Askani': In The Begining
Written by Jfive
Edited by Kingbob
****************



Iverness, Scotland.
1297, AD.

	Nile de Gregory stared up at the vast expanse of cliffs.
{{This place would make a very easily defended position.}}  He signaled
his second in command forward.  "What do you think Charles?  Will
it serve our purposes?"

	Sir Charles de Montefort, a large man with a flowing red
beard, gave the cliffs a once over.  "Nile, I doubt you could find
a better place to put a bloody castle.  Although, I would have some
of the slaves narrow down the approach so that no more than two
men may approach side-to-side."

	"Good suggestion, Charles.  I will make sure that it is done.
Have we recieved any further word from Molay?"  Nile asked.
{{I hope so, because I still don't know why Molay would want to
build a castle in this god-forsaken land.}}

	"Not unless we recieved one in the past ten minutes or so.
What do you think is going on back at the London Temple?"  Charles
stared back towards the camp

	"I don't know, wish I did, but I don't.  Something tells me that
the shit is going to hit the fan soon though.  Else why would Molay
give me nearly a tenth of the treasury to build a castle?"  Nile watched
as slaves continued dragging large boulders up from the quarry.
"Anyway, we won't know until Molay decides to tell us."

	While Nile continued staring at the cliffs, Montefort left
to check on how the work was coming in the quarry.  Nile turned
and stared out toward the ocean for a second, and then he too left.



London, England.
1299, AD.

	Jaques de Molay stared at the missive on his desk.
{{Good, the castle is being built even faster than I had hoped.
I can only hope that it will continue at that pace.}}  Molay got up
and stretched his legs.  {{Too long out of the saddle.  I'll have to
go riding soon, or I may forget how.}} A chuckle escaped at that
thought.

	At that moment, Molay saw Sir Geoffrey of Mairn walking
towards the Temple.  {{God, when was the last time that I saw
the old boy?  Six or seven years ago, at least.  Wonder what he
wants?}}

	When Geoffrey arrived, they embraced like brothers.
"How have you been Jaques?"  Geoffrey, a tall blond man, asked.

	"Fine, just fine.  How have you been?"  Jaques said.  {{He
didn't come all the way from Wales just to catch up on the weather.
I'll just wait him out and see what he has to say.}}

	"I've been great, I've gotten married since I last saw you.
Great girl, she is."  Geoffrey answered.  Then he whispered, "Is
there somewhere we can talk without being interrupted?"

	"Yes.  Follow me."  Jaques led his friend into the deepest
part of the Temple, where no one except the highest ranking members
of the Order were allowed.  "Okay.  What is so important?"

	"It's begun."  There was no question about what it was.
"Philip petitioned the Pope three weeks ago, and he recieved a
letter saying that yall were too strong.  But, we expect that the Pope
will only gainsay him for so long."

	"I had wondered at how long it would take Philip to act.
I guess this answers my question."  Jaques thought for a minute.
"You say that the Pope said no?"

	"Yes, but we intercepted a message from Philip.  It said
that he had plans to place Clement upon the Papal throne.  We tried
to warn the Pope, but he said that it will be as God wills it."
Geoffrey looked disgusted.

	"Is there anyway we can protect him?"

	Geoffrey thought for a second.  "Not anymore than he
already is.  Listen to me now.  Philip undoubtly will know soon that
I came and saw you.  You must be careful.  If all else fails, flee the
country."

	After a little bit of catching up, Geoffrey left Jaques to
comtemplate what he was to do.  {{Thank god that I sent Nile to
Scotland.  I'm going to have to go see him soon and explain what is
happening.}}



Iverness, Scotland.
Refuge Castle
1300, AD.

	{{It's beautiful.  Simply beautiful.}}  Molay thought
as he stared up at the immense castle.  {{Nile designed this with
the utmost of care.  The only way to approach it is via this six
foot wide penisula.}}

	"Who goes there?"  A voice cried out from the top of
the castle wall.  Jaques smiled.  {{With all this, and he still sets a
watch.}}

	"A lonely traveler, searching for food and a bed."
Jaques yelled up to the watch.

