Chapter 142: Chapter 142: The Weight of the Crown
Jerusalem, November 24th, 1180
The winter sun was weak over Jerusalem, casting pale light through the stained glass of the audience chamber in the King’s palace. Baldwin IV sat in his high-backed chair, his hands resting on the carved arms, the gold coronet on his brow catching the faint rays. Though his face was calm, the air in the room was heavy with the kind of tension that comes when a ruler wrestles with a choice that could change the fate of a kingdom.
Before him stood three men — Brother Gerard, the Hospitaller who had long tended his illness; Balian d’Ibelin, his trusted friend and one of the few noblemen in whom he placed unreserved faith; and Heraclius, Patriarch of Jerusalem, whose white robes and jeweled cross glimmered faintly in the cold light. The matter at hand was delicate, and Baldwin had summoned them for counsel.
Balian had laid the groundwork the day before, presenting the potential match between Baldwin and Constance, the aunt of King William II of Sicily. Now, the king was ready to speak of it openly to the Patriarch — though even here, it was to remain behind closed doors.
Heraclius’ face betrayed his shock before he even spoke. His thick brows lifted, his lips parting slightly as he fixed Baldwin with a searching look."My lord king," he said slowly, as though weighing each word, "I must speak plainly — you are... unwell. The burdens of your illness are known to us, but not to the whole realm. Forgive me, but... marriage? A union such as this is meant to produce heirs. How is this possible for you?"
The question cut through the air like a blade. Balian shifted slightly, glancing to Baldwin as if to gauge his reaction, but the king did not flinch. Instead, his gaze slid to Gerard.
"Tell him," Baldwin said simply.
Gerard stepped forward, holding a sheaf of neatly bound parchment. His tone was measured, clinical, but there was a quiet current of pride beneath his words."Your Beatitude, recent studies among our leper houses have shown that the transmission of this disease is far less severe than was feared in years past. We have documented cases — many cases — where men afflicted in the same stage as His Majesty have taken wives and fathered children. In the majority, neither the wives nor the children have shown any signs of leprosy, even years after birth. This is not rumor; it is documented fact."
Heraclius blinked, his expression shifting from shock to something like wary curiosity."You speak of this as though it were certain."
"It is not absolute," Gerard admitted, "but the evidence is overwhelming. The illness is not spread by mere touch, nor even by the sharing of a home or marital bed in all cases. The contagion appears weaker than our forebears believed. There are instances of men with advanced symptoms siring healthy children. If His Majesty were to marry, there is a reasonable chance he could do the same — though," he added, "we would monitor such a union carefully, and precautions could be taken to lessen the risk."
Baldwin watched the Patriarch’s face closely. Heraclius’ fingers tightened around the shaft of his golden cross. "This is... unprecedented," the Patriarch said at last. "If true, it changes many things." His gaze returned to Baldwin. "Yet I must still ask, my king — would you have the strength for the duties of marriage, and for fatherhood? This is no small matter, especially when the peace of the realm rests on the matter of succession."
Baldwin gave a faint smile that was both tired and sharp. "I have commanded armies across deserts and through the mountains of Syria. I have taken Damascus from Saladin and broken his hold over this land. Do you think I would not have the strength to do what is required to secure my kingdom’s future?"
Heraclius opened his mouth, but Balian spoke first, his voice low and persuasive."Your Beatitude, the match with Constance would bind Sicily and Jerusalem together. King William II commands the wealth of the Mediterranean and the strongest fleet in Christendom. Imagine a united front — Jerusalem controlling the coast, Sicily dominating the sea. Egypt would be choked by our combined power, and any Saracen fleet would wither before it could form. It is more than a marriage; it is an alliance that would secure Outremer for decades."
The Patriarch frowned. "And yet, my lords, such a union would rouse suspicion in Byzantium, perhaps even hostility. And what of the barons here? Many still view Sicily with mistrust, fearing it would swallow Jerusalem whole if given the chance."
"That is why this is spoken of in private," Baldwin replied. "No decision has been made. And until I am certain, no word will leave this chamber."
The matter hung in the air for a long moment. Heraclius finally inclined his head, though his eyes still held doubt.
"Very well, my king. I will keep silent — for now. But know this: if you take this step, I will demand to see the proof of what your physician claims with my own eyes."
Gerard bowed slightly. "I can arrange that, Your Beatitude."
The conversation shifted then, but the weight of it lingered in Baldwin’s mind as his spymaster entered — a lean man with weathered skin from years in the desert. He carried news from the south and east.
"My lord," the man began, "Saladin’s movements have become clearer. After his defeats in Syria and the loss of Gaza, he has turned inward. Egypt is under his direct control now — he has stripped certain emirs of their titles, replacing them with men loyal only to him. The rebellious governors in Aswan and Qus have been put to the sword. He is consolidating his rule with a ruthless hand."
"And the ports?" Baldwin asked.
"They are rebuilding, sire," the spymaster said grimly. "Damietta and Alexandria both. The Sicilian raids burned many ships and destroyed their dockyards, but the work has begun again. Saladin is diverting craftsmen from Cairo to hasten the repairs. It may take two or three years to fully restore their fleets, but the process is underway."
Balian leaned forward. "And his armies? How many does he still command?"
"Not what they were before Aleppo and Damascus," the spymaster replied, "but Egypt’s treasury is swelling again, thanks to trade with the Red Sea ports. He has garrisons in Cairo and the Nile Delta. I would estimate he could field twenty thousand men within two years, perhaps more if he calls upon his vassals in Mesopotamia."
Baldwin considered this, his fingers drumming lightly on the arm of his chair."He is biding his time," the king said at last. "The blow I struck in Syria was not enough to destroy him — only to wound him. He will seek to rebuild his strength, and when he does, he will strike here again."
Heraclius crossed himself. "Then perhaps this marriage you speak of will be needed more than I first believed."
Baldwin did not answer at once. His gaze drifted to the great map spread on the table before him — the Levant, the coastlines of Egypt, the ports of Sicily marked in ink. Two visions of the future lay in his mind: one where Jerusalem stood alone, proud but vulnerable, and another where its banner flew beside Sicily’s across the Mediterranean.
He knew which was stronger.
But strength and wisdom were not the same thing — and for now, the decision would remain locked in his heart.