Outremer I

by D. N. Carter

  “Anointing their feet,” Taqi spoke out loudly before quickly covering his mouth with his hand. Paul and Taqi froze, their eyes clenched shut hoping they had not been heard…but they had and Stewart looked up toward the stained glass window, as did the others.

  Two knights at the rear of the chapel immediately headed for the main door. Taqi pulled Paul to follow him quickly and get away, but Paul shook his head no.

  “I just need to see this last bit,” he whispered.

  Paul managed to see Stewart and the other two noviciates being pulled up gently to stand. The English Grand Master then handed the local Grand Marshal a folded white Templar mantle robe and a black and yellow woven belt and cord necklace of the same design. The local Grand Marshal took the smaller necklace cord and rubbed it several times over the drinking skull before placing it over the head of Lawrence Monteacute.

  “Never take this off, ever!” he said as he then handed him the mantle robe and belt as the English Grand Master stepped forwards and placed a hand and a half Templar sword upon the mantle and a set of brass horse spurs. They repeated this until the three noviciates stood naked but wearing the black and yellow cords around their necks whilst holding a lance under their left arm, and balancing a white mantle robe, sword, belt and spurs carefully in their left hand. The English Grand Master then placed the right hands of the three noviciates upon the skull as the local Grand Marshal held it firmly. Stewart struggled to hold the mantle robe, belt and lance under his left arm and almost dropped the lot. He looked up at his father expecting a scowl but his father simply smiled back.

  “As I officiate as your receiver, I have kissed you three times. By vowing to worship this skull as your saviour and an idol, you will know it by many names, the main one being that of Baphomet. Some of you will learn the true meaning behind this, but that mystery is indeed for just a few who can learn, but more importantly, understand; but with the full knowledge comes great responsibility. A responsibility many cannot handle. It has the power to make flowers grow and the earth germinate as well as nurture and protect. This is why we rub the cords upon it for your protection. The Black represents the constant ‘Evil’ that walks around us every day. The Yellow represents ‘Deceit, Cowardice and Falseness’ so it will also act as a reminder and guard you from it. Note of especial caution. Some of you, if you are so blessed, will learn and understand the deeper mysteries of this cord and its sacred hidden symbolism connected with bees. But that is a knowledge that carries a very heavy burden that few can accept or believe it. So always remember, your time here on earth and serving the Lord is limited, so do not waste it living someone else’s life. Do not be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Do not let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice, and, most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become and know to be true. Everything else is secondary, for you are now herein onwards brother Templars. You must now swear the Templar Vow,” the English Grand Master said, quickly looking over his shoulder toward the stained glass window. Paul felt as if he were looking directly at him as Taqi started to pull at him they should leave. They could hear footsteps coming along the outside shingle pathway. Paul shrugged off Taqi’s hand eager to hear the final vows. “You must repeat after me,” the English Grand Master continued. “As a knight I must be merciful without wickedness, affable without treachery, compassionate towards the suffering, and open handed. I must be ready to help the needy and to confound robbers and murderers, a just judge without favour or hate. I must prefer death to dishonour. I must protect the Holy Church for she cannot defend herself and if ever I wilfully violate this my solemn pact, as a brother Knight Templar, may my skull be sawn asunder with a rough saw, my brains taken out and put in a charger to be consumed by the scorching sun, and my skull in another charger, in memory of St John of Jerusalem, that faithful soldier of our Lord and Saviour. If ever I wilfully deviate from this my solemn obligation, may my light be put out from among men, as that of Judas Iscariot was for betraying his Lord and Master.” He paused as the three tried to repeat as accurately as they could remember. “Furthermore, may the soul that once inhabited this skull, as the representative of St John the Baptist, appear against me in the day of judgement: so help me God and keep me steadfast in this my solemn obligation of a Knight Templar,” he further said. “And finally, as the sins of the whole world were once visited upon the head of our Saviour, so may all the sins of the person whose skull this once was, in addition to my own, be heaped upon my head, and may this libation appear in judgement against me, should I ever knowingly or willingly violate my most solemn vow of a Knight Templar, so help me God, amen.” All three noviciates repeated everything word for word. “Brothers, you have sworn your oaths. You must now learn and memorise our Memorare. It is but the first of many lessons. It was written down by Bernard of Clairvaux, who in turn took it from a far older source. Again, in time, some of you will learn how and from where but for now suffice it to know that you must learn it,” the English Grand Master explained as he handed them each a small scroll with Latin written on it. Stewart looked at it quizzically. Writing had never been his favourite subject. He studied the words quickly.

  ‘MEMORARE, o piissima Virgo Maria, non esse auditum a saeculo, quemquam ad tua currentem praesidia, tua implorantem auxilia, aut tua petentem suffragia a te esse derelictum. Ego tali animatus fiducia, ad te Virgo virginum Maria Mater Iesu Christi, confugio, ad te venio, ad te curro, coram te gemens peccator et tremens assisto: noli, Domina mundi, noli aeterni Verbi Mater verba mea despicere, sed audi propitia et exaudi me miserum ad te in hac lacrimarum valle clamantem. Adsis mihi, obsecro, in omnibus necessitatibus meis, nunc et semper, et maxime in hora mortis meae. O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo Maria! Amen.’

