Lionheart A Novel - By Sharon Kay Penman Page 0,173

“Bad Neighbor,” Richard joked that they ought to call his “Worse Neighbor,” laughing when his soldiers suggested other, more obscene names.

Next they went to inspect the huge belfry that was being constructed for an assault upon the walls. Richard had spared no expense and it would be over one hundred feet high when completed, with three stories, inner stairs, and wheels, covered in ox hides soaked in vinegar as protection against fire arrows. Eventually, Richard drew Henri aside for a private word, as private as any exchange could be in the midst of thousands.

“Tell me about Saladin,” he said, and Henri obliged, confirming the general view that the sultan was a man of honor even if he was an infidel. To prove it, he recounted one of the best-known stories of Saladin’s gallantry. The Lord of Nablus, Balian d’Ibelin, had been one of the few to escape capture at Ḥaṭṭīn, having fought his way free. His wife and children had taken refuge in Jerusalem, and when Saladin lay siege to the Holy City, Balian asked him for a safe conduct so he could rescue his family. Saladin agreed, upon condition that he passed but one night in the city. Upon Balian’s arrival, though, he was entreated by the desperate townspeople to take command, for there were no lords of rank left. Balian felt honor bound to stay and help defend Jerusalem, but he was ashamed of breaking his oath and wrote to Saladin, explaining the circumstances. Saladin not only forgave Balian, he dispatched men to escort Balian’s wife, children, and household to safety at Tyre.

Henri liked Balian very much and was tempted to praise his friend’s success in saving the citizens, for he’d been able to convince Saladin to spare them from the sort of bloody massacre that had occurred when the crusaders had first taken Jerusalem in 1099. But Balian was an ally of Conrad of Montferrat, and thus already suspect in Richard’s eyes. Henri chose, instead, to relate a more recent occurrence.

“Our defensive ditches have so far kept Saladin’s army out, but not thieves, I am sorry to say. An unguarded tent is an irresistible target, and about a fortnight ago, a woman’s infant was stolen. She was distraught, and came to us, weeping. We could do little, of course, so I told her that Saladin had a merciful heart and she had our permission to seek his help. I had a dragoman escort her to the Saracen lines, where he translated her plea. Mayhap moved by her tears, they took her to see Saladin. After hearing her story, he sent men to search for the baby. Upon learning that it had been sold in a local market, he ordered the purchase price to be paid to the buyer and he himself handed the child over to its mother, then saw that she was safely returned to our camp.”

“He is indeed a worthy foe,” Richard said approvingly. They’d paused near the belfry, their companions following at a discreet distance at the king’s orders. Raising his hand to keep them out of hearing range, Richard reached over and grasped his nephew’s arm. “I want to get a message to Saladin, Henri. Can you arrange that?”

He was pleased when Henri merely nodded, showing no surprise, for Philippe had reacted as if he’d proposed a colloquy with the Devil himself. “Good. Now can you recommend an interpreter? Someone I can wholeheartedly trust?”

“Well, Balian speaks some Arabic, but I suppose his friendship with Conrad disqualifies him,” Henri said wryly. “I would suggest that you use Humphrey de Toron, for his Arabic is excellent, and you need have no fears about his loyalties. I daresay he loathes Conrad even more than Guy does.”

“He seemed rather soft-hearted to me and weak-willed, too, for what man would let his wife be stolen away with such ease? But if you trust him, Henri, then that is enough for me. Send him to Saladin on the morrow with this message—that I seek a face-to-face meeting with him.”

“I will make the arrangements as soon as possible. I assume you want to take the measure of the sultan for yourself?”

“Of course. To judge a man’s true nature, you need to look him in the eye. I admit I am curious, too, for there are almost as many legends circulating about Saladin as there are about me,” Richard said with a grin. “And who knows? Mayhap we could reach an understanding. If he is willing to compromise, we could get