Hey, dear folks! Hope you will enjoy the next chapter!
(I am not a native speaker of English, so please excuse my mistakes. Don't look how the story is written, but appreciate what is written in it.)
The harsh sound of cantering hoofs broke the silence of the cobbled courtyard of the palace. It was still more likely dawn that morning, only the guards and a few drowsily loitering servants perked their heads up when the 15 riders jangled in.
A well-dressed servant rushed towards the men mounting down from their saddles. He curtsied as he approached the man who rode in the first row.
„Welcome back to Jerusalem, Lord de Ibelin!"
„Thank you" he nodded as he handed the rein of his horse to a stableman.
„His Majesty, the king, wishes to talk with you, my lord."
„Now? In such an early hour?" he glanced at the servant with surprise.
„He ordered yesterday, that he summons you as soon as you arrive."
„Then please herald my arrival to His Highness."
Baldwin had a sip from the cup he held in his left hand while glaring at the commercial treaties on the desk before him. His thoughts were thousands of miles away from the merchants, he only stared at the documents to reduce his self-reproach caused by wasting his time.
He couldn't sleep more that one or two hours the previous night and was sitting by his desk daydreaming since 4 a.m.
Suddenly knocking sounded from the door.
„Who is that?" the king looked up.
„Lord Balian de Ibelin has arrived my lord." sounded the voice of a guard from outside.
Baldwin grabbed his mask –till that time resting on the edge of the table- and expert hands put it on in two seconds.
„I am ready to see him."
The door opened and Balian entered.
„You sent for me, my king." he bowed.
„I just intended to greet you, dear Balian." his mild voice sounded.
„You are generous to a fault, my liege." he bowed slightly.
„Would you mind taking a seat?" Baldwin gestured towards the chair on which Ravenna sat yesterday.
Balian took the chair without hesitation, but his pulse became faster. He knew the king had a strong reason if he decided to talk with him this early.
„Did you pop in to Nablus on the way here?" he inquired softly.
„Yes, I spent a few hours there yesterday."
„Do Isabella and Maria still enjoy good health?"
„Praise to be God, they do." de Ibelin nodded. „They were ineffably gladsome of receiving a letter from you, Your Highness. They thought you had already forgotten their existence in the mist of solving matters of great importance."
„No." he shook his head. „How could I forget them? Fortunately, my memory functions quite decently. In fact, I seriously worry about the memory of my beloved half-sister and her mother."
„What do you mean, my lord?" Balian's face became paler. He didn't know what the king was referring to but felt it won't reflect well on his family.
„In the letter, I sent them two days ago, I inquired about a significant question, but as a matter of fact, did not manage to get any kind of answer." Baldwin said mildly but firmly.
„May I ask what that particular question was? I might be able to give you an answer, my lord." The knight tried to veil his concern while tautly looking into the king's eyes what glanced back at him like how the calm, deep ocean at a sailor.
„Revolting news reached my ears about the Baron of Nablus recently. It is claimed that Lord de Neapolim had broken his oath and have been attacking blameless caravans for several years."
Balian's eyes widened.
„From what source did you gain this information, my lord?"
„It is from a reliable source, I have no doubt of its credibility."
The knight stayed silent.
„Look Balian…" the king leaned against the handrail of his chair. „… I do trust you, that is why I did not palter to nab information out of you without your awareness, instead, I ask you straightly, have you ever heard something about this issue? Rumors, a slip of the tongue, anything?"
Balian hesitated for a brief moment searching in his memories for something relevant.
„I am highly sorry to disappoint you, Your Majesty, but I have not heard a word about this concern, I swear on the cross."
Baldwin hummed. He became uncertain again. During the last few days, he became entirely certain that Ravenna was telling the truth. He had every reason to consider her statements as genuine.
Or maybe not? Maybe he was just too biased. After all, she is a winsome young woman, who made his pulse speed up and his face smile every time he thought to her… Did she contort his judgment?!
