Europe Revived: 2668 A.D.

[The Isles of Xeraph]

..A tavern in a village, Cyprus..


"The hell you say! Them damned Greques got no friggin' right to our lands!" Gerlak slammed his mug on the stained oaken table, sloshing yet more beer onto the already wet wood.
Waving a hand, Hirb the blacksmith said, "Calm down, man! You want them guards to hear you?"

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
..A farmstead on the island of Tosi, off the coast of Malta..

"Mama, who are those men up on the ridge?" Leandra looked up from her washing and saw with alarm three mounted soldiers watching her and Deirdre, her daughter. "Come daughter. Into the house with you." She grabbed hand of the little girl just as the soldiers started to slowly come down the hill towards them. Closing the door and throwing a bolt across it, Leandra grabbed the ancient blunderbuss from over the hearth and breathed a prayer of thanks that she listened to her grand dad and kept the old gun in working order.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
..Town of Bethany, south of Jerusalem..

The king's guard rode smartly down the wide avenue in Bethany while behind them came Jhocannan, chief adviser to King Judah ben Abba. Richly garbed, he showed the new-found wealth and authority of the Kingdom of Israel to full effect. He was not arrogant, nor abusive to his servants, but rather appearing to be a servant of all. Halting before the home of the merchant, Aristedes, he dismounted his steed and walked through the open door of the home without knocking. The king's guard set themselves to protecting the perimeter of the building. No one would be entering this house uninvited for at least two hours.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Knossos, Crete

Teii, ruler of the outlying areas of Knossos, sat watching his troops assault the gates of the city. It had been just over a week that the siege had begun, and now his armies were on the verge of entering the doomed city. He had ordered that no prisoners be taken. All within the walls would perish, men, women, children. Only the animals would be spared. After all, armies had to eat.....

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
..The village tavern, Cyprus..

Ricard de Veurey listened to the man talk, more quietly now, about the chaos that ravaged Cyprus. He wasn't really hearing anything new, but was gauging the expressions of the men seated around the table. Many nods of agreement as opposed to just one or two negative shakes of the head. Most were for something being done, but as in many things spoken about, few volunteered to actually DO anything. It was then that Ricar's ideas and visions of a better future solidified within him. He spoke.
"Men, I have heard and I am ready and prepared to loosen the grip of the Greques, Tirks, and various warlords and bandits from our fair island. I have a plan, and I have support. I need good men. Are you with me?"





___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[The Isles of Xeraph]

..The village tavern, Mallia, Cyprus..


The troops that Ricard de Veurey raised were few in number, but well-trained and single-minded in their purpose. They had assembled at the tavern which immediately drew the attention of the guards in town. The sergeant of the guards, one Philippos, barked, "What goes on there, you men! You know it is against the law to assemble and to carry weapons, yet here you are doing both. Disband now, or we'll be forced....."

Ricard laughed. "You'll be forced to do what, sergeant? You assholes couldn't fight your way out of a whorehouse! Lay aside your orders and join us. You'll eat better, and receive better pay."

Philippos squinted. "And who be ye, sir? Some brigand, no doubt."

"I am Ricard de Veurey, late of the continent north-west of this island. Why I'm here doesn't matter, but now that I am, I'm looking to put things to right on this here island of Cyprus!"

"Oh, you do, do you? What do you suppose will happen when the lord Histos hears of this band of brigands?"

De Veurey laughed again and gestured to some of his men behind him. They came forward dragging a beaten and bloodied man between them. "You mean this lord Histos?" De Veurey jammed a boot under the prostrate form and flipped it over. Sure enough, the lord of the village lay there, bleeding from from several cuts and scrapes. His face had swollen to almost twice it's size and was black and blue.

"Well, I'll be damned! How'd you boys get hold of him?" Sergeant Philippos glared at the man lying in the dust.

Ricard poked a finger behind him. "Those are his men-at-arms, sergeant. They figured it would be better to join us than to die protecting this scum." He gave the former lord a kick in the ribs and the man moaned.

Philippos asked, "Well, what do you aim to do by taking over this village? You 'aint gonna get very far with the meager stuff this place can give you, eh?"

"No, but there's a bunch of other villages and towns around here, sergeant. What little they can provide us will make us bigger and stronger until we get to Paphos and Limassol."

The sergeant's eyes got big. "Paphos? Limassol? Why, them places are cities! You gonna take them from the lords there?"

Ricard spread his arms. "All will come under my banner, sergeant. One village, one town, one city at a time. Now, you coming, or are you being buried here today?"

[Tarlag]

ISLE OF MAN, OUTSIDE OF PEEL CASTLE



Lord Captain Bristol Cummings rode in the back of a plain black carriage With Bishop Roger O'Toole. Both men had just been rowed over from the Bermuda Packet boat which had just made harbor. The Bishop an overweight man in His forties spoke to His Companion. "Most irregular this, being recalled just as our work in cleansing Bermuda from the mutant scum is completed we are brought back to here of all places. Why not the Capital. Scotland is much more agreeable then this place."

Cummings responded as He looked at the ancient outer walls of Peel Castle. "You are just exchanging one cold damp place for another. I do have to agree that it is out of place for the Regent to want to meet with us here. Man is a bit out of the way." Looking on top of the wall the Captain noticed something. "I thought the Church Militant posted troops here. Those are Black Watch on the walls. More are manning the front gate."

The Bishop parted the curtains and looked out. "We maintain an archive here along with manning the Castle. Why are those Black Watch bastards here they have no right."

The Carriage stopped at the gate, two Black Watch troopers in regimental colors and kilts opened the door and bid the two men out. Bishop O'Toole was the first to speak. "Where is the Guard Captain? This is a house of the Church Militant protected by the Cardinal Rowcroft Royal Regent. The Black Watch have no rights here."

The bearded Sergent gave a slight smile then responded. "The local church boys took a bit of a walk, so we just moved in for a while while they were gone. As for the Regent I best bee taken you to the main hall where His unfortunate demise can be explained."

[The Isles of Xeraph]

..On the road to Para Platres, Cyprus..


Four hundred twelve soldiers of the newly formed Army of Free Cyprus marched toward the town of Platres. It was determined that this town would be the next to fall to the liberators. It was larger than Mallia, but poorly defended. The local warlord that ruled it was a drunkard, a mean-spirited abuser of the people he sought to rule. Already a large number of the residents of Platres, having heard about the freeing of Mallia, flocked to the banners of Ricard de Veurey.

Far ahead of the main body of the AFC, Ricard de Veurey and his top aides sat in the shade atop the ridge that overlooked the town. It was a sprawling, unwalled town, with no particular center to it. Merchants and their wares were spread out all over the town, interspersed with small plots of vegetables and cattle-pens. None of the roads were paved with cobbles which made them nothing more than muddy paths with the ruts of oxen-pulled carts.

"Not much to look at, eh Ricard?" The new general of the AFC, Gregor Larnas, sat gazing at the scene below him.

"No, that's for sure, General. But it lies at a strategic cross-road that will take us to other villages and towns. Platres has to fall to us before we can get through the passes and ravines to Nikolaos, Trodos, Pedoulas, and Alona. Once this has been consolidated we must strike southward to Koloni where we can then strike Paphos. With that port city we can we will eventually come into control of the entire south and west of Cyprus."

"Do you have a rough schedule for this to happen?"

"All things considered, General, we should be in Paphos in less than seventy days."

Gregor looked surprised. "Quite ambitious, sir. Do you not expect any resistance at all? Paphos isn't a village. It's a walled, fortified city, well-protected by trained militias."

"Leave that to me, General. I've got a couple of aces up my sleeve. They won't be a problem."

[The Crusader Kingdoms]

..Timisora, in the Templar Lands..

"And so you see, my students, that the history of our lands and of greater Europa has been dotted with bloodshed and misery for the past 2600 years. Nearly 600 years ago, the system known as the European Union collapsed under the combined weight of financial corruption, misplaced tolerance, an the invasion of foreign cultures. Wars erupted everywhere, from the Atlantic coasts, across the Mediterranean to Greqe, and on through the Balkan lands to the Middle East. The territories of northern Europa, the Scandinav lands, and points east. Warsaw, Kiev, and even Mosc fell under the onslaught of barbarian hordes and if it wasn't for the cleansing effects of nuclear fusion we in our lands would still be under the heel of religious fanatics."

