Cold Ashes...
 

 

Once Châteauvillain is freed, nothing can stop Catherine. She bids farewell to her faithful friend and travels to Dijon in the hope of preventing the poisoning of 'King René', still carrying the letter the Queen gave her ... In Dijon, they immediately go to Catherine's uncle, 'Mathieu Gauthier', in his house 'Grand Sant Bonaventure'. It is Amandine la Verne who opens the door', she who was responsible for her mother's removal from her uncle's house, and who is now her uncle's wife. Catherine immediately notices that her uncle is nervous and is drinking too much, but very pleased to see his niece again. Mathieu is remorseful and Amandine watches every word he says! His niece tells him that she has to go to the castle that evening. Bérenger and Gauthier accompany her and she orders them to wait for her outside...

 

Catherine leaves the boys in the courtyard while she enters the tower where 'King René' is held prisoner and guarded by her old friend Captain 'Jacques de Roussay'. The latter is delighted to find Catherine, his ideal love, after all these years. When Catherine expresses her desire to see the King, he tells her that it is forbidden. But she contradicts him by saying that she is here as an Ambassadress for 'Queen Yolande' of Aragon and that she has to deliver a letter to her son. She also tells him that the Damoiseau wants to have the king kidnapped and killed, to which Jacques replies that this is quite impossible, as he is watched day and night. The Captain has no argument anymore from preventing Catherine to see René d'Anjou. It is planned that Catherine will return as the Captain's nephew, 'Alain de Maillet' so that no one will be suspicious. The old friends raise their glasses of wine.

 

While Jacques de Roussay is playing chess with René d'Anjou, the prison door opens and Catherine enters, whom the captain introduces as his visiting nephew. The king is at first uninterested in this interruption - but when Catherine kneels before him and shows him the ring that Queen Yolande had given her years ago, the young king is completely overwhelmed. He reads his mother's letter and has tears in his eyes. Catherine, who does not know the contents of the letter, begins to understand that the King believes she should 'delight' him... as a woman... but Catherine evades the issue by saying she is a married woman... Meanwhile, there is another tap on the prison door...

 

A man dressed in a Burgundy outfit enters with a tray, carrying three gold goblets and a bottle of Burgundy wine. Catherine looks at him and has the impression of having seen this man before, but where? They take the tray and just as René d'Anjou is about to drink, she exclaims in horror that he must not drink - she had recognized the servant... i't was a man she had seen in the service of 'Robert de Sarrebrück a few days ago... Everyone looks in amazement at the wine stain on the table... De Roussay says that he will send his soldiers immediately to arrest the Damoiseau ... Catherine anxiously leaves the men to return to her uncle's house. .... yet when she comes out of the tower, she no longer sees Bérenger and Gauthier. Thinking that they have already gone home, she heads for her uncle's house... but.....

 

When she arrives at her uncle's house, she tells him that she has talked to Captain de Roussay and that she has been able to carry out her mission. But she notices that Gauthier and Bérenger are not yet there. It is then that a stone is thrown through the window. It is a message that says that if she doesn't come out, they will kill them bit by bit. A messenger will be waiting to take her to the location. Catherine drops the letter and runs out of the house. Uncle Mathieu, completely desperate, picks up the letter, but his wife Amandine wants to snatch it away. She is a real 'Xanthippe' and sits down with a devious smile. She forbids her husband to go for help. Saying, his noble niece knows many nobles who would be able to help her... Mathieu sits down again and drinks his wine, he is too afraid of Amandine... But soon after, someone knocks on the door and 'Jacques de Roussay' is there, asking to speak to the Comtesse 'Catherine de Montsalvy'. He is shown the letter and immediately understood that Catherine was in great danger. He promises Catherine's uncle that they will search the whole town for her and quickly leaves the house......

