Outremer III

by D. N. Carter

  Chapter 62

  Hymn of the Risen

  Port of La Rochelle, France, Melissae Inn, spring 1191

  “I think I am going to be sick,” Ayleth remarked and cupped her mouth.

  Sarah quickly passed her a small glass of fresh water.

  “Here…sip this…’tis pre-boiled and cool so safe,” she said as Ayleth took the glass and drank the water.

  Simon wiped a tear from his eye and coughed.

  “How does one ever get over something like that?” the wealthy tailor asked.

  “You don’t…you just carry on living the best you can…as some wounds never heal,” the Templar replied. Miriam sensed that he was speaking from past experience and squeezed his hand gently.

  “Did those evil bastards go there with the purpose of murdering Alisha?” Sarah asked, her voice angry in tone.

  “Let me just say for now, for I shall reveal fully later, that yes…they had been given specific instructions to steal whatever plans they could find of Paul’s advanced ship design,” the old man said and watched as Sarah shook her head disapprovingly and clenched her fists together. “They had already tried several times at the boat yard but found nothing. But their primary mission all along was to kill Alisha and her unborn child.”

  “Bastards!” Sarah fumed and banged her fists down on the table, making Ayleth jump.

  “And who pray tell ordered her death?” the Hospitaller asked.

  “That evil bastard Turansha I bet,” Sarah interrupted, her face turning red.

  “He had a part to play in it yes…but his interest that eve was purely the boat plans…but it will surprise you when I tell you whom exactly it was who had ordered her death,” the old man explained.

  The room fell silent for several long minutes before Stephan stood up.

  “The hour is very late…should we not resume this in the morn?” he asked.

  “No bloody way,” Sarah shot back instantly. “I mean…I mean no, surely we must end this night,” she said, exasperated, and pointed at the Templar and Hospitaller. “They have to leave and will miss any ending.”

  “Oh…I think I have started to work out that my brother and I already have the next path of our journey, in this life, set before us,” the Templar replied and nodded at the old man.

  The old man leaned forward interweaving his fingers together as he rested upon his elbows.

  “The man who got away over the rooftops took with him, not the plans of Paul’s ship designs, but plans Paul should never have drawn up…detailed images and dimensions of the sacred Hall of Records itself. Its full layout and written notes of how it was directly representative of the New Jerusalem as detailed within the Bible’s Book of Revelation…”

  “Oh no…which is what he was specifically told not to do,” Peter sighed.

  “Exactly,” the old man replied. “And Paul knew this as soon as he realised exactly what had been stolen. And the guilt he felt was almost unbearable for the loss of Nyla and the harm it had brought to their doorstep.”

  “So much pain and anguish. Perhaps it would have been kinder if he and Alisha had not gotten together as Sister Lucy had warned all along,” Ayleth commented sadly.

  “Paul learnt a very valuable if costly lesson. He now fully understood exactly why the ancient mystics, people like Kratos and Attar, all memorised things over many years…just like the Druids before them…just so no such thing could happen,” the old man explained.

  “But so what if whoever it was ends up with the plans he had drawn…it did not give away the location did it?” Gabirol stated.

  “No it did not. But that is exactly why from one evil, an even greater evil would be initiated in order to gain that knowledge,” the old man replied solemnly.

  “Oh dear Lord I don’t think I wish to hear what comes next,” Ayleth responded shaking her head looking saddened.

  “Please tell me that Thomas and his men did stay to protect them,” Miriam said softly.

  “Yes…they stayed. They even cut back on their other paid duties, and Husam, when he heard of what had happened, even re-stationed a crack troop of his own most trusted men permanently at their residence. Paul was able to twist the truth a little…that the new plans to the ship had been stolen, for which he also felt guilty over, having to lie.”

  “But a necessary and understandable lie yes?” the Templar asked.

  “Yes,” the old man replied. “Thomas and his men, true to their word, sorted themselves out…they even named themselves the ‘Knights of Aquarius’ and even made up their own new motto.”

  “Motto…what?” Simon asked.

