La librairie des livres interdits

Marc Levy

Description

At noon, the men left the castle of Blanchefort and went on horseback to Rennes-le-Chateau.
Clermont contemplated the surroundings with interest, for soon these lands were to become his property. The Chevalier saw several well-maintained villages, vast pastures with many livestock, well-groomed vineyards. All this inspired hope in his heart: Blanchefort Castle would become his family nest, and he and Eleanor would be financially secure.
Finally, the riders reached Rennes-le-Chateau, a small village founded by the Arians many centuries ago around the chapel of Mary Magdalene. Here the Arians settled in order to avoid the persecution of the Roman Catholic Church, which declared Arianism a heresy. There were many Arian villages like Rennes-le-Chateau in those days on the lands of southern Languedoc. Now the descendants of the Arians began to be called Cathars, but the essence of their faith has not changed much.
The gaze of the neophytes (new adherents of religious doctrine) opened up a spacious room with simple furnishings: in the middle stood a table, around it were stools, near the walls lay several mattresses stuffed with fresh straw. At the entrance stood a wooden bucket filled with water. The window was closed with shutters, allowing meager sunlight to enter through them.
Amilien immediately took off his vestments, quenched his thirst from a pail of water, settled down on one of the mattresses and closed his eyes. His thoughts drifted away from Rennes-le-Chateau to the Holy Land, and then to Cyprus, where the central preceptory of the order was destined to arise.
Raymond and Clermont followed suit.
As soon as Clermont lay down and closed his eyes, the face of Eleanor appeared before him.
Raymond was overcome, by no means, by love thoughts. The burden of power forced him to think about more pressing issues. And there were plenty of them: How to keep the vassals in obedience? How to get rid of papal spies infesting the Languedoc? In particular: how to get rid of the Dominicans, who were authorized by the Pontifex to conduct an inquisitorial investigation recently approved by a special bull. What is the best way to manage the financial support of the Grand Master du Plessis?
(In the Middle Ages in Europe: a papal, imperial or royal act (letter, letter, treaty, etc.), sealed with a round metal seal.)
... The sun was going down. In the house where the neophytes settled down, it got dark. Raymond got up from the mattress, lit a candle with the help of a tinder box, prudently left by the Master, and sat down at the table.
Amilien also woke up and joined his brother-in-law.
They discussed the events of recent days in an undertone, trying not to wake Clermont. Clermont was in the land of dreams. The young groom dreamed of Eleanor, with whom he indulged in love pleasures. But suddenly Baphomet appeared and the voluptuous languor in which the lovers were, suddenly ended.
Clermont opened his eyes, looking around, he got up from the mattress, he was tormented by thirst. Having drunk from a bucket, he began to pace the room, thinking: Why at such a crucial moment did he dream of Baphomet? Maybe Baphomet wanted to remind about his existence? Who knows, perhaps Clermont owes magic to unexpected wealth?
Finally, Raymond could not stand it:
"What's wrong with you, my brother? Are you nervous about? In vain ... Everything is going fine."
Clermont stopped and looked at his older brother, wondering if he should confess to him what was found in his great-grandfather's chest? Or not worth it?
"The Order of the Templars has concentrated great power in their hands," said Amilien. "It is an honor for a knight to join the ranks of the Order. And we were unexpectedly honored with this honor! So is it worth the doubt?"
"You're right…" agreed Clermont, feeling more and more agitated as midnight approached.