The hazy dawn light fell upon Catherine’s face and she stared dazedly at the shapes it created on the chamber walls. She felt De Floyran stir beside her, his arms still wrapped around her. She squeezed her eyes tightly shut, as if to eradicate him from her memory. He had not hurt her, not in the sadistic way she had imagined, rather he had treated her with a respect and care that she thought he would have been incapable of. But he had been insatiable in his desire for her, not letting her be until a few hours before dawn. She would rather that he had been cruel; at least she would have felt justified in suffering, instead of feeling like his whore.
He groaned and his hand reached up to touch her hair. She prayed that he would be mindful of the time and hasten to get up and ready for the journey to Chinon.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked casually and memories of Galeren came flooding to her. She closed her eyes and swallowed the choke in her voice.
“Of the journey ahead,” she lied. She wanted to say Galeren and tell him that he would never be out of her heart and mind, but she was afraid of what his punishment might be.
“Yes,” he said. “We had better make ready for it, though I would rather stay abed with you.” He wound a lock of her hair around his finger and then released it, running his fingertips down her bare back. She shivered.
“Are you cold?” he asked, though he knew she was not. He knew that her compliance the previous night had been for Galeren’s benefit and to hold true to her word, even though at times he thought he had felt her respond to his touch. He had enjoyed every inch of her immensely. Her intense hatred for him, combined with her battle to restrain any pleasure she may have felt, had kept his lust ravenous.
However, he hoped that eventually her hatred would be replaced by desire. It was strange the affect she had on him. In time, he was sure that the bond between them would grow, and she would allow herself to enjoy the pleasure of his attentions. He smiled as the thought of Galeren struck him; if he had lived to see that! But he probably hadn’t made it through the night. The wound itself had produced plenty of blood, that and the poison would ensure he was just debris on the forest floor.
“Get dressed,” he said to Catherine as he jumped out of the bed and began to dress himself. She nodded distantly. He kept his eyes on her while he finished getting ready.
“Don’t look so sad.” He said as he pulled on his boots. “This will all be over soon and we will be well away from it all. You can then adjust to your new life.” He grabbed his gloves and made for the door. “I’ll send Caradas for you.” He said cheerfully as he left. Catherine curled up into a ball and cried.
The château bailey was alive with an assortment of knights and servants from both the King and Pope’s retinues all preparing for their various journeys to Poitiers, Fontainebleau and Chinon.
“Who’s getting De Molay?” De Floyran asked De Nogaret as he walked into the noise and chaos.
“I thought it best if you and your men did.” He answered with a yawn.
“Yes, indeed,” De Floyran agreed, “De Molay may be old but he is dangerous.”
“How so?” De Nogaret asked curiously.
“He is a very powerful werewolf,” De Floyran said. “He can get into here,” he tapped the side of his head, “if you let him.”
De Nogaret remembered the strange affect the Grand Master had on him during his meetings with him. The intense headaches came to mind at once. He had thought they were due to the pressure of work but now he wondered whether it was De Molay’s doing.
“Well he is all yours.” De Nogaret said absently, as he saw Catherine being brought towards them by Raymond Caradas.
“Did you deal with your business last night?” he asked, keeping his eyes on the beautiful captive.
“Yes, fear not Galeren has been well disposed of.”
“And her?” his tiny eyes darted furtively from Catherine to De Floyran.
“Yes, she was well disposed of too.” He winked at De Nogaret but cranked his head to the side as something caught his ear. He heard raised voices and looked across at the château’s entrance and saw Huguard and Botolf dragging a man down the steps and towards them.
“Hey!” De Floyran screamed at them and began to make his way over to the disturbance. De Nogaret hesitated for a moment and then immediately followed when he recognised the man they were wrestling with.
“What is going on?” he said angrily as he reached them.
“We have ourselves a spy!” De Floyran said zealously.
“What are you talking about?” De Nogaret said befuddled.
“Do you know this man?”
“Of course, he is my servant. He has been abed, sick.”
“Really?” De Floyran smiled. “He is a Templar.”
“A Templar?” De Nogaret said shocked, but he did not doubt De Floyran’s integrity for he had spoken of a werewolf’s perception for those of their own kind. Nevertheless, he wanted to hear it from the servant he had put his trust in over the last few months.
