The Embassy
The brethren and Rosamund looked at each other, for having so much to
say it seemed that they could not speak at all. Then with a low cry
Rosamund said:
“Oh! let us thank God, Who, after all these black months of travel and
of danger, has thus brought us together again,” and, kneeling down
there together in the guest-hall of the lord of Death, they gave thanks
earnestly. Then, moving to the centre of the chamber where they thought
that none would hear them, they began to speak in low voices and in
English.
“Tell you your tale first, Rosamund,” said Godwin.
She told it as shortly as she could, they listening without a word.
Then Godwin spoke and told her theirs. Rosamund heard it, and asked a
question almost in a whisper.
“Why does that beautiful dark-eyed woman befriend you?”
“I do not know,” answered Godwin, “unless it is because of the accident
of my having saved her from the lion.”
Rosamund looked at him and smiled a little, and Wulf smiled also. Then
she said:
“Blessings be on that lion and all its tribe! I pray that she may not
soon forget the deed, for it seems that our lives hang upon her favour.
How strange is this story, and how desperate our case! How strange also
that you should have come on hither against her counsel, which, seeing
what we have, I think was honest?”
“We were led,” answered Godwin. “Your father had wisdom at his death,
and saw what we could not see.”
“Ay,” added Wulf, “but I would that it had been into some other place,
for I fear this lord Al-je-bal at whose nod men hurl themselves to
death.”
“He is hateful,” answered Rosamund, with a shudder; “worse even than
the knight Lozelle; and when he fixes his eyes on me, my heart grows
sick. Oh! that we could escape this place!”
“An eel in an osier trap has more chance of freedom,” said Wulf
gloomily. “Let us at least be thankful that we are caged together—for
how long, I wonder?”
As he spoke Masouda appeared, attended by waiting women, and, bowing to
Rosamund, said:
“It is the will of the Master, lady, that I lead you to the chambers
that have been made ready for you, there to rest until the hour of the
feast. Fear not; you shall meet your brethren then. You knights have
leave, if it so pleases you, to exercise your horses in the gardens.
They stand saddled in the courtyard, to which this woman will bring
you,” and she pointed to one of those two maids who had cleaned the
armour, “and with them are guides and an escort.”
“She means that we must go,” muttered Godwin, adding aloud, “farewell,
sister, until tonight.”
So they parted, unwillingly enough. In the courtyard they found the
horses, Flame and Smoke, as they had been told, also a mounted escort
of four fierce-looking _fedaïs_ and an officer. When they were in the
saddle, this man, motioning to them to follow him, passed by an archway
out of the courtyard into the gardens. Hence ran a broad road strewn
with sand, along which he began to gallop. This road followed the gulf
which encircled the citadel and inner town of Masyaf, that was, as it
were, an island on a mountain top with a circumference of over three
miles.
As they went, the gulf always on their right hand, holding in their
horses to prevent their passing that of their guide, swift as it was,
they saw another troop approaching them. This was also preceded by an
officer of the Assassins, as these servants of Al-je-bal were called by
the Franks, and behind him, mounted on a splendid coalblack steed and
followed by guards, rode a mail-clad Frankish knight.
“It is Lozelle,” said Wulf, “upon the horse that Sinan promised him.”
At the sight of the man a fury took hold of Godwin. With a shout of
warning he drew his sword. Lozelle saw, and out leapt his blade in
answer. Then sweeping past the officers who were with them and reining
up their steeds, in a second they were face to face. Lozelle struck
first and Godwin caught the stroke upon his buckler, but before he
could return it the _fedaïs_ of either party rushed between them and
thrust them asunder.
“A pity,” said Godwin, as they dragged his horse away. “Had they left
us alone I think, brother, I might have saved you a moonlight duel.”
“That I do not want to miss, but the chance at his head was good if
those fellows would have let you take it,” answered Wulf reflectively.
Then the horses began to gallop again, and they saw no more of Lozelle.
Now, skirting the edge of the town, they came to the narrow, wall-less
bridge that spanned the gulf between it and the outer gate and city.