  Translated it read ‘REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided by thee. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, Mary, Virgin of virgins, Mother of Jesus Christ; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful, sorrowful and trembling. O Mistress of the World and Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer wretched me crying to thee in this vale of tears. Be near me, I beseech thee, in all my necessities, now and always, and especially at the hour of my death. O clement, o loving, o sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.’

  With the final statement repeated, Stewart rolled up the small scroll tightly then looked at his father, who gave a slight nod. Their attention was immediately drawn to a commotion at the rear of the chapel as they heard crates falling down. Taqi had pulled Paul down from the crates as two Knights Templar came into view around the corner. One of the knights reached out to grab Paul but Taqi dived at the knight knocking him to the ground as the second knight grabbed Taqi’s shirt hard, visible through the top of his dark robe. As Taqi pulled away, a large handful of material ripped away. Taqi helped Paul to his feet quickly and they started to run off towards the small apple orchard a short distance away down a muddy path. The two knights ran after them a short way but stopped when they reached the apple orchard. Paul and Taqi ran as hard as they could through the orchard believing they were being chased. They approached a small stone wall with a stick latticework fence on top. Taqi reached it first and started to climb up. As he swung his leg over, Paul jumped up trying to vault it in one go but his left foot caught the top. The lattice fence snagged on his boot lacings, stopping him in mid flight. As Paul fell forwards, the entire section of lattice fence collapsed causing Taqi to roll over. They landed heavily in a pile on top of the broken fencing, a sharp branch slicing a deep cut down the right side of Paul’s face. When he placed his hand upon the wound, he immediately felt warm blood ooze out. He started laughing, more from nerves and the adrenalin pumping through his veins. He felt no pain. Taqi started to laugh and as he stood up and pulled Paul upwards, th
ey could hear the orchard owner start to unbolt his front door just a short distance away. Still laughing, Paul and Taqi ran on into the open fields that led to the main river. Within a short time, Paul and Taqi had circumnavigated the flat open fields, crossed the river using the old stone pack-horse bridge and had raced up to Paul’s backyard. As they rushed into the courtyard, geese started to flap and honk noisily, which made them both laugh again. Out of breath they sat down against the outer house wall on a small milking bench. The moonlight glistened off the blood on Paul’s face.

  “Hah, just, just how the heavens are you going to explain that?” Taqi asked in a whisper still trying to catch his breath, pointing to Paul’s face.

  “This, this I can probably get away with some excuse…but you, my friend, how, how are you going to explain that?” Paul asked still out of breath too as he pointed to the large rip on Taqi’s undershirt. His chest became visible in the moonlight as he pulled the black robe open further to check.

  They looked at each other for a moment catching their breaths, and then burst out laughing again. It was some while before they finally caught their breath and stopped laughing and began to calm down. They rested their heads against the wall and sat in silence as the geese finally started to settle. Both contemplated the scene they had witnessed and the things they had heard in the chapel. Paul eventually broke the silence when he turned to look at Taqi.

  “Taqi, my dearest friend,” he said softly.

  “You mean, your only friend,” Taqi joked back.

  “Perhaps, perhaps yes indeed. But let me say this in all seriousness. Taqi, you are indeed the best friend I have, ever had and ever will have… so what we heard tonight, it must be all wrong somehow. We must be missing something,” Paul said solemnly.

  Taqi paused before replying not sure whether to make light of it or be serious.

  “What we heard and saw tonight carries much to concern us. I fear it will put a distance, an unbridgeable rift between us, and our families. Unless of course as you say we are missing something very obvious,” Taqi replied, his tone sad.

  “I feel a strange sickness inside of me. We must ask our fathers what this is all about,” Paul said as he leaned back and looked up at the shining full moon.

  “How can we do that? They think we are asleep away to our beds this night already,” Taqi replied immediately.

  2 – 15

  “I fear they already know it was us. That English Templar Grand Master looked directly at me, I know he did,” Paul sighed.

  “My friend, how do we address this? I mean, this puts us as enemies does it not?” Taqi asked, his eyes filled with emotion.

  “No it does not. Your father is a Muslim, yet he stood in there clear to see by all. And I do not think he has denied his faith…so I think there is far more going on than meets the eye,” Paul replied reassuringly.

  “I pray you are right. You are smarter than me by far, that I would not argue,” Taqi responded and sighed heavily as he leant back against the cold wall.

  “I would argue differently, and that you are far better looking than me,” Paul joked trying to lighten the mood.

  Taqi turned and looked at Paul. He shivered as the cold night air started to be felt.

  “No, that I am most definitely not. Alisha would agree with me on that point,” he said quietly.

  “Taqi, whatever lies ahead of us in this life, I swear it this night…I shall never take up arms against you. No matter what, ever, this is my oath this night,” Paul said as he stood up offering his hand to pull him up. Taqi grabbed his hand and stood up to face Paul.

