Pagan in Exile by Catherine Jinks Read Free Book Online Page B

If he can’t get a hearing then the Abbot will be hearing from me. ’ He waves his knife, almost cutting her nose off. ‘If you go now, you should be there before sunset.’
    And that’s a dismissal. But Roland hesitates: there’s something on his mind.
    ‘My lord –’
    ‘What?’
    ‘My lord, our visitor has already travelled a long distance, today. Perhaps we should let her rest, and begin in the morning.’
    ‘Roland,’ (sarcastically) ‘our visitor is probably a lot tougher than you are. Now get going, before I put you on a mangonel and send you by air, with a large rock tied to your ankle.’
    Impossible to argue. Roland throws another look at me (this time it’s a summons), and we head for the door. Berengar yells a few words of encouragement after us. ‘Tell the Abbot that we found his balls when we were out hunting truffles! Tell him we’ll trade them for Saint Agatha’s dugs, if he’s got them!’ A burst of laughter follows us out.
    How embarrassing.
    ‘You’re very kind my lord,’ Esclaramonde remarks, as we march down the stairs, ‘but I’m not tired. I came on a cart, not a horse. And I wasn’t driving.’
    Roland stops. His voice is cold and hard.
    ‘Who came with you?’ he queries.
    ‘Estolt came with me.’ She points across the bailey, to where a solid wooden farming wagon is already attracting the attention of our resident dogs. One of them appears to be pissing on a front wheel. ‘I think he went to the kitchen, because he was so thirsty.’
    She’s not at all intimidated by Roland’s Man of Marble expression. In fact she looks him straight in the eye as she speaks. Somehow, although he towers above her, he doesn’t make her look small.
    ‘I will send your friend home on the cart,’ he announces. ‘And I will borrow one of my father’s horses for you to ride. Or would you prefer a mule?’
    ‘I can ride a horse.’
    ‘Good.’ You could break rocks on every word he’s uttered. What’s the matter with him? There’s something going on here. I can smell it. ‘Go and collect your belongings. Tell your friend that he must return without you. We will meet you at the stables as soon as we’re ready.’
    ‘Yes, my lord.’
    ‘Try to be quick. We have a long way to go.’
    She nods, and hurries off towards the kitchen. Roland turns on his heel. Retraces his steps. Something’s really bothering him.
    ‘My lord –’
    ‘Hush. Later. Tell me later.’
    Back into the hall. They’re still laughing: Galhard and Berengar and Ademar. But Galhard stops laughing when he sees Roland.
    ‘I thought I told you to get out,’ he snarls.
    ‘My lord, this woman –’
    ‘You’re trying my patience, Roland.’
    ‘My lord, it seems to me that this woman is a Cathar.’ (A what?) ‘Is that true, my lord?’
    ‘Don’t ask me.’
    ‘But if she’s a Cathar, then she is a heretic. And if she’s a heretic, then there are many things that you should consider. My lord, the Viscount of Carcassone was excommunicated ten years ago, because he was a heretic. If you allow free entry of heretics into Bram, then you may be accused of the same crime –’
    ‘Roland.’ A breathy hiss, like the voice of a serpent. ‘Let me make one thing clear. I’m not interested in what you think. What happens in Bram is my business. Now get out of here before I lose my temper.’
    Come on, Roland. (Tugging his sleeve.) You don’t want to kill yourself. Can’t you see that there’s no point in arguing? It’ll just lead to confusion and not to mention dismembered body parts. Let’s go and pack – you said we had to hurry.
    I almost have to drag him upstairs to our room.
    ‘My lord? My lord? ’ (Wake up, Roland.) ‘Are you going to change? Lord Galhard said he wanted you in uniform.’
    ‘Yes – yes, I’ll do that.’
    ‘And your hauberk, my lord? Will you wear that too? It’ll look more impressive.’
    Doesn’t even hear me. Staring into space.
    ‘My lord. Shall I pack your hauberk, or will