The Courts of Love - Jean Plaidy [222]
In the midst of these preparations Richard was attacked by the ague and fever. Anselm had no need to tell me of his frustration. He was really ill. Berengaria and Joanna nursed him. Berengaria was delighted to look after him, for when he was well she scarcely saw him and she was deeply enamored of him.
The King would have liked them to wait until he was well before they began the assault, but that was not possible. He could not, however, be prevailed upon to stay in his tent while the battle was going on. He ordered that a litter be brought and he was taken out on it; he shouted his orders to his men; but to see Richard the Lionheart in such a state robbed them of their spirit.
The battle ceased temporarily and the siege was still unbroken. The strangest thing happened then. Richard had heard a great deal about Saladin. His followers saw him and immediately believed in victory. It was the same as with Richard. But Richard was sick, and it was said that he was near to death.
The two men were very much aware of each other. Richard was eager to meet Saladin. He knew that he had a formidable enemy and that in his state he could not hope to compete with him. Richard’s view of Philip Augustus as a soldier was not great. He might score in diplomacy but the battlefield was another matter. Richard knew that Acre could not be taken with Philip Augustus in command.
He must meet Saladin and see if some terms could be arranged. Saladin was not only a great fighter but a man of honor. He was too fine a man to show meanness or pettiness, and he and Richard respected each other as one great leader did another. They instinctively knew certain things about each other because they were so much alike. Richard sent a messenger to Saladin’s camp asking if he would meet him.
Saladin’s reply was that he could not talk with the King of England except over food and drink, and if they ate together as friends, how could they fight each other?
The messengers were allowed to return to their camps unharmed.
Then this strange thing happened. Richard was in his bed, prostrate with fever, when one of the guards came to tell him that a messenger was without and wished to speak with him.
“Bring him in,” said Richard.
The guard did so and remained, suspecting treachery. Richard commanded him to leave.
The messenger leaned over Richard and touched his brow.
“You know who I am,” he said.
There was such accord between them that Richard had no hesitation in answering: “You are Saladin.”
“I am Saleh-ed-Din,” he said.
“Why do you come to me on my bed of sickness?”
“Because I have a talisman which can cure you.”
“We are fighting against each other.”
“You are my enemy on the battlefield. In the sickroom you are my friend.”
“Is it possible to be both?”
“We will prove it to be.”
He held a stone object in his hand. The King was helpless before his enemy but he had no fear. It might have been an assassin’s dagger which was held over him, but, helpless as he was, Richard believed that this man had come in friendship.
When the stone was laid on Richard’s brow, he was aware of a coolness sweeping over him. He felt a little better.
“You need chicken and fruit. You do not have them in your camp. They shall be sent to you.”
“This is beyond belief.”
“There is much that is beyond belief.”
“But why . . . why?”
“You are a great warrior.”
“Better for your cause that I should die here miserably like this.”
“No. You may die in battle. So may I. That is what is intended for us. I want to face you out there. It is decreed that we shall be enemies. We might have been friends . . . and for this night we are. You serve your God and I serve mine. Perhaps it was your God who sent me here tonight and my God who bade me come.”
He laid a cool hand on Richard’s brow.
“You speak strange words,