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Two weeks later. No answer from the Fatimids Sultan reached the military camp of the Antioch troops in Lebanon. But the walls of Jerusalem was broken and the Byzantium garrison retreated after a hard battle against two big Fatimid and Persian armies to Lebanon.

So the Prince decided to do what he said. A scout was sent with two messages to Jerusalem.

QUOTE:
To Alar I, Sultan of the Fatimid Islamic Sultanate,

your call for Jihad was succesful - for the moment, not for long time. With conquering Jerusalem you crossed the line you shouldn't cross. It's your merits too that the good relations between Antioch and the Persian will be changed now. May god be merciful with all the souls which will die next times.

As I wrote to you two weeks ago the Order of the Hospitallers declare war to the Fatimid Sultanate.

Hugh of Montfort
Prince of Antioch

A copy of the first letter to Alar I and this message was sent by messengers to all Christian nations nearby and far away. The world should know what happened.

The second message was sent to the commander of the Persian troops at Jerusalem. Perhaps the Shahbanu Nesrine stays with her troops there.

QUOTE:
To the leader of the Persian troops at Jerusalem,

sadly I recogniced that the Persians followed the call for Jihad of Alar I and conquered Jerusalem. Since long times our nations had good relations and a friendly state of diplomacy. Please understand that this can't stay so after this things.

So we will change our relations to the Persian - at least for the period of war about Jerusalem. I'm not pleased about this. Fairness is a holy thing for me so I write this letter to you and announce that Antioch will assist all actions of the Byzantium and their allied to reconquer Jerusalem.

Please sent a copy of this letter to your Shahbanu Nesrine attended with the wish for better relations in later times then this war has ended.

Hugh of Montfort
Prince of Antioch

QUOTE:
To Hugh of Montfort, Price of Antioch and leader of the Hospitalier Knights,

Infidel Prince, we accept your declaration of war and we look forward to seeing your army on the battlefield. I wonder if it will rise up to the words you so boldly used in your previous letter addressed to me.

I am not surprised by your gesture anyway since your kingdom's reason to be is to defend Jerusalem. That is quite sad really since you have obviously failed to do so.

As we speak, Muslim order is being restored to the city. This will require a heavy sacrifice on the Christian's part, something that no doubt the Muslim population also did when the city was taken from the Kingdom of Syria.

Insha'Allah!

Alar I, Sultan of the Fatimid Islamic Sultanate

Hugh of Montfort asked his secretary for new messages.

'Nothing Sir.'

answered the secretary.

'Nothing? No answer from the Persian army leader? I'm a little bit astonished. I thought they would be a nation with a well running administration and fast postage service. I see I learn new things all day.'

Hugh of Montfort said.

'Sir! But we received a message from Alar I about our declaration of war.'

The Prince of Antioch said:

'Let me have a look.' After reading the message he said to his secretary: 'It isn't necessary to answer him. He will get an answer in later times on the battlefield. He better understands the speech of weapons as words wrote with a goosequill.'

QUOTE:
To Alar I of the Fatimids

Dear sultan, i trust you already know, and expect that the Order will join the fray. Nevertheless, the laws of chivalry and my personal honor require for me to announce to you that your nation and this knightly order are officially at war.

Deus Vult!
Hyrkan de Silcross
Grand master of the Order

Scribe, send copies to all those concerned by the conflict.

QUOTE:
To Hyrkan de Silcross, Grand Master of the Infidel Order of the Temple,

Finally the Templars have decided to join the fight. Good! We love nothing more than fighting superior numbers of infidels. The more of you come, the more of you will lay dead on the battlefield.

Perhaps your Highness should also know that so far Jerusalem has burned twice: once at the hand of the Persian armies and the second time at the hands of our armies. It will no doubt burn again and again and again, until we purge every trace of the infidels who used to occupy it.

The city you and your infidel allies from the Principality of Antioch, the Serbian Empire and the Roman Empire used to know, no longer exists. The sooner you accept that change, the better for you and your men.

Insha'Allah!

Alar I, Sultan of the Fatimid Islamic Sultanate

In his camp in Lebanon Alar decided to formalize the Fatimid occupation of Jerusalem, so he called his scribe for the writing of a decree:

QUOTE:
To His Imperial Highness Smelgar, Emperor of the Roman Empire,
To His Highness Hugh of Montfort, Prince of Antioch and leader of the Hospitalier Knights,
To his Grace Gruffudd, Grand Master of the Order of St. Mathews,
To his Highness Hyrkan de Silcross, Grand Master of the Order of the Temple,

Your Highness,

As you know Jerusalem is yet again under the rightful Muslim control. The sound of the Imams can once again be heard, the city's administration is now fully Fatimid and the Fatimid flag can be seen fluttering from miles away on top of the bastions.

