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

tell ya Commander, ‘e weren’t there when I got back to the tent last night. Nor the night before.”

   “Jimmy, I would guess you can hardly remember last night, let alone falling into your cot,” came the voice of the Commander.

  His tone was amused. He was obviously in good spirits.

   “Not really sir, no,” mumbled Jimmy. “But you saw yourself ‘e wasn’t there this morning. He took Captain Wilf’s passin’ badly sir. You don’t think he would go do anything stupid do you Commander?”

   “Just like all of us Jimmy, Robert can sometimes be hot-headed. But stupid he is not. No matter. He’ll want to keep his mind occupied at the moment, I’ve a feeling he may be seeing to Jupiter. That fine horse of his took quite a few scratches during the battle.”

   “Want me to come along sir?”

   “Nay, be off with you and sober up, you look like hell swallowed you up and shat you back out again.”

   “Elegantly put sir.”

  There was the faint sound of footsteps traipsing away, then after a few moments came a tap on the tent’s forward pole.

   “You can come out now Rob, your usual tent companion has departed.”

  Gently easing Selva from his embrace, Robert climbed from the cot. As he moved he took a sharp breath as spasms of pain shot through his body. Slowly shuffling to the entrance he peeled back the tent’s curtain and saw the Commander looking at him with a hint of a smile on his face.

   “My apologies Commander. I ….”

   “No need for apologies Rob, but we do have more pressing matters. I have received word from the Master of the Keys.”

  Briefly forgetting the pains that jolted through his body Robert turned to retrieve his clothes. He saw that Selva was now awake. She was sitting up, the blanket covering most of her nakedness. He held a finger to his lips. Speedily pulling on his shirt, hose and boots. He leaned forward kissed her and then limped out of the tent.

   “Come, come Sir Robert. Anyone would think there was something that was holding you back.”

  The Commander had already started to walk away from the tent, causing Robert to stumble after him.

   “So what news?” asked Robert, doing up his belt buckle and pulling his leather jerkin over his shirt.

   “I know not. Sir Arnaud sent word that he would meet us by the horse paddocks.”

   “I have not brought my sword,” said Robert, remembering the attempted capture of the Commander not long ago.

   “Have you your dagger?”

   “Of course.”

   “That should do.”

The Master of the Keys was standing in the shade provided by a temporary canvas porch. He had discarded his mail and surcoat and could have passed for a standard foot soldier.

   “Took your time,” he said in his surly manner.

   “Good morrow to you too Sir Arnaud,” replied Reynard politely.

   “We haven’t time for your chat or my etiquette Sir Reynard.”

  Taillefer’s tone was stern and serious and the two remained quiet.

   “Sir Elizondo has sent word. The Templar Garcia has been granted leave. With the loss of their Master Ramires, Garcia was able to gain enough support and approval to take his men and pursue the retreating army and exact their wrath upon the infidel. On their departure, there were those in his company that Sir Elizondo is certain are not true Temple knights.”

   “So, the Order rides with them?” asked Robert.

   “South you say?” replied Reynard. “Baeza?”

   “Without doubt. It lies within two hundred miles from here and will take them at least three days to reach the town.”

   “What say the others?”

   “The fortifications of Baeza are said to be nowhere near as formidable as they once were. Only the natural defences of the clifftop give the defenders an advantage. There is a chance that their garrison may have been strengthened considering our victory. However Quintos believes it likely that they and the town’s inhabitants will flee to Burgalimar.”

   “The castle to the west?”

   “Precisely.”

   “And you think that now is the time to strike at them, Sir Arnaud?” asked Robert.

   “I do. And so do many of the Brothers,” answered Taillefer.

   “So what do you suggest?” asked Reynard.

  It was not often that the Brotherhood would take the fight to the Order of the Blooded Cross knights.

   “Quintos believes that Garcia takes at least a dozen knights or more with him to Baeza, along with at least twice that in men-at-arms. Combined, our Brotherhood knights along with their squires numbers only sixteen. The Brothers ask if you have the men who could equal that of the Templars and their men.”

   “I have the men, but do you have the tolerance Sir Arnaud?”

  Robert and Reynard both knew that Taillefer had a distaste for mercenaries and had been dismayed when he had discovered that his protégé led just such a band.

   “Reynard this is serious. If you have men who we can trust to keep what they see to themselves, bring them. If you don’t, then just bring yourselves. Sir Edward and I will meet you here at dawn tomorrow.”

  Without another word, the Master of the Keys turned on his heel and stalked away.

   “Miserable bastard,” murmured Reynard.

  Neither of them spoke for a few minutes. Robert knew that his friend was pondering.

   “Gather your unit,” Reynard said finally. “Have them stow their surcoats in their satchels but come fully armed. I shall meet you at this spot tomorrow at dawn.”

  The Commander was about to leave when Robert spoke.

   “Where do you go now?”

   “I must go and spin a good yarn for King Sancho and then speak with Hamish and Alfonso. See