Sinan summoned me less than an hour later.
He sat in the center of the audience chamber, a turban wrapped around his head.
Several hooded men stood around him.
"Welcome, Prince Baldwin. I have heard that your trap succeeded."
He spoke in a calm tone.
"I do not know whether to offer congratulations or condolences. That noble Frankish Order raising its swords against fellow knights."
"I thought your identity as Sinan was meant to be a secret."
I ignored the provocation.
He smiled.
"To most of the brethren, yes. These men are my arms and legs. You may leave."
The men bowed and exited the chamber.
Sinan settled more comfortably on the floor.
"Hand the culprits over to us. They sought to kill our caravan. We too have the right to punish them."
"That would apply if you had suffered losses."
I gave a short laugh.
Not a chance.
"They are knights of Jerusalem. We will deal with them ourselves."
Sinan fell silent.
He had not made the proposal in earnest.
I studied him.
The Assassin warriors who accompanied me last night must have reported what they saw.
"I watched your men fight last night. They are warriors as the rumors say."
"Our warriors are trained from boyhood."
Sinan replied.
"Forged solely for jihad and martyrdom. Unlike your Frankish knights who betray their own."
He fixed his gaze on me.
"If you wish to boast of the devil's power you displayed… it is nothing more than a trivial trick."
"A trivial trick."
I almost laughed.
Had he been there himself, he would not say such a thing.
The Levantine night was pitch-black.
Only faint moonlight lit the land.
Finding the knights hidden among rocks and brush had been entirely thanks to my sixth sense.
"Allah does not aid idolaters. He delivers punishment. In any case, that is not what matters now."
His brows knit slightly.
He was testing me.
"You have heard. Mas'ud launched a reckless assault and failed. He now hides in his den like a wounded fox."
I nodded.
You were the one who informed us.
"If Mas'ud submits to Saladin, all the efforts of you and us Assassins will come to nothing."
He growled softly.
"The supplies carried over these mountains will pass directly into Saladin's army."
"…."
I watched him calmly.
His reaction confirmed it.
He had not summoned me to argue.
The Assassins were pragmatic above all else.
If they wished to prevent Mas'ud and Saladin from joining hands, only one option remained.
To join hands with us.
Everything he had said so far was groundwork.
We had even thwarted the Templars' sabotage. Our alignment was proven.
"Enough circling the matter. I already know what you intend to propose."
I smiled faintly.
"You wish to strike Hama and Homs before a peace agreement is concluded, do you not?"
"…."
Now Sinan was the one silent.
He regarded me without speaking.
"That would be the only way to safeguard your Assassins from Saladin."
I recalled Last Crusaders.
An event that appeared often during play.
The Assassins would occasionally seize fortresses in Hama, Homs, and nearby regions.
It was not a conventional siege.
It was special occupation through espionage and assassination.
One of the Assassins' unique strategies.
At first glance, it seemed overpowered.
But it had limits.
Seizing a fortress and holding it were different matters.
Lack of followers. Lack of manpower and supplies.
With heavy defensive penalties, the Assassins would often lose the fortresses soon after.
But what if the Crusaders intervened?
With Crusader forces…
Hama and Homs could not only be seized, but held.
That was what Sinan wanted.
And it was not a poor bargain for Jerusalem.
With Hama and Homs, we could pressure Saladin from the north.
A dagger aimed at Damascus.
But for that to happen, they had to become Crusader cities.
"Our Assassins, if we so desire, can make every city in the Levant ours. Hama and Homs as well."
"But to hold those fortresses, you would require our assistance. That is why you speak to me."
I smiled.
"You informed us of Aleppo for that reason as well. Let us clarify one thing. We are not your mercenaries."
I added,
"If we take Hama and Homs, they will become our cities."
"Without our spies and warriors, do you believe you could seize them?"
Sinan growled.
"Without us—"
"Seizing them would be difficult. But that is not the urgent matter. You are the one pressed for time, not us."
I leaned slightly forward.
He must be frustrated.
No matter how he tried to persuade me, it would not work.
I could read his anxiety.
Their need for our help was real.
Even if the cities passed to Crusader hands, they would form a buffer against Saladin.
It was not a losing proposition for the Assassins.
Silence fell.
Our gazes met.
He was calculating.
So was I.
If we requested reinforcements from Tripoli, they could arrive within a week.
Tripoli's forces were assisting the transport but had not joined the pressure on Damascus.
If stationed in those cities, they would provide firm defense.
Joscelin had already established intelligence networks there.
If the Assassins committed fully…
"If we succeed…"
Sinan rose to his feet.