  “Well, along with Percival, they carried out a ceremony and all swore a new pledge…but only after they had buried Nyla. That was a particularly sad day for everyone…her father even threatening suicide. In truth I believe it was Thomas’s way of uniting the group tightly as well as give Percival a purpose. But he was not the same person. When Nyla was killed so too was a large part of him that he could not heal or replace.”

  “So despite everything, Paul decided to stay where they were?” the farrier asked.

  “Yes. He knew if they moved, they would just as soon be found again. He made a deliberate decision to wait until after Alisha had given birth, then make plans to return to La Rochelle,” the old man answered and sat back in his chair.

  “And the motto. Do you know what it was?” Gabirol asked, ready to write it down.

  “Yes, that I do. ’Tis simply ‘Nos vivere, sed ut ministraret’.”

  “Meaning?” Simon asked bluntly.

  “We live but to serve,” the Templar answered for the old man. “I know of this motto and the men of the group you speak of…now that you have told us their name.”

  “So they are real then?” the Genoese sailor asked, surprised.

  “Have you not heard a thing you have been told?” the Templar asked with a look of disappointment at the sailor. “They were real enough that I can vouch for…now I know of exactly whom we are talking about.”

  The old man lowered his head for a moment clearly deep in thought.

  “Every day Percival tended to Nyla’s grave just a short distance from their home. Nyla’s parents were utterly broken hearted. It was something no one could help any of them with. And Alisha, she missed her friend daily. ’Twas Sister Lucy and Theodoric that held the household together during those dark early weeks…but Paul’s sense of guilt only grew ever bigger. And Arri…he could no longer sleep alone upstairs so every eve, Sister Lucy or Alisha would have to sit with him until he fell asleep. ’Twas a very sad time and laughter was not heard anywhere. ’Twas Ishmael who managed to really motivate Percival, slowly at first, but daily he persisted with him. He could empathise with him and Percival acknowledged the fact that they both shared and had a similar tragedy in common.”

  “I think it providential that Tenno had taught Alisha to fight so well,” Ayleth commented almost in a daze as her imagination ran over many scenarios of how the fight must have looked.

  “It would sadly not be the last time she would have cause to use such skills,” the old man said.

  1 - 19

  “Oh my Lord I truly cannot listen to much more…surely not?” Ayleth pleaded.

  “I shall make us all a snack and more drink for we shall need it,” Stephan interrupted.

  The old man looked up and nodded in agreement.

  Cairo, December 1183

  Paul ran his fingers through his hair, sat at his drawing table unable to concentrate. It was midday and he had not completed any work. Husam was due to visit any day yet he had nothing to show him except his previous slightly amended drawings and he hoped Husam would accept his story that all his recent work had been stolen. Using the attack and Nyla’s death as an excuse troubled him greatly. He had the corridor cleaned of all traces of blood, the wall repaired and Arri moved into the bedroom beside his and Alisha’s. Percival had moved into the dormitory spare room along with Thomas and his men no longer able to
bear staying in his previous room shared with Nyla. Several times Paul had caught Percival looking at Alisha, her bump extending more as each week passed, being reminded of Nyla whichever way he turned or looked. Paul sighed deeply and rested forward upon his knees shaking his head. A light knock on his door drew his attention and he looked up as Theodoric popped his head around the door.

  “I come bearing gifts,” he said and entered carrying something behind his back. “Close your eyes,” he smiled.

  “What…Theo no. What is it?” Paul asked, slightly irritated.

  “Oh come on…indulge an old man and humour me. Don’t be so grown up,” Theodoric replied and raised his eyebrows. Reluctantly Paul closed his eyes. “Hands out.” Paul shook his head, unimpressed, but held out his hands, his eyes shut. Theodoric placed a small wrapped package upon his open hands and stood back. “You can open them now.”

  Paul opened his eyes and looked at the small sealed package. It was from England and he immediately knew it was from his father. Quickly he broke the two wax seals and untied the bindings. As he folded the outer wrappings down a small beautifully made polished oak wood box revealed itself. A small gold latch held the top in place. Carefully he opened it to reveal an ornate mariner’s compass. In surprise and smiling he looked up at Theodoric.