 

Meanwhile Catherine enters the building knowing that it could be a trap... but she fears for her people. It turns out that Arnaud de Montsalvy's brother-in-arms, 'Robert de Sarrebrück', is behind all this. He blames Catherine for thwarting his plans for the second time. He tells her that she cannot prevent now that one of his men is being sent to the castle, to kidnap the king and kill him. But first he wants revenge and rapes Catherine - and invites his men to do likewise... she is utterly helpless. But events take a sudden turn, 'Jacques de Roussay', his soldiers and her old friend 'Barnaby' storm into the cellar. The Damoiseau manages to mortally wound Barnaby before being arrested. Jacques, full of contempt, hits him in the face before taking him away.....

 

... Before he dies, Barnaby apologises for not getting help in time. He suspected where the Damoiseau and his gang were hiding. But Catherine, helped by de Roussay, takes him in her arms and tells him that he will be all right. But Barnaby smiles... He reminds her that Messire Arnaud has a difficult character, but that she must not lose hope... He will look after him where he is going... Sobbing, Catherine collapses on top of him....

 

Back at her uncle's, Catherine suffers a tremendous amount and doesn't want to see anyone anymore... but Bérenger and Gauthier faithfully watch over their mistress. A few days later, Captain de Roussay comes to visit her. He tells her that the attempt on the king's life has been foiled. The Damoiseau is sent back to his seigneury of Commercy... and the affair is kept secret... But in captivity, Roussay made de Saarebrück tell him what had happened to Arnaud de Montsalvy. The latter, once he had recovered, set out with others to follow 'the Maid'. Catherine is deeply distressed that Arnaud still believed that this young woman was Joan of Arc, they had both seen being burned alive... It begins to snow and Catherine has to wait... She decides to go and look for Arnaud as soon as she feels better. She is convinced that she will prove that this woman is an impostor. She bids farewell to Jacques, whom she thanks for everything, and says goodbye to her uncle... They saddle their horses and set off...

 

In search of Arnaud, the path brings them to Metz. At an inn, they learn for the first time that knights have stayed  and that they claimed to have recognised the Joan of Orléans. The innkeeper describes a tall, handsome knight, whose face is unfortunately marked with a long red scar on one side... When asked where he has gone, they learn that it is probably to the Duchy of Luxembourg, where the 'Maid' is believed to be... The three travelers immediately set off for Arlon...

The false Joan of Arc

 

On 21 December, they arrive in Arlon and the next day Catherine goes to the castle of the Dukes of Luxembourg where Elisabeth of Görlitz (Philippe of Burgundy's aunt) reigns. But instead of finally catching up with Arnaud, she is greeted in a less than friendly manner by the duchess. Her husband had come three days to attend the wedding of her niece Joan of Arc with Robert des Armoises! Catherine, stunned, listens to her and says that this is not possible, and that she witnessed the death of Joan... Yes, yes, says the duchess, but it was a miracle that Jeanne was saved at the time. And everyone had recognised her, including her husband. But the Count de Montsalvy had left, furious, weeks ago... Catherine says that she wants to see the young woman and that she will be able to prove that this woman is a imposter. But when she appears, she actually is shocked and believes for a moment it is indeed Joan of Arc...But when asked where they saw each other for the first time, the truth comes out.    The Duchess withdraws, deeply disappointed. 'Claude des Armoises' treats Catherine patronizingly - but in the end, she reluctantly tells her that the Captain is returning to Montsalvy... He believed in her and probably loved her for a moment... but when she married he saw through her... Happy, Catherine leaves the castle to tell the good news to Bérenger and Gauthier...

