by D. N. Carter
“How so?” the Hospitaller asked.
“Because as I have said before, everyone’s name has a specific sound and mathematical value. It is why Jesus changed the fisherman’s name from Simon to Peter when he became a disciple. Peter means rock, and Peter was to become the rock of a new Church, both practically, physically but also symbolically. His name when changed to numbers also just happened to equal 755, as I have mentioned previously,” the old man explained.
Simon and Peter both looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders both as confused as the other.
“So for the sake of accuracy, I pray say you call him by his proper name,” the Templar commented and he looked at the faces of all the others in turn.
All nodded in silent agreement.
“In that case, Rick shall indeed be called by his first full name…Theodoric,” the old man replied, closed his eyes momentarily and then sat back in his chair and thought to himself for a few moments longer.
“Can I ask, you explained about the sailors all wearing light outfits….did you tell us that so we know what is coming next? As in the boat does sink?” Simon asked.
Sarah shot the old man a look of alarm.
“No…Not at all. I told you that as I felt it necessary. Mainly to point out the simple fact that Tenno never removed his clothing and armour,” the old man explained.
“Well he must have…what about at night when he went to bed?” the farrier asked.
“No, not even then. I will explain why later, Simon!” the old man said and paused as he smiled at Simon waiting for one of his sarcastic remarks but this time he just frowned and smiled back as Gabirol made a note of it. “But the sea journey itself did prove long and tiresome.”
“How so?” Sarah asked.
“Some of the Genoese sailors moaned it was not good fortune to have a pregnant woman on board and once someone starts a rumour, it has a nasty habit of becoming almost self perpetuating. The Hospitaller captain soon sorted them out by the time they broke away from the shore and headed out across the main sea for Rhodes. It was a voyage they had made many times, but the winds were not fair so progress was slow. The only advantage being that the waters remained calm…all good for Alisha. And Rick, I mean Theodoric, well he had his own important reasons for being eager to get to Rhodes.”
“Why? What was important there for him?” Gabirol asked.
The old man paused for a moment before answering.
“Theodoric had been to the island previously. Whilst there, he had been instrumental in setting three sites up on the beautiful little island of Chalki (Halki) that lies just a few miles off the coast of Rhodes. All three were connected and dedicated to the Virgin Mary herself. It was also why the Hospitallers themselves had decided upon that small island to base their operations on and not the bigger island of Rhodes itself.”
“Why three sites dedicated to the Virgin Mary?” Peter asked.
“Because he had set them out to mimic certain stellar arrangements. He helped prepare the plans for three chapels dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Saint Nicolas and the Holy Trinity as well as set the foundation for a large castle. Though I know that has not been started yet as the design is massively impressive, but there presently still stands a very ancient acropolis, as well as the remains of three temples to the God Apollo,” the old man explained. “And you probably would not believe me if I told you that it once had direct connections to Giza in Egypt and the castle at Gizor in northern France.”
“So how come Paul was not aware of this for surely has father would have told him?” Gabirol asked, puzzled.
“No…This was something Theodoric did and undertook alone…after Philip and Firgany believed he was dead…so they did not know.”
Mediterranean Sea. Aboard the Tarida boat midway between Italy and Rhodes
The boat rocked gently, the lanthorn hanging from the centre beam in the darkened room swinging slowly. Sat around a long wooden table, fixed to the deck, Tenno, Taqi, Sister Lucy and Paul faced Alisha, Theodoric and the Hospitaller captain. A Genoese sailor picked up the final wooden plate near to him as he cleared away the remnants of the meal just eaten. The Hospitaller pushed a pitcher of wine along the deep groove set in the middle of the table that stopped item sliding off, towards Theodoric.
“Please you must excuse me for I have to attend vespers and then check the men and make sure we are on course,” he said as he stood to leave, his head touching the top of the wooden deck above. “I bid you all a good night’s sleep and, God willing, we shall be approaching Rhodes by the mid morrow,” he finished, with a slight bow.
