TARDIS lands the Doctor and his friends in the middle of the harsh, cruel world of the twelfth-century Crusades.  When Barbara is captured by the Saracens and later kidnapped by the monstrous El Akir, Ian appeals to Richard for help, but despite having achieved a splendid victory over Saladin at Arauf the English King has his own troubles and cannot assist. So Ian sets out to rescue Barbara alone while the Doctor becomes involves in the intrigues of the English court. Cover art by Chris Achilleos.