Outremer I

by D. N. Carter

  “Where is Tenno?…He needs to be here also,” she asked. Paul and Theodoric shook their heads they did not know as Taqi stood up.

  “I believe he is restringing his bow,” Taqi said and headed for the door. “I shall fetch him.”

  “Good. I fear he may be needing his bow,” Abi stated and clasped her hands together.

  “Why?” Paul asked, concerned.

  “I can answer that,” the Hospitaller captain remarked as he poured some wine into several small wooden goblets. “The weather looks pretty bad and is set to get worse. It means we could be held up here for some time. But this is the silly season when the pilgrim routes start to become full of travellers…which in turn attracts a fair amount of bandits and robbers.

  Rough seas are no place for a woman and child, but nor is the pilgrim way. That is why I have asked you here now…to discuss which option you prefer.”

  “Abi…what do you suggest?” Paul asked.

  “’Tis not my decision to make. I must leave you here regardless for I have other charges I must help north of here,” she replied.

  “What…but we have only just found you again. We need you,” Theodoric remarked and rubbed his head hard.

  2 – 23

  “Theo. I have done as much as I can for now. Besides, you have Tenno now. He is more than capable of looking after all of you. But you need to decide whether to stay onboard or take the pilgrim way before that becomes too busy.”

  Tenno walked in ducking low to miss the door frame. He stood still and looked around the table as Taqi pushed past him and sat down next to Paul.

  “Tenno…,” Theodoric said and proffered him to sit opposite.

  Without a word Tenno sat down and looked at Abi quizzically then at her sword upon the table. Abi noticed this and immediately unsheathed it and offered it to him. Tenno raised his eyebrows before taking the sword and looking at it closely. The blade was incredibly light and polished looking almost silver. It had patterning along the blade’s edge. Tenno took out his main sword and placed it next to hers. Her two handed sword was the biggest sword Tenno had ever seen. It had a symbol just beneath the handle identical to the one on Paul’s sword.

  “Where is your sword?” Tenno asked Paul abruptly.

  “In my cabin…with Alisha and the baby. Why?” Paul replied.

  “’Tis of the same style and construction as this sword, no?” Tenno asked.

  Paul shook his head and shrugged his shoulders before looking at Abi.

  “It is from the same source,” Abi answered for him as Theodoric leaned closer to look at the two swords.

  “You have seen this before…yes?” Tenno asked him.

  “Yes…I have of course when I knew Abi before. Many years ago,” Theodoric replied and winked at Abi and smiled.

  “But this blade looks as though it has hardly, if ever, been used,” Tenno remarked as he ran his finger along Abi’s sword.

  “Oh I can assure you it has for I have seen it wielded many times,” Theodoric stated.

  “Then by what means and what material is this made from?” Tenno asked, puzzled, as he compared the blade’s razor sharp edge with his own sword’s scratched, dented and pitted blade.

  “That I cannot tell you…for the swordsmiths who made it and Paul’s sword have long since departed this world, from an age and time before our history,” Abi explained.

  Tenno looked at her hard and with suspicion. But he knew that his own sword had been made by some of the finest craftsmen in the world, yet it paled in comparison with Abi’s and Paul’s swords. He shook his head, bemused and intrigued. Paul looked closer at Abi’s sword as Tenno pushed it towards Theodoric gesturing he pick it up.

  “Er…no you are okay, Tenno. Last time I picked that up…I did not wake up for two days,” he laughed as Abi smiled. Tenno shot a look at her, perplexed.

  “It has that effect on some people…but clearly not you. That is how I know you are more than capable of looking after this rabble,” Abi said, her deep blue eyes fixed upon Tenno.

  “I do not understand what you speak of,” Tenno remarked as he pulled the sword back and lifted it up holding it in his right hand.

  “Can you feel it?” Theodoric asked.

  Tenno held the sword upright and turned it to look at the other side of the blade. After a few moments, his usually stern austere face broke into a near smile. He looked at Abi. She nodded at him.

  “It feels like it is…like it is almost alive…and I can feel a pulse,” Tenno explained fascinated. “Does your sword do this?” he asked Paul, who nodded yes. “’Tis a trick, yes. ’Tis my own pulse from my hand being directed back upon me, yes?”

  “If that is what you wish to believe,” Theodoric replied, smiling.

  Tenno looked at Abi puzzled as he moved the sword around in the air as if it weighed nothing.

  “Are there more like this?” Tenno asked.

  “There are. But many are hidden…and for good reason,” Abi answered and looked at Theodoric.

  “What I would give to have one,” Taqi commented.

  “I do not think I have realised nor appreciated what a gift my father has given me,” Paul said as he sat back and folded his arms.

  “Paul…there may come a time when you wish you had never set eyes upon it believe you me. Your father certainly came to resent it for many years,” Theodoric stated.

  “Really? But can you imagine what an army…an army for good, could do if all were armed with weapons like those?” Paul said as Tenno still swung Abi’s sword with just one hand.

  “That is precisely why they remain hidden. But just a few have been entrusted, on loan only, to a select few of noble blood and kings deemed worthy enough,” Abi explained.