Tenno gave a slight head bow as Theodoric raised his hand and quickly poured himself another wooden tankard full of wine. Sister Lucy scowled at him.
“Fear not, my Lucy…’tis my last for the night. You know how much I hate sailing,” Theodoric remarked, smiling at her.
“You hate sailing?” Taqi asked as Tenno looked at Theodoric disbelievingly.
“Yes. Always have, so I shall be glad to be off this boat,” Theodoric answered and took a large swig of the wine. He looked at Alisha rubbing her tummy. “Will not be long now,” he commented. Alisha looked up at him. “And then the fun begins.”
“Fun….how so?” Paul asked as he reached his hand across the table to hold hers.
“Has your father not explained your lineage…your bloodline?” Theodoric asked.
“No…I do not think so,” Paul replied, puzzled, and looked at Taqi and Sister Lucy. He just caught sight of her shaking her head slightly indicating no. “Sister Lucy…why do you shake your head no?”
“Paul…now is not the time for such discussions. Trust me on this one,” she replied looking at Theodoric hard.
“My Lucy, ’tis time they both knew…before the babe arrives. ’Tis only the honourable and truthful thing to do,” Theodoric replied seriously.
“Truthful thing you say?” Tenno said, his tone clipped and deep as he looked at Theodoric, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.
“Yes. The truth,” Theodoric shot back and sat up straight.
Alisha suddenly lowered her head and placed her hands over her temples. Her face grimaced as if in pain and she closed her eyes. Paul looked at her, alarmed.
“Ali…are you okay?” he asked as Sister Lucy got up and immediately stood behind her rubbing her shoulders whilst looking at Theodoric disapprovingly.
“I am fine. I just…,” Alisha said and paused still rubbing her hands over the side of her head and ears. “I thought I heard someone calling my name. That is all,” she explained then looked directly at Paul, her eyes wide with a look of confusion.
Sister Lucy sat herself down beside her, Theodoric on Alisha’s other side looking at her.
“Luce, they both need to be told. If they know, they can at least be ready for whatever comes and not get caught off guard. They are old enough and smart enough and you know it is the right thing to do,” Theodoric said calmly, his voice gentle now.
“Will you stop worrying us and tell us whatever it is you mean?” Paul demanded, looking at Alisha, concerned. She looked down again fast, her face in pain as she covered her ears tighter as a high pitched whine coursed through her head. She looked up at Paul, fearful.
“Can you not hear that too?” she asked, alarmed. Paul shook his head no as she looked at Taqi and Tenno. All shook their heads no.
2 – 11
“Tell them…if you must,” Sister Lucy exclaimed and held Alisha’s hand tightly.
“Yes…tell us please!” Taqi said aloud almost sarcastic in tone.
“’Tis not my intention to scare you both, nor you, Taqi…but I do take it very seriously the matter of your bloodlines. Both of you….and you also again, Taqi…for I will not sit idly by and see you suffer if we can reduce it if not stop if from the outset,” Theodoric explained.
“Theo, you are scaring them,” Sister Lucy said and frowned at him.
“As I said, ’tis not my wish. And I have to say that I am d
isappointed with both your fathers, God rest Firgany’s soul, but they should have told you at least the basics,” Theodoric said shaking his head.
“For the Lord’s sake man, just tell them,” Sister Lucy blurted out.
“Fine, then listen to what I have to say. And afterwards, ’tis up to you what you choose to believe. And this is no disrespect towards your fathers either, but as events have overtaken us, it is right you know things about who you are and where you come from…because only by knowing that can you hope to steer your way through the rough waters of life that may lie ahead of you. And with the correct knowledge behind you, you can indeed navigate those waters,” Theodoric explained.
“Well, my father always did call me the little navigator,” Paul said.
“Yes, I know he did but I fear you do not fully appreciate nor understand the significance of that,” Theodoric said as Sister Lucy looked at him even harder and shook her head disapprovingly.