Here the officer wheeled his horse, and, beckoning to them to follow,
charged it at full gallop. After him went the brethren—Godwin first,
then Wulf. In the deep gateway on the further side they reined up. The
captain turned, and began to gallop back faster than he had come—as
fast, indeed, as his good beast would travel.
“Pass him!” cried Godwin, and shaking the reins loose upon the neck of
Flame he called to it aloud.
Forward it sprang, with Smoke at its heels. Now they had overtaken the
captain, and now even on that narrow way they had swept past him. Not
an inch was there to spare between them and the abyss, and the man,
brave as he was, expecting to be thrust to death, clung to his horse’s
mane with terror in his eyes. On the city side the brethren pulled up
laughing among the astonished _fedaïs_ who had waited for them there.
“By the Signet,” cried the officer, thinking that the knights could not
understand, “these are not men; they are devils, and their horses are
goats of the mountains. I thought to frighten them, but it is I who was
frightened, for they swept past me like eagles of the air.”
“Gallant riders and swift, well-trained steeds,” answered one of the
_fedaïs_, with admiration in his voice. “The fight at the full moon
will be worth our seeing.”
Then once more they took the sand-strewn road and galloped on. Thrice
they passed round the city thus, the last time by themselves, for the
captain and the _fedaïs_ were far outstripped. Indeed it was not until
they had unsaddled Flame and Smoke in their stalls that these appeared,
spurring their foaming horses. Taking no heed of them, the brethren
thrust aside the grooms, dressed their steeds down, fed and watered
them.
Then having seen them eat, there being no more to do, they walked back
to the guest-house, hoping to find Rosamund. But they found no
Rosamund, so sat down together and talked of the wonderful things that
had befallen them, and of what might befall them in the future; of the
mercy of Heaven also which had brought them all three together safe and
sound, although it was in this house of hell. So the time passed on,
till about the hour of sunset the women servants came and led them to
the bath, where the black slaves washed and perfumed them, clothing
them in fresh robes above their armour.
When they came out the sun was down, and the women, bearing torches in
their hands, conducted them to a great and gorgeous hall which they had
not seen before, built of fretted stone and having a carved and painted
roof. Along one side of this hall, that was lit with cressets, were a
number of round-headed open arches supported by elegant white columns,
and beyond these a marble terrace with flights of steps which led to
the gardens beneath. On the floor of this hall, each seated upon his
cushion beside low tables inlaid with pearl sat the guests, a hundred
or more, all dressed in white robes on which the red dagger was
blazoned, and all as silent as though they were asleep.
When the brethren reached the place the women left them, and servants
with gold chains round their necks escorted them to a dais in the
middle of the hall where were many cushions, as yet unoccupied,
arranged in a semicircle, of which the centre was a divan higher and
more gorgeous than the rest.
Here places were pointed out to them opposite the divan, and they took
their stand by them. They had not long to wait, for presently there was
a sound of music, and, heralded by troops of singing women, the lord
Sinan approached, walking slowly down the length of the great hall. It
was a strange procession, for after the women came the aged, white
robed _daïs_, then the lord Al-je-bal himself, clad now in his
blood-red, festal robe, and wearing jewels on his turban.
Around him marched four slaves, black as ebony, each of whom held a
flaming torch on high, while behind followed the two gigantic guards
who had stood sentry over him when he sat under the canopy of justice.
As he advanced down the hall every man in it rose and prostrated
himself, and so remained until their lord was seated, save only the two
brethren, who stood erect like the survivors among the slain of a
battle. Settling himself among the cushions at one end of the divan, he
waved his hand, whereon the feasters, and with them Godwin and Wulf,
sat themselves down.
Now there was a pause, while Sinan glanced along the hall impatiently.
Soon the brethren saw why, since at the end opposite to that by which
he had entered appeared more singing women, and after them, also
escorted by four black torch-bearers, only these were women, walked
Rosamund and, behind her, Masouda.
Rosamund it was without doubt, but Rosamund transformed, for now she
seemed an Eastern queen. Round her head was a coronet of gems from
which hung a veil, but not so as to hide her face. Jewelled, too, were
her heavy plaits of hair, jewelled the rose-silk garments that she
wore, the girdle at her waist, her naked, ivory arms and even the
slippers on her feet. 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.
