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eBook Category: Spiritual/Religion/Young Adult
eBook Description: Captured from her home and forced to marry Prince Louis, a barbaric warlord, Bella enters a world of medieval knights, unexpected romance, intrigue and danger. She learns that her new husband has stolen the burial shroud of Jesus, (the Shroud of Truth) from the Christians, who value it with their lives. Now concealed within the royal fortress of Valtearea, strange occurrences begin to tke place in the castle; miracles of healings after the hearts and religious beliefs of the ruling family of Valtearea. Prince Louis, sworn to uphold his father's kingdom and its religion, is ordered to destroy the linen shroud and all those who rebel against Valtear, their God. Now Bella must protect the burial cloth from Prince Louis, a man her heart yearns to love. Through love and Christian faith, she learns that anything is possible. Join Prince Louis and Bella in this sword-rattling adventure of The Keeper of the Shroud.

eBook Publisher: Fictionwise.com, Published: 2001
Fictionwise Release Date: September 2002

2 Reader Ratings: Great Good OK Poor

Available eBook Formats [MultiFormat - What's this?]: Adobe Acrobat (PDF) [396 KB], eReader (PDB) [125 KB], Palm Doc (PDB) [119 KB], Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [108 KB], Microsoft Reader (LIT) [128 KB] - PocketPC 1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [165 KB], hiebook (KML) [314 KB], Sony Reader (LRF) [150 KB], iSilo (PDB) [97 KB], Mobipocket (PRC) [122 KB], Kindle Compatible (MOBI) [150 KB], OEBFF Format (IMP) [164 KB]
Words: 35856
Reading time: 102-143 min.
Microsoft Reader (LIT) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Format:  Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud DISABLED
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED
Microsoft Reader ISBN: 1-59062-447-5

Below the snow-tipped, black mountains where the Aude River flows, the sun rose over the largest castle in southern France--Carcassonne. Slowly, spring rays crept across the wooden bridge and up the yellow, limestone walls, brightening the large Pinte, the watchtower.

After stumbling down the stairs and nearly falling more than once, Princess Bella turned to glower at the chain-mailed guard who prodded her. Her Royal Highness shrunk away from his rough, forceful hands. She wished that she were still hiding in the castle pantry or that time had miraculously advanced to 1229, hoping an additional twenty years would find her past these horrible events.

Knights regaled in full armor gathered in small groups at the bottom of the stairs. Seeing her, some even had the audacity to give her cocky smiles or bow facetiously in her direction. Through her pale, blue veil, she spied a man standing next to the Lo Potz de las Fadas, the donkey's well. His tiger skin surcoat was draped over one shoulder, clasped together by one paw that fit securely into the tiger's mouth. It had to be the notorious one, Prince Louis, she decided. Next to him stood the young Viscount, Raymond Trencavel, who had sworn to protect her. His face was beaten, bloodied, hardly recognizable, and his body trembled.

Slowly, the stranger removed his mud-spattered helmet and looked her way. He was more rugged than even his reputation had reported him to be: large, dark-skinned, with stunning hazel eyes and jet-black hair. Rippling muscles outlined his physique; a goatee underscored his face, not at all what she had pictured a barbarian to look like. For a moment, she forgot he was her mortal enemy, the one who had attacked her home and made her flee. She stood staring at him for what seemed like an eternity, waiting for him to speak.

He cleared his throat, "Bella?"

"I am the Princess of Wallac," she replied, regaining her composure as she straightened to her full height.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Louis Vincent, second son to King Vincent of Valtearea."

Two Valtearean soldiers roughly shoved her forward in his direction. "Bow before your Lord," they ordered.

She did so graciously. "You wish to speak to me?"

With a wave of the Prince's hand, the guards were dismissed. "I would like to know why your father removed you from Wallac and incited my wrath upon Carcassonne."

"I do not know," she said as she lifted her chin. "Battle was not our intention."

"Come now, you must know the reason."

"I assure you, he never indicated otherwise. I, too, was surprised by his actions."

"I wished to unite Valtearea, Scotland, and France against the Crusades of Pope Innocent III by our marriage, not by bloodshed. Instead, when I traveled to Scotland, I found my bride removed, hiding in France with this foolish Viscount." He strode two steps, then back to stand before her.

