PROLOGUE (119 page)

Had Hugh stopped her on the portico so she could witness the king's arrival and understand that she had less power than he had, in his graceful speech, claimed for her?

Nay, she chided herself, you are grown too suspicious.

A steward brought a basin of water and a cloth so that Henry could wipe the dust of the road off his hands and face. Servants hurried in with a clear broth, followed by roasted game hens basted in mint sauce. When the first bite of hunger had been calmed, Adelheid rose with cup in hand.” Let there be an accounting of the summer's victories!" she cried, to general acclaim.

Hathui recited a clear if undramatic account of the army's successes: three packs of Jinna bandits put to the sword; seven sieges brought to a peaceful conclusion, although Lord Gezo was still holding out in Navlia; emissaries from Arethousan potentates who were not eager to fight the Wendish king's army despite the fact that they were usurping lands in the south that belonged to the Aostan royal family; feasts and triumphal parades through a host of towns in central Aosta.

Henry remained somber throughout this recitation, and he left the feast early, taking a small coterie with him as he walked to his private apartments. They stopped to view the sleeping princess. As Henry leaned over Mathilda's bed, admiring how much she'd grown, Rosvita bent close to speak softly in his ear.

"I sense that all is not as you wish, Your Majesty. Be sure that I am ready to listen, should you desire a counselor's ear."

He stroked Mathilda's downy soft brown hair. The baby stirred, slipped her thumb in her mouth, and with a snort fell back to sleep.” Aosta is a thornbush, and the news from Wendar has not cheered my heart. Was I mistaken to leave Theophanu as .regent?"

"You could not have known the Quman would invade, Your Majesty."

"Am I chasing a dream, Sister?" His hands, callused from so many years of war, traced the curve of the baby's ear; he had a delicate touch.

"Nay, Your Majesty. If the Holy Mother is right, then we must have a strong leader in the years to come. Taillefer's crown would

unite many who might otherwise refuse to march behind the Wendish banner."

"If report is true, civil war rages in Salia. If I could only secure Aosta, then I might turn my eyes west to Salia next."

The words startled her, and worried her.” You would never be regarded as anything but a usurper in Salia, Your Majesty, if you will forgive me for saying so. I must advise you to strengthen your position in Aosta first—and not to neglect the troubles in the north."

His sharp gaze, his thoughtful expression, reminded her of the silent calculation, often unseen by others, at work in his mind.” Ought I to return to Wendar, do you think?"

"In truth, Your Majesty, I fear you are caught between the lance and the spear. If you leave Aosta now, all that you have accomplished so far may crumble. Yet if you do not return to Wendar, worse may follow."

"I had thought to leave a peaceful realm at my back," he said, not without bitterness, "but I see it is not to be. Yet I thank you, Sister, for your honest words." He straightened up, smiling as he caught Adelheid's hand and drew her to him.” Now, my friends, to bed."

There was a great deal of merrymaking as they escorted the king and queen to their bed and at length retired to leave them in peace. Courtiers dispersed quickly to their own private revels, but before Rosvita could return to her chambers, she was waylaid by Helmut Villam.

"I pray you, Sister, a word."

She smiled, genuinely happy to see him.” You're looking well, Margrave. You have weathered the summer's heat better than I have."

"We weren't cooped up within city walls. And I admit, Sister, that I found the women of Aosta most accommodating." His smile turned abruptly to a frown as he drew her into an alcove backed by a hideously clever marble fountain carved in the shape of a medusa's head, every hair a snake and each snake's mouth trickling water like clear poison.” I am distressed by the reports I hear out of Wendar and the marchlands."

"An Eagle came through Dane some weeks ago, sent by Princess Theophanu. Have you heard other news?"

"A messenger from Geoffrey of Lavas reached us, and it broke my heart to hear the lad speak. 'By the love you bear me, and by the honor you gave to my daughter by designating her as the rightful Count of Lavas.' He begged Henry to come home. Troubles. Drought and famine, and bandits come north from Salia to haunt the roads. Even talk of the shades of the Lost Ones, ranging out of the deep forests to plague folk with elfshot."

"Ill news, indeed."

Villam hadn't finished.” I had hoped to get a message from my daughter, in Walburg, but I have heard nothing. Tell me, Sister, do you think that Henry ought to remain in Aosta or return to Wendar? It is by no means clear to me that he and Queen Adelheid control enough of Aosta even now that they can expect the imperial crowns to be handed to them without a fight."

"Surely they can simply take the crowns. No one else is vying for them."

"That is the risk, is it not? If Henry allows himself to be crowned while Aosta remains in turmoil, with Jinna pirates and Arethousan thieves still in control of half the country..." He trailed off, extending a hand to catch water from one snake's mouth and wiping his forehead. It was so dark in the alcove that Rosvita could only see the movement, not his expression.

"Yet if Henry retreats to Wendar, then this foray into Aosta might be seen as a defeat," she pointed out.

"True enough. Those who make trouble might begin to whisper that he has lost the regnant's luck."

Some tone in his voice alerted her.” Are such words being uttered, Villam? Surely not."

"I do not like Aosta, and even less do I like the intrigues of Aostan nobles. There is something untrustworthy about the entire lot of them. Nay, Sister, I think we neglect the north at our peril. That is what I will counsel the king: that we should return as soon as possible."

"That will depend in part on the passes over the mountains. Some may be closed by snowfall."

"If that's so, we must bide here until next spring." "I've heard the western passes are still open," she said.” Which lead to Salia. That is no route for a Wendish king and his army."

"Still, Their Majesties can campaign well into the winter if we're forced to remain here. It may come about that Aosta will accede to their yoke before any decision must be reached about returning north."

