The Courts of Love - Jean Plaidy [45]
“Nay,” countered Louis. “We came here to expiate our sins, not to stand in judgment or punish the Greeks. When we took up the cross, God did not put into our hands the sword of His justice. Sinners such as Manuel Comnenus will face God on Judgment Day. We are here to fight the Infidel, and our aim is to set up Christianity throughout the world.”
Much as Louis hated war, he was triumphant on that night. “God is telling us that He is pleased with what we are doing in His cause,” he said.
There were songs of rejoicing in the camp—many of them glorifying the battle and the bravery of the men.
“This is what they need,” I told Louis. “You see how wise I was to bring the minstrels with us.”
He was not sure. He thought the time should have been spent praying and giving thanks to God.
I laughed at him. I knew I was right.
If only our triumph could have continued; but the fortunes of war change suddenly.
We were on the march again. We knew that very soon there would be another encounter with the enemy. They would have gathered together their scattered forces, and those proud people would wish to avenge their recent defeat.
There was a conference among the advisers.
Thierry Galeran pointed out that the saddlehorses which were necessary to carry our finery were an encumbrance. This was a reproach to me. I did not think it necessary to explain my reasons to such a man. He said that, as we were such an unwieldy cavalcade, it would be a good idea to split up and that I with my ladies should go on ahead.
“We will need soldiers to protect them,” said Louis.
“We can send a small force with them.”
“Our best troops will have to go to defend the ladies,” insisted Louis.
Galeran replied that we had exposed ourselves to danger by coming and if the best troops must accompany us, they should take us to a plateau which overlooked the land through which the army would have to pass. They would therefore be in a position to view the advancing army and if the fight was going against us they could hasten to the rescue of those fighting below.
This was agreed and at Pisida we split up and I, with my ladies and a troop of the best guards in the army, went on in advance.
The countryside was so beautiful as we came into the valley of Laodicea. The sun was warm and we were all hot and tired. I had rarely seen such an enchanting spot. Waterfalls gushed from the hillside, and exotic flowers bloomed among the grass. There was a certain amount of shade from the bushes.
“We will tarry here for a while,” I said.
The commander of the guards came to me and respectfully pointed out that the King’s orders had been that we encamp on the plateau where we could have a good view of the surrounding country.
I could see the plateau in the distance. It looked stark and uninviting.
I said: “I insist that we rest here for a while. Let us have a song to while away the time.”
So we sang and the time passed so pleasantly and sudden that—it seemed without warning—darkness came upon us. I could see no reason why we should not encamp there; it would give us a restful night and we could go to the plateau at the first light of dawn. The commander was uneasy but he could scarcely disobey my orders.
After a good deal of head-shaking and consideration of the fact that it would not be easy to move in the darkness, it was agreed that we should stay.
The decision proved disastrous.
Louis, some way behind us with the army, was being attacked by the enemy. At first they were harassed by small parties, and then the Turks were descending on them in force. Encumbered by the packhorses, the French fought back furiously, but they were no match for the Turks. Louis told me afterward that his great concern was for me and the ladies, but he believed that we would be on the plateau by that time with the picked troops who, when they looked down, would see what was happening and come down and deliver an effective attack on the enemy.
Desperately he fought his way through to a spot where he could look up to the plateau and to his dismay