The Honorable Knight

by Patrick John Donahoe

  Serena had compassion for her father’s plight when the German knights wouldn’t pay for their swords.

  Desiree had compassion for the slave girl who was thrown out into the street when she was in labor. Desiree took her into the hospital against the wishes of the priests and monks where she was able to deliver a healthy baby into the world and save the young woman’s life.

  Ian showed compassion for the food vendor when the German knights refused to pay for their food.

  Jacques showed compassion for a furniture peddler whose cart wheel came off and robbers beset him.”

  Jacques exclaimed, “How could you know these things! Are you a sorcerer?”

  “No, Jacques. Each of us has our own talents. Mine differ from each of yours as yours differ from each other’s. I’ve had visions here in the garden today of you. . .” Achmed pointed at each of them. “I mean all of your activities this day. Pease, permit me to continue.”

  Jacques leaned back on his stone while Ian, Desiree, and Serena remained sitting in rapt attention.

  “Serena had a glimpse of the gift of tongues when for no apparent reason she was able to both understand spoken and written German. Ian had a glimpse of the power of faith to heal when he touched the German knight’s torn ear and reattached it to the man’s head. Ian had a glimpse of an angel’s power to defeat an enemy when he bested the two skilled knights, knocking away one’s sword and breaking the other’s. Desiree witnessed and assisted in the miracle of birth and saved not only the baby’s life, but the mother’s life as well.

  Serena and Ian demonstrated justice when Ian captured the two knights, and Serena found the letter from Heinrich the Fifth, and you both took the two knights to Godfrey of Bouillon so that he could mete out justice for their actions.”

  Ian looked at his companions wide-eyed and said, “This man is either a saint or a devil. No mortal man could have known all the events of this day without being one or the other.”

  Desiree, who had been quiet with her eyes closed through most of Achmed’s telling, said, “It’s been given to me that he is a saint and is telling the truth.”

  Achmed leaned forward, patted Desiree’s knee, and replied, “Thank you, Desiree. You’ve had a glimpse of the gift of the power of discernment. These gifts and more await you over your many centuries of service.”

  Serena, with an uncharacteristic anxiousness in her voice, asked, “What of the lives we have now? Do we become monks and nuns? Do we live in caves as hermits? What happens if we accept?”

  “So many questions at once. You are to continue as you are, not telling anyone outside this group what you’ve heard and done. Tasks will be placed in your paths. If you heed the promptings, you’ll know what to do. Most tasks will have to be accomplished as a foursome, some will be alone, or two, or three working in concert. Rely on your consciences and instincts. Cries of help from individuals, communities, and governments will summon you into service. Where there’s a righteous need, you will be called.”

  “Your answer seems vague,” Jacques commented, in a voice laced with doubt.

  “If you accept your calls, you’ll accomplish many great deeds. I cannot tell you exactly what you will do, but you will be of great service to mankind. Taking on a mission of this sort is no small decision. You’ll have many wonderful, terrifying, sacred, and difficult experiences. For many of the hundreds, perhaps thousands of years that you abide on this earth, you’ll suffer loneliness, longing for those who have passed on before you, and maybe even a desire to let your immortal life go.

  All you will have that endures is each other, so you must support and care for each other. You will have to change identities often, because your acquaintances will wonder how they could have known you for so long and you have not noticeably aged. If anyone realizes your longevity, you may be subject to attacks, imprisonment, medical scrutiny, condemnation as sorcerers or witches, or worse. Do you understand?”

  “I know you told us about seeing the Christ child, but how old are you, really?” asked Desiree.

  “I was called to my service when I was sixty, at the time of the birth of Jesus, and am now about 1160 years old, but only seventy in body. I’m aging faster than you will, because you’re starting out younger than I. You’ll only age about five years per thousand whereas I’m aging about ten years per thousand.”

  “You seem to have no infirmities other than age. What if we’re injured?” asked Serena.

