Templar's Acre

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Philip Mainboeuf’s house stood overlooking the harbour. From his door, a street ran straight to the water’s edge, and from the roof, a man could see all over Acre, from sea to city wall. Edgar liked to walk about the roof. It reminded him why he was here: wealth and comfort. Edgar of London was glad to be living in such a prestigious house.

Today, Philip Mainboeuf hurried back before the end of the discussion, and then rushed upstairs to the roof where his clerks worked under a canopy. Edgar went with him, and peered at the harbour a quarter-mile away. The sea was a fabulous turquoise, and waves glistened as if filled with pearls. From here he could see the cathedral, and heard the tolling to announce the service, a moment or two after the bells within the Temple, and then those of the Hospital. Each of the Orders had their own bells, which pealed in a discordant cacophony, but Edgar didn’t care. To him, their sound was just one attraction of this exotic new life.

There were many — especially the women. He was enthralled by their dark skin and their lustrous brown eyes gazing at him from over their veils.

There was no comparison between this and his past life. Here, people had luxuries he had never dreamed of, from sweet sugars to silks. When he thought back to London and the filthy, dark alleys and streets, the grey Thames, it was as though he was harking back to a nightmare in comparison with this sumptuous grandeur. Heaven must be like this.

There was a loud knocking at the door below, and Edgar strode to the front of the house to peer down into the street. There, he saw a woman in green with three guards. Soon she was up on the roof with Philip and Edgar.

He had seen her before, of course. This was Lady Maria. Edgar saw her eyes go to him as Philip stood, and Edgar held her gaze with a smile on his face. She was a forward woman. The sort who would be a challenge. Not that he could hope to bed her — she had her sights set far over Edgar’s head.

‘You can leave us,’ Mainboeuf said to his clerks, and they gathered up their tablets, inks and reeds, and made their way to the stairs.

Edgar made no move to follow them. His attention was still fixed upon Lady Maria.

‘Edgar, you can leave us too,’ Mainboeuf said.

‘While there are these strangers with you?’ Edgar said, indicating the three men who had come to the roof with Lady Maria.

‘I am safe with Lady Maria. You can leave us.’

Edgar paused before obeying. There was no reason for him to remain, because after all, if the three men wanted to attack his master, they would simply kill him first. He walked to the stairs at the side of the building, and as he was about to descend, he saw Lady Maria go to Mainboeuf’s side, and he heard their voices clearly on the warm, humid air.

‘You must send to Cairo. We cannot afford to leave him in any doubt.’

‘He will seek profit. This is a negotiation.’

‘Then we must ensure he wins it.’

Baldwin found Ivo sitting in a nearby tavern, muttering to himself, a quart of wine before him.

‘I was here with my Prince, and I would’ve laid down my life happily for him and the Kingdom of Jerusalem, but this? It shows how low the Kingdom has sunk. Putting God’s land in peril to support drunks and murderers! In Christ’s name, don’t they realise what they’re doing?’

‘We shall be all right,’ Baldwin said, and he truly believed it. The debate had been harsh at times, and the men had been determined to push forward their views with force, but the right decisions had been reached.

‘Baldwin, if you live to be an old man, you will never forget the coming weeks,’ Ivo said sourly. ‘And when the end comes, my friend, remember your words.’

‘I will.’ Baldwin smiled, and was relieved to see that Ivo returned it, albeit weakly.

‘What is that cur doing with you still?’ the older man asked, glancing down.

‘Uther is a good companion. He doesn’t snap as much as some,’ Baldwin grinned.

‘Companion!’ Ivo sneered, shaking his head. He noticed Otto de Grandison marching off with his men, and the sight made him narrow his eyes.

‘Qalawun won’t want to attack us,’ Baldwin said. ‘You heard what that merchant said.’

‘Do you think Guillaume de Beaujeu is a coward?’ Ivo demanded.

‘Of course not!’

‘So, although the merchant could say something that stupid, you trust his judgement on other matters? On which matters is he more likely to be accurate, would you think?’

He wandered away, and for the first time Baldwin was struck by his age. It made him feel sad. Poor Ivo was upset and anxious, and it was hardly surprising. War was a young man’s sport. An older man would find it a great deal harder to survive a battle.

‘So, Master Baldwin. And are you well?’

He turned to see Sir Jacques. ‘Yes, but Ivo is disturbed.’

‘So he should be,’ Sir Jacques said mildly.

‘You think we are in danger?’

‘I put my trust in God, but I will sharpen my sword.’

The next day, Baldwin saw Edgar again near the market.

‘Master Edgar, I hope I see you well?’

‘God has seen fit to reward me,’ Edgar said.

‘So I see,’ Baldwin noted. He had never before seen a man so richly attired who was not a merchant.

‘This is Philip Mainboeuf, my master,’ Edgar said.

Baldwin bowed to him. ‘I was impressed by your speech, Master.’

‘Yes, well, there were some points that had to be aired. One must ensure that right prevails,’ Mainboeuf said.

‘It is reassuring to learn that Qalawun values trade with us so highly,’ Baldwin said.

‘When you have spent a little time in this land, you will learn that the Muslim enjoys profit every bit as much as a Christian,’ Mainboeuf said condescendingly. He did not like to discuss such matters with those he felt to be inferior, and so he walked away to chat to two other merchants.

‘Is your woman well?’ Edgar asked.

‘Lucia? I have not seen her,’ Baldwin said. ‘Not since the day of the riot.’

‘No? It is strange that she has made no contact. You did save her life,’ Edgar said. He was standing negligently, his arms folded as he eyed his master. ‘You yourself have made no effort to see her?’

‘It would be difficult. There is a man near her who seeks to do me harm.’

‘But of course. So, you wish to remain safe, and thus you avoid her.’

Baldwin scowled. It sounded as if Edgar was teasing. ‘What of it?’

‘Nothing. But if I was enamoured of a little strummel like her, I don’t think I’d let a man who sought to prevent me, succeed. She had a keen eye for you.’

‘You think so?’ Baldwin said. The words sent a tingle through him, and he thought of her calm, green eyes.

‘I know so. She only had eyes for you. I’d go and tumble her while you can,’ Edgar said off-handedly as he moved away to follow his master.

Baldwin frowned again at Edgar’s words, but as the fellow wandered away, he was filled with gratitude. ‘She only had eyes for me?’ he murmured, looking down at the dog. A smile broke out over his features as he began to walk homewards.

But unaccountably, soon he found his feet had taken him towards the Genoese quarter, and Lady Maria’s house.