Crusader (Anarchy Book 14) Page 16

  “Like Guillaume de Waller?

  “You know?”

  “It is common knowledge. Take care my young friend. You are moving in murky waters. As you know it is the pike which hides in such waters!”

  Francis and his wife were good people and they procured better clothes for the women and children. They cut their hair and provided water for bathing. The estate needed labour. These were not slaves but they would have food and shelter. More importantly they would have safety. That was not to be underestimated. This land was a dangerous one. When the Romans had ruled, it had been safe. Since then it had been anarchy.

  The road patrols were event free and I took that to be a good sign. Once we left to go to war the caravans would be safer for the Turks would be fighting us and the bandits were scattered to the winds. They would return but not this year.

  A messenger came for me three days before the meeting was supposed to take place. I went with Tom and Robert to Jerusalem. The court was not filled with knights this time but lawyers and merchants. Everyone knew that the Turks would be attacked and everyone wished to have profits from it. This was not like my father’s war. Here the main aim was to make money despite what the Pope might have said about claiming the Holy Land for the Church.

  I left my men with the horses and strode into the court. I was now recognised. I saw Simeon and Phillipe of Jaffa. Both of them raised their hands in acknowledgement. Once again, I was swept into the chamber behind the main court. Queen Melisende awaited me. She poured us a goblet of wine each and I took one. She took the other. It was a sign that I could trust her. There would be no poison. The world in which I now moved was nothing like my father’s court or even that of Geoffrey of Anjou. When King Henry had been poisoned it had been unusual.

  “I spoke with David Ben Samuel. He tells me that you have destroyed the bandits.” I nodded. “As you know they will return but you have done well. I asked you to come here because my son will need you and your men more than you can know. Have you heard of the Assassins?”

  I shook my head.

  “They are a sect, some would say religious. They live in the mountains north of Tripoli. They are killers. They are paid to murder leaders and important people. I have been told that my son may be a target for them.”

  “That would mean someone would pay for his death. The Seljuq Turks?”

  She shook her head, “They also fear the assassins. I am not exactly sure but they may have been hired from within the ranks of the Christian knights.” That was a hard piece of news to swallow. “We will have a better idea of who it might be when we select the council. We look for changes in opinion from the last meeting. If someone who wished us not to fight now does so then we have an idea. You need not worry yourself about identifying who it is. I have spies who will do that. But you and your men are the only ones I can totally trust to guard the King.”

  “From what you have told me the assassins could be anyone. There could be one or there could be twenty.”

  “They are expensive to hire and they rarely use more than one or two. They like to kill close. They use knives and poison. I am sending a food taster with my son but you must watch for the assassins. It will not be easy. They are invisible and they are fanatical. Death does not frighten them. That makes them the most dangerous of enemies.”

  “And I am guessing that there is little point in removing the ones who have paid for the kill.”

  She shook her head, “I have thought of that. Once the payment has been made it cannot be revoked.”

  “Then we have a problem. The king wants us to scout.”

  “Were you not listening? They will kill close up. It will be at night. Even if my son is surrounded by guards then the killer will find a way to get close.”

  I now understood. “You want us to hunt the hunter.”

  “Exactly. Do as you did with the bandits, although I am not naïve enough to think that the assassins will be as easy to deal with.”

  I sipped my wine. We could scout ahead and return to the camp each night. It would not seem unusual for me to report directly to the king. “The King knows of this?”

  She shook her head.

  “He must be told. How can I guard him if he knows not the reason?”

  “I hoped to spare him the worry. This is a great venture he takes on.”

  “Then if you wish him to survive tell him. It will be easier for us all that way.”

  “Very well, I will ponder your words for you appear to know your business.”

  “If I might suggest that you choose those who will serve him very carefully. If I was a killer I would try to suborn one of the servants. My father lost men when a killer ingratiated herself into his kitchen. A good priest died. We must know that all associated with the king are beyond reproach.”

  She smiled, “You have a mind like mine, young William. I have already done as you requested.”

  “And if, your majesty, the unthinkable happens and we lose this battle and this war what are my orders for the king?”

  “That is simple. You bring him back here. He is the only one you need to save. He is the kingdom!”

  “He has a brother does he not?”

  “Amalric, he is eleven. He is kept safe but the nobles would not accept him as king. You are the protector of my son.”

  “And when Ascalon is his then my penance is over?”

  “You tire of it already?”

  “Let us just say that I am used to fighting but here the reasons are not as clear as at home. I am a simple knight.”

  She laughed, “No, Sir William, you are anything but that. When you return for the meeting keep your counsel and keep your eyes open. Your work begins when the army takes to the road.”

  I bade her farewell and went, once again, to see David Ben Samuel. I saw his men loading his camels. They would be heading to either Tripoli or Jaffa to trade again. Before I had come to this land I would have wondered at them leaving so late in the day. Now I knew the reason. It was to travel when it was cooler. The animals and their drivers could move further.

