I made no direct answer, only bent knee in curtsy, and that more deeply than I had to my lord. He was at the door, still hesitating there. But as the Abbess advanced upon that portal he went, and she, followed, closed it with a click of falling latch.
Marimme stirred and moaned. Her face was flushed as one in a fever, and she breathed in. uneven gasps. I set the tray on the table and measured by spoon a portion of the liquid into the horn cup. I held it for a moment in my hand. This was the last parting between present and future. From this point there was no back-turning—only complete success, or discovery and ill will of the kind I could never hope to escape. But I did not hesitate long. My arm behind her shoulder raised Marimme. Her eyes were half open, she muttered incoherently. The horn cup to her lips...then she swallowed with soft urging from me.
“Well done.”
I looked around. Sussia stood by the door, but it was safely closed behind her. Now she came forward a step or two.
“You will need anally—”
That was true. But why—?
Again it was as if we were mind to mind, one thought shared.
“Why, Lady Gillan? Because of many things. First, I have more than a little liking for this soft creature.” She came to the end of the bed and stood looking down at Marimme. “She is a harmless, clinging one of the kind who find the world harsh enough without bending and breaking under blows never meant for their shoulders. No—you—and I—we are of a different breed—”
I settled Marimme back on her pillows and stood up, putting down the horn cup with a hand I was pleased to see was steady.
“And second, I know you, perhaps better than you think, Gillan. This Norstead has become a prison to you. And what other future could you look to but endless years of like living—”
“The dusty years—“ I had not realized I spoke aloud until I heard her small chuckle of amusement.
“I could not have said it better!”
“But why should my fate be a matter of concern to you, my lady?”
She was frowning a little. “To me that is also a puzzle, Gillan. We are not cup-fellows, nor sister-friends. I can not tell why I wish to see you forth from here—only that I am moved to aid you so. And I think this is truly a venture for you. It is one which I would have chosen, had I been allowed a choice.”
“Willingly?”
She smiled. “Does that surprise you?”
Oddly it did not. I believe that Sussia would have ridden on such a bride trek with tearless eyes, looking forward with curiosity and desire for adventure.
“I say it now again, we are of one breed, Gillan. Therefore this abbey is not for you, and since there is naught else within High Hallack for you—”
“I should go forth with a high heart to wed with a shape-changer and sorcerer?”
“Just so.” Still she smiled. “Think what a challenge and adventure that presents, my Gillan. Greatly do I envy you.”
She was right, very right!
“Now.” she spoke more briskly. “What dose have you given her? And what do you plan?”
“I have given her sleep, and shall give it again. She will wake refreshed a day, perhaps more, from now. And also she will awake with soothed mind and nerves.”
“If she sleeps here—“ Sussia put finger tip to lips and chewed upon it.
“I do not intend that she shall. In her sleep she will be open to suggestion. As soon as the Hour of Great Silence begins I shall take her to my chamber.”
Sussia nodded. “Well planned. You are taller than she, but in the morning dark that will not be marked. I will bring you riding robe—and with her tabard, and the cloaks—You can be allowed some weeping behind a wind veil. I do not think Lord Imgry will question if you walk with face hidden to your horse. But there is the leave taking with the Abbess, she is to bless the brides at the Chapel door—”
“It will be very early, and if it snows—Well, there are some things one can only leave to chance.”
“A great deal in this ploy must be left to chance.” she countered. “But what I can do, that I will!”
Thus together we pushed onward my plan. Marimme lay at last in my bed and beside it I did on the underclothing for a long winter ride, setting over it the divided robe Sussia brought me. It was a finer stuff than I had worn for years, though plain of colour, being a silver grey to match the cloak she also gave me. Over it the tabard was a bright splash of colour, the striking hippogriff of Marimme’s crest picked out in bright scarlet with touches of gold, prancing over a curve of blue-green representing the sea.
I braided and pinned very tight my dark hair and then coiled a travel veil and hood over that, leaving veil ends loose to be drawn mask-fashion over my face. When I was done, Sussia surveyed me critically.
“To one who knows Marimme well, this would be no true counterfeit, I fear me. But the Lord Imgry has seen her little, and those you will ride with on the morn do not know her at all. You must use all wits to keep the play going until they are past the place from which they might return. The time for the meeting with the Riders comes very close, ill weather in the highlands could mean more delay, so Lord Imgry would not dare return. After all, he needs but twelve and one brides, and those he shall have. That will be your safeguard against his wrath when discovery is made.”
And that was the only safeguard I would have. A little shiver ran through me, but that I would not let Sussia guess. My confidence must be my armour.
“Good fortune to you, Gillan.”
“I shall doubtless need all such wishes and more, too.” I replied shortly as I picked up the bag of herbs and simples I had earlier packed. Yet at that moment had I been given a chance to retrace all I had done that night and be free of the action I had embarked upon, I would have scornfully refused it.
Back in Marimme’s chamber I rested for the rest of the night, having fortified myself with another cordial from my store, so that while I did not sleep much, I was vigorous and eager when there was a morning scratching at my door.
I had my veil about my head, my cloak over my arm. For a moment I did not move to open and then I heard a whisper:
“Ready?”
Sussia again. When I came forth she put her arm quickly about my shoulders as one who supported a friend in distress. Thus I adopted my action to her suggestion, and walked in a feeble, wavering fashion down to the hall. There was food waiting: cakes of journey bread and hot drink. And of this I managed to eat more than appeared with Sussia sitting as a cup-companion, urging me on in a solicitous fashion. She told me in whispers that she had warned off Marimme’s other friends, saying that I was so distraught that their sympathy might prove disastrous. And after Marimme’s hysterical fit of the night before when the news was broken to her, they believed this readily.
Thus it went as we had hoped. When Lord Imgry, who had avoided me heretofore, came to lead me forth, I went bent and weeping, so I hoped, in a piteous fashion. The last test came as we knelt for the Abbess’s blessing. She gave each the kiss of peace and for that I needs must throw back my veil for a moment. I waited tensely to be denounced. But there was not a flicker of change on the Abbess’s face as she leaned forward to press her lips to my forehead.
“Go in peace, my daughter—“ She spoke the ritual words, but I knew they were truly meant for me and not Marimme. Thus heartened, I was aided by Lord Imgry into the saddle and so rode out of Norstead for ever, after some ten years of life within its never-changing walls.
3
The Throat of the Hawk
It was cold, and the falling snow thickened as the road wound out of Norsdale, across the uplands, where the fringe forests made black scars against the white. In the spring, in the summer, in autumn, the dale lands were green with richly rooted grass and tree, bush and briar, but in winter they held aloof, alien to those who dwelt in village or upland farm.