Outremer III

by D. N. Carter

  “Spoken like a true queen,” Thomas remarked.

  The knot tightening in Paul’s stomach made him feel sick. Alisha’s words were spoken in the singular, to help her, as if he was not even there. He gulped hard as Alisha turned away from him. The distance between them seemed to be getting ever wider and wider. Seeing the snow falling filled him with an absolute sense of dread as the dreams he had seen repeatedly flashed through his mind. Taqi placed his hand upon Paul’s back.

  “I did warm you, my friend, years ago…’tis the passion of a fighter you are witnessing…but do not take her words to heart. All will be well again when we have secured Arri and Ailia…,” he said reassuringly. “Now go and sort your armour out properly in case you need it, for you are certainly not going anywhere without it on.”

  Paul took a deep breath and stood up straight. Where was Ishmael? he wondered as well as why Turansha demanded his presence too. He looked around the room at everyone packed in it. If anyone could help them, it was certainly this lot, he told himself. ‘Just one more day to go,’ he thought.

  “’Tis a good full day’s hard ride from here to the stones at Gilgal,” Count Raymond explained. “You shall need to leave early…I would suggest an early night to sleep.”

  The small room was dark and cold, the single bed covered in Paul’s armour, chain mail, sword and the shield Ishmael had painted his coat of arms upon. He had never even worn it before but Ishmael had packed it unbeknown to him within one of the two large chests he had insisted on bringing. Wind and snow battered the thin single window, the blackness of the night outside only adding to the sense of gloom. He knelt down beside the bed, his knees sinking into the thick white fur rug on the floor. Alisha could not bring herself to even look at Paul and even though she knew what she was doing was cruel almost, she could not deal with her conflicting emotions. Abi had suggested he sleep alone in order to be ready for whatever came the following day. A light rap at the door drew Paul’s attention just as Taqi opened the door and looked in. The single lanthorn lit the room enough for Paul to see it was him.

  “Thought you may need some help adjusting all that so it helps and not hinders you tomorrow,” Taqi said as he closed the door. “You are going to wear it I take it?”

  “My friend…I have never worn it before. I am probably better off without it. Tomorrow I stand to lose all that means everything to me…and I fear I have already lost part of the greatest gift I ever had,” Paul replied, still kneeling.

  “My friend…if there is to be any fight tomorrow, you will need the protection it will afford you. Stupid to get the children back but fall to any blows or arrows needlessly. And Paul…when Ali was a little girl…if ever she was in distress or needed to think, she would always take herself away on her own. Trust me, this is the greatest ordeal she has ever had to endure. Do not mistake her actions for I know she loves you more than ever before.”

  “I pray you are right…and this, this lot,” Paul shrugged and shook his head at the array of equipment and clothing. Paul lowered his head into his hands and closed his eyes as he thought for a moment. Taqi knelt down beside him. The bed was covered in items Paul had no idea how to wear or affix properly. He would need Taqi to help him. “What have I brought upon us?”

  It was still dark and the forecourt danced with shadows from the several torches blazing away fixed upon the walls, set beneath protective covers. The snow had stopped falling, which was one small mercy at least, Paul thought as he led Adrastos out of the stables, Taqi by his side with his horse when Alisha approached with Abi. Tenno and Ishmael were talking with the sergeant of the Knights of Lazarus just as Count Raymond, Balian and Brother Teric also approached. The bitter wind cut into all of them and Alisha stopped just in front of Paul and looked into his eyes her breath forming a soft mist as she breathed out.

  “Whatever comes next…we do this together,” she said calmly and softly and clasped Paul’s hand. She looked down sensing the chain mail gauntlet he was wearing.

  Princess Eschiva ran out with a thick fur lined and fur rimmed hooded cape and quickly placed it over Alisha’s shoulders.

  “You will need this,” she said and nodded with a smile.

  Alisha nodded in acknowledgment and appreciation before turning to look back at Paul. Wearing his chain mail, carrying his shield across his back and a helmet under his left arm, he looked every inch a knight. She was proud of him but also terrified of what the day would bring. Count Raymond stepped closer.

