ggk.asongforarbonne-第71章

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　　Heavy　with　burdens；　of　past　and　future　both；　Blaise　suddenly　stopped　and　stood　very　still。　A　child　had　cried　out　in　a　room　behind　him。　He　listened　but　there　was　no　other　sound。　A　cry　in　a　dream　that　must　have　been。　Cadar's。
　　Did　new…born　infants　dream？　Blaise　didn't　know。　He　only　knew　that　he　could　not　turn　back；　could　not　now；　if　ever；　ask　Rosala　the　question　in　his　heart。　It　doesn't　matter；　he　told　himself。　It　makes　no　difference　at　all　to　anything。
　　A　lie；　of　course；　but　the　sort　of　lie　that　lets　one　carry　on。
　　
　　By　the　time　she　reached　the　top　of　the　stairway　and　saw　the　guards　outside　the　door；　Lisseut　was　already　regretting　she　had　e。　She　had　no　business　here；　no　claim　to　this　man's　attention；　especially　so　late　at　night　after　he　had　been　seriously　wounded　in　bat。　She　didn't　even　know　exactly　what　she　wanted　to　do；　or　say；　if　he　should　happen　to　be　still　awake；　and　should　happen　to　receive　her。　Someday；　she　thought　despairingly；　she　really　was　going　to　have　to　absorb　her　mother's　so…often…repeated　lesson　and　accept　that　one　did　not　always　have　to　follow　the　path　lit　by　impulse　and　first　reactions。
　　More　than　anything　else；　she　knew；　it　had　been　the　news　from　Aubry　that　had　drawn　her　here。　It　hadn't　taken　long　for　the　tidings　to　sweep　downstairs　through　Barbentain　and　race　along　the　great　hall；　where　those　joglars　and　troubadours　honoured　with　places　in　the　morning's　pavilion　were　offering　their　performances　after　dinner。
　　The　music　had　stopped；　of　course。　One　did　not　sing　liensennes　of　courtly；　unrequited　love　or　ribaldries　of　enthusiastically　answered　passion　in　the　forests　of　Arbonne　when　news　came　of　a　village　destroyed　and　women　burned　alive　by　the　king　of　Gorhaut。　Love　had　no　place　in　the　scheme　of　things　in　the　wake　of　such　horror。
　　But　if　that　were　the　case；　what；　in　truth；　was　she　doing　here；　hesitantly　approaching　a　doorway　on　this　upper　level　of　Barbentain？　Alain　had　agreed　to　wait　a　little　while　for　her　downstairs。　She　didn't　much　want　to　walk　back　to　the　inn　alone。　An　old　man　had　been　murdered　in　an　alley　a　few　nights　ago。　There　were　too　many　unknown　people　from　too　many　countries　wandering　in　the　darkness　of　Lussan　during　the　fair。　She　hadn't　had　the　courage　to　ask　Aurelian　to　wait…he　knew　too　much；　after　this　morning。　It　was　the　first　time　Lisseut　could　remember　that　she'd　wanted　to　hold　something　back　from　him。　Alain　was　easier；　they　had　their　understandings　after　two　seasons　together　now。　He　wouldn't　even　speculate。
　　The　horror　of　the　tidings　from　Aubry　had　drawn　her　back；　in　a　single　dark　leap　of　memory；　to　that　garden　in　Tavernel　last　summer；　when　she　had　listened　from　a　place　of　hiding　on　the　wall　and　learned　who　the　bearded　northern　coran　was；　and　heard　him　speak　with　Rudel　Correze　of　war　ing　with　Gorhaut。　Now　everyone　knew　who　he　was；　since　this　morning；　and　war　was　no　longer　ing；　it　was　upon　them。　And　the　coran　she　had　impulsively　followed　that　Midsummer　night　had　claimed　Gorhaut's　crown　today。
　　On　that　thought　she　almost　did　turn　back；　but　she　had　reached　a　place　where　the　wall　torches　lit　the　corridor；　and　she　realized　that　the　guards　outside　his　door　were　watching　her。　One　of　them　she　knew；　a　coran　from　Vezét；　from　a　farm　not　far　from　her　father's。　She　wasn't　sure　whether　she　was　happy　about　that　or　not。
　　Having　been　seen；　though；　and　almost　certainly　recognized；　she　was　not　about　to　turn　and　skulk　away。　Grateful　that　she　looked　presentable；　at　least；　in　her　newest　tunic　bought　for　the　fair　and　the　vest　Ariane　had　given　her；　and　aware　that　if　the　guards　knew　her　they　would　almost　certainly　also　know　she'd　been　among　the　selected　performers　tonight；　Lisseut　walked　forward　with　her　head　high。
