The Crusader's Crown (Tales of the Brotherhood Series Book 1) by James Mercer (free children's ebooks pdf .TXT) 📕

of our Temple knights in Portugal. Garcia will be marching with the army through the mountain pass along with the rest of our Templar brethren.”

   “You say it as if you knew he had different plans?” said Father Anzac.

   “An informant has discovered that Garcia tried to persuade Master Gomes to allow him to take a force west and try and draw the Almohads toward them.”

   “Ah … he intended to take Baeza,” said Robert. He was referring to the Andalusian town that perched on a cliff in the province of Jaen in southern Spain.

   “Indeed. However, Master Gomes refused and has ordered that Garcia and his knights are to continue with the rest of the army.”

   “Well at least that’s something,” said Schaffer.

   “But not everything Sir Frederick,” replied Quintos. “One of my most trusted agents has infiltrated Garcia’s ranks. He reports that alongside the Templar knights and men-at-arms who support Garcia, there is another group that wear this surcoat.”

  Elizondo then reached into a small sack and withdrew a stained surcoat with an orange cross on a brown background.

   “He reported that amongst them is a man by the name of Sir Aguillard Chevalier.”

  The name sounded familiar to Robert.

   “And another name that confirms your suspicions. Cardinal Matthias Esca is indeed the cleric assisting Garcia with his works. He is said to follow Garcia like a second shadow.”

  Then the name came to him.

   “Chevalier! He is a knight of the Order who accompanied the knight Dubois to Constantinople.”

   “You are sure?” asked Sir Arnaud.

   “The knight we captured, Bastell. He mentioned him on several occasions.”

   “Sir Robert is right. His name was spoken of when Bastell was in my custody also. It seems that this Aguillard Chevalier is the contact between Garcia and the Order.”

   “So what is to be done?” asked Sir Edward.

   “At the moment, nothing,” answered Sir Arnaud. “Thanks to Sir Elizondo, we have infiltrated Garcia’s operations and we know that Reynard and Robert are the Order’s only hope of finding the rest of us.” He stood up, signalling an end to the meeting.

   “Very well. Garcia and the Order will act fast once we have travelled through the pass, so we must be ready. We shall try to reconvene before battle commences with the Caliph and his armies. If not, may God go with you Brothers.”

  The seven men rose to their feet and said their farewells, then one by one they left the tent and disappeared into the darkness.

Bidding the Commander goodnight, Robert returned to his tent, his mind swimming with all the information he had to register and hoard into the back of his mind. With the glow of light from a single candle, he slowly removed his armour. With so little illumination, the removal of the mail was a tiresome task, especially when unfastening the clasps at the back of the neck.

  He concluded that Jimmy was off drinking and gambling away his share of the gold, and would likely not return till morning, as was often the case. He also knew that if his friend lost most of his money he would then use the rest to drink himself into oblivion.

  Finally free of the cumbersome armour, he stood in a white vest and hose and stared at the candle. The small bronze candlestick reminded him of a pair which sat upon the long, oak table in the grand hall, back at Bridgenorth. His mind soon wandered to the family he had left back home.

  He thought of Kate and smiled at the thought of the tiresome job she had of trying to control his young nephew. He thought of Nathanial patrolling the borders, fearless and still a little resentful that he was not with them right now. Finally he thought of his older sister Jenny. Of all the oaths he had sworn, this one seemed one of the most important of all. Whatever lay ahead he told himself that he would keep his word, he would keep his honour intact and would return to his family once more.

  He was just about to blow out the candle when he heard the faint tread of footsteps outside. They suddenly stopped and he was certain whoever it was, was just outside the tent. He remained motionless in front of the steady candle knowing any movement towards the entrance would be reflected. He slowly reached for the dagger to his right, a gentle breeze slightly ruffling his hair, as the canvas was opened.

  In one swift movement, he grabbed his Brotherhood blade and spun round to face his intruder.

  Selva jumped back with a sharp gasp of shock. Horrified, Robert stowed the blade.

   “Selva, for God’s sake! What are you doing? I could have killed you! I’m sorry, you startled me,” he gasped.

  Although shaken, the maiden remained silent and stared at him in the dim light. She wore a long white thin cotton nightgown, the breeze flattening it against the contours of the lovely naked body underneath. He stared at her long, raven black hair, the soft skin and dark piercing eyes.

  Feeling a rush of desire, Robert searched for something to say as she moved towards him and placed her fingers to his lips. She stepped closer so there were only a few inches between them. Robert’s breath hissed out of his mouth into a low moan. Removing her fingers she reached up and replaced them with her lips.

  In those moments, nothing else mattered.

  The gentle embrace became hard and tight, lips and hands moving increasingly urgently. He never wanted to let her go. She gave a low joyful laugh and slipped from his embrace. For a terrible moment he thought she was going to leave him, but instead she stood before him and slowly started