"But sir, didn't the atomic reactionary forces cause the death of over one hundred million people in Europa? Some of our rivers, streams, and lakes are still considered radioactive."

The teacher glared at the student. "You have obviously been listening to the false reports of the rebels. Rest assured that these freaks will soon be eradicated from our lands."

A knock at the door drew their attention away from the teacher and through it came a tall man garbed in the uniform of the Templar Knights. All stood and bowed at the entrance of this man, the Prince of the Templar Lands, Godfrey de Bourbon. "Carry on, professor. I would like to observe for a few minutes."

"Of course, my lord. Now, class, listen. Yes, it is true that the atomic devastation killed many, but now we have a more sustainable society. Everyone is equal, there is food and shelter for all, and we are well protected by the Forces of Light. I'm sure our Prince could assure us that we are the first truly free and safe civilization the world has ever known."

Prince Godfrey gave a short bow and said, "Yes, we are safe and secure, though there was once an even greater nation that enjoyed such security many centuries ago far across our lands and across the great ocean. It now lies in ruin, destroyed from within by forces similar to those which ravaged Europa." Turning to the students, he said, "Listen to your teachers, children, for they have the knowledge of times past that will enable you to grow in the freedom of Templar ways. May the Lord bless and keep you all."

The teacher stood and bowed as the Prince left the room. He made his way down the hallway of the building that was being restored as a center of learning in his lands. This territory had been carved out of the howling wilderness of barbarism that existed since the fall of civilization some 600 years earlier. The former countries of Hungary, Slovakia, and parts of Austria, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and Romania. The eastern borders of the Templar Lands were now just 300 kilometers from the Mer Noir. Prince Godfrey had decided that the next expansion of his lands would include the cities of Odessa and Constantina. Then he would set his sights on the greatest prize of all........Constantinople. Though it largely lay in ruin, he would rebuild the metropolis in order to make it the center of the world.....

[Tarlag]

THE ISLE OF MAN PEEL CASTLE


The two men were escorted into the great hall by the two members of the Black Watch. As they walked in the sole occupant of the room was seen leaning over a map table. A young woman of twenty two summers looked up from the maps spread over a table and motioned the two men to come closer. Both men recognized the dark haired woman as Crown Princess Sofia Stuart who on reaching the age of twenty six would take Her late Father's throne.

"Please come in, We have much to discuss."

The Bishop"s face was turning red at the sight of Princess Sofia. "Your Highness, I was under the impression that the Regent had ordered you to remain in Edinburgh. Traveling out side of the cities was has been deemed too dangerous by Cardinal Rowcroft. Speaking of His Holiness, what were those Black Watch fool saying about His death. The Man was healthier then a horse."

"Bishop O'Toole, Lord Captain Cummings I want to thank you for coming all this way. As for the Late Cardinal Rowcroft He had contracted a spontaneous case of lead poisoning. He was as healthy as a horse and as horny as a goat. He had announced that He would marry me and maintain His control over the throne. Purely in the interests of the People you understand. He would bed me and produce Sons and Daughters to serve the Church Militant."

"The Orange Catholic Bible says that the union of Church and State makes both stronger. His Holiness would of made you a fine husband. He was a inspired leader who your Father and Mother loved." Replied O'Toole.

Sofia looked to the men. "Captain Cummings, How did my parents die?"

"I saw it myself My Lady, From the deck of the old Intrepid. We had tracked down the last nest of the Irish Heathens in a Dun located on a island of the west coast of Ireland. Your parents lead the attack together against those Godless bastards. The fighting was heavy and just as it seemed that the fight was over the last of those bastards blew them selves up instead of being captured. Both your parents died in the explosion. I lost a good friend that day, I loved you Father like a Brother."

"What if I told you that the Church Militant arranged to have that Dun explode in order to take over the crown. That Cardinal Rowcroft and the Council of Bishops plotted to have them killed to give themselves power over the government and enrich their all ready overflowing pockets."

[Tarlag]

ISLE OF MAN PEEL CASTLE


The Bishop was taken back by Sofia's last statement. "An unfounded charge Princess, I am on the Council and no such plan was ever considered let alone executed. You have no proof of the Church's involvement in this so called plot." With that statement O'Toole turned to walk out. Before He could leave the two Black Watch members blocked the door. "I be thinking you need to be hearing this your grace."

Sofia reached under the pile of maps and produced a file. Placing it in front of Cummings She opened it. "It's all here, the payment to Nate Longfellow for services rendered. The discovery of 100 pounds of C-4 by said Nate Longfellow who delivered it to a lonely Dun on an unnamed rock of an island off the Irish coast. All payments made out of the Cardinal's personal accounts."

Cummings looked at the evidence for a moment. "This could of been faked by the Church's enemies, I could draw up paperwork saying that my mother was a mutant dog if I spread enough silver around."

"True Captain, I also have a confession from Longfellow. He told of how Rowcroft placed two dozen members of the Church Militant dressed as Irish Heathens on the Island with the explosives. I also have the statement of a fishing boat captain who took those men to the island."

"Have you released this information?"

The Princess nodded. "The House of Lords and local parish priests have gotten copies. The Bishops involved have been arrested and confessions sweated out of them. There is only one last matter to attend to and that is where Bishop O'Toole comes in."

Perspiration poured off of then Bishop. "I had nothing to do with this I have been cleansing our lands of the unclean since before you were born. You must believe me!"

Sofia walked over to the man, putting Her arms around Him She said. "To make it official you are going to crown me Queen of the Scotland and the Isles this very day. Then you will resign your post and go with Captain Cummings on the mission I am sending Him on as His spiritual adviser. You will then disappear, of your own accord or Captain Cummings makes not matter. Do you understand Boyo."

Bowing His head He responded. "Of course your Ladyship."

[The Isles of Xeraph]

..On a beach outside the town of Peyla, Cyprus..


"Crucify him and hang the rest." Siddiq al-Eben listened to both the man screaming his innocence and the pounding of the surf. He'd always been soothed by that sound but was highly annoyed that the man was disturbing his pleasure. "Cut out his tongue first," he ordered. He ambled over to a small table and sat down to what he hoped would be a fine meal of crab, oyster, and perch. He could smell the rich aromas as they cooked on the open camp-fire and cast an appreciative eye on the shapely scullery maid doing the cooking.

He glanced over at the proceedings a hundred feet away and saw that the man had blood pouring from his mouth as he made horrible grunting noises. Blood dripped as well where the rusty spikes pierced his wrists and feet when they'd been nailed to the coarse wooden cross. Just to the left of him were his two young sons dangling from the limb of a large fir tree, a rope around their necks, swaying in the soft breeze off the Mediterranean Sea.

Siddiq was a large man, even by the standards of his tribe where all of the warriors were well over six feet in height. Burly, with a great belly, he was covered in coarse black hair, his face all but obliterated by an immense beard that ran from just below his eyes to his broad chest. Nearly seven feet tall, he had earned the nickname "Ursus", the bear. He watched as the cook brought him a big platter of delicacies fresh from the sea, and before she could leave, he grabbed her around the waist and hauled her onto his knee. "After dinner, eh? Now go, my lovely. Come back in an hour or so." She giggled outwardly, her eyes hiding the horror she felt at the thought of being with this animal.

Siddiq thought of the rumors he'd been hearing of a new band of rogues to the east who had captured some villages. "Let the swine come here," he thought. That'd be the end of that.

"Beg pardon, sir. A word?" Siddiq looked over at his lieutenant. "Thought I told you not to disturb me. This better be good." He slammed his poniard down on the table to make the point.

"Yessir, sorry sir. We found this over yonder, behind one of the dunes." This trembling man placed a worn, sand-encrusted sandal on the table. Siddiq said, "So, a sandal? There is some significance to this?"

"Yessir, for it was not there just two hours earlier, when we made our rounds. Someone's been here, snooping."

Siddiq popped a morsel of crab into his mouth and examined the object. "Hmm, yes, of the fashion of the Greqes. Filthy dogs. Fan out and find him. He must have left some tracks."

He glanced up at the man and wondered at the odd expression on his face. There was something wrong with his left eye, and as Siddiq got up to get a closer look, he saw that the tip of an arrow was protruding from the eye. Drawing his sword, he bellowed, "To me! To me! We are besieged!"