	In a minute, he heard, "Open the gate."  As the gate
swung open, Jaques recieved his first view of the interior of the
castle.  {{It's even larger than it first appeared.}}  After a moment,
he saw a figure motioning for him to enter.

	"If you'll follow me, I'll show you to a place that you can
bed down for the night."  The figure, a man Jaques now saw, said
gruffly.

	"Would you be so kind as to inform Nile de Gregory that
I have arrived."  Jaques said.  The man looked at him for a second.

	"And who should I say you are?"  He asked.

	"Tell him that I am Jaques de Molay."  Molay saw the man
jerk.

	"Yes, my lord.  If you will accompany me, I will take you to
him now."  The man said.

	In a few minutes, Jaques was being shown into the dining
hall.  Jaques noticed the stir that his appearance was causing.  {{It'll
be fun when they realise who I am.}}

	Looking at the scruffy man that entered into the hall, Nile
wasn't fooled for a second.  "Jaques?  Have you been forced to skip
a bath?"  He asked as he laughed.

	"Never could get anything past you, Nile."  Jaques replied.
"How has everything been since the last time we talked?"

	"Fine, had a little problem with some neighbors, but I don't
think that we'll have to worry about them anymore.  We...settled...that
dispute not to long ago."  Nile answered.  "Let's eat, and then we can
talk."  That idea was favored by all.



Later.

	"Basically, Philip is trying to get the Pope to disband us."
Molay said.

	"...and when that happens, Philip springs his trap, catching
the Knights Templar within its jaws."  Nile finished.  "Simple solution.
Kill Philip."

	"No!  We will NOT resort to that.  I have a plan that I hope
will work, but I wanted you to know the backup."  Molay became
deadly serious.
"I can't tell you what we're going to do, because the less that know,
the better.  What I want you to do is begin gathering all of the
younger Templars that you can into Refuge Castle."

	"We should be at your side!"  Nile said.

	"Silence!  Please old friend, listen for once."  Molay paused
for a second, then he continued.  "If something should go wrong,
and the order be destroyed, above all else DO NOT seek revenge.
If that should occur, I have drawn up a document that releases all of
the Knights inside of Refuge Castle from their vow of chastity."

	"Released us from our vow?!?"

	"If the order is attacked, you might well be our only hope
of survival.  You will all need to have as many male children as
possible and then teach them the values of the Templar society."  A
tear misted in Jaques's eye.  "Above all else though, if we fall, choose
a different name to go by.  Do not use the Knights Templar anymore."

	Nile stood there for a second, unable to move after
hearing what he had heard.  "It shall be done."

	"Good.  Enough of this drab talk, how have you enjoyed
living among you people again?"



Vatican City, Rome.
1305.

	King Philip of France looked at Pope Clement, who he considered
his own personal trump card.  It was true in a way because Philip had
been very involved in the untimely demise of the previous Pope, one who
didn't happen to agree with Philip's view point.  At this moment, Clement
wasn't very sure that he agreed with Philip.

	"You want me to declare the Knights Templar excommunicated
because your broke?!?"  Clement asked with dismay.  The Knights were
his own personal honor guard.  "Do you have any reasons?"

	"Of course I have reasons."  Philip said, his anger
beginning to show.  "There are rumors that they deny Christ,
tread on the cross, kiss the devils balls, and engage in acts of
homosexuality.  If that's not enough, then I suggest that you
think up something else."

	"Good God, Philip!  Do you not realize that my declaring
them excommunicated will be a slap in my own face.  They're my
bloody guard."  Philip said, as he too began to grow angry.

	"I suggest that you find a way to take care of yourself
then, because need I remind you of the previous Pope's fate?"
Philip said, the threat evident.  "If the Cardinals knew what role
you played in his death, how long do you think that you would
sit in that chair?"

	Beaten, Pope Clement conceded to do what Philip wanted.
"It will take some time though.  At least a year, possibly longer."

	"You have a year.  Any longer, well let's just say that
the Cardinals and Bishops will find out some interesting facts
about their Pope.  Need I make myself any clearer?"

	"No."  Clement answered, unwilling to look Philip in the
eyes.



