by K. M. Ashman
‘Even if he is,’ said Raynald, ‘we cannot take the risk. The possibility of Saladin crossing the mountains is not one we have countenanced before and we have to take it into consideration.’
‘I agree,’ said King Baldwin. ‘Gather our commanders and send out a patrol to learn the truth of the lancer’s claim. If his story is true, then a full attack is imminent, and we should prepare our army.’
‘I’ll see to it straight away,’ said Raynald but as he turned to leave the room, a servant came running in, clearly distressed.
‘What is this?’ roared William. ‘Are the king’s quarters now no more than a common tavern for every man to come and go as he pleases?’
‘My lords,’ gasped the servant, ‘terrible news. A messenger has just arrived from the south. Gaza is under siege.’
----
Less than an hour later, Baldwin’s commanders gathered in the great hall and the air filled with heated conversations. Argument broke out between men and it was only when Raynald entered the room did the noise die down.
‘Enough,’ he shouted as he walked to the centre, holding up his hand for silence. ‘You are supposed to be leaders yet exhibit the qualities of washer women.’
‘Where is the king?’ shouted one of the knights.
‘He will be with us shortly but first, you all need to calm down.’
‘Calm down?’ questioned one. ‘Gaza is besieged, and an army of Saracens are headed this way before we have hardly had chance to sharpen our blades. Where is the early warning the Templars were supposed to send from Gaza?’
‘From what we can gather, those besieging Gaza also crossed the mountains while Amand’s men watched the southern road.’
‘What good was that?’ shouted another knight. ‘They have been bypassed and we are now likely to feel the full force of the Ayyubid without them having been challenged in the slightest.’
‘I don’t see your point,’ said Raynald. ‘Is this not the exact scenario we planned for, that Saladin sends a feint against Gaza while the main assault comes at Ashkelon? What is it that causes you so much concern? Our forces are strong, and we will have the benefit of surprise when the attack comes.’
‘We expected some sort of warning,’ said the knight, ‘and thought that they would have at least suffered some casualties en route.’
‘If you are afraid, Sir Peter, then I suggest you seek a ship away from the Holy Land at first light. There are some laying at anchor as we speak.’
A terrible silence fell in the room. To accuse another knight of cowardice was unheard of and warranted a challenge from the accused.
‘My lord Raynald,’ said Sir Peter eventually, his voice lowering dangerously. ‘Despite your station, I would normally have no hesitation in immediately challenging you for that remark. But as there is a battle looming, I will put it behind me until we have dealt with Saladin. However, be in no doubt, if we both survive this war, then my seconds will seek you out to demand redress.’
‘So be it,’ said Raynald, ‘but as you said, there is a fight to win so let’s get on with it.’ He turned to face the rest of the men. ‘We will wait behind the walls of Ashkelon as long as we can, drawing the Saracens towards the city until they are fully committed. When they are no more than a few hundred paces away and their confidence is high, the knights of Jerusalem will lead the counter charge through the gates, followed by our lancers and mounted archers. The strength of our numbers will come as a shock to Saladin’s generals, so it is important that we use that surprise to its greatest effect while we have the advantage.’ He looked around the room.
‘Our first charge must split them apart,’ he continued, ‘and while they are still reeling under the shock, our infantry will follow us into the fray. The role is to draw them into close combat and while they are engaged, Lord Jocelyn will lead his knights around the flanks to block off any escape routes.’
He paused again, feeling the battle lust rise in the room. They were men of war and relished the oncoming fight.
‘Make no mistake,’ he said, his voice rising, ‘this will be a battle like no other. Saladin thinks he can drive us back into the sea but does not know the strength of our resolve. We have the forces, the equipment and the training to more than match his army but we need to ensure our men understand the need for ruthlessness.’ His voice raised again. ‘There can be no turning back,’ he shouted, ‘there can be no negotiating, there can be no surrender. All there can be is victory or death. Which is it to be?’
‘Victory,’ shouted the men in the room.
