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trail. If you come across them again, avoid them. They are outcasts and enemies of the church. They have committed grave sins against God,” he said.
    â€œYes, Father. Of course,” I said. “May God have mercy on their souls.”
    He remounted his horse and the column slowly moved westward. He stopped, turning his horse back toward us.
    â€œIf I find out you’ve lied to me, Templar, God will be the only one to grant you mercy.”

7
    W hat a rude fellow,” said Robard as the High Counsel and his men faded into the distance.
    â€œWho was rude?” Maryam said as she staggered to her feet.
    â€œSo glad you could join us. Help us fend off the attackers,” Robard teased.
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” she mumbled.
    â€œWe just met Celia’s pursuers,” I said.
    â€œNice men, one and all,” said Robard.
    â€œWhat did they want?” Maryam asked.
    â€œThey referred to Celia and her band as heretics and outlaws,” I told her.
    â€œActually he said outlaws first and then heretics,” Robard pointed out. “Then Tristan told this fellow, who calls himself the High Counsel to some Archbishop of Lancelot, an elaborate fib to throw them off the trail.”
    â€œLanguedoc, Robard, not Lancelot,” I murmured. Robard gave me a dismissive wave and shrugged his wallet onto his back.
    Maryam yawned and stretched. In truth the three of us could probably have stood to sleep for several more hours, but I had just told a deliberate lie to a dangerous man who rode at the head of fifty very heavily armed soldiers. It would be best if we were not easily found when he discovered my deceit.
    â€œWhat are we going to do now?” Maryam asked.
    Needing to think, I had unconsciously looked to the north, which led to Celia and her people.
    â€œOh no. No, Tristan. Absolutely not! I know that look of yours!” Robard stared at me, hands on his hips.
    â€œWhat look?” I asked innocently.
    â€œThe noble and stupid look you get. The one that says you’re thinking about going after this Celia to help her,” he complained. “You had the same look on your face in Tyre when you jumped into the water to rescue the dog!”
    â€œI do not . . . No . . . I mean, I’m not thinking . . . only . . .” I didn’t want to admit it, but the thought of going after Celia had occurred to me. Yet I couldn’t ask my friends to take part in something that really did not involve them. I was drawn to Celia, but it was not their concern.
    â€œWhat are you two talking about?” Maryam cut in.
    â€œHe’s smitten with the girl. He thinks he can help her or keep this High Counsel fellow from catching up to her. It’s not your business, squire. We need to find a ship. I want to get home. This is, if you’ve not discovered yet, a wretched country. Two of the seven people I’ve met so far have been quite unpleasant. I want to leave these Franks behind me. The sooner the better.”
    In the midst of his rant, Robard had grasped the very essence of my dilemma. Despite his bluster and occasional—all right, frequent—poor humor, he did have an uncanny ability to cut through a problem and see it for what it was. How could I ask my friends to delay their journeys while I traipsed after Celia? Besides, I had sent the High Counsel on a wild goose chase, and Celia and her friends were headed in the exact opposite direction. They knew he was coming. What aid could I offer? One more sword, to make it seven against fifty? With any luck they would reach their mountain fortress and get safely away from this man. But what if they did not? What if the High Counsel saw through my ruse and Celia and her group were captured?
    On top of it all there was one other argument in Robard’s favor. Any time I spent following after Celia or delaying my trip back to England were days that would allow Sir Hugh to catch up to us. As sure as I was of