by D. N. Carter
“Who was she?” Ayleth asked sheepishly.
“Oh, let us say she was a messenger of sorts for that is all I can and will tell you about her,” the old man answered and looked at her.
Gabirol raised his hand to speak.
“I heard that according to legend, the first man to break into the Great Pyramid, the caliph named Abdullah al-Ma’mun, or as you called him, Mammon, the son of Harun al-Rashid, in AD 813, found in the King’s Chamber the remains of a human looking figure, but different to us somehow. I have read that some Arabian authors reported he found in the sarcophagus a stone statue in the shape of a man. They say that within the statue lay this body wearing a breastplate of gold set with precious stones, an invaluable sword on his chest, and a carbuncle ruby on its head the size of an egg, which shone as with the light of day. Is that why the Jewish sage said the sword came from there?”
“Those reports and authors are not that far from the truth,” the old man acknowledged.
“Why are we not told of such matters?” Sarah asked.
“Because it would change everything and the Church would lose its control…,” the Hospitaller said as he sat himself upright and took a deep breath, his brother letting go of his shoulder.
“I just need to know Alisha and Paul got their babies back,” Sarah said quietly and looked at Stephan. He feigned a knowing smile for he knew what was about to be explained next. He lifted her hand and gently kissed it before looking toward the old man. He nodded for him to continue.
Chapter 65
The Deepest Wound
Crusader fortress of Tiberias, Principality of Galilee, November 12th 1186
Alisha took off her wet over cloak as Princess Eschiva helped take it from her shoulders. The large open reception room was warm and inviting, a large welcoming fire burning away. Paul entered, his wet cloak already in his hands. Count Raymond walked across the room fast and opened a side door and indicated with a swift nod of his head for the two maids inside to come out. As they did, Taqi and Brother Teric entered the room closely followed by Ishmael, Thomas, Luke and Mathew. Balian entered and walked directly toward Alisha and Paul just as Tenno and Nicholas entered the room behind him, their wet coveralls in hand.
“I came as soon as I heard,” Balian said and shook Paul’s hand and bowed his head to Alisha. Steam started to rise off of him from his soaked fur lined cape.
“How did you hear?” Paul asked, both bemused and concerned.
“Nothing escapes my knowledge…one rumour that the Grail family was coming here and I knew it was you,” Balian replied.
“We are not the Grail family,” Paul replied and frowned hard.
“You try telling others that. That is exactly why we find ourselves in this predicament now,” Balian explained and gently took Alisha’s hand and kissed it. “There are those lords amongst our kind who see you as a direct threat to their own claims in this region.”
“We are no threat and this is our predicament,” Alisha said in response.
“’Tis ours also…trust me on this matter,” Balian replied as Count Raymond nodded in agreement. “Also, Paul, my warrant and commission still stands as good as the day Ernoul wrote it out. That also means my pledge to support you still stands.”
“But I did not accept it,” Paul answered.
“Maybe not…but as a friend, this problem you now face is the worst kind any parent should ever face,” Balian explained. Princess Eschiva smiled softly at Alisha and nodded in agreement with him. “Even Saladin himself is aware of your predicament and has offered a full troop of his best men to help…”
“Saladin?” Alisha gasped in surprise.
Count Raymond stepped closer and looked at her.
“Fear not, I speak with Saladin frequently as does Balian. Turansha knows full well he has over stepped the line on this matter…I have banned Reynald from my lands for now, so the only problem we face is in deciding a stratagem to recover your children safely without giving Turansha what he is after…and if that means we use some of Saladin’s men to do that, then so be it,” Raymond explained.
“You cannot give him what he demands,” Abi suddenly interrupted as she entered the room unfastening her thick fur collared surcoat.
“We know Brother Matthews is involved,” Brother Teric said. “He has not reported back for duty as he should have and his family has also left the safety of this castle. It is highly probable that wherever he is, so too we shall find your children. We will keep a constant look out and patrols to see if we can locate them prior to Turansha’s deadline meeting.”
“But if Turansha finds this out, he will kill them as his terms state!” Paul interjected, alarmed.
“We have two weeks to locate and rescue them. Gerard leaves soon but we have most of the Knights of Lazarus camped outside the walls ready and willing to serve us alongside whatever troops from Saladin arrive,” Balian explained reassuringly. “There is no way of softening what I say so I shall just say it. Turansha has no intention of letting any of you live. You know this to be true.”
Alisha turned pale as the colour in her face drained away. Her eyes wide she looked to Abi for some words of comfort or reassurance. Abi took hold of her hand.
“Listen to the voice that speaks within you. You know Balian speaks the truth. That is why I have come along with Percival, Tenno and Taqi. Even Al Rashid wishes to help. Turansha has succeeded in uniting friend and foe alike against him,” Abi said and looked across at Paul. “And whatever happens, you cannot, I repeat, and as unfair and as cruel as you may think me this hour, you cannot pass him the parchments you have drawn nor the knowledge and means of accessing that which he wishes. You cannot,” she stated and took several steps toward Paul, her deep blue eyes cutting into his very heart and soul. “You swore a promise remember?”
