Outremer I

by D. N. Carter

  “Stop staring…Stop staring, damn you!” she heard herself shout. Shocked with her own sudden outburst, she checked herself, gulped hard, her bottom lip quivering as the emotion became almost unbearable to contain any more. She turned her head towards Nicholas and buried her face against his chest and started to sob. Nicholas immediately placed his arms around her to comfort her as Baldwin raised his eyebrows.

  Roger started to wave the knights along faster as more of his own Hospitallers came and stood to form a barrier between Alisha, Nicholas and the passing troops. Several mounted knights started to appear, trotting up from the middle of the squadron, the Templars’ Beauseant banner flapping through the dust being kicked up.

  “Dear Lord…just what we do not need this hour,” Roger said, exasperated almost, as the riders pulled up near to them. It was Reynald de Chatillon and, next to him, Gerard de Ridefort.

  “Pray tell, fellow brother, what occurs here?” asked Reynald, his tone bombastic as he pulled the reins tight on his horse.

  “Is it not obvious?” Roger replied gesturing with his hand towards the two men shovelling earth into the grave.

  Alisha turned her gaze to look up at Reynald. He looked back at her hard. Gerard de Ridefort strode his horse nearer as Nicholas looked up at him, his eyes squinting from the sun behind Gerard.

  “Stand up straight, girl,” Gerard ordered.

  Alisha pulled herself away slightly from Nicholas, wiped her eyes to get a better look at Gerard.

  “Do not dare to order me, you oaf,” Alisha said defiantly. She was tired, emotional and now angry.

  “Oaf!…by the Lords. And just who do you think you are, young princess?” Gerard laughed back.

  “Ah, this young lady again. So we meet again oh ‘Fair Maiden’,” Reynald mocked and feigned an exaggerated bow.

  “You know this young thing?” Gerard asked, still half laughing.

  “Brothers…show some respect please. Can you not see this is a funeral,” Roger said moving to stand in front of Alisha.

  “Ha, and can you not see we are all tired, thirsty, hungry and in dire need of rest after travelling many weeks?” Gerard replied, pointing to the other troops still passing by.

  “That I can see clearly…but that does not mean you have to lose your manners or show a total lack of the basics of dignity and respect,” Roger replied, his voice harsher.

  “You two…. you two Templars. What business is this funeral to you?” Gerard asked as he turned his horse in a circle as he tried to keep it under control. He suddenly slapped it hard with his riding crop causing it to jolt momentarily.

  “Sire, this woman and her aunt…now sadly departed as you can see, is of our charge and under our care,” Nicholas answered.

  Gerard shot a look of confusion at Reynald.

  “’Tis true, Gerard my friend. Our local Marshal here seems to have an affinity with this woman’s Muslim father, but watch her my friend for she is a feisty one,” Reynald laughed.

  “Really? Well that we must learn more of why and change immediately,” Gerard said with a lurid grin. “These are dangerous times and places we find ourselves in, young lady, especially for one as fair as you. Surely you cannot be Muslim for you are far too fair of skin,” Gerard said looking at her intently. Nicholas moved closer to Alisha again. “Young Templar…stand away from her now. I relinquish your duties of charge and care with immediate effect,” Gerard ordered as the rear of the column of troops was passing.

  “That order I cannot follow, sire, for I answer only to my Grand Master’s orders,” Nicholas replied.

  Gerard dismounted his horse fast, handed the reins to a sergeant and rapidly walked towards Nicholas pushing two Hospitallers aside.

  “Damn you, fool. Do you not know who I am?” Gerard bellowed loudly. Alisha cringed as Nicholas stood perfectly still.

  2 – 2

  “Brother, we were not expecting you and your troop for at least another month,” Roger interjected and moved to stand even nearer to Alisha. Gerard shot a look of anger at him.

  “I am the Seneschal Marshal to Jerusalem. Therefore by definition I out command your Marshal, ergo you will follow my orders…. is that clear, young Templar?” Gerard bellowed close to Nicholas’s face.

  Nicholas said nothing but stared back directly at Gerard.

  “Why all this fuss? ’Tis but a Muslim woman’s funeral no less,” Reynald said smirking.

