Labyrinth

CHAPTER 28

“Will you tell me of your friendship?” Alais said, as soon as she was seated on the sofa beside her father. She turned to Simeon. “I asked him once before, but he was not minded to confide in me then.”

Simeon was older than she had imagined. His shoulders were stooped and his face crisscrossed with lines, a map of a life that had seen grief and loss as well as great happiness and laughter. His eyebrows were thick and bushy and his eyes bright, revealing a sparkling intelligence. His curly hair was mostly gray, but his long beard, perfumed and oiled, was still as black as a raven’s wing. She could see why her father might have mistaken the man in the river for his friend.

Discreetly, Alais dropped her eyes to his hands and felt a flash of satisfaction. She had supposed right. On his left thumb he wore a ring identical to her fathers.

“Come, Bertrand,” Simeon was saying. “She has earned the story. After all, she has ridden far enough to hear it!”

Alais felt her father grow still beside her. She glanced at him. His mouth was set in a tight line.

He is angry now he realizes what I’ve done.

“You did not ride from Carcassona without an escort?” he said. “You would not be so foolish to make such a journey alone? You would not take such a risk?”

“I-”

“Answer me.”

“It seemed the wisest-”

“Wisest,” he erupted. “Of all the-”

Simeon chuckled. “Still the same old temper, Bertrand.”

Alais swallowed a smile as she put her hand on her father’s arm.

“Paire,” she said patiently. “You can see I am safe. Nothing happened.”

He glanced down at her scratched hands. Alais quickly pulled the cloak over them. “Nothing much happened. It’s nothing. A slight cut.”

“You were armed?”

She nodded. “Of course.”

“Then where-?”

“I thought it unwise to walk through the streets of Besiers so attired.”

Alais looked at him with innocent eyes.

“Quite,” he muttered under his breath. “And no ill befell you? You are not hurt?”

Aware of her bruised shoulder, Alais met his gaze. “Nothing,” she lied. He frowned, although he looked slightly mollified. “How did you know we were here?”

“I learned of it from Amiel de Coursan, the son of the seigneur, who most generously gave me escort.”

Simeon was nodding. “He’s much admired in these parts.”

“You have been very fortunate,” Pelletier said, still reluctant to let the matter drop. “Fortunate and very, very foolish. You could have been killed. I still cannot believe you-”

“You were going to tell her how we met, Bertrand,” said Simeon lightly. “The bells are no longer ringing, so the Council must now have started. We have a little time.”

For a moment, her father continued to scowl. Then his shoulders dropped and resignation filled his features.

“Very well, very well. Since you both wish it.”

Alais exchanged a glance with Simeon. “He wears the ring like yours, Paire.”

Pelletier smiled. “Simeon was recruited by Harif in the Holy Land, as I was, although some time earlier and our paths did not cross. As the threat from Saladin and his armies increased, Harif sent Simeon back to his native city of Chartres. I followed a few months later, taking the three parchments with me. The journey took more than a year, but when I finally reached Chartres, Simeon was waiting for me as Harif had promised.” His memories made him smile. “How much I hated the cold and wet after the heat, the light of Jerusalem. It was so bleak, so forsaken a place. But Simeon and I, we understood each other from the start. His task was to bind the parchments into three separate volumes. While he toiled over the books, I came to admire his learning, his wisdom and his good humor.”

“Bertrand, really,” murmured Simeon, although Alais could see he liked the compliments well enough.

“As for Simeon,” Pelletier continued, “you will have to ask him yourself what he saw in an uncultured, unlettered soldier. It is not for me to judge.”

“You were willing to learn, my friend, to listen,” said Simeon softly. “That marked you out from most of your faith.”

“I always knew the books were to be separated,” Pelletier resumed. “As soon as Simeon’s work was completed, I received word from Harif that I was to return to my birthplace, where a position awaited as Intendant to the new Viscount Trencavel. Looking back with the hindsight of years, I find it extraordinary that I never asked what was to become of the other two books. I assumed Simeon was to keep one, although I never actually knew that for certain. The other? I didn’t even ask. My lack of curiosity shames me now. But, I simply took the book entrusted to me and traveled south.”

