Outremer I

by D. N. Carter

  “Ah…that is the caravan of Princess Stephanie,” he said aloud.

  “Who?” Paul asked, returning his gaze back upon Theodoric.

  “Princess Stephanie,” Theodoric replied and stepped closer to Paul.

  “Perhaps you should inform him of this lady,” Abi suggested quietly.

  “Yes. I think it wise…for she is the lady wife of one man Alisha has already had the misfortune to run into once already,” Theodoric said quietly as Tenno studied the caravan and the Templars began to form up in front of it waiting patiently. “Reynald, sometimes Raynald…his full name being Reynaud of Châtillon, originally was a minor nobleman who went to the Levant during the Second Crusade. At its ignominious conclusion, Reynaud chose to stay on in Outremer rather than return to France, where, as a younger brother from a small fief in the Loire Valley, he could have expected little advancement. He is like you, Paul, tall and handsome, but with reddish hair and an impressive bearing. When he was young Reynaud turned the head of the princess of Antioch, the widow of Raymond of Poitiers, who at the time was the Christian king of the Outremer fief of Antioch.”

  “That courtship shocked Outremer,” Abi interjected. “The princess, Constance, was one of the grandest ladies of the land, and by rights should have considered only the highest born of men as potential mates. Strong-willed and smitten, she shrugged off entreaties from bishop, king and basileus to consider other suitors, and despite dire warnings, she married her low-born lover in 1153, making a crusading pauper into a prince of Outremer,” Abi explained quietly near to Paul’s ear.

  “It was scandalous, so let me explain further my friend” Theodoric said in a low voice. “Even William of Tyre remarked in his chronicle, that a woman so eminent, so distinguished and powerful, who had been the wife of a very illustrious man, should stoop to marry an ordinary knight, Reynald as we know him…huh…well, as the new prince of Antioch he wasted no time in making his mark. Disregarding the claims of its suzerain, the basileus Manuel Comnenus, Reynald decided to seize peaceable and prosperous Byzantine Cyprus. But to finance this adventure, he demanded money from the Latin patriarch of Antioch, who had opposed Constance’s love match in the first place and made no secret of his contempt for Reynald. Predictably, the prelate refused to countenance the scheme. So Reynald had him stripped, beaten to a pulp, covered with honey, and exposed to the midday sun, to be tormented by insects. His mind somewhat shattered after this treatment, the patriarch opened his treasury, and Reynald consequently sailed to Cyprus. Once there, he showed that he was a Crusader of the old style and his army pillaged, raped and murdered at will despite the awkward fact that the islanders were Christian. He rounded up all the Orthodox priests, cut off their noses, and sent the mutilated men to Constantinople as a signal of defiance to the basileus. I think that is why you will find that Princess Stephanie has been there to make amends. But Reynald had seriously offended the Latins by torturing the patriarch of Antioch, and outraged the Byzantines by laying waste to Cyprus. In 1160, while out in the hinterland of Antioch rustling livestock from Syrian Christians, Reynald was captured by an armed detachment of Nur al-Din’s men. He was thrown into a cell in Aleppo’s great citadel, to languish for sixteen years, as no one offered to pay his ransom. That fact weighed heavily upon his soul I can tell you. But he was eventually released in 1176, in the unsettled period when the Zengids of Aleppo, following the death of Nur al-Din, sought allies among the Latins to deflect the ambitions of Saladin. However, Reynald’s wife, Princess Constance, had died two years after his capture, leaving Antioch to a son from her previous marriage and we think that fact was an even bigger influence upon him that hardened his heart completely towards all Muslims. After his release he had to seek a position elsewhere and so it was that he wooed and won Stephanie of Milly in there,” he said indicating with his thumb toward her caravan, “heiress to Hebron and the Oultrejordain, the Latin marchland south of the Dead Sea known in the Bible as Moab. A distant corner of Outremer maybe, but it was nonetheless of crucial significance and he knew this as it is one of the main caravan routes from Syria to Egypt which pass through Oultrejordain, as did, every year, thousands of pilgrims making the hajj to Mecca. Its two castles, in Kerak and Montreal, rivalled the Crac de l’Ospital and Marqab for massive impregnability. Once married to her, Reynald was now master of these fortresses, perched high above a valley frequented by treasure-laden travellers. Even for someone possessing scruples, the temptation would have been great. To an embittered Muslim hater like Reynald, this spells trouble for all in Outremer. Trouble people like your father and Firgany have tried, and keep trying, to keep under control,” Theodoric continued to explain quietly, aware that Princess Stephanie was probably trying to listen in.[21]

