by D. N. Carter
“So what legends shall be wrapped around Alisha and Paul?” Sarah asked.
“Hopefully…none. In order to protect them and their future line,” the old man answered. “Legends of the Holy Grail have become popular though it has come to be associated with the cup from which Christ drank at the Last Supper, its true origins, now supposedly lost in the mists of prehistory, as a sacred cauldron. The concept of the sacred cauldron however is essentially a Celtic metaphor for true esoteric spiritual alchemy, tracing back to the ancient Pharaonic Egyptian priesthood and simultaneously the ancient Celtic Druid civilisation of Western Europe,” the old man explained.
“So am I correct if I say that the earlier Arthurian knights are based upon Templars, but they were in fact also Celtic priests who pre-dated Christianity?” Gabirol asked.
“You could indeed state that. You can also link the pre-Christian Knights of the Round Table to the Gnostic heretics of the fourth century, who managed to pass on their secret knowledge to the founding Templars. The ancient tradition of alchemy was the Quest or search by scientific or spiritual exploration for the philosopher’s stone, which would give enlightenment. The connection of alchemy and the philosopher’s stone to the fabled Holy Grail of the knights is now soon to be demonstrated at Chartres Cathedral in France, being financed and built by Templars of the Order of the Temple of Solomon. In Chartres Cathedral, a scene of Melchizedek presenting the Communion sacrament, which by biblical definition is supposed to be bread and wine, to Abraham will be depicted in a statue at the northern entrance, called the Gate of the Initiates. In this sculpture, Melchizedek is presenting a stone within a sacred Grail chalice, thereby clearly signifying that the knightly Holy Grail is in fact the philosopher’s stone of alchemy. While thinly veiled in well-known symbolism this association of the Holy Sacrament with the Holy Grail as the alchemical Quest for the philosopher’s stone is considered heretical at this time. Nonetheless, this evidence demonstrates that this concept is in fact part of the core Templar beliefs and secret teachings.”
“And it is all connected to Egypt and that pyramid building…with the symbolic sword of knowledge and wisdom being drawn from it…as in Excalibur being drawn from the stone,” Simon remarked.
“There he goes again,” the Genoese sailor commented, looking at him surprisedly.
“Are you sure you simply don’t play the fool when in fact you are incredibly bright?” Gabirol asked him.
“Why…what did I say wrong?” Simon protested.
“Nothing at all, Simon,” the old man said, shaking his head. “Let me finish on this matter of King Arthur, the once and future King, as was Christ likened and also named. You see the ancient Gnostic esoteric knowledge of the Cathars which is at the core of Templarism is itself central to the alchemical enlightenment associated with the Holy Grail. One of the Arthurian legend stories tells of a Lady Esclarmonde who assumes the form of a white dove, which escaped and flew over the walled crest in order to carry the Holy Grail away from the persecutors of the Gnostic Cathars. This legendary figure I can tell you is none other than Esclarmonde de Foix, who was born in 1151 and already considered by some as a saint within some existing Gnostic Churches.”
“I have heard of this woman…,” Peter remarked.
“So who rules over Avalon now?” Ayleth asked.
“The Isle of Man was re-established as a Celtic kingdom in AD 1079 by the Celtic warrior King Godred Crovan, who was also king of Dublin and the Irish and some Scottish isles. Thus, 490 years after the death of Prince Arthur, Godred Crovan reclaimed and ruled the Isle of Man for the Celts from AD 1079 to 1095, when he died. A parallel line of ancestry of the Independent Kingdom of Mann comes from Count Fulk of Anjou (AD 1090–1143), the king of Jerusalem succeeding Baldwin the Second. King Fulk was one of the original founding knights of the Order of the Temple of Solomon in AD 1118 and was part of its original sovereign patronage of the Order from the kings of Jerusalem. The descendants of King Fulk flowed through several lines of British kings, including King Henry the Second of Anjou, who died only last year, in AD 1189. Note, one of the most prominent scholars to establish that King Arthur, Avalon and Camelot were all located on the Isle of Man is the British lawyer Gervase of Tilbury, who also served under King Henry the Second of Anjou as a royal advisor. King Henry the Second, through his father Count Geoffrey the Fifth of Anjou, was directly related to King Fulk of Anjou.”
“Will it ever again be recognised as Avalon?” Ayleth asked.
“Perhaps…but it is no longer important that it should be. Like Lyonesse that sank, places change, but the memories linger…like the Druids…they may be long since gone from walking among us, openly at least, but their legacy lingers. And in time even they may return,” the old man explained.