“It should not shame you,” said Simeon softly. “You did what was asked of you in good faith and with a strong heart.”

“Before your appearance put all other thoughts from my mind, we were talking of the books, Alai’s.”

Simeon cleared his throat. “Book,” he said. “I have but one.”

“What?” he said sharply. “But Harif’s letter… I took it to mean that both were still in your possession? Or that, at the very least, you knew where each was to be found?”

Simeon shook his head. “Once, yes, but not for many years now. The Book of Numbers is here. As for the other, I confess I was hoping that you might have news to share with me.”

“If you do not have it, then who does?” Pelletier said urgently. “I assumed you had taken both with you when you left Chartres.”

“I did.”

“But-”

Alai’s put her hand on her father’s arm. “Let Simeon explain.”

For a moment, it looked as if Pelletier might lose his temper, then he nodded. “Very well,” he said gruffly. “Tell your story.”

“How like you she is, my friend,” Simeon chuckled. “Shortly after your departure from Chartres, I received word from the Navigataire that a guardian would come and take the second book, the Book of Potions, although nothing to indicate who that person might be. I held myself ready, waiting always. Time passed, I grew older, but still no one came. Then, in the year of your Lord 1194-shortly before the terrible fire that destroyed the cathedral and much of the city of Chartres-a man did come, a Christian, a knight, calling himself Philippe de Saint-Maure.”

“His name is familiar. He was in the Holy Land at the same time as I was, although we did not meet.” Pelletier frowned. “Why had he waited so long?”

“That, my friend, is the question I asked myself. Saint-Maure passed me a merel, in the appropriate manner. He wore the ring that you and I both are honored to wear. I had no reason to doubt him… and yet-” Simeon shrugged. “There was something false about him. His eyes were sharp, like a fox. I did not trust him. He did not seem to me the sort of man Harif would have chosen. There was no honor in him. So I decided, despite the tokens of good faith he carried, that I should test him.”

The words had slipped out before she could stop them. “How so?”

“Alai’s,” her father warned.

“It is all right, Bertrand. I pretended not to understand. I wrung my hands, humble, apologetic, begging his pardon but he must have confused me with someone else. He drew his sword.”

“Which confirmed your suspicion he was not who or what he claimed to be.”

“He threatened and railed against me, but my servants came and he was outnumbered, so he had no choice but to withdraw.” Simeon leaned forward, dropping his voice to a whisper. “As soon as I was sure he had gone, I wrapped the two books inside a bundle of old clothes and took shelter with a Christian family nearby who I trusted not to betray me. I could not decide what to do for the best. I was not certain of what I knew. Was he an impostor? Or was he indeed a guardian, but one whose heart had been blackened by greed or the promise of power and wealth? Had he betrayed us? If the former, then there was yet a chance that the real guardian would come to Chartres and find me gone. If the latter, I felt it my duty to find out what I could. Even now, I do not know if I chose wisely.”

“You did what you thought was right,” said Alai’s, ignoring the warning look from her father telling her to keep silent. “No man can do more.”

“Right or wrong, the fact is I did not go for two days more. Then the mutilated body of a man was found floating in the river Eure. His eyes and tongue had been put out. The rumor spread he was a knight in the service of the eldest son of Charles d’Evreux, whose lands are not far from Chartres.”

“Philippe de Saint-Maure.”

Simeon nodded. “The Jews were blamed for the murder. Straight away the reprisals started. I was a convenient scapegoat. Word spread that they were coming for me. There were witnesses, they claimed, who’d seen Saint-Maure at my door, witnesses who would swear that we argued and blows were exchanged. This decided me. Maybe this Saint-Maure was who he said he was. Maybe he was an honest man, maybe not. It no longer mattered. He was dead-I believed-because of what he had discovered about the Labyrinth Trilogy. His death and the manner of it persuaded me that there were others involved. That the secret of the Grail had indeed been betrayed.”

