Chapter Six
Raven waited until the knight leading herto the kitchens rounded a corner. Then, she excused herself by professing exhaustion. She turned quickly back down the hallway to follow Landyn. He knew more than he was telling her. He’d said he had responsibilities. What responsibilities did he have? He should be concerned with the group of black-tunicked men who had killed the Templar Knights. And finding the man with the eye patch.
She trailed Landyn stealthily, being careful to remain out of his eyesight. He was hard not to notice. He was taller than the monks and most of the knights. His thick, wavy hair hung to his broad shoulders. His gait was confident and powerful.
He entered a room through the open doors.
Raven paused at the opening, pressing herself against the stone wall. She twisted her neck and peeked in.
A table covered with a plain white cloth was at the front of the room with a wooden cross in the center. Behind this, a large cross hung on the wall. Chairs lined the room, facing the table. It was a chapel.
Raven’s eyebrows rose in surprise. What kind of responsibilities could Landyn have here? Did he need to speak with the priest?
Landyn’s boots echoed as he walked up the aisle.
There was one other man kneeling in the front row. Was that who Landyn was meeting?
He dropped to a knee before the altar and made the sign of the cross, touching his forehead, chest, and each shoulder. Then he knelt on the stone floor and clasped his hands.
Raven stared in confusion. He was praying! She never would have marked him as a religious man. But all the Templar Knights were well-known as knights of God.
Another thought struck her. Was he praying for the men that had lost their lives? Was he praying for her father? A heavy guilt descended over her. She should be doing the same. It couldn’t hurt. But she had not been raised in any faith or belief. The only things she trusted were the edge of a blade and her family. Still, saying quiet words or a simple goodbye might be fitting.
What would it accomplish? Angrily, she turned away from the chapel. There had to be justice for her father’s murder. She was going to make sure of it.
She walked down the hallway. Landyn wouldn’t give her any information, so she needed to talk to someone who would know about the mission and the men who had attacked. She would speak with the Templar in charge of the chateau. The commander.
Landyn always felt better after praying. His mind was clearer and more focused. He had asked for guidance with Raven.
The task of protecting her was something he didn’t want any part of, especially because of her vow of revenge. Still, it was important to him to honor John’s last wish. He planned to find her after speaking with the commander and discuss her plans.
As he approached the commander’s working room, he heard two voices and recognized both. Apprehension snaked through him.
“It is a great loss. I will miss him terribly.” It was the commander’s deep voice.
“Yes. He often spoke of your friendship,” Raven said. “And how important that mission was to him. All those knights… I just wish I knew who had attacked them.”
“It was the king’s men. We didn’t think they were that close. They must have been watching the chateau.”
“And the man with the eye patch?”
Landyn hurried to step into the room...
But he was too late.
“Captain Pierre Boucher.”
The commander looked up from behind his desk. His white hair and beard blended into his ivory tunic adorned with the red cross. His wrinkled hands were folded on the desk, and he leaned forward.
Raven twisted in the chair before the desk to lock gazes with Landyn. When her stare alighted on him, a guarded veil fell over her eyes before she looked back at the commander.
“Ahh, Landyn!” the commander called. “I wanted to speak to you. Come.” He stood. “It has been a pleasure meeting you, Raven. My condolences for your father. We shall all miss him.”
“Thank you,” Raven replied solemnly.
As she walked past Landyn to exit the room, she gave him a triumphant glance. She now knew who had killed her father.
Landyn shook his head as she departed.
