AN:
I will mention separately when the time comes, but some chapters will naturally include violence, as all who have seen the movie are aware. But nothing too shocking or too brutal I hope, even after the modifications. I've just tried to maintain the storyline as authentic as possible. First such chapter rated M is this one :)
The themes of this story might be rather grim to some, but rest assured, my story's rating is somewhere between T and M, because the content of it is hard to define and cannot be placed under either of these categories. All religious and historic quotes and references in addition to the settings have been incorporated and written by an amateur using simple internet as a source material, so the accuracy of the terms etc might differ, simply suited for the needs of this story. All meanings of the Arabic names and from them concluded words might as well be inaccurate.
Enjoy!
-the following morning-
The small group of crusaders heard the approaching gallop of hooves behind them, their leader ordering them to halt. The pace of the following horse wasn't that fast to be considered threatening, but still wary the group of men turned, riding back behind the curve of the road. Though the oldest of them had a hunch of the comer.
The approaching rider stopped his steed, gazing at the appearing entourage of men through the light snowfall, which had fallen throughout the night. And with a severe expression Balian then watched as one of them, the man who had revealed himself as his father the day before, rode to the front to receive him.
"Wait here!" Godfrey ordered his men and started to ride toward his son, Balian soon encouraging his own horse to meet with Godfrey's. Both of the animals slowed into a walk, eventually stopping as the pair faced each other. Godfrey looked thoughtful, tint of humor in his eyes.
"Have you come to kill me?" he questioned, meeting Balian's gaze. "Even these days it is not easy. Well?"
Godfrey inclined his head in wonder, studying his son's features to find the reason why he had after all come. Balian instead was looking down, his face consumed by some gloomy thought, until his eyes rose. His horse now sauntering beside his father's. Godfrey took quick notice of his left hand, which was squeezed into a tight fist against his chest, but the older man left his wonder aside as waited his son's answer. At first Balian didn't dare to meet with his father's gaze, until after a brief delay he then finally spoke.
"I have done…" he started, his face shadowed by that same feeling, his voice downcast. He now echanged a brief look with Godfrey. "Murder", he revealed, cringing inside for his past actions the night before.
Despite his gloom Balian had ponder on his face, looking at his father again now to see his reaction. But Godfrey, instead of refusal, seemed indifferent regardless of his son's confession.
"Haven't we all?" was his diplomatic answer, his voice gentle, understanding. Balian looked now serious, though there had been a flicker of surprise in him as he didn't see his father judgment him like any normal person would've. Due to this Balian felt slight relief, easing his inner torment, but which still didn't erase it.
"Is it true? That in Jerusalem I can erase my sins… and those of my wife… Is it true?" Balian inquired, his exterior softening for grief briefly due to the mention of his deceased wife. The reason for his sin to be amend. Balian felt the weight of the cross around his neck now more clearly, though the necklace which once was his wife's didn't weight nothing itself. Just the memory it hold did.
"We can find out together", Godfrey replied encouragingly, clearly relieved himself to have his only son to accompany him like intended by coming to France. Balian stared down, lifting his gaze briefly to his father's face until looked down again, silent. Godfrey then tilted his head once more.
"Show me your hand", he urged, Balian unveiling his injured palm, which had been wrapped into a hastily put on cloth. Godfrey nodded, though then frowned slightly as noticed the cloth to be made from very good quality fabric, which rare ordinary people with small income were afford to obtain. In fact it was the scarf the mysterious woman had dropped, which Balian's apprentice had found and which he had used in hurry after the escape from his village. Godfrey turned his horse around.
"Come, we shall find a campsite and treat that wound of yours", Godfrey continued smiling, then ushering his horse back to the other waiting men. Balian stayed still for a brief moment thinking, until followed, slowly his horse making his way toward the men too.
"It is good you have come", the man who had asked for Balian's hospitality the day before, the hospitaler said then also smiling. Nodding to Balian. Balian said nothing but returned the nod, the group then starting to advance forward on the road.
They didn't have to ride long after the road entered the forest, when they reached a wide clearing to make a camp at. They stopped for earned break, preparing a fire to cook some food, while hospitaler started to examine Balian's hand. He took it in his, removing the cloth strapped around it, as well giving the fine silk scarf a second look before revealed the burnt form of a small cross on Balian's skin.
Hospitaler glanced at Balian who only sat in silence, staring into the forest around them. "How old is this wound?" he queried, Balian finally snapping his head around to look at him. The man saw a flash of remorse in Balian's eyes as he gazed down.
"I got it last evening", he responded. Hospitaler said nothing at first, but after a moment of thinking nodded, reaching for his healing herbs.
