Chapter Sixteen: The Sultan Saladin
In the third morning Godwin awoke to see the ray of sunrisestreaming through the latticed window.
They fell upon another bed near-by where Wulf still lay sleeping,a bandage on his head that had been hurt in the last chargeagainst the Assassins, and other bandages about his arms andbody, which were much bruised in the fight upon the dreadfulbridge.
Wondrous was it to Godwin to watch him lying there sleepinghealthily, notwithstanding his injuries, and to think of whatthey had gone through together with so little harm; to think,also, of how they had rescued Rosamund out of the very mouth ofthat earthly hell of which he could see the peaks through theopen window-place--out of the very hands of that fiend, itsruler. Reckoning the tale day by day, he reflected on theiradventures since they landed at Beirut, and saw how Heaven hadguided their every step.
In face of the warnings that were given them, to visit theAl-je-bal in his stronghold had seemed a madness. Yet there,where none could have thought that she would be, they had foundRosamund. There they had been avenged upon the false knight SirHugh Lozelle, who had betrayed her, first to Saladin, then toSinan, and sent him down to death and judgment; and thence theyhad rescued Rosamund.
Oh, how wise they had been to obey the dying words of theiruncle, Sir Andrew, who doubtless was given foresight at the end!God and His saints had helped them, who could not have helpedthemselves, and His minister had been Masouda. But for Masouda,Rosamund would by now be lost or dead, and they, if their liveswere still left to them, would be wanderers in the great land ofSyria, seeking for one who never could be found.
Why had Masouda done these things, again and again putting herown life upon the hazard to save theirs and the honour of anotherwoman? As he asked himself the question Godwin felt the red bloodrise to his face. Because she hated Sinan, who had murdered herparents and degraded her, she said; and doubtless that had to dowith the matter. But it was no longer possible to hide the truth.She loved him, and had loved him from the first hour when theymet. He had always suspected it--in that wild trial of the horsesupon the mountain side, when she sat with her arms about him andher face pressed against his face; when she kissed his feet afterhe had saved her from the lion, and many another time.
But as they followed Wulf and Rosamund up the mountain pass whilethe host of the Assassins thundered at their heels, and in brokengasps she had told him of her sad history, then it was that hegrew sure. Then, too, he had said that he held her not vile, butnoble, as indeed he did; and, thinking their death upon them, shehad answered that she held him dear, and looked on him as a womanlooks upon her only love--a message in her eyes that no man couldfail to read. Yet if this were so, why had Masouda savedRosamund, the lady to whom she knew well that he was sworn?Reared among those cruel folk who could wade to their desirethrough blood and think it honour, would she not have left herrival to her doom, seeing that oaths do not hold beyond thegrave?
An answer came into the heart of Godwin, at the very thought ofwhich he turned pale and trembled. His brother was also sworn toRosamund, and she in her soul must be sworn to one of them. Wasit not to Wulf, Wulf who was handsomer and more strong than he,to Wulf, the conqueror of Lozelle? Had Rosamund told Masoudathis? Nay, surely not.
Yet women can read each other's hearts, piercing veils throughwhich no man may see, and perchance Masouda had read the heart ofRosamund. She stood behind her during the dreadful duel at thegate, and watched her face when Wulf's death seemed sure; shemight have heard words that broke in agony from her lips in thosemoments of torment.
Oh, without doubt it was so, and Masouda had protected Rosamundbecause she knew that her love was for Wulf and not for him. Thethought was very bitter, and in its pain Godwin groaned aloud,while a fierce jealousy of the brave and handsome knight whoslept at his side, dreaming, doubtless, of the fame that he hadwon and the reward by which it would be crowned, gripped hisvitals like the icy hand of death. Then Godwin remembered theoath that they two had sworn far away in the Priory at Stangate,and the love passing the love of woman which he bore towards thisbrother, and the duty of a Christian warrior whereto he wasvowed, and hiding his face in his pillow he prayed for strength.
