He filled the chalice with wine and brought it to her lips.
“Please, drink slowly,” said Sir Rudyard. “The wine will help you prepare for the journey back to the ship.”
Princess Sarah gagged on the wine but managed to swallow a mouthful. Connor sheathed his sword and placed a mound of cloth strips beside the stricken princess. Gunn looked up at the concerned faces.
“Na’gu’set, you stay here with Princess Sarah and bandage her up as best you can. Boys, we need to finish our packing so we can leave for the ship as quickly as possible.”
Na’gu’set knelt down and started by bandaging her bloodied forearms. The boys left the chapel and ran back up the stairs for the wooden box and poles. When they returned, they placed the box in front of the altar and removed its lid. They each grabbed an end of the two poles and carefully lifted them up and over the Ark itself. Sir Rudyard was explicit that they were not to touch the Ark itself, for it was the holiest of earthly treasures, and no man without a direct blessing from God was worthy to touch its surface.
The Ark itself was so radiant, the two guardian cherubs on the lid so lifelike, that it glowed, almost hummed, with an energy all of its own. Following Prince Henry’s instructions, they carefully went around and under the lid until each pole locked into its carefully designed golden socket. Taking a deep breath, the boys gently lifted the Ark off of the altar. Sir Rudyard stood with them to direct the boys as they carefully lowered the Ark into its wooden case. The boys strained under the weight of the surprisingly heavy Ark but were relieved as it slid into its case perfectly. The knight secured the lid, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Sir Rudyard took one last look around the chapel. “We can do no more. We must go. Angus, you are the strongest. You are going to have to take your own bags of artifacts as well as one of my own. I’ll take the second sack and carry Princess Sarah on my other free shoulder. Connor and Na’gu’set, you will be in charge of the Ark.”
Sir Rudyard gently picked up the bandaged princess as the boys took their positions. As quietly as they had come, the raiding party stole away back into the night, proudly reclaiming the very heart and soul of the Templar Order.
Twenty-Six
Black Douglas was momentarily dumbstruck as the ghostly apparition blocked his escape. But his quick mind returned to his senses as the voice registered as one he had heard for most of his adult life. His ability to elevate cold logic above emotional shock and religious fear had saved his life on more than one occasion, but still he was having a difficult time coming to grips with his bewildering dilemma. A man who should have been deceased now blocked his exit . . . but Black Douglas was not going to allow even the undead to unravel his perfect plan for greatness.
“Well, if it is not the Earl of Orkney, Prince Henry Sinclair, himself. Back from the dead, I see? You don’t know how much of a relief it is to see you alive.”
Prince Henry recognized the sarcasm and raised the tip of the sword. “Master Robertson told me everything, Douglas.”
“Ah, yes . . . I should have guessed it would be the spineless Robertson who would spill his guts to you. I hope you gave him a nice, slow death for his betrayal.”
“Indeed I did, but it will look like an act of mercy compared to the plans I have for you.”
Black Douglas smiled. “That’s all well and good, Henry, but being Grand Master of the Templar Order, I’m afraid I have other duties to attend to at this moment. It seems that the colony we had founded together is now under attack, so I am, at present, rather busy. If you would like to come back and see me some other time, perhaps sometime next week . . .”
“I should have guessed you would live your delusion right to the end,” said Prince Henry, stepping forward. “If you prefer to die thinking you are a Grand Master, then it is of no consequence to me.”
Black Douglas held his ground. “So tell me, Henry. How did you do it? How did you escape from the underground temple?”
Halving the distance between them, Prince Henry pointed the sword at Black Douglas’ heart. “With a little help from my loyal friends, which is a concept that is well beyond your ability to comprehend. You know what galls me, Douglas? It’s the fact that I didn’t see this coming. I thought that our two clans had buried the hatchet; that we were willing to work towards a greater future for all Scotland through the Templar Order. Think of all of the things that we accomplished together: the building of New Jerusalem, putting Mary Magdalene to rest in a beautiful temple, bringing the Ark of the Covenant out of Africa and into the Templar Order, breathing life into Freemasonry Brotherhood—this was to be not just a new beginning for the two of us but for all of mankind! We were creating a world in which every person, regardless of race or religion could live as equals! And now, all of those dreams have literally gone up in flames because of your insatiable thirst for power!”
