Chapter 25
The Thuringian Forest
“Thane kai su, uie theou Now die, son of god” Genscher translated from the old document.
“That’s it? That’s all he said?”
“Yes, the text is quite specific. The quotation is in Greek, which you would expect since most people in that region spoke Greek, but the description by Gregory is in Latin. I’ll read it for you.
“During my travels, I met the family of the blessed Longinus, who pierced the side of Our Lord and became one of the first Christians. For when he stabbed the Christ, and the blood and water flowed from his side, he saw this as a true miracle and saw that Christ was truly the son of God.
Later in his service with the legion, he was stationed in Britannia, a wild and cold land full of savages. One day, his fort was attacked by the barbarian Picts, an animal-like people, who paint themselves. He took his spear, which had never left his side since that day in Judaea, and went to the defence of his cohort. He saw the leader of the attackers and charged him with the spear. Truly the hand of god was with him, for he uttered once more the words he said when he pierced out Saviour and lo, once more did the spear shine with the white light of God. The ground shook and the sun went dark. The enemy fled, routed.
“Do you really believe this nonsense? You do know that what he is describing is impossible.” Genscher was a modern sceptic obviously.
“There are more things in heaven and earth, doctor” Ortwin replied.
“We all know what happened to Hamlet, Herr Schwartz. The story of the Lance is a myth, a legend, it is only mentioned in one book of the Bible.”
Ortwin was not in the mood for theological discussion, but felt the need to impose himself on the doctor. “You are right, Dr Genscher, the spear is only mentioned in one of the gospels, but we have known since the eighteen hundreds about the discrepancies in the gospels, but that is natural. Four people describing an event will always give four different accounts, have you ever seen the film Rashomon?” He replied, referring to the classic Japanese film where a crime is portrayed through the eyes of four separate witnesses, the culprit only being revealed in the very last version.
When Genscher nodded, Ortwin continued. “We should concentrate on the similarities between the accounts of the four gospels. All four describe the centurion acknowledging Christ’s divinity when he dies, and all four describe super-natural events. The curtains in the Temple of Solomon get torn, Matthew talks of an earthquake, and even of saints being resurrected. It is clear that the death of Christ unleashed awesome power, and Longinus believed that that power was stored in the Lance. Imagine, a spear which could cause an earthquake, darken the skies, turn whole armies to flight. Imagine what a man could do with such a spear.”
Genscher nodded, but he was pale, the realisation of what he was involved with finally catching up with him. Max noticed his reaction, and non too subtly, opened his jacket, revealing for the first time the pistol sitting in the holster attached to his belt. Genscher saw it and realised that there was no backing out, his choice had already been made. What he did not know was that others had made their plans also, and he was not part of them.
“Excellent. Now Doctor, tell me, can we take the book for a little walk?”
“I think so, Herr Schwartz. the book is in excellent condition, the monks must have looked after it well. Even if the conditions elsewhere are different to this room, it should be ok, as long as we do not take too long.” Genscher was much more co-operative. People tended to be when you showed the a gun Max found.
Nodding at Klaus to pick up the book, Ortwin turned to Max and said. “Right now, why don’t you take us to the lab and let us find out if this relic actually works.”
Genscher was confused. “How are you going to do that? It’s quite clear from St Gregory that the spear only releases its power when it kills someone.”
“Exactly doctor. You’ve got it in one. Don’t worry though, we won’t use it on you.” Ortwin smiled, picking up the other case and, turning on his heel, strode into the corridor, Max hurrying to catch up and lead the way. Klaus followed, leaving the librarian at the back, his face the colour of the white-washed walls.
Max led them down the corridor, turning left at the end. The effect of the white washed walls was slightly disorienting, and Ortwin began to wonder if Max knew where he was going, admiring at the same time, the will of the men who had carved out the complex in the depths of the war. They had been true Germans, whose like would soon be seen again, of that he was sure.
The soldier eventually stopped at one of the doors and led them into another room. Even more white than the corridor, if that was possible, the room was lined from floor to ceiling with porcelain tiles. A fluorescent strip light hung from the ceiling, and a metal table stood to one side, giving the room the appearance of a sinister operating theatre, the kind where anaesthetic is a luxury. Which is what it once had been. On the far wall, a couple of metal hooks had been screwed into the tiles, for what purpose, Genscher could only guess, but he was sure it could not be good.
