They would welcome me there. I was Hugh, spinner of tales. I made everybody laugh. Surely they would welcome back a lost son.

Then a sharp sadness came over me.

I couldn’t go back there. My village lay in Baldwin ’s territory. They would look for me there. And it was not my home, not anymore. Just a place where memories would haunt my dreams.

Like a good song, life has verses, the goliards had taught me. Each verse has to be sung. It takes all of them to make a song. It is the entire chanson you name, but when you think of it, when you smile, it is a favorite verse that delights your ears.

Sophie … for me, you will always be that verse.

But now I must go … I must leave you.

I gripped my staff. I took a deep breath.

I chose the trail north, toward whatever new life lay ahead.

Toward Borée.

THE DOOR OPENED and the jester Norbert stood there, bent over a bowl, picking his teeth with a hazel twig. His jaw dropped as if he had seen a ghost.

“Gads… Hugh! You’ve come back after all.”

He grinned broadly, then shuffled up to me with that sideways gait of his. “What a joy to see you, lad.”

“And you, Norbert,” I replied, embracing him with my good arm.

“Wounded again? You’re like a human target, son,” he cried. “But come in, I’m glad to see you back. I want to hear it all.”

The jester yanked out a low stool for me to sit on. Then he poured a cup of wine and sat facing me. “I can see in your eyes you’ve not come here with much cheer. So tell me… Did you find her? What is the fate of your Sophie?”

I lowered my eyes from those of my friend.

“You were right, Norbert. It was just a dream to think she had somehow survived. I am sure she is dead.”

He nodded, then leaned across and squeezed me in a fatherly way. “A man’s allowed to dream every once in a while. We little people live on it. I’m sorry for your loss, Hugh.”

Norbert shuddered, letting out a gravelly cough.

“You’re ill?” I asked with concern.

[182] “Just under the weather.” He waved me off. “Too many years of crawling around with the beetles down here.” He cleared his throat again. “Tell me this-how did it go at court with Baldwin? Did you get the job?”

I finally could smile at something. “I did, just as we planned. In fact, I think I was a success.”

“I knew it!” The jester leaped up. “I knew you would be. I taught you well, boy, didn’t I? Tell me. I have to know it all.”

Suddenly the weariness in my body seemed to recede; my face blushed brightly with the memories of entertaining the court. I told him everything. How I had managed my way into the castle, how I had seized upon the moment to go before the court. The jokes I had used… How the duke had sent away poor Palimpost.

“That old fart… I knew the sod was out of tricks.” Norbert hopped around, cackling with delight. “It served him well to be sacked.”

“No,” I protested, “he turned out to be a friend. A true one…” I continued my tale, through my run-in with Norcross, how I’d been set up, and how Palimpost, the very fool I’d shamed, had saved my life.

“So the goon still has some virtue in him. Good. There’s a brotherhood of us, Hugh. I guess you’re part of it now.” He patted my shoulder warmly, then once more doubled over in the throes of a most horrible cough.

“You are sick,” I said, leaning over, supporting him with my arm.

“The physician says it’s just the bad air down here. Tells me I’m a miserable excuse for a man of mirth. But still, Hugh, maybe your return is well timed. Why not stand in for me until I’m well? It’s a plum job.”

I dragged my stool closer. “Stand in for you? …Here in Borée?”

“And why not? You’re in the trade now. A professional. Just try not to do it too well.”

[183] I thought about the offer. I did need a place to be. Where else would I go? What else would I do? I did have friends here. Their trust was strong. And another aspect of the offer appealed to me, undeniably.

I had liked it. The crowds, the applause, the acclamation… This new pretext … I had liked it very much.

“I will stand in for you, Norbert,” I said, holding his shoulder. “But only until you recover.”

“That’s a promise, then.” We shook hands warmly. “I see you are still lugging that big stick around with you. And you still wear the garb. But you have lost your hat.”

“My normal tailor was unable to dress me on such short notice.”

“Not a problem.” Norbert laughed. He shuffled over to his chest and tossed me a felt cap. It jingled. “Bells, I know. But, as they say, beggars can’t be choosy.”

I placed the cap upon my head. I felt a strange sensation, my blood warm with pride.

“You’ll knock ’em dead, lad. That I know for sure.” The jester grinned. “And I know for sure there is another here who will be most pleased to see you back.”

I WATCHED EMILIE FROM OUTSIDE the sitting room before she had the chance to spy me. She was amid the other ladies-in-waiting attending to their embroidery. Her blond braids spilled out from under a white hood. Her little nose seemed as soft as a bud. I saw what I had known that first day but looked beyond due to the nature of our friendship:

Emilie was beautiful. She was beyond compare.

I winked at her from the doorway, flashed her a smile. Her eyes stretched as wide as wildflowers blooming in July.

Emilie rose, placing her embroidery neatly down on the table, and with perfect politeness excused herself and came toward me. Her pace quickened as she did.

Only in the hall, when she rushed up to me and grasped my hands, did she show her true delight. “Hugh De Luc … It’s true. Someone said they saw you. You have come back to us.”

“I hope I don’t wear out my welcome, my lady. And that you are not displeased.”

She grinned. “I am most pleased. And look at you… Still in your jester’s garb. You look good, Hugh.”

“The same you made for me, just a bit frayed. Norbert has taken ill. I promised I would stand in for him.”

Her eyes, vibrant and green, seemed to illuminate the dark [185] hall. “I have no doubt we will all be the merrier for it. But tell me, Hugh, your quest…? How did it go?”

I bowed my head, not for a moment hiding my disappointment or true feelings.

Emilie led me down the hall, where no guards were posted and we were able to sit on a bench. “Please… I can see you are sorely troubled, but I have to hear.”

“Your plan was excellent. On the subject of my pretext, everything went well. I replaced the fool in Treille, gained access as we had spoken, and was able to snoop around.”

“I did not mean our pretext, Hugh. I meant your quest. Your dear Sophie. What did you find? Tell me.”

“As to my wife.” I swallowed dryly. “I am now sure that she is dead.”

The light in Emilie’s hopeful eyes began to dim. She reached out for my hand. “I am most sorry, Hugh. I can see how it saddens you.” We sat there silently for a while. Then she noticed my arm. “You are injured again.”

“Just a bit. It’s nothing. It’s healing. I found the person who was responsible for Sophie and my son. I ended up having to face him off.”

“Face him off…” A look of concern flashed in her eyes. “And the outcome?”

“The outcome?” I bowed my head again, then raised it with a slight smile. “I am here. He… is not.”

Her face lit up. “And I am glad. And most glad to hear that you will stay a while too.” She folded up my sleeve and studied the sword marks on my arm. “This needs treatment, Hugh.”