 

Catherine returns to the inn to inform the boys that the woman has been unmasked by her and that they could now return to Montsalvy by the fastest route. Her husband would certainly have arrived there long ago. Bérenger is delighted, but Gauthier is a little skeptical... The night before the departure, Catherine feels extremely ill. She calls Gauthier for help and after a brief examination he realizes that she must be pregnant... Catherine, alone in her room, is so desperate and knows that she will not be able to return to Arnaud now. Early in the morning, Gauthier sees the painter Jean Van Eyck, whom he had met at Roncevaux in front of the inn. Van Eyck recognizes him and learns that the Countess of Montsalvy is at the inn. The young man asks him for help and thinks that his mistress could do with a good friend in her situation... When they want to enter the room, it is locked and the boys have to force the door. In the bed is an unconscious Catherine who has cut her veins with the Montsalvy dagger... Gauthier provides first aid and manages to save Catherine...

 

Catherine, in despair, tells him the reason why she wanted to quit life. Now pregnant, after being raped by the Damoiseau she could never return to Arnaud ! Jean van Eyck,  listens calmly and tells her not to despair. She must accompany him and his men to Lille, where he must report to the duke about his meeting with the duchess. After that they could go together to Bourges, where he knew a woman from Florence who could help her. She was said to be an able person, - some ladies of the court had already called on her help... Catherine hesitantly accepts, but wants his promise that he will not tell the Duke that she is in town Jean van Eyck give her his promise...

 

A week later they arrived in Lille. Catherine went to see her old friend Symonne de Sauvegrain, with whom she made friends back in Dijon. She had been wet-nurse for Duke Philippe's son Charles. While they sat at the table, all of a sudden Jacques de Roussay appeared and said the Duke wanted to see her immediately ! It had been Jean van Eyck who had broken his promise while he went to see the Duke... The Duke treats her at first like a spy for France, but Catherine can convince him she only came to see her friend Symonne... He insists that she stay to attend a feast and she realizes she cannot escape as easily and agrees. Yet when the Duke returns hours later he takes her to a chamber which looks exactly like her chamber at Bruges so many years ago. He shows her a painting of a naked Catherine which shocks her greatly... it had been 'van Eyck' who had painted it. In fact in at least seven castles there was to be found a room and painting like that ! Only the Duke had keys to these rooms...He tells her he still loves her passionately and he brings two glasses of wine - to drink to old times... under the influence of the wine and also thinking of how Arnaud had betrayed her she gives in... she begs him to love her just one more time like he used to... she wanted to know if a man's love could still make her feel something and not just horror....

 

When Catherine awakens Philippe has left her and she falls asleep again... yet, now a unknown woman is shaking her to get up... Catherine is embarrassed because it is Philippe's wife, the Duchess 'Isabelle of Portugal'. The Duchess tells her with a cold voice to get up, dress and leave, saying she had brought her some clothes because hers had disappeared. She lets her know that she does not care that the Duke, her husband has mistresses... yet she had always feared that Catherine would return one day... she orders her to go now and be careful never to return... otherwise.... Catherine gets up and returns to the house of Symonne where Bérenger and Gauthier were worried. She is very angry with Jean van Eyck but decides to continue her voyage to Bruges...

The hostage of Bruges


 

When they arrive in Bruges Jean van Eyck confesses to Catherine that he has married and he cannot invite her and the boys because of a very jealous wife ! Because of the political unrest between the Duke and Bruges she must disguise herself as a Pilgrim Lady with the name of 'Dame Berneberghe from Armentières' who had come to make a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the Holy Blood. Catherine decides to go to the Inn where she used to stay with her uncle when she accompanied him. Catherine notices the change in the city. There is an atmosphere of hostility in the air. At night Catherine and Jean van Eyck have an appointment with 'Carlotta' the Florentine. They do not notice that they are followed. Carlotta confirms that Catherine is pregnant and tells her it was still time to do something about it, yet she must return tonight and stay with her. They return to the Inn and Catherine gathers some personal belongings, prays and asks God for his forgiveness for what she is about to do... yet before she can leave the Mayor of Bruges enters with his men. He tells her she has been recognized: she is in fact 'Catherine de Brazey' the Duke's mistress and she is with his child.

