Read The Tolls of Death: (Knights Templar 17) for Free Online Page A

there.’
    ‘And it will no doubt remind me at every opportunity of the pleasures of this pilgrimage,’ Simon rasped sarcastically.
    Baldwin sniffed, but couldn’t restrain his grin. ‘Perhaps.’
    ‘Well, let’s get on with it, then. If I’m to be reminded of my pains and sores, I might as well reflect on them from the warmth of my own fire as soon as possible.’
    ‘Masters, I have to return soon with these mounts,’ the boy piped up.
    Baldwin eyed him with dissatisfaction. ‘We have paid for them and for you.’
    ‘That was money to travel to the next town, but you have forced me to come twice that distance. Do you expect me to go all the way to … to Exeter?’ Bob demanded, picking the most distant city he knew of.
    ‘Not quite, no,’ Baldwin said unsympathetically. Then Simon touched his arm, and Baldwin gave him a sharp look, which slowly transformed into comprehension.
    Simon had lost a son only a few short years ago, and a matter of days ago he had been responsible, in part, for another young man’s death. That death was a sore regret to him, as Baldwin knew. It was a matter he could all too easily understand, because the reason for both of them launching themselves upon their recent pilgrimage was another death, one for which Baldwin was himself responsible.
    Baldwin nodded, and it was good to see Simon give him a short grin in return. There was no need for words. Baldwin understood his feelings: Simon had no desire to see this boy taken too far from his home and put in danger. Any long trip in these uncertain times was hazardous. Horse thieves could easily murder a youth like Bob to get their hands on the mounts. Better that he should be released from their service as soon as possible and sent homewards.
    ‘Young Bob, you have to return to your home. Do you know how far it is to the next town? If we can find an ostler prepared to hire us more horses and a boy to ride with us, we shall release you. Will that suffice?’
    ‘Yes. I suppose.’
    ‘Where is the next town, then?’ Baldwin asked.
    Bob scowled. ‘I think it’s Bodmin. After that, all is rough moorland.’
    ‘At least you’ll feel at home there, Simon,’ Baldwin said lightly.
    ‘Yes,’ Simon said aloud, but inwardly he felt a little clutch, like a small hand pulling at his heart’s strings. It could be one of the last times he rode over stannary lands. Soon he would be installed in Dartmouth, and then he’d have little to do with miners or moors.
    With a pang of loss, poignant and terrible, he realised how much he would miss both.
    Richer atte Brooke chuckled quietly to himself as he trailed after Serlo on the track to the church.
    ‘You are pleased with your threats?’ Warin asked stiffly. ‘For my part, I see no advantage in them, and the potential for a lot of disorder in the vill.’
    ‘But did you see the fat arse’s face?’ Richer asked with delight.
    Warin’s voice was colder as he said, ‘Friend Richer, I do not wish for the peasants to be roused to anger over your insults against one of their own.’
    ‘There will be no disorder, Squire,’ Richer said more seriously. ‘The fat fool is pushing too hard. He seeks ever more money from people, and this shows him I have a hold over him. If he misbehaves, I can crush him. The news that I am aware of his appeal to have some of his payment for the farm refunded will keep him sensible, and then I can speak to him of other matters.’
    Warin eyed him speculatively. ‘Do not endanger the vill’s peace. I would be very unhappy, were you to do that.’
    ‘I won’t,’ Richer said easily. And he wouldn’t – not unless Serlo gave him no choice. Not that it was Serlo with whom he must concern himself – the dangerous brother of the two was Alex. If the Constable thought that someone was giving his kid brother a hard time, he’d wade in to protect him.
    Yes, he should be more cautious with Alexander.
    In the church, Father Adam watched over his flock with a feeling of