AN:

Another word of caution: this chapter contains the scene where Balian accompanies Tiberias to the battlefield where they find the remains of Guy's army. So the description of the scene corresponds with it, but I haven't gone all gore...All in all a M rated chapter.

And do forgive me my at times improvised battle descriptions and the lack of proper terms in here as well as in the chaps following, even during my rewrite I attempted to make the story more realistic with accurate vocabulary here and there. Googling like crazy... As bottom line is I still don't have a clear knowledge about the structure of the fortresses or defenses of the Middle-Ages but from various films, so pretty much have had to settle to my visual observations and descriptive phrases to bring out the scene and the chaos of raging battle understandably.

Phrases written in bold; Arabic

Phrases written in italics; thought, memories, quotes

It was another beautiful morning, the sun shining from the brightest sky in days making the plains bathe in golden glow, wind sweeping over them hot and suppressing. But the air surrounding the Muslim encampment was also stifling for other reasons, the general oppressive atmosphere keeping the men silent for the anticipation of what was to take place at any moment. Something that would change everything not only in their ruler's life, but in theirs as well.

One soul and one morality as their people were, this act to be implemented was a necessity to wash away the shame shadowing their common faith, their commandments, tying them all together to become one in mind and being like their religion entailed. But even if justified still the soldiers remained quiet, just following as the sentenced woman was walked across the campground. Everyone staring at the princess, youngest daughter of their king who passed them her head hung under the hood, strange unifying grief spreading all over the camp.

She walked free, between her father and the crown prince, guards surrounding them. But she was resigned, having accepted her fate to come and simply looked down. The hot breeze once more shaking the campsite but no one stirred, all standing frozen to their positions to behold their king to follow the accused as a king would while the greatest sorrow subdued his sublimity.

The small escort then stopped, old queen Zayna and the shaken older princess watching in despair, in tears as the guards now stepped back, the young woman lifting her head and walking resolutely forward. Toward the bare plains, facing the bright, warming sun as the king and his son joined her, Bahir drawing his sword, the motion feeling as heavy as the blade he hold. All eyes next following the three forms to amble far away from the campsite until eventually vanished behind a cliff, blocking the viewers the sight to the scene, which with time would become like a sore festering ulcer in their people's history. And by doing what was right, their king was just moments away to slice that wound.

The woman stopped, letting out a sigh as dropped on her knees, closing her eyes momentarily as prayed for Allah to show her the way to serenity after death. Bahir handing his weapon to his father, frowning deeply, but not daring to gaze at his sister before the end he then swiftly turned away. Soon the waiting soldiers seeing his lone figure to step out behind the shelter of the cliff, however staying by it, not either daring to completely abandon his sister or his father.

At the hidden side of the wall the woman now opened her eyes again after reciting prayers in her mind, dropping the hood to pull away the scarf, releasing her hair to the breeze. Her father next stepping before her, the woman watching the steel to glimmer in the sunlight, as the Sultan looked down. Touching his daughter's cheek, nothing but miserable look in his eyes.

"You know that I must do this, my dove", he said, even apologetically. The woman looking up to him, smiling as a tear fell down her cheek, nodding.

"I do."

All was quiet. Only the sound of wind enlivened the itself silent, dead scenery. Until then an arm was lifted, noise of something cutting the still air reaching to the visible side the cliff and Bahir closed his eyes, turning his head away as his ears next picked up the significant thud, informing him the reckoning to the God to have been done. She hadn't even wailed.

And once again everything was quiet, the king striding in sight and passed his son, not saying a word, dropping the bloody sword on the sandy ground. Bahir frowning deep, glancing after his father until his gaze fell to stare at the blade at his feet. Sighing, feeling uncertainty for the first time in his life, though for his sister such indecision was now wasted. It had been done.

Balian was riding at the front of their small reconnaissance troupe with Tiberias, nearing the place where the battle between Guy's forces and Saladin's had occurred. And as they rode along the dusty road they saw possibly hundreds vultures circle above the plains, which told them the answer they had already considered. It taking but a moment for them to reach the battlefield, to see the gruesome remains of their army, dead men in crusader uniforms covering the blood soaked ground as far as eye could see. The horrifying sight causing the men to frown, even it had been but expected.

Balian spurred his horse forward over the field of bodies, watching in disgust how the condors were feasting upon the deseased while sitting on the dead soldiers, tugging their clothes and flesh with their greedy beaks. Balian soon turning his gaze away appalled, staring strictly forward. Certain death had awaited these men at the end of their journey... and death they had been given.

Balian and Tiberias now came across some spears which had been pushed into the soil, Reynald's staked head greeting them. Balian frowning for revulsion again as he then glanced at the piles of several other cut heads of the crusaders in their gory mess. All that around them, was horrifying, brutal. And Tiberias then took all that ferocity in, looking slightly bewildered.

"I have given Jerusalem my whole life", he stated, gazing at the prevalent devastation of their king's army. Balian glancing down until looked at Tiberias.

"Everything", he finished, downcast, thinking a moment until as well looked to Balian. "First, I thought we we're fighting for God... Then I realized we were fighting for wealth and… land… I was ashamed."

The strong breeze clung to their clothes as Balian gazed at Tiberias thoughtfully, seeing him then make a desponded headshake, the man next turning his back to the travesty of their holy quest. Balian crossing his arms on his lap as faced him.

