The beacons burned through the night.
From the hills east of Jerusalem to the watchtowers along the coast, columns of smoke rose into the sky — the ancient language of war.
By dawn, the reports were undeniable.
The invasion had begun.
The Enemy Moves
Sir Aldric delivered the news in grim detail.
"Three armies," he said, pointing at the map. "One crossing east of the Jordan. Another moving north through the Bekaa. A third assembling near the desert roads."
Amalthea's jaw tightened. "They mean to stretch us thin."
Roland nodded. "And force us to abandon the coast."
Lucien scoffed. "They underestimate how fast we move."
Roland's reforms — roads, supply depots, command structure — now proved their worth. Orders flew faster than the enemy could react.
"Recall the northern garrisons," Roland commanded. "Hold Jerusalem and the coastal cities. We meet the eastern force first."
The First Clash
The enemy struck near the old river crossings — thousands of men advancing under banners of multiple emirates.
Roland rode with the vanguard.
He saw the dust clouds, the glitter of spearpoints, the mass of men who believed Jerusalem could be crushed by numbers alone.
Roland raised his sword.
"Hold formation. Let them come."
The infantry locked shields. Archers drew. Cavalry waited, coiled.
When the enemy charged, the ground shook.
Arrows fell like rain.
The enemy line faltered.
Then Roland gave the signal.
The cavalry hit the flank like a hammer.
Years of drilling paid off. The enemy broke within hours, fleeing back across the river in disarray.
It was a victory.
But it was only the beginning.
The Cost of Defense
By nightfall, more reports arrived.
The northern army had taken two border villages.
The desert force had raided caravans.
Jerusalem was holding — but barely.
Lucien wiped blood from his blade. "They're probing. Testing."
Roland looked at the wounded being carried past.
"They're learning."
And so was he.
A Kingdom Under Fire
In Jerusalem, civilians were moved behind fortified lines.
In Acre and Tyre, fleets were readied to repel coastal raids.
In Tripoli, walls were reinforced as northern sultans mobilized.
The kingdom did not panic.
It endured.
Because Roland had built it to.
The King's Resolve
That night, Roland stood in the command tent, staring at the map now marked with enemy movements.
"We cannot fight everywhere defensively," Amalthea said. "Eventually they'll overwhelm us."
Roland nodded.
"Which is why," he said, "we don't defend forever."
Lucien looked up. "You're planning a counterstrike."
Roland's eyes hardened.
"Yes."
He pointed east.
"We break their strongest army. Publicly. Completely."
Silence followed.
Sir Aldric smiled grimly. "A decisive battle."
Roland nodded.
"If Jerusalem is to survive, the world must learn something."
"What?" Lucien asked.
Roland answered:
"That we are not prey."