Norn stood atop the hill known to the locals as Montgisard, gazing around. It had to be said that the terrain here was not particularly treacherous. Although it faced the distant Mount Machmas in the south, the slopes of both mountains were rather gentle. Moreover, the area was a barren desert, covered with Gobi gravel and lacking any cover—perfect for cavalry charges.
The valley between the two mountains couldn't be described as spacious either. But once one exited this pass, it was followed by a vast expanse of flat land, and Jerusalem would be directly exposed to Saladin's forces.
Norn looked toward the billowing dust in the west and remained silent.
"Baron Norn, what do you think of this mighty army?" Norn turned his head and was surprised to see King Baldwin riding up beside him.
Despite the looming battle, King Baldwin's tone was surprisingly relaxed.
"Though I shouldn't say it, I am a bit worried," Norn hesitated for a moment before being honest about his thoughts.
Baldwin chuckled, "You're quite candid, Norn. But it's not surprising, given the disparity in strength."
Norn, looking at the still-relaxed Baldwin, couldn't help but ask, "Then what about Your Highness? Are you really that confident that we can defeat Saladin here?"
"No! I don't have any certainty," Baldwin calmly stated the fact that made Norn feel uneasy, "I'm just doing my best."
"Does Your Highness never worry about what will happen if we lose?" Norn couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.
"Everyone dies eventually," Baldwin replied with a smile, "At least my kingdom will still be prosperous when I die."
Norn suddenly realized that the king in front of him, wearing a silver mask and wrapped in layers of clothing, was just a 16-year-old young man.
Baldwin, who had ascended to the throne at 13 and suffered from leprosy, was already struggling just to maintain the current situation against Saladin, who was in the prime of his life. What more could one expect?
Norn suddenly felt a bit sorry for the person in front of him. He himself had come to this strange era and still had the care of his uncle, William, Patrick, and others. But this young man had probably been born into a cold palace, never experiencing childhood before having to take on a precarious kingdom.
Thinking of this, Norn took out a shriveled apple from his pocket and handed it over.
"For now, this is all I have. The rest, we'll enjoy when we get back to Jerusalem," Norn sincerely invited the young man, not the king, in front of him.
The young man took the apple and tucked it into his own pocket, "Then I'll look forward to it from you, Norn."
The two watched the billowing dust until King Baldwin said to Norn, "It's about time, Norn. We should head back."
Perhaps when a person reaches the pinnacle of despair, they no longer feel desperate. Norn's original worries and anxieties had all vanished, leaving only determination. Since war was inevitable, then let it be a fight to the death.
"Giddy up!"
Norn cracked his whip, galloping across the hilltop. Ahead lay a vast camp, where the 4,000-strong royal army had already assembled in full.
Banners waved like a forest, and knights in chainmail and iron helmets, holding their emblazoned flags, were watering their horses. The infantry were making final adjustments to their equipment, ensuring everything was in good condition.
Norn returned to his own 800 men. This time, all his mercenaries were equipped with armor and helmets, and more than half had heavy chainmail. In addition to spears, they each had a mace, saber, or some other short weapon.
He thanked Tadjuddin once again. Thanks to him, Norn had captured a large amount of weaponry and gear. Disdaining these "junk" items, Norn simply sold them off to his mercenaries as wages. This not only earned him the mercenaries' gratitude but also enhanced the combat effectiveness of his troops.
The bishop, dressed in a golden-threaded white robe, slowly rode up in a carriage. But what drew more attention was the massive golden cross behind him, covered in gold leaf and gems, which sparkled in the sunlight and made the covetous Norn's mouth water.
This enormous golden cross was the symbol of the legendary relic—the fragment of the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.
The true relic, after centuries of decay, had only a few fragments left, which were stored in a brocade box, placed inside the carriage with the golden cross.
All Christians, upon seeing it, knelt on one knee, their eyes filled with fanatical expressions.
"Lord, let not the glory be to us, but to Your name, for Your mercy and faithfulness," the bishop led the army in prayer. All the warriors silently recited the teachings from the scriptures, kissing their crosses or swords to seek good fortune. The entire scene was solemn and reverent, with even the pagans turning east to pray.
After the scouts reported the movements of Saladin's army several times, the royal army finally began to move slowly.
The leading knights, with their mounted retainers, formed the strongest spearhead in front of the phalanx. Over a thousand warhorses moved forward slowly, the clinking of chainmail creating a thunderous roar.
The remaining 3,000-plus infantry were divided into two groups, advancing in large strides. The mercenary leaders shouted loudly, boosting morale and making the entire phalanx a sea of noise.
"Sassan, stay with me this time! Don't run around," Norn firmly grasped Sassan's hand and demanded.
Sassan looked into Norn's resolute eyes, feeling a bit uneasy inside, but still nodded calmly in response.
"Let's go!"
Norn's troops followed the rear phalanx and slowly moved forward. As they crossed the hilltop, Saladin's army came into view.
A sea of black troops had already emerged from the valley, with Saladin's royal banner fluttering at the valley's mouth, while more troops stretched out behind in a long line.
Under the banner, Saladin, clad in golden scale armor, watched the Crusaders charging down from the northern hill with a slightly stern expression.
"Sultan!" Saladin's nephew, Emir, rode up, "The Crusaders are attacking from the top of Montgisard!"
Saladin waved his hand to indicate he knew, then looked at the golden cross raised in the north and said, "I thought Baldwin would ignore our raids and just hold on to Jerusalem."
"But it seems a bit unexpected after all!" Saladin smiled, "I didn't expect them to launch a surprise attack so close by."
Saladin then became serious and ordered, "Pass the word: the vanguard will change direction and cut across, the rear guard will accelerate toward the royal banner, and the entire army will defend relying on Mount Machmas."
"As you command, Sultan!"
Saladin raised his head, his piercing eyes fixed on the distant golden cross, "King Baldwin, today's battle will see whether your risky move will bring you victory or my overwhelming numbers will seize the Holy City."
Despite his numerical advantage, Saladin couldn't shake a fleeting sense of unease.