Queen Of Knights (40 page)

"I see Allah has returned you from the dead."

"And I see you have tried to change that today."

"Me?" Saladin whispered.

Miles lowered his scimitar and slowly shook his head.

"You are a great ruler, Saladin, and you bear many titles upon your head, but above it is the true one, oh Master of Deceit.  Do not try to hide your deed from me!" Miles spat, turning and pointing to the body of the viper.

"It is no secret I want you dead.  I had offered you everything I could, to make you my friend, and to give you a life worthy of that title.  But you spurned me.  Yet, I would not bring death to you this way—not with the bite of a snake."

"You say this is not your doing?"

"It is not.  My respect for you does not permit me to end your life this way.  When the time comes, you shall die as a warrior."

“If that time comes.  You must still meet Eldwin."

Saladin stared at Miles for a moment before he turned.

Behind him were a dozen people.  Borka-al-Salu held Aliya in a tight grasp.

"Release her; she has done well this day.  Have this chamber cleansed," he said, turning to Aliya.  Then he turned back to Miles.  "Come with me and bring the eagle."

Miles bent and offered Valkyrie his wrist.  The eagle stepped onto it, but did not close his talons over Miles's bare skin.  Miles lifted his arm and secured Valkyrie with his free hand, before following Saladin from the chamber.

When they were within the audience chamber, Saladin sat, motioning Miles to the seat he had occupied before gaining Saladin's disfavor.  Then Saladin called to one of his scribes, and the man came forward with parchment and quill.

"Take them," he directed Miles.  Miles put Valkyrie on the floor next to him and took the writing materials.  "Tell your wife that my champion will meet her at the place we call the Arena of the Souls."

When Miles finished, the scribe took back the parchment and drew a map beneath Miles's writing.  None present concerned themselves or noticed that Valkyrie watched the drawing of the map with total concentration.

When it was done and the parchment tied in a scroll, Miles took it and, using a leather thong, attached it around Valkyrie's neck.

They then left the audience chamber and ascended to the roof of Saladin's residence.  There, among the flowers his slaves tended so carefully, Saladin watched Miles release the golden eagle into the night sky.

"I am truly sorry, for we could have had a friendship that would last a lifetime," Saladin said to Miles as he waved the guards forward.  "Return him to his chamber.  Let nothing happen to him, or the horror of your deaths will be spoken of for generations to come."

<><><>

"My lady!" cried Roweena, as she tried to wake Gwendolyn.  She had come into her mistress's rooms just after the sun had set and found Gwendolyn sitting on the floor.  The silver sword rested in her lap, and her face was the color of death.  She saw only the barest rise and fall of Gwendolyn's breasts and had called out to her several times.  Roweena ran out in search of James.  When she found him, she urged him to follow her, saying that Gwendolyn had taken ill.

They burst into the chamber, and Roweena had cried out again to Gwendolyn.  But James had stopped her and pulled her away.  "She is in a trance.  She will wake," he told her.  But Roweena just stared at the woman she was devoted to and prayed that James's words were true.

Finally, while she watched over Gwendolyn, she saw the color return to her face and her breathing grow deeper.  A moment later Gwendolyn's eyelids fluttered and Roweena sobbed loudly.

Gwendolyn's first sight was Roweena's red-rimmed eyes; then she saw James.  "Get your brother; we leave in the morning," she stated.  "James," she called, stopping him before he left, "after you talk with Arthur, go to the king; tell him I must speak with him tonight."

James nodded and quickly left.  When he was gone, Gwendolyn glanced at Roweena again.  "What is wrong with you?" she asked.

Roweena shook her head slowly and stood.  "I feared for your life," she admitted.

"And I feared for another's.  You are a true friend, Roweena, and I thank you for that."

"What happens in the morning? Will you leave me behind again to hide your disappearance?"

"No.  You have an important role to play.  I will explain while I dress; there is much to do this night."

While Roweena dressed Gwendolyn, she listened intently to what her mistress said.  They would ride out of Ascalon the next morning and head into the desert to a place far from any Christian stronghold.  Once they were near, Roweena would dress as if she were Gwendolyn and would wear a veil and a tightly woven gold coif to hide her dark hair.  She would stay hidden behind the curtains of the conveyance and speak to no one.

By the time Gwendolyn was dressed and ready to leave, Arthur and James appeared.

"Richard bids you join him for the evening meal."

"Good." Gwendolyn smiled gently at the news.  "Have the horse-drawn litter prepared.  Put my armor in it and bring a sword for Sir Miles."