"We will establish missionary houses in those cities. And we must receive certain privileges in trade."
"Of course. A formal alliance will be required."
I smiled.
Considering the value of the cities, that was a small price.
Missionary houses, of all things.
To increase followers and reclaim them one day?
"I give my word upon the honor of the royal house of Jerusalem."
"If this promise is broken, we will take your life. One day, our fidai will stand before you."
Sinan smiled.
"No one escapes the sacred blade."
I gave a short laugh.
The Assassins were persistent.
Once they marked a target, they would pursue for years.
Even in the game, once angered, they would send assassins repeatedly.
But capturing assassins was not difficult for me.
They could conceal their attire and faces, but not their intent.
"I chose my sixth sense precisely to avoid assassination."
They did not use poison.
Unless I wandered foolishly alone, they had little means to kill me.
"If what you wield is truly a sacred blade…"
I stood as well.
"It will be difficult to drive it into me."
If you can, then try.
Enough words.
"If you wish our aid, share your intelligence now. All of it."
There was no time.
Before Saladin and Mas'ud concluded a peace agreement.
"Troop dispositions. Positions. Everything."
I exhaled softly.
One mountain after another.
"Saladin's reconnaissance forces near Hama and Homs must first—"
"There is no need for concern."
Sinan scoffed.
"Have I not said? In the Levant, there is no place without our eyes and hands."
Outskirts of Damascus.
Balian entered the command tent.
"All three villages have fallen, Your Majesty. As ordered, we collected tribute and refrained from looting."
He bowed.
Only he and Baldwin IV were present.
"Well done. Quicker than planned."
Baldwin IV said, rising as he adjusted his mask.
"Shall we now consider assaulting the walls of Damascus? The soldiers are beginning to question why we only strike the surrounding villages."
"They wonder why we do not assault the city. Understandable."
Baldwin IV coughed.
"They are correct. Never have so many Crusaders gathered. Twelve hundred knights and over fifteen thousand infantry."
He continued,
"Enough to frighten the Saracens. Not enough to take Damascus."
"You mean—"
"Saladin left ample defenders. Supplies sufficient for a year."
He waved a hand.
"They wait for us to attack. There is no reason to step into their trap."
"Is Guy still confined to his tent?"
"Yes. Strangely so."
"Of course."
Baldwin IV smiled faintly.
"Soon, amusing news will arrive from the north. The Templars will be overturned."
"The Templars overturned? What do you mean?"
"Do you recall the letter from my sister?"
Balian nodded.
"It concerns that matter. Watch Guy and the Grand Master closely. Soon we will have cause to seize them."
"…Yes, Your Majesty."
Balian spoke carefully.
"Would allowing limited raids not relieve the soldiers' discontent?"
"There is no need to devastate these villages. Do you know why we are here?"
Baldwin IV raised a finger.
"Saladin has gone north. What do you think the people of Damascus say now?"
He added,
"They resent him for leaving them."
"A ruler who cannot protect his people has no value."
"Precisely."
"Then permitting raids would—"
"If we press too far, their anger will turn toward us. That must not happen."
He coughed again.
Balian supported him.
"Their anger must be directed at Saladin. Not at us."
"I understand."
"Good. Help me. I am late for morning prayer."
"You should rest."
"A king stands with his soldiers."
He coughed again as he stepped outside.
Officers and soldiers bowed.
The True Cross stood before the tent.
A great wooden cross.
Dozens of soldiers guarded it.
Baldwin IV knelt before it.
He dismissed those who sought to assist him.
All watched in silence.
At last he rose.
He breathed heavily.
"I look forward to news from the north."
"So do I, Your Majesty."
"Saladin has not returned. Our plan has already succeeded."
He continued,
"Young Baldwin will perform well. Perhaps he is even attempting something outrageous."
"Strike Hama and Homs?!"
Joscelin's eyes widened.
He stared at the boy before him.
His kinsman. The savior of Rome. Soon to wed a princess.
"With our current forces, it is impossible!"
"We will request reinforcements from Tripoli. If spoils are offered, they will join."
"You underestimate siege warfare, Prince. Even with a great host, it could take half a year. Perhaps years."
"If they were other cities, perhaps."
Joscelin fell silent.
The boy spoke with certainty.
"There is something."
"But if assassins and rebels stir within? If false rumors spread?"
The boy smiled.
"The Assassins will commit everything. So will we. Then we can succeed."
"You speak as though you have seen it already."
"I have. Many times."
Joscelin swallowed.
"The Assassins seek to use you."
"Perhaps."
The boy nodded.
"But there is no rule that says I cannot use them as well."