Chapter Thirteen: The Embassy
The brethren and Rosamund looked at each other, for having somuch to say it seemed that they could not speak at all. Then witha low cry Rosamund said:
"Oh! let us thank God, Who, after all these black months oftravel and of danger, has thus brought us together again," and,kneeling down there together in the guest-hall of the lord ofDeath, they gave thanks earnestly. Then, moving to the centre ofthe chamber where they thought that none would hear them, theybegan 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 aword.
Then Godwin spoke and told her theirs. Rosamund heard it, andasked 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 theaccident 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 maynot soon forget the deed, for it seems that our lives hang uponher favour. How strange is this story, and how desperate ourcase! How strange also that you should have come on hitheragainst her counsel, which, seeing what we have, I think washonest?"
"We were led," answered Godwin. "Your father had wisdom at hisdeath, and saw what we could not see."
"Ay," added Wulf, "but I would that it had been into some otherplace, for I fear this lord Al-je-bal at whose nod men hurlthemselves to death."
"He is hateful," answered Rosamund, with a shudder; "worse eventhan the knight Lozelle; and when he fixes his eyes on me, myheart grows sick. Oh! that we could escape this place!"
"An eel in an osier trap has more chance of freedom," said Wulfgloomily. "Let us at least be thankful that we are cagedtogether--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 thechambers that have been made ready for you, there to rest untilthe hour of the feast. Fear not; you shall meet your brethrenthen. You knights have leave, if it so pleases you, to exerciseyour horses in the gardens. They stand saddled in the courtyard,to which this woman will bring you," and she pointed to one ofthose two maids who had cleaned the armour, "and with them areguides 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 foundthe horses, Flame and Smoke, as they had been told, also amounted escort of four fierce-looking fedais and an officer. Whenthey were in the saddle, this man, motioning to them to followhim, passed by an archway out of the courtyard into the gardens.Hence ran a broad road strewn with sand, along which he began togallop. This road followed the gulf which encircled the citadeland inner town of Masyaf, that was, as it were, an island on amountain top with a circumference of over three miles.
As they went, the gulf always on their right hand, holding intheir horses to prevent their passing that of their guide, swiftas it was, they saw another troop approaching them. This was alsopreceded by an officer of the Assassins, as these servants ofAl-je-bal were called by the Franks, and behind him, mounted on asplendid coalblack steed and followed by guards, rode a mail-cladFrankish knight.
"It is Lozelle," said Wulf, "upon the horse that Sinan promisedhim."
At the sight of the man a fury took hold of Godwin. With a shoutof warning he drew his sword. Lozelle saw, and out leapt hisblade in answer. Then sweeping past the officers who were withthem and reining up their steeds, in a second they were face toface. Lozelle struck first and Godwin caught the stroke upon hisbuckler, but before he could return it the fedais of either partyrushed between them and thrust them asunder.
"A pity," said Godwin, as they dragged his horse away. "Had theyleft us alone I think, brother, I might have saved you amoonlight duel."
"That I do not want to miss, but the chance at his head was goodif those fellows would have let you take it," answered Wulfreflectively.
Then the horses began to gallop again, and they saw no more ofLozelle. Now, skirting the edge of the town, they came to thenarrow, wall-less bridge that spanned the gulf between it and theouter gate and city. Here the officer wheeled his horse, and,beckoning to them to follow, charged it at full gallop. After himwent the brethren--Godwin first, then Wulf. In the deep gatewayon the further side they reined up. The captain turned, and beganto gallop back faster than he had come--as fast, indeed, as hisgood beast would travel.
"Pass him!" cried Godwin, and shaking the reins loose upon theneck of Flame he called to it aloud.
Forward it sprang, with Smoke at its heels. Now they hadovertaken the captain, and now even on that narrow way they hadswept past him. Not an inch was there to spare between them andthe abyss, and the man, brave as he was, expecting to be thrustto death, clung to his horse's mane with terror in his eyes. Onthe city side the brethren pulled up laughing among theastonished fedais who had waited for them there.
