The Holy Lance - Chapter 7

The use of the term “Until now” sounded ominous, so Simon decided that an interjection would be good at this point.

“The 12 objects, what are they? Or can’t you tell me?”

Richard looked at the young man in front of him. He had reached the age when he went to more funerals than weddings or christenings, and most people were young to him. Of medium build, perhaps a little overweight, Simon did not cut a particularly impressive figure, with his shabby, though doubtless fashionable, attire. But Richard felt that, in this case, appearances might be deceptive. There was a sharp intelligence hidden in the blue eyes, peaking out from the sandy mop of hair. And there was the attitude. Given what he had just been told, some hesitation might be in order, but Simon had jumped straight in, grappling with Richard’s story rather than trying to deny it. Maybe Jonathan had made a wiser choice than he first thought.

“Of course I can tell you Simon, you are one of us now. As I said, they are ancient objects of unbelievable power, worshipped by people throughout the ages. The oldest is the the sarcophagus of Cheops, which most people think was stolen from the Great Pyramid. It was not stolen, merely removed by those wise enough to fear its power.

“There is the Ark of the Covenant, which contrary to popular belief, is not in some American Army storage depot.” Richard allowed himself a chuckle, showing that he was not totally ignorant of popular culture.

“That’s in Ethiopia, isn’t it?” Simon had read a couple of books which told of the Ethiopians‘ belief that one of their princes had taken the Ark with him, back to their homeland, after the Queen of Sheba had left Solomon. To this day, devotees believe it is kept in a special temple, seen only by its guardian priest, in the highland town of Dollabella. Requests for proof are met by appeals to faith, and the stalemate continues, to the benefit of the tourist trade.

“Bit further South actually, Zimbabwe. One of you colleagues managed to find it, clever man, but no-one paid any attention. Thank God, who knows what the madman over there would do with it if he knew he had it.

“Your country plays host to Excalibur, the sword of King Arthur, while Japan holds the sacred mirror Yata no Kagami, part of the Imperial regalia.

“In Saudi Arabia, in plain sight of millions, the Black Stone of the Kaaba, while in Turkey, the Sultan’s Palace hosts the Staff of Moses.

In Italy, the Turin Shroud really is the burial shroud of Jesus, while the Golden Plates of Joseph Smith actually were given to him by angels. We also look after the lost Eagle of Varus”

“But that was recovered in 41 AD. The Romans got all their eagles back.”

Referring to the fateful battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9AD, a force of three Roman legions had been wiped out in an ambush by the German chieftan Varus. He had taken the three legionary standards or eagles causing the emperor Augustus to bang his head against the wall in rage and shame. The first two had been recovered soon after, with the third only being found 32 years later. From that day onwards, neither the legions’ names or numbers were ever used again, so great was the shame of their defeat, and Rome’s attempted expansion across the Rhine came to an abrupt and final halt.

“You should not believe all you read in the history books, Simon, especially not those written by the Romans. My Germanic ancestors were not the painted savages they portray..

Our Spanish friends protect the Golden headdress of Moteczuma, while the Chinese have the Sword of Qin Shi, the first emperor. As you can see, these are impressive, mystical objects. Treasures which cannot be allowed to fall into the wrong hands.”

“That’s only eleven, you said there were twelve objects.” Once more Richard was struck by Simon’s acuity, even if, in the scheme of things, it was a small blessing.

“That is the problem.” Richard sighed. The burden of the Order’s failure to protect its treasures lay with him. “It is a sad time that you have joined the order, for we have failed. The twelfth object has been stolen. We have lost the spear of Longinus.”