The Crusader's Crown (Tales of the Brotherhood Series Book 1) James Mercer (ebook reader that looks like a book .TXT) 📖

discovered the Brotherhood for the first time. Sir Quintos Elizondo, he had met later in the city of Zara during the campaign to reinforce the Christian held lands in Palestine. Elizondo was a great Templar knight who had allied himself with the Brotherhood.

   Reynard settled back in his chair. “After the Brotherhood dispersed and went into hiding, Anzac and Schaffer were ordered to travel to Aragon to try and discover the members of the Order of the Blooded Cross who were stationed in Aquitaine and the Kingdoms of Aragon and Castile.”

   “Last year they received word from Sir Quintos that a Templar knight had started to pursue a Treasure of Christ which may rest somewhere in Iberia.”

   “Which one?” asked Robert.

   “We are not sure. What we do know is that an Abbot, who was a close friend of Father Anzac had been tortured and then murdered.”

   “But how does that relate to…?”

   “The monastery in which the Abbot lived was renowned for its library and historic records. Some are said to date all the way back to the Roman occupation.”

   “And the Templar?”

   “Elizondo reported that the Templar has begun to create his own faction within the Templar Order, telling other Templar knights of his findings.”

   “But surely the Masters of the Temple Order would abolish such an attempt?”

   “Not if he has been able to convince them that his actions are to support the Crusade. Anyhow, it is more likely that he is avoiding the involvement of the Templar Masters.”

   “And you believe that this Templar is now a member of the Order of the Blooded Cross?”

   “You of all people Robert, know how far the tentacles of the Order reach into nearly every court in Christendom. If this Templar and Sir Alexander Pierron unite their factions their chances of finding this Treasure of Christ is high.”

  Robert took a gulp of his wine.

   “How many of the Brotherhood have been summoned to join this Crusade?”

   “All those in the Kingdom of France and the last of the Angevin territories.”

   “So surely with the combined strength of the Brotherhood and the Forgotten Army we could defeat them?”

   “It’s not that easy Robert. The Christian Kings of Iberia have squabbled and fought one another for generations. This alliance is fragile and only holding by the efforts of King Alfonse of Castile and Pope Innocent III.”

   “Innocent my arse,” growled Robert.

  Reynard chuckled.

   “I wish it could be different my friend. But we must do this the way we have always done it.”

   “In the shadows,” replied Robert.

   “Otherwise the whole alliance could collapse. The Almohad Caliphate could conquer the entire north and the Order could find the Treasure of Christ.”

  Robert looked at his friend and could see that the man was starting to tire. He often forgot that here was a man who had followed two Crusades, fought uncountable battles and evaded the Order on countless occasions.

   “What do the Council ask?”

   “We are to discover the whereabouts of this Templar, find out what treasure he and the Order are pursuing and stop them.”

   “And those of the Order?”

   “We will vanquish them as we have done before,” answered Reynard.

   “I have but one request. Nathanial stays to continue my responsibilities here and protect my family.”

   He will not like that Rob.”

   “He shall do as he is told.”

   “Agreed.”

   “Very well. Give me a few days ….”

   “Time is short Robert Spurling,” interjected Reynard as he rose from his chair. “You have until the morning of the day after tomorrow.”

  Robert sighed but did not object.

   “Come. I will show you to your room.”

Chapter 3

 

The Monastery of Saint Michael, Kingdom of Aragon, February, 1212

Father Anzac had trawled through countless volumes and scrolls to try and discover some clue as to the reason for his old friend to have been so vilely mutilated and killed. But still, he had found nothing.

  Even Schaffer, who was prone to grumbling and arguing with the old priest, had been gentle toward him, since they had discovered Abbot Bernardo’s body.

  Losing his temper, Anzac growled and threw the book he had been studying to the floor.

   “Nothing. All of it just utter shit,” he spat. “Just drivel about the goings-on of monks who had nothing better to do.”

   “Maybe we have missed something in the message sent by Quintos,” answered Schaffer, who was rummaging through a stack of old parchments.

   “I told you what the message said. That a Templar has discovered the location of one of the Treasures,” snapped Anzac.

   “Well it might help if we could have the Templar knight’s name?”

   “You know full well why.”

  Schaffer did know why. Their ally had not given away the name lest the message was intercepted. He suddenly stopped at one of the parchments. Upon it was a faded drawing of a man in armour. Armour that had not been used in centuries. Turning to the next page his eyes widened with excitement.

   “Wait a moment.”

   “What is it? Another document, describing the fall of another Christian city,” answered the priest.

   “Almost.”

   “And how does that help us?”

  Anzac pushed himself up from the desk and stretched off the cramp which had been creeping across his back.

   “What if we have been going about this the wrong way?” said Schaffer.

  The knight turned the second of the two parchments to show the priest. It was an old map of the peninsular when it had been under the Roman occupation.

   “Frederick if you have discovered something, then for the love of God spit it out for we’re short of time.”

   “We are looking for the