«Of course we'll write», Se assured her. «And better than that, I think your father intends to send someone at intervals to continue your training — probably Father Paschal. If we can, we'll try to persuade him that Jovett and I should be his escorts. Not that we'll get to see much of you, with you in the convent. But at least we can bring you letters in person».

Alyce smiled shyly, lowering her blue gaze. «Thank you — both of you. At least I'll have something to look forward to».

But the brief respite of the presence of friends from home was not to last. The orders of Keryell Earl of Lendour required the two young knights to depart the following morning, with but scant time to bid his daughters a proper farewell.

«Ahern wants us back as well», Se told Alyce, as he and Jovett waited for the grooms to finish saddling their horses. «It won't be easy for him either, you know».

«You'll make sure he's careful, won't you?» she said to both of them, not voicing the concerns they had shared with her about the new lady of Cynfyn.

«You needn't worry, little one», Jovett said fondly. «We'll look after him».

The drab, dreary days of winter seemed even more oppressive, once the two left. Alyce pined for several days, knowing that it was only a matter of time before she and Marie were sent away. Jessamy did her best to see that her young charges were included in appropriate activities, along with her own children, but Alyce found that the turning of the new year only marked the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

It was mid-January when the dreaded summons came from the queen. The two sisters had found an abiding affinity with young Prince Brion, and he with them, so they were inclined to spend many of their waking hours playing with him and minding Krispin, who was a mellow, contented baby. On that fateful morning, Jessamy came to fetch them from the solar, where the two of them were sprawled before the fireplace with Jesiana, Krispin in his basket between them, watching Brion tussle with a chubby hound puppy. Krispin was chewing on the ear of a stuffed toy that might once have been a cat or rabbit.

«Alyce, Marie, the queen wishes to see you», Jessamy said, as all three girls scrambled dutifully to their feet and Jesiana came to give her a hug. «Go now, please. She's in her bedchamber. I'll stay with the boys».

Both girls hurriedly adjusted their clothing and inspected one another's hair and faces, Alyce brushing at a wayward curl escaping from her sister's ribbon-fillet.

«Do you know what it's about?» she asked.

Jessamy inclined her head. «I do — though I think it will not please you overmuch. The queen informs me that you are to go this week to Arc-en-Ciel. Probably in the next day or two».

Alyce thought she had hid her dismay reasonably well, but Jessamy came to tilt her chin up slightly, also giving Marie a hug.

«You needn't look so glum», she said with a chuckle. «A convent education has much to recommend it; and Arc-en-Ciel is better than most. I would not let you be sent there, if I did not approve».

The sisters exchanged dubious glances.

«'Must we go there, Tante Jessamy?» Alyce said in a low voice.

«I'm afraid you must», Jessamy replied. «The nuns can teach you a great deal. Their discipline is firm, but their devotion to the Blessed Lady is sound, and their confessors seem tolerant of our race — so long as one does not flaunt one's powers, of course. My daughter has found it quite satisfactory».

«Has she a true call to the religious life?» Marie asked doubtfully.

«Of course. At least she assures me that she does. This is not to say that all who take the veil have a genuine vocation; indeed, some are even forced to do so, as we all know well.

«But that will not be your case, I assure you. You will find that most of the girls in the school are gently born, come there to learn the gentle arts and skills expected of noble wives and mothers. Believe me, there are far worse fates. I was younger than you when I was married off to a man old enough to be my father. The king hopes to spare you that — as does your father».

«I think I remember Uncle Sief», Alyce said quietly, after a reflective pause. «If the choice had been yours, would you have taken the veil rather than marry him?»

Jessamy shrugged, smiling thinly. «I was not given the choice», she said. «But I cannot say that I regret my children — who would be very different people, if a different father had been theirs. As for my marriage…» She shrugged. «It was no better or worse than most. Sief was not a bad man. And I have the old queen to thank for the fact that I was spared the marriage bed for the first few years, allowed to finish my girlhood in the household of dear Queen Dulchesse. Service to Gwynedd's queens has brought me a great deal of satisfaction».

Neither girl answered that comment, only bobbing dutiful curtsies before taking their leave.

«It won't be that bad, Mares», Alyce murmured to her sister as they walked, laying an arm around her shoulders. «Think of all we can learn. And we'll be safe for the next few years».

Marie merely bit at her lip and said nothing as the pair of them made their way to the queen's chambers.

They found Queen Richeldis seated before the fire in her boudoir, well-wrapped up in a fur-lined robe. Two maids were combing the tangles from her long black hair, recently washed, and her face was aglow from the warmth of the fire — and not alone from that, for she was breeding again, though she bore this pregnancy with far less discomfort than that of Brion or the ill-fated child lost in Pwyllheli.

«You sent for us, Majesty?» Alyce asked, dipping in a curtsy.

«Dear Alyce… Marie… come sit by the fire», the queen replied, indicating a place in the fur rug at her feet. «You may leave us», she added, dismissing the maids.

«Ladies, I have news for you that brings me little joy», she said, when the maids had gone. «The king has decided that it's time you took up your studies at Arc-en-Ciel. If the weather holds, you're to go tomorrow».

«So soon?» Marie blurted, falling silent at her sister's sharp glance.

«Pray, pardon my sister, Madam», Alyce said hastily, taking her sister's hand. «We know that this but fulfills our father's wishes — and we are grateful that we were permitted to stay at court until after the feasts of Christmas and the new year».

«Yes, well, you did turn many a young man's head during the festivities», Richeldis observed with a droll smile. «And not a few old men's heads as well, I am told. I suggest that you view your time at the convent as welcome respite from the marriage mart. And you needn't pack your lovely court gowns. The girls at Arc-en-Ciel wear a form of the order's habit. It's tidy and warm and saves squabbling over whose gown is prettiest. Believe me, this is useful. I spent some time in a convent school myself».

«In Llannedd, Madam?» Alyce dared to ask.

Richeldis inclined her head. «Ladies destined for noble husbands must learn reading and writing and ciphering as well as the domestic arts necessary for running a great lord's household. I hope you will make the most of your time there. Jessamy's daughter will befriend you, I’m sure».

«But, she's a nun», Marie said doubtfully.

«That's true», Richeldis agreed, smiling, «but she isn't a very old nun; I've met her. Not so many years ago, she was a girl just like you. Do give her a chance — both of you. You will need a friend there».

The slight waver in the queen's final words reminded Alyce that Deryni like herself and Marie would, indeed, need a friend within the constricted atmosphere of convent life, and she bowed her head briefly.

«I shall miss the children», she said quietly.

«And they shall miss you», Richeldis replied. «And I shall miss you!» She rolled her eyes in mock exasperation. «In truth, I almost envy you. Most of my other ladies are decades older than I. Your presence at court has taken me back to more carefree days of my own girlhood».