3 — 22 June — Citizen’s arrest.–Copy

First Chapter of Thread B — Du Guesclin’s Search

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Du Guesclin arrives in Monsegur just an hour after Ximene’s departure. He is arrested  by the constable of Monsegur, Sebastien Sartre, but is still able to send Gerade, one of his men to look for Ximene 

Bertrand du Guesclin – 22 June 1355

Du Guesclin cautiously approached the village. He was still in a black rage as he searched for his prey. He made a conscious effort to keep his rage under control.

He had only half the number of men he had brought to Monsegur. Some he knew had been killed but the others had simply run away.

He vowed never to ever get involved in another fight where he was not under total control.

He moved quietly around the outskirts of the village looking in barns and outhouses. Suddenly he found himself surrounded by a dozen soldiers.

‘Good morning gentlemen, my name is Sebastien Sartre;  and to what may we owe the pleasure of your company?’

The soldiers were armed with pikes and crossbows. Du Guesclin realized immediately that resistance would be futile. ‘We are searching for two young people, a boy and a girl, who are heretics. I am acting for the Bishop of Pamiers’

Sebastien spoke lazily but came straight to the point. ‘That may be true but you may also be Routiers, making an assessment of what we have of value and planning a full-scale raid later.’ He smiled but it was not a humorous smile. ‘I will tell you what I will do. We will hold you here and send for a member of the bishops staff who might verify the tale you tell.’

He paused. ‘The nearest point at which we could find such a representative would be Foix, but we may have to go all the way to Pamiers. It will take at least a day possibly longer.’

Du Guesclin’s eyes bulged. ‘If the heretics get away as a result of your interference it will not bode well for you.’

‘I do not intend to interfere with the churches work, so I will make a concession. I will allow you to put a man on the road on either side of the village to ensure that no-one leaves. But you monsieur and the rest of your associates will remain under my care until your credentials are verified. So you see. I am not obstructing your or the Church’s  activities.’

Du Guesclin promised himself revenge but accepted the terms and asked Gerade to man the road to the east and Justin the road to the west. He found a moment to whisper in Gerade’s ear.

‘Do not wait on the outskirts of the village, ride along the road and check everything and everyone. If they are not here I think they will have gone east towards the Mediterranean and there may be something which will give them away.’

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Extract from The Prisoner of Foix--Chapter 43 -The EntranceNo need to buy a Kindle. Read it on your computer or tablet

John Stanley-26th April 1355

 

'Looks like we are going to see a bit of excitement, John. The Captain tried to get an agreement from the Prince that if there is surf running across the channel to Arcachon we will turn back to Bordeaux, but the Prince would hear none of it. Instead, he has offered to provide insurance for all three ships. If they are damaged or sunk, the owners will be compensated and every sailor who makes the passage will be given a bounty payment. What none of this seems to take into account is that if we sink in rough, fast-flowing waters we might all drown.'

John raised his eyebrows. 'But that is what we are going to do?'

'Yes, despite the fact that surf running accross the entrance is not uncommon and the deep water channel moves continually. In the end, the Prince attacked their captains on their weakest point, their professional pride! He threw down the gauntlet. He offered to take the Sally first through the channel, and to take control during the passage.' He raised his brow. 'We are going into the Bay of Arcachon, come what may! '

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Extract from The Eagle of Carcassone -- Chapter 24-- A Real GoddessNo need to buy a Kindle. Read it on your computer or tablet

John Stanley - 22 July 1355

An hour later John walked with Ximene close to the river along the valley below St Feriole. It was the very essence of a summer’s day. The sun was fierce but in the shadow of the trees, it was cool and fragrant. The trees and shrubs along the riverbank hid their progress, from the Château, from St Feriole.

Eventually they reached a point where John thought it was safe to emerge from cover. To his satisfaction the stream extended into a pool with a sandy beach, shaded by trees. Where the stream entered the pool there was a flat grassy area, almost circular. Behind this, the bulk of two mountain ridges provided a splendid backdrop. He looked around once more ‘Not just a good training ground but a great training ground. If the Greek heroes knew about this they might be tempted to join me, to train with me’

Ximene laughed out loud. He turned to look at her. She had removed her outer clothes and was wearing a white chemise, cut short so that it barely reached her knees. Around her waist, she wore a plaited leather belt, obviously fashioned from the multitude of leather straps to be found in the tackle room.

She ran her hands down over her breasts. ‘When you were unconscious I heard you muttering about gods and goddesses, so  I have decided that from now on, for you, I will be the goddess.’

Available February 2020
The Prisoner of FoixVol 1 of the series—The Treasure of Trencavel

Aquitaine, an English possession, is in crisis. It is under threat from neighbouring nations and internal dissension.

The Black Prince, King Edward III’s eldest son has been given the task of taking command in Aquitaine.

Suddenly there is an opportunity. Ximene Trencavel is the heiress to the lands of Occitan, to the east of Aquitaine: lands controlled by the Franks. Ximene wants independence, both for herself and for Occitan.

A union between Aquitaine and Occitan would be mutually beneficial. The Black Prince undertakes a secret journey to meet Ximene to negotiate a marriage contract. It is, however, a marriage neither of them really wants.

Meanwhile, the  Franks plot to murder Ximene to prevent ,not just the marriage, but any kind of union between England and Occitan.

The Eagle Of CarcassonneVol II of the series—The Treasure of Trencavel

The loose alliance between Ximene Trencavel and the Black Prince is under threat.

The Prince invades Occitan, to show his support for Ximene but it becomes an invasion which creates more problems than it solves.

The Prince has fallen hopelessly in love with Joan of Kent and Joan is now determined to marry him and become the next Queen of England.

Joan is therefore  determined to convince Ximene that she should not marry the Prince.

Part of her strategy is to encourage Ximene’s relationship with John Stanley—one of the Princes bodyguards—not an easy task as both John and Ximene have doubts about their compatibility.

However, John is grievously injured in a battle and Ximene commits herself to nurse him back to health.