Chapter LXXIX - 1187
Despite the justice of the matter, however, clearly it was not considered important by Guy or his supporters. They made no move to enforce the king's word against Reynauld and instead all the talk, in the bazaars and the palaces, was that Gerard de Ridefort was urging the king to attack and destroy Count Raymond.
"Sweet Mother of God," Guy exclaimed one day when he came in from the palace and Trudy and I were in his room. "I cannot believe the folly of these people. They have provoked the Sultan beyond endurance - or rather, allowed Reynauld to provoke him - yet all they can think of is waging war upon each other."
"What has happened?" Trudy asked.
"The king is drawing up plans to call out the host, not against the Sultan, nor even against Reynauld, but against Raymond. They're going to attack him in Tiberias, which is a lunatic plan, for even if they lay siege to the place they cannot besiege the lake, so he can escape them by taking ship and landing anywhere on the lakeshore that he pleases."
It took over a month for the feudal host to assemble, for es-Sid was not the only one to question the wisdom of attacking a fellow Christian. Unfortunately Guy had a ready answer, for to all such he replied that they had not protested when King Baldwin came in force to attack him in Ascalon. The household of Sid Guy was also in the army, though es-Sid made it clear to us that he would not take any part in the fighting and indeed from time to time he sent one or another of us with messages to Count Raymond, warning him of the king's plans.
The month of Muhurram came and with it word that the Sultan, may God give him peace, was marching with his army against Kerak, but no alarm was felt in al-Quds, for all concluded that he was moving to protect the many caravans of pilgrims that were passing near to Reynauld's stronghold. We, however, knew better, for Hamed, returning from Gaza, brought word that a great army was coming from Egypt to join the Sultan, may God prosper him, outside Kerak and one came from ibn Hamza in Damascus to Babrak with word that the Sultan, may God give him success, was utterly determined to put an end to Reynauld and also to the Nasrani kingdom if King Guy should attempt to save him.
Alas, although es-Sid took these words to the king, they were ignored, for de Ridefort had persuaded the king not to trust es-Sid because of the time he had spent with Count Raymond in Tiberias. Therefore although es-Sid went weekly or even daily to see him and take him the news that we gathered, King Guy did nothing save perfect his plans for attacking Count Raymond.
As soon as Easter was past the king's army set out for Tiberias, but I think that only de Ridefort was eager for battle, for the army marched more slowly than usual and after a week on the march we were still a day away from the Plain of Esdralon. As we marched on that day a band of men approached from the north and when they were close enough Charles nudged me and pointed.
"Balian of Ibelin," he said. "See the banner?"
The men rode up to us and went straight to the king and shortly afterward the word went out that the army was to make camp, even though there were still several hours of daylight left. As soon as the tents and pavilions were set up, grooms rode round the army summoning the members of the council and Sid Guy went and sat outside the king's tent to gather what news he could.
"Well, that's something," he told us when he returned. "At last someone has had the courage to stand up to that idiot de Ridefort - and, thank God, the strength to influence the king against him."
"Why? What has happened?" Philippe asked.
"Balian has persuaded the council of the folly of attacking Raymond and instead they are going to send emissaries to make peace between him and Guy."
"May God be praised," Charles exclaimed, but Sid Guy shook his head.
"Alas, I doubt any good will come of it. Balian himself is one of the emissaries and he takes with him the archbishop of Tyre and Reynauld Garnier of Sidon and Beaufort, but the two Grand Masters are to go also - and that means that Gerard de Ridefort is to meet face to face with his enemy. I doubt that he goes to make peace."
The next day the army turned around and went back to Jerusalem, marching much faster than on our way north. I wondered that we did not stay where we were while the emissaries went and returned, but Guy explained that men of such eminence could not simply ride to Tiberias, lest Raymond take them as hostages. Messengers of lesser importance had to go first and obtain guarantees of safe conduct and return and it was too costly to keep the army in the field while that went on.
Six weeks passed in these negotiations before the embassy set out, riding out of the Damascus gate on a fine spring morning. Charles, Hilmi and I were there among the crowd who had gathered to see them go. Balian of Ibelin was on a fine Arab stallion, the archbishop on a mule, the two Grand Masters on great war horses, as were also Reynauld of Sidon and the ten Hospitallers who went armed and armoured as their escort.
"May God speed their endeavours," Charles said, crossing himself.
"Amin," we all chorused.
We pushed our way through the crowd to where Hamed was guarding our horses.
"Go with God," Hamed called as we mounted.
We waved farewell and set out on the road to the north, riding slowly until we came over the first rise and saw the embassy on the road ahead of us. At once we drew rein and waited until they were mere dots in the distance, then we shook our reins and set off after them. Our task was to keep far enough behind that they should not suspect that we were following them, but close enough to make sure that they did indeed go to Tiberias.
Es-Sid's suspicions were justified by what happened the very next day. As night came on that first evening the embassy arrived at Neapolis and entered into the house of Balian, who was lord of that place. We were close enough by then to watch them all enter the house; when we were sure they were going to stay there we went on ahead and camped in a grove of olive trees a short distance from the road.
As soon as it was daylight Charles went back to a place where he could watch the house while remaining hidden himself. Hilmi and I prepared the food we had brought with us and broke our fast. When we had eaten I went and took Charles' place while he ate.
"We'll take the horses into the town and water them."
Hilmi's voice caused me to jump, for I had not heard him approach over the ploughed ground. I turned my head and made a gesture with my hand to show that I had heard and understood, then carried on watching the house, for a man had just come out and was unbarring the door of the stables.
He must have been caring for the animals within, for by my judgement it was after the second hour of the day when finally a group of men came out of the house - some of them armed - and horses were led out of the stables. There was much talking and then the men mounted and came down the road towards me. Almost automatically I counted them as they rode past: the Grand Masters and their escort on war horses, the archbishop on his mule, but no sign of the Arab stallion.
I was almost dancing with impatience when Hilmi and Charles finally returned, riding their horses openly down the road and leading mine behind them.
"We saw them go," Hilmi said, explaining their boldness. "Come on, let's follow them."
"Wait!" I grabbed his reins and pulled him to a standstill. "The Arab was not among them."
"What!" Charles exclaimed. "Where's Balian?"
"He hasn't left the house," I told him and then thought for a moment. "I didn't see Reynauld of Sidon either," I said.
Charles rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I don't like it. Balian was the only one with any sense in that group - and the whole embassy was his idea. If he's quarrelled with the others it's a disaster."
"He may just be ill," I pointed out.
"But how can we find out?" Hilmi asked.
"Well, I guess one of us will have to go to the house and find out," Charles said. "It had better be me: my fair hair is my safe-conduct. You two follow the others. If I can, I'll catch up with you, but if you don't see me, we'll meet at Tiberias."
I climbed onto my horse and jerked the reins to turn it and Hilmi did likewise. Charles' kicked his horse with his heels and headed for the Hospitaller grange.
"Go with God," we called after him.
Charles raised his hand in farewell. "Don't worry about me," he laughed. "I'll ask for water or directions or something. Maybe I'll even see the queen."
"What queen?" I asked in perplexity.
"The queen of Rum," Hilmi told me. "Balian's wife is Maria Comnena who used to be queen of the Rumi."
