Come Twilight (57 page)

As the leader of great armies, I implore you on behalf of all those who live in this region to mitigate the demands of your men as best you can so that famine and dishonor are not the legacy of victory in this place. Think of Santoz Ennati and his valor in the face of an over whelming enemy, how he strove to save his Brother hermits from any harm from his heroic action. He faced the demons alone, purposefully leading the group of them away from his hermit’s cell and the monastery to which he was attached, so that none of his Brothers would suffer because of his battle. If that one good, holy man could be mindful of his Brothers when entering into a fight against the minions of Satan, should not you and your soldiers keep in mind this pious example, and strive to preserve the land and the people thereon as a show of Christian charity?

If you do not come this year, yet we know you and your armies must arrive before many years go by. When you do, we beg you to keep in mind our situation. The Moors have taken many of our trees and the great forests we are told once spread from the Ebroz across the mountains into France have been gone for centuries, leaving bare hillsides that cannot support anything but flocks of sheep and goats. The few forests that remain are small and remote. Your own Kingdom of Aragon has felt this privation for decades. Surely you can spare us the few things we must have to survive? Our vineyards have been our greatest treasure, but if we cannot save our harvest of grapes, then we will have nothing more than squashes and peas for sustenance, which would not be sufficient to keep the monks here from starving, let alone provide for others in need. We have opened our doors to your people when wars forced them to flee to us, and in the name of Santoz Ennati we have shielded them from harm and want.

The Church has called for the end of Moors in Spain, and we have, in fealty, sworn to assist in this effort in whatever capacity we can. To that end, we have gathered stores of cloth, foodstuffs, and bedding so that soldiers may be cared for in their campaign. If these things are seized indiscriminately by the first company of knights that comes this way, we will be unable to lend assistance to any of the others who may come later. For that reason alone, I beg of you, keep your knights from looting and raiding the countryside when they come here. Remember the inspired example of Santoz Ennati, the Visigothic warrior who would not bring misfortune upon those who could not defend themselves; surely he has shown the way that all good Christians should conduct themselves when going into battle for so great a cause.

Let me remind you that in this place, we are at the very border of the region known as Holy Blood, where no one can count himself safe from the predations of night-hunting demons. Over the years, their numbers have increased and their boldness as well, for their hunger is unrelenting. We are hard-pressed to manage this place against such foes, and no Santoz Ennati has come forward again to rid the land of those pernicious creatures that pursue all living things to the same contemptible end. Surely it is enough that we do our utmost to contain those vile beings. Were you to add the force of your armies to our humble attempts, the night-demons might finally be routed from our mountains, and we would once again live in the state of Christian hope that all devout souls seek. If you cannot rid us of the demons, then I ask you to remember the many trials we of Santoz Ennati have already endured in our stand against all the foes of our religion. Do not bring more burdens upon us, I beseech you even as I warn you of the dangers that wait in the mountains for all those careless enough to venture there.

You are King of Aragon and Navarre, and thus some of these blasphemous creatures are within your borders. Nothing you have caused to be done thus far has rid us of the blood-demons. If you cannot stop them, then do not increase their lusts by sending us, without food or shelter, into their territory, whither we must flee if your soldiers do not conduct themselves charitably toward all those who live here. If you cannot do that, send us another Santoz Ennati to defend us from the demons once our monastery has been razed by battle. It is not so much to ask, when the enormity of the trouble we face is weighed in the balance. Your assurances will bring us more relief than any guards or men-at-arms would do. Give us your Word that you will abide by our
requests and we will offer thanksgiving in your name at the Feast of Santoz Ennati this year and every year to come.

We who serve you as well as the Church give you our most solemn oath that we will devote our labor and our prayers to your success in this campaign you have undertaken. Our doors will always be open to you and any deputy you deign to send to us. It is our most ardent hope that you will once again bring all of Spain back into Christian hands, as God intended it should be when he sent Santiago to minister to this land, in the days when all yearned for the true light of God, and welcomed His Savior and his Apostle Iago. For so long we have languished, torn between our religion and the Moors that despair stalked us as fatally as the demons from the region of Holy Blood. Now hope has sprung up again, and we rejoice that you have done so much to restore us to our position that our devotion has earned.

