Pagan's Scribe: Book Four of the Pagan Chronicles - Softcover

Jinks, Catherine

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0763629731 ISBN 13: 9780763629731

Publisher: Candlewick, 2006

Synopsis

"Rich in authentic detail, humor, grief, and deep insight into the life of the mind as well as the heart, this makes a fitting close to a high-water mark in historical fiction." — KIRKUS REVIEWS (starred review)

Impressed by the bookish Isidore, Pagan Kidrouk — now Archdeacon of Carcassonne — hires the boy as his scribe. Eager to flee a cloistered existence, naive Isidore quickly discovers that the real world isn't all as the poets and philosophers claim. The year is 1209, and papal forcesfrom the north are driving their bloody crusade against the Cathar hereticsto Carcassonne. With the battle lines inching ever closer, the world ofFather Pagan, Lord Roland, and Roland's mysterious brother grows more real to Isidore — and more terrifying — by the day. The last of four books inan acclaimed series, PAGAN'S SCRIBE casts the worldly,wisecracking Pagan in an unexpected role as friend and mentor to a young soulin need.

About this title

About the Author

Catherine Jinks is a medieval scholar and author of young adult books — a background that is evident in this fourth and final story about Pagan Kidrouk. Catherine Jinks's books have garnered numerous awards, including the prestigious Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year. Pagan grew out of a university course Catherine Jinks took about the Crusades and her fascination with the real Order of the Templar. She was also heavily influenced by British comedies like MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL. She didn't expect, however, that she would end up writing four books about Pagan Kidrouk. "He was such a strong character," she explains, "that he sprang into my head fully formed, and wouldn't go away until I'd worked out his entire life span. He's certainly the strongest character I've ever written about. The cutest, too, I think."
From the Hardcover edition.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

"Father Pagan," he says, "a very disturbing rumor has reached my ears. I've been told that you wish to demolish our refectory. Surely this cannot be true?"

The Archdeacon has to think for a moment. He blinks, and bends his mind to the question with an effort that's written clearly on his brow.

"Yes," he replies. "Yes, it is true."

"Father, I must protest. This is going too far."

"I'm sorry, but there's no alternative. Lord Raymond needs the stone for his fortifications."

":And we need our refectory for our meals, Father! I find it incredible that you should disregard our rights in this way. You haven't even presented your request to the cathedral chapter for consideration — you've just gone ahead and ignored us completely! The Bishop would never have allowed this."

"The Bishop is in Montpellier! The Bishop has forfeited his authority by running away to hide, like a snake in the grass!"

"I hope you're not implying — "

"Shut up!" The Archdeacon jumps to his feet. "Just shut up! I've had it up to here with you people! Would you rather give up your refectory, or have your guts ripped out and trampled all over the church floor? Because that's what's happened to the canons at Béziers! That's what's happened to the Chancellor at Béziers! Is that what you want?"

Father Guibert takes a step backward, retreating before the blaze of the Archdeacon's fury.

"At — at Béziers?" he quavers.

"They've slaughtered all the clergy there! They've hacked them to pieces on the steps of their own altar! They've killed the entire population! And you're talking to me about your miserable refectory? You make me sick!"

"Father — please — "

"Get out of here! Go on! Go and tell those bleating fools that they can either eat off their knees or have their limbs strewn all over the cathedral! And if I hear one more complaint, I'm going to sling you all out of this city, and let you take your chances with the northern knights! See how much they care about your refectory when they start slicing off your fingers!"

The Chancellor bolts. He stumbles out the door backward, and Father Pagan slams it shut behind him — slams it so hard that the floor shakes. An echoing silence, taut with emotion.

Lord Jordan releases my shoulder.

"Well," he says smoothly, "I knew I could rely on you to spread the news in a gentle, reassuring way. I mean, God forbid that anyone should panic."
_____________

PAGAN'S SCRIBE by Catherine Jinks. Copyright (c) 2006 by Catherine Jinks. Published by Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA.

About this edition

• Publisher: Candlewick
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0763629731
• ISBN 13: 9780763629731
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 368