“Is it true Ourri?” De Nogaret demanded.
Ourri nodded slowly, it was pointless to deny it seeing as he was surrounded by his own brethren.
“You snake!” De Nogaret spat and struck him with back of his hand.
“Touché,” Ourri said arrogantly and braced himself as De Nogaret raised his hand to strike him again.
“Now, now,” De Floyran said taking hold of De Nogaret’s arm. “Let’s not make too much of a fuss.”
“What is going on?” Raymond Caradas asked, as he approached the commotion with Catherine in tow.
“We have a spy in our midst,” De Floyran answered. “Where has he been hiding?”
“I cannot believe this!” De Nogaret shook his head. “He has feigned illness these last few days and therefore stayed in the servant’s quarters, to avoid you no doubt! He begged me to let him follow in a few days when he was feeling well.” De Nogaret shook his head angrily, wondering what secrets Ourri had imparted to his brethren since being in his service.
“We smelt him out,” Botolf said with a crooked smile.
“Unlucky for you, boy!” De Floyran jibed.
“How come you did not sense him at my residence when you visited?” De Nogaret asked accusatory.
De Floyran pondered this. “I was distracted.” His eyes darted over to Catherine. “He probably made himself scarce.” De Floyran offered dismissively. In truth, his sense of smell was not always so astute, but he wasn’t going to tell De Nogaret that.
Catherine looked at the young boy and sensed his fear. He looked at her woefully and sensed that she too was not here through choice.
“Ourri is your name?” De Floyran said contemplatively and put his finger to his lips, “Ourri Venois? De Villiers’son?”
The boy nodded his head slowly in agreement. “I thought I could smell him on you.” De Floyran sneered.
“Gerard de Villiers?” De Nogaret said, eyes widening. “He was one of the dignitaries that eluded arrest, told about it by this shit no doubt! What else has he done?” De Nogaret threw his hands up in anger.
“I am sure he has quite a bit to tell us, not least where his father is.” De Floyran said more calmly.
“What shall we do with him?” De Nogaret asked, infuriated by the betrayal.
“We’ll take him to Chinon with De Molay and have him interrogated there. We have special methods for spies.”
“Can’t you let him go, Esquin?” Catherine said softly, putting her hand on his sleeve, “he is just a boy.”
De Floyran looked down at her hand and smiled.
“I am afraid not, even though you asked me so nicely,” he said patting her hand gently, “but I am far too familiar with the trouble a boy can cause.” He narrowed his eyes. “Secure him Raymond, while I get De Molay. And no trouble boy or you will have the Grand Master’s death on your conscience.” De Floyran said and took Catherine’s hand and kissed it.
“I will be back presently,” he smiled reassuringly at her and he
aded into the château along with Botolf and Huguard.
“Where is Galeren?” De Molay said when De Floyran and his two men entered his cell.
“Gone,” De Floyran said, “I let him go last night.”
“You expect me to believe that?” De Molay said, as he was put in shackles.
“I don’t expect anything.” De Floyran said nonchalantly. “I struck a bargain with the fair Catherine, torture and death for Galeren or his freedom in return for her favours.” He smiled wickedly. “She chose the latter, only what she doesn’t know, is that Galeren left here with a wound in his side full of wolfsbane. I doubt he made it through the night. It’s an old trick but a good one. I wasn’t feeling generous enough to allow you to say your goodbyes but you’ve never been particularly close, so it was probably for the best.”
“You craven bastard!” De Molay snarled. “I swear that before I utter my last breath, you will come to a pitiful end.”
“Yes, yes. I am sure you can appreciate that I am getting bored with all these pointless threats. I had several from Galeren but to no avail, as you know by now he is merely forest fodder.”
De Molay closed his eyes a moment and breathed deeply as if in meditation. De Floyran narrowed his eyes suspiciously and was about to speak when De Molay said, “You are wrong, he lives.”
De Floyran turned away from him angrily. “So you would like to believe. His wound was severe and the poison potent.”
“Be assured in your confidence then,” De Molay said calmly, “and I will be assured in mine.”
“Fuck you and your confidence Jacques de Molay.” De Floyran said edgily. “Your time and that of your son’s has come and gone. You are just wood for the fire, be grateful that your son did not suffer the same fate, though now I wish that I had saved him for it. Still, I have De Villiers’ son for that.” He said viciously.