  “You can become injured and ill, but you’ll heal quickly. Your body will be able to reattach arms, legs, fingers, and toes if pressed on properly before they deteriorate too far. You could lose an eye and it will restore itself.”

  “Can we be killed?” Desiree asked.

  “Such an ominous question, my dear. I’m surprised you’re the one to ask,” Achmed replied and gave Desiree a serious look, and Jacques an impish grin. “I could commit suicide using a potent poison, but the poison’s ingredients would cause a painful death.

  Unless, like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, I’m protected by an angel who can make the inside of a fiery furnace feel like a cool breeze over dew, I think my body could be consumed by fire, but I don’t want to jump into a furness to find out.” Achmed’s ability to shift from a serious to a comedic demeanor, from one thought to another, perplexed Ian.

  A puff of breeze blew Ian’s candle out. He held it out to Desiree who relit it using her own. Ian whispered to Desiree, “I read about Shadrach in the Bible Adhemar gave to me.”

  “I suppose if my head were lopped off I could die, but if it were pressed back onto my body quickly enough my body could even reattach it. A clean cut would be preferable so there wouldn’t be an ugly scar around my neck.” Achmed chuckled to himself, enjoying his own humor.

  “You’re giving us mixed motivations to accept or reject your offer,” Serena replied, sitting straight up on the stone with her arms akimbo.

  “I apologize. I’ll try to be more serious. I’ve had plenty of life experiences and loneliness these last 1100 plus years. There have been many times when I’ve wished to die and rejoin my wife and children and children’s children in the great beyond, but it’s forbidden for me to take that journey of my own accord. I’m earthbound in God’s hands and must remain here until my mission is completed. You’ll lose friends and family whom you’ve come to love and cherish as the years go by. You may even long to join them in death, but you cannot do this. At least in your cases you have each other to lean on.”

  “To kill one’s self would be a sin,” added Serena.

  “I’ve kept a genealogical record of my progeny over the centuries, a long and detailed book of my son’s lines over fifty generations. This work has been a solace and a comfort to me.”

  “Have you told any of your descendants who you are?” Desiree asked,

  “No. I did visit my son when he was an old man. He introduced me to his wife and grown children. I disguised myself and hid my identity so their lives would not be altered in their courses. I told them I was a distant cousin and wanted to learn more about my extended family. My son may have guessed my true identity, but I told him our family members had strong resemblances to one another. They were courteous to me, but I only visited them once.

  I’ve been looking for a family member to entrust the genealogy book to when I pass on to the next life. So far I’ve not found the one who would treasure my book enough to warrant giving it to them.”

  Achmed leaned toward the four and said in a conspiratorial tone, “You’ll have to deal with many horrible situations and evil people over the next 1000 or so years. There is one I call Lucifer who was called to serve, but broke his faith. In my story I revealed that there were three of us who were given missions by the Magi, and one, Elymas broke his vow and revealed to Herod that he’d seen the child in Bethlehem.

  As far as I know, Elymas still lives. Elymas has gone by many names over the centuries and the last I knew of him, about 200 years ago, he was living in the Ardil Highlands of
Hungary. He uses his semi-immortality for evil ends. He saw the dark possibilities of using semi-immortal life to pursue his own selfish goals. If he discovers you, he’ll try to murder you. As far as he’s concerned, there can be only one of our kind in this world.”

  Ian, eager to join in, said, “While I was caring for Bishop Adhemar he permitted me to read his illustrated copy of the Bible when I had a few moments to myself. When he was on his death bed he willed it to me. I read of the Apostle Paul temporarily blinding a Jewish sorcerer named Elymas who tried to prevent Paul from teaching the gospel to Sergius Paulus, the Roman Proconsul on Cyprus.”

  “Very good, Ian, he’s one and the same. I’m proud of your study and recollection of the event. I’ve been in contemplation all day here in the garden pondering whether to offer each of you the call or not. It’s been confirmed to me that you’re the ones. You each retain your freedom of choice. You may walk away from here this evening rejecting the call or you may accept. It’s my hope you’ll accept . . . I’m going for a stroll around the garden and leave you to discuss among yourselves what you want to do, individually and collectively.”