"You either overtake a Kingdom, scare it into submission, or destroy it. I have heard of your reputation as the Beheader, Prince of Death," she added with a touch of sarcasm. "Is it a surprise that I should run and seek shelter from one such as you?"

A nearby Knight drew his sword. "No one will harm her," the Prince quickly commanded. "At least, not yet. Believe me, I have no intention of destroying Carcassonne. Your father failed in his attempt to protect you, for he did not know Viscount Trencavel fears me worse than any Crusader." He paced again, this time in front of her.

A few warriors stepped aside to whisper among themselves.

"So you have succeeded in taking my castle in Scotland and invading France. Congratulations on your many victories," Bella announced resignedly.

"I did not ask to be ambushed, My Lady!

Your people tried to cut my men's throats!"

"So, now you'll slice mine?" she replied in a shaky whisper.

A battle-worn soldier interrupted. "Why are you permitting a woman to question your motives, My Lord? She's as rude as they say, and she wears a cloth to cover her unsightliness. Allow us to teach her a lesson." He took a step in her direction.

"Silence!" the Prince commanded, completely in control of the situation.

"They enjoy the taste of blood, don't they?" she goaded. "You must be pleased."

"Remove your headdress," he demanded.

Her tone softened. "No."

He strode three steps closer, grabbed the blue wrap, and ripped it off her head.

Laughter exploded from the onlookers. Tears filled her eyes as Prince Louis turned stark white. She knew what he had seen: deep, discolored scars reaching from her chin to her forehead. Her left cheek was missing a chunk of skin where her flesh had been burned away. But, before anyone could get a closer look, the Princess grabbed the cloth out of his hand and quickly recovered her face and head in a sweeping movement.

"She's hideous!" a Knight teased. "I've killed boars more beautiful than she!"

Another cried, "I'd rather have my goat!"

"Silence!" the Prince shouted.

"Be glad you didn't have to marry her," another soldier addressed his leader.

Prince Louis whirled around to the Knight who spoke this last remark, unsheathing his sword. "What did you just say?"

Stepping back, the offender bowed.

"Pardon, My Lord; I meant no disrespect."

Prince Louis ran his hand through his dark hair and lowered his sword. "You were injured, Bella?"

"By a servant," she explained.

"Was this done to discourage me from claiming you?"

"I think not. The servant girl cried for three days over her clumsiness."

He sheathed his sword. "I have seen you before. Once, long ago, you were very becoming." He turned his back to her, but spoke softly.

"You didn't know of my accident?" She doubted her father would have been untruthful to the Prince. Perhaps her appearance would have discouraged his offer for her hand.

"I had heard. But I had no idea of how much injury you have suffered."

Drawing up what little dignity she had left, she straightened up and hissed, "I do not seek your pity!"

"Aren't you afraid that I might behead you for speaking disrespectfully to me? As a woman..."

"As a woman I can voice my own opinions! I am as pensive as you. Perhaps even more thoughtful and judicious," she retorted. "In Wallac, women are treated with reverence."

He raised a brow, then slowly began to chuckle, deep and sultry.

"My Prince," Raymond Trencavel bowed his head and spoke with respect. "I have given you the Princess. You promised your army would vacate Carcassonne and return to Valtearea, leaving France in peace."

"I'll keep my word, Viscount. But know this: because of your actions, do not ever seek my protection against the Pope."

"How dare you hand me over! You're my friend..." Bella gasped, looking at the Viscount.

"I had no choice," he responded, unable to look at Bella.

"Prince Louis, leave this place. I will not marry you now or ever!" Bella announced. "I'll journey far from Carcassonne on my own and return to Scotland, my birthplace."

"And who will save you there?" He stopped smiling and took a deep breath. "Wallac is mine; it is now a Valtearean province. You have run out of castles in which to hide from me."

"Is all of Scotland yours for the taking?" she questioned matter-of-factly. "I believe you are mistaken." She turned aside.

"It is you who are mistaken, for Wallac has been seized by me. Your father is dead. The French Viscount is handing you over. And you are no longer a Princess unless I choose to wed thee."

Slowly, the world began to spin around her; everything grew dark and she couldn't speak. Her misery sent her fainting backwards into the arms of her nemesis, Prince Louis of Valtearea, the Beheader.