by D. N. Carter
“Seriously?”
“Seriously…Why, are you, seriously?”
Alisha shook her head no and patted her stomach.
“Look, I am still flat. And I have not missed that time of the month,” Alisha whispered and giggled. “The look on your face, Paul,” she laughed a little louder.
“The curse you mean?” Paul smiled.
“Where did you hear it called that?” Alisha laughed more.
“Sister Lucy,” Paul answered and pulled her close and hugged her. “But I fear what father says is true.”
“What, that we spend too much time together?”
“No…that I have neglected Taqi,” he replied and held Alisha tightly. “I also think they know we have been together,” he then whispered as Alisha simply nodded in agreement and hugged him back tightly, her eyes closed.
“You do know that if the only place where I could see you was in my dreams, I’d sleep forever, for when I close my eyes, you are all I see. Throughout the day, you are easy to find as you are always there, when I close them,” Paul whispered.
“You are such a soft romantic, my Paul…and that is why I love you. Know too that I think of you with every waking moment of my life, and dream of you with every dream that I have,” she whispered back.
Paul held her and tucked his face in close to hers. As he held her, Firgany’s words rang through his mind just as those of Sister Lucy’s echoed. Instinctively he sensed something was happening. Something was changing and he was sure both Philip and Firgany knew about it. He sighed as he thought of his father. He had always been able to approach him and talk with him, yet now, there seemed to be a barrier, a barrier that appeared to be growing ever bigger. Maybe it was his way of dealing with the grief over Raja, but ever since the night of his fight with Stewart, his father had been different. Paul looked up at the sword shard in the wooden beam above them.
The following morning Paul got up early to help his father pack and say farewell. As he entered the kitchen, Squire Simon was already clearing away finished breakfast items, the stove already used. Paul looked where his father’s luggage had been stacked near the rear door last eve, but it was gone. As Paul rushed across the kitchen, Firgany opened the door, a very cold chill blowing in behind him as he quickly shut the door. He looked at Paul.
“Paul…if you are after your father, he has already left with Brother Teric,” he stated and began to remove his thick mittens and unbutton his heavy sheepskin coat.
“What!” Paul exclaimed loudly.
“Stop right where you are. He is emotionally raw as surely you must have detected these past weeks. Goodbyes he does badly at the best of times, so honour his decision…and here…he gave me this to pass on,” Firgany explained, blocking the door from Paul and handing him a small rolled up scroll.
Quickly Paul unfurled the scroll and read the note inside.
‘Many changes are coming, my beloved son, changes of which I have no control over though the good Lord knows I have tried. Couples that are meant to be together, are the ones that go through everything that is designed to tear them apart, and come out even stronger. But be strong enough to stand alone, be yourself enough to stand apart, but be wise enough to stand together when the time comes.’
“Is that all?” Paul asked shaking his head.
“Is that all? I suggest you go and read it again and digest its meaning. When you have breakfasted, you will meet me in your father’s studio,” Firgany said back, his tone clearly one of irritation.
Paul looked and read the scroll again. Squire Simon simply raised an eyebrow and continued clearing away.
After spending the day not even seeing Alisha and in close proximity with Firgany, Paul felt sorry for himself somewhat. Firgany had said very little all day and gave Paul many scrolls to number with red ink and pack away in sealed wooden boxes. When he had done several boxes, he thought he had finished, Firgany then took him to his father’s main cupboard and opened it to reveal even more boxes stacked empty, all needing to be filed. Paul sensed Firgany watching him several times which made him feel uncomfortable for he feared that at any moment he would turn on him knowing what he had been up to with his daughter. He had seen neither Taqi nor Alisha all day. Paul leaned to look out of the large stone arched window across towards the harbour. Not a cloud was in the sky as the sun began to set in a dark reddish ball on the horizon. Firgany saw him straining to get a better look.
“Paul…sit a while with me,” Firgany ordered.