It would seem that it came to him--at least, when he lifted hishead again the jealousy was gone, and only the great griefremained. Fear remained also--for what of Masouda? How should hedeal with her? He was certain that this was no fancy which wouldpass--until her life passed with it, and, beautiful as she was,and noble as she was, he did not wish her love. He could find noanswer to these questions, save this--that things must go on asthey were decreed. For himself, he, Godwin, would strive to dohis duty, to keep his hands clean, and await the end, whateverthat might be.
Wulf woke up, stretched his arms, exclaimed because that actionhurt him, grumbled at the brightness of the light upon his eyes,and said that he was very hungry. Then he arose, and with thehelp of Godwin, dressed himself, but not in his armour. Here,with the yellow-coated soldiers of Saladin, grave-faced andwatchful, pacing before their door--for night and day they weretrebly guarded lest Assassins should creep in--there was no needfor mail. In the fortress of Masyaf, indeed, where they were alsoguarded, it had been otherwise. Wulf heard the step of thesentries on the cemented pavement without, and shook his greatshoulders as though he shivered.
"That sound makes my backbone cold," he said. "For a moment, asmy eyes opened, I thought that we were back again in the guestchambers of Al-je-bal, where folk crept round us as we slept andmurderers marched to and fro outside the curtains, fingeringtheir knife-points. Well, whatever there is to come, thank theSaints, that is done with. I tell you, brother, I have had enoughof mountains, and narrow bridges, and Assassins. Henceforth, Idesire to live upon a flat with never a hill in sight, amidsthonest folk as stupid as their own sheep, who go to church onSundays and get drunk, not with hachich, but on brown ale,brought to them by no white-robed sorceress, but by adraggle-tailed wench in a tavern, with her musty bedstraw stillsticking in her hair. Give me the Saltings of Essex with the eastwinds blowing over them, and the primroses abloom upon the bank,and the lanes fetlock deep in mud, and for your share you maytake all the scented gardens of Sinan and the cups and jewels ofhis ladies, with the fightings and adventures of the golden Eastthrown in."
"I never sought these things, and we are a long way from Essex,"answered Godwin shortly.
"No," said Wulf, "but they seem to seek you. What news ofMasouda? Have you seen her while I slept, which has been long?"
"I have seen no one except the apothecary who tended you, theslaves who brought us food, and last evening the prince Hassan,who came to see how we fared. He told me that, like yourself,Rosamund and Masouda slept."
"I am glad to hear it," answered Wulf, "for certainly their restwas earned. By St. Chad! what a woman is this Masouda! A heart offire and nerves of steel! Beautiful, too--most beautiful; and thebest horsewoman that ever sat a steed. Had it not been forher--By Heaven! when I think of it I feel as though I lovedher--don't you?"
"No," said Godwin, still more shortly.
"Ah, well, I daresay she can love enough for two who does nothingby halves, and, all things considered," he added, with one of hisgreat laughs, "I am glad it is I of whom she thinks solittle--yes, I who adore her as though she were my patron saint.Hark! the guards challenge," and, forgetting where he was, hesnatched at his sword.
Then the door opened, and through it appeared the emir Hassan,who saluted them in the name of Allah, searching them with hisquiet eyes.
"Few would judge, to look at you, Sir Knights," he said with asmile, "that you have been the guests of the Old Man of theMountain, and left his house so hastily by the back door. Threedays more and you will be as lusty as when we met beyond the seasupon the wharf by a certain creek. Oh, you are brave men, both ofyou, though you be infidels, from which error may the Prophetguide you; brave men, the flower of knighthood. Ay, I, Hassan,who have known many Frankish knights, say it from my heart," and,placing hi
s hand to his turban, he bowed before them inadmiration that was not feigned.
"We thank you, Prince, for your praise," said Godwin gravely, butWulf stepped forward, took his hand, and shook it.
"That was an ill trick, Prince, which you played us yonder inEngland," he said, "and one that brought as good a warrior asever drew a sword--our uncle Sir Andrew D'Arcy--to an end sad asit was glorious. Still, you obeyed your master, and because ofall that has happened since, I forgive you, and call you friend,although should we ever meet in battle I still hope to pay youfor that drugged wine."
