The Squire's Quest (21 page)

They were able to obtain more direct information soon. On the outskirts of Athens, they came upon a wide field where a courtier was hunting with a falcon. When they drew near, the falconer looked up, then cried joyously, "
Kyrie!
" and ran with outstretched arms toward them. It was Bernard. For nearly an hour, Acoriondes and his squire sat beside the road and spoke quickly and urgently in their own language. Watching them, Terence could tell only that startling events had taken place. Acoriondes's sharp questions often bore a note of alarm, occasionally incredulity. Dinadan, too, blinked with surprise several times, and Terence guessed that he was understanding much of Bernard's speech.

At last Bernard finished his recital and answered all his master's questions. Acoriondes stood, "Come! We must go.

"You want to tell me what's going on? Terence asked. "Is it Cligés and Fenice still?"

"Cligés and Fenice are dead," Acoriondes said.

Now it was Terence's turn to blink with surprise. "But how?

"Fenice grew ill shortly after arriving in Athens. Nothing could help her.

"Not even her nurse? Thessala? Terence asked.

"Not even she. Bernard says that a famous doctor of Salerno happened to arrive shortly after she took ill, but he, too, failed to cure her.

Dinadan cleared his throat. "That was one of the bits I had trouble with, actually, he said. "I must be getting similar words confused, but it sounded to me as if Bernard said that Cligés threw the doctor into the sea."

"You understood that?" Acoriondes demanded.

"If that's really what he said, Dinadan replied. "But why—?

"Bernard isn't certain himself. It seems that the doctor told Alis that he knew exactly what was wrong with Fenice and could cure her, if he would only be allowed to treat her alone. So Alis banished everyone from the room, and sure enough the doctor had her back on her feet within an hour. But then, it appears, Fenice told Thessala that the doctor had tortured her cruelly while they were alone. When Cligés heard that, he went to the doctor in a rage and threw him from a window, at a spot where the palace goes up to the edge of a cliff. They never found the doctor's remains. The next day, Fenice took ill again.

"Did she, now? Terence said softly.

"Two days later, she died. Bernard says that Alis is inconsolable, has not eaten or drunk enough to keep a dog alive, and goes every day to weep for an hour outside her tomb. He cares neither for himself nor for the empire, but seems only to long for death.

Bernard pointed away to the north, where a white marble tower jutted above the level of the low trees, and said something. Acoriondes examined the marble turret for a moment, then interpreted. "Bernard says that is the top of Fenice's tomb. It was built as a summer home for a wealthy merchant, but Fenice had seen and admired it. On her deathbed, she asked that Alis buy that home, leave her body there, and wall it up without doors or windows for eternity.

"And he did? Dinadan asked.

"At great expense to the imperial treasury, Acoriondes added.

"But wait, Terence said suddenly. "You said that Cligés was dead, too.

"Yes, would you explain that? added Dinadan. "That's another part I didn't get.

"I didn't at first, either," Acoriondes said. He drew a deep breath, then said, "Once Fenice was gone, Cligés made no effort to hide his love for her.

"I hadn't noticed any particular effort before, Dinadan said.

"Nor I, but it grew worse. He wailed and moaned and tore his clothes and outmourned his uncle. Then, on the day of the funeral, when Fenice's coffin was carried to the tomb and walled up inside, Cligés was nowhere to be found.

"Eugh! Dinadan said. "You mean he was hiding inside the tomb?

"Not in the tomb, Acoriondes said. "Thessala and Alis both insisted that every corner of the old house and garden be searched before the gates in the walls were sealed. No one was there.

"Then where—?" Terence began.

"Two weeks later, a note was found in Cligés's room, hidden so that it would not be discovered right away, Acoriondes went on. "In the note, Cligés told what he was going to do. Apparently the night before the funeral he sealed himself inside the coffin with Fenice."

There was a long silence. "Now, that's ugly, Dinadan said at last.

Acoriondes wore his expressionless face. "He said he wanted to spend eternity with his love," he finished tonelessly.

"And what if the blithering ass changed his mind after he was sealed in? Dinadan wondered aloud.

"I believe it is best not to think about it, Acorion-des said.

"Oh, right. I'll just think happy thoughts instead," Dinadan replied. "Do you think they wore matching outfits? That would be adorable!"

