by D. N. Carter
“Children…we have a problem,” Firgany said loudly causing them all to look his way. “Last eve we assumed that the tree incident was just down to wind…but this morning we have just received word of evidence that two large work horses in the opposite field were used to pull the tree down. Not only that, but footprints belonging to at least four people were found within the tree line itself…but also a lot of blood,” he explained further.
“But…but what does that mean…to us, that is?” Paul asked, puzzled.
“It means a trap was set the other eve,” Philip stated as he sat down at the end of the table.
“But why?” Taqi asked.
“Gerard I bet,” Paul remarked.
Alisha looked at him harder as she fought to control her emotions from showing. Paul felt awkward.
“Whoever it was, and whatever they intended to do, someone else stopped them…and by the looks of it, by using extreme force,” Firgany explained as he sat down. “Now this leaves us in a dilemma for we fear the attack was intended for us. And, no, we do not think it was somehow organised by Gerard,” Firgany explained.
“Why us?” Taqi asked.
“Yes, and how do you know it wasn’t organised by Gerard?” Paul interjected.
“That we do not know exactly,” Philip answered. “But we do know this much…Gerard has not been out of Stewart’s sight since they left Tortosa… we have established this fact just now with him. Plus they have not stopped for more than a single night in any one place and why they in fact arrived at the same time as you despite your delayed journey by sea and part overland. But whoever removed the threat, did so very efficiently.”
“How do you know that?” Paul asked.
“Because whoever set the trap knew what they were doing and knew full well they would have to deal with well trained seasoned knights. Only a complete fool would dare take on such an opponent unless suitably trained and well prepared in advance themselves,” Philip detailed.
Alisha sat bolt upright still just staring at Paul.
“So what do we do?” Taqi asked.
“That is why we have asked you here now. Raja passing over has changed much. It is becoming increasingly more dangerous for us to stay here, but it is also dangerous to travel. Winter is fast approaching too. Niccolas too has had some strange correspondence; of a threatening nature shall we say. But with help from both our Templar and Hospitaller friends, we can secure our safety if we stay close together until the spring when we can all set sail for Alexandria together. But that means we must all stick together at all times from now onwards. No going out alone…is that understood?” Philip explained and asked as he looked at them all in turn.
“I am sure that is something you two would find agreeable to stick to,” Firgany said to Paul and Alisha. Alisha still sat bolt upright just staring at Paul in silence. “Have I missed something here?”
“Leave it, Father. They both need some time to sort something out,” Taqi replied.
“There is nothing to sort out. I think we have established where we both stand,” Paul stated. “And Father…I must talk with you at your soonest to discuss the fine matter of me joining the Order…the naval fleet of course,” Paul finished as he looked at Alisha still staring at him in silence.
“I take it you two have had a disagreement…yes?” Firgany asked.
Alisha stood up fast, her face scowling in fury almost, her fists clenched tightly.
“I do not have time for petty boy’s games,” she announced and pushed past Philip and stormed out of the kitchen.
Paul looked at his father and Firgany in horror waiting for their response.
“It starts,” Firgany half smiled at Philip.
“It does…and Paul, we shall indeed discuss your wishes. But as Firgany and I have discussed at length these past few days…it would be far wiser and safer for us all to journey to Alexandria…and…as Raja would wish it…as we both now know…and for you and Alisha to honour her memory by starting a family of your own…together,” Philip explained as Firgany nodded in agreement.
“What…could you not have told me this earlier? Oh for the love of God! And why now?” Paul shot back exasperated.
“Because Raja sent me something. All you need know is that it was a simple, but affective, note regarding you two. It put a few things into perspective for us shall we say,” Philip replied.
“But what of Taqi then?”
Taqi sat up and smiled.
“Hey, I already knew about the note,” he said smiling broadly and rubbing his hands together. Paul shook his head utterly bemused. “And before you say it, I could not tell you sooner as you have been avoiding us.”