  “Alisha, Paul. I have never fought out of hatred against those in front of me that I have faced…but I have fought for those behind me whom I love… but what you face today is a different matter. I wish I could come with you this hour, but I cannot. I pray the Knights of Lazarus, along with your own men, and the few Templars I can spare will be enough?”

  “We shall be enough,” Nicholas said confidently as he approached with his horse, accompanied by Brother Teric, Upside and Stewart.

  Paul’s eyes widened in surprise when he saw Stewart.

  “We thought you had left with Master Gerard?” Paul remarked, puzzled.

  “It would seem Gerard has developed a mild respect and fondness for you…and granted me leave to help this day,” Stewart explained. “Besides, are you not my first family?” Paul immediately grabbed Stewart’s arms then hugged him before standing back a pace. Nicholas smiled at Alisha and bowed his head slightly. “And look at you now,” Stewart remarked and gestured with his hand at how Paul was dressed.

  “We must leave now if we are to arrive in time,” Abi interrupted and immediately started to usher Alisha toward the other horses being readied by several turcopoles. Alisha mouthed a silent thank you to Stewart as she walked past him and nodded to Nicholas.

  “’Tis good to see you again, Brother Baldwin,” Paul remarked as he walked past him. “Very good indeed.”

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

  “I cannot believe it…for I was actually there that morning as they left. We all wondered why they were leaving so early and in such bad weather. ’Twas the worst winter I had ever experienced out there,” the Templar explained and began to bite his thumb nail, shaking his head.

  “It was indeed the worst winter in decades,” the old man replied.

  “But would that not help them as Count Raymond said it would?” Sarah asked.

  “Usually it may have…but other circumstances came into play that day. The journey was fast and hard riding all day into a bitter wind that blew in from the northeast. Visibility was very low as the snow increased in intensity so at least any spies Turansha had posted would not have been able to see them all coming, and even if they had, they would not have been able to signal ahead. The only small mercy that day,” the old man explained further and sighed.

  “Oh dear,” Ayleth said looking sad.

  “Just before they entered the small village just past the remains of old Gamla, Ishmael, Thomas, Mathew, Luke and the eight Knights of Lazarus headed off southeast to skirt around the plain and to come in from the opposite side after sunset. Alisha had asked Tenno to stay close by her side. They were all unsure of how Turansha would present himself but Paul wanted no means of escape for him whatever was going to happen. Brother Teric, Nicholas and Upside would follow Alisha and Paul at a distance. Brother Teric knew the terrain well and that the stream mentioned in the note ran almost directly from Gilgal down to the village through several small wooded areas and scattered trees. It would afford them more cover as they approached…so long as none of Turansha’s men were hiding in them.”

  “Oh I don’t think I want to hear this,” Ayleth remarked, looking apprehensive.

  “Remember I said that even Saladin had offered to help in the search for Turansha and the children…well, his help, true to his word to Balian, eventually came,” the old man replied.

  “Oh thank the Lord for that,” Ayleth sighed.

  “However,” the old man said and paused. “The sun could not be seen
properly at the appointed hour as the sky was heavy with snow clouds and the light was fading fast when Alisha and Paul drew up at the part of the main track where the stream crossed it where a smaller track that led off up the incline toward the stones of Gilgal. The area had many trees dotted around and two areas of thick woodland copses. With driving snow it became impossible to decide or know when the sun was touching the horizon. It was Tenno who suggested that Brother Teric, Stewart, Nicholas, Upside and Abi should all move into the cover of the woods and follow Alisha and Paul as best they could as they headed northeast to the stones. With severe deepening snow upon the ground covering the small track, the task was becoming an impossible one, one that only raised their fears tenfold.”