  “Paul,” Abi said close to him again. “The Latin kingdoms are, for once, in concord with their Muslim neighbours at this time for both drought and incipient famine have induced the knights to agree to an extended truce with Saladin. Despite these glimmerings of civility, the new master of Kerak cannot contain himself. We are more than aware that he constantly harasses pilgrims. Sadly the King of Jerusalem dare not take any punitive action against him, this fiery vassal of his, and this is why Saladin makes moves to counter Reynald. This is why you must be constantly on your guard as you travel the King’s Highway during this tense time. You must protect and defend Alisha and Arri at all times…all times…do you understand me, Paul?” she asked and looked at him hard.

  As she stared into his eyes, Paul could almost overlap the image in his mind from the dream he kept having where he saw those same eyes staring at him. The deep blue of her eyes was almost mesmerising in its intensity. Abi started to kneel down upon one knee before him but still holding the stare into his eyes. She clasped his hands and pulled them together. Princess Stephanie leaned closer to the small window bemused at what she was seeing just as several of the Templars looked on from upon their horses. Paul looked at Tenno and Theodoric quickly, embarrassed.

  “Abi…what are you doing?” he asked awkwardly as her large hands totally enclosed his.

  “Paul…I must leave you now. I do not do goodbyes for goodbyes are what you say at funerals. Alisha knows I am with her always…but you… you must know likewise, I bow to no man, nor woman…but I will kneel to you…so that you know I am forever at your service. Always have been and always shall,” Abi explained confidently and kissed his hand, held it to her forehead for a few moments then stood up straight. “Theo…as always it is good to see you…as I told you a long time ago I would again. Look after these people. And you,” she said turning to look at Tenno. “You I will see again also,” she stated and nodded. Paul went to speak but she put her finger to his lips and shook her head no. “I shall see you all again. Until then, just remember me,” she finished and immediately mounted her horse, adjusted the large bow across her back, repositioned her two handed broadsword by her side and looked down at Paul again. She smiled, winked at Theodoric and blew a kiss at Tenno. Tenno frowned, puzzled, as Theodoric smiled broadly. With that, she pulled her horse around to face northwest and rode off without looking back.

  Princess Stephanie leaned out of the rear door to see Abi better as she rode away, the Templars also just watching and beginning to talk amongst themselves, puzzled. The door started to swing open as the latch was not fastened properly. The sudden movement caught Paul’s eye. He saw Princess Stephanie struggle to remain upright as the door swung open and she began to fall out. As she held on to the door, she ended up falling backwards. Paul instinctively jumped forwards, arms outstretched and just managed to catch her as she nearly hit the ground. Half kneeling, Paul managed to hold her and stood up with her in his arms, her eyes closed tightly, her head to his right. The first thing Paul noticed was how light she felt but also her perfume fragrance. He looked at her face. She was pretty and no mistaking that. Theodoric shook his head smiling as several Templars dismounted and rushed towards them as Tenno just kept looking at Abi as she disappeared over the brow o
f the hill and out of sight.

  “Oh how embarrassing,” Princess Stephanie said softly and grimaced still with her eyes shut tightly. Slowly she began to open them, the lines around her eyes vanishing as she did so. She blinked momentarily from the sun and focused upon Paul’s eyes. Her pale blue eyes were full of life and experience, he could sense that instantly, but also a great sense of humour and humility. Her face lightened as she smiled at him. “You can put me down now…if you want,” she said and smiled.

