The Duchess spoke a few words to each of us. I would discuss it here at length but they were just words of small talk and generalised welcoming. It was clear that Emma and Laurelen had often been in the South since the Empress' coronation and that she and the Duchess often had much to talk about. There was a formality on the edge of the way that they addressed each other so I didn't think that the relationship was particularly close, but there was definitely the potential there.
Laurelen was greeted with warmth and friendliness. But it was the kind of friendliness that comes when you don't actually have a lot in common. Which was fair enough.
The Duchess made small talk with Mark for a little while, telling him that he looked well and that he was bearing up well considering everything that was going on. He took that well and accepted the offer to preach in the temple of Lebioda before the other festivities were going to start. Which of course he accepted. After all, as he told me later, how often does one get to preach to the people of Toussaint.
Ariadne was greeted formally. There were overtures of friendship from the Duchess towards the Higher Vampire but there was a.... Ok, this is a guess. I remind everyone that I was ill and that I might be making this up. It is known to everyone that the Duchess has held discourse with all kinds of people and is a personal acquintence of at least two Vampires. But my feeling was that she didn't entirely know how to talk to Ariadne. So she fell back on the levels of Feudal rank that existed between them. So Countess of a more Northern Province is a little below Duchess.
So it was a polite greeting, Ariadne's lands and people were asked after and whether everything was going alright for her. There was a joke at my expense regarding the manner and matter of our betrothal but after that, the Duchess backed away from the conversation.
I perked up again when the Duchess came to address Kerrass. Kerrass was last as he is the least ranked of all of us.
“Master Kerrass.” The Duchess said. “It pleases us to see you again.”
“Likewise Your Grace.” Kerrass responded with an impeccable courtly bow.
“I had come to understand that you had fallen out of favour with your companions. Therefore it pleases us to know that such matters have been resolved.”
Kerrass winced.
“Not entirely Your Grace.”
I cleared my throat. “It should be said, Your Grace, that the left over obligation is entirely in Kerrass' head.”
Kerrass was unhappy. “I did great wrong and injury.” He declared, frowning at me.
“For which you have been forgiven.” Emma put in.
Kerrass sighed. “Nevertheless.”
The Duchess watched this exchange for a moment.
“It is not an uncommon thing to occur,” she began, “where a person feels as though they have penance to perform. Even when none is asked for and the crime has been forgiven. Even by the people wronged.”
She glanced over our shoulder. I don't know what at on the grounds that it would have been incredibly rude for me to turn around and look but I guess that she was looking at her sister.
“I say to you, Master Kerrass, that to seek vindication is all well and good. Guilt and shame have their place so long as they drive us towards being better. But not if they cripple us. Not if we take on more guilt and shame than we deserve.”
Kerrass' eyes glittered a little. “Thank you Your Grace.” He said carefully. “But I hope that Your Grace will forgive me if I keep my own council as to what is deserved or not.”
There was a general intake of breath from the court and I thought I heard someone say “Have a care,” but I couldn't be sure. It was certainly not loud enough for me to be able to recognise that voice later.
The Duchess' face remained impassive although I rather thought that her eyes were glittering with amusement. Whether at the reaction of her court or at Kerrass, I could not tell. For all I know, Lady Syanna was pulling faces at her behind our backs.
“I'm sure that Master Kerrass meant no offence.” The Duchess said, her voice raised by a slight factor to let everyone know that she, for one, was not insulted.
“I sense that there is more to this story.” She said after another long and drawn out moment. “Perhaps you will be able to tell me some more over dinner this evening. Of course, you will join me for dinner this evening? My sister as well of course?”
“We would be honoured Your Grace.” Mark jumped in before any of the other children decided to make more of a nuisance of ourselves.
“Excellent, and the final piece of business before we carry out the ceremony of hospitality. I must ask, is there any news. I am up to date with Lord Frederick's travel journals, the published ones anyway and might I say that I approve of the lesson that you are teaching us all. That adventures such as yours come with their own price to pay.”
“Thank you Your Grace.” I said as Mark gave me a significant glance as if to say “See, we told you.” Indeed, he couldn't have told me so more eloquently if he had tried.
“But we must confess that we are desperate to know, as it is a subject close to our hearts here in Toussaint, has there been any news about your Sister?”
It is now a familiar feeling. A shiver that reaches up from somewhere in my gut. It starts as it moves backwards and into my spine which shoots up and into my brain. I shiver and then the image comes to my eyes. Kerrass, sat across from me, holding a bottle in his hand, face drooping unhappily. “I think I might have found something.” He says.
I feel energy shoot into my legs and just for a moment, my entire body seems to clench up. Like a hand forms a fist as I fight the image off and away. I grit my teeth and squeeze my eyes shut and gasp for breath. Spots dance in front of my eyes. But I know what lies down there in the darkness and I can't go there. Even though I desperately want to. With all my heart, I want to throw myself down into that pit. Again.
But I know what that means.
I heave my eyes open and force myself to breathe properly. A hot flush shoots down me like hot water running down my back and I shudder again.
And then it's over. A heartbeat of time has passed. No more than that. A tiny speck of time. Less than a breath even, but so profound an experience that it cannot be explained to anyone that hasn't really experienced the same kind of thing.
I realised that my eyes have closed again and I open them to see that I have lowered my head and turned aside in order to hide the pain. An involuntary action that I could not control but leaves me feeling no less ashamed of it.
I felt Ariadne shift next to me. I feel her much smaller, cooler hand sneak into mine and give it a squeeze. Not much, just to know that she was there. I feel that Kerrass was watching me too. Even though he was a little bit further away. I straightened and saw that the Duchess was gazing intently at Mark who was speaking.
“There has been some news.” Mark said. “But even that makes it sound far more.... definitive or certain than what it actually is. It would be closer to say that it is a rumour that has been found, something that needs to be followed up on certainly, but nothing concrete. A piece of hear-say. A possibility that needs to be checked out and followed up on. Nothing more.”
“Well what is it?” The Duchess asked. She had leant forwards as Mark had spoken.
Mark and Emma exchanged glances. “We are under instructions not to discuss it Your Grace.” Mark said.The Duchess opened her mouth to complain as the court nearly erupted around us in outrage.
“If I may....” the rest of Mark's words were drowned out.
I didn't see what happened exactly, I was still recovering from my little episode. But Emma told me that The Duchess gave a small signal to her sister who then gave another signal to one of her knights who proceeded to smash his gauntleted fist against his shield. The huge, discordant, metallic noise rattled around the hall until silence fell.
When it had, The Duchess' eyes narrowed. “You were saying, Lord Mark.” Her words were stern and expectant. There was anger in those words and for this woman to sound like that, then she meant us to hear it.
Mark took a breath. “We are under Imperial orders not to discuss the matter Your Grace, save with our brother when he arrives. And yourself along with, say, your three closest advisors. When the matter is put before you, I feel sure you will understand the need for secrecy regarding this news.”
The Duchess nodded but another voice had something to say. “I trust that I will be one of the three, sister mine.”
The Duchess didn't react to that although I felt the courtroom rumble with some dissatisfaction at this. It would seem that the forgiveness of Lady Syanna was not universal.
“Then let us say that, after you have had time to settle in I will send someone to bring you to council.”