Arthur's wide smile warmed Gwendolyn's heart, and tears pooled within her eyes.  "Soon," she whispered.  "James, Valkyrie will return before the first light.  Be ready for him."

After all her orders had been issued, Gwendolyn left her rooms and went to the king's residence.  Richard would not take kindly to what she had to tell him, but it must be done.

Entering Richard's quarters, she felt relief that he was alone.  She would not have to wait until an opportunity presented itself to speak with him.  Richard was gracious, and only after she was seated at the table, and the meal begun, did he question her reason for this audience.

"I seek your permission to go into the desert."

"What nonsense are you proposing now?" Richard asked tersely.  He had not forgotten their last anger-filled confrontation, nor the way she had gained what she sought.

"Majesty, I am going after my husband."

Richard shook his head sadly.  He truly liked Gwendolyn Delong and hated to see what was happening to her.  "Madame, I must ask you to leave the world of dreams you live in and face reality.  Miles will never be released.  And I think now is the time for your return to England."

"Your Majesty, I cannot."

"Lady Gwendolyn, I order you to do this, out of the love I bear your husband, and the respect I hold for you."

"Sire—"

"No! I have made my decision.  I have let you talk me into certain things and have given in to your desires.  Your love for your husband is strong and stands as an example to all of us, but it must become a memory now."

"It is too late to stop what I must do."

"Nothing is too late.  Explain yourself," Richard commanded patiently.

"I have spoken with Saladin," she said in a low voice.  She gazed openly at him, waiting for his reaction.

"You have what!" he shouted.

"I have met with Saladin and have arranged a challenge."

"You are insane, or I am dreaming.  When did this happen?"

"Four days ago."

"You were abed, ill."

"No, Sire, I was in the desert.  There I met Saladin and challenged him.  He has agreed to my challenge.  His best knight will face Sir Eldwin.  If Eldwin wins, Miles goes free."

"If he loses?" Richard whispered.

"Miles will still ride at your side."

"Do not play word games with me, Madame, but answer my question."

"If Eldwin loses," Gwendolyn said in a level voice, "my person shall be the price of ransom for my husband."

"What have you done? You have made a bargain with hell."

"I have done what was necessary," Gwendolyn stated calmly.

"You have gone against my wishes.  You have met with the enemy behind my back, and worse, no matter the outcome of this challenge, England will be the loser.  Do you think Saladin would release your husband if Eldwin wins? He would be a fool.  Two of my strongest, most valuable men would be in his grasp.  He will never release them, or you! I forbid this to happen!"

"It is too late."

"Madame, neither you nor Sir Eldwin shall leave the gates of Ascalon."

"Would you hold me prisoner?"

"If need be."

Gwendolyn held Richard's glare and waited until the anger diminished in his eyes before speaking again.  "Eldwin has already left Ascalon.  He waits for me in the desert.  If I do not arrive when I am supposed to, he will continue on anyway."

"Then he will do so alone.  Go to your quarters and prepare for your return to England."

"Why?" Gwendolyn whispered.

"Because I am your king, and because you have acted against my authority.  I pray that you remember Eldwin's unquestioned devotion to you and your husband, for you have sent him to his end."

"You cannot do this to me," Gwendolyn pleaded in an emotion-filled voice.

"Lady Delong, I have given you much and have let you have your way in many things because I admired your bravery and strength.  But now I see I was mistaken.  Your actions those of a woman who knows not the ways of war, or of the thoughts of men, but acts only out of selfish motivation."

Gwendolyn rose slowly and stared at Richard.  She felt no hatred for him; rather, she felt a shallow pity.  "As England's king, you could have been the greatest of them all, for the people look up to you and worship you.  Instead, you chose to turn your back on your land in quest of glory.  In generations to come, much will be said of you as a fighter, but nothing will be said of yon as the leader of your people."

"Madame!" Richard roared as he, too, stood to face her.

"Banish me if you will, Your Majesty, but know you this.  I live for but one thing, my husband.  Your self-serving quest for glory may have lost him to me, but as long as I have breath in my body, and there is life within Miles, I shall live only to be rejoined with him.  Look after your lands, Richard Coeur de Lion, for wisdom must be combined with your lionly strength if you are to rule as a true king!"

"I regret this outburst from you, Madame.  Leave me before the restraints of my temper fail."

