Authors: Christopher Dinsdale
Early the next day, Prince Henry insisted on getting down to business. He divided the knights into three parties, and they were sent out with Oneida guides in order to find an appropriate resting site for the Ark and its treasures. After three frustrating days of searching, a perfect location was finally discovered; a small cave a short distance to the north of the village and hidden in the base of a gentle valley. When Connor arrived at the cave, he couldn't help but smile.
“Look at the hills above the cave,” said Connor.
Angus shrugged. “What of them?”
“Don't they look remarkably like the graceful curves of a reclining woman?”
Angus' eyes widened. “Aye! I see it now.”
“I think that Mary Magdalene herself is going to help watch over the Ark for her image is burned into those hills.”
“Then it is the perfect place,” agreed Angus.
For two weeks, both nations pitched in to build a chamber that would protect the relics from future dampness and weather. The knights then carefully transported the Ark of the Covenant and the other precious items into the cave. Prince Henry led a moving ceremony in which he related the significance of each relic as well as the losses that had led them in their journey to their Oneida friends.
Prince Henry turned and faced the Oneida people. “We thank the entire Oneida nation for your contribution to the security of our treasure. Your generosity will never be forgotten.”
Chief Sakokeaeh stepped forward with his warriors. The elderly leader held up an intricate woven belt decorated with tiny purple and white seashells. The design on the belt had two parallel lines of purple crossing a sea of white. A
small purple Sinclair cross floated between the two lines.
“This wampum belt,” explained Chief Sakokeaeh, as Na'gu'set translated, “is the treaty that we have sealed with you, our Templar brothers. We give it to you to take with you to the other side of the Great Water. Only when this belt is returned, either by you or your descendants, will the Oneida people allow the Ark and its treasures to be disturbed.”
“Thank you, my friend,” said Prince Henry, taking the belt. “It is with a sad heart that I announce that we must leave your land. The early autumn storms will soon be upon us, and if we do not depart now, we will need to winter once again in these lands. Back home, my people are at war, and I'm afraid that another winter in this beautiful land cannot be an option. We must return to Scotland as soon as possible.”
“But Prince Henry,” interjected Whipper, “what about the Ark? Can we simply leave them sitting here in an open cave?”
“Aye, that is a problem,” agreed the prince. “We don't have time to properly conceal the mouth of the cave. It will take months, if not years, to ensure that the entrance to the cave is undetectable.”
“Someone will have to stay behind,” suggested Connor.
Prince Henry frowned. “I do not want to order men to remain with the Ark. This is a commitment that must be taken on freely. It is an act that is not only holy in nature but critical to future of the Templar Order. Chief Sakokeaeh has already agreed to allow those who choose to stay to hold honorary status within the Oneida nation. I will send a ship in a year's time to return to this land and bring anyone who stays home to Scotland.”
Connor stepped forward. “I volunteer. It will be a great honour to stay and finish the project.”
“I'll stay as well,” said Angus, moving to Connor's side. “I like the idea of remaining close to my father's grave for another year.”
Prince Henry smiled warmly at the young men. “Thank you, lads. I can't sacrifice more than four men. We'll need the remaining men to sail the two ships home. Are there any others willing to stay?”
Two older knights without family also volunteered. Finally, Na'gu'set stepped through the crowd and joined the other four. “I will also stay here with my friends.”
Prince Henry looked upon the selfless group and blessed them for their effort. As the Templars prepared to depart, Prince Henry approached Chief Sakokeaeh with Na'gu'set. “Thank you for your kindness and your friendship,” he said.
Chief Sakokeaeh smiled. “I hope our paths cross again in the near future.”
“As do I,” agreed Prince Henry. “You explained to me how a great leader named Dekanawidah had brought peace, civil authority and the Great Law to the surrounding Iroquois nations. You don't know how much I admire and envy your people. I can only hope that some day the people in my own land will become as enlightened as yours.”
