Outremer III

by D. N. Carter

  “No…despite it all, she did not regret the path they had chosen together. She knew and felt within in her heart that she could not live without him. She loved him with more than her heart and soul,” the old man paused. “But sometimes in this life, in this world, love is not always enough,” he sighed.

  “That sounds very ominous,” Gabirol remarked.

  “It is said that love is enough…that love conquers all. ’Tis a view I still hold onto, but one I know to be seriously difficult to maintain,” the old man explained sadly.

  “Jesus said that love is all you need,” Simon interjected and quickly looked at Sarah.

  “The man Jesus certainly said many things. For you, Simon, I would ask that you remember these simple facts about the man. There will come a time when he will be viewed and looked upon as the greatest man that ever lived in this age…he had no servants yet he is called master. He had no recognised qualifications yet he is called a teacher…he had no medicines yet he is called a healer…he had no army yet kings feared him…he won no military campaigns yet he has conquered the world… almost all the world,” the old man sighed.

  “Why do you tell us that?” the Genoese sailor asked, bemused.

  “Because it is not necessarily by force that fights are won. And despite all that was happening in Paul’s world, he was still constantly trying to justify the use of force, especially as he stood there looking at the men before him, highly trained, armed and ready to inflict extreme violence on his behalf for the sake of his children. In the back of his mind was always the thought of how to carry the codes entrusted to him forwards without the use of such a force, like the Templars have so far managed to do. Plus how he could possibly ever help with the diplomatic charge he had been commissioned with….to raise and inaugurate a Muslim contingent of Templars?”

  “That I would like to see,” the farrier remarked and sat up.

  “Hmm, it most certainly would be an interesting development,” the Hospitaller commented and leaned upon his right elbow and looked at his brother. “Well?”

  “Well what? ’Tis possible. And imagine if we did join with the best of their men,” the Templar replied.

  “This harbour they have all met at. Is it not the same one as built by the biblical Herod?” the Genoese sailor asked. “Sorry to change the subject. Just wondering.”

  “Yes, yes it is,” the old man answered and faced him. “The port of Caesarea Maritima…’Twas indeed Herod the Great who constructed the large port city to honour the Roman Caesar Augustus in around 25–13 BC. Theodoric on one of his earlier escapades actually found and reburied a stone confirming Pontius Pilate’s historical existence. But that is another story,” the old man explained and momentarily laughed to himself. “The emperor Vespasian raised its status to that of a colonia and after the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, Caesarea became the provincial capital of the Judaea Province. Herod built his palace on a promontory jutting out into the sea, with a decorative pool surrounded by stoas. It became the official residence of the Roman procurators and governors, Pontius Pilatus, praefectus and Antonius Felix. Josephus described the harbour as being as large as the one at Piraeus, the major harbour of Athens. Remains of the principal buildings erected by Herod are still visible today, including the city walls, the castle and of course the Crusader cathedral and church. In AD 66, the desecration of the local synagogue led to the disastrous Jewish revolt. In AD 70, after the Jewish revolt was suppressed, games were held there to celebrate the victory of Titus and many Jewish captives, some 2,500, were slaughtered in gladiatorial games. After the revolt of Simon bar Kokhba in AD 132, which ended with the destruction of Jerusalem and expulsion of Jews, Caesarea became the capital of the new Roman province of Palaestina Prima. According to the Acts of the Apostles, Caesarea was first introduced to Christianity by Philip the Deacon, who later had a house there in which he gave hospitality to Paul the Apostle and baptised Cornelius the Centurion and his household, the first time Christian baptism was conferred on gentiles. Paul’s first missionary journey no less. When the newly converted Paul the Apostle was in danger in Jerusalem, the Christians there accompanied him to Caesarea and sent him off to his native Tarsus. He visited Caesarea between his second and third missionary journeys, and later, as I mentioned before, stayed several days there with Philip the Deacon. Later still, he was a prisoner there for two years before being sent to Rome. In the third century, Origen wrote his Hexapla and other exegetical and theological works while living in Caesarea and as a consequence many believe the Nicene Creed may have originated in Caesarea. Under Arab rule, the city walls remained, but within them the population dwindled and agriculture crept in among the ruins. By the ninth century there was a substantial colony of Frankish settlers established by Emperor Charlemagne to facilitate Latin pilgrimages. When Baldwin the First took the city in 1101/2, during the First Crusade, it was still very rich. A legend grew up that in this city was discovered the Holy Grail around which so much folklore has accrued…hence why Philip, Firgany and Theodoric at one time found themselves in that very city as well as helping with the design and building of new strongly refortified structures.”