  “But I am not noble nor a king,” Paul shot back.

  “What, just like the mythical sword of King Arthur?” Taqi stated and laughed.

  “Taqi…you laugh…but what you state is nearer the truth than you realise. Though the Arthur of myth is but a part truth based upon two real characters of Britain’s early history. That is a subject you should talk to your father about…or Theodoric here,” Abi explained and looked at Theodoric.

  All looked at Theodoric.

  “Okay…so Philip and I wrote some stories and included the esoteric codes of antiquity into them. We had to, to bring the stories up to date and be relevant to our times…to ensure they were continued. It has worked has it not?” Theodoric explained.

  “Lies and deception again!” Tenno commented as he looked at Theodoric.

  “Tenno…do not be so quick to judge and condemn. What they did was a necessary measure,” Abi said as Tenno continued to study the blade.

  “But that does not answer why my father gave me the sword. I am not of royal blood nor a king,” Paul commented.

  “Paul…know this once and for all and accept it. You have the Crimson Thread of an ancient bloodline that far outreaches any of the royal bloodlines now being sowed within royal families. You must understand and believe, and accept it as a truth, that you above all people have a right to wield your sword. And you carry the wishes and ambitions of all your ancestors to establish a line of leaders who heal, protect and educate their peoples. To lead by example doing service to others, not service to self. And that is something you must learn and accept fast,” Abi explained.

  “And accept and know that there are people and groups out there who will want to stop you doing just that and who will kill you without hesitation to obtain weapons such as the sword…but also to kill off your bloodline. That is why it has been protected and remains in the shadows. Let the other bloodlines and kings fight each other and be high profile, for all the while they do, they help keep you, Alisha and you, Taqi, protected out of sight,” Theodoric explained.

  “How will we know who these people and groups are?” Paul asked, concerned.

  “You will know. Just trust your instincts and that inner voice. One group has already tried to sever the continuation of your lineage,”
Abi explained.

  “When?” Paul asked, alarmed.

  “When Alisha, Taqi and Firgany returned to France last year. Do you recall the tree that was cut down to block the road? How it was blamed upon simple bandits?” Abi said. Paul thought for a moment and looked at Taqi, both puzzled. “That was the first major attempt to kill Alisha.”

  “What?” Paul asked, shocked, and looked in alarm at Taqi and then Theodoric.

  “It was you…was it not….who stopped them?” Taqi remarked.

  Abi just nodded her head slightly yes as Tenno looked at her and raised a single eyebrow.

  “But why did you not let me or my father know…and will that group still try to kill her?” Paul asked, getting agitated.

  “Not whilst we are around,” the Hospitaller captain said reassuringly and smiled.

  “And you all know of this?” Paul demanded to know.

  “Calm yourself, Paul. But I will not lie to you or dress this down. It is a serious position you now find yourself in. Your fathers tried and succeeded for many years to protect you and let you live as ordinary a life as possible… but now…with the birth of your son, you must now be made aware of the very real and present dangers you could face,” Abi explained seriously as Taqi and Paul looked at each other.

  “Paul, you now have a weapon of potentially great power. Now you have to develop the wisdom to match it,” Theodoric explained.

  “Know also, these swords are but mere children’s playthings compared with other weapons that still lay hidden away from us. Weapons of great antiquity handed down from a time when what we call gods walked upon this earth. They are weapons that can wipe out entire cities with the brilliance and likeness of the sun. You are all aware of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in the Bible. Can you imagine weapons of such power if they were in the hands of the wrong men?” Abi detailed seriously.

  “’Tis true, Paul. Once your father, and your father too, Taqi, fell upon a weapon of great power. It very nearly killed us when we touched it. We were lucky. The men who followed us seeking it for wrong doing and evil intent did not fare so well,” Theodoric explained.

  “Really. And where was this?” Taqi asked, intrigued.

  “Oh, not far from the Great Pyramids of Egypt…and that is all you need to know,” Theodoric answered and winked.

  “What?…I am a little confused by all of this,” Paul remarked as Tenno placed the sword back on the table and sat back.

  “Paul. Wisdom does not come with the advancing of age, but is a gift God bestows upon whoever is willing to have it, you simply have to decide whether to open your soul to the quiet whispers of that wisdom and listen and act accordingly. Do that, and trust to that and you will not go far wrong,” Abi said.

  “But what of these people and groups who wish Alisha harm?”

  “Be ever vigilant and guarded. Your fathers were aware of the great responsibility and burden you would have, for you do carry the entire weight of history…and the future…upon your shoulders now. But they were also wise enough to know that this was a path you and Alisha wished for and chose. But as I said, there is no point hiding the reality of what you now face…for there are those who believe that any child from your joint bloodlines will produce a Messianic figure. They believe in prophecies that speak of a holy child being born from both a Christian and Muslim line that will help unite and lead people in a new way of understanding who teaches service to others before oneself. And there are many selfish individuals who crave power and service to self who do not wish to see this coming to pass. And that even includes some from within the Churches and great Orders themselves,” Abi explained.

