Lothar watched Saleh leave.
Saleh, the wandering prince with a strong claim to Syria and Aleppo, said with some emotion, "Abdullah, you were right. He really is a very unusual man—he even greeted me using our customs just now."
"He is completely unlike those barbaric, uncouth Frankish nobles I have met before, who know nothing of etiquette."
Abdullah deeply agreed.
"When I first met him, he was only a knight. Now he has been elevated to baron and has won King Baldwin's favor. In my opinion, it will not be long before he becomes an important figure in the Holy City."
"It seems necessary to build a good relationship with him."
At that moment, an attendant entered the room in quick little steps and leaned close to whisper something into Saleh's ear.
"What?"
"I understand."
Saleh's expression changed slightly, his face somewhat complicated. "No, Abdullah, I have just received word that King Baldwin has appointed him Grand Commander of the Royal Knightly Order."
"He is already an important figure in this city."
A look of astonishment appeared on Abdullah's face. "That is truly unbelievable."
"It seems King Baldwin values Lothar even more highly than we imagined."
Saleh pondered for a moment. "Abdullah, we should be more generous to our friends. Besides the ten warhorses, send him five maidservants as well."
"Maidservants?"
Abdullah hesitated.
Saleh immediately saw his concern and said seriously, "Real maidservants, not the sort specially trained to kill their masters in bed at any moment."
Only then did Abdullah gladly accept the order.
Saleh could not help but laugh. "Abdullah, you are good at choosing friends. So is Lothar."
After leaving the inn.
Fringilla muttered in dissatisfaction, "Why refuse the maidservants? I heard that the maidservants trained by those Zoroastrian nobles are all very good at serving people."