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Who would have expected the Sulasson Sultan and the Christian king to share a dining table in this world？
Saladin sent his servants. In addition to the long table and two chairs used in the banquet arranged by the Franks, there seems to be nothing else that needs to be distracted at this time. The King of Jerusalem walked slowly along the long table, and his sight was gently swept on the food on it, and nothing seemed to have caused his special appetite.
Also, a patient's appetite must be picky and very difficult to satisfy. Saladin had already expected this, so he began to introduce the food in front of him personally for the guests, trying to arouse some interest, just like Treating the provoking juniors like that, intimidating lure —— although there is only lure at this time.
His voice was calm, with a frivolous lightness, and his speech flowed like water flow.
“From small to large, I prepared dried fruits, fruits, vegetables and meat, and the last dessert. There are figs, sango and raisins in the dried fruits, plums, apricots, walnuts, pistachios, and tonsils, which are insignificant, so I only let them occupy a high-foot disc, but they are either rich in fats and chew up with a fragrance, or Become sweet after the sun, never disappointing. In the fruit, the apples, pomegranates, and golden peaches I prepared all came from Samarkand. The fruits growing there were delicious. The pagans would be probed once they ate and converted to Allah. The top one in the apple is taken from the entire Samarkand apple tree where only three can bear such fruits. In addition, the cigars and quince in Kabul, the watermelon in Khorasan, and the little-finger-like cucumber produced in Bukhara ——”
Saladin turned to look at the young one and smiled with him for the little trap he just said. Although it was strange, he felt that Baldwin did laugh under that mask for a moment. Perhaps it was just that he thought too much, but he was never prepared to take the time to figure out such undocumented little things.
“ Also I think I can tell you that I like sour cherries, but Fadil always insists that it is a fruit to decorate and season, and urges me not to make any more feeding seasonings, but I don’t always Listen to him. Because it was Allah, not me, who let those cherry trees grow in the wild, didn’t you —— hope you don’t tell others, or turn around and stand on a line with Fadiler. ”
“ Of course not, Sudan. ”
So he did laugh. Saladin thought.
“ I prepared vegetables, but not many on my own face. Jin Kwai, Harbour, some carrots, turnips, some scalp stems that no one can call the exact name except my own chef, buryed in the ash and baked directly, and should not be eaten now. There is only one meat, but it is rich enough. It is the whole deer sent by Aleppo. Zahir said it was hunted by himself, so I think it should be suitable for a humble hospitality by the father. —— By the way, Zahir is only fifteen years old this year, and I just made him Governor of Aleppo. ”
“ He is still very young, he will make a difference. ”
This evaluation gave Saladin a deep look at leprosy patients who seemed to be young and also made a difference —— which should have made a difference.
“ I heard the order of your introduction, from small to large, then the last dessert is your good heart, your proudest collection, isn't it? ”
“ Of course... In my opinion, you all seem too addicted to drilling alcohol, taste, aroma, color, and the happiness you get is not as good as our dessert. ”
“ Maybe just because the happiness from his blood is blameless. ”
“ Maybe. But I know you don’t drink. ”
“ Just weak. If the body permits, I also hope to take you to taste it. I’ve had bubble wine from the territory of Earl Champagne, but I’ve never been there. It’s said that the quality of the wine that hasn’t been shaken by the autumn storm will be more pure... and its taste, although it won’t make you change your letter... It doesn’t matter.. why not introduce me to this glass of fruit dew？I have seen it for a long time. ”
“ Presley？It turns out you will also be interested in this kind of thing. ”
“ I do not deny that I have some old feelings. William once called this's thing' as a reward for academic progress to me. ”
Now he sounds defensive or protesting. It’s better to obey the guests. The Sudan of the Ayub dynasty really considered it.
“ This glass of fruit dew is contained in the crystal cup, and the key is pure silver, hoping this will dispel some of your concerns. ”
“ If I have concerns, I won’t go to the banquet. How can I say this, my friend. ”
Saladin had to sigh for the moment for that title.
