by D. N. Carter
“This is incredible…is it magic?” Simon asked, transfixed upon the blade, smiling broadly. “I can feel it like it has a pulse that runs through me,” he explained excitedly and laughed again looking at everyone around the room.
1 – 46
“’Tis not magic. That pulse is your pulse. That is you. That is why it hurt when first you held it. Do not quiz me how it works, just accept that it does,” the old man explained.
“Sarah. Simon here cannot be all bad for if he was, he would be on his back now, unconscious,” Stephan remarked. Simon shot a look at him, puzzled.
Simon started to well up with tears and became visibly emotional rapidly. Stephan put both his hands upon his shoulders. Simon pulled the blade nearer as tears began to fall from his eyes uncontrollably. He kissed the blade and placed it against his forehead, his eyes shut tight as he sobbed. Stephan looked at the old man.
“Forgot to mention that bit comes next,” Stephan smiled.
All observed Simon as he cried unashamedly and openly in front of them for several minutes before finally getting himself under control. Sniffing, he opened his eyes, gently took his left hand off of the sword and wiped his nose and eyes with his sleeve. He looked around the room at everyone looking at him and laughed emotionally. He proffered the sword to the Templar.
“No…You are okay. ’Tis not that I am bad but I will not allow myself to reveal my emotions just yet,” he replied as Miriam clasped his hand beside him.
Simon looked around the room. No one wanted to take the sword so he placed it back down upon the table delicately. Simon smiled and relaxed back into his chair shaking his head, still amazed.
“I feel amazing,” he laughed.
“Can I ask, if this sword is the same as the one Philip gave Paul, then how come Paul did not experience what just happened to Simon?” Gabirol asked.
“Good question. In short, Philip’s link, his bond if you will, with the sword had already been established. The only way I can explain it, is that each of us gives off our own energy in waves…like water. If you gently splash a pale of water, the waves are small and gentle. Thrash the water vigorously and hard, the waves are bigger, faster and harder. The sword somehow adjusts to the size of those waves each person gives off. Too much of a difference and it can initially hurt, but then it adjusts you, not itself, to the same wave size. The result of which you just saw Simon experience. As Paul was young, almost innocent in many ways, and being of the same blood as his father, his father’s waves were almost identical to his so the adjustment was not even noticed. But in time, Paul would find another aspect of the sword that could prove devastating if misused,” the old man explained as Simon just sat smiling.
“Are you certain this is not the Devil’s work?” the wealthy tailor asked hesitantly.
“What if I told you that the force that God and the Devil use is in fact but one and the same force?” the old man answered.
“Hmmm. This all reminds me very much of the statement in the New Testament whereby Jesus explains that he brings a two edged sword with which to fight for peace and justice,” Gabirol commented as he checked his notes.
“Gabirol, for your records, and as I explained earlier, you may wish to note then that the two edged long sword when written in Greek and converted to mathematical numbers in Gematria equals 755, just as Excalibur does likewise, more of which I shall reveal if you are all able to remain longer,” the old man explained.
“Too right we are,” the Templar replied and ushered Miriam to retake her seat.
“I am beginning to see you in a different light,” Sarah said to Stephan as everyone began to sit themselves down again and get comfortable, Simon still smiling broadly and staring at the sword.
“I can tell you, that the effects of the sword are not simply self induced. But like when some people touch and feel a holy relic, it is their belief that influences them. Some can pick up a Bible and feel nothing whilst others can just touch a Bible and they can feel it, in a real tangible sensation. The sword acts very much like that. It is why some people can hold it and truly feel nothing at all. Now if no one else wishes to hold the sword at this moment, shall I continue?” the old man asked.
They all looked at each other briefly and all in unison nodded.
