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Updated: June 7, 2025
A Frank in your pay, and a traitor, has betrayed to you a certain lady, niece of Salah-ed-din, the princess of Baalbec, whose father was a Frankish noble named D'Arcy, and who herself is named Rose of the World.
For he was a merciful man, who loved not slaughter, although his fierce faith drove him from war to war. Salah-ed-din slept and dreamed of peace. In his dream a maiden stood before him. Presently, when she lifted her veil, he saw that she was beautiful, with features like his own, but fairer, and knew her surely for the daughter of his sister who had fled with the English knight.
You would seek the help of the lord Sinan against Salah-ed-din, from whom you hope to rescue a certain great lady of his blood who is your kinswoman and whom both of you desire in marriage. You see, I have learned that also. Well, this land is full of spies, who travel to and from Europe and make report of all things to those who pay them enough.
"Back to your cabin, lady," said Hassan, "and remember that whate'er befalls, we have done our best to save you. Ay, and tell it to my lord, that my honour may be clean in his eyes. Now, soldiers of Salah-ed-din, fight and die as he has taught you how. The gates of Paradise stand open, and no coward will enter there." They answered with a fierce, guttural cry.
"Why Saladin holds that place, and of Baalbec the lady Rosamund is princess." "Which is best?" asked Masouda shortly. "That she should fall into the hands of Salah-ed-din, or back into those of the master of the Assassins? Choose which you wish." "I choose Salah-ed-din," broke in Rosamund, "for at least he is my uncle, and will do me no wrong." Nor, knowing the case, did the others gainsay her.
Masouda translated, and seeing the warning in her eyes and remembering her words, the brethren shook their heads, while Wulf answered: "Our uncle, the knight Sir Andrew, was cut down by the soldiers of Salah-ed-din, and as he died bade us seek you out. What time had he to tell us of any ring?" The head sank upon the breast.
This is the payment that I ask of you for the two good horses which, as I am told, bore you none so ill upon the Narrow Way and across plain and mountain when you fled from Sinan, also on the evil day of Hattin when you unhorsed Salah-ed-din and slew Hassan." "It shall be as you wish," said Godwin; "and, Son of the Sand, we thank you for those horses." "Good.
Moreover, lest you should fear some trap, on behalf of myself, my successors and councillors, I promise in the Name of God, and by the word of Salah-ed-din, which never yet was broken, that although I trust the merciful God may change her heart so that she enters it of her own will, I will not force her to accept the Faith or to bind herself in any marriage which she does not desire.
Till then, however, your sister is as safe as though she yet sat at home in England before Salah-ed-din dreamed his dream." "Therefore," said Godwin, "within that time she must either escape or die." "There is a third way," answered Masouda, shrugging her shoulders. "She might stay and become the wife of Sinan."
Lo! from over the crest of the rise rushed squadron upon squadron of turbaned cavalry, who, as they came, set their lances in rest, and shouted: "Salah-ed-din! Salah-ed-din!" The Assassins saw also, and turned to fly too late! "A horse! A horse!" screamed Godwin in Arabic; and presently how he never knew found himself mounted and charging with the Saracens.
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