It had been Etienne’s habit to stand each day near nightfall upon the edges of the world, it had not been mine, and yet from this parapet I had seen Jerusalem!
Tennyson’s ‘Ulysses’ came to mind then and I realised that in it there was something of Etienne’s last speech to the men in the round room before the onslaught.
We are not now that strength which in the old days moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are; one equal temper of heroic hearts, made weak by time and fate, but strong in will to strive, to seek, to find and not to yield.
As I prepared to leave I looked up and above me flew a hawk.
Its eye ranged the sky . . . its gaze was unblinking, open, shut, perfect.
Acknowledgements
A book like this is written with the help of many people. I am grateful for the tireless work in editing, advice and moral support given to me by my husband, Jim, who has stood by me and believed in me through the writing of both Temple of the Grail and The Seal. Thanks go also to my two beautiful children, Jason and Amelia, for their patience and just for being. I am grateful for the support and inspiration of my mother Rita de Cassia – a mystic in the most exalted sense of the word. I hold a debt of gratitude to the wonderful work of Malcolm Barber, who has gathered together an abundance of accurate and logical information on the Templars and has made it accessible to those of us in the English-speaking world. I am grateful to Dr Ehart Zauner and Andreas Wolfing for sharing their knowledge of the Templars of Lockenhaus. Thanks also to all the modern-day Templars who have helped me on this journey – servus! – I extend to you my warmest thanks and greetings. Credit and appreciation must go to Richard Hogan and all the staff at The Next Chapter Books for giving a self-published writer a chance – I will always remember it. To my dear friend David Wansbrough, a spiritual man and a gifted writer, for his advice and support. To dear Brigitta Gallaher for her conscientious and speedy translation of German texts. To Angeliki and Spyros Koulias – for reading, listening and sharing much information on Cyprus. To Jock Murray for last-minute information and support. Gratitude goes out to the residents of Lockenhaus, in particular Janina Schrott, caretaker of the castle, who gave me unimpeded access to all areas and answered my many questions, and to Elizabeth Heiling, of Lockenhaus village, who was kind enough to help me with my enquiries. I make a gesture of thanks to the now deceased Anton Keller, for renovating Lockenhaus castle, and to Gideon Kremer, the violin virtuoso, whose wonderful yearly concerts at Lockenhaus have enlivened it. His music inspired me a great deal while writing The Seal. I would also like to thank all those who have read the book prior to publication, especially my dearest friend Simone Selby, who inspired me to bring the old woman to deeper light; Gilbert van Kerckhoven, who gave the book his expertise and undivided attention; and Jennifer Joanne May, an intuitive and insightful reader. Last but not least I must thank my extraordinary copy editor, Julia Stiles, without whom so much would have been left unsaid; and to all those who read this book with enthusiasm, Maktub!
The Seal Page 39