Outremer I

by D. N. Carter

  “Why? Because it was drawn in blue and black inks. And the image touched Paul deeply for a reason he did not know or understand. But the history behind Theodoric’s journeys fascinated him, just as those of Tenno. He longed to learn so much about other places, peoples and countries,” the old man answered.

  “So what was so important about the parchments that Gerard demanded them?” the farrier asked as the wealthy tailor nodded quickly with his questions.

  “It was known within circles, the higher circles of the Order, that Paul’s father had many ancient maps and parchments relating to past realms of men,” the old man began to explain.

  “Past realms?” Simon interrupted loudly.

  “Yes, past realms of which I shall explain shortly, and I do mean shortly,” the old man smiled at Simon before continuing. “Ancient realms of a time long before our recorded history whose existence and history was written down upon gold plates and sealed for centuries. Many of those plates were copied onto parchments by Philip and Firgany as well as others, including Niccolas and Theodoric, so they could be shared and studied…in secret obviously. But…they also showed the various genealogical trees of several groups from those times and how they could be recognised in our times.”

  “Recognised…in what manner and how?” the wealthy tailor asked eagerly.

  “Oh, by the colour of their eyes, their skin, their hair…their size, especially their heads, but also their fingers. They were just the physical clues. But also in their manner, and actions towards others…such as healing and compassion” the old man replied and looked down for a moment.

  “That is Alisha then immediately recognisable as coming from them,” Ayleth commented.

  The old man looked up at her and simply smiled. Ayleth smiled back but felt embarrassed as everyone looked at her.

  “After news of Niccolas’s death, in circumstances that appeared suspicious, those within the inner circle of the Order and that of the Prior de Sion feared that some of the information had been taken by Paul, either for safe keeping or simply in error. They did not worry that he had taken items with any ill intent or motif, but they could not risk them falling into the hands of certain elements not sympathetic to their long term aims and goals. So, rightly or wrongly, poor Brother Teric had been sent on many a long journey back and forth with orders, the last of which being the one for Gerard that commanded him to recover whatever parchments and scrolls Paul may have had in his possession…with the underlined order, whatever the cost!”

  “Just following orders then. Funny how he was so keen to follow certain orders but totally ignores others,” the Templar commented and thought to himself for a moment.

  “Well I just want to know what is so special about the tattoo on Theo’s back. Did he tell Paul what it all stood for then?” the Genoese sailor asked.

  “He did. For Paul went and checked upon Alisha and Arri and she was more than happy to keep company with Princess Stephanie and Sister Lucy. She knew Paul enjoyed Theodoric’s company and as Taqi and Tenno had decided to go and practise more ‘way of the warrior’ skills and meditation, Paul returned to the hall alone to sit with Balian and Theodoric and eat the small meal that had been prepared for them. Paul warmed to Balian, even though he tried several times to ask if Paul had so easily given up his parchments as he knew they were not the genuine ones.”

  “Ah…are you saying Paul readily handed over the parchments as he knew they were not the real ones?” Gabirol asked.

  “Oh no, they were most certainly genuine ones. But Paul saw no reason then, at that time, to fight over parchments. To him, they simply were not that valuable …but that attitude would in time change…when he became fully acquainted with their worth and importance…but that would take time,” the old man answered and sighed again.

  “Would you tell us about the tattoo then, and how the sword came into being in Paul’s possession, for I fear we shall never learn why,” Ayleth asked gently and politely.

  “Aye, that I shall! But for this, you may all wish to make yourselves comfortable and grab some food and drink, for this part will take a while,” the old man replied, smiling back at her. She reminded him so much of Alisha.

  Chapter 24

  Lady of the Lake

  Kizkalesi Castle, Cilician Armenian coast, May 1179

  Balian stood up and bowed his head to Paul and Theodoric in turn.

  “It has been a great pleasure to sit and eat with you this eve…even if it did start off rather tense. I shall bid you goodnight. I believe we may actually be on our way tomorrow at long last so I am afraid I need some sleep. I hope we can repeat this,” Balian said and wiped his hands upon a piece of moistened cloth and placed it back down upon the square plate it had rested upon.” And Paul…I think it safe to say there are enough willing people to look after your wife…should there be any trouble.”

  Paul went to stand but Balian waved him to sit back down.

  “Yes likewise, a pleasure”, Paul said and bowed his head back, out of courtesy as Theodoric just looked upon what was left on the table to eat.

