by Griff Hosker
“Why not?”
He smiled, “For you are a better knight and the superior leader leading worthier men. And this might just be a house but it is stronger than many castles. David Ben Samuel might fear de Waller but not you.”
They left the next day. I had slept little after hearing his news and so, after they had gone, I took half of my men on patrol. Sir Robert and Sir Thomas went into Jerusalem. They took with them John of Chester, for he had proved the best judge of men. I would have sent Henry son of Will but I knew he might get into trouble in the city. He had before. My two knights needed the best of men. They needed their own men at arms and squires and they needed to be reliable. In battle, it was their men who would watch their backs. As I had discovered that could be the difference between life and death. Their demesnes meant they could afford to have warriors of their own. It suited me for it increased the number of men I could call upon. I took my new helmet. It fitted well. Balion had had a leather, cushioned inner cap made. With holes for my ears it would not impair my ability to hear and yet it protected my skull. I was still wary of damaging it further.
When we reached Ben Samuel’s home I saw that he and his sons were busy preparing their animals. They would have an impending caravan. They stopped and walked over, “We did not expect you yet lord. It is still two weeks until Passover.”
“I did not come here to speak with Rebekah. The spectre of her possible refusal still haunts me. I came because I heard of the threat from de Waller.”
He nodded, “We were told but the land of the assassins lies far from here. However, I have taken precautions. Just Saul and David will go with this caravan. They only travel to Jaffa. I will be around with most of my men and we will keep a good watch. I have Masood watching for the trails of strangers. If we hear anything then I will send to you.”
“Good. I am relieved. I will see you in fourteen nights.”
He came closer to me, “I am sure, my lord, that the answer will be yes.”
“And you are happy for her to marry a Christian?”
He shrugged, “Lord, if she does not marry you then she will marry no one. I wish to have more grandchildren. I am content!”
The road home joined the Jerusalem road and as we headed south I saw a rider hurtling towards us. It was John of Chester. He reined in. I could see that he was out of breath. “What is amiss, John?”
“Lord, we hired men and we were at the stables buying horses when I spied one of de Waller’s men. He was there when I was whipped. I recognized him and he ran. By the time we had our horses he had fled. He headed out of the north gate. Sir Robert and Sir Thomas are following him. I was sent to fetch you.”
I whipped Remus’ head around and led my column north to Jerusalem. I prayed that my two new knights would not be foolish. De Waller was a snake. He would ambush. They were both good men but they were not me. Instead of trying to negotiate the busy and crowded streets of the city we skirted and headed around the north side. As John told us that the man had fled through the north gate we stood a good chance of meeting up with my men. Although I was anxious to catch the sergeant I did not want to kill our horses in the process. We rode at a steady pace.
The road to the north led to rough ground. I wondered if the sergeant would turn to head either for Jericho to the north east or the Dead Sea to the east. I dismissed both even as they came into my head. It would be too hard to remain hidden there. As we passed the last of the farms which lay close to the city a warrior awaited us. I did not recognize him and my hand went to my sword.
John of Chester shouted, “Hold, lord. It is one of the new men. I forget his name.”
I reined in, “What did Sir Robert say?”
“He said the sergeant has left the road, lord, and he was heading east. I can show you the trail.”
“Thank you. And what is your name?”
“Wilfred son of Tom.”
“Then lead on, Wilfred son of Tom.”
We left the road and took a cart trail. Up ahead I saw another figure. Wilfred, son of Tom, said, “That is Stephen of Tyre. He is one of our men.”
When we reached him, he pointed to a huddle of rocks. “Lord, he disappeared into those rocks. My lord and the others are waiting at the base.”
We went slowly for the ground was uneven and treacherous. We descended. This was an animal trail. The ibex and onyx used this but precious few men. I began to suspect that we were close to the hideout of de Waller. I wondered if we had enough men with us. I had left guards on my walls. Would I rue that decision?
Sir Robert had dismounted the men. He strode towards me, “We lost sight of him but I cannot see how a horse could get over those rocks.”