Here Hassan bowed, and said softly:
"I admit that the debt is owing; also that none sorrow more forthe death of the noble lord D'Arcy than I, your servant, who, bythe will of God, brought it upon him. When we meet, Sir Wulf, inwar--and that, I think, will be an ill hour for me--strike, andstrike home; I shall not complain. Meanwhile, we are friends, andin very truth all that I have is yours. But now I come to tellyou that the princess Rose of the World--Allah bless herfootsteps!--is recovered from her fatigues, and desires that youshould breakfast with her in an hour's time. Also the doctorwaits to tend your bruises, and slaves to lead you to the bathand clothe you. Nay, leave your hauberk; here the faith ofSalah-ed-din and of his servants is your best armour."
"Still, I think that we will take them," said Godwin, "for faithis a poor defence against the daggers of these Assassins, whodwell not so far away."
"True," answered Hassan; "I had forgotten." So thus theydeparted.
An hour later they were led to the hall, where presently cameRosamund, and with her Masouda and Hassan.
She was dressed in the rich robes of an Eastern lady, but thegems with which she had been adorned as the bride elect ofAl-je-bal were gone; and when she lifted her veil the brethrensaw that though her face was still somewhat pallid, her strengthhad come back to her, and the terror had left her eyes. Shegreeted them with sweet and gentle words, thanking first Godwinand then Wulf for all that they had done, and turning to Masouda,who stood by, stately, and watchful, thanked her also. Then theysat down, and ate with light hearts and a good appetite.
Before their meal was finished, the guard at the door announcedthat messengers had arrived from the Sultan. They entered,grey-haired men clad in the robes of secretaries, whom Hassanhastened to greet. When they were seated and had spoken with himawhile, one of them drew forth a letter, which Hassan, touchinghis forehead with it in token of respect, gave to Rosamund. Shebroke its seal, and, seeing that it was in Arabic, handed it toher cousin, saying:
"Do you read it, Godwin, who are more learned than I."
So he read aloud, translating the letter sentence by sentence.This was its purport:
"Salah-ed-din, Commander of the Faithful, the Strong-to-aid, tohis niece beloved, Rose of the World, princess of Baalbec:--
"Our servant, the emir Hassan, has sent us tidings of your rescuefrom the power of the accursed lord of the Mountain, Sinan, andthat you are now safe in our city of Emesa, guarded by manythousands of our soldiers, and with you a woman named Masouda,and your kinsmen, the two Frankish knights, by whose skill inarms and courage you were saved. Now this is to command you tocome to our court at Damascus so soon as you may be fit totravel, knowing that here you will be received with love andhonour. Also I invite your kinsmen to accompany you, since I knewtheir father, and would welcome knights who have done such greatdeeds, and the woman Masouda with them. Or, if they prefer it,all three of them may return to their own lands and peoples.
"Hasten, my niece, lady Rose of the World, hasten, for my spiritseeks you, and my eyes desire to look upon you. In the name ofAllah, greeting."
"You have heard," said Rosamund, as Godwin finished reading thescroll. "Now, my cousins, what will you do?"
"What else but go with you, whom we have come so far to seek?"answered Wulf, and Godwin nodded his head in assent.
"And you, Masouda?"
"I, lady? Oh, I go also, since were I to return yonder," and shenodded towards the mountains, "my greeting would be one that I donot wish."
"Do you note their words, prince Hassan?" asked Rosamund.
"I expected no other," he answered with a bow. "Only, knights,you must give me a promise, for even in the midst of my army suchis needful from men who can fly like birds out of the fortress ofMasyaf and from the knives of the Assassins--who are mounted,moreover, on the swiftest horses in Syria that have been trainedto carry a double burden," and he looked at them meaningly. "Itis that upon this journey you will not attempt to escape with theprincess, whom you have followed from over-sea to rescue her outof the hand of Salah-ed-din."