  “A welcome surprise, my lord. Come I am ready for something chilled.” We shook off our cloaks and laid them over our horses and then, after entering the hall swept the dust from us. Our host waved for a servant to bring us drinks and then we went to sit by his lemon and orange trees. I noticed that they were in fruit. He causally cupped one in his hand and smelled it. “I never tire of the smell.”

  The wine came and with it Rebekah, she looked radiant. She looked less thin and her face glowed. She sat on the arm of her father’s chair with her arm draped around his shoulders. Ben Samuel nodded, “Each time I see you, lord, I wish to thank you for bringing me back my daughter. She has lightened our life once more.”

  She kissed him on the cheek. “It is I who should be grateful for having such a considerate father.”

  I sipped my wine and said nothing.

  “You look troubled lord. Share your burden.” He hesitated, “Unless you do not trust us.”

  “Of course, I trust you but…I will ask you some questions and I hope that you can answer them.”

  Rebekah leaned forward, “You sound serious. If there is anything we can do to help.”

  I had not had the opportunity of speaking with my men. The news I was about to tell them would come as a surprise too. “The assassins.”

  I needed to say no more. David Ben Samuel drained his wine and poured another. “They are an evil. What have you to do with them?”

  “I have information that they may try to kill one of the leaders of the crusade.”

  “Then whoever their target is, is dead already. They cannot be stopped.”

  I nodded, “And yet I have been charged with stopping them.”

  Rebekah’s hand went to her mouth. David said, “They are killers. You are a knight and I have seen you fight but these are something different.”

  “I know what they are and how they kill. What I need to know is how to spot them.”

/>   “That is difficult.” He sighed, “What do I know? They are skilled at hiding in plain sight. That means they are not big men. Masood would be a perfect assassin. They like to use poisoned blades so that the merest touch brings death. It is said that they use hashish, which is a potent drug. It makes them immune to pain.”

  Rebekah leaned forward, “But if they take it then they have wider, more open eyes than others and the black part is larger.”

  “My daughter is correct. It is said the drug helps them to see in the dark. They will wear anonymous clothes which help them to melt into the background. You did the same when you asked Masood to spy in the bandits. He was in plain view.”

  “So I should watch out for people who do not appear to be a threat? Harmless men who look as though they have not the strength to kill?”

  “That would make sense.”

  “I am glad I came here, David Ben Samuel. You and your daughter have given me valuable intelligence. I am in your debt.”

  Rebekah grabbed my hand in hers, “I beg you lord, do not put your life in danger. Surely there are others who can stop them?”

  “The task has been appointed to me and you should know, Rebekah, that I am a knight who keeps his word. I will return and, when I do I would speak with you again.”

  She smiled and squeezed my fingers, “Of course. I shall wait here for your safe return.”

  David Ben Samuel smiled. Then, standing his face became serious as he said, “But if you go to Damascus then I fear that it will not be for some time. Will your people be safe?”

  “I am leaving guards. I will take enough to do the job but no more.”

  As we headed home I told my two men what Ben Samuel had said. “But how do we stop them, lord?”

  “We now have an idea who to look for. He will be a Muslim. He will be neither large nor overweight. He will be muscular and he will have wide eyes. He will not carry a sword but he will have a dagger and he will keep to himself. I think that will eliminate many who are close to the king. Remember Masood would make a good assassin.”

  “And who do we leave at home?”

  “We need the archers. You two go with as do Louis, Phillipe and Guy. I think Henry and John will be the others.”

  “Henry son of Will? He is loud and he is reckless.”

  “And he has the courage of a lion. Besides he stands out. We need that. If all eyes are on him then our eyes can spy out the danger.”

  I left Alciades and Leonidas at Aqua Bella. We would be scouts and I would not risk such fine horses. There would come a time when we would ride into battle on the back of our war horses but it would not be at the siege of Damascus. We now had enough horses to have a spare each as well as some mounts to carry our baggage. We took the curved bows. My men did not like them but I thought there might come a time when we might find them useful. We rode to Jerusalem for the gathering. The road to Jerusalem was filled with knights, sergeants, horses, servants and the feudal levy. Only the knights were admitted to the city. All the rest had to gather on the large open area to the north and west of the city. There a camp had been erected.

  The court was packed. There were even more knights that before. Some had come from Nablus. I was pleased to see that they were on the opposite side of the room to Sir Guillame. I took it as a good sign. There were also Hospitallers and Templars. I recognized Raymond de Puy Provence and I guessed that the huge Templar was Robert de Craon, their master. The two orders kept apart. I was tempted to join the Hospitallers but something made me keep to myself. I had to become like the assassins themselves. I had to be invisible and unnoticed. With the Lord of Ramelah close by that would be hard.

  The King emerged with his mother at his side. They were making a statement. Queen Melisende was the link between Fulk, her father, King Baldwin and her son. She was the surety of continuity and it was not lost on those waiting.

  “When last we met I was asked by the Lord of Ramelah to appoint a counsel of nobles to advise me. Who would like to be chosen?”

  I expected many men to put themselves forward but they did not. They were not reluctant they were being cautious and looking for alliances. The Queen showed her acumen. “I believe that the Master of the Knights Hospitallers should be on the council. They have protected pilgrims for many years and their knowledge of the land of Syria is well known.”

