Chapter 247 - October 1132
Before Plantagenet - Chapter 247
October 1132 - Bordeaux, Kingdom of Aquitaine
Another day, another set of talks.
Geoffrey resisted a sigh, managing to avoid it by drinking his wine instead as he stood on one end of the table in the strategy hall. Opposite him, Duke Guilhem of Poitou kept his eyes on the king.
Before them, lay the map of the region. Wooden blocks, representing armies, were placed about it, with a large clump gathered in Gascony, near the southern border with Navarra. Elsewhere, in the region of Poitou, a separate but smaller force remained.
Geoffrey eyed his uncle, holding back his contempt for this. Negotiating felt beneath him - he was being held hostage by a man who should not be able to do this.
But do this he had - as Guilhem had continued to block Geoffrey’s desired war for Navarra. And so the king was forced back to the table - this time with an offer he felt was much too generous… but one he could still afford.
“I give you leave to attack Alphonse,” Geoffrey said. “I will not even require your men for the conflict against Navarra.”
The Duke of Poitou had made no secret in the past of his desires to wage war against King Alphonse of the Franks. The lands of La Marche had once fallen under the authority of Geoffrey’s great-grandfather, and Guilhem’s grandfather, Duke Guilhem VIII of Aquitaine and Poitou.
Through marriage they had fallen under the control of the Count Vexin, who was a vassal of the Frankish king. But there were those in Aquitaine who thought that should be rectified - Guilhem chief among them.
Geoffrey had grander plans for warring with Alphonse - he wanted Normandy - and was not about to waste his resources attacking La Marche for an uncle who was trying to extort him.
But, after the advice given to him by Duke Adhemar and Duchess Essa in the months prior, Geoffrey decided upon a compromise - offer Guilhem leave to attack Alphonse and promise not to call any of his men into war against Navarra.
As one of Geoffrey’s leading vassals, and family, Guilhem would have been chief among those expected to give men. To be excepted from the war was quite the gift… and Geoffrey thought it was more than fair.
“You get a county to give to one of your sons,” Geoffrey said. “And I get my war.”
“Alphonse can call upon more knights than I can,” Guilhem noted. He pulled some of the blocks off Gascony and to Poitou. “I would need Essa’s men as well.”
“I can’t spare her forces,” Geoffrey said as he pulled them back to Gascony.
“You have gold,” Guilhem said. “More than I do. Hire mercenaries.”
“Have you convinced her to join you?” Geoffrey asked. “She has sent no word to me.”
“She has not… agreed to it,” Guilhem said. “But if you release her from her obligation…”
“Out of the question,” Geoffrey said. “I already give you greater leeway than any other vassal in the realm. I am not gifting you half of the realm’s knights!”
“It is hardly a gift,” Guilhem said. “By right, they are mine to command.”
“What right?” Geoffrey fired back. “You can talk as if you control Essa’s levy, but you don’t. And even if you did, you would still be obligated to provide me with men. You can withhold your vote on the council, but you cannot withhold you levy without cause, unless you wish to violate your oaths to me.”
“Then you will have your knights,” Guilhem said. “When you have the votes for war.”
Geoffrey glared at his uncle. He couldn’t be surprised at this - after all, he and Guilhem had off and on talks for months with no breakthrough. Why would today be any different?
The disappointment over the situation was something Geoffrey, in his weaker moments, might have admitted he was growing used to. He had multiple irons in the fire, but none had given him anything yet.
Essa remained in Toulouse, though he expected her back in the coming months. He had heard the fires of the fever were burning out, and the hope was the worst was past. Not that he expected Essa to break the deadlock any more than she had prior to her departure, but it probably wouldn’t hurt.
He couldn’t get the council members indebted to Guilhem to relent either - again, not surprising. Most means of working within his council at blocking Guilhem’s obstinance were going to be blocked off. The Duke of Poitou forced him to either do nothing, or take drastic action on that front, and sticking to Adhemar’s advice, Geoffrey went with the former over the latter.
His one other road was Adhemar’s work with Countess Sarrazine to undermine Guilhem in Poitou. The countess herself had come to Bordeaux in the early summer to engage in mediation over her differences with her liege lord.
