The Brethren Page 6

  Chapter Four: The Letter of Saladin

  Twas past three in the afternoon, and snow clouds were fastcovering up the last grey gleam of the December day, as Godwin,wishing that his road was longer, walked to Steeple church acrossthe meadow. At the door of it he met the two serving women comingout with brooms in their hands, and bearing between them a greatbasket filled with broken meats and foul rushes. Of them he askedif the Lady Rosamund were still in the church, to which theyanswered, curtseying:

  "Yes, Sir Godwin; and she bade us desire of you that you wouldcome to lead her to the Hall when she had finished making herprayers before the altar."

  "I wonder," mused Godwin, "whether I shall ever lead her from thealtar to the Hall, or whether--I shall bide alone by the altar?"

  Still he thought it a good omen that she had bidden him thus,though some might have read it otherwise.

  Godwin entered the church, walking softly on the rushes withwhich its nave was strewn, and by the light of the lamp thatburnt there always, saw Rosamund kneeling before a little shrine,her gracious head bowed upon her hands, praying earnestly. Ofwhat, he wondered--of what?

  Still, she did not hear him; so, coming into the chancel, hestood behind her and waited patiently. At length, with a deepsigh, Rosamund rose from her knees and turned, and he noted bythe light of the lamp that there were tear-stains upon her face.Perhaps she, too, had spoken with the Prior John, who was herconfessor also. Who knows? At the least, when her eyes fell uponGodwin standing like a statue before her, she started, and therebroke from her lips the words:

  "Oh, how swift an answer!" Then, recovering herself, added, "Tomy message, I mean, cousin."

  "I met the women at the door," he said.

  "It is kind of you to come," Rosamund went on; "but, in truth,since that day on Death Creek I fear to walk a bow-shot's lengthalone or in the company of women only. With you I feel safe."

  "Or with Wulf?"

  "Yes; or with Wulf," she repeated; "that is, when he is notthinking of wars and adventures far away."

  By now they had reached the porch of the church, to find that thesnow was falling fast.

  "Let us bide here a minute," he said; "it is but a passingcloud."

  So they stayed there in the gloom, and for a while there wassilence between them. Then he spoke.

  "Rosamund, my cousin and lady, I come to put a question to you,but first--why you will understand afterwards--it is my duty toask that you will give me no answer to that question until a fullday has passed."

  "Surely, Godwin, that is easy to promise. But what is thiswonderful question which may not be answered?"

  "One short and simple. Will you give yourself to me in marriage,Rosamund?"

  She leaned back against the wall of the porch.

  "My father--" she began.

  "Rosamund, I have his leave."

  "How can I answer since you yourself forbid me?"

  "Till this time to-morrow only. Meanwhile, I pray you hear me,Rosamund. I am your cousin, and we were brought uptogether--indeed, except when I was away at the Scottish war, wehave never been apart. Therefore, we know each other well, aswell as any can who are not wedded. Therefore, too, you will knowthat I have always loved you, first as a brother loves hissister, and now as a man loves a woman."

  "Nay, Godwin, I knew it not; indeed, I thought that, as it usedto be, your heart was other--where."

  "Other--where? What lady--?"

  "Nay, no lady; but in your dreams."

  "Dreams? Dreams of what?"

  "I cannot say. Perchance of things that are not here--thingshigher than the person of a poor maid."

  "Cousin, in part you are right, for it is not only the maid whomI love, but her spirit also. Oh, in truth, you are to me adream--a symbol of all that is noble, high and pure. In you andthrough you, Rosamund, I worship the heaven I hope to share withyou."

  "A dream? A symbol? Heaven? Are not these glittering garments tohang about a woman's shape? Why, when the truth came out youwould find her but a skull in a jewelled mask, and learn toloath her for a deceit that was not her own, but yours. Godwin,such trappings as your imagination pictures could only fit anangel's face."

  "They fit a face that will become an angel's."

  "An angel's? How know you? I am half an Eastern; the blood runswarm in me at times. I, too, have my thoughts and visions. Ithink that I love power and imagery and the delights of life--adifferent life from this. Are you sure, Godwin, that this poorface will be an angel's?"

