by D. N. Carter
Outremer III
‘In the beginning’
D N Carter
Dedicated to
Pamela Smith
1937 – 2016
Authors’ Foreword
Welcome to the third volume of Outremer. As with books one and two, I have had cause to refer again to factual research for both religious and historical accuracy, as well as many documents, abstracts and books on a wide range of subjects. I have therefore likewise inserted bibliographic references, all of which are listed at the rear of this volume.
The story becomes a lot more fluid and faster with historical and religious information being revealed in an easy to follow and understand format as Alisha and Paul’s lives settle into a new routine of normality…but the world around them is changing rapidly. Whilst Paul strives to learn as much as he can about the mysteries in Egypt, new people enter their lives that have direct, immediate and profound affects upon them and the direction they will follow. As confusion grows about their own beliefs, so does whom they can trust. As mysteries from the past call out to them, they have to make decisions that not only affect their lives, but the lives of countless thousands, the repercussions of which echo out across time to the present.
The genuine historical facts as revealed within Outremer are all there to verify and confirm if the reader wishes to validate their authenticity.
Acknowledgements
I have already covered my acknowledgements and made my thanks known previously but I would like to express my gratitude to those few friends who have gone out on a limb and well beyond what was asked or expected of them over the past year. They know who they are but without them, book three would not have been completed.
Characters
Brother Baldwin (Upside)
Abi Shadana
Queen Sibylla
Master Douglas
Ailia Plantavalu
Luke
Pauls mother
Master Elek Aldin (Aldin Angelus)
Count Henry
Master Jakelin de Mailly
Husam al Din Lu’lu
Queen Tamar
Contents
Title Page
Dedication
Author’s Foreword
Acknowledgements
Characters
PART IX
Chapter 49: Cairo. The Path is Followed Again
Chapter 50: A Queen, Camelot & a Land of Dolmens
Chapter 51: Not All you Fight are your Enemy
Chapter 52: Living Legends
Chapter 53: Queen of Kings & the Chains that Bind Us
Chapter 54: Baptism of Fire and Water!
PART X
Chapter 55: The Heart’s Code!
Chapter 56: Home of the Brotherhood
Chapter 57: Prophecy & the Seeds of a Promise
Chapter 58: Beyond the Veil, Revelation Cometh
Chapter 59: Altar of Stone
Chapter 60: Once and Future King – Arthur
PART XI
Chapter 61: A Darkness Falls
Chapter 62: Hymn of the Risen
Chapter 63: Quiet Before the Storm
Chapter 64: Storm Fall
Chapter 65: The Deepest Wound
Chapter 66: Betrayed & Broken – A Heart’s Memory
PART XII
Chapter 67: Wilderness of the Soul
Chapter 68: Vows, Oaths and the Nine
Chapter 69: Fists of Iron & Godspeed
Chapter 70: Crossing Destiny!
Chapter 71: The Tears of War
Chapter 72: End to All That Was
PART XIII
Chapter 73: Annihilation of the Soul.
Chapter 74: Fortress of Solitude.
Chapter 75: Cresson – Clash of the Wolves
Chapter 76: The Candle is Lit
Chapter 77: The Sacredness of Tears
Chapter 78: Hattin – Lost unto Dust
PART XIV
Chapter 79: The Deepest Wound Unseen that Does Not Heal.
Chapter 80: Jerusalem – The Candle Burns Down
Chapter 81: Walls of Men and Shields
Chapter 82: Everything to Live For, All to Die For
Chapter 83: The Cave of Despair
Chapter 84: The Final Hour
PART XV
Chapter 85: The Long Shadow of Rome
Chapter 86: The Impossible
Chapter 87: An End, but the Voice Within Remains
Epilogue:
Appendix:
Bibliography:
Index:
List of illustrations:
Copyright
“In The Beginning.”
PART IX
Chapter 49
Cairo. The Path is Followed Again
Alexandria, Egypt, late April 1180
Paul lay awake looking at Alisha. He could see her smiling at him in the dim light of the bedroom. After their bout of training with Tenno and subsequent late night with their guests, both felt tired but could not sleep. They both looked towards the door as they heard Theodoric and Sister Lucy laugh out loud briefly then snigger in the opposite room.
“At their age…,” Paul whispered, joking, and put his arm around Alisha.
1 - 9
“I think it is wonderful they still feel so much love for each other. I hope we are the same when we get to their age,” Alisha whispered then moved her hand to unbutton her night shirt.
“Are you hot?” Paul asked quietly.
“I am…but, but I am wanting you…I wish to show you my love,” Alisha replied and smiled as she placed her hand near to his groin. Paul instinctively pulled away a little as her hand reached his groin gently rubbing her hand against him. “Do you not want me?” she asked softly and moved her hand away.
“Ali, it has been some while. Are you sure, I mean, can we?” Paul blurted out and pulled her close. His eyes immediately looked upon her cleavage as her night shirt pulled apart slightly.
