The inspiration of this story occurred when some friends and I watched the movie Timeline and Kingdom of Heaven. I thought to myself, what if a group of scientist travel back in time, to Jerusalem, during the rule of King Baldwin IV. Although I am basing the personalities and actions, of the historical characters, on the movie Kingdom of Heaven, I will include some historical fact; however, it will mostly be alternate history.
All characters, except those created by me, are historical, and belong to no one but themselves.
Italicization represent internal thoughts.
I know most would like me to get right to the Baldwin/Larissa relationship, but I believe you can't rush into it. The best kind of romances, for me, take time to build, to have the most substance. I will promise that their meeting will happen soon, maybe by the next chapter.
I would like to thank everyone who has read this story, whether they left a review or not, and hope you continue to do so.
Altering History
Chapter One: In the Beginning (…sort of…)
In the Year of our Lord, 1185
Some people could ask; how did a young woman from the state of Ohio, part of The United States of America; a recent graduate of medical school and preparing to begin her residency, could end up kneeling inside a very large tent, outside the fortress of Kerak, belonging to non other than Saladin.
Only you Larissa Davidson. Only you.
In front of her, Saladin sat upon a mound of opulent pillows, surrounded by his most trusted commanders and advisors. He was dressed in back robes, with an equally black turban upon his head, and a very deadly looking sword within reach. Saladin stared at the small group, of which she was a part of; measuring her and her fellow companions.
All was quiet in the tent, which was made of a dark, heavy material. The back of the tent was rolled up, to allow the cool night air inside, mixing in with the scent of incense. The ground was covered in thick carpets and there was beautifully furniture, which, even to the most untrained eyes, was obviously designed for travel, but was still very beautiful. The only noise to be heard was the sound of Saladin's army preparing for the night; the sound of men talking and horses neighing..
It's so beautiful. I've never know the air to smell so clean and fresh, or to see the stars so bright and shinning in the night sky.
Next to her, also kneeling was her father, Professor Davidson, a respected and renowned historian.
An obsessive control freak, and about as paternal as a rattlesnake.
Behind the professor, but next to her, were the other members of the team. John Phillips a history researcher, his field of expertise being the medieval period. Jamal Al-Alhiz, another historian, his field of expertise being the political and religious history of the Crusades. Maggie Callahan, an archeologist, and finally Josie Cane, her father's personal assistant.
What an interesting group are we.
Professor Davidson had quietly assembled this small group. Each member had been lured with the pretense of a once in a lifetime chance.
Well, he wasn't kidding. I thought he was crazy and I was only asked to join because his first choice for doctor had to drop out, and second, third and probably fourth, just weren't interested. It must have burned, when he had to call me.
Into the future…
In the year of our Lord, 2005
After convincing her over the phone to pack light and to catch a flight to Israel, her father greeted her at the airport gate, once she had arrived, and quickly escorted her to his jeep. As she got into the jeep, and took a seat, he introduced her to the other team members. Still not explaining anything to her, the group remained quiet as he drove them deep into the desert.
Finally, after what seemed an eternity, they reached their destination, where one of her father's fellow colleagues, a physicist by the name of Professor Kent, waited for him. As she and the rest of the team got out of the jeep, her father walked over and spoke to the physicist. After a few moments he finally turned to speak to his team.
"All of you know, except Larissa, why this group was assembled. We have discovered an anomaly, which allows us to travel into the past, specifically to 1185, during the Crusades."
Oh my God, my old man has finally lost it.
He must have seen his daughter's expression, because he gave her a hard look and said, "Yes, my dear, a gateway to the past. If you have any of my blood in you, you will leap at this chance to see actual history, as it unfolds, before your very eyes."
"Yeah, well dad, history was never one of my strengths. Thank God I have my mother's blood and was good at medicine."
Looking disgruntled, he responded, "You will see and believe soon enough."
She looked at her fellow team members, and was amazed at their expressions.
They believe him. I can't believe it. I knew he could be persuasive, but this is ridiculous.
Her thoughts were interrupted, "Please follow Professor Kent, he has historically accurate clothing for you to change into. Once you have all changed, please meet back here."
A short time later, all the members were assembled, each wearing the clothing provided.
Gee, we're all in scratchy wool, no better than peasants and he's dressed like the lord of the manor. Vanity thy name is Marcus Davidson.
Professor Kent explained to the group that the time anomaly was discovered by accident. He was researching unusual energy spikes when he ran across it. Suspecting that it was affecting time, he called his good friend Professor Davidson, who decided to walk into it, and see where it led. After determining that the gate was a direct opening to 1185, he immediately returned and began to recruit his team.
Professor Davidson could have assembled a team of fellow world renowned experts, however, that would have detracted from his glorious moment.
Can't have that happen. No one is going to share his spot in history, if he could help it.
