Page 42 of Highland Slayer
“Nothing much more,” he said, not wanting to get Anaxandra in trouble. “She said that she had come tae the abbey as an infant and that ye had raised her. She’s very grateful.”
Mother Michael snorted softly. “Did she also tell you that I mean for her to succeed me?” she said, watching him shake his head as if surprised by the question. “I do, you know, but I also know that she does not want to. She has a wanderer’s soul, that one. I do not know what she thinks she will find beyond the walls, but it can only do her harm. She is better off with us, here. The world will not accept her kind.”
“What do ye mean?” he asked. “What kind is she?”
Mother Michael sighed faintly, moving over to the oriel windows that overlooked the garden and part of the stable yard. “A bastard,” she said quietly, catching sight of Anaxandra over by the wagon once more, helping with the vegetables. “She does not know the circumstances of her birth and I do not intend to tell her, but I will tell you because I have a feeling that your presence here has awoken that wandering spirit in her once again. She is not satisfied with life here and wants to leave us, but it will only come to tragedy for her.”
Estevan’s brow was furrowed. “Why?”
Mother Michael turned to look at him. “Anaxandra’s full name is Anaxandra Tweed,” she said. “That is her registered name. I was with Mother Gabriel, the woman who held this position before me, when Anaxandra was given over to us by a very nervous servant, who proceeded to tell us everything. She had just come from the House of de Longley, you see. They are the Earls of Teviot, of Northwood Castle, and it seems that the earl, James de Longley, had fathered Anaxandra with one of his wife’s ladies-in-waiting. The servant proceeded to tell us that the wife tried to kill the infant, so the earl sent her to us, where she would always be protected. That is what we do here, young lord. We protect women and children. But Anaxandra knows nothing of the Outworld, or how to survive, and she would only come to harm. I know you do not wish to see that.”
Estevan was stunned at the story. He knew the House of de Longley, as it was allied with his father. It was also a longtime ally of the House of de Wolfe, and with the heir to the de Wolfe empire listening to every word, he was certain that Titan was shocked also. He turned to Titan, in fact, to see how the man was handling the news.
The man was just as stunned as Estevan was.
“Her father isJamiede Longley?” Titan said hesitantly.
Mother Michael nodded. “Aye,” she said. “I do not know much of the family, of course. Only what the servant told us. But it would be best if you do not tell Anaxandra what I have told you. She has never asked and I’ve never spoken of it. It would be the best thing for all concerned if you do not mention it.”
Estevan shook his head. “It is not of my affair,” he said. But he looked at Titan before finally gesturing to the man. “But ye should know that Titan is the heir tae the House of de Wolfe. His father is the current Earl of Warrenton. Titan bears the title Viscount Kilham. His family is very close tae the Houseof de Longley, so this is something of a surprise, I’m sure. I’m confident he’ll never speak of it, either.”
Titan looked at Estevan before emitting a long, heavy sigh. “Nay, I would never speak of it,” he said. “To anyone. Jamie de Longley has four sons and no daughters. The lads are all excellent knights and good men. Jamie is a good man, too. He is very much respected by all of his allies. His wife is from Aragon. It’s tradition in the House of de Longley that the heir to the earldom marry from one of the noble Aragon families they are allied with. I think Jamie’s great-grandfather started the tradition. Adam de Longley married an Aragon princess long ago. So did Jamie. Now that I think on it, I believe I heard my father mention that when Jamie married, his wife had brought all of her ladies with her from Aragon. The cathedral in Kelso was full of them when the marriage took place.”
Mother Michael returned her attention to the window. “That explains her name,” she said softly. “When she was given over to us, we were told that her name was Ana Alexandra Carlota Crisanta. A very big name for a very little girl. It was Mother Gabriel who changed it to Anaxandra. The first two names together to produce one.”
“That makes sense,” Estevan said. “I told her she had an unusual name and she said it means ‘defender of the people.’”
Mother Michael nodded. “That is what we told her as she grew older,” she said. “When a child comes to us as a foundling, we must make them feel wanted and important. Ana is our defender. She is the best archer we have. I’m sure you must realize that.”
She meant when they first arrived and found a bolt driven between them and the abbey, and Estevan grinned weakly. “She is quite skilled,” he agreed. But his smile soon faded. “My brotherisgoing for help, mother. All of the skilled archers ye have may not be able tae hold off what is coming if they discovertheir woman is here. Will ye please promise me that ye’ll not tell them that their woman is here?”
Mother Michael lingered by the window a moment longer before moving toward Estevan. Her expression was surprisingly soft as she looked at him.
“I am touched that you would be so concerned for us,” she said. “I’ve never met a man who has the heart that you do. It is a pure heart, Estevan dun Tarh. I can see that in everything about you, and I appreciate it. You did not bring this burden down upon us, as St. Margaret’s was established for just this purpose. To protect women. God will protect us. Mayhap he has already done that by causing your friend to be ill so that you will stay here and fight alongside us in our hour of need.Ifthere is an hour of need. But I suppose we shall find out.”
With that, she headed out of the chapel, out into the day beyond. Estevan and Titan stood there, watching her go, before turning to one another.
“What doesthatmean?” Estevan said, puzzled. “Will she do as I’ve asked? Or will she be truthful and suffer the consequences because she believes that St. Margaret’s is strong enough tae stand against anything?”
Titan shook his head. “I cannot tell you,” he said in exasperation. “I’ve got a very bad feeling that the woman’s arrogance will get us all killed.”
Estevan cocked his head. “But is it arrogance?” he said. “Or is it faith?”
“What do you mean?”
“She believes God will save St. Margaret’s.”
Titan shook his head again, heading for the door. “She believeswewill save St. Margaret’s,” he muttered. “Come along, Es. We have a lot of planning to do.”
Estevan couldn’t argue with him because they surely did.
God help them, they did.
PART TWO
CHAPTER TWELVE
The journey hadbeen pleasant, so far.