“Okay, then know that in Frejus, the cathedral is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Saint Stephen, and has been the seat of the Bishop of Frejus since the fifth century. The church is part of a larger fortified complex of religious buildings dating from the fifth century to the present and is an important religious and commercial centre of Provence. It actually comprises a parish church and a cathedral all under one roof; a baptistery; the bishop’s residence; a canonry, for the community of priests who served under the bishop; and a cloister. The baptistery of the cathedral is a fine example of Merovingian architecture built in the fifth century too, but many attempts have been undertaken to hide it. Some consider it to be the oldest Christian structure in Provence, and one of the oldest in France.”
“I heard that the town was built under the orders of Julius Caesar himself,” Peter the stonemason commented.
“That is true for Julius Caesar was indeed the founder. It was also the most important Roman port and the capital of Provence and the existence of a Christian community is documented as early as AD 374. It is rumoured that a very ancient and sacred site was deliberately built over with a Roman amphitheatre to hide it. The foundation of the cathedral is traditionally attributed to Saint Leontius of Frejus, bishop of Frejus (circa 419 to circa 488). During his time the first monastery in the region, Lérins Abbey, was also founded. The cathedral is located close to what was once the Roman forum of Frejus; the ruins of monumental buildings have been found next to the cathedral when the Hospitallers started their excavations for their hospital. It was also near the cardo maximus, the principal north–south axis of Roman towns; its walls were aligned with the sites of earlier Roman villas; and elements of Roman buildings, such as columns and walls, were incorporated into its structure. Beginning in late Roman times, the town suffered a series of invasions and was pillaged by Goths, Burgundians, Franks, Lombards and Saracens. A plague carried away much of the population in the sixth century. In the tenth century Saracen pirates ravaged the coast. The expulsion of the Saracens in 972 brought a period of relative peace. Now Frejus is governed jointly by the Viscount of Frejus, who has a castle near the port, and by the bishop, who lives beside the cathedral. ’Tis a much smaller town now than in Roman times and yet it hides such a significant secret of its own,” the old man explained as they all listened intently despite the early hour.
“How so?” Sarah asked.
“Recall I mentioned one of Paul’s dreams where he could see people sealing away large stones as an overwhelming force was about to destroy everything and that something very sacred was about to come to an end?” the old man replied.
“Of course. I do not think I shall ever forget that part. ’Tis why I sit here now eager to learn more of it,” Sarah answered as several of the others nodded likewise.
“Good. Then all I need say is that parts of Paul’s dream, in fact many of his dreams, had their origins here. Before the land was changed forever in great antiquity. But one of the main rivers and paths of the dragon all ran through this region as I explained. And the sacred well was incorporated into what became the baptistery. ’Tis still in use to this very day. The baptistery is the oldest part of the cathedral and is similar in form to baptisteries in northern Italy, at Albenga in Liguria, and to the Lateran Baptistery in Rome, from the same period. On the exterior, the lower part is a square, about thirty feet to a side. On top of that is a domed octagonal structure. In the interior, the lower level is divided into eight deep arched niches, alternating between semicircular niches and those with flat walls, with the arches resting on columns. The columns support the upper level, which has sixteen small arched niches with windows, which in turn support the dome. Many of the granite columns pre-date the church, and were taken
from a far more ancient structure, often now mistaken as being taken from Roman temples; other columns were made at the same time as the baptistery. In the centre of the floor is the octagonal baptismal basin, large enough for a person to be entirely immersed, surrounded by a stone ledge. Please make a special note that full body immersion baptism was carried out here. A smaller basin is located in the floor nearby, not for the baptism of infants as some do now, but for washing the feet of the priest. Plans are afoot as we speak this eve by some to cover and hide it from us all. But likewise, there are those who, also as we sit this eve, plan to counter that with a more obvious display. Philip himself was even working upon a design for a specially decorated ceiling for the cloister complete with animals, people and mythical creatures to esoterically display hidden knowledge for later generations when again we would be ready to understand its revelations,” the old man explained and part smiled as he looked at the sword.
“You should smile more, old man…it suits you,” the Templar remarked.
