01 - Murder in the Holy City Read Online Free Page A

Bohemond, is actively hostile to it.”
    “But Bohemond is no fool,” said Hugh. “As you know, I have been in his service since I was a child, and I have come to respect him like I respect no other man, except perhaps you.” Geoffrey looked away, embarrassed at Hugh’s blunt expression of friendship. Hugh saw his discomfort and smiled before continuing. “Bohemond might gripe and bluster, but he knows how useful you have been to his nephew. He is quite resentful that the Duke of Normandy assigned you to Tancred, and not to him—he would dearly love to have you in his retinue. But all this has not answered my question. Why did you agree to come on Crusade in the first place?”
    Geoffrey sighed as he recalled events that had occurred three years before. “Tancred and Bohemond were besieging Amalfi—a wealthy merchant town that had found itself on the wrong side of Bohemond. One day, Tancred and I saw groups of men riding past with red crosses sewn onto the backs of their surcoats. Tancred’s brother was among them, and he told us that the Pope had called for all Christians to set out for the Holy Land to free it from the infidel. Bohemond and Tancred alike saw an opportunity to gain a fortune and lands beyond their wildest dreams. They abandoned the siege of Amalfi that same day and set about raising their troops so that they might lead the Crusade. You, I take it, were among them?”
    Hugh nodded. “I was on Bohemond’s business in Germany at the time. But when I heard the Pope’s call, I knew Bohemond would rally to it. I hastened to him as fast as I could get a horse to carry me, and we were off toward the Holy Land within the month. But you are being obtuse with me, Geoffrey. Why did you follow Tancred? Surely he would have agreed if you had asked to be left behind in Italy?”
    Geoffrey gave him a look of disbelief. “He most certainly would not! When young Tancred left his home in Italy, he knew he would never return. It is his intention to carve out a kingdom for himself in the Holy Land—just as Bohemond means to do and Tancred wants me with him. And I was willing enough, because I had read a little of Arab philosophy and medicine, and I saw it as an opportunity to learn more.”
    “So that was your motive?” asked Hugh. “Learning and books?” He smiled suddenly. “I had guessed as much, knowing you as I do. And have you discovered what you hoped to find?”
    “I have not!” said Geoffrey vehemently. Hugh looked startled at the force of his words. “I have found bloodshed, massacres, disease, flies, dust, and hatred. And we are so concerned with the basics of our survival here that there is little time for learning.”
    “Come now,” said Hugh, still smiling. “It is not so bad. You are learning Arabic, I heard, so you are at least achieving something! But we are growing maudlin here, by your fire. We need some diversion. Continue reading your father’s letter. That should suffice.”
    Geoffrey dragged his thoughts back to the home he had not seen for years, and tried to concentrate on his father’s disjointed letter. “He has hanged three Welshmen who he believes were stealing his sheep. Lord help us, Hugh! The man is a fool! I doubt very much he has the real culprits, and he is likely to bring the fury of the hanged men’s relatives upon himself with such a rash act.”
    “And what would you have done?” asked Hugh, stretching his hands toward the fire, although the room was not cold.
    “Tried to parley with the villages I believed were stealing,” said Geoffrey. “Or set a better watch over the sheep during vulnerable times to prevent the thefts in the first place.”
    Hugh snorted in derision. “Your father was right when he sent you away from his flocks! You are far too soft to be the lord of a manor!”
    “And now we come to the real purpose of my father’s letter,” said Geoffrey, ignoring Hugh and reading on. “He observes that I am careless for riches, but asks that I