Kate Mosse - Labyrinth

“But a massacre of innocent people goes against all honour, all convention in war,” said Pierre-Roger de Cabaret. “I cannot believe that the Abbot of Citeaux, for all his zeal and hatred of heresy, would sanction the slaughter of Christian women and children, in a state of sin?”

“It is said that the Abbot was asked how he should tell the good Catholics from the heretics: ” Tuez-les tous. Dieu reconnaitra les siens “,” said du Murviel in a hollow voice. “ ”Kill them all. God will recognise his own.“ Or so it is rumoured that he spoke.”

Trencavel and de Cabaret exchanged glances.

“Go on,” ordered Pelletier grimly. “Finish your story.”

The great bells of Besiers were ringing the alarum. Women and children crowded into the Church of Sant-Jude and the Church of Santa Maria Magdalena in the upper town, thousands of people crammed inside like animals in a pen. The Catholic priests vested themselves and sang the Requiem, but the Crusaders broke down the door and slaughtered them all.“

His voice faltered. “In the space of a few brief hours, our entire city had been turned into a charnel house. The looting started. All our fine houses were stripped bare by greed and barbarity. Only now did the French barons, through greed not conscience, seek to control the routiers . They, in turn, were furious to be deprived of the spoils they had earned, so set the town alight so none could benefit. The wooden dwellings of the slums went up like a tinderbox. The roof timbers of the Cathedral caught light and collapsed, trapping all those sheltering inside. So fierce were the flames, the Cathedral cracked down the middle.”

Tell me this, amic . How many survive?“ said the Viscount.

The musician dropped his head. “None, Messire . Save those few of us who escaped the city. Otherwise, all are dead.”

“Twenty thousand slaughtered in the space of a single morning,” Raymond-Roger muttered in horror. “How can this be?”

Nobody answered. There were no words equal to the task.

Trencavel raised his head and looked down at the musicians.

“You have seen sights that no man should see, Pierre du Murviel. You have shown great bravery and courage in bringing this news to us. Carcassona is in your debt and I will see you are well rewarded.” He paused. “Before you take your leave, I would ask you one further question. Did my uncle, Raymond, Count of Toulouse, take part in the sack of the city?”

“I do not believe so, Messire . It was rumoured he remained in the French camp.”

Trencavel glanced at Pelletier. “That, at least, is something.”

“And as you travelled to Carcassona, did you pass anyone on the road?” Pelletier asked. “Has the news of this massacre spread?”

I know not, Messire . I stayed away from the main routes, following the passes through the gorges of Lagrasse. But I saw no soldiers.“

Viscount Trencavel looked to his consuls in case they had questions to ask, but no one spoke.

“Very well,” he said, turning back to the musician. “You may take your leave. Once more, our thanks.”

As soon as du Murviel had been led away, Trencavel turned to Pelletier. “Why have we received no word? It beggars belief we should not have whisperings at least. Four days have passed since the massacre.”

“If du Murviel’s tale is true, then who is left to carry the news?” said de Cabaret grimly.

“Even so,” said Trencavel, dismissing the comment with a wave of his hand,. “Send out fresh riders immediately, as many as we can spare. We must know if the Host remains yet at Besiers or already marches east. Their victory will give speed to their progress.”

Everyone bowed as he stood up.

“Command the consuls to publish this ill news throughout the Ciutat .” I go to the capela Sant-Maria. Send my wife to me there.“

Pelletier felt as if his legs were encased in armour as he climbed the stairs to the living quarters. There seemed to be something around his chest, a band or a ligature, stopping him from breathing freely.

Alais was waiting for him at the door.

“You have brought the book?” she said eagerly. The look on his face stopped her in her tracks. What is it? Has something happened?“

“I have not been to Sant-Nasari, Filha . There has been news.” Pelletier sat heavily down in a chair.

“What manner of news?” He heard the dread in her voice.

“Besiers has fallen,” he said. “Three, four days ago. None survive.”

Alais stumbled to the bench. “All dead?” she said, horrorstruck.

Women and children also?“

We stand now on the very edge of perdition,“ he said. ”If they are capable of visiting such atrocities on innocent…“

She sat down beside him. What will happen now?“ she said.

For the first time he could remember, Pelletier heard fear in his daughter’s voice. We can only wait and see,“ he said.

He sensed rather than heard her draw breath.

“But this makes no difference to what we agreed,” she said carefully. You will allow me to take the Trilogy to safety.“

“The situation has changed.”

A look of fierce determination came over her. With respect, Paire , there is even more reason to let us go. If we don’t, the books will be trapped within the Ciutat . That cannot be what you want.“ She paused. He made no answer. ”After everything you and Simeon and Esclarmonde have sacrificed, all the years of hiding, keeping the books safe, only to fail at the last.“

What happened in Besiers will not happen here,“ he said firmly. ”Carcassona can withstand siege. It will withstand. The books will be safer kept here.“

Alais stretched across the table and took his hand.

“I beseech you, do not go back on your word.”

“ Arest , Alais,” he said sharply. We do not know where the army is. Already, the tragedy that has befallen Besiers is old news. Several days have passed since these events took place, even though they are fresh to us. An advance guard might already be within striking distance of the Ciutat . If I let you go, I would be signing your death warrant.“

“But-”

“I forbid it. It is too dangerous.”

“I am prepared to take the risk.”

“No, Alais,” he shouted, fear fuelling his temper. “I will not sacrifice you.

The duty is mine, not yours.“

“Then come with me,” she cried. “Tonight. Let’s take the books and go, now, while still there is the chance.”

“It is too dangerous,” he repeated stubbornly.

“Do you think I do not know that? Yes, it may be that our journey will end at the point of a French sword. But surely it is better to die in the trying, than let fear of what may come to pass take our courage from us?”

To her surprise, frustration also, he smiled. “Your spirit does you credit, Filha ,” he said, although he sounded defeated. “But the books stay within the Ciutat ”

Alais stared at him aghast, then turned and ran out of the room.

Besiers

For two days after their unexpected victory at Beziers, the Crusaders remained in the fertile meadows and abundant countryside surrounding the city. To have taken such a prize with so few casualties was a miracle.

God could have given no clearer a sign of the justness of their cause.

Above them were the smoking ruins of the once great city. Fragments of grey ash spiralled up into the incongruous blue of the summer skies and were scattered by the winds over the defeated land. From time to time, the unmistakeable sound of crumpling masonry and brittle, broken timbers could be heard.