Raven’s Rise Read online

  Angelet labored over the design for a long time, and the result was a vivid scene of unusual detail. It depicted a soul entering heaven, surrounded by all the splendor Angelet had seen in her visions: blue and purple clouds parting to reveal an otherworldly palace. In the middle of it was a set of doors worked in gold and silver. The doors were open, and in the space between them stood an angel, a six-winged seraph ready to welcome the righteous into Paradise. Emerald green vines covered the borders of the cloth, and white lilies bloomed in the corners.

  “In my vision,” she said to the priest, “the scene was far more beautiful. I tried to recreate it as best I could, but it is only a poor imitation.”

  “It is a gift from God,” Father Mark said. “You must never doubt that, child.”

  “Lord Otto does not share your opinion.” Otto Yarborough ruled over Dryton Manor, and thus over Angelet as well. Otto was her father-in-law, but he never treated her much like family. Angelet’s marriage to his first son had been brief—Hubert died less than a year after their wedding, shortly before Henry was born. However, Angelet remained with the Yarborough family, hoping to be reunited with her son. Her own home in Anjou seemed worlds away, and it was unlikely she’d ever be sent there again.

  First, there was the war. With Stephen and Maud fighting over the English throne, everyone living in England was touched by the conflict. Since Angelet’s family supported Maud’s claim and Otto supported Stephen…well, it was a point of contention, and it transformed Angelet into a hostage of sorts. Then there was her dowry. As long as Otto had Angelet, he had control of her dowry too, until Angelet should marry again. But Otto didn’t seem to want her to. The result was that Angelet found herself in the position of so many women of her time. She was weak and without practical power, at the mercy of stronger men.

  And finally, there were the visions.

  Angelet didn’t want the visions, however beautiful they were. The visions were as much a curse as a blessing. They terrified the household when they occurred, though her descriptions of what she saw in her visions drew many listeners afterward. Father Mark encouraged her to write down what she’d seen—Angelet was literate and had a passable hand. She dutifully recorded many of her early visions, which were filled with descriptions of the beauty she saw—a world of bright light and palpable joy. She knew Father Mark passed on some of her writing to other priests he knew. Even Otto took a passing interest in the visions, largely because they made Angelet marginally useful due to the scenes she created from them.

  Otherwise, Angelet was a useless ornament. She had few skills—only those that a lady was expected to know. She did have an exceptional hand for embroidery, and she could play the harp, and she possessed a naturally sweet voice that people told her was a pleasure to hear singing. But there her skills stopped. The manor functioned without her participation, and no one seemed to care very much if she was present or not.

  The only person in the world who did care about her was Henry, and he had been sent away to be fostered with another family. It was common practice among the wealthy lords of England, but Angelet hated that Henry had been sent so far away, all the way to Dorset in the south.

  She looked out the open window. The morning had dawned cold and bright, the late frost sparking on young shoots of irrepressible green grass. Winter was nearly over, and soon the spring would calm the bitter winds and warm the whole world.

  But Angelet’s soul felt as cold as ever. “I dreamed again,” she told Father Mark.

  The priest’s eyebrows rose, and he leaned forward eagerly. “Another one of your visions?”

  She shook her head. “No, Father. Just a dream, an ordinary dream. I dreamt of Hubert. He was alive, and as old as I am now. We were still together, him and me, and with Henry too. We were happy.” She’d actually felt warm in the dream, feeling safe in the arms of her husband. It had been so long since she’d felt such affection.

  “My child, of course you think on your late husband with longing, and it is natural that you would have such a dream. It is a comfort sent from God.”

  It did not feel like a comfort to Angelet. It only served to remind her of how alone she now was. “But does it indicate…that I am…”—she paused, hunting for the right word—“discontent?”

  “Yearning is the lot of all mortals,” Father Mark said. “You are not unique in this, Angelet. Indeed, we all know you yearn most ardently for greater things—the special visions you see are proof. God has graced you, Angelet.”