  Upon hearing that comment, Alisha felt the instant rush of anger flood her whole body just as Gerard turned his gaze towards her, his eyes glinting and searching her whole body, she felt, as he looked her up and down. She screamed and lunged herself at Gerard hitting his chest and face hard with her clenched fists. Nicholas stood back slightly. Gerard quickly managed to grasp both her wrists and just held them tightly as she kicked out with her legs on his shins and side. He started to laugh as Reynald also laughed loudly. Nicholas screwed his face in anger at Gerard.

  “Just try it, young Templar,” Gerard said menacingly as Alisha stopped struggling and started to sob, her head down as Gerard held her arms up.

  “She is a feisty one, no?” Reynald joked.

  “Enough, Brothers. You have had your fun…this is not the way for knights to behave,” Roger said and placed his hand upon Alisha’s back and looked at Gerard indicating he should let her go. “Let her go, Brother,” Roger said as four of his Hospitaller Knights came and stood either side of him.

  “This one is trouble. You would all be as wise to have leave of her company,” Gerard said then thrust Alisha’s arms down. Alisha stood motionless, her head bowed down, her hair hanging loose covering her face. “She is nothing but a Muslim brat with pretentions of being more than she is,” Gerard said as he circled around her.

  “Sire, she may be Muslim, but she is under our protection. The Order’s protection and I would have to argue that perhaps your authority and jurisdiction does not in actual fact out rank that of my Marshal,” Nicholas said nervously as Baldwin raised his eyebrows and shook his head.

  Gerard stopped in front of Nicholas. Suddenly he punched him hard in the side. Winded and in pain, he collapsed to his knees holding his side. Immediately blood started to seep through his uniform and fingers. Gerard looked at him dismissively after seeing the blood.

  “Never question my judgement or authority again. And it is not your Order…’tis my Order, or will certainly one day be, so mark my words very carefully, besides…I do not see your Master here,” Gerard said loudly as Roger shook his head. “Perhaps you would rather change Orders and become one of these ‘oh so caring’ Hospitallers instead?” Gerard asked as Nicholas fought to stand. Alisha did not move, but clenched her fists. She felt the small linen strip still clenched tightly in her hand. She thought of the words Raja had told her and what her father would do in such a position.

  “Sire, Brother Nicholas was shot with a crossbow in defence of this woman. You have opened his wound again. Please may I administer to him?” Baldwin asked as he steadied Nicholas.

  “More the fool him then,” Gerard stated and looked at the blood seeping between Nicholas’s fingers. Nicholas stared back at him defiantly, the anger in his eyes clear. Gerard turned to Alisha, stood in front of her. She did not move, just stood still looking at the floor. He stood closer, grabbed her chin hard and raised her face to look up at him. She glared into his eyes. “You have the devil in your eyes. But I must confess your beauty is beyond compare,” Gerard said examining her face too close for Alisha’s liking.

  “You do not scare me. You foul smelling oaf!” Alisha whispered and without warning raised her knee up as hard as she could into his groin.

  Gerard’s eyes widened instantly in pain and surprise as Alisha pushed him backwards. As he struggled to remain upright, his hands across his groin, he fought to contain the pain running through his body. Alisha rushed behind Nicholas as Roger waved his Hospitallers to form a circle around Nicholas, Baldwin and Alisha. Nicholas and Baldwin shielded her between themselves
.

  “Jesus Christ Almighty by the Lords of heaven!” Gerard said loudly as he walked in circles in agony trying to hide his obvious pain and remain upright. He bent over, his hands upon his knees as he tried to catch his breath. His face was red with rage and pain.

  Roger indicated to his knights to be ready to draw swords if needs be and they all placed their hands on their sword handles.

  “Do not take the Lord’s name in vain, Master Ridefort,” Reynald laughed, amused at the state of his friend’s undignified position and outburst.

  “Fuck the Lords; fuck God and fuck Jesus…,” Gerard moaned.

  Reynald laughed even more. He dismounted and approached Gerard and helped him stand up straight.

  “My friend, this fair maiden is but the same one I informed you of. Indeed feisty, eh,” Reynald said, trying not to laugh.

  “I will string the little bitch up for this…,” Gerard growled in pain still trying to get his breath. He stood up straight. Alisha grabbed hold of Nicholas as she stood between him and Baldwin.

