Chapter 96: The Siege of Homs Begins
June 6, 1180 – Outside the Gates of Homs
The heat rose in waves off the plains south of Hama as the Christian army neared the outer fortifications of Homs. Dust curled around the hooves of 6,000 mounted knights, while tens of thousands of infantry moved in columns behind them—29,000 in total, swelled by reinforcements from the north and militia from the newly garrisoned city of Hama. The banners of Jerusalem, Antioch, Tripoli, and the cross of St. George fluttered like flames above the army.
From the crest of a small hill, King Baldwin IV surveyed the city through a looking glass. Homs sat nestled against the Orontes River, its stone walls weathered but intact. Watchfires glowed along the parapets. Archers stood ready. The city was not large, but its garrison—perhaps 1,500 strong—had not fled like Hama's.
"They think they can outlast us," Baldwin muttered, lowering the glass. His skin was pale, the fatigue of command and disease weighing heavy on him, but his eyes burned with the same clarity as ever.
Beside him, Balian of Ibelin, now bearing the crossed keys of Jerusalem as a senior military advisor, shifted in his saddle. "Do we send envoys, as we did at Hama?"
"We offer them one chance," Baldwin said grimly. "One chance only. If they refuse, they'll find out what mercy costs."
An hour later, a delegation of Crusader riders approached the gates under the white banner of truce. They were met by the city's commander—a stocky Ayyubid officer with a hawk nose and a chainmail hauberk. The Frankish herald read aloud in Arabic:
"The King of Jerusalem offers you peace in exchange for submission. Lay down your arms, open the gates, and your lives and property will be spared. Resist, and the city will fall by force, and with it, your fate will be yours to blame."
The officer laughed bitterly. "Tell your king that Homs does not bow to crippled Franks. Let him try."
He returned inside. The gates slammed shut behind him.