Код да Винчи

Chapter 37

           Althoughunpaidandsworntopoverty,theKnightstoldthekingtheyrequiredbasicshelterandrequestedhispermissiontotakeupresidenceinthestablesundertheruinsofthetemple.KingBaldwingrantedthesoldiers’request,andtheKnightstookuptheirmeagerresidenceinsidethedevastatedshrine.

           Theoddchoiceoflodging,Langdonexplained,hadbeenanythingbutrandom.TheKnightsbelievedthedocumentsthePriorysoughtwereburieddeepundertheruinsbeneaththeHolyofHolies,asacredchamberwhereGodHimselfwasbelievedtoreside.Literally,theverycenteroftheJewishfaith.Foralmostadecade,thenineKnightslivedintheruins,excavatingintotalsecrecythroughsolidrock.

           Sophielookedover.«Andyousaidtheydiscoveredsomething?»

           «Theycertainlydid,»Langdonsaid,explaininghowithadtakennineyears,buttheKnightshadfinallyfoundwhattheyhadbeensearchingfor.TheytookthetreasurefromthetempleandtraveledtoEurope,wheretheirinfluenceseemedtosolidifyovernight.

           NobodywascertainwhethertheKnightshadblackmailedtheVaticanorwhethertheChurchsimplytriedtobuytheKnights’silence,butPopeInnocentIIimmediatelyissuedanunprecedentedpapalbullthataffordedtheKnightsTemplarlimitlesspoweranddeclaredthem»alawuntothemselves»anautonomousarmyindependentofallinterferencefromkingsandprelates,bothreligiousandpolitical.

           WiththeirnewcarteblanchefromtheVatican,theKnightsTemplarexpandedatastaggeringrate,bothinnumbersandpoliticalforce,amassingvastestatesinoveradozencountries.

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