It was a farce. Geoffrey himself could not participate - their affair removed any doubt about his neutrality. Instead it was Adhemar who handled it. He was not exactly unbiased either - but Guilhem could not admit the plot against his uncle's family, nor would Adhemar admit to aiding Sarrazine, so the talks themselves happened, even if nothing was gained.
But it did allow Geoffrey to voice his private support for the countess, which she appreciated. And it also, perhaps foolishly, led to the pair again engaging in their affair.
Once again, Geoffrey might argue it was due to a lack of available options. Essa was in Toulouse. Meanwhile, Ana had spent the better part of the year pregnant.
The Perigord woman had revealed her pregnancy in the late spring. Like last time, Geoffrey had been forced to part with her as a result, even if she remained in the palace. And like last time, Ana had birthed Geoffrey a girl, which she had named Alpais.
The final similarity was the exit of Ælfflæd, who had quit the palace again in the summer, frustrated with Ana’s pregnancy. Geoffrey was told to expect her back in the fall, but it was November and he remained without a wife.
Meanwhile Sarrazine was without the companionship of her husband Philippe, and confined in Geoffrey she had not been with anyone since the birth of her daughter.
But Geoffrey was left to lament his actions last month when Sarrazine sent word to him that she was with child once more.
The king was left to expect another firestorm, only it never came. To his surprise, Philippe accepted the child as his own. Edouard had suggested Philippe feared for what status he had left in his wife’s court by challenging her, and Geoffrey was left to agree, for he could not understand why his uncle would accept Sarrazine’s lie after what happened in the previous year.
Not that he had entirely escaped trouble. Ælfflæd remained away. Though part of that was no doubt Ana, who birthed another daughter in September, he guessed news of Sarrazine’s pregnancy, and the fact she had been in Bordeaux recently, did him no favors with his wife.
It certainly had not with his mother, as Marguerite had chastised him in private following the news of the countess’ pregnancy. She called him irresponsible, and claimed not even his father would have been as bold as "to continue with such a scandalous thing" if he had been caught red handed.
There was much Geoffrey wanted to say to that - if the rumors were true about the old king, he was not one to abandon his lovers easily, no matter how scandalous. But was not about to broach that subject with his mother, so Geoffrey just took his tongue lashing in silence.
It did make him long for Essa, even if he knew he’d need to be extra careful with her going forward. It was clear his mother was aligned against her. And in this case, she would not be short of allies. It was possible the queen and the entirety of the council, including Guilhem, wanted some way to take Essa down.
It even made Geoffrey question whether an actual resumption of their affair would even be possible.
But he would cross that bridge when he got to it. In the meantime, he was ready to retire to his chamber to relax after more frustration with his uncle.
However, as the two men prepared to depart, Bishop Edouard made an entrance into the hall.
“My king,” he said. “There is an emissary from Toulouse here to see you. He says the news he brings is urgent.”
Geoffrey’s brow rose and he traded a glance to Guilhem, who also appeared concerned.
“What is this about?” Guilhem demanded.
“I am not certain,” Edouard said. “Just that it was urgent, and the king should hear it.”
Geoffrey was uncertain what that could mean. He had not seen Essa in months, so surely it was not to tell him she was pregnant. Could it be something else, related to her return?
He thought of dismissing Guilhem, but that would be too suspicious. Instead, he just instructed Edouard to let the emissary in to see them both.
“You have no idea what this is about?” Guilhem asked.
“None,” Geoffrey said. “I’ve not heard any word from the duchess in weeks. I thought you would know, being her husband. And talking to her over your plans against the Franks.”
Guilhem slunk down a bit in his chair as Geoffrey realized his uncle likely had not even broached the subject of Toulouse’s support for his desired war.
But that had to be put aside as the emissary entered. He bowed before the king as well as the Duke of Poitou.
“King Geoffrey, Duke Guilhem, my lord,” the man said. “I mean… Lord Guilhem.”
“Am I not your lord?” Guilhem demanded.
The man hesitated to respond. “I… it is… the news, sir.”
Geoffrey was left scratching his head. What was going on?
“You’re here at the behest of Duchess Essa, correct?” Geoffrey asked. “What news does she send us?”
The man lowered his head. “It is… of tragedy, my king. The duchess is dead.”
Geoffrey heard the words. But they did not process in his mind. Not fully - even as they managed to send a chill down his spine.
