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attempt to appease the archbishop if I could, but I am afraid I only managed to anger him.”
    â€œAnger him? How?” I asked.
    â€œI’m not sure. It may have been when I called him a fat, pretentious, overbearing cow,” she said, shrugging.
    â€œThat would do it,” I said. This was all very strange to me. At St. Alban’s the brothers managed to stay far removed from church politics. I remember a bishop visiting once when I was younger. And I remember the abbot being ill tempered for weeks after, but I couldn’t recall there ever being any other problems. Of course, I’m certain the abbot would never call the bishop a cow either. This may have had more to do with Celia’s predicament than a difference in theology.
    â€œWe were on our way home when we found you,” she went on. “The conference did not go well, especially after my outburst. The archbishop made many threats. Philippe believes he will move against us before my father can even gain an audience with the King. He may have sent soldiers after us, so Philippe is just being cautious.”
    â€œWhy do they care what you do if you bother no one?”
    â€œYou must have grown up in an abbey, to ask such an incredibly naïve question. The church does as it will. It is not the kings and monarchs who rule us, but Pope Celestine III. Does not your own order answer only to him?”
    â€œYes. I suppose, but I . . .”
    â€œHe has decided the Cathars are enemies of the church, Templar. And now we must decide what to do about it, which is why Philippe is so upset with me. He thinks we should have left you on the beach. He feels we should be well on our way to Montségur by now instead of taking you to the nearest port.”
    â€œMontségur?”
    â€œIt is our fortress in the mountains. When we are threatened, we retreat there for safety. Usually whoever is upset with us at the moment lays siege, but eventually gives up and leaves. However, Philippe is certain there will be a greater threat this time. As my father’s Seneschal, he wishes to return there at once, but he swore an oath to follow my command.”
    â€œMaybe you should listen to him. Grateful as I am to you for not hurting my friends in their misguided attempt to rescue me, we are well able to find the port on our own, and you can resume your journey.”
    Celia did not have a chance to respond, for just then Philippe rode hurriedly into camp and hastily dismounted.
    â€œOn arrive!” he said.
    â€œWhat did he say?” I asked.
    â€œSomeone is coming,” Celia said.

6
    P hilippe and Celia spoke rapidly. Philippe barked orders, and his men immediately broke camp. Each ofthem spun offfrom the fire to an assigned duty.
    â€œWhat is happening?” Robard asked. He and Maryam rose from the fire.
    â€œI’m not sure. There is some kind of trouble. I think someone is after them.”
    Robard looked at me in disbelief, then snorted. “What do you mean by trouble exactly?”
    â€œWhat other kind of trouble do we know?” I asked.
    The fire was extinguished and we were plunged into darkness. The half moon had just peeked over the horizon, and there was enough light for me to see Robard’s face.
    â€œJust to be sure, you mean the bad-men-chasing-us-again kind?” he asked.
    â€œYes, I’m afraid so,” I said apologetically.
    Robard sighed. “I will say this. Since I rescued you from those bandits, you’ve never been at a shortage for excitement.”
    â€œTristan, what are we going to do?” Maryam asked.
    â€œCelia and her group are being pursued by enemies of some sort. She calls herself a Cathar, whatever that means.” Robard and Maryam shrugged. “Her father is an important religious leader among her people and has made enemies of the church. An archbishop they met with in a place called Narbonne is angry with them for some reason. Philippe was convinced they were