Chapter Seven

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Kingdom of Heaven; the film is solely the property of Twentieth Century Fox and Scott Free Productions. All original characters, plot, and dialogue were thought of, researched, and written by Ridley Scott and William Monahan based on history.

Note: Sorry that this chapter was too short! I haven't seen the movie more than once, so I struggled to remember what happened even with the little that I had! Forgive.

Balian dines like a nobleman, is insulted by Guy de Lusignan, and meets Baldwin.

The moment I stepped into the King's chamber, I frowned inside. I didn't show it on my face, as to not offend the king in any way.

His face was hidden behind a silver mask. Was it possible that this king was a leper? The mask itself gave off an extremely curious expression: sadness, mockery, and despair molded into the silver.

I had barely made noise in the room, yet Baldwin turned his head to face me. He was busy writing something at his desk. His illness had not lowered his spirits, which surprised me.

"Ah, you are Balian, son of Godfrey, I expect?"

"Yes, my king." I bowed my head.

"No need to bow to me. I knew your father well. He was one of my greatest teachers. It is an honor to meet you at last. Where's your father?"
"He didn't travel with me, my lord. He was injured in a raid back in France. He was too ill to make this journey."
"I see. I hope that he feels better soon. He is a very good man, your father. I knew him almost my whole life. When I was sixteen, I felt so…alive, like I was going to live to be a hundred. Now they say I won't live to see thirty. A man truly has no power over his fate."

I listened, not finding it necessary to say anything.

"Illness and other handicaps may come at you in life, but those obstacles can never chain a man's mind and soul."

I nodded.

"Very well, then. I think it is time for you to meet Tiberias. He is a very good friend of mine."

"I am Tiberias. I knew your father well. You are your father's son; he was my friend. I am yours." He gave an all-knowing smile. Perhaps he saw a resemblance of my father in me.

"What has your father told you of your obligation?"

"That I was to be a good knight."

"You are here to serve the King. He is running out of trustworthy people, Balian."

"What would the king ask for from a man like me?"

"You keep the peace, as your father worked hard to do. Being a knight is not an easy job. You'll mature and grow as time passes. And as for the redemption you seek, I am deeply sorry for what happened to your family. You will find redemption here, I trust."

I nodded. I was determined to do so, the clear the lurid past that still haunted me. I was going to put an end to it.

Our conversation was coming to an end, yet I felt a need to ask this one question.

"Does the king have leprosy?"
Tiberias nodded gravely. "You thought correctly, Balian of Ibelin. His condition is so bad that he needs to wear that mask. I pity him. His days are dwindling."

Tiberias looked worried. He shook it off in an instant.

"Come, enough of serious talk. Have you dined?"

I instantly sprang up from my chair, for I had forgotten my hunger.

I had never seen such an extravagant dining room, with so many people in it. Neither had I seen so many dishes on one table. Politely, I sat down in the seat that I was assigned without saying a word.

Slowly, the room began to fill up. Men dressed in fine silk robes joined me and Tiberias. Without warning, the noise in the room declined. Instinctively, I knew that noble people would soon be joining us to eat our supper. I didn't think that the King would come at a public gathering, and his queen, if he had one, wouldn't come out to dine alone.

I was at a loss of words when I saw who came in. The woman I had seen earlier in the courtyard, and the man I had met by the port. His name was…

Guy de Lusignan.

He had humiliated me, mocked me and my bloodline, and I hadn't forgotten the incident. My blood boiled in my veins. The two people I had least expected to be married were in front of me; the marriage I couldn't have dreamed of in my wildest imagination. They didn't seem suitable for each other.

The dinner was an uncomfortable experience. It was all too obvious that Sibylla and Guy had an unstable marriage. She closed her eyes in despair when the man tried to caress her. At the same time, I felt her eyes on me. For the second time in one day.

When I had finished, I didn't expect Sibylla to escort me into my chamber.

"Do you fear being with me?" She narrowed her eyes and spoke in a childlike manner. This woman could even sense my thoughts.

Hesitantly: "No, and yes."

Her laughter echoed across the hallway.

"The queen in my place has two faces. One for the world, and one which she keeps in private. With you, I'll be only Sibylla. Tiberias judges me as unpredictable. I am unpredictable."

Bowing to her slightly in farewell, I watched as she turned, and made her way to her bedchamber, floating on air.

She left me with a cryptic smile that kept me up all through the night.