  "I wish I were as sure of other things. At least I'll risk it."

  "Think of your soul, Godwin. It might be tarnished. You would notrisk that for me, would you?"

  He thought. Then answered:

  "No; since your soul is a part of mine, and I would not riskyours, Rosamund."

  "I like you for that answer," she said. "Yes; more than for allyou have said before, because I know that it is true. Indeed, youare an honourable knight, and I am proud--very proud--that youshould love me, though perhaps it would have been betterotherwise." And ever so little she bent the knee to him.

  "Whatever chances, in life or death those words will make mehappy, Rosamund."

  Suddenly she caught his arm. "Whatever chances? Ah! what is aboutto chance? Great things, I think, for you and Wulf and me.Remember, I am half an Eastern, and we children of the East canfeel the shadow of the future before it lays its hands upon usand becomes the present. I fear it, Godwin--I tell you that Ifear it."

  "Fear it not, Rosamund. Why should you fear? On God's knees liesthe scroll of our lives, and of His purposes. The words we seeand the words we guess may be terrible, but He who wrote it knowsthe end of the scroll, and that it is good. Do not fear,therefore, but read on with an untroubled heart, taking nothought for the morrow."

  She looked at him wonderingly, and asked,

  "Are these the words of a wooer or of a saint in wooer's weeds? Iknow not, and do you know yourself? But you say you love me andthat you would wed me, and I believe it; also that the woman whomGodwin weds will be fortunate, since such men are rare. But I amforbid to answer till to-morrow. Well, then I will answer as I amgiven grace. So till then be what you were of old, and--the snowhas ceased; guide me home, my cousin Godwin."

  So home they went through the darkness and the cold, moaningwind, speaking no word, and entered the wide hall, where a greatfire built in its centre roared upwards towards an opening in theroof, whence the smoke escaped, looking very pleasant andcheerful after the winter night without.

  There, standing in front of the fire, also pleasant and cheerfulto behold, although his brow seemed somewhat puckered, was Wulf.At the sight of him Godwin turned back through the great door,and having, as it were, stood for one moment in the light,vanished again into the darkness, closing the door behind him.But Rosamund walked on towards the fire.

  "You seem cold, cousin," said Wulf, studying her. "Godwin haskept you too long to pray with him in church. Well, it is hiscustom, from which I myself have suffered. Be seated on thissettle and warm yourself."

  She obeyed without a word, and opening her fur cloak, stretchedout her hands towards the flame, which played upon her dark andlovely face. Wulf looked round him.

  The hall was empty. Then he looked at Rosamund.

  "I am glad to find this chance of speaking with you alone,Cousin, since I have a question to ask of you; but I must pray ofyou to give me no answer to it until four-and-twenty hours bepassed."

  "Agreed," she said. "I have given one such promise; let it servefor both; now for your question."

  "Ah!" replied Wulf cheerfully; "I am glad that Godwin went first,since it saves me words, at which he is better than I am."

  "I do not know that, Wulf; at least, you have more of them,"answered Rosamund, with a little smile.

  "More perhaps, but of a different quality--that is what you mean.Well, happily here mere words are not in question."

  "What, then, are in question, Wulf?"

  "Hearts. Your heart and my heart--and,
I suppose, Godwin's heart,if he has one--in that way."

  "Why should not Godwin have a heart?"

  "Why? Well, you see just now it is my business to belittleGodwin. Therefore I declare--which you, who know more about it,can believe or not as it pleases you--that Godwin's heart is likethat of the old saint in the reliquary at Stangate--a thing whichmay have beaten once, and will perhaps beat again in heaven, butnow is somewhat dead--to this world."

  Rosamund smiled, and thought to herself that this dead heart hadshown signs of life not long ago. But aloud she said:

  "If you have no more to say to me of Godwin's heart, I willbegone to read with my father, who waits for me."

  "Nay, I have much more to say of my own." Then suddenly Wulfbecame very earnest--so earnest that his great frame shook, andwhen he strove to speak he could but stammer. At length it allcame forth in a flood of burning words.

