Crusdae, p.24
Crusdae, page 24
William judged by the location of the Mongol pennants that the Khan, his princes and commanders were poised to strike at any moment. Yak tails snapped in the wind at the top of the standards, which the-Grand Master observed with more than curiosity as each represented a force of ten thousand men under the command of a Tumen. Counting them, he concluded that the Templars were facing close to a hundred thousand men. . . . Enough to strike any Christian with terror. Muigghams, heading a thousand . horsemen and archers, were at the front of every battalion, in which Jaghouns commanded companies of one hundred warriors, while Arbans acted as sub-commanders of groups of ten.
William had made good use of the long march from Edessa to Baghdad, collecting all possible information about the enemy. He knew that the elite of these troops, chosen from the bravest and numbering ten thousand, formed the Khan’s personal guard. He also knew that the preferred strategem of these daring fighters was a cavalry charge—under cover of volleys of arrows—attempting to breach the ranks of the adversary. If this was unsuccessful, they did not give battle but retreated, trying to draw the pursuit into ambush. If this ruse proved unavailing, they still did not seek an engagement but continued to flee, only to return unexpectedly to surprise an opposition which believed itself triumphant.
Any massive attack would be wiped out by the Templars’ lightning, which Abaka certainly would not risk. The only thing to do was to determine die Khan’s plans and then force him to concentrate enough of his squadrons so that use of the atomic grenades would be decisive.
Lost in thought, the Grand Master signaled to be lowered from his improvised turret. At that exact moment, the horsemen sent ahead and deployed on either flank rode back at full speed in a cloud of dust. Their Commander dismounted and, in a hoarse voice, announced:
“Venerable Master, we are lost! These dogs have dug trenches on all sides which are filled with naphtha. On our right, the river is an insuperable barrier: its far bank is lined with thousands of archers. Behind us, these accursed devils have just rolled in many kegs of this oil that burns....”
Silently, the Grand Master contemplated the Baussant banners waving on either side of him: his army was downwind. . . . The smoke would blanket the Crusaders, masking the Mongol operations and effectively preventing any accurate bombardment.
It was a bad beginning....
And a rapid decision was imperative: ink-black clouds of smoke already moved in on the left, reaching the farthest ranks of the soldiers who wept and choked in the suffocating fumes.
In this emergency, the sharp wits of the Grand Master worked rapidly. He had already devised a new plan of action for which he immediately gave the orders:
“Foot soldiers retreat toward the river without delay. Pull the war machines to the edge of the water, all except four. With two of these, start immediate grenade assault aimed at the archers on the other side of the river. The remaining two will launch their missiles into the river itself, downstream from our position. All horsemen, follow me. . . .”
These orders were carried out in utmost confusion under constant volleys of Mongol arrows. Fortunately for the foot soldiers, the thick cloud of smoke prevented the Asian archers from aiming with any precision: however, the barrage was so dense that there were frequent hits.
All the Crusaders took heart at the sound of the first atomic explosions but they could not understand why they were ordered to retreat without giving battle. Not a few wondered why the magic fire was not launched at the main Mongol forces, astonished that it was wasted on the riverbed and on the opposite bank where the enemy troops were least numerous.
But the Grand Master had shown a remarkable competence for making the most of the slightest opportunity: the craters resulting from the explosions quickly filled the riverbed, forming an effective dam. North of the battlefield, the waters overflowed on the plain, miring the vehicles and forcing the Mongol horsemen to withdraw, protecting the rear guard of the Templar army.
Simultaneously, the knights—led by William—forded the Euphrates and rushed the few archers who had survived the preparatory fire. At the same time, sergeants, squires and the auxiliary Turcopole forces formed a solid line of resistance behind a barrier of wagons, their backs to the river.
Abaka Khan was caught in his own trap. He heard the awesome sound of the explosions but—to his surprise—no projectile fell on his ranks and the dense smoke prevented him from seeing what was happening on the battlefield.
