Hi! Finally, chapter 10 is more or less ready, guys, hope you will have some fun!
(But don't forget, 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.)
Oultrejordain
A rider raced along the east coast of the Dead Sea. The full moon's shine glistened on its slightly foaming surface. A small light loomed in the distance in front of him, so he spurred his horse even wilder considering that the ones waiting for him will soon notice his arrival and appreciate his haste.
Bodyguards slid their swords into the scabbards as they recognized the comer. The man jumped off his steaming horse even before entirely stopping it and sank to his knees in front of two men sitting on rocks beside a campfire.
„The baron is dead, my lord." he uttered staring at the ground.
„Very well." one man nodded with content. „No doubt that you are the most skilled assassin I have ever dealt with."
„It was not me who caused his death." the rider glanced up at him.
„Was he ill?"
„No, he was not. I was preceded." the kneeling man admitted.
„By whom?" the sitting man inquired surprised.
„It is said that a member of the caravan of Baghdad stabbed him."
„Interesting. Why did the caravan take such a radical measure?"
„Rumour has it, the Baron made on offer to the caravan leader. He declared that he will not attack the caravan anymore if they surrender two-thirds of their goods."
The lord slightly giggled. „Well, it seems that this greedy offer was not exaggeratedly appreciated."
„Especially because it was handed to the caravan leader along with his son's head." the assassin added.
The lord burst into laughter. „De Neapolim was even more of an imbecile than I expected." he cleared his throat. „But on the other hand, he was a flawless servant, who even takes care of his own execution when he is no longer needed."
The other man sitting on his right let out a soft titter.
„Did his men retaliate against the caravan?" the lord inquired.
„They had the intention, but Balian de Ibelin and his knights ordered them back."
„Is the Ibelin in Nablus again?"
„He arrived there last afternoon, my lord." the assassin replied.
„Do you know with which purpose is he present in Nablus?"
„I do not." the kneeling man shook his head.
„It is more than interesting." the lord thought to himself. „De Ibelin left Nablus for Jerusalem the previous night, and then, just a half day later, he returns. He must have been exhausted so he would have rested a few hours in the capital city before riding back to his family if he had been given some free days. That means, he traveled to Nablus on command." He hesitated for a moment then turned back to the assassin.
„What news of the girl?"
„To the best of my knowledge, she is still in Jerusalem, however, supposedly, she will return home if for nothing else, for her father's funeral."
„May I suggest getting rid of her as she returns Nablus?" the other sitting man spoke up finally.
„Why do you wish to get rid of her?" the lord turned to him.
„She is an impetuous source of danger for you, my lord. Rumour has it, she made some gainful acquaintances at court, she even has an influence upon the king." the other answered slightly concerned.
„She could have an influence even upon the Holy Roman Emperor and the Pipe himself until she knows nothing about us."
„May I ask why you seclude yourself from executing her, my lord?" the man on the right inquired even more concerned.
„She might prove to be useful." the other said still calm but with more strength.
„Would you be so grateful to tell me by what ways she could be useful…?"
„I have no obligation to share all of my plans with you!" the lord interrupted with anger. The other man sank to his knees terrified.
„May I beg your apology, esteemed lord!" he implored. „I did not have the slightest intention to contradict you!"
„Get up!" the lord gestured. „Take responsibility for your actions. You may regain my benignity if you fulfill the mission I will give you at a moment's notice." he turned to the assassin. „You may retire."
The hitman got up and left as the other sat back to his rock and turned towards his superior with utter attention.
„What is your wish, my lord?"
„I am not satisfied with the information our current undercover gains. You shall promote this labor…"
Meanwhile 100 miles westerly in Jerusalem
Baldwin sat at his desk motionless. Moonlight shone on the stack of finished documents resting in front of him. It was well after midnight, but his mind could not rest. The lack of logical connections between the happenings of the latest time weighted on him, causing downright annoyance. He sighed and pulled an empty parchment in from of him.
„I shall ask for information from Balian. Inquire about everything. All details considering the murder, the points of the Baron's offer, who was the leader of the knights' revenge action…"
He doubted that de Ibelin would be able to answer all of them, but getting to the bottom of this issue was now his personal matter. He thought this was the least he could do for Ravenna.
She truly amazed him with her composure a few hours earlier. Until that time he could have never imagined her being that much serene and collected in a so unsettling situation. He was unutterably proud of her, however, his heart broke when he recollected that he could not ease her grief.
His pen nimbly drew lines of words along the parchment. He called in a guard as he finished.
„This shall be at Nablus by morning." the king handed the letter. „I wish it to be delivered by armed delegacy to prevent any delay.
