October 12th 1216 A.D. Daybreak – Wisbech – Having Breakfast

The Templar knight was breaking his fast at first light. He had received word the previous evening from the Earl of Pembroke. It was just the message, ‘May God be with you.’ Innocuous enough, but it was the code words for which he had been waiting. Their plan was to go ahead.

Henry and James, fellow Templars were on the bench alongside him, eating their morning bread as if it was going be their last. Which there was a distinct chance it could be. Their companion, the monk Brother Robert, was seated opposite them at the table of the inn where they were staying.

The man from Cartmel did not share the knights’ appetite though. He had a sheen of sweat already spreading across his forehead. His eyes were darting nervously from side to side. More than a cursory glance, would reveal a faint trembling of his arms beneath his sleeves. He looked as though he hadn’t slept since arriving from Swineshead Abbey late on the previous evening. That was a correct assumption, as he hadn’t had a wink of sleep. Allard sighed. The monk was absolutely critical to the next twenty-four hours. They could ill afford him to be overcome by nerves.

“Brother Robert, pray calm yourself. You will have myself and Brothers Henry and James as your constant supporters throughout the day. The day will bring a chance for you to demonstrate your remarkable skills.”

The monk rewarded his breakfast companions with a weak insipid grin. It didn’t fill any of them with confidence.

The door of the lodging house was energetically flung open to reveal the King’s Treasurer surrounded by two protective men of arms.

“Brother Allard, you have our promised guide?”

He indicated Brother Robert with a measured incline of his head. The monk seemed to have regained some composure and nodded at the deputation in the doorway.

“Come then. We need to make good speed to reach Swineshead Abbey by nightfall.”

The monk rose from his seat and disappeared into the throng gathered round the door. The group gathered round him and they disappeared into the early morning mist. Allard turned to his comrades.

“Well, no turning back now.”