Temple Captain

1. Regensbach-1

Summer 1097 SR*

(*Saints Reckoning)

The rain came down in sheets, flattening the grass and soaking the two riders. Undeterred, they pressed on, determined to reach their destination by nightfall.

"By the Saints," called out Danica. "Have you ever seen weather like this?"

In answer, her dark-haired companion risked a glance skyward. "This is nothing compared to what the fleet faced after Alantra."

"You think so?"

"Yes," said Charlaine, "but we shouldn"t need to bear it much longer. That inn is around here somewhere." A distant flash lit the sky, then, a few moments later, the expected rumble followed.

"They say storms like this are an omen of big change."

Charlaine laughed. "We"re going to the Antonine to see the head of our order. How much bigger can it get?"

"I see some light over there," yelled Danica. "That must be it."

They angled their mounts southward, and soon, the grey shadow of a large country inn came into view. They trotted past the gates and into the cobbled courtyard, their hoofbeats echoing off the brick walls.

Charlaine dismounted first, passing the reins to a stable boy, who stood there gaping at her scarlet tabard with the three white waves that marked her as a Temple Knight of Saint Agnes.

"Take our horses to the stables," she said. "We"ll check in on them later." Danica followed suit, her waterlogged boots squishing as she walked.

The interior of the place was warm and inviting, chasing off the chill of the rain. Those packed inside huddled in small groups, talking and drinking ale. A stout individual with a protruding belly and a red face rushed forward to greet them.

"Can I help you, Sisters?"

"Have you a room available?" asked Charlaine.

"Of course. If you"d like to have a seat, I"ll have someone prepare it." He leaned to his side, peering around her to take in her raven-haired companion. "Is it only for the two of you, or will any others be joining you?"

"Just us two." She turned to Danica. "Come on. Let"s take a seat, shall we?"

They made their way through the crowd to find a free table by the fireplace. Charlaine threw her wet cloak over the back of the chair and sat with an audible sigh.

"I can"t wait to get some sleep. I"m exhausted."

"So am I," said Danica, "but we"ve work to do before we rest."

"We do?"

"Yes. We need to dry off our armour. You, of all people, should know that."

"Let"s hope I"ll have the energy once I"ve eaten."

A young woman appeared at their table. "Good evening, Sisters. Are you on your way to the Antonine?"

"We are," said Charlaine. "Do you know if it"s much farther?"

"No, not far at all. If you left first thing in the morning, you"d be there long before noon."

Danica smiled. "I expect you get a lot of us Temple Knights in here."

"Not as many as you might expect. Did you travel far?"

"I"ll say. We came from Ilea."

The girl frowned. "I don"t know where that is."

"It"s on the southern coast," said Charlaine. "About as far away as you can go and still be within the Petty Kingdoms. We"ve been on the road for months."

"When did you leave?"

"Late last winter, if you can believe it."

"You must be here on important business to travel so far."

Charlaine smiled. "We go where we"re ordered. Can we get something to drink, perhaps a couple of ales?"

"Of course," replied the girl. "Anything to eat?"

"What have you got?"

"There"s the mutton pie?"

Charlaine turned to Danica. "What do you think?"

"I don"t know. The last time you had that, it gave you terrible indigestion."

"Just some bread and cheese, then."

The girl ran off without another word.

"Well, that was rude," said Danica.

"Nonsense," said Charlaine. "She"s just busy."

Danica stared down at her hands. "Don"t look now, but it appears we"ve garnered some attention." Her eyes flitted over to the side.

A tall man approached, dressed in nondescript clothing, yet he carried himself like a warrior. His scarred countenance lent credence to the idea he was, in fact, a seasoned fighter, prompting Charlaine to turn and face him.

"Can I help you?"

"I don"t think I"ve seen you around these parts," he replied.

"That"s because we"ve only just arrived."

"Have you been to the Antonine before?"

"What makes you so sure that"s where we"re heading?" asked Danica.

"Where else would two sister knights be going around here?"

"We could be on patrol."

"Just the two of you?" he said. "Don"t be daft. Temple Knights travel in groups of six."

Charlaine scrutinized the man in more detail. His boots were sturdy, his tunic worn but serviceable. Everything about him screamed danger, yet something in his eyes gave his face a hint of honesty.

"You"re a Temple Knight," she said. "Or at least you were."

He grinned, revealing a not unpleasant smile. "That I was. I was known as Brother Mateo Harnbringer, of the Temple Knights of Saint Cunar."

"Was?" said Charlaine. "Brothers don"t leave that order by choice."

"Nor did I." He held up his hand to forestall any arguments. "I know what you"re thinking, that I"m nothing but a troublemaker, but there"s something you need to know."

"I"m listening."

He lowered his voice. "There"s a rot inside the Church, one that"s eating away at the moral fibre of the place."

"And you know this for a fact?"

"I tried to do something about it, but it cost me my knighthood. Now I am an outcast, doomed to wander the Continent without the blessings of the Church."

"And you chose to speak to us?" said Danica. "If what you say is true, we"re f*******n to talk to you. How dare you put our souls in danger!"