Chief Sakokeaeh nodded. Two women approached the men and left a large basket of maize and vegetables at Prince Henry's feet. “Take this food with you. It will keep you and your people healthy during your long trip over the Great Water.”
“Thank you, my friend.”
“Go in peace.”
Surprised by a soft hand on his shoulder, Connor turned to find Princess Sarah standing next to him. Even in her dishevelled state, Connor still found her beautiful. His heart pounded as her smile lit up the afternoon sky.
“Are you sure you want to stay?” she asked. “This place is so far away from home.”
Connor smiled. “I owe your brother everything. If he says he needs a volunteer for a task, I will always be the first in line.”
She looked at her brother as he conversed with the chief. “I think after your bravery on Oak Island, you can consider your debt to him paid in full.”
“Actually, it's more than just that. I have been given the task of protecting the Ark of the Covenant! What God-fearing knight would not give his life for such an honour?”
“What about me?” she asked plainly. “I no longer have a knight to look over me. I was hoping that you might be interested in being my personal guardian.”
Connor blushed. “Never have I been more honoured in a request, my princess. But I don't think you will need a guardian for much longer. Upon your return to Scotland, your life will change forever. You are destined to be married to a powerful prince or clan leader. Your offspring will expand the Sinclair name, and the Magdalene bloodline will continue. I can feel that your adventure is only just beginning. Go home, princess. Find a good husband. Have a family. Tell your children about our time in this new land so that your brother's accomplishments will never be forgotten!”
Solemnly she leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the cheek. “Thank you, Connor. Thank you for saving my
brother. You are a very perfect gentle knight.”
With a final farewell, Prince Henry, Princess Sarah and the other knights followed a band of Oneida warriors south towards the great river. Angus sauntered up between Na'gu'set and Connor and put his arms around them both as they stood watching the departing group.
“At this time of year, it will be a long and dangerous voyage back to your land of Scotland,” predicted Na'gu'set. “The autumn storms will soon be upon them.”
“I don't know about you, but I have a strange feeling that I might never see them again,” said Angus, as the procession disappeared into the distant forest.
Connor looked at his friends and smiled. “Whether we see them again or not . . . I do know this. You two are my family now. With the three of us together, and the Ark of the Covenant to care for and protect, I feel that my home is already here.”
It was a long and perilous journey for the two Scottish ships as they plied the waters south of Greenland. A pair of autumn storms ripped across the angry ocean, creating monstrous waves that battered the vessels and crew into a deep icy coffin. After four grueling weeks, the weather finally calmed enough for the sodden crews to make repairs to the ships. Luckily they had been blown eastward, and after a few more days of sailing under fair skies, they cheered with jubilation as the familiar silhouette of the Orkney Islands emerged on the edge of the horizon.
The euphoria of surviving their journey home, however, was short-lived. As the two vessels plied their way through the channel towards Kirkwall and the Sinclair sea fortress, Prince Henry sounded the alarm. The men on both ships quickly ran to their stations. Ahead, in the darkened waters of the sea fortress's harbour was the prince's worst nightmare. Four large British warships were using their new cannons to blast at the foundations of the Sinclair sea fortress. Columns of English troops could be seen attacking the castle's main gate. His fleet of ships billowed dark clouds of smoke into the air as their torched hulls burned furiously along the shoreline. Prince Henry cursed the sea gods as he realized that he had arrived home a week too late.
He commanded the two returning ships to be lashed together. He then leapt from his ship to the vessel attached to his rail. Antonio, the captain of the second ship, left the rudder and joined Prince Henry at the bow. Together they stared at the nightmarish scene.
“The English are laying a full siege on Kirkwall,” said Prince Henry, grimly. “Douglas was a fool. He double-crossed me, and the English double-crossed him.”
Antonio shook his head in frustration. “And there is no chance our two vessels will make any difference in the battle. We do not have the ammunition to match their numerous cannons, and after a month at sea, the men are weak with hunger. What should we do?”
