Jared of Navarre was fostered by Isabeau de Lyon's family and the 16 year old is betrothed to the 8 year old. Charged to watch Isabeau, he fails to notice when she leaves, walking to the nearest town and getting swept up in the Children's Crusade. She ends up in a harem in the middle east. Devastated, Jared vows to find her and ends up leader of a hardened group of mercenaries - the Black Lyon and his Pride. Isabeau finally escapes the harem after a great deal of suffering and becomes an assassin. The two finally connect and they become lovers, but ashamed, she refuses to return to France as his wife. It finally does work out. Interesting story and time period and is relatively clean. Long book (fine print).