“I want to know what Paul’s second poem said,” Sarah interrupted loudly, which made Stephan laugh.
“Before I recount his poem, let me remind you that bees are symbols of the Virgin Mary throughout the known world. In the Slavonic folk tradition the bee is linked with the Immaculate Conception. July 26th, being the feast of Saint Anna, mother of Mary, whose birth also resulted from an immaculate conception, is the time when beekeepers pray for the conception of new healthy bees. Note, if you did not know or remember, Alisha was born on the 26th of July. Paul knew this and it is why he drew a stylised bee, which was later engraved upon this sword. Two people entwined as one as a bee!”
Fig. 61: Two Entwined as a Bee Symbol.
PART XI
Chapter 61
A Darkness Falls
Cairo, Egypt, July 26th 1183
Paul gently shook Alisha as she lay sleeping. Long beams of sunlight shone brightly through the wooden slats of the main window. Seeing the sun like this always reminded him of his home in La Rochelle. The single white sheet that lay over Alisha was pushed down to her waist. Her nightshirt pulled across her tummy with her hand resting upon it, the bump looking larger than when she stood. Gently Paul placed his hand upon her tummy and felt the slight movement of a small foot or hand push upward from the baby inside. Alisha stirred but did not open her eyes simply turning her head away, her hair falling beside her revealing the almost white skin on her neck. She had not been outside much whilst Paul had been missing. He looked at her and his heart sank. He had hurt the one woman he loved more than his own life following a stupid and selfish desire to find answers he thought would somehow help. Well he had found one answer and that was the knowledge that never again would he put himself at such risk knowing the pain and sorrow it had brought to their door. In his left hand he held a small vellum scroll rolled up and tied with a short crimson band. He had only just finished a new poem for her. Carefully he placed it on the pillow and quietly moved away. Alisha turned over just as Paul shut the door. She saw the small scroll and gently picked it up. She rolled onto her back, untied the crimson binding and slid it off and held it up. Carefully she unfurled the scroll and read the words.
7 - 19
‘In the darkness, ’twas your light that guided me to follow what was right. When all seemed lost and hopeless, ’twas your beauty that always shone so bright. You always bring me life and joy instead of strife and I grow prouder every day knowing you are my wife. Every day and every night, I think of you, and because of you, I will never give up the fight doing what is right. Though at times we may be apart, the sense of your beauty stops my very heart, and as time goes on, if I am lost or gone, my touch you can no longer feel, know that your heart and soul will heal for my love remains forever real. I love you truly, wholly, completely and solely. And if alone you one day should stand…without me there to hold your hand, then know as the waters break on the shore, so then will I be there…maybe out of sight, but lost no more. You saw the cathedral ruined and bare, but you will make it anew…a church of love and empathy so fair…for all to remember what was once sacred, ancient and we all knew. Should you cast the white lily and the red rose on the point, of La Rochelle or any shore of ancient lore,
it will show the message from a time before has survived and is remembered by more and more. Then I know I will again stand by your side, eternally yours for that we sought evermore!’
She looked at the symbol Paul had drawn on the bottom of the sheet of what looked like two people face to face, but their bodies forming the shape of a bee. She held the scroll close to her chest and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and sighed, a single tear rolling down her cheek falling onto the pillow.
“Oh my dear Paul…these words will not keep you with me for your vow you cannot keep. Our Lord has plans for you that I cannot stop…,” she said quietly to herself as another tear ran down her face. She held the scroll to her lips and kissed it. “Kratos knows for he has seen it. I thought it was this time.” She began to cry and rolled onto her side. “But I swear my vow to thee this day…I will always, always wait for you…no matter how long the parting,” she said determined to control her emotions, holding the scroll to her lips and kissing it again. She started to shake as she gave in to her feelings, the emotions of the past weeks finally being released fully and she cried quietly.
Outside the door, Paul stepped away having heard all she had just said. His throat was tight and he nearly coughed, his mouth dry. He felt humbled and honoured that he had her love but also felt the guilt weigh heavy upon his heart.
Paul acknowledged Sister Lucy as he walked through the main dining area and out through the side door. It was still early with only the odd cough coming from Thomas’s men opposite in their dormitory. Paul sat down on one of the wooden benches near the stables and sighed. What exactly had Kratos told Alisha? he wondered. How was he going to make things right with her and be happy and have fun again? Everything seemed so serious and urgent these days and what career could he do now? He was about to close his eyes when Theodoric appeared walking toward him.
