After a while Joash and Leala settled down. Looking at Lamech, Joash said with a lop-sided grin: "You know what Lamech? You're OK."
Lamech's smile faded slowly, but he nodded his head slightly and then looked away.
"I'm glad you think so," he said softly, as sadness returned to his eyes.
-------
On a hilltop overlooking the outskirts of a city, a horse stood pawing restlessly at the ground. Covered in protective armour, it was chewing at its bit in a highly agitated state.
Its rider leaned down and patted his horse's neck, sending shivers through it.
"Soon, my pretty beast. Very soon."
Decked out in black armour, his master presented a towering, sinister image.
Anyone unfortunate enough to get close enough to see his face was shocked to discover that he was unnervingly good looking. But his eyes were devoid of any light.
Behind him his men sat waiting patiently. A selection of outcasts - murderers and thieves to the man - they had all joined him one by one over the past year. They provided him with the manpower he needed to complete certain tasks, given to him by rather influential people, while he gave them the opportunity to kill and pillage.
Their leader had not yet informed them of their prey, only that he had received new instructions. When the time was right, he would give them more information.
It did not serve to lessen their anticipation just yet. It did not take a genius to figure out that orders from influential people carried their own danger. Surviving the night was in all likelihood a foregone conclusion, but the price it required might only become clear much later.
Their leader was not unaware of their fears, but he wasn't bothered by them. They would follow him no matter where he led them; their fear of what he would do to them should they rebel being far greater than the fear of what they might face that night. Coupled with the lure of giving action to their murderous lusts, it made for a formidable combination.
He allowed his mind to wander back to the events of the past few days.
As always, he didn't know who the orders came from. The bag of gold given to him at the time was, as before, enough motivation. Of course, his men didn't know about the gold and he had no intention of ever telling them about it. They were usually able to make off with enough loot during one of their expeditions.
These latest instructions, however, had caught him slightly off guard: kill a high-ranking official of the church - but make sure to frame someone whom the authorities would be able to track down without much fuss.
The instructions were at the same time very vague and very specific. He knew exactly what was expected of him, but not the who. When he asked as much, he was simply told that it didn't matter.
Up to now he had always suspected his instructions were coming from some faction within the church, but these latest orders were quite unsettling. He had always been tasked with getting rid of certain influences that were causing the church problems - and sometimes that had called for rather comprehensive actions with quite a few voices being silenced - but this was the first time he had been called upon to act against the church itself.
Orders like that could only come from very high up.
While he certainly didn't mind doing what was asked of him, the waters were definitely getting deeper now. He couldn't deny that it gave him a delicious thrill.
He looked at the city embracing the river below, his hand resting on the hilt of a massive, curved sword. After a few days of investigation, he had managed to find just the voice that could be silenced. The official in question was high enough up in the church that his death would cause quite a wave within church circles, while at the same time ensuring that the authorities would have no choice but to catch the killer. If he played the framing card right, he was certain that his employers would be both shocked and deeply impressed.
The thought cut a satisfied grin across his face.
They had tracked their man, who had travelled all the way from Rome, for the past few days. Attacking and killing him on the road wouldn't have worked though, as they would have been forced to kill his bodyguards too and that would have left them without someone to frame.
So when he realised their quarry was making for Arles, he left two men to trail them while he took the rest of his men ahead to scout out the town.
Even from this great distance he could see people milling around in the streets, going about their daily business. Dogs were boisterously chasing a groceries delivery wagon, hoping to catch any scraps that might fall onto the dusty street.
A big river flowed through the middle of the town, with stone bridges gracefully arching over it. On one of the bridges a little boy sat with a fishing rod, playfully swinging his feet to and fro as he waited for a fish to come nibble on his bait.
It was a perfect location - the target was important enough for his murder to be properly investigated and the town was big enough for them to find a scapegoat.
He would send one of his men ahead to do some investigation and report back before their prey arrived. They had more than enough time to lay the trap properly.
A sinister smile curled on his face as he watched the peaceful scene. His instructions were to kill only one person, but he knew that very act of violence would seriously destabilise the tranquillity he beheld - if only for a while.
The prospect made him shiver with joyful anticipation. He leaned down and patted his horse's neck once more.
"Yes, very soon," he grinned.
-------
They arrived at Arles the next afternoon. Lamech had spent the remainder of their trip riding his horse next to the wagon, while Leala regaled them with one mischievous tale after the other.
Both Joash and Lamech were soon shaking their heads in disbelief.