No one came running. Aside from the crashing of the surf, some chittering of the seagulls, there was silence. He turned quickly and saw a tall man standing by his table, a piece of his perch in his hand, chewing slowly, a grin on his face.

"No one's coming, you son-of-a-pig. They chose to join me instead of dying. I killed them anyway, filthy Arab dogs that they were."

Siddiq had experienced fear only once or twice in his life. Here was another one, sweat beginning to form on his brow. "Who are you, dog? You come here and disturb the peace of the man who has brought order to this area? You're going to die for your impertinence!"

From behind him, he heard, "Drop your weapons, scum. Now!" He slowly turned to see a dozen well-armed men in chainmail and leather. He spat. "Fucking Templars! I thought I had driven you dogs from this island!"

"You thought wrong, pig. Now kneel!"

Siddiq knew his life was over, so he quietly obeyed. No sense going into Paradise without a head. In an instant, he felt a sharp blow and fell unconscious into the sand.

Ricard de Veurey said, "Bring him to the camp. Then come back and finish this meal. There's enough for everyone."

[The Crusader Kingdoms]

..Timisora, the Templar Lands..


Prince Godfrey stood looking at an old map of the Middle East and Europe. The date on the map was 1901, and showed the Ottoman Empire at it's zenith. He wondered how such a great nation had been brought so low in such a short time. "Meg, would you please summon the Teacher? I have some questions for him." The Teacher, Maran by name, was a repository of an astonishing amount of knowledge, especially of ancient history. Not for the first time the Prince wondered if he had some hidden cache of books and scrolls that he was hoarding.

Maran came into the private rooms of the Prince and bowed. "You require my services, m'lord?"

Godfrey took a long look at the man. Medium-tall, elderly but not yet old, the Teacher cultivated an appearance of wisdom and peace. The Prince, however, knew better. He'd had a background check done on this man and discovered that he'd been a knight, made landless by the invasion of barbarians from the penninsula of the Arabah.

"Yes, Teacher. Please sit. I won't take much of your time." He paced a few moments and then pulled aside a large tapestry that covered the stone wall of his office. "As you can see, I've come into possession of this ancient map, among other things. They were discovered in a cave in the side of a sandstone cliff about a hundred miles from here." He glanced at the Teacher for some sort of reaction, but saw none.

"As you no doubt know, the collapse of the European Union and subsequent invasion of the Musulmans set the continent back a thousand years. Brutal, monolithic religion combined with ruthless repression of all forms of government other than Islam devastated Europe and the Middle Lands. Fortunately, this repressive system cannibalized itself in just a century or so and it collapsed into a state of anarchy. Which is where we find ourselves today, some four hundred years later."

The Teacher said, "Yes, sire, a basic history lesson any child would know. What is your point?"

"The point, sir, is that history seems to be at the very beginning of repeating itself. Another cycle of a sort of Renaissance emerging out of a medieval darkness, if you will. An old saying is that 'history repeats itself', and if we pay attention we can hasten it's more positive aspects."

The Teacher sat back and crossed his arms. "And so what can I do to help you hasten this new age of enlightenment?"

The Prince gazed at him. "You can quit hiding whatever stash of knowledge you have and help me guide this land to a prosperous and peaceful future."

The Teacher grinned. "No doubt with a 'peace through strength' strategy. A large number of peace keeping forces combined with economic sanctions against any country that doesn't agree with you, eh?"

"Something like that, yes."

"Those ideas are nothing new, m'lord. There are essentially what caused the downfall of western civilization in the 22nd century. You wish to start that cycle all over again?"

"You have a better suggestion?"

"Yes. Peaceful diplomacy at first. If that fails, destroy your enemies. Utterly destroy them."

Godfrey was surprised. "Seems like a notion I'd not expect of you,Teacher."

The Teacher shrugged. "Just common sense, m'lord. If they who you are having talks with refuse to listen, they become a problem. Very simply, at that point, if you have a problem, kill it. Problem solved."

"And what of all this hidden knowledge that I know you have? Should I kill you if you don't share it with me?"

Again, a shrug. "You can do that, but it won't get you the knowledge." The Teacher stood. "Whatever you want to know, I'll tell you. I'll bring you the maps, charts, scrolls, and so on. I'm on your side, m'lord Prince. Now if you'll excuse me, I have classes to teach." He bowed and exited the room, and not for the first time Godfrey wondered if he was truly on his side.....

[Tarlag]

ISLE OF MAN PEEL CASTLE


Princess Sofia left the Bishop with the two guards and returned to Captain Cummings who was looking over the maps on the table. "Princess, why are you looking over maps of Europe? The place is just a death zone. No one has even set foot in France in hundreds of years."

" I believe it is possible to go there again. There may be people still living that we can trade with and get the raw materials we so desperately need. If there are no people left then we can mine the deserted cities for what we need. Iron, coal, fuel oil and manufactured goods we can not make."

Cummings looked at the maps again. "Bermuda then North America is the better choice. We can get enough Iron and steel out of Hamilton to jump start our industry then push on to the east coast. That was the Cardinal's plan and I think it was a good one."

"You would have us travel thousands of miles, when the same material is within sight across the channel. I know what the Orange Catholic Bible says. " NO man my set foot on the accursed soil, lest he die." "That book has kept the Church Militant in power since the fall. No Captain We need to go in a different direction."

Folding His arms in front of Him Cummings asked. "So what is you plan?"

"The Church Militant uncovered in the mud near Portsmouth a ancient warship called Warrior. They managed to make two copies of it at the Belfast works. Almost the entire industrial production of the Islands went into building those ships. The Church spared no expense in their construction. I intend to use them on an expedition of exploration.
Warrior will travel north in to the Baltic sea. I have placed Captain Peter Stuart my cousin in command of her group. Two fast steamers and two river boats will make up His squadron. His river boats will go up the Reine river as far as they can."

"You will command Black Prince, Along with two fast steamers and a packet boat. You will sail into the Med. and explore. If you find people see if they can be dealt with. "

"What if they can't be reasoned with or they are mutants? The Church is clear on this. "Suffer not the changed to live. For they are an abomination to God."

"If that is the case you will have some three inch guns on your ships that should prove useful. Also 100 marines will be aboard the Black Prince, men loyal to me not those Church bully boys. I want to make this clear, this is not Bermuda. Where we sailed in and proceeded to wipe out the locals because they were inconvenient to the Church. My Father thought you Brother. Do not let His and my trust down."

[The Isles of Xeraph]

..Village of Para Platres, Cyprus..


"Here, sit down. Have a drink of this fine wine." General Gregor Larnas watched as the man sat and downed the flagon of wine. A serving wench poured another while the man spoke. "So you're the one behind this atrocity, eh? Just ride into my town and commandeer most of my troops? You think you're going to get away with this?"

Larnas said, "Looks to me like we already did. Taking your stinking shithole of a town wasn't much of an effort. Why you lasted as ruler here as long as you did is a mystery." He stood and looked out the tavern window. "But, that's all over now. The bigger part of your men have laid down their arms and are to be properly trained for war. The rest are dead. The carrion birds are feasting on their bones as we speak."

The man, Odoss by name, drank the second flagon and wiped his mouth on his sleeve. "Upstarts like you have come and gone for decades. You'll meet your comeuppance sooner or later. No one has ruled the entirety of this stinking island in centuries. You gotta conquer and occupy Paphos, Limassol, and Larnaca before you can even think of taking on the Tirks and Saracens. You're fucked, and you know it!"

Odoss stiffened as he felt the sharp edge of a blade against his throat. From behind him, he heard a voice say, "Is that right, fat man? So I guess that means that you will eventually be impaled on a wooden pole and burned alive, eh? Those self-same Saracens have little use for swine like you." Ricard de Veurey walked around to the front of the seated man, still holding the knife to his throat. "The problem with small-minded pigs like you is that you can't see past the next meal, or the next whore. You have no plans for the future aside from rape and pillage. Well, my friend, those days are over."

Odoss laughed. "Yeah, I've heard that before. I have a feeling I'll be here long after your rebel ass has been strung up!"

Odoss's laughter changed abruptly to a gurgled gasp of pain as De Veurey plunged the knife into the soft flesh under the man's jaw, pushing upwards until the knife emerged from the top of the man's skull. For a few long seconds, Odoss squirmed and twitched as the blood poured from the ghastly wound and puddled on the floor. At length, all movement stopped and Ricard pulled the blade out of the staring head. Wiping the knife on the dead man's clothes, he said, "So much for bravado!" Gesturing to a couple of his men, they dragged the body out of the tavern and left it in the street, dogs and flies immediately encroaching on it for a meal.