“Theo…Just tell them all they need for now…and no more!” Sister Lucy said sternly.
“I shall. There is much to hear so if you need to attend to any ablutions, I would do so now,” Theodoric said and waited to see if anyone did. All shook their heads no. “Paul, you have heard of the ‘Crimson Thread’, yes?”
Paul thought back and nodded yes when he recalled the words of the English Grand Master back at La Rochelle when he had whispered to him that the Crimson Thread flows through his veins. He remembered the comments Niccolas had made about the Crimson Thread cords that his father and Firgany both wore and its connections to the rose and wine grapes, especially the grapevines and how they were symbolically connected to the intertwining of family tress, just as a vine can be. He recalled how he had excitedly said to Niccolas he understood it to mean the joining of vines, and his sudden fear when he assumed it meant his and Alisha’s bloodlines were connected so could not become a pair. A sudden stab of alarm entered his head again as the fear that Theodoric was perhaps now about to tell them that they were and are in fact related. Alisha looked at him, concerned, and frowned seeing his face.
“Then let me explain further. In its simplest terms, though, my Lord, there is so much more.”
“Theo!” Sister Lucy said loudly and angrily.
“Okay…listen, Paul, Alisha…and you, Taqi, as this applies as much to you as them. By now you must have surely gathered that something is not quite usual or normal about you two especially,” Theodoric began to explain pointing at Alisha and Paul. Both shook their heads no. “Perhaps not now, but in time you will understand. I just wish your fathers and Niccolas had at least informed you the basics. So let me explain, and as I said, this still concerns you also, Taqi…The Crimson Thread stands for something very ancient and very sacred connected with ancient Arcadia and a bloodline relating to the house of David, but also it symbolically represents a stream of ancient wisdom and knowledge from great antiquity. Those parchments Gerard is so desperate to obtain, they contain details about that knowledge and maps that prove the world we live upon is a sphere, but also the locations and precise coordinates of sacred sites hidden all across the world. But certain places with the greatest secrets are not marked, for they can only be discovered by those pure enough of heart and intent, and who have the correct blood coursing through their veins to gain access to their locations. We know it is connected to the Holy Grail myths that symbolically portray this fact via imagery, such as knowledge and wisdom being represented by the sword, the same two edged long sword as mentioned in the Bible, the same as the sword of Orion, Damocles’ sword et cetera, and that only the truest and purest of heart would be able to draw that sword from the stone. In short, drawing wisdom and knowledge from the stone. So it is a real kind of stone, that is obvious for all to see, yet hides a great truth and secret which only a specially chosen type of person would be able to gain access to.”
“Are you saying that our son is to be a chosen one?” Paul asked, concerned, as Alisha stared at him shaking her head no.
“Perhaps. Or it is you, you or you,” Theodoric replied looking at Paul, Alisha and Taqi in turn. “Or indeed your son to be.”
“Me…I am no way a chosen one. I am too selfish for starters and I am certainly not smart enough,” Taqi replied and folded his arms.
Paul’s mind raced as he thought about the sword his father had given to him and his comment about how it had chosen him. He shook his head, bemused.
“Look, it is neither my wish nor desire to worry you, but you should have been told these things years ago. I appreciate your fathers were probably trying to spare you the anguish and keep you safe, but your best defence is to know all there is about your past. For a start, Paul, are you not aware that Plantavalu is not even your real surname but was taken from Sister Lucy’s husband to protect your identity?”
Paul looked at Sister Lucy.
“Yes…in part she has told me that…but nothing more,” he remarked.
Sister Lucy nodded her head slowly confirming she had.
“Look, I already knew from my father that I was born in Britain and that he changed our surname when we moved to France, and Sister Lucy did explain very briefly that my surname was taken from her family,” Paul exclaimed and looked at Sister Lucy, who bowed her head and sighed. “But my only fear about that is that it then makes a mockery of our marriage and the papers certifying them if many people know this,” Paul said. Alisha looked at Sister Lucy alarmed.
