“Has Salah-ed-din servants such as these?” asked Sinan in the silence that followed. “Well, what they have done, all would do, if I bid them slay him. Back, now; and, if you will, take these Franks with you, who are my guests, that they may bear witness of what you have seen, and of the state in which you left their sister. Translate to the knights, woman.”
So Masouda translated. Then Godwin answered through her.
“We understand little of this matter, who are ignorant of your tongue, but, O Al-je-bal, ere we leave your sheltering roof we have a quarrel to settle with the man Lozelle. After that, with your permission, we will go, but not before.”
Now Rosamund sighed as if in relief, and Sinan answered:
“As you will; so be it,” adding, “Give these envoys food and drink before they go.”
But their spokesman answered: “We partake not of the bread and salt of murderers, lest we should become of their fellowship. Al-je-bal, we depart, but within a week we appear again in the company of ten thousand spears, and on one of them shall your head be set. Your safe-conduct guards us till the sunset. After that, do your worst, as we do ours. High Princess, our counsel to you is that you slay yourself and so gain immortal honour.”
Then, bowing to her one by one, they turned and marched down the terrace followed by their servants.
Now Sinan waved his hand and the court broke up, Rosamund leaving it first, accompanied by Masouda and escorted by guards, after which the brethren were commanded to depart also.
So they went, talking earnestly of all these things, but save in God finding no hope at all.