"By the Signet," cried the officer, thinking that the knightscould not understand, "these are not men; they are devils, andtheir horses are goats of the mountains. I thought to frightenthem, but it is I who was frightened, for they swept past me likeeagles of the air."
"Gallant riders and swift, well-trained steeds," answered one ofthe fedais, with admiration in his voice. "The fight at the fullmoon 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 bythemselves, for the captain and the fedais were far outstripped.Indeed it was not until they had unsaddled Flame and Smoke intheir 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 walkedback to the guest-house, hoping to find Rosamund. But they foundno Rosamund, so sat down together and talked of the wonderfulthings that had befallen them, and of what might befall them inthe future; of the mercy of Heaven also which had brought themall three together safe and sound, although it was in this houseof hell. So the time passed on, till about the hour of sunset thewomen servants came and led them to the bath, where the blackslaves washed and perfumed them, clothing them in fresh robesabove their armour.
When they came out the sun was down, and the women, bearingtorches in their hands, conducted them to a great and gorgeoushall which they had not seen before, built of fretted stone andhaving a carved and painted roof. Along one side of this hall,that was lit with cressets, were a number of round-headed openarches supported by elegant white columns, and beyond these amarble terrace with flights of steps which led to the gardensbeneath. On the floor of this hall, each seated upon his cushionbeside low tables inlaid with pearl sat the guests, a hundred ormore, all dressed in white robes on which the red dagger wasblazoned, and all as silent as though they were asleep.
When the brethren reached the place the women left them, andservants with gold chains round their necks escorted them to adais in the middle of the hall where were many cushions, as yetunoccupied, arranged in a semicircle, of which the centre was adivan higher and more gorgeous than the rest.
Here places were pointed out to them opposite the divan, and theytook their stand by them. They had not long to wait, forpresently there was a sound of music, and, heralded by troops ofsinging women, the lord Sinan approached, walking slowly down thelength of the great hall. It was a strange procession, for afterthe women came the aged, white robed dais, then the lordAl-je-bal himself, clad now in his blood-red, festal robe, andwearing jewels on his turban.
Around him marched four slaves, black as ebony, each of whom helda flaming torch on high, while behind followed the two giganticguards who had stood sentry over him when he sat under the canopyof jus
tice. As he advanced down the hall every man in it roseand prostrated himself, and so remained until their lord wasseated, save only the two brethren, who stood erect like thesurvivors among the slain of a battle. Settling himself among thecushions at one end of the divan, he waved his hand, whereon thefeasters, and with them Godwin and Wulf, sat themselves down.
Now there was a pause, while Sinan glanced along the hallimpatiently. Soon the brethren saw why, since at the end oppositeto that by which he had entered appeared more singing women, andafter them, also escorted by four black torch-bearers, only thesewere women, walked Rosamund and, behind her, Masouda.
Rosamund it was without doubt, but Rosamund transformed, for nowshe seemed an Eastern queen. Round her head was a coronet of gemsfrom which hung a veil, but not so as to hide her face. Jewelled,too, were her heavy plaits of hair, jewelled the rose-silkgarments that she wore, the girdle at her waist, her naked, ivoryarms and even the slippers on her feet. As she approached in herroyal-looking beauty all the guests at that strange feast staredfirst at her and next at each other. Then as though by a singleimpulse they rose and bowed.
"What can this mean?" muttered Wulf to Godwin as they didlikewise. But Godwin made no answer.
On came Rosamund, and now, behold! the lord Al-je-bal rose alsoand, giving her his hand, seated her by him on the divan.
"Show no surprise, Wulf," muttered Godwin, who had caught awarning look in the eyes of Masouda as she took up her positionbehind Rosamund.
Now the feast began. Slaves running to and fro, set dish afterdish filled with strange and savoury meats, upon the littleinlaid tables, those that were served to Sinan and his guestsfashioned, all of them, of silver or of gold.
Godwin and Wulf ate, though not for hunger's sake, but of whatthey ate they remembered nothing who were watching Sinan andstraining their ears to catch all he said without seeming to takenote or listen. Although she strove to hide it and to appearindifferent, 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 theseshe was obliged to take. All the while also he devoured her withhis fierce eyes so that she shrank away from him to the furthestlimit of the divan.