  Gilgal, Principality of Galilee, November 25th 1186

  Brother Matthew knelt down and wrapped a fur lined blanket around Arri and Ailia as they sat huddled together shivering in the small enclave of stones set within the middle of the main mound of the Gilgal stone circle. It was now almost dark, the snow falling harder as Arri made sure Ailia was comfortable sat on a small rolled up blanket. Her large eyes stared up at Brother Mathew as he placed a small ship lanthorn in a small recess out of the wind. Arri put himself in front of Ailia to help shield her from the biting wind and away from Brother Matthew, who was looking around, his teeth gritted and also shivering from the cold.

  “You don’t have to do this you know,” Arri said calmly and pulled the fur blanket tightly around his neck. With Ailia mainly hidden beneath the blanket, Arri’s head stuck out, his hair covered in snow. Brother Matthew took out a fur cap, brushed the snow off of Arri’s head and placed the cap on him. “See, I know you like us really.”

  “Shut up, lad…you know nothing of me,” Brother Matthew replied and stood up to look around himself in all directions. With the snow falling and the light fading fast, he could barely see twenty feet in any direction. He could only just make out the two horses he had tied to a lone tree fifteen feet away. “Just keep your little mouths shut and hopefully this will all be over before you know it.”

  “My father is coming for us you know,” Arri said, Ailia peering up through the small gap in the fur blanket and blew her hair up as it kept falling across her little face.

  “He better be for that is what he is supposed to do. Now shut up!” Brother Matthew snapped.

  “Why are you so angry with us? And you still have not answered why you took us,” Arri continued to speak.

  Quickly Brother Matthew spun around and knelt down in front of Arri and Ailia.

  “I told you, because your father has something I am charged with recovering. If he brings it, you will be set free,” he answered, his face twisted in anger.

  “But we heard that man in black say we were all to be killed as soon as he gives it to you…but you know you can’t kill my father don’t you?” Half stunned at Arri’s calm revelation, Brother Matthew stepped backwards and tripped on some loose stones. He fell in the snow upon his backside and they just stared at him for a few moments. “That is why I said you don’t have to do this.”

  Brother Matthew sat up and shook his head, his face still twisted in anger and confusion. He looked hard at Arri, his wide innocent eyes just looking back at him intently.

  “I am cold,” Ailia whispered from beneath the blanket.

  Quickly Arri lowered the fur blanket, removed his outer padded jacket and placed it around Ailia and buttoned up the toggles. He then wrapped the blanket around himself and Ailia again, this time putting himself directly in front of her.

  “Will you just shut the f….” Brother Matthew nearly swore, but shook his head as he stared at Arri. “This is not what I want or wish to do….but you don’t understand.”

  “I understand you are a Templar and a good knight. And I understand you are not here of your own choice,” Arri replied quietly.

  “For the Lord’s sake, child…how old are you…what, seven or eight years of age?…and you are telling me this because, because, what?” Brother Matthew blurted out, exasperated.

  “I just know,” Arri replied and buried his face into the fur. “Don’t worry, Ailia, Father is coming and you will be all right I promise,” he whispered to her. Gently she clasped his hand and blinked back in silence.

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  “I am no Templar any more for I forsook that when I was forced to do this,” Brother Matthew remarked, looking down sorrowfully and shaking his head.

  “See, you are a good man and you do not have to do this,” Arri replied.

  “You are too smart and wise for your young years, lad.”

  “And you have a choice to make…”

  Brother Matthew looked up at Arri. Emotion began to overwhelm him as he looked at the small bundle of Arri and Ailia huddled in the hole shivering.

  “Oh Lord, why did you curse me this burden so?” Brother Matthew asked and looked up into the snow as it fell even harder. He started to cry and he placed his hands together to pray. “Why?” he pleaded emotionally.

  “Yes, why?” Arri asked immediately, drawing Brother Matthew’s attention and gaze.