“Show no surprise, Wulf,” muttered Godwin, who had caught a warning
look in the eyes of Masouda as she took up her position behind
Rosamund.
Now the feast began. Slaves running to and fro, set dish after dish
filled with strange and savoury meats, upon the little inlaid tables,
those that were served to Sinan and his guests fashioned, all of them,
of silver or of gold.
Godwin and Wulf ate, though not for hunger’s sake, but of what they ate
they remembered nothing who were watching Sinan and straining their
ears to catch all he said without seeming to take note or listen.
Although she strove to hide it and to appear indifferent, it was plain
to them that Rosamund was much afraid. Again and again Sinan presented
to her choice morsels of food, sometimes on the dishes and sometimes
with his fingers, and these she was obliged to take. All the while also
he devoured her with his fierce eyes so that she shrank away from him
to the furthest limit of the divan.
Then wine, perfumed and spiced, was brought in golden cups, of which,
having drunk, he offered to Rosamund. But she shook her head and asked
Masouda for water, saying that she touched nothing stronger, and it was
given her, cooled with snow. The brethren asked for water also, whereon
Sinan looked at them suspiciously and demanded the reason. Godwin
replied through Masouda that they were under an oath to touch no wine
till they returned to their own country, having fulfilled their
mission. To this he answered meaningly that it was good and right to
keep oaths, but he feared that theirs would make them water-drinkers
for the rest of their lives, a saying at which their hearts sank.
Now the wine that he had drunk took hold of Sinan, and he began to talk
who without it was so silent.
“You met the Frank Lozelle to-day,” he said to Godwin, through Masouda,
“when riding in my gardens, and drew your sword on him. Why did you not
kill him? Is he the better man?”
“It seems not, as once before I worsted him and I sit here unhurt,
lord,” answered Godwin. “Your servants thrust between and separated
us.”
“Ay,” replied Sinan, “I remember; they had orders. Still, I would that
you had killed him, the unbelieving dog, who has dared to lift his eyes
to this Rose of Roses, your sister. Fear not,” he went on, addressing
Rosamund, “he shall offer you no more insult, who are henceforth under
the protection of the Signet,” and stretching out his thin,
cruel-looking hand, on which gleamed the ring of power, he patted her
on the arm.
All of these things Masouda translated, while Rosamund dropped her head
to hide her face, though on it were not the blushes that he thought,
but loathing and alarm.
Wulf glared at the Al-je-bal, whose head by good fortune was turned
away, and so fierce was the rage swelling in his heart that a mist
seemed to gather before his eyes, and through it this devilish chief of
a people of murderers, clothed in his robe of flaming red, looked like
a man steeped in blood. The thought came to him suddenly that he would
make him what he looked, and his hand passed to his sword-hilt. But
Godwin saw the terror in Masouda’s eyes, saw Wulf’s hand also, and
guessed what was about to chance. With a swift movement of his arm he
struck a golden dish from the table to the marble floor, then said, in
a clear voice in French:
“Brother, be not so awkward; pick up that dish and answer the lord
Sinan as is your right—I mean, touching the matter of Lozelle.”
Wulf stooped to obey, and his mind cleared which had been so near to
madness.
“I wish it not, lord,” he said, “who, if I can, have your good leave to
slay this fellow on the third night from now. If I fail, then let my
brother take my place, but not before.”
“Yes, I forgot,” said Sinan. “So I decreed, and that will be a fight I
wish to see. If he kills you then your brother shall meet him. And if
he kills you both, then perhaps I, Sinan, will meet him—in my own
fashion. Sweet lady, knowing where the course is laid, say, do you fear
to see this fray?”
Rosamund’s face paled, but she answered proudly:
“Why should I fear what my brethren do not fear? They are brave
knights, bred to arms, and God, in Whose hand are all our
destinies—even yours, O Lord of Death—He will guard the right.”
When this speech was translated to him Sinan quailed a little. Then he
answered:
“Lady, know that _I_ am the Voice and Prophet of Allah—ay, and his
sword to punish evil-doers and those who do not believe. Well, if what
I hear is true, your brethren are skilled horsemen who even dared to
pass my servant on the narrow bridge, so victory may rest with them.