"Tiberias…" he called, but didn't continue as the older man returned his gaze with a resolute, serious stare.

"There is no more Jerusalem", he pointed out, looking away as Balian as well had a realization. Yes, there was no king, and no army to defend the city. Nothing… But not wanting to believe so Balian looked at Tiberias as earnestly when he continued after a brief break.

"I shall go to Cyprus. Will you come with me?" Tiberias inquired, looking at him questionably but half expectant. But although Balian had his doubts about his following decision, his determined expression didn't falter.

"No", he responded without hesitation. Tiberias eyeing at him for a moment in astonishment until nodded, a twinkle of amusement in his as well downcast irises.

"You are your father's son", he noted, in turn surprising Balian. But he then said nothing as only exchanged a stare with Tiberias, until did then frown slightly as he spoke again. "Saladin must move his army from water to water. That gives you four days. Maybe five."

As Balian didn't revert even now, Tiberias then simply released imperceptible sigh and tapped his back once for luck. "God be with you", he bidded, inclining his head. "He is no longer with me."

They then exchanged one more look of farewell before Tiberias finally turned around, starting to ride away from the battlefield with his knights. Balian staying where he was, directing one more look after the man, before then turned his gaze forward in deep ponders. But Balian's eyes soon widened slightly as he happened to spot a familiar face among the piled heads, flicker of sadness visiting him when he understood it to be hospitaler's. He sighed.

The firece wind fluttered the Saracen flag above Balian's head, and he gave it a quick glance until as well turned his horse away from the beheaded corpses, about to leave that ghastly place behind for good. But it was then when abrupt flap of white from the corner of his eye caught his attention and he curbed the stallion, turning his eyes to his left. Feeling himself stiffen, his breath getting stuck in his lungs as he stared at another corpse laying further, away from the others. Smaller one which wasn't wearing an armor, incredulous Balian blinking at the sight. It couldn't be…

Not even noticing dismounting Balian jumped down from his horse, half running toward the corpse clothed into a simple dress stained by both blood and dirt. Finally stopping in a daze before it, staring, examining it until released a devastated breath with a frown. Balian falling on his knees as instant, immense pain grasped him, consumed him, only increasing when his eyes remained glued to the headless body of a woman not but two inches away from him. No… Sofia.

Balian frowned deeper as tried to keep himself together. He couldn't know it was her. He could not, as it could be anyone. Just some other woman he didn't know, one he'd never even met... But as Balian next forced himself to lean forward, to lift his hand and after a small hesitation pull down the dress' bodice a little, he gasped. Next only knowing how his head sank incosolable, him squeezing his eyes closed due to such great sorrow he hadn't believed to feel ever again after the death of his wife. As Balian recognized that mark on the woman's skin, it was just like the one Sofia had... A birthmark shaped of a crescent moon.

Balian let out broken, deep breaths as leant on the ground, now not minding at all to be surrounded by corpses and sickening smell of blood, as his head couldn't wrap around anything else but one terrible fact; Sofia was dead. She really was gone now… Balian shook his head in denial, in disbelief, however realizing it to be true. He saw it with his own yes. But he couldn't accept it, relive this torment again. He couldn't… lose her too. He could not survive from another broken heart, and that's why he then only sat there his eyes closed. Feeling his hands clench into fists.

He had known this to happen, but didn't fathom why. Why had she had to die and leave him just like his wife had? Balian felt tears burn behind his eyelids but didn't shed them, just kept his eyes closed, as expected his mind immediately filling his head with images about Sofia as if to torture him. Him finally opening his eyes after a moment of dwelling in the too painful remembreance as straightened, to stare forward with nothing seeing gaze. Again, he was alone. And now… there was truly nothing left. Tiberias had been correct.

Balian didn't know how long he sat there, the whole while peering to the distance thinking nothing, only feeling the pain and grief to eat him away, making him numb for everything else. But after renouncing to the sorrow he then let out another breath, dropping his eyes to gaze at Sofia's corpse again, flinching as was once more convinced. It was Sofia, no doubt about it. The body had the same skintone, identical petite but strong frame and similar tiny hands. Balian could never mistake her. And during that moment when all reason seemed to run out, his promises of protection felt even emptier from before. His very protection had led to this. His incapacity to save those he loved.

Balian then noticed her head to have been placed beside her, wrapped into a cloth for respect of some kind, as she had been part of the royal family… Balian dithering again but still he lifted his hand once more, taking hold of the cloth to lift it. But only a glimpse of those deep brown locks covering a white jaw, the star tattoo filtering through the hair, was enough for him. Him yanking his hand back. No, he couldn't look at Sofia's… Hopeless breath left his lips.

Just then one of the vultures appeared, courageously flying right next to him. And ignoring the man completely the bird hopped closer to Sofia, releasing a revolting shriek which kind could be heard ring in the air all around Balian, the bird preparing to feed. But one enraged swing of Balian's revealed sword and a couple of cut feathers forced it retreat back in the air, to find another meal, grieving Balian sending a contemptuous look after the scavenger. He wouldn't allow Sofia be mutilated any more than she already was…

Balian dropped the sword, his eyes sweeping over the corpse, before his gaze then found its way to stare at his hands. What would happen now? What would he do now, as there really seemed to be nothing to care about any longer? What reason would he have to stand from there again and not kill himself right away, give these repulsive birds one more body more to feast upon? Balian considerably doubted God to grant him the answer even if he would ask, as the one who had let all this to happen.

