Barbara continues her journey, but she stumbles and lets out a stifled cry. She heads for a darkened alcove, but it is too late - her cry has alerted the guards, who retrace their steps. |
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The guards scour the alleyway while Barbara cowers in the shadows. As the guards draw closer, a man places his hand firmly over Barbara's mouth. |
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The man motions for her to remain silent and Barbara nods. The man attacks the two guards, who collapse to the ground. |
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Barbara's rescuer introduces himself as Haroun ed-Din. 'We have a common enemy in El Akir,' he explains. 'It makes for uncommon friendship.' He unties Barbara and takes her to a place of safety. |
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In King Richard's palace, Ben Daheer ties a new cloak around the Doctor's shoulders. |
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'You look marvellous!' says Vicki, who is still disguised as Victor.
'Marvellous indeed, my lord,' says Ben. 'The birds will envy you and the multi-coloured fish from the deeps are put to shame!' |
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The Doctor asks Ben to provide some clothes for his 'boy'. 'When the sun rises I shall be here to transform the boy into a veritable strutting peacock!' says Ben. |
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The departing Ben bows deeply as Princess Joanna sweeps down the stairs. She ignores him, and heads straight for the Doctor and Vicki. |
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Joanna pauses in the doorway, intrigued by the Doctor and Vicki's conversation. 'Why have I got to go on pretending to be a boy? Why can't I be a girl again?' says Vicki.
'I'm sorry, my dear, but you know how we're placed here'. |
| 
Vicki places her hand on the Doctor's arm, suddenly aware that they have been discovered. |
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'Why have you deceived us?' asks Joanna.
'Forgive me your highness,' says the Doctor. 'This is my young ward. Having found ourselves in a hostile country, I decided to use this disguise.' |
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'Please, don't be angry with him,' says Vicki. 'He only did what he thought was best for me.' |
| 
'A pretty advocate,' says Joanna, immediately softening her tone. 'I won't be a partner to this deception, but while you are here you shall be in my company and be given my protection.' Joanna sends Vicki to fetch the Chamberlain and, alone with the Doctor, tells him she feels excluded from her brother's confidence. |
| 
'I sense he's made a plan of which I am a part,' she says. 'There's something new in you, yet something older than the sky itself,' she continues. 'I sense that I can trust you.'
'If there is a plan my lady, I will find out what it is and keep close in touch,' says the Doctor. |
| 
The Chamberlain arrives and Joanna gives him his instructions. 'Bid your servant go about the town and find nimble hands who will dress this child. Good weaving, well-spun cloth...'
The Chamberlain is astonished to discover 'Victor' is in fact a girl. |
| 
He scurries away to find the clothes. The Doctor tells Vicki: 'You would be much safer under Joanna's wing.'
'You wouldn't go off and leave me, would you?' asks Vicki, nervously. 'I mean, your Ship's the only home I've got now...' |
| 
'Well, when you said a good thing... I thought you meant that I was some sort of problem or something,' says Vicki.
'Surely you know me better than that, child?' says the Doctor, reassuring her. 'No, my reservation was that I might get entangled in court intrigue, and that can be very, very dangerous.' |
| 
Haroun welcomes Barbara to his modest home, and introduces his daughter Safiya. While she prepares some food, Haroun tells Barbara he has sworn to kill El Akir. |
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'Last year my house was a fine and happy place,' says Haroun sadly. 'A gentle wife, a son who honoured and obeyed me, and two daughters who adorned whatever place they visited. Then El Akir came to Lydda and imposed his will. He desired my eldest daughter, Maimuna, but I refused him.' |
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'So he took her?' asks Barbara.
'Yes,' replies Haroun. 'Well, when Safiya and I were away he came and burned my house. My wife and son were put to the sword.' |
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'Then why do you stay in Lydda?' asks Barbara.
'I live for one thing alone: the death of El Akir,' says Haroun. 'Now I will go out and see if the way is clear for your escape.'
Barbara stops him before he can leave. 'I just feel I'm making things worse for you,' she says. |
| 
'Rest here, I shall not be long. If danger threatens, Safiya will hide you. But, if the soldiers persist in their search, and you think that they will find you, take this and use it.' He hands Barbara a knife, telling her to kill Safiya if necessary, and then to kill herself. |
| 
'No!' exclaims Barbara. 'Life is better than this!'. She goes on to promise that she won't let the soldiers take Safiya. Haroun goes out into the street, and when he has gone Barbara hides the knife. |
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'Where has my father gone?' asks Safiya.