“Paul, I forgot to mention last eve…whilst you were away, Gerard has become the Templars’ overall Seneschal…his return after the naval engagement only served to enhance his prestige and image somewhat,” he explained quietly.
“Oh great. I help him escape only for him to fight another day and hand him more power,” Paul remarked, shaking his head disapprovingly. “What else has happened I should know about then?” Paul asked and sat back, closing his eyes and resting his head against the wall.
Adrastos started to snort loudly upon hearing Paul’s voice, which made him smile.
“Someone else who missed you,” Theo remarked and sat beside him. “Much indeed has happened I am afraid.”
“Then please pray tell me,” Paul said, his eyes still closed, the sun shining down upon his face.
“You know many Templars, including two senior commanders, were executed in Damascus as Saladin had to…in order to demonstrate his control after Reynald’s little sea going adventures, which has been seen by many as selfish and foolhardy…however, men like Bernard Hamilton are claiming loudly it was actually shrewd strategy on his part, meant to damage Saladin’s prestige and reputation. Plus a new general tax has just been levied throughout the kingdom, which is unprecedented in Jerusalem and almost all of Europe. Fear not we are not subject to it here,” Theodoric explained.
“Why a new tax?”
“Why do you think?…to help pay for larger armies for the next few years. More troops are needed, since Saladin has finally gained control of Aleppo whilst you were away, and with peace in his northern territories it is feared he could focus on Jerusalem in the south. Reynald, Gerard and Guy are certainly scare mongering to convince all that Saladin will attack Jerusalem. King Baldwin is unfortunately incapacitated by his leprosy, so it was deemed necessary to appoint a regent,” Theodoric paused. “And guess who that is?”
“No idea,” Paul replied and opened his eyes to look at him.
“Guy de Lusignan…as he is Baldwin’s legal heir and the king is not expected to live.”
“Guy…of all people!” Paul said, surprised.
“Yes…the utterly ‘inexperienced’ Guy. He has led his army against Saladin’s incursions into the kingdom a few times, but neither side has made any real gains. Guy has been criticised for not striking against Saladin when he had the chance, mainly Reynald and Gerard of course who are pushing for all out war.”
“So it will not be safe to remain here for much longer then?” Paul asked and sat up straight.
“Oh as long as Saladin remains in power, we are quite safe here. There are many Jews and Christians here who stayed during many a previous campaign. That will not change. Besides, Saladin will need Alisha to send more dresses.”
“What…why dresses?” Paul asked, bemused.
“He has one particular lady he loves beyond all others. She in turn loves the dresses Alisha and Nyla make. Now you have returned, perhaps she can catch up on her orders. Oh, and Isabella is betrothed to marry Princess Stephanie’s son, Humphrey, in October. You have an invite,” Theodoric said and looked at Paul with a frown. “My advice…do not accept the invitation.”
“Well I must decide upon what work I should do as I know my career as a ship builder is but finished…medicine I think.”
“Husam had messengers inform him daily on your disappearance. He spared no expense or troops in his search for you. He had half the labourers arrested and held for nearly a month believing foul play had been made against you. He will be made aware of your return before this day is out.”
“Arrested…if I had know just one visit would cause so much heartache and chaos, I would never have ventured below the pyramids.”
“Paul…yes you would,” Theodoric said and raised his eyebrows at him. “So long as you got answers to what you sought.”
“That is just it. I was told that which I must not do, but not what I should do,” Paul sighed and shook his head.
“You may be a navigator now, but sometimes you have no control over where the seas of life will take you. Sometimes you just have to hang on and let the winds of fate take you with ease rather than fight it.”
“Me…the navigator. That was once my father’s designation and now Count Henry’s. ’Tis not mine.”
“Like it or not, you are the navigator as I said last eve. You will realise that soon enough…soon enough,” Theodoric said and stood up. “Breakfast?”
“Yes please…and afterward I would like you to accompany me to the sword smith’s foundry.”
“Why?”
“Because I aim to have the bee emblem I drew last eve etched upon this,” Paul answered and placed his hand upon his sword. “And I also want a better faithful rendition of your tree-wing tattoo etched on it too…please,” Paul replied and looked at Theodoric with an intensity Theodoric had never seen before. “If it will let me of course for it has a mind of its own.”
“Aye lad…we can do that,” Theodoric said, but clearly surprised.
Port of La Rochelle, France, Melissae Inn, spring 1191
“Ah so that is how the final symbols became etched upon the blade,” Ayleth said aloud and leaned over and pulled the sword toward her. Carefully she clasped her hand around the handle and slowly eased the sword from its scabbard. She noticed the corner was indeed covered in tear marks but had been repaired from when Paul had fallen down the tunnel. “The tree-wings symbol touches me the most profoundly,” she remarked as she studied the delicate etching.
