James Acton 40.The Heretics Bible by J Robert Kennedy

Author:J Robert Kennedy [J Robert Kennedy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Action & Adventure
Publisher: UnderMill Press
Published: 2024-01-28T00:00:00+00:00

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En Route to Padua AD 1239

Brother Alberto continued north at a steady pace, the long-distance horses they were riding rapidly closing the gap Sir Ricardo’s head start had provided him. A brother embedded within the Templar Order had informed them that Ricardo had been spotted this morning in Sipicciano, a town less than two hours ahead. After Father Francis had informed him of what was in the folio he had given Ricardo, Alberto had met with Keepers leadership, and it had been decided it was simply too dangerous for this document to exist.

While there was the possibility it could weaken the emperor, there was doubt as to what that might mean. There was a distinct possibility weakening the emperor’s position might cause a war, and wars were unpredictable. With the emperor having a power base in Sicily to the south, and a significant number of allies in the north, the Papal States could find themselves squeezed. And if Rome were sacked once again, as it had been before in history, Christianity could find the emperor sitting in the Chair of Saint Peter rather than the pope.

He pulled his cloak tighter against the stiffening breeze. The sun was up, though provided little warmth today, the cloud cover thick. But at least it wasn’t raining, as it had for most of their journey. He was cold, damp, and miserable, as were the others with him, yet no one complained, for this was an important mission in service of God. Perhaps at no point in history had the Church ever been so threatened, and it was the Keepers’ job to preserve it, not just from those on the outside who would do it harm, but those on the inside who would do the same, though perhaps unintentionally.

This was a plan set into motion by people other than him, and when briefed on the treatise and its contents, he immediately knew that anything involving it could come to no good. He had no desire to kill Sir Ricardo, yet the man had to be stopped. Though perhaps the damage had already been done. A messenger had reached them this morning from Padua, indicating the court there was in chaos, the pope’s letter, sent ahead of the actual treatise, apparently having its desired effect. Should the actual text arrive, war might be inevitable, and the emperor, like a cornered animal, might lash out at his greatest foe.

The Church in Rome.

Ricardo had to be stopped, and unfortunately, with his orders being issued as non contramand, he feared the man’s life was already forfeit.

Though only if they could find him.

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