“And Master Kerrass will tell you everything.” Mark told her. “It was he that found the information and, as such, he will be able to answer any questions that you might have. After which, I suppose that there might be Imperial couriers bringing word and orders. But we are, deliberately, consciously and with our consent, being kept out of that process.”
“I see.” The Duchess stopped as she considered for a moment and nodded before she rose to her feet. “In which case.” She signalled to servants who came. One carried a goblet, seemingly made from silver that was tooled and decorated so that it glittered in the torchlight. Another servant carried a metal tray upon which were several much smaller cups.
The large Goblet was handed to the Duchess. For those wondering, it is supposed to be the Goblet that the Lady of the Lake bestowed upon the ruling families of Toussaint at the nations founding. I have no idea if this is real, or indeed if this is that original goblet. The paintings and tapestries are unclear on the matter and often seem different, showing a kind of shining light coming from the cup meaning that the details are unclear.
I do know that the Lady of the Lake is real however.
The other tray of cups was passed out to the rest of us and the Duchess waited until each of us had our cups before she lifted the Ducal chalice in both hands.
“I welcome you in the name of Toussaint,” She said in a ringing tone. “Your every comfort is our wish and your pleasure is our desire. Out swords and shields will protect you from the night and you need fear no nightly noises. In this land of the five virtues, visitors are welcome but you will not be visitors. You are friends and all should know that our affection for you is boundless. As is our gratitude for your part in making our nation a better place. Even only a little. For it is that endeavour that guides us all and should be the great work of our time. To make this place better rather than resting on our heels.”
Then, she lifted the cup to her lips and took a swallow. Mirroring her and following Emma, who has been here before, we drank from our own cups.
Now...
Last time I was here, I was just one visitor among many and as such, I did not partake of the cup of welcome. This time, I was an honoured guest. Here to take full measure of the Hospitality of Toussaint, at their insistence.
I don't know what kind of wine it was in those cups. But I know that I have never tasted it's like before. Rich, deep and incredibly smooth. Lovely enough that I don't have the words to describe it. I felt the warmth of it spread out to the ends of my fingers and toes and when I was done, I noticed that the Duchess was watching me. Again, I saw her eyes sparkle in merriment although her expression didn't change. It was the first time I saw the similarities between the two sisters. I rather think that they share a sense of humour somewhere under all the pomp and circumstance.
I placed my cup back on the tray as the servant came round for it.
“Now,” The Duchess sat back down. “Syanna has....” She seemed to reach for the words.
“Requested.” Syanna suggested, stepping forward.
The Duchess fixed her sister with a glare. “Not the word I was searching for. Demanded is closer to the mark.”
“Well....” Syanna began to protest before turning her head on one side as she considered this. “No. That's fair.”
“Syanna will escort you to your rooms so that you may freshen up.” The Duchess told us. “I will send word when my council is assembled and when it is time for dinner.”
We bowed according to protocol and backed out of the room carefully. You never do anything other than carefully when it comes to matters of protocol in Toussaint. It is almost stricter than the Imperial Court, or so I'm told. I have never actually been to the Imperial Court so there you go.
Lady Syanna led us through the palace. I had had some idea of things from when I had stayed here previously and we were not being taken to the guest wing. I still felt a few trembles in my limbs so I was mostly concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other in case I lost my step. Ariadne walked on one side of me and Kerrass walked behind us. Not only his proper place in a proper procession of such matters, but it was not lost on me that this meant that Ariadne could hold my hand, squeezing it occasionally and Kerrass walking behind me could shield that from view.
I did notice that the way that the corridors were guarded had changed. Whereas before, the corridors would be guarded at regular intervals in order to maintain symmetry and other useless things that are occasionally observed when important places and people get guarded. Now there were guards at intersections. There were checkpoints as well where people had to come, sign their name, be recognised and checked before being let through. At the moment, these checkpoints were manned by imperial troops. But there were also knights in faceless visors that were stood with them.
Our larger escort from before had vanished once we were inside the palace itself. I was intrigued by these faceless anonymous knights. I wasn't entirely thinking clearly but I did manage to notice that there were differences in the way that they were presented. The knights guarding us had been uniformly large, powerful men with large, frightening weapons and shields that, I had no doubt having seen the Knights Errant of old train, could be swung and used with ease.
These people that were at the checkpoints seemed to be smaller people. There faces no less anonymous but there weapons were smaller and, I would guess, faster. There were also crossbows and spears propped against walls, artfully, but they looked like business weapons none the less.
Syanna introduced us to each checkpoint. We each signed our name three times and we had to give a security question with two answers. The idea would be that if the guard post was dissatisfied with our appearances or our signatures, then we could be asked these questions. If neither correct answer was given. Then the person would be arrested and detained. Of the two remaining answers, one was correct to signal that all was well, the other was a signal to the guards that we were under duress in some way.
The method was not secret and we were encouraged to use the same answer for each of the checkpoints. Mark, who has to live with more personal security than the rest of us, asked how often the passwords were changed and Syanna smiled.
“Regular visitors or citizens have personal information that is readily available to us and so we rarely have to repeat the question. Who the second cousin, twice removed to Lord de Launfall is is a matter of public record. So tests and regular signitaries to the guard posts are well known. Residents of the palace are assigned passwords on a daily basis and we have standby passwords in case we think we are compromised. Visitors, such as yourself, will be escorted everywhere anyway. I'm afraid that privacy is something you will come to miss except in your bed chambers and in the garderobe. However, you will be given some paperwork to fill out this evening which we encourage you to fill out so that we can vary the questions asked. We will also give you a couple of codewords to scream out if you are in your bedrooms, or garderobe and you are under attack.”
“I see.” Mark said nothing for a moment.
“Screaming by itself not good enough?” Laurelen commented.
“It depends on the timbre of the scream.” Syanna responded reasonably. “Some screams are different from others after all.
“I should also say that you may come in for a little bit of criticism in court. Most people think I am going a little over to the top with these measures. But you should know that my sister and Captain De La Tour agree with them. And our response to people complaining is that the previous measure did not manage to keep your sister safe.
“I see.” Mark said, just a hint of tension in his voice. “Then you shall have our full-throated support.”
“On the contrary, I would rather you just refer anyone who objects, even slightly, to me or to Damien. It is one of the few things that we agree on. Otherwise, someone somewhere will find the excuse to challenge you to a duel. And although there are many of us that would be glad to serve as your champion, for any reason, Your Eminence, we would rather avoid the incident if possible.
“Part of my purpose in these things is to annoy people in this kind of thing so they get angry with me and not with Damien or my sister. Sometimes, being the hated pariah is a useful thing when you can turn it into a tool.”
We did still have a guard in front of us and one behind. I thought it was the giant Guillaume de Launfall behind us and it has to be said that I have rarely felt safer than I did in that moment.
I was not the only one that noticed that we weren't going to the guest wing though.
“I thought that the guest wing was over that way.” Emma asked, gesturing to a side corridor as we passed it.
“It was.” Syanna told us. “But then Damien and I spent an entertaining afternoon showing the guardsmen just how easy it would be to get into the bedroom of the guest of honour. So they've been converted into receiving rooms now. The kinds of place where important people can have important meetings. The Ducal chambers are still at the top of the tallest tower. We get to keep that on the grounds that you would need a rope to get up there as well as an upper body strength of a superhuman. And there is no chance that an intruder wouldn't be seen, even at night. The stone is white after all. But there are a group of chambers in another tower that are, if anything, easier to get to and easier to guard. We wanted to get you in there before some of the other guests start to turn up.”