  "I love you, Rosamund! I love you--all of you, as I have everloved you--though I did not know it till the other day--that ofthe fight, and ever shall love you--and I seek you for my wife. Iknow that I am only a rough soldier-man, full of faults, not holyand learned like Godwin. Yet I swear that I would be a trueknight to you all my life, and, if the saints give me grace andstrength, do great deeds in your honour and watch you well. Oh!what more is there to say?"

  "Nothing, Wulf," answered Rosamund, lifting her downcast eyes."You do not wish that I should answer you, so I will thankyou--yes, from my heart, though, in truth, I am grieved that wecan be no more brother and sister, as we have been this many ayear--and be going."

  "Nay, Rosamund, not yet. Although you may not speak, surely youmight give me some little sign, who am in torment, and thus muststay until this time to-morrow. For instance, you might let mekiss your hand--the pact said nothing about kissing."

  "I know naught of this pact, Wulf," answered Rosamund sternly,although a smile crept about the corners of her mouth, "but I doknow that I shall not suffer you to touch my hand."

  "Then I will kiss your robe," and seizing a corner of her cloak,he pressed it to his lips.

  "You are strong--I am weak, Wulf, and cannot wrench my garmentfrom you, but I tell you that this play advantages you nothing."

  He let the cloak fall.

  "Your pardon. I should have remembered that Godwin would neverhave presumed so far."

  "Godwin," she said, tapping her foot upon the ground, "if he gavea promise, would keep it in the spirit as well as in the letter."

  "I suppose so. See what it is for an erring man to have a saintfor a brother and a rival! Nay, be not angry with me, Rosamund,who cannot tread the path of saints."

  "That I believe, but at least, Wulf, there is no need to mockthose who can."

  "I mock him not. I love him as well as--you do." And he watchedher face.

  It never changed, for in Rosamund's heart were hid the secretstrength and silence of the East, which can throw a maskimpenetrable over face and features.

  "I am glad that you love him, Wulf. See to it that you neverforget your love and duty."

  "I will; yes--even if you reject me for him."

  "Those are honest words, such as I looked to hear you speak," shereplied in a gentle voice. "And now, dear Wulf, farewell, for I amweary--"

  "To-morrow--" he broke in.

  "Ay," she answered in a heavy voice. "To-morrow I must speak,and--you must listen."

  The sun had run his course again, and once more it was near fouro'clock in the afternoon. The brethren stood by the great fire inthe hall looking at each other doubtfully--as, indeed, they hadlooked through all the long hours of the night, during whichneither of them had closed an eye.

  "It is time," said Wulf, and Godwin nodded.

  As he spoke a woman was seen descending from the solar, and theyknew her errand.

  "Which?" asked Wulf, but Godwin shook his head.

  "Sir Andrew bids me say that he would speak with you both," saidthe woman, and went her way.

  "By the saints, I believe it's neither!" exclaimed Wulf, with alittle laugh.

  "It may be thus," said Godwin, "and perhaps that would be best forall."

  "I don't think so," answered Wulf, as he followed him up thesteps of the solar.

  Now they had passed the passage and closed the door, and beforethem was Sir Andrew seated in his chair by the fire, but notalone, for at his side, her hand resting upon his shoulder, stoodRosamund. They noted that she was clad in her richest robes, anda bitter thought came into their minds that this might be to showthem how beautiful was the woman whom both of them must lose. Asthey advanced they bowed first to her and then to their uncle,while, lifting her eyes from the ground, she smiled a little ingreeting.

  "Speak, Rosamund," said her father. "These knights are in doubtand pain."

  "Now for the coup de grace," muttered Wulf.

  "My cousins," began Rosamund in a low, quiet voice, as though shewere saying a lesson, "as to the matter of which you spoke to meyesterday, I have taken counsel with my father and with my ownheart. You did me great honour, both of you, in asking me to bethe wife of such worthy knights, with whom I have been broughtup and have loved since childhood as a sister loves her brothers.I will be brief as I may. Alas! I can give to neither of you theanswer which you wish."

  "Coup de grace indeed," muttered Wulf, "through hauberk, gambeson,and shirt, right home to the heart."

  But Godwin only turned a trifle paler and said nothing.

  Now there was silence for a little space, while from beneath hisbushy eyebrows the old knight watched their faces, on which thelight of the tapers fell.