But after awhile Balian sighed. He knew why, as unlike the first time he did have a reason to live. A promise he'd made, which still remained to shed light into his once again darkened path, forcing him to stand like his father's arrival had all those months ago. So as promised he then rose to his feet. Thinking about the small girl who like her mother before, was now his responsibility

Almaric saw Balian ride through the gates of Jerusalem, returned from his scout to investigate the fate of Guy's troops. Balian dismounted, staring down as led the horse forward along the street.

"Where's lord Tiberias?" Almaric asked, waking Balian's attention as the man now stopped beside him. Almaric frowning at the visible change in his lord's demeanor, Balian's gaze rather indifferent and his features downcast.

"He left for Cyprus. His knights along with him", Balian responded, about to pass his right-hand man. But after hesitating slightly Almaric then stopped him again by speaking up.

"And… did you find Amira, my lord?" he inquired, serious but measured Balian's expression carefully, which surprisingly didn't change nonetheless. But Almaric saw his jaw muscles to tense up as he next glanced down momentarily.

"I buried her", Balian revealed. His voice husky with emotion he after all couldn't hide completely, shocking Almaric who stared at him in bewilderment before his surprise turned into compassion.

He knew Balian must've been miserable even he didn't express it. As upon hearing the news, Almaric could only imagine what it had felt like to find Sofia among the dead… Balian had after all averted his gaze from his while mentioning her. Almaric frowned as well, sadness replacing the pity as himself thought about gentle Sofia dead, truthfully missing her laughter and kindhearted rebuke. Almaric then sighing with a nod, but said nothing as knew words of comfort to be useless to his lord in this lamentable situation.

And so Balian just walked forward in silence, Almaric eventually following.

"Is Saladin coming?" he did then ask, forced to make that question although reckoned Balian's mind to be absorbed into completely other matters than the upcoming battle and planning for the city's defense. But he was instead surprised by the determined answers he was given.

"We have four days. Maybe five if we're lucky", Balian informed.

"Then we're in haste", Almaric remarked, half to himself. "We must come up with a plan to keep Saladin's siege towers from reaching the walls. But how?"

"I have a plan. But don't know will it work."

Bahir peeked out of his tent, glancing about the calm camp. Everyone had fallen asleep or retired to their tents, and he didn't see the guards patroling the area. They were fortunately out of sight at the moment. So with equaminity he then slipped out, looking around some more until silently went past his tent to the horses. The beforehand prepared animal was waiting there, already saddled and tied right beside his own with similar appearance, in case of some inquiries.

Bahir untied the mare and led it forward, away from the center of the camp, all the time eyeing at his surroundings should any guarding soldiers emerge from the shadows. Even if he was the crown prince, his actions would've appeared suspicious nonetheless, so understandably he couldn't be seen. Not now when what he did was practically an offense against his God, maybe even against his people if this was to become public. He sighed for the thought of it but kept on walking until reached the farthest tents of the encampment.

Bahir stopped next to the equipment tent, where everything from weapons to food was stored. He left the horse stand alone as went inside, filling a small bag with water and food and returned, quickly tying it to the saddle, once again gazing around. So far no one had seen him. But the same moment that thought occurred to Bahir he heard footsteps, followed my murmuring voices of the guards.

Three Saracen soldiers walked in sight, all of them carrying torches in their hands as talked about the forthcoming attack on Jerusalem, until did the necessary check around the vicinity. But as discovering nothing out of ordinary the men then resumed talking, striding past the equipment tent and continued their patrol, their voices soon disappearing into the wind again.

Bahir let out a breath and straightened, peeking through the tent's entrance before stepped out carefully, pulling the black mare after himself back outside. But he then gasped as saw a sudden figure appear right behind him, noticing it from the corner of his eye, and automatically his hand flew to his sword. Only to next release even deeper breath as found it to be the person he was waiting for.

The covered figure in the soldier's attire tilted a head at him apologetically and came to Bahir, Bahir letting go of the sword and beckoned toward the horse.

"Go now, quickly. You have some provisions with you which might be sufficient, but I fear you don't have enough water to last very long", he said seriously, but his gaze then softened as he saw the figure glance down and nod before going to the horse.

The mare turned her head and neighed, as if greeting. Causing both Bahir and the escapee to stiffen, spending the following moment to hear were there any footsteps approaching. But there wasn't. The person sighed, but then smiling behind the scarf the escapee patted the mare, meeting her eyes.

"Imad's horse seems to trust you", Bahir remarked, a bit quizzical expression on his face while watched the mare to rub her head against the escapee's hand. The escapee nodded, Bahir detecting a smile in the dark irises looking into his.

"We've met", the escapee answered, surprising Bahir.

"No wonder then that Imad gave his own horse for you to use… But now, listen. You must leave as quietly as you can. No one can see you. And if you're spotted by the guards, your escape will prove impossible as there will be men coming after you. A supposed deserter from the army is never allowed to leave…"

The escapee nodded again in understanding and mounted the horse, taking hold of the reins, where Bahir drew another sword from his belt and handed it to the rider. "Father ordered me to give you this", he specified, but then adversely the escapee could see a flicker of worry in his eyes. "But I hope it shall not come to a moment when you have to use it."

