by D. N. Carter
“And if not?” Stewart asked.
“Then we take to the service boat and row and you pray Husam and his fleet don’t catch us up before we make landfall. After that, once we have landed, ’tis down to you how you get back for that will be the last I do for you,” Paul explained.
Gerard sat in silence as he studied the interior of the vessel curiously.
“What manner of a strange vessel is this?” he asked inquisitively.
“This is your design isn’t it?” Stewart stated. Paul nodded yes. “And it punched a hole in our ship like it was made of soft wood. Is this a ship of war?”
“No ’tis not. Far from it,” Paul answered defensively.
As the vessel caught the wind fully and picked up speed suddenly, all had to grab hold of something to steady themselves as the bow of the vessel raised upwards on its stabilisers.
“We should hit landfall in about twenty minutes if we keep this speed and stay afloat,” Percival shouted down.
Water bled through the front stabiliser join in the hull every time the vessel passed through a wave.
“If you wish to reach the shore, I need you to help bail out the water,” Paul asked.
“Put that sword away and I shall help you,” Gerard said and stood up slowly rubbing his head in pain. Paul looked at Reynald. “Come on…if you wish to live this day out you will need to help too,” Gerard said as he patted Reynald’s shoulder.
“He lies. He tricks us so he can boast and proudly show us off as his prisoners,” Reynald remarked as Gerard raised his eyebrows disbelievingly. “He does!”
“If that was the case why did he drag our sorry arses off our ship…our sinking ship?” Gerard asked, shaking his head.
“As I said…so he can parade us in front of his Muslim friends…”
“Just bail the water,” Paul said as he opened the trap door and started to walk up the steps. “If you keep that water out, we may just make the shoreline.”
As Paul vanished from view, Reynald grabbed hold of Gerard’s arm.
“I know not what type of vessel this is, but we must overpower him and his friend. ’Tis the only way we shall get back to our lands,” Reynald whispered.
“And you know how to operate this vessel do you?” Stewart asked aloud.
“Sssh, you bloody fool,” Reynald snapped.
“My friend, Brother Stewart speaks wisely…for we have no idea how this vessel works,” Gerard said quietly.
“Then we force them to operate it,” Reynald whispered.
“We have no arms save our arming daggers and he has clearly learned much about warfare. Challenge him and I fear this will be your last day,” Gerard explained and looked Reynald in the eye intently.
Reynald flounced his arms down in anger and shook his head. After a few minutes stood in silence he faced Gerard and Stewart. Gerard smiled and offered up a wooden bucket and frowned as he shook it at him to take. Reynald snatched it and immediately, though reluctantly, started to collect water.
Port of La Rochelle, France, Melissae Inn, spring 1191
“He was lucky to survive ramming Reynald’s ship…very lucky,” the Genoese sailor remarked.
“That he was indeed. But it was testament to the strength of the design of his vessel,” the old man replied.
“Did they reach the shore then?” Ayleth asked.
“Well we know Reynald and Gerard must have survived and got back as look at the chaos they caused afterwards,” the farrier commented as he poured himself a tankard of mead.
“We all know here that Reynald and Gerard did return to their own lands…but not after some considerable effort.”
“I do not understand this flame thrower. How does that work?” Sarah asked inquisitively.
“The flame thrower shot out liquid fire, an incendiary chemical used since the early sixth century. The actual substance is known as Greek fire and believed to have been created in 673. The most common method of deployment, as Paul saw, was to emit the formula through a large bronze tube, a siphōn, onto enemy ships or even launched in jars fired from catapults. But its use was a dangerous business for the mixture would be stored in heated, pressurised barrels and projected through the tube by a pump while the operators were sheltered behind large iron shields. As Paul saw firsthand, the Greek fire could not be extinguished by water, but rather floated and burned on top of it; sand could extinguish it by depriving it of oxygen. Husam’s forces used a similar version of Greek fire, called ‘naft’ (from naphtha), which had a petroleum base, with sulphur and various resins added. That is how they ran down all of Reynald’s ships, many deliberately running their ships aground so they could escape the fire and Husam’s fleet…but over one hundred and seventy of Reynald’s men were captured and consequently taken to various ports and cities to be publicly executed as per Saladin’s orders…to make a clear demonstration that he could keep the pilgrim routes open and set an example,” the old man explained.