"You are in luck. It is so fresh that there might be a chance for it to heal into new skin close to perfection if treated quickly enough", hospitaler remarked, taking something out of his bag. Balian was satisfied at simply nodding as a response, again turning away.
But then all of the men heard a neigh of horses somewhere not far. They tensed and listened, starting to also hear murmur of speech, men talking. As well small group of them, and it surprised Godfrey's entourage. They hadn't expected to meet up with any other traveling party.
Godfrey took a couple steps toward the edge of the clearing, gazing into the forest where the noises were coming from. His sergeant came beside him looking thoughtful.
"Trouble?" he questioned, glancing at his lord. But Godfrey didn't answer. "Should we go see who these men are? Friends or foes?"
"There is no reason for anyone here to take us foes", Godfrey finally said after a moment, but nevertheless revealed his sword. "…Or rather the other way around. But I reckon too much caution is not a bad thing on this occasion."
All of the men now stood up, including Balian after he had wrapped his hand with the scarf again. And so they made their way to the edge of the clearing, moving forward silently, following the sounds of conversation and finally reaching an edge of another clearing a small distance away. And as they hid in the shadows of the trees, they saw six men stand there. Not soldiers though well clothed men, but still not noblemen. They were the same travelers the crusaders and Balian had met briefly a day ago at Balian's home village.
There were the six horses the men had ridden with as well, tied to a fallen tree not far away. But what then made the men frown for confusion was a lone figure sitting at the other side of the clearing, shackled into a tree too. A woman clothed into expensive colorful fabrics of the rich. A woman who sat still on her knees regardless of the cold, covered with a bright veil. The group of crusaders didn't see the figure's face, but they concluded her gender by those colorful clothes and small hands which were indeed bound together with the heavy chains.
Balian's eyes widened slightly. That was the cloaked woman he had seen with those men. And she truly looked someone important as Balian now finally saw her appearance, that coarse grey cloak gone.
"These are the men we came across yesterday", Odo noted.
"Who are these men?" the English sergeant questioned quietly, others wondering the same, remembering the faces of these six strangers. But then the men in sight started to talk again.
"Why was it essential to cross the border and enter the French soil just to deliver this woman to her lord?" one of the men then asked annoyed, not particularly from anyone as took a sip from his water skin, glancing at the sitting figure of a female.
"Because the route to Jerusalem is safer through the road of Messina", one of his comrades with a heavy accent answered, also glancing at the woman. "And that pass starts from France, which is also most arcane way to deliver her to the byer. And it was you who wanted to take a detour Dietrich, so that we wouldn't run to those crusaders from yesterday."
"Byer?" hospitaler stated in wonder. Godfrey looked very thoughtful.
"It seems these men…" he said then, others glancing at their lord. "…are not simple travelers. These men are human traders."
The group turned serious now as they gazed at the men at the clearing. Then one of them let out a laugh, grinning satisfied, now pointing at the woman who only sat silent, not moving a muscle.
"This whore will bring us the money we need to retire!" he remarked. The men in hiding frowned again.
"Yes, but she isn't indeed any regular prostitute!" his companion concurred. "Her blood is too fancy for that, Filip my friend!"
"Right you are! We should respect her highness so much to remember who her father is! So we should be calling her more of a courtesan, shouldn't we? Not as such a lowly one as a simple hooker, but a high standard lover!" third one continued. He smiled mockingly, gazing at the veiled woman. "After all… she's royalty. A princess!"
All six men laughed as gazed at their prisoner. The crusaders were confused after listening to their conversation about this mysterious woman, who didn't react at all to the words said about her. Just sat calm on her spot, not much even twitching, staring proudly in front of her.
"It would seem these men are not simple men traders either", hospitaler pointed out to his comrades, now also staring at the woman for a while. "But panderers."
The group turned tense due to this realization, now understanding the mens' said words and the reason why that woman didn't raise her voice to defend herself. She accepted the ridicule she was given, apparently because their words were all true. So this woman was… Many of the onlookers were disgusted. Transactions such as these men were about to go through were illegal, being condemned by the Pope himself.
"Shouldn't we save her?" sergeant asked, looking up to his lord as pulled his sword out halfway, silently. "I myself will not let these men sell that woman if I can do something to interfere! This is vile."
"Let us just wait", Godfrey prompted calmly, everyone then again starting to eye at the actions of the men, now more nervously due to the revealed details. Then the lastly spoken, their leader, threw away his water skin and took slow steps toward the prisoner.
"It only makes me wonder what she would feel like to love for a night…" he stated, examining the woman clear lust visible in his eyes. "What do you say if we find out what it is that high ranking lords of the richest families are willing to pay such sums just to get her between their sheets?"