„As you wish, your Majesty!" the guard bowed and left hastily.
Baldwin glanced out of the window to the thin veil of clouds creeping in front of the moon. The only thing he had to do is what he could the least, to wait.
Two days later in Nablus
Thick volumes covered Ravenna's bed, she lay between them holding one above her head. Her father's funeral took place that forenoon. She left Jerusalem hastily a day before, not talking anyone before her departure, she only left a laconic letter for Jeanne. Praying for his father's soul filled her hours until the funeral since the Baron did not have the opportunity to confess before his decease. She knew she was not in the position to allow herself a long mourn, so she buried herself in books to take her mind off her woe.
Alisha entered the opened door and put a cup of tea on the baroness's nightstand.
„Do you have any wishes, my lady?" she turned to her mistress.
Ravenna glanced along the tomes resting near her.
„Have you seen the Dialectica by Pierre Abélard?" she inquired.
„Is it a book?" Alisha asked a bit concerned.
„Yes, it is." she looked at the maid. „Can you read, Alisha?"
„Unfortunately, I cannot." she fell her eyes.
„It is a brown volume, I suppose I left it on the balcony."
„I will bring it here at a moment's notice, my Baroness." Alisha curtseyed slightly and left.
Suddenly knocking sounded from the entrance.
„Shall I answer the door?" the maid inquired.
„Yes, please." Ravenna sat up and fixed her hair considering that the guest may want to have a word with her.
„I wish a blessed day, my esteemed lord!" Alisha's astonished voice sounded.
Ravenna jumped on her feet excited hearing that someone of great authority arrived.
„May I talk with the Baroness." sounded a male voice which Ravenna immediately identified.
„I wish you a splendid afternoon, Lord de Ibelin!" she walked out of her room and nodded as the knight was in front of her.
„Same to you, Lady de Neapolim. Would having some words not be too much of a burden for you?" he inquired decently.
„Of course not, please sit down." she gestured towards the chairs standing by the table in the middle of the room.
„This is from Abba Al-Rashid, the caravan leader." he handed Ravenna a letter once they sat next to each other. „He told us every detail considering the offer of your father, God rest his soul."
The lady quickly read along the parchment. „Typical…" she put the letter down and sighed. „So we still do not have any clue."
„I have interrogated every available men of the late Baron, especially Lord de Roux who led the revenge action, using every instrument from bribery to radical methods, but none of them had information concerning the issue." Balian said somberly.
„Is the investigation of this matter over due to lack of details?" she asked concerned.
„No, my lady." he shook his head. „The king His Majesty does not wish to overlook it. This incident can easily cover a high treason, my lady, since we cannot rule out the possibility that one of his subjects is behind it."
„I see." Ravenna nodded. „How may I help you, Lord de Ibelin, I have already told you everything I know."
„I did not have the intention to ask you anything, my lady, His Highness ordered that you should be informed about every detail revealed in this topic and your opinion should be always asked."
An instinctive smile appeared on the baroness's lips.
„Do you have any suggestions, esteemed lady?" Balian glanced into her eyes.
„Well…" she hesitated for a moment. „I suppose, we shall keep our eyes open, this mysterious lord lost his tool, so I assume he will soon find another. Presumably someone who is not in the most favorable turns with the court, but on the other hand, possesses great influence."
„His Majesty has already thought about this possibility, my lady, his double agents are already present at the most probable castles."
„I am glad to hear that."
„Furthermore, he wishes to make sure of your protection." the knight continued. „From now on, you shall not leave the castle without an armed escort."
„Is this needed by all needs?" she asked a bit reluctantly.
„Yes, my lady, you are in potential danger." he nodded.
„Do you assume that the presumed supporter fears that I might have information about him and wants to execute me?"
„Yes, I would never wish to frighten you, but there is a great chance."
„If he had wished to kill me he would have already done that, but since he had not, and he is still not identified, he can assume that I do not have any details, so liquidating me would be nothing but a source of risk for him, in case if we capture the assassin who might tell us some information of him." Ravenna replied.
„Well…" de Ibelin leaned forward. „Better safe than sorry. Do you have any other wishes, my lady?"
„I will let you know if I have."
„Then would you excuse my departure?"
„Have a further good day, Lord de Ibelin!" she gave him a slight smile. „Oh, would you tell the armed escort to get ready, I would like to have a short ride in the city." she said with a bit of irony stressing the 'armed escort'.
„As you wish, my lady!" the knight nodded neutrally. „Blessed afternoon to you!"
Ravenna sighed as she remained alone. She felt how mistrustful de Ibelin was with her, he would have never told her a word about the continuation of the matter if the king would not have commanded him to do so.