In the certainty of your triumph and mercy, I am your most truly faithful vassal, but for God.

Fre Carloz

Santoz Ennati the Martyr

By my own hand on this, the 14
^th
day of February, in the 1117
^th
Year of Grace, near Usxa. Deo gratias.

“There is something I must ask you to do for me,” said Idelfonzuz to Germanno, Comide Ragoczy as they dismounted after a morning of hunting in the hills around Toledom; the escort of guards and courtiers had been left at the entrance to this inner courtyard and now only the two of them were met by grooms. “It would be helpful to me if you would consider it while the others go to eat.” He was so nonchalant that Germanno was immediately on the alert.

“I am, of course, at your service,” said Germanno, making a reverence as he entered the palace a pace behind the King.

“That you are,” Idelfonzuz approved. Dressed as he was for hunting, he still gave a military impression; his cote short and lined with fur, his pellotes was equally short and made of wolf-pelts that might have been mail. His bamberges were of boiled wool and clung to his legs; his estivaux were of tooled leather and had a broad, flat heel to support his foot in the stirrup, and his spurs rang as he walked. “Unlike many of those around me, you have the wisdom to know it. You make this much easier for me.” He headed down a broad, colonnaded gallery, striding through a series of parti-colored stone arches, paying no attention to the servants and slaves who hurried to get out of his way. “I have to tell you what you are going to do for me.”

Germanno studied the King as he followed after him. “I will be honored to do whatever I may; I am grateful for your hospitality.” He understood now why the others had not been permitted to join them.

“Grateful. I hope you will be.” Idelfonzuz increased his stride; Germanno kept pace easily. “You are said to be wealthy. No,” he went on, his hand up to show he was not to be interrupted, “do not disclaim. I have seen how you have fitted out your house. You must have gold in plenty to do so well. If you have funds left over, I want you to use them on my behalf.” They had now arrived at a grand hall with tall pillars holding up an ornate ceiling; there was a formidable hearth in which blazed a massive log to lessen the chill of the east wind that scampered through Toledom that day. Three slaves scurried off as Idelfonzuz and Germanno approached the fireplace. “You will have my gratitude if you do this,” the King added.

“You are most courteous to a foreigner,” said Germanno, continuing cautiously, “If you will tell me what it is that I am to do, I might better answer you.”

“Ah, as to that,” said Idelfonzuz, taking off his gloves and rubbing his hands before the fire, “you are to purchase another grand house.”

Germanno maintained his calm. “What house, good King? And to what purpose? Mine has proven most satisfactory, as I thought, to us both.”

“True enough,” said Idelfonzuz. “But the grand house I want you to purchase is in Sevallis.” He kept his light tone but turned to regard Germanno with a keen gaze.

“Sevallis is still in Moorish hands,” Germanno reminded Idelfonzuz in a steady tone, no indication of surprise or dismay in his manner, although he was startled.

“Just so. That is why it would be most useful to me for you to do this,” said Idelfonzuz, once again giving his attention to the fire. “If it is not possible, then tell me, and the thing is forgotten.”

The Comide considered his response carefully, knowing once a King asked a favor that a refusal would always be remembered, and unfavorably. “This is a most unexpected request, and one I must have more information about before I decide if I may be able to do as you request, although I hope it will be possible, for I owe you, Liege, a great deal. I do not know what price is being asked, for what dwelling, nor do I know why it is being sold, or by whom.” He held out his hands apologetically. “If I can discover these things, then I can answer you.”

“What a canny fellow you are,” said Idelfonzuz with a chuckle. “No wonder they tell tales about you.” He wagged his finger at Germanno. “You need not ask who tells tales. You know what courtiers are—no fishwife gossips more than they, and you, being foreign, are an ideal target, the more so because many of them envy you.”