“You have done well. He must be hiding here somewhere. Sir Robert take four men and head around the rocks over there.” I pointed to the left. “Tom, take Garth and the new men and head around the rocks there. The rest of you spread out in a line. I want this man alive. He is no use to us dead.”
I had my sword drawn. We had not taken our shields with us for it had been a social visit. I hoped that I would not regret that although we were just seeking one man. The secret of hunting a man who is hiding is not to look for the man, look for movement. He had to have a horse. He would be holding its nose and stroking it. I saw a sudden flurry of flies as they took to the air. That was a horse’s tail. I waved to the right and John of Chester raised his hand. I liked John of Chester for he was a thoughtful warrior. Henry son of Will would run in and kill all who lay within the sweep of his word. I saw John crouch. He had seen something. I rushed to his side and I saw a tail flick into the air. I held up my hand. This was my call. I counted to three and then leapt over the rock which hid the horse.
I found myself in the midst of three sergeants and their horses. I had caught them by surprise but I was outnumbered. I wanted them alive but I wished to live. I blocked the sword which came at my head and I dragged my dagger from my waist. As the second blow came in I flicked it aside but there was no way I could avoid the sword which came towards my head. Even my new helmet could not save me. John of Chester swung his sword and the man’s head flew from his body. The sergeant we had followed hacked at my neck. Instinct took over. I blocked it with my sword and my dagger plunged into his chest. I did not want him dead but I had given him a mortal wound. There was one left alive and I needed him to stay that way. I launched myself at him and I spread my arms to pinion him. As his head was pushed back it cracked against a rock and I saw the life leave his eyes.
“Nooooo!”
I turned to the man I had fatally wounded. I held his chin in my hands. “Where is your master?”
He grinned and a tendril of blood dripped from his mouth. “He is coming for you. Watch for the Jewess bitch! She pleased my lord. He would have her again! He is com…” His eyes glazed over and he was dead.
We had failed and it was my fault. My killer instincts had condemned my Rebekah. John of Chester put his hand on my shoulder, “Lord he is lying. These were scouts. The Lord of Ramelah has no intelligence. When these men fail to report, he will have to send more men. You have bought time!”
I nodded, “You are right, John of Chester, I thank you for my life. I was dead but for you.”
He nodded, “You lord have given more men life than I can count. We are not close to even.”
We took the bodies and their horses with us when we left. There might be some clue on their person as to where de Waller was taking refuge. We were many miles from the land of the assassins. Was he closer now? We were being hunted and I did not like the feeling. None bothered me as we made our way home through the darkening gloom. They knew my mood. John was correct. De Waller was still in the dark and he was losing his men rapidly. How many more could he have at his disposal?
I waved Sir Robert forward. “As from tomorrow I want three of our men to ride here and search for tracks. There is little point in hunting for them but I need to know when his men are close. Want another four men to patrol north of Da
vid Ben Samuel’s home. De Waller will go there first. Aqua Bella is too big a nut for him to crack in one bite. He will try to draw us to Rebekah.”
When we reached home, I was weary. Despite the training I had endured this was the furthest I had ridden in a long time. I summoned Tom and Robert. “We need to keep a closer watch on our walls. Our enemy is close.”
“We will watch lord. We were close today.”
“Aye Robert but not close enough.”
For the next few days we were all on edge. Our patrols around Ben Samuel’s home reported no enemies. The road patrol had no encounters with enemies and all seemed well. Yet I could not shake this fear which lay over me like a cloud. By the time it was the Passover, I was almost beside myself. I took all of my men when I went to David Ben Samuel’s home. For the two days before the fateful day I had had my men search the roads, trails and paths north of Ben Samuel’s home. There was no sign of shod hooves and mailed warriors. I was till apprehensive as we headed towards Rebekah. My life lay in her hands.
