Two Horses for a King-- Saladin sat back and wiped a sliver of ice from his beard at the same time Richard put one on the tip of his tongue. Frankincense and Myrrh spiraled upward like Pegasus’s tail. Outside the tent beside stately Eucalyptus, the birds of the heavens dwell; and sing among the branches. “You know, in your letter you mentioned the need of your soldiers to make a pilgrimage to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. I can arrange that.” “Yes?” Richard sat upright. “And what if you could retain all the land you possess and I retain Jerusalem and allow pilgrims of all faiths to enter and worship under my protection?” “Yes?” he sat up even straighter. “Your soldiers liberate the city bloodlessly.” “Yes! And then we go home.” “That would be the idea,” answered Saladin, with a satisfied look on this face that indicated peaceful conspiracy. Saladin had never seen Richard’s teeth before, but there they were in a smile. He was pleased. Now Saladin took Richard’s hand. “You have the word of Saladin,” he said, and shook it with great vigor. When Saladin was watching Richard mount his horse and leave he noted that The King of England and Aquitaine cut quite a dashing figure. His Saracen troopers lined the side of the path as it wandered back and forth between the apricot banners. They were cheering their enemy, the news was already out, for the canvas of the Sultan’s tent was thin and even canvas has ears. Look at him, Uncle, isn’t he magnificent? “Yes, he is without question a most honorable enemy.” “It would seem that some men insure their position in life by cunning and valor, success in battle and hard work…” “While others are born to wear the purple?” “Yes.” “But what puts more pressure on a man, to live by his wits and perform great deeds day after day, or to be expected to achieve greatness because it’s supposed to be part of his character?” Saladin said nothing, he was unprepared. “And these endless wars, are they in us, like wild dogs, are they part of our baser make-up? If that is true, how can they be about spiritual matters?” “Uncle, I’m a statesman and a general, and praise be to He that is Merciful, not a philosopher.” youtu.be/1PMjG3xF2ts
Posted on: Wed, 25 Jun 2014 01:15:30 +0000
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