He looked to Guilhem at first, who looked on wide-eyed, with mouth agape.
“What did you say?” the Duke of Poitou asked.
“Forgive me Lord Guilhem,” the man said. “But your wife has passed. She took ill with the fever and… it progressed quickly. She was bled, but it may have been too late.”
“But… but that can’t have happened,” Geoffrey blurted out. “She never said she was ill. And she was not old. She always looked in fine health. Robust. Healthy.”
“The fever strikes at all your highness,” the man said.
Geoffrey was left to shake his head. He could not believe it.
Essa, dead? He was never to see her again? Never to enjoy her touch, never to feel her lips against his…
Numb, his breathing was shallow. He barely even noticed the man who delivered the news remained.
“Do you have need of something else?” Guilhem demanded of the emissary.
“I… I have a message for the king,” the man said as he produced a roll of parchment from a satchel. “Instructions from the lady. Final requests, as it were.”
“Give it to me,” Guilhem instructed.
The man gripped the parchment tighter. “Forgive me, Duke Guilhem. But they were for the king.”
Guilhem jerked his head to Geoffrey, furrowing his brow. “What does she have to tell you?”
Geoffrey’s heart skipped a beat. There was plenty she could have enclosed there. And it was likely not for Guilhem’s eyes.
“I… do not know,” Geoffrey replied. “She was my vassal. And my advisor. A member of the council. There is much she may have wished to tell me, that she could not, as I was not with her in her last moments.”
He stumbled upon an excuse and continued into an explanation that made his chest hurt.
“I want to see that parchment,” Guilhem demanded.
“No,” Geoffrey replied.
“What?”
“It is not for you,” Geoffrey said. “I will not deny the woman her last request. She is your wife, Guilhem.”
Geoffrey paused. “She was your wife. Can you respect her in death?”
Guilhem turned his gaze back to the man. “Have you a parchment for me? Instructions to her husband?”
“I… I do not,” the man said.
“What trickery is this?” Guilhem demanded. “She gives you instructions but not me, her husband?”
“I am her liege lord,” Geoffrey said. He grimaced. “Was her liege lord. Toulouse is part of my kingdom - and she likely has requests as to how it is overseen while your son, who is under my guardianship, remains underage.”
“It should be my decision,” Guilhem said. “Though our marriage.”
“Which is at an end,” Geoffrey reminded him.
“But Simon remains my son, not yours,” Guilhem said. “At least he I am certain about.”
“Perhaps she says that you are to oversee it all,” Geoffrey said. “I do not know - I have yet to read her instructions.”
“Then do so,” Guilhem said.
Geoffrey eyed his uncle, then slowly made his way to the man and took the parchment. He swallowed hard. What if she wrote something of our affair? What if my uncle sees?
“I shall read this in my chamber,” Geoffrey insisted.
“Read it here,” Guilhem said. “Aloud.”
“You don’t get to make demands of me,” Geoffrey replied. “I am your king, not the other way round.”
“And she was my wife, not yours,” Guilhem retorted. “Though sometimes I wonder…”
Geoffrey narrowed his gaze. He was tempted to press his uncle on that charge, but wasn’t sure he was ready to hear it levied at him, especially in the presence of this emissary.
“This is finished,” Geoffrey replied. He turned to the emissary. “Thank you for your message. See the steward Edouard, he shall set you up with accomodations for the evening.”
“Thank you, my king,” the man said as he bowed. “Lord Guilhem.”
“You cannot leave this,” Guilhem said.
“I am,” Geoffrey said. “If you press this further, I will call the guards. Grieve how you wish uncle. But leave me alone.”
He watched his uncle to see if he moved. When Guilhem remained in place, Geoffrey turned and made his exit from the hall.
His walk to the chamber was slow. He was vaguely aware of his surroundings as he moved - people he passed, sounds of the bustle of daily palace life. But none of it processed.
She can’t be dead, Geoffrey thought. But… how could she not be? The message was from her…
The king reached his chamber and entered it, closing the door slowly behind him. He made the slow walk to his table and plopped himself down in a chair. He looked down at the parchment, and with trembling hands, opened it to read.
