Deus Vult

Chapter 5

The crowded feasting hall was alive with conversation, laughter, eating, and drinking. The glow of light from the candles in the chandeliers above illuminated the great hall as the scent of roasting meats from the firepits nearby filled the room. Mortal enemies mere hours ago, the knights and warriors now gathered to feast together, celebrate the end of the tournament, and recount their personal deeds of valor from the day’s combat.

Rodrigo smiled as he joked and laughed with those around him. He basked in the honor and pride he felt as one of the tournament victors, similar to the feeling he had experienced when he knelt on the battlefield among the slain and had been knighted by his uncle for his bravery. Count Raymond must have noticed the strategy we used to win the battle when all seemed lost. Surely the tournament victors will be offered a place in his great army as they journey to the Holy Land. Rodrigo looked around the great hall, and his smile disappeared as his gaze fell upon one of the warriors sitting at a table nearby. The warrior gingerly held a tankard to his lips and sipped his ale through cracked teeth under the red stains of his heavily bandaged face. Rodrigo lowered his head and avoided eye contact, staring down at the table, trying to recall the face of the warrior he had smashed with the pommel of his sword. Our victory has not come without cost, however. Am I the cause of this man’s injury? How many other men were injured in the fighting?

Count Raymond must have noticed the strategy we used to win the battle when all seemed lost.Surely the tournament victors will be offered a place in his great army as they journey to the Holy Land Our victory has not come without costhowever.Am I the cause of this man’s injury?How many other men were injured in the fighting?A large hand clasped his shoulder from behind, causing Rodrigo to turn and look up. His smile returned as he saw the bearded face of the giant Norman staring down at him. Rodrigo shook his head and blinked his eyes. “Am I seeing things, or has the giant from the tower returned to menace me once again?” he asked aloud, eliciting laughter from those about him. “In truth, my head is still aching from the blow by your sword.” He rubbed the top of his head, grimacing. “It took some time before I fully regained my senses.”

The Norman warrior smiled as he looked down at Rodrigo and spoke in a deep voice. “You were extremely lucky today in the tower, my friend. If we were to fight again, I do not think the outcome would be the same.”

“It may have been luck,” Rodrigo said, taking a sip of ale and setting his tankard down. “Or . . . it may have been fate,” he said with a grin. A murmur of laughter and agreement could be heard from those around the table.

“Perhaps it was your fate . . . on this day,” the Norman warrior replied. “Should we face each other again, my friend, then we shall see the final outcome of your fate. Enjoy your evening.” He removed his hand from Rodrigo’s shoulder.

“You as well,” Rodrigo said, raising his tankard in salute as the giant Norman turned and continued walking down the long rows of the feasting hall. The sounds of revelry and drinking were now growing louder in the hall as anticipation grew for an announcement by Count Raymond to recognize and honor the tournament victors.

Above the long rows of tables in the feasting hall was another table on a high platform overlooking the revelry. Count Raymond, Bishop Adhemar, and the other nobles sat at the table, looking down upon the crowded hall. A loud banging echoed through the great hall as two guards near the platform began to beat the ends of their spears on the wooden floorboards to silence the crowd. The sounds of carousal and conversation faded as Count Raymond stood up from the table to speak. Rodrigo lowered his head for a quick and silent prayer. Lord God, I have done all I that can. I leave the rest in your hands.

Lord God, I have done all I that can. I leave the rest in your hands.“We feast tonight in honor of a historic day of combat. Today we held the largest tournament ever seen in these lands. Joining me this evening is a representative of the Pope, Bishop Adhemar of Le Puy, and together we witnessed some of the fiercest and finest combat we have ever seen. I know that all of you came to this tournament, some traveling from distant kingdoms, to fight for the honor of joining my army on our journey to the Holy Land. This most difficult and dangerous quest calls for warriors who are not only the strongest, but the most determined and most dedicated to their faith in God. The risks of this journey are great, but the rewards are far greater. The Pope has promised us that heaven awaits all who take up the sword and embark on this noble quest, not for glory or for gold, but to deliver the Holy Land and the city of Jerusalem back into the hands of Christians from the grasp of the Saracen invaders. Although those attacking the wall were victorious, after witnessing the combat today, I have decided that all of you shall join me as we journey together to retake the Holy Land for God and all of Christendom!”

all of youA raucous cheer went up from the men below, and wine spilled from goblets that were lifted high or tipped over as fists and the pommels of daggers were pounded on the wooden tables. The clamor slowly died away as Count Raymond lifted his hand, preparing to speak again.