‘Again,’ shouted Raynald, drawing his sword and holding it up into the air, ‘what is it to be, Victory or death?’
‘Victory,’ roared the knights and as the battle cries echoed around the rafters, Sir Raynald of Chatillon pushed his way through the gathered knights, knowing that within a few hours he would be leading them into a battle that could decide the very future of the Holy Land itself.
----
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Gaza
November 20th
AD 1177
Grand Master Amand stood on the watchtower, staring at the thousands of Ayyubid warriors encircling the city. All through the night, the Saracens had made a great show of their prowess at riding, and squadron after squadron of cavalry had taken it in turns to charge up to the city walls carrying flaming torches yet wheeling their horses away before getting within range of the Christian archers. Despite this, the day had dawned with not a single arrow being loosed in anger and both armies stared across the desert at each other’s positions. The Marshal joined him at the battlements and looked out at the enemy.
‘No difference?’ He asked.
‘Only in as much as they have spread out to encircle the city, said Amand, ‘and it seems their infantry arrived in the night. Essentially they have us surrounded but with the supplies we have and unlimited access to the port we can withstand such tactics indefinitely.’
‘And for how long do we need to carry on this pretence?’
‘As long as is needed. Baldwin needs us to play Saladin’s game in order to surprise him at Ashkelon. Once the initial action has been made, there is then no longer any need for subterfuge on our part and we can put this army to the sword.’
‘They still outnumber us.’
‘Yes, but I have watched them for hours. Most of their number are made up of light cavalry with very few infantry. A well-drilled charge with heavy knights, followed up by our own massed infantry would tear them apart and once their ranks are split, they would scatter like the autumn leaves of England. All we need is a message from Ashkelon to say the main battle has started.’
‘In that case, I’ll make sure our men stay alert and can muster at a moment’s notice.’
‘You do that,’ said Amand and turned away to leave the tower.
----
Further up the coast at Ashkelon, Sir Raynald paced the floor with frustration. For the past twenty-four hours, his army had waited in the streets of the city, anticipating the command to ride from the city and confront the Saracen army advancing from the east. But the expected attack had still not come. Scouts sent out to find out what was going on had reported back that the Saracens had built a camp less than five leagues away but showed no signs of advancing towards Ashkelon.
‘It makes no sense,’ said Raynald, ‘why would they wait? Saladin must have realised he has us disadvantaged by coming over the mountains, but any gain made is lessened with every hour he holds back his men. He is too astute a commander to think otherwise.’
‘Perhaps he has found out about our strength,’ said the king, ‘and hesitates.’
‘Possibly, but if so, why is he staying where he is? If he knows the Ashkelon is too well defended, then he may as well attack Gaza with his full army. It would last no more than a day or so and at least he would have a port for his fleet to use.’
‘What if we send out a messenger and seek parley?’ asked William.
‘To
what end?’ replied the king. ‘The fact he has brought so many warriors from Egypt makes his intentions perfectly clear. He means to wage war upon us and no negotiation will change his mind.’
‘Perhaps not, but sometimes, simply by engaging with the enemy we can learn a great deal.’
‘Alternatively,’ interrupted Raynald, ‘we could send out patrols and actively force him into retaliation. Once blood has been spilt he would have to react.’
The door opened, and Sir Reginald entered, his face flushed from the brisk walk.
‘King Baldwin,’ he said with a slight bow, ‘please forgive my intrusion but there have been developments.’ He held up a parchment. ‘This has just arrived from Arsuf. It’s a request from one of our outposts asking for immediate aid. Apparently, there is a heavy increase in Saracen activity there and they are laying waste to the countryside. ‘
‘What?’ gasped Raynald, ‘let me see that.’
He walked over to the knight and retrieved the note, reading it quickly before looking up.
‘If this is correct, it means there is yet a third Ayyubid army to the north of us.’