Tell me which of them do you love the least, for he shall first face
the sword of Lozelle.”
Now as Rosamund prepared herself to answer Masouda scanned her face
through her half-closed eyes. But whatever she may have felt within, it
remained calm and cold as though it were cut in stone.
“To me they are as one man,” she said. “When one speaks, both speak. I
love them equally.”
“Then, Guest of my heart, it shall go as I have said. Brother Blue-eyes
shall fight first, and if he falls then Brother Grey-eyes. The feast is
ended, and it is my hour for prayer. Slaves, bid the people fill their
cups. Lady, I pray of you, stand forward on the dais.”
She obeyed, and at a sign the black slave-women gathered behind her
with their flaming torches. Then Sinan rose also, and cried with a loud
voice:
“Servants of Al-je-bal, pledge, I command you, this Flower of flowers,
the high-born Princess of Baalbec, the niece of the Sultan,
Salah-ed-din, whom men call the Great,” and he sneered, “though he be
not so great as I, this Queen of maids who soon—” Then, checking
himself, he drank off his wine, and with a low bow presented the empty,
jewelled cup to Rosamund. All the company drank also, and shouted till
the hall rang, for her loveliness as she stood thus in the fierce light
of the torches, aflame as these men were with the vision-breeding wine
of Al-je-bal, moved them to madness.
“Queen! Queen!” they shouted. “Queen of our Master and of us all!”
Sinan heard and smiled. Then, motioning for silence, he took the hand
of Rosamund, kissed it, and turning, passed from the hall preceded by
his singing women and surrounded by the _daïs_ and guards.
Godwin and Wulf stepped forward to speak with Rosamund, but Masouda
interposed herself between them, saying in a cold, clear voice:
“It is not permitted. Go, knights, and cool your brows in yonder
garden, where sweet water runs. Your sister is my charge. Fear not, for
she is guarded.”
“Come,” said Godwin to Wulf; “we had best obey.”
So together they walked through the crowd of those feasters that
remained, for most of them had already left the hall, who made way, not
without reverence, for the brethren of this new star of beauty, on to
the terrace, and from the terrace into the gardens. Here they stood
awhile in the sweet freshness of the night, which was very grateful
after the heated, perfume-laden air of the banquet; then began to
wander up and down among the scented trees and flowers. The moon,
floating in a cloudless sky, was almost at its full, and by her light
they saw a wondrous scene. Under many of the trees and in tents set
about here and there, rugs were spread, and to them came men who had
drunk of the wine of the feast, and cast themselves down to sleep.
“Are they drunk?” asked Wulf.
“It would seem so,” answered Godwin.
Yet these men appeared to be mad rather than drunk, for they walked
steadily enough, but with wide-set, dreamy eyes; nor did they seem to
sleep upon the rugs, but lay there staring at the sky and muttering
with their lips, their faces steeped in a strange, unholy rapture.
Sometimes they would rise and walk a few paces with outstretched arms,
till the arms closed as though they clasped something invisible, to
which they bent their heads to babble awhile. Then they walked back to
their rugs again, where they remained silent.
As they lay thus, white-veiled women appeared, who crouched by the
heads of these sleepers, murmuring into their ears, and when from time
to time they sat up, gave them to drink from cups they carried, after
partaking of which they lay down again and became quite senseless.
Only the women would move on to others and serve them likewise. Some of
them approached the brethren with a slow, gliding motion, and offered
them the cup; but they walked forward, taking no notice, whereupon the
girls left them, laughing softly, and saying such things as “Tomorrow
we shall meet,” or “Soon you will be glad to drink and enter into
Paradise.”
“When the time comes doubtless we shall be glad, who have dwelt here,”
answered Godwin gravely, but as he spoke in French they did not
understand him.
“Step out, brother,” said Wulf, “for at the very sight of those rugs I
grow sleepy, and the wine in the cups sparkles as bright as their
bearers’ eyes.”
So they walked on towards the sound of a waterfall, and, when they came
to it, drank, and bathed their faces and heads.