His council was quickly convened to decide what course of action should be taken. Princes and Tumens, hot with impatience, were all for charging the enemy. Abaka, himself, was loath to engage in any decisive assault, having the greatest respect for a weapon that could annihilate Bibars’ forces. The arguments were heated, each faction passionately defending its viewpoint. Since they were wasting valuable time, the Khan finally accepted a proposal that reconciled all opinions. Half the cavalry would attack the Templars under cover of the smoke, after another massive shower of arrows.
Each Tumen pleaded his right to the honor of being part of this assault so that the actual attack did not get under way for more than an hour after William’s horsemen had crossed the Euphrates which was now dry below the obstruction.
Unfortunately for the Mongols, this lapse of time enabled the knights to ride down the old riverbed and make a wide encircling move to the south, just behind the bulk of Abaka’s forces, massed around their leader.
The planned charge of his horsemen met with a curtain of fire from projectiles launched by the mangonels along the river, under the command of Peter of Sevry. At the same instant, the ponderous iron-clad knights attacked the Khan’s rear guard. Like devils surging up from hell, the Templars—riding in at full speed until they reached the right distance—launched grenades from their slings, then, wheeling away, sped back for another attack on their right. The results of this maneuver were spectacular.
The Mongols, without the slightest expectation that the Templars might pounce on them from the rear, were butchered by the atomic explosion. The war chariots disintegrated. Terrified horses unseated their riders, who were massacred by cuts and thrusts. Never had the Crusaders enjoyed such a carnival. Blood reddened the earth and their steeds trampled the guts of Mongol horses. . . .
This slaughter increased when the' Templars turned back to the Euphrates, cutting off the horsemen who had been sent out to attack the ballistae. For them, no escape was possible: in front of them, a barrage of atomic explosives; on their right the waters of the river, seeking a new course and forming an impassable bog. The more courageous stood their ground, facing the Templar assault but, unfortunately for them, they wore no armor and their felt bucklers offered little protection....
When night fell on the plain, the Mongol army had suffered a disaster without precedent. A few lone survivors fled what seemed to them legions of Satan, belched out of hell, followed by the garrison at Baghdad which had no wish to face warriors possessing such terrifying magical powers.
Their commanders had lied to them! Not only could the Templars call down lightning: they also had power to fly through the air. How else, when they were surrounded, could they have crossed the Euphrates to surprise the rear guard of the Mongol army?
Before entering the wondrous city where the Crusaders would finally rest from their weary labors, William of Beaujeu went to survey the battlefield where the fires set by his projectiles still burned. Thoughtfully, he surveyed the remains of the man who had hoped to close the road to Baghdad to him. The body of the Abaka Khan was almost untouched, his faithful followers having thrown themselves over him to form a shield and protect him from the atomic grenades. The shock waves alone had caused> his death.
The backs of his officers were charred by the heat but the Khan’s thin tunic embroidered with gold was still intact. Thin rivulets of blood ran from his nose and ears.
After brief meditation, the Grand Master ordered that the Khan be taken with them so that he might be given proper burial; then, followed by his army, he headed toward Baghdad, discussing the day's events with his companions.
“Do you, dear Brothers, know that in the year of our Lord twelve-fifty-five, the KhanrHulagu, the father of Abaka, stormed this city and took it after heavy combat?
“When he entered the caliph’s palace, he found a tower filled with gold, silver and a thousand other treasures. The astonished Khan inquired why the caliph, seeing that his city was about to fall, did not distribute these riches among his knights and warriors. His captive had no reply and Hulagu, revolted by such ungrateful miserliness, had him locked in the tower without food or drink. The caliph died at the end of the fifth day. Eight hundred thousand inhabitants were put to the sword. Mosques and sumptuous palaces were destroyed. I tell you all this because I want to avoid such actions when our army enters the city. I intend that all persons and properties be respected. We shall rest for a while at Baghdad and I aspire to a good relationship with its people. Do not forget that Abaka’s wife is a Christian princess, the daughter of Michael Paleologue; I demand that she be treated with respect and accorded all the honors to which she is entitled. Later, I shall create an independent kingdom here and, to rule it, I shall name one of the knights who has served me so courageously and faithfully.”
