In the Middle Ages, people drew cards to be promoted to nobility.

Kaleborg.

Looking at Kaleburg again after a few months, it has become a lot more shabby.

Although the ruins of the city walls that were destroyed by catapults have been cleared away, there are still traces of fire in many places. There are far fewer passing caravans and fewer citizens entering the city to sell goods.

The majestic man sitting high on the lord's throne is Leonard of Chatillon, who has not been seen for many days. His new wife Eleanor of Longuedoc looks gentle and dignified, wearing a A small and exquisite golden crown sits next to the throne.

Although they are an old husband and a young wife, their relationship after marriage is quite good.

Privately, it was said that Leonard asked the alchemist for a secret potion that could improve fertility, and he had been working hard on it during this period. Eleanor, who looked like a young woman, looked at her husband with a face filled with admiration.

Although he often appears to be reckless and vulgar, Leonard is actually a very handsome and charming middle-aged man. Otherwise, it would be impossible for him to defeat countless competitors and become the wife of the Grand Duchess Constance with his humble background as the second son of a baron. husband.

After being captured and imprisoned for more than ten years, after losing the title of Duke of Antioch due to the death of Archduchess Constance, he gained the favor of Countess Stephanie of Transjordan.

At this time.

A knight in ragged clothes broke into the lord's hall and shouted: Sir, a large Saracen army is advancing towards Kaleburg. They broke through our border checkpoint, and I was the only one who escaped by chance.

Saladin is planning a comeback so soon.

Leonard's face turned gloomy for a while. He originally thought that Saladin had failed before the city and would have to rest for at least a year or two before making a comeback again.

Eleanor was a little panicked: Are they those pagan warriors?

She was robbed by the Saracens on the way here, and those Mamluk warriors who came and went like the wind in the desert left a very deep impression on her.

In the lord's hall, all the courtiers also looked grave.

How many of them are there?

The knight was helped to his seat and drank a glass of wine before saying: I don't know, it was dark at the time. At a glance, there were no less than a thousand people holding torches. They were all well-equipped Mamluk cavalry. I suspect that they were Saladin. Praetorian Guards.

A knight said: Sir, do you want to ask the lord of Hebron for help?

Child Lothar?

Leonard's reaction was huge: Ask him for help? Don't forget, I am the real lord of Transjordan. That little boy relied on some petty profits to bribe those idiots like Argon and Moreno. Don't you think so? Do you also want me to kneel in front of him and hold his smelly feet?

The knight who made the suggestion turned pale for a moment. Of course he knew that saying this would definitely anger Leonard, but at the moment, there is really no other good way. The Carle Castle that has not yet been repaired cannot withstand another tragic attack. The battle to defend the city began.

Eleanor's expression on the side changed slightly. She actually had a good impression of Lothar, her husband's enemy, in her heart. Such a young man with great military achievements was still the benefactor who saved her from the hands of the heretics. It's really hard to bring up the bad feelings.

But she also knew that she couldn't go against her husband's ideas, so she said, Why don't you write a letter to His Majesty the King? He will make a wise decision.

The knight was slightly startled and said quickly: Yes.

What's the difference between asking the king for help and asking Count Lothar for help? It's just to look better.

etc!

Leonard suddenly said: Follow me to the city wall first to see what these damn infidels are planning. If Saladin really intends to tear up the armistice agreement, he probably won't use such a surprise attack.

After all, he was an old antique that had experienced ups and downs. Leonard gradually came back to his senses from his initial panic.

Saladin had a good reputation.

In his court, there were not only Saracens, Christians, but also Jews, who all considered him a benevolent and wise monarch.

Some people say that he is just trying to gain fame, while others think that hidden beneath his superficial virtues is ambition and conspiracy like a poisonous snake.

But what Leonard must admit is that even Saladin is pretending.

For him to tear off his disguise was a very heavy price to pay, and it was something he had to do as a last resort. He didn't think Saladin would choose to go to war so easily.

He quickly came to the city wall.

In the distance, dust and smoke can be seen everywhere.

Soon you can see armored cavalry, wearing black masks and turbans, fully armed coming to the bottom of the city wall, just a stone's throw away from the city head.

His guards also suffered heavy casualties in previous wars. After he lost his title of earl, many courtiers who temporarily served him in the hope of gaining a fief also abandoned him.

At present, his guards only have a few hundred people, and the enemies under the city can only be roughly counted, there are nearly a thousand armored cavalry alone.

It's just that although this army is large in number, it does not carry siege equipment, transport food and grass, or carry heavy levies.

Leonard breathed a sigh of relief: Although there are many enemy troops, these people alone are not enough to defeat Kale Fort.

Look, sir, they've sent someone here.

I saw a general wearing a ridged helmet and silk robe running out of the enemy team.

He came to the city and shouted: Where is Leonard of Châtillon?

Leonard stuck his head out and replied: I am the despicable heretic. Why did you tear up the agreement between your master and my king and invade my territory without authorization?

The Saracen general put his hand on his chest and said loudly: We set out from Damascus to escort our lord's biological sister, Princess Basma, on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land of Hashem.

He paused slightly and then said: The conflict with your sentry was all caused by a misunderstanding. My princess has sent someone to collect the body of your sentry. I am willing to pay a box of gold coins as compensation for this misunderstanding.

Misunderstand?

A trace of anger flashed in Leonard's eyes.

What a fart misunderstanding.

It seemed that Saladin really wanted to find an excuse to start a new war against the kingdom.

He frowned. Going to war with Saladin now would do him absolutely no good. First of all, his status was no longer what it used to be. Even if the war broke out and he won, it would be difficult to gain much benefit for himself.

On the contrary, it is because their territory is on the border. If there is a fight, their territory that has been plundered will be burned to the ground.

Since it was a misunderstanding, I am willing to accept your master's apology, but as the lord of Kaleburg appointed by His Majesty the King, I cannot allow such a huge army like your master to pass through the border.

Leonard suppressed his anger and said: Your princess can only bring a guard of more than ten people at most. Otherwise, I will regard your move as a signal to start war.

The general below shouted: But Lord Leonard, considering your bad reputation and your bad reputation of repeated betrayal, my master will never allow the princess to cross the border with only a dozen or so guards. , this is irresponsible for the life and safety of Her Highness Basma.

All the Saracen soldiers burst into laughter.

In previous years, Leonard, as the count of Transjordan, would often plunder some pilgrim teams. Of course, no one could say anything about this. Although Saladin and Baldwin IV had already signed a contract to ensure the free passage of pilgrims from both parties, There were cases of non-compliance by the lords of all parties.

Especially some lords from Europe who are accustomed to being bandits. They will rob even their own caravans, let alone pagan caravans. Anyone who stops them from making a fortune will be their enemy.