Crusade

The camp, well hidden in a clearing in the forest, was home to about 250 people. They had clearly left their homes in a hurry, bringing with them only what they could carry. Although ordered and clean, the settlement was a ramshackle assortment of lean-to shelters, canvas tents and temporary wooden huts with palm roofs.

Children ran around wearing brightly coloured baggy trousers and shirts while their mothers, grandmothers and some older men sat around in groups preparing food, doing their chores or chatting idly.

At the top end of the camp, standing a little apart and surrounded by the neat rows of his soldiers’ bivouacs, was the large tent of the Emir. All men of military age appeared to be soldiers, and all were heavily armed, armoured and resolute. We were invited to make camp close to the Emir, and that night a feast was given to welcome us.

From that day forward, the hospitality shown to us was unprecedented. Sweyn and Adela became increasingly friendly with the young knights, and any anger about the ferocious welcome we had been given to Sicily was mollified by our acceptance of the simple fact that it was an understandable deduction on the Emir’s part that we were a Norman patrol in hostile territory and therefore fair game.

Sweyn became effusive in his praise of our hosts.

‘Most of Ibn Hamed’s knights adhere to the Mos Militum; they put courage, loyalty and honour above all things. They are fine soldiers and good men and accept Adela as an equal. Some of the older men do not accept the code and reject Adela, but they are few in number.’

I also liked and respected the Muslims, but advised caution.

‘We must be careful. We came here to join the campaigns of Count Roger. Now we are camped with his enemy.’

‘I know, my Lord, but it is hard to tell whether we are captives or guests.’

‘We are being well treated, but we must be clear about the fact that we were attacked by Ibn Hamed’s men and we are his prisoners.’

Edwin agreed.

‘Be careful, Sweyn. All seems at ease up here in the mountains, but these people are at war with the Normans — and, sooner or later, Count Roger will hunt them down.’

‘I understand, but I want to carry on training with them and, when she’s fit, so does Adela. Sire, do we have your permission?’

‘Very well — but remember, the same men you are becoming friendly with may one day oppose you in deadly combat.’

I felt increasingly ill at ease with the situation as time passed. The Emir’s hospitality seemed to be limitless, but Edwin and I felt we were abusing it, knowing that soon we must ask for permission to continue our journey to meet Count Roger.

Our honeymoon with Ibn Hamed ended when Adela was strong enough to travel.

She had made a good recovery and, although she still walked with a limp and moved her shoulder warily, she was able to ride in moderate comfort and mount and dismount from her horse without help. I was not looking forward to my conversation with the Emir, a proud and forthright leader of his people and a generous and sincere host. I had grown to respect and like him.

‘My Lord Emir, I know that in truth we are your prisoners here, but I must ask you for permission to move on. Your hospitality has been overwhelming and we will always be grateful to you.’

‘Prince Edgar, you are free to go whenever you wish. I would just ask for one act of kindness from you.’

‘Of course. It is the least I could do.’

‘I want to hold you to ransom.’

‘At what price?’

‘A parlay with Count Roger.’

‘And your objective in the parlay?’

‘To negotiate safe passage to the south. There are several of my Saracen brothers with much stronger defences in the south — at Enna in the mountains, and at Noto on the coast. If we can get there, we have a much better chance of resisting the Normans.’

‘Have you not considered submitting to Count Roger? I hear he is a man worthy of respect.’

‘I hear that also, but when he first came here with his brother, Robert Guiscard, they were dark days. Many were killed and Robert showed no mercy to anyone. My people are terrified of the Normans, and I am reluctant to trust Count Roger until I am convinced he is not like his brother.’

‘I can understand that. I will stay here as your hostage. I appreciate that you had no need to ask me, but could have just imposed your will. Your gesture is a reflection of your genuine chivalry. When the time comes, if you will permit it, I will happily lend my voice to your request for safe passage.’

‘Thank you. I will make preparations for an escort to take your retinue down the mountain to join the road to Mazara.’

When I told the others about the Emir’s plan, they were reluctant to go and suggested that we send the sergeant-at-arms and the surviving cavalryman.

I pointed out that the Emir’s request would come better from a knight and that they would be able to emphasize to Count Roger that we had been well treated and that the Emir was an honourable man.