  2 – 9

  Paul became aware of several Templars standing around him ready to draw their swords. Gently he lowered her legs until her feet touched the ground. She stood herself up straight and pulled her dress until it was hanging properly and brushed herself down but with her eyes fixed upon Paul’s. She tilted her head slightly as Paul stepped back. Tenno looked at the Templars and moved closer to Paul frowning at them as he did so. Princess Stephanie looked at him briefly before returning her gaze to Paul.

  “I trust you are not hurt?” Paul asked politely.

  “Only my pride,” she replied, her voice gentle.

  “Stand away from the Princess!” a Templar said loudly as he grabbed Paul’s arm and pulled him back. Tenno instantly grabbed the Templar’s forearm and yanked it away from Paul and held his hand up high. Several other Templars immediately unsheathed their swords and adopted an offensive pose pointing their swords at Tenno and Paul.

  “Please, please, brave knights, lower your weapons…I see no threat here,” Princess Stephanie commanded as Tenno stared hard at the Templar as he gripped his forearm with a vice like hold. The Templar looked up at Tenno, puzzled, as pain began to register in his arm.

  “Tenno,” Paul said and raised his eyebrows. Tenno immediately let go and stood back a pace. “Thank you.”

  “Why are people so quick to draw swords?” Princess Stephanie asked, shaking her head as the Templars began to re-sheath their swords. Taqi moved nearer alongside Theodoric. Princess Stephanie looked past Paul at Theodoric and feigned a look of recognition. Slowly she stepped past Paul and looked at Theodoric for several moments, her finger to her lips as she tried to recall his familiar features. “I know you don’t I?”

  “Indeed you do, Princess Stephanie,” Theodoric replied and smiled as he placed his hands behind his back. Paul and Tenno looked at him quizzically.

  “Theo. But I heard you were long dead,” Princess Stephanie commented and moved nearer to him.

  “Yes I heard that rumour too…but as you can see, I am very much alive,” Theodoric replied and outstretched his hands, palms upwards, and smiled.

  “Not for much longer if you do not address her highness with respect,” one of her Templar bodyguards said and part pulled his sword up from its scabbard.

  “Be careful, Templar, for you are not judge out here and you know not who I am,” Theodoric shot back.

  “Please…gentlemen. I do not want any quarrels on my behalf. Please, Brother Matthew, stand down. I know this man well. Very well in fact. He was a close friend of my father’s too,” Princess Stephanie explained as she placed her hand upon the Templar’s sword hand. As he pushed his sword back into place, Stephanie moved closer to Theodoric and looked at him, then Paul and Tenno. She smiled then offered her hand to Theodoric.

  “’Tis always a pleasure to see you, My Lady. And please accept my somewhat severely overdue condolences for your father’s untimely passing. No better man have I had the privilege to have served with,” Theodoric said as he took her hand and kissed it. He held her hand for some time before finally letting go.

  “I see from your face you have befallen some illness perhaps,” she remarked gesturing to the scars and red patches upon his face. “And are you going to introduce me to your friends…and then perhaps you will kindly enlighten me as to where you have been all these years?”

  “Aye…I have been somewhat afflicted with a mild condition…now vastly improved no less with the help of Lucy. But forgive me my manners. It has been a while since I have been in the presence of a lady,” Theodoric smiled and gestured with his hand towards Paul. “This is Paul, son of Philip.” Princess Stephanie offered her hand towards him. Paul shot a look at Theodoric unsure what he was supposed to do. “Sorry…Paul has yet to learn the formalities when meeting and greeting people such as yourself,” Theodoric coughed smiling and gestured he kiss her hand.

  “Oh…right. Hello…,” Paul said and awkwardly took her hand and kissed it quickly then let go.

  Princess Stephanie smiled broadly as she tilted her head sideways slightly and looked at him in silence for a few moments. “You look very much like your father. Handsome and strong. But you have your mother’s eyes.”

  “You knew my father…and my mother?” Paul asked instantly.

  “I did. Tell me, has he finished his books yet?” she asked politely and smiled even more, her eyes widening.

  “Er, which one as he has many on the go?” Paul answered.