“I would ask for a moment of silence to honor four warriors who gave their lives today, as a testament of their will to fight for this holy cause.” Lowering their goblets and weapons, all the men in the hall bowed their heads to honor the slain. Rodrigo’s brow creased as he lowered his head. Four men gave their lives today for merely the chance to join Count Raymond’s army? His thoughts drifted back to scenes of devastation he had witnessed after battles with the Saracens. How many more will be forced to give their lives on this perilous journey? I hope that our leaders will not be so cavalier with the lives of their men as they have been today in this tournament.

Four men gave their lives today for merely the chance to join Count Raymond’s army? How many more will be forced to give their lives on this perilous journey? I hope that our leaders will not be so cavalier with the lives of their men as they have been today in this tournament.The moment passed, and Count Raymond spoke again. “Bishop Adhemar would now like to recognize five knights who stood out amid today’s combat for their strength, skill, and valor. I ask that you stand and come forth as your names are called.” Count Raymond moved aside as Bishop Adhemar stood up and unrolled a scroll, looking out among the crowd.

The announcement was unexpected, and Rodrigo sat in tense silence, nearly holding his breath as the names were read from a list. Such a recognition would bring great honor to my family’s name.

Such a recognition would bring great honor to my family’s name.“Sir Richard of Hastings, Normandy; Sir Jean of Saint-Léger, Aquitaine; Sir William of Montrodón, Lorraine; Sir Geoffrey of Charney, Provence; and Sir Rodrigo of Castile, in the Kingdom of León.” Rodrigo was the last to stand, and he let out a long exhale as the warriors around them began clapping and pounding the tables in recognition of their honor. Rodrigo looked around at the others who now stood in the feasting hall. Among them was the giant Norman warrior, who was standing a few tables away, towering above those around him. So the giant now has a name: Sir Richard of Hastings. “Your deeds in combat today stood out among your fellow warriors,” Adhemar continued as he lowered the scroll. “As part of this recognition, I would like to meet with all of you personally. Please follow my servants. I will meet you in the sanctuary.”

So the giant now has a name: Sir Richard of Hastings.Rodrigo and the others exited the feasting hall and followed the servants down a long stone corridor, the sounds of revelry disappearing behind them. Rodrigo looked at the knights as they walked to see if he recognized any others from the tournament. Three of the men, Sir Geoffrey, Sir William, and Sir Jean, had been with him on the attacking side. All of them had captured flags during the assaults, and Sir Geoffrey had impressively captured two. Sir Geoffrey had also been with him when they had raced from the tents during the final assault.

The only knight from the defending side was Sir Richard. Besides their battle in the tower, Rodrigo recalled another time during the tournament when he had seen Sir Richard, standing at the top of the wall as Rodrigo scaled a ladder during one of the assaults. He had been barking orders to the other defenders and ruthlessly attacking those who reached the top of the wall, sending many back down to the ground below. Undoubtedly, Sir Richard is a strong and fearsome warrior and will be a good man to have on our side.

Undoubtedly, Sir Richard is a strong and fearsome warrior and will be a good man to have on our side.The servants opened a large door at the end of the hall and motioned for the knights to enter. Rodrigo marveled at the grandeur and opulence of the sanctuary, his mouth slightly agape. Beautiful, ornate tapestries and paintings adorned the walls, depicting Christ and various scenes from the Bible. Intricately carved tables, chairs, and other furniture decorated the sanctuary under stained-glass windows. Pillows, rugs, and brightly colored cloth seemed to flow throughout. Light from the candles in the hanging lamps glinted off of silver goblets on tables.

Never before had he seen such a sanctuary. Truly, this is a holy place, he thought. Bishop Adhemar, dressed in a ceremonial white robe, approached the knights, who were now standing in a line facing him in the middle of the sanctuary. A servant stood by his side, holding an ornate wooden box.

Truly, this is a holy place, Adhemar spoke. “Your actions today have earned you the right to be selected for a special mission by His Holiness, Pope Urban II. Only the strongest, bravest, and most righteous will be there at the end, when Jerusalem falls and is once again in Christian hands. Inside the city lies the Temple Mount, a most holy place built by King Solomon himself.” As Adhemar spoke, the tone of his voice changed to one of disgust. “This holy place has been desecrated, stained by the blood of Christians, and converted into a Mosque, called al-Aqsa, by the Saracens. It has been revealed to us by some who have been to this mosque that despite this desecration, several holy Christian relics are still being kept there, safeguarded somewhere within its walls.”