  “’Tis one of the new compasses my father promised,” he said and smiled broadly.

  “’Tis better to see you smile again,” Theodoric remarked and stood with his hands behind his back. “I can teach you how to use it when you are ready.”

  “You know how to use this?”

  “Er, I should hope so,” Theodoric replied and raised his eyebrows.

  “’Tis a beautiful instrument. I am surprised father risked sending it at all,” Paul remarked as he took out the compass.

  “Oh…and this also arrived. From Saladin himself,” Theodoric explained and handed Paul a sealed envelope. Paul looked at him, puzzled.

  “Saladin himself?”

  “Well, it is actually addressed to both you and Alisha. Possibly just another dress order.”

  Paul immediately opened the envelope and took out the folded letter. He studied it and was surprised to read that it was written in French, not Arabic. Theodoric stood still patiently waiting as Paul read the letter thoroughly.

  “My Lord…’tis indeed a personal letter from Saladin expressing his deepest condolences to us and Percival on the sad loss of Nyla…and that his wife Ismat…wife?” Paul said, again puzzled. “That she is likewise saddened but hopes Alisha will carry on with her dress making…and…and it says here that they will find out who was responsible for Nyla’s death and they will face justice accordingly!”

  “Interesting,” Theodoric said and rubbed his chin. He pulled up the small stool nearest to him and sat down opposite. “I am sure Saladin would know it was Turansha’s men…”

  “This Ismat…I know Alisha said her dresses were for a woman whom Saladin was greatly fond of…but who is she?”

  “Ismat? Your father, Firgany and I met her once. A beautiful and determined woman for sure,” Theodoric answered but continued to rub his chin. Something he always did when thinking hard. “She was the wife of Nur ad-Din and Amalric once laid siege to her castle the moment Nur ad-Din died…but she offered him a bribe to lift the siege, but he demanded a larger offer. She refused and Amalric continued the siege for two weeks, until finally accepting the money along with the release of twenty Christian prisoners. Even William of Tyre described her as having courage beyond that of most women. Saladin was Nur ad-Din’s general and after gaining control over Egypt, claimed Damascus as Nur ad-Din’s successor when he died. He very smartly legitimised this claim by marrying Ismat ad-Din in 1176. Though not Saladin’s only wife, I can assure you she is the one woman whom he loves the most, that I do know,” Theodoric explained. “Fortunately she had no children with Nur ad-Din and so far none with Saladin. Even now in Damascus she is the patron of numerous religious buildings, including a madrasa and a mausoleum for her father. She could prove a good ally should you ever need her support.”

  “Why would I need her support?”

  “There is much politic and intrigue at the moment. Saladin deals daily with disruption within his own ranks let alone those like Reynald and Gerard…and she is without doubt his priority.”

  “And so much of the same back in France and Britain no less…is there nowhere we can go and be safe?” Paul asked and sighed.

  “Then stay here. You are guarded and well protected and you know the place. Anyone who wishes you harm, let them bring the fight here on your terms. Besides, there is much still to learn of this sacred place…for this house is built upon the very ruins of what was once the most holiest of Ancient Egypt’s cities…Heliopolis as the Greeks named it…the birth place and home of the legendary Phoenix.”

  “Yes I was aware of that. But I am also already aware how the Phoenix is symbolic for mankind being reborn and its connection to the Holy Grail legends…how Phoenic was the bird of the Phoenicians with its root word for Phoenix as you have explained previously. I have not forgotten,” Paul replied and shook his head, looking sad. “I saw so many things when I was inside that pyramid complex…and I still have so many questions. Questions I dare not ask.”

