Saladin and Nureddin, rallying the Turkmen Beys under the Zengid Banner, successfully conquer Gaza. Bernard, sentenced to death by the Papacy for losing Gaza, escapes and devises new plans. Queen Victoria attempts to secure peace with the Zengids, fearing for Jerusalem, but Bernard thwarts her efforts. Enraged, Melik Arslanshah arrives in Zengid Lands, aiming to dominate Nureddin and his beys, but Nureddin opposes him, leading to heightened tensions and danger.

Bernard, driven by revenge, launches a large crusader army from Tripoli, maintaining an alliance with the Fatimids, and attacks the Zengids. The unfolding questions are whether Bernard will succeed in his vengeful plans, how Saladin will counter his strategies, what actions Arslanshah will take to undermine the Zengids, and if Saladin and Nureddin can withstand these pressures and continue their sacred march towards Jerusalem.