"So, m'lord, Platres is ours. What next? Troodos? Pedhoulas? Alona?"

"Yes, yes, and yes. Then we head to Palekhori where we'll have command of the river heights. And quit calling me 'lord', dammit! That may happen someday, but for now I'm just one of the regular fighting men."

The two men sat silent for a space, then Larnass asked, "So, do you think we tackle Paphos first, or Limassol? We need one or the other as a coastal site before we can really get this rebellion going."

"Yes, yes, just what I was thinking, General. If we attack and subdue Limassol first, it would give us the entirety of the province as well as parts of the province of Larnaca, the province of Nicosia, and the province of Paphos. Fortify the south-eastern portion of our territory up to and including Alaminos and then we can make a straight shot up to the Bay of Khrysokhu. That will cut off the city of Paphos and perhaps gain us that city more quickly."

The General nodded slowly. "Ambitious, but very do-able. But let me ask you a question. Let's say we get to the point of driving the Tirks and Saracens off of Cyprus all together. What then?"

Ricard de Veurey chuckled. "Well, General, there's a big, wide world out there. Why should we stop? There are a lotof islands in the Sea in much the same condition as Cyprus. Crete, Malta, the Greque islands, Sicilia, Corsica, Sardinia, and the Spanish islands. In a couple of years we'll be in an excellent position to launch attacks into the coastal portions of a dozen countries that are loosely ruled by brigands, corsairs, pirates and bandits. Ancient Athenas, Tirana, even onto glorious Rome itself. No, my friend, we're not finished, not by a long shot. We've just begun.........."

[The Crusader Kingdoms]

..Chisinau, Templar Lands..


Breathing hard, Godfrey of Bourbon scaled the sheer cliff, slowly making his way up toward the small cave opening. Reaching the ledge, he peered into the darkness of the cave and was startled to see movement.

"Welcome, my Prince. Glad you could make it." The Teacher sat on a large rock, scrolls in his lap. The Prince pulled himself onto the ledge and exclaimed, "How in hell did you get here ahead of me? It took me two hours of hard climbing to get here!"

The Teacher laughed. "It would have been much easier if you'd taken the narrow path up the mountain. It ends right there." He pointed to a barely-seen track in the heavy brush. "You could have taken a leisurely ride to a point just a half mile from here and walked the rest of the way."

Standing and brushing the dust off of himself, Godfrey said, "You could have told me."

"I gave you the map,and you took the way it seemed best for you. You're here, and all is well, no?"

Godfrey glared at the man and replied, "Enough! Where's this hoard of information you've been hiding from me all these years?"

The Teacher poked a thumb behind him. "Go on in and enjoy yourself. All I ask is that you replace your reading exactly where you found it. It's all categorized."

De Bourbon entered the cave, having to bend down a bit to get through the small opening. As he stood in the entrance, a soft illumination enabled him to see the vast area inside the cave. It was about, as far as he could calculate, thirty-five feet wide, fifteen feet high, and as he could not see the depth, assumed that the cave went back farther into the darkness.

He idly scanned the books and scrolls, pamphlets and pages, all neatly tucked into their respective pigeon-holes. Reaching for and ancient tome entitled "Templars in Europa" he pulled it out and sat down on the hard earthen surface and began to read. Several hours later, three books, four scrolls, and myriad pages scattered around him, he was pulled from his reverie by the Teacher speaking to him.

"I said, m'lord Prince, how do you like my little library?"

"Why, this is marvelous, Teacher. In just a short time, several of my long-sought-after questions have been answered. Did you know that the Knights Templar were the de-facto rulers of the early part of the 11th century? They were in possession of all of the islands of the Mediterranean Sea, as well as vast territories ranging from the Holy Land to the Spanish and French coasts! If it hadn't been for that miserable Pope, they'd still be an active force in today's world!"

The Teacher grew silent. "You've much to discover, m'lord. But I'll give you this little bit of advice. Look to Cyprus. There is one there who can restore the European world to it's rightful place as the pre-eminent civilization it once was, and you're to help him. He is of the line of Merovee, as are you. Go to him as soon as you can. The King of Jerusalem is at this moment sending couriers to him, summoning him to the Palace. Great things are happening, even greater things can be forged for the future." He paused. "You have three weeks before he in Cyprus will need you. For now, continue your discoveries. Learn well.....and believe."

[The Isles of Xeraph]

..On the Peylan Road, north of Paphos, Cyprus..


With the acquisition of Peyla, the Cypriots were now poised to assault Paphos. This would be the first real test of their strength and strategy. Paphos was a city of nearly 11,000 people, ten per cent of them military trained. High walls and thickly-barred gates surrounded the city and it had direct access to the sea some two miles away. The towns of Stavrokonig, Koloni, Kouklia, and Mandria had put up a token fight against the forces of Ricard de Veurey, but in short order had gone over to him with the promise of a better life once the barbaric Greques were ousted from Paphos.

Paphos had come into the control of renegade soldiers from Kyrenia, a Greque garrison established almost two centuries earlier. They'd been driven from Kyrenia by landless knights, brigands all. Over the centuries since, the Greques had prospered the city, but ruled it's citizens with an iron hand.

De Veurey knew that he'd have a much better chance of overcoming the city if he had ships. He could just sail into the port side of Paphos and ride the two miles to it's back gates. But for now, he'd have to rely on his land troops.

General Larnas stood with him, peering through an ancient monoscope at the battlements of Paphos. "Begging your pardon, Ricard, but this one's going to be a bitch. Without a sea-going force, we could be here for months."

"Aye, you're right, General." With a curious gleam in his eye, Ricard added, "But when have you known me not to have a trick or two up my sleeve, eh?"

[The Crusader Kingdoms]

..Timisora, Templar Lands..


"More and more curious, eh Meg?" Godfrey de Bourbon, Prince of Templars, sat with his personal secretary, Meg, reading and re-reading a number of the texts the Teacher had permitted him to take back to his palace. The place was very well fortified, high up on a hill overlooking a broad valley with a river running through it.

"Yes, quite curious. It seems that this character named Merovee is a staple of Templar history while at the same time being enigmatic, largely lost to the historians." Meg was actually the Prince's niece. His sister, Morgaine, dead these twenty years, had borne the girl in exile on the hot sands of the Arabah. When the girl was eight years old, Godfrey had come across a camel-train of merchants from ancient Ur, in the region previously called Chaldea. He recognized the little girl right away as she bore the birthmark of the Bourbons, a wine-colored cross on the inside of her elbow. When Godfrey had discovered that this fat pig of a Musulman was taking her home as wife, he commandeered the camel-train, slew the merchants, and gently placed Meg on his saddle with him. She'd been with him ever since.

Meg continued. "The language this book is written in is somewhat oblique. It speaks of Merovee born of a union of a sea creature and a pure-bred Celtic woman, Myrriam."

Godfrey grunted. "Yes, evidently an allegory that refers to the mystic line of Jhesu of Nazaroth. The story is that this Jhesu was considered a god by ever-increasing masses of followers. He'd been killed for his troubles, but supposedly left behind at least one child, Rachael. Even the Templars of old were part of this story, for they evidently considered this line of Jhesu as a sacred one. Merovee was the first in a dynastic line known as the Merovingians. This dynasty ruled and controlled a huge part of Europa in the fourth century and beyond. They eventually gave way to the Carolingians who gave us Charles Martel and the Charlemagne legends. After this, the line all but disappeared. Maran said that you and I are of this line, as is a certain rebel leader in Cyprus conducting raids on heathen outposts. Seems he's bent on uniting the island under his banner."

"Hmm, so this could be why the King of Jerusalem has summoned him, this Ricard de Veurey."

The Prince looked up sharply. "How did you come by this knowledge? Only myself and a couple of the highest level officials were given it!"

Meg giggled. "Oh, Uncle! You can't keep anything from me. You should know that by now. Not to worry, no one will ever hear it from me." She looked over at a large wall-map. "So, are you going to contact this Cypriot?"

"Sooner or later, yes. The Teacher said that we are somehow related through this Merovee. A divine destiny, no doubt."

