CHAPTER 82 - 82: STEEL IN THE WIND

May 21, 1180 – Eastern Marches, Near Bosra

Dust curled into the sky like smoke trailing from a dying fire. Bohemond of Antioch sat astride his warhorse atop a crag of basalt, scanning the dry plains ahead with narrowed eyes. His forces stretched out across the rough terrain behind him—banners furled, helmets glinting under the harsh Syrian sun. The wind carried a faint scent of sweat, horses, and sun-scorched brush.

It had been three days since they crossed the Yarmouk. Three days of dust and silence.

The diversion was working—at least, that was the hope. Bohemond had led his 6,000 men in a slow, deliberate advance eastward from the Golan, aiming to appear as the primary threat pressing on Damascus. Now, they were camped in the hills near Bosra, making enough noise to attract attention but not enough to beg an assault.

A rider approached at a gallop, his mount flecked with foam.

Bohemond turned as the courier slid from the saddle and knelt, handing up a sealed letter bearing the royal crest.

"From His Majesty," the courier said, breathless.

Bohemond cracked the seal with his gauntleted fingers, opened the parchment, and read silently.

"To Bohemond, Prince of Antioch,

Though you lead the Diversion force, your role is crucial beyond mere defense. Should Saladin march toward Aleppo, you are to guard the road to Jerusalem with vigilance and harass his rear relentlessly. Prevent him from severing our line of communication or cutting off our retreat.

Stay steadfast and swift. The fate of the kingdom rests upon your watchfulness.

By my hand, Baldwin, Duke of Palestine and King of Jerusalem."

Bohemond folded the letter and stared toward the horizon, the plains hazy in the late light. So it was true—Aleppo had fallen. They had drawn Saladin's attention south, just long enough.

He handed the parchment to his marshal, Rainald of Margat.

"The hammer has fallen. Baldwin took Aleppo."

Rainald's eyebrows lifted. "Then Saladin will know this force is not the main thrust."

"He already suspects," Bohemond replied. "Our scouts say his vanguard is on the move. I expect he'll turn north soon—either to relieve Aleppo or to avenge it."

Rainald looked west. "If he bypasses us and strikes for Jerusalem?"

Bohemond's jaw clenched. "We shadow him. Delay. Disrupt. Burn his supplies. But under no circumstance do we leave the southern road unguarded."

That night, in the ruined remains of a Roman watchtower overlooking the plain, Bohemond convened his council. Knights, Syrian lords, and commanders of the Hospitaller and Templar detachments sat around a sand-scattered table lit by oil lamps.

"His Majesty's orders are clear," Bohemond began. "We are to hold the road to Jerusalem and monitor Saladin's movement. If he marches north, we strike his rear. If he turns south, we become a wall."

Sir Aimery of the Temple leaned forward. "Do we have confirmation of Saladin's position?"

"Our scouts spotted the Ayyubid host crossing the Barada valley," said Rainald. "Estimates place them at over 25,000 strong. Mostly cavalry. They've stripped Damascus of men."

Murmurs rose among the men.

"Will he march for Aleppo?" asked Lord Roger of Tiberias.

Bohemond nodded. "He must. Aleppo is not just a military loss—it's symbolic. The city is sacred to them, tied to their claims of legitimacy. His emirs will demand it."

"And if he splits his forces?" Rainald asked.

"Then we strike the isolated half. I want scouts riding every hour. Watch the valleys, the caravan routes, the ridgelines. We need to see him before he sees us."

A Hospitaller commander raised a concern. "If we shadow him too closely, we risk battle."

Bohemond's voice was ice. "We don't seek battle. We bleed him. One cart at a time. One tent at a time. No grand charges, no heroics—just knives in the dark and fire in his wagons."

The room fell silent.

"I have sent a second rider with a sealed letter to the fortresses near Ramla and Ascalon," Bohemond continued. "If he swings south, we'll have time to dig in."

"And Baldwin?" asked Sir Aimery.

"He's in Aleppo," Bohemond said. "By now, the gates are shut and the walls manned. Saladin will need to fight for it. That gives us time to do what needs doing."

By morning, the army moved again—this time into the high ridges east of Ezra. Bohemond rode with the vanguard, scanning every fold of terrain with practiced eyes.

His army, light but disciplined, moved like a spearhead through the desert hills. Supply wagons rolled behind, flanked by mounted crossbowmen and shielded by the rear guard. He had stripped down their gear to essentials—no tents, no excess siege equipment. Speed was their armor now.

Rainald returned in the late morning, leading two scouts.

"Sire," the lead scout began, "we spotted Saladin's banners ten miles northeast. They're crossing the open plain at full pace. No siege towers, just horse and foot. At least twenty thousand."

"Marching north?"

"Yes, lord."

Bohemond's eyes narrowed. "He took the bait."

He turned to Rainald. "Signal the left flank to slow. We'll let him overextend. Then we ride after him."

"And if he detaches forces to block us?"

"Then he weakens his spear," Bohemond replied. "And we shatter it."

The plan was coming together. Baldwin held the prize, but Bohemond held the knife. With Saladin stretched thin and desperate, the pressure could be applied from behind. The fate of the kingdom might well depend on how long they could keep him dancing between cities.

That evening, as the camp settled under the stars, Bohemond stood near a low fire reading Baldwin's letter once more. He had memorized it, but the weight of the words still gave him pause.

Guard the road. Bleed him. No glory—only time.

He folded the letter and tucked it inside his cloak. Across the firelight, men whispered prayers, sharpened blades, and fed their horses in silence. They knew they were the second army—the bait, the distraction, the sacrifice if need be.

But Bohemond would not let them fall without purpose.

In the black stillness, he whispered a prayer to St. George and stared north.

Saladin was riding. And Bohemond of Antioch would be right behind him.