The Knight Of The East
This is a tale of the young Knight, Gavin Lanshire. In it you will meet Kinza, Amon, Jen, and other unforgetable people. The story is on hold right now, but I hope you like what I have so far.
Chapter I
Snow fell about the ramparts of castle Lanshire as monks began writing entries dated 1000. The New Year came and went unnoted by the elder son of the castle; he had other things on his mind than the change of years. He spoke to his father, the lord of Lanshire in cold yet respectful tones,
"My lord, I beg you reconsider. Did not the Holy Pope himself bless the order of the Knights Templer in their effort ageist the infidels?"
"Yes, Gavin, but I hear that many of the so called Knights are nothing but cut-throats who live to fill their own pockets!"
Sir Gavin permitted himself a small smile, he was winning this one, "Father, do all those that call themselves knights here in God's England, live by The Code of honor? No, but we don't let that stop us from living as knights."
His father's old face seemed to age before his eyes. "Gavin, I had always hoped to see your children, before I went to my rest in the next life. The Templers vow to give up women, marriage, and all worldly things, to fight for God's victory. I would lose you forever."
"Sir," replied Gavin, "Did not Saint Paul say it was better for a man to remain unmarried? However, you are my father and I will obey your command, whatever it my be." The young knight bowed.
"Gavin, you know I will never stop you from doing what your heart tells you. Here is my command, take whatever money you need and travel to the Holy Land. Investigate everything about the knighthood and the people of that land. If you still feel God is calling you to join so be it. If not, return and tell me what you have found."
"Yes, father I will do as you say. By your leave, I will depart with in a week." Gavin bowed once more and walked out the hall.
Gavin walked to the door of his younger brothers room and knocked loudly. The door opened slowly and a head poked out "Gavin?" James said in a tired voice "Is something wrong?"
"No," said Gavin, "may I come in? There is something I must talk to you about. The two brothers entered and sat at a table inside. "James, I am leaving for the Holy land, and will no doubt never return"
"I know!" Interrupted James, "You want me to go with you. Sure, lets see will need money, weapons, lots of weapons, and"
"James" Gavin's voice cut like a knife, " you will stay here and some day become lord of Lanshire, you can not go. I came here to tell you," Gavin's voice became softer "that I'm very proud of you, and I will miss you. You've been a better brother than I could have wished for; I hope you have the joyful life you deserve!"
James open his mouth to try and talk him out of going, but the protest died on his lips, his brother would never move once he decided something was the right thing to do. "I'll do my best Gavin, I wont let you down." Said James in a small voice.
"You never will." Said Gavin with a rare smile. The smile vanished and Gavin's cold expression returned, "I leave with in a week." He said and walked out of the room.
Gavin leaving was a manly affair. Gavin clasped hands with his father and brother, than bowed his head as a priest prayed over him, asking for a safe trip, and Gods blessing. No tears where shed, for the only one who might have cried was Gavin's mother, but she had died giving birth to James. Gavin simply mounted his horse and rode through the gates.
Chapter II
Tyre.
It was a long journey from England to the Holy Lands, and bad weather slowed him farther. So, it was early June when Gavin reached the port of Tyre. The city's size confused him as he tried to reach the lord of the city's manor. Hours later, he found the lord's home and was quickly whisked inside by the lord's servants. He tried in vain to show them his father's letter of reference to prove that he was a knight, but servant, seeing his rich clothes and bright armor asked no questions, but brought him before the Lord of Tyre. The lord and his wife lay on couches; Gavin walked proudly forward and spoke "Greetings, my lord, lady, I am Sir Gavin Lanshire, my father sends his greeting as well to you lordship, God's servant."
The lord and lady exchanged looks that said, "He's young." The lord rose and said " Greetings, sir knight, I heard a noble man had arrived today, I had began to worry that you had meet with foul play."
"No sir," Gavin said, "I became lost in the crowds on my way here."
"I think you will get along with this boy Robert, he wont ask for directions either." Said the lady laughing.
The lord finished reading Gavin's letter and said, "You plan to tour the holy lands alone?" he said razing an eyebrow."
"Yes!" Gavin replied at once. "Why?"
"Son," the lord said rising, "If you get lost in a city controlled by the Knights, how will you live though a city full of infidels?"
"What does your lordship suggest?" Gavin asked coldly.
"That you hire a guide to come with you." The lord return, the hint of a smile on his face. "Oh." Said Gavin.
Gavin spent the night with the lord's family, at dinner he answered questions from the lord about his homeland, and questions from the lady about the styles of clothes in the court. Finally, Gavin informed the lady that he spent too much time training to spend any time looking at girls. This drew more smiles between husband and wife.
The next day he took his leave and went to a shop that specialized in guides. Gavin walked in the door and spoke to the clerk who sat at the desk, writing. "I need a guide" he began.
"One gold piece." Said the clerk without looking up.
"To tour the Holy lands with me"
"Five gold pieces." Said the clerk,
"who knows the customs and facts of the countryside"
"Six." Droned the clerk,
"and above all else who can be trusted." Gavin finished.
The clerk finally looked up at the last remark, "In that case, my goodness, twenty and expenses!"
"Why such a change in price?" Gavin demanded.
"Well," said the clerk, "Men that know the country are pretty common. Men you can trust, well, that's another thing. I'll let you have Amon the son of Zadok."
"How do I know that this man is to be trusted?" Gavin asked shrewdly.
"Sir, I give you my personal assurance, that he can be trusted!"
"Very well," said Gavin. "Where is he?"
"In the back" said the clerk his eyes back on his writing.
