Selim grinned broadly. ‘I cannot believe it!’ There were tears in his eyes as he embraced Yusuf. ‘It has been days since the last men returned from the battle. We had thought you dead.’
‘He nearly was,’ Qaraqush said. ‘I found him wandering in the desert. He would not have lasted another day under the sun.’
Selim clapped Yusuf on the back. ‘We will have a feast to celebrate your return.’
Yusuf shook his head. ‘No. There is work to be done. You must rebuild our army. Spend whatever it takes. I want a force stronger than the one I marched on Jerusalem. You have five years.’
Selim started to protest but then saw the look in his brother’s eyes and nodded.
‘Now, I wish to see my family,’ Yusuf told them.
He went to the harem. Shamsa was waiting with tears in her eyes. She rushed forward to embrace Yusuf and buried her head against his shoulder.
‘I thought I had lost you!’ she sobbed.
Yusuf returned her embrace stiffly. ‘I was spared.’
‘Spared?’
‘I was lost in the desert, but Allah spared me for a purpose. I will drive the Franks into the sea.’
Shamsa pulled away. ‘At what cost, Yusuf? The people-’
‘The people must be prepared to suffer to achieve the will of Allah,’ Yusuf said firmly. ‘As am I.’
‘Is it Allah’s will, or yours, Husband?’
‘My will is His. I have seen what I must do, Shamsa. I will not be swayed.’
There was a moment of silence as Shamsa examined Yusuf anxiously, trying to understand the change that had come over him. Finally she spoke. ‘You will attack the Kingdom again?’
‘In time. But to conquer them, we will need more men than Egypt alone can provide. Mosul and Aleppo must be made to join my kingdom.’
‘Aleppo?’ Shamsa’s eyes widened. ‘What of Asimat? She is your wife. Al-Salih is your adopted son.’
Yusuf met her eyes. ‘Allah has spoken to me, Wife. I will do what needs to be done.’