My lord king, Geoffrey, second of his name,
It pains me that I could not speak to you one last time. But this illness has robbed me of that chance, and so I must settle for this. I am grateful for the chance to serve two kings - a great man and one who will no doubt become great. I am saddened by the fact I will not live to see you achieve your destiny, but am heartened to know that you shall. But, I beg of you, please look to my children. See that my eldest, Simon, is shielded from those who would use him - in my court and his father’s. And protect his inheritance - there is no shortage of lords who sought to seize it from me and no doubt lick their lips at the prospect of a child duke.
See to it that my other sons are looked after by their brother and their father. And if I might make one special request - that you give young Henri a fief in time. He will have difficulty receiving any lands being my fourth born.
Your father gave me a seat, you gave me a voice… and much more. I thank you for everything, my king.
-Your most loyal and loving vassal
Duchess Agnes “Essa” of Toulouse - first of her name
Geoffrey read the words over and over again, through blurred vision as the tears slowly ran down his cheeks. He did not believe this could be true, and he did not know if he kept reading the letter to convince himself of it, or just to find some hint that it was a hoax.
But he knew it was not. It was not in the lady’s handwriting besides a cursive“Essa” at the bottom - but it wouldn’t be, given she was ill. But it came affixed with her seal. And it was her style - hinting at was hidden beneath the surface, but never explicitly saying it.
And she makes a special request for Henri, Geoffrey thought. Only she would think to do that.
Geoffrey thought about burning the parchment, so to make certain Guilhem did not see it. But… he could not. He could not burn the one last piece of the lady that remained.
Was it worth it, he wondered. I enjoyed myself with her, yes. And she with me. But now she is gone. And my uncle hates me - even if he cannot prove that I was with her.
An uncle that was proving a thorn in his side. Perhaps it might just be best to remove him from the council. Then he could turn his attention to Navarra immediately.
And make an enemy of his son.
Geoffrey frowned once more. While Essa lived, the promise that his cousin Simon would be an ally, not an enemy, seemed possible. After all, he never doubted his lover’s intent.
But she was gone now. And who knew what Guilhem might say to turn the boy against him. Even if he was technically under Geoffrey’s care, he could not bar his father from seeing him, especially with Guilhem residing in Bordeaux.
If he fired Guilhem, Simon would not understand. And even if he did, Guilhem would make certain the boy was made to realize the error of his ways.
I would make an enemy for years to come, Geoffrey thought, one that goes beyond one man. It was Essa’s advice that I not fire Guilhem… and I will not let her voice grow silent in my mind, even now.
His mind drifted. How could this have happened?
He remembered Essa’s frustration with being pressured to go back to Toulouse. Pressure by his mother. His wife.
Their fault?!
They weren’t alone though. Alberic. Berard. Edouard. Adhemar. Arguably Guilhem himself. Her court. The council. So many to blame. Was it even worth it?
Geoffrey groaned and poured himself a drink. He wanted to drink until the emptiness was filled… until the loss he felt was gone.
But a knock on the door refused to allow him that peace.
“Cousin!” Edouard shouted. “I must speak with you at once.”
Geoffrey didn’t answer at first, just letting the steward bang away at the door. He even heard at one point Edouard ask the guard if he was certain Geoffrey was in the chamber.
“Cousin!” Edouard continued to shout. “I bring urgent news! You will want to hear this!”
Geoffrey rolled his eyes. He probably wishes to tell me about Essa.
But eventually, Geoffrey relented and allowed Edouard access. The bishop hurried in and shut the door behind him, before approaching the table where the king was seated.
“I don’t want to see anyone,” Geoffrey told him.
“It’s important,” Edouard said.
“Is this about Essa?” Geoffrey demanded. “I know about her.”
“No,” Edouard said. “Though I heard from Guilhem. I am sorry for your loss.”
“I’m sure,” Geoffrey said. “You’re probably thrilled she’s no longer a problem.”
Edouard shook his head. “I would not wish death upon anyone, cousin.”
“But you wanted her gone,” Geoffrey said. “As my mother did. And my wife. You have all gotten what you wished for. I hope you are happy.”
Edouard lowered his head. “I am truly sorry, cousin.”
“Your words ring hollow,” Geoffrey said. “Leave me alone.”
“I cannot,” Edouard said. “I have news from England.”
Geoffrey’s brow picked up. “What news?”
Edouard looked at him square. “Your father-by-law King Thoræd is dead.”