Noting his sarcasm, Meg replied, "Be careful, Uncle. Destiny is nothing to either play with or ignore. You have in your heart a desire for Europan unity. The Cypriot appears to have a similar vision. The two of you together would go farther than either one alone."

Godfrey nodded. "You are wise beyond your years, Meg. We'll see what develops with the meeting between the King of Jerusalem and this Cypriot. Then I'll decide."

[Tarlag]

BELFAST HARBOR H.M.S. WARRIOR


Lord Captain Cummings was piped abroad Warrior to a conference with the other Captains of the two respective expeditions. Standing at the top of the gangway was Peter Stuart a man in His early forties. His hair was still as black as coal but His face was weathered from years at sea. "Bristol old man, welcome aboard Warrior, finest ship in the fleet."

Cummings took the man's offered hand. "I am sure Black Prince is twice the ship you have. I am impressed this is twice the size of any ship I have ever seen. A standard pattern steamer is 150 feet at the water line with twin side paddles. This has to be over twice that. With that screw propeller I read about on the way up here."

Peter motioned for the men to walk along the main deck. "Both Warrior and Black Prince are almost 400 feet in length at the water line. Not only are we bigger then anything ever built but faster. We can make twelve to thirteen knots on steam alone. With the sails combined we have gotten up to seventeen in our trials. I tell you Bristol these ships are revolutionary, to bad we can't build any more."

"Let me guess not enough iron for another one. Probably had to loot every remaining old world city for metal for these ships."

"You got it in the first guess, That is why we need to leave and find new areas for raw materials. With that we could build a fleet of these ships, not just two."

[The Isles of Xeraph]

..Jerusalem, Kingdom of Judea..


"Welcome, Ricard de Veurey! You arrival is highly anticipated!" A bejewelled and sweetly-scented woman bowed and indicated that Ricard was to precede her. As he passed her, she said, "I am Esmé, sister of the King. I and my entourage will see you to his presence."

De Veurey gave a curt nod and fell in behind the heavily-armed Palace Guard and walked off the dock where his small ship was tethered. He'd had to borrow one from a merchant, for as yet his arsenal did not include sea-going ships, just a few small fishing boats. He was accompanied by two of his own soldiers and an aide named Jhane.

He could see the palace of the King from the sea-side village and wondered at it's proximity. As if reading his mind, Esmé said, "That structure is not the palace in Jerusalem, my lord Ricard. That is an ancient fortress built by the Knights of Malta 1300 years ago. My brother had it refitted and restored, and uses it as a sort of retreat when life in Jerusalem gets too...intense. Horses will be there to take us quickly to Jerusalem."

In short order, the little entourage got to the stables of the King and mounted their steeds. On the way, Ricard had noted that the inhabitants of the village were of a cheerful, confident nature. The streets were clean, well-swept, and there was nothing to be seen of the garbage and filth typical of many Europan towns.

In less than an hour, they came to the gates of Jerusalem, that bustling city considered by many to be the center of the Earth. Again, despite it's size, there was an order and level of cleanliness and hygiene not seen elsewhere. Merchants in their stalls bowed respectfully as the little group passed by as did the people in the streets.

Off in the distance, Ricard could see the beginnings of what seemed to be a large cathedral. At this point, it rose about twenty feet, scaffolds and ladders everywhere. Masons, woodworkers, carpenters, and all sorts of other workers swarmed over the structure and the ground surrounding it, busy as bees in their hive.

They passed into the area of Old Jerusalem, and the lanes narrowed to barely twelve feet across. This was the section of the city that the Romans knew 2800 years ago. A peculiar sensation came over De Veurey, one that was later described to him as a "sense of holiness." On the far side of the hill called Golgotha, the palace of King Viktor I came into view. It was a modest building as palaces go. He felt that as temporal ruler of this land that his official presence should be less than the cathedral, for he was a devoutly religious man.

"Please wait here, and I will announce you to the King." Esmé dismounted and disappeared into a low door. Moments later, she came back through attended by a troop of guards. In their midst was a tall, well-built man dressed in black and purple wearing a crown of gold and sapphires.

Immediately, all those still mounted dropped off their horses and knelt in the dust. Esmé said, "My lords, the King of Jerusalem, Viktor von Allmande, Viktor the First, Duke of Luxembourg, Grand Duke of Licthenstein, Prince of the Belgae, Protector of Le Confederation Suisse."

The king moved forward and said, "Please, get up. No sense in getting all dusty on my account." Walking straight over to Ricard de Veurey, he said, "Welcome, my lord Veurey. I've heard a lot about you."

De Veurey gave a short bow. "I trust it has all been good, Majesty?"

The king laughed. "Pretty much, Veurey, pretty much. Would you please come this way? My people will tend to your people. I'm sure they, as you, are hungry and thirsty."

[The Isles of Xeraph]

..Koloni, Cyprus..


"Get them barriers set up, dammit! Them soldiers from Paphos are getting ready to attack us!" Colonel Marcos Devreau was racing around like a madman getting the defenses ready. In addition, he had to see to the medical units and supplies. His force of 220 patriots were going to be in for a hell of a fight.

While Ricard de Veurey was off consulting with the King of Judea, Devreau, General Larnass up in Peyla, and Major Stosos in Mandria / Kouklia were assembling their units for the all-out assault on Paphos. It was the first bigger city that the patriots had attempted to obtain, and it wasn't going to be easy. Paphos was a port city, which meant it had both access to the sea as well as the boats to fend off any attack from the shoreline. De Veurey had not as yet secured enough sea-going crafts to make a difference in the assault.

All three commanders together had fewer fighters than did the enemy. The governor of Paphos, one Demetrios, called "the Butcher", was going to put up a fight the likes of which the Cypriots had not yet seen. He was an experienced, tactical fighter, brutal in his treatment of his people and of his army.

The warm Mediterranean sun beat down on the assembled troops and the wait for the signal to attack began. All three commanders were tense with anticipation. They'd done all they could to prepare for this fight. They'd drilled the men over and over, laid in all the supplies they'd be needing, and even the cooks would be armed in case they were needed.

Paphos had a low wall surrounding it on the landward side. It was just about twelve feet tall, but it was wide enough for carts to bring fresh rocks, oil, and archers against an enemy that was going to assault the walls. It was an ancient town and the twisting, narrow lanes and byways would be difficult for any invader to find their way through. But De Veurey had left orders to take the city or die trying.

As the sun rose above the horizon, the commanders raised their arms and dropped them. The Cypriot army moved forward, toward victory or death.....

[The Isles of Xeraph]

..Jerusalem, Kingdom of Judea..


"Welcome, Ricard de Veurey! You arrival is highly anticipated!" A bejewelled and sweetly-scented woman bowed and indicated that Ricard was to precede her. As he passed her, she said, "I am Esmé, sister of the King. I and my entourage will see you to his presence."

De Veurey gave a curt nod and fell in behind the heavily-armed Palace Guard and walked off the dock where his small ship was tethered. He'd had to borrow one from a merchant, for as yet his arsenal did not include sea-going ships, just a few small fishing boats. He was accompanied by two of his own soldiers and an aide named Jhane.

He could see the palace of the King from the sea-side village and wondered at it's proximity. As if reading his mind, Esmé said, "That structure is not the palace in Jerusalem, my lord Ricard. That is an ancient fortress built by the Knights of Malta 1300 years ago. My brother had it refitted and restored, and uses it as a sort of retreat when life in Jerusalem gets too...intense. Horses will be there to take us quickly to Jerusalem."

In short order, the little entourage got to the stables of the King and mounted their steeds. On the way, Ricard had noted that the inhabitants of the village were of a cheerful, confident nature. The streets were clean, well-swept, and there was nothing to be seen of the garbage and filth typical of many Europan towns.

In less than an hour, they came to the gates of Jerusalem, that bustling city considered by many to be the center of the Earth. Again, despite it's size, there was an order and level of cleanliness and hygiene not seen elsewhere. Merchants in their stalls bowed respectfully as the little group passed by as did the people in the streets.

Off in the distance, Ricard could see the beginnings of what seemed to be a large cathedral. At this point, it rose about twenty feet, scaffolds and ladders everywhere. Masons, woodworkers, carpenters, and all sorts of other workers swarmed over the structure and the ground surrounding it, busy as bees in their hive.

