The Lost Templar Fleet

Book 5. "The Lost Templar Fleet":

Synopsis:

In the picturesque village of Zygi, Cyprus, Sully, following Sister Maria's guidance, persuades Captain Elias Demetriou to help her uncover Templar secrets near Cyprus. Aboard Elias's trawler, The Triton's Seeker, they set sail for the ancient ruins of St. Hilarion Castle, rumored to be a Templar stronghold. En route, Elias shares a mysterious family riddle hinting at hidden treasures, which might be connected to their quest.

Their journey is not solitary; Jonah, the ship's cook and trusted mate, accompanies them. Unbeknownst to them, Jonah's loyalty will be tested as the story unfolds. Arriving at the castle, Sully and Elias use celestial charts and Jonah's advice to locate the possible resting place of the Templar fleet. 

A scuba dive reveals an ancient shipwreck with a Templar cross, but their exploration is cut short by a lack of air. As they prepare for a second dive, the infamous pirate Captain Nefertari "Nef" Al-Malik, along with Father Damien from the Order of The Covenant, intercepts them. Captain Elias demands they retrieve Templar treasures, while Damien reveals his deeper motives linked to the Templar artifacts. 

During a tense dive under Damien's watch, Sully and Elias discover a Masonic Pendant and a sealed metal cylinder containing a metal scroll with ancient Templar prophecies. Captain Elias dismisses the prophecies as nonsense, but Damien sees value in them. In a shocking turn, Jonah sabotages the trawler under Damien's coercion, threatening the lives of everyone on board.

Despite the betrayal, Sully, Elias, and the crew, including rescued researchers from a sinking vessel, manage to survive a perilous storm. They return to find Nef's overturned boat, indicating Damien's ruthlessness.

Upon rescuing Jonah's family, Sully discovers a connection between the Masonic Pendant and a book in Jonah's home, pointing her next adventure towards the Masons in London. Meanwhile, the malevolent Father Damien watches from the shadows, setting the stage for the next installment of this thrilling saga.

Opening scary chapter:

Amidst the eerie moonlight, in the ancient monastery, Father Damien faced Cardinal Malatesta. Damien, the soldier priest, was known for his ruthless loyalty, entrusted with the Order's most clandestine missions.

In the dim chamber, tension hung heavy as Cardinal Malatesta divulged unsettling news: "Dr. Sullivan possesses the Templar's compass."

The compass was the key to the lost Templar fleet's secrets—secrets the Order was determined to protect at any cost, even if it meant taking a life.

Outside, darkness cloaks the world, mirroring Damien's inner turmoil. The ancient city's winding streets mirrors the labyrinthine complexities of his mission. Time was running short in this relentless pursuit.

As the night unfurls, Damien follows Sully's trail through rugged landscapes and bustling marketplaces.  

By the Mediterranean shore, their paths converge. Sully stands at the water's edge, the Templar's compass gleaming in the moonlight. Damien, appearing in all black dressed as a wraith, approaches her silently on the sandy shore. (*keep it ominous, edge of seat, as if he’s about to kill her)

In this pivotal moment, he has her in his sights. His instructions are clear: one wrong move, and he will carry out the Order's sinister mandate. His gun is at the ready as he watches, waits for her decision. (*we foreshadow her mission tonight, to show the Templar artifact to the museum director to whet his appetite as she will bring it back to him. But, Damien doesn’t yet know her intent. If she gives the compass to the museum his instructions are to kill them both and recover the compass).

Under the shroud of night, Sully stands on the steps of the "Museo de Arqueología de Cataluña - Empúries," (*The Archaeology Museum of Catalonia - Empúries. This museum is situated in L'Escala, a coastal town in the province of Girona, Catalonia, near the Mediterranean coastline. Known for its rich collection of historical treasures.) Her contact, the museum's nervous curator, Senor Ramirez, awaited her with palpable apprehension.

Ramirez's hands trembled as he adjusts his glasses, sweat forming on his brow despite the cool night air. The weight of the moment presses heavily on him, as he is well aware of the significance of the Templar's compass and the potential controversy its presence in the museum could generate.

Sully approached Ramirez, her footsteps echoing in the quiet night. With a steady hand, she reveals to him the Templar's compass, its ancient symbols catching the dim moonlight. Ramirez's eyes widened in awe and trepidation as he beheld the artifact.

Meanwhile, Damien trails closely behind, his finger poised on the trigger. He observes the exchange, his tension mounting with each passing second. The air is thick with anticipation, as the mission's success or failure hangs in the balance.