Gavin walked in to the back of the shop and into a dirty room filled with wood shavings. A small thin man lay in a hammock, and rose as Gavin entered. "May I be of assistance master" He asked in a voice that was slightly to high pitched. The man wore baggy pants that may at one time have been white, a dirty tunic and a leather vest over it, in his belt he wore a dagger and a piece of parchment. His face was covered with stubble that failed to hide his face, he had dark curly hair, and brown eyes that reminded Gavin of a cow's.
"Yes," said Gavin, "If you are Amon son of Zadork."
"Zadok" the small man corrected.
"Yes, well, I have hired you to help guide me through the Holy land."
"Of course, am I surprised? No." The small man sighed.
"You are a Jew?" Gavin asked.
"Yes, your lordship" Amon replied, "Where do you wish to go first?" "Damascus."
Chapter II
The Ambush and Damascus.
The trip was hard on Gavin despite what he said about his training, the sun heated him painfully in his armor and flies tormented him. Amon trotted along beside Gavin's horse talking about some point of history or another, telling stories of battles and kings long dead, as if the sun bothered him not at all; and Gavin saw that the flies didn't go near him. "So that's why no one washes in this land," Gavin thought. That night when they camped Amon lit a small fire with wood they had brought with them from Tyre. Gavin had Amon eat his food on the other side of the horse from him. After all, protocol must be maintained, a knight did not eat with a commoner.
Late that night Gavin awoke to hear Amon cry. Gavin had slept armed and was on his feet at once. He saw two large men holding Amon between them a knife to his throat. Gavin immediately went to draw his sword, but strong arms grabbed him from behind. Gavin released his sword, drew his mailed hand into a fist and back into what he hoped was his attackers face. It must have been for the arms loosened. Gavin turned and grabbed his attacker by the belt and flung the man at the two men holding Amon. He stuck the one of the men, knocking him to the ground, unfortunately not the man with the knife.
The man with the knife's eyes grew wide and he yelled, "Stop or I kill him!" and to his surprise Gavin stopped. "Drop you sword." He said and was even more confused to see the young man draw his sword and drop it to the sand. "He must be afraid of me." The thief thought, "Throw your money bag over here." Gavin slowly slide the bag off his belt, and tossed it at the feet of the thief, a look of defeat on his face. "You're crazy!" said the thief pushing Amon away and bending over to retrieve the bag. "I should kill you for just being stupAck!" His thought was cut off by Amon's knife sticking out of his back. He stumbled then fell and ceased breathing.
"How did you do that?" Said Gavin in wonderment.
"Master," Amon said in an out of breath voice, "because of my short size I have learned that engaging in hand-to hand combat leaves me at a disadvantage, there for I learned to throw weapons at attackers instead of fighting with them." Amon bent to retrieve his dagger and Gavin's moneybag. Handing it back to Gavin he whistled, "How much are you carrying?"
"Five hundred pieces of gold." Said Gavin evenly.
Amon looked at him hard, his eyes lost their cow like look, "You would give up a fortune for a hired guide?"
Gavin looked confused. "Yes." He answered.
"But why." Asked Amon.
"Because it the right and honorable thing to do. I am a knight remember."
"Yes, of course." Said Amon, the wonder still in his eyes.
Damascus swarmed with people. Templer knights marched about the city maintaining order. Amon found them lodging, then he and Gavin walked through the market place. Gavin smiled to himself, this is what he had come to see, The Knights Templer marching grim faced though the throng helping people in need and dealing punishment to the wicked. The market sold everything anyone could want, wine, silk, jewelry, or any other thing one could ask for. Gavin however wasn't interested in silk or any other mundane things. In fact, he was about to suggest to Amon that they return to their lodging, when something caught his eye. Swords, finely wrought of some strange metal. Amon explained that these swords were made of Damascus steel, of which the town was famous for. Gavin immediately went in search of a smith to learn more of this wonderful craft. Amon led him to a blacksmiths forge on the outskirts of town. Within, a large man and two boys worked the forge hammering bars of steel into the gray blades he had seen in the marketplace. Amon introduced him to the large man named Melki a master metal smith. Gavin asked what the blades were made of.
"Steel," said Melki gruffly, "plain steel. Or at lease that's how it starts."
"Why is it wavy? And it seems to be multi layered! Why go to so much work" Asked Gavin.
Seeing the real interest in Gavin's eyes Melki went on to explain how the steel was heated and reheated as it was folded over and over, and finally cold by letting the wind pass over the hot steel, making it a very strong, light blade that held an edge well. Gavin was enchanted, and spent the rest of the day watching as the smith turn out blades finer than Gavin had ever seen before. Before he left Gavin purchased a short curved sword from Melki for fifty pieces of gold, a fair price thought Gavin for the craftsmanship of it. Gavin also learned that a shipment of lesser blades would be leaving the next day for the Templer stronghold in Jerusalem, and for a very small fee they could join the caravan. Amon thought this was a good idea, for the caravan would be well armed to protect the goods and they would have a better chance of surviving the trip, so Gavin agreed.
Chapter III
The Attack of Salidin.
Gavin was up early the next day, at Amon's insistence he divided most of his gold between his two boots and a pocket beneath his armor so if someone tried to rob them again they hopefully wouldn't find it all. Gavin also stopped to buy a donkey for Amon to ride. When Amon turned to thank him Gavin coldly told him that he only bought him a mount so Amon would not slow him down. The blades were carried on the backs of camels and armed men walked along them. A few other travelers rode with them and tried to talk to Gavin, but Gavin held himself aloof for the conversation and only answered in cool yet polite tone.
The caravan moved at a slower pace than Gavin was used to, but as Amon said "Knowing that you'll wake in the morning is far better than getting there two days sooner never to arrive at all."
The Caravan had stopped at mid-day to let the hottest part of the day pass without exhausting themselves. Gavin however was full of energy and decided to walk around to have a look at the land. That was fine with Amon, that is until Gavin ordered him to come with him. Amon walked ten paces behind Gavin and muttered to himself that if the knight wanted to boil himself in all that armor why couldn't he do it by himself.