While the team was assembled, Professor Kent determine that the anomaly was shrinking, and would only stay open for three weeks. During that time, the team would collect artifacts and samples, process test, take notes and photographic evidence. Because they did not want any of their technology falling into the hands of those in the past; it was decided that they would only take low-tech gear, with the exception of a very small digital camera and a medical kit that, if necessary, Larissa could use to perform minor surgery. It had everything needed for those just in case situations, that one hopes never happen.
And it's all nicely packed in an authentic medieval version of a backpack. What more could a girl ask for, except a dress not made out of wool.
It was drilled into everyone that they were not to interfere in the history around them, so as not to change it, and most importantly, so that there would be no repercussions to the current timeline they all lived in. In any situation, Professor Davidson would be their voice, if it was required.
Easier said than done, considering whose tent we're kneeling in right now. Let's see how dad talks us out of this situation.
Each one of them, beginning with her father, walked into the anomaly, which was inside a cave, that they had to hike up to. The time anomaly was barely discernable, appearing to be a wavy bluish light, about seven feet high and 5 feet across.
I'm scared; but fascinated. Well, better get it over with, I just hope my curiosity doesn't kill me.
Larissa was the last one to enter, and when she finally did, it felt like she was drowning, unable to breath, with her ears popping with the pressure. Just when she felt she could not take it any more, it stopped, and she stepped over eight hundred years into the past.
Back to the past…
Of course, when dad visited, there apparently wasn't a massive army setting up a camp. Needless to say, six strangers coming out of a cave, caught everyone's attention, and look where we're at now.
Once the group came out of the cave, they were immediately taken captive, their property confiscated, and marched directly to Saladin's personal tent, which is where the group could now be found kneeling.
Just before entering the tent, the professor had briefly explained the situation to his team, and who they were meeting, just before a soldier threaten himif he did not keep quiet.
Apparently this Saladin guy is someone very important and famous. Dad is almost drooling over meeting the guy.
Because the professor was better dressed than the rest of his team, it was rightly assumed that he was the leader.
The silence in the tent grew, as Saladin continued to stare at them. The look in his eyes gave nothing away, making the captives nervous. Finally Saladin stood, and walked up to the professor and spoke in a quiet voice, that commanded all their attention. "Who are you? Who are your people?"
"Merely travelers, journeying to Jerusalem. We saw what was occurring between your great army and the army of Jerusalem; we took safety within the cave, until the danger passed.", the professor answered.
He was met with silence, as Saladin walked up to him, taking his measure.
"You did not answer my question. Who are you?"
"I am called Marcus, my lord.", he answered quickly, "This is my daughter, Larissa, and our servants."
The professor motioned in the direction of the people kneeling behind him, and as Saladin began to walk around the small group, he heard a quiet snort, which caught his attention, making him pause in front of Larissa.
Oh no, I just can't keep my mouth shut. Please, please, please don't kill me. I don't think I'm ready to die. Please just ignore me, please, please, please.
Saladin gave her a thoughtful look, before turning his attention back to the professor. "Why do you travel to Jerusalem?"
The professor bowed his head, and had a very solemn look upon his face. "To pay our respect to the King and to seek redemption for our sins, letting our souls be cleansed."
Gah, I'm going to be sick. If I didn't know him any better, I would almost believe him.
"Ah yes, the King of Jerusalem. He is truly a great king and much deserving of respect."
Saladin returned to his pillows and sat down, once again silent and watchful, surrounded by his trusted commanders, who had remained quiet throughout the conversation .
While he watched the nervous group, a soldier who had entered the tent from opening behind them, stepped forward, and bowed to Saladin. He remained quiet, until he was given permission to speak, with a wave of Saladin's hand.
"My Lord, your physician is busy caring for our injured and says he cannot attend the King of Jerusalem, as of yet, until he has finished with them. He says Allah would want him to care for his faithful first." The soldier appeared very nervous as he waited for a response from his lord.
For the first time, Saladin revealed some emotion. Standing up quickly, he looked directly into his soldier's eyes and said very sternly, "I promised Jerusalem's king that I would send him my own physician. I am not a man who breaks his word, once it is given. Allah has decreed that my word be true!"
The young soldier was now visibly shaken. "My Lord, I apologize. I will tell him that you have commanded him to go."
The poor guy is terrified of offending his great lord. Can't say that I blame him, I wouldn't want to have him angry at me, but, there is nothing worse than a doctor who doesn't want to help, even if he is commanded. He'll only do enough not to get sued for malpractice, or in this case, put to death.
As the soldier turned to leave the tent, a soft voice said, "I can help. I have been trained in medicine."
All eyes turned to look at Larissa. Her father's angry, her fellow team member's surprised and Saladin's thoughtful and, she could almost swear, with a hint of a smile.
Well, Larissa, let's see if your offer to help doesn't get us all killed.
To be continued…