“I recall only too clearly the shock Reynald’s defeat caused…for Husam broke Reynald’s blockade, destroyed most of his ships, and pursued and captured those who anchored and fled into the desert as you say. We lost a hundred and seventy good knights from both of our Orders,” the Templar interrupted.
“What of the ordinary sailors and men?” Miriam asked.
“Saladin ordered all of them to be set free…so that they would return and tell of the folly of Reynald’s actions…not that what they said had any lasting effect on anyone to be honest…especially when Reynald returned…oh, I am sorry,” the Templar said.
The old man smiled.
“No need to apologise, for all here already know Reynald returned. But how… well that I can explain, if you wish, briefly?” All around the table looked at each other and all nodded in agreement. “The naval engagement had certainly been a baptism of fire and water for Paul and Percival…one they would not forget in a hurry.”
PART X
Chapter 55
The Heart’s Code!
The beach ahead was almost flat on the approach run with a few trees set back a short distance from the shoreline. The sea was calm as Paul saw the rapid shallowing of the water.
“Hold on!” Paul shouted as he braced himself. “Run her aground as high up the beach as you can!”
Percival steadied the rudder as Paul tightened the rigging to get the maximum draw of wind in the sails. The two side stabilisers held the bow just out of the water but as soon as the hull at the stern started to scrape along the sand, Paul dropped the main mast down, collapsing the sail. As the mast retracted, the two side stabilisers retracted against the hull. If Paul misjudged his position, the stabilisers would be ripped off as they embedded in the sand. The vessel jolted violently as it bounced up the wet sand, tilted to the left and gouged out a trench as it slid upwards onto the beach and suddenly stopped, throwing everyone forwards hard, Paul almost falling head first onto the top deck, the collapsed sail stopping him. Percival fell forwards unable to keep hold of the rudder lever as it shuddered violently and broke in half, pieces of splintered rudder shooting off in different directions at the same time. After a few minutes of total silence, Reynald started to moan below decks. Paul scrambled back into the aft deck area and checked Percival, who was rubbing his left arm in pain. He had broken it. Paul looked around to see where they were. Open beaches on either side as far as the eye could see. He scanned the horizon for any sign of other vessels. None could be seen.
“Quickly!” Paul shouted and lifted the main hold door. “You must get out of here as quickly as you can for Saladin has these shores patrolled regularly.” He reached his hand down to help Reynald. Reynald looked up at him and pushed Paul’s hand aside as he started to climb the ladder unaided. “Stewart…hurry please.”
Reynald slowly stood up straight on the aft deck and looked around as he clung to the side to stay upright. As he looked at Paul’s vessel he shook his head, bemused at its strange design.
Percival jumped down onto the s
and and grimaced in pain. Reynald saw his reaction and knew he had injured his arm. Paul instantly drew his sword and pointed it at Reynald.
“You will have no need of that,” Gerard said as he pulled himself up the ladder. “Will he Reynald?”
Reynald looked at Paul and rubbed his chin with his hand, clearly considering his options. Stewart followed Gerard out and promptly jumped down beside Percival. A quick check confirmed he had broken his upper arm. Fortunately it was a clean break and not an open fracture.
“We have company approaching,” Percival said in pain and nodded northward.
All turned and saw the shimmering image of a squadron of men on horseback riding toward them on the beach.
“Quick…you must hide back inside,” Paul said, alarmed.
“Yeah right and you hand us over,” Reynald said as he squinted to see the approaching horsemen.