Charlaine reached out, placing her hand on her companion"s arm. "Calm yourself, Danica. There"s no harm in simple talk." She returned her attention to their visitor. "Please, tell us more."

At the precise moment he was about to explain, the door burst open, revealing an armoured man in a green cloak. His eyes wandered the room, while his hand remained on the pommel of his sword.

"Mateo!" he called out. "Where are you, dog!" The dishonoured Cunar ran for the back door, pushing the crowd roughly aside.

"There you are!" yelled the newcomer, drawing his blade. Those near him backed up in fear while Charlaine stood up and moved towards the armed intruder, placing herself in his path.

"By what right do you threaten this man?" she demanded.

"It is none of your concern."

"Ah, but it IS my concern. My order is dedicated to protecting women everywhere, and as you can plainly see, there are women present."

"Stand aside, I say, and let me have at him."

"Put down your sword, man. This is no place for violence. If you wish to speak with this fellow, then do so outside, where the risk to others is minimized."

He glared back. "Who do you think you are?"

"I am Sister Charlaine deShandria," she replied, "Temple Knight of Saint Agnes. And you?"

"Brother Eustace, Temple Knight of Saint Cunar. That makes me the senior order. Now, stand aside, I say!"

The room fell silent as everyone watched the drama unfold. Danica appeared at her companion"s right, her hands resting on her weapon.

"Is he giving you trouble?" she asked.

Charlaine locked eyes with Brother Eustace. "What say you, Brother? Is there to be trouble this day?"

There was the briefest hint of defiance in his eyes, and she fully expected him to launch into an attack. But then he stepped back, raising his arms to indicate he had scabbarded his sword.

"It appears he has made his escape," the Cunar said. "I shall leave this establishment, but I promise you I will report your actions to your superiors."

"See that you do," said Charlaine.

They stared at each other until Brother Eustace finally looked away before turning and leaving abruptly.

"What was that all about?" asked Danica.

"I"m not exactly sure, but I imagine it has something to do with Brother Mateo."

The inn quickly returned to its previous noise level while they headed back to their table to find two ales waiting for them. Danica sat down and reached out for her tankard.

"Well," she said, "I don"t know about you, but I"m content to leave all this behind us."

Charlaine lifted her ale but didn"t drink. Instead, her eyes had a faraway look.

"What are you thinking?" asked the raven-haired knight.

"That this bears investigating," replied Charlaine.

"You can"t be serious? The man"s an exile!"

"I understand that, but tell me, why would an exile try to warn us?"

"Perhaps he"s simply mad?"

"No," said Charlaine. "He seemed to have his wits about him."

"And?"

"And what?"

"Come now," said Danica. "I know you too well. I can tell when that mind of yours is thinking."

"I"m curious as to why Brother Eustace was here. Brother Mateo is an exile, by his own admission, yet here is another knight of the same order that cast him aside, actively seeking him out."

"Yes," said Danica, "and it definitely didn"t look like he wanted to chat. What do you make of that?"

"Clearly, he intended to silence the man permanently. The real question is why?"

"I imagine it has something to do with the reason he was dismissed from the order."

The server returned, setting down a plate of bread and cheese. "Anything else?" she asked.

"No," said Danica. "That will do for now. Thank you."

"Hold on a moment," added Charlaine. "The man who was here earlier, do you know him?"

"The man you faced down?" asked the girl. "No. Why?"

"How about the other fellow? The one who came to our table?"

"I think I"ve seen him once or twice, but he never sets foot inside."

"Why do you think that is?" asked Danica.

"Maybe he wants to avoid people?"

Danica turned to Charlaine. "Makes sense, I suppose. Fellow knights are f*******n to talk to him."

"I"m not convinced that"s it," said Charlaine. "When was the first time you saw him? Do you remember?"

The girl looked decidedly uncomfortable. "I don"t know, three weeks ago? Maybe a little longer?"

"That"s all, thanks. You may return to your duties."

The girl scampered off as fast as she could.

"Well," observed Danica. "That was certainly strange."

"It was, wasn"t it? I think the timing of great interest, don"t you?"

"In what way?"

"Word was sent ahead that we were coming. It might merely be a coincidence, but I can"t help but feel he was specifically searching for us."

"Why would you say that?"

"Judging from the looks of this place," said Charlaine, "I"d say it isn"t a common gathering place for Temple Knights. It also lies on the road to the southwest, and we know from our own travels, there"s not much in that direction except the open road."

"How would he know we were even coming?"

"I"m sure word of our exploits in Ilea preceded us—it"s not as if it"s a secret. The real question is, why us?"

"He was trying to warn us," Danica said. "Do you think that has something to do with it?"

"Likely."

Danica snapped her fingers. "I know why. I bet it has to do with the victory. You"re a hero with a reputation for being honest. If you remember, he warned about something eating away at the… how did he put it?"

"The moral fibre of the place?"

"Yes," said Danica. "What do you suppose that means?"

"I don"t know, but I intend to find out."

"All right, I"m in. What"s our first step?"

"Well, to begin with," said Charlaine, "we need to report to whoever commands the local garrison of our order. That is, after all, our duty."

"I thought we were supposed to meet the Primus?"