Book 2. The Bloody Baphomet. The Rebel Kingdom of Languedoc

By Olga Kryuchkova

'...Murder was a common occurrence for Olivier. If anyone wanted to get rid of the enemy: so this is a couple of trifles. Olivier was ready to come to the rescue for a corresponding reward. For many years now, he has not failed his master, Abbot Arnold. Many such orders were given to him by the Holy Father over the years that have passed.
“I had to kill many on the Abbot's orders! But the holy father paid regularly, you can’t say anything. And this time he paid me in silver, he didn’t stint. Moreover, he made me understand that I should get rid of the witnesses to the murder. Of course, I will not leave them alive. Otherwise, the Dominican monks (and they are famous fanatics) will visit and burn us, venerable Abbot, at the same stake!
They will report everything to the Pope, and even then you will not hide anywhere. And is it conceivable to kill the Legate himself with his retinue, the messenger of the Holy See! Not otherwise than the abbot, contacted Satan himself! Yes, and okay, I don’t care: the main thing is that the Abbot generously paid me for the murder,” Olivier was thinking, sitting in the bushes.
He constantly looked at the crossing over the Rhone River, and to be sure, he also planted the observer on a tree. This guy has a keen eye, not without reason he is a hunter. Olivier recruited three notorious scoundrels, greedy for money.
What Olivier respected and feared the Abbot for was his frankness. The Abbot summoned him to his place two weeks ago and asked:
“Olivier, are you my faithful servant?”
“Of course, holy father, why do you doubt?” Olivier was surprised.
“I probably don't. The main thing is that these doubts do not appear in you, my son,” the Abbot looked at his devoted servant in a paternal way.
“And why should I have doubts? You know, holy father, if anything is necessary, I will always do it,” Olivier confirmed his readiness.
“That's good. Then we'll get straight to the point. In about ten days, a Legate from the Pope himself will arrive at the Count of Toulouse. He will stay in Montsegur for a couple of days no more, then set off on his return journey. So, he should not get to Rome. Somewhere, not far from Montsegur, on the land of Languedoc, serious trouble must happen to him and his people,” the Abbot looked meaningfully at Olivier. “It is desirable that no one knows about it, except for you and me. Here, take it,” Arnold handed the servant a heavy a pouch of silver.
“Everything is clear, master. I will do what needs to be done!” Olivier bowed. “I am your faithful servant,” he confirmed once again.
Olivier decided to involve trusted people in the dangerous business. And now his heart was heavy. He was sorry to kill his accomplices. After all, they are notorious scoundrels: they will not spare their own mother and kill them. Yes, and they shoot from crossbows and bows very accurately. He will have to look for other people in the future.
Olivier lay in the bushes on the warm skin of a wolf. The ground was cold and Olivier didn't want to catch a cold. The sparse bare bushes didn't hide the ambush well, so he had to lie on the frozen ground. And as luck would have it, you can’t drink wine, because the hand of a professional killer must be firm and the eye clear. He carefully looked at the river Rhone. In this place the river was shallow and narrow, you can drive across the river even in winter.
“They're coming!” Shouted the observer, jumped down from the tree and lay down on the ground next to Olivier.
The Legate's cortege appeared on the other bank.
“These people,” Olivier said almost in a whisper, “are not afraid of anything! What self-assurance! They think that since their master is a Legate, then death will bypass him. An arrow fired from a bow doesn't care: a Legate, a count or a peasant, the living flesh is the same for everyone.”
The cortege entered the water of the Rhone, two guards rode in front. Behind them, riding in a velvet fur r

• Language: English
• Publisher: Olga Kryuchkova
• Release date: Jun 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215868072

Olga Kryuchkova

Olga Kryuchkova began her creative career in 2006. During this time, the author had more than 100 publications and reprints (historical novels, historical adventures, esotericism, art therapy, fantasy). A number of novels were co-written with Elena Kryuchkova.

Book preview

‘The Knights Templar and the Bloody Baphomet’ Book Series

Book 2

The Bloody Baphomet. The Rebel Kingdom of Languedoc.

Alternate History of the Templar Order

Cover: Images from Pixabay.

Warning: The book may contain descriptions of violent scenes. The behavior of the heroes of the book (both men and women) does not correspond to modern canons. For life and morality in the Middle Ages were very different from today. I want to note that women were highly dependent on men and were forced to obey their will.

Chapter 3

Early 13th century. Europe

The nobles and clergy of France were only waiting for an excuse to declare Crusade against the heretics of Languedoc, who were called Cathars. And such an opportunity presented itself to them. The Roman Holy See had long shown dissatisfaction with the Languedoc. The reigning Pope Innocent III was aggressive towards the religious teachings of the Cathars. It also gained strength, spreading in Spain, Germany, Italy.

At this time, the King of France, Philip Augustus II, was in a difficult financial situation. The French treasury was depleted. France was so small that it could not resist the English Aquitaine (the Duchy of Aquitaine came under the English crown after the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II Plantagenet). Aquitaine actively extended its influence to neighboring lands. The exorbitant craving for luxury, all sorts of balls and holidays, hunting, masquerades and young mistresses did their job, France's finances were melting before our eyes.

The wealth of Raymond VI of Toulouse aroused the burning envy of the French king. The independent behavior of the Count of Toulouse, who neglected the authority of France and the authority of Philip, as the anointed of God, outraged the French nobility and clergy.

The King of France went on a pilgrimage to the Abbey of Citeaux. The Abbey was located near the city of Dijon in the territory of the Duchy of Burgundy. The ruling house of Burgundy was associated with the French crown and strongly supported Philip Augustus. The King of France patronized the Abbey and discussed the problem of the hated Languedoc with Abbot Arnold. The Abbot was a zealous Catholic and greedy for the riches of others. During one of the conversations, and the king and the abbot were always distinguished by amazing mutual understanding, the king remarked:

Dear Abbot, don’t you think that the house of Toulouse should be dealt with harshly? They have absolutely no respect for the Holy Church! My faithful people report to me that Mass has not been celebrated in the churches of Languedoc for years. The fish, as you know, rots from the head, and this very head contributes to the spread of heresy, which is trying to penetrate into France, Philip was indignant. As far as I know, there are four main Cathar churches in Languedoc. As my faithful people reported, at the initiative of the Toulouse community, a joint meeting of representatives of the Cathars churches was held. At the assembly, the Cathars elected their bishops. Also, one of the Bishops of France was present at the Cathar meeting. This heretical contagion has penetrated deep into France! Count Raymond V tried not to publicize the fact that he belonged to a heretical church. But his son Raymond VI, with the support of ardent heretics from the family of Trencavel and de Foix, does not at all intend to reckon with the Catholic Church.

Sire, I completely agree with you! Said the abbe zealously. Raymond VI should be called to respect the Holy Church. And if this does not help, then we will declare a crusade against Languedoc.

(Sire is a respectful form of address for reigning kings in Europe.)

"Yes, Holy Father, I also have similar thoughts. The Languedoc is too good, rich and fertile. The kingdom should become a protectorate of France and pay taxes, and considerable ones. If, however, discontent and unrest arise in the Languedoc, they should be suppressed. The vassals loyal to the Toulouses must be destroyed. Their lands should be divided among our barons, who can be relied upon if necessary. Rome should be contacted so that Pope Innocent III will pass an edict obliging the house of Toulouse to pay