“How did you escape?” asked Alai’s.

“My servants were already gone, and safe I hoped. I hid until the following morning. As soon as the gates of the city were opened, having shaved my beard, I slipped out in the guise of an elderly woman. Esther came with me.”

“So you were not there as they were building the stone labyrinth in the new cathedral?” said Pelletier. Alai’s was mystified to see he was smiling, as if at some private joke. “You have not seen it.”

“What is it?” she demanded.

Simeon chuckled, addressing himself only to Pelletier. “No, although I hear it has served its purpose well. Many are drawn there to that ring of dead stone. They look, they search, not understanding that only a false secret lies beneath their feet.”

“What is this labyrinth?” repeated Alai’s.

Still they paid her no attention.

“I would have given you shelter in Carcassona. A roof over your head, protection. Why did you not come to me?”

“Believe me, Bertrand, I wanted nothing more. But you forget how different the north was from these more tolerant lands of the Pays d’Oc. I could not travel freely, my friend. Life was hard for Jews at that time. We were under curfew, our businesses were regularly attacked and looted.” He paused for breath. “Besides, I never would have forgiven myself if I had led them-whoever they might be-to you. When I fled Chartres that night, I had no thought of where I was heading. The safest course of action seemed to be to disappear until the fuss had died down. In the event, the fire drove all other matters out of my mind.”

“How did you find yourself in Besiers?” said Alai’s, determined to rejoin the conversation. “Did Harif send you here?”

Simeon shook his head. “It was chance and good fortune, Alai’s, not design. I journeyed first to Champagne, where I passed the winter. The following spring, as soon as the snows had melted, I headed south. I was lucky enough to fall in with a group of English Jews, fleeing persecution in their own land. They were heading for Besiers. It seemed as good a destination as any. The city had a reputation for tolerance-Jews were in positions of trust and authority, our learning, our skills were respected. Its proximity to Carcassona meant that I would be on hand if Harif needed me.” He turned to Bertrand. “God, in his wisdom, knows how hard it has been knowing that you were but a few days’ ride away, but caution and wisdom dictated it had to be thus.”

He sat forward, his black eyes alive. “Even then there were verses, lays, circulating in the courts of the north. In Champagne, the troubadours and minstrels were singing of a magical cup, a life-giving elixir, too close to the truth to be ignored.” Pelletier nodded. He too had heard such songs. “So weighing all things in the balance, it was safer to keep myself apart. I would never have forgiven myself if I had led them to your door, my friend.”

Pelletier gave a long sigh. “I fear, Simeon, that despite our best efforts we have been betrayed, although I have no hard and fast proof of it. There are those who know of the connection between us, I am convinced of it. Whether they also know the nature of our bond, I cannot say.”

“Something has happened to make you think this?”

“A week ago or more, Alai’s came across a man floating in the river Aude, a Jew. His throat had been cut and his left thumb severed from his hand. Nothing else was taken. There was no reason to think so, but I thought of you. I thought he had been mistaken for you.” He paused. “Before this there have been other indications. I confided something of my responsibility to Alai’s, in the event that something happened to me and I was unable to return to Carcassona.”

This is the moment to tell him why you are come.

“Father, since you-”

He held up a hand to stop her interrupting. “Have there been any indications your whereabouts have been discovered, Simeon? Either by those who sought you in Chartres or others?”

Simeon was shaking his head. “Of late, no. More than fifteen years have passed since I came south and I can tell you that, in all that time, there has not been a single day when I’ve not expected to feel a knife at my throat. But, as to anything out of the ordinary, no.”

Alai’s could keep silent no longer. “Father, what I have to say has bearing on this matter. I must tell you of what has happened since you left Carcassona. Please.”

By the time Alai’s had finished, her fathers face was scarlet. She feared he would lose his temper. He would allow neither Alai’s nor Simeon to calm him.