  Angelet sighed. The visions that occasionally came upon her were glorious, and more. They uplifted her, transported her from a dull life into pure light and sound, filling her with utter peace and joy.

  Unfortunately, the price she paid for such visions was high. Her body shook violently, then seized up, sometimes for hours. She’d collapse, too weak to even crawl. A great pain blossomed in her head, so strong she could barely eat or sleep. Any light was too much for her—even a candle made her wince. Sometimes it took a full day for her to recover enough to be able to stand up.

  Worse, Angelet rarely had much warning that a fit was coming. Once, she was seized while walking outside of the manor grounds, and she lay helpless for hours, until a passing fieldworker happened to find her and summoned help. Since then, she kept to the manor, afraid of what might happen if she ventured forth again.

  “My child,” the priest was saying. “To think of what you have lost is no sin in itself. But I worry that you are dwelling too much in the past, and not looking to the future.”

  “What future is there for me?” she asked dully. “What purpose can I serve, other than as a vessel for these visions? Am I to marry again? I doubt it.” The truth was that she held very little appeal as a potential wife now.

  Father Mark sat down beside her, letting out a thin sigh as his knees creaked. He was over sixty, with white, wispy hair cut into a tonsure. His heavily wrinkled face wrinkled even more when he smiled, which was often. Mark aspired to be a shepherd, and always tried to lead his flock very gently. Rather too gently, one could say, for Otto and those under his rule often disregarded Mark’s teachings and counsel. There was only one world that interested Otto, and it wasn’t the heavenly realm.

  “Ah, these bones feel the damp!” Mark said. “Every spring seems damper, too…unless I’m getting older!”

  “We are all getting older. For instance, I am too old to be a bride now,” she said, choosing the most obvious objection first.

  “I have performed weddings for couples older than you, dear, and seen them thrive together. You’d find that many men would court you, pretty as you are.” He chucked her affectionately under the chin as he spoke.

  Angelet smiled. True, she was very pretty. She’d been a pretty girl when the betrothal was struck, she’d been a pretty young woman on the day of her wedding. She was a pretty young widow on the day her husband died. And now she was a pretty, useless ornament that no one thought twice about.

  “I would not object in theory,” she said. “But Otto is the one to ask about a marriage. He seems to think I should remain as I am.”

  Father Mark wrinkled his nose in distaste. “Women are not meant to be alone. Eve was created as companion to Adam. So you should be a companion to another. I will speak to Lord Otto on the matter.”

  “As you think best, Father,” Angelet said, though she knew Otto’s mind was unlikely to be swayed by any new argument.

  In fact, she would be interested in another marriage, if the man was worthy. And that was the issue. Angelet would have no say in any marriage Otto might arrange for her. The man could be old, or cruel, or sick, or violent. Be careful what you wish for, she reminded herself. It would be foolish to throw herself at the first man who offered for her. What were the chances that she would actually be matched to a man whom she could love, or even respect? A handsome or strong man who would actually care for and protect her? An intelligent man who could succeed in the world? No, she shouldn’t press too hard for a change in he
r circumstances. Let Father Mark argue if he liked, but she would say nothing.

  Then Otto himself walked into the chamber. Though he was over fifty, his hair was still mostly brown, with only a few silver strands at the temples. His eyes were clear and missed nothing, a fact that all the manor servants knew all too well. He was a subtle, clever man, always eager for news of the world, mostly so he could use it to his advantage.

  “Good day,” he said. His voice was the warmest thing about him, always well-modulated and deceptively friendly.

  Father Mark stood immediately. “Good day to you, my lord. God’s blessing upon you.”

  Otto nodded graciously, as if accepting a gift from the priest. “What goes on here? Counseling our Angelet away from sin?”

  “The lady needs little counsel of that nature, my lord. She is virtuous and good, and a fine example to others. In fact, since we are speaking of her…”

  “Not now,” Otto said, with a slashing motion of his hand. “I have other matters on my mind, and you may go.” He then surveyed Angelet. “This altar cloth you’re working on. How close are you to finishing it?”

