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

  His blood rushing, Robert was sure his legs were about to give way.

  When the last of the strings were undone, her robe fell to the floor. He was certain that for those brief moments, he had stopped breathing. He moved towards her, his hands already pulling his shirt over his head, and held her close, his lips seeking hers again.

   “Love me this night Robert,” she whispered in his ear.

   “I would love you every night.”

Hours later the noises of an army stirring in the early morning woke them. The young lovers held each other close, limbs entangled and mouths murmuring silly endearments. But the sounds of reality finally infiltrated their private world and Selva moved away.

   She sat up.“You will be leaving soon?” she asked sadly.

   “We will. But I shall return.”

   “How can you be sure?”

   “Because as well as the oath I made to my family, I now have you to return to as well,” he smiled.

  Selva leant over and looked at him.

   “You had me to return to last time. What will stop your duty from taking you from me again?”

   “I will do everything in my power to come back to you, you must know that. But for now, the army’s convoy will follow through the pass a day behind. You will not remain here.”

   “And then you ride to war?”

   “Then we ride to war.”

   “And after that?”

  After that he had no answer. Where would the army go from there? Where would the Brotherhood send him?

   “I made an oath to my family Selva and I make the same to you. Whether we are victorious over the enemy or my duty calls upon me. I will return to you, for that I promise.”

*****

Sierra Mountains, July, 1212

Martin Halaja looked a completely different man when Robert glimpsed him for the first time since they had left him in the custody of King Alfonse. The local shepherd now rode upon a fine white palfrey from the King’s own collection. He was dressed as if he were a noble, wearing a silk green shirt; red pantaloons and polished, black boots.

  The unguarded pass was known by a few as Despenaperros Pass. The Commander had volunteered The Forgotten Army as the vanguard but his proposal had been refused. The King was using his own men for such an honour. King Alfonse, his knights along with Martin and the royal bodyguard, led the procession.

   “So after we find the man who will lead the entire army to an unprepared enemy, we’re then stuck in the arse end of the army to pick up the scraps,” protested Jimmy.

  Robert knew full well that Jimmy was thinking only of the plunder that could well disappear if they were not there quick enough.

   “You got your share of the gold. So quit your moaning,” he replied.

  Robert’s small band rode with the rest of Alfonso’s mounted unit. The one hundred and fifty mounted men-at-arms rode with the Commander, Alfonso and Hamish at the head of the Forgotten Army’s column.

  The infantry unit were about half a mile behind under the watchful eye of Wilfred and even further behind, the supply train of carts and wagons carrying the army’s supplies and siege equipment.

  Robert’s attention was constantly distracted by the welfare of his new love who travelled a mile behind him. However, the knowledge that she was with the grizzled, army physician, Clutter, the armourer Godfrey and their company of a dozen or so guards was enough to reassure him of her safety. He counted both men friends and trusted them as much as the men who now rode beside him.

  The giant ravine of rock began to narrow and twist as they went deeper into the mountain range. Above them hung endless rock ledges, slowly formed over the centuries, at different levels. The passage’s sides narrowed so much that the mounted division of the army was forced to ride just five horsemen abreast.

  A few rows ahead, Robert could see Ruscar continually looking up and scanning for any enemy lookouts or archers that may be waiting for them. Ruscar well remembered the mountain ambush that had taken the Forgotten Army unawares on its way to join the gathering Crusader forces in Venice some years earlier.

  The light was fading as the order was passed down that the army would continue to march on throughout the night. They were to light only a minimum of torches, just enough to allow the men to navigate through the trail. Robert had been dozing lightly in the saddle when Ruscar arrived, informing him that the Commander was asking for him.

  Following the powerful warrior to the front of the mercenary company, he found the Commander a little ahead of the men. Stopping near to the captains, Ruscar allowed Robert to continue forward alone, trotting Jupiter up to the Commander’s side.

  At first Reynard said nothing and merely looked up at the sky.

   “The temperature seems to drop quicker amongst these giants,” he said finally.

  Robert knew he referred to the mountains but he had not actually felt the change himself. Certainly nothing a good cloak couldn’t fend off.

   “Selva is well?” he asked.

   “She is.”

   “She is a sweet lady. You were right to have done what was necessary to save her from the unpleasant existence that would have likely been her future.”

   “Reynard, I doubt you summoned me here to discuss the welfare of Selva. What troubles you?”

  Reynard looked to his young compatriot and smiled.

   “You do not wish to talk about your new beloved?” he taunted.

  Although the Commander could not see the man’s cheeks redden in the poor light, he guessed