Nothing happened — at least that she could detect — though the taste of honey lingered as she carefully broke the seal. Fragments of brittle wax showered the altar rail as she opened the parchment. Between the penned lines of the promised bequest, written in her father's tight, crabbed hand, she began reading the glowing words, quite distinct in the semidarkness of the silent chapel.
Beloved Daughter, it began. In receiving this letter, you will already have made the acquaintance of your twin sister. I ask your forgiveness for the deception I have carried out, in keeping you apart thus far, but your mother and I agreed before your birth that this solution, painful as it was for both of us, represented the best hope of allowing at least one of our children to grow up sheltered from the stigma so often attendant upon those of our blood.
Happy coincidence suggested the means by which this might be accomplished. It happened that, at about the time your mother fell pregnant with you and your sister, she learned that Lady Laurela Howard was also with child. After a few months, we determined that your mother carried twin girls — and conceived a daring plan.
Since your mother and Lady Howard had been friends since childhood, it was arranged that the two should share their confinements at Cynfyn, for one another's company and so that Laurela might avail herself of the midwife serving my household. Unbeknownst to Laurela or her husband, your mother's second-born was then to be presented as a supposed twin to the child Laurela carried — which is exactly what was done, except that her own child was born still. Thus, what began as a regrettable but necessary deception chanced to have an unexpected and doubly felicitous outcome, easing the sorrow of Laurela's loss as well as our own — to surrender our beloved daughter into the keeping of another, for her safety's sake.
I pray that you can forgive what I have done, and that you may now make the better acquaintance of your twin sister, Veralyn Thamar (de Corwyn) Howard. I have provided for her such training as I could, in the hope that she may share this legacy of our mutual birthright with you.
My devotion to both of you, my darling daughters, and to dear Marie as well.
Your loving father, Keryell
Even as Alyce read the final words, through a blur of tears, the glowing script was fading from the page. The last line alone lingered for a moment longer than the rest, superimposed over the more mundane message penned on the page, before likewise dispersing like wind across water.
Chapter 15
«And ye shall read this book which we have sent unto you».[16]
Alyce shared what she had read with her sisters — Marie first, since they were accustomed to working mind-to-mind. Marie wept with emotion when it was done, then dried her tears — glad ones, this time, unlike those of the previous weeks — and gathered up the finished half of the garland to take it to the altar rail, humming one of the more sprightly antiphons of Advent as she carried it down the center aisle.
«She's quite amazing, isn't she?» Vera murmured to her twin, watching Marie retreat. «And very young».
«She was always Father's pet», Alyce replied, smiling. «And she is still just fifteen».
«Yes, I tend to forget that», Vera said wistfully. «Ahern is so mature for his age». She shrugged and jutted her chin toward the letter still in Alyce's hand. «Shall we?»
They returned to the bench where Vera first had found them and settled in amidst the stockpile of pine boughs and ivy, laying the ivy matrix and a few pine boughs across their laps — diversion, in case anyone should enter.
Alyce had feared it would not come easily, for other than with Marie, the greatest part of her previous contact with other Deryni had been with Father Paschal, and then always as pupil with teacher. Some little there had been with Jessilde, as part of training exercises, but always under Paschal's supervision. Interaction with Ahern had been mostly during their childhood, when none of them knew much; their mother had died young, and their father had mostly left their training to Paschal.
Provision also had been made so that Jessamy might tutor her and Marie, but the pair had been too short a time at court for that to happen. In truth, Alyce had always harbored a certain reticence concerning any too-close interaction with Jessamy, godmother though she was — and Tante» Jessamy, by her own mother's wishes.
She could not explain that reticence. It was not precisely come of any mistrust she felt toward Jessamy herself, but rather, an uneasiness over the apparent ambiguity of a Deryni being openly tolerated at court, in the queen's own household — though perhaps a woman was not deemed to be so great a threat as a man.
Alyce had also heard tell of a brother of Jessamy, called Morian, long assigned to the governor's staff in Meara, who made discreet use of his powers in the service of the king; she had no idea what the Bishop of Meara thought about this bending of secular and canon law. Perhaps it was a prerogative of kings, that sometimes it was acceptable that some Deryni function openly, despite what bishops said.
Nonetheless, this apparent contradiction regarding Jessamy and her brother had convinced Alyce that it was probably safest not to invite any untoward scrutiny of whatever abilities she herself possessed — and that included scrutiny by Jessamy. The feeling had intensified once she resumed her training with Father Paschal at Arc-en-Ciel. It was nothing he or anyone else had told her; she simply knew.
She also knew, in much the same way, that she need have no such reticence with Vera, who was her sister and her twin, and with whom she had shared their mother's womb. Not that mere willingness or even eagerness to also share their minds was sufficient to enable the easy doing of it — not when most of the focus of Alyce's training thus far had been geared toward keeping others out of her mind, or only allowing access to selected parts of it — or, wielding her power as the weapon it was, insinuating her own mind into another's, to impose her will.