“What?” De Molay raised his eyebrows in shock.
“Yes, young Ourri Venois has just been found spying in the King’s camp. Imagine the fate he faces. He is coming to Chinon with us. You are all damned De Molay! Bring him up after the King has left!” De Floyran screamed at his men and left the room with his temper firmly ignited. Outside the main hall he saw Armin de Merle who hastened over to him.
“I’ve been looking for you,” he said a little flustered.
“Well, you have found me. Did you speak to him?” De Floyran asked eagerly.
“Yes, he waits for you now behind the barracks.”
“Good.” De Floyran said and turned to leave.
“Do you want me to come with you,” De Merle offered.
“Don’t be stupid,” De Floyran said contemptuously, “go and help Caradas in the bailey, we have a new prisoner.”
He turned and left him and made his way to the garrison barracks by means of avoiding the main château bailey. There was not a big retinue at Montlhéry and most of the men were assisting the King and Pope in the main bailey so the barracks would be more or less empty. He saw Beaumanoir, just where De Merle had told him, and he was nervously tottering from one foot to the other.
“Robard!” De Floyran said in a friendly manner, as he approached the nervy councillor.
“What do you want?” Beaumanoir asked uneasily, “your man said it was about Catherine.”
“It is indeed,” De Floyran said, “she always works well as the bait,” he added as he reached Beaumanoir. He quickly grabbed his arm as the councillor realised the danger and made to escape. De Floyran swung him round and slammed him into the wall of the barracks and grabbed him by the throat.
“Uh uh,” De Floyran said, bending his head from side to side until his neck cracked. “You went to see her when I told you not to.” He said, as if he were scolding a wayward child.
Beaumanoir knew it was a mistake to meet De Floyran but he’d been tricked into thinking it was for Catherine’s sake, he should have known better.
“She told you,” he managed to say without choking.
De Floyran loosened his grip and shook his head. “She’s not a treacherous worm like you,” he said scornfully, “she didn’t have to,” he tapped the side of his nose, “it’s a gift.”
“I only wanted to see her,” Beaumanoir said desperately, “I could not believe what I had witnessed. I still care for her.”
“You are a fool. To have let a woman like her go . . . I thought it madness before, but now I have tasted her, I see it as a crime.”
He saw Beaumanoir’s eyes cloud with hatred as he took on the meaning of his words.
“You swine!” he cried and felt De Floyran’s grip tighten about his throat. “Did you hurt her?” he coughed and De Floyran smiled.
“No, but you did, so who’s the swine?” he raised his eyebrows at him. “Now, what I want to know is what you spoke about during your little meeting? I warn you, I can smell a lie.”
“We spoke briefly about her sister, she enquired after her father, I asked her what all this madness was,” he rambled rapidly and then drew breath to continue, “but she did not welcome my intrusion and I don’t blame her.” Beaumanoir said, his jaw trembling.
De Floyran eyed him suspiciously for a moment. In truth, he could not smell a lie, but this whelp did not know that and with that knowledge, he trusted what he had just been told.
“Catherine told me as much when I pressed her. Thank you for telling me the truth.” De Floyran said. Beaumanoir breathed a small sigh of relief.
“Now,” De Floyran smiled, “did I say I would break your neck or skin you alive if you went near her?”
Beaumanoir’s eyes widened in horror, as he watched De Floyran frown in mock contemplation. “You surely don’t mean to . . .” Beaumanoir said in breathless horror, but De Floyran ignored his question and instead said:
“It was to skin you alive, was it not?” he looked at Beaumanoir as if expecting confirmation of the fact. Beaumanoir shook his head and his body convulsed in terror.
“I am one of the King’s men!” he protested. “You dare not harm me!”
“I don’t care who you are. I told you what I would do to you if you went near her. You did not believe me?”
Beaumanoir made to cry out but De Floyran squeezed the sound from his throat.
“See, I don’t have time to skin you alive and you would make such a fuss in any case, so break your neck it is.” De Floyran said and continued the pressure.
Beaumanoir’s watering eyes bulged and he could feel the bones in his neck crunch as De Floyran made good his threat. However, his last thoughts were not for himself, only that he was glad he had dispatched the message to the English Templars the day before, and that Catherine would remember his integrity.