October 1132 - Bordeaux, Kingdom of Aquitaine
Another day, another set of talks.
Geoffrey resisted a sigh, managing to avoid it by drinking his wine instead as he stood on one end of the table in the strategy hall. Opposite him, Duke Guilhem of Poitou kept his eyes on the king.
Before them, lay the map of the region. Wooden blocks, representing armies, were placed about it, with a large clump gathered in Gascony, near the southern border with Navarra. Elsewhere, in the region of Poitou, a separate but smaller force remained.
Geoffrey eyed his uncle, holding back his contempt for this. Negotiating felt beneath him - he was being held hostage by a man who should not be able to do this.
But do this he had - as Guilhem had continued to block Geoffrey’s desired war for Navarra. And so the king was forced back to the table - this time with an offer he felt was much too generous… but one he could still afford.
“I give you leave to attack Alphonse,” Geoffrey said. “I will not even require your men for the conflict against Navarra.”
The Duke of Poitou had made no secret in the past of his desires to wage war against King Alphonse of the Franks. The lands of La Marche had once fallen under the authority of Geoffrey’s great-grandfather, and Guilhem’s grandfather, Duke Guilhem VIII of Aquitaine and Poitou.
Through marriage they had fallen under the control of the Count Vexin, who was a vassal of the Frankish king. But there were those in Aquitaine who thought that should be rectified - Guilhem chief among them.
Geoffrey had grander plans for warring with Alphonse - he wanted Normandy - and was not about to waste his resources attacking La Marche for an uncle who was trying to extort him.
But, after the advice given to him by Duke Adhemar and Duchess Essa in the months prior, Geoffrey decided upon a compromise - offer Guilhem leave to attack Alphonse and promise not to call any of his men into war against Navarra.
As one of Geoffrey’s leading vassals, and family, Guilhem would have been chief among those expected to give men. To be excepted from the war was quite the gift… and Geoffrey thought it was more than fair.
“You get a county to give to one of your sons,” Geoffrey said. “And I get my war.”
“Alphonse can call upon more knights than I can,” Guilhem noted. He pulled some of the blocks off Gascony and to Poitou. “I would need Essa’s men as well.”
“I can’t spare her forces,” Geoffrey said as he pulled them back to Gascony.
“You have gold,” Guilhem said. “More than I do. Hire mercenaries.”
“Have you convinced her to join you?” Geoffrey asked. “She has sent no word to me.”
“She has not… agreed to it,” Guilhem said. “But if you release her from her obligation…”
“Out of the question,” Geoffrey said. “I already give you greater leeway than any other vassal in the realm. I am not gifting you half of the realm’s knights!”
“It is hardly a gift,” Guilhem said. “By right, they are mine to command.”
“What right?” Geoffrey fired back. “You can talk as if you control Essa’s levy, but you don’t. And even if you did, you would still be obligated to provide me with men. You can withhold your vote on the council, but you cannot withhold you levy without cause, unless you wish to violate your oaths to me.”
“Then you will have your knights,” Guilhem said. “When you have the votes for war.”
Geoffrey glared at his uncle. He couldn’t be surprised at this - after all, he and Guilhem had off and on talks for months with no breakthrough. Why would today be any different?
The disappointment over the situation was something Geoffrey, in his weaker moments, might have admitted he was growing used to. He had multiple irons in the fire, but none had given him anything yet.
Essa remained in Toulouse, though he expected her back in the coming months. He had heard the fires of the fever were burning out, and the hope was the worst was past. Not that he expected Essa to break the deadlock any more than she had prior to her departure, but it probably wouldn’t hurt.
He couldn’t get the council members indebted to Guilhem to relent either - again, not surprising. Most means of working within his council at blocking Guilhem’s obstinance were going to be blocked off. The Duke of Poitou forced him to either do nothing, or take drastic action on that front, and sticking to Adhemar’s advice, Geoffrey went with the former over the latter.
His one other road was Adhemar’s work with Countess Sarrazine to undermine Guilhem in Poitou. The countess herself had come to Bordeaux in the early summer to engage in mediation over her differences with her liege lord.
