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A simple country boy, Brother Petroc is no different from most of the young monks with whom he is studying. Perhaps he is a little more truthful to his vows than most, but being a monk doesn't mean he can't go out and drink at night. One evening, returning from a call of nature, he enters the back door of the tavern and finds bits of gold scattered on the floor. He is not tempted. Sir Hugh de Kervezey, the Bishop's steward, and an ex-Templar, holds Petroc at knifepoint, but finally allows him to go on his way. Shortly thereafter, Sir Hugh invites Petroc to the Bishop's Palace. He then tells Petroc that they will dine together, but first, Petroc must take a relic from the high altar for Bishop Ranulph. Hugh confesses that since he is a defrocked Templar, he feels that it would be sacrilege for him to touch the relic but since Petroc is a monk, it would be all right for him to take it to the Bishop. The innocent boy believes him, but on the way out, the Deacon catches him with the bejeweled golden hand and accuses him of theft. Hugh sneaks up behind and kills the deacon in such a way that Petroc is covered in blood, but he is clean. Petroc runs for his life. He tells Will, his best friend, what has happened and Will gives Petroc clean clothes and leaves with him. Shortly thereafter, the two are set upon by Sir Hugh and his men. Will is killed but Petroc, although wounded, manages to escape. He finally gets to his old monastery where his favorite teacher, the librarian, tells him to find a sea captain, who deals in relics and who will help him. Petroc's journey from religious, innocent monk to relic dealer and pirate takes up most of the book. It is an exciting one, and changes the boy to a seaman, willing to do almost anything to stay alive. This is the first book by Pip Vaughan-Hughes. May there be many more.
Reviewed by Barbara Franchi, October 2006
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