Betrayed by Christopher Dinsdale Read Free Book Online

stomach.”
    â€œDon’t worry. You will be fine. You’ve got the best memory in all of Scotland.”
    Connor frowned. In the past, many had commented on his ability to remember details and events, but those moments were under the normal conditions found backat Roslin Castle. Exhausted and sick, he wasn’t even sure if he could remember his own name right now. As the main gate came into view, however, his mind started to clear. An imposing barbican loomed menacingly out and over the thick wood of the main gates, giving the defenders of the castle a way to terrorize any army that dared attack the entrance. The barbican itself was supported by two massive pillars. Each was carved in the classic Roman tradition, but wrapping round the one on the left of the gate were two menacing serpents, hungrily eyeing the visitors as they made their final approach.
    â€œThose pillars are just like the two pillars that held up the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem,” whispered Angus. “Just like in the stories father was telling us on the boat. Do you remember their names? That’s Jachin on the right . . .”
    â€œ. . . and Boaz on the left,” finished Connor, staring up at their incredible height. “Who could have built such beautiful columns out in the middle of nowhere?”
    â€œOnly the best builders in the world,” answered a deep voice. It was the voice of Sir Rudyard, who had slid to the back of the line. “So what do you think of Kirkwall?”
    Connor whistled. “I would not like to be part of the army ordered to attack it. It looks impregnable.”
    â€œAye, she is a thing of beauty. But appearances can be deceiving, young Connor. Nothing created by human hands can ever be considered
perfect
. The Templars believe that perfection can be reached only through the studies of science and mathematics. Have you heard of the ancient legend of Troy?”
    The boys shook their head.
    â€œTroy was a fortified city in the same part of the world asJerusalem. It was as close to a perfect fortress as the world has ever seen. Some armies were simply destroyed outright by the mighty Trojan warriors. Others managed to lay siege to it but realized it was a futile effort, as the citizens inside had access to unlimited water and food, and soon they gave up their attack. It really was a perfect city in every respect.
    â€œThen a secret marriage took place between the wife of a Greek king and a Trojan prince. The powerful Greeks decided that such outright deceit must not go unpunished. They sent the entire Greek army, the largest fighting force in the world, consisting of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and thousands of ships, across the sea to finally conquer Troy, once and for all. Year after year, the Greeks continually attacked and laid siege upon Troy, but the city was so well designed it resisted the offensive and remained strong and free.
    â€œFinally appearing to give up, the Greek army disassembled their war machines and marched back to their ships on the coast. Trojan spies watched them sail away to the west, back towards Greece. In defeat, the Greeks left one thing behind for the Trojan people. At the front gate of Troy, the Greeks, in admiration it appeared of the resilience of the Trojan people, had left a huge wooden warhorse as a gift to the victors. The people of Troy broke out in wild celebration. They accepted the Greek gift and wheeled the wooden horse in through the main gates, placing it at the centre of their city for all Trojan people to admire.
    â€œThen, in the dark hours of early morning, once the celebrations had ended and the streets fell quiet, a small door opened up in the belly of the horse. A dozen Greek soldiers slipped out of its hollow interior and melted intothe shadows of the quiet streets of Troy. The Greek soldiers stole their way to the main gate, killing the Trojan watch, and taking control of the gate mechanisms. The Greek