“So what job did he decide upon?” the wealthy tailor asked.
“For a few weeks he did nothing but remain in his study writing up notes and making a few drawings…some of which he had been told he should not produce. He spent as much time with Alisha and Arri as he could…though in truth Alisha spent a lot of time with Nyla running their business and catching up on orders. Husam sent word he would return and hoped Paul would be advanced with his new ship, but Paul simply copied his original plans and altered them slightly…but never instructed the carpenters at the dock to start building it. Time was running out for Paul and he knew he had to make a decision soon enough as to where their fu
ture lay. But he also had to consider everyone else. Theodoric, Sister Lucy, Ishmael, Percival and Nyla…and of course Thomas and his men. Whatever decision he made, it would affect them all.”
“Did he attend the wedding Princess Stephanie invited him too?” Sarah asked.
“No…but I shall come to that shortly,” the old man answered.
“What manner of drawings did he produce that he should not have?” Gabirol asked.
“Mainly to do with the projection of Sirius over Giza, Cygnus marking the old entrance where he and Percival escaped and details on the ‘Zep Tepi’, ‘First Time’ or Golden Era which he wrote down as being around 36,000 years BC. He even wrote that all major monuments of Giza were built before the Dynastic Age to celebrate the Age of Osiris rule. He detailed that on the vernal equinox 10,500 BC Al Nitak is not on the meridian and not connected to the Great Pyramid and that Sirius was under the horizon. Planets have not a symbolic arrangement. This hints that Sirius is hidden…so where Sirius is projected is the location of the Hall of Records. Paul tried to write these details down in a manner that later men would be able to work out. But the consequences of doing so would in time have profound and dangerous repercussions.”
“I am not sure I follow you,” Gabirol stated, looking unusually puzzled.
“Well what hope have we if you do not?” Simon laughed.
“I shall try to explain better,” the old man said. “At the dawn of the vernal equinox, the Lion constellation Leo and the Sphinx are closely connected to the East. The Orion constellation is on the celestial meridian, exactly above the pyramids. Most importantly, it’s a perfect connection between Al Nitak, the largest star of the belt of Orion and the Great Pyramid, the biggest monument in the Giza plateau. The seven known planets are positioned along the ecliptic in a perfect row, fixing the beginning of the New Era. Just below the ecliptic, the new moon gives way to sunrise, symbolising the rebirth of the New Light that will flood the land of Egypt, bringing lifeblood for new crops. Within a few moments, the moon followed the Sun God, Ra, through its astronomical move…while all courtiers, the planets, waiting for him, were darkened by its vitality. In its rising path, the Sun God, Ra, had its first stop at the foot of the Lion constellation-Sphinx, where it met Jupiter, the Temple of Valley. Jupiter symbolises the Father of the Gods, and it’s an expressive symbol of justice. At Giza in 36,400 BC only, the Lion constellation meets Mercury and Jupiter. The two mysterious temples on Giza have planets’ proportional values…the Sun God, Ra, then meets Mercury, represented by the Temple of the Sphinx, the Messenger of the Gods, ready to accomplish its function as marking the beginning of the Zep Tepi. The arrangement of two planets in conjunction with the star Regulus has an amazing meaning. Looking at the Sphinx, there are two temples at its feet characterised by colossal and mysterious columns that were built at the same time as the pyramids and represent Jupiter and Mercury. Lastly, the sun meets Mars, the red planet, symbolising power. It is time to establish the rule over the universe, sitting on the throne of the sky, so as for Osiris when he ruled over the land of Egypt, starting the Age of the Zep Tepi. Now, the Sun God, Ra, is at the zenith. Everything has been accomplished according to the laws of astronomy. Passing the zenith, the Sun God, Ra, goes through the ecliptic, in the southwest quadrant, where Saturn is waiting. Observing the astronomical maps, some of which were recovered by the original Templars, a curious detail strikes…all planets whose names are associated with the days of the week are on the ecliptic. It is very intriguing to note that the planet of rest, Saturn–Saturday, is located exactly in the southwest quadrant, the place of death for Ancient Egyptians. The disposition of Saturn is very telling for in Hebrew traditions they consider Saturday as the day of rest, dedicating it to celebrating the Lord. It means that Hebrew traditions were most likely influenced by memories of Zep Tepi, which is not surprising considering all the connections I have discussed with you so far.” [102]