The Spymaster's Protection by S A Monk Read Free Book Online Page A

of the coup.
    Now, three months later, most of the opposing parties had made
their peace with the new rulers, although Raymond was still seething in
Tiberius, refusing to accept the powerful Court Party's triumph. It was rumored
that he was considering establishing a separate truce with Saladin. And, while
that was his right as Lord of Tiberius and Tripoli, it would be dangerous.
    Lucien was well aware that the Hospitallers had backed
Isabella's claim to the throne. Her father, King Amalric, had thrown aside his
first wife, Lady Agnes, of the powerful Courtenay family in the north and
married Maria Comnena of Byzantine. By her, he had a daughter, Isabella. Thus,
had all the political alliances been created.
    Lucien never failed to be amazed by
the complexity and absurdity of royal politics. Though he found it so, he
understood the greed for power behind it. It fueled the need for what he did.
Unfortunately, it also disgusted him, lately more so than ever. It did not bode
well for his future with the Order that he had openly begun to question so many
of its dictates. His last public disagreement with Gerard de Ridefort had
resulted in his temporary banishment from Jerusalem. This Grand Master would
not countenance too many more of such disagreements.

CHAPTER
4
    "Ah, Brother Lucien," Giles de Chancery beamed as he
saw his friend enter the room where he was putting to order some records.
"I wondered how long it would take you to pay me a visit. It is me you have come to visit, is it not?"
    "Of course," Lucien replied smoothly as he removed
his mantle and folded it across a wooden backed chair. "Who else would I
come to see?"
    Merriment danced in Brother Giles' blue eyes. "Oh,
possibly Lady de Châtillon? She is at the orphanage today."
    "Then I may pay her a visit, too, before I leave."
    Brother Giles laughed at his friend’s attempt at indifference.
"I daresay, you will not miss the opportunity!"
    Lucien frowned slightly. " I daresay I should.
Visiting with her would not sit well with the Order."
    The Hospitaller shrugged. "There is nothing sinful in
talking to a woman. Lady Gabrielle needs our assistance. She is a godly woman,
doing her best to amend what we damage."
    "There are few enough like her in the nobility."
    And that, thought Lucien, was one of the things that attracted
him to her. Her unique nobility; her inherent compassion, and gentle heart. In
this blood-stained land, one saw little enough of true compassion.
Sanctimonious morality worn on one's sleeve was more often the norm among those
who endeavored to do God's work.
    "Are you staying in the city awhile?" his friend
asked as he pressed some papers into a large account book.
    "It appears so. Apparently the Grand Master has decided
to put an end to my short-lived banishment. He has reassigned me back to the
city from patrol duty."
    "He did not like what you had to say after the
coup."
    "He did not appreciate my observations or my point of
view," Lucien confirmed. "He particularly disapproved of my
suggestion that he should not have had your Master restrained at the crowning
ceremony."
    Prior to crowning Sibylla and Guy, the Hospitaller Grand
Master had refused to hand over the keys to the royal treasury, which held the
actual crowns that would be placed upon the royal heads. Master de Ridefort had
managed to get his hands on the crowns after using a despicable display of
Templar might, but there was still much tension between the two Orders.
    Lucien knew his old friend would welcome him, though, for
Giles de Chancery knew Lucien held none of the overbearing arrogance or
animosity that his superior clung to. Both men understood and accepted each
other's duties and roles, and while their Orders often differed, they remained
friends, privately of the same political opinion.
    "De Ridefort will embroil us all in renewed war with
Saladin before any of us are ready," Giles announced with disdain.
"He and Lord Châtillon constantly whisper in King Guy's ear about