“Who is coming?” Mark wanted to know.
“The usual sort. This is not really that much of a public thing. This is mostly a ceremony for Toussaint people. So there were plenty of invites sent out. But mostly people wanted to plead off due to the Winter. It's mostly our ambassadors coming home to see what we've done and so they can pick up their new guards. There are also guests that are coming to watch the ceremony as well as to see the passing out of the Knights of Francesca.”
“Not “Saint” Francesca.” Emma wondered. The two of them, Emma and Mark were doing their best to keep the conversation going.
“No.” Syanna said darkly. “I use that sort of thing in public when I absolutely have to but... Does it make her any the more incredible a person if we attach the word “Saint” onto the front. Do we have to call her “saint” to excuse how badly we let her down. Or can we just all admit that she was a good, kind, decent woman that Toussaint failed? Only this time, we could not just sweep that failure under a rug somewhere and pretend that it never happened. That it happened in front of the Empress and a chronicler of history.....” She sighed. “I'm sorry. What happened with your sister resonated with me and I still get angry about it. I too was wronged by men who were supposed to be the very epitome of the five virtues of knighthood.”
“You gained your vengeance though.” Mark said gently.
“I did.” She sighed. “And it did not make me feel any better. Especially as at least two of them seemed to have grown since I knew them and became good and decent men. But I cannot regret their deaths. I try, you know? Every so often but I find that I just can't bring myself to be.... sad that I killed them.”
“Do you try and....” Ariadne's voice was as angry as I've ever heard it I think. Except when she has been defending me from something. She took a breath. “Forgive me. I spoke out of turn.”
Syanna did not turn away from where she was leading.
“No. I wronged Dettlaff. It is partly the debt that I owe him that has driven me to doing all of this. Him and all the people that his pain injured. I did that. My sister didn't help in that regard but I must own it. I could have just paid an assassin but I had to choose an Elder Vampire didn't I.” She made the words a little bitter.
“My arrogance is still immense and I can only claim that it is mitigated by the fact that I know it too. But that does not excuse what I did.”
“Forgive me.” Ariadne snarled a little. “But are you sorry for the manipulation of Dettlaff, the deaths that that manipulation caused, or are you sorry because your scheme didn't work.”
Syanna didn't say anything for a moment but she stopped in her tracks before turning around.
“You said you knew Detlaff?” She asked Ariadne.
“We all know each other.” Ariadne replied. “We are not so numerous as that. Breeding is rare in our people and each event is known.”
“But did you know him?” Syanna insisted.
“Yes. We were not lovers or anything like that. He was actually a gentle soul. Very private and kind as well. He retreated from our society when he saw..... He refused to take part, living among the humans. Making friends, taking lovers until the pain of that became too much which was when he would retreat into the wilderness before he became lonely and was driven back into civilisation. He was the kind of man who made toys for children and bought food for beggars.”
Syanna nodded.
“I did not love him.” She almost hissed it. Somewhere close to a whisper but more forceful “I was too angry at the time. I took many lovers in order to feel something, to have some kind of worth and he was one among many. I enjoyed his passion and his.... otherness. But he was too kind for me. I saw that as a weakness then. Still do sometimes. So I left him. That until I saw a way to use him. I loved the idea of him. I thought he would respond as a human. I thought he would be angry. I thought he would yell, slap me about a bit before he would float off somewhere.
“But he was not a human. A fact that I saw too late. Lord Geralt set me right about Detlaff. After I had seen how Detlaff would have killed me without blinking and after everything else had died down, Geralt took me to the toy shop in Beauclair which the Witcher bought with the proceeds of his first harvest from Corvo Bianco. He showed me the drawings Detlaff had done of me and the... very bad.... poetry that he wrote for me.
“I do not regret that my plan didn't work. Not because of the fact that I have since regained my sister although there is that. But because Detlaff would still have been angry when I emerged to claim my throne. He would still have destroyed Beauclair and there would not have even been the necessary precautions to stop him as I would have destroyed them all. I know that now.
“But I do regret the lives lost. Including Detlaff. He was not innocent though, he didn't need to kill to bring me out. I would have gone but my sister prevented it.”
“No he was not innocent.” Ariadne agreed. “But he was driven to that. Driven by hurt and the madness of loving you.”
“He was. But that is an argument we could pick apart for ever, round and round in a circle of recrimination and hatred. I most regret the exile of Regis. He had a similar reaction to you and his fury at my actions was as passionate as yours was. But he was a Doctor and would not permit his friend to harm more. So I forced Regis to kill his friend in order to prevent more life. Thus leading to his exile.”
Syanna made her voice hard. “I noticed that you had nothing to say about what I forced Regis to do.”
The two women faced each other with the air almost vibrating between them.
“You are right.” Ariadne said softly. “Poor Regis.”
“And you were right to be angry.” Syanna replied. “I deserve your rage.” Then she grinned. The mask of jovial, mischeivous woman was back on her face. “If you would like to yell at me some more then you are welcome to do so. It's a regular passtime around here and I shall place myself at your disposal once my duties are done for the evening.”
Ariadne astonished us all by laughing. “I can see why Detlaff would have liked you. He would have fallen for the surface and would not have seen the pain underneath.”
“Oh no,” Syanna replied. “He saw the pain. What he didn't see, what he wouldn't have understood even if he had seen it. Was that the pain fed the anger. He didn't see that I didn't particularly want saving from the pain. He didn't understand that and tried to smother me with the kindness. But still these are old wounds better picked apart in proper comfort, we should get you all to your quarters.”
We moved along, through another few guard checkpoints and moved into a group of rooms. They were not as large as the suite that we had been given previously but it was still impressive. It was obviously converted from something else into what it was now although I couldn't have told you what it was. Possibly a nursery of some kind or even a prison for important people who couldn't be locked up somewhere else.
But there was a large central room with a short corridor further off that had several rooms attached. A large fire to keep off the cold, a table of fruits, nuts and a jug of water and wine. Chairs and things were there and I gratefully lowered myself into one of them and stretched stiff legs out in front of me.
“It will be some time before my sister has gathered the relevent people together for a proper council.” Syanna told us. “There is other business that she wants to see to as well before we can move on. So I shall leave you briefly to get settled in. I am leaving you Guillaume and fellows to guard you and there are plenty of servants around. If you need anything then just send word and that matter will be dealt with. But I should go and fetch the Ducal surgeon to check on you as I notice that... his services might be required.”
She left without saying another word.
Mark settled down into a seat next to me. “Was that for you or for me do you think?” He wondered to me.
“Could go either way.” I said, tucking my head between my legs and breathing in and out. I felt someone press a goblet of something into my hand which I took sips from when the world stopped spinning a bit.
“You alright Freddie?” Emma wondered. “Sorry, Sorry. I know you hate that question but you look white as a sheet.”
“I've been better.” I told her, not a little bitterly. “Nothing quite like coming back to the scene of the crime to make you feel as though you're losing it.”