‘I agree,’ said Sir Reginald, ‘and that is why I came straight away. This situation is more complicated than we thought. The rider who brought that message says the Saracens are virtually unopposed and roam the kingdom with impunity. People are dying while we do nothing.’
‘What is the estimated strength of the army by the mountains?’ asked the king.
‘About ten thousand, my lord,’ said Raynald.
‘And encircling Gaza?’
‘Another five.’
‘So, including these new forces, it would seem Saladin’s strength far exceeds the ten thousand we credited him with.’
‘It does,’ said Raynald.
The king walked over to the window and stared out over the city before turning around.
‘The Sultan is toying with us,’ he said eventually, ‘and sets about ravaging the coastal towns while we stay hidden away like corralled lambs. Every moment we stay here risks another settlement being attacked and more Christians dying. We need to do something.’
‘Like what?’ asked William.
‘Like leaving this castle and confronting the Ayyubid,’ said the king.
‘My lord,’ said Raynald, ‘you do realise that to do so reveals our strengths so cancels any element of surprise that we may still hold?’
‘I do,’ said the king, ‘but I will not sit back and watch our people die needlessly while we sit in defense of stone walls. Mobilize the army, Sir Raynald, and open the gates. We are going to war.’
----
Two hours later, the huge gates swung open revealing King Baldwin bedecked in his royal armour, sitting astride a magnificent warhorse at the head of the army. Beside him was Raynald of Chatillon while on his right rode William of Tyre.
Immediately behind them was the flag escort, a group of handpicked knights bearing the banners of Jerusalem and amongst them, the Bishop of Bethlehem escorting the inspiring true cross of Jerusalem, a gold encrusted artifact standing as high as three men and embedded with a tiny sliver of wood from the cross upon which Jesus died.
As the creaking of the gates fell away, King Baldwin stared out across the plains towards the distant hills and the site of the Saracen camp. Eventually, he raised his hand above his head and as the last remaining murmurs of his men fell away, summoned all his strength to issue the command.
‘In the name of God,’ he roared, ‘advaaance.’
----
A few leagues away, two men lay hidden amongst a thicket of tangled brush, watching the busy Saracen camp below. Ashkelon lay far in the distance and if they were to reach the king and warn him about the main Saracen army headed towards Jerusalem, they would have to pass the camp before committing to a long and hard gallop across the coastal plain.
‘What do you think?’ asked Gerald eventually.
‘I don’t think we will get far before being seen,’ said Hunter, ‘and men on fresh horses would catch us up in no time.’
‘So, we wait until nightfall?’
‘The ride could be too difficult in the dark and we risk disaster but to ride in the light will surely attract their attention.’
‘I don’t know how they got in front of us,’ said Gerald, ‘we had several hours advantage.’
‘These people have ridden the mountain paths for generations,’ said Hunter. ‘It is no surprise they knew the quicker routes.’
‘Wait, said Gerald, ‘what’s that?’
Both men squinted and stared out across the plain. In the distance, they could just about make out a huge body of men making their way from the coast.
‘It looks like Baldwin is coming to confront them,’ said Gerald. ‘The king has fallen for Saladin’s bait.’
‘Then we have to let him know as soon as we can.’
‘They are still too far away,’ said Gerald, ‘but they will have to make camp soon. Hopefully, the distance will then be achievable.’
‘Perhaps if we wait until last light,’ said Hunter, ‘and then ride as hard as we can towards the king, we can lose them in the dark.
‘It’s a risk,’ said Gerald, ‘but the king has to know about Saladin’s main army. Come, let’s get some rest and see to the horses. Tonight, we ride for our lives.’
----
Further north, Cronin and Hassan plodded endlessly on, accompanied by the remnants of Gerald’s patrol. The boy’s local knowledge meant they had made better time than expected. The sun was at its highest when they finally stopped in the shade to rest. Cronin reached for his water pouch and sipped sparingly before leaning back against the trunk of the tree.
‘So,’ he said, ‘how long now?’
