Eagle Byzantium

In the camp of the Semi Division in Trebzon, Theodore was watching the movements of the camp opposite from the tower and laughed, "Are you impatient? You don't want to rely on the plains with meadows and rivers to defend, and eventually you will flee to the mountains of Paphlagonia, which is easy to enter but difficult to exit." Then the old general conveyed the order, "The whole army will build a pontoon bridge the next day, cross the Halys River, and then meet up with the emperor's army, pursue Gawain's army, and destroy them in the mountains."

Rugged Paphlagonia In the mountains, broken bricks, columns and statues of ancient canals were lying everywhere, and wild beasts were roaming around. Although it was a bit barren a hundred years ago, there were still many towns. But when the Turkmen and Seljuks swept through on horseback, most of the military towns and cities were ruthlessly looted and destroyed. The remaining ones were also reinforced and became the strongholds of the Turkic Ghazi warriors. They usually lived in the middle of the road, and then rode out to rob, leaving their hoof prints on the gravel-covered hillside.

The heavy baggage was all abandoned, and everyone was traveling lightly, so it was very important to find supplies in time. Fortunately, with the guidance of the believers of Kabeamia, they were able to effectively find the few plants and water sources, so that the march of each detachment could be sustained.

At the passes of various valleys, several detached teams were able to meet together after walking out, and then after walking through a relatively flat wilderness, they were forced to march separately between the gullies that rushed back. In many cases, Gawain could only see flags waving behind the hillside over there, and the sound of ethereal horns and trumpets was used to communicate with each other.

However, the Haris River, as a natural left-wing barrier for the march of the large company, isolated most of the harassment of the Danishmond Turks, so the road was rugged and difficult. But the Turkish soldiers did not launch a large-scale attack on them - there were only some scattered scout cavalry, who observed them on the hillside for a while and then quickly disappeared.

On the second day, the last three companies in the camp by the Haris River, under the guidance of the guide, led by Melo and Birrell, also set out into the Paphlagonia region. They marched urgently about fifty li behind Gawain's large army - although the distance was fifty li, the straight-line distance was probably less than ten li.

"Speed ​​up and reach Gangara Castle as soon as possible. The Turkic light cavalry has already noticed it. Emir Danishmond in Amasya will soon know our whereabouts." Gawain looked at the winding mountain road below. He kept urging the advancing soldiers. Anna, who was sitting in the small sedan chair, saw through the curtain that the heretic female archon had already ridden a horse and leaned against Gawain a few feet away. "This means that she has no longer been wary of and hostile to the barbarian."

"But this also means that maybe when the barbarian was trying to persuade her, something really happened between the two of them... This kind of 'something' has never happened between the barbarian and me. Has it reached the stage of wrestling and riding a horse... Although I expressed full authorization before, but..." So Anna's mood suddenly became bad. This feeling came to her for the first time.

"Damn it!" Anna said this word unconsciously, which surprised Agnes and Stavrachos. Then the fat eunuch was perceptive and quickly understood what Anna meant.

When the sedan chair and Gawain's guards were parallel and crossed a mountain range shrouded in clouds and mist. Anna pouted and pulled the laces in front of her clothes, this time through the curtain. Suddenly, a figure rode over on horseback. Anna thought it was a barbarian. She suddenly felt happy and relieved, so she immediately lifted the curtain, but what she saw was the face of the female consul. Anna seemed to think that the other person's cheeks were much more plump and colorful than before. "Excuse me, what can I do for you?" Although Anna was disappointed and a little angry, she still maintained basic etiquette.

The female archon's tone was also very gentle. She pointed to the distance and said, "Princess, please look, to your west is the Kastamonu Castle where your ancestors rose to power."

Then the sedan chair was put down, and Anna walked to the edge of the cliff with excitement and joy. Below the steep slope was the end of the rolling Karasu River, which kept branching and closing in the middle, cutting out the dark gray gravel river islands. Far away, the Kastamonu mentioned by the female archon was an Armenian-style fortress. Relying on the hillside, it built a strip of walls with stones, filled with soil to build barracks, and climbed up the steps. The tower on the top was located on a mountain peak of more than 2,000 feet, like a sword drawn from its sheath, standing majestically under the sky.

"My ancestor, Manuel Eroticus Komnenos, the brave and sturdy border warrior, rose to prominence in this castle..." Anna placed her hands on her chest, looking at the magnificent but deserted castle, and muttered to herself.

"Your Highness, your ancestor was originally from the Eroticus family. After launching a military rebellion against Emperor Vasily the Younger (Vasily II) in Asia Minor, your ancestor rode a horse with a bow and arrow, and defeated the rebels brilliantly, thus winning the emperor's favor, and also obtained this castle and a vast fiefdom. From then on, he began to become independent and made a sensation in the world under the name of 'Komnenos'. I wonder if what I said is wrong, Anna?" At this time, Gawain came over and said so. In fact, he had already been familiar with this story of Komnenos.

"Of course, there is nothing wrong with you, great barbarian. My ancestors, my grandfather, and my father are all leaders of the noble Roman warrior family. How I wish I could pursue their achievements, even if I am only a daughter. "

At this time, Gawain and Cabeamiya both knelt on one knee in front of Anna and said in unison, "Please don't worry, Your Highness, Princess. Even if your place of rise is not in Kastamonu, it will be in the God's Revelation." In the land of the Seven Ridges, we will worship you with all our heart and soul, and build your high throne with iron and fire, so that your achievements will be no less than those of the Komnenos ancestors of Kastamonu.”

These words really aroused Anna's ambition. She turned back, with the towering castle behind her. The escaped princess said in a loud voice, "Very good. The Paulists originally defended Bulgaria and Thrace for the empire." Border, once successful, I will promise to continue to recognize your rights and interests; The company and soldiers of the Great Barbarians will enjoy the land and taxes allocated by the new country - so now, with the Roman Empire's army chasing after them, the Danish Monde Turks may cross the Harris River at any time to cause trouble, and there may be others ahead. Under the siege of the Konya thieves, what clever strategies do you have?"

Cabernetia immediately flashed her bright eyes, stretched out her golden hand covered with a black cloak, and pointed three fingers at the ground, "Your Highness, please allow me to speak boldly, to break the siege and suppression of our army by the powerful enemies from all sides." .”(To be continued~^~)