Under the sunlight, the metal gun tip reflected a stunning brilliance.
Swallowtail flags and square flags of different colors are flying in the air.
Iris, standing lion, giant bear, red dragon, various crosses...
At the top of the city of Fort Kale, the garrison soldiers who were already a little numb were stunned for a moment, and then burst into deafening cheers.
"Reinforcements are coming!"
"We are saved!"
Baron Humphrey of Torun rode a tall horse to the position alongside Lothar. He was the steward of the palace and had a team of more than 20 knights and more than 50 armored cavalry under his command.
He said loudly: "Baron Lothar, the Saracens don't seem to know that we are coming. This is a rare opportunity. Do you want to rush in first?"
A trace of helplessness emerged in Lothar's heart.
Along the way, there are Saracen scouts and circling falcons everywhere. Who gave you the confidence to say "the Saracens don't know we are coming"?
Lothar squeezed out a polite smile: "Lord Humphrey, the follow-up army has not yet launched, and now is not a good opportunity to attack the enemy camp."
Amalric taunted loudly: "Baron Lothar, don't you think you are the champion knight of Jerusalem? Isn't your courage only useful in the duel?"
Lothar's face was expressionless. He raised one hand as if to take off his chainmail gloves.
Amalric's face darkened, he let out a "hum" and retreated to his own team of knights.
"Do these idiots have shit in their heads?"
Lothar muttered quietly.
Outside the seemingly undefended camp below.
Horse traps, iron caltrops, a large number of bows and crossbows...
Lothar had a 90% probability that as long as he dared to order a charge, this heavy cavalry of 800 people would be completely wiped out.
It can't even make a splash.
This battle can already be declared over before it even begins.
Lothar looked back.
The sky is filled with smoke and dust, and the flags cover the sky.
The boundless, densely packed Crusaders are slowly unfolding their formation and moving closer.
The sound of heavy footsteps was like the beat of a drum.
Walking at the forefront were the sergeants of the Royal Knights and the Knights of Jerusalem, who were lined up in a neat square formation. They were wearing red, white and dark blue robes.
More than twenty Varangian guards each carried a large shield and held two-handed axes, standing at the forefront of the team.
Fighting monks wearing white robes and holding hammers and heavy crosses followed closely behind.
These clergy are by no means weak. They are good at using weapons to carry out "physical missionary work". Many of them have encountered bandits and robbers on their missionary journeys and have rich combat experience.
Uldin is also among the ranks of these battle-brothers, and also plays a high-status commander role. He wears heavy chain mail and fights on foot.
Baldwin IV expressed his intention to promote Urdin to the position of regional archbishop and even to the high position of patriarch of Jerusalem.
This requires him to make enough meritorious deeds.
In the rear, the wandering hired light cavalry patrolled around the team. They were the eyes and ears of the Crusaders, capturing all the movements around them at any time.
The light infantry using crossbows and slings formed a loose and messy team, walking in the gaps between more than ten large square formations in the center.
…
In the camp at the foot of the mountain.
Hidden in the tall tents were fully armed cavalry.
Zahir stood behind the camp, surrounded by light infantrymen hiding behind wooden walls and holding bows and arrows.
He looked at Lothar standing on the hillside from a distance, holding a square flag and a lance, with a complicated expression.
“Zahir, do you want to wash away your shame?”
Adil rode a black horse and slowly came to him.
"Are you here to humiliate me?"
Adil shook his head and said: "No, Zahir, I plan to give you command of a cavalry under my command."
Zahir was shocked: "Are you so kind?"
Adil smiled and said: "You are my nephew after all, and the Mamluks under your command are actually not weak in combat. Let's fight this Baron Lothar again. This time, I hope you will not commit the crime of arrogance again. ”
Zahir's face turned red: "I will. This time, I will capture him alive and get back all the money he extorted from me!"
Adil tilted his head slightly, with a smile on his face, and whispered: "Zahir, you should thank me for taking advantage of me, right?"
Zahir said confidently: "Bah, Aleppo should belong to me. The army you gave me was originally raised with my taxes and my population."
Adil didn't think he was dissatisfied and said: "I finally have some brains."
He has already resigned as governor of Syria and transferred to governor of Egypt. The army of Aleppo should indeed be returned to Zahir.
The messengers rode fast horses and roared through the camp.
"My king has an order: The Franks have seen through our plan, please withdraw. Everyone, prepare to go out to fight the Franks!"
On the hillside, there are more and more figures of the Crusaders.
They occupied the favorable terrain of the highlands without encountering any obstruction.
Since they had a good rest yesterday and carried sufficient luggage, the Crusaders did not consume much energy on their way.
Lothar turned around, and immediately saw Baldwin IV riding on a war horse, wearing a gold crown and a silver face, holding a gorgeous sword with a scabbard inlaid with various gems, and leading Balian and other personal knights to the formation. Rushing ahead.
"Your Majesty wants to negotiate with the infidels?"
"There is nothing to talk about. Only dead pagans are good pagans."
"It's okay to talk. It would be best if Saladin could be made to retreat."
The knights whispered.
Lothar stared down the hillside at the Saracen camp.
I saw a group of Mamluk cavalry wearing black scale armor and horse and man uniforms, surrounded by a man dressed simply and wearing only a black turban, and greeted Baldwin IV.
That should be Saladin.
I saw that he was wearing a brown coat called Kazahan, which was a kind of cloth-faced armor. It looked like just a gorgeous outer robe, but in fact, it had two layers of chain armor inside, which had amazing defensive power.
It is said that this cloth mask saved Saladin's life when he encountered Assassin's assassins.
The two kings, under the gaze of everyone, stood facing each other at the foot of the hillside.
They each broke away from the guarding knights and ran towards each other.
"Good day, King Baldwin."
Saladin looked at his opponent wearing a silver mask. He was twenty-four years older than him, but he felt like a destined enemy.
"Good day, King Saladin."
Baldwin IV raised his hand and made the sign of the cross in front of him.
He sat firmly on the horse and asked in a gentle tone: "King Saladin, I don't know why you want to break the contract we made in the past and start a provocation?"
Saladin said solemnly: "You should ask your trusted general about this, the villain who should have been hanged on the gallows by King Nureddin twenty years ago."
"Count Leonard has repeatedly attacked caravans. This is his fault. I will punish him. However, many of the lords under your command have also attacked our pilgrim teams."
Baldwin IV's voice paused slightly, and then he said: "Starting a war with tens of thousands of casualties for such a reason, King Saladin, this is not the way of a king."
The smile on Saladin's face was a little bitter: "Indeed, King Baldwin, you and I have unspeakable difficulties. This battle is unavoidable, even if it is not in the way of a king."
Baldwin IV was silent for a moment. He knew that Saladin was telling the truth. In the name of Jihad, the continuous integration of Zoroastrian forces also meant that he must regain Jerusalem.
As soon as he showed his intention to retreat, the "famous teacher" that he had when he unified the scattered Saracen forces immediately turned into the seeds of rebellion.
He nodded and said: "In that case, let Heavenly Father decide where Jerusalem should belong."
Saladin put his hand on his chest: "May the holy fire protect your soul."
Baldwin IV nodded and said: "May Heavenly Father bless you, King of the Pagans."
The two kings said goodbye to each other, led their guards, and rushed back to their respective camps.
After a while, news spread among the army that they were preparing for battle.
