Eight marble colonnades supported Damascus's dome, while stained-glass windows cast the entire hall in brilliant light.
Vivianna, Jeanne, Prajna, and the other attendants had already led the Crusaders out in scattered offensives, seizing the Ayyubids' remaining territories.
Lothar and Lavinia remained in the rear, supplying the front lines with provisions.
Having once been a top judge, Lavinia found serving as Lothar's private secretary quite effortless.
Lavinia opened a document, her lashes casting raven-feather shadows beneath her eyes. "Lothar, Shadow of Darkness has sent word. The Ayyubids' remnants in the north have been making major moves lately. They have nearly emptied all of Aleppo's wealth, and bands of scouts carrying falcons have headed north."
"The Saracens are looking for a way out."
A look of sudden realization crossed Lothar's face. "I think I understand why Saladin put on such a grand performance before his death."
In a sense, his duel with Saladin had also served as a legitimate transfer of power over Damascus. It had not actually been bad for him.
Now, it seemed Saladin had already concluded that they could not win and had begun seeking a way out for his family. His own death was likely meant to account to the Zoroastrian world for his repeated defeats.
Even a mediocre ruler would not leave behind too poor a reputation if he died on the battlefield.
Besides, Saladin had done quite well before meeting Lothar. Otherwise, so many ghazis would not have traveled thousands of miles to join his banner.
More documents were delivered by the attendants below. "Your Majesty, Queen Tamar of the Kingdom of Georgia and her husband, Prince Yuri, have each sent a state letter, hoping to gain our support."
Queen Tamar was the daughter of King George III of Georgia's Bagrationi Dynasty. She had previously ruled