one would ever suspect me of—”

Simeon raised his hand. “You misinterpret our hesitation, child. I certainly do not doubt your courage or your resolve.”

“Then give me your blessing.”

Simeon sighed and turned to Esclarmonde. “Sister, what say you? If Bertrand agrees, of course.”

“I beseech you, Esclarmonde,” Alais pleaded, “give your voice to my request. I know my father.”

“I can promise nothing,” she said, in the end, “but I will not argue against you.” Alais let a smile break out on her face. “But you must abide by his decision,” Esclarmonde continued. “If he will not give his permission, you must accept it.”

He can’t say no. I won’t let him.

“I will obey him, of course,” she said.

The door opened and Sajhe burst into the room, followed by Bertrand Pelletier.

He embraced Alais, greeted Simeon with much relief and affection, and then paid more formal respects to Esclarmonde. Alais and Sajhe fetched wine and bread while Simeon explained what had so far passed between them.

To Alais’ surprise, her father listened in silence and without comment.

Sajhe was wide-eyed to begin with, but soon grew sleepy and curled up against his grandmother. Alais took no part in the conversation, knowing Simeon and Esclarmonde would plead her case better than she, but from time to time she threw a look at her father. His face was grey and lined and he looked exhausted. She could see he did not know what to do.

Finally, there were no more words to speak. An expectant hush fell over the tiny room. Each of them waiting, none sure of the way the decision would go.

Alais cleared her throat. “So,
Paire
. What is your decision? Will you give me leave to go?”

Pelletier sighed. “I do not want you put at risk.”

Her spirits sank. “I know that, and I am grateful for your love of me.”

“But I want to help. I am capable of it.”

“I have a suggestion that might yet satisfy you both,” said Esclarmonde quietly. “Allow Alais to travel ahead with the Trilogy, but part of the way only, as far as Limoux, say. I have friends there who can provide safe lodging. When your work here is completed and Viscount Trencavel can spare you, you can join her and make the journey to the mountains together.”

Pelletier scowled. “I do not see this helps at all. The madness of undertaking such a voyage during these unsettled times will draw attention, which is the one thing we most wish to avoid. Besides, I cannot say how long my responsibilities will keep me in Carcassona.”

Alais’ eyes flashed. That’s easy. I could publish it that I was fulfilling a private pledge made on the occasion of my marriage,“ she said, thinking as she went along. ”I could say I wished to make a gift to the Abbot of Sant-Hilaire. From there, it is no distance to Limoux.“

This sudden display of piety will convince no one,“ said Pelletier, with a sudden flash of humour, least of all your husband.”

Simeon shook his finger. “It is an excellent idea, Bertrand. No one would challenge such a pilgrimage at this time. Besides, Alais is the daughter of the steward of Carcassona. No one would dare challenge her intentions.”

Pelletier shifted in his chair, his face stubborn and set. “I am still of the opinion that the Trilogy is best protected here, within the
Ciutat
. Harif cannot be as aware of the current situation as we are. Carcassona will not be taken.”

“All cities, however strong, however indomitable, can fall. You know this. The
Navigataire’s
instructions are to deliver the books to him in the mountains.” He fixed Pelletier with his black eyes. “I understand you do not feel you can abandon Viscount Trencavel at this time. You have said so and we accept it. It is your conscience that speaks to you, for good or ill.” He paused. “However, if not you, then another must go in your place.”

Alais saw how painfully her father struggled to reconcile his warring emotions. Moved, she reached out and put her hand over his. He did not speak, but he did acknowledge her gesture by squeezing her fingers.

“
Aquo es vostre
,” she said softly. Let me do this for you.

Pelletier let a long sigh come from his lips. You put yourself in great danger,
Filha!
Alais nodded. “And yet still you wish to do this?”

“It will be an honour to serve you in this way.”

Simeon placed his hand on Pelletier’s shoulder. “She is brave, this daughter of yours. Steadfast. Like you, my old friend.”