„Alisha!" she called.
The maid hurried into the room.
„How may I serve you, my mistress?"
„Could you prepare one of my riding dresses?"
Not a whole hour later Fidelis was gracefully walking along one of Nablus's main streets. The elegant baroness followed by 15 knights was such a spectacle that the life stopped, the noise ceased and every eye locked on them.
Ravenna did her best to ignore that and was deep in her thoughts considering the last few days when sudden shouting distracted her.
A flock of 15-20 people hastened out from a lane tousling a woman in her forties.
„Eternal damnation will be your punishment!" a younger woman shouted at the older and spat right in her face.
„You ungrateful leeches, I will never help anyone, never again!" the pulled woman retorted furiously.
„What is happening here?!" the baroness trotted towards them. All people curtseyed as they noticed Ravenna.
„Our Heavenly Father sent you here, esteemed lady!" one man spoke up not even daring to look at her. „We captured a witch!"
„A witch?!" the baroness's eyes widened.
„I am not a which, honored lady…" the convict claimed, but a strong slap from one man holding her arm interrupted her.
„How dare you speak to her?!" Blood began to run out of her nostrils as he beat her once more.
„Stop hitting her!" Ravenna commanded with a stern voice.
The man put his hand behind her back and bowed apologetically.
„On what basis do you suggest that she is a witch?" the lady asked.
„She brought my neighbor back from the dead, majestic lady!" the younger woman called.
„Did she resuscitate him?!" Ravenna's face became more and more incredulous.
„No, he was not dead, but was cursed with fatal cramp colic." she continued. „His wife was a good friend of the witch, so she begged her to save her husband's life. She went to their house and called for devil's help!" she shouted, an appalled expression lay upon her face. „I saw it with my own eyes. She made him drink sinful brews which made him unconscious…" the crowd growled. „…and then, she slit his stomach and took out a part of his guts!"
People grunted loudly with a shudder.
„It was the only way to save him." the alleged witch claimed.
„Shut up!" one man howled at her. „You will have time to sound your satanic words on the stake! Burn the witch! Burn the witch!" he started chanting soon followed by every member of the crowd.
„Silence!" Ravenna shouted but her voice got lost in the babel.
„Silence!" bawled the knights of her escort.
The noise quickly ceased, every eye gazed at the baroness.
„I want her to come with me and everyone else to scatter. I shall stand trial in front of her, this issue is no longer your responsibility." Ravenna ordered and motioned one knight to take the condemned woman on his horse.
The baroness turned Fidelis around and started cantering towards the castle making an empty passage through the crowd again. An excited smile glowed on her face, as a plan plotted up in her brain.
„Follow me." Ravenna turned to the knight bringing the woman after she dismounted her horse on the castle yard.
Two men escorted the older woman to the baroness's private chambers.
„I wish to have a private conversation with her, thank you for your service, my lords." the lady stopped at the door.
„We cannot leave you alone with her, she can be dangerous, Lady de Neapolim!" one knight called.
„Then please wait here, outside. I will yell if she attempts to place a curse upon me." she replied with sarcasm.
Both men nodded, so she opened the door and walked in followed by the relatively calm woman.
„How nice to see back here, my la…" Alisha's words failed when she beheld the tousled woman with dried blood on her face. „Oh, dear…" shock came over her features.
„Calm down, Alisha, there is nothing to fear." Ravenna appeased her, then turned to the woman. „Are you hurt seriously?"
„No, only some capillaries became injured in my nostrils." she sighed. „May I say thank you for saving my life, esteemed lady. Or do you intend to execute me?" she inquired only with slight concern.
„At the moment I do not, but it depends on you." the baroness took a seat. „Please sit down, I have a few questions to ask you. Do you wish to drink something?"
„A sip of water would be nice."
Alisha put a cup in front of her still analyzing her mistrustfully.
„Could you live us alone?" the mistress turned to the maid.
„Are you sure of that, my lady?" the Arabic woman asked concerned.
„Yes, I am." she nodded. „Please, I have no time to waste."
Alisha bowed and left the room leaving the two women alone.
„What is your name and actual profession?" Ravenna started the questioning.
„I am Constance Sautreau, esteemed lady. I have no profession, I earn my living by preparing infusions of herbs, and sell them on the market as my mother used to. That is why people consider me a witch." she huffed with contempt.
„Is what your neighbor told us true?" the baroness inquired.
Constance hesitated for a moment then sighed. „Yes, it is. But it does not mean that I am a witch!" she claimed assertively.
„I have not considered you as a witch for a brief moment, Madam Sautreau." Ravenna assured her. „I was just wondering, how you discovered the therapy of a such a perilous disease as cramp colic."
