[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

"A lie which I have already reported to my confessor," Luc said, with a droll glance in Abbot Henry's
direction. "What Will has omitted to tell you is that he was only in danger of being captured in the first
place because he stopped to help me rescue some holy sisters whose cart had broken down a few miles
from the town."
Wallace shrugged. "Facis de necessitate virtutem," he quoted. "One makes of necessity a virtue."
This ironic use of one of Saint Jerome's more memorable observations brought a smile to Arnault's lips.
Intrigued by this unexpected display of erudition, he began to share Luc's interest in Wallace.
"And may I ask what happened at Kincardine, that made this English captain so determined to capture
you?"
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
Wallace shrugged and grinned again. "My spearmen accounted for nearly a third of his company. He
seems to think I'm the one to blame for it."
"He's probably right," said Abbot Henry. "Even your uncle Robert would probably be forced to admit
that you make a better soldier than a priest." Seeing the looks of inquiry from both Arnault and Torquil,
he added, "One of Will's uncles studied here for a time, before he was ordained, so I've no qualms about
offering sanctuary to anyone who shares his name."
"I don't plan to be here for more than a few days," Wallace assured them.
"Where will you go when you leave?" Torquil asked.
"North, east-wherever the fighting is," Wallace replied, "until Edward of England learns that Scotland is
more trouble to him than it's worth."
He retired shortly thereafter, pleading the accumulated effect of weeks on the run, with little sleep. When
he had gone, Arnault and Torquil gave Luc and the abbot a concise report of all that had occurred since
leaving Scone nearly two months before.
"The ambush incident is troubling," Abbot Henry noted heavily, "and I cannot say whether it relates to
any of the rest of our troubles, but it's good to know that Saint Columba has not abandoned us. Still, this
business of the Uncrowned King will bear further reckoning. Are we to wait for him to appear, I wonder,
or are we meant to go in search of him?"
"I honestly don't know," Arnault said with a sigh, "and I'm too exhausted to make any immediate
decisions until we've had a night's sleep. We daren't stay here long, because de Sautre will be only a day
or two behind us, but I'd like to satisfy myself as to how the immediate crisis is resolving, before we
move on."
"I can hide you for a few days," Abbot Henry said, "and even mislead de Sautre, if I must. What will you
do then?"
"Return to Paris and seek retroactive permission for this bit of deception," Arnault said, plucking at a fold
of his black robe, "and bring back letters of credence from the Visitor that will satisfy John de Sautre-and
Brian de Jay-that we've acted within orders. In the externals, we have-but as Templars, we're of little use
in any official capacity if our own brethren think we're apostate."
"Are you?" the abbot asked quietly. "Apostate?" he added.
Arnault exchanged glances with Luc and Torquil before carefully answering.
"Father Abbot," he said, "we have confided a great deal about our greater mission; and you know that
the Stone and Scotland's sovereignty are at the heart of it. Let us say that I most fervently hope we may
continue to operate within the structure of the Order. But I tell you frankly that, if forced to a choice, all
three of us would choose that mission over our vows to any earthly Temple."
"Scotland is fortunate, indeed, to have such champions," Abbot Henry said quietly. "And for what it's
worth, all three of you have my unqualified blessing."
"I value that more than I can say," Arnault said, with some relief. "Incidentally, concern for the Stone
prompts me to ask what provisions you have made for its safety."
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
Abbot Henry looked at him owlishly. "Why, none, beyond the fact that the abbey is sanctuary. Dear
God, do you think the English mean to take it?"
"If you were Edward of England," Torquil said, "would you not take it? It's clear he means to break this
country, destroy its identity as a nation. Once he's secured Balliol's surrender, we think it likely that he'll
appropriate any and every item he can that relates to Scotland's sovereignty-and the Stone will be right at
the top of his list, along with the crown, the scepter-whatever he can find."
"Then, we must move the Stone, hide it!" the abbot replied.
"That much seems clear," Luc agreed, "and I should have thought of it myself. But I fear that is only half a
solution. If Edward arrives to find it gone, he'll organize a search. He won't rest until he finds it. And he'll
not scruple to use torture to get what he wants."
"Having been at Berwick," Torquil muttered, "I'll not argue that!"
"Then, if England's king wants a stone," Arnault said with a faint smile, "perhaps we'd better make sure he
gets one."
Luc blinked. "What are you suggesting? That we make a copy?"
"Something like that."
"It would never work," Abbot Henry said. "The Stone is far too distinctive."
"To your eyes, perhaps. But how many Englishmen have actually had a good, close look at it? Edward
himself has certainly never seen it, so how would he know a fake from the real thing?"
"Bishop Bek would know," said Abbot Henry. "He was at John Balliol's enthronement."
"That doesn't mean he actually looked at it closely," Arnault replied. "The Stone was encased in its chair
and draped over in cloths until Balliol actually sat on it, and I don't think Bek was paying that much [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]