Alais hardly dared breathe.

“My heart counsels against this,” Pelletier said at last. “My head speaks otherwise, so…” He paused, as if dreading what he was about to say. “If your husband and Dame Agnes will release you - and Esclarmonde will go as chaperone - then I give my permission.”

Alais leaned across the table and kissed her father on the lips.

“You have chosen wisely,” said Simeon, beaming.

“How many men can you spare us, Intendant Pelletier?” asked Esclarmonde.

“Four men-at-arms, six at most.”

“And how soon can arrangements be made?”

“Inside a week,” Pelletier replied. “To act too quickly will attract attention.

I must seek permission from Dame Agnes and you from your husband, Alais.“ She opened her mouth to say Guilhem would hardly notice her gone, then thought better of it. ”For this plan of yours to work,
Filha
, etiquette must be observed.“ All indecision gone from his face and manner, he stood to take his leave. ”Alais, return to the Chateau Comtal and seek out Francois. Inform him of your plans, in the barest terms, and tell him to wait upon me presently.“

“Are you not coming?”

“Presently.”

“Very well. Should I take Esclarmonde’s book with me?”

Pelletier gave a wry smile. “Since Esclarmonde is to accompany you, Alais, I feel sure the book will be safe with her a while longer.”

“I didn’t mean to suggest…”

Pelletier patted the pouch beneath his cloak. “Simeon’s book, however.”

He reached beneath his cloak and withdrew the sheepskin chemise Alais had seen briefly in Besiers as Simeon handed it over. Take it to the Chateau. Sew it into your travelling cloak. I will fetch the
Book of Words
by and by.“

Alais took the book and put it into her purse, then raised her eyes to her father. “Thank you,
Paire
, for putting your faith in me.”

Pelletier blushed. Sajhe scrambled to his feet. “I’ll make sure Dame Alais gets home safely,” he said. Everybody laughed.

“Mind you do,
gentilome
,” said Pelletier, slapping him on the back. “All our hopes rest on her shoulders.”

“I see your qualities in her,” said Simeon as they walked towards the gates that led out of Sant-Miquel to the Jewish suburb beyond. “She’s courageous, stubborn, loyal. She does not give in easily. Is your eldest daughter as much like you?”

“Oriane favours her mother,” he said shortly. “She has Marguerite’s looks and temperament.”

“It often happens like that. Sometimes the child is a good match to one parent, sometimes the other.” He paused. “She is married to Viscount Trencavel’s
escrivan
?

Pelletier sighed. “It is not a happy marriage. Congost is not young and is intolerant of her ways. But for all that, he is a man of position within the household.”

They walked a few steps more in silence. “If she favours Marguerite, she must be beautiful.”

“Oriane has charm and a grace that draws the eye. Many men would court her. Some make no secret of it.”

“Your daughters must be of great comfort to you.” Pelletier shot a glance at Simeon. “Alais, yes.” He hesitated. “I dare say I am to blame, but I find Oriane’s company less… I try to be evenhanded, but I fear there is little love lost between them.”

“A pity,” Simeon murmured.

They had arrived at the gates. Pelletier came to a halt.

“I wish I could persuade you to stay within the
Ciutat
. In Sant-Miquel at the very least. If our enemies are at hand, I will not be able to protect you outside the walls—”

Simeon put his hand on Pelletier’s arm. “You worry too much, my friend. My role is over now. I gave you the book entrusted to me. The other two books are also within these walls. You have Esclarmonde and Alais to help you. What business would anyone have with me now?” He fixed his friend with his dark glittering eyes. “My place is with my own people.”

There was something in Simeon’s tone that alarmed Pelletier.

“I will not accept there is anything final in this leave-taking,” he said fiercely. We’ll be drinking wine together before the month is out, mark my words.“

“It’s not your words I mistrust, my friend, but the swords of the French.”