"Amon."
Amon sighed. "Yes, lord?"
"Who lives out here"?
"The district of Aram?" asked Amon,
"No, I mean out here in the wastelands." Replied Gavin,
"Oh, no one my lord. Only caravans travel out here. Well, thieves to be sure, but they normally are near some source of water for their animals."
"Oh." Said Gavin thoughtfully.
Gavin stood facing the sun on a dune; Amon seeing that he seemed lost in thought sat down in the shadow that the dune cast.
"What are sand storms Amon?" Asked Gavin without turning.
Amon closed his eyes and said, "When strong winds blow across the wastes it carries the sand with it and can bury men who are caught in it."
"Does it sometimes look the sun reflects off the sand like a mirror?" Gavin asked thoughtfully,
"Nowhy?" asked Amon,
"Then we are under attack." Said Gavin calmly as he turned and ran down the hill. Amon shot to his feet and looked over the hill. Sure enough, what looked like a sand storm, but every once in a while he saw the sun glint off a helm of a horseman.
"Sir, wait for me!" shouted Amon as he plunged after his knight.
Amon ran after his employer, but lost him in the camp. After asking around Amon was pointed in the direction of the Caravan commander's tent.
As Amon approached he heard Gavin's cool voice finishing a speech in his usual clipped tone, "we are no doubt out numbered at lease five to one, judging from the large amount of dust they threw up. However have no fear. I am a knight, and with God's help we can no doubt repulse the attack."
"What!" cried Amon bursting in to the tent, "Are you mad? Fight them? We should be running not talking. There were more than a thousand horsemen! They'll cut us to bits, slice us in half, they'll"His protest die as Gavin glared at him.
"I will begin my preparations for the battle." Said Gavin turning to leave.
"Aye, preparing to run you mean." Said one of the men in the tent.
Gavin whipped around, "If a threat was not so close I would make you pay for you insult." And with a final look of distain Gavin walked out.
"Master," began Amon, "Maybe it would be better if we ran just this once."
"Amon!" Gavin admonished, "have you no bravery, aren't you ashamed of yourself?"
"Sir," Answered Amon, "I have no bravery, my parents were to poor, and yes sir I am ashamed, and I would like to have the opportunity to feel guilty, but if I die I won't have time to feel guilty, will I?"
"Amon." Said Gavin,
"Yes."
"Shut up."
"Yes, sir."
The caravan placed their goods in the center of the camp and circled their men around them. Gavin waited on his charger calmly, "Why worry?" He thought to himself, "Outlaws are cowards. As soon as they see we are armed and not afraid they'll probably retreat."
"Who's not afraid?" yelled a passing man, and Gavin realized he had been speaking his thoughts aloud. Suddenly, a line of horsemen appeared on a nearby rise. One lifted a battle standard and the breeze caught the cloth and spread it for all to see. Gavin spurred his horse forward and dimly heard someone yell, "Salidin!" somewhere behind him, but he didn't have time to think about. Gavin set his lance and yelled a challenge to the horsemen and struck. Gavin knocked the man to the right of the standard bearer off his horse, the lance deep in his chest. However, the weight of the man's fall wrenched the lance from his hand. Gavin turned his horse and drew his sword at the same time, he swung cutting the standard's pole in half. Gavin was about to finish of the standard bearer, but seeing that the man had not drawn a weapon, opted for knocking the man senseless with his shield. The rest of the horseman fell on him seemingly from every side.
Gavin slashed, and ducked and stabbed and wheeled. The bodies of four more men fell to the ground, and the attack began to falter. No one felt like being number five, and the horsemen turned and fled. The heat of battle still burned in Gavin's heart and without thinking he gave chase. Plunging over the rise he cut down two more. Than he realized his mistake, before him was a vast army; the men he had routed were simply scouts. Gavin wheeled his horse around and charged back up the hill. Arrows fell thick around him; in fact, one struck his helm, but didn't pierce all the way through. Thundering back into camp he looked up to see a white flag over the camp.
Gavin turned to ride towards the commander's tent when Amon rode up on his donkey and shouted, "Wrong way sir knight! They've surrendered and are going to give the blades and our heads to Salidin as a gift!" Together they turned their mounts and rode out of the camp.
Chapter IV
The Desert of Aram.
"Eighty-eight sand fleas on my head Eighty-eight sand fleas, you scratch one out and toss it about, Eighty-seven sand fleas on my head. Oh! Eighty-seven sand fleas on my head, Eighty-seven sand fleas, you scratch one out and toss it about" Sang Amon as they rode over sand and rock. Normally Gavin would have remained aloof and ignored such stupidity.
"After all," he thought, "he is a commoner, but he's on his third set of fleas for goodness sake!" "Amon, I don't want to brake you hopefulness, but please, no more fleas." Gavin said in a tired voice.
"That rhymed." Said Amon.
"What rhymed?"
"What you just said 'please, no more fleas'."
Gavin laughed in spite of himself, "Amon, how do you stay so happy? We're lost in the desert with only a days worth of water, no food and a band of infidel soldiers chasing us. And all we do is sing and grin at each other like fools!"
"Sir," said Amon with a sober face, "I protest. We a not lost. I was hired as a guide and I know exactly where we are!"
"And where are we?" Asked Gavin.
"The desert! About ten minutes away from where we were ten minutes ago!" Said Amon laughing loudly.
"Great, just great," said Gavin in a voice that mocked despair, "I'm lost in the desert with a happy madman."
"Well master, you can be a happy madman or a sad sane man, but it won't change where we are and frankly I'd rather die happy. Even though we are not lost!" Added Amon in a proud tone. In the midst of their happy banter Gavin forgot that he wasn't suppose to joke around like this and for the first time since he had arrived in the holy lands enjoyed himself.