Then wine, perfumed and spiced, was brought in golden cups, ofwhich, having drunk, he offered to Rosamund. But she shook herhead and asked Masouda for water, saying that she touched nothingstronger, and it was given her, cooled with snow. The brethrenasked for water also, whereon Sinan looked at them suspiciouslyand demanded the reason. Godwin replied through Masouda that theywere under an oath to touch no wine till they returned to theirown country, having fulfilled their mission. To this he answeredmeaningly that it was good and right to keep oaths, but he fearedthat theirs would make them water-drinkers for the rest of theirlives, a saying at which their hearts sank.
Now the wine that he had drunk took hold of Sinan, and he beganto talk who without it was so silent.
"You met the Frank Lozelle to-day," he said to Godwin, throughMasouda, "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 hereunhurt, lord," answered Godwin. "Your servants thrust between andseparated us."
"Ay," replied Sinan, "I remember; they had orders. Still, I wouldthat you had killed him, the unbelieving dog, who has dared tolift his eyes to this Rose of Roses, your sister. Fear not," hewent on, addressing Rosamund, "he shall offer you no more insult,who are henceforth under the protection of the Signet," andstretching out his thin, cruel-looking hand, on which gleamed thering of power, he patted her on the arm.
All of these things Masouda translated, while Rosamund droppedher head to hide her face, though on it were not the blushes thathe thought, but loathing and alarm.
Wulf glared at the Al-je-bal, whose head by good fortune wasturned away, and so fierce was the rage swelling in his heartthat a mist seemed to gather before his eyes, and through it thisdevilish chief of a people of murderers, clothed in his robe offlaming red, looked like a man steeped in blood. The thought cameto him suddenly that he would make him what he looked, and hishand passed to his sword-hilt. But Godwin saw the terror inMasouda's eyes, saw Wulf's hand also, and guessed what was aboutto chance. With a swift movement of his arm he struck a goldendish from the table to the marble floor, then said, in a clearvoice in French:
"Brother, be not so awkward; pick up that dish and answer thelord Sinan as is your right--I mean, touching the matter ofLozelle."
Wulf stooped to obey, and his mind cleared which had been so nearto madness.
"I wish it not, lord," he said, "who, if I can, have your goodleave 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 afight I wish to see. If he kills you then your brother shall meethim. And if he kills you both, then perhaps I, Sinan, will meethim--in my own fashion. Sweet lady, knowing where the course islaid, 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 braveknights, bred to arms, and God, in Whose hand are all ourdestinies--even yours, O Lord of Death--He will guard theright."
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 hissword to punish evil-doers and those who do not believe. Well, ifwhat I hear is true, your brethren are skilled horsemen who evendared to pass my servant on the narrow bridge, so victory mayrest with them. Tell me which of them do you love the least, forhe shall first face the sword of Lozelle."
Now as Rosamund prepared herself to answer Masouda scanned herface through her half-closed eyes. But whatever she may have feltwithin, it remained calm and cold as though it were cut in stone.
"To me they are as one man," she said. "When one speaks, bothspeak. I love them equally."
"Then, Guest of my heart, it shall go as I have said. BrotherBlue-eyes shall fight first, and if he falls then BrotherGrey-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 behindher with their flaming torches. Then Sinan rose also, and criedwith a loud voice:
"Servants of Al-je-bal, pledge, I command you, this Flower offlowers, the high-born Princess of Baalbec, the niece of theSultan, 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 bowpresented the empty, jewelled cup to Rosamund. All the companydrank also, and shouted till the hall rang, for her loveliness asshe stood thus in the fierce light of the torches, aflame asthese men were with the vision-breeding wine of Al-je-bal, movedthem to madness.
"Queen! Queen!" they shouted. "Queen of our Master and of usall!"
Sinan heard and smiled. Then, motioning for silence, he took thehand of Rosamund, kissed it, and turning, passed from the hallpreceded by his singing women and surrounded by the dais andguards.
