Some say that rain is the tears of angels, crying for our sins. I remember very clearly that that day, large drops had cascaded from the heavens. Perhaps the angels knew of what was to come.

---

The messenger came at around midday, when the rain was heaviest and we were trying to learn Arabic. He was a Crusader, as we could see by his attire, which seemed to have been pieced together from various places and allegiances. He was old, not to the point of being decrepit, but lines streaked his face and his eyes were tired. He seemed to sag under the weight of his soaked-through cloak and water tinkled off his helmet. He was silent as he held out a long iron cylinder. Sir HaiFung took it and the two men parted at the door without another word. This was strange, as Sir HaiFung usually held it as common courtesy to invite anyone (pauper or lord) who arrived at his door in.

He dismissed us from the hall, telling us that the lesson shall wait for another day. Then, he promptly disappeared into his chambers and did not emerge for the rest of the day.

---

When he did return to the world of the living on the following morning, he was dressed for travel. He had slung his sword on his belt and had retrieved his crusading attire from where it had resided for the past six years. It was simple, a mail shirt with capped sleeves worn under black tabards, a similarly colored “obi”, and a leather belt. His black traveling cloak was upon his shoulders and his shins were covered by greaves. His eyes revealed nothing as he said,

“Pack your things, it’s time you knew the world outside of this little town.”

Needless to say, we were confused by this sudden declaration, but knew better than to ask. We went to our chambers and packed what few belongings we had. When we emerged, three horses (a black, a brown, and a white) had been saddled and Sir HaiFung awaited us patiently upon the black one. It was at this point that I noticed the iron cylinder still hanging from his saddle… and I saw the seal embroidered upon it.

It was an order from the king. The Knight Orient was to return to service.

Liam hopped on to the brown steed, his green cloak flowing gently behind him. Liam was not vain, but he had always cared for his appearance more than me. In his immaculate brown vest, green outer tunic, blue inner tunic, and broadsword, he looked every much like a knight.

Me, on the other hand, had trouble mounting the white mare in a dastardly dress hardly fit for traveling. Though I had tried to persuade Sir HaiFung into letting me wear more sensible clothes, dressing “like a woman” was the one thing that the man was adamant about. It was strange, he taught me to read and write and to fight men larger than me, yet he would not allow me out of my dress.

Glancing behind him, Sir HaiFung came to the conclusion that we were ready. Spurring his horse, he galloped down the road with us scrambling after him. Any hope Liam and I had regarding an explanation had drifted away like the trail of dust we left behind us. This will be he first of many strange things that served as the beginning of our great journey.

---

For three days and nights we rode on, pausing only when our weary backs could bear it no longer. Our meals were simple and short, with no words exchanged whilst we ate. The long-awaited explanation did not come.

On the fourth day, we reached the Southern short whereupon we were told to wait by the shore for Sir HaiFung as he disappeared into the crowds. As I swept my eyes over the horizon, I could see no boundaries to the waves of blue and white waves of the water. It was the very first time either Liam or I have ever laid eyes on the sea, and I felt cowed by its vastness.

When Sir HaiFung returned it was with the news that we shall soon be crossing the span of water that lay before us; a thought that caused Liam distress, though he tried to hide it. I felt much the same… the tales we’ve heard of the sea were not pleasant. We were told that, on the sea, one’s fate lay in the hands of the waves and the winds… and the appetites of the beasts that occupied its murky depths. Sir HaiFung had long dismissed the Sea Monsters as mere minstrel’s fancies, but he said nothing of the waves.

We were fortunate, for God willing and the sea was calm as our vessel drew across the water. The English shore dipped below and the horizon and the cries of the seagulls grew fainter, until at last there was only the gentle sound of the waves and the cradle-like rocking of the ship. I found the sea to be beautiful and serene. In the day, the sun spread sparkles across its ripples of blue and at night, clear skies lit with a thousand stars and the salty sent of the air made sleep come easily.

Liam, however, seem to long for the familiarity of land. He spent many hours leaning over the deck, dumping the contents of his bowels into the blue waves. I worried, for he seemed to me more ill and weak than he had ever been. Sir HaiFung bade me to be calm and told me that it would soon pass. It was this one thing that made me long for land while the rest of me was content with the sea.

So it came to pass that France lay before us. And beyondit: the Holy Land, Birthplace of Christ.