Black Douglas laughed heartily, his belly shaking under his nightshirt. “Henry, you always were an idealistic fool. Do you really think that humans could ever live in true equality and peace? Look at the greatest civilizations ever to rule the world! The Egyptians! The Romans! The Great Eastern Empire! They were all ruled by fierce, powerful leaders who didn’t think twice before decimating societies like the one you were trying to create, if it was in the best interest of their empires. You can’t deny it, Henry. We destroy! It’s in our human blood! It’s who we are! God has created us in His image, fierce conquerors, just like Joshua and David, the great generals of the Bible. They destroyed any civilization that threatened their power! The strong survive. The weak perish. You and your ridiculous projects on the this side of the ocean not only severely drained the Templar treasury, but it also transformed one of the most powerful fighting armies in the world into a community of timid builders and farmers! And if you were not so blind, you would have seen that I am not alone in such feelings.” He pointed out the window to New Jerusalem. “Many others support my view as well. The Templar Order needs a strong leader with a strong military vision.”
“A leader like you?”
“Exactly. With your death, the leadership was able to change quickly and painlessly. I was only doing what was best for the Order.”
Prince Henry’s eyes narrowed with sudden comprehension. “It was you back in Kirkwall! You formed a traitorous alliance with the English then ordered the attack on my sea fortress while I was away dealing with the bishop!”
Black Douglas snorted. “The English didn’t like your growing naval influence in the north. They promised to preserve Scotland’s autonomy if I helped to eliminate the naval power of the Sinclair clan. I was doing Scotland a favour by helping them destroy you while at the same time bringing peace to Scotland.”
“And you believed the English?” laughed Prince Henry. “They would have turned on you the second it suited their own interests. I don’t believe you for a second. Even you are too shrewd for such an obvious deception. You were just using the English to do the dirty work. You were using them as a way to get rid of me.”
Black Douglas smiled. “You are no fool, Henry. Aye, I will admit it. It would have been a much simpler transition in power if this situation had come to its proper conclusion back at Kirkwall.”
Prince Henry slowly moved his sword back and forth, as if deciding which part of Douglas was to hit the ground first. “And to think I kept you in my confidence the whole time. I was too idealistic, wasn’t I, to think that a greater good, such as the Templar cause, could heal old wounds?”
“Don’t take this all so personally,” grinned Black Douglas. “You were actually well-liked by the men, even by me at times. Disillusioned, mind you, but well-liked.”
Prince Henry stepped closer. “Thank you for your heartfelt praise. Now, let us discuss your death. It can either be extremely slow and painful or relatively painless, depending on how quickly you tell me the location of my sister.”
“Och, aye, your sister,” pondered Black Douglas, moving sideways to lean up against the bed p
ost. “She certainly is a beautiful young thing, and quite frisky as well. I can see now where she gets it from. She has your determination, Henry. But I am a patient man. It has taken some time to teach her proper manners, especially when in the presence of her future husband.”
“It’s time to call off the wedding plans,” Prince Henry growled.
“You’re wrong again, Henry. The wedding must take place. By being my wife, Sarah will do something you were never able to do. She will be the one to bring lasting peace to our two clans. The wedding will not only unite the Sinclairs and Douglases, but it will unite the entire country under one all-powerful leader. Isn’t that what you wanted, Henry? Peace in Scotland? So why don’t you put down that sword, and we’ll shake hands right here and now. I’ll even make you the best man at my wedding.”
Prince Henry’s face flushed as red as the fiery glow on the ceiling. “Each disgusting word you utter is adding more and more pain to your death. I’ll ask one last time. Where is she?”
