Page 469 - Revelation

Svetlana de Rohan-Levashova. Revelation

Therefore it was the most comfortable refuge for the fugitives exhausted by hunger and
continuous insomnia. The help was accepted with gratitude.

They met at Bidorta Mountain where Svetozar had to give the sign to Esclarmonde
that they all were well and that her son was alive.
The night was slushy and misty. Large drops hung in the air, sticking to their
clothing... The benumbed fugitives shivered from the piercing cold but did not stop,
wishing to go away as far as possible. Little Vidomir peacefully slept in the arms of the
unknown woman, unaware of the fact that his mother very soon would go to her death.
Esclarmonde clasped a newly-born child to her bosom and with every minute grew into
his little world with the whole of her heart, knowing that she could never part with him
even for a second... until he grew up into a young Vidomir.

She did not know yet how tightly capricious Fate would bind their lives together…

Isidora-10. Vidomir. Sleeping kings
The night was chilly and pitch-dark. But knowing every cavity, every unexpected
turn, in the area, Esclarmonde confidently conducted the fugitives to the hospitable
castle of Usson, where her anxious husband Bernard impatiently waited for them. The
new-born Vidomir never woke up during their arduous journey. The poppy decoction
which he had been given before the escape worked without a hitch and the child
peacefully saw his first earthly dreams, unaware of the surrounding world.
Esclarmonde moved gently trying not to disturb him. Her soul trembled, knowing that
a part of Magdalene and Radomir reposed in her hands. It seemed to her that they
approvingly smiled at her from their heights, as if sending their thanks and support...

Unexpectedly the branches crunched. Some unknown people blocked their way.
Esclarmonde counted. They were seven of them... impudent and cruel, armed to the
teeth crusaders.
She understood that they had no chance of surviving. The fugitives were extremely
tired and hardly could hold a weapon. Firmly clasping the child to her chest with one
arm and closing her eyes, Esclarmonde lifted her hand toward strangers...

– It’s the Witch, run! The Witch!!! – A crusader yelled.
But it was too late. They all fell on earth and became silent. It was hard to say
whether Esclarmonde killed them or only put them to sleep, but obviously it required a
lot of her forces. She heavily sat down on the soft earth and smiled, giving the fugitives
to understand that everything was all right with her.

– We have to go, venerable... – Svetozar whispered, stumbling. – If this is an
ambush, they knew about us. We have to go, Lady Esclarmonde.
On hearing how bitterly he sounded her name, she lifted her eyes in surprise. And
then she understood! It was extremely hard for Svetozar to pronounce this name,
knowing that his Esclarmonde was still alive out there!
– Call me Rada, – she whispered. – This is my real name.

Svetozar thankfully nodded. He indeed tried to address her as little as possible to
avoid pronouncing her name. Obviously, the pain from the loss of his wife clouded the
reality, and it was too much for him to bear to call another woman by her name.

Back to content

468