“Am I hearing things?” Paul asked shaking his head. “And you are okay with this?” he asked Firgany directly.
“Paul…you both have my blessing on the matter. But mark my words, you so much as lay a finger upon her before you are suitably and properly married, and I shall flail you alive in this life and the next,” Firgany said softly and pointed his finger at him.
“And Taqi, you will come with us, yes?” Paul asked.
“No! I will be joining Rashid himself as a novice,” Taqi replied with a broader smile.
“What? You cannot do that…you are my friend. You must come with us,” Paul exclaimed.
“I can and I shall. My father has had it all arranged. If you had spoken to me earlier I would have told you all about it and the time I have already spent with them. And in time it means that I will be better able to help protect you and whatever offspring, Allah help us all, you and Alisha bring into this world in the future…just as those parchments showed all along.”
Paul shook his head in utter confusion and disbelief at what he was hearing. The dark cloud and feeling that had hung over him felt as if it was lifting from his shoulders. Suddenly he felt full of hope and new possibilities.
“I must go and speak with Ali,” he said as he stood.
“No, Paul. Leave her be for a while. She will be fine…and she has more faith in you two than you had,” Firgany said calmly and indicated for him to sit back down.
“But she is hurting,” Paul replied.
“She will be fine. Besides, we have something further to discus with you both,” Firgany simply replied with one of his looks Paul knew not to argue with.
“Boys…though you are hardly boys any longer that is clear,” Philip started to say as he sat himself further along the bench. “Taqi wishes to join the Ashashin, after having travelled with Rashid and considering that his father had been one, a small detail Taqi has only recently come to learn,” Philip explained as Paul looked at Taqi and Firgany in surprise. “Yes, Paul…but most people have no idea of who they really are or what they do. And it is sad that perhaps history will likewise know only of the darker side that is conveyed about them,” Philip said.
“Yes, but hopefully a view that will not last forever…for all truth comes out eventually,” Firgany interrupted.
“Yes. Paul, you had the lucky privilege of meeting Tenno. I am just sorry that Taqi and Firgany did not. His people have had contact and been in direct communications and trade with the Ashashin for many years. In fact from their very conception. It was they who taught the Ashashin much by way of hand to hand combat techniques and how to infiltrate behind enemy lines and exfiltrate without being seen or leave any trace of their presence. Even Saladin himself has a grudging respect for them,” Philip explained.
“And Paul, the Chinese and Japanese peoples were writing and building things many hundreds of years before any of us were. In fact even before the stories that are in the Old Testament were even written, and it may surprise you to learn that some of the very earliest clues that led the Templars to recover items in Jerusalem actually came by way of our oriental friends in the first place,” Firgany detailed.
“Father, can this be true?” Paul asked.
“Yes, son. It is. All you need know at this point, is that the whole Templar story started in the ea
st after documents saved by the Magi were returned to France after safe keeping. Only then were the clues and codes to a great treasure revealed and entrusted to the Counts of Champagne, for within their families flowed a sacred bloodline, a bloodline some call the ‘Crimson Thread’. You may know that of all the knights who went to Jerusalem and founded the Templars, the ninth knight has never been named nor revealed,” Philip explained as Paul listened intently.
“Yes, I know that for Niccolas has often mentioned it to me,” Paul answered.
“Well, the ninth knight was in fact John, the Count of Champagne himself. But he belonged to an even older order. He was the Grand Prior of what some call the Prior de Sion. Count Henry of Champagne presently holds that title. It is out of respect for John, but also John the Baptist, that all subsequent Grand Priors are named John,” Philip explained further.
“Is that why you have items you have collected with the name John inscribed upon them?” Paul asked.
“Partly. As a collection you could say. Also know that Sion in Welsh also means John. All Grand Priors, or as some now also call them Grand Masters too, are named John. John the Baptist holds the title of John the First and Count John is known as John the Second. And so it will go on,” Philip continued to explain.