I felt like.... I mean I know I keep using this phrase to describe it, but it really is the most accurate way of describing the way I felt. I felt like a clenched fist that was just being allowed to punch someone. I leant back and stretched my legs out. A movement that seemed to take forever as though each individual joing was taking the time to pop out of it's previous alignment and settle into a new one.
“Let's get you nearer the fire.” Laurelen said as she moved an arm chair a bit closer to the warmth.
“I'm fine here.”
“You might be fine here.” Ariadne told me as she crouched next to me, “but we all know that you will start shivering in a moment, if you haven't already and you need to be by the fire.”
“Will you all stop fussing.” I snapped. “Sorry, sorry.”
Silence dropped over the room like a hammer.
“Just as I am sick of being asked if I'm alright, you all must be sick of my telling you all that I am so sick of all of this.”
“No we're not Freddie.” Kerrass was pouring a round of drinks for everyone. “You are angry. We know why and we accept it. You will move on in your own pace.”
“I agree with Kerrass,” Mark said as he took one of the cups from the Witcher. “And you just go back to two years ago and tell me then that I would be agreeing with a Witcher. Let alone that I would be a Cardinal of the flame.”
We all laughed. Trust Mark to cut through the bullshit.
“Here's the thing Freddie. Take it from someone who is getting used to this whole, “being an invalid” thing. Sometimes people fuss around us because they're worried and also because they love us. You must also accept that other people,” He gestured at Laurelen and Ariadne, “know more about what's happening to you than you do and still others,” he gestured to Kerrass, “know what you are going through because they've either been there before you. Or somewhere within shouting distance of it anyway.”
“I know.” With a burst of concentration and a little help from Ariadne, reminding me again of just how strong she was, I levered myself out of the chair and staggered over to the fire where I lowered myself into the seat provided. Emma passed a blanket over and before I knew it, I was tucked in.
“How long before dinner is called?” Emma asked one of our knights. I had lost track of who was who.
“You have several hours.” One of them answered before removing his helmet to reveal the smiling handsome face that we had earlier been introduced to as being Guillaume de Launfal. Now that I had a proper chance to look at him, he reminded me, a little uncomfortably of the man that had originally been responsible for hunting down Laughing Jack. But whereas that man was cold and arrogant, Sir Guillaume was friendly and open. Disliking him would have been disliking a small and overly enthusiastic puppy.
But he had the same long golden hair, chopped just short enough to fit beneath a helmet, the same strong chin with a cleft in the middle and the same powerful frame and confident physicality.
“Although, Commander Syanna did say that she wanted to come back and properly brief you on the situation here in Toussaint before she, and I quote, tosses you to the wolves.”
“And how long will that be?”
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“I suspect that she will come back shortly.” He said. “She is still having some difficulty accepting that we are as compitent as we can be and doesn't like us to be,” he cleared his throat in discomfort. “like un supervised children.”
“Then I must ask the uncomfortable question.” Emma stepped in front of him and squared her shoulders. What are the rules about what is discussed in this room? How private is it really?”
“You may ask the servants to leave at any time.” The knight responded promptly. “Your protection remains however. We are all under oaths to keep anything else discussed here private.”
“You will forgive me, I hope Sir knight.” My sister can sound just as threatening and angry as the rest of us when she puts her mind to it. “But I have seen the quality of your... of Toussaint's knightly oaths before.”
The other knight in the room with Sir Guillaume who had not been introduced shifted but Guillaume held his hand up in restraint.
“We deserved that.” He told her calmly. “So let me be clear. We share things within the knights who are assigned to be your protectors. So if there is any threat to your persons or privacy then we can be better prepared to respond accordingly. Our knights are anonymous other than a few prominent people who could not avoid being names anyway such as myself. But we have measures in place to protect that information. It stays within the protection group and does not go further unless necessary.”
He stood a little proudly and I got the feeling that this was an often repeated speech. The kind of thing that is rehearsed and drilled into people's minds in order to ensure memory of them.
“It is vital that the protectee trust the guardsman so that they don't try and lose us or give us the slip. Should you wish to visit the brothel, the gambling houses or a married person's bed chamber. Then you need only give us the word and we will escort you there in secrecy should it be needed. We will even help you with the assignation in order to preserve your honour. Because if you do give us the slip, then we are not protecting you.
“This is another reason for our anonymity. Factionism and cliquism and old political grudges last a long time and we don't want a situation where protection is refused due to old grudges.”
“What are the penalties for breaking of these oaths?” Mark wondered. He had found a piece of toasted bread and was spreading a piece of cheese onto it with a knife. He had developed a love for the stuff when we had last been in Toussaint and had been looking forward to the treat. Ariadne had told him that it wouldn't be good for his heart, but he had shrugged, wondering whether it would kill him faster.
“The penalty for oathbreaking on that level would be expulsion from the order of knights,”
“That doesn't sound too terrible,” Laurelen commented.
“That is because you are not from Toussaint,” I got the feeling that Guillaume was keeping tight control of his temper. But that he had been expecting this confrontation. “But we go further. The knight's properties are forfeit, not as bad a situation for those of us from a more common origin. And we are exiled from Toussaint on the pain of death.”
Then he grinned in an effort to disarm the situation. “Or the pain of Commander Syanna's wrath. Which might be worse.”
“And what if we decline your protection?” Emma wondered.
“We trust that that will not be the case.” Sir Guillaume answered promptly. He had been expecting this question as well. “We trust that you will acknowledge that we perform these things out of concern for your safety. But if you insist then I would ask you to wait for Commander Syanna's return whereupon you will be escorted back to the transport area for you to teleport your way home.”
“We are here at your request.” Ariadne observed.
“Yes. To enjoy our hospitality. And I suspect that there would be some form of repercussions for your refusal of that same.”
Emma looked over at the rest of us and we all laughed.
“Thank you Sir Guillaume.” She said. “I hope that you can understand the fact that we had to ask.”
“I understand madam, please do not be concerned on my account.”
There was a notable lessening of tension in the room as I sipped my drink.
“In which case.” Emma began. “Who do I speak to about ordering my brother a hot bath. Indeed, we could all do with a chance to freshen up if we're going to dine with the Duchess tonight.”
“I shall arrange the matter immediately.” He said, nodding to one of the servants who left through a side door.
We all sat in silence for a while, staring at our feet. I was fighting off the urge to close my eyes and go to sleep. Those little flash outbursts always leave me feeling strangely tired and sleepy. But I know from previous experience that if I give up and follow through on those ideas and actually go to sleep, then I would end up being more tired and unable to sleep later in the day.
“So there it is.” Kerrass went over to the table of food and drink. “Who is going to go and brief the Duchess then?”
My eyes opened in astonishment and looked at him as he followed Mark's example, only instead of spreading cheese on his small piece of toast, he spread one of the meaty pates that they seem to like in Toussaint. Never understood it myself when there's perfectly good cheese there.
I was not the only one who was astonished judging by Emma's open mouth.
“You are.” I said. “You found the information and you should tell the information. She would only send for you anyway when she asks how the information was found and any one of us would not be able to answer the question. You go. You did the work, you get the credit.”
“I don't really feel as though I...”
“Enough Kerrass.” I told him. “You did the right thing. You need to stop beating yourself up for it as your desire for maryterdom is becoming tiresome. We are not angry with you.”
“I might be a little angry.” Emma piped up with an impish smile on her face. “But it's closer to being cross than being angry. Maybe peeved.”