Gavin and Amon woke feeling stiff and weak from lack of water. Gavin was in no mood to joke this morning; their poor mounts were weaker then their riders and could not be ridden.
Amon marched up and bowed, "Everything from breakfast cleaned and packed sir!"
"There was no breakfast!" Gavin snapped.
"I thought clean up was easer today!" said Amon cheerfully and turned away before Gavin could say anything.
Picking up the reigns of his donkey, Amon set off whistling as he walked. Gavin didn't get up immediately he simply sat watching Amon climb the near by dune.
When Amon reached the top he turned and yell down, "It is written 'A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work, for this to is from the hand of God.' Well I've had enough satisfaction for one day, how about some food and drink?"
"What are you talking about?" growled Gavin.
"Come and see!"
Gavin slowly lead his horse up the rise and looked down the other side. A large city lay below them; they could see the crowds gathered in the market.
"You see!" said Amon triumphantly, "I wasn't lost."
Chapter V
The city of Romoth Gilead and the slave market.
The town of Romoth Gilead was different from the other towns Gavin had seen so far. This one was far richer, large mansions with domed roofs and many servants, and yet much poorer, beggars lined the streets and lived in horrible condition. Amon and Gavin staggered to one of the cities many wells where they drank deeply and drew water for their mounts. Gavin felt very much refreshed and resumed his cold manner at once.
"Amon, go and find us a place to stay. I will go and introduce myself to the lord of the city.
"But sir!" said Amon surprised, "There is no Knight lord in Romoth Gilead. It is rule by" Amon dropped his voice at this point "by the Muslims."
"Then it is best that we rest and leave first thing tomorrow."
Amon went to find stables for their mounts while Gavin went to find breakfast. He walked along looking at what the merchants were selling. He finally bought a few pieces of fruit and some small flat cakes. When he went to pay, his moneybag fell through his mailed fingers. When the bag struck the ground it spilled gold coins all over. Gavin had expected there to be a rush of people trying to lay hands on his money and readied himself to beat off the throng. However, no one seemed to notice, so Gavin stooped to gather up the coins. He paid the shopkeeper and walked back to where he told Amon he would meet him. Gavin failed to see a shadow detach itself and drift after him.
Amon was waiting where he had been told and brightened when he saw the food Gavin brought with him.
"Well our mounts are well stabled and I have paid for a room at the inn, but it wasn't easy. The inns in this town are very busily and I lucky to get the one I did." Amon looked up at the sun. He walked behind a tent called to Gavin to follow him.
Frowning Gavin stepped behind the tent. "What is it Amon?" He said in an annoyed voice.
"Master, do you remember me telling you that the infidels bow and pray five times a day?"
"Yes, what of it?"
A horn split the air and everyone in the marketplace dropped to their knees. "Well, I figured you didn't wish to pray to Ala and I didn't want to lose my head, so I took you to a place where you could defy Ala and not die for it." They stood in silence until the horn blew again and the people climbed to their feet. Then they left to finish the meal.
"Well Amon," Said Gavin, "I feel much better for eating, but I'm still tired from sleeping or shall I say not sleeping on those rocks last night."
"What rocks?" said Amon shocked, "that sand was as soft as any bed. And a night out in the open does wonders for a man."
"Right," said Gavin, "stiffens your neck, hurts your back, and makes you filthy."
"I'm disappointed." Said Amon in a somber voice, "I thought knights were suppose to be stoic, I will be forever disillusioned."
"Well," said Gavin in an equally sad voice, "I'll just have to kill you before you tell anyone."
"I'm not that disillusioned."
"That's better."
Gavin and Amon laughed as they walked through the market. They continued their banter as they walked and drew the stares of many in the area.
Gavin stopped suddenly. "What is that?" he said pointing. There was an edge on his voice that wasn't there before. He pointed at a raised platform with a crowd gathered around.
"A slave auction." Said Amon, "Why?" Gavin didn't answer. Amon looked closer. The auction guards were dragging a scantily clad woman up the stairs to the platform. She was young and very pretty with black hair and brown eyes that flashed in defiance at her captors. Amon noticed sadly that she had lash marks on her bear arms and a long cut on her cheek. "How sad that they mistreat such a pretty person." Thought Amon. "Come master we shouldMaster? Master?" Amon called. Then he saw him. Gavin was in the front of the crowd with an odd expression on his face. "My master is trying to get himself killed again." Thought Amon as he tried to reach his master through the throng.
"What a deal I have here!" Shouted the head slave dealer, "What a beauty, and her attitude will only make her more entertaining! She can cook, weave, is skilled in grammar and protocol. Though you'd never know it from the spirit she's showing today." The slaver laughed.
One ruff looking man off to the side yelled, "Ten gold pieces!"
"What? I would rather keep her myself than let her go so cheaply!
"Twenty!" Amended the man who yelled the first time
"Thirty!" yelled some one else,
"Thirty five!"
"Thirty seven!"
"Forty!"
"Forty five" the yelling continued.
"Sixty." Spoke a voice over the roar of the crowd. Everyone turned and looked at the speaker. He was an over weight man dressed in silk robes and lying in a litter surrounded by solders.
A hush fell over the crowd. "Sold to Ahine Sueben for"
"Seventy." Rang out a clear cold voice. The people turned to see Gavin standing proudly with the sun glinting off his armor.
"I wish her Christian, she will bring much enjoyment," the man smiled cruelly, "Find another slave. Eighty."
"Ninety."
"Ninety five!"
"One hundred!" Gavin answered.
The man wavered, "Very well, you winthis time." With a sharp word of command the man was borne away on his litter.