Godwin and Wulf stepped forward to speak with Rosamund, butMasouda interposed herself between them, saying in a cold, clearvoice:
"It is not permitted. Go, knights, and cool your brows in yondergarden, where sweet water runs. Your sister is my charge. Fearnot, for she is guarded."
"Come," said Godwin to Wulf; "we had best obey."
So together they walked through the crowd of those feasters thatremained, for most of them had already left the hall, who madeway, not without reverence, for the brethren of this new star ofbeauty, on to the terrace, and from the terrace into the gardens.Here they stood awhile in the sweet freshness of the night, whichwas very grateful after the heated, perfume-laden air of thebanquet; then began to wander up and down among the scented treesand flowers.
The moon, floating in a cloudless sky, was almost atits full, and by her light they saw a wondrous scene. Under manyof the trees and in tents set about here and there, rugs werespread, and to them came men who had drunk of the wine of thefeast, 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 theywalked steadily enough, but with wide-set, dreamy eyes; nor didthey seem to sleep upon the rugs, but lay there staring at thesky and muttering with their lips, their faces steeped in astrange, unholy rapture. Sometimes they would rise and walk a fewpaces with outstretched arms, till the arms closed as though theyclasped something invisible, to which they bent their heads tobabble awhile. Then they walked back to their rugs again, wherethey remained silent.
As they lay thus, white-veiled women appeared, who crouched bythe heads of these sleepers, murmuring into their ears, and whenfrom time to time they sat up, gave them to drink from cups theycarried, after partaking of which they lay down again and becamequite 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 nonotice, whereupon the girls left them, laughing softly, andsaying such things as "Tomorrow we shall meet," or "Soon you willbe glad to drink and enter into Paradise."
"When the time comes doubtless we shall be glad, who have dwelthere," answered Godwin gravely, but as he spoke in French theydid not understand him.
"Step out, brother," said Wulf, "for at the very sight of thoserugs I grow sleepy, and the wine in the cups sparkles as brightas their bearers' eyes."
So they walked on towards the sound of a waterfall, and, whenthey came to it, drank, and bathed their faces and heads.
"This is better than their wine," said Wulf. Then, catching sightof more women flitting round them, looking like ghosts amid themoonlit glades, they pressed forward till they reached an opensward 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 thatyonder fiend is in love with Rosamund, and means to take her, ashe well may do?"
Wulf groaned aloud, then answered: "I swear that first I willsend his soul to hell, even though our own must keep itcompany."
"Ay," answered Godwin, "I saw; you went near to it tonight. Butremember, that is the end for all of us. Let us wait then tostrike 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 Isaw a jewelled knife," answered Godwin, sadly. "She can betrusted to use it if need be, and after that we can be trusted todo our worst. At least, I think that we should die in a fashionthat 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 theshadow of a cedar tree appeared a solitary, white robed woman.
"Let us be going," said Wulf; "here is another of them with heraccursed cup."
But before they could turn the woman glided up to them andsuddenly unveiled. It was Masouda.
"Follow me, brothers Peter and John," she said in a laughingwhisper. "I have words to say to you. What! you will not drink?Well, it is wisest." And emptying the cup upon the ground sheflitted 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 shereached a naked, lonely rock which stood almost upon the edge ofthe gulf. Opposite to this rock was a great mound such as ancientpeoples 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 tosee that they were alone, unlocked it.
"Enter," she said, pushing them before her. They obeyed, andthrough the darkness within heard her close the door.
"Now we are safe awhile," she said with a sigh, "or, at least, soI think. But I will lead you to where there is more light."
Then, taking each of them by the hand, she went forward along asmooth incline, till presently they saw the moonlight, and by itdiscovered that they stood at the mouth of a cave which wasfringed with bushes. Running up from the depths of the gulfbelow to this opening was a ridge or shoulder of rock, very steepand narrow.
"See the only road that leads from the citadel of Masyaf savethat across the bridge," said Masouda.
"A bad one," answered Wulf, staring downward.
"Ay, yet horses trained to rocks can follow it. At its foot isthe bottom of the gulf, and a mile or more away to the left adeep 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 faraway."