But then, an unexpected outcome. Sully shakes her head signaling to Ramirez that the relic will not remain in the museum's possession just yet. Ramirez, anxious but understanding, watches as Sully explains in hushed tones that the compass will be his, but he must exercise patience and wait for her return.

Damien, still concealed, retreated further into the shadows, his mission temporarily thwarted by Sully's decision.

Continuing chapters:

Change of scene to Cypress and the Zygi Marina (*Zygi, a picturesque fishing village on the southern coast of Cyprus, is celebrated for its tranquil Zygi Marina. Located roughly halfway between Larnaca and Limassol, it offers a quaint, off-the-beaten-path atmosphere. The marina, a focal point of village life, exemplifies the 'real Cyprus' with colorful fishing boats and fresh seafood. Adding to its charm, the Zygi Fishing Shelter & Marina houses a historic stone building linked to ancient trade routes.)

Where Sully stands, her gaze fixed on the towering figure of Captain Elias Demetriou. He is the captain Sister Maria told Sully to find. She needs him to guide her to the elusive Templar secrets reportedly hidden near Cyprus (*Sister Maria shared that info with Sully). At first, Elias refuses, his loyalty to his village and crew unwavering. But the mention of Sister Maria shifts his resolve. Reluctantly, he agreed to embark on this perilous journey aboard his trawler, The Triton's Seeker.

Their destination is the ancient ruins of St. Hilarion Castle, perched atop the Kyrenia mountain range. Legends whispered of it being a Templar stronghold, a nexus of secrets and hidden treasures.

As The Triton's Seeker sets anchor near the ancient ruins of St. Hilarion Castle, Sully stands on the deck, her eyes scanning the horizon (*this is a good spot, or maybe before as they are journeying on the water, to foreshadows Sully’s years of sailing experience with her father). The castle, perched atop the Kyrenia mountains, was a silent sentinel, its broken walls whispering secrets of the past. The Templars had once held sway here, and now, beneath the azure waves, lay the key to their long-lost fleet.(*Here we need to foreshadow the coming of a big storm. The two are told there isn’t much time. Ticking clock.)

Captain Elias remembers an old riddle. The origins of the riddle had been passed down through generations of Captain Elias Demetriou's family, a cherished and mysterious heirloom that had been in their possession for centuries. Elias had heard the riddle from his grandfather, who, in turn, had received it from his own ancestors. It was a closely guarded secret among the Demetriou lineage, whispered from one generation to the next as a tantalizing hint of hidden treasures. The riddle never made sense because there was no location or point of reference for it to have any meaning, but since it spoke of a treasure they kept it secret.

(*We need to foreshadow a character as we journey from Zygi Marina to where they are now. The character is Jonah, the ship’s cook and most trusted mate. He will turn on them later so here is a great opportunity to build up our trust in him)

Elias recounts the riddle to her, the words etched in his memory since childhood. Its verses had always intrigued him, and he had never associated it with where they had landed (*where they went was revealed to Sully from Sister Maria in Book 4) and now, the time has come to decipher its meaning and unearth the long-lost Templar fleet. 

"Where lionheart's shadow falls at noon,

Seek the sea where the three stars loom.

Beneath the gaze of the old king's room,

Lies the fleet in its watery tomb."

Interpreting the riddle, they deduced that 'lionheart's shadow' referred to Richard the Lionheart, known for his conquest of Cyprus. 'The three stars' seemed to allude to a specific formation visible in the night sky from the castle's vantage point. The 'old king's room' was a particular part of the ruins known for its majestic view of the sea.

Together, using computer maps from celestial charts (*and maybe some advice and help from Jonah), Sully and Elias come up with a plan. They think this new location coupled with the riddle and the stars shows—perhaps for the first time—where the lost Templar fleet might be buried under the sea. 

They don scuba suits and dive into the depths. After a long dive and almost giving up, suddenly, Sully spots something down deep. Elias points to his watch. Almost out of air. None the less, they dive deeper. Just as time is running out, they discover the ancient shipwreck, its timbers preserved by the temperate waters, with the Templar cross emblazoned on its decaying hull, confirming their suspicions. They do a quick search of the boat and determine this is worth coming back for. Limited air supply forces them to surface before they can explore further.

As they prepare for a second dive, pirate Captain Captain Nikos Christou arrives on scene.

