As Templar Knight's, the time We spent not saving the poor and unfortunate from evil doers, was spent looking after the financial interests of the Order. One such journey was to inspect some holdings in Rome. I traveled alone, as misadventure was not expected. However, what I did encounter shook My faith to the core and took more strength, both physical and spiritual, than any battle with Mongol or thief ever could.
Wearing the ceremonial white robes with the blood red cross of the Templars, I rode proudly into the city. Nobles and peasants alike all bid Me they're respect as I passed. Normally I would have checked in with the local chapter house upon My arrival, but having been detained by chivalrous deeds done at the outskirts of the city, I was already late for My appointment with the Governor In haste I rode on, nodding and waving to those I passed.
As I made My way thru the winding city streets, sounds of horses hooves echoing along the high walls as they trod upon the cobblestones. I had a feeling of being watched. Not from the many windows and balconies that towered on either side of Me, nor from those I passed on the road. The feeling I had tickled the flesh on the back of My neck and seemed to float along behind Me. As if My back was the focal point of some bird...whether an eagle or a vulture was surely the question on My mind. Glancing back and up several times revealed nothing but the rows of clothes hung from lines stretched across lane. Feeling a bit foolish, I urged My mount to a quicker pace and made My way to the mansion.
Dismounting before the mighty structure ..it's massive marble columns reaching up to the sky, I handed the reigns to the stable boy the met Me. Drawing back the hood of My robes as I strode up the granite steps two at a time. The guards at the door saluted and ushered Me in straight away. As a Templar, the usual surrendering of sword before entering a government structure was not required. One guard remained behind at the entrance, the other escorted Me to the Governor's chambers. Once inside, He smartly saluted and closed the tall doors quietly behind Him as He left.
The Governor stood with His back to Me looking out over the balcony at the city scape beyond. It was truly an awe inspiring site, and quite the backdrop for a powerful man, such was the Governor of Rome. Approaching without hesitation, I stopped just before His desk. The sound of My leather gloves clapping the slate desk top as they fell to rest announced My arrival. He turned and We greeted each other with mutual respect.
With the sharing of wine and bread We got acquainted. He remarked that I was younger than those Templars He usually meets. I had passed on Hughes compliments. We sat and talked about My relationship with Hughes and he took a liking to Me...as He was a close associate of My adopted Father.
Getting down to business, I pulled the parchment from My robes and We went over the taxes and other issues of the Orders holdings. All seemed proper and the business was quickly resolved. It was then He spoke of a new investment he had in mind for the Order to investigate. Knowing of My relationship with Hughes, the Grand Master of the Templar Order, He felt that by raising My interest there would be a better chance that the Order would invest in such a property. His demeanor about the way He spoke of this particular property seemed odd at first, until He explained further.
It turned out that His daughter and son in law had bought and operated a spa in the older part of the city. That the business had seemed very promising until the tragic death of His son in law and His daughters ensuing disappearance. The bath house was built over very old abandoned catacombs. One day His son in law was fixing a drain when the floor of the spa gave way and collapsed down into the catacomb. The debris crushed and pinned Him down in the darkness. Unable to cry for help, He bled to death. When the incident was discovered by His daughter, She fled into the catacombs mad with grief.
The tale was truly a sad affair. I asked about His daughter and what was done to find Her. He explained that the part of the city where She entered the catacombs was very old. That no one had been thru the dark passageways for generations. A search was attempted, but when several rescuers failed to return as well - the search was called off and His daughter given up for lost.
For many months after He refused to give up hope, and always kept the entrance beneath the spa well lit with torches and supplied with food. However, the only creatures to partake of His offerings were rats. So, sadly, the decision was made to seal off the entrance and hope the right party would come along to carry on His daughters dream.
Hearing this tale raised My interest...a tragic love story with an unanswered mystery. Certainly the Governor had sensed this adventure in Me during Our chat and had hoped I'd ‘bite the apple' so to speak. I agreed to look into the offer immediately. I was well supplied with a parchment map of the location of the spa and an apology from Him that he couldn't possibly accompany Me.
The hour was late when My meeting with the Governor concluded. I should have made directly for the Chapter House but My young curiosity overwhelmed better judgement and I went instead to the bath house.