 

Catherine tries to explain to the Burgomaster Louis van de Walle that he is behind with the news...! She is now married to the Comte Arnaud de Montsalvy from France. But the innkeeper who had recognized her, says he is certain this is Catherine de Brazey. She is informed that 'Carlotta'  the woman from Florence, had before she died, confessed why she visited her... all is lost... Catherine is devastated. The town with their Burgomaster, aldermen and guild masters take Catherine hostage to blackmail the Duke into giving them back their privileges at all costs - even if it meant to kill their hostage...! They take her and the boys prisoner - and is  held hostage in the Inn...!

 

Bérenger her page, is able to sneak out without being seen and goes to the house of Jean van Eyck, who is very worried about this. Yet when he goes to Louis van Wille he is lucky not to get arrested himself. There is nothing he can do at the moment. Catherine gives herself up, she does not want to eat anymore and her wish is to die... when the threat for their lives gets worse, Gauthier persuades Bérenger to go to Dijon and get help from the Duke. When Philippe hears about the kidnapping of Catherine he gets absolutely angry and says to Jean de Roussay that the people of Bruges will pay for this. ...!

 

Bérenger returns... Months go by and still there is no help arriving - the people in the streets are loud and aggressive as are the servants in the little palais. In the meantime even the Burgomaster fears for his life and he apologizes to Catherine, who is now heavy with child. He sends his wife 'Gertrude' who tries to comfort the young woman...!

 

The situation begins to escalate downstairs... then a monk arrives, pretending to have been Catherine's confessor, he demands to see the Countess. After discussions they let him in. The man with in the monk habit is none other than Catherine's old friend 'Jean de Rémy', the 'Chevalier of the Golden fleece'. He was sent by the Duke to organize her escape. The very weak Catherine is smiling and relieved to see Jean and to know she is not forgotten. He leaves some monk clothes for the three prisoners, and tells them to be ready on a certain night. He will come with a little boat - they must climb out of a window and go down a ladder he will send them up. At the same time she gets another visit from Gertrude who has hidden underneath her robes, Gauthier and Bérenger's weapons ...!

 

Many more days passed before 'Jean de Rémy' arrived with the boat - to give the signal for the escape. Catherine still weak was so afraid to climb up to the roof - afraid to fall down into the water. Gauthier was able to attach the ladder which Jean had brought. One step after another Catherine tried to forget her terror from the height. Yet... all of a sudden she took a wrong step and fell into the cold water... Bérenger jumped after her and all three of them tried to take the young woman out of the water, whose robes now wet dragged her down.. They bring the unconscious Catherine to 'Dame Béatrice' into the house of the 'Beguinage de la Vigne'. Gauthier informs her that the patient is losing a lot of blood and that he is afraid she will loose the baby. Dame Béatrice promise them to take good care of her, but they must leave now because men are not allowed to stay...

 

When Catherine awakes they tell her that she has lost the baby. She starts to cry and they tr y to comfort her, having no idea the real reason for her tears. Jean de Rémy writes to her and lets her know about the political situation which is dangergous now. The Duke is to come to ride trhough Bourges - that is the moment where she must reach him to escape from the town. She promises Dame Béatrice to tell the Duke to have pity on the town... Catherine has dress up again as a monk and they smuggle her out the Beguinage. The trio is waiting with horses... when Philippe of Burgundy arrives with his soldiers chaos breaks out. A massacre takes place and the Duke almost gets killed. He sees Catherine in the crowd and pulls her on his horse and they are able to escape to Roeselare. At the castle he behaves like a madman, he cannot control his anger anymore. Catherine watches him and tries to talk to him. Instead he wants her to make love to him, isn't she his mistress? Calmy she tells him she is not anymore his mistress and she had told him that in Lille... he cannot believe it and begs her to stay... only she can calm him... but she gets up, and tells him she is going to return now to Montsalvy, she kneels down to kiss the Dukes hand and walks to the door, to say : « Farewell, Monseigneur »...