Now all of the six men turned to stare at the woman on the forest floor, as sly smiles rising on their lips. They started to approach her, slowly, taking their time to intimidate their victim. But now the woman finally turned her head, gazing at the men completely serene, not even a trace of fear in her eyes.
"My lord?" sergeant called questionably, frowning, the group tensing once again in their hiding while watching the men near the chained woman. She wouldn't be able to fight back or run. That was the purpose of those shackles, which locked her in place as an easy prey to her captors. She was defenseless. Balian took out his borrowed blade, ready to dash out if none of them would. He at least would not let those despicable men touch her.
The lastly spoken man now stopped, gazing down at the woman who was staring back at him through her lashes. Her gaze was unyielding as the man answered it with that arrogant smile, tilting his head and examining her, lifting his brows.
"Do you fear me, Amira?" he questioned, to which the woman said nothing, but her gaze was filled with pride. Silent defiance.
Not breaking the stare with the man, capturing his attention with her eyes, her hand slipped furtively into her robes, grabbing a hilt of a hidden dagger. She had kept it usable and ready for a long time now, being prepared for something like this to happen. She was not stupid, and would not let them touch her. Allow these men soil her any more than she already had been…
The man smirked and reached down to remove the veil, to reveal the woman's face. But the woman, about to pull out the dagger and use it, then spotted movement behind the men; forms stepping out of the forest, swords in their hands. And wonder only visited her irises before the sudden blow came, taking the six men by surprise.
Balian ran out of the forest, others following, and without a moment of hesitation they attacked the men. But though waylaid they quickly dispersed from the woman, trying to hurry to their horses to retrieve their own weapons. But as indeed upperhanded they were, the crusaders defeated them with ease without much resistance from the unprepared captors, and it didn't take but a moment until all of the six laid on the ground dead. All except their leader who had suggested to assault their prisoner. He was still staring at the sergeant with wide eyes, horrified, being hold up by the said man from his collar. And sergeant's eyes, which this time were looking back into his, were only full of contempt.
"Have nice time in hell!" sergeant bidded with a icy glare before finally killed him too, the last of the vile men now gone. Sergeant spat on on the body after throwing it aside. "Scum."
Immediately the men turned toward the veiled woman who still sat in the same position, eyeing back at them, her eyes revealing nothing. Not even surprise. Or least fear, even she must've witnessed the whole thing. Hospitaler now stepped forth, kneeling before her, a soothing expression on his face.
"Are you alright, my lady?" he asked.
But as he then examined the visible part of the face before him, meeting the eyes now gauging at him, he had a realization. And the others, who next too confronted the gaze of those strong, dark eyes of hers rounded by dark make-up, felt themselves stiffen into their spots.
"She's a Saracen!" Firuz, a crusader with dark complexion breathed in awe, in his native. All of the men gawking at those intriguing eyes which stared back at them fearless. The woman did not react, neither answered. Just sat.
This woman was not truly of French, Spanish or English blood, or any other European bloodline. But her tanned skin and dark eyes told the men she belonged to the people they had learnt to know as well as their own at Holy Land. Her clothes were truly that of a noblewoman's, which confused the men as they recalled the words said between her captors about her occupation as a paid lover. But it wasn't only the clothes which made her seem sublime, but that atmosphere the men could sense while returning her gaze shone authority. Hidden under the demeanor of this woman in front of them.
The men now gasped, as all of a sudden white Arabian mare dashed forth behind the tree the woman was shackled to. Letting out a frustrated neigh as stomped her feet to make hospitaler retreat from her obvious mistress. She was very magnificent animal with as noble air around her as the woman, looking clearly like a horse of a great owner. Balian remembered her as well, as the one who had carried the cloaked woman at his village the day before.
The woman still said nothing but now lifted her hand, then waving it, causing the horse to neigh again. But this time softly, the men following nonplussed as it then knelt beside the woman, calming down. The prisoner finally loosened her grip from the hidden dagger's handle, instead starting to caress the animal's soft mane, where the men just stared speechless. Balian frowned. Why would a Saracen be so far away from Holy Land? And as a sold mistress even?
Balian examined the woman in intrested confusion, not being able to conclude who she could truly be. They indeed only saw her eyes under the veil, which typically covered her hair and the rest of her face like her religion obliged. And though she seemed young, she still didn't feel that young due to the wise look in her irises as she gazed at the men again. Balian realized to put his sword away.
"Let us remove these fetters now, shall we?" hospitaler then continued politely, smiling, glancing briefly down at the sturdy manackles. He nodded toward Balian. "Balian, would you get those keys from the keeper?" he asked, waving his hand toward one of the dead men on the ground.
