A leaked report from the Crusades to the Master of the Temple in Acre:[Alternate SCA History of the Crusades] I, Sir Bran, known in the Lands of Jordan and Syria as Rene Deucorreaux of the Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, do pen these words through my scribe Tyerrie, from my hospital bed in Pious Keep deep in wounds from mighty foes of those lands. August 8, 1191 Twas on their way through Outremer south of Arce, that proud King Richard and his retinue of troops and a company of Hospitallers and Templars heard of that Mighty Saladin himself was camped at a small yet heavily fortified coastal village south of Acre between the coastal sands along the Bay of Acre and the River Belus on the road to Haifa, known as al-Peh'nezet. It so happened that as Richard's retinue approached to determine the strength of the village, a group of Varangian Guards were parleying with Saladin within the village. Bad blood was there between the Captain of the Varangians known as Redboar also called Maximo of Byzantium and the Knights of the Frankdom.The Varangians had recently defeated a small Templar farmstead and raided the church capturing the relic there in. As King Richard approached the gate of the village, Saladin himself shouted out from the simple rampart greetings and threats. The Templar Knight de Byram translated to Richard these words fueling the flame within Richard's heart to take this small stead. But before he could offer a translated retort the gates burst forth and out strode the blood frenzied Redboar bearing the ax of his forefathers. "Lo Behold Richard, King of the West. I have in my pocession a relic (*1) recently retrieved from one of the Templar Farmsteads. I challenge you to fight for its ownership if you feel its need!" Richard's Templar guard restraining the King for it may have been a trap and the walls were lined with archers. Richard fumed yet remained calm weighing his paths. At this time is so happened that a Prince of the Midrealm had taken the cross for sins undisclosed though many words were spoken that he was simply honor bound to his Sire of the Midrealm to help in Outremer those that may be in need of a mighty heart. His name is listed on the Temple Marshal's Scrolls as Palymar d'DeuBaronnes. DeuBaronnes had joined the Order of the Temple as a Confreres Brother and was considered as such a knight of that Order as was the situation of many of those days. Sir Rene at this time whispered to King Richard that DeuBaronnes would be a worthy champion to fight this Varagian that would stand before us on our path to Jerusalem and the possible defeat of Saladin. Richard called forth DeuBaronnes, dressed in white robe and cloak, the Cross of the Temple upon his shield. Through the tightly packed black cloaked Templar Serjents DeuBaronnes strode forth to meet Redboar. Redboar called to his forefather's a mighty cry foresaking his mother's Christian faith. His axe swung furiouosly down upon the Templar shield. Sword blows were delivered and parried. Mighty was this Redboar yet persistant was the Prince from over the seas. DeuBaronnes blade did indeed strike upon Redboar dropping the titanic warrior to his knees. Other Varangians came forth to protect Redboar but Richard yelled forth to Hold! "Mighty is this man of the North though he fights against us." Richard turned to the ramparts to seek Saladin's gaze. Finding it he spoke, "Take this warrior and tend his wounds for he has fought like a Dragon and is of worthy Blood!" Saladin yelled down to the Crusaders, "Take the relic the Varangian has offered as a prize then. Gracious are you in sparing his life. I hope I will show the same if you dare these walls." Richard shouted back, "Then I give you one hour to say your prayers before we attack!" Later that afternoon, the Crusaders formed before the gate. Though it was made of simple wood and mud bricks, it was nonetheless a sturdy wall and Richard had but naught 20 men of the Holy Orders as a personal guard and the same count of lesser Lords from local fiefs. Richard stood in front of the gate, his leopard charged red shield in one hand and a bright hand ax in the other. Sir Rene stood over him guarding against arrow attack as Sir de Byram formed the Templars on the Right as is the tradition. On the Left, also of tradition the Bishop of Acre formed the Hospitallers. In the middle formed the local lords and thier sejents. With a shout and a prayer they charged the gates. Beating, chopping, pushing the gates gave in and into the breach the black robed, white crossed Hospitallers charged, slaying Varangian and Saracen alike. But may fell on our side on that effort. The bodies of friend and foe choked the gate, slippery was the ground with blood of demons and saints. Then Richard called forth the Templars to charge. They attempted to break through but Saracen archers from the walls turned them back time and time again. Evil machines hurling bolts as long as lances pierced the Crusaders mounts. After much suffering, the Hospital retreated in good order out of arrow range. The Templars shamed they could not break the gate did likewise. Both Orders suffering many wounded and humbled by the simple defense yet mighty foe. But think not that the enemy within had faired well by any means. Their losses were great. Though only a few had died many bore bandaged of Crusader blades and wraith. Saladin, at this time, could see that he needed to break out as his generals knew not he was at al-Peh'nezet and not in Arsuf as he had told them previously. As the Crusaders were removing themselves further back from the wall, deep sounding drums began to beat. The gates of al-Peh'nezet opened and out charged the entire guard of Saladin. Richard turned and faced the enemy. Serjent Tyerrie stood forth with the Templar Beausant rallying the Templars. The Bishop of Acre charged forth with the Hospital. Dues Volt! Deus Volt! Was heard over the field before the gate retorted by the Saracens with Allāhu Akbar! Allāhu Akbar! They fought and swore and prayed and slew. Many were beaten down by heat and blade. The battle raged til such time a great horn sounded! Saladin himself strode forth alone though old, still of exuding strength and wisdom. "Richard!" he yelled. Richard came forth to meet this man of the Kurdish Deserts. "Saladin." Richard said as he acknowledge the Saracen King. "Many are wounded, including some of my family memebers. I see you and yours are fairing similarly but I would offer you this bastion of al Peh'nezet and coin if we could but come to terms. What say you?" The translators talked back and forth til such time Richard and Saladin shook hands and kissed on the cheeks. Cheers went up on both sides of foes realizing deep within that they were all of very similar ideals. Song was heard on both sides. A treaty was signed there on the field before the gates for one year of truce that included untaxed pilrgimages to Jeruslam and control of the coastal Crusader holdings. Richard, though knowing he could more than likely take the entire Outremer lands, also understood the difficulty in garrisoning such a vast land of a enemy native populace. His decision was the right one. With the coast secure and a treaty of one year, Richard knew he could return home and return with more troops at that time. Peace was made. The dead were taking back to Acre, the wounded admitted to the Hospitallars in Montmusart in Acre. I have not heard of saladin since. I rest here in Pious Keep with the my brothers awaiting Richard's promised return in the year to come. Adieu mes amis et ma'a salama. Signed this day Anno Societatis XLV, Pious Keep, Midrealm Commandery of the Templars. (*1= the Relic was shown to Richard, DeuBaronnes and the Order heads. It was determined that the relic would be kept in the Templar treasury in the Middle Kingdom aka the Midrealm upon Palymars return to that land not soon after this story. The exact contents were known by but a few and remain hidden in secrecy.)