—We are joined by a squire of the king, Monsieur Fontaine. You must know him.
Arsène barely heard the words of the goldsmith, or agreed to share with them a plate of roast beef covered with plum sauce, ginger and garlic, seemed restless, nervous.
— What Gauvin Knight? You bring bad mood. Did something happen in the palace? Boudelle Madame asked, puzzled, as he sent the Beguine in search of his daughter.
The gentleman pretended that nothing bad happened, and in an effort to calm herself sat down and told them what happened.
—I have sent a message Tourenne, land that King gave me. Apparently relatives of their former owners claim possession of them and I have to travel soon. But I do not want to do it alone and talked with Father Anselmo to grant us special dispensation to advance the wedding.
Boudelle Madeleine gasped in surprise.
Arsène—Knight, still did not finish the wedding dress of my daughter complained to look of consternation.
Her husband, more practical and sensible said it did not matter, though it seemed rushed to marry so fast, he had his approval.
Arsène nodded relieved, as there would be supported in these difficult times that the parents of the girl objected. It too had to think about after his majesty sent the letter to the king of Aragon, who sent him that I recognized the prisoner who claimed to be the sorcerer Alfonso because this swore on the Holy Scriptures be innocent and he could not convict who repent of their sins.
But his spies had told him something far more disturbing: that someone had sent letters to his majesty, saying he had seen the true necromancer Spanish in Boulegne forests, casting evil spells and rituals celebrating. And that Arsène had cheated.
The king had not believed in the cards, the fire had thrown annoying, however if everything was discovered who he would be in prison. Do not bother to find out who was the author of these anonymous, some resentful courtier or this relative of the king who seemed very offended after he had spurned the chance to marry his niece. What mattered now, his life was in danger and so he had begun to plan how to get rid of the necromancer once the cemetery and out of self doubt.
Then, I would not stay another day in the palace. He had delayed his departure too, because of the beautiful, but now it was time to leave and live in peace.
Agnes saw him alone in the dining room, it was like a light angel with golden hair and eyes like two lighted candles, cheeks flushed. Unable to contain and building enclosure loneliness took her in his arms and kissed her passionately.
It was the first time he acted well and she scared him away, dizzy.
— What is it? I see very strange—accused.
He pulled away slowly.
'I came to see you girl, you will soon be my wife and I hope then I turn away like a bandit.
She blushed and to learn from her that should advance the wedding felt a shudder through his body cold. It could not be.
—There are problems Tourenne castle, I must travel in a few weeks, he said wondering why the girl looked so distant that night as if he suspected his sins and rejection he felt.
'But my clothes ... It is very cold now and will soon begin to snow knight Arsène, the journey will be difficult.
Yes, the weather was diabolical, he also had thought, but alas by St. Thaddeus! He had to flee Paris before it was too late.
—I will give a few days for that you should fill your cabinets with dresses and coats, and with all that ye will bring.
When the knight left, Agnes felt trapped. A few days around, was very little time.
His mother was in a bad mood, I hated the rush and did not understand why the gentleman came that day to change all their plans.
Adrien—But we can’t organize a wedding in such a short time, I talk to the musicians. It was to be a party so pretty.
The goldsmith seemed annoyed, surprised by the sudden decision of Arsène gentleman. Although it was well understood that react in fear of losing the manor had bequeathed him the king but was greatly changed and began to fear that keep a secret. Never seen him in such, a bad mood.
I doubt that the gentleman wants a banquet Gauvin, my wife said bleak —. And maybe we should do without.
— Oh, no! His wife exclaimed in horror.
The bride sighed. He hated the rush, and a wedding banquet was nothing without. Marry and flee as fugitives ...
The Beguine was also concerned, and helped the young with their chests and then with the needle to finish the dress soon.
But I needed to buy more fabric and needles, thread, and all it should take a lady to a distant castle. Having heard that in some parts of the kingdom had no peddlers. A lame excuse to run errands and get away from home.
It was very cold, and walked quickly to his feet wrapped in a small boots would not freeze.
He had returned to write a message. He must be crazy, if a servant came to see those letters betray him and put her in trouble.
His heart always beat each time he sent him a letter. And that morning while walking through the market a man handed him a scroll rolled again with a white ribbon and seal of Montpellier. Before I could protest the unknown servant walked away and disappeared into the crowd from the main square.
"I Dream of Paris:
I have said that I will marry very soon with Arsene and I ask calmly ponder it. For the gentleman that your parents have great esteem and confidence is not only a liar and a felon. He has betrayed the King catching a sorcerer who is no sorcerer of Aragon without a single necromancer north. And now our monarch has concerns and has sent a letter to the king of those distant lands for someone to come to identify the most feared wizard of all Christendom.
Arsène fears discovery so he needs to rush their wedding, fearing to lose the reward he got with his trickery.
I beg you not you marry that man, soon catched him a traitor and if ye shall press you to take you Tourenne prison with him and no one can help you.
In anything I have lied and the Lord is faithful witness of my words. No you marry with Arsène. "
L.A. M.
