Arab countries -- Fiction; Crusades -- Fiction; Great Britain -- History -- Medieval period, 1066-1485 -- Fiction
“I am glad that you spared me that insult,” she replied with flashing
eyes, “for then there had been an end. Yet,” she added more humbly,
“seeing my home and business, and what I appear to be,” and she glanced
at her dress and the empty cup in her hand, “it had not been strange.
Now hear me, and forget no word. At present you are in favour with
Sinan, who believes you to be the brothers of the lady Rosamund, not
her lovers; but from the moment he learns the truth your doom is
sealed. Now what the Frank Lozelle knows, that the Al-je-bal may know
at any time—and will know, if these should meet.
“Meanwhile, you are free; so to-morrow, while you ride about the
garden, as you will do, take note of the tall rock that stands without,
and how to reach it from any point, even in the dark. To-morrow, also,
when the moon is up, they will lead you to the narrow bridge, to ride
your horses to and fro there, that they may learn not to fear it in
that light. When you have stabled them go into the gardens and come
hither unobserved, as the place being so far away you can do. The
guards will let you pass, thinking only that you desire to drink a cup
of wine with some fair friend, as is the custom of our guests. Enter
this cave—here is the key,” and she handed it to Wulf, “and if I be not
there, await me. Then I will tell you my plan, if I have any, but until
then I must scheme and think. Now it grows late—go.”
“And you, Masouda,” said Godwin, doubtfully; “how will you escape this
place?”
“By a road you do not know of, for I am mistress of the secrets of this
city. Still, I thank you for your thought of me. Go, I say, and lock
the door behind you.”
So they went in silence, doing as she bade them, and walked back
through the gardens, that now seemed empty enough, to the
stable-entrance of the guest-house, where the guards admitted them
without question.
That night the brethren slept together in one bed, fearing that if they
lay separate they might be searched in their sleep and not awake.
Indeed, it seemed to them that, as before, they heard footsteps and
voices in the darkness.
Next morning, when they had breakfasted, they loitered awhile, hoping
to win speech with Rosamund, or sight of her, or at the least that
Masouda would come to them; but they saw no Rosamund, and no Masouda
came. At length an officer appeared, and beckoned to them to follow
him. So they followed, and were led through the halls and passages to
the terrace of justice, where Sinan, clad in his black robe, sat as
before beneath a canopy in the midst of the sun-lit marble floor.
There, too, beside him, also beneath the canopy and gorgeously
apparelled, sat Rosamund. They strove to advance and speak with her,
but guards came between them, pointing out a place where they must
stand a few yards away. Only Wulf said in a loud voice, in English:
“Tell us, Rosamund, is it well with you?” Lifting her pale face, she
smiled and nodded.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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