Balian was snapped out of his reverie with a gasp, but he obeyed. Seeing the said deceased man with the keys and went to retrieve them, then walking back to hospitaler and the woman. Balian knelt before her, finally meeting her gaze directly, and couldn't hinder another slight gasp when her so intense eyes looked deep into his, measuring maybe?
Balian quickly looked down and took the set of keys, examining the different ones in the ring until found the right one, about to free the woman from the tree. But he was then again equally surprised with the others as the woman now quickly stood up, swinging the chain away from him, preventing Balian from opening her bonds. She took a couple of steps backwards lifting her jaw, looking at confused Balian seriously. But her eyes then told everything the men wanted to be explained for now. She didn't want to be released.
"My lady, you are now free", Godfrey told her, walking toward the Saracen woman. "These shackles can no longer hold you. These men who captured you are dead. You are free to leave."
Still the woman didn't speak, but again a single gaze of hers told the older crusader the course of her mind. He shared a stare with her for a moment, searched her face until then released a sigh, smiling slightly. Also pushing his sword into its scabbard.
"We'll take her with us!" Godfrey decided, glancing at his men and his son. "After all, it is not good to leave a woman wander alone in the forest. One in chains for that matter. Not to mention a Muslim woman."
Though everyone were hesitant, they realized this to be true. If anyone would find a Saracen from the forest, she would be killed immediately simply because of her religion in these times of the Holy war.
"Balian, would you bring her to our camp?" Godfrey asked, looking at his son who tensed, but said nothing. Just made a half nod when his father now ambled back toward the edge of the forest, returning to their own campsite.
Balian walked a bit tentatively toward the Saracen woman, whose gaze followed him intently when he rounded the tree. He broke the chain and and gathered it, then walking back to the clearing from the right side of the tree, beside the horse. He jolted as the woman's eyes looked at him immediately. He answered her gaze for a brief moment until nodded with his head, taking hold of the white mare's reins.
"Follow me", Balian said simply, starting to walk forward, pulling both the woman and the horse gently behind him.
The Saracen woman gave him now slight surprised look, starting to follow nonetheless, not saying anything in response. But she now recognized him. It was him who had given her captors water the day before. This man, Balian, had been the blacksmith from yesterday. She knew it, though she had not seen the man's face. But she knew his voice. The warm tone, but which carried unspoken sadness in it. And this man had that voice.
Balian led the woman and her horse to their campground, then stopping at a little distance away from the fire where it was warmer and dropped the chain, nodding to her.
"You can sit here", he said politely, locking gazes with the woman again until let go of the reins as well, returning back to his effects. The woman sat obediently, not talking either now.
And so the next hour or so the woman only sat there silent, on her knees, that same kind of calm expression in her eyes. The men did their own nightly chores, but kept on glancing at this suddenly appeared woman in curiosity and wonder.
"Is it wise to keep a Saracen with us?" Odo, the German crusader questioned from Godfrey, looking slightly worried. Godfrey was amused as directed a look at the woman who hadn't moved a single muscle after they had brought her with them to the camp.
"She's just an innocent woman!" Godfrey stated. "And one in chains as well! What could she do to harm us?"
Everyone thought of his words, realizing the truth in them, even taking in a Saracen had triggered familiar uneasiness in their minds. But Godfrey then turned to Balian.
"Now, let us be finished with your wound, shall we?" he said smiling, Balian nodding and giving his hand to hospitaler, who started to inspect it again.
He and Godfrey worked with the hand for a while, until suddenly the woman stirred after following the men for a moment. And eventually turning annoyed by the lack of their healing skills, she now lifted her own hand. Eyeing at the three as waved them to come closer. The men stared at her surprised, confused, as she didn't speak after all, but just waved at the men to bring Balian to her it seemed.
Balian met the woman's gaze, and saw nothing but sincerity in them. No threat. Hospitaler inclined his head as then glanced at Balian.
"Go on", he urged. "She asks for you."
Balian hesitated, looking at the hospitaler and his father briefly, until turned his eyes back to the woman. And then releasing a sigh he reluctantly stood up, walking to her. She waved him to sit. And Balian did, kneeling in front of her again. He looked into her eyes, but didn't know what feeling revealed itself from them while the brief stare lasted. The woman indeed seemed young to him, but still didn't. Her gaze was somehow ageless and wise.
Balian and the other men now followed in interest as the woman rose after such a long time of sitting, going to her horse and opened the bag attached to it, pulling out a silky pouch. She then looked at Balian reassuringly as sat back down, taking out some herbs and objects unfamiliar to the men, and lastly clasped Balian's injured hand carefully into hers. But he saw then surprise reflect from her dark ponds as she spotted the scarf, her scarf, in his other hand. Ruined by the pus (visva) of his burn. She looked up to him confused.