"Shut up, Dinadan," said Terence. "Bernard?"

"Yes, Squire Terence?" Bernard replied, in halting English.

"Do you think that you could show me Fenice's tomb?

Bernard glanced at Acoriondes, who translated for him. "But yes, Squire Terence. When?

"At once, Terence replied. He looked up at Acoriondes and said, "You go to the regent. He needs you. But if you could spare Bernard for a while, I would like to see this tomb.

"How will you understand each other?

"Bernard has some English. Dinadan has some Greek. We'll join you shortly.

"As you wish, Acoriondes replied. He struck off down the road toward the palace, while Bernard led the others through the thinly forested area to the north. Perhaps because of the language differences, they made the trip in complete silence but for the sound of Bernard's and Dinadan's footsteps. Less than half an hour later, they stood outside Fenice's tomb.

It was a pleasant, rather ornate country villa built on a hill so as to catch the sea breezes, away from the dirt and heat of the city in summer. High stone walls rose from the forest floor, enclosing and concealing a wide area. At one end of the hidden area, a majestic marble tower jutted up, and on the other side a few trees showed above the wall. Terence pointed at the trees and said to Bernard, "Is there a garden on that side?

Bernard hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, yes. A garden and a...
pege.
"

"A spring, Dinadan translated. "Shame to close up fresh water inside a tomb.

Bernard took a quick breath, and his eyes lit up as a covey of quail, or some similar bird, rose with a loud drumming of wings from within the garden. Bernard's right hand stole toward his left arm, on which he still carried his hooded falcon. Terence caught his hand. "Another time, Terence said. "We are not here for hunting.

"Why
are
we here?" asked Dinadan.

"I was just curious, Terence said vaguely. "Let's walk around the walls.

It took them several minutes to complete the circuit—the enclosure was larger than it looked. They found the two former gates in the wall, now securely sealed with cut stone and mortar. They also found, by one of the closed gates, a wilting bouquet of flowers. Dinadan asked Bernard a question in hesitant Greek, listened to the reply, then said to Terence, "Alis. Bernard says he brings fresh flowers every day."

Terence nodded.

"Curious thing, Dinadan added. "Bernard says that the old nurse, Thessala, comes up every day as well.

"Why is that strange? Terence asked. "Fenice had been her charge since she was born.

"Only one bunch of flowers," Dinadan pointed out.

Terence nodded again, and looking into Dinadan's eyes saw a reflection of his own suspicions. He glanced at Bernard and said, "Let's go now."

Terence and Dinadan spoke only of incidentals on the road to Athens, neither being sure how much English Bernard understood, but even after they arrived at the imperial palace they had no chance to talk privately. Acoriondes met them at the doorway and took them aside at once. His face was lined with deep anxiety.

"Alis is ill? Terence asked.

"Alis is an idiot, Acoriondes replied shortly. "He has no thought for anything but his own grief. He says he will never leave Athens, never leave Fenice's tomb, never return to Constantinople.

Dinadan pursed his lips. "I suppose an emperor who never visits his capital isn't ideal."

"Especially when the Caliph is preparing for war in the east, Acoriondes said bitterly. "It seems that messengers from the eastern borders have been sending alarming messages for weeks now. Spies tell us of new military exercises, new weapons, and now even a new army brought in from Africa. The courtier hesitated, then said, "At least, we fear it is an army. A large caravan has arrived, anyway. The spies were not certain that all were soldiers, but the caravan was led by the most famous of all the Moorish warriors, a fierce knight named Palomides.

Dinadan was silent, but Terence said, "I've heard that name.

"Everyone has heard of him. He fought against your own knights in Jerusalem. We fear that he has been brought in to lead a sneak attack, breaking the treaty between our empires.

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that, Dinadan said calmly.

Acoriondes gave Dinadan an irritated look. "How can you say—?

"I know Palomides. We rode together in England a while back.

Both Acoriondes and Terence stared at him. Terence said, "In England? But—

"He never made it to Camelot."

"Why should we not fear Palomides? Acoriondes demanded.

"If you go up against him in battle, you should jolly well fear him all you can. But if you're worried about sneak attacks and broken promises, you're wasting your time. Think of the most honorable man you've ever known. Now color his skin darker. That's Palomides.