Finding My way thru the unfamiliar streets was bad enough, but it being twilight only proved the task more daunting. I was fortunate the Governors map was well detailed, for I located My destination just after nightfall.
The exterior of the structure was as I expected. A very old building with a low entrance. A two story structure bordered on either side by multi-level dwellings. None of the buildings looked like they'd been occupied for some time by the looks of the weeds and dirt that littered the portico.
Boards bared the entryway, securing the building since the decision had been made to abandon it. Not one splinter out of place, seemingly no one had tried to enter. The ease by which the wood gave way surprised Me. I had been so taken by the sad tale, that I had assumed it had happened recently. The Governor was a spry man in what I thought was middle age, but judging from the condition of the barrier, many years must have passed since the tragedy. This fact only proving to deepen the mystery - I felt compelled more than ever to ‘get to the bottom of it'...
Casting the last of the boards aside, I pressed against the door. It creaked open begrudgingly to reveal the musty darkness within. Lighting a torch I had acquired en route I ventured inside. A dank musty smell greeted me, not unpleasant - just stale. The foyer was cluttered with debris and pieces of wood. Dead leaves and dirt crunched under foot. The torchlight revealed an archway opening into a larger chamber. Here I could see marble and wooden benches, shelves lining the walls and chests scattered about. Torches were still in their stanchions and reacted vigorously to My flame. Fully illuminated, the room took on an even odder appearance. Everything was there...all the facilities to accommodate Rome's weary and sore was present...but covered in dust and dirt. The Governors grief had surely been great to have left behind all the furnishings to an abandoned fate.
Off the back wall of the chamber were two low arches and a stairway leading to the second floor. Leaving the torches lit behind Me, I retrieved bedding from My mount. Carrying My things, I ascended the stairs. Taking special care with My flame, for cobwebs hung from the ceiling everywhere. The once lush wool carpet was worn and dirty. The white walls were pocked from falling plaster, revealing the dark mortar lying just beneath it. The old place seemed to be rotting from the inside out. A feeling of neglect and abandon overwhelmed me. The evening breeze blowing thru the building sounded almost as if the walls were weeping.
The stairs led up to a central hall with four doors spilling off on either side. Exploring the rooms one by one I discovered that these were the hostel rooms...places where those guests who were too weary to return home, or those who wished the privacy of a night's stay with forbidden company slept. Each room had a bed and the usual accompaniments One would find in a sleeping chamber. Here again, the furnishings were intact - just decaying and dirty.
At the end of the hallway was a ninth door. I tried to open it but My attempt was thwarted...something was blocking the door from the other side. Figuring pieces of the roof may have given way to prevent My entry I decided to find a way to the roof the next day to investigate. Deciding to bivouac in the room nearest by, which appeared to have the bed in the best condition, I stowed My gear and returned to the main chamber downstairs.
The archways lead down a few steps into the buildings baths. A large cavernous room dotted with a dozen spas, each about ten feet in diameter. Bright colorful mosaic tiles lined the walls and floor of each bath .. intricate patterns and floral designs. The torchlight revealed large murals painted on the plaster walls - these showing signs of decay as well. Just how long ago had His daughter disappeared? This question just wouldn't go away - and the more I saw, the more mysterious it became.
Inspecting each bath closer, I wanted to see where the accident occurred. I located it near the rear of the chamber next to the lone archway leading off this end of the room. The floor of the bath was missing the mosaic patterns, simple brick and mortar was all that could be seen. The task of sealing the hole where the cave in occurred was done poorly - for many of the bricks had loosened and fallen back into the catacomb. Inky darkness oozed thru these spaces - My torch insufficient enough to illuminate anything beneath.
Suddenly I had the feeling again of being watched. Spinning around towards the archway behind Me, torch held hi. The flickering light revealed nothing. Surely there wasn't anyone standing in the doorway - but I could swear I saw something' move in the shadows. Wondering if perhaps someone had come in while I was upstairs I called out - only silence answered Me. No tell tale signs that anyone was even there. No shuffle of feet nor odor of sweat or perfume. If there was someone there hiding in that room- they were as silent as a ghost.
