by D. N. Carter
They stood holding hands as they looked around at the interior. It was cool and peaceful.
“Ali…our fathers said this place was sacred and special. The well in the cloister feeds the water that flows beneath this baptistery.”
“I can sense something here, Paul…almost familiar. Is that strange of me?” Alisha asked as she looked around the room.
“It is your strangeness that I love,” Paul smiled back and pulled her close. They both looked into each other’s eyes lovingly. They wove their fingers together. “Know this day, I will love you with all that I am or ever will be, the rest of my entire life…and the next one,” Paul whispered near to her face as he studied her smile. Gently he kissed her. Instantly he felt a surge run through his body of energy and a warm feeling enveloped him. As he pulled away from the kiss, Alisha opened her eyes slowly. The sunlight from the windows above set around the ceiling shone large beams downwards near to them.
“I love you also, Paul…more than my own life itself. Remember that,” she said softly and kissed him again. As Paul responded and kissed her back, someone outside coughed to raise attention to their presence.
Quickly they broke the kiss, composed themselves and walked to the exit door. As Paul led Alisha through the door, the Hospitaller Knight who had that morning spoken to Alisha at the dolmen stones stood aside and raised an eyebrow knowingly. Paul raised his eyebrows at him in acknowledgement then quickly led Alisha out of the cathedral, the Hospitaller following them with his eyes as they walked away through the busy street towards Tenno and Taqi still waiting patiently. Paul looked back over his shoulder at him as the Hospitaller shook his head as if in disapproval. This concerned Paul and the hairs on his back stood up on end as a cold chill ran through him.
When Alisha, Paul, Taqi and Tenno arrived back at the street where they had left Sister Lucy and Rick, they found they had been moved on with Adrastos and the caravan to the far side of the amphitheatre. It was a walk of a few hundred yards to follow the path around to the other side where a field near to a small graveyard was opened up specially for them and the Hospitallers to set up for the night. As they approached, several other caravans were already pitched and various musical instruments were being played and tuned. This brought a large smile to Alisha’s face as she loved music. Both Firgany and Philip had been teaching her a new form of writing music based upon principles they had learnt connected with ancient teachings, the values of seven and eight and also linked to architecture. Paul was more interested in the large walls and remains of the old Roman amphitheatre as they walked past a flight of wide stairs that led up into the arena. On the north side of the oval, the walls leant against the slope of earth, while on the south side an elaborate vaulted construction supported the steps from below.
“We must look inside before we leave,” he said excitedly as Alisha sped up, pulling him along eager to see who was playing the instruments.
When they entered the field on the northeastern side of the amphitheatre, the Hospitallers had already set up on the farthest side whilst the pilgrims with their caravans had set up almost against the wall of the amphitheatre. Paul was just able to see their caravan parked furthest away and he shook his head knowing Rick had done so on purpose.
“Hurry, Paul, I want to see who is playing,” Alisha said as she pulled his hand harder.
“I must check upon Sister Lucy and Rick first,” Paul replied. Alisha stopped still, looking disappointed. “What?”
1 – 3
“Paul…it has been so long since I heard proper music. Please.”
“But Rick is in no fit state to sort Adrastos for the night,” Paul exclaimed.
“Like since when has that ever stopped you?” Taqi joked.
“I shall sort the horse,” Tenno said sternly.
“No…Honestly. You keep an eye on these two and I shall sort Adrastos and make sure Sister Lucy and Rick are okay,” Taqi said and before they could reply started to run off towards the caravans waving with a smile as he went. Tenno shook his head disapprovingly again.
“Please,” Alisha remarked smiling broadly at Paul then Tenno in turn.
Tenno motioned with his head forwards then and shook it as Alisha quickly turned and pulled Paul’s arm hard. Paul frowned mockingly at Tenno.
