3 - LANGUORETH

A group of horsemen was approaching the Rock. She could see them from the parapet and she knew they were Riderch and his fellows, even though she couldn't recognise their faces from that far. After entering the lowest rampart they dismounted from their horses and she saw them climbing the slope. After a while they were already close to the top, she could even hear their cackles. They must've had fun, judging by their laughter.

She went to the house and waited inside. The children were playing at Guenfron's place, and that was good: they didn't have to see what was going to happen.

Riderch took his time, but eventually he arrived: "Hi wife!" he said, entering and getting closer.

Languoreth slapped him on the face. Riderch looked affronted, but he answered sarcastic: "I love you too, my dearest".

"Do you even dare to take me for a fool? In which brothel have you been today?" Languoreth retorted.

"Now you are going too far...".

"Am I going too far?", Languoreth spat out: "Stop inventing stories, the truth is that you like to spend most of your time getting drunk and seeking the company of whores in Peartoc! Your children are growing, what'll they see in you?".

"They will see who I am! Their father, and a prince of Alt Clut!".

"The good-for-nothing prince!".

Languoreth saw anger on Riderch's face for an instant, but then he turned away and took off his sweaty clothes, leaving them on the floor.

She had no intention of letting go: "The rumours about your frolicking have reached the royal hall, today even your father talked to me about that!".

Now Riderch stared at her visibly worried and sat down, naked, on the bed's fur: "What did he say?".

"Why don't you ask him?", she said, "he told me that you haven't been talking to each other for ages and that he knows what you do only through the chatters which are spreading around".

Languoreth could see that she had hit the target: Riderch had an expression she had rarely seen on his face (the last time was when Acgarat had fallen from the parapet and Riderch was praying that she wouldn't remain crippled). But suddenly she felt that Riderch's gaze was more enquiring than worried.

She had to spare no effort: "Riderch, since we have been wed we have never left Alt Clut together. Let's go somewhere far from here for a while, you, our children and I".

"What is it about?", he replied, "again the story that here we live in primitive huts while the civilized people of Elmet and Rheged wear silk?".

"This has nothing to do with that! I am just tired of the rumours that come to my ears! I feel like in a prison here! What is wrong with travelling a bit sometime?".

"It is wrong because our life is here. Your life is here, as a princess of Alt Clut and as a mother".

"In that case", answered Languoreth livid, "I will feel compelled to behave the same as you, finding my own... favourite men, unconcerned about the insinuations which will undoubtedly spread all over Alt Clut, including to your father's ears".

This time Riderch looked struck, and when he spoke he did it in a softer tone: "But I do love you, Languoreth, you are my dearest for real. Do you think if it wasn't so we would've had three children together?".

"Then, show it!", replied Languoreth, struggling to hold back her tears.

And after a few instants of silence, finally Riderch stood up, still naked, and said: "Fine, let's talk, then".