  “So after staying there briefly, Alisha and Paul and the others went on to Tiberias?” the farrier asked, pushing the issue.

  “Yes. It was agreed that once there, they would formulate the best plan they could. But they were ever cautious about spies and whom to trust. It did not help that when they arrived in Tiberias, Gerard and a full squadron of Templars, including your very own troop, were there at the same time.”

  “I remember it as if it were yesterday,” the Templar recalled and shuddered momentarily. Miriam clasped his hand reassuringly as he appeared to become emotional. “But I had no idea…only the sense that they were not like us when they arrived. You could sense there was a purpose about them. And this Paul,” the Templar explained and paused as he shook his head. “I actually met him…”

  Simon sat back hard in his chair and folded his arms as Gabirol just looked up at the old man, his quill held in midair.

  “The journey from the port had been a hard yet fast one. Alisha did not wish to wait around for fear of not being near to Gilgal and having enough time to reach it when the appointed day arrived, so she rode a horse, Paul riding Adrastos of course,” the old man explained.

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  “What you mean they took him along too?” the farrier asked, surprised.

  “Yes. It would have cost a small fortune to purchase or hire another and as they knew the captain and the ship had stabling for eight horses, they took Adrastos and their other horse with them,” the old man answered. “Taking a cart out across the plains to Gilgal was also impossible.”

  “Ah, you promised me you would explain why Tiberias no longer stands,” Simon interrupted, recalling the old man’s earlier promise about the fortress.

  Crusader fortress of Tiberias, Principality of Galilee, November 12th 1186

  Alisha rode beside Paul as Brother Teric pulled up just short of the main fortified entrance. She saw the massive ten foot thick walls and her eyes fell to the shoreline, the waters looking choppy as a cold northeasterly wind blew in hard. No sooner had they stopped when they were being ushered across the drawbridge, the large façade of large ashlar stones shining with moisture from the constant drizzle. The water in the moat was being blown into mini waves and everything appeared dark, miserable and full of gloom. Her eyes looked up at the massive iron portcullis as she rode beneath it. Once inside the main courtyard, Alisha sat motionless, her hood drawn up over her head as the others dismounted. Her heart fluttered as she thought how Arri and Ailia were. Were they being treated well or abused? She shuddered and closed her eyes trying to shake such thoughts out of her mind.

  “Alisha,” a softly spoken female said.

  Alisha opened her eyes and looked down at a dark haired woman smiling up at her.

  “Yes,” was all Alisha could reply.

  “Come with me. I have a h
ot bath being prepared. Do you remember me…I am Eschiva, Raymond’s wife,” she explained and beckoned her to dismount.

  Paul dismounted and a Templar sergeant took the reins of Adrastos. Quickly he walked over to help Alisha down. Gently he took her weight and lowered her to the floor beside him. Princess Eschiva smiled at them both.

  “Well well well. Look what the cat’s dragged in,” Gerard called out loudly as he approached across the courtyard. “What on this good Lord’s earth brings you here?” he demanded. Alisha and Paul looked at him and he immediately saw the sadness etched across Alisha’s face. “Ah…I sense sorrow here. I must beg your pardon,” he politely remarked and bowed his head.

  “They are here as my guests…just passing through,” Count Raymond explained as he appeared alongside Brother Teric.

  Gerard took a cautious step back as Tenno, Taqi, Percival, Ishmael, Thomas, Mathew and Luke moved to stand behind Alisha and Paul.

  “And pray tell what war are you all off to start?” Gerard asked, bemused, as the drizzle of fine rain started to fall harder.

