Free Strong as Death (Catherine LeVendeur) by Sharan Newman Page B

She increased her speed, then slowed, realizing that it was better for him to catch up to her here in the open, under the eyes of the monks. Without looking back, she could feel him closing in on her.
    “Lady.”
    He sounded out of breath, or frightened. The voice was soft, not what she’d expected. The form of address was one she hadn’t heard used without mockery for many years. Not knowing why, Mondete stopped.
     
    Solomon was surprised when she seemed to turn and wait for him. He had gone after her on impulse, drawn without reason. Now that he had to speak to her, he had no idea of what to say.
    The sleeves of the robe fell over her hands. The hood was deep, covering her face. Solomon looked at her toes. They were human, at least. He wasn’t sure about the rest of her. She stood before him motionless, the spring breeze not even ruffling the folds of her cloak, the sunlight all around but not
touching the darkness that was Mondete. He felt that they were no longer on the earth. The order of society had no more meaning.
    “Lady,” he repeated, “what is your pilgrimage?”
    There was a long stillness. Finally, she spoke. “I seek forgiveness, of course.” Her voice was tired and full of contempt.
    “What do you want God to forgive you for?”
    He was startled when she laughed. “Don’t you think it’s evident?” she asked.
    “No.”
    She was silent again. This dark young man wasn’t what she had expected. But that only made her warier. Whatever his devices, he would not trick her into trust. She wrapped her arms tightly around herself, gathering the material in layers against her skin, guarding against him.
    “If you don’t know what everyone else does, then you’re either a fool or even more evil than I,” she said. “Now, leave me alone.”
    She turned and continued on her way.
    Solomon watched her. Leave her alone? No. He couldn’t do that. He’d heard her voice. That was enough. She knew. He was positive. She had looked outside the world. All the numbers and approximations of truth that the scholars gleaned from the ancient books were irrelevant for her. She had gone past them. If he had to follow her through the ring of fire around the equator and down onto the underside of the globe, he would, until he convinced her to give up her secrets.
    “ Desfaé mesel! ” he cursed himself. He wished again that he had never crossed the Pyrenees or met those men entrapped in the paths of the stars. His life had been so much more pleasant when he had simply thought everyone but himself an idiot and searched the world for nothing more than a good meal, untainted wine, and a warm, soft body next to him in bed.
     
    Catherine had noticed that Solomon was quieter than usual; he hadn’t teased her about anything since he arrived. That was most unlike him. But she was too worried about Edgar to concern
herself with her cousin. She turned the matter over and over in her mind, her annoying voices making the situation worse with their comments.
    He must have known there would be mountains, she thought. Why didn’t he tell me he couldn’t do it?
    How do you know he can’t? the voices chided.
    I’ve no right to ask him to , Catherine told them. I’m the one who had the dream, who insisted on taking this route .
    No, you’re not . Lord, those voices were smug! Edgar decided. He knew what it would entail. He’s giving this offering freely , not just for the children you might bear, but for your own safety as well. Did you ever think he might be afraid of losing you? He wants to do this. Stop whining .
    Catherine halted the rabbit chase in her head. Losing her? She hadn’t thought of how he would feel if she died. After all, she wouldn’t be there to see his grief. Odd. She had always known that if his life ended, so would hers. But what if she were the one to go first? There was a whole other side to this problem to consider.
    She went to find him.
    He had finished loading the packhorse and was busy whittling