Fort Calle.

Looking at Kahler Fort after a few months, it has become a lot more withered.

Although the ruins of the city walls that had been destroyed by catapults have been cleared, there are still traces of fire in many places, and there are far fewer caravans and people who have come into the city to sell their goods.

Sitting high on the throne of the lord, the majestic man was Renard of Châtillon, who had not been seen for many days, and his new wife, Eleanor of Longidok, who was gentle and dignified, wearing a small and delicate golden crown, sitting beside the throne.

Although they are old husbands and young wives, the relationship between the two after marriage is not bad.

In private, it is said that Renard asked the alchemist for a secret medicine that can increase fertility, and Eleanor, who has been working hard during this time, looks like a young woman, and looks at her husband, but also full of admiration.

Although he often seems reckless and rude, Renard is actually a fairly handsome and attractive middle-aged man, otherwise he would not have been able to defeat countless competitors and become the husband of the Archduchess Constance by virtue of his small baron second son.

After being captured and imprisoned for more than ten years, after losing the title of Duke of Antioch due to the death of the Grand Duchess of Constance, she was favored by Stephanie, the Countess of Transjordan.

Then.

A ragged knight burst into the hall of the lord and said in a loud voice, "My lord, a large army of Saracens is advancing towards Calleburg, and they have breached our border outpost, and I am the only one who has escaped. ”

"Saladin is planning to make a comeback so soon."

Renard's face was gloomy for a while, he had thought that Saladin had been killed in the city before, and he would have to recuperate for at least a year or two before he could make a comeback.

Eleanor was a little alarmed: "Is it those pagan warriors?" ”

She was robbed by the Saracens on her way, and the Mamluk warriors who came and went in the desert were very impressive.

In the lord's hall, the courtiers also had heavy faces.

"How many of them are there?"

The knight was helped to his seat, drank a glass of wine before saying, "I don't know, it was dark at the time, and at a cursory glance, there were no less than a thousand people with torches, all of them were well-armed Mamluk cavalry, and I suspect that they were Saladin's Praetorian Guards." ”

One of the knights spoke, "My lord, do you want to ask for help from the lord of Hebron?" ”

"Lothar Kid?"

Renard's reaction was extreme: "Ask him for help? Don't forget, I'm the real lord of Transjordan, and that stinky hairy kid has bought Argonne and Moreno's idiots with some petty profits, do you want me to kneel in front of him and hold his stinky feet? ”

The knight who made the suggestion turned pale for a while, of course he knew that saying this would definitely anger Renard, but at the moment, there was really no other good way, and the unrepaired Calle Fort could not withstand another tragic siege of the city.

Eleanor's expression on the side changed slightly, she actually had a good impression of Lothar, her husband's enemy, such a young and distinguished dignitary, or a benefactor who saved herself from the infidels, it was really difficult to mention the bad feeling.

It's just that she also knew that she couldn't go against her husband's thoughts, so she said, "Why don't you write to His Majesty, he will make a wise choice." ”

The knight was slightly stunned, and hurriedly said, "Yes." ”

What is the difference between asking the king for help and asking for help from the Count of Lothar? It's just a better look.

"Wait!"

Renard said suddenly: "Come with me to the city wall first to see what these damned heretics are planning, if Saladin really intends to tear up the armistice, he probably won't use this kind of surprise attack." ”

In the end, it is an old antique that has experienced wind and rain, and Renard has gradually recovered from the initial panic.

Saladin has a good reputation.

In his court, not only Saracens, but also Christians, but also Jews, considered him a benevolent and wise monarch.

Some say he is a fame seeker, while others think that he hides beneath the surface virtues, a serpent-like ambition and cunning.

But what Renard must admit is that Saladin is disguised.

It was also a very costly thing for him to tear off his disguise, and he did not think that Saladin would choose to go to war so easily.

He hurried to the wall.

In the distance, you can already see the dust and smoke rising.

Soon you can see the armored cavalry, wearing black masks and turbans, fully armed to the bottom of the city wall, just a stone's throw from the city.

His guards had also suffered heavy casualties in previous wars, and after he lost the title of earl, many courtiers, temporarily serving him, and knights who hoped to obtain a fief also abandoned him.

At the moment, his guards were only a few hundred people, and the enemies under the city, only a rough number, there were nearly a thousand armored cavalry alone.

However, although the army was huge, it did not carry siege engines, transport grain and grass, and carry heavy levies.

Renard breathed a sigh of relief: "Although the enemy army is numerous, these people alone are not enough to break through Calleburg. ”

"Look, sir, they've sent someone."

I saw a general wearing a spine helmet and a silk robe running out of the enemy ranks.

When he came to the city, he cried out, "Where is Renard of Châtillon?" ”

Renard poked his head out and replied, "I am, despicable heretic, why did you break your master's agreement with my king and invade my realm without permission?" ”

The general of Saracen put his hand on his chest and said in a loud voice: "We have set out from Damascus to escort our lord's sister, Princess Basma, on her pilgrimage to the Haram Haram of Hashem. ”

He paused slightly, and then said: "The conflict with Your Excellency's sentry is all caused by a misunderstanding, and Her Royal Highness the Princess of my family has sent someone to collect the corpse of Your Excellency's sentry, and I am willing to pay a box of gold coins for this misunderstanding." ”

"Misunderstanding?"

A hint of anger flashed in Renard's eyes.

Misunderstanding of fart.

It seems that Saladin really wanted to find an excuse to start a war against the kingdom again.

He frowned, it would not do him any good to go to war with Saladin now, as his status was no longer what it used to be, and even if the war broke out, it would be difficult to gain much benefit for himself.

On the contrary, because his territory is on the border, if he really wants to fight, his own territory that has been plundered will be burned again.

"Since it was a misunderstanding, I am willing to accept your master's apology, but I, as the lord of Calebburg appointed by His Majesty the King, cannot allow such a large army as your master to cross the border."

Renard held back his anger and said: "Your princess, you can only carry a guard of more than ten people at most, otherwise, I will take this move as a signal for war." ”

The general below shouted: "But Lord Renard, considering your bad deeds and bad reputation for repeated treachery, my master will never allow Her Royal Highness the Princess to take only a few dozen guards to cross the border, which is irresponsible for the safety of Her Highness Resma's life." ”

The Saracen soldiers burst into laughter.

In previous years, Renard, as Count of Transjordan, would often plunder pilgrim processions, but no one should say anything about this, although Saladin and Baldwin IV had already signed a contract to guarantee the free passage of pilgrims on both sides, but the lords of each side did not comply.

Especially some lords from the continent who are accustomed to being robbers, they can even plunder their own caravans, let alone pagan caravans, and whoever prevents them from getting rich is the enemy.

(End of chapter)