He knows Balian for long years and he has never betrayed him. Who shall he believe, a man who trustily serves him since his childhood or an acid-tongue 17-year-old girl he knows for 3 days? She is a liar! She had him on, no doubt!
„Why are you doing, you woeful moron?!" Baldwin scolded himself in his thoughts. „I am not myself. I do not even possess a resemblance to myself! How could I let myself make such extreme decisions without overthinking the issue properly?!"
Fortunately, this internal debate lasted only a few seconds and didn't influence the king's outside collectedness.
„I see. Would you mind taking a stroll, Balian? Let us meet in my private garden, at half past 9 this morning."
„As you wish." he nodded.
„I would like you to meet someone, who you already know."
„How about this?" turned Jeanne towards Ravenna with a violet piece of silk.
„Oh, I do like this one!" she grabbed the material out of her friend's hand to analyze the shade better. „What clothes do you have in this color?" the baroness turned towards the merchant while showing the sample.
„Here you go, young lady." put the man few dresses on the counter.
„This is just beautiful!" Ravenna gushed while taking one dress in her hand. She held it in front of her as if she had been wearing it. „What do you think?" she smiled at Jeanne.
„It befits you perfectly!" she returned her smile.
„And it is absolutely your size, my lady, you don't even have to rectify it with a dressmaker." added the merchant.
„How much does it cost?" Ravenna turned back to the man.
„It is bare one and a half bezants, but just for now and just for you, my lady." he winked at her.
Ravenna simulated hesitation for a moment.
„Then, I suppose, just for now, just for your gladness, I will buy it." she smiled saucily.
The merchant laughed while putting the dress into a decorated box and handing it to Ravenna while receiving her money.
„You were right, Jeanne. It is really worth to visit the palace market early in the morning when the goods are new and people haven't sorted the best ones out of them." Ravenna spoke while they were strolling in the middle of the market's bustle.
„I have been living here for years, I have learned the tricks of this city." she waved her hands.
„What are your plans for today?" the baroness looked at Jeanne.
„After putting down the things I bought, I will visit my husband at the stables. A new horse trader comes from Iberia with his best Jennet horses."
„Whoa, Jennet horses are embodied elegance and strength condensed in one animal." Ravenna smiled broadly, then her delight reduced. „But they basically cost a fortune or two.
„He offers them to the king and his circle" Jeanne flicked her wrist. „But just seeing these beautiful creatures is a pleasure. Would you like to join me?"
„I would love to!" Ravenna nodded.
„Then see you at the stables in an hour, dear Ravenna!" Jeanne smiled and strolled away in the direction of her home.
Ravenna continued her way to her still absent uncle's apartment. She felt remorse rising in her from the moment when Jeanne mentioned the king. She woke up early in the morning and was excitedly waiting for his envoy, but he didn't come. She thought maybe something delayed de Ibelin's arrival, so she nodded when her friend visited her and asked if she would like to visit the market with her. Maybe she should have stayed at home waiting, but she thought if the king wants to inform her something he is able to reach her in the market as well.
The bells calling the worshippers to the mass at 9 o' clock pealed. She didn't think that it was that late, her uncle can arrive any moment now. She hastened her steps when suddenly two envoys stepped in front of her.
„His Highness, the king summons you to his private garden at a moment's notice, my lady!"
„First I have to take my package…"
„I will take your package to your uncle's apartment" the other envoy disrupted her words. He grabbed the box out of Ravenna's slightly reluctant hands.
„You must come now, Lady de Neapolim!" the other man glanced at her grimly.
„Is His Highness angry with me because of something?" she looked the envoy concerned, but he did not give an answer. Instead, he hooked on her arms and started dragging her alongside him at a rapid pace.
Ravenna fell into despair. She didn't have the remotest conception of with what did she manage to deserve this torture. Anyway, she forced calmness to herself and tried to keep up with the almost running man.
They marched along the road toward the garden. The road she had been politely asked to walk along yesterday and was forced to do so that time.
They reached the gate and headed towards the pavilion. Ravenna straightened herself and tried to look self-confident as they got closer to the building.