‘I think we will be there by dawn,’ said Hassan. ‘The road ahead is easier but will be better travelled. We should be careful we are not seen by Saracen patrols.’
‘Then we should waste no time and be gone as soon as we can.’
‘With respect, my lord,’ said Hassan, ‘we should wait until the sun is on the wane. That way we will use less water.’
‘We do not have the time, Hassan,’ said the sergeant getting to his feet. ‘Saladin’s armies are all around us and could march on Jerusalem at any time. Every extra moment we can give Blancheguarde to prepare could mean a Christian life is saved.’
‘In that case, my lord,’ said Hassan, getting to his feet, ‘our path lies there.’ He pointed along a high ridge heading northward. ‘But we must avoid the skyline to avoid being seen.’
‘We are in your hands, ‘Hassan,’ said Cronin, ‘lead the way.’
----
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Gaza
November 21st
AD 1177
‘More archers to the eastern walls,’ roared Amand, ‘drive them back.’
Men jumped to the Grand Master’s commands and ran along the battlements, keeping low to avoid the Saracen arrows flying from the attackers below.
‘Still no sign of siege engines,’ said the Seneschal appearing at his side, ‘and to waste men on their futile attempts at breaching the walls with little more than ladders is stupidity.’
‘On the contrary,’ said Amand, it is a clever move. Saladin has committed these men to take Gaza but even though their chances are limited, they serve a higher purpose, keeping us pinned down while the main army assaults Ashkelon.’
‘Aye but this is the third attack and I have already counted over a hundred Saracen bodies with only two dead on our side. It is nothing short of farcical.’
‘Nevertheless, their numbers are large, and it would only take the arrival of a couple of onagers to change this siege to their advantage. We will do what is necessary to defend the walls but don’t forget this, it is Ashkelon that is Saladin’s true target, not Gaza.’
‘Understood,’ said Brother Valmont.
----
Out on the plains in front of Gaza, the renewed assault on the city was watche
d from the rear by Farrukh-shah, the Emir of Baalbek
On either side of the Emir, the majority of his mounted forces spread out encircling the city, watching the assault unfold while to his, front, five hundred archers unleashed their weapons at the battlements, attempting to keep the defenders’ heads down while their newly arrived infantry attacked the walls with siege ladders.
Up above, the air filled with black smoke trails from the many fire arrows soaring over the walls, and despite the relative weakness of the assault, the air echoed with the sound of Saracen war drums and battle horns.
‘Oh for the strengths of our main army,’ said one of his generals from his horse alongside him, ‘these walls would fall within hours.’
‘Our time will come,’ said Farrukh–Shah. ‘You just watch those gates closely for if the Christian knights emerge, it will be your role to cut them down.’
‘We outnumber them ten to one,’ said the general, ‘and we will not be found wanting. He looked to either side, seeing his cavalry alert and ready to ride into battle at a moment’s notice. ‘Any news from Ashkelon?’
‘Not yet,’ said Faruk-Shah, ‘our men are still camped at the base of the eastern mountains. Hopefully, the Christians will take the bait and ride out to confront them soon enough and when they do, Saladin can make his move.’
‘What about Taqi Ad-Din?’
‘There are reports that he is laying waste to the Christian colonies all along the northern plains.’
‘I thought he was to hold back his army until Baldwin was committed to the fight?’
‘Saladin has allowed him to roam freely and enjoy the spoils of war for there is little resistance along the coast.’
‘It seems our advance has taken the Franks by surprise,’ said the general, ‘and they spread themselves thinly.’
‘They do. Saladin’s plan is coming to fruition and while the Christians chase shadows, our main army gathers unchallenged at Al-Safiya for the final push to Jerusalem.’
----
To the east of Ashkelon, in the foothills of the mountains, Gerald and Hunter waited nervously for the sun to sink to the horizon. The king’s army had formed a well-defended position no more than few leagues away and in response, the nearby Saracen forces were busy reforming their lines, anticipating a dawn attack.