Gwendolyn walked from the chamber, her own anger making her muscles tremble.  She had expected Richard to react badly, but not as he had.  She had thought he would argue with her, but give in when she told him that Eldwin had already left the city.  Now, she must yet again defy his orders, for the one thing she had forgotten was that besides being king, he was a man.  Her defiance of his orders had dealt his ego a blow, and that was Richard's biggest weakness as a king.  His ego made him reach toward goals best left unfound.  His ego, and the desires to make himself great, had been the cause of Miles's imprisonment, and the very reason for her being here now.

Her first action upon returning to her quarters was to send for Sir Justin.  When he arrived, he found Gwendolyn pacing nervously about the chamber.

"My lady?" he asked when he entered.

"Sir Justin, I know of your loyalty to myself and Sir Miles.  I would ask a favor of you."

"There is nothing I would not do," the knight responded gallantly.

Gwendolyn laughed for the first time that night and smiled warmly at Justin.  "You are chivalrous to a fault, but I have asked only one man for a boon without first telling him of it.  I would not do that to another.  Justin, I have just left Richard, and he has ordered me back to England."

"He would not."

"He has.  I am prepared to defy him.  I am leaving Ascalon on the morrow—"

"I will have our men ready to accompany you."

"No.  What I must ask of you is more difficult.  More difficult than even fighting the Saracens.  Richard may try to prevent my leaving.  I ask that you, and the men of Radstock, see to my safe passage from the city and prevent any whom Richard sends after me from reaching us."

"I will speak to our men.  They will not take kindly to Richard's orders to you."

"He is their king."

"But our first duty is to the earl, and you."

"Justin, what I tell you next must not be repeated.  I leave tomorrow to go to Miles.  Eldwin is waiting for me.  There is a chance to free the earl."

"My lady, I am sworn to Radstock, and not to this crusade.  If I must stand against my king, then so be it."

"It may not be necessary.  Richard may not stop me, but I would be prepared."

"I will do my best, my lady." Bowing, Justin left the chambers to gather his men.

Chapter Twenty-six

"GOOD,"
Gwendolyn declared after she glanced at Roweena and saw the signal her servant was giving her.  Gwendolyn had asked Roweena to do one special thing, and to make sure the twins would not see it.  It was done.

"How many are outside?" This question was directed at James.  Through the long night, Gwendolyn, Arthur, James, and Roweena had gone ahead with their preparations.  Dawn would arrive within the hour, and Gwendolyn fully expected to be gone before the sun broke over the horizon.

During the night, Richard had sent two men to guard the exits from Gwendolyn's quarters.  Arthur had watched where the men had set themselves and had checked frequently to make sure they were still there.

Gwendolyn wore a simple tunic, with high kid boots she had purchased the day before in the market.  James attached the silver sword to the sash around her slim waist, and Roweena draped the hooded mantle over her shoulders.  Gwendolyn was ready.

"The litter is prepared?" she asked again.

"It waits in the courtyard," Arthur replied.

"Roweena, wait by the conveyance for us.  Act as if you are inspecting it and getting ready to leave." When Roweena left the room, and went into the courtyard, Gwendolyn gazed at the twin squires.  "  Everything must be done as I have instructed.  No man can be injured.". With that, Gwendolyn turned and led the squires out.

Ascalon, in the hour before dawn, slept peacefully.  Gwendolyn left the curved archway and stepped into the stone street, breathing in the cool salt-scented air.  In a matter of hours she would be deep into the desert, and she wanted to remember the smell and taste of Ascalon.

"Hold!"

Gwendolyn spun to face the first guard.  "Are you speaking to me?" she asked, favoring the man with an icy stare.

"Go back inside, my lady.  It is the king's orders."

"I have business to attend to," she replied, turning from him and quickly walking away.

"Halt!" said the second guard.  He now barred her path to freedom.  With one guard in front and one behind, Gwendolyn turned so that both would be close together and facing her.

"We cannot let you pass.  Return to your quarters, my lady," the first guard repeated.

"Would you force me?" she asked.

The guards glanced at each other and then back at Gwendolyn.  "If we must," said the second guard.

"You have made a grave mistake," whispered Arthur.  His dagger was at one knight's throat, while James's was at the other's.  Although the knights wore light maille, their necks were exposed.

"Don't do this," warned one of the guards.

"When you are found, tell Richard he gave me no choice.  Tell him that when I return, I shall face him and accept whatever punishment he decrees.  But for now, inside with you!"

The twins' knife points guided the knights into the stone chamber that Gwendolyn had slept in.  There, James and Arthur bound the two knights securely.