"So we must hope, Sister." But as he took his leave, he did not seem optimistic.

At last she was free to return to her chambers, where she found Heriburg and Ruoda waiting patiently by the window, talking quietly together, while Aurea swept around the bed. Those two young faces, so eager and full of life, reminded her of her own youth, her first months at King Arnulf's court. How strange and wonderful the king's progress had seemed to her then! Yet despite the burdens that age and authority had brought in their wake, she woke every morning eager to be of service to the king.

Anne's words echoed in her mind. To the king, or to God? To whom was her first allegiance?

"Fortunatus went out with Sister Gerwita," said Ruoda, rising to kiss Rosvita's hand.” Gerwita found something. ... I don't know what. He left this with me." From her sleeve, she drew out the parchment map he had been given by Paloma.

"Aurea," said Rosvita, "see that no one interrupts us. Let Fortunatus in, if he comes."

"Yes, my lady." She took her broom outside to sweep the corridor.

"I pray you, Heriburg, unroll this and hold it open." Now she could compare this map with the one she had seen in the Tile Chamber.” There, you see, girls," she said with mounting excitement.” We count perhaps fifty stone crowns recorded throughout the lands, but there are only seven marked with seven stones." They corresponded, more or less, with the seven spots marked on the other map.” Seven crowns, each with seven stones. What can it mean?"

"Seven jewels in Taillefer's crown," said Ruoda promptly.” Six placed equidistant around the rim, just like this, and one in the center."

"Seven stars in the constellation called 'the Crown,'" said Heriburg.

"But they're all jumbled together and it takes keen eyesight to see the seventh. I never have."

"Seven Sleepers," murmured Rosvita.” 'Devils afflict me in the guise of scholars and magi ... if only I would tell them what I knew of the secrets of the Seven Sleepers."

"They're from St. Eusebe's church history," exclaimed Ruoda, "and maybe just a story told to reassure the faithful. What do they have to do with this map?"

"Hush," whispered Heriburg.” She's thinking."

"She lied to me," said Rosvita, letting her words lead her thoughts.” Lavrentia isn't dead. Or wasn't dead last year. Lavrentia became Obligatia. Obligatia, when she was Lavrentia, had two children, one a girl born to Taillefer's only legitimate son, and the other a boy. What was it she said?" She placed a palm over the central stone crown marked on the map, concealing it.” She came to an estate called Bodfeld. There she met the nephew of the ruling lady, and in time they married and she gave birth to a child. Whom they named Bernard!"

This triumph of memory gave her energy, despite the lingering heat. She left the map and walked to the embrasure, leaning out where the breeze could touch her face. The city lay hidden beyond except for occasional torches bobbing along a dark street and the beacon fires ringing the outer wall. Could it be? Yet Bernard was not an uncommon name. She had to dig, and dig, recalling the few meetings she'd had with Liath. The time she had followed her outside at the hunting lodge, wondering how a common Eagle was so learned that she could read Dariyan fluently. Where did she come from? Following that path of memory, she found it. Liath herself had spoken the damning words.

Rosvita turned to survey Ruoda and Heriburg, who were regarding her with wide eyes and startled expressions. Lamplight played over their youthful features.” 'I have been told I had cousins at Bodfeld!' How could I have forgotten?
Bodfeld."

"Have you cousins at Bodfeld, Sister?" asked Ruoda.” I thought you came from the North Mark. I didn't know the Counts of the North Mark had kin in eastern Saony."

"Nay, they don't, child."

"Shhh!" hissed Heriburg to Ruoda.” She's still thinking."

"After the death of her husband, the child was taken from her and given to a monastery to raise. And the girl called Lavrentia was sent south—found by Wolfhere and sent south!—and so came

by accident, or by God's design, to St. Ekatarina's. Maybe the only place she could have remained safe."

"Safe from what?" asked Ruoda. Heriburg kicked her in the shin.

"That is the one terrible secret that would destroy her position. That would force the council of presbyters to revoke the ring."

"Oh, my God," said Heriburg, as though the words had been forced out of her.” You're talking about the Holy Mother."

She realized, then, that they were staring at her, aghast.” Daughters, you must speak of this to no one. Truly, you can see how ugly and destructive rumor can be. I have no proof. I have only suspicions. I may be wrong."

"Wrong about what?" demanded Ruoda.” What is the terrible secret?"

"Ai Lady," Rosvita murmured.” Sin laid upon sin. Tomorrow, my children, I must ask you to do a horrible thing, to soil your hands with binding and working—

"Sorcery?" asked Ruoda eagerly.

"We must all have amulets of protection, of concealment."

A sharp rap on the door caused them all to start, as though God in Their guise as Eternal Judge had come calling on account of their sinful thoughts. Heriburg actually shrieked, so startled that she let go of the map, which rolled up with a snap. But it was only Fortunatus, wiping sweat from his brow, winded and distraught. He hurried in, stopped dead, and looked at each of them in turn.” What's happened?" he asked.” What's wrong?"

Having come so far, even knowing that it might be possible for Anne or any other adept to be watching her right now, she had to speak.

"Sister Clothilde is dead, and so is Fidelis, and the hapless nephew from Bodfeld. All the other principals. Only Anne and Lavrentia—and Wolfhere—remain. That is why they are looking for her. To make sure no one discovers that Liath's father was Anne's half brother."

"Incest!" whispered Ruoda in the tones of a gardener gratified to find all his roses in glorious bloom.

"May God have mercy," murmured Fortunatus.

"Terrible enough," continued Rosvita, "horrible, indeed. But there's still a piece missing. Why did Sister Clothilde remove an unimportant girl from a convent near the seat of the Counts of Lavas? Why does that nag at me? It might only be coincidence."