Part 37 (2/2)
Then the door opened, and through it appeared the emir Ha.s.san, who saluted them in the name of Allah, searching them with his quiet eyes.
”Few would judge, to look at you, Sir Knights,” he said with a smile, ”that you have been the guests of the Old Man of the Mountain, and left his house so hastily by the back door. Three days more and you will be as l.u.s.ty as when we met beyond the seas upon the wharf by a certain creek. Oh, you are brave men, both of you, though you be infidels, from which error may the Prophet guide you; brave men, the flower of knighthood. Ay, I, Ha.s.san, who have known many Frankish knights, say it from my heart,” and, placing his hand to his turban, he bowed before them in admiration that was not feigned.
”We thank you, Prince, for your praise,” said G.o.dwin gravely, but Wulf stepped forward, took his hand, and shook it.
”That was an ill trick, Prince, which you played us yonder in England,” he said, ”and one that brought as good a warrior as ever drew a sword--our uncle Sir Andrew D'Arcy--to an end sad as it was glorious. Still, you obeyed your master, and because of all that has happened since, I forgive you, and call you friend, although should we ever meet in battle I still hope to pay you for that drugged wine.”
Here Ha.s.san bowed, and said softly:
”I admit that the debt is owing; also that none sorrow more for the death of the n.o.ble lord D'Arcy than I, your servant, who, by the will of G.o.d, brought it upon him. When we meet, Sir Wulf, in war--and that, I think, will be an ill hour for me--strike, and strike home; I shall not complain. Meanwhile, we are friends, and in very truth all that I have is yours. But now I come to tell you that the princess Rose of the World--Allah bless her footsteps!--is recovered from her fatigues, and desires that you should breakfast with her in an hour's time. Also the doctor waits to tend your bruises, and slaves to lead you to the bath and clothe you. Nay, leave your hauberk; here the faith of Salah-ed-din and of his servants is your best armour.”
”Still, I think that we will take them,” said G.o.dwin, ”for faith is a poor defence against the daggers of these a.s.sa.s.sins, who dwell not so far away.”
”True,” answered Ha.s.san; ”I had forgotten.” So thus they departed.
An hour later they were led to the hall, where presently came Rosamund, and with her Masouda and Ha.s.san.
She was dressed in the rich robes of an Eastern lady, but the gems with which she had been adorned as the bride elect of Al-je-bal were gone; and when she lifted her veil the brethren saw that though her face was still somewhat pallid, her strength had come back to her, and the terror had left her eyes. She greeted them with sweet and gentle words, thanking first G.o.dwin and then Wulf for all that they had done, and turning to Masouda, who stood by, stately, and watchful, thanked her also. Then they sat down, and ate with light hearts and a good appet.i.te.
Before their meal was finished, the guard at the door announced that messengers had arrived from the Sultan. They entered, grey-haired men clad in the robes of secretaries, whom Ha.s.san hastened to greet. When they were seated and had spoken with him awhile, one of them drew forth a letter, which Ha.s.san, touching his forehead with it in token of respect, gave to Rosamund. She broke its seal, and, seeing that it was in Arabic, handed it to her cousin, saying:
”Do you read it, G.o.dwin, who are more learned than I.”
So he read aloud, translating the letter sentence by sentence.
This was its purport:
”Salah-ed-din, Commander of the Faithful, the Strong-to-aid, to his niece beloved, Rose of the World, princess of Baalbec:--
”Our servant, the emir Ha.s.san, has sent us tidings of your rescue from the power of the accursed lord of the Mountain, Sinan, and that you are now safe in our city of Emesa, guarded by many thousands of our soldiers, and with you a woman named Masouda, and your kinsmen, the two Frankish knights, by whose skill in arms and courage you were saved. Now this is to command you to come to our court at Damascus so soon as you may be fit to travel, knowing that here you will be received with love and honour. Also I invite your kinsmen to accompany you, since I knew their father, and would welcome knights who have done such great deeds, and the woman Masouda with them. Or, if they prefer it, all three of them may return to their own lands and peoples.
”Hasten, my niece, lady Rose of the World, hasten, for my spirit seeks you, and my eyes desire to look upon you. In the name of Allah, greeting.”
”You have heard,” said Rosamund, as G.o.dwin finished reading the scroll. ”Now, my cousins, what will you do?”
”What else but go with you, whom we have come so far to seek?”
answered Wulf, and G.o.dwin nodded his head in a.s.sent.
”And you, Masouda?”
”I, lady? Oh, I go also, since were I to return yonder,” and she nodded towards the mountains, ”my greeting would be one that I do not wish.”
”Do you note their words, prince Ha.s.san?” asked Rosamund.
”I expected no other,” he answered with a bow. ”Only, knights, you must give me a promise, for even in the midst of my army such is needful from men who can fly like birds out of the fortress of Masyaf and from the knives of the a.s.sa.s.sins--who are mounted, moreover, on the swiftest horses in Syria that have been trained to carry a double burden,” and he looked at them meaningly. ”It is that upon this journey you will not attempt to escape with the princess, whom you have followed from over-sea to rescue her out of the hand of Salah-ed-din.”
G.o.dwin drew from his tunic the cross which Rosamund had left him in the hall at Steeple, and saying: ”I swear upon this holy symbol that during our journey to Damascus I will attempt no escape with or without my cousin Rosamund,” he kissed it.
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