Adhemar studied the faces of the knights with a stern gaze as he continued. “These relics are rumored to be: the Holy Chalice, the cup used by Christ during the last supper; the Ark of the Covenant, which held the Ten Commandments; and the remnants of the True Cross, the cross upon which Christ our Lord was crucified. Your mission, decreed by Pope Urban himself, is to recover and protect these holy relics upon capturing the city and entering this holy site.”

Rodrigo was completely awestruck by the magnitude of the mission for which he had been selected. I had only hoped to be part of the army traveling to the Holy Land, but now I am to be among those tasked with this important and noble mission! This is a great honor! He beamed with pride as he fought to contain his excitement. I pray that I will have the strength and courage to carry this mission through.

I had only hoped to be part of the army traveling to the Holy Land, but now I am to be among those tasked with this important and noble mission! This is a great honor! I pray that I will have the strength and courage to carry this mission through.When Adhemar had finished speaking, the servant opened the lid of the box. Reaching inside, Adhemar withdrew a necklace with a cross made of gold. As he held it up before the knights, the shimmer of the light off the golden cross entranced and captivated all those in the room. “By accepting this cross, you solemnly vow on your knightly honor to return any of the ancient and holy relics recovered from the Temple Mount to its rightful keeper, His Holiness, the Pope. You will also take a vow of secrecy about this mission, telling no one, lest they try to recover the relics for themselves.” Adhemar walked to the first knight in line and stood before him with the necklace held high.

“Do you accept these vows?” he asked.

“Yes,” said the first knight as he stood before Adhemar and bowed his head. Adhemar placed the cross around his neck and moved to the second knight, with the servant by his side. To each he asked the same question, and from each, he secured their vows. Finished, he stepped back to the center of the line and addressed all the knights.

Adhemar spoke with a loud and forceful tone, his arms outstretched. “Go now, and henceforth, you will be known as the Knights of the Crucem Auream, or Golden Cross. This necklace shall be your symbol and will always remind you of your solemn oath and duty to fulfill your vows. May God protect us and watch over us as we journey to the Holy Land to carry out his will.” Adhemar lowered his arms, and his servants walked to the back of the sanctuary and opened the doors as the knights were dismissed.

The five knights turned and walked toward the door, smiling and congratulating each other, each glowing with the honor that had been bestowed upon him. Rodrigo was the last to turn toward the door. Suddenly, his conversation with Marcellinus came floating back to him, and he paused for a moment, looking down at the floor. He felt as if he had awakened from a dream. He turned around and could see Bishop Adhemar standing before him in the sanctuary. Rodrigo felt compelled to ask a question, but found it difficult to speak. He stammered for a brief moment, and then the words came tumbling out.

“Bishop Adhemar . . . I am truly humbled and . . . honored for being chosen from among so many for this extremely important mission, but . . . there is something I want to ask you. It has been troubling me and is something that I wish to know.”

Adhemar motioned for him to come closer as the others exited the sanctuary. His stern gaze softened somewhat as Rodrigo approached. “Yes, my son? What is it that you wish to know?”

“Recently, I met a traveler on my journey from my home in Castile to this tournament. This man said he was living in Jerusalem just three years ago. He is a Christian, and told me that for hundreds of years now, since the fall of the city, all the people of different faiths, Christians, Jews, and Saracens, have been living in peace inside the holy city. He said that the stories of recent atrocities against Christians within the city are false, that the only killings being committed by the Saracens at this time are against each other as they vie for power in the Holy Land. I must know: is there any truth to his words?”

“What is your name, my son?” Adhemar asked, looking into Rodrigo’s eyes with a sympathetic smile.

“I am Sir Rodrigo.”

“Sir Rodrigo, this traveler with whom you spoke . . .” Adhemar placed a hand on Rodrigo’s shoulder.

“His name was Marcellinus.”

“Yes, this Marcellinus . . . it is obvious that he seeks to deceive you with these falsehoods. Terrible atrocities are being committed every day by the Saracen invaders against innocent Christians in the Holy Land. As a Christian army, it is our duty to protect them and free them from their oppression.” Adhemar spoke with a calm assurance, as a father to his son, with his hand upon Rodrigo’s shoulder as he looked him directly in the eyes.