Laurelen sniggered.
“Put out.” Suggested Ariadne with a smile.
“Grumpy.” Added Mark.
Kerrass did not react to the humour though. “I could not have done...”
“Kerrass.” I warned him again. “Let's not go over this again. I was ill. I still am. I was angry, I will admit that I still am. But I am a master of myself enough to know that you were in an impossible situation. I had just told you that I thought I should set aside my search for Francesca for my own wellbeing and health. So when were you going to tell me that you might have found something.”
“I should have waited.”
“No you shouldn't.” Emma put in. “I agree with Freddie. From a purely, worried about my brother's health perspective, I would have preferred you to bring him back and then telling us all so that we could take proper measures to care for Freddie. I will admit being angry at first given what happened. But I know what would have happened then.”
It was Emma's turn to collect some food from the table. She took a small plate and piled it with several snacks that she took back to share with Laurelen.
“We would have sat and discussed it. At some point of that discussion we would have asked the question about “When do we tell Freddie?” Then we would have all decided that he wasn't quite strong enough for that.”
“Which I wasn't.”
“Which you weren't” Emma agreed before turning back to Kerrass. “So then there we all are, keeping secrets from Freddie. Sooner or later, someone is going to let that secret out of the bag at which point Freddie, not being entirely stupid.”
She winked at me. “Just a little foolish.” Before she turned back to Kerrass.
“But sensing a mystery he would have tugged at it and found out that we all knew what was going on. Then he hates us all for keeping secrets from him. Even with the best possible motives and even less ability to keep him from charging off to follow up on the information. Not trusting you, me or any of us ever again.”
Kerrass didn't look up. This was an argument that had happened since the night in the sheepfarmers hut several times. A night where, Kerrass had come back to the manor with a screaming, trembling and struggling me tied to my saddle and wrapped in every blanket that he could find. He had had to tie me to the saddle.
It had not been a good time in the immediate aftermath of that disclosure while they all sat around and waited to find out whether I had finally lost my mind. Everyone had started to calm down when I started to recover again later that day. But it was clear that Kerrass hated himself for that.
From the outside looking in though, everyone else's anger had come from their concern for me. They had soon seen the morality of Kerrass' choice and had accepted his apology. It was only Kerrass that refused to forgive himself for knocking me back down to the very beginning of my recovery process.
And before anyone asks the question, I decided not to record the process of that recovery because it was almost exactly the same as the previous lot of recovery. Except this time, I was in the proper guest quarters where Ariadne, Samantha and Laurelen could care for my body while Mark, Emma and Ariadne could care for my soul.
It was from this period that Kerrass elected himself as my ever present nursemaid. I can now, no longer go anywhere without him at my elbow. I have literally had to push him out of the room when I have been using a chamberpot.
It sounds odd to describe any amount of my overall recovery as being particularly pleasant. But even though the second time through recovery was actively harder, possibly because of the amount of sheer frustration involved due to the fact that I knew what was happening and just wanted to be better again, it was more pleasant.
I now knew that it wasn't just me. That I was ill and that it would, eventually, get better. And now, I was surrounded by my friends and family rather than having pushed them all away.
But it did seem to take longer. Far longer than it should have. And just in the middle of all of that, I had taken a chill and got really ill. The two problems, the mental and the physical seemed to melt together into one larger problem in my head. So even though Yule itself had been fairly pleasant, I was still not recovered from either.
“It was better that I knew Kerrass.” I told him. “It was better that I knew and that you didn't keep things from me. We were already having to work on our mutual trust. If you had kept it from me then that would have been so much longer in coming back.”
“If ever.” Mark muttered.
Kerrass sighed and nodded. He still wasn't happy and I rather felt as though this would be a conversation that we would need to have again at some point. Lord Geralt and Madame Yennefer are still in Cintra with the Empress and her father otherwise I would have sent him off to go and talk it over with the White Wolf, one Witcher to another. I still haven't quite got a handle on how Kerrass and Lord Geralt get on though so it could be disastrous.
We were saved from that conversation by Commander Syanna's return though.
She was accompanied by a large, blustery man with grey hair and thick whiskers down the side of his face. He was heavily muscled and strode into the room with a commanding presence. He also only had one arm and his doublet was tailored so that his stump of a left arm was properly covered. He had a satchel with him that looked specially made because despite the speed with which he moved, the satchel did not. Built to be brought around his body and rapidly rummaged around in. There were various other small tools fixed to the strap so that he could get at them easily. Including a pair of focusing lenses and a flat depressor.
He looked oddly familiar and I saw that Mark also shifted in recognition of the stranger.
“Ah yes, the Lords and Ladies Coulthard.” He boomed with a grin that displayed the fact that he was missing several teeth. He was not an ugly man but... how can I put this... He had also, quite obviously had a rough life. The broken nose, missing teeth and bulbous ear of a proffesional fighter. Scars of some, presumably, childhood disease and a twinkle in his eye that left me thinking that no young woman's virtue had been safe in this man's presence when he had been younger.
When he had surveyed the scene he saw that Ariadne was there as well and swept and overly florid bow towards her with a smile and a wink that made me suddenly and unaccountably jealous. Something which Ariadne found hilarious when I talked to her about it later.
“Your Servant Milady.” He said when he straightened.
“You all remember the Duchess' personal physician.” Commander Syanna told us all “Ser Walther Huffnagle. Baron de Pourdice.”
“We remember.” Emma said, holding out her hand to be kissed. “Charmed as usual Sir Walther.”
Ser Walther, despite being older than our father, took the opportunity to thoroughly kiss Emma's hand. “Now, which of these two idiots are my patient.”
“Idiots Sir Walther?” Mark asked with a raised eyebrow.
“All patients are idiots, Your Eminence. Only children do what they are told and only then when they are thrashed regularly. So no, no-one does what they are told. Men, especially lordly men are the worst for it. They go from lazing around in bed all day to on their feet, rushing around as though they expect to recover from illness or injury in the moment.”
He followed Emma's gesture towards me, pulling his satchel round his body as he did so and kneeling in front of me.
Sir Walther was familiar. I had a dim memory of him wafting around the room in the immediate aftermath of my vision, dream thing with Jack the last time I was here and I also remember Mark complaining about an uppity former knight Errant who had taken up medicine after losing his arm due to injury. He had taken to the practice of medicine with the same fervour and determination that he had used while learning the proper use of his medicines and had shown considerable skill in the ability to ignore a patient's rank and importance when they needed treating.
“Lord Frederick is it? Of the two, you were always the most stupid and it seems that you have done yourself another mischief. Open wide?”
The depressor was pushed into my mouth, far too hard and far too far and I went “ahhh” as ordered. Then he pulled out a small bag from which he took a wide dark leaf of some plant which he applied to my forehead.
“What's that?” Ariadne asked. Interested in the process and watching curiously.
“Damned if I know.” He bellowed happily causing Ariadne to rub her ear a little. “I just know how to use it.”
“So what does it do?” Ariadne was determined.
“I call it my stupidity detector. What it does is it changes colour depending on the internal temperature of the patient. The brighter the colour, the stupider the patient. In this case?”
He took the leaf off my head and examined it in the light. It showed a deep burgundy red and he set it aside.