'He went outside to see if the soldiers had gone,' says Barbara hesitantly. |
| 
Safiya suspects her father is actually doing something else. 'My mother, my brother and my sister Maimuna disappeared last year,' she says. 'My father searches everywhere for them. We live in hope they will return one day.'
'Then you don't know...' says Barbara, before stopping herself. |
| 
In an alleyway outside, Haroun encounters a Saracen warrior. He reaches for his knife, forgetting that he has left it behind. The Saracen punches him in the stomach and he falls to the ground. 'Who have you got there?' asks a second warrior, approaching with a flaming torch. 'I seem to know that face,' he adds. |
| 
'He's a poor man of the town. He lives in the northern quarter,' says the first warrior.
The second warrior issues his instructions: 'The runaway can find a host of allies in the northern quarter, each individual as desperate as herself. Take what men you need and find her!' |
| 
'And when Sir Ian is returned we trust that he will bring your lady and Sir William des Preaux in addition to the answers to the several letters we have written,' says Richard.
The Earl of Leicester asks Richard what his plans are. |
| 
'To give our sister's hand in marriage to Saphadin, brother of the Sultan, and so make an end to this war,' says Richard.
'The Princess to marry Saphadin! My lord, I beg you to explain,' says Leicester. |
| 
'We do not feel obliged to explain anything to anyone, my lord of Leicester. We think our words were plain enough,' says Richard.
'It is a good scheme, sire, if the Princess agrees,' says the Doctor.
'Joanna knows nothing of this matter,' admits Richard. |
| 
'With all the strength at my command I urge you, sire: abandon this pretence of peace!' says Leicester.
'Pretence, sir?' queries the Doctor. 'Here is the opportunity to save the lives of many men and you do nought but turn it down! Without any kind of thought. What do you think you are doing?' |
| 
'I speak as a soldier,' says Leicester. 'Why are we in this foreign land if not to fight? The Devil's horde, Saracen and Turk, possess Jerusalem and we will not wrest it from them with harried words.'
'You stupid butcher!' says the Doctor. 'Can you think of nothing else but killing, hmm?' |
| 
'You're a man for talk, I can see that,' says Leicester. 'You like a table and a ring of men. A parley here, arrangements there, but when you men of eloquence have stunned each other with your words, we, we the soldiers have to face it out... Armies settle everything, giving sweat-sinewed bodies ironed life itself.' |
| 
The Doctor calls Leicester a fool, and Leicester reaches for his sword. 'Enough of this!' exclaims Richard. 'Know this my lord of Leicester: we will not be advised, we have decided on a pact with Saladin. If that fails, then a trial of arms. But we have set our mind and heart upon this marriage and it shall go forward!' |
| 
In the palace at Ramlah, Saladin reads the letter from Richard. |
| 
'Why do you smile, brother? Is it a trap?' asks Saphadin. |
| 
'No,' replies Saladin. 'The English King writes sincerely. It is so guileless it can only be genuine.' |
| 
'Think seriously about it,' says Saphadin. 'Alliance with Joanna would give me title to much land. Power over far off countries, a glittering empire, brother!'
'I did not know you were so ambitious,' says Saladin. |
| 
'This is a last appeal for peace from a weary man,' says Saladin. 'So you write your letter and I'll alert the armies. Then on either day, the day of blissful union or of awful battle, we will be prepared.' |
| 
'You are wise,' says Saphadin. 'I was wrong to doubt you.'
'Hold one hand out in friendship but keep the other on your sword,' advises Saladin.
'The knight, Sir Ian of Jaffa, who brought a plea for the release of Sir William...' begins Saphadin. |
| 
'Sir William I cannot return, not yet. But write that he is well cared for. As for the other, Sir Ian, he begged to be allowed to search for the lady Barbara. The brave deserve their favours... This sincerity deserves our honest dealings.... but caution insists that my armies are ready.' |
| 
'They're getting nearer,' says Barbara, listening to the sounds of women screaming as soldiers search nearby houses. |
| 
Barbara and Safiya head for a hiding place behind a hidden door. Safiya takes her father's knife. |
| 
The Saracen who attacked Haroun enters the house, closely followed by another warrior. 'Nothing in here,' says the first Saracen. 'Look out there.' |
| 
The other warrior goes into the kitchen. He knocks over some pans and helps himself to some freshly baked bread. |
| 
The first Saracen remains suspicious, despite the fact the house seems to be empty. He sends the other man to search the rooftop.
