Julia Navarro - The Brotherhood Of The Holy Shroud

The first light of dawn had not yet broken. Andre de Saint-Remy left the chapel, followed by a small group of knights. They made their way to the refectory, where, before going off to their labors, they broke their fast with a round loaf of bread moistened with wine. Their frugal meal done, the Templars Bartolome dos Capelos, Guy de Beaujeu, and Roger Parker directed their steps to Saint-Remy's study.

Though he had arrived there but minutes earlier, the superior was waiting for them impatiently.

"De Molesmes has still not sent me a message confirming my audience with the emperor. I suppose that the latest events have kept him busy. The Mandylion is being kept by Balduino in a coffer next to his bed, and this very day de Molesmes is to begin negotiations with the Comte de Dijon for the price of its delivery. The court knows nothing of the fate of the king of France, although we must presume that an emissary from Damietta will not be long in coming. We must not wait any longer for the chancellor's call; we will go to the palace now and I will request an audience with the emperor, to tell him that his most august uncle is a prisoner of the Saracens. The three of you will accompany me, and you will speak to no one of what I shall tell the emperor."

The three knights nodded and, following their superior's rapid steps, they soon came to the glacis before the fortress, where grooms were waiting with horses. Three mounted servants and three mules loaded with heavy sacks were there also and would form part of the Templar delegation.

The sun was just rising when they arrived at the palace in Blachernae. The palace servants were surprised to see the superior of the Templar chapter in person and understood immediately the import of such a visit at that hour.

The chancellor was reading when a servant rushed into his room to tell him of the presence of Saint-Remy and his knights and of the Templar's desire for an immediate audience with the emperor.

Uneasiness washed over de Molesmes. Andre de Saint-Remy would never come to court without a confirmed audience with the emperor unless something grave was afoot.

De Molesmes hurried through the palace to greet the superior.

"My friend, I was not expecting you-"

"It is urgent that I see the emperor," Saint-Remy replied brusquely.

"Tell me, what has happened?"

The Templar weighed his answer.

"I bring news of interest to the emperor. We must see him alone."

The chancellor realized that he would get nothing more from the Templar. He might try to worm the reason for the visit out of him by telling him that Balduino could not receive him on such short notice unless he, de Molesmes, were first apprised of the message, but he saw that this tactic would not work with Saint-Remy and that, if his wait was prolonged, he might well turn and leave without a word.

"Wait here. I will tell the emperor of your urgency."

The four Templars stood and waited in silence. They knew they were being watched by those able to read their lips if they spoke to one another. They were still waiting when the Comte de Dijon arrived for his interview with de Molesmes, surprised to see such an imposing delegation from the Temple.

A half hour passed before de Molesmes hurriedly reentered the room. He frowned when he saw the Comte de Dijon, despite the importance of the meeting he and the king's representative had planned.

"The emperor will receive you now in his private apartments," he announced to the Templars. "Comte de Dijon, if you will wait for me, the emperor has asked that I stand by his door in case he has need of me."

Balduino was waiting for them in a small room off the throne room, his eyes revealing concern over this unexpected visit. He sensed that the Templars were bringing unwelcome news.

"Tell me, gentlemen, what is so urgent that it cannot wait for a public audience, as is our wont?"

Andre de Saint-Remy went straight to the point.

"My lord, I come to inform you that your uncle, Louis the Ninth of France, is a prisoner in Al-Mansurah. At this moment, negotiations are being held on the conditions for his freedom. The situation is grave. I thought it prudent that you should know."

The emperor's face went white, as though the blood had drained from his body. For a few seconds he was unable to speak. He felt his heart beating fast and his lower lip trembling, just as they'd done when he was a boy and had to struggle not to cry, so that his father would not punish him for showing signs of weakness.

The Templar saw the storm of emotions that had taken possession of the emperor, and he continued speaking in order to give him time to recover.

"I know how deep and true is your affection for your uncle. I assure you that all possible efforts are being made to free him."

Such was the confusion in his mind and heart that Balduino was barely able to stammer a few incoherent words.

"When did you learn this? Who told you?"

Saint-Remy did not reply, but continued with his message.

"My lord, I know the problems that burden the empire and I have come to offer aid."

'Aid? Tell me…"

"You are about to sell the Mandylion to Louis. The king sent the Comte de Dijon to negotiate for the shroud's sale or lease. I know that the Holy Shroud is now in your possession and that once the agreement is concluded the count will take it to France, to Dona Blanca de Castilla. You are pressed by the Genovese bankers, and the Venetian ambassador has written to inform the Signoria that within a short time they will be able to buy what remains of the empire at a low price. If you do not pay off part of your debt to the Venetians and the Genovese, you will become an emperor without an empire. Your realm has begun to be a fiction."

Saint-Remy's hard words were having their desired effect on the spirit of Balduino, who, despairing, was wringing his hands under the broad sleeves of his scarlet tunic. He had never felt so alone as at this moment. He sought in vain for his chancellor, but the Templars had made it clear that they wished to speak to the emperor in private.

"What do you suggest, gentlemen?" he finally asked.

"The Temple is ready to purchase the Mandylion from you," Saint-Remy replied. "This very day you shall have enough gold to retire your most pressing debts. Genoa and Venice will leave you in peace-unless you incur more debt. Our demand is silence. You must swear upon your honor that you will tell no one-no one, not even your good chancellor-that you have sold the shroud to the Temple. No one must ever know it."

"Why do you demand my silence?"

"You know that we prefer to act with discretion. If no one knows where the Mandylion is, there will be no disputes or confrontations between Christian and Christian. Silence is part of the price. We trust in you, in your word as a gentleman and emperor, but the bill of sale will state that you will be in the Temple's debt for the full amount we bring you today if you reveal the terms of our agreement. We would also require the immediate repayment of all your other debts to the Temple."

The emperor could hardly breathe from the intense pain in his chest.

"How do I know that Louis is being held prisoner?" he managed to ask.

"You know, sir, that we are men of honor and would never lie to you about such a matter."

"When would I have the gold?"

"Now."

Saint-Rimy knew that the temptation was too great for Balduino, especially with the fate of his chief sponsor, the king of France, in doubt. By simply saying yes, the emperor would eliminate most of his immediate worries; that very morning he could call in the Venetian and Genovese ambassadors and pay his debts to their republics.

"No one in the court will believe that the money has simply fallen from the sky."

"Tell them the truth-tell them that the Temple has given it to you. You need not tell them why. Let them think it is a loan."