The Templar

The Englishman was a driven soul, he thought again. He had seen that in the fellow’s eyes the day before. Now, if anything, he looked more torn than before. He had the appearance of a man who had come to a decision, but who disliked the result. He was not going to like the responses he would get today either, Joao thought to himself.

‘Sir Baldwin. I am pleased to see you again.’

‘I thank you,’ Baldwin said as Joao motioned to the novice who had led Baldwin inside. The boy brought in a tray of wine, which he set between the two men. He poured a little into two goblets, then quietly withdrew.

Baldwin sipped at the wine. ‘I am here, as you asked, to hear your answer.’

‘My answer — yes. I did not feel it was an answer I should give,’ Joao said, toying with the stem of his goblet. ‘If the man whom you sought was guilty, that guilt was for him and for God. If he wished, he could speak to you, but I saw no justification in forcing him to do so.’

‘So I have wasted my journey,’ Baldwin said.

‘You are a hasty man,’ Joao said, and there was a flash of steel in his voice. ‘Please hear me out. As I said, it was not a decision I could take. However, I do not wish to have even the most pious woman-murderer here in my castle. Piety is important in a knight, but a knight who can rape and kill a Christian woman is not worthy of his robes. So I went to speak to him last night.’

‘He is here, then?’

‘Yes, he is here. And he will speak with you. He has agreed.’

‘I am most grateful.’

‘I shall be with you while you talk,’ Joao said as he clapped his hands. In a moment or two, a novice had entered, listened quietly to Joao’s instruction, and scurried off to fetch Ramon. While they waited, the two men sat without talking.

Baldwin was hard put to control his impatience. No matter what he had decided that morning, he knew that he must still try to find Afonso and learn what had made him stab Matthew. Although if Afonso admitted to the crime, what then could Baldwin do? Kill Afonso in his turn? That was ridiculous. It would be perpetuating the endless round of revenge.

Over the table, Joao studied him with interest. He knew that Baldwin was struggling with a bitter internal argument, for he had seen the signs before. A man who is in charge of a convent soon begins to spot those who have need of most support. Every man, Joao thought, would come to God in his own time. He thought Baldwin was probably coming to find God in his own way. For his part, Joao was content to remain silently watching Baldwin. There was nothing he could do to help. Baldwin was no doubt being spoken to by God.

There came the sound of boots tramping steadily along the corridor, then coming to a halt outside Joao’s door. A knuckle rapped on the door, and Joao called out permission to enter.

Ramon walked inside with the truculent demeanour of a man expecting to be accused. He glared at Baldwin as soon as he entered the room. ‘Claveiro, you wanted me?’

‘You know why, Frey Ramon,’ Joao said mildly. ‘This is not a court, and you are not accused. This good knight would like to speak to you, though.’

Baldwin had stood when Ramon walked in, and he remained on his feet. ‘To see you is to be more certain that you are innocent,’ he began placatingly.

‘After my woman was murdered, I chose to leave Compostela,’ Ramon stated harshly. ‘Why should you seek to follow me?’

Baldwin was unsure how to conduct this inquest. Eyeing Ramon, he tended to think that a direct approach would be most effective. ‘There are some who say you yourself killed her.’

‘Me? I loved her!’

‘Yet she was carrying a large amount of money when she went to the meeting at the ford. We know that you were there with her, for you were seen by Don Ruy.’

‘Yes, of course I saw her there. She had asked me to go and meet her.’

‘What, in order to guard her? While she negotiated with the blackmailer?’

‘No. She made no mention of any such thing,’ Ramon said with apparent surprise. ‘All she wanted was to ask me if I would protect her if she left her mistress. Obviously, I said I would. We were betrothed, and I hoped to marry her this year.’

Baldwin felt sure that the man was concealing something. Before Ramon could move on to a fresh topic, Baldwin said, ‘What then?’

‘That was all. I returned to the town, and shortly afterwards her body was brought back.’

‘That is not all, is it? You were walking with her for some while. What else did you talk about?’

‘Nothing. We spoke a little, and separated. That was all.’

‘What did you speak about?’

‘That is none of your business!’

‘I am trying to convince myself that you are an innocent man, Brother! Can you not tell me what passed between you?’

‘What does it matter?’ he spat.