Five minutes later Gwendolyn and James rode side by side, while Arthur rode the seat of the wheeled conveyance, guiding the horse-drawn wagon toward the eastern gate of Ascalon.

Silence followed their trail, and as they rode, Gwendolyn continually looked for signs of Justin and the men of Radstock.  Then they were at the gate.  Gwendolyn reined in the powerful stallion a dozen yards from the gate.

Ten men stood before the gate, barring her exit.  At their head was Sir Hugo.

"Madame, please return to your quarters."

"I must refuse.  Step aside, Sir Hugo," Gwendolyn ordered.  Her eyes locked with his, and she suddenly remembered the brave knight whom she had fought in the spring tournament.  She remembered, too, his low words to Eldwin, and the joining of their hands before the crowds.

Something in the way he looked at her told Gwendolyn that he did not like what he was doing, but as Richard's mercenary he had little choice.  "Go back," he whispered.

"Step aside," Gwendolyn replied.

Hugo shook his head sadly, and with both hands, motioned his men forward.  Gwendolyn slipped her hand inside the mantle and grasped the sword's pommel when the men came toward them.  Just as she started to draw the sword, several loud thumps sounded, and Gwendolyn's arm froze.  Justin and the men had arrived.  They dropped from the walls above Hugo's men, and with quiet efficiency, subdued the other knights quickly.

Moments later, Justin stepped toward Gwendolyn.  He, and all his men, wore coif-de-maille and cloth masks.  None of Richard's men would be able to speak of who had attacked them.  None, save possibly Hugo, who was held between two of Radstock's masked knights.

"God speed, my lady.  None will follow until daylight."

"I thank you with the full depth of my heart," Gwendolyn said and reached out to take Justin's gauntleted hand.  "My husband shall know of your loyalty."

"Just return with him," Justin asked.

"Be watchful until our return.  Richard will be angered." Releasing his hand, Gwendolyn rode to where her men held Hugo.  "Your word as a knight that you will not raise the cry until we are well gone."

"My lady, do not defy the king—for your husband's sake and for his memory."

"Sir Hugo, it is for my husband's sake I do just that, and to ensure that Miles Delong does not become a memory, for a memory is not life! Your word, or must I have these men silence you with the hilt of a sword?"

"Be warned; Richard will not easily forget this."

"Hugo, you once pledged that should you be needed, you would freely join Eldwin and serve him.  That is what is asked of you this day."

Hugo stared at her.  She saw the memory of that spring day two years ago surface in his mind as his eyes grew wide and searched her face intensely.  He had made that pledge on the tournament field.  None should have known of it.  None could have.  Eldwin had been sworn to silence, and Lady Gwendolyn had not been present.

"Can it be?" he asked in a husky whisper.

"Life brings many new ideas, my friend; forget that not."

"You have my word," he promised.  "Go now whilst you may."

Gwendolyn nodded her head and then turned to Justin.

"After the gates are closed, return to your quarters.  Thank you." With a wave of her hand, Gwendolyn signaled her small party forward.  The gates opened slowly, and the small band rode through and into the still, dark night.

<><><>

The evening call to prayer echoed hauntingly through the streets of Jerusalem.  Everything stopped as a multitude of people began to walk toward the mosque.  Those who could not go unrolled their prayer rugs and set them upon the ground.

Miles, standing again within Saladin's roof garden, glanced down at the people who prayed.  He was waiting for Saladin and wondering what the ruler of the faithful wanted with him.

A few moments later, the city returned to life, and the activity in the streets grew loud again.  Behind him, he heard footsteps and turned to face Saladin.

"We leave in the morning."

"Why did you agree to this challenge?"

"Because it was necessary.  Miles, I have a large nation to govern, and this war taxes both myself, and my people.  I must take whatever advantages are offered."

"So you would lie to my wife, yet keep your word to a dead man?"

"It is more complicated than that.  You are one of the few warriors who my armies fear.  You are strong, and when you fight, it is with your brain as well as your body.  That is what makes you dangerous.  This other knight of yours, Eldwin, fights in the same manner.  The two of you are worth ten dozen of Richard's others.  Those who watch you, follow you.  When victory looms close for me, you and Eldwin have the ability to rally your men around you and continue the fight.  Neither of you can be allowed to face my armies again.  I must end this war."

"Yet, as a king, as the highest authority in your world, you have no need of deceit." Miles shook his head when he spoke to Saladin, letting his emotions fill his voice.

"Deceit can at times be as strong a weapon as the sword."

