Dark North (Malory's Knights of Albion)

by Paul Finch

  Rufio shook his head; his deep brown eyes had moistened with emotion. Trelawna felt shudders of girlish joy passing through her; she could barely speak.

  “All these... years,” he finally stammered. “All these years I’ve been denied sight of you. I had to rely on memory and imagination – I perfected you in my mind’s eye until you were an angel on earth. And now I see that my assessment wasn’t even close.”

  “And you!” she whispered. “You’re so much a man now.” She touched his cheek. “You even have care-lines.”

  “We’ve been at war...”

  “They add to you.” She luxuriated in the strength of the arms enclosing her. “The fighting has kept you fit.”

  “There wasn’t a battle when the image of your face didn’t carry me through, where I didn’t picture you waiting for me somewhere... though I confess I didn’t know where.”

  “Here, my love... here.”

  They kissed again. It seemed incredible that the one night of passion they had shared had been six years ago, when they had first met during an identical conference to this one, here in Camelot. Both had been wandering, bored, while the baronage of both nations filled the palace with drunken revelry. True, they had not encountered each other in this very garden, but they might as well have done. Now, in each other’s arms, it was impossible to imagine that six years had passed, and not a couple of minutes.

  “Good Lord, I’ve dreamed about this,” Rufio said. “Come away with me.”

  Trelawna was startled. “What?”

  “Come away with me, tonight.”

  “Tonight?”

  He nodded vigorously. “There can be no future for us if we separate again.”

  “But tonight?” She felt a surge of alarm. “I... I cannot.”

  He clutched her by the hands. “My love... I fear we have no other choice.”

  “To leave now, on the spur of the moment...?”

  “Would it pain you so much?”

  Trelawna was torn with indecision, but also mounting excitement. “I think... I think it would pain me more to stay,” she breathed.

  “So the matter is resolved.”

  “No.” She pulled away from him. “I have...”

  “You have nothing... not here. Few friends, no family.”

  “I have a husband, Felix.”

  “In name only.”

  “That doesn’t matter. Wherever you took me... I’d be held a sinner, a fallen woman.”

  He wrapped his arms around her. “I will take you to Rome itself, my love. A word from His Holiness and your marriage is done. We would be free to marry, you and I.”

  She gazed at him in disbelief. Was it possible? Could it be true?

  Again she was beset by whirlwinds of doubt. Surely nothing so wonderful could happen to her? At most this evening she’d expected no more than to steal a few kisses from him, but deep inside her a wellspring of joy was rising. She knew there was nothing that could matter to her as much as a life of love and happiness with Felix Rufio.

  “Don’t go back to that wilderness in the north, my lady,” he pleaded. “Ultimately you will wither there, and die before your time.”

  “But this is hardly the time,” Trelawna said. “With negotiations between our rulers balanced on a knife-edge.”

  “Bah!” Rufio replied. “We are but cogs in a greater machine. Whatever our private disputes, they have no bearing on these affairs. But even if they did, it would make no difference.” Suddenly he became serious; his face was almost grave. “There’s something you should know, my love. The Roman embassy is leaving in the early hours.”

  Trelawna was shocked. “Leaving?”

  “When Arthur and his counsellors are asleep, we will be on the road. Not to Dover but to Southampton, a much nearer port, where a ship even faster than the one that brought us rides at anchor.”

  “But the negotiations...?”

  “They are finished.” He kissed her hands. “Don’t you understand? My uncle, Bishop Malconi, is a master of this game, and he already has what he came for.”

  Trelawna’s lips puckered. Her brow creased with worry.

  “You still have fears?” he asked.

  She had few. But some hidden sense told her that, besotted though she was with this man, and though her world would seem empty indeed if he left her now, the course he proposed was wrong.

  “My love, there will be no second chances,” he urged her.

  “You exact a high price, Felix. I’m not British by origin, but this land has become my home. Will I never see it again?”

  Rufio smiled sadly. “Britain will shortly be annihilated.”