It was a farce. Geoffrey himself could not participate - their affair removed any doubt about his neutrality. Instead it was Adhemar who handled it. He was not exactly unbiased either - but Guilhem could not admit the plot against his uncle's family, nor would Adhemar admit to aiding Sarrazine, so the talks themselves happened, even if nothing was gained.
But it did allow Geoffrey to voice his private support for the countess, which she appreciated. And it also, perhaps foolishly, led to the pair again engaging in their affair.
Once again, Geoffrey might argue it was due to a lack of available options. Essa was in Toulouse. Meanwhile, Ana had spent the better part of the year pregnant.
The Perigord woman had revealed her pregnancy in the late spring. Like last time, Geoffrey had been forced to part with her as a result, even if she remained in the palace. And like last time, Ana had birthed Geoffrey a girl, which she had named Alpais.
The final similarity was the exit of Ælfflæd, who had quit the palace again in the summer, frustrated with Ana’s pregnancy. Geoffrey was told to expect her back in the fall, but it was November and he remained without a wife.
Meanwhile Sarrazine was without the companionship of her husband Philippe, and confined in Geoffrey she had not been with anyone since the birth of her daughter.
But Geoffrey was left to lament his actions last month when Sarrazine sent word to him that she was with child once more.
The king was left to expect another firestorm, only it never came. To his surprise, Philippe accepted the child as his own. Edouard had suggested Philippe feared for what status he had left in his wife’s court by challenging her, and Geoffrey was left to agree, for he could not understand why his uncle would accept Sarrazine’s lie after what happened in the previous year.
Not that he had entirely escaped trouble. Ælfflæd remained away. Though part of that was no doubt Ana, who birthed another daughter in September, he guessed news of Sarrazine’s pregnancy, and the fact she had been in Bordeaux recently, did him no favors with his wife.
It certainly had not with his mother, as Marguerite had chastised him in private following the news of the countess’ pregnancy. She called him irresponsible, and claimed not even his father would have been as bold as "to continue with such a scandalous thing" if he had been caught red handed.
There was much Geoffrey wanted to say to that - if the rumors were true about the old king, he was not one to abandon his lovers easily, no matter how scandalous. But was not about to broach that subject with his mother, so Geoffrey just took his tongue lashing in silence.
It did make him long for Essa, even if he knew he’d need to be extra careful with her going forward. It was clear his mother was aligned against her. And in this case, she would not be short of allies. It was possible the queen and the entirety of the council, including Guilhem, wanted some way to take Essa down.
It even made Geoffrey question whether an actual resumption of their affair would even be possible.
But he would cross that bridge when he got to it. In the meantime, he was ready to retire to his chamber to relax after more frustration with his uncle.
However, as the two men prepared to depart, Bishop Edouard made an entrance into the hall.
“My king,” he said. “There is an emissary from Toulouse here to see you. He says the news he brings is urgent.”
Geoffrey’s brow rose and he traded a glance to Guilhem, who also appeared concerned.
“What is this about?” Guilhem demanded.
“I am not certain,” Edouard said. “Just that it was urgent, and the king should hear it.”
Geoffrey was uncertain what that could mean. He had not seen Essa in months, so surely it was not to tell him she was pregnant. Could it be something else, related to her return?
He thought of dismissing Guilhem, but that would be too suspicious. Instead, he just instructed Edouard to let the emissary in to see them both.
“You have no idea what this is about?” Guilhem asked.
“None,” Geoffrey said. “I’ve not heard any word from the duchess in weeks. I thought you would know, being her husband. And talking to her over your plans against the Franks.”
Guilhem slunk down a bit in his chair as Geoffrey realized his uncle likely had not even broached the subject of Toulouse’s support for his desired war.
But that had to be put aside as the emissary entered. He bowed before the king as well as the Duke of Poitou.
“King Geoffrey, Duke Guilhem, my lord,” the man said. “I mean… Lord Guilhem.”
“Am I not your lord?” Guilhem demanded.
The man hesitated to respond. “I… it is… the news, sir.”
Geoffrey was left scratching his head. What was going on?
“You’re here at the behest of Duchess Essa, correct?” Geoffrey asked. “What news does she send us?”
The man lowered his head. “It is… of tragedy, my king. The duchess is dead.”
Geoffrey heard the words. But they did not process in his mind. Not fully - even as they managed to send a chill down his spine.
