FRETENSIS BATHHOUSE

Yosef leaned back against the warm and wet tiles inside the bathhouse close to the Templar accommodation within Jerusalem.

He was basking in the ambiance of the warm water caressing his skin, opening up all the clogged pores, and nourishing his dehydrated skin to its natural form. In this area of Jerusalem, it was a privilege to indulge in such a bath, and Yosef decided to make the best of it.

All the while he was gazing at the dark red tiles adorning the bathhouse. The tiles had a marking of "Fretensis" on them with a depiction of a wild boar. From Yosef's knowledge of Latin, he understood that this bathhouse must have been constructed by the Tenth Legion of the Roman army during their conquest of Jerusalem.

Above the pool of water, from across him, was an arched entrance wall (with peeling plaster that was now exposing the limestone surface beneath), rising up to form a towering dome with a wide circular skylight on the roof. The sunlight descending from above pierced through the skylight and landed on the water in the bath, creating a shimmering effect on the water.

'"Oh my Lord, this is a beautiful sight to behold." He thought as he gazed at the water.

'The Romans may have been infidels, but they knew how to enjoy the pleasures of life.' He continued musing in his mind.

Having spent a tough time in the saddle, covered by sweat and not having a proper bath on the road ever since they left Casal Maen. This was the perfect time for him to enjoy the peace of this Holy city. The bathhouse was also relatively empty since most inhabitants of the city were having their lunch meal or sleeping in a cool place.

Yosef was in this bathhouse for confidential business and pleasure. He had made a midday appointment with Abbot Jeromy to plan for the handover of the relic and the Templar treasure which he was to escort to Jaffa from Jerusalem under the escort of Commander Gallo Francis and his squad. The few people who witnessed their meeting, the better for the secret of the assignment.

This holy relic and bunch of treasures that he was supposed to pick, from the church of the Holy Sepulchre like any other monetary treasure had the capacity to bring out the worst in people. This reminded him of the words from the bible.

'For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.'

Even though the vow of poverty is sworn by all Knight Templar brothers, at the end of the day. They were all still human and susceptible to human temptations. That's why Yosef Gideon had not disclosed all the details of the assignment to the squad of Commander Gallo Francis. They knew that they had to escort him to Jerusalem from Jaffa and back, being professional, they had not asked for further details, and for that Yosef was grateful. It was not in him to lie openly.

Yosef Gideon had been in this house waiting for close to two hours. Abbott was delaying to show up and this was making him nervous. Having communicated to him yesterday night during mass. They had agreed to meet here in the Armenian quarter's bath house.

'Had something bad happened to the Abbott?' But he could have heard something since Abbott is a prominent figure in the city, respected by the locals.

'Or the Abbott had had a change of heart, and was no longer willing to hand over the treasure and relic.' This thought crossed his mind briefly before he banished it. Abbott Jeromy was a righteous man of the cloth, Yosef could not believe that he was having such blasphemous thoughts. Quickly he pushed them out of his mind.

'I should not be nervous, or worried in the least bit, the Abbott will turn up. Am sure there is a special reason as to why he has not arrived at the agreed time. I lose nothing by waiting a little bit longer.' Yosef encouraged himself to be patient.

'I am sure the Abbott will show up soon enough.

***

Ambrose Henri rushed to their accommodation and threw off the Templar robe from his person as well as the ever-present sword. He was doing all this with a sense of fear that his Knight Templar brethren could see him and prevent him from proceeding forward with his much-anticipated excursion. As a son of a nobleman from the liveliest city of the world, he was not used to the dreary boredom of being holed in prayer, singing hymns, or doing charity like the other brethren. What had motivated him to leave Paris and embark on the Crusade was to find something that could stir his blood like the action of putting one's own life on the edge in battle but also gaining fame and glory from defeating the Muslim armies. This was something he was not going to attain if he remained in Paris.

Having finished removing anything on his person that identified him as a Knight Templar, Ambrose Henri turned around and began sneaking away by jumping through the window of the topmost room which he shared with two other Knights. Having stepped outside the room, he landed on the roof made up of brown Terra cotta tiles. Gently he began finding his way without attracting any attention.

All was going well until he reached the edge of the roof and was about to leap off. Looking down, he saw Pierre Jean in the compound below taking a leak. At this moment as he thought of retracing his steps backward but before he could do that Pierre Jean looked up towards where he was.

"Ambrose, since when have you been peeking at fellow men as they relieve themselves?" Pierre asked him as he hurried to tuck his manhood into his robe.

"This is unbecoming of you." He said as he looked at him with surprise as if he was not aware that Ambrose Henri was this kind of pervert.

"Come on Pierre, why are you so quick to run to the conclusion that I was peeking at you. The thought has never even crossed my mind." Ambrose defended himself.

"If that is not the case. What are you doing up on the roof?" Pierre continued asking not giving him no room to move away.

"It is simple, am heading out on a secret mission so I did not want anyone to follow me." Ambrose decided to reveal a half-truth. Deep inside his heart, he was hoping Pierre could not pry any further.

"Are you sure, from the looks of it? You are escaping away like a commoner." Pierre could not be deceived.

"There's no way am escaping away, I will be back soon in the evening. Just wait and see." Ambrose was not getting fed up with all the questions Pierre was throwing his way.

Since he is so persistent in wanting to know where I am going, I think I can indulge him in case anything went wrong. I won't suffer alone. Ambrose Henri decided to loop Pierre Jean in the plan.

Ambrose looked him in the eye, mustered his most confident tone, and said. "Pierre Jean, if you are so doubtful of the mission am on. You are welcome to join me. However, you will have to carry along some money and remove anything that identifies you as a Knight Templar. I insist this is a secret mission. I will not have you foiling it."

Pierre began smiling with excitement when he saw that finally Ambrose was willing to have him tug along. "You won't be disappointed Ambrose, wait for me from outside. Let me remove my Knight Templar robe and sword. As for money, I have enough for the evening. I Am told prices of commodities have reduced greatly in Jerusalem since the last war."

Hearing this, Ambrose sighed with relief. At least now he could not be pestered with endless questions from Pierre Jean. Now the problem was to relay to him that the so-called mission was in fact going to have fun in a Syrian belly dancing tavern outside the city.

Ambrose began thinking of all angles at which he could sell to Pierre Jean that partaking part in a belly dancing tavern was not some immoral activity but a secret mission entrusted to him. Unfortunately, no reasonable answer came to him immediately.

If he told Pierre Jean, that they were meeting an informant. Based on his inquisitive nature, he could not just take it at face value, he could probe further and that is when my lies will unravel.

'Damn it, why did I have to tell him to tug along?' Ambrose cursed himself as he stood outside in a shade waiting for Pierre Jean to turn up.

'How I wish he got a change of heart, and he comes out to tell me to continue alone on my mission.' Ambrose began wishing in his heart.