Free The de Montfort Histories - The Dove and the Devil by Gradyn Bell

arouse no suspicion of your interest in us. The Catholic Church is beginning
to stir itself up against our people, and although our neighbours who are not
part of our church live happily amongst us, the priests have warned them they
could become tainted with the heresy we preach. You do not want to fall foul of
them at this time.” He did not add that falling foul of the Catholic Church was
an inevitable consequence of being a Cathar at any time.  
    Later that evening, when Arnaud knocked at the door of the Boutarras’
cottage, he could hear the sound of children playing. Looking through the
roughly curtained window, he could see Saissa sitting next to the fire with a
baby across her knee. He could not tell whether it was Maurina or Braida, but
whichever child it was, it was clearly happy because its eyes were beginning to
droop in that satisfied way that told of perfect contentment. The rosy glow of the
fire was reflected in the cheeks of the older children who were quarrelling
good-naturedly about some game they were playing. It looked a picture of
domestic bliss, uncommon enough in these times, and Arnaud felt a pang of
sorrow at what he would be missing now that his wife was dead.
    His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door being unbarred.
Pierre opened the door and welcomed him warmly. “We were expecting you.
Bertrand called by earlier and told us you might be looking for lodgings nearby.”
    By this time Saissa had put the baby down in its cradle and she bustled
forward to greet Arnaud. “Stop talking on the doorstep,” she said. “Let the man
come in first.” Arnaud smiled at her as she pointed to a place on the bench
near the fire. “Sit down and warm yourself. The weather is not getting any more
pleasant, is it?”
    Arnaud nodded and sat down as he had been told. The warmth of the fire
soon seeped through his bones and lifted the chill that the walk to the cottage
on this December evening had given him. “I need somewhere to live, and I must
also seek some kind of employment. Bertrand spoke of someone who might help me,
a glove maker, I believe,”
    “That’s my brother-in-law,” Saissa said. “Guillaume Lagarde. He’s
married to my younger sister Perella. Nice couple. No children yet, though.”
    “If   Bertrand says he thinks
Guillaume can find you some work, he probably will be able to.” Pierre and
Saissa exchanged a glance that did not go unnoticed by Arnaud.  
    “Everyone has been very kind to me. More than kind, really. I am
wondering what interest Bertrand has in me. Surely it is not just for the sake
of my wife or my baby.”
    “Never fear, friend,” Pierre said. “God has His plans for you, which
will be revealed in good time. Doubtless, Bertrand will be the instrument for
the revelation.”
    “What revelation?” Arnaud was instantly intrigued, but neither Pierre
nor Saissa would be drawn in any further.
    “You can stay here the night till you get lodgings tomorrow. I’m sorry
we can’t put you up permanently where you could be close to Maurina, but as you
can see, we are pretty crowded and will likely be more so when the animals come
indoors for winter.”
    While speaking, Saissa had pulled out another straw-filled palliasse for
Arnaud. There were no refinements such as bed linen, to which he had been
accustomed at home, but nevertheless, the mattress was comfortable enough and
it wasn’t long before the whole household was asleep.

 
    They were awakened abruptly by a loud banging at the cottage door. The
dogs jumped up in alarm, making more noise, and both babies started to wail in
unison. Pierre struggled into his leggings and threw open the door. Standing on
the doorstep was a very dishevelled Elder. Immediately, Pierre was alarmed. The
Elders never looked dishevelled! While they generally had an aura of calm about
them, this man was far from calm. He pushed Pierre aside and bade him close the
door quickly, looking over his shoulder as he spoke.
    “What is