Blackthorn Winter - Medieval Family Saga: Revised Edition (The Herevi Sagas Book 2) by Carol Townend

Author:Carol Townend [Townend, Carol]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Carol Townend
Published: 2014-10-14T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

That evening, Count Etienne held a feast in Arlette’s honour. Head whirling, Arlette sat at the head of the top table in a cushioned chair with carved arm-rests. It was grander than her father’s chair in Brittany. Count Etienne sat beside her in a chair that was the twin of hers.

Searching for a friendly face, Arlette spotted Clemence on the next table. She seemed miles away. Clemence was next to Gwionn Leclerc, a small kindness which Arlette knew she had Sir Ralph to thank for. Clemence was as much a fish out of water as she was in La Forteresse and Clemence would be happier near Gwionn Leclerc – someone she knew, if only a little.

The great hall of La Forteresse was square. It was about twice the size of the hall at Huelgastel and still it was crowded. It was most intimidating. Dogs barked, dishes clattered, voices rose and fell and people shrieked with laughter. The din was appalling and they had not even broken the meats yet. The fireplace was as large as Huelgastel’s. As Arlette studied it, she smiled – the fire here did not smoke.

Despite the noise, the castle was obviously well run. The rushes were sweetened with thyme and lavender. The walls were whitewashed and hung on two sides with colourful tapestries: King Arthur and his knights were shown charging across one; the other was a hunting scene. The count’s colours, the burgundy and gold that Lady Favell was wearing, were emblazoned on banners which swayed gently on poles on the walls. Beneath the banners, liveried stewards stood to attention. Some had napkins over their arms, indicating that they would serve the high table. One held a wooden staff.

Arlette lifted her eyes. The ceiling was so high that the roof beams were almost lost to sight. On the opposite wall she could see a minstrels’ gallery. It was currently occupied by three men and a girl. The men had instruments: a lute, a flute, a harp.

Count Etienne was watching her. ‘You would like to hear the musicians, my lady?’ he asked.

‘Please.’

The count raised his hand. The steward with the staff thumped it on the floor and the din faded. Immediately Arlette felt the tension drain out of her.

‘Better, eh?’ The count smiled.

Arlette nodded and tasted the wine. It was rich and sweet.

The minstrels began playing while the dishes were brought round by the liveried stewards. The girl sang a haunting melody Arlette had not heard before. Fingers clasped round her silver goblet, Arlette stared at the girl. She felt faintly envious of her. That girl was free. That girl could wander where she willed...

Count Etienne watched her. ‘You like Michelle’s song?’

‘Very much.’ Arlette hesitated. One of the packmen who brought ribbons to Huelgastel had told her about the trouvères, as the female troubadours were called, but this was the first time Arlette had seen one. The packman had made them sound vaguely disreputable. ‘Does she travel all over the Aquitaine singing her songs?’

The count smiled his kindly smile.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.