Hesitantly Paul moved to sit opposite him and awkwardly sat himself down. ‘Well here it comes,’ he thought.
“Have I done anything wrong?” Paul asked.
Firgany kept looking down at some parchments in silence. Eventually he placed them to one side and looked at Paul directly. After even more awkward minutes in silence, Firgany feigned a smile of sorts.
“’Tis getting dark soon. We shall have much time together over the next three to four months whilst your father is away. I simply wish to ask that you do not judge him harshly for his silence. Raja’s death affected him far more than you can possibly understand…and I pray you never learn or suffer the same,” he said, his tone quiet.
“I worry after him…yet I do not know what to say any more,” Paul answered and relaxed, realising he was not going to be grilled over Alisha.
“Out there, your father cut and dug by hand the track that runs around the point. As you know it is named ‘Allee Stella Maris’ and it was he who named it thus,” Firgany explained.
“I did not know this.”
“No…there is much you do not know and yet it stares you in the face daily.”
“Really…such as?” Paul asked, puzzled.
“Such as Ali being with child!” Firgany stated calmly and raised just one eyebrow as he often did when not best pleased. The colour drained from Paul, his stomach knotted instantly and he felt himself physically shrink lower and his jaw drop. “Now close your mouth.” Paul quickly shut his mouth, his heart feeling like it was coming up through his neck. “Both I and your father know this,” Firgany explained and folded his arms.
Paul searched for words, any words, but he could not find them as his mind raced.
“Is…is that why he has left…and is ashamed of me?” Paul eventually managed to blurt out emotionally and his mind desperate to know where Alisha was. Has she been sent away? With that thought in his mind, he panicked and stood up fast.
“Sit down, Paul. You do manly things, you must now do as a man does and should do…now sit,” Firgany ordered and pointed with a single finger. “’Tis why we agreed you should spend less time together now…so that you can both prepare.”
“Are you going to stop us being together?” Paul asked pleadingly.
“Paul…sit up straight. Your days as a carefree boy end this very hour. And no, we will not be stopping you from being together. We tried that before you became one and that did not work. We would have greater luck stopping the sun from rising in the morning.”
Paul nearly cried with relief and Firgany could see the tension, fear and panic in Paul’s eyes.
“Will you punish her?” Firgany shook his head no. “Oh thank the Lord. I will take whatever punishment you deem fit and necessary.”
“I need not punish either of you as you will have enough trials and tribulations to contend with henceforth without us adding to them. I did try to hint at this last eve. And Sister Lucy certainly went out of her way to stop you two,” Firgany said quietly as he studied Paul’s reactions. Paul thought back to his first night with Alisha and Sister Lucy’s involvement. “But when she too realised that you two were a force that could not be stopped or be redirected, she decided, as she oft does, that she would instead get right behind you both and help…just as she always has. But as you know, it is forbidden for a Muslim woman to marry a non Muslim man.”
“But why…how come Father was to marry Raja then?”
“Because of where we were going. Plus there would be no is
sue of what religion any children would be raised up to follow. There are many who would see you both dead for what you have done. I am just thankful that it occurred here…where we can at least deal with and arrange a legally binding and acceptable marriage that will keep you all alive.”
“I thank you for your understanding…but pray tell what do we do next? Where do we go from here?” Paul asked.
Firgany stood up and moved over by the main windows. As the red sun set further, the room fell darker and his tall frame became silhouetted. He stood for what seemed an age in silence.
“You will be married…and sooner than anticipated. But it is not a ceremony either of you would recognise. But it is still viewed as legal by those who know of it… I shall explain to you both on the day how. That is all for now…and pray that the pregnancy is a good one…one that does not kill her as it did her mother!” Firgany stated coldly and rubbed his chin as he stared out the window.