Paul turned away and walked over to the large arched windows. So similar to the windows in his father’s study, he thought. How he wished they were all there at that moment in time. He fought to control his emotions that were welling up inside. He could not speak for he knew he would cry yet again. He had to appear to be strong. He took a deep breath as he looked out of the windows overlooking the outer curtain wall and across the Sea of Galilee. Words to Alisha from him would be useless he knew. All stood in the room in silence, only the two maids moving as they took the wet cloaks away. After a while, Paul finally turned to face them all. Knowing the sword was part of the key, his hand resting upon the pommel, he vowed that he would put the very blade right through Turansha when he saw him. Memories flooded back to what the woman had told him beneath the pyramids as Abi had just reminded him. How she knew was quite irrelevant. The woman’s words echoed through his mind as if he was hearing them for the first time. He stood in silence looking mesmerised. ‘Safeguard the location and codes to its position…for mankind’s very survival in the future…and safeguard it you must as you so volunteered to do…long ago… Nothing, absolutely nothing else matters nor must come before that. Do you understand that fact? Agree to those terms and you will be allowed admittance to the Chambers of Creation to ask of it what you will. But remember all you have seen and heard here, but never write it down for there would be consequences beyond your wildest fears if you do.’ As her final words struck, he blinked and flinched backwards.
“Are you all right?” Balian asked, concerned.
“Yes…I know only full well what must be done,” Paul answered and walked over to Alisha. The desperation in her eyes pained him greatly as he took her hands. “I was told once that I could command an army of kings,” he said then looked around the room. “This day, as I look upon those here present, no finer or more noble men have I ever known for I see that army of kings…and this day I swear to my very own queen, I shall get our children back.”
Alisha looked at him and shook her head lost for words. Quickly she took out Clip clop, smelt him, closed her eyes and held him between her hands in prayer. Paul pulled her close and hugged her. Abi looked at Paul a
nd simply nodded slightly as Taqi put his arms around both of them. Tenno took a deep breath, stood up straight and checked his emotions.
Port of La Rochelle, France, Melissae Inn, spring 1191
“And both Gerard and Saladin agreed to help?” Simon asked, confused.
“Yes and do not forget that both sides had often worked together to fight bandits as well as do harvests and move water during times of drought, especially in Raymond’s area of rule and influence,” the old man answered.
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“How did Balian hear of their plight? ’Tis not he who is the other powerful lord who works with Turansha is it?” Gabirol asked.
“No, not he. As I said before, Balian is a great man of honour and personal courage,” the old man answered.
“Did they find the children then before the appointed time?” Sarah asked hesitantly, screwing up her face.
“No…for Turansha had hid them well. He had also made sure that word of Alisha and Paul’s plight would become common knowledge fast. ’Twas his own spies who made sure Balian heard the news. When everyone knew of them and their presence, Turansha knew he would wield far more power and influence when it became known that he had been the one to end their line. It also gave him the excuse to kill Alisha and Paul, claiming they had broken the bonds of the agreement,” the old man explained, shaking his head.
“Devious evil man,” Peter said sadly.
“Turansha wanted war between all sides and hoped that in by doing so and helping cause much friction between all, he could kill off anyone even remotely connected to any so-called legitimate claim to any of the fiefdoms or crowns in the Holy Land…such as Stewart too.”
“Of course…I had not thought of him,” Gabirol exclaimed.
“So what did Alisha and Paul do in the days leading up to the actual allotted time?” Simon asked.
“I can tell you they stayed inside most of the time for we were tasked with guarding them around the clock. I distinctly remember the protection that was afforded them and the curiosity they aroused as being the Grail family,” the Templar remarked.
“They were agonisingly long days for sure,” the old man commented, looking at the sword. “And to add to the misery, the weather turned even colder. The worst in decades with great snowfalls. The Knights of Lazarus camped outside endured all that the weather could throw at them.”
“Why were they not inside the castle?” Ayleth asked.
“Why do you think…for they were considered by many as unclean. Though in truth despite their ailments they were probably cleaner than most of us at the time,” the Hospitaller explained. “I recall now, ’tis so obvious, the beautiful woman we all saw and who was being looked after, on the day it stopped raining and sleeting… for she ventured outside and into their camp to thank them for their daily and continued searches and patrols. I did not see it personally but I was told that she even hugged several of them, one a very badly afflicted leper.”
“That was Alisha for you,” the old man sighed. “She visited them several times, taking them warm food and extra clothing she personally paid for. She even managed to convince Gerard to hand over several loads of blankets from his Order before he left heading back to Kerak and Reynald.”
“I sense Gerard was not all bad,” Sarah remarked.
“In truth as I have said before, he was not. When apart from Reynald he was an entirely different man and, albeit begrudgingly, began to admire and respect Alisha and Paul. He had changed much over the past few years since their earlier encounters.”
“But not enough,” the Templar huffed.
