<blockquote> <p> The Knights Templar </p> </blockquote> <p> They had all joined taking three vows: poverty, chastity, and obedience?for they were monks: warrior monks, dedicated to theprotection of pilgrims in the Holy Land -- until stories spread by anavaricious king who wanted their wealth for his own destroyed the order. </p> <p> There was one knight, however, who escaped the stake, vowing justiceas he watched his innocent brothers die. </p> <blockquote> <p> In the Service of the Lord </p> </blockquote> <p> Simon Puttock has not been bailiff of Lydford Castle long in this year of 1316, when he is called to a nearby village to examine a burned-out cottage and the dead body within. But it is the newly arrived knight, Sir Baldwin Furnshill, who discerns the deceased was no victim of a tragic mishap; he was, in fact, murdered prior to the blaze. Simon would be well-served by accepting further assistance from this astute, though haunted and secretive stranger. For a second fatal burning indicates that some harsh evil has invaded this once-peaceful place, and its hunger has yet to be sated. </p>