"You dropped it outside my workshop yesterday", Balian specified, though wasn't sure could the woman understand him. "Forgive me. I had nothing else so I used it to cover the burn, thinking I could never return it to you."
The woman of course said nothing but only dropped her gaze, thinking, until let the matter slide. Balian then following at first hand how she worked, preparing some kind of a paste and then gently taking his injured palm again, placing the remedy on the burn. Balian cringed and automatically his hand was about to jerk back, but the woman's fingers grabbed always so tenderly his wrist, the woman looking up to Balian even a bit scolding. He uttered another sigh as relaxed himself, allowing her to continue the treatment.
"What is she doing?" sergeant wondered as followed the scene from the distance, smoothing his jaw. "Is this a Saracen procedure for healing?"
"I believe it is", Godfrey answered thoughtful, then smiling. "Then Balian is in good hands. I hear that Saracen medicine is quite advanced, and very much appreciated even at the palace of our king in Jerusalem."
Balian turned his head a tad toward his father, contemplating his words, before his attention returned back to the woman who was now wrapping a clean bandage around his hand. Though it wasn't a normal dressing either now, but a piece of silk she ripped straight off her own robes. Silent she did this, all her focus strictly on the burn until it had been fully tended. And finally she looked at Balian again, satisfied, nodding as a sign for her work to be done.
Balian glanced at his injured hand a bit confused for some reason. He answered her stare thoughtful, until then turned to his comrades.
"How do you say thank you in Arabic?" he inquired. Godfrey told him.
"Thank you", Balian repeated the word, nodding. He saw the reply from the woman's eyes along with a smile, but she kept quiet yet again. Just staring at him until turned her strong gaze away, putting her equipment back into the pouch.
Now treated Balian stood up, walking back toward the fire. But then he stopped and turned around, going back as a thought crossed his mind. "Are you sure you don't want me to remove those shackles?" he questioned, gesturing toward the chains. Because he indeed though she couldn't understand him after all.
The woman glanced briefly down, but her eyes had showed definite denial. Balian nodded in consent and returned to the other men, them starting to eat. And when they later started to prepare for rest, the woman had once again resumed a role of a motionless rock.
"You can rest in peace now, my lady", Godfrey reassured her, walking to the woman and handed her a cloak. The night would be a cold one, as though at the start, winter was already underway. And her clothes weren't meant for warmth, but to show elegance and status.
"For none of my men will touch you. You are safe to sleep here under our protection", Godfrey promised.
The woman met the older crusader's gaze, silent what else as received the cloak, but Godfrey saw thankfulness in her eyes. He smiled.
"Is she a mute? She hasn't spoken a word since we saved her from those men who were about to sell her. Not even to show her gratitude to us!" Firuz stated, gazing at their sudden guest measuring.
"I do not hate Muslims, but I don't like her silence. She just sits quietly…" sergeant put in, same kind of look on his face.
"No. She is grateful to us", Balian informed them, surprising the men by speaking. "I saw it in her eyes. As if she was thanking me earlier."
Balian smoothed the bandage of ripped silk absentmindedly, in thoughts, as Godfrey then gazed at the Saracen woman smiling.
"This woman's eyes are very vivid and soulful. She doesn't have to talk to relay her thoughts to others", he remarked. And Balian agreed, glancing at his father until gave the Saracen woman one more look, before covered himself with a blanket and laid down. Trying to catch at least a couple of hours of sleep.
"She is not any ordinary woman", sergeant said, looking at his companions who were awake the next morning. The woman had already been up before the men at sunset, seeming like not to have moved from her spot at all.
"Just looking at her makes me think she truly is that of noble blood as her captors said. The way she sits, the way she moves, when she moves, and both her gaze and being… They hold such dignity that can be explained only by status. And one of the men called her Amira. Princess in Arabic."
"But how can that be?" Odo questioned. "The men holding her were on their way selling her as a prostitute. How could a daughter of a noble family fall to serve men's desires in bed? Especially a Saracen woman so far from Holy Land…"
The men were quiet as they pondered this fact in their minds. And they didn't see it, but the woman then directed a measuring look toward them, aware of everything they had been talking of. Godfrey stepped next to the fire.
"I am sure all will be revealed in time", he said though looking pondering as gazed at the woman. "I have a feeling she is someone very special…"
Something bumped abruptly on the ground next to Balian, causing him to jolt awake from his dream.
"Pick it up! Let's see what you're made of", his father's voice said above him and Balian opened his eyes meeting his gaze, before turned to look at the sword Godfrey had thrown next to his berth. Automatically Balian took it, not thinking much.
But then his gaze hit the Saracen woman, seeing her sit at the exact same position on her knees, staring into the forest, to the direction of Mecca, a proud look in her eyes as said her prayers in her mind. Balian frowned for wonder. Had she slept at all?
