CHAPTER 84 - 84: A KING’S GAMBLE

May 17, 1180 — Aleppo

The courtyard of the Aleppo citadel rang with the sounds of hammers, boots, and shouted orders. Repair crews bustled about, sealing breaches and reinforcing the towers, while carts of captured supplies were offloaded from the city's emptied warehouses. A week had passed since the city fell, and though Baldwin had secured the gates, he knew the real battle had yet to begin.

From the top of the southern tower, he watched the horizon through a polished brass scope—his own commission, crafted by Italian artisans months ago. Dust clouds rose in the distance like faint scars on the landscape. Not yet close. But moving.

They were coming.

He heard the quick footfalls before the door behind him opened.

"My lord," said Hugh of Ibelin, winded but urgent. "Our forward scouts returned from the hills east of Hama. Saladin is marching—his full host. They passed Homs and are advancing steadily. They'll reach this region in no more than eight or nine days."

Baldwin turned, his silver mask catching the light.

"How many?"

"Over twenty thousand, by their estimate. The army is stretched—supplies run thin—but they are determined. There's no doubt now. He's not going to Damascus. He's coming for us."

Baldwin didn't flinch. He only nodded.

"Have the council summoned. Tonight. At the great hall."

—

That evening — Aleppo Citadel, War Council

The great chamber smelled of oil lamps and fresh-cut cedar. Around the map-strewn table stood the senior command: Raymond de Châtillon, bloodied but tireless since the siege; Balian of Ibelin, ever the voice of measured caution; Odo of St. Amand, Master of the Templars, eyes bright with zealous fire; and Richard Plantagenet, whose expression was half-curious, half-amused. Engineers, scouts, and Baldwin's new captains stood on the periphery.

Baldwin sat at the head of the table, the silver mask hiding the ravages of his disease, but not the steel in his gaze.

"They're marching north," Baldwin said without preamble. "He knows now. Aleppo was the true blow. Bohemond is no longer his obsession. The diversion succeeded."

He pointed at the map—his finger tapping the stretch of terrain between Hama and Aleppo.

"But now the board has changed again. We hold Aleppo, but Saladin is marching with vengeance in his heart and pressure from his emirs at his back. They will not allow him to ignore the city that fell to us. He will try to retake it—or die breaking himself against its walls."

"He won't siege us directly," Odo growled. "He's too clever for that. He'll try to draw us out. Cut our lines, raid our foragers, force us into a bad field."

Baldwin nodded. "Exactly. That's why we will choose the field first."

Raymond leaned forward, brow furrowed. "Where?"

"I want your thoughts," Baldwin said. "All of you. Terrain, distance, supply. We don't have long—perhaps a week."

The room fell silent, broken only by the crackling of the hearth.

Richard was the first to speak. "The plains west of Qinnasrin. Rolling fields, no cover for ambushes. Open space for cavalry to maneuver. And enough room for us to form pike lines if they charge."

"It's dry there," Balian countered. "Hard to get water to the men and horses. If we lose the foraging advantage, our men will thirst before Saladin ever arrives."

Raymond shook his head. "What about near the Iron Bridge, along the Orontes? Natural defenses, a river to anchor a flank. If we draw him there, he'll have to approach over narrow ground."

"He'll smell a trap," muttered Hugh. "He knows those valleys too well."

Baldwin tapped his finger again—this time just south of Aleppo.

"There's a shallow rise here—an old Roman watchpost on the hill. Good elevation. Flat terrain to the north and west. Enough room for the main army to form lines, and the high ground lets our engineers set up bolt-throwers and crossbow platforms."

"And a fallback to Aleppo if needed," Odo added, nodding.

Baldwin looked around. "Any objections?"

None voiced one.

"Good," he said. "Then that's where we make our stand."

He motioned to a clerk, who began copying the plans.

"We will march within three days and dig in. Defensive works. Stakes. Artillery. I want this to look like a pilgrimage to Golgotha for them."

He paused, then added, "And before we march, send a rider to Bohemond. He is to continue pressuring Saladin's rear as agreed. If the Sultan commits to us, Bohemond will strike supply lines and harass the retreat."

Baldwin looked at Hugh. "Choose someone fast. And loyal."

The baron nodded and withdrew.

Baldwin stood, the council rising with him.

"Make no mistake," the king said. "We beat him at Jacob's Ford. We outwitted him at Aleppo. But this will be different. He is coming in fury, and he will come to kill."

He looked to each man in turn.

"If we win here, Syria breaks open. Damascus will be within reach, and with it, the heart of his power. We fight not for one city, but for the road to an empire."

The room was silent—heavy with the weight of what they all understood.

At last, Baldwin's voice grew quiet, but firm.

"Prepare the men. In three days, we ride out to meet our enemy."