They passed into the area of Old Jerusalem, and the lanes narrowed to barely twelve feet across. This was the section of the city that the Romans knew 2800 years ago. A peculiar sensation came over De Veurey, one that was later described to him as a "sense of holiness." On the far side of the hill called Golgotha, the palace of King Viktor I came into view. It was a modest building as palaces go. He felt that as temporal ruler of this land that his official presence should be less than the cathedral, for he was a devoutly religious man.

"Please wait here, and I will announce you to the King." Esmé dismounted and disappeared into a low door. Moments later, she came back through attended by a troop of guards. In their midst was a tall, well-built man dressed in black and purple wearing a crown of gold and sapphires.

Immediately, all those still mounted dropped off their horses and knelt in the dust. Esmé said, "My lords, the King of Jerusalem, Viktor von Allmande, Viktor the First, Duke of Luxembourg, Grand Duke of Licthenstein, Prince of the Belgae, Protector of Le Confederation Suisse."

The king moved forward and said, "Please, get up. No sense in getting all dusty on my account." Walking straight over to Ricard de Veurey, he said, "Welcome, my lord Veurey. I've heard a lot about you."

De Veurey gave a short bow. "I trust it has all been good, Majesty?"

The king laughed. "Pretty much, Veurey, pretty much. Would you please come this way? My people will tend to your people. I'm sure they, as you, are hungry and thirsty."

Sitting at the table of the King of Jerusalem, Ricard de Veurey asked, "Majesty, why do we hear that your lands are called both the Kingdom of Judea and the Kingdom of Jerusalem?"

"Very simply, The Kingdom of Jerusalem were the lands surrounding Jerusalem in the 1100s. We chose to keep it that way even after we conquered and occupied the vast territory in the Middle East in the late 21st century. Right now, the Kingdom of Judea extends from the Sinai and part of the Arabah in the south, the province of Jordan in the east, and up north to Leban, Assyria, and southern Tirky. Come the spring, we plan to move farther east and north to those lawless Musulman lands. They're just an loose confederation of warring tribes ruled by various Imams who are still fighting the stupid war of 1200 years ago."

"What war is that, Majesty?"

"The tribes and sects of the Islamic lands. Shiite, Sunni, Alawite, and so on. This was the main reason the Arab countries couldn't unite and carve out another Caliphate like the Tirks in the 18th century. A lot of in-fighting. And it simply decimated their lands until the big nuclear blast of 2022. Took out Tehran and an area 18 miles square in Persia. Some blamed the Medes, but......who knows?"

A messenger moved quickly towards the table and, bowing, said, "Majesty, a message from Cyprus." The king read it rapidly and said, "We must hurry, De Veurey. Your people are about to assault Paphos."

"Majesty, Cyprus is at best a two-day sail. It will be over by the time we get there!"

"Ha! You think I've been sitting here, resting on my laurels, Veurey? A small fleet of my ships were in route even before you arrived. Twelve of our fastest boats are just out of site in the Bay of Episkopi, about an hour from Paphos. Each ship is manned by 44 marines and specially trained commandos. That Demetrios of Paphos has only a dozen or so poorly outfitted boats."

Ricard de Veurey was almost overcome with emotion. Almost....

"Majesty, how can I ever repay you? This is beyond any expectations!"

"All I ask, De Veurey, is that you remember Judea when and if we might need you. And to deal truly with us at all times."

De Veurey bowed low and replied, "Majesty, you have my solemn vow that I and my people will stand by you whenever and wherever you wish. I so promise and swear."

King Viktor laughed. "And I'm going to hold you to that vow! Now, there's one more trifling thing we need to do before we go to Paphos." He drew his sword, an antique broadsword forged in the fires of old France some thirteen centuries gone by. "This was one of the swords that the Holy Roman Emperor, Charlemagne, used in dubbing his knights."

Viktor moved toward Ricard and said, "Kneel, Ricard de veurey of Cyprus!" With the broadsword, he touched each shoulder of De Veurey and with the sword resting on his head, the King intoned, "I dub you Sir Ricard de Veurey, Earl of Cyprus and Baron of Ashkelon. Rise, sir knight, and remember your vows!"

Ricard de Veurey rose to his feet, bowed to the king, and said, "Many thanks, Majesty. This day will be recalled for many years around the hearths and camp-fires of my people." He looked up at the king. "Now, can we please get to Cyprus? My people are in need!"

[Tarlag]

BELFAST HARBOR H.M.S WARRIOR


The two captains walked into the Captains day cabin at the stern of the Warrior. A group of officers sat around a long table drinking sherries. Captain Stuart removed his cap and addressed the group. "Gentlemen, for those of you who do not know Him this is Lord Captain Bristol Cummings new commander of the Black Prince and Senior Captain of the Med. Exploration Squadron." Looking to Bristol He pointed to three officers at one end of the table. "This is Roger Leach commanding The Steamer Valcor. This is Captain Richard Hammond commanding Endeavor. And last but not least this Bonny lass is Lt. Mary Campbell commanding the packet boat John Bull. These will be the officers under your command."

Cummings gave a slight smile. "Thanks Peter, I have meet all of them along the way. Ms. Campbell was my midshipmen on the Intrepid. These other two reprobates I have had the pleasure of working with in the past. I trust our new Queen has given you the rundown on our mission Captain Stuart?'

"I have been given all the available data on the Baltic and the North European coast."

"Good I will leave you to instruct you officers." Turning to address His commanders He spoke. "I have been studying the information on the way here from Man. I will make this short and simple for the Med. Squadron. We will make under sail on the next tide for the Med. Sailing through the Irish Sea to the Channel. From there we will proceed to Gibraltar. The John Bull will act as scout. Valcor and Endeavor will sail along the European coast. Not landing and not making contact with the locals. You are just to make note of any settlements and ruins on said coast. Black Prince will do the same on the African coast. We will meet up 14 days after entering the Med. on the north coast of Cyprus. We will review the information collected and make a plan of action. Any Questions?"

Mary Campbell raised her hand. "Sir, You said my ship is to scout, What do you mean?"

"Simple, You are the fastest under sail by far. You are to check out the central Med. islands like Malta. You will be under the same rules. You then will get to Cyprus first and find a safe harbor for us."

Leach spoke up. "You said under sail Sir. Using our steam engines we would cut the travel time almost in half then just being under sail."

"True Captain Leach, but we have no grantee we can restock our coal supplies. I also want to attract less attention to ourselves. Coal smoke pouring from our funnels will get us noticed. Attention I don't want on the first pass. We don't know who or what we are going to be dealing with. Our orders are to try and make friends and foster trade between any organized governments and the Scottish Crown. If there is nothing please depart for your ships, fro the tide goes out in two hours."

[The Isles of Xeraph]

..Koloni, Cyprus..


"Get them barriers set up, dammit! Them soldiers from Paphos are getting ready to attack us!" Colonel Marcos Devreau was racing around like a madman getting the defenses ready. In addition, he had to see to the medical units and supplies. His force of 220 patriots were going to be in for a hell of a fight.

While Ricard de Veurey was off consulting with the King of Judea, Devreau, General Larnass up in Peyla, and Major Stosos in Mandria / Kouklia were assembling their units for the all-out assault on Paphos. It was the first bigger city that the patriots had attempted to obtain, and it wasn't going to be easy. Paphos was a port city, which meant it had both access to the sea as well as the boats to fend off any attack from the shoreline. De Veurey had not as yet secured enough sea-going crafts to make a difference in the assault.

All three commanders together had fewer fighters than did the enemy. The governor of Paphos, one Demetrios, called "the Butcher", was going to put up a fight the likes of which the Cypriots had not yet seen. He was an experienced, tactical fighter, brutal in his treatment of his people and of his army.

The warm Mediterranean sun beat down on the assembled troops and the wait for the signal to attack began. All three commanders were tense with anticipation. They'd done all they could to prepare for this fight. They'd drilled the men over and over, laid in all the supplies they'd be needing, and even the cooks would be armed in case they were needed.

Paphos had a low wall surrounding it on the landward side. It was just about twelve feet tall, but it was wide enough for carts to bring fresh rocks, oil, and archers against an enemy that was going to assault the walls. It was an ancient town and the twisting, narrow lanes and byways would be difficult for any invader to find their way through. But De Veurey had left orders to take the city or die trying.

As the sun rose above the horizon, the commanders raised their arms and dropped them. The Cypriot army moved forward, toward victory or death.....