  Paul moved Adrastos around to pull up beside Alisha as the others all but vanished out of sight within the tree line, the snow falling in the largest flakes they had ever seen. The wind cut into Paul’s neck where the chain mail coif was exposed. Quickly he pulled up the fur collar of the weatherproof cape and tied it up. As he did, a cold shiver ran down his back as the dreams he had of this very moment flashed through his mind. Remembering how Alisha looked in the dream, with the fur lined cape and hood, he turned to look at her just as she pulled it up over her head. It was now almost dark. His heart felt like it was being squeezed inside with every beat it took, his throat feeling like it was swollen so hard he could not swallow or speak. He felt for his sword and placed his hand upon it. He held it and instantly felt a surge of energy run through his arm. Adrastos snorted and bucked as if he had sensed the surge. Paul turned Adrastos to face northeast ready to follow the barely visible track running parallel to the stream. Suddenly, several black clad men appeared on black horses out of the shadows of the small copse of trees directly in front of them. Alisha pulled closer to Paul and steadied her horse as it moved, startled.

  “They have no children with them,” she whispered.

  The men drew their blackened scimitar type swords and in the dimming light Paul instantly recognised them as the same as Turansha’s men carried. Slowly they approached, Paul counting sixteen of them in total. He knew Abi, Tenno, Taqi and the others were not that far behind them still in the trees but prayed they would remain hidden until they knew where Arri and Ailia were. Just feet away, the men all stopped, the air filled with the breath of the horses and the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. The central figure eased his horse forward a few more feet, stopped then lowered his black face cover, the smile instantly revealing Turansha. Alisha immediately moved her horse forwards, her eyes narrowing. She pulled out the parchment tube from beneath her cloak and held it up, her gloved hand gripping it tightly.

  “This…this is what you want…but only when I see and have my children here…now!” she demanded.

  Turansha laughed and looked at his men before returning his gaze to Alisha and Paul.

  “You have much to learn about negotiations. Especially when you clearly do not understand the boundaries here, for you are not in a position to dictate to me…you see, I know of your men both behind you and those you sent around the back of me.” Alisha kept her eyes fixed upon Turansha and did not show any sign of emotion, just the determined glare she had concentrated upon him. “Did you not think that I knew you would not come alone?”

  “Then why all the games?” Paul asked and moved alongside Alisha.

  “Games…’tis all but a big game no? Besides it makes life interesting. All you need do is pass me the parchments, if they are the correct ones, as I no longer have much of a future here as you have even turned Saladin against me, and I will have my man over there wave
a lighted torch to your good friend Brother Matthew up yonder hill to bring your children to you. If they are not the plans, and I will know, then my man will fire a flaming arrow into the sky,” Turansha explained calmly then paused as he moved his horse even closer. “And if you attack me, the arrow shall still be loosed too and by the time you reach your children, their throats will be open to the wind.”

  “And I will hunt you for eternity if I have to and open yours in return,” Alisha calmly replied.

  “’Tis such a pity for we could have made such a formidable team. But alas you refused to work alongside me, when the offer was there…and now I am calling upon you to make good on your promise.”

  “What promise?” Alisha asked.

  “The one when I, how you say, vouchsafe Paul and had your lover, Nicholas whatever his name is, spared and entrusted to his care,” Turansha smirked.

  Alisha looked at Paul. He knew Turansha was trying to provoke a reaction. He shook his head slightly at her, indicating he did not believe him.

  “If that was the case then you could have asked for the parchments a long time ago without this entire charade,” Paul said and moved his horse closer to Turansha.

  “Things change…I am a practical realist. I know I do not have the lineage or so-called legitimacy so much faith is placed in to rule as a king, but I have other means using other powerful lords to help me further my plans…and those plans include the exact location and method of entry into the Halls of Amenti…records whatever you will, and that sword, for I know it is a key.”

  Alisha shot a look at Paul as one of Turansha’s men dismounted, opened the slide cover on a lanthorn and immediately set about lighting an oil soaked naphtha arrow.

  “You know the sword will not work for you…,” Paul said, staring hard at Turansha.

  “That is why either you or Alisha will accompany me,” Turansha replied, smiling, and pulling his beard between his thumb and forefinger.