“I smile for the fact I know that despite attempts to hide a great truth in Frejus, the small minded people who tried to do so…have failed for the cathedral contains two naves, one of which belongs to the bishop, and the other to the local parish, side by side under the same roof, separated by arches. This arrangement is not unique in Provence; it is also found in Aix Cathedral and Apt Cathedral. Both of which were likewise built upon old Roman forums that were previously far older ancient sacred sites. The church of St Étienne (Saint Stephen) was begun in the eleventh century, and enlarged this century and became the parish church of the city. It consisted of a long nave under a barrel vault ceiling, divided on the north side into four parts by lateral arcades resting on massive rectangular pillars. The south wall, which connected the church to the cathedral of Notre Dame, was reconstructed just recently to add greater strength and support for the new arcades that were constructed. The marks of the stonemasons can still be seen on the vault of the third traverse. You may even find those of both Firgany and Philip if you look hard enough. The nave and choir of the Cathedral of Notre Dame have been designed, again with much help from Philip, and have been commissioned and work is to start soon against the south wall of the church of St Étienne. This part of the church, like the residence of the bishop at the other end, will have a strong military appearance, deliberately designed to stress the power of the bishop in temporal as well as spiritual affairs. Philip’s main design features an apse and a new kind of vaulted roof, more modern than that of St Stephen’s church. This is a series of vaults supported by crossed ogives, in a style called Lombard. It uses different kinds of arches: some perfectly rounded (en plein cintre), some more arched than a semicircle (outrepassé) and some less arched (segmentaire), allowing greater height and space. Once the cathedral’s new nave is built, larger arcades can be built to open the wall between the two churches,” the old man explained and sighed after pausing for a few moments before continuing. “A newer designed cloister, which will serve as a place of meditation for the bishop and the dozen canons who serve him, when built on the north side of the cathedral will consist of pointed arches resting on double Corinthian columns. The decoration of the capitals of the columns will feature the key, the symbol of the bishops of Frejus, and the fleur de lys, the symbol.”
“My Lord. I wonder how may I get commissioned to partake of that great undertaking then?” Peter remarked and shook his head, his mind already racing ahead as he wondered how he could get employed on that project.[15]
“I know of people who will be doing the commissioning of stonemasons should you wish me to pass on your sigil’s mark,” the old man replied.
“Pray tell I hope you do not jest for I would be honoured,” Peter replied enthusiastically.
“What will these panels or pictures on the cloister ceiling reveal exactly?” Gabirol asked.
“I can tell you they will be brightly painted panels depicting biblical scenes, fantastic animals, and scenes of daily life. The panels will include paintings of the Virgin Mary and the Infant Christ, Saint Peter, several canons, several priests praying or preaching, a demon with the tail of a serpent, angels playing instruments, a fallen angel with the wings of a bat, a centaur, a mermaid, a dragon, an elephant, a tiger, an ostrich, domestic animals, such as horses, dogs and pigs and common wild animals, such as wolves and deer. But also ordinary people such as a butcher, a knight, a juggler, a young woman performing her toilet, and both a man and woman answering the call of nature,” the old man explained wryly.
“Answering the call of nature?” Gabirol stated puzzled.
The old man simply smiled again and nodded in reply.
Amphitheatre de Frejus, Provence, 1179
It was late afternoon, the sun low, and behind them the tall silhouettes of the Massif des Maures and the Massif de l’Esterel were still visible on either side of the horizon. Paul was sat squeezed between Taqi and Tenno on the front driver’s seat of the caravan as they entered the outer perimeter of Frejus. They all looked at the large remains of the old Roman amphitheatre to their left as the column followed the wide track next to it. The Hospitaller Marshal ahead raised his hand to halt as another Hospitaller on foot stood in front of them flagging them to stop. Tenno halted Adrastos and applied the wheel brace. A lot of talking was taking place as the Hospitallers held their horses steady in file.