“More than anything. I knew today as we trained that I was again ready…and I wanted you right there and then,” she replied and leaned into him and kissed him, her hand moving back down to his groin. She broke the kiss and looked at him. “Did not take much for you to respond did it?” she laughed quietly as Paul became aroused.
“Ali, what if you fall with child again?”
“I have been taking that silphium…and if I fall, then so be it, but I need to feel you…be a part of me as one.”
“But I have not bathed properly.”
“Nor have I…,” she laughed as Paul rolled her onto her back and lay beside her looking down at her intently.
Quickly Paul sat up and pulled his night shirt over his head and flung it across the room, which made Alisha laugh. She started to unbutton her top until it hung loose completely open revealing her milky white stomach and breasts in stark contrast to the dark blue night shirt. Paul gently grabbed the waist band of her bed chausses, untied the fastening at the front and then pulled them down. She raised her legs so he could remove them completely and he threw them across the room, which made Alisha laugh again. She covered her mouth trying to quieten herself. Gently Paul moved himself between her knees and pushed them apart as he lowered himself between her thighs. Alisha raised her legs and wrapped them around his waist pulling him closer. He held himself up upon his elbows as he looked down at her as she lowered her legs so her feet were pressed against his upper thighs and pulled him even closer.
“I do not think this will last long,” Paul whispered and laughed.
“Then we shall have to repeat it and practise more,” Alisha smiled back and put her arms up and pulled him nearer. As Paul lowered himself further, he looked at her firm breasts and gently started to kiss between them and began to kiss toward her nipple. Alisha put her hands
on his face and raised his head so he looked at her again. “My dear, if you kiss me there, be warned, you may get some of what Arri gets,” she laughed. Paul started to laugh as Alisha then moved her hips upwards toward him, instantly meeting Paul. “Just go gently this first time for I do not know how it will feel… but I am so unbelievably ready and wanting you,” she said softly.
Paul kissed her on the lips, her gentle response sending a surge of feeling through him as he tasted the sweetness of her kiss. He lowered his hand and delicately felt between Alisha’s thighs. He was already beginning to sweat from holding himself up on just his left arm. Alisha used her legs to pull him closer and he felt the soft wet warmth of her meet him.
“My beautiful Ali, you are most certainly ready…wetter than I have ever felt you,” Paul remarked.
“Probably wet myself then,” she joked back and laughed.
“That, my woman, is why I love you…for I truly feel as one with you,” Paul replied and very gently guided himself slowly toward her. He shuddered with joy as his senses exploded as Alisha opened up for him completely and he slowly penetrated her, her warmth slowly enveloping him as if for the first time. It felt more intense than when he had first made love to her. He suddenly felt overwhelmed with emotion and as if he would cry. He closed his eyes and stopped moving as Alisha tried to pull him closer and deeper inside her. He froze almost, shocked at the massive amount of emotion that was welling up inside of him.
“Paul…what is it, what is wrong?” Alisha asked softly wondering why he had stopped and closed his eyes. He opened them slowly and looked down at her as he took his weight upon both arms. He went to speak but words failed him. A single tear fell from his face and splashed upon her cheek. She gently wiped it then cupped his face with her hands. “Oh my dear dear man what is it?” she asked as Paul held his position and looked at her.
“Does it hurt or feel different after having Arri?” he finally asked.
“More sensitive…in a nice way, but no, Abi did a good job after the birth,” she answered and smiled. She moved her hand lower and started to gently feel herself and move her hips slightly. When Paul pushed down, he felt her hand as she pleasured herself faster. She started to moan and gyrate her hips. Paul could feel the surge in his loins build rapidly in intensity and tried to slow down his movements but Alisha wrapped her legs around him even tighter and pulled him inside her deeper. The muscles in his arms flexed and his face contorted as he tried to control himself, but Alisha laughed softly and pleasured herself harder as she felt Paul’s body shudder. She gasped as her senses became overwhelmed as her entire body suddenly and without warning climaxed. She wrapped her arms around Paul rapidly and pulled him very close and held him tightly as the orgasm flooded every sense of her being in a way she had never experienced before. She moaned and had to bite her bottom lip, but even then, as she felt Paul start to come inside her, his head beside hers as he fought to remain quiet, she bit into his shoulder. Her feet felt as if they were curling inwards. Paul shuddered involuntarily and he pushed his arms beneath her and hugged her tightly, as he let his body completely give into hers. Alisha kept thrusting her hips against him and jerked in spasms for several long minutes until her body started to come down and relax. She slowly ran her hands over his shoulders, now covered in sweat, but she did not care as he lay between her not moving or speaking a word.
