Assassin of the cross

Assassin of the Cross-3

Holy War Declared

ENGLAND, JULY 1189 A.D.

“Jerusalem has fallen!” A Town Crier stands in the town square raised above the crowd; The sky is filled with dark clouds. The Town Crier shouts as he continues reading from his parchment. “King Richard heads to the Holy Land to reclaim it. All of England's sons are asked for help.”

A peasant looks to his wife. “How could this happen? God protects Jerusalem.”

“I don't know. Now the Saracens have the Grail,” The peasant woman says.

Robin is walking through the village to enter Nottingham Castle. He has long brown curled hair flowing to his shoulders. He has a date with a lovely lady. Robin has such a relaxed attitude his girlfriend often remarks he has a jovial tone to his voice. It's always the nice ones you don't want to piss off. He wears rather nice blue clothes over his lithe frame. Robin is just passing by to go meet her until he overhears the local peasant's conversation. He must know what they are talking about. “The Grail?”

“Yes. There is a rumor it resides in Jerusalem. Possibly in one of the towers,” The peasant woman responds.

Robin heads to the local church immediately. Robin walks inside the church to meet his local Friar. The church is large, made of stone. There are many stained-glass windows within the church. Robin meets with the Friar in between the dark wooden pews.

“Friar. I must look at one of your stained-glass windows.”

“Which one?” the Friar asks.

“Sir Galahad and the quest for the Grail.”

The Friar takes Robin to the stained-glass window. The Friar stands next to the window

gesturing towards it.

“This is one of our oldest windows.”

Robin kneels gazing upon the window. Robin looks upon a knight holding a chalice.

The Knight is offering it to an angel.

“And so, Sir Galahad, having obtained the Grail took it to Jerusalem where he ruled until he ascended to Heaven,” The friar says.

“Is that what the Grail looks like?” Robin asks the friar.

The friar looks at Robin. “That is what the artist thought it looks like. If you wish to look upon the Grail you must go to Jerusalem to look inside yourself. “

Robin makes the sign of the cross, he leaves the friar. Robin runs into a forest. He arrives at a combat practice area in the woods by a river. He pulls an arrow out of a quiver. He shoots the first arrow into a painted target on a tree. He hits the outer ring, then after that, he hits the second ring, he hits the first ring, finally, he hits the bullseye. He walks to a stump with a sword embedded in it. Robin looks as if he is staring back in time.

***

* * * *

ROBIN IS IN THE CASTLE study, quarreling again with his father, Robert Hode. There is a red rug on the floor, a desk, a chair facing towards a wall. Robert stands in front of the fireplace. He has a long brown beard with bushy eyes. He is a rather bulky man wearing his usual red robe.

Robert Hode points at Robin. “You are going to stop seeing that girl. I order you to.”

“You can't order me, Robert. You are not the king!”

Robert Hode's face grows red with fury. “I am your father; I served the last king. You are a spoiled brat who does not know what it means to serve your king.”

Robin storms out. This was not the first time he had fought with his father over the woman he loved, but it would be their last. Robert Hode sits down in his armchair. He falls asleep as the fire burns. Robin creeps back in, His Father's sword is resting against his father's favorite chair. Silently, Robin tiptoes towards his snoring father; his heart skips a beat every time there is a slight creak on the floor. He extends his arm, slowly, He grasps his father's sword. The fire pops, starting to crackle. Robin leaps back a bit as his father's sleep is slightly disrupted. Robert snorts, grunts, then nods off. Robin takes his father's sword. Exiting the room, Robin dances his way out of the castle. Once outside, Robin sprints to the forest travelling far into the green, he slows himself to a stop as he arrives at a stump by the river. The crashing of wetness echoes through the trees.

Robin slides the sword from its scabbard. “I will serve the king one-day father, but until that day I am taking your best sword, I'm keeping it safe in a stump. I hate you father.”

Robin thrusts the sword into the stump. The resistance of the wood reverberates through his arms. He leaves the sword embedded there to go see her in secret. He will spend his time with her in secret until he can eventually marry her.

***