Acoriondes looked hard at Dinadan for a moment, then relaxed visibly. "I have learned to trust your judgment, my friend. But we still must send a delegation to the Caliph to reaffirm the treaty, making sure that all is well. Alis can't be bothered, though. He has no thought for anything but picking flowers to take to that irritating girl's tomb."

"So send a delegation without Alis's permission," Dinadan said. Then he smiled. "I'd be glad of the company."

"Only the emperor can send a diplomatic mission. I cannot presume to—Acoriondes began. Then he broke off and returned Dinadan's smile. "Ah, I see. You wish to visit your friend Palomides.

"Of course, Dinadan said. "And if you choose to send some trustworthy men with me—to show me the way, you understand—why, that would be most kind of you.

Acoriondes nodded. "And if, while they were at the Caliph's court, they took our greetings and some presents, that would be only good manners. How soon could you leave?

"As soon as possible, Dinadan said. "I've missed my friend.

"I know just the men to send with you, Acoriondes said. "Good men. They don't speak English, I'm afraid, but they speak the language of Araby. Dinadan nodded. His smile had not faded. Acoriondes turned toward Terence. "And you will be leaving tomorrow as well, will you not?

"Soon, anyway, Terence agreed. "But before I leave, I'd like to speak with Fenice's old nurse, Thessala.

"I wondered if that's what you were thinking," Dinadan said. "It seems mad, doesn't it?"

"It's no less likely for all that," Terence said. "Remember, this is Cligés and Fenice."

"What are you talking about? demanded Acoriondes.

"I don't think they're dead, Terence said bluntly. "I think they faked Fenice's death—doubtless with the same sort of potion that they used back in Mainz to fake Cligés's illness—and now are living together behind the walls of her tomb.

"But how would they survive?

"There must be a secret entrance, Terence said.

"Not for them to go out, Dinadan supplied. "For Thessala to go in—bringing food and whatever else they need. Bernard says she visits them every day.

"You have proof of this?

"No, Terence replied. "But there was certainly something moving in the garden behind the walls, something that flushed out a flock of birds."

"A squirrel, another bird; it could have been anything, Acoriondes said.

"Yes.

Acoriondes frowned in silence. "But it does explain it all, Acoriondes admitted grudgingly. "How Cligés could seal himself into the coffin with Fenice, for instance: he knew she was alive. The nurse could open the coffin later. This means that the heir to the throne is still alive. His expression lightened somewhat.

Terence knew what he was thinking: Cligés may not have been much of a prize as an emperor, but anything must have seemed better to Acoriondes than the doddering, lovesick Alis. He hated to crush this faint hope, but he had to. "My theory also explains why Cligés threw the doctor over the cliff.

The three friends were silent for a long moment.

"I hadn't thought of that," Dinadan said. "The doctor realized Fenice wasn't really dying, and he had to be silenced." He shook his head slowly. "You know, I even know where they got this sickly idea—from the story of Tristram and Iseult. They ran away from Iseult's husband, too, and went off to live in what they called the Love Grotto."

"I remember the tale, Acoriondes said grimly. "A minstrel sang it in Champagne when we were on our way to England. I remember thinking that such an idea was too stupid to be believed.

"And so it is, Dinadan said. "But like most of the stupidest ideas, it actually happened. Tristram and Iseult also attempted murder to hide their secret.

"Murder," Acoriondes repeated wearily. "So what do you suggest, Terence?"

"Good or bad, Terence said, "it is better to know the truth. In the morning, let's go look for ourselves."

Terence and Acoriondes weren't able to slip away from Athens until late morning, though. They waited to see off the delegation to the Caliph. The austere diplomats that Acoriondes had chosen for the journey looked somber, clearly conscious of the gravity of their mission, but Dinadan was in a rollicking good humor and eager to be on his way. Alis did not appear; his personal manservant said that he had spent a sleepless night and had only fallen asleep at dawn.

Shortly before noon, as they neared Fenice's tomb—or Cligés and Fenice's hideaway, if Terence's suspicions were correct—the stillness of the forest was shattered by a scream of terror, followed by an angry shout and a cry of anguish. Terence and Acoriondes spurred their horses forward, and outside the tomb's garden wall they came upon Cligés himself, clad only in a thin shift but holding a sword high above his head, about to bring it down on a prone form at his feet.