The Times That Try Mens' Souls
Chapter 37
Reunion
In the days that followed Nuno Agirre's arrival, I continued to feel both worried and relieved. We had the word now. If we could somehow get ahold of the gem, we could break the spell. François de Brantômé's suggestion was beginning to look like a good idea. The word itself was what I assumed was Punic, a language I didn't know. Thankfully Sidonie had provided a pronunciation guide. If we were the ones to find the gem, we'd have some idea of how to say the word correctly. I hoped it wouldn't come to that and Sidonie would be with us to say it. The possibility of her, and Imriel for that matter, dying was not somewhat I was willing to contemplate.
Most of my time was still taken up with preparations for the siege. Supplies streamed into Turnone every day. Many of them were foodstuffs, but there were a great deal of weapons and armor as well. In addition to putting all the armorers in the city to work, we had contracted many from outside the city was well. Our army wouldn't have matching uniforms, but it would have decent weapons. That was more important. The army continued to drill hard every day, as did the cavalry. We did receive more men-at-arms from the lesser houses, which I was grateful for. They were easy enough to integrate with the rest.
All three of my cousins remained to assist me in any way they could. They were as horrified as I was at Ysandre's threat, and as concerned about the villages of Namarre. Sidriel and Raphael offered to go home and do their best to protect the southernmost villages with our men, but I declined. Most of our men were needed here and it seemed to me that the villages sacked would be those en route from the City of Elua to Turnone. I suppressed a shudder as I thought of the towns we'd stayed in on the way being sacked. Even if Ysandre did attack Namarre to get at me, there was no way we could protect all of it. It was another terrible choice, but our men were needed here where the critical battle would be.
In the center of all this was Alais. She was handling it very well, appearing composed when I knew well there was turmoil going on within her. Neither of us were making good on our promises to eat and sleep better and she continued to worry me. I would've liked to spend more time with her, playing music or just talking, but our full schedules did not allow for it. We did, however, have some time to discuss Gilgamesh and the Táin.
"I like Gilgamesh at the end much better than I did at the beginning," she said as we sat and conversed one evening.
"Yes, that's the general idea. It's really due mainly to his love for Enkidu. That is the catalyst for the change in him."
"You mean that Gilgamesh and Enkidu were lovers?" she asked with some surprise.
I grinned at her. "Didn't you get that impression as you read?"
"I did, but I was unaware that the Akkadians approved of such things."
I looked off into the distance, remembering. "Well, they aren't quite as open about it as D'Angelines, but it is acceptable. There are a few stigmas attached, but romantic relationships between men certainly do happen."
"I see. It makes more sense now. Have you finished the Táin?" she asked.
"I did. I enjoyed it very much."
Alais smiled. "I'm glad, Uncle Barquiel. I thought you might be able to relate to Cuchulainn, given the situation we're in."
"You were right. I especially felt for him when he had to fight Ferdia." I did not need to explain further. We both understood what I was getting at. Ferdia had been Cuchulainn's foster-brother. "And I've grown to appreciate Alban culture more."
Her smile turned into a sly grin. "I hoped that might happen."
Our conversation was interrupted by a loud knock at the door. "Who is it?" Alais called.
"A servant with a message for you, your majesty," said one of her guards.
"Very well. Send him in." The door opened and the servant entered. He bowed low before Alais and I.
"Your majesty, your grace. I have come to inform you that the Dauphine and Prince Imriel have arrived in Turnone."
Alais's eyes lit up immediately with excitement and her face brightened. "Are they in the palace?"
"Not yet, but they will be here momentarily, with several men escorting them," he answered.
"Send them in here when they arrive, and see that a room is made ready for them. Also, find space for their men in the barracks," she instructed.
"Yes, your majesty," he said before bowing and leaving the room.
Alais turned to me. "They're safe! They arrived in Terre d'Ange safely! I'm so relieved."
"Me too," I replied softly. "I've been very worried about them these last few days. With any luck they'll give us good news."
We did not have to wait long before the door opened and Imriel and Sidonie entered. They were dressed in heavy cloaks with deep, concealing hoods. "It's safe," I said. They drew back their hoods.
Relief washed over me like a wave as I saw they were well. "Oh, Elua!" Alais exclaimed, covering her mouth. Her eyes filled with tears. "Is it true? Is it really true?"
"Yes, dear," Sidonie replied. Alais moved forward and flung her arms around her sister. I felt an urge to embrace her myself, but I knew how much Alais had missed her sister and how much she'd been worrying about her. I turned to face Imriel.
"So you did it," I stated simply. Imriel had won my respect. "You found her and freed her."
"Yes," he replied.
Beside us, Alais released Sidonie and clasped her hand. She rubbed at the tears sliding down her cheeks. "I'm sorry. It's just been so awful. You can't imagine."
"I know," said Sidonie, "but I've a passing good idea, love. You need to tell us everything. Did our messenger not arrive?"
