Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 29, 2025
"Set out their story and their request," said Al-je-bal, "that we may judge of them." "Dread lord," answered Masouda, "as I sent you word, they say that they are the kin of a certain knight who in battle saved the life of him who ruled before you, but is now an inhabitant of Paradise." "I have heard that there was such a knight," said the voice.
Before the bridge was a low gateway, and upon its roof sat the Al-je-bal, clad in his scarlet robe of festival, and by his side, the moonlight gleaming on her jewels, Rosamund. In front, draped in a rich garment, a dagger of gems in her dark hair, stood the interpreter or "mouth" Masouda, and behind were dais and guards.
As she approached in her royal-looking beauty all the guests at that strange feast stared first at her and next at each other. Then as though by a single impulse they rose and bowed. "What can this mean?" muttered Wulf to Godwin as they did likewise. But Godwin made no answer. On came Rosamund, and now, behold! the lord Al-je-bal rose also and, giving her his hand, seated her by him on the divan.
The more they spoke of these matters the more they were perplexed, till at length Godwin said: "Brother, our uncle bade us earnestly to seek out this Al-je-bal, and though it seems that to do so is very dangerous, I think that we had best obey him who may have been given foresight at the last. When all paths are full of thorns what matter which you tread?" "A good saying," answered Wulf.
Few strangers who enter that castle come thence living. There is still time; I can pass you back as I passed you hither. Will you go on?" "We will go on," they answered with one breath. "Why? What have you to gain? You seek a certain maiden. Why seek her here whom you say has been taken to Salah-ed-din? Because the Al-je-bal in bygone days swore to befriend one of your blood.
"How is that lord named?" asked Godwin. "Sinan," she answered, and they noted that she looked round quickly as she spoke the word. "Oh," he said, "we thought the name was Jebal." Now she stared at him with wide, wondering eyes, and replied: "He is so called also; but, Sir Pilgrims, what know you of the dread lord Al-je-bal?" "Only that he lives at a place called Masyaf, which we wish to visit."
Yet walls have ears, so I counsel you use that English tongue which none of us understand in the land of Al-je-bal not even I." Then she bowed and went. The brethren and Rosamund looked at each other, for having so much to say it seemed that they could not speak at all.
Pilgrims to the fearful shrine of Al-je-bal, if it pleases you, we will ride at nightfall. Do not trouble about food and such matters. I will make preparation, but we go alone and secretly. Take only your arms and what garments you may need; the rest I will store, and for it give you my receipt. Now I go to make things ready.
Then, so soon as the dawn was grey, having drunk their fill and, as they had nothing else, eaten some watercress that grew in the stream, they tightened their saddle girths and started. Scarcely had they gone a hundred yards when, from the gulf beneath, that was hidden in grey mists, they heard the sound of horse's hoofs and men's voices. "Push on," said Masouda, "Al-je-bal is on our tracks."
"Cast these dogs into the sea who have dared to disobey the command of Al-je-bal." So they took them up, dead and living together, and threw them into the water, where they sank, nor did one of the wounded Saracens pray them for mercy. Then they served their own dead likewise, but those that were only wounded they took ashore.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking