But sometimes, when Salim hears news of the wider world outside, especially when Ismail, now captain of his own Mamluk troop, sends him greetings, he sends his groom to saddle the magnificent Mamluk-trained horse he keeps in his stable and rides out on the plains around Damascus, happy to be on his own.
What happened to Adam? he wonders. Did he ever find his way home again with the child? What can it be like for him, in those cold forests of the north? And does he ever think of me?
This book could not have been written without the encouragement and expert knowledge of Carole Hillenbrand, Professor of Islamic History at Edinburgh University.
I am also indebted to Talya Baker for her advice on Jewish lore, to Marion Kerr who translated the Latin, and, as ever, to David McDowall for his wide knowledge of both European and Middle Eastern history.
Elizaeth Laird is the multi-award-winning author of several much-loved children’s books. She has been shortlisted for the prestigious Carneige Medal six times. She lives in Britain now, but still likes to travel as much as she can.
Books by Elizabeth Laird published
by Macmillan Children’s Books
Dindy and the Elephant
The Fastest Boy in the World
The Prince Who Walked with Lions
Lost Riders
Crusade
Oranges in No Man’s Land
Paradise End
Secrets of the Fearless
A Little Piece of Ground
The Garbage King
Jake’s Tower
Red Sky in the Morning
First published 2007 by Macmillan Children’s Books
This edition published 2016 by Macmillan Children’s Books
This electronic edition published 2016 by Macmillan Children’s Books
an imprint of Pan Macmillan
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Associated companies throughout the world
www.panmacmillan.com
ISBN 978-0-330-47784-0
Copyright © Elizabeth Laird 2007
The right of Elizabeth Laird to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
You may not copy, store, distribute, transmit, reproduce or otherwise make available this publication (or any part of it) in any form, or by any means (electronic, digital, optical, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
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