“ I don’t drink fruit dew often, but my wife likes it. This cup is based on her own recipe. Rose petals, lemon wire, orange wire are cooked together to make it transparent and soften, and the sugar strips of Grato are sweetened, and after thickening, all the ice scraps of the whole pot are poured in, and the syrup is diluted and cooled. Putting it in the cup and adding some raisins or pomegranates is her fruit exposed. ”
Saladin took the cup stem and made a particularly long goblet, handed it to the patient whose fingers were wrapped in thick leather gloves.
“ You are also familiar with the production process this time. ”
“ You don’t have to guess why, because the facts are indeed what you think. ”
Baldwin responded with a gentleness. The goblet is already in his hand.
“ I think my introduction is here. Although the remaining desserts are my hobbies, they are too mysterious. I can’t understand it. I can only introduce you to the name. The golden plate on your right hand side is rice pudding, and in the direction is Lauchinner, a pastry made of sweet almonds, Jerabi, fried peach pie, sweet and sour stew, and Faroudha... But be careful of the last one, although it looks sweet and soft, it is very sticky, and it often takes a long time to lick a piece，You understand what I am talking about. ”
“ That's right, that's it. ”
Saladin smiled again with the sound of the other party slightly raised by smile.
“ Then I want to leave you alone to eat here. After being screened, the servants will not show any emotions, and they will understand what you need, and their families will suffer from disease. Just ring the bell on the table. ”
And Baldwin IV seemed to have an interest in observing the cautious wording, without saying a word, and confused Saladin and had to explain his actions further.
“ So, I still avoid it as well. For our sake. Your mask doesn't look like it can be lifted like the face armor of those knights. ”
“ Indeed. ”
Baldwin gave affirmation softly.
“ Then I better leave temporarily. ”
“ Not necessary. ”
The leprosy patient's finger was placed under the mask and lifted it up. The movement was as slow as if his arm was seriously injured.
In the still silent gaze, Saladin looked at a strange and seemingly familiar jaw that exposed naked from the mask, followed by a pair of lips, the patient toasted the cup along the lips, and drank a light color The red fruit dew, then put down the mask again, looked up at Saladin，The dark blue eyes are calm, as if nothing happened.
Saladin believes that he has not seen any signs of severe deformity, disability, or disfigurement.
It seems to be a ringworm disease, which is lighter and less deadly than leprosy.
The traces formed on the skin seem to be just a hard shell that can be peeled off, and the king is already in the stage where some old disease is about to go, and the new tender meat has re-emerged under the dead and stripped part. Both the skin and lips of Dewen present an abnormal color of pale and bright red. After drinking the thing in the cup, Baldwin's voice seemed to suddenly become more powerful, although on the background, it was still a whisper of a weak person.
“ I appreciate your invitation, Saladin. This is very friendly, and everything you have prepared for this is also quite intimate. I will also feast you... It's just not time. ”
The satin sound fell in mood.
“ When did Jerusalem stop its mourning cry？If you have to find the right time, perhaps waiting for me to come back when I am seriously ill will also completely save your business. This is not out of etiquette, but wish —— Baldwin, a small communication. Nothing can be broken. ”
“Yeah, sooner or later...”
The young patient approached, and Saladin suddenly noticed that his hand extended to himself was no longer wrapped in gloves. The bare skin was almost pus-like and festering. However, the one holding the crystal cup was securely wrapped in the white linen. Saladin took a step back, but could not stop the palm from finally pressing on the chest.
“ Sooner or later, I will entertain you personally, and I will use the long table that I have never used since I put on the mask.
“ Dear adversary, dear friend. Why rush for a while? ”
Feeling that the clothing is penetrated by layers, a sense of urgency comes from that contact, making Saladin unable to avoid the urge to avoid it. While he felt that he was receding, the King of Jerusalem pushed him away and expelled him from the big account that had turned into a layer curtain floating in the palace courtyard.
Fin.