  Balian laughed at Theodoric, raised his hand goodnight and walked out of the hall.

  Theodoric raised his hand and then pulled up his chair closer to the table. With just him and Paul now sat at the large wooden table in the middle of the hall, several maps still laid out as Tenno had left them and a jug of boiled and cooled water next to some cheese and bread, plus a bowl of olives, it was finally good to grab some peace, he thought. Having spent so many years in his own company, suddenly being with lots of people all the while took some adjusting to. Last vespers had been done by the Templars and Hospitallers and the whole castle seemed eerily quiet. The night air was still warm but the cool sea breeze blowing in through the large windows was welcome.

  Paul coughed and frowned at him.

  “Well, Theo…’tis just you and I alone. ’Tis not often we get any time to actually speak alone is it? I cannot believe how much has happened since that first night you took me in…though you called yourself Rick…I should have known you would be trouble then,” Paul joked.

  “Aye. Time passes quickly for sure. And yes, as you will learn, sometimes in life, you have to tell a few white lies to protect either yourself or those you hold dear…I knew if I told you my real name, it would get straight back to your father,” Theodoric explained.

  “Who thought you dead, of course?”

  “Yes. I had my reasons why. Your father and Firgany were certainly better off without me. I would undoubtedly have got us all killed…One day I shall explain…I promise.”

  “You promised you would explain a few things about my father before, especially about Egypt and my bloodline, specifically from my mother’s side…and that tattoo.”

  “Hmmm. I did didn’t I,” Theodoric replied and paused for a moment before cutting some cheese and taking the last few olives off the plate. “I shall try…but I warn you, you may fall asleep out of sheer boredom!”

  “I doubt that,” Paul remarked as he unclipped his sword and placed it across his knees.

  “Paul…there were many things your father and I learnt about ancient Egypt, especially after we had armed ourselves with maps and parchments recovered from deep below Jerusalem…artefacts the original Templars failed to locate. We even encountered several mystics and people claiming to be direct descendants of the Elohim, though they called themselves the Desposini. They told us, more liked argued, that Ptah and Aten were one and the same Hebrew Yahweh god and that Judaism, Christianity and Islam are just a continuation of Ancient Egyptian inventions and ideas. Like Osiris and Isis with the baby Horus being identical symbolically to Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus, but also Akhenaton, Nefertiti and Tutankhamen. Huh…now they are a family even the ancient priests of Egypt tried to eradicate from history. Our Church has certainly done a great job in doing so…I fear it will be many hundreds of years before their true purpose and identities are again revealed. But I digress. They offered proofs that they came
from the Pharaohs of Necho’s and the Pharaoh Akhenaton just mentioned…the heretic king. They were instrumental in the creation of the three most Abraham based faiths and traditions. That is why they have so much in common. Though you try telling that to any of them, and they will have you executed in a heartbeat,” Theodoric started to explain.

  “So you are saying that all three major religions were based around ancient Egyptian creations?” Paul asked, puzzled, and looked at Theodoric intently.

  “In short…yes. Let me explain, if I can, as this is one mighty subject to cover and explain, let alone understand.” He paused to gauge Paul’s reaction.

  “Well…the girls and Arri are all sorted with Stephanie for the night. Taqi is doing some meditation training with Tenno…so I guess we have all night,” Paul remarked.

  “Yes…I thought you’d say that. And it’s Stephanie now is it?” Theodoric smiled and winked. “Okay let us start with what most would nowadays refer to as the Pagan ‘Egyptian Ark of The Contract’ and the ‘Ark of The Covenant’ of ‘Is-Ra-Lites’.” Paul frowned upon hearing this. Theodoric waited but as Paul said nothing, he continued. “The Judaic culture stemmed from the Hyksos line of Egyptian Pharaohs and all the kings of Jerusalem were in fact kings of ‘Egypt’, from that same Hyksos line of Egyptian Pharaohs,” Theodoric explained and paused again. Paul shrugged his shoulders. “This does not surprise you?” he asked and Paul just shook his head no. “Ever wondered on the true origins of Joseph and his multi coloured coat? How he came to be a leader within the Egyptian hierarchy…how all the apparel the priests wear are all based upon Egyptian religious clothing…well it’s because all the Biblical stories are based upon Egyptian history. Just ask yourself how come a so-called slave baby gets pulled out of the river in a reed basket and is unbelievably raised within the royal household of the Pharaoh.”

