Rose by Traci E. Hall Page B

dominance. “Welcome to Antioch. Beware of those outside our brother hood. There are few men who deserve trust. Stay in our fraternity whenever possible. We eat together, pray together, and stand guard against evil.”
    â€œI am assigned to King Louis’s army. Do I still check in with his captain?”
    Commander Bartholomew scowled. “Sergeants will want you to drill with them, which is acceptable. Leave a note with the secretary when you go in and out of the Templar House. We prefer you to be with another Templar whenever possible.”
    â€œEverard de Charney and I have been working together well.”
    â€œI met him already. How is it the two of you became separated now?”
    It had taken some deception on Dominus’s part to get Everard to return the horses so he could scout the area. Unfortunately, he’d found the commander. “I required some privacy,” Dominus said, gesturing to the outdoor latrine by the soldier’s practice field.
    The commander grunted. “The stable is that way. I will have the chaplain bring you weapons after you have been given a room assignment.” He paused. “The armorer is nearby, though, and he could take your measurements.”
    â€œI will finish my personal business and then find the Templar House. Thank you for your assistance and patience.”
    The older man gave a stern nod.
    Dominus bowed his head as he left. As he made his way to the stables, his belly growled, but he ignored it.
    He chose a fine gray stallion with good teeth and strong, muscled legs. The stable master then pointed him toward the armorer, where he was fitted for chain mail and battle gear, paid for by the Templars.
    The area inside the walls around the palace was like many others, bustling with business, from metalwork to foodstuff. Dominus passed by a booth selling meat pastries. He bought two and pushed them into his pocket, saving them until he could eat them in private. The scent of brown gravy made his mouth water.
    He had never been fond of fasting, even if it was good for his soul. He wondered how Mamie fared in this new place. What was Prince Raymond like? His palace was well tended, with a patrol keeping the peace. Not as big as Constantinople—or as Greek. Most of the people spoke French or something close enough to it that he could understand.
    The clash of metal against metal caught his ear, and he wandered toward the end of the field, watching the Antioch foot soldiers practice lunges. A team of men worked together, alternating offensive and defensive positions. None of the men wore the white tunic of a Templar. Dominus stretched his sword arm, feeling out of practice. He needed a few days of exercise before tackling the Turks and kicking their arses out of Edessa. Commander Bartholomew did not seem to like him, which could prove problematic once Dominus received his orders.
    â€œDo not borrow trouble,” he told himself, stuffing a bite of flaky beef pastry into his mouth, savoring the small bits of carrots and peas. “Wait for it to find you first.” He finished the meat pie, saving the other for later. “It always does.”

    Mamie’s senses awakened with pleasure at the subtle fragrances from oil lamps and candles that permeated the second-floor hall. Lavender, rose, jasmine. Sun found its way through many thin windows from the vaulted ceiling, shining on the cool marble floor. Pots of indoor plants provided a crisp green contrast to the bright mosaics and murals covering the walls, combined to create a lovely atmosphere that spoke to all of her—mind, body, and spirit.
    Constance opened a door to an airy chamber that seemed even more spacious after the small tent on board the ship. “Come inside, mesdames. This suite has an inner chamber that I thought Queen Eleanor might like. There is a trundle bed for your maid.”
    Eleanor peeked through the door between the two rooms. “Wonderful.”
    Larissa