Smelgar looked on the figure before him: older, perhaps wiser, but definitely, Conrad the Humble, former Grandmaster of the Order of the Temple.

"Aye, Julian, with fondness and affection do I remember that name, for he it was who raised me straight from a simple Knight to the office of Protoasekretes. I remember reticence on my part, and insistence on his, and hope I have proven worthy of his trust and confidence. If you have news of his fate, whether it be good or ill, I would have you tell me, for we have long mourned him, since he departed on his quest.".

"In one thing though, I must correct you, Sir: Julian was never Emperor! That honour was reserved for Nicetius whilst he lived, and fell to me when that worthy died as a result of a hunting accident. Nevertheless, you are right in the substance: Julian determined the policy of the Empire, and his legacy remains with us today."

And finally, Conrad, what of yourself? Of course, we are pleased to see the return of one of the greatest of our Templar brothers, and God be praised for that. But, you also disappeared, and now emerge, seemingly arisen from the depths of the sea. Where were you, when Alar struck from the north? or when the English opportunist took the chance to strike a blow from the shadows, which he would never have dared in open warfare... I must know it, Sir."

Conrad swallowed hard for second there, pondering his answer. The harshness of the rebuke contained by the words of the Emperor put weight to his mind. He knew quite well, too well, of his failures to serve his brothers in times of need, no need to be reminded of those. But he could hardly have held grudge, when pilgrims' safe houses and the fortresses of the poor were put to the sword by the invaders. And when the words failed and the might of weapons replaced them, where was he to serve, as he once swore? Alas, he knew all these too well, and he hoped redemption for these could be found but in the news he was carrying.

He followed silently the retinue accompanying the Emperor to a more silent corner of the vessel, and when Smelgar sit on a nice chair, surrounded by his company and brother Hyrkan, he cleared his voice, standing few steps away, looking straight forward:

He was no Emperor indeed, and I must ask for forgiveness, old are the days since I was following the ways of politics. Yet he was like a brother to me, even if not by blood, and for his sake I left this place of the world, to learn about his fate. And Your Majesty may be pleased to find that Julian is very much alive and in good health, at least that's how I left him only two months ago. he paused a moment,letting the news sink into the minds of the gathering. Noticing with unhidden satisfaction the surprise and the excitement his words produced, he waited a moment longer, and continued:

And for this I have sacrificed even my oath to the Order, God have mercy on my soul, and I was not here when storm from the West ravaged our peace loving brotherhood. Aye, Your Majesty, for I have found myself of the vileness which was brought from the West by that renegade, may the jaini forever devour his soul in the endless desert beyond the horizon. Conrad muttered some words in a strange language, sounding like glass paper to the men's ears, before raising his head again:

'But allow me to start from the beginning, Your Majesty, and you brother Hyrkan, and you, honorable knights of the Empire, and I promise it will worth the waiting. For large and strange is the world out there, and little our knowledge is about. As brother Hyrkan already knows, I was in the service of the Caliph of the Abbasides, when dependable words were whispered to me about the path Julian has taken years before. But there was much secrecy and people were afraid to speak in plain daylight about the lands of Ethiopia, for the Caliph himself thought it was inhabited by infidels and forbidden it was to tell about, under the penalty of death. And the road there was filled with monstrous creatures and barbaric people, and none has ever returned from those parts. But that road I took nevertheless, as soon as I was able to leave the service unharmed and in good understanding. The Caliph himself gifted me with a fine horse and words of appreciation, for him did not know my true destination.'

Conrad took a short pause, letting the memories fill him, and swallowed dry, for this was the harshest part he must tell about, and he was not grateful the sun hid from their sight at this time.

'Many days and nights I have traveled, riding straight into the sun, and many rivers I have crossed. And deserts spread so far as the eye could see, followed by barren plateaus with only rocks and gravel for many miles. There was an empty land, and many times I have thought this path is taking me beyond the world of living, into the chasm beyond. But soon high mountains, reaching for the sky, their heads covered in snow, have stood before me, and I have known my journey must go on. The slopes of those mountains, Your Majesty and friends, hold woods so old as the world itself, and no path or road pierces them. And few dare to venture, for vile creatures of unspeakable evil lurk in there. Even the plants, of shapes and design not seen elsewhere, they bite and they sting, and crawl around the traveler, entangling him between roots and stalks, till life leaves his body. And during the nights the wood comes alive, and unseen birds and nameless beasts, they roam, they sniff, they grunt, or they cry, for their hunger for fresh flesh is great. Huge claws and sharp teeth glimmer in the light of the fire one foolish enough is to light there, for fire attracts them the most, and they know no fear of it. And when the sun rises somewhere in the world, for below the ancient trees none could be seen of it, they do retreat in their caves and wait, cunningly, for their prey to come to their grasp next time.'

Conrad shuddered, involuntarily, and sighing, he continued, not paying attention to the faces watching him. Only a gentle breeze, freshening him up, felt like comfort.

