Broken Together by K. S. Ruff Page B

Templar fought to free Western Europe and the Holy Land from Islamic
domination,” Rafael explained. “They were an elite military organization that protected
Christians and Jews. They also formed a charity, serving the sick and the poor.”
    The
waiter removed our plates before delivering an artfully presented appetizer
with two new glasses of wine. I drank the sweet pink rosé while studying the
appetizer.
    Rafael
inhaled the lamb carpaccio. “The knights originated in France. They were richly
rewarded for protecting pilgrims to the Holy Land. When they began inducting men
from other countries, those men gifted all of their cash and property to the
Order. That’s how they financed their charity work. The knights themselves were
sworn to poverty. They gained a great deal of support throughout Europe. The
organization grew to be quite large. The King of France, Philippe le Bel ,
became envious of the Templar’s power and their wealth. He persuaded the pope
to execute the knights by fabricating charges of heresy and sexual misconduct.
He was trying to gain control over their assets, their land, and wealth. Thousands
of knights were arrested. They were tortured into making false confessions.
Many were imprisoned; hundreds were burned at the stake.”
    “That’s
how they were rewarded for helping people?” I thought about the violence and
abuse perpetrated by the SVR. The SVR tortured Shae and me in an effort to
secure false confessions so they could further their military objectives in
Ukraine. They forced President Yanukovych and Prime Minister Azarov to extend
the lease allowing the Russian naval fleet to remain in Sevastopol in exchange
for our release.
    Rafael’s
eyes softened. He knew what I was thinking. “Some things never change.” He swirled
his wine. “The King of Scotland and the King of Portugal refused to persecute
them. King Dinis offered the Knights Templar refuge at their stronghold in
Portugal. They formed a new order, the Order of Christ. Their headquarters in
Portugal was relocated from Tomar to the Castle of Castro Marim during this
time. Eventually, their original stronghold in Tomar was restored. They kept a
magnificent castle and a convent in Tomar. We can visit both sites if you’d
like.”
    I
pushed my thoughts about the SVR and my plate aside. “I heard the Knights
Templar protected religious artifacts like the Holy Grail. Is that true?”
    “‘Protected,’
as in past tense?” A secretive smile tugged at his face. “The Knights Templar
still exist. They protect people, free the oppressed, and safeguard sacred
artifacts and holy sites to this very day.”
    I
stared at him for a couple of heartbeats. I couldn’t tell if he was toying with
me. “I thought the knights took a vow of celibacy.”
    Rafael’s
eyes sparked with amusement. “Knighthood isn’t bestowed on descendants. Men are
inducted.”
    The
waiter removed our plates before delivering two new glasses of wine and the
next course. Each of our plates contained a tic-tac-toe grid that appeared to
be made from a thick paste or p âté. Sea scallops were perched
across from one another, diagonally. Three separate squares in the grid had
been filled with a green, orange, and red sauce. Another corner held a square
shaped food that looked like it belonged in a box of chocolates. Green sprigs
of some unidentifiable herb were scattered over the top.
    The
dish was so creatively presented, I couldn’t bear to mess it up. I
tried the wine instead. Rafael certainly seemed knowledgeable enough. Could it
be? With the Knights Templar seeking refuge in Scotland and Portugal, odds were
high the remaining members were Scottish or Portuguese. Rafael was a Christian
and a member of an elite force, but he didn’t adhere to a vow of poverty or
celibacy.
    “Aren’t
you going to try it?” Rafael had cut his scallop into four pieces and was
dipping it into the sauce.
    “Please
tell me you’re not a Templar.” I cut into my scallop while