Bahir earned another smile behind the scarf, the same smile shining from the person's eyes as the weapon was received, until it was next pushed under the sash wrapped around the rider's torso. Them then exchanging a look before Bahir soon sighed again, his severe expression once more softening as he extended his hand to grasp the escapee's own, to squeeze it.

"Goodbye. You may go wherever you desire as long as you will be safe there. May Allah protect you", he said, now bereft tone in his voice and he landed a kiss on the knuckles he was holding, gaining as sad look back from above.

"Goodbye."

The hand was pulled away and the escapee then rode away from the prince, navigating through the tents, leaving Bahir to stare after the horse dejectedly. He didn't understand why things had gone the same way as years before, leading to this, but ultimately all of it had to be done. It was like his father had wished, like he had wished. Offense or not, in his heart Bahir believing this to be the only right thing to do.

And so after riding quietly to notable distance away from the camp of Saladin's army, the rider then kicked the horse on her sides and encouraged it into a fast gallop, luck or possibly God taking their side as no one saw them leave nor came after them. The escapee leaving yet one more life, past and everything they hold behind and headed toward a different future, one which could still stand for death. But that meant nothing to the rider, as it was the only future thinkable, and hence it was important that they would reach their destination in time before it was too late. Safe or not, that was the only place for them to go.

Balian leant down, closing his other eye to gaze far to the distance through the narrow slit, to see the small heaps of rocks painted white shimmer in the sunlight as intended. About a half of the men assigned to the task of creating this system he'd come up with were piling and painting the stones into straight lines, where the rest were using ropes to measure the wanted distances. As mentioned Balian had a plan. A plan he was now executing with all urgency in those few days they had before Saladin's forces would finally arrive.

Although for the last three days his mind had been set on solely thinking about the defense of this city, which without some serious work wouldn't be very defensible as Sibylla had pointed out, Sofia's death still shadowed his thoughts constantly. Gnawing at him whenever he didn't stay focused, it becoming all the time easier to just slip into that state of apathy when his yearning increased by the day. But Balian forced himself to concentrate on the matter at hand, smothering his torment.

He knew that he couldn't let himself think of her or he would end up the same as after his wife's suicide. Not caring close to anything but his mind-numbing pain and the memory it hold, becoming stuck to the dominant melancholy, not being able to escape it once it had the upper hand. And should he give in to his sorrow, there would be then no one to receive Saladin without handing over the city immediately.

Balian now straightened a little to stare at their achievements with the naked eye. "Mark 400", he said to awaiting Almaric, him now looking up to the other knight of Balian's standing at the proximate vantage point, repeating the figure with a loud voice.

The young sergeant used a flag to signal the given figure to the men working outside the city walls, also shouting out the number. Two men responding by lifting up a flag each, waving at them, as two others hurried to measure the said distance before marking it with similar rocks.

Balian now moved to the next slit, gazing though it, Almaric patiently waiting for his next reading. But as Balian peered to the faraway plains again he spotted a form of a person at the edge of the desert, the mounted man gazing toward the city on top of a high sand dune, wearing Saracen armor. Balian turning thoughtful after a brief insight upon noticing the emblem in the red flag the lone rider was carrying, straightening once more as stared back at the horseman.

"They're here", he announced, Almaric now as well noticing the soldier, his face filling with disbelief.

"It is only one man", he noted, but after eyeing at the scout silently Balian shook his head.

"No. They're here."

"Then I hope this plan shall work, my lord", Almaric remarked. "As it might be the main factor to save us."

Balian smiled gloomily. "We might not be saved from this. Not this time."

Soon the work had been completed, all the lines of rocks at different ranges carefully placed and painted. Now all was left to see did Balian's design work in practice when the first lines of the enemy siege towers would reach the farthest zone. And if the catapults of the city would successfully strike them at the aimed spot, then Balian would know this plan to work at the earliest. This would truly be a trial for him and his skills as former engineer. It had been a long time since he'd been able to put such knowledge into proper use.

Balian was next about to go and check the other preparations underway at the rest of the ramparts, but Almaric's hand on his shoulder stopped him.

"It has been three days, my lord", he reminded, Balian looking down as he immediately realized what his right-hand man was implying. "Do you wish to talk about Amira?"

Balian turned now completely grim. "No. It is enough that I keep thinking about her when I shouldn't", he declined, Almaric nodding in understanding, lowering his hand.

"I am sorry, my lord."

Saladin hadn't launched an attack during the night, nor was his army anywhere to be seen now the following morning. But Balian knew he had come, his troops remaining hidden behind those large hills of sand, until their king would decide the proper moment to invade the city. Balian sensed the usual suspense in the air like before every great engagement.

Balian left his place at the wall, which had become his usual spot to gaze at the empty plains while expecting the forthcoming attack, and walked along the battlements for the final time to check everything was more or less ready for the tiring battle ahead of them. Almaric naturally following at his lord's close wake, some of the soldiers bowing their heads to Balian as he passed them, him now glancing at Almaric.

"This is the only section of the wall that they can attack once they begin to bombard the walls", he informed, looking at the stone wall they were walking on, sharing his main strategy with his comrade. "They will stop only to avoid hitting their own siege towers as they come in. We can take the bombardment. When they cease firing, we fire."

