Betrayed

by Christopher Dinsdale

  “Father!”

  Angus cradled his father’s head as he ran his hand along the massive wound to his side. He lifted his hand to see it soaked in blood. The sword was still embedded deep within his father.

  “The princess,” whispered Sir Rudyard. “Is . . . is she safe?”

  Through his tears, Angus glanced at Prince Henry, who was carefully laying the princess down into the soft foliage.

  “Yes, she’s fine. You did it, father! You saved Princess Sarah’s life.”

  “Good,” he gasped. “Son, I’m so proud of you. Look after the Sinclair family for me. They are good people . . .”

  “Father?” Angus asked, gently stroking the damp hair out of his father’s glazed eyes. “Father! Prince Henry! Help me!”

  Prince Henry quickly slid up next to Angus. He put a hand on the young man’s shoulder.

  “We can’t do anything for him here. Guy de Chauliac, a young physician, is on board the ship. Can you carry him to the skiffs?”

  Angus jumped to his feet, and with superhuman strength easily hoisted his father, armour and all, into his arms. Prince Henry did the same with his sister. He looked to Connor and Na’gu’set.

  “Lads, grab the Ark. I’ll send someone else back to get the relics. We have to get these two to the ship right now!”

  Twenty-Seven

  After the destruction of New Jerusalem was complete, Prince Henry ordered his two ships to sail only a short distance until they were beyond the defeated eyes of the few surviving traitors left within the ruins of New Jerusalem. The prince then rowed his crew to shore, where they stood on the quiet picturesque beach. Sir Rudyard Gunn was buried in full Templar regalia next to a rock face that reminded the gathering of the outcrops common to the Scottish highlands. A mason then carved an outline of the knight in full armour along with the Gunn family crest into the rock face as a memorial to the fallen knight. Prince Henry led the burial ceremony, recalling his harrowing adventures with Sir Rudyard on three different continents. He also credited Sir Rudyard with saving the life of his sister. He voiced the thoughts of everyone gathered at the sombre service, that Sir Rudyard Gunn was a superb father, knight and friend, and that he would be greatly missed.

  After the ceremony was completed, most of the crew took the skiffs back to the two remaining ships to prepare for the long voyage home. Prince Henry allowed Angus some time at his father’s grave. In the meantime, he called for Connor, Na’gu’set and Antonio to go with him for a stroll along the beach.

  “How is Princess Sarah?” asked Connor.

  “Sleeping,” replied Prince Henry. “De Chauliac was impressed with Na’gu’set’s bandaging, and he has applied plasters that will help the wounds heal. The doctor feels that in time she should make a full recovery. Thankfully, she has the strong Sinclair constitution.”

  They walked again in silence around a rocky point until the ships, the grave and all other reminders of their recent grief disappeared from view. Ahead lay an untouched gentle shoreline. Rhythmic waves lapped at their feet, the timeless ocean reminding their souls that there was always hope in tomorrow. Antonio finally asked the question that was on all of their minds.

  “Now what?”

  “Do we bring the Ark of the Covenant and all of the relics back to Scotland?” asked Connor.

  Prince Henry shook his head. “We can’t risk it. If word ever escaped to our enemies that the Ark of the Covenant was hidden somewhere in Scotland, every army in Europe would attack us in hopes of seizing its holy power. That is why we brought it across the ocean in the first place.”

  Antonio sighed. “If we can’t bring it back with us, then what you are saying is that it has to stay here, in this land.”

  “That seems to be the only option,” agreed Prince Henry. “But the question is where?”

  “What about taking it back to Oak Island?” asked Antonio.

  “We could,” agreed Connor, “but then what? The entrance is flooded.”

  “We don’t have the time or the men to build another elaborate hiding place,” added Prince Henry.

  “Therefore, we can’t have it anywhere near the coastline,” summarized Antonio, “for that will be where the next European explorers will eventually settle. Others will come to this bountiful land. It’s inevitable.”

  Prince Henry looked across the bay. “Then I suppose we have answered part of the question. The Ark will have to stay here, in this land, but somewhere away from the ocean.”

  The prince turned to Na’gu’set. “Na’gu’set, you understand the great significance of the Ark and how important it is that we keep it safe. Where would you suggest we place the Ark and the other relics? You know this land better than anyone.”

  Na’gu’set stepped toward the water’s edge and stared out over the peaceful bay. After contemplating the situation for several moments, he pointed southward. “A day’s sail south from here is the mouth of a large river. The river is deep and wide, with tall cliffs on either side. It can be sailed far inland. Near the river’s source is a powerful nation. They rule in a way similar to that which you described for the people of New Jerusalem. They have councils chosen by the people that make the decisions for the nation. They are a respected people, but at the same time they are powerful fighters and they are not afraid to defend themselves. Perhaps they will be willing to help you conceal the Holy Treasure until you or your ancestors can return and retrieve it.”

  Prince Henry was intrigued. He stepped up to his friend. “Does this nation have a name?”

  “They are called the Oneida.”