The love making had been short but more intense than they had ever experienced before and it had taken them both by surprise. Paul softly kissed Alisha on her neck beside her ear, then her cheek and then upon her lips. He stopped as he heard Theodoric laugh out loud and moaned at the same time as Sister Lucy could be heard telling him to shush and quieten down. Alisha and Paul both laughed quietly. Alisha relaxed her legs down as Paul just lay between her, stroking her hair as he looked at her, her eyes wide and glistening. Softly he kissed her upon the lips again then rested his head beside hers, rolled himself sideways pulling her over with him so she lay on top of him. He pulled up the sheet over her back and as she rested her head upon his chest still joined as one she closed her eyes. She could hear his heart beating and with every minor movement from Paul, she jolted as the intense sensation still ran through her body. Wrapped in each other’s arms, they fell asleep.
Megalithic Hypogeum of Hal Saflieni, Malta, May 1180
Philip, dressed in a simple cream coloured robe, a short cloak and sandals, looked around the empty open space, the ancient Holm Oak tree still standing where it had always stood. Much of the area had been cleared away since his last visit many years previous with the other trees appearing to have been cut back. He threw his cloak over his shoulder as the midday sun beat fiercely down, but a cool breeze blew in from the seashore. The soil seemed to reflect almost white in the sunshine as he strained to look for the entrance. The sea sparkled in the distance a brilliant turquoise colour. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
“It has been a while,” Kratos said, causing Philip to jump in fright. “Sorry, I did not mean to startle you,” he said softly as he moved to stand in front of him. He wore his simple white mantle, which only added to his air of authority.
“Kratos…it has indeed…,” Philip replied and sighed and looked upon his old friend.
Both looked at each other in silence for several moments as Kratos rested his hands upon his staff and smiled.
“What brings you here?” Kratos asked.
“Why ask when you already know I am sure?” Philip replied smiling. “I know Abi is here…and I know that it was you who saved Paul and Taqi back in La Rochelle.”
“Well, my friend, I kept my side of the bargain and kept away all these years as you asked me too…until,” Kratos started to say and stood up straight. “Until I was certain that you were all in immediate danger and harm’s way…then I had to intervene.”
“I received a letter from Paul. He informed me of your visit to Alexandria, that Theo is there and I am a grandfather.”
“Well, I always told you that one day you would be, did I not?”
“That is what concerns me…for you said many other things. He said Abi was badly injured, ’tis but one reason why I am here.”
“Then come inside, meet Abi again for I know she will be pleased to see you. We have much to catch up on,” Kratos said and proffered with his outstretched hand for Philip to approach the small, almost hidden entrance to the buried temple complex. “As you can see, I have almost hidden the site entirely. Your arrival is well timed for we are soon to leave this place for good.”
Philip paused for a few minutes and looked around as he approached the stone cut steps that led down into the complex. His mind returned to an earlier time when he had visited with his wife. Happy memories, he thought, as he recalled in his mind her beautiful face as she laughed and danced around him as if in front of him again. He took a deep breath, then stepped down into the temple entrance.
Philip stepped into the main room of the complex running his fingers along the smooth walls carved directly out of the solid rock. He recognised the various designs painted in red-ochre on the ceiling with their familiar honeycomb pattern that transformed into a collection of floral spirals, most of which appeared enclosed in pentagons. Black and red ochre images of a ‘fat lady’ holding an axe were still visible in various sizes just as he recalled them. It had been many years since he had last entered this room but he could remember it all as if it was only yesterday. Theodoric had been present with him on that occasion. Two long poles illuminated the inside in a bluish white light.
“I see you still have them working,” Philip commented, pointing at the lights.
“Yes…but the power grows weaker yearly. Soon they will cease to function anymore,” Kratos explained as he followed Philip.
“So you know Theo lives?”
“Yes. But then I have known that all along. Are you angered with him?”
“Angered…no. I was when I first read Paul’s letter, but then I read all about what he has done s
ince meeting them in France. I will probably hit him hard if I get the chance to see him again.”
“You shall have that chance…but not yet. You cannot visit them until you have finished other business as you probably already know,” Kratos said softly and stood still looking at him.
“You have aged much since last I saw you. How so?” Philip asked, puzzled.
“Oh you know…life,” he laughed in reply. “But, like Abi, I have aged more these past fifteen years than…oh, let me see, the past three hundred,” he said and laughed again.
“Why. I do not understand it. I thought you were born to last until the next return of the Dark Sun,” Philip asked, puzzled.
“Oh that I am and shall, but the many injuries I have sustained these last few years alone I am afraid have done more damage than was expected or that I am capable of sustaining. But I am recovering…as is Abi,” he explained and looked across toward a stone archway just as Abi slowly stepped into view, her hands placed across her stomach. She wore a simple one piece white dress, her hair hanging loose except for a band of braided hair tied across her forehead and behind her head. Her hair shimmered a pearlescent light blue and purple in the light. She smiled and stepped down and approached Philip. “I think perhaps you two should speak.”
“Abi…,” Philip said then shook his head, lost for words.
Abi stepped closer, put her arms around him and hugged him, both with their eyes shut, for several long minutes before Abi took a step back and looked at Philip intently. She gently ran her finger down the creases beside his right eye and smiled.