he wanted you to have a chance at a good life. That is why he chose you.”
I motioned for Maryam to bring me the satchel, and when she handed it to me, I removed the wadded-up blue blanket. Spreading it out before the fire, I held up the piece of cloth Sir Thomas had secreted in the letter. It was a perfect match.
“Sire, this is all. . I cannot. . My father was King Henry?” I stammered.
“Indeed he was, lad. My brother and I guarded your mother, Rosamund, while you were born. He was torn. He was married to Eleanor for politics alone. It was a loveless marriage, but at least it brought temporary peace to two kingdoms. Such is the way of kings and monarchs. Eleanor returned to France whenever she could, and your father spent a great deal of time alone. But when he found Rosamund, he was happy. She was your father’s true love.”
“What happened to her?” I asked. “Sir Thomas’ letter says she’s gone?”
“Yes, lad, I’m sorry to say that not long after you were born, she caught a fever and passed. I’m sorry you will not have a chance to know her. She was a fine woman.”
The priest who had been sitting there the whole time began to pray. Maryam had returned to Robard’s side, and their faces were full of questions as they struggled to hear what was going on.
“So what am I to do?” I asked.
“Well, lad, we can discuss it later, but first I think we should make sure the Grail is safe.”
“Yes, sire,” I interrupted. “I still have it.” I reached inside the satchel and pulled up the secret bottom, removing the Grail still wrapped in its white linen covering. Very carefully, I handed it to Sir Charles, and when I did so, an enormous weight lifted from my spirit.
“Sir Charles. . there is something I must tell you. .,” I said. “I’ve been inside Rosslyn. Sir Thomas instructed me to deliver the Grail to Father William at the Holy Redeemer Church, and I’m afraid I was too late. Father William is-”
“Father William is sitting right next to you,” he said, smiling.
I stared at the priest in shock, not understanding.
“But how? Who-” I was completely confused.
“At your service, Tristan,” said the priest from his place beside the fire.
“When Thomas sent me the letter for you from Acre, it was also a signal,” Sir Charles said. “I think he knew Richard’s foolish plan to leave Acre without reinforcements would mean another attack by the Saracens. He had a dual duty, to keep both you and the Grail safe. When Gaston arrived with the letter, I knew it was also his signal that he would be sending you out with the Grail. I don’t think he ever intended for you to do it alone, and I am sure he regretted not being able to send help with you.” He paused a moment, letting the words sink in. I believed him. Right after I had given the letter to Gaston, the Saracens had arrived. Sir Thomas had had no choice but to have me escape with the Grail. Now I understood why he had chosen me. I glanced at Maryam and Robard.
“It is all right, sire,” I said. “I managed to find help on my own.” Sir Charles followed my gaze and beamed at the two of them.
“So it would seem,” he said.
“We knew there were brothers inside the order who would kill to possess it. Thomas couldn’t be sure that his attempt to have you carry it out and bring it here wouldn’t be uncovered. We needed a plan in case anyone discovered your destination or followed you. Like that scoundrel Sir Hugh. So, many weeks ago, we replaced Father William here with a brother from the Order-who sadly gave his life to protect the Grail.”
“What is going to happen to the Grail now?” I asked.
“It will be safeguarded forever,” Father William said. “Within our small circle of guardians we have plans to build a great cathedral here. And inside that house of the Lord will be-”
“Forgive me for interrupting, Father William,” I said. “I’m sure you’ll find someplace safe for it, but please don’t tell me. I really have no desire to know.”
THREE DAYS LATER
37
My wounds healed quickly, and for the next two days we camped near Rosslyn with Sir Charles and his knights. Meals were cooked and stories were told and songs were sung by the fire. We relayed to Sir Charles our exploits along the way, and he became quite fond of Robard and Maryam.
With Sir Charles’ blessing, Father William disappeared with the Grail, and I was glad it was now someone else’s responsibility. The handful of knights who had assisted Sir Hugh were nowhere in sight, and I thought it best not to wonder what punishment Sir Charles had seen fit to offer them.
One of Sir Charles’ sergeantos had tended to my wounds, and after three days’ worth of food and rest, I felt ready to leave. The only question was, where would I go? St. Alban’s was gone. Sherwood was Robard’s home, and I had no idea what Maryam planned to do. She was far from Outremer, but I was certain, given her service in our cause, that Sir Charles would find her passage back if she desired. Whether she wished to return there was the question.
The three of us strolled through the village streets of Rosslyn, Angel at our side. We paused outside the church, and I wondered if Father William was somewhere inside, finding a secret hiding place for the Holy Grail until his mighty cathedral could be built. For a moment I thought about how, long after my bones had turned to dust, the Grail would still be here, hidden safely away from those who might attempt to use its wonders for ill purposes.
“What are you going to do, your highness?” Robard asked me.
“Stop calling me that! I’m not a highness!” I replied, only slightly annoyed. Ever since we had learned my true identity, Robard had delighted in teasing me about it.
“Seriously, Tristan, what are your plans?” Maryam asked. “You English and your laws are confusing, but what will you do? Sir Charles says you have claims to land-”
“I don’t want it,” I interrupted her. “You’ve met Eleanor and Sir Hugh? And I’ve met Richard, and I could do without the lot of them. I don’t care about land or title, and I certainly will make no claim to the throne. Not even with the backing of the Order. It’s all too much. Far too much. From Outremer, I carried the weight of the Grail. I have no desire to carry anything so heavy again. I have a different plan in mind,” I said.
“Really?” Robard asked, snickering again.
“Yes, Robard, a real genuine plan. Thanks for asking. What are you two going to do?”
When Robard and Maryam’s eyes met, they danced with joy. She was not going back to Outremer, at least not now, and maybe not ever.
“We’re going to return to Sherwood for a while,” Robard said. “Maryam has never seen the forest in the spring and summer. I want to show her the meadows and the fields. I want her to see the chestnuts and the sycamores come to bud. There are many things I want her to know.” Maryam smiled at him and gently slipped her hand into his.
“And what of the Shire Reeve?” I asked.
“What of him? I think he’s learned his lesson. I doubt he’ll soon bother the good folk of Sherwood again,” Robard said assuredly. I smiled and nodded, though I did not share Robard’s confidence. I would not ruin Robard’s high spirits, but the Shire Reeve of Nottingham did not strike me as someone who would give up so easily.
“But enough about us, Tristan. What is this plan you have?” Maryam asked eagerly.
When I told them, they smiled and clapped me on the back.
“Come,” I said. “Let’s find Sir Charles and I’ll tell him what I’ve decided. He’s at his tent outside the gate.”
We were a few strides down the street when I realized Angel was not at her usual place, loping along beside us. Looking back, I saw that she sat on her haunches in front of the church.
“Come, Angel!” I called to her. But she didn’t move.
“Is she sick?” Maryam asked, concerned. “She always comes when you call her.”
“I don’t know. Angel, come!” I called again. Yet she remained where she was. The three of us strode down to the church steps and studied her. She stared up at us, her brown intelligent eyes shining in the morning