“But what has this to do with the Ashashin?” Paul asked looking at all three of them. Taqi smiled and nodded.
“You know when you briefly stayed at the old castle keep in Rochfort,” Philip said and Paul nodded. “Well, afterwards, as you know, I went and checked on the place as we once knew the man who owned the keep and the vineyard and who once lived there. He died a long time ago as did the vineyard. But his family was likewise connected with the ancient ‘Crimson Thread’ bloodline, so we were concerned that perhaps another surviving relative had since come forwards. But when I visited the place, it was empty. But the man who had lived there was heavily involved with the Ashashin. And it was that man, a bit of a visionary monk well ahead of his time, who ultimately led Firgany and I to meet,” Philip explained and sat back as he waited for Paul’s response.
“But, Father…I was not lying when I told you I stayed there,” Paul said defensively.
“Paul, you are not being chastised or under interrogation here. We believe you. But something out of place occurred that night,” Firgany said.
“Paul, the Ashashin share much in common with our Templars. They share many of the same secrets which they have vowed to carry over as guardians for the sake of future generations. This is a solemn vow they swore alongside Templars a long time ago. Vows that both Firgany and I took, together no less, and a vow which Taqi will in turn take,” Philip said almost reverentially.
“Am I too expected to take this vow…. for how then…?” Paul started to ask.
“No…absolutely not. Your path is different…and although we were both very loath for you to follow that path…with Alisha…we have seen reason and sense,” Philip said.
“Why, because of what Raja said in her note?” Paul asked awkwardly.
Philip sat back further and sighed, as did Firgany.
“If we are honest…yes. Because of what she said in it. But do not ask me to divulge what she said,” Philip said with sadness clearly etched upon his face.
“Paul…much of what the Ashashin are based upon is exactly the same as what the upper circles within the Templars believe and follow. And much of their order is similar to the original Faris Knights, of which I was once one,” Firgany explained as Paul looked at Taqi. “You know the Islamic mounted warriors are called Faris, yes?” Firgany asked as Paul quickly nodded yes. “Faris means ‘horseman’ in Arabic and they are almost identical to western knights. Taqi wanted to become one until he recently learnt that I had been one but also an Ashashin. Faris training and the early stages of Ashashin training is known as Furusiya, a concept of chivalry and military skills, and courage is known as Shuja’a. Whilst your father and I served together, as our respective Orders shared a common origin and ultimate goal, we had to work in secret. Secrets you may one day learn of yourselves. But together we designed and helped build Castle Blanc, which sits on my and Taqi’s former home. It is why we still hold deeds and titles in the region,” Firgany explained, enthusiastically almost.
“But I thought you started off as enemies?” Paul interrupted.
“We did,” Philip answered quickly and looked at Firgany.
“Almost every scar I have on my body, and I have many, I received in combat from your father,” Firgany stated but smiled as he said it.
Paul looked at his father, puzzled.
1 – 24
“And every scar I have upon my body, of which there are many also, I received from him,” Philip responded and raised a hand towards Firgany, who bowed his head with a smile.
“This is why we have no problem in Taqi requesting to join the Ashashin as a squire. It will be hard for him and it will require years of training, but this is his desire. Whilst you and Alisha will continue our bloodlines jointly as one,” Firgany said.
Paul sat quietly for a few moments just looking at Taqi, who was still smiling proudly.
“See, I get to have all the adventure and fun,” Taqi said smiling.
“Fun you say,” Paul said out loud without meaning to. “I am sorry… that came out wrong,” Paul quickly said. “But if you worked together, then how come you injured each other?” he asked, trying to change the course of the conversation.
