The de Montfort Histories - The Dove and the Devil

by Bell, Gradyn

  Because Raymonde was nearly as assiduous as Dominic was in seeking out any converts, Pons expected her to look guilty or shamefaced or uncomfortable in some way. Surely her conscience must weigh heavily on her; her hero de Montfort was spreading murder and waging war on her own people. Surely she must see that was wrong in God’s eyes! In truth she did not look anything out of the ordinary. It appeared her conscience didn’t bother her at all for she met his gaze levelly, taking in the measure of the young man who stood before her. She could see he was clearly awkward in her presence and she noticed his unwillingness to meet her eyes.

  In fact Pons could count on the fingers of one hand the number of times he had been inside a Catholic church, or any Catholic building for that matter, and he was definitely uneasy. It was true that he had been absolved of wrongdoing last year, should he have to enter such a building but was it still all right in the eyes of God? He was keenly aware that if anyone suspected his discomfiture in this place---which represented to him the great whore of Babylon---he would be hauled before a clerical court and made to recant his faith!

  Not knowing how to behave in a monastery or a convent as this building was, Pons had to be guided by the actions of the cart’s owner. Looking at the man now, the same man who had worried endlessly about the hi-jacking of his cart and his loss of earnings, it appeared he had forgotten all his complaints. He was doing his best to ingratiate himself with Sister Raymonde’ assuring her that his cart would always be available for her use and the use of the other sisters. The nun smilingly offered her thanks and turned to Pons.

  “Who have we here?” Her keen gaze took the measure of the young man who felt sure she could see his trembling knees. She noticed that he was unwilling to meet her gaze to begin with.

  “I’m looking for my little sister. This man here tells me she was brought to you by one of your friars. Is she here?” He looked around the convent garden anxiously seeking her out. “We must be on our way as quickly as possible. My aunt is waiting for us in Merens and she’ll be worried if we don’t arrive when we promised.”

  “Have no fear. Maurina is safe with us. We have treated her feet but she must stay off them for a week at least. If she doesn’t she may do permanent damage to them. I can’t imagine what you must have been thinking of, young man, to let her walk as far as she has! You must have walked for miles!” The question implicit in her voice did more to alarm Pons. “Unless you have some method of transport, a horse perhaps that she could ride, I suggest you wait here and let nature take its course.”

  “It seems we have little choice. I had not realized Maurina’s feet were so bad. She endured the pain stoically and said nothing. I am ashamed of myself. She was given into my care by our mother. I was to see her safely to our aunt and now.....” His voice broke off as he caught sight of Maurina, standing in a doorway, supported by two of the sisters.

  “Come, you may speak with her. You understand that we allow few men in here, that is, of course with the exception of Brother Dominic and his brothers from Fanjeaux. They are always welcome here.” She positively simpered as she spoke Dominic’s name. He comes to hear our confession, not as often as we would like, however.”

  No, thought Pons. I’m sure he comes as little as possible. No man would willingly allow himself to become embroiled with you, even if you are a benefactor of the convent!

  “Now you understand we cannot allow you to stay here. We are a very small order and spend most of our time in prayer and contemplation.” Her self–satisfied air had begun to grate on Pons, and he shifted impatiently from one foot to the other. She was not finished, however.

  “Perhaps you will be able to get a lift back to Fanjeaux where you could beg lodgings from the good brothers. I’m sure they would not turn you away!” She peered around, looking for the carter. Perhaps he could be of use sooner than he had expected when he had made his expansive offer to the convent!

  The only situation that Pons could imagine might be worse than the one they were in now would be to find himself in the den of iniquity in Fanjeaux that was Dominic’s house. He made excuses hurriedly, saying he would seek out friends of his father. He did not wish to trouble the brothers especially after the kindness of the sisters. Pons had no idea where his father’s friends were and indeed he was not certain that any of them had survived the Devil’s onslaught in the nearby town. Maurina’s frantic beckoning from the doorway caused him finally to break away, excusing himself from the clutches of Sister Raymonde.

  His sister’s tear-streaked face told its own story. She had gone through her own kind of hell. She was unused to lying and had been terrified she might give away the fact that she was a Cathar.

  “Where were you?’ she demanded. “I waited as long as I could. I thought you were lost or had been captured. I thought something bad had happened and I would never see you again.” She broke into heart-rending sobs as she clutched her brother to her, completely overcome by the day’s events that had landed them in the last place on earth they wished to find themselves.

  ******

  Book Two of the series, The de Montfort Histories: The Dove in Flight is due for publication later this year. If you would like to be kept informed of release dates for this and other Gradyn Bell stories, please email me at: gradynbell@btinternet.com.

  Acknowledgements

  Over the years since I first became interested in the story of the Cathars, I have read so many books that it would be impossible to list them all here. If anyone would like to read further, I have listed below my most useful sources. There are also other informative websites available, some in French that can be translated if necessary.

  While I was living in the south of France I met many delightful people who were all willing to volunteer information and indeed to search it out for me when I needed help. I thank these people - they know who they are - very much!

  Book Title List

  Baigent, Michael. Leigh, Richard, Lincoln, Henry. Holy Blood and Holy Grail. Corgi Books. London, 1987

  Bordonove, Georges. La Tragedie Cathare. Editions Flammarion. Paris, 2004

  Baudis, Dominique.Raimond “Le Cathare”. Editions Michel Lafon, France, 1996

  Griffe, Maurice. Les Cathares.Chronologue de 1022 a 1321. Editions TSH. Le Cannet, 2001

  Kersten, Holger. Gruber, Elmer R. (Trans.) The Jesus Conspiracy. Element Books Limited. Dorset, England.1995

  Le Roy Ladurie, Emmanuel. Montaillou – The Promised Land of Error. Trans. Barbara Bray. George Braziller Inc. New York, 1978

  Markwardt, Jack. Was the Shroud in Languedoc during the Missing Years?

  Http://www.shroud.com/markward.htm

  Maurin, Krystel. Les Esclarmonde. Editions Privat, Toulouse, 1995

  Oldenbourg, Zoe. Massacre at Montsegur. Phoenix Press. London, 2000

  Peter of Vaux-Cernay. The History of the Albigensian Crusade. (Trans.) W.A. Silby and M.D. Silby. The Boydell Press, Woodbridge, 2002

  Phillips, Jonathan. The Fourth Crusade and the Sack of Constantinople. Jonathan Cape. London, 2004

  Roquebert, Michel. Montsegur. Les Cendres de la Liberte. Editions Privat. Toulouse, 1995

  Copyright and Disclaimer

  Copyright © Gradyn Bell, 2014.

  All rights reserved.

  This is a work of fiction, based on actual historical characters and events. The thoughts and deeds of these historical figures are the product of the author’s imagination. Other names, characters, places, events and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, either living or dead, or to actual events, except as indicated above, is purely coincidental.

  This book is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, currently known or future inventions, except as specifically permitted in writing by
the author, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.

  The author published an earlier similar version of this story as “The Dove and the Devil” under the pen name Gradyn Bell.