  “The one about the roses! The romantic one. But never mind, in time I am hopeful of reading it. For now I really must thank you for catching me,” Princess Stephanie said and leaned towards him and gently kissed the side of his face on both sides, her perfume again filling his nostrils. She stood back with her hands clasped in front of her just as Alisha stepped into view carrying Arri. Their eyes met as Alisha looked at her intently and quizzically. “And this is?” she asked as Alisha walked over and stood beside Paul.

  “This…this is my wife, Alisha, and son, Arri,” Paul explained as he placed his arm around Alisha just as she shot him a look of suspicion almost.

  Princess Stephanie bowed her head slightly in acknowledgement of her. Alisha did not know what to say so just continued to wrap the shawl around Arri to keep the sun off of his face. Stephanie moved closer to look at the baby. Alisha moved Arri so she could see his face as he tried to suck on his fist. Stephanie smiled broadly again and studied his face for a few moments. Alisha stared at her intently.

  “May I ask who you are?” she asked politely.

  “Me…I am Stephanie de Milly…”

  “Princess Stephanie,” Theodoric interjected as he stood behind her.

  Alisha just nodded in acknowledgement.

  “My Lady!” Sister Lucy said aloud as she rapidly approached from the caravan. Stephanie stood up straight, surprise registering across her face. She looked at Paul again before turning around as Sister Lucy called out excitedly, “My Lord, it is!”

  “Lucy!” Stephanie replied just as excitedly and rushed towards her. Both embraced tightly as they smiled and hugged each other. Paul looked at Alisha and then Theodoric, puzzled, just as Tenno and the Templars watched bemused also.

  “Oh my Lord, I cannot believe it is you. How is this possible?” Stephanie asked still holding Sister Lucy’s hands.

  “I…I am with these people. We are heading for Alexandria,” Sister Lucy explained as she looked at Paul and Alisha.

  “And finally with Theo no less,” Stephanie remarked with a smile and a wink.

  “Yes, I suppose you could say that…in a fashion.”

  “My Lady…who are these people?” the Templar Brother Matthew asked as he looked Tenno up and down.

  “This is Lucy…she was my midwife for all of my children,” Princess Stephanie explained as she introduced them. Alisha shot a look at Paul, puzzled, as she gently rocked Arri. “And this is the wonderful, clever, funny and most travelled man I know, Theodoric.” As Theodoric gave a slight bow, Tenno looked at him and shook his head no. Theodoric smiled at him. “I understand this is Paul, the son of another great man I know… and Alisha is it not?”

  “It is,” Alisha answered, still puzzled.

  “But I am afraid I have no idea who this gentleman is,” Princess Stephanie remarked as she looked at Tenno. He raised a single eyebrow and placed his hands upon his belt, his thumbs locking behind the main central clasp as he feigned a look of indignity at Theodoric.

  “Ah…yes. This is Tenno. And I have to
reluctantly admit that he has perhaps travelled a little further than I,” Theodoric explained.

  Princess Stephanie extended her right hand for him to kiss, but he simply looked at it then back at Theodoric.

  “As I said, he has travelled far and is not aware of all of our customs,” Theodoric explained and shook his head at Tenno.

  “Never mind. I look forward to learning about all of you. We have a long journey ahead so I am sure we shall have much time to catch up on things. I am so excited,” Princess Stephanie said, clearly happy, as she held onto Sister Lucy’s arm.

  “How is it we find you here this far from your home?” Theodoric asked.

  “I have been to Constantinople…to make some amends for some of our nobles in Outremer…but also to visit the grave of my father. I want to bring him home at some point,” Stephanie answered and sighed briefly before smiling again.

  “How did your father come to be buried there?” Theodoric asked.

  “You know he resigned as the Templar Grand Master, yes…after that, and when all of you had simply appeared to have vanished, he became a royal envoy to Constantinople. Sadly whilst there he fell ill and died. Though some rumours claimed he had been poisoned…but that I shall never know,” Stephanie explained and looked momentarily sad. But she quickly raised her head, flicked her blonde hair over her ears and smiled. “Now come…I want to hear everything,” she said as she led Sister Lucy towards her caravan.