'The poor beast the Caliph gave me could not stand, and I had to let him loose, when trembling of fear and heavily sweating, fell to the ground, unable to move. Little hope there is it could have escaped that terror, and made its way to better places. My poor faithful! Alone I was left, in that desolation and despair, and days I have wandered, for no end seemed to be of that forest, and the stars and the moon never pierced the thick green shroud around me. And then it was, when I gave up hope, and said my final prayer, with the blade on my hand, waiting for the end to come from a hungry mouth or a grasping paw, when sounds of powerful horns broke the evil of the forest, and sounds of cheering and laughing pierced my heart with a spike of hope. Hunters they were, and they took me and helped the ghost I almost have become. They showed no fear for the malice of the woods, nor did they show surprise for my appearance.'

'To their small village I was brought, up into the mountains, under the peaks where winter dwells forever, and sun shines as bright as the light of the angels, and there my hope was reborn. Strange folk they were, and marvelous in all, for they were tall and powerful, and magic was strong in their hearts and mind. Fire-worshipers they were, keeping Zoroaster as their prophet, and they loved all that was growing and was green.' Conrad smiled in relief, but a mere recollection of the feelings which must have embodied him at those times. 'There, I knew my journey is close to end now, for across the mountains the purpose of it was to be found.'

Conrad paused, feeling thirsty, and the night grew darker above them, and clouds covered the stars. Lights were lit on the ships, shimmering in the dark, and the silhouettes of men seemed shapeless.

Conrad stood silent for a long while, watching the waves slowly beating against the careen. The equipage was creaking in the wind, and the movements of the ship invited to sleep. Conrad turned to the silent assistance, waiting in query for him to finish:

'It was soon that I was recovered from my ordeal, and ready to move on, I was provided with a skilled guide and plenty of supplies for the last stage of my trip. I have crossed the mountains in the summer times, when weather allowed it, and I came to a green land, surrounded by tall mountains. Marvelous lands they are, and great buildings people have built there. The riches of the land are so great, that no word can fully explain. I was not allowed to enter that land, for my sins, I was told are many, and no man should be allowed inside, except his will is to remain there for the rest of his life, in peace and meditation. I was not ready, but I was granted the favor of meeting the one I have long traveled to see. For there he was, as peaceful as ever, and a holy light shone in his eyes, my beloved brother Julian. Serenity his being was radiating, and in his presence I have felt alll evil in the world diminished.'

Conrad smiled, and a queer grimace covered his face for a moment.

'I am not allowed to speak more, for time has not come, I was told, for the world to know about. But nevertheless Julian made me learn by heart words of a letter the Majesty of that land wishes to send to the ruler of the Christians which strive here. And to that I am bound, and for this I have returned in a haste.'

And slowly, careful at the pace of words and the meaning of them, Conrad started to recite to His Imperial Majesty.

'I John, priest and King of our Lord Jesus Christ, , to his friend Smelgar, Emperor of the Roman Empire, salutes.'[...]'We send you our love and appreciation.'[...]'Our kingdom holds many riches and splendors, not seen anywhere else on the world.'[...]'Many kings pay us tribute, and many crowned heads and clerics sit at our table.'

Long his speech was, and meaningful to the careful ear, and when he finished, he took a big breath, as if a heavy burden was lifted from him. At last, he ended:

'Who knows, maybe someone in the future will put these words of might and wonder in writing, but this is beyond me to see. As for my brother and the mentor of Your Majesty, all I can say is that he has found the greatest peace one can hope to achieve in life, and doubt not the Heavens will be open to him, when the time comes. I thank Your Imperial Majesty for the patience and kindness, may that you treasure well the richness the humble here has strived to bring it. Allow me now to retreat, and find whatever may be in this world for me.'

Conrad bowed to the Emperor and the Commander, and retreated from the deck, to stay with the regular Templars, waiting whatever order may be given to him.

Smelgar listened with growing amazement to the tale. Julian alive? and... whilst still in the world, ascended apparently to the spiritual state described to the Corinthian saints but attained by so few. Perhaps even, contrary to Augustine's view but in his nomenclature: non posse peccare is achieved whilst still in life?

Finally Conrad finished the tale, and there was silence. Long silence.

Then Smelgar spoke to the Templar crew, amongst whom Conrad now stood: "Well met, Humble one; you humble me, truly. And to think I sought to test you."

"Joyful indeed are these tidings you bring. Like many, I have long heard rumour of John the Presbyter and of his glorious realm: Heaven on Earth, as you now attest. But when Julian announced to me his intention to seek out that worthy, I to my shame thought he had gone soft in the head, and fallen into folly. How did I doubt? How now shall I---if by grace I shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven---face that one who in Christ has done this great thing, when my petty achievements are laid out as the sinister score?"

Another long silence.