Godwin drew from his tunic the cross which Rosamund had left himin the hall at Steeple, and saying: "I swear upon this holysymbol that during our journey to Damascus I will attempt noescape with or without my cousin Rosamund," he kissed it.
"And I swear the same upon my sword," added Wulf, laying his handupon the silver hilt of the great blade which had been hisforefather's.
"A security that I like better," said Hassan with a smile, "butin truth, knights, your word is enough for me." Then he looked atMasouda and went on, still smiling: "Nay it is useless; for womenwho have dwelt yonder oaths have no meaning. Lady, we must becontent to watch you, since my lord has bidden you to his city,which, fair and brave as you are, to be plain, I would not havedone."
Then he turned to speak to the secretaries, and Godwin, who wasnoting all, saw Masouda's dark eyes follow him and in them a verystrange light.
"Good," they seemed to say; "as you have written, so shall youread."
That same afternoon they started for Damascus, a great army ofhorsemen. In its midst, guarded by a thousand spears, Rosamundwas borne in a litter. In front of her rode Hassan, with hisyellow-robed bodyguard; at her side, Masouda; and behind--for,notwithstanding his hurts, Wulf would not be carried--thebrethren, mounted upon ambling palfreys. After them, led byslaves, came the chargers, Flame and Smoke, recovered now, butstill walking somewhat stiffly, and then rank upon rank ofturbaned Saracens. Through the open curtains of her litterRosamund beckoned to the brethren, who pushed alongside of her.
"Look," she said, pointing with her hand.
They looked, and there, bathed in the glory of the sinking sun,saw the mountains crowned far, far away with the impregnable cityand fortress of Masyaf, and below it the slopes down which theyhad ridden for their lives. Nearer to them flashed the riverbordered by the town of Emesa. Set at intervals along its wallswere spears, looking like filaments against the flaming, sunsetsky, and on each of them a black dot, which was the head of anAssassin, while from the turrets above, the golden banner ofSaladin fluttered in the evening wind. Remembering all that shehad undergone in that fearful home of devil-worshippers, and thefate from which she had been snatched, Rosamund shuddered.
"It burns like a city in hell," she said, staring at Masyaf,environed by that lurid evening light and canopied with black,smoke-like clouds. "Oh! such I think will be its doom."
"I trust so," answered Wulf fervently. "At least, in this worldand the next we have done with it."
"Yes," added Godwin in his thoughtful voice; "still, out of thatevil place we won good, for there we found Rosamund, and there,my brother, you conquered in such a fray as you can never hope tofight again, gaining great glory, and perhaps much more."
Then reining in his horse, Godwin fell back behind the litter,while Wulf wondered, and Rosamund watched him with dreaming eyes.
That evening they camped in the desert, and next morning,surrounded by wandering tribes of Bedouins mounted on theircamels, marched on again, sleeping that night in the ancientfortress of Baalbec, whereof the garrison and people, having beenwarned by runners of the rank and titles of Rosamund came out todo her homage as their lady.
Hearing of it, she left her litter, and mounting a splendid horsewhich they had sent her as a present, rode to meet them, thebrethren, in full armour and once more bestriding Flame andSmoke, beside her, and a guard of Saladin's own Mamel
uks behind.Solemn, turbaned men, who had been commanded so to do bymessengers from the Sultan, brought her the keys of the gates ona cushion, minstrels and soldiers marched before her, whilstcrowding the walls and running alongside came the citizens intheir thousands. Thus she went on, through the open gates, pastthe towering columns of ruined temples once a home of the worshipof heathen gods, through courts and vaults to the citadelsurrounded by its gardens that in dead ages had been theAcropolis of forgotten Roman emperors.