“If you run off, they will see your footprints in the sand and run you down. If you hide in the damaged water stowage compartments, they will not find you,” Paul explained and gestured with his arms for them to get back on board.
Hesitantly Reynald nodded in agreement and quickly pulled himself back onboard the vessel. Stewart immediately followed him as Gerard held the trap door open. Awkwardly they climbed back inside the vessel. Paul leaned inside and pointed to the hatch that led to the internal water tanks.
“They better not set this vessel alight,” Reynald said as he started to unhinge the water tank door. The opening was just big enough to allow access. The water tank was damaged and still half full but there was just enough room for them to squeeze in. Within moments they had all managed to fit in and sat side by side shivering. Reynald looked at Gerard and feigned a look of indignation. Gerard smiled at the absurdity of their predicament. Paul looked at Stewart. He simply nodded at him. Paul turned his head as he heard Percival greet the riders as they pulled up. Quickly Paul closed the water tank access door and half crawled out of the vessel in time to see eight Tawashi horse archers. He knew immediately who they were and their fierce reputation. They would shower an enemy with arrows but unlike other horse archers they would not shy away or avoid a melee in combat. Their heavy scale armour slowed them down, yet gave them very good protection in close fighting where they would often crush their enemy’s heads with their deadly maces. Their horses were covered in a beige coloured coat with tassels hanging free that matched the sun protector head covers that hung from the back of the archers’ polished helmets. Cautiously one of the cavalrymen approached lowering his long lance to point at Percival, standing nearest to them. Paul saw the rider’s small bow set in his bow sheath beside his round shield covering his thigh. The blue of his tunic told Paul all he needed to know about these tough battle hardened soldiers. If they mistook Paul and Percival for the enemy, the day would end very badly.
“We are under the command of Husam al Din Lu’lu,” Paul said in Arabic as he moved closer to Percival.
Inside the water tank, Reynald looked at Gerard hard straining to hear what was being said. Stewart stared at the hatch, a thin line of light seeping through the top gap. Gerard’s eyes looked huge as he listened intently. All three sat shivering but in total silence holding their breath in anticipation. One of the Tawashi archers dismounted and began to climb aboard the vessel.
“What are you doing?” Paul called out as Reynald’s eyes widened. He drew his arming dagger, its blade flashing in the dim light shining through the gap at the top of the hatch.
Outside, Paul rushed over to the archer as he jumped into the aft section and balanced himself on the tilted deck. He looked around confused.
“Husam you say. Prove it,” the Tawashi soldier asked as he studied the vessel.
“Yes. Husam. We sailed down from Fustat together. This vessel is my proof for it was built in his shipyard…you can check the build mark of his muhtasib….there on the stern,” Paul explained and pointed at the chiselled marking.
The Tawashi soldier leaned over the stern to see the marking letter and ran his fingers across it. He rubbed his beard as he thought.
“This is no ordinary vessel is it?” he asked as he jumped down beside Paul and looked at him, his dark eyes looking almost black.
“Check the damage to the bow. That is from where we rammed the Red Wolf of Kerak’s ship and sank it…,” Percival said as he approached, holding his arm in pain.
“Did you kill the dog?” one of the mounted archers asked loudly.
“We do not know…but Husam pursues all the other ships. A great victory was won this day against the Crusader fools,” Paul said, despite his heart beating so hard he could feel it pulse in his neck. “I can tell you that one of the Crusader vessels was damaged and was on a course south to beach…it must be aground not far from here I am sure,” Paul explained and pointed down the beach, which gently curved away into a natural harbour about a mile away.
The Tawashi soldier looked at Paul and Percival quizzically then back at the vessel.
“Do you have water?” he asked.
Paul’s heart missed a beat.
“Yes…plenty,” Paul replied trying to remain calm.
