The Crusader & The Cathar (Tales of the Brotherhood Book 2) by James Mercer

Author:James Mercer [Mercer, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ocean Bound Publishing
Published: 2023-08-17T22:00:00+00:00

Squire Alexios had watched through the shutters of a closed window as the cunning Commander escorted his disguised Cathars, through the gates of the town and down to the docks. Sour in the gut from his failure to persuade the local garrison to apprehend the fugitives and their bodyguard, he had been forced to follow and watch from a distance.

In desperation he had demanded to see the Constable but was told in no uncertain terms that would be impossible. If this unsavoury bunch of misfits was only passing through, the protectors of the town were not that interested in who they really were or what their mission was. He would just have to wait, he had decided.

His opportunity had finally presented itself earlier that day, after watching the ramshackle tavern where the Commander and his comrade had disappeared into. A drunkard had crawled out of the door on his hands and knees quickly followed by a man who struck him hard, berating the man in French-Norman. The drunkard’s only response had been to vomit the contents of his stomach onto the cobbled street. Then taking him by the scruff of the neck, the Norman had dragged him to his feet and hauled him off toward the river.

The squire had continued to remain and wait. It had been about a half hour before the Commander and his fellow knight exited the Tavern with another. This man was built like an ox with tattoos covering his neck and arms.

Alexios followed and continued to observe over the entire afternoon, hiding in an abandoned warehouse with only rats, scurrying about his feet for company. It was soon apparent what was taking place.

After the arrival of the Cathar refugees he watched as they cast off their slave’s ropes and assisted the sailors preparing the two anchored ships.

The devil worshippers were planning to escape from an honourable crusade which would expunge them from the surface of the earth, he thought savagely. He felt the panic rising as he realised time was running out.

It had been in the late afternoon when the squire spied the drunkard from the tavern who was now sporting a bruise and a swollen eye upon his face. “So, he’s one of the ship’s crew” Alexios soon concluded.

The drunkard had been idle throughout the afternoon, sulking and lashing out at any who bothered him.

This was the squire’s chance.

The drunkard walked towards a storage hold near to his hiding place. He was ambling around with long coils of rope, and it was obvious he was in no hurry to complete the task.

Stepping out of the shadows and pulling back his hood, Alexios approached the sailor. On hearing the light footsteps, the seaman had spun round, his arm out and a small blade in his hand.

“Good evening, friend, rest assured I mean no harm,” the squire said calmly, holding his hands up to show he carried no weapon.

“What d’you want?” the sailor asked belligerently.

“I was hoping you and I could do some business,” Alexios replied.

The light from the torches was enough to show the confusion on the man’s battered face.

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