The midday sun hung over the Levant like an anvil, baking the cracked earth into fine white dust. Through the shimmer of the heat haze, a heavily guarded convoy rolled along a deserted trade road, bound for the coastal fortress at Acre. Iron-rimmed wheels groaned beneath the weight of three sturdy carriages, each packed with iron-bound chests of gold bullion being transferred from an inland Templar vault. Surrounding the cargo was a squad of twelve armored knights, their white surcoats bearing the crimson cross, swords glinting in the blinding glare.