"And where would the lady Rosamund be?" asked Wulf.
"In the harem of the lord Sinan--that is, very soon," sheanswered, coolly.
"Oh, say it not!" he exclaimed, clasping her arm, while Godwinleaned back against the wall of the cave.
"Why should I hide the truth? Have you no eyes to see that he isenamoured of her loveliness--like others? Listen; a while ago mymaster Sinan chanced to lose his queen--how, we need not ask, butit is said that she wearied him. Now, as he must by law, hemourns for her a month, from full moon to full moon. But on theday after the full moon--that is, the third morning from now--hemay 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 inEngland before Salah-ed-din dreamed his dream."
"Therefore," said Godwin, "within that time she must eitherescape or die."
"There is a third way," answered Masouda, shrugging hershoulders. "She might stay and become the wife of Sinan."
Wulf muttered something between his teeth, then stepped towardsher threateningly, saying:
"Rescue her, or--"
"Stand back, pilgrim John," she said, with a laugh. "If I rescueher, which indeed would be hard, it will not be for fear of yourgreat 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 withflashing eyes, "for then there had been an end. Yet," she addedmore humbly, "seeing my home and business, and what I appear tobe," 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. Atpresent you are in favour with Sinan, who believes you to be thebrothers of the lady Rosamund, not her lovers; but from themoment he learns the truth your doom is sealed. Now what theFrank Lozelle knows, that the Al-je-bal may know at any time--andwill know, if these should meet.
"Meanwhile, you are free; so to-morrow, while you ride about thegarden, as you will do, take note of the tall rock that standswithout, 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 thenarrow bridge, to ride your horses to and fro there, that theymay learn not to fear it in that light. When you have stabledthem go into the gardens and come hither unobserved, as the placebeing so far away you can do. The guards will let you pass,thinking only that you desire to drink a cup of wine with somefair friend, as is the custom of our guests. Enter thiscave--here is the key," and she handed it to Wulf, "and if I benot 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 escapethis place?"
"By a road you do not know of, for I am mistress of the secretsof this city. Still, I thank you for your thought of me. Go, Isay, and lock the door behind you."
So they went in silence, doing as she bade them, and walked backthrough the gardens, that now seemed empty enough, to thestable-entrance of the guest-house, where
the guards admittedthem without question.
That night the brethren slept together in one bed, fearing thatif they lay separate they might be searched in their sleep andnot awake. Indeed, it seemed to them that, as before, they heardfootsteps 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 theleast that Masouda would come to them; but they saw no Rosamund,and no Masouda came. At length an officer appeared, and beckonedto them to follow him. So they followed, and were led through thehalls and passages to the terrace of justice, where Sinan, cladin his black robe, sat as before beneath a canopy in the midst ofthe sun-lit marble floor. There, too, beside him, also beneaththe canopy and gorgeously apparelled, sat Rosamund. They stroveto advance and speak with her, but guards came between them,pointing out a place where they must stand a few yards away. OnlyWulf 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 besilent, saying that it was not lawful for them to speak to theLord of the Mountain, or his Companion, unless they were firstbidden so to do. So, having learnt what they wished to know, theywere silent.
Now some of the dais drew near the canopy, and consulted withtheir master on what seemed to be a great matter, for their faceswere troubled. Presently he gave an order, whereon they resumedtheir seats and messengers left the terrace. When they appearedagain, in their company were three noble-looking Saracens, whowere accompanied by a retinue of servants and wore green turbans,showing that they were descendants of the Prophet. These men, whoseemed weary with long travel, marched up the terrace with aproud mien, not looking at the dais or any one until they saw thebrethren standing side by side, at whom they stared a little.Next they caught sight of Rosamund sitting in the shadow of thecanopy, and bowed to her, but of the Al-je-bal they took nonotice.
"Who are you, and what is your pleasure?" asked Sinan, after hehad eyed them awhile. "I am the ruler of this country. These aremy ministers," and he pointed to the dais, "and here is mysceptre," and he touched the bloodred dagger broidered on hisrobe 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 wehave cut down its bearers even in the tent of our master. Lordof Murder, we acknowledge the emblem of murder, and we bow toyou whose title is the Great Murderer. As for our mission, it isthis. We are the ambassadors of Salah-ed-din, Commander of theFaithful, Sultan of the East; in these papers signed with hissignet are our credentials, if you would read them."