"His hand is hurt my lord", hospitaler reminded his lord. But Godfrey looked only indifferent, strapping his belt.
"I once fought two days with an arrow through my testicle", he answered matter-of-factly, looking at the hospitaler who then nodded.
"Ah, yes", he remembered. Godfrey drew his blade and Balian stood up, only to have to defend himself immediately as his father started to strike, them exchanging a couple of hits until then they halted and Godfrey directed a round hit against Balian's sword. He received it, but cringed due to the power of the attack, still managing to block though weakly. The Saracen woman was examining them intently.
"Never use a low guard", Godfrey instructed, turning around. "You fight well. Let's work on your skills. Take a high guard, like this…"
Godfrey now lifted his blade above his head, exchanging a look with Balian. "The Italians call it 'la poste di falcone' -the guard of a hawk", he continued his teaching, then swinging his blade with swift moves first to the sides and then to the middle. "Strike from high, like this. Do it."
Balian's weapon rose, him mimicing the move his father had just taught him by taking the said stance.
"Sword straighter", Godfrey corrected, Balian obeying. Godfrey then patted his stomach with the flat side of his blade. "Come on. Leg back, bend your knees."
Everyone in the clearing were observing the teaching. Balian still tried to correct the angle of the blade.
"Sword straighter", Godfrey said again, then lifting up his own blade. "Defend yourself."
And then they swung their blades at each other, only for Godfrey to deflect Balian's to the side and then surprise him by stepping forth, placing the hilt of his weapon against Balian's neck in a blink of an eye.
"Blade is not the only part of a sword", Godfrey reminded serious, meeting Balian's gaze as pushed him back gently. Balian looked frustrated, but followed Godfrey's example by taking another stance in deep concentration.
"Attack", Godfrey ordered and Balian did, meeting with his father's weapon only two times before his sword flew to the ground from his hand, his rusted combat skills not offering required resistance to Godfrey who'd spent last decades at a battlefield.
The woman narrowed her eyes. That youngest man of this party clearly was not a crusader. Or a warrior for that matter. Apparently he seemed to know how to handle a weapon yes, but at least had not kept one in his hand for a long time. That much she already knew by observing him. Balian, was his name? The blacksmith... Indeed he seemed more like a man of honest work than war.
The oldest and most experienced of these men, Godfrey, next swung his blade toward his son, Balian stepping back weaponless. But then the blonde haired German crusader stepped forth.
"I have you leave?" Odo inquired, Godfrey nodding in acceptance and lowered his sword. Balian glanced at the muscular German as he pulled out his, walking in front of him to take Godfrey's place. Balian picked up his weapon.
"Pay attention", Odo urged, now taking the just taught stance, Balian then turning a bit as received the man's powerful attack. The German started to count the blows they delivered in his native tongue, Balian doing now better under the determination to learn. Godfrey and the Saracen being the only ones still to follow the exchange of hits interested, until then the sound of approaching horses woke the group's attention and the two stopped their spar.
The woman turned her gaze to the side, seeing how four figures stopped between the trees for a moment to gaze at the small group of men, until after quick observation started to ride forward, closer.
"What's this?" Godfrey questioned as stood up, everyone now stepping closer to the arriving horsemen besides the woman who still sat still on the ground, staring, observing. The horsemen came to a halt, their leader however riding forth.
"Uncle", he greeted nonchalantly at Godfrey.
"Nephew", he answered in the same manner though questionably, recognizing his brother's son.
"You have with you a man, Balian, who killed a priest. His brother. I'm charged by both my father and the lord bishop to bring him back", he said, directing a look at Balian.
The woman eyed at this spoken man in interest, him then also seeing the lone female sitting a bit farther away, confusion on his face by the sight of a Saracen at French soil. Balian soon walked forward, his father turning to him.
"What he says is true", Balian admitted looking at Godfrey. "They have the right to take me."
"I say he's innocent of the charge", Odo spoke up surprisingly, serious. "If you say he's guilty, then we'll fight. God will decide the truth of it."
"My German friend is a close student of the law", hospitaler cut in, also looking over to the four men on horses.
"Just give him to me", the sheriff stated. "I'll fight you for something else… Uncle, he's a murderer."
Balian exchanged a look with his father, but frowned slightly for confusion as saw him wink at his men behind Balian, until turned around to face the sheriff.
"So am I", he responded, dropping his sword from his shoulder, walking closer to the horsemen.
The woman gave him a bit surprised glance over the clearing. But then she turned her head a bit due to the sound of a rustle from the forest behind her. There were more of these men in this area. Hidden… And she now noticed that one of Godfrey's men who had left their camp just a moment ago had not in fact returned.
