The Saracen Blade

In late 12th century Italy, the Empress gives birth to a son Frederick, and within the hour in the same town, a peasant Maria and her husband Donati deliver their own son, christened Pietro. Maria dies in childbirth and Donati is taken into custody as a vassal by Count Alesandro Siniscola. Pietro is reared by Donati's good friend, Isaac, who provides him with a well-rounded education in the humanities as well as the art of self-defense. Pietro grows to manhood and his best friend Giuseppi asks him to consider applying to the prestigious Saracen knights, but Pietro hopes to fight to free his father from the ruthless grip of the Siniscolas. Soon after, Isaac informs Pietro that a rebellion against the Siniscolas, led by Donati, has broken out. By the time Isaac and Pietro reach the Siniscola castle, however, the rebels are trapped and near capture. Isaac gives Pietro all his gold to buy Donati's freedom, but the offer is rejected by Alesandro and his arrogant son Enzio. Pietro then risks his life to find his father, but when Pietro offers to stay and help despite imminent death, Donati demands that he fight for lasting change. Donati knocks him out and has him removed from the castle, and when Pietro revives in the forest, he finds the trees filled with the corpses of the hanged rebels, including his father's. Pietro then overhears Baron Rodiano, who is riding with his daughter Iolanthe, yearning for a time when the cruel reign of the Siniscolas will end. Pietro offers his service to Rodiano, who, at the request of his daughter, accepts Pietro as a clerk on his estate. Gradually, Pietro and Iolanthe fall in love, although Pietro warns her that because of their different backgrounds they can never marry. Iolanthe suggests that Pietro run away with her, but he refuses. While serving as a mediator between the Siniscolas and another warring family, Rodiano informs Iolanthe that part of the treaty stipulates that she must marry Enzio. Pietro overhears the plan, and tells Iolanthe he will run away with her. During their escape, however, one horse goes lame and the couple is caught. Enzio and Iolanthe are wed as Pietro languishes in the Siniscola dungeon. When the new emperor, Frederick II, visits the Siniscolas, Enzio discovers that Iolanthe plans to help Pietro escape. He allows the escape, then devises a hunting party to pursue Pietro. When Pietro saves the emperor from a wild boar, however, Frederick gratefully frees him. After Pietro reveals their shared birthday and the unusual similarities of their lives, Frederick swears to keep Pietro alive, believing they are mysteriously linked. Frederick offers Pietro a knighthood, which Pietro initially declines. When the emperor reveals his intention to return to the Crusades, however, Pietro agrees to work for a knighthood if he can join the fight. After accepting Pietro's vow not to participate in clan warfares, Frederick presents Pietro to the Siniscolas, who are suspicious of Pietro's favor with the emperor. Alesandro asks his cousin and lover Elaine to glean information from Pietro, but when Elaine approaches him, Pietro, in hopes of angering Alesandro, proposes abruptly. Startled, Elaine agrees and, with Frederick's approval, the couple is quickly wed. Pietro then departs with Frederick, but soon the Siniscolas and their large faction join the emperor's waning forces. Pietro displays great bravery numerous times in battle, and Frederick knights him on the field, as the Siniscolas watch with dismay. When the emperor is injured, Alesandro volunteers to remain behind with Enzio and Pietro to transport Frederick safely home. The commanding Italian Prince, however, orders that only Pietro remain behind. After seeing Frederick safely away, Pietro is captured by the Turk Haroun, who hopes to sell him into slavery. Pietro incurs Haroun's wrath and a severe whipping when he comes to the assistance of Haroun's beaten girl friend, Zenobia. After Pietro makes four unsuccessful escape attempts, Zenobia offers to buy his freedom with her family jewels if he will take her with him. Pietro accepts and Haroun agrees, but jealously slashes Zenobia's face. In Italy, Frederick has recovered and refuses Alesandro's request to declare Pietro dead so he can marry Elaine. Alesandro is further angered when Frederick gives Pietro lands from former Siniscola territory. Later, Pietro returns to the castle with Zenobia. Alesandro secretly asks Elaine to murder Pietro, but she reveals she enjoys being the wife of a titled property owner. Alesandro then stabs Elaine to death in jealousy. Guilty and angered, Pietro raises a small army and declares war on the Siniscolas. Frederick summons Iolanthe to tell Pietro to lay down his weapons, and when Iolanthe arrives at the Siniscola castle, Pietro is saved from an attack by Enzio by his old friend Guiseppi. Alesandro and Pietro then wage a fierce sword fight, until Pietro kills Alesandro. Unable to publicly ignore his own anti-war edict, Frederick is forced to rescind Pietro's knighthood and property. Happy to be free of his quest for vengeance, however, Pietro proposes to Iolanthe, who accepts.