The tent belonging to the Order of the Hospitallers was large - possibly the largest of the tents within the Crusaders' camp. The thick fabric of the canopy blocked the sun's light, and so was illuminated by lanterns hanging by chains from the skeleton of wooden members that formed the frame of the structure. Thick swathes of cloth had also been hung from these members, dividing the interior of the tent. A thick odour of herbs and spices filled the air - ostensibly to cleanse the atmosphere of any evil humours or miasmas, but resulting in an aromatic fog that stifled the lungs of all who tried to breathe it.

As Richard of Warwick and John of Chester entered the tent, they were approached by a thick-set man wearing a monk's habit. The monk bowed his head in greeting. "A good day to you, mes sieurs. How may I be of assistance to you?"

Richard spoke first. "There were some pilgrims who my comrade," and at this he indicated John, "brought here earlier today. My lord William sent me here to see them and to question them."

The hospitaller glanced back and forth between Richard and his companion. "Of course," he murmured. "Please, to come with me."

The three made their way through the curtained passages of the tent. Most of those being tended to were those who were too ill or too badly wounded to be cared for by their friends and comrades. On their way through, Richard caught glimpses of men with missing limbs or those who had been laid low by one of the many sicknesses that seemed to sweep through the camp. Everywhere there were reminders of the gravity of battle and the siege work. Even John of Chester, ever ready with a quip or a witticism to lighten the darkest of moments, was quiet and subdued.

"Here," the monk said. He pulled open a flap of cloth and stood aside to let Richard and John enter the area beyond. Inside were half-a-dozen figures dressed in light clothing and lying on palliasses. Many of them were wounded, but all of them showed the telltale signs of exposure to the harsh conditions of the desert. A pair of woman - novitiates in one of the holy orders judging by their modest dresses - were tending to their charges: cleaning wounds and occasionally refreshing the bowls of watered-down wine that stood on a table between the pallets. From just the far side of another fabric partition came the sound of sobbing.

"Are these the ones you found?" Richard asked John. His brother knight nodded.

"Aye. All bar one." John looked around the chamber then respectfully tugged at the sleeves of one of the nuns. "Sister. There was another - a young lady - who was with these. Do you know where she is?"

The nun pointed to the partition. "She is in there. But she is not herself. The demoiselle requires rest and quiet."

"Will you permit me to see her?" Richard asked.

The nun put down the bowl she was carrying and went to the partition, drawing it aside. The Golden Knight peered through the gap, then inhaled in surprise. "I know her." He pushed his way past the nun to rush to the side of the young lady within. "Marianne," he said softly.

The young lady looked up, her mouth an 'O' of surprise, and brushed her chestnut coloured tresses back. "Young Richard?" The Golden Knight nodded. "How are you here?" Her arms lifted, as if to embrace Richard, but then dropped to her sides as she assumed an attitude of maidenly detachment.

"Ha." Richard smiled and knelt down beside the lady. "I took the vow to go to Jerusalem. And you?"

"I was with my lord, Sir Charles and my lady Elizabeth. We were following the pilgrim trail across the sands."

Richard shook his head and scowled. "It is a dangerous time to be abroad. Even for those who travel the Holy Way."

Marianne sniffed. "And so we found out. We had been warned, but there was not just my lord and his household in our group. We thought that there would be safety in numbers. But ... ." She let her voice trail into silence.

"But there are still those who would risk God's wrath by preying upon travellers. How long were you in the desert before you were brought here?"

"After we were attacked? We wandered for a few days."

John interjected from just the other side of the partition. "Those we found were near death from thirst and the heat. You were fortunate that we went that way."

"God smiled upon us and showed us His mercy," Marianne replied, then crossed herself. Richard repeated the gesture.

"Do you know who attacked you?"

"It was difficult to tell." Marianne closed her eyes and shuddered. "It was so confusing. There were men crying out, horses screaming."

"These bandits - did they fight under a flag? Where they Christians or Muslims?"

"No. They did not. And I could not tell. I was too frightened. I deserted my mistress and ran, rather than stay beside her." Marianne's chest began to heave. Richard reached out a comforting hand.

"You are no warrior. Tell me - what happened to Sir Charles? To Lady Elizabeth?"

"I do not know. I returned to the remains of our caravan, but there was no sign of them amongst the dead."

Richard looked up towards John. "That is a good sign. Perhaps whoever took them, took them for ransom."

"Aye." John of Chester nodded in agreement. "It would have been easier to just kill them if the attackers had only been interested in looting."

Richard stood up. "I will see what can be done, Marianne. My lord William has charged me with dealing with this matter." He raised a hand to stop a protest from John. "I shall find Sir Charles and Lady Elizabeth, and bring them back."

Marianne bobbed her head. "Thank you."

As the two knights left the Hospitallers' pavilion, John grabbed his friend by the arm. "Did William really tell you to deal with these bandits?"

"He told me to attend to the matter as best I thought. And to help you," Richard added.

"I see." The two knights continued on their way to Richard's tent. "You must have been good friends with Hugh of Arringford, then, to take such an interest in this matter."

Richard smiled. "More with Marianne. I am sorry that she was brought here, but my heart is glad that she is alive. Now, my brother-in-arms, shall we discuss what we are to do about this situation?"