It was a hot, humid day in Jerusalem, the sun beating down relentlessly upon the ancient stones of the city. In the palace, King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem sat on his throne, his once-handsome face now disfigured by leprosy. He had tried every healer and potion in the kingdom, but nothing could stop the disease from slowly rotting away his flesh. His advisors stood around him, looking concerned and exhausted, as if they hadn't slept in days. The king, however, looked surprisingly calm and composed, despite the fact that he knew he was dying.

He had heard rumors of a witch who lived in the far-off lands beyond the desert, a woman who could cure even the most advanced cases of cancer. Against all odds, she had cured a noblewoman from a neighboring kingdom who had been given only a few weeks to live. Desperate for a chance at life, King Baldwin had sent out messengers to find this mysterious witch.

Days turned into weeks as the messengers searched the vast and unforgiving desert, their progress slow but steady. Finally, they returned with news that the witch had been found, and she had agreed to come to Jerusalem to see the king. The news spread throughout the city like wildfire, and the people, who had all but given up hope for their beloved king, were filled with a newfound sense of hope and excitement.

King Baldwin, now confined to his chambers due to the advanced stage of his leprosy, awaited the arrival of the witch with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. As word spread that the witch had arrived, the streets of Jerusalem filled with a cacophony of excited chatter. People flocked to the palace gates, hoping to catch a glimpse of the mysterious woman who had journeyed across deserts and seas to save their king. The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, as a procession of guards and nobles escorthe witch up the winding path to the palace. She was an enigmatic figure, cloaked in a shroud of darkness, her face hidden behind a veil. She moved with a grace.