Godfrey stopped next to his nephew's horse. "Whoever dies here today…you will certainly be among them", he said death seriously, telling him to walk away while looking into the young man's eyes. Where he instead seemed irritated as responded, though conjured a polite smile on his lips.
"You're my uncle. I must give you the road", the sheriff gave in nodding slightly, then turning his horse around as a signal to his men to retreat.
"Hyah!"
"Hyah!"
The group followed the horsemen as they left, quickly vanishing among the trees. But as Godfrey then returned his sword back to his belt and walked closer to the camp, everyone's eyes rounded the clearing suspiciously, as if sensing something. The Saracen woman now could hear a clear snapping sound from behind her, as then. the dark skinned man cried out a warning, speaking in his language. The woman's eyes widened for realization.
"Take cover!" she suddenly shouted in Arabic, shocking the men who at first didn't fathom her warning. But at the same moment an arrow flew from the forest, hitting one of them. Followed by countless other arrows, filling the air as an intention of piercing the crusaders where they stood.
"To the flanks!" Godfrey exclaimed, just as one of the arrows hit Firuz's horse, making him fall, as other made a wounding impact with the German's throat, impaling it.
The men now separated, trying to find shelter as the first horseman rode to the clearing, letting out a battle cry as attacked Godfrey. But with only one blow he was dropped from the saddle, Godfrey lifting his sword for a finishing strike, but got shot by an arrow to his side in middle of the movement.
Balian jumped forward and slashed a man while in the air, then turning to his right as advanced to a man who tried to ready his crossbow to shoot him. But Balian swung his blade, knocking the bow away from him as then grabbed him, turning the man around and killed him by first striking with the higher part of the blade, giving the lethal cut from the lower blade of his sword. The man fell down with a cry of pain, Balian then whipping around ready to meet with another enemy. But instead his eyes hit on the Saracen woman who still hadn't moved from her spot.
Balian saw one of the attackers now run toward the woman, his blade lifted for a deadly strike. So startled Balian leapt forward again, running to help the defenseless woman who had given her help to him earlier. But what happened next made him freeze momentarily for shock.
The woman sat serene and watched the man advance her way, his sword held up high to cut off her head. But all of a sudden she stood up in a flash, threw her chains around the man's neck and pulled, throwing the man to the side, him falling. And Balian and others who noticed got to follow in confusion as the woman who had only sat silently, not uttering a single word so far now pulled out a hidden dagger from her sleeve, piercing the man in a second, now completely free from the heavy chains she had been trapped in.
The as surprised man let out a wail of pain as the woman straightened, stealing his sword and twirled around. Then jumping forth, attacking sharply at the man nearest her, killing him in a matter of seconds. Balian watched her to strike with the blade swiftly and lethally, in perfect moves and formations, making all of the attackers on her way fall down defeated. He was shocked, but was woken up from his daze as one enemy jumped at him from the side.
Balian defeated his opponent, next beating down two more men as ran forward, soon noticing an archer across the small river. Aiming at the Saracen woman who was fighting with a couple of men, taking the other out with a couple of stabs upon the torso. Unaware of the danger. So Balian rushed forth, grabbed the woman's robes to pull her out of the way as the arrow flew past her, Balian then slicing at the remained opponent of hers.
The veil had accidentally come off due to Balian's quick yank. But Balian saw nothing but a cloud of dark hair behind the silk as the woman now made a sharp turn, hitting another attacker, separating from Balian.
Odo hurried forward, and despite of the arrow sticking from his neck he attacked upon his own opponents, striking hard against one attacker's weapon, making him fall down. He hit and conquered his enemies with brute force, with skill and power of a terrifying adversary.
He made another two men fall down due to the whack of his axe as then too saw a cloud of dark long hair from the corner of his eye, next noticing the Saracen woman spin into his vision and sever an enemy spear, making as quick new spin and pierced the man clean. But Odo had no chance to see this veiled woman's face as then another arrow pierced him, causing him to fall on his knees as the woman froze. Looking down at him for a brief moment until made yet another quick move, attacking a man who ran past them.
Sergeant revealed his weapon and sliced a man on his back, then crossing blades with his opponent as swung the blade back to cut his enemy. Sergeant was successful as he sliced him again, making him freeze, this giving him a chance to deliver the finishing blow. Killing the attacker. Firuz shoved a knife into other man's neck, only to have his spearhead sunken in his stomach, Firuz releasing a pained holler. Just as a Rider galloped behind him, slicing his arm, Firuz then falling to the ground. Defeated.
The Saracen woman ran forward, three still alive men starting to run away from her, scared, as they knew to most likely die if challenged her blade with theirs. However she ran after them quickly, soon reaching the last one running and with as quick and rigorous moves killed him. The other soon losing his life the smae way. But it was then when Balian suddenly showed up behind a tree, hitting his blade on the stomach of the last alive man before slicing him on his shoulder.