A great agitation enveloped when finished reading the letter. It could not be true, Arsène was a gentleman of honor, could not have deceived the king or a traitor.
Damn! He had saved her from her abductor, when St. Martin wanted to seduce her. So ...
He must not be duped again by Louis, was a handsome and charming, but I could never trust him or his "good intentions". He would not marry her.
But the letter from the Count had pierced the spine of the doubt and when he saw him mid afternoon Gauvin felt different. It was not so friendly and had a very strange look, like something you worry and even attended the dinner that day and talked animatedly at times his glance rested on her as before but in a remote location, indefinite. Arsène was afraid, like a shadow to land on his grave.
I must not marry him, because if the letter is true and Louis is a traitor ... I thought the girl in silence, watching the firelight. But what if it was a vile slander of Montpellier?
That night her mother went to her room to brush her hair and the news. They married in a week in the church of St. Germain.
Agnes uttered an exclamation of surprise.
A week, just a week to decide, though I knew what his decision. Resigned went to sleep after praying kneeling at his table.
CHAPTER 6 º.
The Sorcerer's unexpected death in his cell caused a stir in the palace, apparently this had died during sleep but his health had weakened in recent days he had vomited and had complained constantly of his gut.
The surgeon who attended said that this had been poisoned slowly until your body no longer resisted and died.
The king heard his words shocked expression. He called his loyal knights and told them his terrible suspicions. And he complained that the emissary of Aragon did not arrive in time to identify the body.
Arsène nodded gravely, it was fortunate that the king had called not to accuse him (although he would have had reasons) but
to summon him to meet with the sheriff and report its suspicions.
Someone had poisoned the prisoner, and he did not speak to this and tell what he knew.
—I urge discretion, as if the honest citizens of Paris they learn that maybe this is not the true necromancer will be frightened and will not have peace, he added.
He was a righteous man and he owed his life to count rascal of Montpellier and the gentleman Arsène. He joined a bond of affection and friendship, and could not be swayed by malicious rumors about him without any concrete evidence to charge him.
'Your Majesty, I marry in five days, I can’t go back to the guild permanently. Well I have been advised that there are problems with Tourenne villagers and I must leave at once.
—Oh, then I will marry the daughter of Boudelle very soon, well congratulations. Very well, then I commend you to speak with the sheriff and do them aware of the facts. If the man who died is not the true sorcerer must find out first and then ...
The conversation he had with the sheriff Arsène was very strange.
— And you come to tell me what I always knew, and I suspected my friend? What happens when everyone knows that you wrong Arsène from Gauvin, it was all a farce for Tourenne?
The king had promised Tourenne when we returned from the Last Crusade, Faubourg.
'But someone poisoned in his cell the prisoner, do you expect me to investigate? Arsène Go away from my house, and I recommend that you should flee as soon as the rope will slowly circling your neck. And for Christ's sake, I say I do not want to see you knight broke. Although I should say that you've earned with your intrigues. And do not trust your friendship with the king, for he is a man who loves justice and whether to condemn you to prison or the gallows for coax , will!
Arsène walked unsteadily. The sheriff was right, the rope began to explore her neck and blood of nobility and be a peer of France would have an undignified death but might be beheaded or hanged. But heck, had no alternative, it was like a beast at bay for as soon as the emissary of Aragon came to voice yell pitcher that was not the sorcerer but a dirty toad, a rogue of the streets of Paris.
—I should leave the kingdom my friend, do not go to Tourenne because when the truth comes to light you seek there. God knows they will. It's over ambitious gentleman, but you must go away very far if you want to live. Mudad name, and change your attire.
Arsène mounted his horse but did not follow the advice of the sheriff but returned to the palace. The king had accused him and still consider him a friend, why the hell away as a rogue and awaken the worst fears? They could not accuse without proof, and claiming that the king would lay dead in his cell was the true sorcerer.
But these events gave a twist. The emissary of King never reached the kingdom of Aragon and thought it was in vain to write to the monarch at the time. Also a strange thing happened when the sorcerer must have been buried days later and the sky turned black and unleashed a fierce storm, and a horrible voice broke out laughing. They were demons who were looking for her loyal servant.
The king heard the story from the lips of his servants with pale face. Being sworn innocent as any of that would have happened, because the death of an angel and a devil claimed the soul of the dying and that had not happened, no angel had appeared, so did the devil, much later and took the soul malignant sorcerer. Then Arsène had not lied and every single libel had been said by his courtiers by jealousy and envy.
Well, I thanked the Lord for having lit. But still needed to find the magic stone, but as one who had stolen was dead no one else could find it, nor would be used for their purposes fatal.
Arsène could not believe his good fortune, when everything seemed a trivial ordered him away from the terrible suspicions.
I was free but I did not want to stay, their wedding had been postponed but no longer wanted to postpone it. His future wife and soon, had their chests and dresses. Although he had not noticed his pallor and trembling every time I saw him, lost in thought as he was somber.
Madame Boudelle was glad he had been able to organize the wedding feast, and finish on time and the dress was so busy in these matters which hardly heard to complain about the Beguine bride.