Gavin watched until they disappeared from sight then turned to the slaver. "Here is your gold," he said coldly counting out the coins. "Unshackle her." The slaver freed her and shoved her in the direction of Gavin. Looking into her brown eyes he saw anger burning there, but beneath the anger he saw an even stronger fear, fear of mistreatment, fear of death, even Gavin thought with surprise a fear of him. She stumbled from the shove and would have fallen, but Gavin caught her in his arms. She immediately pulled away, her eyes flashed in anger. Gavin took her hand and pulled her after him. Amon found them and led them through the crowd. After they left the crowd behind them Gavin turned to the young woman, "I'm Gavin Lanshire. This is"
"I don't care who you are!" the woman spat in fury, "I will bring you no pleasure! If you try I will kill you! Kill me now for from this day forward I live to bring about your downfall!"
"My lady," Gavin said his voice as icy as hers was fiery, "I have just bought your freedom. Instead of thanks I receive curses!"
"Thanks! I should be grateful that you offer me the chance to be your lordships woman! Ala's curse be upon you!" Gavin's eyes burned with rage and hurt, but his code honor forbid him from venting it. However such was his rage that he did not trust himself to speak. Gavin's reaction seemed to confuse the woman; she had expected him to be angry enough to kill her, but the hurt in his eyes was unexpected.
Amon stepped in and said, "Lady, my master is an honorable man. Whatever reason he had in buying you, I promise it was well meant."
Surprise cut though Gavin's anger, he didn't know Amon thought so highly of him. "It is true my lady. I saw you being mistreated by your owners and could not stand by and watch. Please forgive me for not making my intentions clearer." The young woman's anger having burned out was replaced by weakness. She began to sob, the shock and hurt of the last few days coming out at once. Gavin patted her on the shoulder awkwardly feeling helpless. "Was it something I said?" he thought.
Since they couldn't leave her there in that state (or the way she was dressed) so they brought her back to the inn.
"What do you mean you can't find her another room?" demanded Gavin, "We can't leave her there!" he said pointing at were the girl slept on the room's bed. He had to reclassify her as a girl instead of a woman after he had watched asleep. She had seemed older and stronger in her anger, but in her weakness he could see she was only about eighteen or nineteen. "We can't leave her dressed like that ether. We need to go and get her some new clothes" Gavin stopped. He had no idea where one bought women's clothes. "Amon."
"Yes sir?"
"How does one get women's clothes?" "One goes to the tailor, or in our case brings a tailor here."
"Oh Amon" "Yes sir I'll find a tailor!" said Amon smiling.
Gavin had covered her in his cloak and paced back and forth waiting for her to awake. Finally he walked over to the window and became lost in thought.
"Kinza." Said a voice. Gavin jumped three feet in the air, smacked his head on the low ceiling, and tripped on a bench and finally fell on his back. Laugher filled the room as Gavin climbed back to his feet. "A little high strung today sir knight?" Said the girl. She had sat up and rapped herself in the cloak. Gavin was about to answer angrily, but seeing her laugh was preferable to the anger she had displayed earlier.
Instead he bowed and said "Sorry, it's been a hard day. What did you say before I threw myself on the floor?"
"Kinza. That's my name."
"Lady Kinza, my servant Amon is out finding a tailor for you and hopefully finding other accommodations for him and myself. Are you hungry or thirsty?"
"Well"
"I will get the landlord." Said Gavin and escaped out the door.
Gavin had never spent much time with girls. It wasn't that he disliked girls, but they never cared important things; or at least what he felt was important. Since he hadn't spent much time talking with them, later when he did want to talk to them he'd always make a fool of himself, and then they'd laugh at him. Kinza laughing at him wasn't the same thing. When she laughed it made him want to laugh as well. "Well," he thought, "It's best I don't think about itmuch."
Gavin found the landlord and ordered fruit, bread, and wine sent up to the rooms. He was about to return himself, when he saw Amon coming in the front door with a woman following him. "Well Amon that is a tailor you brought with you I hope."
"Yes sir." Amon replied. Then he turned to the woman and said, "Please get started, it's the first room at the top of the stairs" The woman nodded and left the room. "I need to talk to you sir." Said Amon dropping his voice, "Privately."
"Yes Amon what's the problem?"
"Master," said Amon hesitantly, "do you recall the man who was trying to purchase the young lady; Ahine Sueben?"
"Yes, what of it?"
"He is a man of great power and wealth. I heard there are even rumors that he works with the Hashish Assassins!"
"He works with who? Asked Gavin.
"The Hashish Assassins! Master don't tell me that even the English haven't heard of them. They are assassins of great cunning and skill that seem to be everywhere at once!"
"Thanks for the history lesson Amon, but besides bettering my education, why should I care?"
"Because of Kinza."
Gavin looked at Amon suspiciously, "How did you know her name?"
"It's all over the city; because of who you are and who she is we are all in great danger."
Chapter VI
A girl name Kinza, a warrior from a far land.
"What do you mean 'in great danger,' Amon?" Gavin demanded.
"Lady Kinza is of royal birth. Her father was a king of a great nomad band. However months ago her father converted to Christianity." began Amon
"Yes," said Gavin confused, "So what?"
"Because of his choice the 'faithful' attacked and killed him and as farther punishment sold his daughter and anyone else that tried to help her into slavery. Some of the locals feel you must be a friend of her father and are trying to help her, others feel you bought her for less than honorable reasons and they hate you for it. Both groups want to kill you, and one group wants to kill the girl as well and since I hold the lofty position of servant they want to kill me too. They don't hate me; they'll just kill me out of principal." Amon quietly.
"What about that woman you sent up to Kinza's room? How do you know she won't do anything?" said Gavin starting to rise.
"It's ok," reassured Amon, "she's Jewish."
"How dose a Jew hide herself in a infidel town?"