Paris, France.
Friday, October 13, 1306.

	Jaques Molay stared into the face of a man he had once
trusted.  "Mairn, you hellspawn!  I should have known that you
would have something to do with this.  You were always around
when we made plans to do anything."

	Geoffrey of Mairn grinned evilly at Jaques.  "It was very
easy, you self-righteous bastard.  All you ever wanted to do was
'further the relationship between the common people and the
nobles.'  It makes me sick to think of how close you came to
succeeding."

	Behind Geoffrey stood King Philip the Fair.  King of France,
he had conspired with Geoffrey to take the Templars captive.
"Where are the others of your order?"

	Molay spit in his face.  After calmly wiping his face off,
Philip backhanded Molay.  "Answer me, damn you!"  When no
answer was forthcoming, Philip motioned for one of his honor
guard to remove Molay.

	"Hard to believe that this was the stronghold of the
 'Great Templars.'"  Philip said with sarcasm.  "The only thing
about this that worries me is the fact that some of the Knights
are in other countries."

	"Don't worry King Philip.  I'm sure that when the Pope
makes the Templars outlaws, the other countries will fall over
themselves trying to find them."  Geoffrey said.  "Tell me, why
do you hate the Templars so much?"

	"Fifteen years ago, I tried to join them.  They sent
me home without a second word.  Said that I didn't have
what it takes.  Well, we'll just see who has what it takes."
Philip answered.  "Now, tell me about this floating treasure
chest that supposedly sits in the harbor of La Rochelle."



La Rochelle, France
October 15, 1306.

	"Are you sure that they are still there?"  Philip
asked the watcher.

	"A fleet of ships, flying the Templar emblem?  Yeah,
I saw em."

	Philip didn't wait for the man to finish.  As soon as he
halfway believed that the ships were at the harbor, he took off
towards the harbor.  {{Yes, only a little farther and then I'll be
rich.}}

	As Philip came over the hill that offered a view of
the harbor, he stopped.  {{Everything right where it
should be.  Except for one small problem...There are
no ships in the fucking harbor!}}

	The Templar ships, loaded down with gold, had sailed during
the night, and they would never be seen again.



Iverness, Scotland.
Refuge Castle.
November 12, 1306.

	Nile wiped a tear from his eyes.  Then he read the
missive again.  {{Damn, Jaques and most of the order captured
in France.  Someone betrayed them.}}  Nile looked up as Charles
entered the room.  Then, without a word, he handed him the letter.

	After a few seconds, Charles swore.  "Damn, what
happened?  How are we going to free them, Nile?"

	Nile stared at his friend for a moment.  "We don't."

	"What the hell do you mean, 'We don't'?"  Charles screamed,
his eyes wild.

	"Jaques knew something was going to happen.  Remember the
last time he was here?  About six and a half years ago."  Nile stopped
and removed an envelope from his shelf.  "Two months after he was gone,
I found this in one of the books that he brought."

	Charles took the letter, and read it.  After he finished, he
slammed his fist through the wall.  "NO!, it's wrong, Nile!  I don't
care what the flaming letter says.  I say that we rescue them."

	"That was my argument when Jaques first told me about
this possibly happening.  Then he changed my mind when he said
that our mission is to protect the people from evil."  Nile stops
here and takes the letter from Charles.  "We have an obligation
to the future to survive so that others will be protected from the
evil of the world."

	Charles thought for a minute, then nodded.  "I don't
like it, but it's the best option we have.  How are we supposed
to continue the Order if we are to go underground?"

	Nile handed Charles another letter.  "That contains an
order from the Grand Master of the Knights Templar releasing
all knights from their vow of chastity.  It becomes valid on the
date of Jaques death or disappearance."

	"Well what do we do now?"

	"We do the only thing that we can.  We offer any knight
that wants refuge a place within the castle."



Two weeks later.
Stirling, Scotland.

	Robert the Bruce smiled at Nile de Gregory as he entered
the room.  "Nile, I trust that you've been well?  Have a seat."

	"All is fine, Robert.  I need to ask a favor from you
though."  Nile said.