  “We are here to finish one,” Percival blurted out, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Gerard hard.

  “Not with me I trust for I have not eaten today,” Gerard replied, half joking but concerned.

  “Not with you,” Paul said and nodded at Gerard. “I am glad to see you are still alive and well after our last meeting.”

  “Yes…very well indeed. Please, excuse me for I am remiss with my manners. ’Twas just a surprise to see you here of all places,” Gerard said and bowed to Alisha as several Templars formed up behind him. “Brothers Teric and Nicholas…perhaps you would be so good as to enlighten me as to your involvement here?”

  Brother Teric and Nicholas bowed their heads to Gerard and stood between him and Paul.

  “Master,” Brother Teric started to explain before Count Raymond interrupted him.

  “They were following my orders, that is all you need know at this moment,” he stated and started to usher Alisha and Paul away toward the main keep’s entrance door. “I shall explain all later, Master Gerard.”

  “May I remind you who commands these men?” Gerard retorted.

  “And may I remind you who commands this principality and lands, including you…unless you wish to withdraw your men and all that goes with your commission to us and depart this very hour?” Raymond countered immediately.

  “Gentlemen…please there is no need for quarrelling,” Princess Eschiva said calmly and took Raymond’s hand.

  Gerard looked up as the clouds grew darker and more rain fell. He blinked as the rain splashed upon his face.

  “My Lord…I would so hate for MY men to suffer needlessly on such a wet and miserable day, so I shall of course bow to your indulgence this day,” he remarked, not looking at Raymond. When he lowered his gaze he looked directly at Paul. “Besides, I have a long overdue thank you to proffer to this young man,” Gerard smiled as he stepped nearer to Paul. “No offence meant so please ignore my brashness for I am genuinely grateful and indebted to you. I was just taken a little by surprise at your presence here,” he said quietly.

  “No offence taken,” Paul replied, looking Gerard in the eyes intently.

  Gerard leaned closer and patted Paul on his upper arm and smiled.

  “Seriously, thank you,” Gerard said quietly, looked at Alisha and winked.

  As he walked away followed by several of his knights and sergeants, Stewart stepped out from amongst another group of mixed Confrere Knights. Standing still before Paul he feigned a nervous smile. Without a word Paul embraced and hugged him just as the heavens opened up above them in a deluge of rain. Paul smiled at Stewart as he held him back at arm’s length and began to laugh as they started to get soaked. Princess Eschiva quickly led Alisha out of the downpour and inside the main keep. Several other Templars and two Hospitallers looked on bemused as they stood beneath a wooden awning shielded from the rain. Raymond ran inside and called for them to follow but Paul and Stewart just stood and looked at each other. Out from an archway an old man appeared with a small wooden staff in his hands. Slowly he approached Paul and Stewart only stopping when he reached Paul, staring at his sword. Gently he reached out his old gnarled looking hand and touched the pommel. As he did, he suddenly smiled and stood up straight, his aged eyes widening. Stewart looked on bemused. Paul looked at the old man, also puzzled, and frowned.

  “You…you took your time to arrive,” the old man said, his voice old and crackly. He waved his finger at Paul and smiled broadly despite the downpour falling. “Are you aware that this sword…this sword was that which was sealed since the dawn of this age of man within that altar of stone in Egypt…for it is the same one for sure?”

  Stewart shrugged his shoulders, puzzled.

  “I know it is of a great age and passed on to me by our father,” Paul replied.

  “Ah…so brothers you are…as are those two,” the old man said smiling and pointed at a Templar and Hospitaller looking in from the cover of the enclosed paddock nearby. Both stood up straight when the old man pointed at them. “You are of the same vine,” the old man stated, nodded and began to walk away across the large forecourt. “You must all four be far away from here before the summer of next year,” he called out, stopped and looked back. “For this fortress is no fortress against what cometh and shall befall all here.” With that he smiled again, turned his back on them and carried on walking.

  Paul looked at Stewart then both looked across at the Templar and Hospitaller stood together. Thomas ran over, grabbed Paul’s arm and started to pull him.