  She gestured to the table, proud of what she’d accomplished. “See, it is nearly done, my lord.”

  “How astonishing,” another voice said. A thin woman stepped from Otto’s shadow.

  “Good day, Lady Katherine!” Father Mark said as he reached the door. “I didn’t see you there!”

  Katherine was Otto’s wife, and it was common for people to not see her. Otto eclipsed her in every way. She was as quiet as he was talkative, as meek as he was bold. She seemed content to always walk behind him and never speak her own mind. A perfect wife.

  After Father Mark left, she leaned over the table to look at the cloth with sincere admiration. “So very beautiful. I’ve never seen such colors.”

  “I hope not, considering what the materials cost,” Otto said, chuckling. “But all the better, for it will be a most impressive gift.”

  “A gift for whom?” Angelet asked. “Should I embroider a name onto it?”

  Katherine shot an almost guilty look toward Otto, but he only said, “No need. You just work to finish the design. A few days will suffice?”

  Barely. But Angelet gave a little nod. “I will try, my lord.”

  “Do not overtax yourself,” Katherine warned in her wispy voice. “If you have another fit, you will lose a day of work.”

  Now Otto's expression soured. “God’s wounds, it’s been three months since her last fit. I thought we might not see another.”

  “I do not choose it, my lord,” Angelet whispered, hoping to calm the coming storm. “I do not mean to trouble the household.”

  “Yet trouble it you do, either with your tales of heavenly glory or your fits and seizures. It is intrusive to daily life, Angelet. You are a selfish creature to expect us all to stop what we do simply because you cannot keep control of your body or mind. It is a moral failing on your part.”

  “I am sorry, my lord. You could send me home to my family in Anjou.”

  “Unlikely. The d’Hivers are for the Empress, and would the king like me any better if I sent one of their own back to them, even one as pathetic as you? No, I will do my duty and keep you in Britain. If it stays the hand of one soldier in a battle, it is enough. Never speak of that again, Angelet.”

  “Then what will you do with me?”

  “God knows, but I’ll think of something. Thank God I was quick to move young Henry to a foster home. If you’d mothered him any longer than you did, he might have fallen prey to the same curse.”

  “It’s not a curse,” she protested, though it certainly felt like one.

  “My lord,” Katherine said. “What harsh words to tell a mother! And the mother of our grandson, at that. When Hubert left for fostering all those years ago, I could feel my heart break.”

  “But you endured, my lady, and Hubert returned home in time for his wedding.” He broke off then, probably recalling that Hubert hadn’t lived very long after his return home. The look on Lady Katherine’s face suggested she remembered all too well.

  “I do miss my Henry,” Angelet said, with a grateful nod to Katherine. “More than I can say.”

  “Finish the cloth, Angelet,” Otto grunted, and left the room. Lady Katherine patted Angelet’s hand before following in his wake.

  Angelet closed her eyes and hot tears slid down her face. She hated it here, and everyone here hated her.

  “God save me,” she whispered.

  An image came to her—a familiar one, one she’d seen many times since the visions first began. It was strangely comforting, though in truth it wouldn’t sound so if she described it out loud. She saw a great light, bright but not harsh, and somehow both pure white and a deep, royal purple—an inexplicable phenomenon that she explained to herself by deciding that in heaven colors were seen with the soul, not the eyes. It was a warm, gentle light, and in front of whatever the source of the light was, she saw an outlined figure, nothing more than a black shadow in the shape of a person. She did not know if it was male or female, and it did not matter. The figure never moved or spoke, yet she felt calmer every time it appeared to her. An angel, she thought. A personal guardian to watch over her during the worst times, when she was rendered helpless from the crippling after-effects of her visions. She never named it. She never dared.