Closed Gates...


 

Finally they arrived near the gates of Montsalvy, their trip home  had taken them more than month. Catherine asked herself what would await her there. She longed to see her children Michel and Isabelle. Yet when they came near they recognized 'Fortunat' who stopped them. He told the aghast Catherine that she must hide because she was not allowed to enter the town, by order of the 'Lord of Montsalvy'... he accompanies them to a farmhouse where she was to hide and await Gauberte Cairou who would enlighten her...

 

The tired three companions went to the farm and waited for 'Gauberte'. When she arrived they fell into each others arms. She told them that Messire Arnaud had months ago returned and had totally changed. Not only due to his long scar on his face. He scared his people in Montsalvy; when asked if their Dame  was with him, he screamed that her name was not to be mentioned anymore. Should she try to return she was to be chased from the town! Yet he had not come alone, with him were Routiers and as they found out later 'Azalaïs' the lacemaker who had betrayed the town. This was too much for Catherine, she fainted... it was Bérenger who said: "we must go as fast as possible to Roguemaurel". He was sure his Mother would give her shelter - and maybe she knew what had become of Sara, her children and her faithful friends. Indeed when they arrived, at the castle of Roguemaurel, it was there where Josse Rallard, Marie, Sara and the children found refuge......

 

Bérenger kneels down to his Mother 'Mathilde de Roguemaurel' who receives them all warmly. She recounts that 'Josse', his wife Marie, 'Sara' and Catherine's children came to seek refuge. Her son 'Renaud', Seigneur of Roquemaurel, Brother-in-arms of Arnaud, agreed without hesitation. Sara takes Catherine to see her children. Deeply touched she embraces her now six year old son Michel and little Isabelle who is not a little baby anymore. When the children are asleep, Sara tells Catherine the whole story. Seeing whom Messire Arnaud had brought home, they fled the same night. Sara tries to comfort Catherine whom she always loved like a daughter. Messire Renaud tells Catherine that he has invited all the Lords in the district to a Banquet next Sunday. They were all worried that Arnaud had brought such scum to Montsalvy and feared now for their lives. They would go and fight for her and take back what was the little Lord Michel's right. Yet Catherine stops them and says she did not want an open war. It is decided that Gauthier and Josse will go in search of 'Abbot Bernard d'Olt' who had been badly wounded...!

 

Meanwhile Bérenger had gone fishing, and met Arnaud de Montsalvy who only now found out where his children had been taken - and that now Catherine was also at the Castle of Roquemaurel. He makes accusations against his wife and shocks the young page with saying that she is a sorceress and he will see to it that she is send to a Convent after he has chased her away. Then he would come and get his children -with force if necessary, attacking the castle. Catherine bravely tries to bear this new humiliation. That night Sara goes deep down into the cellar and uses for the first time 'Black Magic' in her life. The hot summer days continue and nothing happens - but then Bérenger comes running into the castle and says the people of Montsalvy have come - calling for help because the plague has broken out. Upon hearing this, Catherine immediately wants to run to her people who are desperately calling her name. But Sara stops her and says: "Where were they all when your « charming husband » wouldn't let you into town? Think of your children... No one escapes the plague"...

 

But Catherine insists and says that nothing and no one can stop her from returning to Montsalvy to see if Arnaud is still alive... when Sara asks her how she can still love him after all he had done to her, she simply says: "I made a vow when I married him and I will keep it"... Seigneur Renaud cannot understand this and tells her resolutely, if she goes now, she cannot return to Rocquemaurel. Dame Mathilde comes back and brings a basket with the necessary material, which could help them... Sara says naturally she will accompany Catherine, who wants to forbid this because of the children. But Sara answers there is Marie Rallard who will care for them. Bérenger who wants to come also, she orders to stay: « you are now the Guardian of young Master Michel »! They embrace each other and together with, Gauberte, Fortunat and Josse they take the route to Montsalvy...

