Chapter V
When, at last, there was silence in the tent again, the Frank raised his hand for attention.
"There is a third matter concerning which I wished to speak to thee, O Fuad, and also to thy father. I told thee this morning that my servant was sick - and in truth so he is, so sick that he may not recover. Whether he does or not, however, I need another squire" he used the Frankish word "who will care for my horse and perform certain other tasks. Him I will train in the use of arms, giving him a horse and weapons, so that he might accompany me to battle and fight by my side."
I felt my heart lurch within me. This was an unbelievable opportunity: to go and live in al-Quds, to be trained as a warrior, to have my own horse and weapons. I stared hungrily at my father, willing him to give his consent.
"And what is the reward for this?" my father asked.
"There is no pay," the Frank replied, gazing steadily at him. "Nevertheless the rewards for good service are many and none of my squires has ever complained. In addition there is the possibility of becoming a great man in the kingdom of the Franks, with houses, lands and great honour."
"But - but -" my father groped for words, "We are True Believers. You are Nasranis and, some say, idolators." He stared at the floor as he said this, to show that he meant no offence.
The Frank laughed. "Yes, and no doubt some among us are idolators, but I assure you that the gods they worship are wealth and power, gods which, I think, are not unknown among even those of your faith, O Hassan. Fear not. There are many Muslims who live in al-Quds, merchants, traders and pilgrims, and I give you my word that your son shall be as one of them, free to worship as he chooses."
My mother said something from behind the curtain and my father leaned closer to listen to her words. "Will he also be free to come and visit his mother?" he asked.
"He will be my squire, not my slave," the Frank declared. "We are too far from our own land for my other squires to return to visit their parents, but they often enough seek leave to visit friends, even as far as Tyre or further. Fear not, you will see Fuad in your tents as often as he wills."
"And what sayest thou, my son?" My father turned to me, a sort of lop-sided smile on his face.
"I - I would like it very much," I stammered.
"Very well," my father decided. "Thou goest at thy own will and thou shalt return at thy own will. If the Frank will agree to this, then I agree."
"If he is not happy, he may return," the Frank agreed, "but if he stays less than three months then he shall go as he came, with neither horse nor clothing nor weapons."
My father considered for a moment and then nodded his head. "That is just. Nevertheless, he shall not go without provision. Son, choose the best of the horses we acquired today, and also the best of the swords and daggers. Let it not be said in al-Quds that the son of Hassan ibn Tallal came there as a beggar."
"I do not know the quality of your own horses," Ibrahim spoke up, "but if I may say so, the horse of Ahmed, my companion, is well worth riding. Our weapons, being gifts of the Sultan, are equal."
The fire was dying down by now and rather than throw more fuel onto it my father suggested that we sleep. He himself went behind the curtain to be with my mother and the younger children, but I, my elder brothers and our guests slept in the outer part of the tent. The other members of the tribe returned to their own tents, except for those who would keep watch throughout the night.
In the morning we rose at daybreak, though the Frank still slept. After we had eaten I took my leave of Ibrahim, begging him not to feel anger towards me for defeating him. He laughed and pushed back his keffiyeh to show that the lump on his forehead was nearly gone.
"All things come from Allah," he said. "You won because it was written that this should be my fate. Another time God will show his favour to me - and then beware if I should be matched against you! Nevertheless, be sure that your kindness to me will be spoken of in the tents of the Bani Jibrin. Speak my name, if ever you have dealings with us, and those who treat you wrongly will find that they have my displeasure to face."
I touched my breast and bowed, to show my gratitude for his offer. I don't know whether my father heard the words of Ibrahim, but he came softly behind us just then.
"O Ibrahim," he said. "It is a long way to Jericho for a man without arms and lacking a horse to ride. Come, take your own horse and your weapons, lest it be said that the Bani Ibrim sent a guest away naked and defenceless among enemies."
This time it was Ibrahim who touched his breast and bowed. "This is of your kindness," he said.
"It is nothing, nothing," my father protested. "Take also water and food for the journey, and whatever else is in my tent, take it as your own."
"A little water and food I will take," Ibrahim replied, "but nothing else - except, perhaps, one thing."
He leaned toward my father and lowered his voice, glancing around to be sure that we were not overheard.
"Last night I told one story in the presence of the Frank. Now I will tell another. We came, O Hassan, not to raid your flocks and herds, but to seek your aid against the Franks. We rode nearly as far as al-Quds to meet with others who might aid us, then back almost to Jericho seeking for your tents. The Sultan, on whom be peace, is preparing a great host against these enemies of God and seeks the favour of all good Muslims. The loss of my companions will be bitter news in the tents of my tribe. Give me a good word to take back to those who sent me."
"Wallah!" My father's eyes were wide. "So it is true, what we have heard in the bazaars and from travellers by the wayside." He frowned. "Is there not a truce between the Franks and the Sultan?"
"There is, but it ends this year - and in any case it has been broken by Raynauld of Chatillon." Ibrahim nodded his head. "I do not know where the blow will fall, nor when, but since Raynauld attacked the pilgrim caravan last year the Sultan, may God reward him, is determined to drive the Franks out of this land. Are you of our party?"
"I am of al-Islam," my father declared.
"And you?" Ibrahim turned to me.
"Of course," I asserted. "Am I a dog?"
"Then perhaps it is of God that you will be working with this Frank. Perhaps you will be of their councils and can bring information for us, or, if God wills, this Frank will tell you something. The Sultan, on whom be peace, is generous in his rewards to those who serve him."
I gasped. Well is it said of the Arabs that we love intrigue - and this was intrigue in a grand style! "Al-hamdulillah!" I said. "The praise be to God."
"Good," Ibrahim said, "So we are agreed. Now let us part and God give us the victory."