"If anyone else told me these things, I would have called them a liar to their face," Lamech said, marvelling at the easy atmosphere that was taking shape between them.
If this is what it’s like to be around Leala, then I want more of it, he thought. With each story she told, he became more certain that this was indeed the answer he was looking for. Surely the love of a beautiful, caring woman is enough to fill any hole, to blot out any crime?
Maybe winning her heart was the way to finding purpose again.
He focussed his attention on the town that was drawing closer. In all his travels, Lamech had never seen anything like it.
A mighty river weaved lazily through on its way to the nearby coast, lined on both sides by a town that had once been held in high esteem among Roman emperors. It had also played a mighty role in the spread of early Christianity to the rest of France during the twilight years of the Roman Empire.
Although it no longer had any significant part in the politics of the world and much of the former city now lay empty after centuries of being forgotten by the world, what remained of Arles had a quiet confidence about it, exuding peace from the lofty tree boughs to the cobbled streets below.
Watching children play in the streets and people going about their daily business, Lamech felt something tug at his heart in uncomfortable ways, but he deflected it as best he could and continued to scrutinise the town.
A few inns offered good food and a warm bed for weary travellers on their way to Marseilles, which was only a few miles away. One of these inns belonged to Leala's cousin and her husband.
As they entered the outskirts of the former city, Lamech had difficulty keeping his spirits from disappearing into a gloomy pit. When surrounded by too many people, he instinctively pulled back into the darker parts of his being, observing the world with scepticism.
Out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of the cathedral's spire soaring up into the air as if trying to grab hold of heaven itself. That blasted thing is not helping, Lamech thought irritably.
His mood was not lost upon Leala and Joash, who glanced at each other uncomfortably. It had been going so well, Joash thought.
Leala's cousin's inn lay within
sight of the ancient Roman arena. Built in the first century BC, it could house 20 000 spectators during its prime. During the chaos that followed after the Roman Empire fell, it had been transformed into a fortress, capable of housing more than 200 dwellings.
Those days were gone now, but looking up at the walls encircling the arena, Lamech was struck by the majesty of this building that still stood 11 centuries after it was built.
Drawing up to the inn, they were greeted by a squealing sound coming from a window above. Looking up in bewilderment, they saw a plump woman hanging out of a window, vigorously waving one of her fat arms. Her other hand was clamped over her mouth as she squealed in delight. All the while she was jumping up and down, shaking the window frame with her sizeable figure.
Lamech was staring with a gaping mouth. "What on earth... she's going to bring the whole place down!" he breathed in wonder.
Leala and Joash burst out laughing as Lamech stared slack-jawed at the spectacle above them.
"Sarah! Come down here!" Leala shouted laughingly at the woman.
"Coming!" Sarah squealed and then tried pulling out of the window frame. "Oh deary me," she grunted in effort, "Coming... in just a... oh, this blasted window!"
With a mighty heave she finally managed to free herself from the frame.
"Is that your...?" Lamech began, his mouth still hanging open.
"It is!" Leala laughed as she got down from her horse. Joash and Lamech got down too, the latter as if in a trance.
Sarah burst forth from the inn in an explosion of glee. Lamech took a step back in surprise, his hand instinctively going for his sword.
"Leala! Leala!" Sarah screamed as she grabbed hold of her cousin and pulled her into a hug. Leala seemed to disappear for a moment in a shower of lace as the two danced with joy.
Realising that he still had his hand on his sword, Lamech quickly let it go and tried to relax as Sarah enveloped Joash as well. Then she turned to Lamech.
"And you must be Lamech!" she exclaimed, and then winked at him. "Leala has told me so much about you in her letters! Come here you big old softy!" she laughed and ran up to Lamech. Too late he realised what was going to happen next...
He tried to dodge her but she was too quick for him. He was soon bent over forwards as Sarah pulled him down and gave him a hug that squeezed the breath out of him. Not knowing what else to do, he patted her on the back with his hands in bewilderment.
"Only good things, I hope?" he managed to stammer, gasping for air when she finally let him go.
"Oh you're quite the mystery man, are you?" Sarah beamed at him, "But not to worry, you don't fool old Sarah!"
Unsure of what to make of her comment, Lamech rubbed the back of his head with one hand as he considered this jovial spectacle in front of him.
"Well, don't just stand there! Come in, come in! Ben is beside himself with excitement!" she exclaimed, shooing them inside with waving arms.
"Her husband?" Lamech asked Leala.
"No, their dog," she smiled.