Rodrigo silently nodded and broke Adhemar’s gaze, looking down at the floor as he thought. The Pope’s words are true, then. But what reason would Marcellinus have for wanting to deceive me? If he were a deceitful person, why would he have gone through the trouble of aiding me, thus allowing me to attend the tournament? Deep inside, he felt unsatisfied with Adhemar’s answer, and he could not let it go.

The Pope’s words are true, then. But what reason would Marcellinus have for wanting to deceive me? If he were a deceitful person, why would he have gone through the trouble of aiding me, thus allowing me to attend the tournament?Rodrigo raised his head again to look at Adhemar as he spoke. “Bishop Adhemar, it is because of this man that I am here and was able to take part in this tournament. I do not understand what reason he would have for trying to deceive me.”

Adhemar’s hand fell from Rodrigo’s shoulder as the sympathetic smile slipped from his face to reveal a frown of displeasure. Rodrigo suddenly felt like he was shrinking under Adhemar’s withering gaze, while Adhemar seemed to grow larger until his very presence filled the sanctuary.

“Do you think I am lying, then?” Adhemar asked sternly. “Do you believe that the Pope has lied to you and all of Europe?” His booming voice echoed through the sanctuary. Rodrigo stood in stunned silence, unsure of what to make of the bishop’s sudden and intimidating transformation.

IAdhemar stared at Rodrigo with cold, hard eyes. “Sir Rodrigo, perhaps you are not the man that I and Count Raymond believed you to be. Perhaps you are not meant for this mission, or for the journey to the Holy Land, if you have lost your faith in the Pope and the holy Catholic Church!”

Rodrigo quickly bowed his head and fell to one knee. “No, Your Excellency. I did not mean . . . to accuse you or the Holy Father of lying. Please believe me . . . I humbly beg your forgiveness.” He covered his face with his hand as he knelt, feeling embarrassed and foolish. Will the honor of this important mission now be taken from me simply because of my questions?

Will the honor of this important mission now be taken from me simply because of my questions?There was silence for a moment, and then Rodrigo felt Adhemar’s hand upon his head. “Rise, my son,” Adhemar said in a calm voice.

Rodrigo slowly stood up, but kept his eyes lowered, refusing to look up.

“You are forgiven. Understand that there will be many men who will seek to deceive you on your journey, and your faith will surely be tested. Just put your trust in the Pope and the holy Catholic Church, my son, and all will be well. Go now and fulfill your mission with duty and honor.”

Rodrigo turned and silently left the sanctuary, closing the doors behind him. In the stone hallway he could hear the sounds of drinking and revelry from the great hall, but he had lost his appetite for celebration. Instead of returning to the great hall, he continued down the hallway. He soon found his way outside and sat down on the stone steps outside the building, alone in the cool night air, thinking about what had just happened.

Though he was relieved to still be part of the mission to recover the holy relics, the feeling he had had when the golden cross was placed around his neck was gone, and he was left with a feeling of disquiet as he stared at the castle walls. Why the sudden change in Adhemar’s demeanor in response to a question? Apparently, even simple questions will not be tolerated.

Why the sudden change in Adhemar’s demeanor in response to a question?Apparently, even simple questions will not be tolerated.A cold gust of wind blew from the south, chilling his skin. It seems that I will find no answers here. I am on my own if I wish to find the truth. Rodrigo looked down at the golden cross that hung about his neck and held it in the palm of his hand. Bishop Adhemar may be a difficult man to deal with, but for now, the importance of the mission for which we were chosen must come before all else. Such difficulties must be endured, he thought as he let the cross fall back against his chest.

It seems that I will find no answers here. I am on my own if I wish to find the truth.Bishop Adhemar may be a difficult man to deal withbut for now, the importance of the mission for which we were chosen must come before all else. Such difficulties must be endured, The door to the building creaked open. “There you are!” It was Sir Jean and Sir Geoffrey, two of the knights who had been with him at the ceremony. “We began celebrating after meeting with Bishop Adhemar, but we noticed that someone was missing. Adhemar’s servants said you had left the sanctuary, but you did not return to the feasting hall. What are you doing out here alone? You should be inside, celebrating with all of us!” said Geoffrey, enthusiastically raising a tankard of ale into the air.

Rodrigo looked up at Geoffrey and thought for a moment. “You are right,” he admitted. “We have a long and difficult journey before us, and we should feast and celebrate while we can. Who knows what tomorrow will hold?” Rising from the steps, Rodrigo, Jean, and Geoffrey left the cold and returned to the warmth and comfort of the feasting hall to celebrate the honor they had received and the beginning of the journey that lay ahead.