With growing trepidation I moved forward. There had to be answers to this mystery, and I was determined to see the discovery thru to the end. Holding the torch before Me I entered the rear chamber. I wasn't met by man nor beast - just empty silence. The room was the length of the bath house and was obviously the attendants room. Many shelves lined the walls where duty towels and jars of ointments and oils lay cluttered about. No one in sight, no place for an intruder hide in seclusion. The torchlight did reveal a small passageway, perhaps whomever was here had made their escape that way. Upon closer investigation though, the door was boarded shut from the inside.
Using My sword for leverage, I pried this barrier free. The door opened into a stable that was attached to the back of the structure. It's contents pretty much matched the condition of the rest of the building - although some horses had been stabled recently...perhaps by a neighbor. I smiled, knowing that at least My horse would have better accommodations than I this night.
I turned and made My way back thru the spa. The torch was drawing near the end of it's flame, so I quickly stabled My mount and sought to find comfort in the chambers upstairs. Surely the light of morning would cast new answers upon the ghosts of a tired imagination. The rest of the night passed without incident.
What woke Me the next morning wasn't the bright rays of the sun, nor the sounds of footsteps creaking on the floor. What startled Me was the sound of tormented crying and the smells of incense and fresh linen. Almost blinded when I opened My eyes, the fresh white plaster walls glared back at Me reflecting the sun's morning rays. The dust that floated thru the air the night before was gone, the dirt and debris that littered the floor had vanished. The very mattress I slept upon was covered in clean linen - no sign of age or neglect.
I bolted from the bed, sure that My wits had been about Me the previous night. Even dimly lit - there was no way I would have missed this elegance. I quickly crossed Myself and gave a prayer to Jesu to protect Me from what has befallen Me.
Dressing quickly, but being very quiet as I listened in disbelief at the sound that filled the room. Definitely the cry of a woman. At times it seemed to come from the other side of My door, then it would be thru the wall .. coming from the room I had failed to gain entry of the night before.
Eyes now more focused, I look about the sleeping chamber. Shaking My head slowly, refusing to acknowledge what My senses revealed to Me. The room was spotless, the furnishings that were dirty and decaying just a few hours ago - now were fresh and clean. The floor, the walls .. everything was ‘new'. For the first time in My young life I was at a loss as to what to do. Trying to reason what has happened. What could possibly be evil about fresh paint and clean sheets? Steeling Myself for whatever awaited Me, I opened the door.
All at once the crying I had heard ceased. No sound other than My labored breathing. Glancing quickly down the hall...no-one insight. The miraculous changes that happened in My room - had happened here as well. The plaster rich burgundy. The smells of incense and bath oils was even stronger here. My mind reeling .. what was happening? The pit in My stomach seemed to double in size and the hair on My neck was standing fully erect.
Turning to the one room that I had failed to investigate the night before. With a shaking hand I pushed against the polished wood. With ease it opened before Me....swinging silently inward on well oiled hinges. Before Me, in full decor all colorful and alive, was the chamber of the young couple. No timbers had fallen in from the roof...nothing to explain why I couldn't budge the door only hours before. The furnishings seemed to have been used recently .. the bedclothes ruffled, the bottle of perfume open on the dressing table .. a hairbrush with strands of long golden hair.
As I moved about the room investigating the belongings, it was evident to Me, that the Governors daughter and her husband had lived a gallant and rich lifestyle. Gowns and jewels, tunics threaded in gold...shinny leather boots. Parchment invitations lay about from the parties of Rome's elite that They had been invited to. A feeling of pity overcame Me when I saw a small crib in the corner. On the table next to it was a swaddling cloth only half completed .. the knitting needle still entwined in the soft wool fabric. The fact that She was pregnant was omitted by the Governor - perhaps he didn't know, or perhaps He refused to believe that He had lost even more. How could fate be so cruel as to take away the hopes of a young family. This thought was on My mind when I heard a noise behind Me.
I froze...not able to stop the flesh on My body from crawling. Forcing Myself to turn - though rigid from the waist down .. My feet felt as if they were planted in the very floor I stood upon. She was there...just on the other side of the open door. An apparition floating in mid air...her white gown and golden hair billowed in a breeze only She could feel. I was awestruck by Her ethereal beauty .. almost like an angel.
