The Templars' Last Days Read Online Free Page B

threw long shadows across the highly polished wooden floor.
    As William approached the centre of the gallery, the left wall of which was dominated by a huge marble fireplace, he chanced a quick glance up at his favourite portrait which hung over it. It was a portrait of Philip and his wife Joan upon their marriage some 23 years ago. The marriage was initially made by Philip as a means of acquiring the lands of Champagne and Brie, thus expanding his lands, influence and income. Surprisingly love blossomed and they were blessed with a happy and fruitful union.
    By the time this thought had gone through William's mind, he had reached the door to the music room. Protocol demanded that he now made his presence known and await the King’s pleasure before he could enter. After what seemed an intolerably long time, the doors to the music room swung open, and the butler announced the presence of William to the King.
    Taking this as his cue, William stepped purposely into the music room, gave the requisite bow to acknowledge the King, and was about to speak when he noticed that the King was accompanied by his Queen. William quickly offered a second bow to her, and now awaited the King’s instructions.
    The music room, in keeping with the rest of the Palace, was decorated to the highest of standards. It was a large square room, dominated by a magnificent chandelier which hung majestically from the centre of the ceiling. The floor was adorned with several couches and chairs upon which William had spent many enjoyable evenings listening to the finest troubadours of the land as they sought royal patronage.
    The large expanse of windows which filled most of the wall opposite to the doors was the usual place for the troubadours to sit and play their latest offerings, and to William's right was the large private area reserved for the King and Queen, their family and personal guests.
    Today, the tall figure of the King was dressed in the drabness of a black linen tunic, in acknowledgement of today being 11th July, with this year being the fifth anniversary of the death of his close companion Pierre Flotte. A large jewel mounted within a silver brooch shone from his left breast as did the silver buckle of the belt around his waist, as the sun’s rays darted off them.
    Pierre Flotte had been brutally slaughtered during Philip's first attempt to annex Flemish lands on 11 July 1302. It was during this battle that many of France's finest noblemen perished, and the mighty French army suffered a major defeat. This unexpected setback caused King Philip to vow that he would take his revenge – not only because of the humiliating manner in which the defeat was inflicted on the pride of French nobility, but in the name of his dear friend Pierre. Besides which, Philip was still desperate for the much needed money he could raise from the acquisition of such a wealthy population.
    It was to be a further two years before King Philip was able to exact his vow of revenge on the Flemish army at the battle of Mons-en-Pévèle on 18th August 1304. Although sustaining some personal injuries in the battle, he finally succeeded in taking back the lands that had been lost. As was the King's way, he then ruthlessly proceeded to tax and pillage the population of these regained lands to pay for the war and to build up his Treasury.
    William was pleased that the King too had remembered the importance of today, and wished that he could have been able to convey better news than that he was about to deliver.
    Protocol dictated that the King would not discuss matters of state in the Queen’s presence. William's patience was now really being put to the test when the King gestured for him to sit whilst the Queen proceeded to play her harp, which she had been learning how to play. Both the King and William listened politely, yet both knew they had more important matters to discuss.
    As the tones of the harp filled both the room and William's ears, his eyes were drawn to the