Chapitre 2:
II.
(par
Helen, ajouté le 22/02/07 10:16)
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She was walking down a corridor leading to the dining hall. She had slept soundly a couple of hours after her bath and was now feeling calm and alert. She was wearing a deep red woollen dress and a dark ribbon, tied around her forehead, kept her abundant blond hair away from her eyes. However, the full moon tattooed on her right temple hid behind her tresses. Her stretched shadow was dancing on the ceiling in the flicker of the torches.
He was waiting for her, standing in front of the huge chimney. She knew it very well, but was surprised by its size every time. You could have roasted a bull in it if you had wished.
A table had been set in front of it, the backs of the two chairs turned to the fire. He turned around as he heard her footsteps. She realised his face was familiar and that she had met him, briefly, a few years before. She smiled and kept her composure. She did not really know him and she was there for important matters. She was used to authority for too long. He studied her as she approached. He was dark and his features were difficult to read in the shadows the fire was playing on his face. However, he seemed tensed and tired. As she approached, he seemed to relax, like someone who has been waiting long. His hands were clasped behind his back. His tunic was of tan wool. The wool was finely woven. The tunic was simple but of very good quality; expensive too probably. A thick silver chain and a circular bronze pendant rested on his chest. The plates and goblets of pewter had a dull glister in the light of the flames.
He welcomed her with a tired smile and took her hand to lead her to her seat. He studied her as he spoke.
- Be welcome to this castle. I am afraid my parents have been kept longer at the court of the king. As you know, these are troubled times.
She smiled.
- Thank you. I have been told I could speak openly to you. Are you in this business with your parents?
- Indeed. Despite the fact I am more open to changes than they are, I still believe it is my duty to protect our beliefs and our ways. My politics are that if you show tolerance you have the right to expect tolerance back. One day this castle and its lands will be mine. I want my people to be free according to their beliefs and traditions, whatever they might be.
- You are not without knowing, though, that we are being hunted, that our shrines are destroyed. These are troubled times as you said. Soon, the likes of me will have disappeared. Soon nobody will remain to celebrate the rites and the festivals. The woods will become feared empty places. Men will simply fill them with their fears and superstitions. Who will carry the teaching?
Her eyes were quiet. He filled their goblets with dark wine. She helped herself to some bread and hot vegetables.
- We keep this wine for special occasions, he said with a smile.
She sipped the dark liquid.
- It is gorgeous, indeed. Well, I raise my glass to a special occasion then. She put her goblet back on the table. You are right, she continued, tolerance is probably the only solution. She smiled at his puzzled air. We may be fading, she sighed, but there are still people who follow the old ways. We still teach and train young people and children. Oh yes, there are still people who send us their children to be revealed the old secrets and become ministers of our cult. Well, this is what I had come to see your parents for. They are old friends. They have been very kind and helpful to my order ever since I was a child. By early summer, some of my students should be ready to be send into the world. She watched him taking a sip of wine and a bite of meat. I was thinking about asking you to take a few of them under your protection and allow them to practice. Their presence will answer the needs of those who do not follow the new faith but it will not threaten it either. I am not asking you to ban the new religion. Just to be tolerant and accept the cohabitation of two different philosophies on your territory.
She smiled and watched him thoughtfully.
- Do you actually realise what you are asking me to do? Tolerate the old ways in broad daylight? That will never be accepted.
- It is up to you to show that you are open-minded and that your subjects are all equal to our eyes.
He sighed. She rose.
- I will retire now. I am exhausted. Since I could not see your parents I might still stay tomorrow. But I will have to continue my route afterwards. I am afraid I cannot wait any longer. I have to be at the Council. I wish you a good night.
Fatigue was aching in her bones.
The moonlight flooded the room. She undressed and went to bed. She watched the rays of bright opal light until she could not see them anymore.
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