  “My dear friend, that is an oath I think you are not able to keep, especially if you wish to become a sworn Templar too,” he replied and placed his hands upon Paul’s shoulders, looking him in the eyes directly.

  “Oh yes I can swear it. I only wish to be a Templar, in time, for the doors it can open for me…so that I may gain their knowledge, and especially their other maps. That is my only intention of being interested in the Templars,” Paul shot back, grabbing Taqi’s arms hard.

  “Praise be to Allah then you can keep that oath for I swear it too…and of course you know now, because we have just said that, our great masters, the gods, whomever they are, will contrive to make us face each other in mortal combat. It seems an evil trick but my father always says, if you can think it, it can happen.”

  “Then best we think no more of it. Come, I must sort my face out,” Paul said and hugged Taqi.

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

  The Knight Templar sat back slowly and looked at the old man quizzically.

  “Old man, you clearly know much about such things. You must have been a Templar yourself, yes?” he asked, as all around the table looked at the old man intently.

  “No, I was not a Templar,” the old man replied very matter of factly.

  “Then explain, how is it you know our initiation ceremonies so well?” the Templar asked immediately as all looked at him now.

  “My Lord, is he correct then in what you lot get up to in them funny ceremonies?” asked the fishmonger, all immediately then turning their gaze to him, then back to the Templar.

  “Well, let us just say, as I am still under oath, he is not far off the mark. But I would urge you extreme caution, old man, in what you say and reveal this night. There are those who would not be so forgiving of what you tell,” the Templar warned.

  Silence fell in the room apart from the crackle of the logs burning on the fire. All looked at the Templar and the old man several times in anticipation of a response.

  “Remember, friend, I listened to you and your brother speak about much earlier; I therefore fear no one in this room this night. Also remember, I have that ability of being able to read and understand people only too well! I would not therefore speak as I do if I thought differently. And I know too, the burning questions you wish you could ask your masters and the answers you still so desperately desire,” the old man replied as he sat forwards and rested his elbows upon the table.

  “Is not what you say, if not blasphemous, then certainly heresy surely?” asked the well dressed Spanish sailor in a clipped tone as he pulled a piece of bread apart.

  “Heresy…perhaps, and I guess yes. But then you must need to understand what heresy actually means as it is a word often favoured by our clergy at this time. Heresy comes from the Old French Late Latin word ‘haeresis’, which in turn came from the Late Greek word ‘hairesis’ that means ‘a choosing’, or the Greek haireisthai, which means ‘to choose’. So heresy really means ‘to choose’ and you all here this night must choose for yourselves that which you wish to believe, or not,” the old man replied and then looked directly at each of them in turn.

  La Rochelle, Manor House, Rue de Stella Maris, late spring of 1178

  Paul sat down at the large wooden table in the middle of the open kitchen as Taqi poured some hot water from a large pan that had been boiling away over the smaller of two open fires, into a bowl next to him. Pigs outside the main kitchen windows were beginning to wake in their pen as the first rays of morning sunlight were already streaming horizontally across the room through a small door window that led out into the rear courtyard. The smell of the prepared food hung heavy in the stone vaulted kitchen, but was a comforting homely smell. Pots and pans hung along the whole length of the end wall and over the large copper and brick extrusion flu above the main cooking area. It was still all white and clean having only just recently been completed with just a hint of blackened charcoal staining stretching up the rear into the chimney. The fire embers in the base of the cooking stove area glowed with red patches. Paul started to look at himself in a small expensive hand mirror Taqi had taken from Alisha’s travel box placed near the stairs even though he knew she would not be happy with that. The main table was covered with various dishes and preparations of food and drink ready for Stewart’s initiation celebration breakfast his father had planned. Taqi moved to open the large wooden
blinds covering the double gothic windows but Paul waved him not to.

  “Can you sort it yourself or will I need to fetch a physician?” Taqi asked as he sat the boiling pan back on the fire rest sat in the large open fireplace.

  “Perhaps, it is deep for sure. But I am more fearful of what my father will say,” Paul replied looking at his reflected image.

  Taqi sat next to Paul on the long bench and dipped some clean linen material into the water then used it to gently wipe away all the drying blood from around the wound. Paul winced in pain as he wiped nearer the actual cut.

  “And what is going on here?” Raja demanded to know as she entered the kitchen, tying up her waist belt around her night shawl. Her hair was hanging loose and alarm quickly registered on her face when she saw the cut on Paul’s face. “By heaven, what has occurred with you?” she asked, rushing over and immediately taking the linen cloth from Taqi. Taqi moved out of the way as Raja sat next to Paul and moved his head in order to catch more light coming through the door window behind them. “Open all the boards now,” she ordered. Taqi immediately leant over two large side worktops and started to unhinge the locks that held the wooden shutter boards closed against the two main windows. As he opened them, the room was lit up with daylight, revealing in total clarity the deep cut on Paul’s face.