—Madame hardly eats and is very pale as if something horrible torment his poor soul.
Madeleine thought the maid was exaggerating, Agnes was happy when I tried the dress and arranged her hair the night before.
But the night before the wedding and noticed it changed the beguine make a gesture just noticed that the stew had tasted his dish. And to claim him, this looked surprised as if waking from a disturbing dream.
The next day would be his wedding. And just thinking about Louis and his promise of the previous evening, when he got into his room after entering the town pretending to be a royal equerry.
—Oh, Agnes, you can’t marry that man, your heart is mine and mine is also yours! Flee with me, I will make you my wife! Had said and took the cross that hung on the wall and swore she would do the vows of marriage.
He was desperate, she had not answered his letters and had wanted to talk.
The wedding had gone ahead and damn Gauvin, with the fate of all liars demons had been pardoned and the king had said that they were all evil gossip. Nobody believed the rumor and that he himself had seen to spread through the palace, unhappy that he had been arrested and taken to the dungeons was not the true sorcerer. And damn, I could not tell where the real was because the witch had saved from the dreadful disease and had made a promise!
The king was no longer interested in knowing the truth, more pressing issues demanding their attention.
Now she could only marry the girl and leave her ambition to marry the heir to Anjou. He was crazy, but could not bring himself to lose her forever.
—Listen please know that never swear in vain. Agnes I promise, I will marry you, I give you my name. And I ask forgiveness knees you for having led Saint Martin. I was a villain—he said one morning as he left his house.
She looked pale and distant and said he did not believe in his promises, nor wanted to. Everyone in Paris said he would marry Charlotte of Anjou, the daughter of a peer of the realm. And though it was one of the youngest children, the marriage was very convenient for Montpellier. While she was the daughter of a goldsmith, he had noble blood. What if the wedding was fake and became her lover? Someone had mentioned these false marriages to seduce young elusive. Hired a wandering priest, or a false friar to celebrate the wedding and then ...
—If you want my hand Louis, speak with my father and show yourselves to it with your real name. I condemn your lies, and make me wonder.
The count became very serious.
Agnes I can’t also be in vain, I would miss your villa without even listening. In their eyes I am your raptor, ever trust my words.
— And why should I believe you now? Everyone says I will marry with Charlotte of Anjou.
In his eyes was the truth but she would not see him, he was afraid and distrustful.
—You know I'm not lying this time my beautiful, what your heart tells you? Did I say I forget and you may become the wife of another man? Will give yourselves to this rude gentleman and his arms will think of me. You will live by his side but will not find happiness and when he knows the truth, furious, away from you and despise you. Maybe you leave and go to a crusade. What we know of Gauvin Arsène is just a front, but I know much more beautiful Agnes and I assure you that has a devilish temper and hitting when you contradict their squires.
Louis told Arsène other horrors of the knight and that night the poor girl could not sleep thinking I was going to marry a demon disguised as a lamb. That would take the whip and wedding dress pulls like a great Gross, for that was what he did with the girls who frequented the tavern.
Agnes' Please, flee with me now—had begged Louis taking his hand.
But she was afraid that does not fulfill its promises and asked him to go away and leave her alone.
Louis left saying he would look, and wou
ld not allow her to marry Arsène. If the count had not convinced her to run with him, at least had managed to scare her.
On her wedding day dawned cloudy and cold, a cold wind blowing from the west. A cold, gray days of winter, maybe snowing in the afternoon and then, what would a trip to the South in those conditions?
The Beguine insisted he take two bowls of hot soup and porridge, and to bathe very early so he could scent your hair with rose water and violets.
But by mid—morning the young man thought he could not marry a man when his heart was another, and less with a brave knight and a bad temper.
And though his parents and his brothers were happy running from one place to another playing with wooden swords, she heard the bells of the church with a shudder. The hour, I marry the knight Gauvin, Lord send me a sign. I thought while helping with the wedding dress, a pale pink dress with a neckline embroidered with stones and ermine collar.
She was beautiful and ethereal, pale as the fabric, and big eyes looking at the door in fear, knowing that when crossing the threshold would change his life forever. But have the courage to come to the church, let him come to the altar? I could imagine holding their horses and taking them very far.
He had arrived the day, would eventually become the wife of Arsène.
Her father guarded by half a dozen servants and relatives followed the procession to the sacred precincts where Arsène await. Like the time at Christmas, only this time they were six servants and relatives forming a large entourage.
—Look, it's the beautiful Agnes said citizens in the distance and waved, knowing that soon could drink wine in the square, which would lead the family servants Boudelle to celebrate the marriage of his daughter.
She shuddered at the sight of the church in the distance and wrapped with the skin layer feeling a cold walk your spine. An icy wind drove the horses before they could cross the bridges of the Seine.
Monsieur Boudelle spurred his horse with furious gesture. It seemed a bad omen, for three times and had to back up the bridge because their horses would not get to the other side. What happened? There was nothing on the other side, and the horses knew bridges and crossed the river frequently.
Camila Winter Page 4