In a swift motion, Black Douglas reached under his bed and drew out a hidden sword. Prince Henry saw the movement and swung at his wrist, but Black Douglas was just a fraction faster, catching Prince Henry’s blade on the sword’s metal hilt and deflecting it sideways. Douglas stepped back, raising his weapon. Henry sprang forward and attacked. Flashing in the glowing light of the fire, their swords clashed and rang, the blades slashing through the shadows like angry vipers. The furious swordplay intensified in the rage of the inferno’s light, each knight viciously attacking then parrying, looking for the slight mistake in the other’s defense that would bring the duel to a conclusion. As he retreated, Douglas stumbled slightly on a loose plank. Henry seized the opening and lunged, but Douglas parried the attack and counter-attacked with a quick slash to Henry’s exposed side. With lightning reflexes, Henry caught the slash with his blade just before it could slice open his abdomen. He shot out his left foot, catching Douglas in the stomach, knocking him backwards. Both men paused, heaving for air. The two most feared warriors in all of Europe glared at each other with mutual hatred.
“This is will end tonight, Douglas.”
“If you kill me,” he gasped, “how will you ever find your precious sister?”
“Your lies are wasting my time.” Prince Henry viciously slashed his sword through the air.
Black Douglas nodded. “I had a feeling you might say that. I have to admit, it would have been rather interesting contest to see who is the better swordsman. I’d have given the match even odds. But really, Henry, what fool bets his life on even odds? A true warrior waits until he has the clear advantage, and that is exactly what I am going to do. So goodbye, Henry.”
With surprising agility, Black Douglas spun, took two steps and flung his bulk through the open window. Prince Henry cursed, ran to the window and looked down. Below, he could see only darkness. He could hear Black Douglas crashing through the foliage, moving away from the building. The prince turned and sprinted for the door.
Connor manned the front end of the Ark and followed the faint silhouette of Sir Rudyard through the dark forest. He couldn’t help but stare at the unconscious princess. Her body hung limp against his back, and her tangled hair swayed to the rhythm of the steps of her rescuer. Perhaps it was better that she was not awake, he thought. The nasty wounds to her wrist were almost raw to the bone. Such an injury would have brought tears of anguish to even the hardiest of warriors.
Behind him, Na’gu’set remained his usual quiet self, moving smoothly under the heavy load of the Ark. Connor’s shoulders were already burning from the wooden poles, and he wondered how his partner’s slim frame could contain such superior strength. Angus, on the other hand, was loudly huffing and puffing with each step under the combined weight of the sacks stuffed full of golden, jewelled relics. Despite his aching shoulders, everything was going smoothly, and they were only moments from making it back to the skiffs and the safety of the ships.
The procession came to an uneasy halt as something large was heard crashing through the foliage towards them. With their bodies loaded down, the men could do nothing but wait and hope that whatever it was, perhaps a frightened deer or bear, would simply pass them by. A massive beast suddenly exploded onto the trail, slamming into Angus and sending the young man flying into the bushes. By the size of the beast, Connor feared they had indeed stumbled into the path of a bear. Then, as it reared onto its two hind legs, Connor realized that the situation could not have been deadlier. It was not a bear at all, but a silhouette from Connor’s worst nightmare. Na’gu’set and Connor quickly lowered the Ark onto the dirt path and drew weapons. Sir Rudyard, furthest away and with his back to the commotion, tried to turn around, but he was afraid of jarring the princess.
After regaining his feet, Black Douglas was the first to comprehend the situation he had inadvertently stumbled into. He recognized the small gathering as a looting party returning from the chapel. The Ark of the Covenant was in its protective case and was carried by two young men at the rear of the procession. The boy he had sent flying into the bushes clung to several bulging bags likely stuffed full of the chapel’s religious relics. But Black Douglas found a far more valuable treasure at the very front of the group, a priceless item that might also manage to save not only his life but also his dream. The knight who held Princess Sarah was slowly turning to investigate the disturbance. His arm was curled high around the princess, helping to keep her secure. To the trained eye of an expert warrior, the raised arm exposed one of the juiciest targets for attack, an unprotected flank.
Before anyone could react, Black Douglas lunged forward and plunged his sword deep into the exposed side of the knight. The man cried out in agony, collapsing onto his knees. Leaving the buried sword, Black Douglas ignored the knight and instead grabbed onto the woman with his free hand. He then reached down to his calf and pulled the dagger out from its sheath.
