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

The King, a
handsome man not much older than his wife, looked at Gabrielle and smiled.
"Ah, I see that you did not know, Lady Gabrielle, of the sultan's
favorable notice." Then King Guy slid his gaze to the Templar still
standing before him. "What think you, Lucien de Aubric? Will Saladin
soften toward us because of this lady's brave acts of charity?"
    "I would hope so, your highness."
    "What? Have you heard nothing of this?" the King
laughed. "You are the realm's greatest spy. Your intelligence is
indispensable to us. Come you, frère! We could not function without it. Surely,
you are more privy to Saladin's words and actions than anyone in this
room."
    "How I wish that was so!" Lucien laughed. "I
cannot lay claim to having heard about Saladin's knowledge of Madame de
Châtillon's virtuous endeavors, but I have no doubt they would soften even his
heart, for the lady deserves much merit for her courage and steadfastness with
these foundling children." Lucien looked to the lady in question and saw
how embarrassed she was by all the lavish attention. Attempting to turn the
royal couple away from them both, he congratulated the king on his thirtieth
birthday, tactfully omitting how old his sovereign was.
    The rest of the room took up the congratulations and the royal
couple took their seats, relieving Gabrielle and Lucien of their attention.
    As soon as the servers arrived at the table with the food,
Lucien took his leave with a chivalrous bow to the king and queen. Then he gave
Gabrielle a brief bow before departing. As he walked away to rejoin his
brethren at their table below the Grand Master, Lucien saw the deep scowl on
his superior's ruddy face. It was matched by an equal one on Reynald de
Châtillon's. Gabrielle's father looked as angry as his companions.
    Lucien didn't have to guess why they appeared furious. There
was nothing in any of the king's or queen's comments that would have pleased
them. And because the king had greeted Lucien before the Grand Master, de
Ridefort was likely seething. Well, Lucien thought, it wouldn't be the first
time he had garnered the Master's fury, nor would it be the last. Lucien had
known for a long time that the two of them were on a collision course.
    Gérard de Ridefort was not a career Templar like his mentor
and friend, Arnold de Torroja, had been. De Ridefort had come to the Levant in
the early seventies, and he had taken service as a knight in Count Raymond of
Tripoli's employ. When the count had failed to deliver a wealthy heiress to de
Ridefort as had been promised, Gérard had become a bitter enemy and opponent of
Count Raymond.
    After serving as marshal of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, he had
joined the Order a mere five years before becoming its Grand Master. There had
been much dissension at his election, and Lucien had clearly voiced his
disapproval. But by the time the man had taken his post as supreme leader of
the Brotherhood, Lucien had firmly established himself as the highest ranking
intelligence officer within the monastic fraternity. His post gave him unusual
freedom. And because of the indispensability of his task and the reliability of
his information, he was seldom challenged or disciplined.
    Lucien had a feeling that was going to change. The Grand
Master and Reynald Châtillon were of identical minds politically and
militarily. Both strongly favored unbridled aggression against the Muslims.
Both were fanatically zealous in their pursuit of it, and both had tremendous
influence with King Guy. They also both hated Count Raymond III of Tripoli and
his political faction, of which Lucien and the Hospitallers were adherents,
though Lucien tried to keep his political views out of his intelligence work.
    Lucien and Reynald also had a long, unpleasant history. It
went back nearly a decade to the battle at Montisgard in 1178. Newly knighted
and fully invested as a Templar, Lucien had participated in the rout that sent
Saladin's army running back to Egypt. Reynald had commanded a