“In this case, moderately stupid. Do me a favour Lord Frederick. Look at the torch just over my shoulder.”
“What are you looking for?” I wondered.
“Damned if I know, don't move.”
“Where did you get these leaves?” Ariadne wondered.
“Lady Vigo grows them for me.” He replied as he peered into my eyes. So close that it was a little invasive. “They're ridiculously expensive though. No, I don't know how they work.”
“But they react to the temperature of the skin.”
“And clamminess apparently.” He leant back, and seized my wrist, placing two fingers on the pulse point and stared into space for a bit before peering at me sharply. “So, Lord Frederick. Have you been in any fights in the last hour?”
“Ummmm, no.”
“Good. Otherwise Commander Syanna would have some very uncomfortable questions to answer I am sure.”
Said Commander Syanna sighed theatrically.
“Have you done any strenuous physical activity in the last hour?” Sir Walther continued.
“No.”
He sniffed hugely. “Well, then.” He stood up. “Answer me honestly Lord Frederick. When was the last time you had a good night's sleep?”
“Define a good night's sleep for me.” I replied, feeling my temper getting hot.
“I see.”
“I mean what kind of a stupid question is that?”
It is too. Is “good” defined by length of sleep, depth of sleep, number of dreams, quality of dreams, amount of uninterrupted sleep. How do you define a good night's sleep? Answer me that before you ask me that question again, oh Doctors and surgeons of the world.
Sir Walther nodded.
“Then answer me the next question. If I told you to rest, how likely would you be to follow my instructions?”
I struggled for an answer. Spluttering slightly before Emma laughed at me.
“Thought as much.” He declared before standing up.
“What's wrong with him?” Commander Syanna asked.
“A lot.” Sir Walther responded quickly. Emma had to turn away as Laurelen clapped her on the back.
“He has been injured.” Sir Walther told the room. “Badly and repeatedly I think.” My family was nodding at the confirmation. “We have no technical term for it but sometimes, a knight when hit upside the head will still be hearing the crash of metal on metal for days afterwards. He gets dizzy and starts to reel around a bit.”
“Yes, we know about that kind of thing. Keep them awake, keep them cool and keep them in the moment.” Syanna commented.
“You're not listening.” Sir Walther snapped. “The knight heals, get's better but whenever he hears a loud crash he starts jibbering, shivering and moaning. Everybody nods and says that it is a result of the head injury. At least, that's what they call it when they're not calling it cowardice or any of the other equally foolish terms.”
He went on for a while, talking about all of the things and asking questions about my recent behaviour, if you have read my last few articles you will know what we said, or rather what Ariadne, Emma and Laurelen said with Mark offering the occasional comment.
“Right.” Sir Walther told me after he had it. “The easiest recourse is rest, obviously, but not the physical variety. You need to live in the moment for a while rather than thinking about the future or the past. I would guess that you've spent a long time worrying about both for far too long. Am I right?”
“You're right.” Just about everyone else in the room chimed in to much collected hilarity and before I could respond. But Sir Walther remained serious.
“Then I would prescribe several things. By nightfall there will be a potion bottle in your quarters. It aids, but does not induce, a peaceful sleep.”
I nodded. That actually sounded rather pleasant.
“However, the more it is used over a short period of time, the less effective it is and long term use of the substance can render a person unable to sleep without it. I would recommend no more than two nights use in a row. No more than a splash in a glass of well watered wine will be sufficient and this is not one of those times where a larger dose increases the healing. You have been warned.”
“I understand.” I told him.
“I would also restrict him to gentle activities.” Sir Walther said to Syanna. “But I understand that he is one of the guests of honour and there are schemes and plans in place?”
“There are.” She nodded.
“Then I shall provide you with a vial of medicine. If he is having a fit then remove him to a place of safety and get him to drink no more than one drop diluted in a cup of watered wine. Two drops if he does not know where he is. That will calm him down and you should plan to remove him from the situation with urgency if that is the case.”
Syanna nodded.
Sir Walther turned back to me. “Nightmares?”
“I....”
“Lots of nightmares then.” He sighed and turned to Ariadne. I felt like I was in the middle of a windstorm. “He needs to learn not to fear the coming of the night.” He told her. “I take it you sleep in the same bed?”
“No.” She answered.
“Why not?” He seemed appalled then the answer came to him. “Marriage.”
“Yes. Marital politics is rather foolish in human....”
He waved her off one of her favourite topics with a small movement of his hand.
“Then I suggest that you get a dog and train it to sleep with you.” He told me.
“I'm not sure that a Dog would suit...”
Sir Walther continued to ignore me as being unimportant in the grand scheme of things.
“Then my best advice, the only advice that I can give at the moment, and I appreciate that it might be tricky from a personal perspective, is that he should not sleep alone.”
“I will stay with him.” Kerrass, the ever present nurse-maid told him.
Sir Walther fixed him with a withering gaze. “I have no doubt as to the well meaning nature of your offer.” He told the Witcher. “However when I say, “he should not sleep alone,” I mean that in the religious sense.”
“Now wait a second,” I began.
“Are you, Master Witcher, going to lie in bed with him at night and stroke his hair soothingly until he goes to sleep? Are you going to feel his laboured breathing through the sheets and wake in order to wake him from his nightmares? Are you going to be there to give him pleasant things to fall asleep to and more pleasant things to wake up from?”
He sighed and rubbed his eyes. “I applaud the love you show for your friend and I appreciate that you would die for him. But that is not the kind of love that this man needs.”
“There is a simple solution.” Ariadne said calmly. It always strikes me as to how calm she is when this kind of thing comes up in conversation. “I need a surrogate.”
“A what?” I asked weakly.
“A what?” Mark asked, a little weaker than I.
“Ah...” Said Kerrass as he realised what Ariadne was getting at.
“A surrogate.” Ariadne explained. “I love Freddie but I cannot provide for the kind of loving care that he needs at the moment, much though I might want to. So we find someone to act in my place.”
Laurelen and Emma sniggered unhelpfully.
“Hang on.”
“Freddie.” Ariadne pulled over a stool and sat next to me. “It is not as unusual as you might think. For a man of the world you are awfully naive in some ways. You have even been healed in this way before. After Amber's Crossing and when you went to Dorne to wake the Princess. You didn't think that Marion was only healing you from what happened or what was going on there did you. As I think Kerrass said at the time, Marion did you the world of good.”
“She did Freddie.” Kerrass said. “You came into yourself more after Marion spent some time with you, Lady Marion as we should call her now.”
“It's true.” Emma agreed. “When you came home after that, you were more confident, more...”
“Ok, Ok I get it.” I said unhappily into the silence.
Sir Walther had clearly decided that the conversaion had nothing to do with him anymore and was checking on Mark's pulse and listening to him breathe.
“It's not as uncommon as you might think.” Ariadne said carefully. “Women have been dressing servants in their dresses and giving them their perfume before sending them to husbands or lovers for years. It's even an accepted method of courtship in Zerrikania.”
“But...”
“And no-one. No-one will think twice about it. We are not married, you are male and society accepts male promiscuity before marriage. When we are married, we can discuss the injustices of that to your heart's content. But here's another thing that you have not considered.”
I raised my eyes to her unhappily.
“I am a Sorceress.” She said. “And I will always be with you.” She told me. “Now let me help you.”
