Page 80 of The Tempest
Payne couldn’t even reply. As he watched, Maude fell silent and her breathing grew faint and unsteady before stopping completely. Even when the air left her lungs, never to return, she was still smiling.
They could all see it.
Bloody Maude died with a smile on her lips.
As Francis collapsed on his mother, his face on her neck, weeping silently, Astria wrapped her arms around Payne and held him tightly as his tears flowed. No matter who she was, or what she had done in her life, Maude was still their mother and they loved her dearly. Sinclair, Amir, and Ming Tang quietly stepped away, giving the family time to grieve, but not before Sinclair and Amir removed Declan from the wall and carried his body away. Somehow, it didn’t seem right that he should be there at such a moment, the man who had killed his own mother.
The man who had wanted everything and lost.
But Maude’s memory would be much different, and that was already clear. There was great grief at her death, a testament to how much she was adored. After a few moments of weeping into Astria’s shoulder, Payne finally lifted his head and struggled to compose himself as his wife wiped his tears off his face.
“I am so very sorry, my love,” she murmured. “In spite of our rough beginning, I had come to like your mother. And I think she liked me.”
“She did,” Payne said hoarsely. “I think she liked ye a great deal.”
“I think so too,” Astria said. “Would you like me to leave you and your brother alone with her, just the two of you?”
He looked at her, eyes watering. “Would ye mind?”
“Of course not,” she said, kissing his bloodied cheek. “I will be standing just outside the chamber should you need me.”
He nodded and she kissed him again, leaving him and Francis at their mother’s side, mourning a tremendous loss. Astria stepped out of the alcove, seeing that all of the Blackchurch trainers had gathered there, including Kristian and St. Sebastian.
And one more unexpected person.
St. Denis had come to the tavern after hearing about the battle, now seeing the aftermath. Amir had explained everything to him, so he was aware of the situation, aware of the death of Bloody Maude. He’d never met Astria because there had never been the opportunity, but Amir led him over to her and made the introductions.
“It hardly seems appropriate for social proprieties at a time like this, but I am glad to meet you, Lady Lismore,” St. Denis said. “May I extend my condolences on the loss of Payne’s mother?”
Astria nodded. “Thank you, my lord,” she said. She hesitated before continuing. “I realize that she was considered a fearsome individual by many and, I’m sure, there was loathing by some, but at her core, she was a mother who was much loved by her sons. Two of them, at least.”
St. Denis lifted his eyebrows in understanding. “I’ve been apprised of the entire situation,” he said. “Families can be… complicated.”
Astria smiled faintly. “I would know that better than most.”
“You would?” St. Denis said, his gaze moving over her, inspecting her. “Mayhap one day you will indulge me in a conversation about your family history. I do not know much about the Portuguese.”
“I would be delighted, my lord.”
He smiled faintly and the conversation died, though not awkwardly. Feeling weary after such an eventful morning, Astria went to find a chair that wasn’t broken. Kristian found one for her and brought it out from the kitchen, where he had been discussing helping with the cleanup of the Black Cock with Hobbes. In every aspect, the Blackchurch trainers were protective of the tavern, their place of relaxation and camaraderie. Just as Astria sat down, however, Payne suddenly appeared, and Francis behind him. As Francis headed out to theencampment to inform the men of Maude’s passing, Payne was faced with his friends, all of them, looking at him rather sadly. His gaze found Kristian and Sinclair and Ming Tang.
“Would ye do me the great honor of preparing my mother for transport back tae Scotland?” he asked, his voice hoarse. “I should like her treated with all due respect.”
Sinclair was the first to move to him, putting his hand on the man’s shoulder. “The honor is ours,” he said quietly. “She was a strong woman, Payne. She raised a fine son. I am so very sorry.”
Payne nodded in appreciation. It was a sentiment relayed by Kristian as well as he went to help Sinclair. Ming Tang, as a Shaolin monk, traditionally wrapped himself inkasayarobe, stitched together from three pieces of linen, and as a sign of respect, he removed it to wrap Maude’s body in. While Sinclair and Kristian discreetly removed the sword in the woman’s chest and began to wrap up her body, Ming Tang went to Payne.
“In my culture, we believe that death is not the end, but a transition to another life,” he said. “We offer prayers for the dead to help them during this transition. May I offer them for your mother?”
The tears were back in Payne’s eyes as he nodded. “Aye,” he whispered. “Thank ye.”
Ming Tang smiled faintly. “Do not be sad, my friend,” he said. “Rejoice in the joy of your memories. Rejoice in the new life your mother will know. I will confess that I am torn about her rebirth, however. It is our belief that the better the life, the more positive the rebirth. Your mother was much loved by her sons, but she lived a life that some may consider questionable. Mayhap God will permit her to be reborn as a sea serpent to continue her domination of the seas.”
That brought a soft laugh from Payne. “I wouldna be surprised,” he said. “Or a fish with teeth that eats other fish.”
Ming Tang chuckled. “Mayhap,” he said. “But whatever she becomes, I shall pray for her peace and comfort.”
Payne’s smile faded. “It would be much appreciated.”
