The Falcons of Montabard by Elizabeth Chadwick

Author:Elizabeth Chadwick
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

CHAPTER 21

Annais looked down at her husband. The fight was over and Gerbert’s expression wore peace instead of the ravages of pain and fever. His brow was smooth; his lids were closed over sightless grey-blue eyes. She and her women had spent the day bathing and dressing him for the night vigil in church. He wore his court robe of blue silk and soft indoor boots of tender kidskin stamped with the image of falcons in gold leaf. The rings that he had owned but seldom worn in life bejewelled his broad fingers and a cross of gold set with peridots adorned his breast. The hilt of his sword was clasped between his hands, the blade pointing down his body, and his feet rested upon his shield. He would go to his grave without these accoutrements, which would be stored until his son was old enough to bear them, but for the vigil Gerbert was arrayed in full glory. He looked as if he were asleep. If she had not seen him die, she might have been fooled.

‘Do you want to rest awhile, my lady?’ Soraya’s soft, accented voice invaded her thoughts as the young woman touched her arm. ‘It will be a long watch in church tonight.’

Annais shook her head. ‘No,’ she said. ‘If Gerbert is at rest until the trumpets of Judgement Day, then I can manage for a day and a night. There will be time enough for sleep when it is over.’

There was a knock on the door. She turned, expecting to see the senior officers of the keep arriving to bear Gerbert to chapel, but it was Sabin alone. He had changed his soldier’s garb for a court gown of red silk damask patterned with golden lions. The deep embroidered neck opening was pinned not with his usual thistle brooch, but with one of Saracen gold set with rubies as small as beads of blood. He was wearing his sword and had donned his ceremonial belt of gilded leather instead of the one he wore when on active campaign.

Annais was suddenly aware that he and Gerbert were dressed for the occasion, but that she was still wearing the garments in which she had nursed her husband, held his dying body … washed and tended him when it was over.

‘We are not ready yet,’ she said, and bade Soraya have more water brought, and a pot of scented soap.

‘No, I have not come for that.’ Approaching the bed, Sabin looked down at Gerbert and crossed himself.

‘Then for what?’

Sabin drew a deep breath. ‘The oath he made us swear. If you want to reject it, I will understand. Taken under duress, it would not be binding.’

Annais lifted her chin. ‘He is not yet cold and you stand over him and talk of revoking his dying wish?’

Sabin gave her a hard stare. His eyes were as bright as the peridots in the cross on Gerbert’s breast. ‘Would it be better to wait until he is cold and beneath the ground to discuss such matters?

Annais shuddered.

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