“This is better than their wine,” said Wulf. Then, catching sight of
more women flitting round them, looking like ghosts amid the moonlit
glades, they pressed forward till they reached an open sward where
there were no rugs, no sleepers, and no cupbearers.
“Now,” said Wulf, halting, “tell me what does all this mean?”
“Are you deaf and blind?” asked Godwin. “Cannot you see that yonder
fiend is in love with Rosamund, and means to take her, as he well may
do?”
Wulf groaned aloud, then answered: “I swear that first I will send his
soul to hell, even though our own must keep it company.”
“Ay,” answered Godwin, “I saw; you went near to it tonight. But
remember, that is the end for all of us. Let us wait then to strike
until we must—to save her from worse things.”
“Who knows that we may find another chance? Meanwhile, meanwhile—” and
again he groaned.
“Among those ornaments that hung about the waist of Rosamund I saw a
jewelled knife,” answered Godwin, sadly. “She can be trusted to use it
if need be, and after that we can be trusted to do our worst. At least,
I think that we should die in a fashion that would be remembered in
this mountain.”
As they spoke they had loitered towards the edge of the glade, and
halting there stood silent, till presently from under the shadow of a
cedar tree appeared a solitary, white robed woman.
“Let us be going,” said Wulf; “here is another of them with her
accursed cup.”
But before they could turn the woman glided up to them and suddenly
unveiled. It was Masouda.
“Follow me, brothers Peter and John,” she said in a laughing whisper.
“I have words to say to you. What! you will not drink? Well, it is
wisest.” And emptying the cup upon the ground she flitted ahead of
them.
Silently as a wraith she went, now appearing in the open spaces, now
vanishing, beneath the dense gloom of cedar boughs, till she reached a
naked, lonely rock which stood almost upon the edge of the gulf.
Opposite to this rock was a great mound such as ancient peoples reared
over the bodies of their dead, and in the mound, cunningly hidden by
growing shrubs, a massive door.
Masouda took a key from her girdle, and, having looked around to see
that they were alone, unlocked it.
“Enter,” she said, pushing them before her. They obeyed, and through
the darkness within heard her close the door.
“Now we are safe awhile,” she said with a sigh, “or, at least, so I
think. But I will lead you to where there is more light.”
Then, taking each of them by the hand, she went forward along a smooth
incline, till presently they saw the moonlight, and by it discovered
that they stood at the mouth of a cave which was fringed with bushes.
Running up from the depths of the gulf below to this opening was a
ridge or shoulder of rock, very steep and narrow.
“See the only road that leads from the citadel of Masyaf save that
across the bridge,” said Masouda.
“A bad one,” answered Wulf, staring downward.
“Ay, yet horses trained to rocks can follow it. At its foot is the
bottom of the gulf, and a mile or more away to the left a deep cleft
which leads to the top of the mountain and to freedom. Will you not
take it now? By tomorrow’s dawn you might be far away.”
“And where would the lady Rosamund be?” asked Wulf.
“In the harem of the lord Sinan—that is, very soon,” she answered,
coolly.
“Oh, say it not!” he exclaimed, clasping her arm, while Godwin leaned
back against the wall of the cave.
“Why should I hide the truth? Have you no eyes to see that he is
enamoured of her loveliness—like others? Listen; a while ago my master
Sinan chanced to lose his queen—how, we need not ask, but it is said
that she wearied him. Now, as he must by law, he mourns for her a
month, from full moon to full moon. But on the day after the full
moon—that is, the third morning from now—he may wed again, and I think
there will be a marriage. 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.”
Wulf muttered something between his teeth, then stepped towards her
threateningly, saying:
“Rescue her, or—”
“Stand back, pilgrim John,” she said, with a laugh. “If I rescue her,
which indeed would be hard, it will not be for fear of your great
sword.”
“What, then, will avail, Masouda?” asked Godwin in a sad voice. “To
promise you money would be useless, even if we could.”
“I am glad that you spared me that insult,” she replied with flashing
eyes, “for then there had been an end. Yet,” she added more humbly,
“seeing my home and business, and what I appear to be,” and she glanced
at her dress and the empty cup in her hand, “it had not been strange.