Prince Henry pointed to one of the warships raising its sails.
“It appears that we've been spotted.”
Antonio grimaced at the sight. “How kind of them to send us a welcoming party.”
“Your boat is the faster of the two. I want you to take your crew and Princess Sarah back to Italy.”
Antonio stared at him, shocked. “You can't be serious.”
“I'm deadly serious, my friend. It's obvious that the English are determined to bring an end to my island rule. By the size of that warship leaving the harbour, I'm not sure if we can avoid being captured if we stay together. Whether or not I alone am captured is irrelevant. The Order must survive. It is of the utmost importance that my sister not be captured by the British. I need you to take her to Italy and keep her safe. If I can somehow manage to turn the situation around in Scotland, then I will send for Sarah next spring and bring her back home.”
Antonio lowered his voice. “Everyone knows of my connection to you. And the English are a persistent lot. They may even come to Italy in search of the princess. A couple of gold pieces placed in the proper hands of the Venetian council could lead the English right to my family home.”
Prince Henry stared gravely at his friend. “What do you suggest?”
Antonio thought for a moment. “Although I would be honoured to host the princess in Venice, I feel it is far too dangerous for her to stay with the Zeno family. But I do have other friends that are safely beyond the reach of the Venetian Council, people with whom I would trust my life. Sarah will be safe with them. When you come for her, avoid Venice and instead sail to Toscana. From there, travel to the city of Florence. I will have her reside with my good friends in the nearby village of Vinci. They have supported the Templar Order in the past and would be honoured to give your sister a place of residence. Their wealth and power will ensure the safety of both your secrets and your sister.”
Prince Henry scanned the deck. “I'm glad that Sarah is below in her quarters. We don't have time for goodbyes and, to be honest, my friend, I don't know if I could even find the words.”
Antonio nodded. “I understand.”
Prince Henry embraced his friend. “Thank you, Antonio, for everything.”
“No, thank you, Henry. This has been the adventure of a lifetime.”
Prince Henry jumped back across to his ship and cut the two vessels free. He watched wistfully as Antonio veered his ship southwest on a course that would take him toward the
safe haven of Ireland. The prince focused his attention on the approaching warship but glanced back when he heard his name being called.
Sarah was at the rear rail of the ship, her dress and golden hair billowing in the salty breeze, her arms stretching out to him. Prince Henry had to momentarily close his eyes as her pleas and cries of anguish faded into the rhythmic crashing of the swells. Antonio was there by her side, his arms wrapped around her waist, struggling to keep her from throwing herself into the sea.
It took determined strength to turn away from her, but he knew his ship was the only weapon he had at his disposal to ensure his sister's safety. Already, the menacing English ship was under full sail, leaving the harbour and plowing through the ocean with the lust of a hound on the hunt. He would sail his ship between the English warship and Antonio. It was a move that would most likely end in his capture and eventual death, but it would ensure that his sister would find safety beyond the horizon. The final battle was about to begin.
“Let's teach those English bloodsuckers a thing or two about sailing!” he cried to his men. “New heading! South by southeast! Load the remaining gunpowder into the aft cannon. Let's show them what our small ship can do. Let's set sail for Roslin!”
Present Day
The boy ignored the soda sloshing out of his half-f can of Coke. He darted between the gas pumps, underneath an eighteen-wheeler and almost knocked over a woman carrying a bag of Doritos and the Sunday paper. Ignoring her angry outburst, the boy tore around the corner of the massive truck stop and burst into his grandfather's office.
“I can see it! The helicopter! He's here!”
The grandfather smiled at his excited grandson then calmly glanced down to his watch. 2:48 p.m. Right on time. He turned in his chair, turned off the laptop and reached for his cowboy hat. The hat always hung behind him on the antlers of the first buck he had killed while hunting with his father in Wisconsin.
“Well, Eric,” he huffed, standing up and donning the cowboy hat, “the president said he would be here at 2:50 p.m. I guess he runs a tight schedule.”