No one was to know what the emperor was proposing to do, so as not to alert the people, or the bishop himself, who took Balduino to be a good Christian who would never raise his hand against the Church.
The chancellor sent for the Comte de Dijon, to go over with him the details of the shroud's delivery. The king of France had given the count precise instructions as to what to do when his nephew turned over the shroud and how to arrange payment for it.
Robert de Dijon was around thirty, a powerfully built man of medium height, aquiline nose and blue eyes. The count's beauty had awakened the interest of the ladies at Balduino's court in the short time since his arrival. It was not easy for the servant sent by de Molesmes to find him; he had to bribe several servants in the palace before he discovered him, at last, in the apartment of Dona Maria, the emperor's recendy widowed cousin.
When the Comte de Dijon presented himself in the chancellor's study he still bore traces of the musky perfume the noble lady left always in her wake.
"Tell me, de Molesmes, what the reason is for such great hurry?"
"My lord, I must know the instructions you have been given by good King Louis, so that I may please him."
"You know that the king wishes the emperor to hand over the Mandylion."
"Forgive my coming straight to the point: What price is Louis willing to pay for the shroud?"
"Will the emperor accede to his uncle's request, then?"
"My lord, allow me to ask the questions."
"Before answering them I must know whether Balduino has made a decision."
In two long strides, de Molesmes planted himself before the count and glared into his eyes, measuring the sort of man he had before him. The Frenchman did not flinch; indeed, he hardly moved a muscle. Unwavering, he held the counselor's gaze.
"The emperor is meditating upon his uncle's offer. But he must know how much the king of France is prepared to pay him for the Mandylion, where it will be taken, and who is to warrant its safety. Without knowing these and other details, the emperor can hardly be expected to make such a weighty decision."
"My orders are to await the emperor's answer, and if Balduino agrees to deliver the Mandylion to Louis, to take it myself to France and deliver it into the hands of the king's mother, Dona Blanca, who will look after it until the king returns from the Crusade. If the emperor would like to sell the Mandylion, then Louis would give his nephew two sacks of gold, each the weight of a man, and return the lands of Namur to him. He would also make a gift to him of certain lands in France, which he might lease at a good yearly rent. If, on the contrary, the emperor wishes only to lend the shroud for a certain time, the king would likewise give him two sacks of gold, which Balduino would be pledged to repay in order to recover the Mandylion. If by a certain date, to be mutually agreed upon, the emperor did not repay his pledge, then the relic would-be-come the property of the king of France."
"Louis always wins," de Molesmes said irritably.
"It is a fair offer."
"No, it is not. You know as well as I that the Mandylion is the only authentic relic possessed by Christianity."
"The king's offer is a generous one. Two sacks of gold would allow Balduino to repay his many debts."
"It is not enough."
"We are both aware, sir, that two sacks of gold, each the weight of a man, would solve many of the empire's problems. The offer is more than generous if the emperor sells the Mandylion outright, since he would also enjoy the rents of his lands in France for the rest of his days, while if he but pawns it… well, I am not certain he would be able to repay such an amount."
"Yes, you are certain. You know very well he would never be able to recover the shroud. So, tell me, have you journeyed here with two sacks of gold?"
"I have brought a document signed by Louis pledging the payment. I also have a quantity of gold as a guarantee of the king's good faith."
'And what assurance can you give us that the relic will arrive safely in France?"
'As you know, I journey with a numerous escort, and I am willing to accept in addition as many men as you think necessary to ensure the shroud's safety. My life and my honor are pledged to see the Mandylion safe in France. If the emperor agrees, we will send a message to the king."
"How much gold do you have with you now?"
"Twenty pounds in weight."
"I will send for you when the emperor has made his decision."
"I will be waiting. I confess that I will not mind lingering in Constantinople a few days more."
Francois de Charney was practicing his archery with the other Templars, as Andre de Saint-Remy watched from the window of the great hall. Young de Charney, like Andre's brother Robert, looked much like a Muslim. Both had insisted on the necessity of taking on that appearance in order to cross enemy territory without undue contretemps. They trusted in their Saracen squires, whom they treated as close comrades.
After so many years in the East, the Temple had changed. Its knights had come to appreciate the values of its enemies-the Templars had not been content to engage them only in battle but also in their daily lives, and out of that had grown the mutual respect between the Templar knights and the Saracens.
Guillaume de Sonnac had been a prudent Grand Master, and he had seen something remarkable in Robert and Francois, qualities that would allow them to be the perfect spies-for thus they were.
The two knights spoke Arabic fluently, and when they were with their squires they comported themselves as true Arabs. With their skin browned by the sun and their vestments of Saracen nobility, it was difficult to see them as the Christian gentlemen they were.
They had told Andre of their countless adventures in the Holy Land, of the enchantments of the desert where they had learned to live, of writings by the Greek philosophers of antiquity recovered by the wisdom of the Saracens, of the arts of medicine learned from them.
The young men could not conceal their admiration for the enemies they had battled, which would have worried Andre de Saint-Remy had he not seen with his own eyes the young men's devotion and commitment to the honor of the Temple.
They would remain in Constantinople until Andre gave them the Mandylion to take to the Grand Master. He shared with them his hesitation to allow them to journey alone with such a precious relic, but they assured him it was only in that way that the shroud would arrive safe at its destination, the Templar fortress of Saint-Jean d'Acre, where most of the Temple's treasures were held. Of course, Saint-Remy had to first secure the shroud of Christ, and for that he needed patience and diplomacy, not to mention cunning-all qualities that the superior of the Constantinople chapter of the Temple possessed in no small amount.
32
ADDAIO ENTERED HIS HOUSE QUIETLY, TRY-' ing not to make any noise. The journey had exhausted him. Guner would be surprised when he found him in the morning. Addaio hadn't informed anyone in Urfa he was coming back so soon.