"Chelsea Quinn Yarbro - Olivia 2 - Crusader's Torch" - читать интересную книгу автора (Yarbro Chelsea Quinn)

us this sop? No Franks have entered Jerusalem since it was taken, and there is no
reason to believe that this will change.
While the Knights Hospitaler are not formed for the purpose of war as are the
Knights Templar, they still hold in sacred trust the protection of Christians and the
holy sites of Our Lord's life. You share similar rule, and certainly you may
understand the need for increased vigilance on the part of those knights giving
protection and escort to pilgrims. Those who embrace the Rule of Saint Benedict
accept absolute dedication, life-long fidelity and chaste humility as the outward
 They differ from you in their knightly vows, in their mandate to take up the cause
of God and the Church as they would take up the cause of King and country. How
much greater an honor to defend the most sacred shrines of our faith than to
vindicate the claims of a King, anointed only on earth and not in Heaven. It is
possible for the Hospitalers to do more than aid the injured and ill, to guard and
protect Christians. Now they may protect Christ Himself through helping to restore
Jerusalem to Christian hands. It is true enough that the Kings of this world have
clamored and battled for possessions and honors, and that their chivalry has been
foremost in taking up the fight. How much greater cause would they find in fighting
for the preservation of our faith.
You and I must content ourselves with prayers and trust in God's great mercy;
those who have been chosen for more strife have an opportunity now to vindicate
their souls through their might of arms against an enemy so enormous that Satan
must surely be the evil angel guiding all that the pernicious Saladin does.
With your guidance, the Knights Hospitaler can bring about the transformation of
Jerusalem from vassalage to triumph again. Those of us in the Greek Church must
take care so that our actions will not be misconstrued. Chivalry breeds suspicion,
and in crises such as this one, knights will not listen to the timely warning of those
they have never known as friends. The heritage of arms and honor teaches men to put
the trust in their weapons and their oaths of fealty rather than the unity of faith in
God. It is possible that the Knights Hospitaler would regard this message with doubt
or anger. You, being given to a more contemplative and prayerful life, have a greater
comprehension of the peril we face, and for that reason, I beseech you to address the
Knights Hospitaler and urge them to be more militant in their actions, to do more
than they have done to bring about the end of the vile bondage that holds Jerusalem
in thrall to Saladin.
I will offer prayers for you and your Brothers, and for your success with the
Knights Hospitaler. I will thank God for your aid and wisdom that comes not to
succor the Greek Church, but to cast off the yoke of shame that touches all
Christians.
Alexios from Salinika
At the behest of my master, by my own hand and under seal, on the day after
Epiphany, in the Lord's Year 1189.

•2•
 A squabble had started between a man leading a donkey-cart and a French
Bourgess in his official collar; since the streets were narrow, this stopped traffic in
both directions. Under the roof-high awnings that provided some respite from the
inexorable sun, faces began to appear in window slits, adding their shouts of derision
and encouragement to the exchange.
"Is there another way?" Valence Rainaut asked of the sarjeant at his side.
"We're blocked behind, Bonsier," the sarjeant said, apparently inured to problems