Eagle Byzantium

"Thank you." During the rest of the trip, Gawain turned to thank Cabe Amiya, but her face turned pale, her teeth chattered, and she didn't know what she was muttering, as if she had been greatly shocked. A big blow, and he kept rubbing the hand he had just put on his robe, which led to depression and even confusion.

Peter beside him walked along the ruts, praying all the way, without feeling tired at all. The ruts became longer and longer, like black lines on a gray road, leading them from the seaside of Smyrna. The mountain road continues to Abydos on the edge of the Marimara Sea Fortress.

Farms and orchards on the outskirts of Abydos were filled with flames and the corpses of slaughtered farmers, men, women, old and children. A group of shouting soldiers were coming in and out of a double-story farmhouse. , clay pots were continuously thrown from the second-floor windows and smashed.

Diognis, who was standing by the road, saw this scene and felt extremely uncomfortable and embarrassed, because it was not Zahas' cavalry who killed the villagers and sacked the town. They were still stationed in Prusa, which had just been captured, but Byzantium itself. Fang's army, a group of defeated soldiers and bandits, were busy harming the people before they saw the enemy. They blocked traffic and robbed refugees everywhere, and burned villages and towns openly. It was hard to see this kind of scene a hundred years ago - because at that time, the Byzantine Roman army was composed of strictly disciplined peasant soldiers and border guards who defended the territory and the emperor's elite field army. They would never turn their swords against themselves. The people of the country, but now the army is composed of unemployed ruffians and lawless mercenaries from foreign countries. Regardless of victory or defeat, they will rob, almost instinctively.

"This is simply more ruthless than us Normans sacking your Diracium (the region of Byzantium near the Adriatic Sea)." Bohemond laughed in the prison car. Gawain and Peter also stared at the captors, which made Diognis even more annoyed and uncomfortable. He sometimes doubted the meaning of serving this country, but in the end he could only take a few sips of wine, " Continue to Abydos, where I will ask His Excellency Caesar Macaulinus for directions from the Gallipoli Fortress to the capital. The sea is currently in winter, and a long voyage is too dangerous. "

"I advise you not to go to Macaulinus." Unexpectedly, Bohemond suddenly said these words, and his expression seemed to be provocative.

"You don't act like a knight at all, but like a disgusting charlatan in the market." The guard frowned.

"This is just advice. If you go to see Macaulinus, there will be only one end, and that is that the greedy old man will rob me, which is your meritorious service. I love you and hope you can You are commended by the emperor, but you warriors are not worth even five copper coins in the eyes of people like Macaulinus."

Even though Bohemond said it very seriously, the captor ignored him at all. When the group arrived at the harbor of Abydos City, they saw a wave of defeated soldiers and refugees, all pouring onto the beach. , shouting, asking for the people on the sea The ship docked and carried them across the strait to Gallipoli. Amidst the dark rolling waves, the ship sailed away from the shore with difficulty, and the wood on the deck and cabin made an overwhelming popping sound, like the world Scenes of doom.

"Did Lord Caesar abandon this seaside fortress? In that case, as long as the Turks get ships, they can build a fortress on the other side and besiege the capital." Diognis was extremely hurt and despairing, "Is it possible for the Empire? real......"

At this time, Gawain, who was sitting next to the prison car, actually saw that Cabernetia saw this scene, and an imperceptible smile of joy appeared on the corner of her mouth.

Bohemond became even more arrogant and energetic. He shouted to the governor that now Zahas did not dare to attack the Sultanate of Roma, so his property was safe in Smyrna, as long as the governor could release it. When he leaves, the amount of the ransom payment can be easily negotiated. "Even if it's five thousand solid gold coins, I can give it to you in one go, without even batting an eyelid."

In the evening, Diogenes stood in the empty city. In front of Caesar's official residence, several tax collectors and servants in fine silk clothes walked out carrying boxes. When they saw the captor, they didn't have any shy expressions. All on behalf of Macaulinus, the Imperial Caesar (Vice-Emperor) ), which were safely transported to Gallipoli - Macaulinus completely abandoned the war zone in Asia Minor. After all, he was still a little embarrassed. It is said that he had written to the emperor, stating that he would "defend Gali with great difficulty." Poli Fortress will resolutely launch a counterattack after the spring comes and drive Zahas' army back to Nicaea."

However, whether it is a counterattack or recruiting troops and horses, a lot of money is needed, so it is absolutely reasonable for Caesar not to throw the boxes and boxes he has collected so hard to the Turks.

Finally, Caesar's butler stood on the steps, and the eunuch told the jailer, "That's all, you can take one of the cargo rowing boats. As for whether you can ask His Excellency Caesar to take the time to meet you when you get to Gallipoli?" That depends on fate.”

Diognis nodded in salute to the eunuch, maintaining the lowest level of courtesy.

As night fell, they finally boarded a small rowing boat that was bouncing up and down in the stormy waves. The warden unceremoniously locked them all under the cabin. Lightning illuminated the surrounding snow, making it cold and salty. Sea water continued to seep from the cracks in the cabin.

Four people, Bohemond, Peter, Gawain and Cabeamiya, were divided into two cabins, standing face to face, with their hands all locked to the beams of the upper deck. At first, Cabeamiya begged the guard not to put her and Gawain together again, it seemed that the previous "relieving oneself incident" had stimulated her too much. But the guard asked her, "Then are you willing to be with Bohemond? You are the daughter of our imperial nobles. Although I have not yet confirmed your identity, do you want to face a Norman who has violated your chastity many times?"

Cabeamiya could only remain silent, and then agreed with Diogenes' statement, and she asked to face the hermit Peter. However, the officer of the guard was even more angry. "He is a priest, and is the most respected by the people and soldiers of the Roman Empire. You are facing each other in the cabin, and you should help each other. I don't want you to help the priests relieve themselves. If it gets out, people will say that I deliberately let women seduce monks to fall."

The daughter of the noble with swords wanted to cry but had no tears. She could only face Gawain in the shaking cabin. There was a wooden toilet between them, which was shaking back and forth.

"Do you want to relieve yourself?" Gawain said in Oei language very gentlemanly after a long time.

Cabeamia almost collapsed. She really wanted to relieve herself, but... Gawain was very considerate and used his legs to steady the toilet, and slowly and carefully pushed it in front of her, "Put your feet on the edge to solve it, I will try to turn my head away." Cabeamia really cried, not only because of her embarrassment and shame, but also because she thought that if Gawain came, she could only use her jade feet to "help" him...

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Over there, it is said that Bohemond and Peter quarreled and cursed throughout the voyage, and could not reach an agreement. I don't know how the two solved it.