Here in the portico Rosamund turned her horse, and received thesalutations of the multitude as though she also were one of theworld's rulers. Indeed, it seemed to the brethren watching her asshe sat upon the great white horse and surveyed the shouting,bending crowd with flashing eyes, splendid in her bearing andbeautiful to see, a prince at her stirrup and an army at herback, that none of those who had trod that path before her couldhave seemed greater or more glorious in the hour of their pridethan did this English girl, who by the whim of Fate had suddenlybeen set so high. Truly by blood and nature she was fitted to bea queen. Yet as Rosamund sat thus the pride passed from her face,and her eyes fell.
"Of what are you thinking?" asked Godwin at her side.
"That I would we were back among the summer fields at Steeple,"she answered, "for those who are lifted high fall low. PrinceHassan, give the captains and people my thanks and bid them begone. I would rest."
Thus for the first and last time did Rosamund behold her ancientfief of Baalbec, which her grandsire, the great Ayoub, had ruledbefore her.
That night there was feasting in the mighty, immemorial halls,and singing and minstrelsy and the dancing of fair women and thegiving of gifts. For Baalbec, where birth and beauty were everwelcome, did honour to its lady, the favoured niece of the mightySalah-ed-din. Yet there were some who murmured that she wouldbring no good fortune to the Sultan or this his city, who was notall of the blood of Ayoub, but half a Frank, and a Crossworshipper, though even these praised her beauty and her royalbearing. The brethren they praised also, although these wereunbelievers, and the tale of how Wulf had fought the traitorknight upon the Narrow Way, and of how they had led theirkinswoman from the haunted fortress of Masyaf, was passed frommouth to mouth. At dawn the next day, on orders received fromthe Sultan, they left Baalbec, escorted by the army and many ofthe notables of the town. That afternoon they drew rein upon theheights which overlook the city of Damascus, Bride of the Earth,set amidst its seven streams and ringed about with gardens, oneof the most beautiful and perhaps the most ancient city in theworld. Then they rode down to the bounteous plain, and as nightfell, having passed the encircling gardens, were escorted throughthe gates of Damascus, outside of which most of the army haltedand encamped.
Along the narrow streets, bordered by yellow, flat-roofed houses,they rode slowly, looking now at the motley, many-colouredcrowds, who watched them with grave interest, and now at thestately buildings, domed mosques and towering minarets, whicheverywhere stood out against the deep blue of the evening sky.Thus at length they came to an open space planted like a garden,beyond which was seen a huge and fantastic castle that Hassantold them was the palace of Salah-ed-din. In its courtyard theywere parted, Rosamund being led away by officers of state, whilstthe brethren were taken to chambers that had been prepared,where, after they had bathed, they were served with food.Scarcely had they eaten it when Hassan appeared, and bade themfollow him. Passing down various passages and across a court theycame to some guarded doors, where the soldiers demanded that theyshould give up their swords and daggers.
"It is not needful," said Hassan, and they let them go by. Nextcame more passages and a curtain, beyond which they foundthemselves in a small, domed room, lit by hanging silver lampsand paved in tesselated marbles, strewn with rich rugs andfurnished with cushioned couches.
At a sign from Hassan the brethren stood still in the centre ofthis room, and looked about them wondering. The place was emptyand very silent; they felt afraid--of what they knew not.Presently curtains upon its further side opened and through themcame a man turbaned and wrapped in a dark robe, who stood awhilein the shadow, gazing at them beneath the lamps.
The man was not very tall, and slight in build, yet about him wasmuch majesty, although his garb was such as the humblest mighthave worn. He came forward, lifting his head, and they saw thathis features were small and finely cut; that he was bearded, andbeneath his broad brow shone thoughtful yet at times piercingeyes which were brown in hue. Now the prince Hassan sank to hisknees and touched the marble with his forehead, and, guessingthat they were in the presence of the mighty monarch Saladin, thebrethren saluted in their western fashion. Presently the Sultanspoke in a low, even voice to Hassan, to whom he motioned that heshould rise, saying:
"I can see that you trust these knights, Emir," and he pointed totheir great swords.
"Sire," was the answer, "I trust them as I trust myself. They arebrave and honourable men, although they be infidels."
The Sultan stroked his beard.