He looked to Guilhem at first, who looked on wide-eyed, with mouth agape.
“What did you say?” the Duke of Poitou asked.
“Forgive me Lord Guilhem,” the man said. “But your wife has passed. She took ill with the fever and… it progressed quickly. She was bled, but it may have been too late.”
“But… but that can’t have happened,” Geoffrey blurted out. “She never said she was ill. And she was not old. She always looked in fine health. Robust. Healthy.”
“The fever strikes at all your highness,” the man said.
Geoffrey was left to shake his head. He could not believe it.
Essa, dead? He was never to see her again? Never to enjoy her touch, never to feel her lips against his…
Numb, his breathing was shallow. He barely even noticed the man who delivered the news remained.
“Do you have need of something else?” Guilhem demanded of the emissary.
“I… I have a message for the king,” the man said as he produced a roll of parchment from a satchel. “Instructions from the lady. Final requests, as it were.”
“Give it to me,” Guilhem instructed.
The man gripped the parchment tighter. “Forgive me, Duke Guilhem. But they were for the king.”
Guilhem jerked his head to Geoffrey, furrowing his brow. “What does she have to tell you?”
Geoffrey’s heart skipped a beat. There was plenty she could have enclosed there. And it was likely not for Guilhem’s eyes.
“I… do not know,” Geoffrey replied. “She was my vassal. And my advisor. A member of the council. There is much she may have wished to tell me, that she could not, as I was not with her in her last moments.”
He stumbled upon an excuse and continued into an explanation that made his chest hurt.
“I want to see that parchment,” Guilhem demanded.
“No,” Geoffrey replied.
“What?”
“It is not for you,” Geoffrey said. “I will not deny the woman her last request. She is your wife, Guilhem.”
Geoffrey paused. “She was your wife. Can you respect her in death?”
Guilhem turned his gaze back to the man. “Have you a parchment for me? Instructions to her husband?”
“I… I do not,” the man said.
“What trickery is this?” Guilhem demanded. “She gives you instructions but not me, her husband?”
“I am her liege lord,” Geoffrey said. He grimaced. “Was her liege lord. Toulouse is part of my kingdom - and she likely has requests as to how it is overseen while your son, who is under my guardianship, remains underage.”
“It should be my decision,” Guilhem said. “Though our marriage.”
“Which is at an end,” Geoffrey reminded him.
“But Simon remains my son, not yours,” Guilhem said. “At least he I am certain about.”
“Perhaps she says that you are to oversee it all,” Geoffrey said. “I do not know - I have yet to read her instructions.”
“Then do so,” Guilhem said.
Geoffrey eyed his uncle, then slowly made his way to the man and took the parchment. He swallowed hard. What if she wrote something of our affair? What if my uncle sees?
“I shall read this in my chamber,” Geoffrey insisted.
“Read it here,” Guilhem said. “Aloud.”
“You don’t get to make demands of me,” Geoffrey replied. “I am your king, not the other way round.”
“And she was my wife, not yours,” Guilhem retorted. “Though sometimes I wonder…”
Geoffrey narrowed his gaze. He was tempted to press his uncle on that charge, but wasn’t sure he was ready to hear it levied at him, especially in the presence of this emissary.
“This is finished,” Geoffrey replied. He turned to the emissary. “Thank you for your message. See the steward Edouard, he shall set you up with accomodations for the evening.”
“Thank you, my king,” the man said as he bowed. “Lord Guilhem.”
“You cannot leave this,” Guilhem said.
“I am,” Geoffrey said. “If you press this further, I will call the guards. Grieve how you wish uncle. But leave me alone.”
He watched his uncle to see if he moved. When Guilhem remained in place, Geoffrey turned and made his exit from the hall.
His walk to the chamber was slow. He was vaguely aware of his surroundings as he moved - people he passed, sounds of the bustle of daily palace life. But none of it processed.
She can’t be dead, Geoffrey thought. But… how could she not be? The message was from her…
The king reached his chamber and entered it, closing the door slowly behind him. He made the slow walk to his table and plopped himself down in a chair. He looked down at the parchment, and with trembling hands, opened it to read.