“When I lived in al Mawsil after my family had been forced to move there during the early stages of the Second Crusades, I fought hard against the Crusaders. I had fought before that under Zangi Imad al-Din, lord of Mosul, al Mawsil as we call it, and at Aleppo and even captured the city of Edessa on Christmas Eve. Zangi was eventually murdered by a servant in 1146 and his son, Nur al-Din, took over, whom I then served under from 1147 almost to the end of the Crusade in 1149. It was towards the end that I came face to face with your father. Not once, but several times on the field of combat. Our last fight saw us both near fatally wounded and we found ourselves both being treated by Hospitallers in Cyprus. A truce was agreed and a relative peace started,” Firgany explained and half laughed as he recalled the details.
“So how did you become friends?” Paul asked bemused. “And did you know all of this?” Paul asked looking at Taqi.
“No, not this,” Taqi answered.
“Whilst we were recovering, we were put next to each other. When we looked at each other, having fought each other so many times, we were both badly injured still, but we continued the fight,” Philip said and smiled.
“How?” Paul asked.
“Well, I threw a bandage at him, which missed, so he threw a wet one back at me, which hit me, so I threw it back, which hit him in the face,” Philip explained beginning to laugh.
“So, Father, what did you do back then?” Taqi asked.
“Oh, I threw it back harder and hit him on the face. When he slowly pulled it from his face and looked at me, we both just started to laugh, and laugh. Did we ever?” Firgany explained.
“Well then what?”
“Shortly after that, we were approached by a man. He was the former Templar and monk I mentioned earlier. He had travelled all the way from Rochfort purely to find me…and as it transpired, Firgany. What a coincidence… or so we thought,” Philip explained.
“Yes, but there is no such thing as coincidence. It was this monk who introduced us to a whole new world of mysteries and secrets. It was him who led us both to meet the Isma’ilis, or as most now call them, the Ashashin. As Taqi now knows, the Rafiqs who are among the most senior, trusted and most experienced of the Ashashin, wear white mantels trimmed with red which corresponds with the white mantle and red cross of the Templars. They are ruled by a great warrior named Rashid al Din Sinan, ‘The Old Man of the Mountains’ as the Crusaders call him. Fortunately they are far enough away in isolation in the mountains of Syria, with their main forces in the Eastern regions, that if Taqi joins them, then
the chances are you two will never have to meet in combat and hopefully one day our two peoples will learn to live in peace. Taqi now has my old mantel with a symbol upon which he can show the Ashashin upon his arrival,” Firgany explained, his tone changing to a more serious one as Taqi nodded in agreement.
“Would you do it all again?” Paul asked quietly.
Both Firgany and Philip looked at each other.
“In a heartbeat,” they both replied together and laughed.
“But make no mistake, Paul, and you, Taqi…We saw many terrible things during that Crusade. That ‘passagium generale, iter, voyage’ or ‘reise’. They are just some of the words used by participants on military expeditions sponsored and blessed by the Pope or his appointed agents against the enemies of the Christian faith. Service in Roman Catholic Christianity permitted individuals to serve the Prince of Peace, Jesus, directly and special rites and orders were issued by the Pope and dispensation given to all those who pledged vows to the cross. All who pledged were assured spiritual benefits in this life and life to come,” Philip said with a hint of sarcasm in his voice,
“Philip is correct. The Crusades are arduous, disorientating, frightening, dangerous and expensive. Crucesignati is the term given to the individual symbol marked with a cross upon those who pledged. Wars against Muslims had been waging for several hundred years especially in Spain’s Moorish states but what was different this time was that Pope Urban the Second used, one, terminology, the vow, two, symbolism, the cross, and three, spiritual rewards, penitential remissions to motivate the Crusading hopefuls, but all that did was unleash a bloodthirsty bunch of madmen with an excuse to commit murder and rape,” Firgany explained and shook his head.
“But what we have briefly touched upon, we would demand of you silence on the matter. Most people will not, nor ever will, understand the real workings that are underway…and there are many out there who would wish to destroy what we know and stop future generations from understanding their true origins, but more importantly, their true potential. And though it may seem irrelevant for us now, believe me when I say it does affect you. All of us and very much so,” Philip said quietly.