  “How does this connect with my mother and this sword?” Paul asked as he looked at the sword placed across his knees.

  “Your mother was one of many direct descendants of the Irish and Scottish High Kings, or as some call them, Celtic High Kings, that once ruled over a vast Gaelic and Celtic empire, known as the ‘Kingdom of Hibernia of Albion’. It included all of Ireland and Scotland. Your mother’s parents were among the very few remaining of this line and for protection moved to Gizor in France. That is where your father and I first met her. A truly beautiful woman, and inside too. Much like your Alisha believe it or not. I see much the same in you two,” he sighed and thought for a moment. “Anyway…the Capital Kingdom, or Head Kingdom, was the ‘Kingdom of Dalriada’. This Celtic and Gaelic kingdom was the most powerful and most formidable power of its time and it was a true Utopian state. It was also a true meritocracy and democracy, but it still had some Greek influence as there was still some contact between the Greeks and the Celts. Joseph of Arimathea sailed frequently to the shores of Britain, a point you would do well to remember. It was the Greeks who used the name ‘Hyperboreans’ when referring to the Celts. The royal families of Greece inter-married within the Hibernian royal families of Celtic Albion of Briton itself. There are still traces of Greek ancestry within some Irish and Scottish people even today. When your mother kept dreaming of a sword in a lake somewhere in Ireland, naturally we all decided to go and see. And that is how we came to find it…at the bottom of a sacred lake. It matched identically to several recovered by Hugues de Paynes beneath the rock of the Dome…but as you are discovering, ’tis no ordinary sword.”

  “But I once heard my father say it was a sword from the former world of Atlantis. Niccolas tried to teach me as much as he could about the myths and legends of Atlantis…,” Paul interrupted as he placed the sword upon the table. “My father also told me the sword was given to him by his father…was that a lie then?”

  “Perhaps a slight lie…unless you count the Lord as his father. But as for Atlantis,” he paused. “Huh…Atlantis, was it a real place or just an imaginary one? That debate has raged on for millennia. According to legend, Atlantis was an advanced civilisation that flourished 11,500 years ago, upon an ancient island kingdom possessing vast riches. It was a continent sized island surrounded by all the oceans of the world…so do not believe anyone who tells you it is located somewhere within the Mediterranean Sea. I shall teach you more on this subject when I can show you proofs. But know for now that the so-called kings of Atlantis undertook successful campaigns of conquest that expanded their empire into Europe and Africa. Later, Plato writes, Atlantis was defeated by Athenian forces. Sometime after that, the gods became enraged by the Atlanteans’ avarice, and unleashed earthquakes and floods that ‘in a single day and night’ sank the island into the sea. But as with all things, much of it is based upon real past events, the clues being in the linguistics connected to the myths, even the very name itself, Atlantis, when broken down means something to those who know.”

  “How so?”

  “For a start, the Atlantis of myth was not just an island nation, it is actually symbolic of a worldwide civilisation that had its heart at the centre of a vast continent sized island that perished. Atl has many meanings connected with water, which means aqua, which in turn symbolically represents ‘spirit’. Likewise with names…I can tell you the name Mac Aodha or Mac Aodh was an ancient Irish High King of the ‘Order of Celtic Irish High Kings’ from ancient Celtic and Gaelic Ireland. But also connections between ‘Sir Kay’ or ‘Britius filius Kay’ of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table fable, to groups of names such as Keys, Kay, Key and Keyes, in Ireland, to the native Celtic, Gaelic, Irish Mac Aoidh Sept of County Donegal, Ireland, Sept being an Egyptian word I shall have to explain at a later time, and of Mac Aodha-Iv-M’ea, MacKay, MacKey, MacKee, MacCoy, MacHugh, Eason, Hughes, Hueson, Hewson, et cetera, et cetera, ‘son of Aodh’, which is also the variation of the name ‘King Constantine’… and yes you heard it right, Constantine,” Theodoric quipped, seeing Paul raise his eyebrows as if to question that point. “‘Keys’ means ‘Guardianship’, to guard, to stand over and to protect and hold dominion. ‘To dominate, to hold and to rule over. Guardianship and dominion. That is the meaning of your mother’s last name, her surname, her family name, the name ‘Keys’ or ‘Keys Clan’. The names Keys, Kay, Key and Keyes in Ireland are often of immigrant origin having been brought into the country by settlers from England and Scotland. The native Celtic, Gaelic and Irish Mac Aoidh Sept of County Donegal sometimes changed their name to Keys as well as the more usual MacKee or MacKay,” Theodoric explained without hesitation.