No, in this instance there must be a balanced melding of senses, engaging the powers of mind as tool, not as weapon. Turning more knee-to-knee with her twin, Alyce drew another fortifying breath and laid their father's letter across her open palms between them, blue eyes meeting sea-gray as she invited contact. With the touch of Vera's hands on hers, with their father's words between them, she bade her shields to retract, flinching at the first brush of that other mind.
But Vera knew far more of such matters than she, and had been taught how to ease the process.
«Don't resist», she whispered. «Relax your shields. You're trying too hard». Don't make it happen…let it happen, she went on, shifting easily into mind-speech. Good.. just relax. We can do this…
Once past that point, as Alyce yielded to her twin's greater skill, their deepening rapport segued into a sharing that was profound. It left both of them blinking back tears of wonder, grinning and even laughing aloud as they embraced, and brought Marie back to the rear of the chapel to see what was so amusing.
«That's all very well for the two of you», she said, flouncing onto a seat beside Alyce in mock resentment and showing them her hands. «I'm all sticky with pine sap — though it does smell rather nice», she added, sniffing at her fingers, «and the two of you have just been gossiping away».
«Not gossiping — communing», Vera murmured. «Oh, it is going to be wonderful, having sisters — though we'll have to be very careful».
* * *
At first, they did, indeed, go very carefully, though the friendship suddenly blossoming among the three of them soon became obvious to all.
«I knew the three of you would get on wonderfully», Ahern told Alyce, after Mass on Christmas Eve, as he hobbled painfully beside her on his crutches. «I think she's always been my favorite of Rosmerta's fosterlings. Father always liked her, too».
Carefully shielding the reason for Keryell's fondness, Alyce merely said, «She is great fun».
«She is», Ahern replied. «I shall hate to see her leave. Unfortunately, Rosmerta will be taking all her household with her, when she goes back to her father. You did know that our esteemed step-mama is le
aving…?»
«Well, there's nothing for her here, now that Father is gone», Alyce replied.
«Yes, well, good riddance», he said, his voice brisk. «But Sir Deinol’s wife has agreed to act as my chatelaine for the time-being, since I know that you and Mares can't stay indefinitely».
«You know that we would stay, if we could», she assured him.
«No, I know that you must go», he said. «Just promise me that you'll write often, and that you'll come to visit, when you can».
* * *
Later, when she told her sisters of the conversation, they reluctantly agreed that Ahern should not be told of the blood-tie that bound them, at least for the present.
«If he did know, though», Alyce said, «it would make it easier in some respects. I think he thinks he fancies you, Vera — but we can't have him courting his sister».
Vera rolled her eyes. «Did he tell you that?»
«No, but it's clear that he's fond of you».
«The dear boy. He is sweet — but in a few days, that won't be a factor», Vera said. «He's right that I'll be going with Rosmerta. Until my parents say otherwise, I have no choice». She shrugged at their knowing glances. «Well, they think they're my parents. Right now, the three of us are the only ones who know the truth of the matter — and Father Paschal, of course».
«Why can't we tell Ahern?» Marie asked.
«Because he's terrible at keeping secrets», Alyce replied. «At least he always was, as a child. Anyway, he doesn't need to know right now. It would be unfair to burden him with such knowledge while he's still recovering his health — and figuring out how to be an earl. Once we've gone back to Rhemuth, he's going to be very alone».
«I'm afraid she's right», Vera said to Marie. «This isn't the time to tell him. Our parents paid too high a price to make sure no one knows what I am. We mustn't do anything to jeopardize that».
«Exactly», Alyce said. «But we can do something to get Father's plans for you back on track. I thought to ask the queen about bringing you to court, when we go back to Rhemuth».
«To court?» Vera breathed.
«Why not? You've already been part of an earl's household. Don't think for a moment that this wasn't part of Father's plan for you. I'm sure he intended to arrange an extremely advantageous marriage, so that your eventual children — his grandchildren — would be in positions to improve the lot of our people. And no one would know that any of you are Deryni».
Vera was nodding by the time she finished, and Marie was grinning.
«The queen is very kind», Marie said. «And so many handsome young knights at court! Think what a fine marriage you might make!»
«There is that», Vera agreed.
«Then, it's settled», Alyce said. «We'll make inquiries as soon as we return.
* * *
The household of the late Keryell Earl of Lendour kept the feasts of Christmas at Castle Cynfyn, though the observances were muted because of his recent death. Two days after Saint Stephen's Day, to no one's particular regret, his widow announced, from the back of a horse, that she was departing at once for her father's lands near Dhassa.
«Madam, I am certain that my father did not intend that you should be turned out of your home», Ahern said dutifully, standing in the snowy yard with a hand on her horse's bridle, and balancing on one leg and a crutch.
«No, I am resolved», Rosmerta replied. «I have had several weeks to consider, while I waited for my husband's body to come home. But God did not consent to give me children by Lord Keryell, so there is nothing for me here. I wish you well, Ahern, but you do not need my presence. You must make a life of your own».
There was nothing he could say to that, for while his relationship with his stepmother had been civil, at least in his father's presence, there had never been true warmth between them.
