Chapter 33: Templar Knight Geoffrey’s Invitation And Gift
Count Etienne suffered such torment, but the only benefit was that he could spend the following several festivals at Holy Cross Castle. His monks and knights also had ample time to purchase the goods they wanted—Amalric I indeed paid on the count’s behalf the full reward promised to them, and compensated as much as possible for some of the losses they suffered during the disaster, such as horses and horse tack, clothes, swords and armor, etc., so that everyone was sufficiently satisfied.
However, after that day, Count Etienne no longer specially saw Caesar. People said that this was indeed just the lord’s whim. Some thought he must have received separate reward money from the count, so those attendants and escorts who had always been very cold toward Caesar suddenly became enthusiastic.
They either complained to Caesar, saying they had accidentally lost/damaged/defiled some important relic and needed compensation, otherwise they would be whipped and expelled from the castle; or they mysteriously told Caesar that a beautiful prostitute had come from somewhere, with superb skills and a voluptuous figure, demanding a high price, but if she met a cute child like Caesar, she might not charge a single coin.
Or they would first praise Caesar’s luck, then complain about how unlucky they had been at the gambling table recently—they asked Caesar to bless their dice, and then required Caesar to roll two throws for them. They swore that if Caesar won, all the money would go to Caesar; if he lost, they would bear the debt.
If even after this Caesar still ignored them, these people would deliberately look for oversights in Caesar’s duties—as a rule, Caesar rarely left the left tower, so they could hardly find any fault with him, but if determined, there was always a way—once “found,” they would hypocritically tell Caesar that just a little money would make them shut up.
If not for the soul within this body already being an adult, he would have fallen into one of these traps no matter what.
Baldwin knew that Count Etienne had indeed given Caesar a reward. He did not ask too much about it, but he was worried that Caesar would be tricked out of his money by them, so starting from the First Sunday of Advent）the Sunday closest to December 1（, he kept Caesar tightly by his side, and no one dared to play tricks in front of the prince.
But there were also some people whom even Baldwin could not refuse.
On the day before the feast day of Saint John Cantius）December 23（, Templar Knight Geoffrey Fuller had his attendant deliver a letter to Caesar early in the morning, inviting him to meet around None）approximately two to three in the afternoon（, when he would be waiting at the drawbridge.
For such a lord, whether because of his previous care or his current favor, Caesar could not possibly refuse to go, but Baldwin was deeply worried: “If it were the Knights Templar from fifty years ago, I would not stop you. Not only would I not stop you, I would encourage you. At that time, the Knights Templar, just as in the oaths they took, were believers, pilgrims, knights. They were always ready to shed blood in serving God. They were faithful, humble, and obedient. I am certain that every Templar Knight from that time is now sitting beside the saints.
But as some philosopher said, once a tree grows tall, it will inevitably have dead branches and fallen leaves.
Because the original Knights Templar truly fulfilled their oaths, people saw it, loved them, respected them, trusted them. They saw them as God’s knights. For the Knights Templar, just as with any church or monastery, they paid taxes to the Knights Templar, made donations, gave cloth, grain, money, and even land to support the Knights Templar’s eastward campaigns.
In just a few decades, the Knights Templar’s industries had spread throughout the entire Holy Land and half of Europe, and they changed too.
Although they still claimed to be knights, they lent money like Isaac’s currency merchants; they built ships like Genoa ship owners; when collecting land tax and tolls, they acted like French lords.
They also took commissions in slaughterhouses and textile workshops, charged fees for using mills and ovens, leased out vineyards, sold river fishing rights, and their lands produced wheat and vegetables day and night without cease, enough to feed an entire Holy Land.
For such an enormous organization, it is impossible not to become corrupt—I have already heard some very unfavorable rumors about them. My father did too; he once issued a warning to the Knights Templar, but the result is as it is now: the Knights Templar resent my father, believing he intends to seize their assets and power.
I have also heard of Geoffrey’s name. He may not be the worst, but if,” he gripped Caesar’s hand and said cautiously, “if he asks you to abandon me and go to the Knights Templar—please believe me, I am not unwilling for you to have a good future, but the Knights Templar is absolutely not one of them.”
He said earnestly: “If you want to leave me, you can tell me. Even if you cannot go to Tripoli or Antioch, I can send you to Lower Lorraine）the original Ayyarasa Road tomb guardians were the Duke of Lower Lorraine, Count of Bouillon, that is, Godfrey of Bouillon（, or anywhere else you want to go.”
“Would you be willing to let me leave?” Caesar gripped Baldwin’s hand in return. Baldwin always wore gloves unless Caesar asked him to remove them. The symptoms of leprosy had already shown initial signs; his fingers had begun to swell and redden. Bathing and massaging them helped a bit, but they both knew Baldwin’s condition was continuously worsening. No wonder Amalric I did not even want to wait until Baldwin’s birthday）February 2（, and directly planned to hold the “Selection Ceremony” in the first month of the new year.
No leper had ever held a “Selection Ceremony” before, as it was also a sacrament, but most people held extravagant hopes such as: if Baldwin were selected, he would be cured—or at least the disease could be slowed.
“I have thought about this issue repeatedly, especially after I rashly agreed to your request and let you go out in my place, to seek out Count Etienne for Abigail’s sin…”
Baldwin showed a thoughtful expression: “You see, I once wanted to abandon all worldly things and retreat to a monastery, but my father promised me that I was still his heir, still the prince of Ayyarasa Road. He brought you to my side, Caesar. When I first saw you, I thought someone with your appearance really should not serve beside a leper. But then I thought again, perhaps it was not such a bad thing.