„Well…" she took a brief break. „…only mixing and stirring herbal concoctions bored me to death since I was a little girl. I was starving for challenge."
Madam Sautreau hushed, she knew what she shall say in the continuation would probably unsettle everyone.
„Please go on, I will spare your life if you tell me the truth." the baroness encouraged her.
„When I was 16, I started to make secret experiments on dying people."
Ravenna's eyes widened, but she composed herself and slightly nodded indicating her to go on.
„Only on ones, who otherwise would not have had the slightest chance to survive." Constance clarified. „ It is a miracle that it took the superstitious morons so many decades to catch me in the act." she frowned. „It took me long, exhausting years and many people's lives, but fortunately, I managed to find therapy for sicknesses claimed as uncurable by the society."
„So now you can cure every disease?" the baroness asked excitedly as she could not restrain her inquietude anymore.
„I cannot, my lady, that would be impossible." she shook her head calmly.
„But can you cure leprosy?" Ravenna fixed her eyes on her.
Constance hesitated for a moment while humming, then slightly nodded. „It is quite circuitous but resoluble."
A wide smile rushed on the lady's lips letting nearly all her teeth glisten on the world. She refocused her mind on the woman sitting next to her.
„I saved your life, and I wish you to save another in return." she declared triumphantly.
„Do you wish me to heal someone?" Madame Sautreau inquired.
„Indeed I do." Ravenna nodded decidedly. „One of my dearest friends."
„Since when is your dear friend infected?" the medicine woman asked neutrally.
„I do not know…" the baroness recoiled. „… but presumably for years."
Constance's eyes became a bit wider but her features remained still unconcerned.
„Then, unfortunately, I cannot guarantee you anything, my lady."
Ravenna's face became pale in a brief moment. „What do you mean by that?"
„If the disease is at an advanced stage the therapy might not be effective. I have tried it on only 2 people so far. One is still alive, the other died as if nothing has had happened. It is chancy, esteemed lady, and as a matter of course, I cannot turn back any disfiguration occurred already."
Determination overspread Ravenna's face. „It does not matter, we shall try it… we shall try everything!"
„As you wish, I am obliged to you." the older woman nodded. „Where does your friend live?"
„He lives in Jerusalem."
„Jerusalem?" for the first time signs of concerned appeared on Constance's face. „That is awfully far from here."
„It is not." Ravenna shook her head. „Just a half day on horse or even less if we hurry."
„I have never left Nablus… and I cannot ride …" the medicine woman uttered.
„Then you will be transported there as you were to the castle, and anyway, you must leave Nablus if you do not wish to smell your stake soon." the baroness called with impatience.
Constance did not dare to disagree, just stared at the indignant lady speechless.
„Sorry, I did not mean to offend you." Ravenna realized how much she got carried away. „But you shall be in Jerusalem by evening!"
„I would need my assortments and tools, but my house was ransacked and most of them had been unfortunately destroyed with all my notes." she sighed with a slight grudge.
„It does not matter." the lady shook her head. „My friend will be able to provide you every tool you need, the only thing you have to bring is your science."
„Are you sure, my lady?" Madame Sautreau asked doubtingly.
„Indeed I am. If you cure him, he will constitute you all herbs, books, instruments or even a laboratory of your taste." Ravenna claimed firmly.
Constance let out a skeptic giggle. „Is your friend at least the king?"
„As for that, he is."
Stagger mixed with concern appeared on the medicine woman's face. „If I treat the king then I become publicly acknowledged and end up on the stake as well."
„You will not!" the baroness declared urgently. „You will be safe there, I swear it on the cross, just let us finish this conversation and set out as soon as possible."
„I have said everything that I wanted for now, esteemed lady." Constance glanced at her regaining her calmness.
„Wonderful." Ravenna jumped to her feet. „Alisha, would you please give Madame Sautreau something to eat?" she called as the maid returned from another room.
„Do you wish to have something, too, my mistress?" she inquired.
„No thank you, I am not hungry."
The baroness hastened to the door.
„Would you please inform Lord de Ibelin that I wish to make a short trip to Jerusalem and the stablemen to saddle horses for me and my escort?" she asked the two men who still patiently waited outside.
„As you wish, my lady." one nodded and left towards the stables.
„What shall I tell Lord de Ibelin about the purpose of your trip?" the other knight inquired.
„Just a brief, beneficial outing." she gave a half smile.
Baldwin yawned a huge. Snow-white candles lightened his chambers making the words of reports resting in front of him seeable. His eyes became narrow due to exhaustion. He reached for a pen in order to write an answer, but changed his mind and dropped the feather on the desk.