“Sadly no,” the old man agreed. “Paul, Balian and Raymond tried to devise all manner of schemes that would free Arri and Ailia, but there was never any way of knowing if come the day, they would actually be at Gilgal as promised. When it was raised, the possibility they could already be dead, Paul immediately dismissed that notion refusing to believe it or listen to it. The guilt he felt about having ignored the advice given about committing to memory and not writing down the details haunted his every thought. If only he had not done so, he chastised himself daily.”
“But regardless, Turansha still wanted them all dead, codes or not,” Gabirol pointed out.
“Aye that is true, but try telling Paul that at the time. He and Alisha became distant, just when they should have been pulling together closer, but each was drowning in their own worst fears and emotions neither being able to support the other. Alisha would sit staring out of the window across the sea, clutching Clip clop, trying to remember how Arri and Ailia smelt. How they had felt in her arms and kissing them good night in their beds each night. Not even Abi could comfort Alisha. And Paul, he too felt and thought exactly the same things. As the many memories of Arri and Ailia ran through his mind, the many sleepless nights when they had been ill teething, comforting them when they had hurt themselves, tutoring them, just sitting with them upon his lap late at night as they fell asleep after a busy day. It cut through his very soul and nothing and no one could reach him, not even Taqi when he tried to reassure him. I don’t think the dreams he had of wading through snow looking for the boy calling out “Father” helped either with every second feeling like an hour, every hour feeling like a day,” the old man said quietly, looked down and paused in silence for several minutes before continuing. “Then the time was upon them. A note was passed to Ernoul by a shepherd who came to the gates asking after him. He in turn took it to Balian.”
Crusader fortress of Tiberias, Principality of Galilee, November 24th 1186
Alisha jumped, startled, as Balian rushed into the small room set in almost total darkness as no candles or lanthorns were lit. She was sat alone in the window seat. Rain and sleet lashed down hard against the windows, blurring the view outside.
“Sorry to barge in…but where is Paul?” Balian asked holding a small note in his hand.
Alarmed, Alisha stood up clutching her hands to her chest.
“He is with Abi, Taqi and Tenno I believe…though I am not sure,” she answered, her voice low.
“No we are here,” Paul said entering the room closely followed by Abi, Taqi and Tenno. “We were just in the other room…we saw you rush past. What is it?”
“This…’tis a note from Turansha. It says you two are to go to the village just past Gamla, that ancient big city, half in ruins, tomorrow. When the sun touches the horizon, then and only then, proceed along the eastern path up to the stones of Gilgal by following the course of the Daliyot stream,” Balian explained, shaking his head, not understanding it fully, and offered Paul the note. “It further states for you and Alisha to come alone except for the ‘beast’ Ishmael.”
Alisha rapidly walked across the room and snatched the note from Paul before he could even read it. Paul frowned hard seeing her reaction.
“We cannot allow you to go alone. Somehow we must follow you at a discreet distance,” Abi remarked.
“Yes and I and Thomas will travel around the other side along with the Knights of Lazarus to cut off any escape Turansha may have planned,” Tenno stated.
“Paul, you cannot take the parchments…in case all goes wrong and they fall into his hands. You know this do you not?” Abi asked.
“If Turansha or whomever is sent to meet us, they will not take us to the children until he has confirmation I have them with me…so we must take them,” Paul answered immediately.
“No, Paul, you cannot. What is at risk here is far more than the lives of the children or your lives. You know that,” Abi retorted.
“I thought after all these years you were on our side…to help us,” Alisha snapped, anger in her voice.
“Ali, save your anger for those who deserve it…and you know I have always been there for you…always. But this I cannot allow. This is far bigger than us…but I promise you, we shall get the children back,” Abi said and looked at Alisha intently.
Quickly Alisha rushed across the room, unbolted a large wooden chest and removed the sealed parchment
tube. She walked back toward Abi and held it up to her.
“Take this from me now and you may as well strike me dead this instant for I am swearing to you, I care not for this world at this moment in time… with all its bitterness, nastiness, selfishness and murder…but I do care for my children. You will not take this from me, nor will it leave my hands so help me God until I have my children back in these hands,” she said impassioned, tears welling in her eyes, her hand shaking holding the tube.
All looked at Alisha in silence.
“Ali,” Paul said quietly and went to touch her arm. She flounced her arm away from him and stood back a pace.
“Back off, Paul! But for these accursed parchments we would not be in this mess,” she said angrily, her eyes still firmly fixed upon Abi. Paul’s heart missed a beat hearing her words.
“We will all come with you…we will get your children back but you will not pass them over to Turansha,” Abi stated and tapped her finger on the end cap of the parchment tube. “Ali, this I swear to you this day. Do you understand me?” Abi asked in all seriousness, her eyes looking deeply into Alisha’s.
Balian looked toward the window as snow started to fall outside.
“The weather turns in our favour,” he exclaimed positively and looked at Alisha. “It means we can shield many out of sight for visibility will be reduced.”
“Then I beg you prepare your men…all of you who so wish to help me… but these, these stay with me,” Alisha said and held the parchment case closer.