  “Could we have a few more days, or do we have to decide now?” Jacques inquired.

  “When I return, each of you, individually, must give me a ‘yes, I accept,’ or a ‘no, I do not accept.’” Achmed stood, left his bundle at the base of his stone seat, and strode away like a much younger man into the depths of the garden.

  Ian turned to his friends and said, “I’m going to accept, I think he’s a holy man, and I want to make a difference in the world.”

  Desiree said, “I’m glad you heard what I heard. I’m also going to accept.”

  Serena hesitated, then said, “I . . . I’m overwhelmed by our situation. I would like more time, but given the decision is now, I’d rather accept than lose what may be a miraculous and incredible journey.”

  The three of them turned to Jacques, the doubter, the non-volunteer, who stood and declared, “It’s up to me, I see. Well, I cannot let the three of you go on without me, whether I be a fool and he be a fake, whether he be a saint or a devil, I be a hero or a dupe, I won’t be left alone without you. You’ll need me to avoid foolish enterprises. You go for sainthood and I’ll tag along for the adventure.” Jacques sat back down on his rock and gave Ian the most thoughtful look Ian had ever seen on Jacques’ face.

  Achmed, in his inimitable way, appeared again in their midst and said, “Have each of you made your decision? What say you, yes or no?”

  Each replied ‘yes’ in turn by saying, “is ea, ken, oui, and na’am,” in their native tongues.

  “I take that as a ‘yes’ from each of you.” Achmed picked up his mysterious sack and took out an old glazed pottery cup and a small goatskin of water. He unstopped the goatskin and filled the cup. “Please stand and form a circle around me with clasped hands.”

  Ian took Serena’s left hand in his right hand, Serena took Jacques left hand in her right hand, Jacques took Desiree’s left hand in his right hand, and Desiree took Ian’s left hand in her right hand, and they formed a circle around Achmed.

  Achmed said in a sober voice, “I’m going to pronounce a blessing upon you before you partake of the water.” All five bowed their heads and Achmed began, “Holy Father, I ask thee to embrace these young men and women, Ian, Desiree, Serena, and Jacques, in thy care and watch over them as they watch over thy children, and bless them with the many gifts they will require to carry out thy works over the next many years. Be with them when they are joyful, as well as when they sorrow. Buoy them up to be able to serve in the manner thou would have them to do, and keep them safe is my prayer, in the name of our Lord. Amen.”

  The five each dropped their handholds.

  Achmed handed the cup first to Ian, and Ian took a sip, then he handed it to Desiree, who took a sip, then to Serena, who took a sip and finally to Jacques, who took a sip.

  “You may find me in my shop for the next few days, then I return to Egypt as my task here is done. I wish you wonderful and joyful lives. Again, may God bless you in your efforts.” Achmed stoppered the goatskin and placed it and the cup back into his sack.

  Serena asked, “Was the cup special or was the water special, or both? I don’t know or understand.”

  “In time my dear, you will know all. The cup dates back to ancient times; more than that, I cannot say at this time. The water is pure spring water from the Gihon Spring. You’ve made a covenant with God which is stronger than a cup or its contents, although the cup and water are significant. The pure water activates the cup to its purpose. That’s all I know. When the time is right, the cup will fall to you. You’ll meet others like yourselves when the task to be accomplished is greater than the four of you can handle.”

  “How will we know how to recognize them?”

  “The recognition will be given by this hand clasp and the following words.” Achmed gave each of them a specific right hand grip while whispering a specific phrase into each of their right ears, then Achmed left their presence.

  “What have we done?” Jacques asked Ian.

  “We committed to make Jerusalem safe for pilgrims when we came on the Crusade with Raymond, and since we’ve been here we’ve committed to protect all its citizens, so all we’ve done is expand our roles,” Ian said with a bewildered grin.

  “I feel good about what we’ve done,” added Desiree, “but it’s getting late. I must go home.”