Now hear me, and forget no word. At present you are in favour with
Sinan, who believes you to be the brothers of the lady Rosamund, not
her lovers; but from the moment he learns the truth your doom is
sealed. Now what the Frank Lozelle knows, that the Al-je-bal may know
at any time—and will know, if these should meet.
“Meanwhile, you are free; so to-morrow, while you ride about the
garden, as you will do, take note of the tall rock that stands without,
and how to reach it from any point, even in the dark. To-morrow, also,
when the moon is up, they will lead you to the narrow bridge, to ride
your horses to and fro there, that they may learn not to fear it in
that light. When you have stabled them go into the gardens and come
hither unobserved, as the place being so far away you can do. The
guards will let you pass, thinking only that you desire to drink a cup
of wine with some fair friend, as is the custom of our guests. Enter
this cave—here is the key,” and she handed it to Wulf, “and if I be not
there, await me. Then I will tell you my plan, if I have any, but until
then I must scheme and think. Now it grows late—go.”
“And you, Masouda,” said Godwin, doubtfully; “how will you escape this
place?”
“By a road you do not know of, for I am mistress of the secrets of this
city. Still, I thank you for your thought of me. Go, I say, and lock
the door behind you.”
So they went in silence, doing as she bade them, and walked back
through the gardens, that now seemed empty enough, to the
stable-entrance of the guest-house, where the guards admitted them
without question.
That night the brethren slept together in one bed, fearing that if they
lay separate they might be searched in their sleep and not awake.
Indeed, it seemed to them that, as before, they heard footsteps and
voices in the darkness.
Next morning, when they had breakfasted, they loitered awhile, hoping
to win speech with Rosamund, or sight of her, or at the least that
Masouda would come to them; but they saw no Rosamund, and no Masouda
came. At length an officer appeared, and beckoned to them to follow
him. So they followed, and were led through the halls and passages to
the terrace of justice, where Sinan, clad in his black robe, sat as
before beneath a canopy in the midst of the sun-lit marble floor.
There, too, beside him, also beneath the canopy and gorgeously
apparelled, sat Rosamund. They strove to advance and speak with her,
but guards came between them, pointing out a place where they must
stand a few yards away. Only Wulf said in a loud voice, in English:
“Tell us, Rosamund, is it well with you?” Lifting her pale face, she
smiled and nodded.
Then, at the bidding of Sinan, Masouda commanded them to be silent,
saying that it was not lawful for them to speak to the Lord of the
Mountain, or his Companion, unless they were first bidden so to do. So,
having learnt what they wished to know, they were silent.
Now some of the _daïs_ drew near the canopy, and consulted with their
master on what seemed to be a great matter, for their faces were
troubled. Presently he gave an order, whereon they resumed their seats
and messengers left the terrace. When they appeared again, in their
company were three noble-looking Saracens, who were accompanied by a
retinue of servants and wore green turbans, showing that they were
descendants of the Prophet. These men, who seemed weary with long
travel, marched up the terrace with a proud mien, not looking at the
_daïs_ or any one until they saw the brethren standing side by side, at
whom they stared a little. Next they caught sight of Rosamund sitting
in the shadow of the canopy, and bowed to her, but of the Al-je-bal
they took no notice.
“Who are you, and what is your pleasure?” asked Sinan, after he had
eyed them awhile. “I am the ruler of this country. These are my
ministers,” and he pointed to the _daïs_, “and here is my sceptre,” and
he touched the bloodred dagger broidered on his robe of black.
Now that Sinan had declared himself the embassy bowed to him,
courteously enough. Then their spokesman answered him.
“That sceptre we know; it has been seen afar. Twice already we have cut
down its bearers even in the tent of our master. Lord of Murder, we
acknowledge the emblem of murder, and we bow to you whose title is the
Great Murderer. As for our mission, it is this. We are the ambassadors
of Salah-ed-din, Commander of the Faithful, Sultan of the East; in
these papers signed with his signet are our credentials, if you would
read them.”
“So,” answered Sinan, “I have heard of that chief. What is his will
with me?”
“This, Al-je-bal. 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. The Sultan, Salah-ed-din, having been informed
of this matter by his servant, the prince Hassan, who escaped from your
soldiers, demands that this lady, his niece, be delivered to him
forthwith, and with her the head of the Frank Lozelle.”
