I could tell you-with a degree of truth – that she didn’t exist. Or at least, not as the myths would have you believe. I will say no more now. For Mace’s great love is both a part of my tale, and yet not. But I will leave that riddle to be explained in its proper place.
The woman who gave life to the stories was quite different. To begin with, her hair was not spun gold, nor was her skin alabaster white. She was not tall, standing at just over five and a half feet,
and her beauty did not make men gasp. She was what some men call a handsome woman, her features regular, her mouth full and sensual. As to her eyes they were hazel, the brows heavy -indicators, in my experience, of a passionate nature.
Her name was Astiana and she was the Gastoigne sister seeking alms in the tavern. And while it is true that Mace noticed her, it was only in the way he noticed most women. He gave no other thought to her that night, and indeed spent it in the company of a buxom serving-girl with a gap-toothed smile and welcoming eyes.
There were no rooms in the tavern and Wulf, Piercollo, Ilka and I left the place just after midnight and slept in a field close by.
Mace found us just after dawn and we sat and talked for a while. Piercollo wanted to buy supplies and, since it was Market Day, we decided to stay in Pasel. By mid-morning we were bored and anxious to be on our way. The town offered little in the way of entertainment and the market was dull. Piercollo obtained two sides of ham, a sack of oats, some sugar and salt, and various dried herbs and seasonings. He was content, and we were all ready to move on when Astiana came to the Market Place.
She climbed the wooden steps to the auctioneer’s platform and began to preach to the crowd, who gathered round to listen. She spoke of love and caring, of the need to help those less fortunate. Her speaking voice was good, though not powerful, and her delivery was less than perfect. But she made up for this with passion and belief, her every word hammering home into the hearts of the listeners.
Even so I was surprised that the crowd remained for she began to criticize Angostin rule – the unfair taxes and the criminal behaviour of the conquerors. Then she spoke of the hope of the people and cried out the name of the Morningstar. A great cheer went up.
This was dangerous talk and I looked around, seeking out the militia.
They were there, lounging against the walls of nearby buildings, but they made no attempt to stop her. At last a tall officer, with braided blond hair beneath a helm of iron, stepped forward. ‘That is enough, sister!’ he called.
Astiana turned to him. ‘You should be ashamed, Brackban,’ she chided. ‘You serve the cause of the evil upon this land.’
‘You have had your quarter-hour, Astiana, and now the auctioneer is waiting and there are cattle to sell. Step down, if you please.’The slender nun raised her hand and blessed the crowd, then walked swiftly from the platform, and I saw Brackban wander away into the nearest tavern.
The cattle auction had no interest for me and I returned to my companions, who were sitting at a bench table near the town centre enjoying a late breakfast of bread and cheese. ‘She spoke well of me,’ said Mace. ‘Fine sentiments.’She was not speaking of you, Jarek,’ I told him coldly.
‘You are in a foul temper this morning.’Not at all. It is just that I see things more clearly now.’Have I done something to offend you, Owen?’Piercollo had wandered to the edge of the crowd, watching the auction. Ilka was beside him; both were out of earshot. ‘Offend me? Last night our friend could have been slain, and you did nothing. You left him to his fate. I find that despicable.’You did well enough without me,’ he pointed out, ‘and why should I risk my life for the man? I did not ask him to break the fellow’s jaw; it was nothing to do with me.’Had it been you under attack, would you have expected us to stand with you?’No,’ he answered simply. ‘Nor would I have asked you.’We were ready to leave when a troop of soldiers rode in, scattering the crowd at the auction. Hauling on their reins, the fifty men sat their mounts while their officer dismounted and climbed to the platform, pushing aside the auctioneer.