She was beckoning Me to come to Her...Her hands stretched out then pulled back to Her bosom. My legs finding strength I stepped closer. Her face was streaked with tears, Her eyes revealed to Me the most sorrowful and tortured look I have ever seen. Piecing together the little clues I had, My heart broke for the loss that was such beauty...and for what may have been. Just as I reached the doorway, She began floating backwards....still motioning for Me to follow. Her head moved from side to side as We moved along the hall and down to the chamber below. Each time Her face would come back to look at Me, more tears welled in the beautiful eyes. I knew She was lamenting for what once was .. the beauty that this place once had been.
Not stopping, She drew Me into the cavernous room that held the baths. Here too, the decay was gone. The mosaic tiles shimmered and the murals were alive with color. Each bath was full of water, the smell of mint and of jasmine oils flooded My nose .. each bath emanating a different perfumed scent. She floated over them, heading directly for the site of the accident. I made My way across the chamber .. simply marveling at the wonder that met My eyes.
Her airy form stopped and hovered just above the infamous spa...Her sad expression became one of pleading. She beckoned Me more frantically now ... the tormented cries I heard earlier filled the room. I looked down into the pool and reflecting in the water's surface were images. Here I thought My eyes were playing tricks, but then as the scenes changed it began to make sense. I saw image of the spa being empty and a man working with in it. I saw Him swing a maul at the drain and saw Him plummet into the gaping hole. I saw the look of pain and terror on His face as he realized He could not get help ...I saw Him dying.
I next had the vision of Her discovery .. how She peered down at first with an inquisitive look, then watched the look on Her face change to one of shock. I saw Her descend into the darkness and cradle the bloodied head of Her husband in Her lap ... how She frantically tore bits of Her dress to wipe His face and neck in a vain attempt to arrest the flow of blood. I saw Him die in her arms.
She looked up to the heavens and screamed a most tortured and pitiful shriek. I saw the look in Her eyes turn from sorrow, to hatred .. and then finally to madness. Her bloodied hands rung thru Her golden hair .. pulling bits of it free. Her face was twisted, contorted in the look of the insane. I saw her bolt into the darkness of the catacombs.
The final image that appeared in the water's reflection was that of a cradle. In an instant it dawned on Me this was the infant bed I saw in the master sleeping chamber upstairs. I looked up at the apparition as if She could read My mind. She smiled acknowledgment and folded Her hands upon Her womb .. then slowly pointed to the bottom of the bath. She repeated this motion over and over.
When I looked down, the bath water began to evaporate. But the final image that was revealed to Me stuck terror in My heart. I saw a tiny child's hand reaching up from the hole in the bricks.
All at once, the water was gone ... the apparition had vanished and the smells returned to the damp musty odors of the day before. A lone torch remained lit in it's scansion upon the wall. I reached for it and immediately thrust it down into the bath. Sure enough, the bricks were fewer than in the vision, but the same number as had been when I first saw it. Obviously, someone had tried to re-open the sealed floor of the bath...not the shoddy workmanship I had first thought.
Looking about Me for something to force an opening .. I remembered the boards that were used to bare the entry from the stable. I quickly retrieved several sturdy pieces of the wood, a few dusty towels and a length of rope from My saddle then climbed down into the bath. Careful to stand at the edges so I didn't suffer the same fate as Her husband .. I pounded away at the bricks.
Success came slow but sure, for in time I made an opening large enough squeeze through. Tying the rope to a large thick board stretched across the floor of the bath, I lowered the other end down into the hole. Lighting the towels with My torch I dropped the burning cloth down as well....faintly illuminating the floor of the catacomb below. I crossed Myself then descended the rope into the inky darkness.
Adding more towels to the burning pile I built a nice fire...and with the light of My torch I could see more of the catacomb. The odor down here was fowl...a rotting damp smell. Looking about Me I could see the rough hewn tunnel lead off in two directions. Quickly I formulated a plan.