  Twenty-Eight

  The river was more majestic than any river the crews of either ship had ever seen before. The mouth to the freshwater gateway was wide, flanked on either side by large timbered islands that stretched through the current for several miles. Na’gu’set directed Prince Henry to sail up the main channel. Taking an ocean vessel up an unknown waterway was a risky endeavour at the best of times, and due to the nature of his precious cargo, the prince was not in the mood to take chances. Using a series of weights off the bow, he commanded that the crews of both ships take soundings every five minutes in order to protect the ships from hidden sandbars or sudden rocky outcrops. It would take all of Prince Henry’s skill to prevent this journey from becoming a one-way trip for his loyal crew.

  By midday, the channel had narrowed while the water depth had increased dramatically. A majestic gorge of pillared limestone rose on either side of the river. Connor was awestruck by the beauty of the stone and imagined that they were sailing through an enormous outdoor cathedral. Thankfully, the wind remained steady, and by the end of the day, the cliffs gave way to rolling hills under a brilliant crimson sky. Prudently, Prince Henry commanded that the ships way weigh anchor for the night.

  They hoisted the sails at the first rays of dawn and continued their sail north. They travelled slowly and carefully for another five days upriver, and only once had a keel scraped bottom. On the sixth day, they passed by a large village on the west side of the river. Men, women and children crowded the riverbank in order to catch a glance of the strange crafts as they sailed upriver. Their homes were similar to those of the Mi’kmaq, elegant and egg-shaped with their walls covered in thick pieces of tree bark. Cultivated fields stretched out from either side of the village.

  “Mahicans,” said Na’gu’set, pointing to the village. “They too are a strong nation, and they sometimes fight the Oneida. It is best not to make contact with them.”

  The next day, Prince Henry carefully maneuvered the ships around a series of shallow shoals then gave the exhausted men the order to drop anchor in a small bay. The weather had turned exceptionally hot, and the crew was relieved to find escape from the fierce afternoon sun by bathing in the cool river.

  Na’gu’set stood with Prince Henry at the stern of the ship. The two men were helping Antonio add the details to his evolving map of the river system. Na’gu’set pointed over the bow towards the next bend in the river.
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  “Beyond that bend lie a series of large rapids. A canoe could continue the journey north by portaging the rapids. This is as far as we can take the ships.”

  The prince looked to the shore. “Then we must make the rest of the journey on foot.” Once the men had cooled off, he bellowed for both crews to join him on his flagship.

  “My friends, from this anchorage site, we will now have to trek the remaining distance across land to the Oneida nation. Those who have been chosen to join us on the expedition will need to meet on the shore with their belongings at daybreak. The rest of you must continue the repairs to the ships, so that upon our return, they will be ready for the ocean crossing.”

  Using the skiffs, the prince and his men carefully removed the treasures from the ship’s hold and brought them to shore. Na’gu’set informed the gathering that the main Oneida village was about a week’s walk to the north. Prince Henry and Na’gu’set approached Antonio, who was assigning duties to the gathered men.

  “I hate to part ways with you, my friend,” said Prince Henry, “but I’m afraid the maps need to be finished, or else future knights of the Order will never find their way back to this location.”

  Antonio grinned. “A real friend would have admitted that you were simply tired of my snoring during our time in the temple.”

  The prince laughed. “Och, aye. Perhaps there were a few sleepless nights in the chamber, but I will not hold it against you.”

  “Do you think we’ll have any visits from our Mahican friends to the south?” asked Antonio.

  “It is possible,” replied Na’gu’set. “I do not know much about them.”

  “I do not want any surprises,” ordered Prince Henry. “Keep the cannons loaded, and if they come near the ships, fire a cannon shot over their heads.”

  “The noise alone will cause them panic,” Na’gu’set agreed. “They will think you are a thunder spirit. They should not bother you again.”

  As the men lifted the Ark and prepared to depart, another skiff left the flagship and rowed quickly to shore. Prince Henry was surprised to see his sister Sarah climb off the bow, and lifting her skirt, step gingerly onto the shore. The young doctor, Guy de Clauliac, followed closely behind.

  “What brings you to the shore, my sister?” asked Prince Henry, taking her hand. “Is there something wrong?”

  She straightened her dress, then smiled at her brother. “I would like to come with you on your journey.”

  Prince Henry shook his head. “Completely out of the question. You almost died four days ago. You need your rest.”

  Sarah crossed her arms in defiance. “That’s all I have been doing! Resting! The walls of the cabin feel like they’re closing in around me. There is nothing for me to do on the ship, and you know how much I love exploring new lands. I feel that I have my strength back, and there is nothing further the doctor can do for my arms.” She held up her bandaged wrists. “Please, I would like to come.”

  Prince Henry smiled. The ugly purple bruising to her face had faded to a dull yellow, and her beautiful green eyes were no longer ringed by the dark circles of her long, tortured nights. The prince eyed the doctor.

  “What do you think, Sir Guy? Has my sister truly lost control of her senses, or do you feel she can actually survive a week-long walk through unknown territory?”

  The young man ran his hand through a thick mat of auburn hair and examined the young princess. Princess Sarah put her hands on her hips and huffed, not wanting to be the centre of a joke. The doctor raised his eyebrows and finally turned to the prince.

