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Angel, who backed up until her rump rested against my leg. I could feel the tension in her body and had no doubt she would spring in a heartbeat if this man made the wrong move. “You are dressed as a servant of the Templars, are you not?” he asked. He spoke English with a very thick French accent, reminding me of King Richard. But I understood him just fine.
    I nodded.
    â€œDo you intend to draw your sword?” he asked, pointing to my hand, which still clutched the hilt of my weapon.
    I shook my head. He had yet to give me a reason.
    â€œGood. Are you able to speak?” he asked.
    I nodded again, which made him smile.
    â€œExcellent. Then I’m hoping you will be able to help me locate a group of outlaws. I suspect you crossed paths with them last night,” he said. His tone said he knew this to be true and it would be useless for me to deny it. He never took his eyes off me.
    Without moving my head, I glanced down. Robard’s eyes were open and he was looking at me, trying desperately to figure out what to do. His wallet and bow sat leaning against a tree trunk a few inches from his hand.
    â€œPlease leave the bow and arrows where they are,” the priest said, evidently aware that Robard was awake. There was a lack of menace in his voice, which only made him sound more formidable. He spoke with a casual certainty as if expecting us to obey his commands without question.
    Very slowly Robard rose to stand next to me. He yawned, running his hand through his hair as if he wasn’t bothered by any of this at all.
    â€œI don’t believe we’ve met,” Robard said.
    â€œThen you must allow me to introduce myself,” the man replied. “I am the High Counsel to the Archbishop of Languedoc. My men and I are on the trail of six heretics. We followed them to your camp upstream. We lost their trail north of here and then followed your tracks. Now, if you please, I would like to know, where are they headed?”
    I had a feeling this High Counsel would not take well to deception.
    â€œHeretics? I thought you said you were on the trail of outlaws,” Robard asked.
    â€œOne and the same,” he replied.
    â€œWe need to know which,” Robard said. “I have no use for heretics, but outlaws, well, that’s a different story. So which is it, Father?”
    The High Counsel’s eyes narrowed and his face turned to stone. I groaned inwardly. Not now, Robard.
    â€œWe had no idea they were heretics, Father,” I interrupted before Robard could say anything more. “We were shipwrecked east of here a few days ago. They found us on the beach and offered us food. That’s all. I can’t say for sure where they were headed, but I heard the word Perpignan a few times. Might it be the name of a city or town?”
    The High Counsel had locked eyes with Robard while I spoke, but now he looked at me again.
    â€œPerpignan? Yes, it’s a nearby city. Are you sure?”
    â€œIf it is west of here, it must be where they are headed. When they broke camp, they headed south, riding in the shallows. They must have been trying to hide their tracks from you. They probably turned west downstream.”
    The High Counsel looked at me, his black eyes never wavering. I don’t think he even blinked.
    â€œWhy would they head to Perpignan?” he asked, thinking out loud.
    â€œCan’t swear to it, Father, as I speak only a little French, just heard them mention it. And they said something about reserves . Doesn’t that mean ‘supplies’? Maybe they needed something there?” I had spun a vast web of deceit now and hoped the High Counsel and his men would leave soon so I could resume breathing.
    He studied me, his brow knitted together ever so slightly, then turned and spoke to one of the mounted riders behind him in hushed tones.
    â€œVery well. Thank you for your assistance. We shall ride toward Perpignan and see if we can pick up their