"Easy," replied Amon, "She doesn't talk about it and everyone knows that a Jew would be crazy to live in this town, so no one asks." Somehow that line of logic didn't seem to make sense Gavin, but he saw no need to pursue the matter farther.
He handed Amon some coins, "Amon go upstairs and keep an eye on Kinza for me would you."
"Sir, you want me to keep an eye on a woman trying on clothes?" Asked Amon.
"Err, no wellYOU KNOW WHAT I MENT!" Gavin shouted.
"Yes sir." Said Amon laughing. He walked back to the stairs and disappeared up them. Gavin stood to walk to the counter, when a person bumped into him from behind.
"Watch where you going!" said a voice with an odd accent behind him.
Gavin spun and glared at the speaker, "I would advise the same to you!" he said coldly. The man stood about six inches shorter than Gavin, but his attitude made him seem taller. He had strait black hair and slanted eyes. He wore a black tunic and a red sash with two wide bladed short swords crossed through, also hanging from the sash was a long sword of a make he had never seen before and strangely enough, a chain with weighs attached to the ends.
"I'd advise that you get out of my wayfool." The foreigner said with scorn in his voice.
"Sir," Said Gavin in a dangerous voice, "I'll give you five seconds to ask my forgiveness, or I'll"
"You'll what?" laughed the foreigner, "challenge me? Very well I except."
A voice of reason spoke in his mind, "Gavin you have people depending on you can't get yourself kill over something as stupid as this." Gavin's head snapped up, "I don't have time to brawl for being bumped, I am leaving."
And that's what Gavin turned to do when he heard the sneer, "Oh yes, have to go spend some time with your new woman, I forgot."
"That's it!" Gavin stabbed a finger at the man, "You and me, outside. Now!" Both men turned to leave through the back door, but nether of them noticed several men following them outside.
"Alright cad, armed or unarmed?" Gavin asked coolly.
"Armed of course," Answered his opponent, "I would have an unfair advantage in unarmed combat."
"Very well," said Gavin, "I am Sir Gavin Lanshire, this is your last chance, beg forgiveness now or risk death."
His opponent did something Gavin didn't expect. He bowed respectfully and said, "I am Jen Khang master of Five animals Kung fu, and I have no wish to ask for your forgiveness. Begin." The two men drew their swords and circled each other. Gavin leaped in with an attack meant split his opponents head in half, but his sword was blocked by a blur of steel just inches from its target. Suddenly it seemed to Gavin that Jen's blade was everywhere at once. Jen had become a whir wind of steel. He was attacking in front, in back, and on the sides all at the same time. Gavin's arms began to ach from blocking so quickly. That's when he saw it, Jen left his shoulder open, Gavin didn't hesitate. He pricked his shoulder and then sent his blade crashing down on is opponent's blade. The shock sent Jen's sword flying. Gavin move in to finished him, but in one fluid motion Jen drew his two short swords and leaped backwards. His feet hit the side of the inn and he seemed to bounce, using the wall as a springboard he vaulted over Gavin's head to land behind him. Gavin turned and kicked at Jen's feet, Jen jumped and planted a kick into Gavin's armored chest. Gavin fell backwards and slammed into the wall. Jen took full advantage of Gavin's fall, and lashed out with speed greater than before. One blow fell across the side Gavin's face, another fell across his chest. Both blows lacked power to kill even if Gavin had not been in chain mail, however the pain seemed to help Gavin recover. Gavin pushed off the wall and began to rain blows on his opponent. Gavin combined speed, skill, and power in a frightening way. Jen began to back up; fear began to fill his face for the first time this fight. Then Jen's foot found the only hole in the whole back ally, his ankle twisted in a painful way and Jen fell to the ground. Gavin slowly walked over to where his opponent lay.
"Finish me!" Yelled Jen in a pained voice.
"No." said Gavin quietly and sheathing his sword and turning away.
"I have seen enough. Kill him." Said a voice from the backdoor of the inn. The men who had followed them to watch drew swords, knives, or clubs and ran to attack Gavin. Gavin stumbled backward trying to free his sword, knowing all the while he couldn't in time. Just as the first thug reached him Gavin saw a weighted chain wrap around the legs his attacker. The second fell with one of Jen's swords in his chest. Then Jen himself leaped in front of Gavin his long chain whirling faster than the eye could follow. The chain seemed to jump out on its own; striking one across the head, wrapping itself around another's throat, cutting yet another's legs out from under him. The rest ran not wanting to be the next to fall.
"I beg your forgiveness." Said Jen turning towards Gavin.
"You have it!" Said Gavin.
Chapter VII
Two thieves and more trouble.
Amon waited outside the door of his room or their room as the case may be. He had heard uproar down stairs, but decided not to go back and check. It was probably just his master trying to get killed again.
The tailor stuck her head out the door, "Amon. What kind of material dose the knight want?"
Amon thought about the coins he had been given. "Silk." He informed her.
"How many sets does he want made?" That question was harder. All the woman Amon had known had owned more clothes than necessary, yet each had told him at one point or another that they didn't have enough. "Ten is a lot," thought Amon, "and one is to little." "Six." Said Amon firmly. That way she would have just a little too much. Heavy footsteps on the stairs brought Amon out of his musing. His hand dropped to his dagger, ready to fling it at any target that presented itself. Gavin's head came into view and Amon relaxed, "You're becoming as high strung as the knight." He scoffed at himself. Gavin was helping a strange man climb the stairs, which was nothing strange to Amon after spending time with Gavin, who felt it was his duty to help anyone who had a problem. It was when Gavin turned towards him that he gasped; a long bloody cut ran down his jaw and the stranger was bleeding from a wound on his shoulder. "What happened master?" asked Amon.
"Do you remember telling me that some people wanted me dead? Well we ran into six of them"
"Seven." Interrupted the man Gavin was helping.