Captain Nikos Christou and his crew board The Triton's Seeker. Christou, a notorious pirate, (*really play this part up. Mean, nasty, and evil) demands that Sully and Elias retrieve the Templar treasure for him, revealing her knowledge of their mission. He tells them how much something like this would be worth on the open market and he intends to get it. He sends one of his men, (*secretly Father Damien from the Order of The Covenant. Wait for the reveal) to accompany them on the dive. (*turns out Damien is the reason Christou knows about this mission and their location. Captain Christou is only after money, which Damien has agreed to pay in exchange for whatever Templar artifacts they find).

Under Damien's watchful eye, Sully and Elias dive back to the shipwreck. They discover the captains’ quarters and can’t get the door open. The two men try and do not have the strength. As they are fooling with the door, Sully swims around the cabin and discovers a window inside. She goes in, discovers a Masonic Pendant on the floor and pockets it. She then unlocks the door from the inside and the two men enter.

Once inside, there is a big search and Sully discovers a sealed metal cylinder - remarkably preserved and impervious to the ravages of time and water.

Surfacing with the cylinder (*and here, the storm is brewing, waves are high, rain is pelting and things are getting rough), they open it on the deck of the Triton’s Seeker. Inside is a metal scroll, its surface etched with ancient script. The scroll, crafted from a corrosion-resistant alloy, had survived the centuries underwater, a testament to the Templar's advanced metallurgical knowledge.

The script reads:

“Inne þe wake of þe midderniht sunne, whan þe sceaduws waxen longe and þe streamas rennen read, þe berers of þe cros shullen witnesse þe Erþe's greting. In þe our of þe overclipped mone, þe ancien stanes shullen wisperen rounes of þe ende. Herken þis, breþeren: Þe wardens of þe temple shullen arise as þe worlde falleþ to confusioun, and þe clew to healend lies hid in þe liht of þe forȝeten sterre.”

Christou demands to know what that means. To him, it’s 12th-century gibberish. Sully translates for him: 

“In the wake of the midnight sun, when the shadows grow long and the rivers run red, the bearers of the cross shall witness the Earth's lament. In the hour of the eclipsed moon, the ancient stones shall whisper secrets of the end. Heed this, brethren: The guardians of the temple shall rise as the world falls to chaos, and the key to salvation lies hidden in the light of the forgotten star.”

She notes it is part of the Templar’s apocalyptic predictions. Captain Christou scoffs but Damien is intrigued.

Christou grabs it from her and says something like it’s all nonsense but it’s worth money so he grabs it. Then, the diver who accompanied them, Damien, reveals his identity. OMG! He demands the compass from Sully. She feigns ignorance and this is where we tie together the wraith watching the museum curator as he relays the story to her. Then he moves within inches of her face and growls out a death threat of how he will kill every man on the crew, starting with Elias until she delivers the compass. Captain Christou and his men grab Elias, force him on his knees, and point a gun at his head. Sully retreats to her cabin, hides the Pendant the bad guys don’t yet know about, and returns with the compass. Christou nods and signals for Elias’ release.

With scroll in hand, Christou and his men cross over to his boat awaiting Damien.

Damien stays behind for a moment and does some verbal gymnastics with Sully—something like thanks for all the help. This scroll and compass were two of the keys the Order has been searching for hundreds of years. He then compliments her for her prowess and in a classic bad guy exit, says it’s been nice but now you all have to die. He instructs crew member Jonah (*who you have previously foreshadowed) to disable the engines. Jonah goes and does it, handing the fuel line connection he removed to Damien. It is then we see that Jonah is expecting to follow Damien to the other boat, but Damien laughs his evil laugh and says something mean and clever, leaving them all to die as the raging storm buffets the ship. Jonah pleads for his family. “Leave me if you will but my family!” Of course, Damien laughs and they shove off. 

(*We hear that Christou will hand over the scroll to Damien when the money is received. Father Damien says the money s aboard his personal vessel and that vessel awaits them. This foreshadows what’s soon to happen.) 

The pirates and Damien sail off with the treasure leaving them as the wind blows, the rain pelts and the waves surge. All eyes turn to Jonah, the traitor.

Elias is shocked. Jonah has been a loyal crew member for years. Jonah, it turns out is an unwilling spy who was the one who led Captain Elias to their location and then sabotaged the engines. Under duress, as the ship is in danger of sinking, they wring the truth out of Jonah. Father Damien is holding his family as hostage and he doesn’t know how to fix that! Sully swears that if they live, she will rescue the family for him. Elias says there’s not much chance of that given the storm. It is then that Jonah makes Sully swear she will save his family. She gives her word (*and it is here we can end the chapter on a cliff hanger all is lost moment before we come back for the big reveal) It is then that he reveals he can fix the engines. “I am not stupid” sort of thing.