Back in the bailey the King and Pope were stood talking to De Nogaret and De Plaisians. De Floyran cast his eyes casually about the scene and saw that Catherine was sat upon his mount with Caradas holding its reins in one hand and the reins of the mount Ourri Venois was tied to in the other. Armin was stood with him watching the commotion in the bailey with vigilant scrutiny. He was pleased but De Molay’s words came back to haunt him and he wondered about Galeren.
He knew well the consequences of not seeing a job through to the end. Galeren had failed on that part and he was living proof of that, but now he may have made the same error. Not having seen the light of life leave his enemy’s eyes may prove yet to be a dangerous mistake. He knew the power of wolfsbane and had driven the dagger deep into Galeren’s side, but he was now left with a seed of doubt. He looked again at Catherine. She believed her lover lived and she would be able to confirm whether he did or not, when she tried, as she would, to contact him.
Piqued by De Molay’s arrogance and his own potential folly, he nevertheless strolled confidently over to De Nogaret and, bowing to the King and Pope, quietly joined the conversation.
“We can further this discussion when I see the Bull published and action taken by Europe’s leaders. I don’t need to remind you of what we are dealing with here, do I?” Philip s
aid obstinately.
“Of course not, but this is also a matter for the Church who is, or has been, the only authority that the Temple has had to answer to. It would appear strange if we were not involved. If you wish me to abolish the Order, then you must grant me involvement with my own methods.”
De Floyran noted that while Philip was wont to dominate the weak Clement, the Pope still contained his resolve and would not allow himself to be completely bullied. The King looked at De Nogaret for an answer that he could not come up with himself.
“You have seen with your own eyes the truth of the matter and I think De Molay did not deny it to you. The investigation itself is more or less over, all else is for show.” De Nogaret said. “However, I can see your Holiness’s point at wanting to be seen to be involved. It is important, for all proceedings and conclusions will be documented, without, of course, certain details. History will judge the matter and we must be seen to be conducting it legally and fairly. After the Bull is published, we can arrange for representatives of your choosing to speak to whomever you wish.”
Clement looked at Philip who nodded his agreement and happy with the answer Clement lowered his head respectfully at the King.
“It has been quite a harrowing few days but I praise you all for your temperance and efforts.” The King said.
“Indeed.” The Pope agreed solemnly and held out his hand to Philip and the King quickly kissed his ring. Clement then turned and left them and once secured in his litter, his retinue began to move out of the bailey.
“Christ forgive me, but I would like nothing better than to have him holed up with De Molay and his kind.” The King said disgruntled, wiping his mouth with the back of his gloved hand. “I swear he does this just to aggravate me! Why does he want to speak to De Molay and the others, he knows what they are!”
“Clement is a sap,” De Floyran offered. “He and De Molay have been friends. He merely wants to save him and the other dignitaries from mistreatment. Clement is a man who does things by the book. He does not wish to be thought of as cruel, lest history taint him with that virtue.”
“So the cruelty rests on my shoulders!” Philip said angrily, “I am doing good here, now I am to be judged?”
“No, no your Majesty,” De Nogaret interjected, shooting De Floyran with a warning look. “Esquin does not mean that. It is another facet of Clement’s weakness; he will sit on the wall and therefore save himself from being judged either way.”
“Absolutely,” De Floyran added. “Clement will be judged as weak, you as decisive. When this is done you will be praised for your actions.”
“And if Clement wishes to involve himself in Templar sympathies then he will find himself in a dungeon alongside them, I promise you that.” De Nogaret finished.
“Hmmfp,” Philip snorted, “let’s keep watch of him then and I want to know immediately when this Bull is published.” He folded his arms. “De Plaisians you will come to Fontainebleau with me and I want you and Beaumanoir to accompany De Floyran to Chinon, where you will all wait for my instruction.” He said to De Nogaret.
De Floyran smiled at the King though he wanted to snarl, while De Nogaret sent a scathing look De Plaisians way.
“I had rather hoped to be on my way after delivering the Grand Master to Chinon, your Majesty.” De Floyran said smoothly, trying to quell his irritation at the instruction.