He stood up. “At that time, I was willing to keep you because I thought I was just sheltering a small bird with beautiful but fragile feathers. If not, you would surely be crushed by storms and gales, and die young.
But now, I have seen that what stays by my side is not a skylark, but a falcon’s chick. Though its wings are not yet full, one day it will soar in the blue sky. Since that is so, if I still keep you by my side, it would not be protecting you, but selfishness.”
He showed a bitter smile: “Especially since I discovered that I, who always thought myself steady and wise, am in fact still a child, sending you out for a bit of illusory honor. Although Geoffrey’s letter did not say much, I could tell at a glance that you suffered a lot, endured much torment, and even nearly died.
If such a thing happened again, I could not forgive myself.”
Caesar listened and could only sigh inwardly. Count Etienne had said he was willing to plead with Amalric I on his behalf to redeem him, and he did have a momentary temptation. It was not that he feared Baldwin’s leprosy; he had been with Baldwin for several months and could basically confirm he was not susceptible.
Besides, Baldwin was always very careful. Even when he said it was fine, Baldwin still often wore a veil and gloves in the room, and never let Caesar do things that might involve bodily fluids or secretions—after hanging a batch of servants, the new servants were much more respectful and docile.
It might also be because no servant had contracted leprosy to this day; in any case, they served Baldwin much more carefully.
But he still refused.
Count Etienne’s blurted-out question still echoed in his ears, but Caesar did not think he was particularly praiseworthy. Although he was grateful to Amalric I, it was far less than his gratitude to Baldwin, because the favors he received from Amalric I were partly obtained through his calculations and risking his life, and partly out of Amalric I’s selfish motives.
He just had not expected to meet someone like Baldwin here.
In this era, this region, dangers lurked everywhere, surrounded by wolves. Though called the Holy Land, it was a blood-soaked meat grinder.
He had not experienced war, but had seen much life and death, and knew that few could maintain their former poise in front of the god of death, let alone that leprosy, though not immediately fatal, could last for whole years or even a decade of pain and a hopeless future, which could break a person’s spirit and make them uncontrollable.
When Amalric I told him to serve Baldwin, he had prepared to face a mad, irritable young beast, hysterical with fear of the future and full of aggression.
In fact, at that time he was also prepared: if it really was so, he would not foolishly stay by this prince’s side as a punching bag.
It would not be difficult for him to do that. Although he faced Amalric I, he was not truly a child.
But such a Baldwin truly made him unable to say the words “give up.” He was only nine years old, underage in any world, yet after great changes, he still retained a pure and noble heart.
Seeing a peer more beautiful and healthier than himself, he felt no jealousy, nor did he tease or torment him because of the disparity in status; he kept Caesar by his side as one of the weak, but when he discovered Caesar could have a better future, even though he now had only this one friend left, he was still willing to boost him up to fly high, rather than keep him caged.
“I have already refused Count Etienne,” Caesar said. “I will also refuse Geoffrey.”
Baldwin’s eyes widened behind the veil. He had guessed that Geoffrey might take a liking to Caesar, but he had not expected Count Etienne to have such an idea too. Now he was truly a bit jealous.
“Count Etienne is not much good either,” he said sharply: “His territory is small and poor, and he is a widower. If you went to his castle, there would not even be a mistress to look after you.”
“I have already refused.”
“Wise choice,” Baldwin said grudgingly: “In any case, neither of these two is suitable—a pair of fools.”
“If they heard that, they would surely duel you,” Caesar said happily: “They are not bad people. At least Count Etienne is not.”
He only told Baldwin about the gold coins, but said nothing about the passes—not that he intended to hide it—mainly because the matter was too similar to how he obtained the Templar map through the Gerard family—everything Count Etienne provided almost said that Amalric I or Baldwin could not provide him with the protection he deserved.
Count Etienne had already suffered enough because of the marriage refusal; while he was still at Holy Cross Castle, better not to cause more trouble.
So Caesar solemnly asked Baldwin for leave, and obtained permission from the castle steward. When he walked out through the city gate tunnel, Baldwin was watching him from the bridgehead.
Caesar looked up at him, remembering how at farewell Baldwin had chattered on with instructions. Although the one meeting him was a Templar Knight—Templar Knights swore chastity, meaning best not to even see women, let alone touch them, which was why the Pope allowed them to build private chapels）to avoid women（.
Married men who wanted to join the Knights Templar also had to live separately from their wives, and could only become sergeants wearing brown robes or black robes.
Templar Knights could not hunt, keep dogs or falcons; the only thing they could hunt was the lions of the Holy Land, and they were even forbidden to associate with hunters.
They could not enjoy various entertainments like playing chess, gambling, clowns, and minstrels. They dined communally—on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, the Knights provided enough meat—except during fasting, they could drink, but drunkenness was absolutely forbidden.
So the few things Baldwin worried most about basically would not happen. If it were another adult knight, he would have to worry that the fellow might take Caesar to prostitutes and gambling tables, or hunting）hunting at this time was very dangerous（, or get him drunk to the point of unconsciousness.
Baldwin saw Geoffrey. He had not entered the castle, dressed imposingly. To be honest, if Baldwin had to choose, he too would prefer to follow a valiant knight rather than a sin-ridden invalid, but he was willing to trust Caesar.
He watched Caesar ride his pony Castor clop-clop-clop after the Templar Knight’s big horse across the drawbridge.
And shortly after they passed the drawbridge, a black and thin shadow followed. Baldwin was about to call someone when he saw the figure bow to him from afar, then wave the spear in his hand, and speed away before the guards became alert.
Only then did the prince remember that during Caesar’s asceticism of “cleansing the Holy Sepulchre,” there had indeed been a wandering knight following him and serving as his guard.