Baldwin set on one of the benches and was eagerly searching for the baroness with his eyes. He didn't want to lose a single moment of analyzing her reaction.
His plan was simple as a stick. Ravenna was a quite temperamental person who couldn't easily hide her feelings. If she has a cause to be frightened and to feel remorse, she will probably ask for grace and apology as she meets him, or if not, she definitely will when he askes about her issue because she will think she is nabbed.
„Well, maybe she really is…" Baldwin frowned.
Suddenly two people turned up in the distance. The king narrowed his eyes to be able to see them more clearly. Her face was more likely confused than frightened, but she didn't say a word and was not indignant. „She holds herself back." the king noted in his thoughts.
The lady and the envoy reached the pavilion.
„May I recommend you, Your Highness, to send your envoys to a few etiquette classes?" she asked with a sarcastic smile while bowing her upper-body.
„I have talked with Lord de Ibelin." Baldwin's voice was cold, lacking any emotions.
„And?" she inquired excitedly.
„Is there something you would revoke from what you told me about this matter?"
Ravenna's eyes widened. He does not rely on her? What the blazes did de Ibelin tell him?
„No, there is not, my lord?" Would you please tell me what has happened?" she inquired with ultimate confusion, but without any amount of fear.
Baldwin hummed. She was still restraining herself. He needs to try something more effective.
„Sink to your knees, lady de Neapolim." he called with a neutral voice.
„May I ask why?"
Now for the first time, he could see the fright in her eyes. All the atoms of his body were shouting for asking her forgiveness and let her go, but his mind mastered them with adamantine power.
„Did you not hear my behest?" he asked raising the volume of his voice a bit.
Ravenna reluctantly kneeled down and looked up to the king's calm eyes. The eyes that glanced at her yesterday with so great amount of affability, and now shown at her with majestic sternness.
„Do you know what I was talking about?" he asked.
„I am sorry to disappoint you, my lord, but I do not." she shook her head.
The king gestured to the envoy, who drew his sword and placed it against Ravenna's throat.
She gasped with bewilderment. She thought that befriending people of this great importance can lead to some bothering, but she would have never thought that it can cause her death in 3 days.
„Do you know now?" Baldwin's voice was still calm but louder.
„No, my lord.." she gasped while tears ran down on her cheeks.
The blade came closer to her neck, almost cutting it.
„If you confess it, I will spare your life."
„I swear you, my lord, I do not have the slightest idea of what I should confess! I cannot even identify what particular issue you are referring to! If you want to see me dead then give a command! I cannot offer you any of the information you are searching for!" she burst out half crying half shouting.
„Let her go!" the king waved. The envoy took a step back from Ravenna, who lowered her head and continued crying and trembling quietly while looking at the ground.
„You may leave now!" Baldwin told the envoy, who bowed and headed towards the gate.
He glanced back at her. She was still in the same hunched position on the flawless lawn. He felt terrible, but he knew he didn't have any other opportunities to make himself sure of her authority.
„I am ineffably sorry for this, my lady." he stood up slowly from the bench. „It was only a test."
Ravenna didn't move.
„Would you mind taking a seat?" he asked amiably.
Suddenly Ravenna lifted her head up. There was nothing on her face but disdain.
„So this was a test… A test that almost caused my death?! Have you gone crazy?!" she shouted while wiping her tears.
Baldwin stared at her speechless.
„And then, as if nothing had happened, you ask me to take a sit aside you in the pavilion and you want a head to entertain you, that you almost let to be cut off a minute ago?!"
A minute of silence followed this scene. Ravenna got on her legs and continued, this time her voice was not loud and indignant, but soft and sorrowful.
„I have completely misknown you, my king. I thought you had a kind heart, but also strength and firmness to protect the ones that need it and to always make the correct decision. Like a monarch who stepped out from a fairytale…" her voice became stronger and scornful. „But life is not a fairytale. You are as ruthless as everyone else, you break other people's souls to reach your personal intentions without even blinking an eye! You are selfish and callous, my lord." she stressed the „my lord" formula with even bigger disdain.