“The head of the Frank Lozelle he may have if he will after to-morrow
night. The lady I keep,” snarled Sinan.
“What then?”
“Then, Al-je-bal, in the name of Salah-ed-din, we declare war on
you—war till this high place of yours is pulled stone from stone; war
till your tribe be dead, till the last man, woman, and child be slain,
until your carcass is tossed to the crows to feed on.”
Now Sinan rose in fury and rent at his beard.
“Go back,” he said, “and tell that dog you name a sultan, that low as
he is, the humble-born son of Ayoub, I, Al-je-bal, do him an honour
that he does not observe. My queen is dead, and two days from now, when
my month of mourning is expired, I shall take to wife his niece, the
princess of Baalbec, who sits here beside me, my bride-elect.”
At these words Rosamund, who had been listening intently, started like
one who has been stung by a snake, put her hands before her face and
groaned.
“Princess,” said the ambassador, who was watching her, “you seem to
understand our language; is this your will, to mate your noble blood
with that of the heretic chief of the Assassins?”
“Nay, nay!” she cried. “It is no will of mine, who am a helpless
prisoner and by faith a Christian. If my uncle Salah-ed-din is indeed
as great as I have heard, then let him show his power and deliver me,
and with me these my brethren, the knights Sir Godwin and Sir Wulf.”
“So you speak Arabic,” said Sinan. “Good; our loving converse will be
easier, and for the rest—well, the whims of women change. Now, you
messengers of Salah-ed-din, begone, lest I send you on a longer
journey, and tell your master that if he dares to lift his standards
against my walls my _fedaïs_ shall speak with him. By day and by night,
not for one moment shall he be safe. Poison shall lurk in his cup and a
dagger in his bed. Let him kill a hundred of them, and another hundred
shall appear. His most trusted guards shall be his executioners. The
women in his harem shall bring him to his doom—ay, death shall be in
the very air he breathes. If he would escape it, therefore, let him
hide himself within the walls of his city of Damascus, or amuse himself
with wars against the mad Cross-worshippers, and leave me to live in
peace with this lady whom I have chosen.”
“Great words, worthy of the Great Assassin,” said the ambassador.
“Great words in truth, which shall be followed by great deeds. What
chance has this lord of yours against a nation sworn to obey to the
death? You smile? Then come hither you—and you.” And he summoned two of
his _daïs_ by name.
They rose and bowed before him.
“Now, my worthy servants,” he said, “show these heretic dogs how you
obey, that their master may learn the power of your master. You are old
and weary of life. Begone, and await me in Paradise.”
The old men bowed again, trembling a little. Then, straightening
themselves, without a word they ran side by side and leapt into the
abyss.
“Has Salah-ed-din servants such as these?” asked Sinan in the silence
that followed. “Well, what they have done, all would do, if I bid them
slay him. Back, now; and, if you will, take these Franks with you, who
are my guests, that they may bear witness of what you have seen, and of
the state in which you left their sister. Translate to the knights,
woman.”
So Masouda translated. Then Godwin answered through her.
“We understand little of this matter, who are ignorant of your tongue,
but, O Al-je-bal, ere we leave your sheltering roof we have a quarrel
to settle with the man Lozelle. After that, with your permission, we
will go, but not before.”
Now Rosamund sighed as if in relief, and Sinan answered:
“As you will; so be it,” adding, “Give these envoys food and drink
before they go.”
But their spokesman answered: “We partake not of the bread and salt of
murderers, lest we should become of their fellowship. Al-je-bal, we
depart, but within a week we appear again in the company of ten
thousand spears, and on one of them shall your head be set. Your
safe-conduct guards us till the sunset. After that, do your worst, as
we do ours. High Princess, our counsel to you is that you slay yourself
and so gain immortal honour.”
Then, bowing to her one by one, they turned and marched down the
terrace followed by their servants.
Now Sinan waved his hand and the court broke up, Rosamund leaving it
first, accompanied by Masouda and escorted by guards, after which the
brethren were commanded to depart also.
So they went, talking earnestly of all these things, but save in God
finding no hope at all.