Temple Sword

Chapter 170 The Arbiter

1322, St. Michael's Month (September)
Knin Fortress, Croatia

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On the walls of the most powerful fortress on the Adriatic coast, the banner of the Hungarian royal family was torn by the early autumn wind, saying goodbye to the short summer.

Kninburg is located on the thousands-foot-high Spiers Mountain and is divided into five parts.The garrison of the Croatian province was forced to huddle in the two fortresses of the southern castle, as every inch of the lower, middle and upper castles connected by drawbridges was occupied by Charles' Hungarians.

The Anjou army who arrived in the second half of St. Michael's period was large in number. Although the castle was huge, there were still many people huddled in the field below Kninburg. Looking from the mountain, only densely packed tents could be seen.

Charles took up residence in the rooms and halls of the Upper Castle with the most trusted courtiers and entourage of his court, where he greeted the governor, Moladen Subis, whom he had not seen for many years.

He didn't send a messenger to Bisco to tell the idiot who was hiding. He believed that after he came to the south with his army, Muladen must have heard of his arrival and would show up sooner or later. After all, the person who asked the king for help was he.

On the fifth day of No.20 of that month, the shameful Croatian governor appeared in the city with only twenty entourages and demanded to see His Majesty the King.

He dared not take any more with him, for in spite of the king's promise of safety he was still afraid of his enemies, and thought it best to pass quietly through the country in cheap disguise, drawing no attention.

Charlie intentionally made Muradon wait for a full hour. During this period, he first arranged the day's affairs, drank a glass of wine, and asked about the status of the troops stationed at the foot of the mountain, their supplies and behavioral discipline. In the end, he ordered someone to decorate the temporary throne room.

The king was sure that with such indifference to him, Muladen Subis would come before him with trembling and cold blood.

So he sent away all his courtiers, musicians, and servants, leaving only the royal judge's scribe in a hidden corner, and lined up the wall with fifty spear guards, so that the governor would have to walk past them Come to the throne.

On his left, Antar, his court knight, stood upright as usual, this time with both hands on the hilt of his scabbard, appearing more menacing than usual.

After all this was done, the king ordered the chief gatekeeper to bring in those who were waiting outside, and his twenty entourage were not allowed to enter the upper castle, but could only wait in a simple room in the lower castle, stripped of their weapons, and sent by soldiers guard.

Muradden entered the throne room, took off his plain wool hat, and rubbed it in his sweaty palms.

From the first step Charlie knew his plan was working, the Governor, in a coarsely woven faded suit and a worn brown traveling cloak, bent over to the King as if carrying a heavy weight on his back. of sacks.

His pained face and wrinkled brow seemed to bear witness to the fact that his brother must have told him verbatim what Charlie had said to George Subis in Timisoara.

Muradden Subis was terrified and his fear was written on his face for anyone to see.

"Long live Your Majesty!" The Croatian Governor bowed to the ground, but did not bend his knees.

Charlie sat on his throne on the platform, looking down at him stiffly, he didn't move, his face didn't twitch, and he didn't say anything.

"Thank God and all the saints, my prayers are answered!" Muladen flattered, "Your humble servant thank you for helping me in my troubles and personally visiting this ancient land of Croatia, in..."

"You are talking to the master of the kingdom, the heirs of St. Stephen and St. Laszlo!" Antar Barto's voice suddenly sounded, making the governor take a step back in fright, "Don't fiddle with your hat!"

At any other time, Muladen Subis would have punished this servant who threatened him, but now he could only blink in astonishment, and threw the hat in his hand to the ground.How could he know that all this was the king's order to frighten him?
"Your Majesty, my life is in danger!" Finally, Muladen decided to perform in a simple way. His voice was sometimes excited, sometimes sad, and sometimes depressed. He almost recited the time when his brother complained to the king. said those words.

"It appears that the God-fearing men have forgotten who their true masters are, and what their duty to the King is," concluded the governor with some unease,
"If this despicable behavior continues, all the legacy built by my great father with blood and sweat will slowly disintegrate, and the Subis, a noble, long-standing, and outstanding family that has supported your majesty from the beginning, will Disappear forever in the mists of history!"

After that, he humbly lowered his head, hoping that no one would notice the satisfied smile he suppressed.

I've done a good job, he told himself.A speech as touching as this is certainly not something you hear every day, he will respond, he will certainly grant my request!
But why is he still sitting there with a stiff face?Could it be that the south wind broke his brain?Or did he not believe what I said?

Please, say something, or at least lend me your hand, Charles Anjou, you ungrateful usurper, you self-satisfied silk-wrapped alien bastard!
"I'm here to solve the seaside problem once and for all," the king finally said, his voice was cold and colorless, and there was no expression on his face, "As for who started this chaotic fire, I don't care anymore.

You say that the Republic of Venice and your disloyal city have betrayed and violated you, but according to the Doge of Venice, Sibenik and Trogir turned to them as tortured victims to save them from tyranny oppression.

You also blame the Baboniks, but the governor of Slavonia says you are the culprit, and everyone involved in this farce has a different story. "

"Your Majesty, I assure you..." Muladen wanted to defend himself, but Charlie immediately shut him up.

"I left the capital and came here not to listen to the explanations and accusations of the warring parties. I have other things worthy of my headache." The king raised his voice slightly, but still did not show any emotion.

"I already know what I have to do, and when winter comes, justice will be served and everyone will get what they deserve, or pay the price they deserve...

Whether it's Janos Babonik, or Istvan Kotromanic... or you, Muradin Subis. "

The governor of Croatia raised his head at this moment. He tried to fathom the king's mood, trying to figure out the thoughts behind his words, but Charlie's face remained unchanged, and his eyes did not reveal any of his plans for the situation in the south. .

"Your worries are completely unnecessary. I can tell you with confidence, Your Excellency Governor," Charlie said.Mu Laden felt that the king's voice seemed to finally have a trace of his tenderness towards the old vassal.

"Neither the governors of Slavonia nor Bosnia will lynch you," the king promised, "and I will not let the citizens of Sibenik and Trogir, or any warlike people, harm you. You are My guest, you are under my protection.

From now on, you and your twenty followers will follow me on my journey together. "

"Following you? Your Majesty?" Muladen asked suspiciously, "Where are you going? You have just arrived in the south, my master. I thought you would stay in Knin and bring justice here. After all, the old kings of Croatia once At this……"

"I'm just waiting here for you," Charlie said, "and we're leaving for Zagreb at dawn tomorrow. I want people to see our strength, to see my invincible army marching through the countryside!" "

"Zagreb..." Muladen Subis moaned in frustration, "Your Majesty, it's so far away from here!"

"It's okay, at least I'll have time to discuss it thoroughly, discussing everything you've done all these years as Governor of Croatia." The king finally smiled.

It's just that this smile is as ambiguous as Charlie's last sentence, and Muladen thinks it's better for him to keep his mouth shut, at least that way his situation won't be worse.

He realized that if he wanted to convince the king with words alone, he had to be better prepared, and he had no other means.

I'm his guest... This ominous thought echoed in his mind, making the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.His guest, but if I want to go, will he let me go freely?Or is this an indirect captivity?
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for granting me this privilege," Muladen bowed again, for him the negotiation was over, "It will be my honor to let me accompany you on your journey as a guest!

May God grant you the wisdom and insight to do justice to your southern vassals. "

"I will," the king nodded, his face becoming stone again, "I will."

(End of this chapter)