Now functional, the boat battles the storm in an attempt to head back to shore but not so fast!

Their struggle for survival is compounded by a distress call from a nearby sinking research vessel. Captain Elias decides to attempt a rescue, despite the risks and Jonah’s pleading for them to hurry and save his family. In a daring operation, they manage to bring the researchers aboard, but Elias’s vessel is damaged in the process.

Using her knowledge imparted to her by her boat-loving father (*we earlier foreshadow the fact that Sully and her father were boatsmen and she and her dad spent hundreds of days together sailing), Sully enrolls the help of the panicked Jonah and two of the rescued researchers together create a makeshift patch for the hull, allowing them to weather the storm. (*This is a great all is lost moment to exploit) As dawn breaks, the storm subsides, leaving them battered but alive.

On their journey back to the marina, Elias spots something ahead on the radar. They cruise over to see. It’s the overturned pirate boat of Christou! Floating in the water nearby are the bodies of the men. The crew fish out one of the floaters. It’s Christou. Dead. (*This helps to show the meanness of Damien and the boys). There’s nothing to do, so they travel on.

Finally, they dock. Sully, Elias and Jonah rush to save his family. We go through some harrowing moments of trying to find them, before we actually do. They find locked in an old wine cellar. The family is near death. Now they are saved and in thanks, Jonah insists Sully and Elias have dinner at their home before she sets off on her travels. Elias demurs saying he has plenty to catch up on at home. We bid farewell to his character. 

In the light of the crackling fire after dinner (and now she’s staying overnight), feeling safe in the home of Jonah and his thankful family, Sully pulls out the Masonic pendant to study it. Jonah’s wife, Eleni, asks to see it. Eleni knows what this is. It looks just like something she read about years ago in an old book handed down through generations. She rummages around in an old chest and pulls out a dogeared book. There, she finds the page and on that page is a drawing that is exactly the image of the pendant. This is how Sully discovers where she is going next (Masonics and London). (*good deeds are always rewarded) 

The book closes with an evil glimpse of Father Damien, dressed again as a wraith, peering through the family’s window at what just transpired. A cliff hanger ending setting up the next book.

Antagonist: Captain Nikos Christou

In the volatile waters of the Eastern Mediterranean, near the coast of Cyprus, reigns Captain Nikos Christou. A former Greek naval officer, Christou turned to a life of high-seas crime after a scandalous discharge under accusations of smuggling and corruption. With a lean, sinewy build, and eyes like the deep sea - cold and fathomless, he instills an air of quiet menace. 

His vessel, the "Aegean Shadow," is a fast and agile speedboat, often used for rapid attacks and quick getaways. It's equipped with state-of-the-art technology to evade radar detection and is notorious for its hit-and-run tactics against cargo ships and yachts in the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly around Cyprus and the Aegean Sea. Elias's crew is small but highly skilled, a tight-knit group of professionals in maritime espionage and theft.

Christou 's criminal activities are driven not just by profit, but also by a vendetta against his former naval commanders and the perceived injustices he suffered. He is a tactician, using his naval experience to outmaneuver his targets and adversaries. His interest in the Templar fleet is partly for its historical value and partly for personal reasons, believing that it holds a key to a treasure that could restore his tarnished legacy.

When Sully's investigation into the Lost Templar Fleet brings her into the Mediterranean, she becomes a target for Christou. He sees intercepting her as a means to acquire fame and fortune, but also as a challenge to his intellect and naval prowess. His familiarity with the local waters and his cunning make him a dangerous and unpredictable foe.

Protagonist:

Captain Elias Demetriou stands as a testament to the life he has led at sea. With his robust and imposing stature, he exudes a sense of indomitable strength. His face, weathered and tanned by countless days under the sun and against the harsh sea winds, bears the marks of his maritime journey. His salt-and-pepper beard, thick and well-groomed, adds to his rugged, seasoned appearance, hinting at a life filled with experiences far beyond ordinary shores. 

His eyes, sharp and discerning, seem to hold a depth of wisdom and understanding forged through years of navigating both the calm and turbulent waters. These eyes, set in a stern expression, also glimmer with a subtle warmth, suggesting an underlying goodness and a compassionate spirit.