  But she was overjoyed when it appeared again. “Oh, thank God you’ve come,” she whispered, her voice no louder than breath. “I’ve no one else.”

  The figure did not respond—it never did—but Angelet felt surrounded by love, and within moments she could breathe normally again.

  Chapter 3

  As instructed, Angelet worked diligently on the altar cloth, remaining in her little solar each day from dawn until the midday meal. The light was best there, due to the southern exposure, and it was warmer too. She spent most of her time embroidering, though mending and some other work could also require her attention.

  She wondered idly who the altar cloth was for, but not too hard, for Angelet never worried overmuch about Otto’s dealings. Probably for some other baron with whom Otto wanted to make an alliance. Otto, an adherent of King Stephen, was deeply concerned with the progress of the war between the royal cousins, and worked constantly to better his position. Angelet had no strong feelings either way. Let the great powers struggle among themselves for earthly glory, so faint and fleeting. Neither faction had use for her, so she had no use for either of them.

  A few days after Candlemas, the morning dawned bright and sunny. She worked through the midday meal, but in the afternoon she heard a commotion below. Visitors? Curious, she went to the window to see what was happening. In the courtyard, a small group of men had just ridden in. Their horses steamed in the cold air as they dismounted and offered cheery greetings to the stableboy who had rushed forward.

  Travelers, she guessed. They may only be staying the night, or perhaps they were on some official business that involved Otto in some way. Angelet surveyed the men, leaning further out the window to do so. They looked much like mercenaries, with mismatched armor and a smattering of weapons among their gear. One stood out, though.

  That man wore a black surcoat over his chainmail, and everything about him looked more professional than the others. He must be the leader. His shoulder-length hair was just as black as his surcoat. He tipped his head up to look around the courtyard, and Angelet actually gasped when she saw his face. His deep blue eyes were bright and full of intelligence. He wore no beard, so his mouth was clear to see—a beautiful, sensual mouth. All in all, an uncommonly handsome man.

  His gaze crossed hers, and Angelet quickly drew back into the safety of the solar. She ought to behave more modestly, instead of hanging out of a window staring at strangers. What would Father Mark say? She remembered his talk of marriage, and briefly pictured a husband who looked like the man in the courtyard. That might convince her to marry, if she also knew him to be good.

  The man in
black did not seem precisely good. Something about him made her nervous—a premonition that he was going to intrude upon her life for better or for worse, and there was nothing she could do about it. Her hands began to shake, a telltale sign that a fit could occur. She took several long breaths, putting one hand over her belly to measure her breath and keep herself calm.

  “Mother Mary, Queen of Heaven, help me,” she prayed. “As your son healed the sick, I beg you to intercede for me. I am weak and a sinner, but I swear I love thee and thy blessed son. Please, have mercy on me. Don’t let me fall into darkness again.”

  The prayer helped, and she repeated it several times until the worst of the feeling passed. She would survive this. No matter what happened, she would endure it with grace.

  Angelet sat down at her work table again, willing herself to put the image of the stranger out of her head. He meant nothing to her, and she had work to do while the light remained good.

  A half-hour later, the door swung open, and a servant girl stepped through. She eyed Angelet suspiciously and said, “Lord Otto says you are to join the family in the hall for supper this evening. Dress well, for there are guests. You have one hour,” she added, as if Angelet were the servant to be ordered.

  “Send Bethany to my room to help me dress then. I’ll be there in a moment.” Angelet didn’t bother to correct the servant’s rude behavior. After years at Dryton, she was used to it.

  Angelet’s chamber was tiny, because she was the only person who slept in it. The other women of the house objected to sleeping near her, due to her affliction. So despite being born a lady, she slept in a place more like an anchorite’s call. She didn’t mind much, in fact. She valued privacy.

  Her privacy came to an end when Bethany stormed in.

  Bethany’s head came only to Angelet’s chest, but a lack of stature in no way humbled the maid. She tore though the room in search of everything needed to dress Angelet for supper.