Chapter 104: The Storm Begins
June 24, 1180 – Outside Baalbek
The sun had not yet crested the ridge of the Anti-Lebanon mountains, but already the air was warm with the promise of another punishing summer day. Baalbek, cradled in its high-walled defenses and flanked by the mountainous terrain, loomed ahead like a lioness with claws drawn. Its ancient stone towers, built on the bones of Roman temples, had withstood both time and war—and now they faced yet another siege.
King Baldwin IV stood beneath a broad canvas awning, surrounded by his generals. His leprous body was hidden beneath layers of linen and chainmail, but fatigue clung to his eyes and his movements were slower than before. Still, his mind was alert, sharp as ever, and today he meant to break the will of the defenders of Baalbek.
"They've refused every parley," Balian of Ibelin said, motioning toward the city with his gauntleted hand. "Even after two days of bombardment."
"Pride or desperation," Baldwin replied. "Either way, they will regret it."
Around them, the great siege camp buzzed with movement. Nearly 29,000 men had marched from Homs—Frankish knights, mounted sergeants, infantry, Gascon crossbowmen, and engineers who had labored for days to bring the siege towers and trebuchets into position. By now, the machines stood like grim sentinels outside the walls, their baskets loaded with stone, their frames groaning under the tension of wound rope.
Baldwin turned to Garnier of Nablus, the Hospitaller commander. "Are the Hospitaller companies ready?"
Garnier nodded. "Fully armed and standing by. The men are eager."
"And the siege towers?"
"The eastern and northern towers will reach the walls within the hour. The third is delayed by the slope—it will take longer."