Surveying the littered floor, I saw no tell tale signs that anyone had traveled any specific direction recently. Looking one way then the other, I ventured off down the tunnel .. being sure to tear bits of My tunic and leaving them on the floor behind Me.
The tombs that lined the walls were in various stages of decay. Some of them remained sealed with the ornate offerings of the relatives, other were broken open revealing the bones that lye within. Constantly looking and listening for any signs of recent habitation. It wasn't long until the catacomb branched off into several corridors.
Quickly realizing that this venture would be impossible to conduct alone, but I had the nagging feeling that time was too important to go fetch help. I stopped at the split with My torch held before Me. I spoke out loud to the spirit of the woman. I asked Her for guidance, and assured Her that I would do what I possibly may for whatever the reason She had brought me to this place.
I steadied My rapid breathing and listened for a reply, or a sign of some type. What answered me was not a voice .. but a breeze that blew from behind Me causing the flame of the torch to flutter in the direction of one of the catacomb tunnels that lay before Me. Marking the path behind Me right well, I proceeded down the corridor. The unexplained wind had ceased and only started again when the tunnels split before Me. Surely taking this as Devine guidance, I boldly continued onward. It wasn't long before I came upon a most gruesome discovery.
The torch dimly lit the horrible scene so I could not make out every detail, something I was very grateful for. What I found was the body of a small child lying in a vacant burial chamber. Scattered about on the floor were bones, many with pieces of decomposing flesh still clinging to them. The odor was unbearable ..between the rotting flesh and excrement.
I quickly turned to the child. Holding the flame closer, I could see it was male about five years of age, but hardly so. The matted hair caked with dirt and mud. The mouth encrusted with dried blood...whether His own, or from the decaying bones I could not, would not guess. The skin was pale, almost translucent and hung loosely from His body. He did not respond to the light, nor to My voice or prodding. But He breathing was shallow. Obviously near death, I could see now why time was so important.
Removing My tunic, I wrapped the child within it. Holding the torch ahead of Me, I went back the way I had come. Praying to Jesu that the trail I had left behind would still be there. I followed in the dim light as best I could. The times that I lost My markings, the mysterious wind arose and guided Me.
Back at the point where I entered the catacombs I lay the child down and formulated a plan to get Him out. By bracing and tying the child against a long board, I secured the end of it to My rope. Quickly I scampered up the rope and into the bath above. Next I began carefully pulling the rope up behind Me, bringing up the precious bundle that I had attached to it.
By the time I had the child up and out of the catacomb, He was beginning to regain consciousness. Far from coherent but quite obviously reacting to the light of the torch. He growled and whimpered in fear of it ..until I covered His eyes with a towel.
The sense of urgency came to Me once again, that time was short. Securing the wrap about His eyes, I gathered Him into My arms and headed for the stables. Not taking the time even to saddle My steed, I rode bareback the child trough the afternoon sunshine to the local chapter house of the Templars.
There I found the help He needed, both physical and spiritual. And right soon the boy began to respond to the tending. A story was formulated with My Brethren as to the child's condition and how he came to be found...for the truth was surely too gruesome to announce. A messenger was sent to fetch the Governor. Soon after, the boy and His grandfather were re-united and the slow process of bringing the child to the development of other human children began. I alone returned to the bath house.
Armed with the knowledge that the Order would indeed invest in the estate and restore it to the grandeur it once was. This thought was on My mind as I re-entered the structure. From the outside, the building had the same run down appearance, but once inside, I was greeted with the beauty of it's mysterious rebirth.
Making My way upstairs, I gathered My belongings and stopped before the open door of the master chambers. Glancing inside I smiled, for what I saw restored My faith in God and His goodness. Standing before the cradle were the Spirits of the young family. The beautiful woman that was the Governors daughter, Her husband and a beautiful baby boy.
She was holding the baby in Her arms when She looked up at Me. A most wonderful smile crossed Her face. I could read in her glowing blue eyes the thanks She had for Me. I said a prayer to Jesu for granting Me the ability to have done such a deed ..and when I opened My eyes...They were gone. The building had returned to it's state of disrepair. I made My way back outside, and after securing the door, I mounted My horse and rode off thru the winding streets of Rome.
The End