The battle raged throughout the morning and into the afternoon without any ground gained by either side. Arrows by the hundreds flew back and forth over the walls of Paphos taking the expected toll on both defenders and attackers. By the time the sun began to set in the west, both sides called it a draw.

General Larnas sat down wearily on his cot in the command tent and plunged his head into a bucket of cold water. He came up gasping for breath and shook the water from his hair. "Wine! Bring us wine!"

He and his commanders sat in a circle sipping at cups of the local wine. One of them spit it out and, grimacing, said, "They call this shit wine? Tastes like Arab piss!"

Larnas asked, "And how do you know what Arab piss tastes like?" All chuckled, and then got down to business.

"Gentlemen, we're not going to get anywhere with this tit-for-tat bullshit against them barbarians. We need something unexpected, a breakthrough of some kind." He looked over at a wall map and asked, "How are our boys down at Mandria? Any good news?"

Captain Golos replied, "Much the same as us, General. We lost nine men, they the same. They got the beaches covered, though. Them shallow-hulled boats of their can get within sixty feet of shore. We can't sneak in behind the city with them there."

The torches were lit, sentries posted, and the serving wenches brought in great trays of meat and vegetables. Golos remarked, "Well, at least these barbarians know how to eat, eh?"

All looked up in surprise as an alarm trumpet sounded from the beach. Grabbing their helmets, they rushed to the site. "What's happening, corporal? Enemy break through"?

The corporal, smiling a big smile, said, "No sir! We got us a naval force bearing down on the city right now! Ricard de Veurey and twelve ships flying the flag of the Judean Kingdom have already sunk half the boats of Paphos and soldiers are deploying from the Judean ships onto the shore behind the city!"

General Larnos signaled the sentry. "Blow the attack, soldier! We attack! Let's go!"

In less than fifteen minutes there was fierce fighting before the gates of Paphos and a contingent of Cypriots was beating down the southern gate of the city. Fires were springing up all over the place, the smoke billowing out to sea. The sounds of men fighting and dying could be heard throughout the city and on the beach. Paphos had been taken by surprise. They hadn't been expecting the unexpected.

The Cypriots pushed ever forward toward the center of the city, the defenders fighting bravely, but slowly giving ground. The ground beneath the feet of both the attackers and the defenders grew slick with the blood and entrails of many men fallen by sword, axe, mace, and spear. At length, Larnos could see a giant figure cutting down his men as if they were children.

"Demetrios! Come and fight like a man! Me and you!" The big man roared a challenge and made straight for the general. When they met, the clang of their swords could be heard above the din of battle. Fiercely they fought, Demetrios scoring a cut here, Larnos slicing his opponent's leg there. In just a few minutes, blood flowing from both of them from cuts and scrapes, breathing heavily, they made one final charge at each other.

Demetrios swung his broadsword in a great arc, aiming to decapitate Larnos. The general ducked but not before the broadsword nicked the top of his head sending fresh blood onto his face. With a calculated lunge, General Larnos buried his blade in the groin of the giant, and pulling upward with the razor-sharp sword, watched in slow motion as Demetrios' innards spilled out onto the bloody ground.

The big man stood for a second with an almost comical face on him, and as he tried to scoop up his guts, General Larnos plunged his sword into the forehead of the man. Demetrios swayed for a second, and then crashed to the ground.

A great cry went up from both sides, the defenders throwing down their weapons, the attackers cheering and howling like men possessed. It was over. Paphos was now in the hands of the rebel Cypriots.

[Tarlag]

20 NM NORTH WEST OF THE ISLE OF MAN H.M.S. BLACK PRINCE

Captain Cumming walked the fore deck of the great iron ship. Mr.Wallace the ships first officer walked beside the Captain. "The crew is looking sharp Sir, a tribute to your had work. Getting the crew up to speed so fast. I am impressed with you and them."

"Thank You Sir, We did have a six month shake down before you got here under Captain Bishop Mc Gruder. The Bastard was a bit of a task master to say the least."

"I will say I am not unhappy to see the Church Militant getting out of the sailing business. Mc Gruder was a bastard but a fine sailor but Him and the church in general should stick with hunting the changed and saving souls."

"True Captain, The SOB put up quite a fight when the Black Watch came for Him. Shot one and stabbed another with His cutlass before they took Him down. Funny part was they were not going to put Him to the question. He had all ready been cleared of any wrong doing. They were just going to remove Him from the ship.I think He put up such a fight because He was a miserable Son of a Bitch."

Cummings stood by the port railing. "What is the supply situation, Mr Wallace."

"We have food and water for 45 days for the 650 crew and 100 marines. As for coal, the bunker is 50% full. With your permission I would like to put into Cardiff to top off along with the two steamers. We should only lose a day recoaling."

"Fine, use the spark to inform the other ships. Order the John Bull to proceed to The mouth of the Med. and see if a location for a coaling station can be found. How is the ships armament looking."

Wallace looked over the rail at the other ships white sails billowing in the stiff breeze. "Ten quick fire 3 inch guns five port and five starbord. An 88 mm long barreled bow chaser and one as a stern chaser. We also carry enough of the new lee-enfeilds to arm the marines and a few of the crew. The rest can be armed the the Matrini Henry rifles.."

"Very good, Make course for Cardiff."

[The Crusader Kingdoms]

..Catania, Sicily..


"I just don't know what to make of all this! I wonder if the world is entering another 2,000 years of madness!" Prince Godfrey de Bourbon sat in the decaying castle of Viscount Raphael Banosso, a Templar noble.

"These things happen every hundred years or so, my Prince. Some hothead gets the idea that he is the saviour of the world and conquers a few tribes and clans and then gets his ass handed to him by a well-trained army from one of the mainland nations."

"Perhaps, but this particular hothead has the full support of Viktor of Jerusalem."

"True, but still, it is just one country lending aid. What do you think will happen when he gets to Limassol? Or Nicosia?"

"The reality, lord Viscount, is that this Ricard de Veurey has brought hundreds to his banner. This is what will gain him his kingdom. He wins, and they flock to him!"

"Well, just let him come to Sicily. He may conquer that barbaric island of his, but he gets no further that that." Viscount Banosso looked out of his window at the calm sea, glistening in the morning sun.

Bourbon glanced at him. "I think you misunderstand me, lord Banosso. I am not against De Veurey. Indeed, I'd rather he did all the work I've been dreaming of all these years. That little territory I've carved out of the howling wilderness took me most of my life to bring under some semblance of civility. Perhaps this brigand is the catalyst for empire!"

Banosso grinned. "Brigand, you say? King Viktor of Judea has knighted him as Earl of Cyprus and Baron of the city-state of Ashkelon."

"Yes, yes, I know. Now he's a noble. On paper, anyway."

A knock at the door and Banosso's secretary entered. "M'lords, a scouting report. I'd say it was urgent."

Banosso grabbed the scroll. "Hmm, seems to be a week of surprises, my Prince. Those calling themselves the Grail Kings have crossed the Pyrenees and established a duchy, the Grand Duchy of Aragon."

"About time someone got hold of those pesky Andorrans. An independent lot, I'm told."

"Well, they didn't conquer them. There's an alliance been formed. The Grand Duchy of Aragon and the Duchy of Aquitaine have declared themselves the Kingdom of Rennes-Carcasse. Evidently, they're planning occupying moves east and north. Nothing there but vast forests, really."

Bourbon looked at the report. "Yes, but this Stephen Vinay is ambitious. He and his brothers, Theodosius and Julianus have their sights on Paris and Rome. Seems nothing less than a pulling-together of the ancient empire of Charles Martel and Charlemagne will satisfy them."

Banosso replied, "That'll take them years, if not decades, m'lord. And when they come up against the Lorraines, well that will be a fight of the century. They're the strongest territory on the continent!"

"Yes, the combined forces of the Alszatians and Navarrines are nothing to mess with. I wouldn't want to go up against them!"

Viscount had a gleam in his eye. "Maybe we'll never have to, m'lord. Maybe this De Veurey can do it for us. Look here..........."

The two plotters sat for another hour with several maps and logistical plans before them. A strategy began to show itself........

[The Isles of Xeraph]

..Pomos, Cyprus, on the Bay of Khrysokhou..


"We've done well, General. With a strong garrison here, our armies can cut straight across the province of Nicosia to Lymbia which will set us up for an assault on Larnaca."