Almaric nodded in understanding before both of them next went on their way to dress into their armors and crusader uniforms, to be ready when the time would come to take up arms. All the remaining soldiers running around the battlements and doing final adjustments according to their commander's instructions, not only the defenders but the whole city feeling the closing moment of battle, fearing this unavoidable turning point in the fate of the Holy City of Jerusalem.

Almaric once more resumed trailing after his lord as Balian now walked through a narrow arcade, passing more men who then along others moved to the wall to give him room. But abruptly a hand deterred Balian from proceeding and he noticed it to belong to the patriarch, who had apparently been waiting for him in the shadows of the corridor.

"We must leave the city", he insisted, Balian bypassing his suggestion by continuing walking forward. Thinking a short moment until then gave the clergyman a brief look.

"How exactly, my lord bishop?" Balian questioned incredulously, his tone nonchalant, after all leaving the man behind. But the cleric stopped him again and looked at him remarkably, his eyes filled with fear of battle. Or was it fear of death? Probably the latter in Balian's opinion.

"The fastest horses from a lesser gate", the patriarch answered without a hesitation, contemplative Balian soon frowning at the man disbelievingly.

"And the people?" he inquired, the clergyman's following indifference surprising him.

"It is unfortunate about the people, but it is God's will", he responded, making a swift cross with his hand as returned Balian's gaze, the least compassionate.

Balian felt contempt, glancing down briefly before then examined this so called holy man, who was more concerned about protecting his own hide than saving the helpless inhabitants of this city. God's will, he called it. To abandon these innocent people, leave them to death? Balian saw none of that sanctimonious cowardice as God's will, as little as Sofia's murder for the sake of honor. After such observations Balian regarding this man of the cloth as nothing but a hypocrite, who considered his own life more important than the lives of his congregation, his fellow humans'.

Balian turned his eyes away saying nothing in response, striding through a few soldiers lingering at the inner ramparts, the majority of their forces gathered down to the crammed yard with the civilians. Loud commotion filling the air as provoked by the patriarch's disregard Balian walked forth with steadfast steps, stopping at the edge of the wall to gaze over the mass. His whole demeanor radiating unflappable determination as one of the soldiers demanded silence upon his arrival, the racket however not quieting down when the order was at first ignored, until finally several pairs of eyes noticed the young commander. And when the strict command repeated all conversation ceased and everyone's attention was drawn to Balian, who returned the people's stares serious. Waiting a moment before spoke up.

"It has fallen to us", he started. "…to defend Jerusalem. And we have made our preparations as well as they can be made."

The whole fortress was quiet as they waited Balian to continue, the singing of few birds creating the only sounds with the breeze fluttering in the flags of the city. Balian then looking even more serious, speaking out the thoughts all his time in Holy Land had made him realize, what the clergyman had just made him realize. What both Sofia and late king Baldwin had led him to understand about the cause they were truly fighting for.

"None of us took this city from Muslims", he declared, looking about at his listeners. "No Muslim of the great army now coming against us was born, when this city was lost. We fight… over an offense we did not give, against those who were not alive to be offended!"

Sibylla stepped closer to the balcony's edge, lured out of her rooms due to the sound of Balian's voice, and among others started to listen to his encouraging address at the nearby fortress. Her gaze as serious, though still in a way renounced at the face of the imminent terror of what was about to come to pass. But soon Balian kept on talking after another brief silence, his truthful words taken to heart by the crowd.

"What is Jerusalem?" he questioned, letting his inquiring gaze round the expectant faces on the walls and at the yard once more, before his assertive delivery responded for all of them. "Your holy places lie over the Jewish temple that the Romans pulled down. The Muslim places of worship lie over yours! …Which is more holy?"

Balian paused again, his emphasizing voice silencing, as he eyed at the men his eyebrows wrinkled contemplatively. Next directing remarkable glances around.

"The wall?" he queried, at the end his voice rising. "The mosque? The sepulchre? Who has claim? No one has claim. All have claim!"

"That is blasphemy!" the at first astonished patriarch accused behind Balian's back, angered and most of all bewildered that this young commander dared to say something so outrageous which fought against the principles of the holy crusades. But Almaric turned to him with a strict frown, giving him a warning gaze.

"Be quiet."

As before Balian ignored the clergyman's dismay as now leant against the wooden rail, continuing. "We defend this city…not to protect these stones, but the people living within these walls!"

Balian gave one more throughout look at the defenders who still stood quiet, but had gained notable decisiveness from his valiance at the end of his speech. Looking back at him now courageously, Balian releasing a low sigh, where Sibylla sent him now a bit thoughtful gaze from the distance as watched him straighten his posture. But as Balian next turned to depart, a certain soldier removing his helmet in respect, a sudden call of Balian's name woke everyone's attention.

Balian whipped back around, striding forth to look down to the far away yard to see another soldier to run through the entrance, waving his hands at him. Silent murmur starting to erupt from the crowd as all pairs of eyes watched the man to throng through the people in hurry.

"My lord Balian! A Saracen spy has entered the city!" the crusader informed, Balian's eyes widening slightly, as the low chatter instantly switched into outraged commotion after near perfect silence. The soldier urging Balian to follow with one more wave of his arm.

"One of Saladin's men was caught lurking near the fortress' entrance! My lord, you must come immediately!"