The Saracen woman stepped forth, lifting her stolen blade for a strike as Balian whipped around, his sword crashing straight against hers, until the moment he realized his miscalculation. But the woman as swiftly deflected his blade to the side, leaping past him as then at the same time Balian felt a blade tap his head.
Startled a little Balian looked up, only to see the hospitaler sit on his horse. Balian nodded to him as did he, until continued riding forward, Balian seeing the Saracen woman to be fighting the last remaining alive men a bit farther away. Him hearing their cries of pain all the way where he stood, the attackers having no chance against her practiced, deadly blows. That woman confused him. No normal women fought like that.
And then as if but a minute had ticked by, it was finished. Balian walked back to their main camp, seeing the hospitaler to remove his helmet in respect and walk to Odo, closing his eyes which were staring straight up to the trees. Firuz laid next to him, also to have fallen. They all were quiet, gazing upon the dead.
Balian glanced around, feeling slight guilt gnaw at him. These men had lost two of their comrades because of him. Because of his sin, his act of murder. He let out imperceptible sigh, turning, his eyes then once again finding the Saracen woman. He took a step closer to her, and now others also remembered the woman, following his example.
The veil had indeed fallen from her head, revealing now a surprisingly young woman with dark, syrup colored hair to stand before them. She gazed back at them, circling the still alive crusaders with her as strong gaze as ever.
The men examined the woman and they noted she had a weird tattoo on her lower and upper lip, creating a symbol which looked like a star. They stared at her in confusion, remembering the way she had just fought like being born to hold a sword, her staring back at them again serene and proudly. She now wore simple long tunic over white harem pants, being even more lightly cloth, revealing now the obvious slim form of a female. And now finally after the hours of sitting completely silent, the woman spoke to them for the first time.
"Does not your eyes recognize a Saracen after all, even your blades have tasted the blood of my kin more than once, crusaders?" she questioned, her voice clear but as well proud, her talking with flawless English.
The men said nothing as then watched her throw down the sword she had taken from one of the attackers, as if in contempt. She fell on her knees again and closed her eyes, the men seeing her make a cross of Christianity over her chest before started to pray Allah in Arabic. The men were astonished by this.
"You speak English?" sergeant stated questionably, gazing at the woman. Balian had been eyeing at her the whole time, but now he directed quite amused look at the shackles which she miraculously had removed and which now laid on the ground.
"So that was the reason you didn't want us to remove the shackles", he stated, the woman then stopping her praying and opening her eyes, looking at Balian. "You were already free from them."
"And you, my lady of Saladin's people, can handle a weapon", Godfrey then stated in turn taking a step forward. He seemed impressed as examined the Saracen before them.
"I am many things", she answered. "But not what you see outside… "
The men were a bit confused by her answer. But then sergeant spoke up again.
"If you were free, why didn't you flee woman?" he questioned, the woman turning her eyes on him. "If you were able to remove your shackles, you could have escaped from those men before we came upon you."
The woman now looked away serene. "I have no place to go and flee", she answered after a break. "And those men you killed and saved me from… They were taking me back to Jerusalem, my only home where I was once born…"
Balian frowned. But the woman then smiled.
"I thank you for saving me, crusaders. I would have indeed been sold to a rich nobleman of Jerusalem's aristocracy if you had not interfered", she said, looking back at them one by one.
"But now we have robbed you the joy of seeing your home once again", Godfrey responded smiling a bit. Ignoring his wound he came to the woman, kneeling now in turn before her. She smiled again.
"You have done wrong for me indeed for not letting me return to my beloved Jerusalem, crusader", she said, then glancing at Godfrey's side. "But I shall treat your wound, my lord, if you promise me one thing."
Godfrey examined the young woman thoughtful, until nodded. The woman looked serious while said her next quite shocking words.
"Kill me, my lord", she bidded, making the men gasp for surprise. Balian frowned again, taking another step closer to the woman who was staring into his father's eyes. Hers not wavering a bit when she so straightforwardly asked for death.
"I have lived my life to serve, without own will robbed from me since childhood. Without a master I have no will. And without a will, I am nothing. So my life can be given to Allah or to your God, whichever would possibly receive me."
The woman stared intently at Godfrey, who answered the stare silent for a while. Until then he nodded.
"I can see what I can do", he answered diplomatically, standing up a bit staggering. The woman's eyes followed him as hospitaler helped his lord walk closer to the fire.
Balian examined the woman thoughtful. She wanted to die? Without a master she was nothing? What did she mean to talk such? Was finally being free the reason she wanted to die for?