My lord king, Geoffrey, second of his name,
It pains me that I could not speak to you one last time. But this illness has robbed me of that chance, and so I must settle for this. I am grateful for the chance to serve two kings - a great man and one who will no doubt become great. I am saddened by the fact I will not live to see you achieve your destiny, but am heartened to know that you shall. But, I beg of you, please look to my children. See that my eldest, Simon, is shielded from those who would use him - in my court and his father’s. And protect his inheritance - there is no shortage of lords who sought to seize it from me and no doubt lick their lips at the prospect of a child duke.
See to it that my other sons are looked after by their brother and their father. And if I might make one special request - that you give young Henri a fief in time. He will have difficulty receiving any lands being my fourth born.
Your father gave me a seat, you gave me a voice… and much more. I thank you for everything, my king.
-Your most loyal and loving vassal
Duchess Agnes “Essa” of Toulouse - first of her name
Geoffrey read the words over and over again, through blurred vision as the tears slowly ran down his cheeks. He did not believe this could be true, and he did not know if he kept reading the letter to convince himself of it, or just to find some hint that it was a hoax.
But he knew it was not. It was not in the lady’s handwriting besides a cursive“Essa” at the bottom - but it wouldn’t be, given she was ill. But it came affixed with her seal. And it was her style - hinting at was hidden beneath the surface, but never explicitly saying it.
And she makes a special request for Henri, Geoffrey thought. Only she would think to do that.
Geoffrey thought about burning the parchment, so to make certain Guilhem did not see it. But… he could not. He could not burn the one last piece of the lady that remained.
Was it worth it, he wondered. I enjoyed myself with her, yes. And she with me. But now she is gone. And my uncle hates me - even if he cannot prove that I was with her.
An uncle that was proving a thorn in his side. Perhaps it might just be best to remove him from the council. Then he could turn his attention to Navarra immediately.
And make an enemy of his son.
Geoffrey frowned once more. While Essa lived, the promise that his cousin Simon would be an ally, not an enemy, seemed possible. After all, he never doubted his lover’s intent.
But she was gone now. And who knew what Guilhem might say to turn the boy against him. Even if he was technically under Geoffrey’s care, he could not bar his father from seeing him, especially with Guilhem residing in Bordeaux.
If he fired Guilhem, Simon would not understand. And even if he did, Guilhem would make certain the boy was made to realize the error of his ways.
I would make an enemy for years to come, Geoffrey thought, one that goes beyond one man. It was Essa’s advice that I not fire Guilhem… and I will not let her voice grow silent in my mind, even now.
His mind drifted. How could this have happened?
He remembered Essa’s frustration with being pressured to go back to Toulouse. Pressure by his mother. His wife.
Their fault?!
They weren’t alone though. Alberic. Berard. Edouard. Adhemar. Arguably Guilhem himself. Her court. The council. So many to blame. Was it even worth it?
Geoffrey groaned and poured himself a drink. He wanted to drink until the emptiness was filled… until the loss he felt was gone.
But a knock on the door refused to allow him that peace.
“Cousin!” Edouard shouted. “I must speak with you at once.”
Geoffrey didn’t answer at first, just letting the steward bang away at the door. He even heard at one point Edouard ask the guard if he was certain Geoffrey was in the chamber.
“Cousin!” Edouard continued to shout. “I bring urgent news! You will want to hear this!”
Geoffrey rolled his eyes. He probably wishes to tell me about Essa.
But eventually, Geoffrey relented and allowed Edouard access. The bishop hurried in and shut the door behind him, before approaching the table where the king was seated.
“I don’t want to see anyone,” Geoffrey told him.
“It’s important,” Edouard said.
“Is this about Essa?” Geoffrey demanded. “I know about her.”
“No,” Edouard said. “Though I heard from Guilhem. I am sorry for your loss.”
“I’m sure,” Geoffrey said. “You’re probably thrilled she’s no longer a problem.”
Edouard shook his head. “I would not wish death upon anyone, cousin.”
“But you wanted her gone,” Geoffrey said. “As my mother did. And my wife. You have all gotten what you wished for. I hope you are happy.”
Edouard lowered his head. “I am truly sorry, cousin.”
“Your words ring hollow,” Geoffrey said. “Leave me alone.”
“I cannot,” Edouard said. “I have news from England.”
Geoffrey’s brow picked up. “What news?”
Edouard looked at him square. “Your father-by-law King Thoræd is dead.”
- 1