Sofia stopped the mare with a quick pull of reins, the horse letting out a neigh as her hooves slid a little forward in the sand. Sofia instead releasing a tired huff, turning the horse a little as looked on her left to see her father's army encamped there. Waiting for the right moment to attack Jerusalem which laid not far from those gritty slopes that conveniently concealed the host from plain sight, Sofia frowning at their great numbers. She hadn't reached the city fast enough, and now she could have only little time to ride there, to warn them.

But then sighing, glancing at the enormous forces of her father's once more Sofia next turned the mare again, encouraging it into a breakneck speed like the days before, heading away from the open plains. She couldn't be spotted to approach the city walls in such haste or she'd undoubtedly be mistaken as a scout of Saladin. The city in a state of war an on high alert of any enemy activity, she would only get herself killed with such carelessness.

That was why she was to use another route to enter, unnoticed. One she and her siblings had often used to sneak into the city to steal fruits and climb to the hill of Christ to pray in her faraway childhood. Slight smile visiting Sofia's lips now due to the memory but she quickly chased away the remembrance, riding as fast as she could toward the walls of Jerusalem. She was almost there.

About twenty minutes later Sofia finally arrived to her destination, at the left side of the high wall to be precise, and she dismounted. Gazing up to be sure that there were no guards on top to see her. And upon discovering the passage to be still safe enough to use after all those years Sofia took the mare's reins, first walking her behind a small cliff, before led her along a long, narrow path winding within the crevice. At the end of it stopping when she found the familiar gap she was looking for, hid behind another one to create an illusion of intact city wall, deceiving most of those who would accidentally come upon this pass.

The entryway was big enough for Sofia to pull the mare in, eventually having to lure it with a few sweet words of Arabic and hum soothingly to make the horse follow. But she succeeded, the mare now standing beside her inside a small, dim room like space where another passage of stairs led upward, forward toward the city.

"You're safe here Sharifah", she said gently to the animal, smoothing her mane. "Whatever is to happen outside, you'll stay out of harm if you remain here quietly."

The mare neighed softly in concur, Sofia smiling as the horse recognized the name as her own. Imad had decided to name her Sharifah after all… Sofia locked gazes with the horse once more until turned to the saddlebags, pouring the leftover water into a container at the corner for the mare to drink. But without further dawdling she next walked to the stairs and started to ascend them. After but a few steps the corridor taking an anticipated turn to the left and then to the right, until she next saw daylight reflect on the wall a little further away. Just as she remembered.

She walked forward more carefully now, creeping to the spot where the sunlight leaked in from a window situated high above her as she made yet another turn, now reaching the other side of the secret entryway, hidden behind a fountain into the wall the same way as the other entrance outside the walls, left in plain sight and yet invisible to most eyes.

Sofia peeked out of the doorway, letting out a sigh. She was close to the main defenses, which meant that she didn't have to walk the streets seguedly for long before she would reach her final destination. But above all she had to find Balian, because she knew he would be here. He wouldn't have left this city unprotected now when the king was gone and there was no one else to keep it from falling into her father's hands.

Her heart started to beat faster, smile twitching her lips as she thought about the nearing moment when she would be able to look into his eyes again. Because was it only a day or two more before both of them would possibly die in this battle, she only wanted to spend them with him until the final end. That was why she had come here instead of going anywhere she desired, far from Jerusalem as her brother had instructed, because to Sofia that safe place was here. At Jerusalem, with the only man who would ever make her feel protected.

Sofia slipped into the water of the fountain as silently as could, crouching as slowly sneaked to the edge, staying in the shelter of the broad fountain for awhile. Soon a chance for her to leave her hiding presenting itself, and she jumped out of the shallow water to run behind the nearest wall, just when a couple of soldiers and civilians walked by, Sofia managing to stay unnoticed. Her releasing another sigh as turned, peeking behind the wall she now leant against until slinked past it, continuing her journey toward the main defenses.

She did this for a while, hiding from all extra pairs of eyes by dashing behind everything big enough to conceal her, all the time keeping in mind that if she was incautious and would be seen, she would die. She wore an attire of a Saracen soldier, so if discovered, it was more than likely that she would be killed instantly as a spy. But she succeeded in staying out of sight, although her heart kept on pounding faster in her chest the closer she reached the main fortress where Balian most likely was, preparing the troops for battle.

Sofia let out a relieved breath, leaning against a pillar of a building as another group of armed soldiers walked past her, once more not seeing her. She had jumped into hiding in the nick of time after gotten nearly spotted while stepping out of her last hiding place, now glancing behind the pillar, seeing the main entrance to the defenses which expectedly was bustling with crusaders and their men.

This worrisome sight created a nervous flicker in Sofia's chest, but she then sighed again. She had no choice. If she wanted to see Balian, she had to sneak in and meet him in person, as otherwise she indeed would be beheaded before even reaching him. But Sofia didn't know how on earth she was to enter without getting detected by these numerous crusaders patrolling the area.

Sofia looked up, closing her eyes momentarily. She couldn't give up. She might've been stupid to enter Jerusalem in a time of war just to ease the longing of her heart, but did it matter? She wouldn't have peace, not in her heart nor in her mind if she couldn't see Balian before it was too late, should he be one of those falling in this battle. That thought causing her heart to lurch, but Sofia then bypassed such ponders and made a slight smile. Well if that was the case she would die with him, defending him. She had promised to stay with him. And she would.

