The northern gate of Acre opened at dawn, and Roland rode out with a small escort—Lucien, Ferrand, and twenty cavalry. No banners. No full army. Just enough strength to remind anyone watching:
Jerusalem's commander did not fear negotiation.
On the coastal road, waves crashed against the cliffs. A small tent was pitched on a flat patch of stone, and beside it stood three men—Tyre's envoys.
Roland recognized their type at once.
Not unified.
Not confident.
Three envoys meant three factions.
Perfect.
The Three Voices of Tyre
The first envoy—a thin, sharp-faced noble in bright silk—bowed extravagantly.
"I am Lord Kadar, representative of the coastal merchants of Tyre. We congratulate you on the… efficient change of leadership in Acre."
Roland heard the message beneath the politeness:
You did this fast. Too fast.
The second envoy, a bishop in white robes decorated with gold thread, spoke next.
"I am Bishop Mattais. The clergy of Tyre greet you in peace and pray that conflict may be avoided."
A religious faction.
More moderate.
Possibly fearful.
Finally, the third envoy stepped forward with a scowl:
"I am Captain Branos, commander of the city garrison."
His armor was not polished. His boots were worn. A man tired of politics.
He didn't bow. Didn't pretend to smile.
"Let's speak plainly," Branos said. "You want Tyre."
Lucien muttered, "At least one of them is honest."
Roland dismounted and approached the table set up between them.
"I want stability," Roland said. "Acre was plagued by warlords. Tyre is next if you continue your infighting."
Kadar stiffened. "We do not infight."
Roland gestured to the three of them. "Your city sent three envoys instead of one leader. That alone proves otherwise."
Branos crossed his arms. Mattais looked away.
Kadar's jaw clenched.
Roland pressed on, voice calm but firm:
"A kingdom divided falls. A city divided falls faster."
The Offer They Did Not Expect
Roland placed a sealed document on the table.
"A treaty," he said. "One that benefits Tyre… if your city can unify long enough to accept it."
Kadar snatched it up. "What do you offer?"
Roland listed each item without hesitation:
Full protection under Jerusalem's growing military
Shared control of trade routes
Low, fixed taxes that will not strangle local merchants
Representation in the new coastal council Roland was forming
Guaranteed religious protections
Integration of Tyre's skilled shipwrights into Jerusalem's naval expansion
The envoys exchanged stunned looks.
Ferrand whispered to Lucien, "He's offering them prosperity they haven't seen in decades."
Lucien replied, "And if they refuse?"
Roland heard them and answered himself:
"If Tyre declines, it will be taken. Forcefully. But rebuilt and protected all the same."
Silence fell.
A cold, honest threat wrapped in generosity.
Even Branos looked shaken.
Cracks in the Envoys' Unity
As the three envoys debated among themselves, Roland watched carefully.
Kadar argued loudly, "Trade will flourish! Jerusalem's rise is our chance!"
Bishop Mattais whispered nervously, "The people fear war. Peace would bless us all."
Branos slammed a fist on the table. "Your treaties will not matter if he uses Acre's army to crush our walls!"
Roland realized something important:
Tyre was fragile.
A city that looked strong from afar…
but inside was hollowed by years of distrust.
He leaned in. "Lord Kadar. You speak for merchants. Bishop Mattais represents faith. Captain Branos commands soldiers. Tell me—who rules Tyre?"
None of them answered.
Roland nodded. "Exactly. No one."
He stood. "Unify behind one voice… or Tyre will fall before my army even marches."
The Hidden Threat
Just as Roland prepared to dismiss the envoys, Branos spoke quietly.
"There is something you should know."
Roland paused.
"A warlord north of Tyre," Branos said. "A self-proclaimed prince. He's been raiding villages and gathering men. If you strike us, he will attack you from behind."
Kadar hissed, "Why reveal that?"
Branos shrugged. "Because I don't want him ruling over us if we fall."
Roland exchanged a look with Lucien.
A wild northern warlord?
Perfect.
Roland turned back. "This warlord… does he challenge you?"
"He challenges everyone," Branos said. "He wants the whole coast."
Roland felt the path ahead shift.
If he attacked Tyre directly, that warlord would ambush him.
But if he struck the warlord first…
Tyre would see Jerusalem as their savior.
Not conqueror.
Another easy victory.
Another loyal city.
And another step toward Tripoli.
The Decision
Roland closed the treaty and handed it back.
"Return to Tyre. You have one week to choose a unified response. If you cannot form a single leadership council… the treaty is void."
Kadar bowed deeply.
Mattais whispered prayers.
Branos gave Roland a long, thoughtful stare.
"Will you confront the northern warlord?" Branos asked.
Roland mounted his horse. "Only if he forces me to."
Lucien smirked. "Which he will."
Roland's voice was steady. "Good. It'll give Tyre a reason to trust us."
As Roland and his escort rode south toward Acre, the wind carried the smell of the sea—and the scent of war.
Tyre was not yet conquered.
But the path to its conquest had begun.
And in the distance, beyond hills and forests, another enemy was preparing.