The Talisman

Viac o knihe

Set during a truce in the third Crusade, a knight named Sir Kenneth journeys to Syria and encounters a Saracen Emir. They bond over discussions of love and necromancy as they travel to meet the hermit Theodoric of Engaddi, who is in contact with the pope. The hermit provides them with food, and when the Emir sleeps, he takes Kenneth to a chapel where Kenneth sees Lady Edith, the object of his affections. Meanwhile, King Richard Coeur de Lion falls ill in his tent at Ascalon. Kenneth arrives with a Moorish physician, who, after consulting with Kenneth, prepares a remedy for the king. As Richard recovers, political tensions rise with Conrade of Montserrat plotting against him, inciting Leopold of Austria to challenge Richard's authority. When Richard awakens, he learns of the banner incident instigated by Conrade. Kenneth is tasked with guarding the English standard but is distracted by a message from Lady Edith, leading to the banner being stolen and his dog injured. Overwhelmed with guilt, Kenneth is approached by the physician, who offers to help him seek protection from Richard. Despite his efforts to reveal the Sultan's intentions, Kenneth is sentenced to death but is later spared after the intervention of the hermit and physician. Disguised as a Nubian slave, Kenneth ultimately saves Richard's life from an assassin and offers to uncover the thief of the standard.