Taqi slowed to a fast walk as he approached the caravan. Adrastos had already been un-tethered and tied up against the side of the caravan with their other horse. All was quiet and he looked around puzzled for Sister Lucy and Rick. He noticed a fire and cooking pot had all been prepared. A Hospitaller nearby, stripped to his waist washing, nodded, indicating to look inside the caravan. Taqi gave a thumbs up and quickly stepped upon the lower step to ascend. Just as he was about to lift the latch, he heard giggling inside. He paused as he strained to listen. Slowly he placed his ear against the small door and listened. He could hear moaning from both Rick and Sister Lucy. Gently and quietly he slid the little rear door window cover open and pulled the little curtain back just enough to sneak a look inside. His eyes widened and quickly he placed his hand across his mouth in shock but nearly let out a laugh. He sniggered quietly to himself and pulled away. He thought for a moment, blinked and smiled then peeked another look before closing the curtain again fully and very gently stepped down from the steps. He walked away as quickly as he could, half laughing at what he had just seen. ‘Most definitely not just a normal nun,’ he joked to himself.
Inside, Sister Lucy was sat upright straddled across Rick’s middle as he lay on his back upon the main rear bunk bed. A sheet hid her upper body as she partly held it around herself. Rick was looking up at her, his hands holding her breasts as she moved herself slowly back and forth upon him, her eyes closed in pleasure. For a woman in her mid sixties, she had kept herself trim and in good condition. Rick smiled broadly as he watched her move.
“Slow down, my dear, or I will be finished too soon,” he said quietly as she slowed down and opened her eyes, looking down directly at him.
“Oh I will do this to you again, and again, and again if I have to and will keep doing so until you beg me to stop, until you tell and explain fully to me where you have been all this time,” she replied, smiling.
“That is a terrible thing I shall have to endure willingly,” Rick joked back, his eyes suddenly widening as Sister Lucy flexed her pelvic muscle and gripped him tighter. “You can still do that?” he smirked.
“See what you have been missing,” she shot back and gripped even tighter.
“Oh ho I am going to die for real!”
“You will if you do not tell me.”
Rick stopped smiling and moved his hand to her face just as she clasped it with hers softly. He could see the hurt in her eyes and a million questions despite her smile. She kissed his hand and looked at him intently.
Taqi found Alisha and Paul with Tenno listening to a group of travelling musicians practising with their instruments. Several of the men were monks and they sat nearby reciting a chant in stages. As they chanted various sections of a song they were working upon, the amphitheatre made for a spectacular backdrop. Alisha smiled away as she listened to the various tunes with Paul standing behind her, his arms wrapped around her and his hands placed upon her stomach. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back against him as the ever darkening evening sky stretched out above, several bright stars already visible. Paul looked across as Taqi came over and stood beside them, smiling.
“I take it Rick and Sister Lucy are okay?” Paul asked, puzzled by the large smile. Tenno frowned too.
“Oh yes. I think it safe to say they are both very fine…but I would suggest we give them at least another half an hour or so…maybe more!”
“Why?” Paul asked, even more puzzled.
“Ha, trust me. You do not want to see what I just saw,” Taqi said, amused, as Tenno stared at him and frowned even harder. “And you may want to change your bedding.”
Alisha stood up straight and moved slightly to look at Taqi, her hands placed
upon Paul’s.
“What and why?” she asked.
“Remember Sister Lucy said she wasn’t always a nun…well I think she just broke every vow with Rick,” Taqi replied, trying not to laugh. Tenno looked at Paul and Alisha and then at Taqi hard.
“Young Taqi, you are not exactly discreet are you,” he commented.
“Hey…I think I am scarred for life,” Taqi joked back.
Alisha spun and looked at Paul, intensely shocked. “Does he mean what I think he means?” she asked.
“Yes…I think he does,” Paul replied, studying Taqi’s face as he kept smiling broadly.
Alisha covered her mouth with her hand. “I don’t believe it,” she exclaimed.
“’Tis true, sister. Must be that caravan…as it seems to have an effect upon people, eh?” Taqi said and looked at Alisha and winked. Alisha blushed almost immediately.
