The desert sun beat down on the Crusading army as they marched through the desert, as the numerous troops used their strength to push on through the hot and scorching sand. They were too far from their settlement to turn back as they marched forward. And to worsen things, they were already guarding a large number of refugees, who were riding camels and carts along the desert. The general saw numerous soldiers begin to tire, so he asked his companions.
"Men, where is the nearest oasis?"
"We have a few dogs with us, we should be able to send out a few to track down any nearby sources of water."
"Good, we need to rest for the sake of these refugees "
The men unleashed the dogs, and they all ran to a certain direction. The general then shouts.
"Everyone! Follow the hounds! We will rest at the oasis!"
The men complied as they marched in the direction of the hounds. The convoy of refugees also follows in the same direction. The general then tells his subordinate.
"Go lead the march for me, I have some personal matters to attend to."
The subordinate agrees and takes over in leading the march. The general then moves back to a carriage, carrying a silver haired woman who was just staring out into the distance. The general seemed concerned at her spacing out.
"Are you well, my love?"
The woman smiled at him and said,
"Yes, thank you for asking."
"Here, take my gourd if you're thirsty, there's still plenty of water to drink." the general said while handing the girl his gourd.
"I can't accept this!" the woman protested, growing a bit red in embarrassment. "You need it more!"
"Nah, I prefer a gourd of ale myself." the general dismissed. "Besides, your lips are getting a bit dry there, love. Wouldn't want to kiss them." the general teased.
The woman covered her lips shyly as the general winked and rode off. The lady's companions were surprised at the exchange. They were whispering and muttering among themselves as they asked the woman.
"Lady Weiss, was that your husband?"
"Yes, he is my husband."
"He seems so exciting and loving, tell me, what is he like as a husband?"
"Well… He certainly is charming and his affection is genuine."
"In what way?"
"He just gives me a lot of affection in a way that makes me feel important and loved"
"Ooh, how does he treat you?"
"He pays attention to my needs. He always lends an ear to my words and takes them into consideration. He always tries to make me smile whenever I am downtrodden as he is quite the entertainer."
"My goodness, he is a paragon of chivalry!" the lady expressed. "You have struck gold in finding a husband!"
"I was scared of our betrothal, I'm not going to lie. Marrying the fabled Duke Haru of Springfield the Conqueror especially for a minor noble from the Schnee family."
"My word, how were your parents able to arrange a betrothal with such a powerful man?"
"It was true love for the Duke when we met, let's put it at that."
The general rode up to a platoon of Mounted Knights Templars, meeting up with their leader. The leader of the cavaliers notices the general and greets.
"Duke Haru! Pleasure to meet you!"
"Likewise, Grandmaster Ospine de Lorraine. How are the knights?"
"In good spirits, they are determined to escort the pilgrims to safety!" Ospine said while sparing a glance at the refugees. "I could also say the same with the Teutonic Knights and the Hospitaliers."
"Ah, good, we need the morale if we are to escort these people to the next town."
"How's the wife?"
"Good, she seems to be spacing off for now. I was worried for her after that ambush by those damned Saracens."
"Ah, thinking about making an heir soon?" the Grandmaster teased.
"No, maybe when my wife and I are finally safe and sound. Too risky to let her carry a child in this god-forsaken heat."
"You're certainly different from most dukes I've met, most just shut their wife in a castle and do their own thing." Ospine laughed before muttering. "Or do someone…"
"But I've grown close to Lady Weiss, though we were just strangers when we first married, she had offered to me companionship that I never knew I needed."
"It seems that God has willed your union." the Grandmaster observed. "Very well then, I wish you good luck."
"My thanks."
Duke Haru rode up to the front, where he had relieved his subordinate of leading the army. He then rides up next to another one of his subordinates.
"Quartermaster! What are our numbers? Including the wounded."
"Well sire, we have a healthy group of 7,130 men. I will spare you the details on the army composition. The refugees count to about 5,000 survivors from the pillaged castle-town. We have about two catapults and two trebuchets, with a working battering ram."
"So no deaths caused by that ambush?"
"We only have been injured so far, since the enemy decided to break their attack so quickly."
"Good, a good night's rest should energize us for the rest of the journey then."
Duke Haru then notices the familiarity of the land as he mutters.
"We're in Damascus."
The fellow horsemen look at each other in confusion. As Haru and the Knights Templars dismounted their horses and did the sign of the Cross. Haru also kissed his rosary before saying.
"In nomine Patri, et Filli, et spiritus Sancti." he said while plunging his sword into the ground. " Beati Juliani placet nobis intercessione concede ut unus vestrum patiatur homines Hattin."
(Blessed Julian, please grant us thy intercession that we may not suffer the same fate of you and the men at Hattin)
Duke Haru then mounts onto his horse and continues riding. On the way, one subordinate asks him.
"Milord, why did you and the Templars suddenly stop to pray?"
"This is sacred land. This is where the prodigy Templar Julian of Canterbury and his squire, Marcus, retreated to when they lost at the Battle of Hattin. Legends speak that while Julian had died in this very land, Marcus escaped to the unknown, to a land where he was needed more."
The subordinates were fascinated by the lore of this land. But their awe is quickly replaced by relief when they see the waters of an oasis. The oasis was large and had many trees surrounding it, this would make a great stop-over for rest.
"Milord! Water!"
The refugees wasted no time, sprinting towards the source of water, eager for some release from the desert heat. They brought their pack animals and livestock to the water's edge as they began to set up their huts. The children frolicked in the water as everyone began to help themselves.
The soldiers then followed, immediately scrambling to the water's edge, setting up camp quickly and putting up their tents. The soldiers then scramble towards the water, washing themselves and taking a large chunk of water with them. Some soldiers even started spearing the fishes living in the water. Duke Haru was amused at his soldiers' antics, he let them be as he went to the carriage and brought out Lady Weiss, his wife.
"My love, we are here."
"Okay, just give me a moment." she said while stepping outside.
Duke Haru smiled mischievously as he suddenly picked up his wife bridal-style.
"W-What are you doing!?" Weiss asked, clearly embarrassed.
"Being chivalric of course, no woman should suffer walking in these scorching sands!"
"You are just jesting with me!" the woman huffed as she blushed. "B-But I'll let this pass!"
Haru laughed as he pecked his wife in the cheek, carrying her into his tent.
Time passes as the sun moves through the sky, until it nearly touches the horizon, signifying sunset, the end of the day. Duke Haru stood outside his tent as he saw all the soldiers go into their respective quarters. The subordinates then asked him.
"Milord, will we stay the night here?"
"Yes, but keep watch, those Saracens might come back for another bite."
The subordinates bowed and went their way. Duke Haru then approaches the water's edge, seeing the moon's reflection on it. He stirs the water, seeing a strange picture form. He could have sworn that he saw the water glow, but he shook his head, thinking that his fatigue was simply getting to him. He retreats to his tent. But the oasis waters glow once again.
"Crusaders, you are needed elsewhere. In a land far more godless than here. As my servants, I expect you to uphold the Commandments, and cleanse the land of the filth.