	"And I hope that I can grant it.  Ask."

	"The remaining Knights of our order seek a place where
they will no longer be persecuted.  Can they stay in Scotland?"
Nile asked.

	"Damn, don't beat around the bush do you?  I would
say no, that the Pope has threatened anyone knowing helping
the Templars with excommunication. But since I've already been
excommunicated, what could it hurt."  He answered with a grin.
"I do ask one thing in return.  If I should ever need warriors, you
will supply as many as possible."

	"Done."  Nile replied.



Paris, France.
1312.

	"He did it.  The Pope finally abolished the Templars."  Philip
smiled at Geoffrey as he looked up from the Pope's order.
"It sure took him long enough."

	Geoffrey said nothing.  He paid very little attention to
anything Philip said, once Philip got off on the Templars.

	"He said that the only country not cooperating is that
heathen Scotland.  It seems that since he excommunicated Robert
the Bruce, Robert has had very little to do with the Pope."  Philip
thought for a second.  "I wonder how many of the Knights have
taken refuge in Scotland?  That could be worth finding out."

	When Philip noticed that Geoffrey wasn't paying any
attention, he kicked him.  "Wake up when I talk to you!"

	{{He's a bloody lunatic.  If he didn't pay so well, I would
leave.}} Geoffrey thought.  "Sorry, Philip, I was thinking about
how we could torture Molay some more."  {{Maybe that will
satisfy him.}}

	"That's I torture him, not we."  Philip said with a manical
gleam in his eyes.

	{{I actually feel sorry for Molay.  Philip gets too much
enjoyment from torturing him.}}  For a second, Geoffrey felt a
pang at betraying his former friend, then he thought about all of
the money that Philip had given him.



Refuge Castle.
January 5, 1314.

	"They've set the sentencing date for the 18th of March."
Tears rolled down Nile's face as he told the others of the news
that he had just recieved. "I must talk to Charles alone.  If the rest
of you will excuse us?"

	After the others had left, Nile and Charles took seats
facing each other across the table.

	"Well?"  Asked Charles.

	"I'm going to Paris.  You're more than welcome to
accompany me."

	"You have to ask?"

	They spent the rest of the day and most of the night in
conference together planning their trip.  When they were done, Nile
left to talk with Robert the Bruce, and Charles over saw the
preparations to leave.



stirling.
January 7.

	"So that's it?  You're going to risk death to hopefully
rescue Molay even after he told you not to?"  Robert asked.
When Nile nodded, he added, "God I wish I could go with you."

	"I do too.  But you have a commitment to the people
of Scotland."

	"And you have a commitment to the people of Refuge
Castle.  What will they do if you should happen to die?"  Robert
asked.

	"I don't intend to."

	"Do you think that I ever intended to piss off the Pope
and get excommunicated?  What about being King of Scotland?
Do you think that I wanted to have either of those things happen
to me?  I didn't!  They just happened.  That's how life is."

	"I understand, but it's still something that I have to do."

	"I wish you a safe trip then."



Paris, France.
March 18, 1314.

	It had taken Nile and Charles a little over two months to
arrive in Paris.  Once there they searched for the inn closest to
where Molay was being held.  Now, two days later, they prepared
for the coming ordeal.

	"It's times like this that I'm glad I pray."  Charles said as
he looked out the window at the screaming mob that was beginning
to gather at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame.  "A little more of that, I might
become crazy."

	Nile looked in the glass one last time.  "Are you ready
yet?"

	"Yes.  Let's go."

		They left the room and went to where the crowd was
gathered.  As they shoved their way deeper into the throng,
Charles whispered to Nile.  "God, I didn't know there were this
many people in Paris."

	"Yes.  It does seem to have grown since the last time
we were here." Nile replied.  Then he pointed at a group that
was slowly coming their way.  "There they are."

	At the head of the procession was the Pope's representative,
a slightly older fat man.  He was followed by two guards, and
behind them was Jaques de Molay.  Behind Molay were two more
guards, and King Philip and his ensemble.

	As they made their way towards the Cathedral, the crowd
pressed in close.  Everyone wanted to get a view of this confessed
devil worshiper.  Some of the crowd spat upon him.

