第70章 The Embassy(6)

"That sceptre we know; it has been seen afar.Twice already we have cut down its bearers even in the tent of our master.Lord of Murder, we acknowledge the emblem of murder, and we bow to you whose title is the Great Murderer.As for our mission, it is this.We are the ambassadors of Salah-ed-din, Commander of the Faithful, Sultan of the East; in these papers signed with his signet are our credentials, if you would read them.""So," answered Sinan, "I have heard of that chief.What is his will with me?""This, Al-je-bal.A Frank in your pay, and a traitor, has betrayed to you a certain lady, niece of Salah-ed-din, the princess of Baalbec, whose father was a Frankishnoble named D'Arcy, and who herself is named Rose of the World.The Sultan, Salah-ed-din, having been informed of this matter by his servant, the prince Hassan, who escaped from your soldiers, demands that this lady, his niece, be delivered to him forthwith, and with her the head of the Frank Lozelle.""The head of the Frank Lozelle he may have if he will after to-morrow night.The lady I keep," snarled Sinan.

"What then?"

"Then, Al-je-bal, in the name of Salah-ed-din, we declare war on you--war till this high place of yours is pulled stone from stone; war till your tribe be dead, till the last man, woman, and child be slain, until your carcass is tossed to the crows to feed on."Now Sinan rose in fury and rent at his beard.

"Go back," he said, "and tell that dog you name a sultan, that low as he is, the humble-born son of Ayoub, I, Al-je-bal, do him an honour that he does not observe.My queen is dead, and two days from now, when my month of mourning is expired, I shall take to wife his niece, the princess of Baalbec, who sits here beside me, my bride-elect."At these words Rosamund, who had been listening intently, started like one who has been stung by a snake, put her hands before her face and groaned.

"Princess," said the ambassador, who was watching her, "you seem to understand our language; is this your will, to mate your noble blood with that of the heretic chief of the Assassins ?""Nay, nay!" she cried."It is no will of mine, who am a helpless prisoner and by faith a Christian.If my uncle Salah-ed-din is indeed as great as I have heard, then let him show his power and deliver me, and with me these my brethren, the knights Sir Godwin and Sir Wulf.""So you speak Arabic," said Sinan."Good; our loving converse will be easier, and for the rest--well, the whims of women change.Now, you messengers of Salah-ed-din, begone, lest I send you on a longer journey, and tell your master that if he dares to lift his standards against my walls my fedais shall speak with him.By day and by night, not for one moment shall he be safe.

Poison shall lurk in his cup and a dagger in his bed.Let him kill a hundred of them, and another hundred shall appear.His most trusted guards shall be his executioners.The women in his harem shall bring him to his doom--ay, death shall be in the very air he breathes.If he would escape it, therefore, let him hide himself within the walls of his city of Damascus, or amuse himself with wars against the mad Cross-worshippers, and leave me to live in peace with this lady whom I have chosen.""Great words, worthy of the Great Assassin," said the ambassador.

"Great words in truth, which shall be followed by great deeds.

What chance has this lord of yours against a nation sworn to obey to the death? You smile? Then come hither you--and you." And he summoned two of his dais by name.

They rose and bowed before him.

"Now, my worthy servants," he said, "show these heretic dogs how you obey, that their master may learn the power of your master.

You are old and weary of life.Begone, and await me in Paradise."The old men bowed again, trembling a little.Then, straightening themselves, without a word they ran side by side and leapt into the abyss.

"Has Salah-ed-din servants such as these?" asked Sinan in the silence that followed." Well, what they have done, all would do, if I bid them slay him.Back, now; and, if you will, take these Franks with you, who are my guests, that they may bear witness of what you have seen, and of the state in which you left their sister.Translate to the knights, woman."So Masouda translated.Then Godwin answered through her.

"We understand little of this matter, who are ignorant of your tongue, but, O Al-je-bal, ere we leave your sheltering roof we have a quarrel to settle with the man Lozelle.After that, with your permission, we will go, but not before."Now Rosamund sighed as if in relief, and Sinan answered:

"As you will; so be it," adding, "Give these envoys food and drink before they go."But their spokesman answered: "We partake not of the bread and salt of murderers, lest we should become of their fellowship.

Al-je-bal, we depart, but within a week we appear again in the company of ten thousand spears, and on one of them shall your head be set.Your safe-conduct guards us till the sunset.After that, do your worst, as we do ours.High Princess, our counsel to you is that you slay yourself and so gain immortal honour."Then, bowing to her one by one, they turned and marched down the terrace followed by their servants.

Now Sinan waved his hand and the court broke up, Rosamund leaving it first, accompanied by Masouda and escorted by guards, after which the brethren were commanded to depart also.

So they went, talking earnestly of all these things, but save in God finding no hope at all.