In a land torn by crusade and rebellion, honour is earned in blood.
1205. Richard Fitz Simon has fled England after his title was usurped, joining the Livonian Order of Swordbrothers – a German brotherhood of warrior-monks fighting to bring the word of God to the pagan frontier. After slaying the Lithuanian champion at the Battle of Rodenpois, Richard is celebrated by the Order and their Semigallian allies.
Yet his position remains precarious. Jealous rivals question his right to stand among the brotherhood, and his master, Knight-brother Rudolf, is enraged by Richard’s disobedience. When dark secrets from Lübeck resurface, Richard also finds himself at odds with Bishop Albert, head of the Christian mission in Livonia. As he struggles to reconcile faith, duty and identity, he is drawn into a brutal world of suspicion and bloodshed.
Sent on an expedition to build a castle deep in the wilderness, Richard soon sees tensions erupt – and the path he has chosen threatens to destroy everything he has fought to become.
Excerpt
The two mailed guards at the gate of the bishop’s residence were sullen and unfriendly as they barred our entry. I brandished the sealed letter that Theodoric had given me. ‘This is an urgent message to the bishop from Abbot Theodoric. I have to see him immediately!’
‘That is not possible,’ the first guard said. He was big, burly and looked like he would be at ease in the seediest back alley. ‘The bishop is preparing to leave for the Empire. Give me the letter, I’ll make sure he receives it.’
‘I have been instructed to give it to him personally.’
The guard frowned. ‘What is it about?’
‘I cannot divulge that. This is for Bishop Albert’s eyes only. It is important!’
He folded his arms across his chest and stuck out his chin. ‘Well, in that case, if you’re not willing—’
There was no time for this. I looked past the guard and saw a priest in the yard, directing men who were loading a cart in front of the bishop’s residence. I shouted to him, waving the letter in my hand. The priest looked up and walked across towards where I stood with the two, now angry guards. ‘What appears to be the problem here?’
‘I have an important letter for Bishop Albert from Abbot Theodoric in Polozk. It is for his eyes only, but these men will not allow me entry.’
At a word from the priest, the guards let us through reluctantly and we followed him into the yard. He told us he would go and see the bishop while we were to wait outside. I looked at Kovals, who had become noticeably quiet since we had arrived in Riga. I think he must have been intimidated by the size of the town, which for me seemed ridiculously small after seeing London and Lübeck, but must have appeared like a great city to him.
The men continued to load the wagons in the yard. I wondered what would happen for our mission here when the last of the pilgrims left. Riga would be empty of troops again just when a new war was about to break out. It was a worrying prospect.
A few moments later, the priest returned, followed by the intimidating figure of Bishop Albert. As I had thought when I’d first seen him, he was built more like a warrior than a man of God, and my heart began pounding as he frowned upon seeing me. I remembered how he had berated me in his hall.
‘Ah, the young man from the Militia of Christ that caused me such problems the last time I was in Lübeck. What do you want? Were you not sent with Abbot Theodoric’s mission to Polozk?’
‘Yes…’ I felt the intensity of his stare like a physical force. ‘He sent us to deliver this letter to you about a planned attack on our mission here by King Vladimir of Polozk.’ I handed him the letter.
‘Where is the abbot now?’
‘He was still in the city when we left.’
Albert grunted and broke the seal, reading it quickly before looking back at me. ‘This is very grave news. If you had arrived in two days’ time, I would already be on the journey back to the Empire to recruit more pilgrims. Now it seems God has decided otherwise.’
That was good. I wasn’t sure if it was the right time to ask, but when not now then probably never. I swallowed my doubts. ‘Abbot Theodoric promised a half mark of silver to Kovals if he completed the task…’
Albert looked me directly in the eye, clearly irritated. ‘It will be arranged.’ He turned to the priest who nodded and disappeared into the hall.
‘What will happen now?’ I blurted out.
There was a short pause. He examined me, clearly unhappy with what he saw. ‘I don’t see what that has to do with you. You really are an impudent young man. I think you forget your place in the order of things.’
‘I meant no offence, Your Excellency…’
‘You are nothing but trouble. I was informed by some of the merchants in Lübeck that you were an arrogant boy who thought himself better than his peers. I see now what they mean.’
I lowered my eyes and looked at the ground.
‘I suggest you return to your convent. Do not forget you are still under holy orders. But mark my words, I have not forgotten you. If the merchant’s guild in Lübeck give me more evidence when I return that you committed crimes, you will face justice. And next time, Abbot Theodoric will not be able to help you.’ He turned his back and returned into the hall leaving Kovals and me standing.
The priest reappeared and gave Kovals a small bag. We left the yard, past the surly guards and back into the street. I turned to Kovals. ‘Well, that is the leader of the Christian Church here in Livonia.’ I felt angry and humiliated about what had just happened. ‘He didn’t even thank us for risking our lives to warn him about the coming attack.’
‘No.’ Kovals said. ‘But at least he give me my silver.’
I smiled. ‘Yes, at least he did that.’
‘I think maybe, he might not like you.’
‘You might be right.’ I sighed. ‘It’s a long story.’
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