"Ok, seven of them. Jen here took down four of them by himself!"
"How many did you take down, Master?"
"None," said Gavin cheerfully, "I took down Jen."
"Do I want to know?" asked Amon in a confused voice.
"Probably not." Answered Jen.
Gavin knocked on the door and almost immediately it opened for them.
"I will have to return tomorrow." The seamstress said apologetically, "I couldn't finish it all tonight." She bowed as she hurried past him. Gavin and company slipped into the room.
At the far end of the room stood Kinza, she now wore garments of silk that shimmered as she moved. "My honor," thought Gavin, "I have never seen such beauty!" Amon also was speechless at the sight of her. Jen however, didn't seem to notice, he strode in to the room and threw himself down in one of the rooms chairs. Kinza cast a questioning glance at Gavin.
"Oh, right, Lady Kinza," Said Gavin remembering protocol, "May I present Jen Khang a master offighting from the East. Master Khang, Lady Kinza, and my servant Amon son ofZadork."
"Zadak." Amon corrected.
"Right, anyhow shall we eat?" As they gathered around the table to eat Gavin told them of his fight with Jen, and the men that attacked them. When he had finished, Kinza looked troubled and stopped eating.
"Is something wrong?" asked Gavin.
"Are you going to finish eating that?" asked Amon.
"I've put you in danger with my presents," she started as she handed her plate to Amon. "Perhaps I should"
"No!" Said Gavin a little louder than he had meant to, "My Lady, if you added danger to our lives then you didn't add much, after all your people know that I'm not one of them just by looking at me. I fear that you are the one in danger in traveling with us."
"Where are you traveling to?" asked Jen.
"Toumm, Amon, where were we going to?"
"Along time ago you said some thing about Jerusalem." Replied Amon.
"Right," said Gavin, and to Jen said, "where are you staying Master Jen?"
"WellI haven't decided yet." Said Jen.
"In other words, you're broke." Put in Amon.
"Silence Dog! You must learn how to respect your betters!" spat Jen.
"Yep, beyond a shadow of a doubt, penniless."
Before Jen could answer the little Jew, Gavin stepped in between them, "I was going to ask if you would remain here as my guest in case the men who attacked us earlier return."
This caused Jen to think for a moment, then he smiled, "I would be honored to help you protect your charges, and thank you."
"Now that all of you are done fighting, we need to clean those wounds before they become infected." Said Kinza remembering the wounds that Jen and Gavin had received. Of course Gavin and Jen responded the same way all men have responded throughout the ages when told something like that, they made a face and insisted that they were fine.
"No need for that my lady it's merely a scratch."
"I'm fine I've suffered much worse."
"No, no, face wounds always look worse than they really are."
"It's not as much blood as it looks." Jen and Gavin mumbled. Both of them were warriors and knew that the wounds needed cleaned, however they felt that their manhood would be lessened if they didn't put up some struggle. Kinza, who had been raised around fighters, knew the game and lunched into action. "Amon, run downstairs and get some clean rags and some boiling water from the landlord. Make sure they're really clean!" Amon hurried out the door and down the stairs. He came back to find both men stripped down to the waist, revealing many cuts that even Jen and Gavin hadn't known they had suffered. Gavin also had the in print of a boot on his chest, which Amon couldn't explain. Kinza began to clean the deeper wounds and instructed them to clean the rest themselves. Kinza finished with Jen and began on Gavin. Jen stood and announced that he was going to move his horse to the inn's stables, and Gavin asked Amon to go with him. Jen grunted but made no objection as he rearmed and made ready to go.
"You're lucky you weren't killed." Said Kinza when Jen and Amon had left.
"I doubt it," said Gavin, "I'm a better swords man then Jen."
"He was able to cut your face even though you were wearing full armor." She retorted.
"Well" began Gavin, but he stopped. What she said was true, never before had he allowed such a blow to be stuck in a dual. "You know, since I met you, I haven't been able to do anything right have I?" said Gavin a little heatedly. It didn't help matters that she was right.
"No," said Kinza, "you just didn't realize you were doing things wrong."
"Oh, I get it," said Gavin, "I'm to dumb to even realize when I'm being dumb!"
"That's right." Said Kinza evenly.
Things went down hill from there. Both men stopped and listened from the hall to the cold clipped disagreement transpiring within.
"Your knight fights well." Said Jen.
"She's doing pretty well herself." Replied Amon, "Oh! It's going to get nasty, she just called him 'Sir Knight'."
"And he's starting to call her 'my Lady', we'd better get in there before things get ugly." Said Jen as he began to open the door. The voices cut off abruptly as they entered. Kinza sat by the window and Gavin stood against the wall. Both seemed calm and gave no impression of being involved in the argument that Jen and Amon had witnessed from the hall. "Well Amon, did you have any trouble while you were out?" Jen answered for him, " None, but I am sure we are being watched."
"Why?" asked Gavin.
"Because," answered Amon this time, "you have proven to be independently wealthy, you are not an infidel; if you'll excuse the expression lady Kinza; and last but not least you have proven to be very foolhardy when it comes to protecting your life."
Amon saw Gavin frown at the last part and was about to apologize, "But," thought Amon, "when it comes to knights, if you spoil them in the beginning they'll expect it all the time.
"It would be best if we leave as soon as possible, tomorrow if we can." Said Gavin, "From what I've seen of Romoth Gilead, I don't like it."
They all went to sleep early, all of them tired from the activities of the day (remember that Amon and Gavin hadn't slept well the night before). Kinza slept in the only bed and everyone else sleep on the floor. None of them even stirred at the faint scraping that began soon after dark.
Outside the two shadows that had been following Gavin earlier, crouched next to the lock of their door and were inserting strange picks into the lock. In a very short time the lock gave a small "click" and the door swung open.
