When they saw that they could not turn him from his purpose by threats or by fear, they asked him how much money he was willing to pay to the Sultan for his ransom, such money being over and above the rendering up of the town of Damietta.  Then the King made answer:  “If the Sultan will take a reasonable sum in money for ransom, I will recommend it to the Queen that she should pay the same.”  “Nay,” said the envoy of the Sultan, “why do you not say outright that you will have it so?” “Because,” answered the King, “in this matter it is for the Queen to say yea or nay.  I am a prisoner, and my royal power is gone from me.”  So it was agreed that if the Queen would pay a thousand thousand gold pieces by way of ransom, the King should go free.  Said the King, “Will the Sultan swear to this bargain?” They said that he would.  So it was agreed that the King should pay for the ransom of his army a thousand thousand gold pieces, and for his own ransom the town of Damietta, “for,” said he, “a King cannot be bought and sold for money.”  When the Sultan heard this, he said, “On my word, this is a noble thing of the Frenchman that he makes no bargaining concerning so great a thing.  Tell him that I give him as a free gift the fifth part of the sum which he has covenanted to pay.”

All things were now settled, and there were but four days before the fulfilling of the treaty, when the King should give up Damietta to the Sultan, and the Sultan, on his part, should suffer the King and his people to go free.  But lo! there came to pass that which was like to bring the whole matter to nothing.  The emirs of the Sultan made a conspiracy against him.  “Know this,” they said one to another, “that so soon as he shall find himself master of Damietta, he will slay us.  Let us therefore be beforehand with him.”  And it was agreed that this should be done.  First, when the Sultan was going to his chamber after a banquet which he had given to the emirs, one, who was, indeed, his sword-bearer, dealt him a blow and struck off his hand.  But the Sultan, being young and nimble, escaped into a strong tower that was hard by his chamber, and three of his priests were with him.  The emirs called upon him to give himself up.  “That,” said he, “I will do, if you will give me a promise of my life.”  “Nay,” they answered, “we will give you no promises.  If you surrender not of your own free will, then will we compel you.”  Then they threw Greek fire at the tower, and the tower, which was built of pine-wood, caught fire on the instant.  When the Sultan saw this he ran down with all the speed that he could, seeking to reach the river, if so be he could find a ship.  But the emirs and their men were ranged along the way, nor was it long before they slew him.  And he that dealt him the last blow came to the King, his hand yet dripping with blood, and said, “What will you give me?  I have slain your enemy, who would assuredly have done you to death had he lived.”  But the King answered him not a word.