Voices in the Mist by Susanne Dunlap

Author:Susanne Dunlap
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
ISBN: 9781942209850
Publisher: Bellastoria Press LLP
Published: 2021-06-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

Alaman

Alaman slept badly, and not just because the bench was hard. He had a feeling of dread about what was ahead for Bruna, although he couldn’t entirely understand where it came from. Surely she would be in a position of comfort and security, even if it meant giving up her faith. He was perhaps less censorious of that than her family might be. He was a sympathizer, not a believer.

Still, there were forces within that circle she had entered that could destroy her, he was certain.

His bad night’s sleep made him groggy in the morning, and he dallied as the others were getting ready to set out on the final leg of the pilgrimage. He hoped no one would notice that he hadn’t been at the morning prayers. The nasal voice of the monk, Fraire Martin, annoyed him anyway. He could easily blame his tardiness on indigestion. The meal had not been well prepared.

When he finally left the inn to join the caravan, he thought he’d try to catch up with Bruna and talk to her a little more, although with what had happened the night before, he doubted he would get more than a few stolen moments.

His opportunity came after Terce when the accompanying knights had ridden on ahead to make sure no hazards would impede their progress.

He shuffled up to her chair and tapped lightly on the frame.

“Who’s there?” said a voice he did not recognize.

He held his breath. “I just came to give Ma Domna Arsendis a message.”

At that, the curtain that shielded the passenger opened, and Alaman saw that it was Bruna’s friend, Gilande. “She is no longer with us,” Gilande said. “I wonder you did not know.”

“Forgive me,” Alaman said, trying to arrange his thoughts. Not with them? Where had she gone? “I was late joining the pilgrimage after a bad morning.”

“Too much wine, I shouldn’t doubt!” Gilande said and prepared to swish the cloth back to hide her face once again.

“Perhaps,” he said, “but I most particularly wanted to convey my blessings to the young domna, who has been so kind to all of us.”

“That you would only be able to do if you turned around and set your steps toward the Narbonnès.” A distinct chill entered her voice.

“The Narbonnès?” The vague unease he had felt that morning hardened into a knot at the base of his skull.

“Yes, of course. That is where the Castel de Belascon is located. Where she will live with the baron when they are married. She has much to do to prepare herself to be worthy of him.”

Alaman thought he detected an edge of sadness in the young domna’s voice. Had she hoped to become the barona? Or did she simply miss Bruna? “Who took her there? How did they go?”

“You ask a lot of questions for a poor pilgrim! She is in the care of Fraire Martin. What is your interest in Domna Arsendis?”

He should be careful about asking questions. “Perdon. As I said, I only wish her blessings for her coming life.

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