  “Jacques and I will escort you and Serena home. We’ve had a wondrous and mystifying day, and I feel tired all of a sudden.”

  “Thank you, Ian. My father will be worried. After all, how often do you best two evil knights and accept a thousand-year commission from an ancient mystic in less than 36 hours?” Serena replied.

  “All around it’s been quite a day indeed,” added Desiree.

  “Amen,” added Jacques.

  That night Ian, Jacques, Desiree, and Serena all came down with fevers and chills and woke several times, their bedclothes soaked with perspiration. None were able to sleep well, and each had dreams of assisting people in danger, pulling drowning people out of water, rescuing people from fires, stopping violence upon the innocent, reasoning with kings, dictators, and war lords for justice, and flashes of all manner of heroic acts that sped up their heart rates as they slept.

  Ian dreamt he was wearing unrecognizable armor, which an arrow couldn’t pierce, fighting an enemy with weapons that flashed like lighting and sounded like sharp thunder in the Valley of Jehoshaphat.

  They were exhausted and ill when morning came, and each lay abed. Each wondered if their sudden illness was related to their meeting with Achmed.

  Serena woke to the ringing of her father’s hammer in the morning’s otherwise quiet. She arose from her bed and told her father, who was working at the forge, that she wasn’t able to work in the shop. She promptly returned to her bed and dropped off into a fitful sleep.

  Jacques sat up on the edge of his cot, his head throbbing, and noticed that the ragged scar he’d had on his right arm since the day he met Ian was gone. His arm looked as though it had never been scarred. Jacques went to Ian’s quarters where they discussed their individual illnesses, and each agreed they were too sick to supervise their guards.

  Ian volunteered to find Jason, Ian’s daytime head of the Palace guard, and tell him to supervise the guards at both the Palace and the Holy Sepulcher. He returned to his quarters and promptly fell asleep again.

  Desiree woke miserable and sick, threw up into the night bucket on the floor beside her bed. Once her stomach stopped roiling, she found the abbess and asked her to tell the abbot she was too sick to work her shift.

  All four slept through the day and the night and awoke the following morning feeling refreshed and unusually hungry. After they each ate extra-large breakfasts, they cleaned themselves up and put on fresh clothes.

  Desiree took the cloves out of her medicine basket and started to place one into her mouth for her too
thache and realized her tooth didn’t hurt any longer. She examined her teeth in her polished metal mirror and discovered that not only did her tooth appear to not have a cavity any longer, but the missing tooth next to the bad tooth had reappeared. She had a perfect white set of teeth.

  The four ventured independently to the marketplace for no apparent reason.

  “Jacques, I’m surprised to find you here. I was going to let you sleep as long as you needed,” greeted Ian.

  “Look behind you,” replied Jacques.

  Ian turned to see Desiree walking toward them, followed by Serena. “Halloo,” Ian called out.

  The girls walked up to Jacques and Ian, and Serena said, “I’m happy to see we’re all here this morning. I’ve been sick as a camel since we met with Achmed. I’ve been in bed a night and a day and last night. What’s going on?”

  “I don’t know, but I was sick, too. I had a high fever and felt like throwing up until this morning,” replied Ian. “But now I feel great.”

  “I did throw up,” Desiree said, “multiple times.”

  “I was too sick to throw up,” said Jacques, “but now I feel renewed.”

  “Maybe the water Achmed gave us to drink was tainted,” suggested Desiree.

  “I think the water was just plain spring water, but there was something strange about the cup he had us drink from. He didn’t drink any water,” said Serena.

  “Maybe drinking the water was the initiation into Achmed’s mystical club,” offered Jacques.

  “Or maybe the drink and our sickness is turning us into semi-immortals,” speculated Ian.

  “My toothache is gone and my missing tooth has grown back,” said Desiree.

  “The scar on my arm is gone,” said Jacques.

  “The ringing in my ears is gone,” said Serena.

  “I feel the best I’ve ever felt in my life,” said Ian.