CHAPTER XII
Mare Nostra
The Brotherhood of the Cruciform Sword monastery, tucked south of Naples outside Catanzaro on the coast of the Ionian Sea, resembled less a traditional monastic site that populated the whole of Italy than a foreboding Romanian castle.
"What's so special about this place?" Phil asked, a little concerned.
"It was featured in a few pages in Dr. Jones's book on the Shroud," Frank explained. "The professor cited the order as integral in the race for the Holy Grail in 1938 that pitted the Joneses against the Nazis."
Joe added, "Jones met them once again in his work in recovering the Turin Shroud in the late 1940s, but as his quest turned up empty handed he never saw them again after that."
"So this could be a trap for all we know," Biff deadpanned.
"Yes," Frank replied simply.
A few guards suspiciously watched the Hardy convoy approach the wrought iron gates. The monastery loomed on a bluff, its steeple punctuating the darkness. As everyone emerged from the vehicles, Joe called the gang into a circle. "We're not sure whether we can trust the Cruciform Sword brotherhood, but they're the best chance we got right now," Joe admitted.
"We realize we've brought you into more danger than we anticipated," Frank continued, noting Tony's injured arm. "If any of you want to turn back, you can certainly take one of the vehicles back to the airport."
Nobody moved, each exchanging glances. Iola said, "We've got this far. If we don't stop SPECTRE from getting the Shroud then we've failed!"
Frank and Joe appreciated Iola's sentiments, although secretly they knew the group's greatest dangers lay ahead of them. With Biff and Chet guarding the Shroud casket, the Bayporters approached the guards. Tony translated, explaining to them the nature of their visit. "Is there anyone who might be able to be of assistance?" he concluded his introduction.
The guards spoke to each other in a language unfamiliar to any of the youths. To Frank it sounded almost Basque. Finally, one spoke in Italian, "Are these boys related to the American detective?"
Tony nodded vigorously. "You speak of Fenton Hardy, from Bayport, U.S.A.," he answered. "Yes, these are his sons," he nodded to Frank and Joe.
The guards excitedly responded, "Perfecto!" and greeted Frank and Joe with much attention. A horse-drawn, medieval-looking cart transported the group from the entrance gates up the winding dirt road to the monastery proper. "We have been much fans of your father," the guards explained during the transport up the road. "But we've also been reading about your own adventures with equal thrill!"
The group was introduced to Tahir, the grand knight of the brotherhood. As Tony's arm was tended to, over a simple meal of rice and cod, Tahir explained the origins of the Brotherhood of the Cruciform Sword. "It is not associated with the Latin Rite," he mentioned, "but one that merges Arabic, Christian, and Jewish origins. Our prime focus has been the preservation of the relics from the Holy Land."
With great care Tahir and his fellow knights studied the Shroud image in the possession of the Hardy clan. They spent a few moments venerating it. "It would be worth your knowing," Tahir said in a quiet sanctuary where the Shroud was studied under candlelight, "that we owe our existence to the former Knights Templar."
"The same knights who were in possession of the Shroud in the 1200s?" Chet asked with bated breath.
"My full name is Tahir de Molay," the grand knight answered, nodding.
"As in Jacques de Molay?" Frank asked. "The Templar grand master who was burned at the stake in 1314?"
Again Tahir solemnly nodded. "The Knights Templar were ruined over accusations we worshipped something other than the divine," he explained to a wrapt audience. "That we worshipped a bearded head." Tahir pointed to the face on the Shroud. "Yet it was this very bearded head we worshipped."
"Grand Master," a knight appeared at the doorway. Everyone looked over at the youthful face. "It's time."
"Proceed," Tahir responded, who then ordered the casket to be closed. There was a sudden burst of movement to and fro. "What's going on?" Callie asked, perturbed.
As fellow Cruciform knights mobilized, Tahir led the group down a catacomb-like tunnel. "We vowed to the Pope of Rome, and to the deposed king of Italy," Tahir explained, speaking rapidly, "That whenever the day comes when we see the Shroud again, we will return it to the rightful owners."
Joe broke in. "But to Turin, right?"
Tahir quickly shook his head, as they turned a corner leading down another passageway. "Such an event cannot pass without pomp and ceremony," he answered, flashing a fleeting smile. "Without acknowledging history."
"So our job is done?" Biff asked.
"Far from it," Tahir replied, gesturing for the group to descend down a long, narrow staircase. Each Bayporter looked at the other with not a little trepidation until Frank and Joe quickly took to the steps.
When they reached the cavernous bottom of the stone staircase, the group nearly bumped into each other as they stared out at the sight before him. The staircase had led to an underground river! Knights of the Cruciform Sword had prepped a handful of motorboats for transport. On one of them was the carefully protected Turin Shroud.
"You don't say," Tony gawked at the sight. He nudged Frank. "We've been on a lot of boating trips, but nothing like this!"
"I'll say," Frank agreed.
"Where does this lead?" Iola asked Tahir, who was already climbing into one of the vessels, helping the Bayporters onto the boats. "The sea?"
The vessels starting setting out along the river surrounded by the echoing cavern below sea level as Tahir answered. "Better," he said. "The Holy Land."
"Jerusalem?" Phil Cohen asked, stunned. "But what of the Mediterranean?"
Tahir smiled. "You're underneath it," he replied. "This is our sea."