“You will be on your way when I say so. I am sure De Nogaret explained that I may need your services from time to time and you will be well paid for them, is that not what you want? And you can take that gloomy look off your face,” he snapped at De Nogaret, “you are in the thick of the fray worry not! There is more going on in Chinon than Fontainebleau, I can assure you. Now piss off and get on with your jobs.” The King said and turning away he snapped his fingers and several of his servants hurried to his side.
Bowing dutifully, they watched him leave and as he did De Nogaret sighed, “I suppose I should have expected this,” he said. “He always falls into a foul mood when the Pope pushes him. Clement had better watch himself.”
“Mmmm,” De Floyran said thoughtfully, thinking of his own situation. It may be just as well that he spent some time at Chinon when he was uncertain, as he now was, of Galeren’s fate. If he was indeed alive and followed them, then this time he would make sure he did the job properly before heading to his new estate which he had yet to decide on.
De Floyran echoed De Nogaret’s sentiment by sighing too and said, “I did not expect to be playing bodyguard to De Molay for the duration of this damned business.” He grumbled.
“I am afraid your revelation has in the same vein made you and your men indispensable to the King for the time being. He expects an attempt to rescue the Grand Master.”
“I suppose it is no harm,” De Floyran said airing his concerns, “besides we may have to watch our backs. I may have messed up with Galeren.”
“How so?” De Nogaret said worriedly.
“De Molay is convinced he lives, father and son bond.” He added when he saw De Nogaret about to comment.
“He is a strong bastard. I should have used my wits and had him followed and finished off instead of trusting my plan’s success. Still what’s done is done. She will let us know.” He motioned to Catherine. “Besides, we have all that he cares about within our hands.” He smiled as he saw De Molay being brought into the bailey. Botolf and Huguard directed him to the mount that Ourri Venois sat upon, guarded by Caradas and Armin. De Floyran began to walk towards them and motioned for De Nogaret to join him. He laughed as he saw his men assist De Molay into the saddle behind De Villiers’ son.
“Now isn’t that a fine sight!” De Floyran remarked cheerily. “A symbol of the Templars’ commitment to poverty and service, two knights sharing one mount. What a hypocrisy that has been, but now see how fitting it is, your humble beginnings denote your dismal end.”
“The end is not yet upon us De Floyran and when it is, then you will surely be joining us.” De Molay said.
De Floyran shrugged. “Whatever helps you to sleep,” he jibed unperturbed. “Hood them.” He commanded and Botolf pulled forth two black hoods which had been slid through his sword belt and proceeded to place them over the two Templars’ heads. De Molay managed to cast Catherine a sorrowful look before his face was shrouded by the hood.
“Finally, are we ready?” De Floyran asked to no one in particular as he grabbed the reins of his horse from Caradas.
“Where is Beaumanoir?” De Nogaret commented, as he looked across the bailey briefly in search of him, “I have not seen him since I broke my fast.”
“He’s dead.” De Floyran said unemotionally. He flexed his hands and caught the horrified look of Catherine as he did.
“What?” De Nogaret said equally horrified.
“Dead. I killed him. He went to see Catherine in secret and planned to get a message to her father about her predicament. He was about to betray us and the King.”
“Christ Esquin, when did all this happen?”
“Yesterday, but I didn’t kill him until just now.
“Jesu, couldn’t you have just brought him to the King, at least let him explain himself!”
“I had my hands full,” he smiled apologetically. “I did you a favour. We can’t risk having traitors in our midst.” He reasoned.
“I suppose, but the King will not appreciate it, not without his command.”
“We’ll think of something to tell him.” De Floyran smiled reassuringly and then jumped into the saddle of his mount behind Catherine.
“You evil swine!” she said to him, her voice choked with emotion. “He only came to see me. He would have told no one.”
“I know that, but I warned him to stay away from you and he chose to ignore my threat. I had hoped to start the day without upsetting you,” he sighed with feigned remorse. “However, it was not to be, but it is Beaumanoir who is to blame here not me.” He said with self justification.
She tried to wre
stle out of his grasp but he pulled her close to him and motioned with his free hand to his retinue to move out. De Nogaret made his way to his own horse shaking his head incredulously and they finally left Montlhéry with De Floyran watchful and cautiously in the lead.
The Wolves of Solomon (Wolves of Solomon Book One) Page 39