  Then Godwin spoke: "We thank you, Cousin. Come, Wulf, we have ouranswer; let us be going."

  "Not all of it," broke in Rosamund hastily, and they seemed tobreathe again.

  "Listen," she said; "for if it pleases you, I am willing to make apromise which my father has approved. Come to me this time twoyears, and if we all three live, should both of you still wishfor me to wife, that there may be no further space of pain orwaiting, I will name the man whom I shall choose, and marry himat once."

  "And if one of us is dead?" asked Godwin.

  "Then," replied Rosamund, "if his name be untarnished, and he hasdone no deed that is not knightly, will forthwith wed the other."

  "Pardon me--" broke in Wulf.

  She held up her hand and stopped him, saying: "You think this astrange saying, and so, perhaps, it is; but the matter is alsostrange, and for me the case is hard. Remember, all my life is atstake, and I may desire more time wherein to make my choice, thatbetween two such men no maiden would find easy. We are all of usstill young for marriage, for which, if God guards our lives,there will be time and to spare. Also in two years I may learnwhich of you is in truth the worthier knight, who to-day bothseem so worthy."

  "Then is neither of us more to you than the other?" asked Wulfoutright.

  Rosamund turned red, and her bosom heaved as she replied:

  "I will not answer that question."

  "And Wulf should not have asked it," said Godwin. "Brother, I readRosamund's saying thus: Between us she finds not much to choose,or if she does in her secret heart, out of her kindness--sinceshe is determined not to marry for a while--she will not sufferus to see it and thereby bring grief on one of us. So she says,'Go forth, you knights, and do deeds worthy of such a lady, andperchance he who does the highest deeds shall receive the greatreward.' For my part, I find this judgment wise and just, and Iam content to abide its issue. Nay, I am even glad of it, sinceit gives us time and opportunity to show our sweet cousin here,and all our fellows, the mettle whereof we are made, and striveto outshine each other in the achievement of great feats which,as always, we shall attempt side by side."

  "Well spoken," said Sir Andrew. "And you, Wulf?"

  Then Wulf, feeling that Rosamund was watching his face beneaththe shadow of her long eyelashes, answered:

  "Before Heaven, I am content also, for whatever may be saidagainst it, now at least there will be two years of war i
n whichone or both of us well may fall, and for that while at least nowoman can come between our brotherhood. Uncle, I crave your leaveto go serve my liege in Normandy."

  "And I also," said Godwin.

  "In the spring; in the spring," replied Sir Andrew hastily; "whenKing Henry moves his power. Meanwhile, bide you here in all goodfellowship, for, who knows--much may happen between now and then,and perhaps your strong arms will be needed as they were not longago. Moreover, I look to all three of you to hear no more of thistalk of love and marriage, which, in truth, disturbs my mind andhouse. For good or ill, the matter is now settled for two yearsto come, by which time it is likely I shall be in my grave andbeyond all troubling.

  "I do not say that things have gone altogether as I could havewished, but they are as Rosamund wishes, and that is enough forme. On which of you she looks with the more favour I do not know,and be you content to remain in ignorance of what a father doesnot think it wise to seek to learn. A maid's heart is her own,and her future lies in the hand of God and His saints, where letit bide, say I. Now we have done with all this business.Rosamund, dismiss your knights, and be you all three brothers andsister once more till this time two years, when those who livewill find an answer to the riddle."

  So Rosamund came forward, and without a word gave her right handto Godwin and her left to Wulf, and suffered that they shouldpress their lips upon them. So for a while this was the end oftheir asking of her in marriage.

  The brethren left the solar side by side as they had come intoit, but changed men in a sense, for now their lives were afirewith a great purpose, which bade them dare and do and win. Yetthey were lighter-hearted than when they entered there, since atleast neither had been scorned, while both had hope, and all thefuture, which the young so seldom fear, lay before them.

  As they descended the steps their eyes fell upon the figure of atall man clad in a pilgrim's cape, hood and low-crowned hat, ofwhich the front was bent upwards and laced, who carried in hishand a palmer's staff, and about his waist the scrip andwater-bottle.

  "What do you seek, holy palmer?" asked Godwin, coming towardshim. "A night's lodging in my uncle's house?"