  “Oh marvellous. So just who do we ever trust?” Paul replied.

  “You cannot avoid the realities of this world and the people in it. Always therefore try to remember that avoidance may seem like the best short term strategy to avoid conflict, but it is also the best long term strategy to ensure continued suffering. You must never shirk away from dealing with anything head on that threatens you. Seek always peaceful means but never avoid things,” Theodoric stated and looked at Abi for confirmation of his words. She nodded in agreement.

  “’Tis also true that this world may well be destroyed, but not by those who do evil and bad things, but by those many who stand by, watch and do nothing. That is why you should stand up and if necessary fight for what is right no matter what the consequences,” Abi continued.

  Suddenly they all heard the sound of the baby just outside the door. The door opened as Sister Lucy swung it aside to reveal Alisha stood there holding the baby wrapped up in its swaddling. She gently rocked the baby as she stepped into the room looking at each of them in turn. Abi stood up but had to stoop to stop her head from hitting the low ceiling.

  “I heard all what you said,” she said softly. “Would you all hide such matters from me? For Paul, have I not said time and time again, never hide anything from me? I always,” she paused and looked at him intently, “will always respect you more for telling me the truth no matter how bad. Never hide it from me,” she explained as her look turned to one of disappointment almost as she shook her head.

  “But I have only just this moment heard myself the same,” Paul replied defensively.

  “Paul…you would not have warned me if I had not heard myself these matters,” she stated.

  Paul sighed and knew he could not argue with her, for he would have indeed tried to keep it from her.

  “His motives would have been valid so do not judge him harshly,” Abi interjected and raised her eyebrows.

  “None the less…I need to know always. If we cannot even agree upon that right here and now, then I see no future for us together,” Alisha commented harshly.

  “What? Ali…where is this coming from?” Paul asked, alarmed and shocked.

  Sister Lucy shook her head, bemused, behind Alisha at Theodoric.

  “I mean what I say, Paul. And if I cannot trust you completely and always, then I will take our son somewhere safe where no one will ever know who we are,” Alisha replied sternly.

  Tenno raised an eyebrow, surprised at her comments.

  “Ali. You speak unnecessary and harsh words. Your body is undergoing many changes still and it can affect how you are feeling and reacting. Trust me, child, it will pass and you will think differently soon,” Abi explained as Taqi stared at his sister in surprise.

  “I think not. Honesty always, Paul. Always…that is all,” Alisha stated and turned around and walked out of the door.

  Paul sat back in his chair hard and raised both hands in surprise, shaking his head, totally bemused.

  “I did warn you, brother,” Taqi said and looked up briefly and feigned a grimace.

  “Trust me…’tis the changes within her body. Like every month when women suffer the curse. It will pass,” Abi stated and placed her hand upon Paul’s shoulder reassuringly.

  “Bet it doesn’t,” Theodoric said jokingly as Sister Lucy looked at him and shook her head.

  “Paul…of course she will. She loves you, clearly,” she said as Paul rubbed his chin in confusion. “She is tired that is all. And she is over anxious for the safety of her newborn, which by the way you will have to resolve a name for soon,” she remarked as she stood by the door ready to leave the room. “Something you men will never understand about us women, is the bond between a mother and her child…and more’s the pity,” she mentioned and pulled the door shut behind her.

  “And what of the bond between a father and his child…is that any the less valid or intense?” Paul asked.

  “Welcome to fatherhood!” Tenno said bluntly.

  “I shall go and speak with her,” Abi said as she picked up her sword, re-attached it and moved to the doorway before looking back at Paul. “You must decide whether to continue by boat or follow the pilgrim route from here onwards…and Paul…get used to always carrying your sword. Always!” she instructed and quickly went after Alisha and Sister Lucy.

  Alisha was trying
to breastfeed the baby when Abi knocked on the small wooden door and leant down to enter the room, quickly shutting the door behind her. Alisha smiled at her, looking calm and serene. Abi moved herself to sit upon a wooden trunk. She squinted and shielded her eyes from the bright sun’s light shining through the small square window portal, its shutter cover propped open.

  “Ali…what you said to Paul was very upsetting to hear,” Abi started to explain.

  “It was meant to be…for I know Paul. He is a very sensitive soul. I fear too sensitive at times for his own good and that worries me. I know he would die in order to protect me from worry in his own mind, but I cannot accept that,” she interrupted calmly and then smiled at Abi.

  “Hmm! Have you heard the saying ‘only from great strength comes great gentleness’ and he has that.”

  “I know this saying. You may think me harsh, perhaps even cruel, but I must know without a doubt I can trust him totally…for our very lives may well depend upon that alone.”

  “You do love him, don’t you?”

  Alisha looked at Abi directly and stared into her deep blue eyes then smiled.

  “I love that man with all of my heart and more. I always have and I always shall…you should know that.”

  “I do…I was just checking that you did. And does he still know that?”

  “Of course he does. But he now also knows I am serious with what I say…and consequently he will not hide things from me,” Alisha replied confidently.

  Abi sat back not entirely convinced.