  “She’s correct in that there isn’t anything else I can do for her wounds. In fact, after all she’s been through, I think the exercise and a change in scenery might do the princess a bit of good. Na’gu’set will need to change the bandages every second day. I do recommend, however, that you be careful of the pace you set for the march. She hasn’t had a chance to really move her legs in weeks.”

  “You heard the doctor,” Sarah smiled. “It might do me some good to go.”

  Prince Henry nodded tentatively. “Aye, Sarah. I suppose there’s no point arguing, as you never listen to me anyway. Put on your boots. You’re coming along. And I must say, it’s good to have you back!”

  The scenery was lovely as the party followed the river further upstream. The Europeans were amazed by the abundance of birds and large deer. At the end of a day’s march, deer and rabbit meat for the hungry travellers was easy to come by in the bountiful land. Na’gu’set impressed the men with his skillful use of the bow and arrow to fell game. Fruit and nuts were also in great abundance.

  The Ark being the heaviest relic, the men were organized into teams of two, and each took a two hour turn carrying it. The others carried their armour, weapons and the remaining relics. After two days of hiking in the fresh air and late summer sun, the princess regained most of her strength, and the pace toward Oneida territory quickened considerably. On the eighth day, Na’gu’set asked his friends to don their armour for the final leg of the journey. Walking in full battle armour slowed their progress, but by midday the party reached the top of a gentle hill and they paused to take in a glorious vista.

  Encircling both sides of a small, meandering river was a collection of fields as varied as any found in Europe. A large number of people was tending to the crops of strange tall plants that produced the grain Na’gu’set called maize. Dozens of children played a game in a small clearing that involved sticks with baskets on the end. They could make out two competing teams on the field, and each had their own net. They were scooping a small ball into a basket, then passing it to teammates until one threw the ball into their opponent’s net.

  The village itself was larger than Roslin. It was surrounded by several rings of sharpened, interwoven poles. There was only one narrow well-guarded break in the defensive wall, and Connor immediately recognized its similarity to a European castle wall and main gate. The buildings behind the walls however were very different than the small, dome-shaped structures of the Mi’kmaq villages near Oak Island. The Oneida had built a town of tremendously long buildings with curved roofs of tree bark. The size of the buildings rivalled anything Connor had seen back in Scotland.

  “Welcome to the land of the Oneida,” said Na’gu’set.

  “Those homes must hold a hundred people each!” cried Angus.

  “Sometimes more,” explained Na’gu’set. “Many families live in each longhouse. Over a thousand people live in this village alone. My people never build such large communities.”

  “And the farms,” said Connor, “remind me so much of our family farm. What is that strange tall crop they are growing?”

  “That is the plant that grows the maize we ate in the temple,” Na’gu’set explained. “I brought it back with me from this land. The vegetable needs to be husked before being eaten. Then it can be cooked or ground up into flour for bread. It is very delicious. Much better than the dry cobs we chewed in the temple.”

  “A thousand people,” muttered Whipper, “and only twenty of us. Why am I feeling nervous about going down there?”

  “Do not worry,” replied Na’gu’set. “The Oneida have already been tracking us for over a day now. We would have been dead long ago if they thought we were a threat.”

  “Tracking us for over a day?” shouted Whipper, looking behind him at the seemingly barren woods.

  “It’s all right, Whipper,” said Prince Henry. “As Na’gu’set has pointed out, we are such a small party, we won’t be seen as a threat to the Oneida. I just hope we get a chance to explain why we have made this journey into their territory.”

  Na’gu’set nodded towards the village. “We will soon find out. The warriors will not let us near the women and children if they sense any danger.”

  “Aye,” said Prince Henry, “I don’t blame them. Let’s head down the hill and find out what our reception will be.”

  As the group descended to the edge of the fields, a wolf howl to their right filled
the late morning air. A second joined in from the left, then several more from behind. Prince Henry held up his hand, and the procession stopped. All of the children and women in the fields dropped what they were doing and ran for the village gate. Dozens of armed Oneida warriors silently materialized from behind the forest cover, bows drawn and aimed at the trespassers. Their bare upper bodies were covered in fierce war paint, while their lower bodies were dressed in breechcloths and leggings.

  “Do not move,” ordered Na’gu’set. “Do not draw your weapons, but continue to look them in the eye. The Oneida respect strength. I will go to them and try my best to explain the situation.”

  Everyone waited as Na’gu’set cautiously approached the warriors. He seemed to recognize a leader. He was a tall warrior, with bare, muscular shoulders, and a head completely shaved except for a thin row stretching from the top of his forehead to the back of his neck. His dark eyes were fearless as he stepped forward with an air of authority. Na’gu’set and the Oneida warrior met and began to discuss the purpose of their uninvited trek across Oneida territory. The warrior seemed to grow more agitated as the conversation continued. Prince Henry was beginning to fear for the safety of his people. He inched closer to his sister in case he had to shield her from the onslaught of arrows.

  The two men finally seemed to reach an agreement, and Na’gu’set returned to his European friends. His face, however, was lined in worry. “His name is Odatshedeh. He said that unannounced strangers are killed.”