„I am too tired to think impeccably today, forcing further labor upon myself would cause the decrease of my work's quality." he thought. „I had better repose and get up tomorrow early in the morning to finish the reports off."
He grabbed the pen and neatly placed it back to the inkstand, then took a deep breath while gathering his strength to stand up when there was a knock on the door.
„Come in." the king sighed remaining seated.
„I am ineffably sorry to disturb you in such a late hour, Your Majesty." the entering envoy bowed. „I came to announce that a guest wishes to talk with you."
„Who the hell wants to harass me after 11 in the evening." he grumbled to himself. „I do not wish to see any guest today." he replied.
„As you wish." the other man nodded. „May I tell Lady Ravenna de Neapolim of Nablus that you are ready to see her tomorrow morning?" he asked neutrally.
„Ravenna de Neapolim?!" his eyes widened as he turned towards the envoy with his whole upper-body.
„Yes, my lord, she has arrived about 10 minutes ago from Nablus and wishes to talk with you as soon as possible." he answered blandly.
„Then escort her in." Baldwin composed himself.
The man opened the door enabling the baroness to drift in.
The shadow of Ravenna's thin frame fell upon the wall. The king observed it motionless, and finally beheld the lady herself. A broad smile jumped on the baroness's lips as she curtseyed. The king gazed at her as if he could not believe for a moment that it was really her standing only a few meters from him.
„My lady! What a marvelous surprise to see you here!" Baldwin jumped to his feet as if he wouldn't have weighed more than a down of feather.
„Thank God, that you are not yet sleeping, my lord! I am sorry to disturb you this late, but…
„You know, you could never disturb me." he interrupted.
„I hoped that, this is why I dared to visit you." she smiled at him making his lips moving to smile as well. „Furthermore…" the baroness became suddenly excited. „… the issue I wish to talk you about cannot wait, not even a second!" she declared.
„Really?" the king chuckled thinking that it cannot be bad news considering her cheerfulness. „Then why do you not let me know about it the very moment?"
„Well, Your Highness…" she smiled teasing him for a second. „… with God's help, I found someone who may be able to cure you."
The smile disappeared from Baldwin's lips in a brief second.
Seeing that the king did not give any reaction, Ravenna continued. „She is waiting outside."
„That was a tasteless joke." he stated coldly.
„It is not a joke!" the baroness asserted firmly as she realized what went on in his head. „She has peculiar skills and knowledge, she was even considered to be a witch."
„Witches does not exist, my lady." Baldwin said emphatically. „They were made up by fearful, superstitious people, and since the most of the society is of that kind, they are conventional. But you should not engage in such balderdashes, my lady, you must be a person of realism and logic if you want to use your talents." he claimed so firmly that Ravenna did not dare to interrupt until he took a moment of break.
„Logic dictates that science develops continuously, so breakthroughs that make the impossible feasible should not be considered as fudge." she retorted.
„No, in this case, logic dictates that there is no need to embarrass myself by letting another charlatan - fleeing from skate- treat me." the king said peremptorily.
The baroness remained silent for a moment. She knew how awkward this situation was for him and started to be for her as well.
„Please, my liege, give her a try. I was riding whole afternoon and evening to have her here as soon as possible.
„I am ineffably glad to see you here, but unfortunately, I have to decline your offer." Baldwin replied decorously.
„But, please…" Ravenna took a step closer to him affright on her face.
„No, my lady. What I have said, I have said." he said calmly but strongly.
Baldwin turned around to prevent seeing her desperate, pleading face which may have weakened him when a sudden clash sounded behind him. He turned back with hidden fright and found Ravenna kneeling in front of him, her eyes -glistening with tear- fixed on his.
„I beg you, my lord, give her one bare opportunity to prove her skills and do not refuse a chance for you to live. Please, if not for your sake, for mine."
The king's mind and heart fiercely hammered at each other. He hesitated for a few seconds. A drop of tear ran down on Ravenna's cheek.
He sighed. „I do not mind, let it be as you wish." he deferred.
The baroness jumped on her feet with inexpressible happiness. „Holy God, thank you, Your Highness!" her face lit up with a sudden pleasure. „I will bring her in a brief moment!" she assured him and sprinted towards the entrance door.
Sorry for being late (again). You know, final exams have the tendency to "eat" one's time so intensely as I do when some junk food turns up... ?But anyway, writing this story is a great practice for me (moreover, I am not masochistic enough to quit it when it finally gets complex), so if you are interested, I expect to continue, though saving enough time for a new chapter will may take more than 3 or 4 weeks.
Ach, never mind! Hope to see you soon at chapter 11!