  “And I accept.”

  Robert de Craon pushed himself forward, “In that case we need a Templar too. I nominate myself!” It was not the most modest of proposals but the Queen nodded.

  The King said, “We need someone from the Kingdom of Jerusalem too.” He looked at Sir Theobald of Rheims. He was the oldest of the knights who served the king. Roderigo of Santiago spoiled the moment for he said, “The third should be Guillaume de Waller, the Lord of Ramelah.”

  His knights and sergeants made such a clamour that Theobald stepped back. The King nodded and the Queen gave me a look. We knew who had paid the assassins. We could do little to prove it but we both knew who it was.

  If I thought the creation of the council would mean we marched to war I was wrong. We did not move until February! We camped outside Jerusalem while the council of the king argued and bickered. Messengers arrived, almost daily, from the many kings and lords who were gathered in Tripoli and Antioch. I was not party to the letters and the messages but it seemed, from the rumour, that no one could agree where the blow ought to be struck.

  Eventually the huge beast that was our army began to move. We had over fifteen thousand men. The only saving grace for us was that we were at the fore. We did not have to ride through the dust of the army. The Hospitallers and Templars had sergeants who acted as scouts too. We were not the only force. As we rode I reflected that we had seen no sign of an assassin. Only Christians were allowed close to the camp. If that continued when we reached Syria then my task would be simple. I did not think for one moment that would be the case.

  We made it to Nablus where we would be joined by many more men. We stayed for two days while the king and his council debated again. My men and I took the opportunity of riding north. We had travelled south on this road and I was anxious to spy out any dangers. The good news was that the road was in a good state of repair. The bad news was that there was little food to be had. I had made sure that we had plenty of grain for our horses and we had brought salted ham and beef with us.

  We were just returning when Brother Günter, one of the Hospitaller knights who scouted and his sergeant rode up. “Lord, we have spied men watching the road.” He turned and gestured with his head. “They are on the other side of the valley. We were in Belvoir when one of the guards saw them.”

  “Then we should go and discourage them.”

  He grinned, “The Master said that you were game for anything. What is the plan?”

  “If they are watching the road then they cannot be watching the approaches from the north. We cross the river and make our way up the tracks to reach them.”

  “If they spy us they might flee.”

  “They might but I suspect they think we will give up when it becomes dark.”

  “And we will not?”

  “We will not!”

  I turned, “Garth take the archers. Work your way along the trail and cut them off.” He rode along the west bank of the Jordan. He would ford further north. These would be the scouts who would shadow us all the way to Damascus. It would not hurt them if they did not know when we would arrive but, as my father had taught me, if you could keep an enemy in the dark about your movements then you had an advantage. I wanted to keep the Turks off balance.

  We forded the river. It was neither wide nor fast flowing. The irrigation scheme syphoned off a lot of the river’s flow to water the fields. The brother knight seemed surprised that we did so. “We normally just watch the enemy.”

  “I was taught to find out as much as you can about the enemy’s positions and numbers. Even his scouts.”

  The lush flat farmland on the east bank of the river
was in direct contrast to the normal rocks and desert we were used to. It did not last long and soon we began to wend our way up the steep trails which criss crossed the eastern side of the valley. We came to a fork in the trail. I turned to Robert, held up four fingers and pointed right. He nodded and led four men to the right. I was dividing my forces but that would make it harder for the enemy to ambush us.

  They made the mistake of ambushing us when I had just turned one of the right hand turns on the trail. My shield was up and the arrows thudded into the shield. I spurred Remus and he leapt forward. The cracks as the arrows hit my shield had given my men all the warning that they needed and their shields came up as did those of the Hospitallers. The ambush told me that they were less than two hundred paces from us. It was becoming dark. Perhaps they hoped to deter us before they could melt away in the night. I drew my sword and peered over my shield. Remus laboured up the slope. I would rest him when I could.

  Suddenly the trail flattened out and I had reached the crest. I saw shadows running north and east. They were running for their horses. I followed them. Brother Gunther joined me. He spurred his horse to overtake me. One of the scouts, there were ten of them, turned and levelled his bow at me. I leaned forward to give Remus some protection. The arrow hit the shield and cracked off to the side. The attempt to kill me meant that Brother Günter reached him first. He swung back his arm and the sword cleaved him in two.

  We twisted between rocks and I saw the Turks as they scrambled on to their horses’ backs. The flatter ground had allowed our horses to get their second wind. There was a delay as the Turks untied their horses and then tried to flee. They got in each other’s way. Three were still trying to mount their horses when we reached them. The setting sun actually helped us as it flared into the eyes of the Turks. They did not see our swords as they hacked into their bodies. We did not pause. This was a race now.

  The trail ran north along the top of the valley sides. Our horses were tiring and I saw a lead begin to open. The trail was just wide enough for two horses and Brother Günter rode next to me. “We will not catch them, lord. Perhaps we should halt. We have hurt them already.”