"Yes, Ricard, but Larnaca is not Paphos. It's three times the size of that city and is a stronghold of Nicosian loyalists. Brutunas up in the city of Nicos is a wiley old goat. He relies on the tactics of the ancient Romans and Carthaginians."

"Perhaps a bit difficult, not impossible. If history has taught us one thing, it's that the impossible just takes a little longer. The towns and villages along the way to Lymbia will swell our ranks and we have the aid of the Judean naval forces. King Viktor has reinforced his ships to the tune of another dozen longships. Once we have secured Larnaca for the rebellion, Limassol will be surrounded."

General Larnas sighed. "When will we get a break, my lord? The men fight well, with all they have within them. But there are limits to every man's strength."

De Veurey stared at him. "They, and we, will rest when we have conquered Larnaca, I promise you that. The army will need all their strength for Limassol." He gazed out over the bay. "And then the big prize.....Nicosia. The entire north of the island will then be open to us."

Larnas asked, "And then?"

"As I said before, General. It's a big world. The Greek islands, Sicilia. Some of the mainland cities, perhaps."

"There are rumors of a couple of other expeditions roaming about. One in old Frankreich and one sea power that has arisen far to the northwest in a place the Romans called Britonn."

"Yes, I've heard these stories as well. We'll deal with them when, and if, they're true."

[The Crusader Kingdoms]

..Marki, Cyprus..


"Well, my lord Templar, how you got here is a bit of a question. But now that you are here, what do you want?" Ricard de Veurey sat on a large boulder under an elm tree, a soft breeze taking the edge off of a hot afternoon in central Cyprus.

"Simple, m'lord Earl. We landed just off the coast of Xeros in Morphou Bay and rode overland to this point. Nothing remarkable, to be sure."

De Veurey eyed him coldly. "So, no bandits, rogue troops, or Nicosian commandos, eh? You expect me to believe that? Or perhaps you're in league with one or more of these factions."

Godfrey de Bourbon smiled. "Earl De Veurey, you've seen my troops. Only two dozen, but none on this island have the wherewithal to stand against them. We drove the Greques, Arabs, Tirks, and Romans from Cyprus over the centuries. I'm here to offer our help in doing the same with these warlords you've been facing. None of them are of the nobility and therefore none are fit to rule."

"I appreciate the offer, lord Prince. But twenty-four men-at-arms are hardly going to make a difference!"

Bourbon chuckled. "There's plenty more where they came from, m'lord. I have eight hundred ready to sail to the north of Cyprus as we speak. They are already in the Greque Isles, so it would be but a few days before they land ashore near Kyrenia."

"Kyrenia is a city that belongs to Brutanas of Nicos."

"Not any more, m'lord earl. Six months have gone by since it became a Templar enclave. I ordered all the men killed and sent the women and children south to make their way to Nicosia as best they could. I hear some actually made it."

"How many of them did you send out of the city?"

"About 450 women and children. There may have been a few old men in the lot."

"How many made it to Nicosia?"

"As far as we can ascertain, less than 100."

De Veurey glared at the Prince. "Rather a barbaric situation, no?"

"We treat barbarians the way they treat us. Kyrenia's garrison was made up of Assyrian and Persian troops. They flew the crescent flag."

De Veurey spat on the ground. "Musulmen. Vermin that should be eradicated from the face of the earth."

Bourbon continued. "I hear thatthe King of Jerusalem has allied himself to your cause."

"You have big ears, Prince Godfrey. But, yes, we are joined in this conflict,and perhaps beyond."

Bourbon stood and faced the Earl directly. "Let me get right to the point, De Veurey. You want this island and I want to aid you in it's acquisition. Do you want our help, yes or no?"

Ricard grinned. "And what's in it for you?"

The Prince looked out over the forested foothills surrounding Marki. Sheperds with their sheep and farmers harvesting the grain showed him an idyllic scene. "I want peace in my time, m'lord Earl. The Sarmatians, Greques, Arabs and a half-dozen other inferior peoples are again on the rise. Nothing serious at this point, but this time I want to crush them before they become to large a force to deal with peacefully. The rulers of the 17th through the 22nd centuries tried to reason with these animals. It resulted in war, famine, and pestilence."

"Ah, yes, the Years of the Four Plagues. I've heard that both the Islamists and the Europeans loosed these pathogens on one another. The problem is that they were too effective. Over eight hundred million people died as a result of this plague warfare. From what we can assess, there are fewer than one million people alive in Europa, the Scandaniv nations, and points east of the Mediterranean to the Euphrates River."

"That's about right, De Veurey. If we join together, nothing like that will ever happen again. I'd kill a hundred thousand barbarians to save a million civilized human beings. Together with the Judean King, we can do this.é

De Veurey asked, "And I suppose you have a long-range plan?"

"Again simple. You are after the islans of the Mediterranean, the Mer Noir, the Caspian, and the Adriatic. After this is accomplished, we invade the mainland areas near these islands. But just the coastlines from the water's edge to perhaps 100 kilometres inland. Leave tha large swaths of territory alone. Much easier to defend smaller holdings."

"I was thinking much the same, de Bourbon. And no doubt the territory you Templars hold up north can expand southward after you form treaties with the Teutonic Knights north of you and the so-called Grail Kings to the south west."

De Bourbon gave a short bow. "My compliments on your level of information, m'lord. Yes, much of what you said is true. About 90% of Europa is presently covered by vast forests with a few cities and numerous small towns and villages. Not much in the way of farmland except for the Lorraine Lands."

Ricard said, "Ah, yes. The Lorraines. Called the bread-basket of Europa. A rich prize for those who commandeer those lands."

"What I will propose is a joint Protectorate of the Lorraines. They are a very strong military presence, but they are small. And both Navarre Lorain and Alzase Lorain are ruled by women, sisters as a matter of fact."

Ricard thought for a moment. "Are the sisters married?"

De Bourbon laughed. "No, not that I know of. You looking for a wife?"

"You never know, my lord Prince, what will get into the head of a woman, eh?"

"So, m'lord Earl de Veurey. Are we partners?"

"Aye, mord Prince. Tis a good alliance we join." They clasped hands, visions of greatness dancing through their heads.......

[Tarlag]

EDINBURGH CASTLE, EDINBURGH SCOTLAND


Queen Sofia walked into her council chamber, the dark haired young woman looked about the room. Her eyes came to rest on the old man dressed in brown robes. "Father Brown, I trust your journey from old London was uneventful

Giving a slight bow the elderly man replied. "No trouble your Highness, The only damage was my spine. The roads are a bit hard on this old body. How may I be of service you Highness? You did not have me travel all this way to ask about my health now have you."

Sofia smiled then sat in an overstuffed chair next to the rooms great fireplace. "Please sit good Father. I want to discuss what you have unearthed in that museum in old London."

Brown smiled and took the seat across from the Queen. "It was referred to as the Imperial War museum. My dig started fifty years ago. So you will have to get more specific in what you want to know about."

"I know you the things you have uncovered have restarted our industrial age. Firearms, steam engines, electrical devices just to name a few. I want to know what you have not given over to the Church Militant. My Father said you seem to pick and chose what was released."

"Everything recovered was given to the Church for the betterment of the Kingdom. The steam engine improved travel and provided jobs in the Welsh coal mines. The firearms That the works in Belfast reproduced from the ones we found drove back the Irish Heathens once and for all. The spark gap transmitters now lets information flow across the land. What makes you think I have held anything back."

Sofia picked up a book on the table next to her chair. "Because of this." She handed the ancient book over to the man.

Father Brown read the title aloud. "The History of Flight 1903 to 1945. Where did you get this book of Fairy stories your highness?"

"The Church Militants archives at Peel Castle. I also saw books about ships that sailed under the water and people fighting something called Star Wars. These books did not look like fairy stories Father. Again Father Brown what have you been holding back on?"

Brown sat back and gave a slight smile. "I have given over everything that the Kingdom and the church could make use of, no more no less. Certain things we can not hope to copy and others must never be used again. Civilization fell because of such things. I will not have my work cause it again. The Church understood that and so did your Father."

Sofia leaned forward. "I need to know, I am no fool. I managed to bring down the hierarchy of the Church Militant while locked away in this castle. I now want to bring our isolated islands back into the world. I need to know what might be out there."

"Child the old world was very adept at one thing, destruction. The only thing you will find out there are a few savages with spears and swords fighting over a few acres of good land nothing more."