“Let’s get started.” Ortwin said. Klaus lay the book on its stand on the table and set down his case beside it. “Fetch the subject.” He ordered Max. Clicking his heels, the soldier left the room.
Ortwin opened the case, revealing the lance. It lay in its protective foam, silently threatening. He motioned to Klaus who fetched a pole standing in the corner. Ortwin carefully removed the lance from the case and very gently affixed it to the pole. For the first time in over 60 years, the Lance had been returned to its original state, the spear of a Roman centurion, with a band of gold wrapped around the head. The Holy Lance was once more complete, and shortly it would show its true power.
“What do you think, Doctor?” Ortwin asked Genscher.
“It is beautiful, of course.” he said. “But I’ve been thinking. If what you say is true, is it wise to use the Lance? I mean, the earthquakes and so on. What if we get trapped down here?”
“That is why you are a librarian, and I will soon lead Germany. We will be fine. Destiny is on our side” Ortwin snorted. Genscher blanched. The man was obviously crazy, but how could he get out of this? His thoughts were interrupted as Max returned to the room, supporting a man in handcuffs. He looked sleepy, and was obviously finding it difficult to move, Max having to drag him most of the time.
It was the old soldier from Gottingen, but much had changed in the past 24 hours, he had seemingly become lifeless. He made no sound as Max led him to the far wall. No complaint or struggle as the handcuffs were opened at one side, and fastened to the hook jutting from the wall. Max produced a further pair and secured his other hand. The an now had his arms stretched out, as if being crucified.
“He won’t try anything, will he” Ortwin asked.
“Unlikely. He’s had 4mgs of Flunitrazepam. They all have.” Max replied matter of factly.
“I’m not a doctor, what does that mean.”
“Flunitrazepam is marketed as Rohypnol, you know, the date rape drug. He’s had twice the recommended dose. It’s a miracle he’s still awake, let alone standing up.”
As if to prove the point, the captive soldier’s legs chose that moment to buckle, the effect of the drugs removing most of his sense of balance. He was left dangling from the wall.
“I take your point.” Ortwin said. “Prop him up again.”
Max pushed the captive back against the wall, managing to balance him in an upright position. He hoped he would stay that way for long enough for their experiment to take place.
“I think it is now time for the fourth Reich to begin. Remind me of the phrase doctor Genscher.”
“Thane kai su, uie theou.” The librarian stammered, his mind suddenly fully grasping the horror of what was about to take place.
Ortwin repeated the phrase a couple of times, mimicking the librarian’s intonation, and picked up the spear. Crossing to where the man was chained to the wall, he hefted it in his hand, ready to thrust.
“You know, this reminds me of my boyhood in Argentina.” He said. “Bullfighting was popular there, a barbaric sport my father always called it, but we had to go, to mix with the locals, and show off our cattle. As the fight progresses, and the bull gets more tired, they hurl spears into its side to weaken it further, before the matador kills it with his sword. I feel like that now, only our bull here is obviously tired enough already.”
The captives outstretched arms offered a perfect shot and Ortwin knew exactly where to aim.
“Relax my friend, you are about to launch a new chapter in history. Thane kai su, uie theou”
Uttering the phrase first used by Longinus almost 2000 years previously, Ortwin drove the spear into the helpless victim. Plunging into him between the fourth and fifth ribs, the lance sped through his lung and buried itself in his heart. The shock broke through the heavy dose of sedatives, and he cried out in agony. However, it was no use. His hands were manacled tightly to the wall, and no one would help him. Blood from his punctured lung began to bubble out of his mouth, as he breathed his finals breaths. Life seeping away, his head slumped forward.
Ortwin was not paying attention. He was not interested in the man, he was interested in the spear. Strangely though, nothing was happening. There was no glow, not bright light that he could tell. He listened, not sounds of earthquakes in the background. He waited a bit longer. Still nothing. It had not worked.
He slowly and carefully removed the spear from the dead man. It was a delicate task as most ancient weapons were designed to break on impact. That way, the head would stay in the body, so even if the victim was not killed outright, he would be disabled, and there was a high chance of gangrene setting in.
Motioning to Klaus for a cloth, he slowly wiped the spearhead clean, removing the bits of lung it had driven through. Turning to Max, his face grim with anger, he said “Get rid of him, and get me another one.”
Taking a gun from his pocket, he placed it on the table. “Dr Genscher, you have one more chance. I hope for your sake it works next time.”