The Passover was an important festival for the Jews. It compared with our Easter. Brother Peter rode with us and I could not help but smile when I saw him. He was the very antithesis of every priest I had known. He rode with a sword at his waist and a mace on his cantle. He was a warrior in a brown habit. I had made Alf train with him and my new squire had returned to me black and blue. This was a priest unlike any other. Each step closer to the merchant’s estate made me more fearful. I had no idea what she would say to my offer. I had kept away from her and none had sent me word. Was that good or was that ill?
The house and the estate had been decked out for celebrations. I did not read anything into that. The Passover was an important festival for the Jews. It was a reminder of when they had escaped the oppression of the Pharaohs. I could not help but slow Alciades down as we walked through the gates. I knew that this could be the end of my hopes and dreams.
David Ben Samuel and his sons were waiting to greet us. He grasped my arm, “Lord we are honoured. This night we will feast.” He leaned in to speak with me. “No matter what my daughter says this will not change us, lord. We are friends and we owe each other much.”
I nodded, barely able to speak, “That may be so, David, but I fear my world will end if the answer is nay.”
My voice pleaded but he shook his head, “She has kept apart from us this last four months. I know not what she will decided. I would that I did.”
Our horses were taken to the stable. We left our cloaks with them and, after shaking off the dust entered the hall. The men of the family were there to greet us. I had impressed upon my men the need to make a good impression and none of them let me down. Sir Robert and Sir Thomas had left their new men on watch for they did not know the Ben Samuel family.
“We will gather in my lemon and olive grove. My sons have rigged shade. The air is from the west and it is cooling.”
I greeted Ruth and Mary. Both grasped my hands firmly. Ruth said, “We have observed all the rituals before you came. Now is the time for celebration. My daughter awaits you by the fig tree. May God walk with you.” As I left I saw her aunt from Caesarea and her daughters. She smiled at me too.
“Thank you. I will face my fate like a man.” I strode towards the distant figure. I could see that her head was covered with a blue headdress which matched her dress. I felt like a man walking towards his execution as I moved closer to her. As I neared her she looked up and all I saw were her olive shaped brown eyes. It was as I had first glimpsed her on the road from Caesarea. I could not tell if she was smiling or not. I stared at her eyes and I seemed to be drawn into them. I sat next to her not knowing what to do. She took the headdress from around her face and her headdress fell from her head. Around her hair she wore a band of gold coins. She absent mindedly smoothed her hair.
“My mother wore this headdress when she married. It is said that every woman has worn this since the time of King David and each generation has added a coin. I know not if it is true but here,” she held open her palm, “I have a coin to continue the tradition.”
I stared at her, “You mean…?”
“My lord, outside of my father, you are the cleverest man I know. Surely you do not need this explaining to you.”
I took her in my arms and squeezed her so hard that I thought I might break her. From the house I heard a cheer which was like the one in Aqua Bella when I had announced that my men were to be knighted. The world was at peace and I was happy.
She looked up at me. “You are sure about this lord? I have told you all. I fear I can never be the wife you wish but …”
I put my finger on her lips. “I am content. Let us just see what each day brings. You will be my bride. You will come to live with me at Aqua Bella. For the present that is sufficient.”
She smiled, “And who knows I may even get a bed this time? Although I can always use the chair again.”
We walked back arm in arm. Ruth took my face in hers, leaned up to me and kissed me. David grasped my arm, “And now I have another son!”
Everyone seemed genuinely pleased and both Rebekah and I were touched. David took me to one side. “Can I make a request, lord?”
“Of course.”
“Could my daughter be wed here?”
I nodded. “And I have a request to make too. I now have a priest. I know your rabbi will marry us but I would like her married before a priest.” I shook my head, “It is not for me but for Rebekah. This way she will have rights. I am sorry.”
“No, my son, it shows you are being a caring husband. It makes me even more joyous. When shall the day be?”
“As soon as it can be arranged.”
“We will make it a small affair. All the family we need are here now. You are right, there are those who would try to stop this. I think it is good but there are others of my faith, and I have no doubt, yours, who will frown on such a union. The day after tomorrow?”