This made the intended impression, and explicit orders were given the Crusader troops guaranteeing that the Grand Master’s wishes would be respected.
The army reached the outlying ramparts and crossed the Tigris. Some of the splendor that the city had once possessed was lost forever but, in the twenty years of occupation, most of the destroyed edifices had been rebuilt and the splendid palaces, the mosques with their slender minarets, the well-tended gardens won the admiration of all; so much greenery dazzled the soldiers who had all but forgotten the existence of such Edens.
Almost the entire population had remained in the city, convinced of certain victory for their Khan’s innumerable forces. But, when all was said and done, the merchants and traders were rather pleased to see the Templars entering the city, bringing promise of expanded commerce with Christian lands. They also believed that the Christian origin of their princess would offer far more protection than any wall, in which assumption they were completely right.
With the greatest curiosity, the Crusader Commanders entered the palace hall where this remote Sister-in-Christ awaited them surrounded by the dignitaries of her court.
That Baghdad court had certainly not usurped its reputation for splendor; was it not in this very city that the most beautiful silks in the world were spun? Dazzled, the Frankish and English Templars were overwhelmed by such ostentation. What a contrast was evidenced by their sand-dulled armor, stained with dried blood, to the pomp of this court, straight out of one of Aladdin’s tales, where satins, gold brocades, and muslins glistened in the light from countless oil lamps of finely chased copper.
All of them felt out of place in such surroundings.
The princess, surrounded by her ladies-in-waiting and her ministers, was seated on a golden throne set with precious stones. Her face was party obscured by a light veil and the purple tunic she wore was as fine as a spider web.
No sooner had John of Grailly laid eyes on her harmonious beauty than he was swept off his feet. For him, everything else ceased to exist but this goddess sprung from some oriental fairy tale.
William of Beaujeu, on the other hand, was insensitive to her charms. Nevertheless, when she threw herself down at his feet, beseeching him to spare her and her people, he lifted her with a paternal gesture, asserting: -
“Sweet daughter, I would be ashamed to behave like a brutal conqueror. It is true that I was forced to do battle with and, unfortunately, kill your husband, Abaka Khan, but I only did this to compel recognition of the True Faith to which you adhere. You shall keep the throne of Baghdad when I am gone far afield carrying on our just Crusade. In the meantime, I ask that you consider us your guests and faithful friends.”
The princess appeared greatly moved by these words and tears streamed down her cheeks. At the sight of this, John of Grailly could contain himself no longer; he rushed to her and respectfully took her rose-scented hand which he placed on his forehead, crying out:
“By heaven, Madam, I, John of Grailly, solemnly swear to be your faithful knight forever. If anyone does you offense, I stand ready to make him pay for it.”
A faint smile brightened the face of the princess, who said softly, “Sirs, I thank you greatly. A true friendship is the most precious thing in the world. Your words bring much comfort to a poor woman in exile far from her kin. May our Lord bless you. . . .”
“Well said!” approved the Grand Master. “It is my intention to appoint a regent for this kingdom when I leave, and the grave John of Grailly seems to me the right man for the office. If such is your pleasure. . .
"Let us talk of this at another time, noble Templar. Now I request your permission to retire to my apartments to prepare for the mourning of he who was my husband.”
"I shall certainly not detain you,” said William of Beaujeu. “My courageous and ill-fated adversary deserves funeral rites in keeping with his rank and station.”
The days that followed remained forever in the Crusaders’ memories as the most sumptuous in their lives. After undergoing terrible ordeals, they were at last in an opulent city whose inhabitants were eager to fraternize.
