“Sir James,” Edward said, nodding. “Yes indeed.” He smiled.
“Some of the Templars fled,” James said.
“There is no place to hide,” the prince said, petting his warhorse.
Owen and Pelu and the other infantry were in charge of the many captive renegades.
It appeared that Master Bérard had escaped, wounded. He would be hunted down later. Siraghan al-Tatari had managed to escape as well. Half of the men who were on the side of the traitors had died bravely. The other half had fled upon the arrival of Amir Qalawun, the most trusted friend of the sultan since Berrat.
Peter looked at the Sun and smiled. It was a good day, he thought. He had to find something to drink because his throat burned him from inside.
“What are we going to do with the prisoners?” Owen asked. “I say let’s kill these traitors.”
“No, the prince and the sultan will decide their fate,” James said.
Peter heard the sound of women’s screams and rose up from his resting place.
Barak managed to bypass the united forces of the defender’s line. He attacked the baggage wagons and the women and the children who were positioned between their forces and the lake. Lady Eleanor, Lady Isabela, Anna and the other Baibars’ daughters were in danger.
“Run men!” James shouted. But there was no need to order them as Peter, Hamo, and Owen already were running toward the threat.
The young man could see Ughan’s officer stormed toward Eleanor with a dozen men who had stayed with him in a desperate attempt to catch her. He clenched his dirty big fists as he approached her and kicked the nearby guard.
Peter glanced at Barak, running toward the ladies and unsheathed his sword. Lord Edward spurred his horse toward his wife and the rest of his knights followed him. Owen took an arrow from a dead horse and shot one of the riders.
But Ulf was already there, wounded and weaponless. He caught one of the Mamluks and pushed him down from the saddle. Peter foresaw the danger but still was far away. He was using his last strength to run, closing in on the scene—twenty paces away, then ten paces. No, he couldn’t reach it in time.
“Sword!” Peter shouted and threw his father’s sword toward the Wolf.
The warrior saw it, managed to catch the weapon, and lunged at Barak. The fight was short. The ladies witnessed the justice delivered from up close. The Desert Wolf’s commitment to finish his job was brutal; he gutted the man who was responsible for his wife’s death like a fish, leaving him no chance. The rest of Barak followers scattered when Edward arrived with his knights.
Peter found his sword later in Barak’s chest. The Mamluk’s body was cut to pieces by Ulf and his head put on one of the six spearheads. He sat and propped his elbow on his knee. Now he definitely needed something to drink.
Shams al-Din was found alive among the surrendered renegades, tied to four horses, and torn apart. What was left of his body was thrown to the dogs. His head took its place of honor on the next spearhead. Ughan was still alive under the guard of James’ men.
The united forces of Baibars and Edward had won. The Battle of the Lake—or, as some described it, the Second Battle of Ayn Jalut—was over. Many brave men had died.
But nothing was over yet. Two men warring for their own beliefs and realms had fought, united, but tomorrow, they would be enemies again.
The war of the religions would continue.
Historical Note
This piece of historical fiction is based on an article I read about a failed assassination during the Ninth Crusade. The target was Edward I, the future king of England. The reason for delaying his departure from the Holy Land after the truce so long is unknown. The birth of Joan of Acre, Edward’s eighth child, was one possible reason to stay; Eleanor needed time to recover her strength.
The reason for the delayed assassination attempt also is a mystery. I decided to tell one possible version of the story through Peter—the bastard son of the notorious Crusader, William Longsword—a common man who obtained glory for saving the prince’s life.
The Second Battle of Ayn Jalut did not take place. But twelve years earlier, there had been a battle in which the Mamluks had inflicted a heavy blow to the ambitions of the Mongols to conquer these lands. It was there that an officer distinguished himself from the others with his courage and leadership—the future Sultan Baibars.
It was a real challenge to meet the characters of Edward and Baibars with Peter. These men were extraordinary and left impressive marks in history. They divided opinions and they possessed much mental strength and determination. Our orphan will certainly learn from the best.
Peter Longsword will ride again.
About the Author
Dimitar Gyopsaliev was born and raised in Plovdiv and now lives in Sofia with his wife and his two kids. In addition, his family inspired him to write. Dimitar and his son Branimir are very curious and constantly explore any good story.
Longsword is such a story.
Table of Contents
Copyright page
Acknowledgments
Table of Contents
Maps
Glossary of Characters
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Historical Note
About the Author
Longsword- Edward and the Assassin Page 39