Temple of the Grail(22)

My master did not answer him. From the folds of his habit he produced an apple and bit into it, chewing.

The party watched in disbelief, but the friar was the only one to speak, in a voice that sounded scared and at the same time bored, ‘Preceptor, why should we think anything else? You were there, you saw the Devil take hold of that wretched man!’ He looked around at the others. ‘We all saw it!’

There was a general agreement.

‘We must take care, dear brothers,’ Andre replied after a lengthy chew, ‘not to base our recriminations on the confused and distorted words of one dying monk.’

‘Yes, words,’ the bishop stifled a belch, ‘heretical and heinous, spoken by a Cathar!’

‘In any event,’ the inquisitor dismissed, ‘at this moment guards search his cell for proofs of his dissent and if we find this abbey has been protecting and harbouring apostates – as we shall soon know – it may also be guilty of other more terrible crimes. ‘Let the ungodly fall into their own nets together . . . that they may not escape!’

My master raised his chin slightly and I saw adversarial fire in his eyes. ‘Proverbs tells us that we must not boast of tomorrow; for we do not know what a day may bring forth.’

The inquisitor stared at my master in the way wild creatures stare before devouring their prey. ‘Must I remind you of your position here? Think not that your authority surpasses . . .’

‘Rainiero,’ my master forestalled his next remark with a gesture of his hand, ‘I am only advising a little patience. After all we have heard these ravings before. There are many who still await the prophesies of that poor abbot of Fiora. Indeed, there is far too much study of the apocalypse . . . and yet, this is not a crime, surely.’

‘You say this, Preceptor,’ the inquisitor said patiently, as though explaining some trifle to a child, ‘because you have not seen the patient work of the Devil as it unfolds in all its subtlety before one’s eyes . . . He spoke of the antipope, and he aimed his words at the legation . . .’

‘But the man was nearly blind, Rainiero,’ my master replied, ‘he could have been aiming his countenance in any direction!’

‘Even more diabolical!’ the Cistercian gasped, his unblinking eyes even wider than usual. The others crossed themselves in anticipated horror. ‘A blind man sees through the eyes of the Devil,’ he continued, ‘who then consumes his instrument and seizes his immortal soul!’

All around there were disconsolate gasps, and with a hint of satisfaction the inquisitor raised his voice, ‘This abbey is cursed! This I know!’

‘Then it should be a simple matter to prove it,’ my master said, using a tone, which implied that his part in the conversation was over. ‘And since this is your task I will bid you a good night. Come, Christian, one prayer before bed.’ He pulled me away from the legation, and I was glad, for I was a little overcome.

‘I did not think Templars had much time for prayer,’ the inquisitor retorted after us, ‘only for killing and pillaging . . . one only wonders at the wisdom of a king who places so much faith in renegade warriors.’

‘We are all warriors, Rainiero,’ my master answered, turning around. ‘Some of us, however, battle against the true enemies of the faith, while others battle . . . elusive ones.’

At this point there occurred a strange thing between the two men. I saw their dislike for one another turn into a terrible rivalry that raised its head like a beast between them. ‘I will admonish you to stay en garde! Whatever you may believe, preceptor. For it is beyond speculation that in this place Satan’s minions roam.’ He paused, giving me his attention. ‘Do you hear the moans of the succubus, my beautiful one?’ I thought for one horrible moment that I could indeed hear them. ‘They course through the abbey looking for their next victim . . .’ He reached out his hand to caress my face. ‘One may not be safe even in God’s house.’

I felt a wave of nausea overcome me as he paused moments before touching my cheek. With a slight look of longing in his cold eyes, he withdrew his hand, but slowly, so that I seemed to hold my breath for a long time. ‘Narrow indeed is the way that leadeth unto life,’ he concluded.

‘Thank you for your concern, your grace,’ my master interjected. ‘You need not worry, we shall be vigilant.’

The inquisitor’s teeth glistened like diamonds between thin lips, and he drew his cowl over his face turning to the others in silence, and they left us, melting into the darkness of the cloisters.

We walked to the south transept door and I must have looked disturbed, for my master said soothingly, ‘Your mind must not linger too long on other men’s aberrations. As incredible as it may seem, it is known that there are those whose sentiments run to unnatural desires. Of all sins it is one of the most abominable, but there’s no sense in crying over it. Come with me and think no more on it.’ I could see his strong silhouette in the darkness, and I thanked God for his wisdom.