‘Kill her!’ The words cut through Paul like a sword into his heart and made him physically gasp with a sharp intake of breath. Even then Firgany did not turn around. The overwhelming sense of responsibility and guilt of Alisha being pregnant hit Paul hard. So many emotions all at once. Pregnant! He loved her totally and vowed to protect her, yet the very act of loving her could now be the factor that kills her. He began to shake with emotions. Immediately he fought to control himself remembering what Firgany had just that moment told him. He stood up.
“Where is she now? I must see her…please,” Paul asked in a broken voice.
Firgany hesitated for a moment.
“She is with Sister Lucy. It was she who noticed the changes in her and confided in us the predicament. You owe her much…and she will do her best to ensure the safe passage into this world of your child…. and keep Alisha well and alive too!” Firgany stated still with his back to him. He waited for what seemed an hour stood in silence as the sun merged with the sea on the horizon. “Sister Lucy has this day informed Ali and confirmed she is with child. Fresh air and lots of it she has recommended… and I think if you hurry, you will find them at the point watching this very sun,” Firgany said, softer in tone, as he folded his arms. “And Paul…I am entrusting more to you this day than just my daughter.” Paul thought upon his words and waited for him to say more…but he did not. Without any further words, Paul turned and ran for the door. Firgany shook his head and his face broke into a nervous smile as a single tear fell down his face. He embraced himself with his own arms tightly and looked up. ‘Do not take my only daughter!’ he pleaded in prayer as another tear fell from his face.
Paul found himself outside running as fast he could, without his winter coat on. He jumped down the stairway that led towards the end of the point. As he ran down the stairs he nearly tripped in his hurry. Ahead of him he saw the two silhouettes of Alisha and Sister Lucy against the setting sun. He hesitated as he watched them stood close together. His heart pounded and he did not even feel the cold. Firgany had not killed him, he said they would be married, but he also said he hoped the birth would not kill her. Slowly he walked towards them. He was almost behind them, the wind blowing gently in from the sea across all the heather and grasses. Alisha and Sister Lucy stood on the cleared circular round section his father had dug as a viewing platform years before, topped with white stones. Sister Lucy heard him first and turned to face him. Paul froze as Alisha did not move. Was she angry with him? Sister Lucy motioned with her head he come nearer. As he drew close, she turned Alisha gently to face him. She was quiet, holding her hands over her belly just looking downwards. Paul looked at her intently, searching her face as she continued to look down. Paul shook his head.
“Ali…,” he coughed out in a dry voice.
“I think I need leave you two alone on this one,” Sister Lucy said quietly as she moved away from Alisha. “Do not keep her out too long. Fresh air is one thing…freezing is another,” she whispered as she passed him, touching his hand briefly and smiled.
Paul looked at her again, her face still looking downwards. The red sun behind her was nearly half way sunk on the horizon, but the colours it shone were of a pale pink and crimson. No softer or more dramatic a sunset had Paul ever seen, he thought. He noticed the glint from the sun reflect off a tear as it ran down her cheek, first it was white then it turned a fine crimson colour. Quickly Paul placed his finger near to catch the tear.
“Ali…please.”
Very slowly Alisha lifted her gaze to look at him. Her eyes welled with tears and Paul’s heart sank further. He sighed heavily. Then Alisha slowly grasped his hands with both of hers as she looked at him, a happy smile forming across her face. She moved his hands and gently placed them upon her belly and held them there.
“Paul….a part of you grows within me…please…say hello to our baby,” she cried happily. Paul fell to his knees and rested his forehead against their hands upon her belly. Alisha removed her hands and placed them upon his head as he put his arms around her waist and hugged her as tears fell uncontrollably and unashamedly. “Paul…listen to me…I know the risks, and if it is Allah’s will I am taken when this baby is born, you must swear to love it and protect it as our fathers have done with us,” Alisha said tearfully but still smiling broadly.
Paul hugged her tighter and tried to stop his tears. He was terrified and unbelievably happy too at the same time.