  “Then ask for I may have answers to some…and I am sure you have not forgotten,” Theodoric replied, seeing the frustration written across Paul’s face. “Look Paul…Heliopolis was Ancient Egypt’s most ancient temple though nothing remains, its stones used for various buildings in Cairo. But its true importance lies scattered in various ancient accounts, from Diodorus Siculus, Plato and many others. It must not be confused with the labyrinth which funnily enough had twelve parts for twelve kings… It is said that those who fly too close to the sun get burned. In the case of the priests of Heliopolis, it is reported that of all temples of Ancient Egypt, theirs was the most magnificent; that their temple had a floor so perfect that one could see the night’s sky reflected upon it. Though it was the home of the mythical Phoenix, Heliopolis, once destroyed, never rose from its ashes to be born again. The Greeks used Heliopolis as a quarry to use its stones for the construction of the Pharos lighthouse in the harbour of Alexandria as well as its obelisks taken there and to Rome by the Romans. Over half of the obelisks now in Rome came from Heliopolis. You know it existed at the very dawn of the very first Egyptian dynasties… even before.”

  “I recall my father telling Stewart and I that Heliopolis was the name the Greeks gave it. The Egyptian name was Iunu, meaning ‘place of pillars’, which in biblical Hebrew was corrupted as On. He said the pillar aspect was important,” Paul sighed.

  “Diodorus Siculus, in 60 BC, wrote that Heliopolis was built by Actis, one of the sons of Helios and Rhode, who named the city after his father. It is claimed that while all Greek cities were destroyed during the flood, Egyptian cities, including Heliopolis, survived. The chief deity of Heliopolis was the creator god Atum, who soon became known as Atum-Ra. He was the self-begotten creator god who created the universe through masturbation seeing he was, after all, totally alone in the universe. He also created the so-called Ennead, the group of nine gods that embodied the creative source and chief forces of the universe. The Ennead, being the Nine Principles through which the Pharaoh ruled and ordered the forces of the universe, which dominated Egyptian thought from the Old Kingdom onwards, for no less than three thousand years. It is therefore the longest living theology that has ever existed…so far! Atum was worshipped in the site’s primary temple, which was known by the names Per-Aat, ‘Great House’, and Per-Atum, ‘the House of Atum’. Another temple in Heliopolis was the ‘Mansion of the Benben’, also known as the ‘Mansion of the Phoenix’, which is believed to have been a sacred precinct in which in the middle of an open courtyard stood a stone pillar, on top of which sat the ‘benben stone’. It was seen as the solidified seed of Atum, the Stone of Creation, a magical stone, and some have concluded that it was of meteoric origin, ‘shining’ i
n the sky, but when fallen to earth, black. I am sure you are more than aware the sword you carry is made from the same material?” Theodoric asked and nodded at Paul’s sword.

  “I am certainly beginning to understand that it is unique for sure,” Paul replied and placed his hand upon it just as Theodoric cleared his throat to continue.

  “Alas, the stone itself has disappeared and is hence impossible to study. It was on this stone that the Phoenix, the Greek rendition of the Egypt benu bird, was said to return periodically, whereby he was reborn from his ashes, heralding a new era. Ancient accounts differ as to the number of years that passed between his visits, some dates apparently linked with a calendar that in turn was linked to the precession of the equinoxes, others with the stellar calendar, dominated by Sirius. The pyramids of Giza align to the obelisk of Heliopolis, which replaced the Temple of the Phoenix, where the benben stone had previously been kept. Furthermore, Giza and Heliopolis were connected by the ‘Sacred Roads of the Gods’. This confirms the direct links between Giza with Heliopolis, and it is a very important connection. But know this, Paul…some will argue that the sacred primordial hill where the self-begotten Creator God Atum created the world from is not here in Heliopolis like the Greek geographer Strabo stated, for despite being situated on top of a noteworthy mound, the primordial hill of their mythology was actually Giza. The Giza group represents a symbolic expression of the Heliopolitan myth and the Sphinx was said to guard the ‘Splendid Place of the Beginning of All Time’, which is of course the primeval hill, the Mound of Creation. There is an account of how an old sycamore tree that grew near the Sphinx was damaged when the Lord of Heaven descended upon the Place of Hor-em-Akhet, the latter translated as ‘the place of the Falcon God Horus of the Horizon’, identified with the Sphinx. This tree was linked to Atum and in Heliopolis there was a chapel to Atum of the sycamore tree. The cult of the sycamore tree was, as usual, worked into Christianity for it became the Tree of the Virgin, which is a sycamore.”