The Folded World

Anglitora, Prester John's illegitimate, half-bird daughter arrives in the capital and confronts the king with his sexual past and the future of his home to the West. Her life has been spent on the margins of the Kingdom where the magical realm brushes against the Known World. She brings with her news of European ships and wars. The crusades have begun again. Prester John, sees Jerusalem burning and gathers his people to march to the protection of Christ and the Holy Land. Patriarch unable to rally support of the kings and peasants of Europe fails to give him the strength he needs against the forces of Islam, and he sends his appeals to the great Christian king in the East, Prester John The closer Prester John come, the more information reaches the Patriarch as to its nature, and the less comfortable he feels with it. Prester John arrives at Jerusalem with his army, but cannot cross the river - for demons cannot set foot on holy ground. The Patriarch who had sought his help curses him and turns from the Muslims inhabiting the Holy City to attack the man he once loved. Hundreds of beasts and men of John's army are slaughtered, who never knew death before. Jerusalem is sacrificed by the Patriarch rather than allow it to be saved by an army of demons.