****
When he regained consciousness for the second time, he was aware that he was in human form again and lying on a comfortable pallet. His eyes shot open and he sat up. He’d forgotten about his leg and the piercing pain came back to remind him of it. He cried out in rage as he remembered the reason for it and saw a blurred figure approach him.
“Master,” Parsifal’s reassuring voice said, “don’t move.”
“Jesus Christ Parsifal!” Galeren gasped for air. “How in the name of hell did you come by me?”
Despite the agony, relief overwhelmed him and he looked down to see that he still retained his leg.
“Where you fell, and lucky that we were the first to pass.”
“I know,” he acknowledged gratefully, taking a cup of wine from Parsifal and drinking it down eagerly. “Who’s we?” Galeren questioned.
“Richard de Gosbeck and I.” Parsifal answered.
“Fortunate for me, what were you doing in Scopwick?”
“Looking for you.” Parsifal said matter-of-factly.
“Why?” He narrowed his eyes suspiciously, “I left the Temple. I thought I had made that clear.” Galeren said defensively, despite his relief.
“Master there is terrible news. The Temple is in serious –”
“Trouble.” A voice Galeren immediately recognized concluded.
“Gerard?” He blinked several times to take in the vision of his old friend as he drew near his bedside.
“Aye,” Gerard de Villiers said solemnly, “I would be pleased to see you if not for the circumstances.”
“My circumstances were grim before I opened my eyes but you will do me no disservice by adding to them though I can guess the worst.”
“Sergeant you may leave us.” De Villiers said to Parsifal.
“But –” he began in protest.
“It is okay Parsifal, I will see you later.” Galeren said and winked at his sergeant who nodded and not too disgruntled took his leave.
“De Floyran?” De Villiers said motioning to Galeren’s leg.
Galeren nodded slowly. “He has my mate.” He said miserably.
“Catherine?”
Galeren nodded. “Parsifal told me about her,” De Villiers said, “she’s the one who bears De Floyran’s mark.”
“She is my mate.” Galeren growled.
“I meant nothing to the contrary.”
“I know,” Galeren said and relaxed his tense body, “I am sorry but he has her and Christ knows . . .” he shook his head in defeat not willing to go on.
“He has the Temple too and by our skins. Did he say aught to you?”
“Aye, he did now that I remember. He said that we are to be felled and he plays a part. ’Tis true then?”
“Aye,” De Villiers nodded, “before dawn on the morning of the 13th, four hundred and eighty nine Templar Knights were arrested from various locals in France, including your father.”
“My father?” Galeren said aghast then frowned at De Villiers, “then how the fuck did you come to be in England, Gerard?”
“We knew,” De Villiers said and watched Galeren’s eyebrows crumple into a frown, “not the way you think, with some foreboding feeling. Our spies alerted us. I saw an indictment written for the French King with tens of charges laid against us. It was written by Guillaume de Nogaret, a jackal in the King’s council and he is after blood. I saw the name of Esquin de Floyran and some of his associates on the indictment.”
“He has denounced us in his thirst for revenge. How did you come to see the indictment?”
“Ourri showed it to me. He is working as one of De Nogaret’s servants.”
“Is he still there?”
De Villiers nodded his head.
“Christ Gerard! You need to get him out of there. With De Floyran and other traitors about he will be exposed.”
“I know, I know. I told him to take flight if he sensed danger.”
Galeren sighed. “Tell me it all then. Tell me about my father, why is he not here with you?”
“You know De Molay, he felt guilt over ignoring the warning signs and decided that if the council offered themselves into Philip’s jaws many of us would be able to escape.”
“The noble fool!” Galeren said. “So De Pairaud, De Charney and the others have been arrested too.”
“Yes,” De Villiers said solemnly. “We took twenty of the best ships from the fleet in La Rochelle and Marseilles, sold some of the rest and abandoned the worst of what was left. We emptied the Templar convents and took the youngest of our men. The best of the fleet is scattered up the East coast of England. Some others went to Cyprus or across the boarders into Spain and Germany to see what would happen, and some stayed in France.
De Molay sent me here to seek your advice and the guidance of our English brethren. We believe Scotland may be the safest haven. If things turn bad we think to offer ourselves into the services of the Bruce in turn for sanctuary. Nothing may still come of it but I urged the council not to take that chance, I don’t trust Clement.”
“Neither do I,” Galeren agreed. “My instinct tells me that this is our time of reckoning. You think right to go to Scotland. I was on the way to Scotland myself at least for some thinking space. ’Tis a good start Gerard, but one arrested Templar in my view is one too many, can we get to them?”
“No.” De Villiers said firmly. “Those who stayed knew the risk. We fear the King may learn of our true nature, and if he does then he will seek to wipe us off the face of the Earth. Philip must think he has succeeded in some way so the rest of us might survive. There must be a sacrifice for the greater good and that was decided.”
“That is exactly my point! Whatever the King thinks or knows we cannot let any of our people suffer, old or young. They will be tortured and murdered!” Galeren said fervently.
“Galeren, it is the decision of the high council and as such is final.”
“And when have you known me to heed council decisions?” he said with dangerous determination in his eyes.
The Wolves of Solomon (Wolves of Solomon Book One) Page 23