“Good. Good. We shall check beyond for the Crusader ship. One of my men shall return for reinforcements just in case. Either way, you shall have to remain here until we return. You will not last long of you try and walk in the desert so just wait here. Do you understand?” the Tawashi soldier asked as he clicked his fingers at one of his riders and then mounted his horse. He pulled the horse up and moved closer to Paul. “You cannot get far. You have nothing to fear if you are who you say you are. These shores are patrolled, so stay here until I return or…”
“Will you not leave some of your men to protect us and our vessel?” Percival asked.
Paul nearly coughed with shock at his request.
“No. I need all my men in case there are survivors from the Crusader vessel as you claim,” the Tawashi soldier replied, raised his hand for his men to follow him and instantly rode away along the beach. The other soldier watched as they left before turning and riding off in the opposite direction.
3 - 40
“Percy…are you mad?” Paul asked and grabbed his good arm.
“Had to make us look genuine…,” Percival said through gritted teeth as the pain in his broken arm started to overwhelm him.
Paul helped him to sit down further up the beach on some dried grasses. Quickly he re-entered the vessel, unlatched the cover hatch to the water container and beckoned Reynald to come out first. Within minutes they were all stood on the beach near to Percival, Reynald rubbing his eyes as they adjusted to the bright midday sun.
“They will be back shortly and soon as they get around that spur and see there is no vessel anywhere in sight. You have two choices…,” Paul began to explain as he kept looking in both directions.
“And they are?” Gerard asked.
“So you call me a fool, I hear,” Reynald said and put his hands upon his hips and stared at Paul.
“You wish to argue that point right here and now do you? And yes you are a fool. Look what your actions have brought upon all of us…look!” Paul retorted.
Gerard shook his head in surprise at his friend’s remarks.
“Reynald, old chap. We are in no position to be arguing over name calling, which in actual fact probably just saved our arses…so for once shut the fuck up…please,” Gerard said and looked at Reynald and raised his eyebrows.
Stewart nearly laughed at hearing Gerard but quickly checked the smile on his face as Reynald looked at him. Stewart shrugged his shoulders.
“We have two service boats…one you can take. They have oars and a sail. You can either head out across the sea, or you can enter the desert and take your chances there. The choice is yours but you have to make one and now,” Paul explained.
Reynald looked around in all directions as his mind fought to make a decision. He then walked up to Paul.
“If you had not rammed us, today would have had
a different outcome and we would not be in this predicament.”
“If you had not tried to murder innocent women and children, I would not have been forced to do the right thing and ram you,” Paul shot back.
“We are wasting valuable time here,” Stewart interrupted.
“You think you are the only one who has dreams. Ask that Theo about me and mine…how he convinced me I had a destiny. Ask him why he helped get me released from Aleppo…ask him when next you see him. I was once naive and gullible just like you are now and listened and believed all of his horseshit about doing the right thing…the fucking ‘heart’s code’. Well the right thing is to eradicate the entire faith of Islam…for if we do not, they will multiply and destroy our very way of life…ask him!” Reynald snapped, his face close to Paul’s.
“You are wrong,” Paul replied not moving.
“Come on, girls…now is not the time for this,” Gerard interrupted and pulled Reynald back a few paces. “Now where are these two service boats for I see none on your vessel?”
Paul stared hard at Reynald as he walked past him toward the stern of the vessel. He bent down to look at the starboard side but it was wedged deep into the sand. Quickly he moved around to the port side, leaned up, flipped open two round hatches, reached inside and pulled a cord hard. As he pulled the second cord, the entire port side of the stern seemed to drop down and out by several inches.
“I need your help to pull this down,” Paul asked as he looked over at the group.
Puzzled, Reynald walked over. Paul indicated with a slight nod that he take the weight at one end with him as Gerard and Stewart took the weight at the opposite end. Paul then reached up, and pulled a lever which released a twelve foot long service boat. As they struggled to take the weight, Paul pushed it so it rolled over and level. Reynald struggled with its weight but quickly they lowered the boat onto the sand. As they stood back, Reynald smiled, surprised, as Paul started to pull up a single mast and lock it into position.