“The Trilogy is discovered,” he ranted. “There can be no doubt about it.”

“Be still, Bertrand,” said Simeon firmly. “Your anger serves only to cloud your judgment.”

Alai’s turned to the windows, aware of the growing levels of noise in the street. Pelletier, too, after a moment’s hesitation, raised his head.

“The bells have started again,” he said quickly. “I must return to the suzerain’s residence. Viscount Trencavel expects me.” He stood up. “I must think further on what you have told me, Alai’s, and consider what should be done. For now, we must concentrate our efforts on departure.” He turned to his friend. “You will come with us, Simeon.”

While Pelletier had been talking, Simeon had opened an ornately carved wooden chest that stood on the far side of the room. Alais edged closer. The lid was lined with deep crimson velvet, gathered in deep folds like the curtains around a bed.

Simeon shook his head. “I will not ride with you. I will follow with my people. So, for safety’s sake, you should take this.”

Alais watched Simeon slide his hand along the bottom of the chest. There was a click, then a small drawer sprung open at the base. When he straightened up, Alais saw he was holding an object enclosed in a sheepskin chemise.

The two men exchanged glances, then Pelletier took the book from Simeon’s outstretched hand and concealed it beneath his cloak.

“In his letter, Harif mentions a sister in Carcassona,” said Simeon.

Pelletier nodded. “A friend to the Noublesso is my interpretation of his words. I cannot believe he means more.”

“It was a woman who came to take the second book from me, Bertrand,” Simeon said mildly. “Like you, at the time I confess I assumed she was no more than a courier, but in the light of your letter…”

Pelletier dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his hand. “I cannot believe Harif would appoint a woman guardian, whatever the circumstances. He would not take the risk.”

Alais almost spoke, but bit her tongue.

Simeon shrugged. “We should consider the possibility.”

“Well, what manner of woman was she?” Pelletier said impatiently. “Someone who could reasonably be expected to take custody of so precious an object?”

Simeon shook his head. “Truthfully, she was not. She was neither highborn nor in the lowest station of life. She was past the age of childbearing, although she had a child with her. She was traveling to Carcassona via Servian, her hometown.”

Alais sat up straight.

“That is a meager amount of information,” complained Bertrand. “She did not give you her name?”

“No and nor did I ask it, since she bore a letter from Harif. I gave her bread, cheese, fruit for the journey, then she left.”

They were now arrived at the door to the street.

“I do not like to leave you,” Alais said abruptly, suddenly fearful for Simeon.

Simeon smiled. “I shall be fine, child. Esther will pack those things I wish to take with me to Carcassona. I will travel anonymously in the crowd. It will be safer for us all if I do so.”

Pelletier nodded. “The Jewish quarter lies on the river, to the east of Carcassona, not far from the suburb of Sant-Vicens. Send word when you arrive.”

“I will.”

The two men embraced, then Pelletier stepped out into the now crowded street. Alais went to follow, but Simeon put his hand on her arm to hold her back.

“You have great courage, Alais. You have been steadfast in your duty to your father. To the Noublesso too. But watch over him. His temper can lead him astray and there will be difficult times, difficult choices ahead.”

Glancing over her shoulder, Alais dropped her voice so her father couldn’t hear. “What was the nature of the second book taken by this woman to Carcassona? The book that yet is unfound?”

“The Book of Potions” he replied. “A list of herbs and plants. To your father was entrusted the Book of Words, to me the Book of Numbers.”

To each their own skill.

“I think that tells you what you wanted to know?” Simeon said, looking knowingly at her from under his bushy eyebrows. “Or perhaps confirms a thought?”

She smiled. “Benleu.” Perhaps.

Alais kissed him, and then ran to catch her father up.

Food for the journey. A board too, perhaps.

Alais resolved to keep her idea to herself for now, until she was sure, even though she was now all but certain she knew where the book would be found. All the myriad connections that ran through their lives like a spider’s web were suddenly clear to her. All the tiny hints and clues missed, because not looked for.