  “So my mother’s maiden name was Keys?” Paul asked, perplexed. “Father never said.”

  “Well, there is more…much more. Keys was from her father’s side. Let me try to explain. You see Dalriada, Scotland, literally means ‘The Lands of the Picts and the Britons’ of the ancient Celtic Royal Dalriada Region of the ‘Fisher Kings’…now you have heard of them before, yes?” Theodoric asked as Paul quickly nodded he had. “Good. Now to talk more on the Fisher Kings and the Land of King Arthur. Know that Arturius MacAeden, Pendragon, of Celtic Hibernian Scotland, was the son of King Aeden MacGabhran, Pendragon. Or as some say, Áedán MacGabran, Uther Pendragon, who was the father of Artúr, or Arthur, or Arturius MacÁedán depending on what name you prefer, even Arthur Pendragon, they are of the monarchy of Dál Riata, also Dalriada or Dalriata. It was the true seat of power of all of Albion of Hibernia, England and Celtic Great Britain. This is the true story of ancient Celtic Ireland, Scotland and England. Are you following me so far?” Theodoric asked.

  “I think so…please continue.”

  “Right…now King Aidan ‘Uther’ of Scotland, King of the Celtic Irish and the Celtic Scots and King Arthur, Arturius, son of Aidan, yes Aidan of Scotland and of Ancient Irish ancestry, king of the Scots from AD 574, of the ancient Celts, but the story…the myth of King Arturius, King Arthur as many call him now, and the knights of the original Round Table was in fact an amalgamation of two High Kings …but its beginnings were from an Irish Celtic Military
Order, not a Roman Order as many try to claim. The actual historical King Arthur had his real authority out in the mountains and hills of Ireland and Scotland and there was nothing Roman about King Arthur. He was of an ancient order of ‘High Kings’, Celtic Kings of Scotland and Ireland as explained, but appended to these facts, many of the even earlier and far more ancient codes and myths from antiquity were added…to guarantee the message was carried forwards in time. Much of that work was undertaken by your father…which unless I am corrected, he is still doing to this day. Making sure the esoteric and even exoteric is woven into new poems and stories. Bringing all the ancient wisdom up to date so to speak. More relevant even,” Theodoric explained. “You look confused, Paul.”

  “Not confused…a bit disappointed really. That my father never told me these things himself,” Paul answered.

  “I am sure he would have in time…but you and Alisha, I think it safe to say, probably put paid to your father burdening you with all of this.”

  “So why are you doing so now?”

  “Why?…Because you really need to know…now. All of this will affect you, and Alisha along with Arri, believe you me, and there is no way of avoiding that. That was something your father always tried to do. But that only made matters worse,” Theodoric said and stopped when Paul looked at him hard. “Sorry, Paul, I do not mean to speak ill of your father. We just had different views on how the information we knew should be released, or when, if ever even.”

  “I know you hold my father in high regard, and I am beginning to learn that you both had very different methods and views…but I am capable of making my own mind up and decisions. So please, tell me all. Everything, no matter how trivial or insignificant…please,” Paul asked.

  “Okay…I shall continue. Where was I? Yes, with Arturius, son of King Aidan, Uther Pen Dragon. His story is set in a time when the Celtic Kingdom of Hibernia was the most advanced and formidable power covering all of northwestern Europe and what today is Ireland, Scotland, England, France and Spain. A thriving time for Celtic tribes of Iberians, Ghouls, Gaels and Scots. All of northwestern Europe was once ruled by these ancient Irish Celtic High Kings, who can trace their lineages and bloodlines back all the way to the kings of ancient Greece, ancient Egypt and ancient Israel and to the ancient kings of Thrace and Troy…and as we learnt, even before that! They were of a noble Celtic order, and of the order of the most ancient Celtic Druids, and were considered and referred to as the ‘Ancient Druid Kings’ or ‘Celtic High Kings’. The real King Arthur of history was a Celtic Druid king of the ‘Druid Order of Ancient Celts’, out of the ancient ‘Order of High Kings’. In the time of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, they were all trained, wise alchemists, warriors, magicians and builders one and all. And woman had equal status. That is an important fact you must remember if nothing else,” Theodoric smiled.