 

When they arrive at the gate of Montsalvy, everything is barricaded. After a long call, Brother Anthieme, Abbot Bernard's deputy, appears. He refuses to let them in, saying that they will not be allowed in for forty days! When asked if the Lord of Montsalvy is still alive, he only gives her a cheeky answer. But Sara knows of another secret entrance to the castle. The closer they get to the great hall, the more horrific the stench and what meets their eyes. The plague-dead or those who are on the final stages of death. Catherine wants to go up to Arnaud's chambers but Sara holds her back. First they see the dying Azalaïs and then a young slave girl near the bed. Sara takes charge - while Fortunat has already started to take the bodies outside burning them. Arnaud is still alive, but his body shows various plague boils. They burn everything and take Arnaud to the kitchen. According to Sara, his only chance of survival is if his boil bursts. They all fight for his life, but Sara swears that if he gets away and does anything to her again, she will kill him!   .. The patient is in agony while Catherine, Sara, Guaberte and Fatima wash and nurse him around the clock. When the boil bursts, Sara thinks he now has a chance of surviving. The companions are completely exhausted because the heat is also unbearable. It hasn't rained for weeks... Arnaud seems to be asleep and Catherine tells Sara about her rape and imprisonment... While everyone is exhausted, they suddenly hear a noise...

 

it is 'Abbot Bernard' whom Josse and Gauthier de Chazay went to fetch, who insisted to come with them even though he was still weak. He orders brother Anthième to let them enter because he came not alone - the folk of Montsalvy seeing how brave their Lady was had returned. ... The locked-in run out of the castle und Catherine falls into the arms of the abbot, who embraces her warmly. But suddenly a voice commands her to return... the people murmur angrily... It is Arnaud de Montsalvy leaning on Fortunat's arms. While Catherine trembles, the abbot lets the lord of Montsalvy make known what he thinks of him. That his wife, Sara, Gauberte and Fortunat had put themselves in grave danger to try and save him.... Arnaud orders Fortunat to take him as far as Catherine. Like a penitent, he lets himself fall in the dust and accuses himself. He begs her forgiveness in front of everyone and says she is the true 'Lady of Montsalvy' and he will now go to a convent to atone for his sins. Seeing him like this, Catherine forgives him and says that there is only one thing that matters to her. She does not want to rule alone, but wants to know if there is anything left of the great love they shared. The proud Arnaud de Montsalvy looks at her and says: he has never loved anyone else but Catherine...

*******************

Montsalvy... a year later...





 

A year later, when the manor house was rebuilt, there was a big festivity at the castle of Montsalvy. The Lord of Montsalvy wanted all traces of his madness to be destroyed, as he explained to Dame Mathilde de Roquemaurel whilst dancing... To everyone's surprise, Arnaud's brother-in-arms 'Jean Poton de Xaintrailles' appeared, eagerly awaited by his godson Michel de Montsalvy. As he had once promised when the boy was little, he brought him a sword. Count 'Bernard d'Armagnac' told them that the little lord would be taken into the Dauphin's household later. When d'Armagnac asked if Arnaud was coming back to the fights, he laughed and said: no, he would stay at home with his wife where he was needed...

~~~~~~~~~~




Countess Mathilde de Roquemaurel

The mother of Bérenger and Renaud de Roquemaurel whose castle was therefore located in the Châtaigneraie. Her son gave Catherine, her children and friends shelter when they were not safe in Montsalvy.

Grande Dame Béatrice

Dame Béatrice' who was in charge of the 'Beguinage de la Vigne', where they brought the injured Catherine after her fall. She felt secure with the nuns and learned also the craft of bobbing lace.

Claude des Armoises

The false Joan of Arc who claimed to have been able to escape the stake at Rouen on May 1431 . There were many who followed her and believed her lies because her resemblance to the 'Maid' was very convincing....

Amandine la Verne

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