 The main source of tension in the story is between:
] This is a science-fiction story. History is a science; the other part is, as all Americans know, the most fictional field we have today. He settled himself comfortably in his seat, and carefully put the helmet on, pulling it down firmly until it was properly seated. Ahead of him, in serried array, with lances erect and pennons flying, was the forward part of the column. Behind the Templars rode the mailed knights of Brittany and Anjou. These were followed by King Guy of Jerusalem and the host of Poitou. He himself, Sir Robert de Bouain, was riding with the Norman and English troops, just behind the men of Poitou. Behind the standard-bearer, his great war horse moving with a steady, measured pace, his coronet of gold on his steel helm gleaming in the glaring desert sun, the lions of England on his firm-held shield, was the King himself. Further behind, the Knights Hospitallers protected the rear, guarding the column of the hosts of Christendom from harassment by the Bedouins. "They assail us from the rear, and they set up traps in our path ahead. Our spies tell us that the Turks lie ahead of us in countless numbers. "They fear us, else they would not dally to amass so fearsome a force. It were foolhardy to attempt to seek them in their own hills, and yet they must stop us. He has reason to be bitter against Philip of France, as do we all. He has returned to France in haste, leaving the rest of us to fight the Saracen for the Holy Land leaving only the contingent of his vassal the Duke of Burgundy to remain with us." But he allowed his anger against Philip to color his judgment when he spoke harshly against the Duke of Burgundy. "Could we have permitted a quarrel to develop between the two finest knights and warleaders in Christendom at this crucial point? "You did what must be done in honor," the Gascon conceded, "but you have not gained the love of Richard by doing so." Like a wash of the tide from the sea came the sound of Saracen war cries and the clash of steel on steel mingled with the sounds of horses in agony and anger. They clashed with the Hospitallers, slamming in like a rain of heavy stones, too close in for the use of bows. There was only the sword against armor, like the sound of a thousand hammers against a thousand anvils.
 Allegiance to authority and breaking from authority
 The English army and the French mercenaries  The religious factions from Christianity and Islam  Allegiance to authority and breaking from authority  An outward demeanor of strength and interior reality of fear and doubt