I nodded miserably.
Ariadne squeezed my hand before rising to her feet. “Commander Syanna.” She began. “I trust you must have ways to arrange such matters.”
Syanna had been examining a piece of artwork in minute detail before she turned around. “Sorry? I wasn't listening.” She lied badly.
“Can you help me find a courtesan of some kind that would be able to be a surrogate for me to help with Freddie's recovery?”
Syanna considered. “Yes, I can think of a couple of houses that can help with a more long term arrangement. How open, how secret will the arrangement have to be?”
Ariadne shrugged. “I am a vampire, my Sister in law to be is gay, my maid of honour is a Dragon and my fiancee is bound to publish details of what happens. Tell the truth is my thought.”
“Interesting approach.” Syanna said. “I will enquire as to which houses might be willing.”
“Good. Then a small dose of Sir Walther's potion to get Freddie to sleep tonight. And then, I would like to be able to interview some candidates tomorrow.”
“Wait,” Syanna was confused. “You want to choose...”
“Naturally.” Ariadne looked equally confused. “She is to be my surrogate and I need to know that she will be suitable and capable for the task at hand.”
Syanna found this funny. I did not.
I was not the only one who was subject to Sir Walther's inspections. Mark also had to suffer through a brief physical examination although his process was a little bit more stern and uncompromising. Mark was chided for being too active and informed that he needed to take more rest. When Mark protested that he had done nothing but rest for far too long and that he needed to use more of the time left to him, Sir Walther responded that there was a time and a place and that if he had more time then he could do more.
“My job is to help you live longer.” Sir Walther informed him. “Your job is to save souls. If you live longer you will save more. I rather thought that the equation is a simple one.”
The argument carried on for a while after that but I later thought that this was the moment where the argument was won and lost.
“Alright that's enough.” Syanna declared after she had had her fill of enjoyment in the spectacle of watching a Cardinal of the Curch of Eternal Fire getting beaten up. “The council will be assembling as we sit here and bicker and I want to tell you things. Because there is no guarentee that I will be able to before dinner and by that point you will already have been thrown to the wolves.”
“Is it that dangerous here?” Emma wondered. “I thought we were honoured guests.”
“And you are. But people will seek to damage my sister through damaging you and that's what I need to warn you about. Think of it as an enemy intelligence briefing.”
“Sounds serious.”
“I would be lying if I suggested that it was not.”
Sir Walther made his farewells and promised both Mark and I that he would be back to check on “our progress” on a regular basis over the next couple of days. I can't speak for Mark but I was positively thrilled at the prospect.
Yes, that is indeed sarcasm that you can detect in the written word.
“The situation is this.” Commander Syanna began as she sat on a stool so that she could face all of us. “The dissappearance of Lady Francesca scarred Toussaint in ways that we are still finding the results of. I despise it when others get poetic but it really is fair to say that the ground shook beneath our feet and we are still feeling aftershocks of it, all this time later.
“I apologise if any of this is unpleasant to hear but it does bear saying aloud.
“Lady Francesca has become the sainted failure. She has become the symbol of those wronged as a result of the corruption inherent in our system up until that point. The entirety of our way of life was exposed as being a sham and a disgrace, quite literally over night, while we were hosting the most important event that is likely to have ever happened in any of our lifetime. That being that the Emperor abdicated, to a woman, and a young, unmarried, intelligent and beautiful woman at that.
“We were the hosts and we believe in hospitality just as much as the next nation. And we broke that promise. We broke our oaths to Nilfgaard, we broke our oaths to the Emperor and the, then, Emperor elect and we broke our oaths to you and your sister.
“Now that would be bad enough and I can see you all nodding in agreement but there's an aspect of what happened that might need some explaining still.
“For all that we are ruled by a woman in the figure of my sister, for all the fact that we hold one of the harshest punishments for rape on the continent and for all the fact that our views upon a woman's sexuality are actually quite advanced in Toussaint, especially compared to that of Nilfgaard as a whole, we are actually quite a backwards people when it comes to female strength. I will explain why this is important in a moment.”
She took a deep breath and Kerrass poured her a cup of watered wine. “It is a strange thing to both love and hate your country at the same time. The things that caused me so much pain are exactly the things that I want to preserve. But still...”
She finished the cup at a swallow and handed it back to Kerrass with a nod of thanks.
“The other thing that you need to bear in mind is that Toussaint invented two things. We invented the modern concept of romantic Love. Make no mistake about it, but Your Master Dandelion carried word of it North after his experiences here in the South.
“But we also, all but invented the concept of the Damsel in distress. Now don't get me wrong, I can see the historian in the corner bristling with all kinds of examples of Princesses being locked in towers needing to be rescued as well as all the stories and legends about the same. But the people that properly codified it. The people that put down.... the rules if you like, of what it is to be a damsel in distress. That was the people of Toussaint.
“So just to recap. As a society, we live for romantic stories. Beautiful women being rescued or saved by dashing knights. Less so anywhere other than in the noble class, but our noblewomen are expected to be beautiful, graceful, elegent and charming. But also a little vulnerable because they need to be rescued. They are supposed to be objects of devotion that men will go to any lengths for, plumb any depths for. Women are supposed to be the ideal that drives people to even greater lengths. Even when those same women are married to other people.
“So now we come to your sister. And I stress that I am getting to the point. Your sister comes here and she is everything that the people of Toussaint look for in a woman. She is beautiful, graceful, kind, clever, educated and charming. She also added a certain spice to the mix by being a foreigner, having the ear of the Empress and being trained with a sword. Not yet good enough with that weapon to be able to take on a knight, but good enough to give an over-confident idiot a bit of a shock.
“Now you and I know that that was because she was still training and training hard in order to get better. But for the knights of Toussaint, that meant that she was still vulnerable and fell into the camp of “woman that might need rescuing”.
“My sister tells stories of the queues of knights that would pay their respects to the, then, Empress elect in order to beg for permission to woo your sister. Something that both your sister and the Empress elect found endlessly entertaining. But your sister was proper and kind while the Empress elect was sharp and forbidding. Which made our people love her all the more.
“Personally speaking, I suspect that your sister was actually being a little snide and condescending but the men of our nation are generally stupid enough to ignore such matters when it comes to the women that they fall in love with. But that's a debate for a different day.
“But then she was kidnapped. It proved that she was kidnapped due to the failing of one of our own, one of the very best of our own at that. Lord Crawthorne was many things but he was the very greatest of the then Knights Errant.
“That failure prompted the Empress' rage and disgust. Our people thought that she was justified, if she did go over the top. Those of us who know how the world works is well aware that we are part of the Empire of Nilfgaard and exist on the Imperial throne's suffrance. But far too many of even the upper classes still believe the pretty lie that we are an autonomous nation that controls our own destiny.”
She snorted to show what she thought of that.
“People would rather believe the pretty lie than the ugly truth.” Mark muttered, quoting someone.
“Precisely.” Syanna agreed. “But let's stay on topic.
“The Empress was seen to be over-reacting and that was explained away due to her, and I quote, “overly emotional state due to being a woman”.”
I laughed at the ridiculousness of the statement. Even Ariadne smirked at that.
