Saladin's Offer

During the Third Crusade, Syres was in the service of Saladin's general, and nephew, Taqi al-Din. It is in the service of his friend and close general to the great Saladin that Syres is witness to one of the most romanticized and misunderstood correspondence of all time. According to history, Richard was dangerously ill and Saladin, being a kind and respectful opponent, offered to send Richard his own personal physician. Out of the goodness of his heart, he wanted to heal his rival and enemy so they could fight on equal terms. However, that is definitely not how it went, Syres being in the same room as Saladin and his generals when word came to him about Richard's sickness.

At first, Saladin is thrilled that the thorn in his side was finally being removed, however, he also knew that Richard would not have extended him the same courtesy of a physician, so Saladin saw an opportunity. To make himself look benevolent, wise, and kind, he sent his physician, and Syres, to the Crusader/Latin camp to try and help ease Richard the Lionheart's ailments. Syres appears there with the Cairo-born physician who does not speak anything but the various Arabic dialects of N. Africa and Arabia. This is where Syres steps in, translating in Latin what the physician says. This draws Richard's attention from his sickness and he insists that Syres and the physician stay until he is ready to resume the march and campaign. Richard, who Syres has heard much about, is a small and pudgy man, soft and quick to have a temper. Syres likes him as he reminds him of friends long passed. He also finds it fascinating that such a brave warrior could be conjured from such a flamboyant man. There was no respect between the great King of England, his French counterpart, or Saladin. He was an actor on a stage and chivalry was his costume.