Entry 1
Siege of Rhodes 1522 (the future awaits)
Our tale begins in 1399.
The Knights had just evacuated the mainland, to set up their capital on the island of Rhodes. No one could have ever found themselves in a worse position. They were poor, with enemies all around them. Even the populace was of a different religion. But, there was no other refuge for them to go to.
None of the Knights knew when the end would come.
Their position seemed so desperate. As they were isolated from the rest of the Christian world. Now, it was as if they waited for their fate to be delivered by the Ottomans.
During a routine patrol, the knights came upon a hermit that was frightening many of the farmers in a nearby village. They chase him for hours and finally apprehended him. In capturing him they meant him no harm and brought him to the grand marshal.
The Grand Marshall smiled in hearing how the hermit evaded capture for an hour. “What do you say for yourself hermit?”
“I don’t understand,” said the hermit. “I only wish to be left alone.”
“When was the last time you ate Hermit?” The Grand Marshall asked with concern.
“I can’t actually say. But, I did have some water this morning.”
“Man can undoubtedly survive longer without food than water. Even under the situation we find ourselves hermit there is always something that the Knights of St. John can share with those that are in need.”
“Knights of St. John,” the hermit thought out loud. “You can’t stay here,” he warned. “The Ottomans will siege the island.”
“And, when will that be Hermit?” asked the kindly Grand Marshall.
The hermit suddenly, grabbed his head as if he was in pain. “I can’t say…the pain…and, everything is spinning within my mind.”
“Maybe we should move our capital to Malta?” Asked a knight, making light of the hermit’s state.
“NO…no,” replied the hermit. “You must sail to the land s to the far west.”
The grand Marshall then sat forward in his chair, knowingly. “One might think you speak of a new world to the west? Take our friend the hermit and feed him and bed him down for the night.” He then turned his captain to add in secret, “keep a close eye on our new friend the hermit, clean him up and we’re see what we have. And, learn his name.”
The hermit was heard to exclaim,” I would have chosen Free Trade.”
After the battle the Grand Marshall was beside himself. “What was he doing on the battlefield?”
“It was a good thing he was. He was a wizard with the sword. He fought like a Wildman.”
“But, where did he get a sword?”
“I gave it to him,” replied the officer, sheepishly.
“Did you also bring him to the battlefield?”
The officer slowly, as if air was escaping from a balloon, replied, “Well, you did ask me to keep an eye on him.”
“Did you learn his name?”
“No…but, he replied strangely. He said, “What good are names if no one calls out to you, or, gives greetings when paths cross?”
On the 5th of September stability reached its maximum.
When Milan paid 11 ducats for a Grand captain from the St. John’s Knights, the hermit was heard to say "we can’t afford to hire any advisers. So, its better that he goes elsewhere and we profit from his going."
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