“’Tis a warm night. Perhaps we shall all sleep outside this eve?” Tenno remarked and turned his gaze towards the monks, who were now standing and raising their voices in chant. They started to sing one of the recent Crusader marching songs, the ‘Laetare Jerusalem’ sung as a chant and meaning rejoice oh Jerusalem.
“She also called him Theo…I am sure she did,” Taqi commented almost as an afterthought.
Paul and Tenno looked at each other, curious.
It was dark when Alisha gently knocked on the caravan door as Paul, Tenno and Taqi stood back, Taqi still smirking from ear to ear. Alisha bit her bottom lip hesitantly as she listened out for a response. She knocked again and waited but still no answer. Carefully she opened the door and looked inside, the light from one small candle casting just enough illumination for her to see Sister Lucy and Rick huddled together, Sister Lucy resting her head upon Rick’s chest, his arms around her, both sound asleep. Alisha did not know whether to be annoyed, disgusted or happy for them. The little candle started to flicker as it burnt to its final wick length. Rick moved slightly and opened his eyes, immediately seeing Alisha. His eyes widened in alarm but she quickly raised her finger to her lips to be silent and then smiled broadly. Rick nodded he understood and smiled back. Alisha tilted her head slightly and began to close the door as Rick mouthed ‘thank you’.
As Alisha stepped down from the steps, she turned and raised her finger to her lips again to remain silent as they all looked at each other bemused. She started to usher them away from the caravan.
“They sleep. Would be mean to spoil their moment,” Alisha whispered as Tenno looked back at the caravan, frowning.
“I think they had their moments earlier,” Taqi joked.
“Ali, where are you going to bed for the night?” Paul asked.
“As Tenno said…the night is warm and we can sleep under the stars,” she replied and held onto his arm still smiling thinking about Sister Lucy and Rick.
“Er…all our stuff is in the caravan and it will get cold later…and you are pregnant!” Paul said as the stood still.
“I have enough to keep her comfortable and warm,” Tenno stated as he looked around the field at all the other caravans and pilgrims along with several little fires. The odd laugh rang out from the Hospitallers’ pitch and shadows cast from the fires the monks had burning, stretched across the old Roman amphitheatre outer walls. Tenno looked up, the night sky now filled with stars, a clear line of white arching from one side to the other of the Milky Way.
“See…we are sorted. It is nice that we can let Sister Lucy steal some comfort for just a few hours,” Alisha explained as she grabbed Tenno’s arm and pulled him to stand next to her so she was standing between him and Paul. Tenno looked down at her as she smiled away. Then he looked at Paul, who was looking at him just as puzzled. Both shrugged their shoulders.
Taqi immediately set about preparing a makeshift mattress and bed for Alisha using the two saddles as a wind break. Tenno gave him all of his blankets and thick fur overcoat to help with the bed. Paul had to retrieve one of the chamber pots from the side of the caravan for Alisha to use. He escorted her to the far side of the field out of sight of the others so she could sort herself out. She giggled as she struggled with her dress and nearly fell as she tried to go. When she had finished she emptied the pot into a small ditch. She laughed when she stood before Paul as he looked embarrassed.
“Not very ladylike perhaps but when a pregnant woman has to go, she has to go,” she laughed softly. “I hope you will not be so prudish when the baby arrives?”
“Ali…of course I shan’t. ’Tis dark and I saw nothing anyways. I was just conscious of your dignity…that is all,” Paul replied awkwardly.
“Oh Paul you do make me laugh sometimes. Childbirth is a whole lot messier…and I want you there when our son comes into this world…is that understood?” she said softly and looked at him in the low light of the stars and half moon just breaking over the distant mountains.
“Try keeping me away for I would not miss it for the world,” Paul replied and took the chamber pot from her. Her totally unashamed manner with him never ceased to surprise him and it only made him feel even closer to her. The thought of being present at the birth excited him but also terrified him. He gently ushered her to follow him back to the others and she held his arm tightly.
