CHAPTER 76 - 76: THE SIEGE THAT COULD BE STORMED

Date: April 27th, 1180

The dry wind stirred dust across the plains as the sun rose over the sprawling city of Aleppo. From a ridge overlooking the city's formidable walls, King Baldwin IV sat astride his horse, his silver mask catching the first rays of morning light. Below him, the city's stone battlements stretched like a ring of defiance, punctuated by towering towers and guarded gates. But what concerned him most was not the walls themselves—many of which were centuries old—but the unusual quiet on the city's ramparts.

Around him, the great camp buzzed with activity. Tents were pitched in neat rows, engineers inspected their war machines, and pikemen practiced formation drills on the open ground. Crossbowmen checked their strings and bolts, while scouts filed in and out of the city's vicinity, their faces grim.

The march from the borderlands had been swift and exhausting, but the army remained cohesive and well-disciplined. Months of drilling in the new pike and crossbow tactics promised to turn what was once a ragtag force into a modern military machine.

As Baldwin watched, a courier rode hard toward the command post, a folded parchment clutched tightly in his hand. His approach stirred murmurs—reports from scouts, word from spies.

The king took the parchment and broke the seal with a steady hand. His sharp eyes scanned the message quickly.

"The garrison of Aleppo has been ordered to reinforce Damascus," he said aloud, voice low but firm. "Saladin has stripped this city's defenses to bolster his other front."

A murmur ran through the nearby commanders.

Balian of Ibelin, always the cautious strategist, frowned. "Without its full garrison, Aleppo will be vulnerable. But can we trust this intelligence fully? It could be a ruse."

Odo of St. Amand, Grand Master of the Templars, nodded thoughtfully. "If true, it presents a unique opportunity. We can either starve them out in a siege, which will take months, or we can attempt to storm the walls while they are undermanned."

Baldwin's gaze did not waver from the city. "A siege favors the defenders if they have stockpiles and time. But if the walls are thinly manned, a swift assault could catch them off guard and break their hold."

The council gathered around the map table, where Baldwin unfolded a large parchment detailing Aleppo's defenses.

Aleppo's Fortifications

Aleppo was a prize unlike any other city in the region. Its fortifications combined ancient Roman walls with later Muslim additions, making it a complex stronghold. The outer wall stretched for nearly three kilometers, with massive towers spaced at intervals for archers and artillery.

The city's gatehouses were heavily fortified, designed to funnel attackers into narrow passages under crossfire. Narrow alleys and inner walls created multiple layers of defense.

Yet, Baldwin noted that Saladin's shifting priorities had forced him to pull many troops away. Scouts and informants reported that only a skeleton crew of guards remained to man the battlements.

"The defenses are strong but thin," Baldwin said. "If we can break through, we can claim the city and force Saladin to respond with an army in the open."

The Risk and Reward of Assault

Storming a fortified city was always a gamble. The walls gave defenders height, protection, and lethal vantage points. Siege engines and archers would make any direct assault costly.

But Baldwin weighed the benefits. A drawn-out siege could sap morale, waste precious resources, and allow Saladin to rally reinforcements. Time was a luxury neither side could afford.

"Lord Balian," Baldwin said, "what do you make of the risks? How can we prepare for a successful assault?"

Balian studied the map intently. "We must select the point of attack carefully. The eastern wall near the river appears less reinforced. The water limits defender movement, and if we can establish control of the river crossing, it may cut off supplies."

"Do our engineers believe they can breach the walls quickly?" Baldwin asked.

Gerard, the chief engineer, stepped forward. "With the battering rams and siege towers we brought, we can create a breach within days—if we can get close enough without heavy losses. The pikes and crossbowmen can provide cover for the assaulting troops."

Odo added, "We should prepare specialized units trained to scale walls quickly and seize the gatehouses before defenders can react."

Baldwin nodded, thinking back to the months spent training the militia. "Our men have practiced storming exercises using scaled-down fortifications. The pikes will hold off counterattacks, and crossbows will thin their ranks from afar."

Scouting and Spying

As the commanders discussed, scouts returned with fresh news.

"A patrol of Aleppan guards passed near the southern ridge today," reported one scout. "They seemed few and nervous. No sign of fresh reinforcements."

Another added, "Supplies within the city are reportedly low. The citizens are restless."

"Good," said Baldwin. "Morale often counts more than walls."

Spies brought details from inside the city. A local merchant, sympathetic to the Crusaders, relayed that many of the city's defenders were hastily conscripted militia, not the seasoned soldiers Saladin usually relied upon.

This intelligence bolstered the case for assault.

Preparing the Assault

That afternoon, Baldwin convened his captains again.

"We have two choices: starve them into submission, or take the fight to them," he said.

Odo spoke for many. "A swift assault will inspire our men and weaken Saladin's hold on Syria. But it must be coordinated and ruthless."

Baldwin agreed. "We will prepare for assault but keep siege preparations ongoing. If the assault fails, we fall back to a blockade."

The engineers set to work reinforcing the siege towers, sharpening battering rams, and preparing scaling ladders. Pikes were reinforced with steel tips, and crossbow bolts were stocked in abundance.

Baldwin assigned specialized units, mixing veteran knights with well-trained militia, to the assault teams. Each man drilled in coordination—covering fire, pike protection, and rapid climbing.

Morale and Faith

That evening, Baldwin held a prayer service for the army.

Priests blessed the weapons and banners, reminding men of their holy mission. Baldwin's masked face was somber as he listened, drawing strength from the faith that had carried him through hardship.

"Our cause is just," the bishop intoned. "The Lord protects those who fight for righteousness."

The men knelt, some whispering prayers for victory and survival.

Baldwin's Resolve

Later that night, Baldwin stood alone overlooking the city.

The faint flicker of torchlight illuminated Aleppo's walls. The knowledge that the city was undermanned gave him hope—but also reminded him of the stakes.

If they failed here, Saladin would only grow stronger. But success would shift the balance of power in Syria and give the Kingdom of Jerusalem a foothold that could not be ignored.

The coming days would test every skill, every innovation, and every ounce of courage Baldwin and his army possessed.

He adjusted his silver mask, feeling the familiar weight against his skin.

"The walls may be strong," he murmured, "but so is our will."