They rode out of Arc-en-Ciel shortly before midday of following morning, though whether the falling snow was better than the rain and sleet of the day before, Jessamy could not say. Alyce and Marie rode together, Jessamy beside the priest, with Sir Jiri's household escort divided ahead and behind and Jiri himself bringing up the rear. All of them were well-muffled against the cold and the very sticky snow, and no one said much. As Jessamy had suggested, they carried little with them.
By the time they reached Rhemuth later that afternoon, the light snowfall of the morning had become far more serious, to the point of seriously slowing their progress. Accordingly, all in their party were weary and chilled to the bone by the time they rode into the castle forecourt. As grooms took the horses on into the stable yard, Sir Jiri Redfearn immediately conducted his party through the great hall and into the withdrawing room behind the dais, pausing en route to let them shed their sodden outer cloaks beside one of the great hall fireplaces.
In winter and in the increasingly chilling days of autumn, Donal was wont to use the chamber as his preferred workroom, and today was dictating correspondence to a clark working at a table near the fire, pacing as he spoke. Behind him, several more men were quietly conversing on a bench and several stools closer to the fire. All of them rose as Jessamy and the two girls entered the room, followed by the priest, and Donal lifted a hand in signal for the dark to cease his writing.
«Brother Brendan, we'll finish that later; you may go», he said. «And the rest of you as well — save for Sir Kenneth. Ladies… please come and warm yourselves by the fire; you must be frozen. And you as well, Father. Please be welcome. Ivone, warm up that wine for them, and Jiri, please ask the queen to join us».
As Sir Jiri left on his errand, and most of the men before the fire gave way to the newcomers and left, Donal exchanged a measuring glance with Jessamy, who returned a nod of reassurance. He then bent his gaze toward Alyce and Marie, who were sinking uncertainly on the bench to either side of Jessamy, steeling themselves for the further news they did not want to hear. Behind them, the squire was setting out cups for mulled wine, and Sir Kenneth had emerged from shadow, his sandy hair glinting in the firelight as he gave a grim nod to Alyce and Marie.
«Dear Alyce and Marie», the king said gently, moving a stool in front of them and sitting, «I am so sorry to bring you back to Rhemuth with such ill tidings. I hope your journey was not too taxing».
Alyce remembered proprieties well enough to glance toward Father Paschal, still standing a little apart from them.
«It was very cold, Sire, but thank you for your concern. May I present Father Paschal Didier, our father's household chaplain and our tutor of many years. He happened to be visiting Arc-en-Ciel when… the news arrived».
Donal spared a sparse nod in acknowledgment of the priest's bow and gestured for him to sit, Kenneth also taking a seat near the king, though farther back.
«I am grateful for your presence. Father — though I would wish that we met under happier circumstances». He sighed and turned his attention back to the two girls. «I fear I have no further news beyond what Kenneth brought yesterday, so I cannot tell you whether your brother yet lives. His injury itself was not life-threatening, but the damage was severe, and infection is always a concern».
«Perhaps we might know more regarding the nature of his wounds, Sire», Alyce replied, strain making her voice quaver. «Is he fit to travel? Pray, do not spare us, for I have learned much of surgery and physicking at Arc-en-Ciel, and would know what we must expect».
At Donal's glance, Kenneth cleared his throat uneasily and sat forward a little.
«Alyce, your brother and your father very probably saved Duke Richard's life», Kenneth said, not answering her question. «Mearan separatists had plotted to slay the duke and as many as they could of the delegation, but Lord Ahern discovered the plot in time to raise the alarm, so that we were not taken totally by surprise. In the fracas that followed, your father then killed at least four attackers before he finally took a mortal wound».
Marie closed her eyes, biting back tears as Kenneth continued.
«Your brother also acquitted himself well, and aided me in wrestling your father's killer to the floor, holding him helpless until others could take him captive, along with several more of the rebels. Rarely have I seen a lad of his age fight more bravely or with more skill».
«You have avoided speaking of his wound», Alyce pointed out.
Kenneth briefly bowed his head, then looked at her again, not sparing her.
«Unfortunately, the fighting was still in progress, my lady, and your brother took a leg wound that shattered the left knee. The surgeons are hopeful that he will survive, but he may lose the leg».
«Dear God», she breathed.
«Alyce, my brother's own battle-surgeon is caring for him», Donal assured her, as the queen and one of her ladies entered the room and all of them rose. «Ah, there you are, my dear. Our Alyce and Marie are in need of your comfort».
Shaking her head in sympathy, Richeldis came to Alyce and Marie with open arms, sadness written across her pretty face as she enfolded both younger girls in a sisterly embrace.
«Dear Alyce, Marie — I was truly sorry to hear about your father».
«Thank you, Madam», Alyce murmured, as her sister began crying again. «Sire, my brother — is it truly safe to move him, wounded?»
Donal moved aside so that his young wife could take his seat on the stool, for she was again with child.
«I am told that he would not stay at Ratharkin», said the king, «and that he asked for you often in the days immediately after his injury». He smiled grimly. «Master Donnard felt that it was safer to move him than to have him pine for his sisters' loving care».
Alyce had been biting at her lower lip as the tale unfolded, her fear mirrored in her eyes, and she swallowed with difficulty before speaking.
«But — he is going to live…?»
«Alyce, I can only tell you that he was alive when I left a week ago», Kenneth said, «and that the surgeons are hopeful that he shall remain so. He is young and strong».
«If it's any consolation», Donal added, «Richard hanged the perpetrators to the man — eight of them — and we have the names of several more who appear to have eluded capture, at least for now. I fear this means that we must expect more trouble in the future, but perhaps the example of those executed will at least postpone another Mearan expedition for a year or so. And your father's sacrifice for Gwynedd will not be forgotten».
Tears were spilling from Alyce's lashes now, but she brushed at them impatiently with the back of one hand, lifting her chin bravely.
«And what is to become of us, Sire?» she murmured.
«Alas, that cannot be determined until we know whether your brother will survive», Donal said reluctantly. «He became Earl of Lendour upon the death of your father, of course, though it will be another ten years before he may wield the full authority of that office; but I shall certainly allow him a say in your fate. For now, until he is mended, your place is at his side».
Alyce inclined her head, blinking back more tears.
«Thank you, Sire. And if he does not survive?»
Donal glanced at Richeldis and Jessamy, then back at Alyce and Marie, regret in his gaze.
«That would be… difficult, on many levels — and believe me, child, I understand what now concerns you», he said gently. «You both are of an age to marry soon. Perhaps you have even begun to form personal preferences, though I know you are aware that, being who you are, duty may well oblige you to marry other than where your heart might wish».