  She backed away from him, horrified.

  “It is not my doing,” he added hastily.

  “You must explain, Felix.”

  He nodded. “Understand that in telling you all this, I am breaching an immense confidence – an Imperial confidence.”

  “I do.”

  “King Arthur will not surrender to Emperor Lucius. That has been made plain to us, though in truth we already knew it. Therefore he and his minions must be removed. I’m sorry if that seems harsh, but it’s the way of New Rome, and you, I promise, will live long enough to see the better world that will result. Of course, both you and I know that Arthur and his nobility will not go quietly. There must be a war – a great and terrible war.”

  “You think Arthur hasn’t fought wars before?”

  “He’s never fought a war like this one. The arms assembling in Gaul stretch from one horizon to the next. Such a host has never been mustered. Trelawna – you need to know what is coming for this land. Blood and fire, on a colossal scale. My love, if there is anything at all you cherish about Arthur’s kingdom, say your farewells to it now, because it will likely be smashed. I’m not seducing you, Trelawna, I’m saving you.”

  Trelawna was so appalled that she could hardly speak. It was too staggering to be true, and yet there was no reason for Rufio to lie – and he was party to all the Romans’ secrets. Of course, there was no difference that she could now make. Even if she were to betray Rufio and go straight to Arthur, it would not prevent the inevitable. If the Romans were genuinely to leave on the morrow, that was when Arthur would learn the truth. By alerting him now, all she would do was entrap herself in this doomed land.

  “When do you plan to leave?” she asked.

  “The feast lasts until midnight. For us to make the morning tide, our staff is under orders to make ready for departure by three o’clock at the latest.”

  “Maybe I can slip from my boudoir,” she said, thinking aloud. “Lucan may have drunk so much by then that he won’t notice.”

  Rufio nodded, musing. “I saw him at the Council today,” he said. “He seems typical of the equestrian order – confident, arrogant, aggressive.”

  “How badly you misread him,” she replied. “He is none of those things – save aggressive, but only when he has cause to be.”

  Rufio seemed surprised by that, but shrugged. “He’ll have cause soon enough. I beseech you, Trelawna, come with me this night.”

  “I will try,” she said. “I haven’t much to give up, but it would help if I knew what I was gaining.”

  “Allow me to enlighten you.” He drew her close, warming his cheek against hers. “I have a many-storied townhouse on the Palatine, overlooking Rome’s central forum. The city is not quite the capital it once was, thanks to the Vandal hordes, but, district by district, Emperor Lucius is restoring it – reconstructing its civic buildings, refurbishing its great monuments. There are libraries, public baths, theatres and markets. We have fountains, hot and cold running water. New parks have been opened, and trees planted along the banks of the Tiber to provide shady walks for lovers.”

  Despite her reservations, Trelawna trembled with joy.

  “It is a city of light and sophistication. And in addition, I have a house in the Tuscan hills, where it pleases me to spend the summer months. This is a heavenly place, a rambling country manse
built of red stone, filled with Greek and Etruscan artworks, and surrounded by gardens, vineyards and poplar groves. Its peace and tranquillity is never disturbed. This will be your home, my love, and when we are married it will be the home of our children. When they finally assume ownership in their own right, the dark north as you knew it will have ceased to exist. Our offspring will never have known it.”

  If there was anything Rufio could have said that would sway Trelawna to his plan, this was it. She had seen the effects of the northern waste on those forced to endure it – the weathered faces, the foul tempers. Lucan was the ultimate product of that land – an upright man, a sturdy man, but, deep in his heart, a wolf.

  “Say yes, please,” Rufio begged. “Say you’ll come with me.”

  “Yes, Felix, I’ll come.”

  He caressed her mouth with his, sucking her wine-sweet tongue between his lips, his hands roving her slender contours, clutching her buttocks through her kirtle, reaching down her firm thighs. Her arms enfolded him to a point where he could scarcely breathe. Delight rumbled in his chest as they kissed long and deep.

