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

renewing
hostilities."
    "Eventually, he will listen to them. He owes his fiefdom
in Acre, his marriage, and his crown to them.” Both men had planned Lusignan’s
future long before he had stepped onto Outremer’s soil. Lucien knew the history
and it infuriated him still. "Under de Ridefort the Order has become
arrogantly reckless and overly zealous. He does not temper his eagerness for
war with forethought. And de Châtillon only eggs him on. We are going to lose
valuable ground under his leadership. I am certain of it. I constantly hope
that my intelligence will force him to calmly consider all the issues and
consequences, but as of yet, it has failed to do so."
    Giles understood his friend’s growing frustration. The coup
this past fall had nearly thrown the kingdom into civil war. Like Lucien, he
knew it still could. "You cannot give up, my friend. Your ability to walk
in both worlds is of great value to all of us, no matter what political side we
are on. No other could do what you do, and do it so well. Our king and queen
need accurate intelligence to make sound decisions. We cannot let men like
Reynald of Châtillon be the only voice they hear."
    "It is getting harder to walk in both worlds." And
there were those who mistrusted him because he did; men like his Grand Master.
    "It serves a higher purpose than fighting, Brother
Lucien. Any of us can fight."
    Lucien wasn't convinced. "I don't know, Giles. I have
found myself questioning so much of late."
    The Hospitaller smiled sympathetically. "Men of
conscience often do, brother."
    "Much has been done in God's name since the first taking
of the Holy City. Most of it, I would daresay, has been done in the name of
greed and blind zealotry. And I am nearly certain that matters will only get
worse given the current turmoil and weak leadership. Saladin has bridged
ancient divisions and brought his countrymen together in ways that have never
before happened. He is growing stronger, and we are growing weaker. He just
might be the Muslims' greatest military leader in many a century."
    "King Baldwin defeated him at Montisgard eight years
ago," Brother Giles reminded him.
    "He is much stronger now. And we have fought many battles
and skirmishes with his troops since. We won only a few. We will win even fewer
with our barons so politically divided."
    "It does not help that Count Raymond still holds out against
Guy and Sibylla."
    "No, it does not, but I understand his fury over the
coup. It went against all he had promised Baldwin."
    "Will you go to Tiberius and talk to him?"
    "I will," Lucien confirmed. "I know not when,
though. We shall see what the Grand Master demands of me in the weeks to
come."
    Brother Giles gave his friend an encouraging smile. "Do
not despair. God's will will be done."
    Lucien gave a derisive snort. "I stopped believing that
God's will was being done in this land within a year of landing in Palestine,
my friend."
    Brother Giles shook his head sadly. “I hate to agree with you,
but there are many times, I do.”
    "Enlighten me," Lucien proceeded, changing the
topic. "Why does Lady de Châtillon travel the dangerous roads of Palestine
without escort? How, in God's name, has she managed to remain relatively
unharmed?"
    "The latter I do not know, Lucien. But I can tell you
that neither Reynald de Châtillon, nor Lord Chaumont, her father, would waste
any manpower on guarding a wife and daughter that both may be relieved to see
permanently disappear. I understand Reynald tried to get the Church to annul
his marriage to her, but was denied, despite the fact that she has borne him no
heirs.
    I have also heard that he could find no sympathy from
churchmen who have seen the disgraceful way he has treated her. She has been
sorely abused, and even Heraclius disapproves of Reynald’s open relationship
with Lady Silvia de Milly."
    Hearing that Gabrielle had been sorely mistreated was no
surprise, but it stirred a cauldron of hot anger inside Lucien,