Germanno ducked his head. “They do so without reason.”

“Nonsense,” said Idelfonzuz. “You have gained my confidence, which most of them would lose a foot to have. They would envy you for that alone, but there is more. You are wealthy while most of them are not. You cannot think they would not be jealous of such a one as you are.” He turned his back on the fire and let its warmth sink into him. “Just the act of keeping you with me while the others of the hunt go off to have a meal will cause them to resent you. None of them would be willing—or able—to do what I have asked you to do, but they do not know this, and so they are given to rancor where you are concerned.”

“No doubt you are right,” said Germanno, his thoughts preoccupied: why had Idelfonzuz asked this of him, and what did he expect to gain from it? “As an exile, I have learned that not all foreigners can hope to be welcome everywhere.”

“No, they cannot,” said Idelfonzuz. “Nor can all rulers.” He laughed aloud at his own wit, and cocked his head when Germanno did not echo him.

“I beg your pardon, Liege. I have had too many years wandering the world to be amused by them.” He lowered his head to show he was abashed by his inability to share in the King’s amusement.

Idelfonzuz considered this, frowning a little. “I suppose I would share your burden had I been forced to carry it. God has not imposed such a weight upon me, for which I am most truly thankful to Him, and serve His Cause.” This was a significant concession, as both men knew. “I cannot think of what you have endured. You must tell me of your travels, one day when there is time.”

“So I shall,” said Germanno, knowing neither he nor Idelfonzuz meant this.

“Anyway,” Idelfonzuz went on with a wave of his hand to show this minor lapse was forgotten, “the house I want you to purchase would be a most useful addition to the other Christian holdings in Sevallis.”

Germanno strove to keep from telling Idelfonzuz that he was no Christian, but held his peace, aware that such an admission was dangerous. “What makes this particular house of such importance to you, Liege?”

“It was once a Roman villa, where the great generals of Rome lived, and where horses and mules were bred for the Roman Legions. It was highly reputed everywhere, even after the Romans left. The Moors took it over and made it into a palace. The people of Sevallis will know that the rule of Rome is coming again if that house is in the hands of a Christian. Even the Moors will understand my meaning.” He looked up at the Moorish embellishments in this palace and he sighed. “They understand well enough why I have made this place my own.”

“If that is the case—that the palace would become a symbol of your intentions—why should they permit this sale?” Germanno inquired in a tone of curiosity rather than criticism.

“That is why I want
you
to buy it. You are not one of my Court as most are, and you have your great house here, and a fortune for traveling. There will be no reason to refuse you, no matter how suspicious they might be.” He smiled broadly, pleased with his strategem. “You can see the advantage in all this, can you not?”

“I can see disadvantages as well,” said Germanno as bluntly as he dared. “Do you plan to send me to Sevallis to live in the house or do you want me to remain here?”

“That is a problem.” Idelfonzuz conceded, taking a few steps away from the fireplace. “I want you by me, but if you are, you cannot do what must be done in Sevallis.” He sighed again, more harshly. “Well, I shall work it out in time. Not that we have much of that to spare.” He swung around to face Germanno. “So you must purchase that house, and soon. The owner will not wait for much longer to secure his price. He has only just arrived in Toledom but he will not remain here much longer. He is bound for Burgundom at the end of Lent.”

“I see,” said the Comide, wondering if Idelfonzuz had approached any of the others of his Court for this service and been refused. “I would have to present my claim to the house in Sevallis or Corduba.”

“Yes. I will give you leave for a period of time to do this. But I am pressing eastward soon, and I would like you to accompany me. I will need someone who can talk with the Moors we capture, and whose knowledge I can trust.” He said it lightly enough, but the look in his prominent hazel eyes made it obvious this was an order.

“I am at your service, Liege,” said Germanno, making a reverence in Idelfonzuz’s direction.

“That you are,” said Idelfonzuz with satisfaction. “So you will purchase the house. We are understood on that point.”