  And this was the state of affairs when Malvolio came upon them.

  Ten

  WITH NO ROOM at the feast except for delegates and dignitaries, even men of rank among the common soldiery – captains and constables – were forced to find supper elsewhere. It was the same for the squires, though they were deemed at least worthy to be wined and dined in the palace kitchens, which in truth they often preferred. Here there was no emphasis on manners, and though the fare was rough and ready – mutton, bread and leeks in salted butter – there was no shortage of jugged ale and so many kitchen maids and serving wenches that every lad present felt sure he’d have tumbled a lass by morning.

  Even Malvolio, normally a bonehead in these circumstances, made good ground with a certain Lotta, whose fiery locks, pouting lips and melon-size breasts promised paradise.

  “You squires are too cocky by half,” she said after she’d caught him attempting to lift her skirt. “You shouldn’t use us so rudely. You’re no better than us.”

  “Quite right, my dear,” Malvolio agreed. “Caste and breeding have no role here. We seek only your sympathy.”

  “Sympathy?” She arched an eyebrow as she poured more ale.

  “My dear,” he stuttered, to the hilarity of his fellows clustered around the table, many already with lasses on their laps, “we are soon to be knights. Then we will die as one, martyred in the name of King and Christendom. Does such heroism not become us?”

  “A fool’s coxcomb would become you more,” Lotta retorted.

  Benedict roared.

  “Outrageous!” Malvolio declared. “I was born to do good work with a lance.”

  She shook her head at such effrontery, but though her tray was laden with empty vessels she made no attempt to withdraw.

  “Sweet nymph, salve my pain,” Malvolio persisted, hiccoughing, which brought another belly-laugh from Benedict. “Let me plant my mouth on those berry-red lips, rest my head on that sturdy bosom.”

  “It’ll take more than flowery bullshit to win these virgin pillows, sir knight-in-waiting.” This time Lotta did withdraw.

  Malvolio feigned hurt. “I still think she likes me.”

  His companions fell about the table, but Lotta returned with another pot of ale for him.

  “Are you really a virgin?” he asked, his words slurring.

  “That may be for you to discover, my lord.” She walked away again, this time leaving the kitchens entirely.

  “I’ll return anon,” Malvolio announced, standing so abruptly that he toppled backward and fell from his stool. It took three of them to lift him to his feet, insert the freshly filled pot into his hand and propel him in the right direction.

  He was so inebriated that once away from the noise and light of the kitchens he found it difficult to navigate. Or possibly the teasing girl had not been teasing after all, but simply wanted to be done with him. Either way, she made herself scarce, and he blundered around the palace corridors, drawing constantly on his ale, which hardly helped because soon he was looking for a latrine as well.

  It was by pure chance that he tottered out into the rose garden on the west terrace, unlacing the front of his breeches, and there witnessed something that struck him like a blow between the eyes. Fogged with ale, but not so fogged that he didn’t realise what he was seeing, Malvolio turned and tottered back into the palace still with his member on display. He hurried, gasping, along several passages before confronting someone – fortunately not a lady of court, but Alaric.

  “You’re a dissolute lad, Mal, we all know,” Alaric commented. “But I’d put that away if I were you. It’s a little unsubtle.”

  Malvolio tucked himself out of sight before jabbering what he’d just seen.

  At first Alaric thought he’d misheard. He gazed at Malvolio aghast. “You’re... you’re wrong! You must be!”

  Malvolio shook his head. His cheeks had flushed a ruddy hue.

  By contrast, the colour drained from Alaric’s face. His friend was stone-drunk – he could easily be mistaken. But there was something in Malvolio’s demeanour. His eyes, previously clouded, were wide and alert. He panted like a dog. Whatever he’d seen – or thought he’d seen – it had frightened him.

  “Where?” Alaric asked.

  “I’m not sure...” Malvolio told the way as best he was able.