	Charles had to hold Nile back at this last insult to Molay.
Even more insulting because these people were worse than the
man whose sentencing they would soon bear witness to.  Finally,
Nile regained control of himself and they watched Molay being
led toward the Cathedral.

	As the procession reached the Cathedral, a hush fell
over the crowd. It was at this moment that Philip asked Molay
if he had any thing to say for himself.  Molay took a moment to
compose himself, then he began.

	"I think it only right," he began, "That at so solemn
a moment I should speak up for the truth. Before heaven and
earth, and with all of you here as my witness, I admit that I am
guilty of the grossest iniquity. But the iniquity is that I have
lied in admitting the disgusting charges laid against the Order.
I declare that the Order is innocent. Its purity and saintliness
are beyond question. I have indeed confessed that the Order
is guilty. But I have done so only to save myself from terrible
tortures. Life is offered to me, but at the price of infamy. At
such a price, life is not worth having."(1)

	The King, hearing this, ordered for Molay to be burned
at the stake because he had publicly retracted his confession.
And as he perished, he cursed both the French king and the Pope.
He called them to account within a year for their persecutions of
the Templars.(2)



Paris, France
Former Temple of the Knights Templar.
May 1314.

	The Temple laid in ruins.  Almost before Molay's ashes
were cool, looters had broken into the Temple and taken anything
that was left by the King.  At this moment, Geoffrey of Mairn
wanted to be anywhere except here.

	"Hello?"  He whispered.  {{No one here, time to go.}}  He
thought as sweat poured off of him.  As he reached the door, he
heard a voice speak.

	"Mairn, you wouldn't be thinking of leaving would you?"
A lurking figure asked.  "After all that you've done for me; you do
want your thirty pieces of silver, don't you?"

	Geoffrey didn't miss the reference to Judas Iscariot.  {{If
only there were some way to get away!  He may be the only person
that I'm truly frightened off.}}

	The figure motioned with his hand.  "Come, Geoffrey.
Recieve your payment, and let our business be done."  As Geoffrey
reached for the bag that was held outstretched, he felt a blade slash
his throat.  As he was dying, he heard the figure speak to another.

	"Here is your money.  Now leave."  After the killer left, the
figure turned back towards Geoffrey.  "Mairn, once you outlived
your usefullness, you were judged...unfit for survival."



Bannockburn, Scotland.
June 13, 1314.
7:15 A.M.

	It had taken the Knights nearly two weeks to respond
to Robert the Bruce's call, but when they arrived they made a total
of 40,000 fighting men under Robert's banner.  As Nile and Charles
arrived, Robert told them of his plan.

	"Edward's army has, roughly, a 3 to 2 ratio over mine.
We've already had skirmishes in between patrols."  He said.  "If
Edward follows his pattern, he should launch an attack with his
calvaries.  To counter this, I've ordered pits dug and pikemen to
man them.  After that, it's basically ever man for himself."

	Nile and Charles returned to their group, and Nile began
to issue orders.  "Lucas, you and your squadron will join me with
the pikemen.  Charles will take command of our calvary.  Remember
this, Edward was one of the first monarchs to see a chance to profit
with the Templar's downfall, so no holding back."

	After everyone went to where they were assigned, Nile
spoke to Charles.  "Good luck, friend.  May God watch over you."

	"And you, Nile."



10:02 A.M.

	Nile wiped sweat from his brow.  {{Grief, it's hot in this
hole.  Well, at least you can't go to sleep in this hell-hole.}}  Seeing
Lucas, he ammended that last thought.

	"Lucas?"  He nudged him with his elbow.  "Lucas, open
your eyes and watch for the English."  Lucas opened one eye to
stare at his friend.

	"Nile, settle down.  I promise you that you'll know when
they come.  The flaming ground will be shaking from the pounding
of the horses hooves." Lucas said with a grin.

	Suddenly word came down the line that the English could
be seen against the horizon.  Nile drew his sword.  {{At any moment
they could charge.}}  Less than a minute later, the ground began to
rattle.

