/I don't own anything you recognize in this story. /

Chapter Twelve

"Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." –Proverbs 19:20-21

"Love is or it ain't. Thin love ain't love at all." –Toni Morrison

John watched as a messenger ran as fast as his legs could carry him towards John. He wondered what the boy wanted, but had an inkling on what it was, for he had sent someone out to find out what happened to Sibylla and Balian. Hopefully it was just technical difficulties—the horses wouldn't cooperate, they went further than they planned, but somehow John didn't think so. In his heart, John knew that something terrible had happened, for they hadn't shown up on their planned time and hadn't been seen since in over five days.

Breathing heavily and clutching his side, the messenger skidded to a stop in front of John. John raised his eyebrows as if to say, "Get it out already." He had no patience right now, as certain people were missing. Please be all right, Sibylla.

"I have word from Jerusalem, sir," the messenger heaved.

"Jerusalem?" John said, surprised. What would Jerusalem have to do with anything? But somehow John had an inkling of what.

"Yes, sir John," the messenger exclaimed, "directly from the king of Moslems. Saladin has told you that he has captured Sibylla and Balian, just over a week ago."

That would make it the night they left. Damn, why didn't I be more careful? John thought, cursing under his breath.

"What is the man's ransom?" John asked, afraid of what the messenger was going to say.

"Saladin asks for one thousand gold pieces for Balian. There will…be no ransom for lady Sibylla, my lord," the messenger stated, "I am sorry."

John whirled around in a circle, cursing. Of course there'd be no ransom for Sibylla. It all made perfect sense. There was a ransom for Balian because Saladin didn't care about the boy—all he cared about was Sibylla. By releasing Balian and keeping Sibylla, the king would be able to marry Sibylla, thus uniting the Christian and Moslem faiths, and probably ultimately wiping out the whole Christian religion there in Jerusalem, throughout Israel, and ultimately through the world.

"Is there anything that we can do?" John asked the messenger, his brain already coming up with plans and ideas to rescue both Balian and Sibylla.

"I'm afraid there's nothing we can do, sir," the messenger exclaimed, "the only thing we can do is save Balian from the Moslem's clutches. Sibylla will just have to accept her fate. It will all be for the best."

John glared at the messenger so severely that John could see the messenger visibly recoil several steps. Well, he better do that for saying such things, John thought.

"That won't be necessary. We're not letting anyone suffer under the hands of the Moslems. I will refuse that to happen," John said.

"You do realize that this might all be a hoax, my lord John?" the messenger asked. "They both could be dead and Saladin's just putting up this façade to get some quick cash."

"Don't ever say such a thing again!" John shouted. "They're alive and they need our help. We just have to figure out a plan to help them and hope they won't perish during that time."

The messenger bowed. "As you wish, my lord John. What will you have me do?"

"Well, for one thing, I want you to return to Jerusalem with the thousand gold pieces and say that we will meet the ransom for Balian. I'll be sure to send a guard with you to make sure that Saladin keeps his word."

"What about Sibylla, sir?" the messenger asked.

"As for Sibylla, I haven't thought of anything useful yet. But I will by the end of the week, God willing," John stated.

"When do I leave for Jerusalem?" the messenger asked.

"The morning after tomorrow. I want them to think that we thought this through and couldn't think of any other way to save them both and are resigned to just getting Balian. Let them think they've got the upper hand. But we'll surprise them when they think they're the safest," John said.

"Yes, my lord." The messenger bowed again and left John to his thoughts.

Please don't give up hope yet, John thought, I'll get you both out as soon as I can, sooner or later.

With that thought, John nodded soundly and hurried towards the main hall, ready to call everybody to order. They had some people to save and they couldn't wait for nothing.