Chapter 6
It was late morning two days later that the healer Hassan with a bodyguard of 11 men rode down to the waiting knights.
"You're the healer?" A coarse featured massive blond knight demanded.
"I am Hassan healer of the Sultan's household," the physician sat regally upon a fine gray mare.
"You will show respect leach," the knight snarled raising a massive fist to strike. A flashing blade sang from it's sheath pausing only a hair form the knight's throat.
"The physician Hassan is under my protection, you arrogant son of a diseased camel. YOU will show respect for my Sultan's emissary," Hakim hissed.
"Surely your master is shamed by such a poor servant," Hassan said mildly addressing what appeared to be a herald. "You may take me to the Lionheart now," Hassan suggested. He completely ignored the fuming knight and Hakim.
"Pardon the knight's insolence my lord Hassan. He is newly arrived and ignorant of the rank of a healer of your abilities," the herald soothed ruffled feathers. "Sir William, my lord Hassan holds a rank equal to that of a duke or bishop among our people," the herald chided gently.
"My pardon," the knight growled backing away.
"By the prophet's beard a simple bath might cure the English king," Hakim gasped in Aramaic as the odors rose around them. The closer they came to the encampment the worse the odors became. Hassan's scowl deepened as he studied the filth and refuse tossed between the tents.
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"You have turned the camp on end," Hakim chuckled several hours later. Hassan had immediately ordered Richard bathed, the tent cleaned thoroughly, bedding washed and boiled. All drinking water was to be boiled. Several teas had been prepared and poured into the king. "Tomorrow I will have them move the pavilion. A different location will at least get him away from the filth," Hassan sighed tiredly as he mounted his horse.
"We are expected to stay in the camp," Hakim reported.
"More filth," Hassan groaned.
"I've had the children cleaning the tent for us," Hakim grinned. That explained where the other guards were.
"So where is this tent?" Hassan asked.
"Our guide, my lord," Hakim indicated a well dressed page.
"Led on young one," Hassan ordered gently.
Hakim felt the watcher's presence turning in his saddle he studied the shadowed area between the tents. A subtle movement and the watcher shifted into view. A heavy outer robe hung open over tan colored doe skin breaches, soft knee high boots and a loose fitting brown tunic worn till it was almost rags, his head was uncovered revealing an intricate braid. The intensely blue eyes seemed to glow in the dimness.
"One of Sir Christopher's wolves," the page whispered faintly.
"A bowman then?" Hassan said thoughtfully.
"Not properly trained to their place most of them can not even speak a civilized language," the page scowled.
"Excellent bowmen my sultan has noted," Hakim spoke.
"A few beatings would soon teach them their place," the page sneered.
"Their place?"
"They're arrogant, ill-mannered and put themselves above their rank,"the page huffed.
"As are some children who have never faced an enemy," Hassan said mildly. The page blushed and ducked his head. "Barbarian and ill-mannered perhaps but fine warriors all the same and worthy of your respect. There is much you could learn from them," Hassan chided gently.
Hakim made a traditional beduin salute towards the shadowed figure. Two fingers touched his brow in a return salute from the watcher before he slid into the shadows.
"Respectful the Black Wolf," Hassan noted in Aramaic. "Wise these black wolves to dress for the desert."
"Wise yes, foolhardy definitely," Hakim agreed.
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Several days later Hassan sat with Hakim in the shade of an awning studying the camp. "What do you make of them? Hassan asked nodding towards the seven men rubbing down their horses.
"Sir Josiah and Nathan are as they were. The squire will make an honorable man if he survives. The rogue intends to make certain he does," Hakim said thoughtfully.
"Indeed, Sir Bucklin is more than a simple rogue," Hassan nodded thoughtfully. "What do you think of Sir Christopher?"
"Intense he reminds me of Saladin. This is a most dangerous adversary. It is good that he is not the duke yet," Hakim grunted.
"Standish?"
"A fox that one," Hakim chuckled. "One would suffer much underestimating him".
"And Tannah?" Hassan asked.
"Tannah?" Hakim looked over.
"It is what they call your shadow," Hassan answered.
"He's not my shadow. He is the most dangerous of them all," Hakim said thoughtfully.
"Tannah?"
"The others their knightly code would stay their hand. If Shadow decides it is the best way he would hunt you down like a gazelle," Hakim warned.
"A bird of prey," Hassan muttered.