Despite his tough exterior, there is an unmistakable air of approachability about him. The captain's posture and demeanor reflect his unwavering determination and steadfastness, qualities that have earned him the respect and loyalty of his crew. His clothing, practical and well-worn, speaks of functionality over fashion, befitting a man who has faced the ocean's myriad challenges head-on.

Captain Demetriou is a man of few words, but when he speaks, his voice, deep and resonant, commands attention. His language is that of the sea, peppered with nautical terms and a wisdom borne of experience. Yet, there's a hint of reluctance in his stance, a sign of the internal conflicts he faces, torn between his loyalty to his village and crew, and the call of adventure and mystery as he embarks on a perilous journey to uncover Templar secrets at the behest of Sister Maria. 

The conflicted spy:

Jonah is a character whose life is as deep and turbulent as the seas he sails. A seasoned sailor and fisherman, his existence has been defined by the rhythmic ebb and flow of the ocean. His appearance is unassuming, with calloused hands and a weathered face that speaks of long days under the sun and nights spent navigating by the stars. His eyes, often squinting into the distance, hide a sharp intellect and an unwavering observance, qualities that make him an exceptional spy.

Jonah’s loyalty to his crew and the sea is unshakable, a trait that has earned him both respect and trust among his peers. This loyalty, however, becomes his greatest vulnerability when his family is threatened. The conflict between his duty to his profession and the safety of his loved ones plunges him into a moral quandary, marking the beginning of his journey as a reluctant spy.

His motivations are complex. Initially, Jonah’s actions are driven by the desperate need to protect his family. This fear of losing those he loves is a powerful force, overshadowing his previously unblemished sense of loyalty. Yet, as he delves deeper into the world of espionage, he begins to grapple with questions of right and wrong, truth and deceit. His journey becomes one of self-discovery, as he seeks to balance his personal morals with the demands of his covert role.

Jonah's fears are rooted in the potential harm that could befall his family and the possibility of losing himself in the shadows of espionage. The duplicity required in his new role is at odds with his straightforward nature as a fisherman. He fears that each lie and act of deceit takes him further away from the man he once was. 

Despite the darkness that surrounds his role as a spy, Jonah holds onto hopes. He dreams of a day when he can cast off the burden of secrecy and return to the simpler life of a fisherman, free from the tangled web of espionage. He hopes to safeguard his family's future, ensuring that they never again become pawns in the games of those more powerful. Ultimately, Jonah yearns for redemption and a return to a life guided by the clear, uncomplicated morals of the sea.

Masonic Pendant:

The pendant is medium-sized, expertly crafted from what appears to be aged silver, giving it a lustrous yet subtly weathered appearance. The silver has tarnished over time, especially where it has been exposed to the salty sea, lending it an antiquated charm. The craftsmanship suggests it may have been made by a skilled artisan, possibly as a bespoke piece for a high-ranking Mason.

The square and compass are interlocked in the traditional Masonic fashion. The square, which is the lower part of the emblem, has arms that are equal in length, and it's intricately engraved with delicate patterns, possibly signifying the earthbound nature of its symbolic meaning - morality and the material world. The compass, sitting atop the square, has slightly curved arms that are ornately designed, each arm culminating in a finely pointed tip. The compass symbolizes the realm of the spirit and the importance of keeping one's desires and passions within bounds.

At the center of the pendant, where the square and compass intersect, there is a discernible letter 'G'. This letter is a fundamental element in Masonic symbolism, often interpreted to represent God, Geometry, or both. The 'G' in this pendant is in an old English font, bold and prominent, and it's encrusted with a small, yet radiant, gemstone. The stone, possibly a sapphire or a piece of blue glass, adds an element of color and distinction to the piece.

The edges of the pendant show signs of wear and erosion, no doubt from years of being submerged in the sea. This wear gives the pendant a story, suggesting it was not only a ceremonial piece but may have been worn regularly by its owner. Small, almost imperceptible scratches and dents hint at a history of use, of being held and cherished.

Connection to Book 6:

With knowledge gained from Jonah’s wife, Eleni, Sully is rushing to London with the Masonic pendant. Its intricate design and encrypted inscriptions point towards London's iconic Masonic lodges. Piecing together the clues, Sully surmises that the Templars, before their decline, might have passed on crucial knowledge to the Freemasons. Determined to unearth these secrets and understand the Templar-Freemason connection, she embarks on her next journey to London, setting the stage for "Masonic Shadows."