Eagle Byzantium

But Heracles objected to the public opinion. He pointed out that "it is unrealistic for us to pin all our hopes and visions on the Greek emperor. Gawain and Bohemond will attack and annex us. Wouldn't Emperor Komnenos just Don't you want to? Now the territory is in decline, and the local soldiers are under the influence of land tax. It's hard, and the mercenaries are only interested in profit. So I suggest that we can use this victory to reach a favorable peace agreement with Tarsus and Antioch, and use one to two years to recover. But Bohemond cannot let go. Gui, he is always a card in our hand that can be used to delay time with all parties."

But the young man's ideas were immediately drowned out by the noise of the "elders" who could only see two acres of fields and furrows - they only cared about how much gold Bohemond could exchange for, and were unwilling to supervise this for a day. Tough guy now.

Fehr also put Hercules' proposal aside. After consulting everyone's opinions, the ransom price for the Duke of Antioch was revealed: four hundred pounds of gold, plus one hundred thousand silver coins, the latter of which could be made of silk. , linen or other supplies, In this way, Marash can release all the captives such as Bohemond, Richard, and Reynold, including of course the newly named "Grand Admiral of the Navy of Latakia" and the former Holy See financial agent Bill Leoni. Inside, this one can be regarded as the "redemption one, get one free" addition.

"What, you bastard! You are simply looking down on me. I am the master of Antioch, Apulia, the Two Sicilies, Latakia, and Tartus. My power and reputation are equal to those of the Holy Apostles. I, Bohemond, at least want Eight hundred pounds of gold and a thousand pounds of pepper in ransom." In the prison of the castle of Mount Nick, Bohemond pulled the shackles on his hands, furious, and roared at the messenger.

Of course, in his heart, Bohemond hoped that the city of Antioch could bargain and hand over two to three hundred pounds of gold or equivalent coins to these Ani people, so that he could redeem himself as soon as possible.

The messenger began to head towards Antioch with a ransom letter bearing Bohemond's fingerprints and signature.

At this time, under the city of Assuf, in the camp of the Kingdom of Jerusalem army surrounded by siege equipment, Godfrey was lying tiredly on the couch, with his helmet, armor and shield placed at his feet. During this period of exhaustive siege warfare, he was not able to capture On Asuf's outer wall, his health was getting worse day by day. He sometimes had fevers and sometimes had cold chills. Gawain had previously written a letter saying that he would send Granae to nurse his body, but Sambel was obstructing him. He kept urging the consul to take command as soon as possible. The army captured the city without caring about personal gain.

But when news of the war in Marash reached him, the guardian of the Holy Sepulchre and the governor of the Holy City was still shocked. "Bohemond has been captured! Bohemond has actually been captured!" he said. The thin cheeks seemed to be on fire, and the leather gloves made a squeaking sound when holding the letter.

Tancred next to him lowered his eyes and was worried.

Patriarch Sambel, who was enshrining the sacred vessel, also had a gloomy face, and his lips kept making tut-tut-tut sounds, as if he was thirsty in the hot weather.

"Tancred of Galilee, you must quickly return to Antioch to take charge of the overall situation and see if those Ani people will offer a ransom price." Godfrey said to Tancred anxiously with a hoarse voice. Calling and begging.

"I need the approval of you and the Patriarch, otherwise it will be difficult to convince the public with my qualifications." The young Prince of Galilee requested in a calm tone.

Godfrey and Sambel immediately complied, and then Godfrey drank a glass of ice water and coughed hoarsely, as if his intestines and lungs were twisted, "Your Majesty the Patriarch, we must withdraw from Asuf. Damascus The Turkic prince Dukak broke the peace treaty and began to march towards Gawain's Jubail. Gawain is asking for my reinforcements. "

"This is very difficult to handle, Archon - Gawain has his own army, and he didn't expect to need our soldiers when he was seizing the territory. What's more, attacking Asuf is God's will." Sambel said in a strange tone. express dissatisfaction.

"The long siege and the tenacity of the enemy have declared my failure. I am also curious that God did not protect the soldiers of Christ this time."

"That's because you're not pious enough." Sambel said reluctantly.

"Your Excellency, Patriarch, please have some awareness of the overall situation and alliance. The Holy City and the entire Levant are not churches under your personal jurisdiction!" Godfrey suddenly became furious. He held the hilt of his sword and cast a terrifying and firm look. , “If Gawain’s castle falls, the entire Tripoli The region may fall into the hands of the pagans, and we will lose contact with Antioch and Tarsus and be cut off by the pagans. That will overthrow the entire pilgrim cause. So this time, I will help no matter what. Gawain’s castle, this is a pious tribute to God.”

All the attendant knights in the entire camp were silent, and no one dared to express any opinions in the quarrel between the patriarch and the consul.

Sam Bell choked and was very embarrassed, but he was still bossing around and refused to express his position clearly.

So the consul was about to say something, but he soon vomited blood. Large swaths of blood, mixed with blood clots, dyed the linen mat he stepped on black and red, and even splashed on the consul's greaves and dripped down. carpet and dirt.

"Your Majesty the Consul, please allow me to lead the troops to rescue Jubail on your behalf! You stay in the Jerusalem palace to rest and recover." Joceland and Robert of Flanders said anxiously almost at the same time.

Godfrey, with his head hanging on the edge of the bed, panted and slowly raised his finger, "No need... carry me to the battlefield on a stretcher, I will personally command, this is the first major battle since the founding of Jerusalem, we can't lose... my illness has nothing to do with anyone or anything, it's decided..."

"Maybe we should ask your brother for help and let him accompany you." Sambel "kindly reminded" with ulterior motives.

"Baldwin has a more important task, that is, to assist Gawain in defending Cilicia and ensure the smooth passage of the pilgrims' road. Rather than these reminders, I hope that Your Excellency the Patriarch will consecrate the soldiers' weapons and explain this matter to the Holy See as soon as possible." Godfrey refused again.

A correct version in 16-9 Book Bar!

"What about Egypt? It is said that Everdrell has assembled 40,000 troops in Ashkelon and is eyeing us covetously." Jocelyn asked the last question.

"Tell the newcomers Conrad, Welf and Guillaume to stay with their troops. Also, try to sign a truce agreement with Everdele. We can't let the Seljuks come back now. As for us, we will evacuate here tomorrow and march to Tripoli." After saying this, Godfrey used up his last strength and leaned on the couch, exhausted, like a wax figure about to melt.

Jocelyn took the order and left, and Godfrey fell asleep for a while, then struggled to get up and asked his two butlers to put on his armor and prepare to command the entire army. (~^~)