  The man bowed; then, fixing on him a pair of beadlike brown eyes,which reminded Godwin of some he had seen, he knew not when orwhere, answered in the humble voice affected by his class:

  "Even so, most noble knight. Shelter for man and beast, for mymule is held without. Also--a word with the lord, Sir AndrewD'Arcy, for whom I have a message."

  "A mule?" said Wulf. "I thought that palmers always went afoot?"

  "True, Sir Knight; but, as it chances, I have baggage. Nay, notmy own, whose earthly gear is all upon my back--but a chest, thatcontains I know not what, which I am charged to deliver to SirAndrew D'Arcy, the owner of this hall, or should he be dead, thento the lady Rosamund, his daughter."

  "Charged? By whom?" asked Wulf.

  "That, sir," said the palmer, bowing, "I will tell to Sir Andrew,who, I understand, still lives. Have I your leave to bring in thechest, and if so, will one of your servants help me, for it isheavy?"

  "We will help you," said Godwin. And they went with him into thecourtyard, where by the scant light of the stars they saw a finemule in charge of one of the serving men, and bound upon its backa long-shaped package sewn over with sacking. This the palmerunloosed, and taking one end, while Wulf, after bidding the manstable the mule, took the other, they bore it into the hall,Godwin going before them to summon his uncle. Presently he cameand the palmer bowed to him.

  "What is your name, palmer, and whence is this box?" asked theold knight, looking at him keenly.

  "My name, Sir Andrew, is Nicholas of Salisbury, and as to whosent me, with your leave I will whisper in your ear." And,leaning forward, he did so.

  Sir Andrew heard and staggered back as though a dart had piercedhim.

  "What?" he said. "Are you, a holy palmer, the messenger of--" andhe stopped suddenly.

  "I was his prisoner," answered the man, "and he--who at least everkeeps his word--gave me my life--for I had been condemned todie--at the price that I brought this to you, and took back youranswer, or hers, which I have sworn to do."

  "Answer? To what?"

  "Nay, I know nothing save that there is a writing in the chest.Its purport I am not told, who am but a messenger bound by oathto do certain things. Open the chest, lord, and meanwhile, if youhave food, I have travelled far and fast."

  Sir Andrew went to a door, and called to his men-servants, whomhe bade give meat to the palmer and stay with him while he ate.Then he told Godwin and Wulf to lift the box and bring it to thesolar, and with it hammer and chisel, in case they should beneeded, which they did, setting it upon the oaken table.

  "Open," said Sir Andrew. So they ripped off the canvas, two foldsof it, revealing within a box of dark, foreign looking wood boundwith iron bands, at which they laboured long before they couldbreak them. At length it was done, and there within was anotherbox beautifully made of polished ebony, and sealed at the frontand ends with a strange device. This box had a lock of silver, towhich was tied a silver key.

  "At least it has not been tampered with," said Wulf, examiningthe unbroken seals, but Sir Andrew only repeated:

  "Open, and be swift. Here, Godwin, take the key, for my handshakes with cold."

  The lock turned easily, and the seals being broken, the lid roseupon its hinges, while, as it did so, a scent of precious odoursfilled the place. Beneath, covering the contents of the chest,was an oblong piece of worked silk, and lying on it a parchment.

  Sir Andrew broke the thread and seal, and unrolled the parchment.Within it was written over in strange characters. Also, there wasa second unsealed roll, written in a clerkly hand in NormanFrench, and headed, "Translation of this letter, in case theknight, Sir Andrew D'Arcy, has forgotten the Arabic tongue, orthat his daughter, the lady Rosamund, has not yet learned thesame."

  Sir Andrew glanced at both headings, then said:

  "Nay, I have not forgotten Arabic, who, while my lady lived,spoke little else with her, and who taught it to our daughter.But the light is bad, and, Godwin, you are scholarly; read me theFrench. We can compare them afterwards."

  At this moment Rosamund entered the solar from her chamber, andseeing the three of them so strangely employed, said:

  "Is it your will that I go, father?"

  "No, daughter. Since you are here, stay here. I think that thismatter concerns you as well as me. Read on, Godwin."

