30. The Connec: Antieux: The Widow Returned

Bernardin Amberchelle strained to control his excitement when Kedle Richeut and the Vindicated returned. This was Antieux’s greatest day. The Massacre had been requited. The man responsible was in chains, headed for the cathedral where so many innocents had burned to death.

People howled and threw filth. Neither Bronte Doneto nor Anne of Menand noticed but they were used least ill by those they had persecuted most vigorously, the Seekers After Light. Their most vicious assailants were Brothen Episcopals intent on demonstrating a civic loyalty overshadowing any allegiance to a fallen Patriarch. And their families had suffered in the Massacre, too.

The Vindicated began to evaporate. No discipline could hold them together now. Fewer than two score remained by the time the Widow reached the citadel.

Bernardin met her at the gate. He could not stifle his grin. Still, he did note that Kedle was neither comfortable nor happy herself. Having seen the key prisoners installed in cages where the populace could torment them, he took the Widow inside. He had her ranking bachelor followers given quarters, too, but separated her from everyone but a nervous pair of boys she would not put aside.

“As you will. Come.” He led her to the kitchen, to the little room where he, Socia, and the Perfect had spent so many productive hours. She would want a decent meal. Then she would want a long soak in a hot tub, where she could fall asleep if she liked. She would want to spend a week burrowed into a feather bed.

She would want to see her children, too, but that could not be managed. Raulet and Chardén had gone to Khaurene with their grandparents.

* * *

Kedle tried to eat like a wolf but her shrunken stomach would not accommodate her. Bernardin tried several conversational sallies. She did not respond. He told her, “You’re no longer a free agent, woman. You’re back in the real world. It has no room for routiers. Here you are a subject of the Countess of Antieux. Here you answer questions when they’re asked.”

Kedle was ready to explode instantly.

Her independent assault on Arnhand, prolonged and unexpectedly successful, had convinced her that she was the law, with no need to answer to anyone.

The flesh of Bernardin’s arms began to wriggle and knot. The fish things surfaced. Their flat eyes fixed on the Widow. And Kedle understood she had come into a narrow place.

She knew who had gifted Bernardin with those deadly fetches. She understood that their coming to life meant that Hope was not pleased. She could expect a visit from the Instrumentality, to remind her that she was a lesser mover in the Night’s great schemes.

She was not ready to reject the love of the Night.

* * *

The Widow spent three days in Antieux, recuperating. She should have stayed longer. Her bones still ached. She, the Vindicated, and their animals had been stressed for a long time. The fighters needed to rediscover their human side. But the Widow remained driven. She could not stay still.

The column that left for Khaurene was a third of what had come home from Arnhand. Kedle fumed but those standing down had the right.

Some rest came at Castreresone, where the entire population wanted to see the captives. The Castreresonese were less cruel than the folk of Antieux but their attitudes were hostile, especially toward Anne of Menand.

That woman no longer maintained her proud defiance. The abuse, the overwhelming hatred, had broken her. Serenity endured his captivity more successfully. He gave himself up completely to his hatred. He shouted threats. He spewed excommunications. Those who heard mocked him. He would die as cruelly as any Seeker whom he had sent ahead of him.

The Widow passed six days camped below the White City. Then, able to endure the pain again, she moved on. Near Homodel, where a battle had taken place during the Captain-General’s incursion into the Connec, the Vindicated encountered a mob determined to rescue Serenity. They outnumbered the Vindicated substantially but the Widow knew that they were waiting.

She could have avoided the fight. She chose extermination instead.

Serenity’s friends did reach the cages. They did release him and his sponsor but Kedle kept them contained. The fire of four falcons eventually convinced the rest to surrender. Afterward, Anne and Serenity were forced to watch their executions.

Kedle rested a day, upwind of the carnage, then resumed travel.

Serenity abandoned threats in favor of prayer.

Kedle’s bones continued to ache but she would not stop moving.

Lady Hope came in the night, with the Vindicated camped a day from Khaurene. She soothed the Widow’s pains. “Darling Kedle, once thee reacheth this city thee must surrender to thy flesh. Thee must allow thyself to heal.”

As ever, Kedle felt argumentative. But she could find no point from which to start.

Hope said, “There is naught more thee needs must do. The Connec is safe. Its enemies have been brought low. Kedle Richeut can go back to being the mother of her children.”

Kedle nodded reluctantly. She had known that since Mestlé. The Widow and Kingslayer were needed no more. There were no more enemies. Anselin would make no claims on the Connec. He had his own kingdom to tame and, in the longer term, his ambition was to lead another army into the Holy Lands. He remained nostalgic for those bitter reaches.

“I’ll be the Kedle Richeut that I have to be. I’m not sure God made me to be a mother, though.”

“Yet thee hath children.”

“I confess to being extremely fond of the act which occasionally results in children.”

“Though thee hated thy husband?”

“He had one saving grace.”

They stared at one another briefly. The Instrumentality said, “Permit thyself to heal, Kedle Richeut. If necessary, I will put thee into a coma for the time it takes.”

“Thou art too cruel.” Teasing.

“I am. I love thee too well to let thee harm thyself.”

“I surrender.” She paused a moment. “Tonight is the last night I’ll have before I have to go back to being plain old Kedle Richeut.”

Hope considered briefly. “I dare not, love. I have to be seen elsewhere tonight. I’m late already.” She kissed the Widow on the forehead, then vanished. Normal night noises returned. Kedle had not noted their absence.

She did not fall asleep quickly. She brooded. Why could she not be excited? Her children and parents awaited, just miles away, but only the chance to see Socia again really moved her.

Загрузка...