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

When Robert and his men arrived at the small inner circle of Brotherhood knights, he could tell almost immediately that there was an obstacle that required his men’s skills. All of the Brotherhood knights remained silent while Robert and his small party stood and waited for their Commander to speak.

   “There is only one gate into the town,” he began. “The enemy knows we’re coming and they will likely put nearly every man they have to holding that gate.”

   “Why not wait for them until they leave? They leave, we meet them in the field, we return to the camp with their heads mounted, job done,” replied Jurgen.

   “A reasonable suggestion. But we don’t know how many they have shored up in there,” replied the Commander.

   “If we were to meet them in the field and they do have the numbers, they could well defeat us,” said Sir Arnaud.

   “Begging your pardon my lord, but numbers do not win a battle,” answered Athaelstan.

   “That they don’t. But these are not foot soldiers or bandits. They are of the highest quality when it comes to combat. Quality that your Commander has said you can match. But even your skills will be tested against these men.”

  Robert could sense the frustration on the Master of the Keys’ voice due to the lengthy conversation.

   “So what do you suggest Commander?” he asked.

   “There is only one other way that we could seize the town without losing too many of our men. It would require stealth and perfect timing,” answered the Commander.

   “Reynard, please! This is beyond madness,” said Anzac.

   “The cliff face,” grinned Cherik excitedly.

  The Commander smiled, trust Cherik to be the one to think of the same mad idea as he.

   “It is a dangerous climb Cherik.”

   “All the more fun,” answered the German.

   “How high?” asked Jimmy.

   “Ruscar compared it to the outer walls of Constantinople.”

   “Bloody hell.”

   “Too high for you?” asked Sir Frederick, a note of sarcasm in his voice.

   “Nope, it’s just, how are we supposed to have the energy for a well-deserved frolic after we’ve climbed a cliff face, killed a bunch of guards, opened a gate and then killed these powerful knights you speak of?”

   “You think this a joke boy?” growled Schaffer.

  The knight had reddened in the face, whether it be from being spoken to in such a manner by a man of such low rank, or that his jibe had glanced off the mercenary and rebounded back at him.

   “We’ll have to leave our armour and heavier weapons behind,” said Robert thoughtfully.

   “You will,” answered the Commander.

   “And to avoid being seen, we need to set off tonight,” continued Athaelstan.

   “How long will you need to reach the gate?” asked Robert.

   “We will scour the base of the slope and dispatch any sentries, beyond the castle walls and remain out of bowshot. Then we’ll await your signal before charging the gate.”

   “Best not waste any more time then,” finished Jimmy cheerfully.

*****

The men of Garcia and Chevalier had been labouring most of the afternoon but so far they had found nothing. Whoever had designed such a vault had made it almost inaccessible. After prising up the ancient slabs surrounding the foundation of the forgotten monument, they had discovered another layer of stone and mortar. Using the few tools they had found amid the dwellings of the town they had put men to work with mallets, chisels, hammers and pickaxes.

   “If the blasted thing was still intact we would likely have been able to pull it up with rope and horses,” growled Garcia.

   “We are starting to make headway Sir Alejandro,” answered Chevalier calmly. “They have cleared away most of the second layer of mortar and your sergeant reports that there are signs of earth beneath.”

  The Order knight was right and slowly, as more of the second layer surrounding the ancient remnants of the statue was broken away, they were able to dig deeper and faster.

   “Sir Alejandro.” A Templar knight approached him.

   “Brother Pierre.”

  The young Templar had been assigned to guard the town gates and his arrival could mean only one thing.

   “They are here?” said Garcia.

   “We are not sure. One of the sentries beyond the walls has disappeared. We sent out a patrol of six men and they returned unscathed, but with no news of the sentry’s whereabouts.”

   “Bring all the sentries within the walls and bar the gates. Send word at the first sign of anyone approaching the town,” ordered Chevalier.

  The Templar knight looked to his superior before taking orders from the outsider. After a nod from Garcia the young knight turned and began to summon others to join him at the gate.

   “You think it’s them?” asked Garcia.

   “It has to be,” replied Chevalier. “Clauvine,” he said to one of his men who was scraping at the compacted sand, dirt and rubble.

   “Is there any change?”

   “Yes my lord there is,” he answered, wiping sweat from his brow.

   “Bring water,” called Garcia. “Esca get over here with that water damn you.”

  The fury in the cleric’s eyes was unmistakable, only slightly hidden by the setting sun. However at the news of change he hastened to join the two knights and their man-at-arms turned labourers. Taking several draughts from the ladle that sat in a bucket of water, the men continued.

   “The mortar and stone from the statue have ceased but we have found the start of two granite blocks beneath them.”

   “Can we prise the base of the old statue off?”

   “We have tried lord. But it holds fast. We are making the hole wider and