'They'll find us. Poor father!' says the terrified Safiya, clinging on to Barbara. |
| 
'Someone must be here, somewhere. Search every corner,' says the Saracen. 'No, wait! I've a better plan. Bring a torch. We'll smoke the secret out, or watch a burning funeral!' |
| 
'Cover yourself with this blanket and stay huddled in the corner,' says Barbara, handing the knife to Safiya. |
| 
Barbara emerges from the hiding place and tries to sneak past the Saracen. When he turns around she is forced to retrace her steps, heading back towards the kitchen. |
| 
Barbara unwittingly walks into another warrior's path. The Saracen grabs her and demands to know who was responsible for hiding her. 'Oh, what does it matter, you've found me,' says Barbara.
'When you're on your knees before my master, your defiance will change to screams for pity!' says the Saracen. |
| 
Tears stream down Safiya's face as Barbara is dragged away. |
| 
The sun beats down on a featureless desert plain. |
| 
Ian sleeps, unaware that a bandit is approaching, attempting to steal his sword. |
| 
The bandit reaches over Ian and carefully takes his sword. |
| 
The bandit admires the weapon while Ian continues sleeping. He makes his next move for Ian's money pouch. |
| 
This time, Ian spots him. The two struggle in the sand, and the bandit draws a knife. |
| 
Ian appears to have the upper hand when he is knocked unconscious by an unseen assailant. 'Thank you, my brother,' says the bandit. |
| 
'Sweet child,' says Joanna, admiring Vicki's new clothes. 'You look so innocent. I have nothing but love for you.'
'You've been very kind to me,' says Vicki, revealing her real name to the Princess.
'You shall stay by my side and be my close companion,' says Joanna. |
| 
Joanna asks the Doctor if Richard revealed anything of his plans.
'He said he wished to speak to you himself,' lies the Doctor.
'I thought I had your friendship,' says Joanna sternly.
'You have, your highness, but the King spoke to me in confidence,' says the Doctor. 'I must not steal his thunder, hmm?' |
| 
'I thought something like this would happen, child,' the Doctor tells Vicki as Joanna confers with the Earl of Leicester.
'Can't you tell her?' asks Vicki.
'That she's going to get married? Of course not!' says the Doctor. 'Dear, dear, dear, all this intrigue. I knew it! All this trouble!' Drop a hint
|
| 
'What's this I hear?' says Joanna as Richard enters the room. 'I can't believe it's true. Marriage to that heathenish man, that infidel?'
'We will give you reasons for it,' says Richard wearily.
'This unconsulted partner has no wish to marry!' exclaims Joanna. 'I am no sack of flour to be given in exchange!' |
| 
'This war is full of weary, wounded men,' says Richard. 'This marriage wants a little thought by you: you'll see the right of it.'
'And how would you have me go to Saphadin?' scowls Joanna. 'Bathed in Oriental perfume, I suppose... soft-eyed and trembling, eager with a thousand words of compliment and love? Well I like a different way to meet the man I am to wed!' |
| 
'I entreat you, Joanna!' says Richard, following her from the room.
She growls a refusal.
'Very well,' says Richard. 'I am the King. We command you!'
'There is a higher authority than yours to which I answer,' says Joanna. |
| 
'I am the King,' says a stunned Richard. 'Where is there any man who has greater power over his subjects?'
'In Rome,' relies Joanna defiantly. 'His Holiness the Pope will not allow this marriage of mine to that infidel!' |
| 
'The reason you and all your armies are here is the reason on my side,' says Joanna. 'You are here to fight these dogs, defeat them. Marry me to them and you make a pact with the Devil. Force me to it and I'll turn the world we know into your enemy!' |
| 
Joanna leaves from the room and a furious Richard turns to the Doctor. 'Who gave away my plan?' he asks. |
| 
'Your majesty,' says the Doctor, 'if you believe that I...'
Richard interrupts him: 'You are not welcome in our sight.' |
| 
In his palace, El Akir awaits the arrival of his latest prisoner. |
| 
Barbara is hauled before him. He stares down at her with contempt. |
| 
'The only pleasure left for you is death,' he says sadistically. |
| 
'And death,' says El Akir, 'is very far away.' |
|
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