The Thuringian Forest
“Thane kai su, uie theou Now die, son of god” Genscher translated from the old document.
“That’s it? That’s all he said?”
“Yes, the text is quite specific. The quotation is in Greek, which you would expect since most people in that region spoke Greek, but the description by Gregory is in Latin. I’ll read it for you.
“During my travels, I met the family of the blessed Longinus, who pierced the side of Our Lord and became one of the first Christians. For when he stabbed the Christ, and the blood and water flowed from his side, he saw this as a true miracle and saw that Christ was truly the son of God.
Later in his service with the legion, he was stationed in Britannia, a wild and cold land full of savages. One day, his fort was attacked by the barbarian Picts, an animal-like people, who paint themselves. He took his spear, which had never left his side since that day in Judaea, and went to the defence of his cohort. He saw the leader of the attackers and charged him with the spear. Truly the hand of god was with him, for he uttered once more the words he said when he pierced out Saviour and lo, once more did the spear shine with the white light of God. The ground shook and the sun went dark. The enemy fled, routed.
“Do you really believe this nonsense? You do know that what he is describing is impossible.” Genscher was a modern sceptic obviously.
“There are more things in heaven and earth, doctor” Ortwin replied.
“We all know what happened to Hamlet, Herr Schwartz. The story of the Lance is a myth, a legend, it is only mentioned in one book of the Bible.”
Ortwin was not in the mood for theological discussion, but felt the need to impose himself on the doctor. “You are right, Dr Genscher, the spear is only mentioned in one of the gospels, but we have known since the eighteen hundreds about the discrepancies in the gospels, but that is natural. Four people describing an event will always give four different accounts, have you ever seen the film Rashomon?” He replied, referring to the classic Japanese film where a crime is portrayed through the eyes of four separate witnesses, the culprit only being revealed in the very last version.
When Genscher nodded, Ortwin continued. “We should concentrate on the similarities between the accounts of the four gospels. All four describe the centurion acknowledging Christ’s divinity when he dies, and all four describe super-natural events. The curtains in the Temple of Solomon get torn, Matthew talks of an earthquake, and even of saints being resurrected. It is clear that the death of Christ unleashed awesome power, and Longinus believed that that power was stored in the Lance. Imagine, a spear which could cause an earthquake, darken the skies, turn whole armies to flight. Imagine what a man could do with such a spear.”
Genscher nodded, but he was pale, the realisation of what he was involved with finally catching up with him. Max noticed his reaction, and non too subtly, opened his jacket, revealing for the first time the pistol sitting in the holster attached to his belt. Genscher saw it and realised that there was no backing out, his choice had already been made. What he did not know was that others had made their plans also, and he was not part of them.
“Excellent. Now Doctor, tell me, can we take the book for a little walk?”
“I think so, Herr Schwartz. the book is in excellent condition, the monks must have looked after it well. Even if the conditions elsewhere are different to this room, it should be ok, as long as we do not take too long.” Genscher was much more co-operative. People tended to be when you showed the a gun Max found.
Nodding at Klaus to pick up the book, Ortwin turned to Max and said. “Right now, why don’t you take us to the lab and let us find out if this relic actually works.”
Genscher was confused. “How are you going to do that? It’s quite clear from St Gregory that the spear only releases its power when it kills someone.”
“Exactly doctor. You’ve got it in one. Don’t worry though, we won’t use it on you.” Ortwin smiled, picking up the other case and, turning on his heel, strode into the corridor, Max hurrying to catch up and lead the way. Klaus followed, leaving the librarian at the back, his face the colour of the white-washed walls.
Max led them down the corridor, turning left at the end. The effect of the white washed walls was slightly disorienting, and Ortwin began to wonder if Max knew where he was going, admiring at the same time, the will of the men who had carved out the complex in the depths of the war. They had been true Germans, whose like would soon be seen again, of that he was sure.
The soldier eventually stopped at one of the doors and led them into another room. Even more white than the corridor, if that was possible, the room was lined from floor to ceiling with porcelain tiles. A fluorescent strip light hung from the ceiling, and a metal table stood to one side, giving the room the appearance of a sinister operating theatre, the kind where anaesthetic is a luxury. Which is what it once had been. On the far wall, a couple of metal hooks had been screwed into the tiles, for what purpose, Genscher could only guess, but he was sure it could not be good.