“No it does not. They are still valid and will always remain so. But before you make any assumptions or hasty reactions, please let me explain the rest to the three of you,” Theodoric said calmly and quietly.
“I am all ears to this one,” Taqi said bombastically.
Paul’s mind raced as he tried to remember all the details Niccolas had told him about his name. He had started to tell him about his family tree and past but had always managed to change the subject. Paul recalled the details about the rose and apple connections and bees, but that was it.
“Sister Lucy, we briefly spoke of this in La Rochelle, but why have we not discussed it further since?” Paul asked, pained.
“Paul…I have been in plain sight all your life have I not. I have never hidden my name from you…have I?” she answered.
Paul thought about it for a moment and had to agree, she had never done so. He shook his head as the realisation that he had always known her as Sister Lucy and never by her full name. He let out a small nervous laugh.
“But…but if your surname is Plantavalu, and we took it on, then how did you two become a couple?” Paul asked looking at Theodoric and Sister Lucy in turn.
“That, my young man, is truly another story for another day, suffice it to say, ’tis complicated,” Theodoric answered.
“How many times have I heard that?” Tenno stated. Theodoric looked at him momentarily.
“Listen to me. Everything was done to protect you. All four of you. Paul, your mother…did you know she came from Gizors in northern France originally? It was where she was born before moving to England?” Theodoric asked. Paul shook his head no. “Well, Gizors Castle, also known as Château de Gisors, is a remarkable fortified tower which bears many ancient legends. It was built upon a most sacred and ancient site and that was why it was chosen to be built upon. Your father and I were commissioned to design a great fortress there. That is how your father met your mother. That castle is just but a dream at the present but will one day be built. Note the linguistically almost identical name to that of Giza in Egypt? One day Gizors Castle will be a massive stone fort, its foundations already started with much construction underway. Gizors is a key stronghold of the Dukes of Normandy and protects, or will do, Anglo-Norman feudal territories of the claims of the French king. Your father and I worked upon older designs, the original foundations of Gizors Castle having been laid in 1095, when the fortress consisted of a simpler fortification. The English King Henry I, who in those years was the Duke of Normandy, added to the structure the octagonal castle, a fir
ewall. After 1161 Gizors has been mainly reconstructed and a stitched wall significantly increased and reinforced. In parallel, all the old wooden structures were replaced by stone and each corner of the outer wall was completed with a watchtower. Beneath the foundations you will find remnants of an old Roman chapel. It is located in the castle itself and reveals statues of Jesus Christ and the apostles. Moreover, in the dungeon, forty chests arranged in columns of ten were also discovered. When they were found, that is when your father and your mother were summoned back there, but only your father went. All I can tell you now is that those same chests were reburied and hidden. It was at that time mysterious stories about the disappearance of the chapel of Saint Catherine and everything connected with the mysterious rituals and ceremonies of the Order started to circulate,” Theodoric explained as they all listened intently.
“My mother?” Paul said softly. Alisha held his hand across the table.
“What I tell you is not to alarm you or cause you concern, but is to guide you and assist you in the years to come. You must have heard it said before, that those who control the past, control the future, and that is why it is so important you know your true past origins,” Theodoric continued.
“But I do not see how this applies to me. Ali yes as she now carries Paul’s child…but I am not related,” Taqi explained.
“But your ancestors share a common thread. A thread and lineage that goes back thousands of years. Back to a time even before the great civilisations of Babylon and Sumer were begun. Civilisations that have been hidden from you all. Our true history deliberately suppressed. But that history will one day be revealed again, and when it is, all those that have the blood coursing through their veins from those times will be sought out,” Theodoric said as Sister Lucy shook her head indicating he say no more. “Look, they will be sought out, not for evil purposes or to do harm to, but to help access instruments of great power and wisdom from an age long since lost. They will have the power to enhance the natural energies that are all around us,” Theodoric said and looked at Alisha. “You have already demonstrated that power when you healed that man’s hand old Tenno here crushed.”