The scorching sun baked the earth.
From above, the long and narrow marching line resembled a lance, piercing through the entirety of Jerusalem.
In the stands, the servants of the nobles already carried golden trays with silver cups, offering their masters cold, refreshing wine.
Some of the nobles' cups were even set with large rubies, to display their lavish wealth.
The noblewomen ostentatiously discussed their newly acquired jewelry, casting disdainful glances at the Saracen or Persian female slaves with graceful figures.
Attendants trained in Eastern-style courts were far more adept at serving than those from Western courts.
But what made a noblewoman noble was the dowry she could bring to her husband and her support in politics, rather than her beauty.
Without a noble status, no matter how beautiful, one was merely a plaything.
And Princess Sibylla was naturally Jerusalem's most beautiful gem.