"Ay," he said, "infidels. It is a pity, yet doubtless theyworship God after their own fashion. Noble to look on also, liketheir father, whom I remember well, and, if all I hear is true,brave indeed. Sir Knights, do you understand my language?"
"Sufficiently to speak it, lord," answered Godwin, "who havelearned it since childhood, yet ill enough."
"Good. Then tell me, as soldiers to a soldier, what do you seekfrom Salah-ed-din?"
"Our cousin, the lady Rosamund, who, by your command, lord, wasstolen from our home in England."
"Knights, she is your cousin, that I know, as surely as I knowthat she is my niece. Tell me now, is she aught more to you?" andhe searched them with those piercing eyes.
Godwin looked at Wulf, who said in English:
"Speak the whole truth, brother. From that man nothing can behid."
Then Godwin answered:
"Sire, we love her, and are affianced to her."
The Sultan stared at them in surprise.
"What! Both of you?" he asked.
"Yes, both."
"And does she love you both?"
"Yes," replied Godwin, "both, or so she says."
Saladin stroked his beard and considered them, while Hassansmiled a little.
"Then, knights," he said presently, "tell me, which of you doesshe love best?"
"That, sire, is known to her alone. When the time comes, she willsay, and not before."
"I perceive," said Saladin, "that behind this riddle hides astory. If it is your good pleasure, be seated, and set it out tome."
So they sat down on the divan and obeyed, keeping nothing backfrom the beginning to the end, nor, although the tale was long,did the Sultan weary of listening.
"A great story, truly," he said, when at length they hadfinished, "and one in which I seem to see the hand of Allah. SirKnights, you will think that I have wronged you--ay, and youruncle, Sir Andrew, who was once my friend, although an older manthan I, and who, by stealing away my sister, laid the foundationsof this house of love and war and woe, and perchance of happinessunforeseen.
"Now listen. The tale that those two Frankish knaves, the priestand the false knight Lozelle, told to you was true. As I wrote toyour uncle in my letter, I dreamed a dream. Thrice I dreamed it;that this niece of mine lived, and that if I could bring her hereto dwell at my side she should save the shedding of much blood bysome noble deed of hers--ay, of the blood of tens of thousands;and in that dream I saw her face. Therefore I stretched out myarm and took her from far away. And now, through you--yes,through you--she has been snatched from the power of the greatAssassin, and is safe in my court, and therefore henceforth I amyour friend."
"Sire, have you seen her?" asked Godwin.
"Knights, I have seen her, and the face is the face of my dreams,and therefore I know full surely that in those dreams God spoke.Listen, Sir Godwin and Sir Wulf," Saladin went on in a changedvoice, a stern, commanding voice. "Ask of me what you will, and,Franks though you are, it shall be given you
for your service'ssake--wealth, lands, titles, all that men desire and I cangrant--but ask not of me my niece, Rose of the World, princess ofBaalbec, whom Allah has brought to me for His own purposes. Know,moreover, that if you strive to steal her away you shallcertainly die; and that if she escapes from me and I recaptureher, then she shall die. These things I have told her already,and I swear them in the name of Allah. Here she is, and in myhouse she must abide until the vision be fulfilled."
Now in their dismay the brethren looked at each other, for theyseemed further from their desire than they had been even in thecastle of Sinan. Then a light broke upon the face of Godwin, andhe stood up and answered:
"Dread lord of all the East, we hear you and we know our risk.You have given us your friendship; we accept it, and arethankful, and seek no more. God, you say, has brought our ladyRosamund to you for His own purposes, of which you have no doubtsince her face is the very face of your dreams. Then let Hispurposes be accomplished according to His will, which may be insome way that we little guess. We abide His judgment Who hasguided us in the past, and will guide us in the future."
"Well spoken," replied Saladin. "I have warned you, my guests,therefore blame me not if I keep my word; but I ask no promisefrom you who would not tempt noble knights to lie. Yes, Allah hasset this strange riddle; by Allah let it be answered in Hisseason."
Then he waved his hand to show that the audience was ended.