A brief companion to the first book of the Templars, containing vernacular translations of the psalms and prayers recorded within this book.
First, an understanding of my conceit in the titles. In the belief system of the Templars, they are creatures - in a rarer sense of the word. They are created beings, and they in their deeds of valour and honour give all the glory of their actions to their creator. So they sing the psalm that they ascribe to David - 'Non nobis, Domine, non nobis, sed nomini tuo da gloriam.' In the vernacular, this is rendered as 'Not to us, Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory.' So in this first book, I have split the story of their first encounter with us into four sections. Each section is reasonably self-contained, and (as much as can be done) is accurate and truthful, compiled from many sources. And each section is named for a quarter of this psalm.
Now, we have a small section of translation. The different words in the lingua franca (forgive me, another pun) I have generally left in their original phrasing. These convey a meaning and poetry that cannot easily be conveyed in a translation. In the last section, they were severely more common. A non-exhaustive list follows, as it has, I confess, become difficult to recognise the different words.
The first word is 'beauceant'. This word has no direct translation that I have gathered from my discussion with the Templars. However, it refers to their banner - black and white, arranged horizontally. While it flies, a Templar is not allowed to flee the battlefield, or else he will be parted from his brothers forever. The reason for the black and white I have not discerned, yet its similarity to Celestia and Luna is something to notice.
With that being the first word, let us take the first phrase. 'In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti'. These words mark what the Templars called 'crossing themselves', taking the name of their three in one god upon themselves. They do this for several purposes - firstly, to start their prayers, which they do several times a day; secondly, to ward off evil against them, a sort of protective gesture. They quote another of their race, a non-Templar (the distinction between a Templar and a Christian, the name by which they refer to their race, is blurred in the understanding of most of our kind. It is not important at this juncture in our tale, except that the Templars were fleeing from others of their kind who had started a persecution of the Templars. When asked if they had considered fighting back, they showed a remarkable loyalty, saying that it would be wrong, or a sin, to fight against their race) called Athanasius, who says that the sign of the cross protects against magic. When they say these words, or where I have used the phrase 'they crossed themselves' or similar, they have made a set of actions. Taking their right hand, they touch their forehead, then their stomach, then the left and then right chest with their thumb and the next finger. Then, making a small cross by putting the thumb over the finger, they kiss it.
The next is the psalm that they sing. 'Non nobis Domine, non nobis, sed Nomini Tuo da gloriam.' However, I have already translated it in this text, and will not take up additional room in repeating it.
So we move into the last of the first book to require a translation. Their nightly prayers. 'Deus, in adiutorium meum intende', 'Domine, ad adiuvandam me festina', 'Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. Alleluia', 'Crucem Sanctam Subiit', 'Nunc Dimittis', 'Salve Regina'. These are part of the Templars' religious practice. They translate, literally, to 'God, to aid of me attend', 'Lord, to aid of me hasten', 'Glory to Father, and Son, and Spirit of Holiness, as was in the beginning and now and forever and in ages of ages. Amen. God be praised', 'The Cross of Holiness He Underwent', 'Now Dismiss', and 'Hail Queen'. But a more meaningful translation is easily readable from these. 'God, come to my aid', 'Lord, make haste to aid me', 'Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever will be, forever and ever. Amen. God be praised', 'He Took The Holy Cross', 'Now You Dismiss', and 'Hail Queen'. Each is an extended prayer, or part of one, but for the purposes of this text, I have kept it limited to the main parts of the prayer.
Finally, we come to an addition to the books of the Templars. I hesitate to place it within the books proper, for this reason. I have researched these events as much as I can, and this story is told by the zebras as their casus belli. But the guards, and in particular my source within them, refuses to confirm or deny this story. And I have found no other supporting evidence. With that aside, I tell the story.
Furaha made his way at speed through the forest. He had been commanded by the Master to take a message to the Princess of the Ponies, with her assent to their plan. And so he had left camp last night, a sevenday after the messenger of the ponies had left himself.
The forest was his home, as it had been for all the zebras since years unknown. And no matter what force come upon it, they would defend and hold it.
As he continued, all of a sudden there was a whirring, and several crossbow bolts thudded into his flank. He fell, and died.
From the forest arose several ponies, all of the Royal Guard. Shining Armour led them, and they hurried to the body.
"This zebra carried a message from the zebras to our Princess," said Shining Armour. "But this message was an evil one, for they sought an alliance sealed in the blood of innocents. No more shall the Zebras be tolerated to lie to our Princess, and no more shall they live in our lands not obedient to our laws. Now, we shall go. Although the Princess sought to deceive us, she did not succeed."
The guards left their ambush spot, and made their way back to Canterlot.
Forgive me for the lack of art in my retelling. In the timeline, it occurs after the end of the first book, but before the beginning of the second book. With no sources other than the barest of stories about the event, I have done my best, but it is unfortunately not enough.
As for me, the writer, it is good that it remain secret. But my name is here. It requires wisdom - let the one with insight explore it - Mea purpureus color est, sed veritas latet per eam. Mea amici fidelissima et vera sunt. Et meum est numero novem.