  “Fear not, Alisha, I will not let him lay a hand upon you, I swear,” Nicholas whispered.

  “Oh great. So now we either get kicked out of the Order at best, or killed,” Baldwin whispered back.

  Alisha looked at Baldwin’s expression, then at Gerard as he slowly started to walk towards their group.

  “My knights will defend this girl, sire, so think very carefully your next move,” Roger said as he placed himself between Gerard and his own men.

  “Ha, you have but a handful and I have an entire fighting squadron,” Gerard bellowed.

  “Would not be the first time my knights have faced combat in such numbers against a greater foe…yet we still are here. So think again, Gerard,” Roger replied calmly and confidently and placed his hand over his sword, his eyes fixed firmly upon Gerard’s every movement.

  Suddenly Stewart came rushing out from the rear of the column, dismounted and ran over towards Roger. He glanced towards Gerard briefly.

  “Ali…is that you?” Stewart called out.

  Alisha looked up and through the dust she made out a knight, filthy, bearded and standing between Roger and Gerard.

  “Ali, it is me. Stewart,” he said as Gerard looked on bemused and then at Reynald.

  Reynald shrugged, still laughing.

  “Stand still brother Stewart, this concerns ye not,” Gerard said still in pain.

  “Master…that is Alisha. She is…she is part of my family,” Stewart explained hesitantly, his arms outstretched showing he was unarmed and no threat.

  “Oh this gets better,” Reynald laughed loudly. “Gerard, my friend, we are all but tired. Leave this affray to settle another day. We have some other Muslim females you may wish to have tend that injury if you so wish,” Reynald said, still chuckling.

  “You find this amusing, my friend. Not so,” Gerard replied and tried to stand up straight.

  “Her father is well connected. Gold type connected, so please do not help me to lose a small fortune by having her head,” Reynald said calming down, but still smiling broadly.

  Gerard looked at Alisha still shielded by Nicholas and Baldwin. Roger frowned at him and shook his head.

  “I do not care who her family is, nor particularly that she is somehow family to one of my own knights…of which I demand a full explanation, Brother Stewart by last vespers this eve…but I warn you all this day, that girl is a danger to all of you. The sooner you all realise that, the better off you will all be for she will lead you all astray, if she has not already. And you two,” Gerard said, pointing at Nicholas and Baldwin, “you two will come to despise the day you ever met that girl, of that I can promise,” Gerard said harshly. Baldwin feigned a grimace and looked up at the sky. “And you, I thought your brother was bad enough,” he said then hesitated bending slightly from the agony he was in. Alisha shot a look at Stewart puzzled at Gerard’s comment then realising it was Stewart standing there and that Gerard was obviously referring to Paul. “But it seems as though your family, whatever they all are, seem determined to be a thorn in my arse. I shall be keeping watch on you much closer,” Gerard finished and turned away and started to walk towards Reynald. Reynald laughed at Gerard as he snatched back his reins from the sergeant.

  “What is it with that family? Lord Jesus,” Gerard winced in pain again. “How many more of you are there?” he shouted out and looked towards Stewart.

  “Kicks like a donkey I bet,” Reynald joked as Gerard painfully walked away leading his horse towards the main Keep’s outer wall entrance.

  “Alisha, are you all right?” Stewart asked as he walked past Roger towards her.

  Alisha looked at him, tears beginning to well in her eyes again. Nicholas looked on bemused and confused, holding his side in pain.

  “Stewart…Stewart!” she cried as Nicholas looked at her then Stewart and Baldwin shook his head. “Raja is dead,” she blurted out and rushed towards him. He wrapped his arms around her as she sobbed. He looked at Nicholas.

  “Thank you, Brothers. I am…in fact we are, forever indebted to you,” Stewart said.

  “Fear not, Brother Templar, we shall all watch over her,” Nicholas replied as Baldwin looked at his side oozing blood. Roger looked at the blood on Nicholas’s tunic.

  “Young Templar, let us take care of that for you once and for all,” Roger said.

  Alisha looked around and saw the blood again on his tunic. She broke away from Stewart and rushed over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly for several minutes. She then kissed him on his cheek before kissing Baldwin on the cheek too.

  “Thank you. All of you,” she sniffed trying to compose herself.