　　〃Hello；　Fabrise；〃　she　said　to　the　man　she　knew。　〃I　didn't　realize　you　were　in　Barbentain。　Is　your　father　well？〃
　　He　grimaced　briefly　in　response。　〃He　is；　I　thank　you。　Will　you　tell　us　what　you　are　doing　here？〃　Formal；　extremely　formal。　No　warmth　at　all。　They　had　clearly　been　instructed　that　guard　duty　tonight　outside　this　door　was　not　ceremonial。　After　Blaise's　declaration　this　morning　it　stood　to　reason；　and　after　the　attack　on　Aubry　tonight　every　coran　in　Arbonne　would　be　on　edge。　Again；　Lisseut　wondered　why　she　had　never　listened　to　her　mother　more　attentively。
　　She　said　hardily；　〃I　thought　if　Blaise　de　Garsenc　was　awake　he　might　be　willing　to　speak　with　me。〃　There　was　no　reply　at　all　to　that。　〃We　are　friends；〃　she　added…it　was　almost　true；　in　a　manner　of　speaking…〃and　I　wanted　to　see　how　he　was。　Is　he　sleeping？〃
　　For　a　long　moment　four　grim　corans　regarded　her　in　silence。　Finally　one　of　them；　evidently　concluding　that　whatever　she　was；　it　was　something　other　than　an　immediate　danger；　made　a　wry　face。　〃What　is　it；〃　he　said；　addressing　Fabrise；　〃about　your　women　from　Vezét；　will　you　tell　me？〃
　　Fabrise　frowned。　Lisseut　felt　herself　flushing。　This　was　pretty　much　what　she'd　feared　would　happen。　Oh；　mother；　she　thought。　It　had　actually　occurred　to　her　several　times　during　the　day　that　it　might　be　a　good　time　for　a　visit　home。　She　could　sleep　in　her　old　bed；　see　people　she'd　grown　up　with；　talk　with　her　mother　while　they　did　the　endless　needlework　in　the　doorway；　or　with　her　father；　walking　among　the　olive　groves。　It　might　be　a　good　thing　to　do；　she'd　thought。　It　had　been　a　long　time　since　she'd　been　back；　and　home　sometimes　was　a　place　where　the　heart　could　be　eased。
　　〃I　know　this　woman。　She　is　not　like　that；〃　said　Fabrise　of　Vezét；　her　pulse　quickened　at　his　loyalty。
　　〃Nor　is　this　a　night；〃　she　said；　emboldened；　unwilling　as　ever　to　have　someone　else　fight　a　battle　for　her；　even　a　small　one；　〃when　a　man　of　Arbonne　should　speak　any　ill　of　the　women　of　his　country。　I　will　accept　an　apology；　coran；　if　you　offer　one。〃
　　There　was　a　great　deal　to　be　said　for　the　training　that　regular　appearances　in　public　gave　one。　She　was　easily　able　to　outface　the　coran　who　had　made　that　jest。　He　lowered　his　head　and　mumbled　words　that　did　sound　contrite。　He　looked　young；　Lisseut　thought。　He　had　probably　meant　no　real　offense；　though　he　did　have　a　great　deal　to　learn。
　　On　the　other　hand；　what　innocuous　reason　could　she　offer　for　being　here？　Truth　was；　the　young　coran　was　right；　if　not　about　the　women　of　Vezét；　then　rather　definitely　about　this　particular　one。　We　are　friends；　she　had　said。　If　a　friendship　could　be　built　on　a　night's　clandestine　spying　like　an　audrade　on　a　garden　wall　followed　by　a　rejected　invitation　to　share　her　Midsummer　bed。　He　had　smiled　at　her　two　nights　ago　here　in　Barbentain。　Did　that　count？　She　had　even　thought　he　was　about　to　e　over　to　her；　before　Rudel　Correze　had　appeared　at　his　elbow　and　the　two　men　had　walked　away。
　　That　had　been　before　this　morning's　challenge；　though：　before　everything　had　changed。　These　corans　in　the　hallway　were；　she　made　herself　repeat　it　again　in　her　mind；　the　guards　appointed　for　a　man　who　had　claimed　a　throne。
　　She　bit　her　lip。　Began　her　retreat。　〃It　is　late；　I　know　。。。　〃　she　murmured。
　　〃He　is　awake；〃　Fabrise　said；　〃but　not　in　his　room。　He　went　to　see　his　sister。　His　brother's　wife；　I　mean。　The　one　who　gave　birth　last　week。　I　think　he　wanted　to　be　the　one　to　tell　her　the　news。〃
　　〃Her　husband　was　there；〃　the　coran　she'd　reprimanded　now　confided；　as　if　anxious　to　make　amends。　〃At　Aubry；　I　mean。　And　also　her…〃　He　stopped　with　a　grunt　as　one　of　the　others　sank　an　elbow　in　his　ribs。