	The English calvaries charged across the field at Bannockburn.
In the background, Edward the second, King of England, watch what
he thought would be a quick route of the Scots.

	The lead runners hit the first pits at full speed.  Their
horses fell the six feet to the bottom and before the riders knew what
had happened, they were being decapitated by the pikemen.

	Nile and Lucas were in the area were the most Englishmen
came.  Before long, there were as many English as Scots and Templars.
With blood dripping from their arms, they stood back to back and
faced each oncomer.  As the bodies began to build up, the English
started avoiding the Knights.  Before long, Nile noticed that the
English were no longer in as heavy a concentration.

	Bloodlust running rampant in his body, Nile yelled for
Lucas and the others to follow him.  "Let's go find some more of
these bastards!"  The other Knights voiced their agreement and
followed their leader.

	At the English side of the battle, Edward noticed that
his men were beginning to avoid one spot in the field.  Calling
one of his aides to him, he asked him why.

	"Sire, it seems that the men believe they face avenging
angels at that spot."  The aide didn't want to tell the King this,
because he knew well what Edward thought of 'the messenger.'
His belief was rewarded, when he felt the warm fluid flowing freely
from his neck.

	Edward yelled to his generals.  "Send more men towards
that point."  He pointed toward where Nile was leading the Templars
out of the pits.  Seeing them, he felt fear for the first time.  Edward
correctly identified them as Templars when he saw their uniforms.
{{A red cross on a white tabard?  NO!  Anything but them!  I should
have known that they would seek revenge for my persecutions.}}

	Nile stared toward the English base, seeing that there
were more men charging toward him, he yelled to his men.  "Here
they come!  Let no man walk away!"  He was completely absorbed
in his bloodlust.  Instead of seeing the faces of the men that he
slew, he saw two faces over and over.  {{Clement and Philip!
Will they forever haunt me?!?}}

	The two groups met in the center of the field.  Both of the
armies halted their efforts to watch the confrontation occuring.
The Templars not with Nile offered up prayers for their comrades
souls.  Nile was the first of the Templars to encounter the English.
Slaying his enemy, he urged the others onward.

	"Fight for Molay's honor, Templars!  Let us bathe in the
heathen blood of the English!  For Molay!"  That battle cry began
to leap from the voices of the Templars.  "For Molay!"

	The English soldiers began to try to draw back, but
there was no place that they could go to escape what some
considered to be the wrath of God.  When the bloody fight was
over, every single Englishman lay dead.  Less than a third of the
Templars had fallen.  The two armies then rejoined the battle, but
the heart had gone out of the English.  In the end, Robert the
Bruce's army carried the day, but it would not have been possible
if not for the display put on by the Templars.

	Nile stood among the dead, an avenging angel.  He
looked at the many dead and felt regret.  {{So many dead because
of the greed of their King.}} He sighed.



Refuge Castle, Scotland.
1316.

		Nile shook hands with Robert the Bruce.  They had just
concluded an agreement which made Refuge Castle and two
thousand surrounding acres a country unto itself.

	"Thanks, Robert."  Nile said.

	"It's the least that I could have done.  I would not have
won that last battle with the English without your help."  Robert
answered.  "I hope that you will soon be rebuilding the Templars."

	"No, the last of the Templars died with Jaques."  Nile
answered with a faraway look in his eye.

	"It's a shame.  Well, I guess I had better get back.  Thanks
again for your help with the English."  Robert got up to leave.

	"Thank you for the land."  Nile said.

	After Robert left, Charles said, "Well, now what?  Do we
become farmers or what?"

	"This time we will not operate in the open, we will work
in the shadows.  We are warriors.  We always have been.  To
answer you question, Charles.  We become...ASKANI'!"

Afterward.

	Nile de Gregory and Charles de Montefort became the first
two Askani'.  They were joined by most of the remaining Templars,
but not all of them. The treasure ships that disappeared are
believed to have arrived at Refuge Castle.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The End
Askani: In The Bbegining
Written by JFive
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(1)--Actual speech given by Molay on March 18, 1314.
(2)--Neither Clement nor Philip lived a year after Molay's death.