“What is the delay?” Sister Lucy asked as she appeared next to Taqi’s side of the caravan.
“No idea. How is Alisha?” Paul replied then asked.
“Asleep…as is Theo…I mean Rick, the lazy oaf.”
Paul leaned forwards to look past Taqi at Sister Lucy, puzzled at her error as the small window slide cover behind him was pushed open from inside.
“Hey…less of the oaf, my dearest!” Rick said through the open window slot.
Sister Lucy smiled as Tenno feigned a look of mock disdain and frowned towards the slot opening behind his head. He slid it shut again.
All looked forward as one of the mounted Hospitallers started moving back down the line.
“Sorry…our hospital and accommodation block is totally full this eve due to too many pilgrims. We have to put them first so we shall have to make camp this eve on the other side of this,” the knight explained thumbing in the direction of the amphitheatre.
“Thank you. ’Tis not a problem I am sure,” Paul replied. “But quickly before you go…how far are we from the baptistery?”
“’Tis just yonder look. Ten minutes away if that,” the knight answered pointing down towards the sea front then moved off along the column.
Alisha, Paul, Tenno and Taqi took the opportunity of walking down towards the main cathedral complex of buildings as Sister Lucy and Rick waited to be instructed where to set up the caravan along with the Hospitallers and several other visiting caravans. When they approached the main complex, the old stone corbelled roads were busy with many carts and pilgrims heading in both directions. Tenno solicited many strange stares and backward glances at his size and clothing which made him stand out from the rest. Taqi laughed at one point and Tenno playfully slapped him around the head. Paul held onto Alisha tightly ready to pull her aside if needs be should someone bump into her.
“Paul…I am pregnant…not ill,” she chastised him at one point.
Outside the cathedral’s main southern door, they all stood in a line and looked up at the building, almost completely surrounded by other buildings; only the doorway leading into the narthex (lobby) was visible from the outside. Above them to their right rose the tower with its spire and on the left, the rectangular base of the baptistery followed by the lower part with its octagonal walls that transited to a circular tower with a roof upon. The sun shining low from the west made the stonework of the walls look almost pink.
“You do know that we can’t enter…officially?” Taqi said with hands upon his hips.
“Do you wish to enter?” Paul asked.
“Er…no. I am all right.”
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br /> “Tenno?” Paul asked.
Tenno shook his head very slightly no and grimaced almost.
“Okay…last chance as we are going in,” Paul remarked as he ushered Alisha towards the entrance.
“Paul…’tis not allowed for I am Muslim,” she whispered as they neared the small door section that gave access through the bigger doors.
“You are my wife is all they need to know. My father said the waters here are holy.”
“And?” Alisha asked, puzzled, as Paul stepped over into the doorway.
“And…I am prepared to do anything that will help with the birth of our son to keep you both safe,” Paul explained as he pulled Alisha through the door, Taqi shaking his head and folding his arms disapprovingly.
“Does he always do as he sees fit whatever the consequences?” Tenno asked, folding his arms also. Taqi just nodded his head yes in silence.
As Paul entered the cool narthex, he helped Alisha step over the wooden floor bar to be greeted by the sight of a two-aisled cathedral chapel. To their immediate left were two empty tomb areas and the baptistery, with its pre-Romanesque octagonal building. The arcades being borne on eight pillars, six of these came from older buildings, three pairs of differing marble. In the centre stood a font. There were two doors by which a person to be baptised came in through the lower door and left by the higher one. Further steps from the narthex gave access to the two-storeyed cloister composed of delicate pillars. On the north side of the cloister, a double staircase, the steps of which were once used as seats for the nearby Roman amphitheatre, led to the upper story of the cloister enclosed on all four sides.
“Paul…,” Alisha whispered as they entered the baptistery and moved to stand next to the main font. Paul leant down and quickly scooped up some of the water into a small leather water pouch and sealed it, and hurriedly placed it inside his shoulder slung satchel bag.