"And like the sword, its edge can strike the wielder as well as the opponent," Miles warned.

"I have not asked you here to speak of this," Saladin said as he walked past Miles to stare at the city spread out around him.  "I offer you one more opportunity.  Join me, accept the true faith and all it means.  If you do this, I will spare the life of Eldwin and I will see you and your wife reunited."

"You would give up your desire to have her?" Miles asked.

"Is that so hard to understand? Yes, she is beautiful- more so than any Frankish woman I have known.  I will not lie to you.  I desire her as I have never before desired a woman.  But I will see that desire go unsated, you have my word, if you will embrace Muhammad, and join me as a brother and friend."

Tension filled the air around them, and the silence grew deeper.  The most powerful man in the Eastern world had once again humbled himself before Miles.  Miles knew it had not been easy; however, what Miles had to do was no easier.

"I have known many friendships in my life.  Usually they were based on who I was.  I have had two brothers.  One has died, and one has given his heart and mind to his God, so I am without.  Since I have grown to know you, Saladin, King of the Moors, I have known what friendship can be.  I accept you as a friend, as a brother, within my heart and mind, but I cannot do that which you ask, and it hurts me deeply."

Saladin faced Miles, his dark eyes glinting with moisture.

He nodded slowly.  "I knew this is what you would say, but I had no choice but to ask.  They say love between men is a sin, yet my love for you is anything but.  I shall remember always what could have been.  And you, Miles of England, must remember, too, that what I do now, I do because I must."

"That is where we shall never agree," Miles said, "Saladin, what you plan is a mistake.  I have tried to warn you.  I ask you in the name of the friendship and brotherly love we cannot share together to give up this idea of yours.  It will not be as you think."

"Miles, when the sun rises the day after tomorrow, all will go as I think.  When the fight is over, no matter whom the victor, you shall be a memory of what could have been.  I offered you life and I offered you your wife, yet you persist in clinging to your madness.  I have an obligation to my people.  I must be true to them, no matter how I do this."

"And I have an obligation to myself.  In the name of your God, in the name of Allah the compassionate, do not continue this insanity.  I give you my parole.  Neither I nor Eldwin will raise arms against the Moslem world if you release me now.  Go to Richard, negotiate and achieve the peace you crave."

"Where did you get the dagger that you used to kill my guard?" Saladin asked suddenly.

Miles glared at him.  Once again, a curtain had fallen across Saladin's face, and the man who professed such deep love, had turned as cold as stone.

"I will remember you, Miles of England."

Suddenly two guards were at his side, called there by an unseen signal of Saladin's.  The emir turned away from Miles as he was taken from the garden.  When the air was once again peaceful, Saladin spoke in a low voice.

"What do you think?" he asked.

"May I speak freely?"

"You are my chief advisor.  You are the grand vizier of all Moslems.  The power you wield is second only to mine.  Speak."

"I have consulted the Magi, I have looked at the stars.  I have thought deeply upon this.  Do as the Frank asks.  Accept his parole."

"What have the stars said to you?"

"They say that desire withheld is a blessing.  Desire unrestrained turns to sickness and disease."

"They speak in riddles.  Son of my father's brother, do you advise me to give in to Richard?"

"No.  You shall be victorious; it has been written in the stars for a thousand years.  The world has never before witnessed a leader such as you.  The Franks will not defeat us."

"Then what do you speak of?"

"Of honor.  Release the Frank."

"Borka-al-Salu, I value your word, but this I may never do."

While Saladin and the grand vizier spoke on the roof, Miles was returned to his chamber.  Within it Aliya waited.  But, unlike the time before the assassination attempt, a guard always remained in the room.

Aliya faced Miles, and he saw the tears in her eyes.  She knew that he would be leaving tomorrow and, despite his words of confidence, she knew, too, that he would be dead in two days.  But the love she held for him was strong, and she would help him.  When he stepped into the chamber, she flung herself at him, one arm going around his back, while the other dipped into her waistband.  She cried loudly of her loss even as she secreted another dagger into his hands.

Miles, taken by surprise, clutched the blade tightly.  A moment later Aliya released him and blocked the guard's view while Miles sat on the cushions, and hid the blade beneath them.

"I love you," she whispered to him.  "I will remember you always." Then she was gone.  For a long time after, Miles stared at the space she had been in, memorizing her form, and the soft beauty of her face.  Aliya had made his life within Jerusalem bearable, and the love he felt for her was a good one.  He would have loved a sister no less and he would miss her greatly.