“But that didn't change the nature of the fact that we were responsible for the loss of your sister. Someone who was rapidly becoming one of, if not the, most romantic figures in Toussaint society. At that stage, the problem was not irretrievable. If we had been able to find and rescue your sister in Toussaint then we would have redeemed our honour.
“But then came the slaughter of the Fish-market where our passion led to the deaths of a Witcher, over a score of knight's errant and a not insignificant chunk of the Empire's fighting elite. Men who didn't need to die. I have read your account of the event Lord Frederick and it concurs with other eye-witnesses at the time. You were not unfair in your criticisms, even if you did not understand exactly why the Knights were so desperate to redeem themselves. They weren't just redeeming themselves, they were redeeming Toussaint. And they got a significant number of their fellows killed for it.
“But the damage still wasn't done. Then the Imperial forces conducted a nationwide search of the nation. Whereupon we found that, not only had we let your sister's captors as well as your sister herself, slip through our fingers. We unearthed numerous other crimes that had been overlooked, left unspoken and ignored over the years by the knights and civil authorities of Toussaint.
“And please don't blame yourself for this Lord Frederick. But then an increasingly famous scholar wrote all of that down and published it for the Continent to see.
“Toussaint was exposed. Her soft and rotten underbelly was laid bare for all to see. We are oathbreakers, cowards, fools, drunkards, bullies, rapists, liars, painfully stupid and dangerously ignorant. Even worse was the fact that we were often made so, due to the inadequacy of others. As the Duchess, my sister, herself said. “You have made an Oath-breaker of me Sir,” she said and that cry of rage and soul-searing pain tore out the hearts of every man, woman and child in our relatively small nation. Because we all felt the same way.”
Kerrass poured her another drunk.
“So we accepted our penance for what it was.” Syanna told us, taking the drink, “And the question becomes. How do we move forwards? The first is represented in people like me and the Knights of Saint Francesca.”
“I notice that you have no problem with calling them that now.” I commented.
“No, because in this case, I mean the symbol, not the woman.” Syanna retorted. “The Knights of Saint Francesca are a step forward. Trained by the Imperial Guard, Imperial Intelligence and some of the remnants of the Old Knight's Errant. Those that agree with my sister's decrees. We are the people that are trying to drag Toussaint, kicking and screaming into the modern Continent. We believe that we need to move forwards. That catastrophic mistakes need to be corrected by massive changes. We believe in things like Valour without prestige. We believe that everyone should have the right of protection from a knight of Toussaint. We believe that merit must trump money or birthright. We believe in Might for right, rather than Might is right.
“This is what my sister ordered when she wanted us to rethink the way that the Knight's Errant worked. The lone knight wandering the lands and righting wrongs. Fed by intelligence and an independent mind. That was what my sister ordered and we, Damien and I as well as a few others that you will meet soon, have done our best to implement that.”
I nodded, seeing where this was going. “Others do not agree.” I commented and I saw Emma, Ariadne and Mark nodding in agreement. Laurelen was listening closely while Kerrass could clearly care less. A Witcher's neutrality and all that.
“No. Everyone agrees that what happened was awful and a blight on the history of Toussaint. That is not in dispute. But others, notably my sister's political opponents.... although I am being unfair there. Some of them really do believe what they are saying. But they believe differently.
“They agree that Toussaint had advanced into decadence and decay. But they believe that the answer lies in the past rather than a move forward. They believe that a return to, and enforcement of traditional values is vital. They believe that the common folk need to relearn their place. That the original tenets of knight hood should be reinstated, that the old noble families need to be returned to their places of power rather than rich merchants and common born families who simply proved to be more talented at wine production should be sent back to the cottages and houses and so on and so on.”
A page knocked quietly and handed Sir Guillaume a small piece of paper, he nodded and the page left. Guillaume passed the paper to Syanna.
“It seems that I am summoned Witcher, which means that you will not be far behind me. Just quickly finishing up then. In the immediate future, these traditionalists, demand that I be sent to a nunnery or to the headsman's block for past crimes. That my sister should marry a husband of their choosing who shall reign as Duke as is.... heh.... right and proper. That knighthood should be returned to the province of the nobility only and that Valour and the proper and proven use of the five virtues should be rewarded with lands, money, title and the affection of willing women.”
She sniffed at this.
“They also demand the head of Sir Damien as well as more than one.... so called, knight has been punished by Damien in his guise as Captain of the guard as he upheld the law.”
“Seems a bit extreme,” Mark agreed.
“I might be being unfair....” Syanna tilted her head to one side. “No, I'm being perfectly fair, the bastard's are wrong. But I can see why they want that. They want to return Toussaint to a golden age. They believe in an ideal, a dream if you like. A dream of a place that never really existed. The place that they dream about only ever existed in the stories that their nannys told them when they were children. Toussaint was carved out of the countryside by sword and spear. It was taken from bandits and robber-barons. And I would be lying if I claimed that the thought is not attractive. I want the same thing if we are being honest. Nothing would make me happier than to be rescued by a shining knight. To be swept off my feet and looked after from now until the end of my days. To love and to be loved. To drink cold wine on a sunlit island in the middle of the river where men come to romance me and pay me court before I choose the most perfect of the lot upon whom to bestow my grace. There is romance in that image.
“But I am also cynical enough to know that that will never happen.”
“So why does this concern us?” Mark wondered.
“Because you are helping with our faction, the modernists, the radicals. You are the ones that are funding matters so that any old bum can become a knight of Toussaint.”
“But we are doing that without profit, using your own vinyards and are not taking anything.”
“I know.” Syanna climbed to her feet.
“We were asked to.”
“I know that too.”
“We've done everything we can to maintain the traditions of a...”
“None of this is your fault.” Syanna told him. “But, as far as the traditional people are concerned, you should have stayed well out of it. Everyone agrees that Crawthorne was an ass and deserved what he got. But “Toussaint for Toussaint,” is a battle cry now. People will try and insult, or upset you in order to get to Anna and to undermine what we are trying to do here.” She then smiled brightly. “Try and get challenged to a few duels if you can. My people are positively...moist at the thought of defending your honour.” She turned and nodded to Guillaume and went towards the door.
“These committee meetings never take less than an hour and dinner will be some time after that. I would take this time to freshen up and get some rest.”
“But that means that dinner will be rather a late....”
“Yes.” Syanna told my sister happily before leaving the room.
We all spent a bit of time taking in and working through what Commander Syanna had told us. Then someone started laughing and it honestly took me a few moments to realise that that person was me. I don't know if there was a hysterical edge to my laughter but I do know that Emma turned to me, her mouth open in horror. I pointed at her as my mirth increased.
“Let's all go to Toussaint.” I laughed at her. “It will be a nice rest after everything that we've all been through this year. We will be treated like honoured guests.”
Mark and Kerrass started laughing as well.
I've been working on my Emma impression for many years now and this was it's time to shine.
“We will have such fun.”
(A/N: Sorry, not sorry for not resolving the cliffhanger at the end of the last chapter. But, although I know what it is, I couldn't think of a way to do it interestingly in the space available without Kerrass just repeating the story over and over again in different environments. It is coming and was originally planned for this chapter. But this chapter was dragging on anyway and was already long enough and was also filled with enough establishment and dialogue so it got pushed back. So that resolution is coming and is not forgotten. I promise.Thank you for taking the time to read and please, for me if for no-one else, stay safe out there.)