"Fine work Abosheth!" whispered one shadow to the other.
"Thank you Terrish, you know I take great pride in my work." Replied the other, "but enough, shall we see what the sleepers within have for us?"
"Of course." Said Terrish, and with that both tried to step though the door at the same time.
"Sand flea! Back and let your better go first!" Whispered Abosheth loudly.
"Son of a dog! Out of my way! Opf! " Whispered Terrish back as they both lost their balance and fell through the door. Both men hit the ground without a sound and rolled back to their feet instantly.
"Oh! Look at that armor!"
"Quite fool and look for his gold!"
"What gold?"
"Moron, the gold we saw him drop this morning!"
"Oh, that gold." Said Terrish, and immediately tripped over a chair and sent it crashing down towards Jen's head. Abosheth dove from across the room, caught the chair a hair from Jen's head, rolled with it, and came up in a sitting position in the chair.
"Brother, of a goat! You could have just got us caught!" said Abosheth as he stood and started searching the desk. "Ah, here it is!" he said as he grabbed a bag out of one of the drawer. Unfortunately, he grabbed the wrong end and spilled the coins everywhere! Both men cringed and waited for the sleeping warriors to spring up and tear them to pieces. However, no one except Kinza even stirred, and she settled down again almost immediately. "You fool! Why did you do that?" asked Terrish as he ran about picking up the gold pieces. The two thieves soon had collected all of the gold, except one piece that rested on the pillow that Kinza was sleeping on. "I'll get it." Said Terrish, and lightly picked his way over the bodies sleeping on the floor until he reached the bedside. Slowly he reached down and picked up the coin. She didn't stir. Abosheth started over to the door, but didn't quite make it, because since he was watching Terrish he wasn't watching where he was walking and tripped over Amon's sleeping form. Amon simply rolled over and continued snoring. "It's people like this who deserve to be robbed." He thought to himself, leaning against the table. When he put his hand down he bumped a spoon, which in turn bumped the knife next to it, producing a small 'clink'. Gavin erupted from the floor and came crashing into Terrish, who was still standing next to Kinza. Jen leapt into the air at the same time, only he sent a crushing jump kick into Abosheth's face. Gavin's momentum sent both him and the thief into the side of the bed, sending the bed sliding a few feet and knocking Kinza off the other side and on to the floor. Jen locked his opponent's wrist in such a way that if Abosheth even twitched, Jen would break his wrist. Gavin fairly crushed his opponent and no more fighting was necessary. Kinza was still trying to figure out what was happening, and Amon continued to snore peacefully.
"Speak worm!" Jen ordered his captive, "Who sent you here to kill us?"
"Mighty one!" whined Abosheth, "My brother and I came only to rob you, we never intended to hurt anyone!"
"That's right," said Terrish once he got his breath back, "we are but humble thieves, not murderers."
"We saw the honorable, merciful, handsome knight drop many coins yesterday, and thought that if he had so many that he wouldn't mind sharing them. We weren't even going to trouble him by asking, since he seemed so busy"
"Enough!" roared Jen, " You tried to rob us, you must die."
Both men screamed and tried to curl up on the floor.
"It was Terrish's idea!"
"No! It was Abosheth!"
They were so pitiful Gavin turned to Jen and said, "Let's let them go this once."
"Oh wise one!"
"Most worthy of all knights!"
"Center of the Universe!"
Jen threw both out the door.
"I have a feeling," he said in a low voice, "that this isn't the last we'll see of them.
Chapter VIII
On the Road again
The next day they set out early, feeling that staying in Romoth Gilead for anymore time would be foolish. Jen had a mount of his own, a rather small horse, lean and muscular, much like it's rider. Amon rode the donkey, and Gavin rode his warhorse. They hadn't found any reasonable mounts for sale so Kinza accepted Gavin's offer to ride with him on his mount, so none of them walked now. Gavin half expected to be attacked on their way out of town, but no one even talked to them as they left. They carried more water than last time, for though they were going by a trade route, Gavin didn't want to run out. The sun began to rise as they rode, and Gavin feel better this moment than he had in a very long time, he had a trusted friend by his side, a fellow warrior for a traveling companion, and a beautiful Lady in distress holding tightly to him. He knew that it wasn't quite like that, Amon would probably leave him when he stopped paying, Jen came from a land far away and didn't care about some young knight, other than travel was safer with him, and Kinza was a Infidel and therefore hated what Gavin held most dear; but for the moment he let himself believe that it was different.
They rode for most of the morning before stopping to rest in the hottest part of the day at an oasis they found.
"What is it like where you come from?" Kinza asked suddenly.
"The prettiest place on earth." Said Gavin, "Everything is green. The air is cool, or at lease cooler than here, though it rains a little more often than I'd like."
"It sounds nice," said Kinza, "but then why do your people want this land if your own home is so much nicer?"
"We don't want the land," Said Gavin, then he corrected him, "At lease the real knights don't. We want to make this land safe for pilgrims that travel here to pray at the places our lord walked. And if you believe this, even to protect the Jews from"
"My people." Kinza finished for him.
"Well, yes and no," said Gavin, "Your father wasn't one of them, he was one that we'd try to protect."
"All I've seen knights do is grab as much for them selves as they can!" Kinza said accusingly.
"And they take from and kill the Jew's to!" She continued, "So you don't have any more right to the land than my people!"
"Not so," said Gavin, "I admit that not all Englishmen are honorable, but all true knights are! Anyone that calls himself a knight, yet steals and kills is no knight at all. And we have more right than your people because we are here to help, yours are here to conquer. If your people are so great, why treat you, a loyal daughter of you people, in such a shameful manner?" Gavin's voice softened slightly, "Yes Kinza, I am ashamed because of my people, but that's why I'm here, to join the knights Templer, then I and those other knights have a chance to make a difference.