  Roger beckoned Stewart and Alisha to follow him as the last riders of the squadron disappeared through the entrance ahead of them. Stewart’s horse and another Templar holding its reins stood nearby. As Stewart put his arms around Alisha, she took one quick look back at Raja’s grave as the men set about finishing it. She then walked alongside Stewart and Roger as they headed for the entrance.

  “Well, my friend…I hate to say it…but I fear I too am now smitten! And who is that devilishly handsome Templar she so quickly ran too?” Baldwin said, part joking to wind Nicholas up as he watched them leave. Nicholas said nothing. Suddenly he fell backwards as he passed out. Baldwin, his arms folded, turned his head to look down at him. “Yes…she is trouble all right. But what such delightful trouble,” he said as he then bent down to help pick Nicholas up assisted by a Hospitaller. “Weakling!” he joked.

  “Was swearing and taking the Lord’s name in vain blasphemy?” asked one of the Hospitallers sarcastically.

  “No, obviously not if you are the Master,” Baldwin replied.

  Alisha explained to Stewart what had happened and how Raja had died. She had a thousand questions running through her mind and did not know where to begin or if she should mention to Stewart things Raja had told her. Stewart escorted her to her chambers but stopped short of her door.

  “Ali, you know I am not permitted to enter your chambers alone,” Stewart explained softly.

  “I know. But I feel so alone. I cannot tell you how glad I am to see you and that you are here, and safe,” Alisha replied looking at him with sadness etched across her face. Roger appeared as he stepped up from the wide stair case and approached them.

  “I am glad too, but wish it had been in better circumstances,” Stewart replied.

  “I hardly recognised you…your hair has grown back and you have a beard,” Alisha commented softly, clearly tired and drained.

  “Master,” Stewart said and bowed his head slightly as Roger came and stood near them.

  “Brother Templar,” Roger replied and slightly bowed his head in acknowledgement. “Now, dear girl…we have to make sure that your stay here with us is as safe as we can make it. Gerard and Reynald will only be staying the night before moving on to Tortosa. You are more than welcome to come with me to Crac de l’Ospital where
my Order and I can guarantee your safety until your father returns,” Roger explained.

  “That is a kind and generous offer, thank you but I think I must stay here for my father’s return. I shall keep out of Gerard and Reynald’s way, that is for sure,” Alisha answered.

  “A wise decision, especially after kneeing him so hard in his manhood,” Stewart remarked and smiled.

  “Manhood…he is no man. But I have to admit, I am sorry for having done so. I cannot believe I did it for that is not who I am,” Alisha said immediately, still clearly angry.

  “I must confess, I have never seen Gerard walk away before. You were lucky today. He is not a man to mess with,” Roger explained solemnly.

  “Hey, ’tis all right for you two. I have to suffer him as my Master,” Stewart stated and shrugged.

  “You know, you do not have to. My order has much need of good men such as you, and Nicholas. We would be honoured to have you join our ranks. I can arrange it,” Roger explained.

  “’Tis an honour to be asked, Master, but I meant it when I swore my vows to my Order. I swore them to the Order, not him,” Stewart replied politely.

  “Shame. Our Orders are at such odds with each other presently, but I pray we shall resolve our differences and eventually one day join together or at least work together more amicably. The likes of Gerard only serve to divide our Orders further apart,” Roger explained.

  “Nevertheless, he is still my Master and I must trust in the machinations of our Lord, wherever it leads me,” Stewart stated and looked at Alisha. “And right now that leads me here. I may not enter your chambers but I can sit watch outside your door,” he said and grasped Alisha’s hand.

  “Thank you. But you have Vespers and other duties to attend I am sure. I would ask, however, you keep an eye on Nicholas, the knight who shielded me from Gerard,” Alisha asked. “He means a lot to me,” she said softly, her face turning red with embarrassment as she said it. Stewart noticed this.

  “My child, we are already doing that. He is weak. He must too learn he has limits and I am afraid he exceeded those these past two days. Gerard’s demonstration of his authority by punching him was crude and uncalled for. He will win little favour from his own men for that. So we shall liaise with the Templar Marshal of this Keep to insist he is given time to fully recover from his injuries,” Roger explained. “Now then, I see rest is required for you,” he motioned with his hands for Alisha to enter her room.