"The Euskerri lad? Yes, he did," I replied.
"He bore the key," Imriel interjected. "A word, the word." He opened his purse and took out a piece of lacquered leather. I supposed it must be the talisman with the word on it. "Emmenghanom. What happened? Did you not use it?"
I spread my arms. "On what?"
I saw them exchange glances at my comment. "You didn't find the demon-stone," Imriel stated.
"No," I said, all traces of amusement gone from my voice as I recalled all my frustration at being unable to find it. "I received your letter from Cythera. Before matters with Ysandre came to a head, I searched to the best of my abilities. So did others. We found no emerald gem inscribed with sigils on the premises of the Palace or anywhere in the City."
"It's there." Sidonie let go of Alais's hand and itched at a bit of red thread around her wrist. I wondered what that was. "It has to be. Did you search the whole of the treasury? Did you-"
"Sidonie," Imriel cut her off. "Once we start this conversation in earnest, I suspect we'll be at it all night." Oh, wonderful. Because I needed less sleep. "I know time's short, but I'm road-weary, dirty, and hungry, and my leg aches." Had he been wounded in battle? I wondered. "I imagine Kratos and Faucon and his men are waiting on us, too. Do you think it might wait an hour?"
"Elua!" exclaimed Alais. "I'm so sorry! Of course you are! I ordered a room made ready for you and there's space in the barracks for your men… Let me tell the chamberlain to have a bath drawn, and I'll have supper served here so we can speak privately, and… Imri, do you need a chirurgeon?"
"No. But I need a proper greeting." He smiled at Alais and for the first time I greeted their friendship with happiness. It was apparent to me that they needed some time together.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. She wrapped her arms around him and embraced him tightly. I saw her relax slightly in his arms and I was pleased to see it. To think I'd once thought he intended to court her! It was obvious now that they were truly beloved friends.
"It's all right, love," he said. "We'll see everything put right. Don't worry."
I wanted very much to believe him.
"Don't patronize me," Alais said, pulling away from Imriel. Yet despite her words, she seemed to take heart from what he said.
"And he does need a chirurgeon," Sidonie added. "Even if it's healing clean, I imagine it's time for those stitches to be pulled."
So he had been wounded in battle. "I'll send Nathaniel Montague," said Alais with a nod. Nathaniel Montague was the Marrioud family chirurgeon. "He can be trusted. Almost everyone here can. How were you wounded, Imriel? And why do you both want to be so secretive? It would bring everyone a great deal of hope and joy to know that you've returned safely." She was right; I had been thinking the same thing. We all needed hope.
"Imriel was injured in a battle. And we're being careful because we're not safe, dear," said Sidonie gently. She turned out her wrists, letting us see the curious red strings around them. "Imriel's charm is the only thing standing between me and madness."
My eyebrows rose at that. Alais looked at Imriel with a startled expression on her face. "You wrought an ollamh's charm?"
"So it seems. And if we survive this, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. But it's not just that, Alais." Imriel took a deep breath before he continued speaking. "We need that gem. And if it means Sidonie and I have to go to the City to search for it, I'd sooner your mother think us allies than enemies."
"The grieving widow and her deranged but harmless cousin," Sidonie murmured.
"Widow?" I asked sharply. It had taken me by surprise. "Is Astegal dead?"
"Very," Imriel replied. I felt mixed relief and disappointment at the news, for I'd been hoping to get a shot at the bastard myself. Still, it was a good thing that he was dead.
"So you really did marry him," said Alais. "You sailed away to Carthage and married him."
"Yes," Sidonie replied in a tone that ended the discussion. I couldn't blame her for not wanting to speak of it further.
After a moment of silence, Alais spoke. "I'll go speak to the chamberlain."
Imriel and Sidonie were escorted from the sitting room to a bedchamber where they could bathe and the chirurgeon could tend to Imriel. An odd sort of sympathy rose in me when I thought of him being wounded in his first major battle. Alais went off to see to them, so I was left to wait. I left her sitting room briefly to fetch the torc I'd been keeping safe for Imriel. Now would be a good time to return it to him. I sat alone in Alais's sitting room, waiting for them to return. When they did, a light meal was brought up. I appreciated this, for I'd not made it to dinner today, and Imriel and Sidonie clearly didn't either. As I watched Imriel eat, I thought of how very hungry healing could make one. No wonder he wanted to eat before we began our talk.
We spoke of trivial matters during the meal. I confess I felt rather awkward and out of place. They were overjoyed to see each other, so I mostly remained silent and let them converse. Alais seemed more relaxed than she'd been in weeks. It made me think of how Isabel and I were whenever we were reunited after a separation. The bond between Alais and Sidonie was as strong as ours had been.
When the meal was done, it was time to talk. I devoutly wished I still had some kavah left. It was going to be a long night.
Notes
The familiar quotes are from Mercy, pgs 626-30, US Paperback.