Sofia wasn't left much choice but to try to sneak in again, her now tiptoeing behind different booths on the side of the street, amazingly not getting spotted by the locals or the crusaders lingering at her very close vicinity. And finally Sofia stopped behind the last of the stalls, watching how a squad of crusaders entered the defences through the open gates, giving her an opportunity. Sofia emerging from her hiding in a blink of an eye, slipping inside right at their tail, before instantly rushed behind a nearby pile of boxes.

She eyed at her surroundings, noticing for her relief that there were only few soldiers at the proximate clearing, as majority of the remaining troops had most likely been mustered close to the main defenses... Just where she was going. So as new flood of fleeting hopelessness washed over Sofia she leant her head against a box, however soon enough gathering her courage and she straightened, creeping out of her hiding again.

She glanced around, not finding but two men walking at the distance as next leapt forward, running along a corridor, until soon got startled by the sight of two others hurrying toward her from the opposite direction. Her swiftly jumping behind the cover of a pillar, rounding it as the men passed her. But Sofia was then frozen on her spot by a frightened cry of a child, her head snapping forward to see a small boy stand a little farther away from her with his mother. The woman's eyes wide as she stared back at Sofia's covered, armed figure, the boy pointing at her from her arms. Regardless of the rising, calming hand of Sofia's the child then shouting again, screaming that an enemy had entered into the fortress.

The heads of the nearby crusaders whipped around toward the source of the cries, for their dismay those close enough indeed finding a lone Saracen soldier to stand a small distance away in his dark armor. His face and head covered so that only his eyes remained visible, but from his weapon and attire they knew him to be a Muslim, astonishing them by having ventured that deep into their defenses without been sighted before. Them however getting over their awe quickly, and Sofia next gasped for shock as several of them instantly sprinted toward her, their blades drawn, shouting out warnings that the fortress had been veritably breached.

Sofia didn't anymore care was she seen but fled, hardly escaping two crusaders who'd hurried from further of the street after hearing the hollers of their comrades. Sofia taking out her own weapon, not to use it but as a protection when more and more soldiers appeared from the streets she passed, joining the hunt, many voices urging to stop the intruder. Sofia turning a corner, brushing past a group of crusaders as avoided the swings of their swords, clashing with two lastly arrived men before did somehow manage to escape. Now even greater number of chasers behind her, the ceaselessly increasing cries about a Saracen intruder waking even more attention the further she got, and as Sofia glanced around in fright she saw that more soldiers were hurrying down from the closest posts and from the wall. But resiliently she kept on going, defending herself against the men who reached close enough to strike her down.

Sofia now whipped around herself, to cross blades with a certain crusader and did all she could, managing to counter his attacks, him soon falling on his back before another charged after him. Sofia exchanging a couple of quick strikes with him until she jumped, kicking him on his chest as swung his blade away, lastly elbowing him on his jaw. And so she escaped again, starting to pant for exhaustion as the day's of endless riding and now this running drained her energy, her heart beating like crazy as she after all didn't stop. She couldn't stop, no matter how tired she was.

She squeezed her sword's hilt, looking forward. She was nearly there. As a proof of that her now detecting a strong voice speaking somewhere not far away, the encouraging words it declaimed carrying to her ears by the wind loud and clear, echoing from the stone walls of the city. And she knew that voice, a spark of hope wakening in her. It was…

Sofia's short-lived joy was whisked away by another shock as she then gained an unexpected hit on her face, her run coming to a sudden end as her light frame flew backwards due to the gruesome blow. Sofia letting out as shocked moan as landed on the ground, squeezing her eyed closed briefly for pain. And as she felt a trail of blood to drip down her forehead, upperhanded, she was then instantly grabbed. Automatic instinct of survival kicking in and she struggled when three pairs of hands dragged her to her feet, Sofia freezing only when a blade was soon placed on her neck to curb her futile resistance.

She stared at the wielder of the blade, feeling the cold steel even through the scarf and she released a nervous breath, lifting her jaw where the crusaders holding her back tightened their grip of her before disarmed her, snatching her weapon.

"How did you get in here?" Sofia's threatener demanded angrily, narrowing his eyes at her. "How did you slip past our guards and closed gates? What is you mission, Saracen? Have you come to gather inside information for your king?"

"Does it matter when he got caught? Let's just take him", the other crusader snapped, Sofia not getting a change to answer as was then shoved forward by him. Him starting to walk her toward the inner defenses as one of the crusaders now ran ahead of them, Sofia hearing the dominating silence to be soon filled with a loud commotion, new type of shouts reaching her ears.

"You're quite inane, Saracen!" one of Sofia's captors stated, haling her forward from her other arm. "To enter the city alone, without any more men and try to sneak into our fortress… You had no change to succeed and now you will die for your stupidity!"

"Please!" Sofia bidded, the men flinching due to her surprisingly so high and clear voice as she next squirmed against their grip, glancing between them. "Where's your commander? I have to see him, please take me to him!"

"Why? So that you can murder him and achieve an upper hand in this battle when the city's army is left without a leader? Is that why your king sent you, to offer false terms as a cover for his assassination?" the crusader questioned grimly, yanking Sofia forward even more violently. She frowned.

"No! No, please I beg of you! Just let me see your commander!" Sofia responded pleadingly, once more trying to get free. But the men's grip hold, locking her between them. Now more soldiers and people running their way from the direction of the main defenses, staring at Sofia with expressions mixing surprise and hatred. She sighed deeper, then making a hopeless face herself as glanced at the men again.