  “Come on. We can’t afford for you to fall ill with the shivers,” Thomas said and pushed Paul toward the main entrance door.

  Stewart glanced briefly at the two knights, one raising his hand in acknowledgement. Stewart knew the Templar as belonging to Count Raymond’s contingent based at the fortress.

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

  The room fell silent as they all looked at the Templar and Hospitaller. The Templar shook his head in disbelief.

  “Like I said…I know now of whom you speak for that was my brother and I you speak of,” the Templar remarked, his voice slightly broken.

  “You say the old man said we are of the same vine. What did he mean? For we did not hear of what was said that day,” the Hospitaller asked.

  “I wish to know who the old man was,” Gabirol asked.

  “The old man was a Jewish sage who had lived in Tiberias many many years,” the old man explained.

  “Jewish?” Simon blurted out.

  “Yes, Jewish. Tiberias had a large Jewish population,” the old man answered.

  “But of the same vine…what are you telling us?” the Templar asked, his voice concerned.

  “Exactly what it infers and implies, my friends…,” the old man replied and looked at him directly. Both the Templar and Hospitaller shook their heads, confused and in disbelief. “As I said at the very start of this tale, I know you both well enough to have known I was in no danger with you.”

  Miriam clasped her hands over the Templar’s hand seeing him recoil uncomfortably at what he was hearing.

  “Are you confirming that you were both there in Tiberias when Alisha and Paul arrived?” Gabirol asked.

  “Yes…and the old man was there, in the rain just as explained,” the Hospitaller answered. “I knew earlier that much of what has been told we could confirm…but this news you speak of…that we are of the same vine and what that implies. I…we, we cannot believe that, I am afraid.”

  “Do not doubt your own worthiness either of you, none of you in here should. You said it yourselves, your father treated you badly for he was suffering a great loss and could not cope. Listen to that inner voice that now speaks to you this very minute. You said you remember when Alisha and Paul arrived with their knights. How different they seemed. That, my friends, was simply you recognising your own kind,” the old man explained and sat back slowly
and waited for their response.

  “Are you saying that their bloodlines are of the same tree as Alisha and Paul’s?” Ayleth asked, finally breaking the silence.

  “Yes,” the old man stated matter of factly.

  Miriam let out an involuntary gasp.

  “How so?” the Templar asked, visibly shaking.

  “Your mother…she was the elder sister no less of Paul’s mother, your aunt,” the old man said softly.

  “Holy Mother of God,” Sarah said aloud, surprised.

  “Yes, almost,” the old man laughed lightly.

  The Hospitaller lowered his head and shook his head, trying to hide his emotions. The Templar, seeing his brother, immediately leant over, pushing Simon back a little, and rubbed his shoulder reassuringly.

  “We never knew our mother and father refused to speak of her…,” the Templar said emotionally as his brother started to sob, rubbing his eyes. “So Paul is our cousin…and you have known of us all this time?”

  “Of course. Why do you think you were ‘cursed’ as you once called it for not being allowed to attend that fateful march toward Hattin?”

  Miriam and Ayleth began to get upset seeing how tearful the Hospitaller was becoming. The wealthy tailor wiped away a tear quickly trying to hide it but the Genoese sailor had seen him. He winked in silence.

  “Huh, as you can see, I am the softer of us two.” The Hospitaller laughed emotionally, wiping his tears, embarrassed. “So much makes sense now.”

  “A soft heart in a harsh world is the strongest and bravest heart of all,” the old man replied.

  “You said the old man claimed the sword came from the altar of stone and had been there since the dawn of this age of man. What did he mean by that?” Peter asked.

  “’Tis true. Long before Paul’s mother even took charge of this,” the old man started to say and paused as he placed his hands over the scabbard gently and gripped it. “This was sealed inside a special chamber, inside the Great Pyramid, separate from the other hidden chambers of creation. In removing it, the guardian set to watch over it sadly perished. That was not part of the plan. Her body still resides within…and perhaps one day it will be found. But when that time comes, many new questions shall be asked of it that is for sure,” the old man explained and shrugged his shoulders briefly and smiled as he thought upon his own words.