By next spring I wager it will all be over. The French will have limped home with their tails between their legs, the Count of Toulouse will be seeking a new alliance, and you and I will be sitting reminiscing over our youth by the fire.“

“Pas a pas, se va luenh,
” said Simeon, embracing him. “And give my fond regards to Harif. Tell him I’m still waiting for that game of chess he promised me thirty years ago!”

Pelletier raised his hand in farewell as Simeon walked out through the gates. He did not look back.

“Intendant Pelletier!”

Pelletier carried on looking into the crowd of people making their way towards the river, but he could no longer distinguish Simeon.

“
Messire
!‘ the messenger, red-faced and breathless, repeated.

What is it?“

“You are needed at the Porte Narbonnaise,
Messire
.”

CHAPTER 45

Alais pushed open the door to her chamber and ran in.

“Guilhem?”

Even though she needed solitude and had no expectation it would be otherwise, she still was disappointed to find the room empty.

Alais locked the door, unhooked her purse from her waist, laid it on the table and removed the book from its protective covering. It was the size of a lady’s psalter. The outer wooden boards were covered with leather, completely plain and a little worn at the corners.

Alais undid the leather ties and let the book fall open in her hands, like a butterfly displaying its wings. The first page was empty apart from a tiny chalice in gold leaf in the centre, sparkling like a jewel on the heavy cream parchment. It was no bigger than the pattern that appeared on her father’s ring or the
merel
she’d had so briefly in her possession.

She turned the page. Four lines of black script looked up at her, written in an ornate and elegant hand. Around the edges were pictures and symbols, a repeated pattern like a running stitch around the hem of a cloak. Birds, animals, figures with long arms and sharp fingers. Alais caught her breath.

These are the faces and figures of my dreams.

One by one, she turned the pages. Each was covered with lines of I black script, with nothing on the reverse side. She recognised words of Simeon’s language, although she didn’t understand it. Most of the book was written in her own language. The first letter of each new page was illuminated, in red, blue or yellow with gold surrounds, but otherwise they were plain. No illustrations in the margins, no other letters picked out within the body of the text and the words following on one from the other with few gaps or indications to show where one thought ended and another began.

Alais reached the parchment concealed in the centre of the book. It was thicker and darker than the pages surrounding it, goatskin rather than vellum. Rather than symbols or illustrations, there were only a few words, accompanied by rows of numbers and measurements. It looked like some sort of a map.

She could just pick out tiny arrows pointing in different directions. A few of them were gold, but mostly they were black.

Alais tried reading the page from the top from left to right, but that didn’t make sense and she came to a dead end. Next she tried deciphering the page from bottom to top, right to left, like a stained-glass window in a church, but that didn’t make sense either. Finally she read alternate lines or picked out words from every third line, but still understood nothing.

Look beyond the visible images to the secrets concealed beneath.

She thought hard. To each guardian according to their skills and knowledge.

Esclarmonde had her ability to heal and cure, so to her Harif had entrusted the Book of Potions. Simeon was a scholar of an ancient Jewish system of numbers, to him the Book of Numbers.

What had led Harif to choose her father as the guardian of the
Book of Words
?

Deep in thought, Alais lit the lamp and went to her nightstand. She took out some parchment, ink and a quill. Pelletier had been determined his daughters should be taught to read and write, having learned the value of these things in the Holy Land. Oriane cared only for accomplishments appropriate to a lady of the household - dancing, singing, falconry and embroidery. Writing was, as she never stopped staying, for old men and priests. Alais, however, had grasped the opportunity with both hands. She had been quick to learn and, although there were few opportunities for her to use her skills, she held them close to her.

Alais spread her writing materials on the table. She didn’t understand the parchment, nor could she hope to replicate the exquisite workmanship, colours and style. But she could at least make a copy while she had the chance.

It took her some time, but at last she was finished and laid the parchment copy on the table to dry. Then, aware of how her father might return to the Chateau Comtal at any moment with the
Book of Words
, Alais quickly turned her attention to concealing the book as her father had suggested.