“Let’s get started.” Ortwin said. Klaus lay the book on its stand on the table and set down his case beside it. “Fetch the subject.” He ordered Max. Clicking his heels, the soldier left the room.
Ortwin opened the case, revealing the lance. It lay in its protective foam, silently threatening. He motioned to Klaus who fetched a pole standing in the corner. Ortwin carefully removed the lance from the case and very gently affixed it to the pole. For the first time in over 60 years, the Lance had been returned to its original state, the spear of a Roman centurion, with a band of gold wrapped around the head. The Holy Lance was once more complete, and shortly it would show its true power.
“What do you think, Doctor?” Ortwin asked Genscher.
“It is beautiful, of course.” he said. “But I’ve been thinking. If what you say is true, is it wise to use the Lance? I mean, the earthquakes and so on. What if we get trapped down here?”
“That is why you are a librarian, and I will soon lead Germany. We will be fine. Destiny is on our side” Ortwin snorted. Genscher blanched. The man was obviously crazy, but how could he get out of this? His thoughts were interrupted as Max returned to the room, supporting a man in handcuffs. He looked sleepy, and was obviously finding it difficult to move, Max having to drag him most of the time.
It was the old soldier from Gottingen, but much had changed in the past 24 hours, he had seemingly become lifeless. He made no sound as Max led him to the far wall. No complaint or struggle as the handcuffs were opened at one side, and fastened to the hook jutting from the wall. Max produced a further pair and secured his other hand. The an now had his arms stretched out, as if being crucified.
“He won’t try anything, will he” Ortwin asked.
“Unlikely. He’s had 4mgs of Flunitrazepam. They all have.” Max replied matter of factly.
“I’m not a doctor, what does that mean.”
“Flunitrazepam is marketed as Rohypnol, you know, the date rape drug. He’s had twice the recommended dose. It’s a miracle he’s still awake, let alone standing up.”
As if to prove the point, the captive soldier’s legs chose that moment to buckle, the effect of the drugs removing most of his sense of balance. He was left dangling from the wall.
“I take your point.” Ortwin said. “Prop him up again.”
Max pushed the captive back against the wall, managing to balance him in an upright position. He hoped he would stay that way for long enough for their experiment to take place.
“I think it is now time for the fourth Reich to begin. Remind me of the phrase doctor Genscher.”
“Thane kai su, uie theou.” The librarian stammered, his mind suddenly fully grasping the horror of what was about to take place.
Ortwin repeated the phrase a couple of times, mimicking the librarian’s intonation, and picked up the spear. Crossing to where the man was chained to the wall, he hefted it in his hand, ready to thrust.
“You know, this reminds me of my boyhood in Argentina.” He said. “Bullfighting was popular there, a barbaric sport my father always called it, but we had to go, to mix with the locals, and show off our cattle. As the fight progresses, and the bull gets more tired, they hurl spears into its side to weaken it further, before the matador kills it with his sword. I feel like that now, only our bull here is obviously tired enough already.”
The captives outstretched arms offered a perfect shot and Ortwin knew exactly where to aim.
“Relax my friend, you are about to launch a new chapter in history. Thane kai su, uie theou”
Uttering the phrase first used by Longinus almost 2000 years previously, Ortwin drove the spear into the helpless victim. Plunging into him between the fourth and fifth ribs, the lance sped through his lung and buried itself in his heart. The shock broke through the heavy dose of sedatives, and he cried out in agony. However, it was no use. His hands were manacled tightly to the wall, and no one would help him. Blood from his punctured lung began to bubble out of his mouth, as he breathed his finals breaths. Life seeping away, his head slumped forward.
Ortwin was not paying attention. He was not interested in the man, he was interested in the spear. Strangely though, nothing was happening. There was no glow, not bright light that he could tell. He listened, not sounds of earthquakes in the background. He waited a bit longer. Still nothing. It had not worked.
He slowly and carefully removed the spear from the dead man. It was a delicate task as most ancient weapons were designed to break on impact. That way, the head would stay in the body, so even if the victim was not killed outright, he would be disabled, and there was a high chance of gangrene setting in.
Motioning to Klaus for a cloth, he slowly wiped the spearhead clean, removing the bits of lung it had driven through. Turning to Max, his face grim with anger, he said “Get rid of him, and get me another one.”
Taking a gun from his pocket, he placed it on the table. “Dr Genscher, you have one more chance. I hope for your sake it works next time.”
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