Each took quarters in some comfortable dwelling and the Tholon brothers had no difficulty in finding pleasing bronze-skinned slaves who, between bursts of laughter and kisses, gorged them with sweets. The brothers from Auxerre, without inhibition, enjoyed to the fullest the cool of an inner courtyard enlivened by beds of exotic flowers. Poor Garin had to recite prayers without intermission to prevent his vow of chastity from being broken by the charms of these shameless she-devils; the Christian paradise was pale in comparison with Allah’s!
The Grand Master was entirely immune to the seductive witchery of the beautiful courtesans who ensnared the soldiers weary of the bawds and other camp followers.
To secure Mesopotamia, he still had to take the city of Basra on the Persian Gulf. For this purpose he sent the valiant Otto of Granson with his English knights to capture that port, instructing him to seize all Mongol ships but cautioning him not to interfere with the free movement of merchant ships bringing the riches of Cathay and the legendary Spice Islands.
For there were two courses of action open to William in the advancement of his great design: either he could push on through the Khanate of Kaidu by land, like the affluent caravans that followed the silk trade route, or he could embark his army in the port of Basra and reach Kubla’s empire by sea.
His choice required die deepest consideration, for there was a world of difference between an expedition to Mesopotamia, relatively close to the Holy Land, and an invasion of die Mongol empire, crossing the vast desert wastes of the Pamirs—on the roof of the world.
True, the Polo brothers, those intrepid Venetian travelers, had followed that route and in all probability were now in Cathay. According to the report of their first long journey (1260), which William had read with greatest attention, once Niccolo and Matteo reached Balghar on the banks of the Volga, they traveled in seventeen days to Bukhara, the most beautiful city of the Persian empire. There, joining a mission sent out by Kubla, they finally arrived at the Great Wall two years later. Before them, two Franciscan brothers, missionaries from the Pope, had also journeyed to Cathay. The first, Joannes de Plano Carpini, left France in 1247 and arrived at his destination in 1253. The second one, Willem of Ruysbroek, a native of Flanders, left Christian lands in 1253 and reached Karakorum in 1254. The route they followed was known and used regularly by caravans. However, with an army, its wagons and its precious war machines, there would certainly be many difficulties in following in their steps. Also, the problem of communication with those left behind at Baghdad and on the coast must be considered. At this point, quite naturally, the Grand Master decided to consult Brother Joubert, who had resumed his work in complete seclusion.
The Brother promptly descended from the tower where he had installed his laboratory. In his haste, he neglected to remove the leather apron which protected his monastic robe, and his attire contrasted strangely with the subdued luxury of the room where William of Beaujeu awaited him.
“Well, my dear and learned Brother,n William began without formality, “where are you in your work? I trust that oriental enchantments have not delayed your research. You know how much this concerns me....”
“Certainly not, venerable Master! Since we reached Baghdad I have labored day and night to unravel the hermetic secrets of this casket from another world. Unfortunately, I have encountered the greatest difficulties, despite the fact that I have surrounded myself with learned men expert in the art of alchemy. . . .”
“You have not divulged the origin of our treasure?”
“I have been careful not to do so! Besides, these savants are cloistered here in the palace and are forbidden to leave. Thanks to your orders, we have everything we need. But the way the magic transmuter works remains a total enigma."
“You have made no progress at all?” William asked, frowning.
“Oh, but I have! Nothing positive as yet The source of energy contained in the Baphomet effigies adapts well to the casket, but it appears to be too powerful so that the operation is over-rapid and the products obtained have only the faintest resemblance to the model placed in the first chamber.”
“Therefore you will have to temper its action,” stated the Grand Master, thoughtfully, taking a rose-flavored sherbet offered by a deaf-mute slave.
“That is precisely the problem! I have tried heating it slightly and packing it in ice; nothing succeeds. However, when I heated the metal wires that link the energy source to the casket until they became red, the operation slowed a little. Therefore I abandoned my preoccupation with the transmuter for experiments with the fluid coming from the source box by means of the conductors. This has enabled me to make some appreciable observations.”