　　The　four　men　looked　quickly　down　the　corridor；　and　so　Lisseut　turned　with　them…to　see　Blaise　de　Garsenc　approaching　from　the　shadows。
　　〃And　also　her　brother；〃　Blaise　said；　finishing　the　sentence。　He　was　walking　quite　slowly；　limping　a　little；　he　looked　pale　beneath　the　beard　and　there　were　smudged　circles　of　fatigue　under　his　eyes。　He　came　up　to　them　and　stopped；　looking　at　the　four　men；　not　at　her。　〃There　is　going　to　be　gossip；　of　course；　but　we　might　appropriately　leave　it　to　others；　don't　you　think？〃
　　It　was　mildly　said；　but　the　young　coran　went　crimson　to　the　roots　of　his　hair。　Lisseut　actually　felt　sorry　for　him。　Then　she　forgot　about　the　man　entirely　as　she　met　Blaise's　scrutiny。
　　〃Hello；　Lisseut；〃　he　said。　She　hadn't　been　positive　he　would　remember　her　name。　He　seemed　unsurprised　to　find　her　in　the　hallway　outside　his　room。
　　She　took　a　breath　and　said；　straining　for　a　normal　tone；　〃I'm　not　sure；　do　I　curtsey？〃
　　〃I'm　not　sure　either；〃　he　said　calmly。　〃Why　don't　we　omit　it　for　now？　I　thought　I　heard　your　voice　earlier。　The　song　from　Midsummer；　the　woman　singing　in　the　garden？〃
　　〃I　didn't　think　you　had　listened　so　carefully　back　then；〃　she　said。
　　〃I　didn't　either；〃　he　murmured。　〃Evidently　some　of　it　stayed　with　me。　Will　you　e　in？〃　He　opened　the　door　to　his　room　and　stepped　aside　for　her　to　enter。
　　Feeling　suddenly　shy；　Lisseut　walked　in。　He　followed；　closing　the　door　behind　them。　There　were　candles　on　chests　beside　and　at　the　foot　of　the　bed　and　on　the　two　tables　in　the　room。　They　were　guttering　low；　though；　and　others　had　gone　out。　He　busied　himself　for　a　moment　lighting　new　ones。
　　〃There　is　wine　by　the　far　wall；〃　he　said　over　his　shoulder。　〃Pour　us　each　a　cup；　if　you　will。〃　Glad　of　something　to　do；　she　moved　to　the　sideboard　and　did　so。　A　faint　scent　of　perfume　lingered　in　the　air。　She　thought　that　if　she　tried　she　would　recognize　it；　she　didn't　try。　She　carried　the　cups　back　and　stood　uncertainly　in　the　middle　of　the　room。　The　bed；　she　noticed；　was　rumpled；　the　covers　in　disarray。　He　seemed　to　notice　this　at　about　the　same　time；　moving　over　to　smooth　them　as　best　he　could。
　　〃Forgive　me；〃　he　said。　〃This　room　is　in　no　condition　to　receive　a　lady。〃
　　He　was　being　astonishingly　kind；　she　thought。　Kindness　wasn't　what　she　needed；　though。　She　said；　〃Even　the　sort　of　lady　who　spies　on　you　at　night？〃
　　He　grinned；　though　his　fatigue　was　still　evident。　He　came　over　and　took　his　wine；　motioning　her　to　one　of　the　chairs　by　the　window。　He　sank　into　the　other；　with　a　half…suppressed　sigh　of　relief。
　　〃You　are　in　pain；〃　Lisseut　said　quickly。　〃I　have　no　right　to　keep　you　awake。〃
　　〃You　won't　be　able　to　for　very　long；〃　he　said；　somewhat　ruefully。　〃Much　as　I'd　like　to　talk；　they　gave　me　some　herbal　thing　earlier　and　I'm　still　sleepy　with　it。　They　wanted　me　to　have　more　but　I　said　no。〃
　　〃You　probably　should　have　taken　it；〃　she　said。
　　He　grinned　mockingly。　She　remembered　that　quickness　from　Midsummer。　It　had　been　one　of　the　things　she　hadn't　expected　from　a　coran　of　Gorhaut。　〃I　wouldn't　have　taken　you　for　so　obedient　a　woman。　Do　you　always　do　what　you're　told？〃　he　asked。
　　She　smiled　then　herself；　for　the　first　time。　〃Always；〃　she　said。　〃I　can't　remember　the　last　time　I　didn't　obey　instructions　。〃
　　He　laughed；　and　sipped　his　wine。　〃I　saw　you　in　the　troubadours'　pavilion　this　morning；〃　he　said；　surprising　her　again。　〃Ariane　told　me　only　those　of　the　first　rank　are　invited　there。　Is　this　new　for　you？　Should　I　be　offering　congratulations？〃
　　Ariane。　That　was　the　perfume。　Of　course；　she　told　herself：　they　would　have　had　a　council　here　when　the　tidings　came。　But　what　she　was　remembering　was　five　corans　in　crimson　escorting　him　away　on　Midsummer　Eve。
　　He　had　asked　a　question；　Lisseut　shook　her　head；　pushing　such　thoughts　away。　She　said；　〃Congratulations？　Wouldn't　t