  “Go back to the kitchens, and ask for more ale,” Alaric said firmly. “Keep drinking, Mal. Drink until you fall unconscious, do you hear me?”

  Malvolio nodded dumbly.

  “You say nothing about this, you understand?” Alaric said. “To anyone.”

  “But Earl Lucan...”

  “Especially not to Earl Lucan! Good God in Heaven, don’t say anything to him!”

  Malvolio nodded. He touched a shaking hand to his clammy brow.

  “Go on,” Alaric urged him. “You’re drunk as a mop. Trust me, you’ll be mistaken. But if it’s some lord sticking it into someone else’s lady, and they saw you, this could still be a problem. Let me go and find out.”

  Malvolio lurched away, and Alaric proceeded along the passage, heart thumping. When he finally found the terrace garden, Countess Trelawna was seated alone on a bench. Apparently, she was taking the evening air.

  “Why, Alaric...?” she said, looking surprised.

  “My lady...” Alaric felt absurdly self-conscious, as if it was obvious why he’d arrived in this hidden nook of the palace and it would be clumsy to try and deny it. “Malvolio... erm, Malvolio was just here.”

  “Yes, I saw.”

  “He’s erm... he’s very drunk.”

  “I saw that as well.”

  Alaric shook his head and smiled. “Forgive me, ma’am. He mistook...”

  “He mistook nothing, Alaric. He saw me with my lover, a Roman officer.”

  Alaric was vaguely aware of hair prickling on his scalp.

  Torturous seconds seemed to pass, during which they could do nothing but regard each other in mute astonishment.

  “Does that surprise you?” she finally asked.

  “It... surprises me you would admit it,” he stammered.

  “Why? Must one go on suffering for love indefinitely and in silence? The way you do. Oh, yes, Alaric... I know about your infatuation.”

  Alaric almost choked. “You... you try to cast me in the same light as...? But my lady, I’ve never said a word, I’ve never done anything inappropriate... ”

  “Of course you haven’t. Don’t worry, Alaric. I’m not attempting to blackmail you. I’m trying to appeal to you as a friend.”

  “Your husband is also my friend.”

  “Just so. But I’m not asking you to lie to him. Merely to keep quiet about what you know until tomorrow, when I will break the news to him.”

  Alaric was still too stunned for rational words. A creeping numbness afflicted his skin.

  “Where is your master now?” Trelawna aske
d.

  “In the banquet hall?”

  “It won’t be too long before they are all drunk and incapable.”

  “My lady, Earl Lucan doesn’t...”

  “Oh I know, Alaric. I know my own husband. He doesn’t drink to the point where he falls face-first onto his own gravy-stained platter, but nevertheless he will be drunk. And when he finally returns to our bed, he will sleep like the dead. Is any of this untrue?”

  Alaric shook his head dumbly.

  “This is why it’s best to save the bad news until the morrow. If it reaches him later tonight he will not comprehend it – and it’s surely best that he comprehends it absolutely. If it reaches him now, he will half-comprehend it – sufficiently to go in search of a sword, and then all Arthur’s careful negotiations will be for naught. The choice is yours.”

  Alaric tried to swallow, but found his mouth was dry. “You will break this terrible news to him yourself, you say?”

  Trelawna produced a sealed envelope. “I have written Lucan a letter, which I would be grateful if you would hand to him on the morrow. It will explain everything.”

  Still barely knowing what he was doing, Alaric took it. “You will not be here?”

  “Alas, no. What purpose would that serve?”

  “My lady... how could you... how could you do this to us?”

  “Alaric, is it true that you love me?”

  “More than you could ever imagine.”

  “Foolish child. What can I have done to enchant you so?”

  “Just being who you are.”

  “In that case, something good will have come from this. You regard me somewhat less idealistically now?”

  Alaric shook his head. “My lady, I’m past the stage where I could ever judge you.”

  “Then you know how I feel? All wisdom and inhibition has left me. I know only that I must be with my love. If you truly feel the same, you will help me.”