Eagle Byzantium

Hugh and William's next itinerary was very regular. The next day they left Mamistra and stayed in Adana: the countess of the city entertained them warmly and let everyone drink the fine wine from Cyprus at the banquet. Many soldiers from France and Apulia got drunk.

So Hugh also felt that he should relax from the fatigue and pressure of fighting in Antioch for so long. After getting the promise of "guaranteed supplies" from the countess, he announced that he would camp next to Adana and rest for two days. Then, accompanied by Gottschalk, he entered Western Cilicia.

At this time, the ship where Gawain and Anna were had already anchored in Kyrenia at the northern end of Cyprus. The gray-blue water here and the ups and downs but exquisite and lovely houses built along the cliffs and shades of trees on the shore made Anna very happy, but she could not stay and wander in this beautiful place because time did not allow it.

But the governor's envoy arrived on time. Gawain received him on the ship, opened the sealed document, and gave the pilgrims' proposal to the Roman emperor in Antioch to the envoy for review.

"At this critical moment, Mr. Lapsiomatus must recognize the situation." Gawain said earnestly.

Anna in the cabin immediately followed up with an unforgiving tone to emphasize her advice, "It's a very simple analogy. My father had tens of thousands of elite soldiers, but he was frightened by the Kobha army far away in Mosul and dared not even enter the plateau; while in Antioch, the pilgrims who lacked food defeated Agi Sijan and Kobha Maurice alone. The former surrendered and the latter fled. Thousands of pagans died under the city, and it was almost impossible to bury them all. Therefore, the Grand Duke of Cyprus should join which camp. It is really a clear choice. Do you still need to hesitate?"

"Yes, but now on the island, there are still Diogenes, the deputy governor of the empire's Asiatic march, and his two thousand troops are stationed in an area ten miles outside the city of Nicosia. Our governor is really..." When the secret envoy, who was acting on behalf of Lapsiomatus's will, was still trying to smooth things over, Gawain laughed, "As the saying goes, a dog follows its master. Look at how you are hesitating. Could it be that your governor is trying to play it safe with Constantinople, Egypt, and Seleucia?"

"Please give us some time to think it over." Facing Gawain's aggressiveness, the secret envoy lowered his posture and asked.

"No, within one month, Lord Lapsiomatus must expel and capture all the imperial troops on the island!" The purple princess next to him was very tough. "This is not a difficult task for you. Nicosia is very short of water. Either cut off the water supply or force them to move their camp and take advantage of the opportunity. In short, the key is not what Diogenes is like, but whether your Grand Duke has the confidence to break with Constantinople. Once implemented, Seleucia is willing to be a land barrier and Fatima is willing to be a sea barrier."

"But this is different from what was said in the proposal in the note?" The secret envoy was still mediating with a sad face.

"Listen, Lord Bohemond in the Pilgrim has openly occupied the city of Antioch. Who will really take the words to the emperor seriously?" Gawain said mockingly, and then waved his arm, indicating that the secret envoy can convey our plan to your Grand Duke as soon as possible, so that he can think carefully and make a substantive reply as soon as possible according to the deadline given by Anna Ducas.

After replenishing fresh water and food, the next morning, Jarguba stood at the bow and guided the three ships to the Seleucia naval port - the distance between here and there was very short, and it would take about half a day to a day to arrive.

At the same time, several fast horses from Adana carrying urgent letters rushed into the city of Seleucia and took a short rest in the inn area under the city. The dismounted brotherhood members were sweating all over. Under the shade of the trees, they took a can of water sent by a local farmer and drank it with the rest of them. After eating some dry food, they split into two groups and continued on their way: one group went towards the border checkpoint of Alaman Fort, and the other group went towards the Paulist gathering area in the Mut River Valley.

After Gawain's bloody "suppression war", the five Calegos brothers who were released into Alaman Castle were still fiercely opposed to the peace between Prince John and Gawain. Although the peace agreement clearly stipulated that a trading market should be set up at the border between Alaman Castle and Seleucia City to promote mutual trade, the Calegos brothers often rode war horses and led ferocious hounds to hunt down villagers or merchants who dared to have private dealings with Seleucia. Once caught, they would be whipped or beheaded. Therefore, up to now, Seleucia's border trade here is far less than the amount of transactions with Giliki Arslan at the northern end of the Mut River Valley.

In front of the wooden fence, the messenger of the Brotherhood carrying the letter, holding a small flag, watched many cavalrymen rushing out from behind the fence. These were all private soldiers of the Calegos family. They shouted many insulting words and asked, "How can the Seleucia bastard, the defeated general of General Nika, have the courage to come here?"

Soon, the messenger handed the letter to their leader, requesting "to send this letter to Prince John of Atalia as soon as possible", and then turned his horse's head and hurried away.

At the same time, in the river valley under the twilight, by the water channel next to the market town, Cabea Amiya was wearing a linen single coat and a skirt on her lower body. Her hair was tied up in a Saracen style. Her golden hands were on her slender waist, and she was talking with great interest. Watching the believers working together to build the waterwheel, in front of her eyes, large areas of fertile fields have been reclaimed. Once they are well irrigated, the harvest in the coming year will definitely exceed this year's.

"Gawain returned triumphantly from Antioch?" Cabeamiya was happy in her heart, but did not show it on her face. Then she opened the letter sent by the horse and looked at it, her face became solemn again, The elders Lucios and Philus nearby came over to ask.

Kabeamiya quickly folded the letter and put it away, then smoothed the braid behind her head with her hand, and asked in a low voice, "Among us believers, many are good at using arrows, right? I heard that they I often use this thing to hunt in the Hardy Mountains and cut animal skins for sale..."

Philus nodded, and then Cabeamia climbed on a horse, pulled the reins and said to the elder, "Quickly find fifty such people. I will go to Seleucia first, because I have to Summons of the Duke and the Princess in Purple."

After nightfall, in the palace of the Seleucia Acropolis, Cabeamiya and the group of people from the sea gathered together.

Because of Anna's presence, she did not dare to look at Gawain. Even though she was very concerned in her heart, she just folded her hands and leaned against the corner of the hall, and then reported the news to Anna, "Your Highness, although this It’s a bit overstepping my duties, but I’m sorry to tell you that the grape industry you previously invested in the Shengfeng Farm suffered a huge loss.” (To be continued~^~)