“That is perfect. Thank you, once again.”
It was late when we left. I had not drunk at all but some of my men, Henry son of Will, in particular, had. We were noisy as we headed home. Had there been an ambush then we could have done little about it but God must have smiled on the union for we reached Aqua Bella safely. Brother Peter spoke to me on the way home. He was pleased that I had made the choices I had. He was a reluctant priest. He was a warrior first. When I had spoken to him he told me of his family and how they had all been warriors. They had driven the Saxons from their lands and defended it from all who would have taken it. He was proud of his Viking heritage. As he had told me, “Lord, a warrior’s blood courses through my veins but I would be a priest also.”
He had been delighted with the news. “It is good that you are to be wed again. A man should have sons.”
When we were alone and I could speak in confidence I told him the secret I bore. He was my personal priest now. Whatever I said to him would have the protection of the confessional. “I fear that may not be possible for many reasons. My wife was taken, when a young girl, by de Waller. She had a child who died. There may be no children.”
He was not surprised by my words and I wondered how much the Master had told him for the Master knew the story, “We cannot know what God intends. There was a brother who woke up one day and had no voice. He simply could not speak. The physicians in the order tried to find a cure but they could not. It was written off as an act of God but Brother James never gave up. He prayed each day for his voice to be returned to him. Then one day a stray dog came to our castle. It had a damaged leg and many wished to put the dog out of its misery but Brother James would not allow it. Over the next months, he brought the dog back to health. It walked again. It was never a good walker but it lived and then, one morning, Brother James regained his voice. None knows why or how. The first words he said were, ’Come boy’. He and the dog live yet and he has not lost his voice since.”
“I am not certain what you mean by the telling of this tale.”
“
What I mean, lord, is that you should never say never. Brother James never gave up even when others did. Perhaps the dog was sent by God to save Brother James. It may be that God has sent you into Rebekah’s life so that you may save her. You have a good heart and that means more than any hurt that Rebekah may have suffered. De Waller is evil but I cannot think that God would allow a young girl’s life to be ruined by one such as he. Good will defeat evil in the end. The day that ceases to be true is the day this world ends.”
The wedding was a joyous affair and all of my men, Francis and Absalom and their families attended. The day began early for we wished to travel back before it was dark. Saul and his brothers had all of Rebekah’s belongings to bring. David tried to give me a chest of gold as a dowry. I refused. “I am taking that which is most precious. Gold and silver cannot compare with what you are giving me. You have given me enough.”
This time when we returned home there were no high spirits. My men were escorting their new lady of the manor and they took that job very seriously. We rode with scouts out and my men around Rebekah and her servants. The three girls who came with her would augment my own servants. My household was growing. We made it back without incident and Rebekah’s goods and chattels were stored in our room.
The carpenter on the estate had made a new bed for Rebekah. My quarters were large enough to accommodate both beds. I did not want to frighten my new wife. I hoped that, one day, she would allow me to take her as my wife but I accepted that might not happen for some time.
Chapter 18
Before we could even get into a routine I was summoned, along with my two knights, to attend the King of Jerusalem. Neither of my knights had a squire, yet. They were unconcerned with the lack of, what amounted to a servant. Henri led the road patrol and I took just Garth and John of Chester as escorts. The rest were left for my new wife to command as she saw fit.
As we rode into Jerusalem my mind was preoccupied. I was thinking about my first nights with Rebekah. She had been more than shy of me. She had made me wait outside while she undressed. When I entered, she was beneath her sheets and our kiss had been as chaste as one might give a nun. However, we spoke long into the night and I was satisfied. We found out about each other. I discovered that her grandfather, Samuel, had been important in her life. He had been so affected by the attack of de Waller that he had died of shock. It was another reason why Rebekah felt the way she did about the Frank. She blamed herself for his death. I told her of my wife and my daughter. I told her why I needed to do penance. I thought it might have been a bar to us but she understood. Leaving her, even for a few hours, tore me apart and yet I knew that I would have to do so.