The Outcast Dove: A Catherine LeVendeur Mystery by Sharan Newman Read Free Book Online Page A

own. “But the purpose is a noble one. Saint Maurice and Saint Nicolas will certainly watch over us. Don’t you agree, Jehan?”
    “What you propose is a task that God must approve,” the other knight agreed. “But even so, my good monks, there’s no reason for you to put yourselves in danger. The road will be full of hazards even if we are not betrayed in the end. We could be your emissaries and fulfill the mission guided from afar by your prayers.”
    Brother James studied the man carefully. Jehan was older than Berengar, perhaps forty, with a face that had seen too many campaigns. He had the air of one who did not expect life to improve but endured it anyway. James regarded him with suspicion.
    “I’m afraid that will be impossible. You’ll need us for the negotiations,” he explained to the knights. “I can speak their language. Can you? You wouldn’t want to rely on their interpreters. Most of them are Jewish, after all. And the abbot made it clear that Brother Victor is to be in charge of the funds. He is very proud to be so trusted.”
    Berengar stiffened at the presumed insult, but Jehan just smiled. “A wise precaution,” he said. “Large sums can tempt even the most honest man.”
    Brother Victor laughed. “I believe that the abbot simply thought thieves wouldn’t guess that I was carrying anything of value.”
    Jehan looked at Victor’s fresh, naïve face and agreed with the abbot.
    “Yes, that’s wise,” he considered. “Perhaps you should let people think you are with us by chance, on your way to visit another monastery.”
    “That is an excellent suggestion.” Brother James was relieved that there would be no more argument. “It will draw attention away from us entirely. Who would notice a couple of poor monks in the wake of stalwart warriors? You’re sure that all the arrangements have been made?”
    “Of course,” Berengar answered. “My father and the others have been planning this all winter. And Jehan, here, just returned from Spain with the latest information on the progress of the fight to reconquer the Saracen lands.”
    “So you know the route?” James asked. “Very good. I’ve heard that God has given the armies of Spain great victories.”
    “The war is going well,” Jehan agreed. “Far better than the one King Louis has undertaken. Almeria is in Christian hands now and Tortosa will be soon.”
    “Yes.” Brother Victor nodded. “We’ve heard about the call for armies to lay siege to Tortosa. They say that even the Vicountess Ermengard of Narbonne will lead her men into battle.”
    “She’s a formidable woman,” Berengar said. “I wouldn’t doubt it. All the more reason for us to succeed in our mission so that more men will be able to fight, don’t you agree, Jehan?”
    The knight shrugged, causing the mail shirt he wore under his cloak to clink. Brother James looked at him in surprise.
    “Why are you wearing armor?” he asked. “This is a town, not a battlefield. And we are in a house of God.”
    Jehan looked the monk up and down before he spoke.
    “You have the appearance of a man on the far side of your prime, Brother James,” he said consideringly. “Thin, from fasting no doubt, and wrestling with Satan. But the greatest earthly danger you are likely to face is from a fish gone bad. I was born the year King Philippe died. For a monk, my age would be of no great merit. But I can tell you that among men who live by fighting there are few gray hairs. I have survived this long by assuming that evil can enter even the house of God and that it often carries a sharp knife.”
    Brother Victor leaned over to whisper something in Brother James’s ear. James nodded.
    “Very well,” he said. “Berengar, we agree that you have chosen the right man for this task. I’ll rely on you to choose two more men to accompany us.”
    He reached into a small leather bag at his belt and drew out a few coins.
    “Only ramondins, I’m afraid,” he said, handing them to