More than that, most of the lands around the city are secure and those that are still not, will become so soon.

The city is once again fully Muslim.

Therefore I inform thee that through this decree the city of Jerusalem is annexed to the Fatimid Islamic Sultanate.

Furthermore, until the hostilities do not cease, no Christian foot will be allowed in the city. Muslims, regardless of where they come from are welcome as brothers and will be treated as we treat our own people.

Insha'Allah!

Alar I, Sultan of the Fatimid Islamic Sultanate

The Prince read the note of the Fatimid Sultan and decided to answer him with some words.
 

QUOTE:
To his Highness Alar I, Sultan of the Fatimid Islamic Sultanate
 
I can understand your pleasure and proudness about the Fatimids fluttering flags on top of the bastions of Jerusalem. But I have to pour some vinegar into your wine. I hope you understand this simile, whether an Moslem certainly drinks no wine.
 
The fact is that you only with massive aid by the Persians had the ability to conquer Jerusalem. But times will change. Be sure we are coming back and soon you will see our flags in front of the walls of Jerusalem. You won some battles, you lost a battle – that’s the normal case in war times. But I think you know: the time works for the Christian alliance. You started this war with all forces you could get. Our alliance needs some time to get reinforcements and to come to full power of combat strength.
 
You write to me that most of the lands around Jerusalem are secure. Are you shure? I’m not. But enjoy this days and have pleasure with your dreams and ambitious plans. Soon times have changed and then there is no more pleasure for you.
 
The annexation of Jerusalem by your Sultanate isn’t acceptable and in the long history of the Holy Land your presence there fore some months will be only a little footer.
 
At last I will sent you a word from the Holy Bible:
 
Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.
 
Proverbs 16,32
 
I wish you further nice dreams and good thoughts about the future of your Sultanate.
 
Salutations to you with an old jewish phrase: ‘Next Year in Jerusalem.”
 
Hugh of Montfort
Prince of Antioch

 
The message was sent to the Sultan with the man who brought the message to the Prince.
 

QUOTE:
To His Highness Hugh of Montfort, the young and inexperienced Prince of Antioch and leader of the Hospitalier Knights,

Infidel, your experience in war is as young as your kingdom and your army.

First of all, I do realize that without the help of our good and loyal friends from the Kingdom of Persia we would not have claimed the city. This I will not deny because I don't have to. For their help the Persians have and will always have my infinite gratitude. Besides, Jerusalem is their home as much as it is ours.

Than again, perhaps you should also know that without the help of your Christian allies your kingdom would be a pile of rubble.

But what makes you think I have sent everything I can muster in order to take Jerusalem?

Perhaps, instead of trying to moralize me with words from your Bible you should instead take the time to learn the proper arts of war and learn when to avoid traps and inevitable defeats.

Insha'Allah!

Alar I, Sultan of the Fatimid Islamic Sultanate

QUOTE:

To his Highness Alar I, Sultan of the Fatimid Islamic Sultanate

follower of a self-made prophet coming out of the desert. Maybe your experience in war is much better than mine. That’s no surprise because I suppose you are much older than the Prince of Antioch. But be without sorrow about this. I’m learning all day – last not least the art of war.

Congratulations to your last victory against my young knights. May it be really the last victory for much years. Learning to avoid traps is the next lesson I want to study. Let us see whether I can learn something about this watching the movements of your armies next weeks and months.

Didn’t you know that Antoch isn’t a kingdom? It’s only a principality – little but fine. Antioch as a pile of a rubble – that’s funny. That sounds similar as the question: Who is waggling with whom? The dog with the tail or the tail with the dog. I can’t judge which of the two nations - Fatimids and Persians- is the dog and who is the tail. I think the Sultan has to learn some things too.

I hope to meet you on battlefield soon again

Hugh of Montfort
Prince of Antioch

QUOTE:
To His Highness Hugh of Montfort, Prince of Antioch and leader of the Hospitalier Knights,

Christian, you have obviously misunderstood my words. I didn't say your kingdom is a pile of rubble, I said it could be one if my troops would have marched into your lands. And rest assured that if the entire Templar army could not stop us, than I doubt your poorly equipped and poorly skilled band of warriors could have done anything about that.

In fact, I am as bold as to say that you will need far more Christian troops to even stand a chance against us, the Persian and Fatimid children of Allah. Otherwise don't even dream to come closer to reclaiming Jerusalem.

As for the dog and tail metaphor...well, perhaps that's how the situation is between you and your allies. Between Muslims it's only respect and honor.

Insha'Allah!

Alar I, Sultan of the Fatimid Islamic Sultanate