"Please listen to me! I have to see him! I have to speak with your commander, Balian!"

Sofia had barely finished when the man on her right came to an abrupt halt, jerking her around to pull down her scarf in annoyance, revealing her face. The crusader stiffening as he then realized to be indeed looking at a female, explaining this captured soldier's such high tone.

"She's a woman!" he noted, also yanking the turban off Sofia's head, her hair falling over her face as the other man now turned her around as abruptly, staring at Sofia in equal amazement. But soon both of them appeared only gloomy.

"Typical. Who would make a better assassin than attractive woman with her tricks?" one of them remarked in disdain before Sofia was once more led forward forcefully, her stumbling a bit with her steps. She released a frustrated breath.

"No! I haven't come to kill him!" she assured, looking the men in turns now even a little irritated, desperate as gathered now even more shocked looks from the surrounding people after they'd witnessed her identity to be revealed as a female. But her reassurances were bypassed.

"Stop lying! Why else would a Saracen be lurking within the city in an armor on a verge of battle?" the other crusader scoffed. "We know very well why you've come, so no need to answer. In any case your fate is to die for your imprudence, as well as your king's."

Sofia shook her head furiously, panic clenching her heart as she next battled against the men again. "No! No, I'm not a murderer sent by Saladin! Please, I'm telling you, I have to meet with your commander before it's too late! I have to see Balian!"

"Enough!" the other man then snapped at her in fury, stopping again before smacked Sofia for the second time, causing her to stumble on the ground once more. "You're nothing but a spy, and I don't see a reason why you should be left alive long enough to spout out these lies to anyone else!"

The whole crowd gathered around the small clearing was staring at this young woman, this assumed spy sent by the king of the Muslims, as she lifted herself up. Breathing heavily, until whipped around to see the fuming crusader now walk toward her. Sofia's eyes widening for realization and she quickly stood, leaping into safety as a blow of her own stolen blade next cleaved the air, Sofia however feeling the tip of the blade to successfully slice her shoulder.

She scrambled forward a couple of steps until quickly twirled around, only to have the man attack her again, him this time just barely missing her head as Sofia ducked, slipping under the crusader's armpit. But she couldn't escape the following hit of the sword's pommel as it landed hard on her back in a blink of an eye, Sofia releasing a wail as she expectedly crashed on the ground for the third time. Panting for evident fatigue, her whole body aching.

Sofia scarcely forced herself up, only to follow in fright how her attacker headed her way, the sword in his hand raised, about to kill her. Helpless Sofia falling back, crawling away a little as shook her head incredulously, the man following her with long strides to deliver the final blow. Sofia glancing around alarmed, seeking for help, escape route, anything. But she couldn't flee anymore. She couldn't run. There were too many crusaders everywhere. And no one to help her…

"You shouldn't have come here Saracen!" the man spat, Sofia cringing as watched him to prepare to swing. "Because this is the fate of infidels as you who dare enter to our holy city in intention of defiling it with your heresy!"

"Please!" Sofia begged. "Please don't!"

Along many others Balian hurried after the man who'd arrived to inform him about the caught spy, Almaric and even the patriarch following at his wake to see the reason for the risen stir. Balian frowned. How could it be possible? How could've a single Saracen soldier been able to slip within the city without anyone noticing? Well he'd gotten captured while trying, but still this whole occurrence confused Balian. Why would Saladin benefit from sending one man deep into enemy territory, in middle of certain death?

"Who's this caught man?" Balian inquired from his retriever. "What was he after?"

"He's most likely an assassin", the soldier replied, surprising Balian. "He didn't answer when he was asked why he'd come, so it's probable that he was sent to kill someone after managing to slip in somehow."

Balian now thought a moment, soon having a realization. "Like me", he concluded, exchanging a remarkable look with Almaric.

But then both of the men, but mostly Balian, were taken aback by a screaming female voice which filtered among the prevailing clamor at the distance, demanding to be brought to the commander. It shocking Balian the more he listened to it, but in great disbelief he soon dashed forward, reaching the formed cluster of men who thronged to have a better view to the proximate clearing. Balian starting to make his way through the crowd as separated a sound of a sword slicing the air, agitated exclaims reacting to the apparent missed hits. And just as Balian pushed past the mass with Almaric and the patriarch, he heard a familiar moan of pain which froze him on his spot.

Balian saw a man, a crusader who stood his back turned to him. Balian's eyes next spotting the Saracen soldier who laid on the ground, but who then turned to face the raised sword of the crusader with horrified eyes, pleading for mercy. Balian fathoming that he wasn't a Saracen soldier, his heart twitching.

Sofia let out a strained breath, staring at the man with horror stricken eyes. But then he assaulted, her jolting before she dropped down, sheltering herself with her left arm. But instead of piercing pain she then felt happiness overwhelm her in a quick, surprised, confusing moment as the voice she'd only imagined for days cut the air. Saving her.

"No!"

The crusader turned his head around in bafflement. Eyeing at arrived Balian who'd but a second before stridden forth and grabbed his arm before the man could've brought the sword down to kill the Saracen. The soldier leveling a questionable look at the young commander, but after returning his stare briefly Balian's attention was directed down. Him making a bewildered but disbelieving frown, just staring as released the soldier from his grasp. It couldn't be.