"Oh," he mouthed silently
As they entered the inn, they were met by a giant with four legs and a tail. The dog lumbered forward to greet them on shaky old legs which stood in shrill contrast to the vigour with which he was shaking his tail.
Lamech eyed it suspiciously, convinced that getting too close to that tail would surely be lethal. Not to mention Sarah with her infectious smile.
What a surreal trip, he thought to himself. At least it wasn't a boring one so far, he shrugged inwardly as he cautiously patted Ben on the head.
The dog's tail-wagging doubled in vigour, causing the poor old soul's shaky back legs to give way and he collapsed on the floor in a fit of pleasure.
Yes, definitely not boring.
The night is far spent,
the day is at hand.
Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness,
and let us put on the armour of light.
Romans 13:12 (NKJV)
CHAPTER 4
--- Arles, September 1097 ---
Sarah's husband, Armand, showed them to their rooms. After freshening up, Joash and Leala decided to head for the inn's common room. Lamech came down a little later after Sarah had gone up to his room to get him.
As far as Joash could tell, they were the only guests at the inn that night. It suited him perfectly, having never really enjoyed the company of too many people at the same time.
Outside it had started to rain, water pouring down in torrents as the clouds spewed forth their contents. Inside, the common room's hearth filled the place with warmth. The travellers sat down as Sarah heaped stew onto plates for them.
After serving them, Sarah sat down next to Leala. They were soon lost in their own world as they animatedly traded stories. Lamech opted to take a seat close to the fire where he ate quietly, while Joash sat off to the side, mechanically eating his stew with his one hand and using the other to scratch on the table with his dagger, all the while gazing intently at Leala.
Joash nearly choked on his stew when Armand suddenly spoke next to him: "You're ruining my table."
Wiping his mouth, he glanced up at Armand.
"I'm sorry," Joash said, trying to surreptitiously wipe away the small wood chips that his dagger had pulled free from the table.
"I'm only joking," Armand smiled and then held out his hand, "That's a beautiful dagger. May I have a look at it?"
"Of course," Joash answered and handed it over.
Armand studied it carefully, stroking the inlaid jewels on the handle with his thumb. Testing the point with his finger, he inhaled sharply when it drew blood.
"Sharp too," he chuckled, sucking his injured finger.
"Yes. It belonged to Leala's father. When he died, he gave it to me," Joash said quietly. Then he smiled, "He liked to keep his weapons in good condition. He used to say that 'a ready sword is a good argument,'" Joash smiled.
Armand laughed and handed back the dagger. Joash took it and returned it to his belt. He turned back to Armand, who was looking over at Leala.
"You should tell her," Armand said.
"What?"
"That you're in love with her."
Joash looked bewildered.
"Who, Leala?" he asked.
In response, Armand sighed softly and sat down next to Joash.
"Yes, Leala," he said. "Any man who has been in love can see it, Joash. Why not tell her?"
Joash carefully placed his spoon in his bowl and then looked at Leala again, lost in thought.
He dropped his head and whispered: "I can't."
Armand's eyes softened.
"Why not?"
After hesitating for the briefest of moments, Joash blurted out: "Because look at her! She's an amazing, beautiful woman! She could have any man she wants!"
"So?" Armand asked.
"So... I'm..."
"You're what?" Armand asked when Joash dropped his head again, unable to put his heart into words.
Realisation dawned on Armand's face.
"You think she's too good for you, don't you?" he asked, "That, compared to her, you're a weakling? That a woman like her won't be interested in you?"
Joash nodded his head slightly in answer, unable to meet Armand's eyes.
Armand didn't say anything at first as he looked at Leala thoughtfully. Then he turned back to Joash, a frown on his face.
"Well, that's rubbish!" he said, sounding angry. Joash's head came up and he looked at Armand, irritated at how his feelings were evidently being brushed away.
His irritation wasn't lost on Armand, who sat down opposite Joash and said: "I don't mean to be abrupt. Apparently you have convinced yourself of a lie."
He looked at Joash intently: "When you came walking through that door this afternoon, I was immediately impressed. Why? Because you radiate controlled strength, but more to the point, the way you treated those around you shows that care for others. It's like seeing God's strength and grace being embodied to the fullest in on
e single man."
"No, you're not Jesus," Armand smiled as Joash looked at him with a frown. "But it's clear that quite a bit of Him has rubbed off on you. To a Godly woman, that's more attractive and important than anything else!"
"As you know, Leala stayed with us for a while and take it from me: you're her type," he winked at Joash.
East of Ashes Page 4