“You will not die…I do know this!” Paul said emotionally as he stood up and looked at her. Her eyes were wet and glistening in the rapidly fading crimson sunlight. Both laughed nervously. “And we are to wed… and I am not dead,” Paul joked and they laughed again. Paul cupped her face in his hands and looked deeply into her eyes, then kissed her softly. He knelt down again and faced her belly. “And hello you in there. I am your father,” he said and looked up at Alisha. She ran her fingers through his hair. “Ali…this is not exactly how I planned it, and though we say we already are in our hearts, will you still do me the truly wonderful honour of becoming my wife?” Paul asked.
Alisha raised Paul up and looked at him.
1 – 5
“Silly question as you know I will,” Alisha answered, kissed him then wrapped her arms around him.
Inside the Manor House, Firgany could just see their silhouettes as he watched them from the main arched window as Sister Lucy quietly came and stood next to him. In silence she placed a reassuring hand upon his forearm and looked at him.
PART III
Chapter 13
Sacred Ceremonies
Port of La Rochelle, France, Melissae Inn, spring 1191
Simon the fishmonger stood up and walked across the room and opened one of the main internal window boards and peered outside into the dark.
“That small round patch of stones you mention. Is that the same one that is still visible on the high point overlooking the beach? The one that has that small lanthorn Stephan sets alight each eve?” he asked as he tried to see the small flickering light in the distance.
All looked at the old man.
“Yes. The same,” the old man answered softly.
“And why the light every night then? Is that in memory of Alisha…. did she die then?” Sarah asked hesitantly and bit her finger nail.
The old man looked up and over at Simon.
“No…Not for Alisha.”
“Let me guess…you will explain!” Simon shouted across from the window.
Sarah immediately turned in her chair, picked up one of the heavier metallic tankards and threw it at him hard. It hit his elbow and bounced on the floor.
“No more sarcasm!” she shouted.
Gabirol wrote something quickly as Stephan walked across, picked up the tankard and ushered Simon away from the window and bolted the inner cover shut again.
“Truly, if they were to marry, would that not cause great issue from the start, being of different faiths…surely?” the farrier asked.
“’Tis not a problem for many who actually live in the Levant, and especially so in p
laces like Alexandria and Cairo. That much I can tell you,” the Templar remarked.
“How so?” the farrier asked back.
“The harsh practicalities of real life, my friend. A Muslim woman falls in love with a Christian man, they marry. A Muslim man falls in love with a Jewish woman, they marry. The hardest aspect comes in dealing with any children,” the Templar explained.
“And remember if you do not already know…even Muhammad had both a Christian and Jewish wife himself,” the Hospitaller interjected.
“Truly?” the farrier asked, puzzled.
Both the Templar and the Hospitaller nodded yes.
“They speak the truth,” the old man confirmed.
“So how soon did Paul and Alisha get married?” Miriam asked shyly.
“Well, as Firgany was now aware of Alisha being with child, he resolved to have them married as quickly as possible. To that end, and despite Philip being away, he took it upon himself to arrange the marriage with the help of Sister Lucy, Niccolas and the local Templar Marshal. Firgany knew that Philip would approve. As soon as Philip received word in London, he dispatched a letter for Paul and Alisha to be given to them on their wedding day,” the old man explained.
“And Philip was happy to miss the wedding?” Miriam asked hesitantly.
“Oh no…he was far from happy to miss it. But his work in London was crucial for part of what he and Firgany had spent a lifetime trying to ensure was carried across time intact. Also, the plans and ceremony that had been put in place for his and Raja’s ceremony could now be put to good use for Alisha and Paul. Perhaps it was best he missed the actual ceremony itself for it would have probably been painful for him… besides, he knew that in their hearts, they were already married and had consummated that pact,” the old man said softly.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I heard, on more than one occasion, that our Lord himself was once married. Is that true for if so does that not undermine our entire faith?” Simon asked and looked quickly at Sarah.