By Wednesday morning the situation was as it had been—indeed, even worse. Emir Sayf al-Din Yalbugha al-Khassaki arrived with the remainder of Yalbugha’s retinue, his procession stretching from Sayf Darayya to the aforementioned dome in magnificent pomp and fine order. The honoured cavalcade still lagged behind al-Ṣanamayn (1). That same day Baydamur entered the Citadel and barricaded himself inside.

On Thursday, the twenty-fifth of the month, every gate remained shut except Bab al-Naṣr and Bab al-Faraj. The circle tightened and the people were hemmed in severely. The Egyptians cut off the Banias River and the branch that carried water from it to Dār al-Saʿāda by way of the canals; to block that branch they had to sever the conduits themselves. The townsfolk were alarmed, filling the cisterns in their houses and the reservoirs of the madrasahs. A waterskin sold for a dirham, and the half-measure for half a dirham. Then, at the time of the ʿAṣr prayer that very day, the canals were reopened—praise and gratitude be to Allah—and the people’s spirits revived.

Friday dawned with the gates still barred, and Bab al-Naṣr and Bab al-Faraj were not opened until some time after sunrise. Yalbugha thereupon sent four emirs on his behalf: Emir Zayn al-Din Zabālah, the former deputy of the Citadel; al-Malik Ṣalāḥ al-Din ibn al-Kāmil; Shaykh ʿAlī, who had served as deputy of al-Zahbah under Baydamur; and another emir. They entered the city, smashed the locks on its gates, and threw them open. When Baydamur saw this he sent the city’s keys to them, and so the matter ended.

Arrival of Sultan al-Malik al-Manṣūr at the musṭaba west of the Sijūrā ascent

This took place on Friday, the twenty-sixth of Ramadan. He came with hosts like mountains and encamped at the musṭaba associated with his daughter’s uncle, al-Malik al-Ashraf Khalīl ibn al-Manṣur Qalāwūn. The emirs and provincial deputies—including the governors of Aleppo and Ḥamāh—presented themselves to kiss his hand and the ground before him. Among them was Emir ʿAlāʾ al-Din al-Mardānī, who had been appointed deputy of Damascus; a patent confirming his appointment had already been written and sent to him while he was in Ḥamāh. On Saturday, the twenty-seventh, a robe of honour was bestowed upon Emir ʿAlāʾ al-Din ʿAlī al-Mardānī for the deputyship of Damascus, to which he was restored once more—this being the third time. He kissed the Sultan’s hand and rode at his right, and the townspeople came out to offer their congratulations. All the while the Citadel remained fortified in Baydamur’s hands; he had entered it on the night of Friday and taken refuge there with Manjak, Asandamur, and their supporters.

At this the tongue of destiny seemed to say: “Wherever you may be, death will overtake you, even if you were in lofty, fortified towers.” (Qur’an 4:78)

On Sunday the chief judges convened and sent word to Baydamur and his companions in the Citadel, proposing reconciliation on whatever reasonable terms they might stipulate (2). What followed will be related in due course. Allah, exalted be He, knows best.