After a brief meal that Taqi had managed to purchase from one of the many sellers set up on the other side of the amphitheatre, and some light bites from their horse saddle bags, Tenno said he would stay up a while longer as they slept. Taqi said he would sit up too, partly to compete with Tenno, Paul thought. Paul and Alisha drank some of the water taken from the baptistery earlier. His father had told him the water there was crystal clear and pure as any he had ever drunk so he felt safe in offering it to Alisha. Sister Lucy had strictly managed everything Alisha had been drinking and eating up until then, but as she was otherwise engaged, it was left to him to deal with. As Paul lay down next to Alisha and placed his arm around her and snuggled up close, he pulled the heavy blankets and Tenno’s thick fur overcoat over them for warmth. As he lay behind her, he could not escape the overwhelming sense of protection he felt towards her. He brushed her dark hair aside to reveal her neck, her face cheek rising as she smiled. He smelt her hair still, as always, filled with a light fragrance. She tucked herself into him closer. He could not help but feel aroused and he had to move his position and tried to ignore the feelings as his mind drifted to Sister Lucy and Rick in the caravan. He felt happy for them. ‘Never too late for love’ he thought, but still puzzled about the name Theo having been mentioned twice now by Sister Lucy. There was most definitely more to their story and past than either was letting on.
“Paul…I think you need to settle down,” Alisha whispered and giggled as she thrust herself backward against his thighs. “That has already got us where we are already,” she laughed as Paul again tried to move himself away.
“Sssh as they will hear you,” Paul whispered back and pulled her close again and kissed her neck then shoulder softly.
They both lay awake for ages just listening to the crackling of the small fire nearby, people talking until late around the other campfires. Taqi nodded off sitting up, which made Tenno smile to himself. Eventually as the stars moved across the night sky, Paul’s mind wandering to what his father was doing and was he okay, they eventually fell asleep.
Paul was dreaming again, the same dream as always as he looked down upon the earth as it was washed over by cataclysmic waves and storms. Before he knew it, he was standing just feet away from the old white haired man and the beautiful young woman. He could only see her profile this time as the staccato thump of explosions sounded out in the distance, his feet shaking upon the ground. The old white haired man looked at him and mouthed the same words as before, ‘remember me’, but this time as the words washed over him like warm water, Paul seemed to see the man’s face slightly change to that of the tall white haired man who had saved him and Taqi’s life back at La Rochelle. As if in response to his sudden recognition, the old man winked and smiled and a
gain said ‘remember me’. Half shocked, Paul tried to wake himself up but as he struggled with the overwhelming sensations flooding his body, the young woman turned slowly to face him, only this time as her profile turned to look at him…it was clearly Alisha staring back at him, her eyes wide and full of emotion. This was the same woman he always dreamt about and with the same feelings, and yet it was truly Alisha, her face confused and searching his eyes for anything.
Alisha meanwhile was also dreaming almost the exact same experience, but for her it was all new. It part terrified her as she struggled to take in the massive amount of information, as her senses were being bombarded by all the apparent physical aspects of the unfolding disaster that was happening all around her, the overwhelming emotional feelings too like an overflowing bowl of water she had no control over. She stretched out her hand toward the old man, knowing it was not her father, yet she felt as though it was Firgany. She reached out for Paul’s hand, which she could see clearly just feet away, yet felt like he was unreachable. She knew she was dreaming yet knew she could not escape what she was seeing and feeling. She felt sick and was sure she would be as tears welled in her eyes as she sensed the overpowering sensation of the finality of something truly sacred and old. Her eyes focused upon the black and yellow cord around the old man’s neck and the beelike necklace he wore, identical to the one she now possessed.
Suddenly an image entered both Paul’s and Alisha’s minds which they both knew the other could see of a young boy of around eight or nine years of age, wrapped in dark furs, covered in snow as he protected something as he shivered holding Alisha’s three bladed knife. The little boy looked up through the falling snow, his eyes were blue and his pupils wide like Alisha’s often were. It was dark all around him.
“Father…where are you, Father?” the boy’s little voice echoed out in their minds.