«At least permit me to send an escort with you», he said, beginning to weave on his feet.
«I thank your courtesy, but my father has sent men of his own», she replied, nodding toward the half dozen liveried men interspersed among the sumpter animals and the mounts of her household and servants. «I desire to greet the new year with the family of my birth. God grant you health, my lord».
With that, she headed out the castle gate, her daughter at her side and with Vera among her household — hopefully, only for a few weeks or months, until Alyce and Marie could speak to the queen about her.
* * *
By Twelfth Night, the customary time for formal transactions of important business in any lord's hall, Ahern was sufficiently improved in health to preside at his first official court as Earl of Lendour — yet unconfirmed in his full authority, because of his youth, but lawfully acknowledged by the presence at his side of Duke Richard, who witnessed the investiture of the new earl's council of advisors and took their fealty in the name of the king his brother. Two days later, Richard bade all farewell and departed for Rhemuth, and life began to settle into some semblance of a pattern of daily life for the new young earl.
Not for several weeks, as Ahern and his seneschal reviewed the inventories of the late earl's possessions, was it discovered that certain valuables had gone missing.
«You don't suppose that Rosmerta could have taken these?» Ahern asked, as he showed the list of missing items to his sisters. «Some of the jewelry was left to you in that letter from Father».
«Then, I expect that Rosmerta's coffers have been considerably enriched by the appropriated items», Alyce replied. «Can aught be done about it?»
Ahern shook his head. «Probably not. Just be glad that she didn't have any sons. If she had, I'd probably be dead — and she'd be working on the two of you».
Marie wrinkled her nose. «I still don't understand why Father married her».
«Better to marry than to burn», Ahern muttered, coloring slightly as Alyce looked at him sharply. «Well, he was a man of — passions», he added, somewhat lamely. «Though, in this case, I think I'd rather he had diddled with serving wenches».
Alyce only rolled her eyes, though she made a mental note to ask their sister to look into the matter further.
Meanwhile, the winter snows swept in, rendering travel difficult, especially for an invalid who must still travel by horse-litter — though, in truth, young Ahem had made no plans to move before the summer, when he would visit his lands in Corwyn. Fortunately, he gained strength almost daily, though his shattered knee continued to give him pain, albeit tempered by the nursing of his sisters.
Early in February, however, Sir Kenneth Morgan arrived with orders recalling the demoiselles de Corwyn to Rhemuth — with his daughter Zoë at his side.
«The queen particularly asks for your presence», Kenneth told them, when the girls' joy at their reunion had subsided enough for him to get a word in edgewise. «Her lying-in will soon be upon her, and she greatly desires that you attend her.
«She also has graciously offered my dear Zoë a place at court, as further incentive to speed your return», he added, slipping a fond arm around his daughter's waist.
«Alyce, I was presented at Twelfth Night court!» Zoë blurted, joy in her sea-gray eyes. «You should have seen my beautiful gown! And I've brought a new gown for each of you as well: presents from the queen and Lady Jessamy. We're done with our school habits! I'm to stay at court with Father, and attend the queen — and try my hand in the king's scriptorium, if I desire it!»
Few developments could have cheered Alyce more — and the queen's request underlined a more serious reason for their return to court, for all were well aware of the dangers of childbed. Still, Alyce turned to her brother in concern.
«Would you prefer that one of us remain with you?» she said. «I know that your knee still pains you».
Ahern had graduated to a walking stick to help him hobble around the castle, and thwacked it lightly against the thigh of his propped-up leg, mustering a brave smile.
«No, the queen needs you more than I do», he said lightly. «I’m not the one w
ho's having a baby. Go to her. I'll manage».
* * *
They left the following day, riding fast along the road that skirted the River Molling, as it lazed its way westward across the great Gwynedd Plain. They arrived in Rhemuth mid-February, only days before the queen was brought to bed of another Haldane prince. Eased by the ministrations of Jessamy and Alyce, the latter grown considerably more knowledgeable from her studies at Arc-en-Ciel, the queen's labor was hard but short, at least some of her pains blunted by Deryni magic — much to the annoyance of a new royal midwife, who firmly believed that the travails of birth were a woman's just recompense for the sins of Eve.
«You have another son, Sire», Alyce said, emerging from the birthing chamber while Jessamy and Marie cleaned up mother and child. «He is perfect in every way, and his mother is well».
Bursting into a wide grin, Donal gave a relieved sigh.
«Thanks be to God!»
Later that evening, when the mother had rested and the babe was rousing from sleep, the girls brought the rest of the royal children to see the new arrival.
«Come and greet your new brother», Alyce said to Princes Brion and Blaine as she shepherded them into their mother's bedchamber.
Zoë was carrying their sister, the Princess Xenia, who squirmed to get down as Jessamy helped the queen to sit more upright and the midwife lifted the child from his cradle to lay him in his mother's arms. The king had already visited the pair, and now was gone to inform his council of the safe delivery of the new prince.
«Isn't he beautiful?» Alyce whispered, as young Brion stood on his tiptoes for a closer look.
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