"So," answered Sinan, "I have heard of that chief. What is hiswill with me?"
"This, Al-je-bal. A Frank in your pay, and a traitor, hasbetrayed to you a certain lady, niece of Salah-ed-din, theprincess of Baalbec, whose father was a Frankish noble namedD'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 thatthis lady, his niece, be delivered to him forthwith, and with herthe head of the Frank Lozelle."
"The head of the Frank Lozelle he may have if he will afterto-morrow night. The lady I keep," snarled Sinan.
"What then?"
"Then, Al-je-bal, in the name of Salah-ed-din, we declare war onyou--war till this high place of yours is pulled stone fromstone; war till your tribe be dead, till the last man, woman, andchild be slain, until your carcass is tossed to the crows to feedon."
Now Sinan rose in fury and rent at his beard.
"Go back," he said, "and tell that dog you name a sultan, thatlow as he is, the humble-born son of Ayoub, I, Al-je-bal, do himan honour that he does not observe. My queen is dead, and twodays from now, when my month of mourning is expired, I shall taketo wife his niece, the princess of Baalbec, who sits here besideme, my bride-elect."
At these words Rosamund, who had been listening intently, startedlike one who has been stung by a snake, put her hands before herface and groaned.
"Princess," said the ambassador, who was watching her, "you seemto understand our language; is this your will, to mate your nobleblood with that of the heretic chief of the Assassins ?"
"Nay, nay!" she cried. "It is no will of mine, who am a helplessprisoner and by faith a Christian. If my uncle Salah-ed-din isindeed as great as I have heard, then let him show his power anddeliver me, and with me these my brethren, the knights Sir Godwinand Sir Wulf."
"So you speak Arabic," said Sinan. "Good; our loving conversewill be easier, and for the rest--well, the whims of womenchange. Now, you messengers of Salah-ed-din, begone, lest I sendyou on a longer journey, and tell your master that if he dares tolift his standards against my walls my fedais shall speak withhim. 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 himkill a hundred of them, and another hundred shall appear. Hismost trusted guards shall be his executioners. The women in hisharem shall bring him to his doom--ay, death shall be in the veryair he breathes. If he would escape it, therefore, let him hidehimself within the walls of his city of Damascus, or amusehimself with wars against the mad Cross-worshippers, and leave meto 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 obeyto the death? You smile? Then come hither you--and you." And hesummoned two of his dais by name.
They rose and bowed before him.
"Now, my worthy servants," he said, "show these heretic dogs howyou 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, straighteningthemselves, without a word they ran side by side and leapt intothe abyss.
"Has Salah-ed-din servants such as these?" asked Sinan in thesilence that followed. "Well, what they have done, all would do,if I bid them slay him. Back, now; and, if you will, take theseFranks with you, who are my guests, that they may bear witness ofwhat you have seen, and of the state in which you left theirsister. Translate to the knights, woman."
So Masouda translated. Then Godwin answered through her.
"We understand little of this matter, who are ignorant of yourtongue, but, O Al-je-bal, ere we leave your sheltering roof wehave a quarrel to settle with the man Lozelle. After that, withyour 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 anddrink before they go."
But their spokesman answered: "We partake not of the bread andsalt of murderers, lest we should become of their fellowship.Al-je-bal, we depart, but within a week we appear again in thecompany of ten thousand spears, and on one of them shall yourhead be set. Your safe-conduct guards us till the sunset. Afterthat, do your worst, as we do ours. High Princess, our counsel toyou is that you slay yourself and so gain immortal honour."
Then, bowing to her one by one, they turned and marched down theterrace followed by their servants.
Now Sinan waved his hand and the court broke up, Rosamund leavingit first, accompanied by Masouda and escorted by guards, afterwhich the brethren were commanded to depart also.
So they went, talking earnestly of all these things, but save inGod finding no hope at all.