"But I have my answer: in God's grace! For in God's grace are all things possible. God's grace fired Julian in all his endeavours, this latest only the greatest of his many. Therefore let us all take a moment to remember what that Soldier of Christ did whilst amongst us, and thank the Lord for the privilege we had to serve at his side."

after few weeks... on the sea

Conrad has just received via a fast ship the scroll with his appointment as foreign affairs minister, and kissed the seal of the Order on it. 'Once again into the breach' he muttered, and thought about the deeds at hand. The brothers on his ship were amased at the sudden raise in ranks, and were murmuring amongst themselves.

Soon before, too soon, Conrad found more news coming to them, and, by the stir, they didn't seem particularly good. And indeed they seemed disturbing, to anyone listening to the courier: a large armada with the flags of Smolensk Rus, Petcheneg and Finn crossed in silence the straits and now moved into Templar waters, with weapons displayed and the fires at their ballistas lit.

Dark were the faces of the men, and voices of anger and fear were heard, but Conrad laughed hard and clapped his hands.

No fear, brothers! Lighten your hearts and clear your minds! I know you had bad dealings in the past with the Prince, but all is behind now. The Prince Alar is a brother to us! Don't leave the dark thoughts cloud your judgment!

Indeed, so? You have been away too long, and the whores of Babylon took your minds! Just look at this letter from his chancellor! Just look! he's declaring us war! an annoyed voice, from the courier company, covered his laughs. Just look and swallow your joy!

Conrad read in silence the war declaration and stood thoughtful for a while. Then, as to himself, he shook his head. God's will, always! he whispered and moved to the writing desk.

And they call it the sunny France! Conrad muttered under the heavy rain which fell in merciless flurries over the Templar camp. Impossible to eat anything dry, or to even wear something which was not soaked. No fire could stand lit for long, and all around plashes and a deep, sinking mud. In pale light of few surviving torches, hidden under canvas of some tents, the wet metal was throwing cold flickers, here and there, lost in the heavy darkness of the moonless night. Men’s and beasts’ breaths were bringing breezes in the dim light, seeming like lost spirits wandering the land of the living in their ever hunger.

Conrad remembered the path who took him here. Their long travel on a vicious sea, after passing the treacherous straits of Corsica, which brought their resolve to dangerous peaks, finally took them to the lands of Spain. Having been well received by the local landlord, they have been replenished with worthy supplies and horses for the long journey waiting for them, before they could join the rest of the Templar forces: the long perilous road through the mountains. It was a late autumn, and already, up into the mountains, the winter showed its cruel teeth. For many misty days, one after another, the Templar companies marched on narrow paths through deep thickets and stony lands, led by capable scouts of the Spanish army. No joyous their passage was, as the food need to be rationed, and danger lie in every corner the path took. Dark nights, when fire was forbidden to be lit, out of fear for an ambush, and gray days, under a sunless sky. Nothing but the cold water of the brooks to quench the painful thirst of long marches, and the all present, helpless tiredness. And when finally the stony walls finally split, and the sky came greater, hills over hills with steep slopes meeting in narrow valleys took over. Many turns and roundabouts for the tired men and beasts, as the road went round the most difficult parts, covered with already old grass from the last summer and huge boulders. To a blessed end, the land slowly leveled, and the red, and brown and yellow of the forests brought them some relief.

And so they came, following the news and the messages which kept coming from discrete scouts from time to time, to the lands of Guyenne, and they have learned the place was swarming with Irish. The have took over and small settlement and they have occupied the strategic points, up on a small hill. Few miles to the West, the ocean, many of the younger brothers didn’t even know it exists, was sending it’s salty breeze in rare waves, making men’s nostrils fill with the scented freshness.

The joining with the main force of the Templar was satisfactory, but not joyous, as the men were so tired, they could even stand at the evening mass. News came, of a Spanish army that was camped nearby, offering protection from the right flank, and ordered to take care for the stranded from the Irish army. The more, the Foreign Affairs minister of the Kingdom was leading it, and the Senshall of the Order Argorian has even met her. The morale of the men slightly increased at the hearing of such, together with the generous meal. Still, tiredness soon came all over them, sending them to a deep, beastly sleep.

Conrad mounted his nag, the best which could be found for him on these places, and rode slowly and covertly to the edge of the forest, towards North. The guards, well hidden in the deep carpets of dead leaves, let him pass with a nod, and Conrad moved on maybe a mile or so. At some distance, there lied the camp of the Irish force, and few fires were still lit. Conrad inspected the land lying before him and shook his head. The tired men of the Order would be put to a hard test to climb that hill and charge. he muttered, and looked at the left side, where a ticket formed a darker stain on the land.If only we could lure them in there, away from their precious hill…he added, before turning the horse back to the camp.
He felt no energy to head to the Spanish camp and meet the officials, and he felt no need to do so, until the Templars have proven in battle.No, this night belongs to God, and to His will to show us mercy.

Covering himself with a blanket, under the steady rain, which threatened soon to flood the whole camp, Conrad knelled and raised a prayer to the grim sky, before the land of dreams took him over.