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Ten days later Hassan sighed in exhaustion as they sat down to eat. "The fever seems to have finally broken" he said.
"We can go home," Hakim brightened noticeably.
"No I want to wait another seven days to make sure the fever does not return," Hassan replied softly. "What news today?" Hassan asked as he began to eat.
"Another child was murdered. This time it was a page. The eldest son of the Count of Montclair," Hakim reported.
"Like the others?" Hassan stopped eating.
"Yes they have a demon walking among them," Hakim growled harshly glaring down at his plate.
"What other news have you?" Hassan asked.
"The Black Wolves are not in camp," Hakim finally spoke.
"Like smoke those bowmen," Hassan frowned. "Where have they gone?"
"Rumor says Antioch," Hakim replied.
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Over the next ten days two more pages were murdered. The camp was in an uproar as they searched for the killer.
"With the guard they have kept on us we are the only ones not looked upon with suspicion," Hakim snorted. Tension was high and only a tiny spark could set off an explosion. King Richard was making a rapid recovery. Hassan and Hakim agreed it was time to leave.
"I must take my leave of the Lionheart then we may shake this dust from our robes and ride home," Hassan smiled in relief.
"We will leave from there," Hakim agreed.
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Patiently Hakim and his guards waited for Hassan outside Richard of England's pavilion. A screaming mob suddenly erupted into the open square fronting the pavilions of the kings. Hakim ordered weapons drawn and waited tensely. It soon became apparent it was not his people being threatened.
"Osam what is it they yell?" Hakim demanded.
"They claim they have captured the child killer," the guardsman translated.
Hassan and King Richard exited tent just as a bloody Tannah was thrown down before them.
"What is the meaning of this? Hassan yelled at Hakim in Aramaic
"The mob says he is the child killer," Hakim barked.
Time after time Tannah struggled to his feet only to be driven back to the ground. Shocked the Moslems watched as Sir Bucklin struck and kicked his 'friend'. Jaedee looked on in frozen horror. Sir Josiah and Nathan pinned a cursing struggling Sir Ezra between them. Josiah stared pensively at the action. While Nathan seemed to project satisfaction.
Once more Tannah struggled to his feet stretching out a hand towards sir Christopher and the Lady Mary, widow to the Earl of Travis' heir Stephen. Sir Christopher's eyes were icy as he turned away leading a smug Mary away.
Hassan gasped as blue eyes caught his. The sapphire eyes held the bewilderment of an unjustly punished child. The gentle healer moved towards the bowman. Hakim roughly jerked him back.
"It is none of our concern old friend the mob will kill you too," Hakim hissed.
A brutal blow from Wilmington's fist knocked Tannah down. A sickening crunch as he kicked the downed man in the head.
"It is dangerous you old fool," Hakim growled.
"This one is worth the danger," Hassan calmly patted Hakim's arm. "MY LORD RICHARD!" Hassan raised his voice.
"Who calls me," the Lionheart demanded bringing an uneasy silence to the mob.
"It is I, Hassan the Physician," the healer answered calmly. The mob moved back leaving the Saracens, King Richard and the crumpled body.
"What is it?" Richard asked quietly.
"Give me this man," Hassan looked down.
"You could have great wealth for your healing of me," Richard reminded harshly.
"I have wealth oh king," Hassan responded. "He interests me never have I seen eyes of that color".
"He is a rapist and murder of children," Duke Pierre of Larabee protested from the edge of the crowd.
"He would wear a collar," Hassan spoke to Richard ignoring the other man.
"He will most likely die," Richard reminded.
"A test of my skills then," Hassan said thoughtfully.
"Take him then as payment. Leave now and ask for nothing more of me," Richard ordered.
"So be it written, so be it done," Hassan agreed.
"Take your hands off of me," Sir Ezra's voice carried in the now silent area. Jerking free of Josiah's grip he angrily straightened his garments while glaring at his companions. Stalking forwards he studied Hassan.
"Allow me," Ezra sighed. Removing his expensive cloak he gently wrapped Tannah in it's folds. "God have mercy my friend," he whispered.
"He's a good man no matter what these fools claim," Ezra glared at Hakim.
"He did not kill the children," Hakim agreed gently as he picked up the broken body.
"I will hold him while you mount," Sir Ezra offered holding out his arms. Hakim quickly mounted and took the pitiful burden up before him. Silently they rode out of the Crusaders' camp.