Baldwin stood stock still, his mouth slightly opened due to consternation. No one has ever spoken to him like this in his entire life.
A few moments of silence came, only the sweet chatter of birds sounded making a biting contrast to the tense of the situation.
„At least now you have a rightful reason to execute me!" Ravenna continued still wrathfully. „After all, in a feudal society execution is the fate of the ones who tell the truth!"
A shiver ran down Ravenna's spine. She had just realized what she did in the last 2 minutes. She looked down with fright. She abused the king, who has power over life and death and then admonished him to execute her. „I basically put myself to death." Ravenna whispered. She felt as tears came into her eyes again.
Maybe she should have run away in order to escape somehow, but she didn't dare to move. She stood riveted to the ground.
Baldwin gathered himself together. He cleared his throat and slowly took some choppy steps towards Ravenna.
„You have every right to condemn me, my lady. I know a bare sorry is a ridiculous atonement for what I committed, but I must ask you to accept it." his soft, pertinent voice sounded.
The baroness looked up surprised, she was sure that she would get a reaction completely the opposite of this, one, which would lead to her decease.
Baldwin stopped before the stairs of the pavilion and continued while leaning against the barrier.
„I do understand if you do not wish to speak with me again, but please forgive me. Knowing that a precious, veridic soul like you owe me in a grudge would make my remaining time on Earth even more miserable."
Ravenna looked into his eyes while wiping her tears down once more. She was confused, frightened, ravaged, angry and did commiserate Baldwin at the same time.
„I beg you." he added as gentle as never.
„I am the one who should beg for an apology, my king…" she fell her eyes.
„No!" Baldwin's firm voice sounded. „You told the truth, and truth should be never punished, no matter to whom is it hard hit. If truth did not hurt, people would never improve. One must feel compunction because of one's sins, otherwise, one would never learn how to avoid them, and could never live in the present in a way so one will be able to recollect the past without regret in the future.
„I would feel remorse in the future if I did not forgive you." answered Ravenna finally with a slight half-smile on her face. „And I do not wish to burthen myself with it when it is so easily evitable."
Baldwin smiled widely as he saw the change of her expression behind his mask.
„French does not have words that could express how delighted I am to hear that from you." he chuckled.
„You wanted to test if I just made up the story concerning my father and the caravans?" she asked with a smile of incredulity while approaching the king.
„I fear, yes, my lady." he nodded. „I summoned Lord de Ibelin as soon as he had arrived early morning. He swore that he had never heard of the issue, so I needed to make sure you had been telling the truth before taking legal action."
„I see." she nodded.
„I know it was an abject method to gain this information out of you. It will lie on my head forever." he sighed and fell his eyes.
„Let us forget the previous 10 minutes, Your Highness!" Ravenna smiled at him. „Now that you know I have been speaking sooth, we can engage in the solution of the matter."
„Indeed, my lady." he nodded. „Lord de Ibelin comes here at half-past 9 to debate the question."
„Oh, then I have to clean up." she laughed with self-irony. „Can one see on my face that I was crying?"
„Just a little bit, my lady, do not fear." he chuckled.
Ravenna looked around then glanced back at the king with her eyes glistening with an idea.
„Is the water of the fountain clear?"
„It is drinkable." he nodded.
„May I use it?" she smiled at him.
„Of course you can!" he chuckled, how could he deny her anything he possessed.
Ravenna headed towards the fountain. She gracefully ran on the lawn, while her hazelnut locks fluttered in the wind. She carefully washed her eyes with the cool water of the fountain standing in the shadow of a grandiose magnolia tree.
Baldwin slowly ambled towards her with a smile on his lips. How couldn't he had been beaming, when a woman so kind to his heart forgiven him and was delighted again. „Woman!? What nonsense am I talking?! She is not a woman, she is an angel with invisible wings."
Huh, guys, it took me a pack of 100 tissue papers to write this chapter... I managed to catch a cold and am forced to stay at home, but at least I had some time to practice English. :D
See you soon! (I do hope it will be not just theoretically, but also in practice soon :D)