Fire Song (Medieval Song 2)

“What,” Guy said, startled by her strange words, “are you talking about?”

“Where is Graelam? He is all right, is he not?”

“He is searching for you. I expect him to return shortly.”

“Blount! Rolfe!” she cried, pulling away from Guy. “How good it is to see you again!” She had no time in her excitement to realize that the men were gaping at her, for she saw Blanche standing on the steps leading up to the great hall, her son, Evian, at her side.

“Blanche! Are you all right? I was so worried for you!”

Kassia started toward her, but Guy grabbed her arm. “Wait,” he said tersely.

She responded to his voice, and turned slowly to face him, confusion darkening her eyes. “What is the matter, Guy? Did everyone believe me dead? I was afraid, but he wasn’t evil as I thought at first. Indeed—”

She broke off, hearing the thundering sound of approaching horses. She felt Guy take her arm and hold her still beside him. Why had Blanche not come to welcome her? Why were the men regarding her like she was a ghost?

Graelam rode at the fore of his dozen men into the inner bailey. He was so bloody tired he could scarce see straight. His face was gray with worry, and fear, and anger. He raised his head, his hand upraised to halt his men, and saw her standing beside Guy. He felt a spurt of sheer relief, before rage flowed through him.

He leapt off Demon’s back, his hands clenched into fists. He held himself still for an instant, drawing on his waning control.

Kassia pulled free of Guy and ran toward her husband. “Graelam! I am home! I am safe!”

He caught her arms and stared down at her.

“You are unharmed?”

She nodded happily. He closed his eyes a moment, nearly choking on his rage. “Aye,” he said very calmly, “I see that you are quite unharmed. Why did you come back, my lady?”

She cocked her head to one side in question. “He brought me back, my lord. He did not harm me, I promise you.”

Graelam was aware that every servant and all of his men were watching. He should take her inside, away from all his gaping people, but he could not seem to bring himself to move. He saw Blanche from the corner of his eye, her face white, her hand clutched over her breast. “He, my lady?” he asked coldly, turning back to her. “The man you hired to help you return to Brittany brought you back?”

“Hired . . .” Kassia repeated blankly. “I do not understand, my lord. I was kidnapped, but the man, Edmund is his name, felt . . . sorry for me, I think. He brought me back.”

Graelam swallowed convulsviely. He took her arm, saying as he drew her forward, “Come, we shall go into the hall.” He heard Guy call to him, but he ignored him.

Kassia took double steps to keep up with him. What had he meant about her hiring men? She darted a glance upward to his set profile. She could see the lines of weariness on his face, and felt a spurt of hope. He had been searching for her. He must care something for her.

He released her suddenly, and gently pushed her down into a chair. He stood over her, frowning down at her thoughtfully. He said very pleasantly, “So you think, wife, to return to me, and have me smile at you and forget what you did?”

She shook her head, trying to clear her mind, but she blurted out her thoughts. “You searched for me.”

“Aye,” he said, “I have spared nothing trying to find you. That appears to please you.”

His voice was calm, but his eyes, dark as a cloudless night, were cold, so cold that she shivered.

“It . . . surprises me,” she said quietly.

Graelam’s eyes narrowed to black slits. Abruptly he turned away from her and called out sharply, “Blanche!”

Kassia felt a wave of relief to see Blanche walk slowly toward them.

“Blanche,” Kassia said, “you are all right? That man, Edmund, he did not harm you?”

Blanche smiled at her gently, a sad, pitying smile. “The man did not harm me, Kassia,” she said. She is like a cat, Blanche thought, always landing on her feet. By God, what was she to say, how was she to act? What would Graelam do if he discovered the truth? That made her still any guilt she felt. Why, she wondered, does everything I do end up in disaster? She had no choice now but to brazen her way through this.

“Tell her, Blanche,” Graelam said, “what you told me.”

She looked down at Kassia again, and said slowly, “Perhaps I was wrong, Graelam. Perhaps she did not hire those men. It simply appeared so to me.”