  So Godwin read:

  "In the Name of God, the Merciful and Compassionate! I,Salah-ed-din, Yusuf ibn Ayoub, Commander of the Faithful, causethese words to be written, and seal them with my own hand, to theFrankish lord, Sir Andrew D'Arcy, husband of my sister by anothermother, Sitt Zobeide, the beautiful and faithless, on whom Allahhas taken vengeance for her sin. Or if he be dead also, then tohis daughter and hers, my niece, and by blood a princess of Syriaand Egypt, who among the English is named the lady Rose of theWorld.

  "You, Sir Andrew, will remember how, many years ago, what we werefriends, you, by an evil chance, became acquainted with my sisterZobeide, while you were a prisoner and sick in my father's house.How, too, Satan put it into her heart to listen to your words oflove, so that she became a Cross-worshipper, and was married toyou after the Frankish custom, and fled with you to England. Youwill remember also, although at the time we could not recaptureher from your vessel, how I sent a messenger to you, saying thatsoon or late I would yet tear her from your arms and deal withher as we deal with faithless women. But within six years of thattime sure news reached me that Allah had taken her, therefore Imourned for my sister and her fate awhile, and forgot her andyou.

  "Know that a certain knight named Lozelle, who dwelt in the partof England where you have your castle, has told me that Zobeideleft a daughter, who is very beautiful. Now my heart, which lovedher mother, goes out towards this niece whom I have never seen,for although she is your child and a Cross-worshipper atleast--save in the matter of her mother's thef
t--you were a braveand noble knight, of good blood, as, indeed, I remember yourbrother was also, he who fell in the fight at Harenc.

  "Learn now that, having by the will of Allah come to great estatehere at Damascus and throughout the East, I desire to lift yourdaughter up to be a princess of my house. Therefore I invite herto journey to Damascus, and you with her, if you live. Moreover,lest you should fear some trap, on behalf of myself, mysuccessors and councillors, I promise in the Name of God, and bythe word of Salah-ed-din, which never yet was broken, thatalthough I trust the merciful God may change her heart so thatshe enters it of her own will, I will not force her to accept theFaith or to bind herself in any marriage which she does notdesire. Nor will I take vengeance upon you, Sir Andrew, for whatyou have done in the past, or suffer others to do so, but willrather raise you to great honour and live with you in friendshipas of yore.

  "But if my messenger returns and tells me that my niece refusesthis, my loving offer, then I warn her that my arm is long, and Iwill surely take her as I can.

  "Therefore, within a year of the day that I receive the answer ofthe lady, my niece, who is named Rose of the World, my emissarieswill appear wherever she may be, married or single, to lead herto me, with honour if she be willing, but still to lead her to meif she be unwilling. Meanwhile, in token of my love, I sendcertain gifts of precious things, and with them my patent of hertitle as Princess, and Lady of the City of Baalbec, which title,with its revenue and prerogatives, are registered in the archivesof my empire in favour of her and her lawful heirs, and declaredto be binding upon me and my successors forever.

  "The bearer of this letter and of my gifts is a certainCross-worshipper named Nicholas, to whom let your answer behanded for delivery to me. This devoir he is under oath toperform and will perform it, for he knows that if he failstherein, then that he must die.

  "Signed by Salah-ed-din, Commander of the Faithful, at Damascus,and sealed with his seal, in the spring season of the year of theHegira 581.

  "Take note also that this writing having been read to me by mysecretary before I set my name and seal thereunto, I perceivethat you, Sir Andrew, or you, Lady Rose of the World, may thinkit strange that I should be at such pains and cost over a maidwho is not of my religion and whom I never saw, and may thereforedoubt my honesty in the matter. Know then the true reason. SinceI heard that you, Lady Rose of the World, lived, I have thricebeen visited by a dream sent from God concerning you, and in it Isaw your face.

  "Now this was the dream--that the oath I made as regards yourmother is binding as regards you also; further, that in some waywhich is not revealed to me, your presence here will withhold mefrom the shedding of a sea of blood, and save the whole worldmuch misery. Therefore it is decreed that you must come and bidein my house. That these things are so, Allah and His Prophet bemy witnesses."