Connor reacted on instinct. As the intruder reached for the princess, he launched himself forward. He could not use his sword without endangering Princess Sarah. Instead, Connor brought back his leg and lashed out with a vicious kick to the attacker’s kidneys. Black Douglas screamed in anger. The arm holding the dagger to the princess’ throat instinctively dropped to guard his injured back from further attack.
Na’gu’set also flew out of the darkness like a coiled panther. His own dagger in hand, he swung the weapon in an arc, burying the weapon deep into Black Douglas’ shoulder. Black Douglas roared and backhanded Na’gu’set as he passed with a vicious smack to the head. Na’gu’set crashed hard against a tree trunk, collapsing in a heap among the thick roots. Picking himself up off the ground, Connor drew his sword for a second attack, but Black Douglas was able to wrap his good arm around Princess Sarah’s neck and use her as a shield from further attack. With his other hand, he pressed the dagger up against her abdomen. Connor hesitated. The bushes next to the path exploded a second time as another intruder joined the melee. Prince Henry, gasping for breath, swung to Connor’s side.
“Ah, Henry,” grunted Black Douglas. “Impeccable timing as always.”
The faint moonlight showed a growing stain of blood on the shoulder of his nightshirt.
“Let her go,” Prince Henry demanded. His sword joined Connor’s as the three faced each other in a stalemate.
Black Douglas shook his head. “Nae, I reckon. You see, Henry, I like the situation far better now than I did when you so rudely invaded my sleeping quarters a short while ago. With your loving sister comfortably in my arms, I now have a clear advantage in our dispute.”
Prince Henry stepped forward, raising his sword. “I said, let her go.”
Black Douglas flexed the arm that was wrapped around Princess Sarah’s neck. The result was a weak, gurgling sound as her windpipe was slowly crushed. The barely conscious princess began to flinch in panic.
“Now look what you’re doing to your sister, Henry. Please be sensible. Back off before you end up killing her.”
Prince Henry halted his advance. Then, reluctantly, he retreated several steps until he was once again beside Connor. Black Douglas relaxed his arm, and Princess Sarah’s breathing returned to normal.
“What do you want, Douglas?” growled Prince Henry.
“Ah, see? This is so much more civilized,” said Black Douglas. “I knew you were a reasonable person. I will tell you exactly what I want. I want you to tell your knights to call off this attack. Then I want your ships. My men and I will take the ships back to Scotland. You, on the other hand, will remain here with your men and enjoy the intrinsic pleasure of rebuilding New Jerusalem to its planned glory for the next thirty years. Perhaps then I will send a future expedition back to this area and see if your descendants are worthy of a return trip home. That is all I want.”
“How do I know that you will release my sister after I comply with your demands?”
Black Douglas laughed. “Release her? Henry, my lad, when did I say that I was going to release her? I still intend to marry her! She is the key to everything. Lovely Sarah will give me the Templar lineage of the Sinclair clan. And through our combined power, she will also ensure that my descendants will be the future kings of Scotland! So there is need to worry about your sister, Henry. You have my word that I will be a kind and loving husband.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek.
Gritting his teeth, Prince Henry aimed his sword at Black Douglas’s heart. “I’m going to run you through.”
“Watch your temper, Henry,” Black Douglas laughed, squeezing the injured princess until she moaned in pain. “Better a married princess than a dead one, don’t you . . .”
Black Douglas’s final words died in his mouth. Eyes wide in surprise, a gush of blood exploded from his mouth as the mountain of a man staggered forward then collapsed to the ground with a shaking thud. The princess fell in a heap beside him. Clinging onto Black Douglas, his hand still clutching the dagger that was buried deep into his ribs, was Sir Rudyard. Connor recognized the deadly placing of the dagger, a thrust Sir Rudyard had taught them several years earlier. Prince Henry bolted forward. As he pulled his sister away from danger, Connor ran up and placed his sword at Black Douglas’s throat. But there was no need. He was dead. Na’gu’set and Angus regained their senses and staggered over to the carnage. Angus at once fell to his knees.
Betrayed Page 20
