Eagle Byzantium

"Hey, respected Patriarch Ducas. Does anyone make a sacred oath when cutting meat on the dinner plate?" After hearing Bohemond's words, Artabasdos felt that the Duke's eyes were a bit... Something is wrong - Bohemond's red beard Shaking the bread crumbs and meat particles, the gleaming dagger made a creaking sound between his hand and the meat. His eyes were cold, without any oath of enthusiasm and sincerity. He looked at himself and the Imperial Caesar, as if they were two different people. Fat, oily venison.

After being reminded by the Archduke of Gallipoli, even Caesar shuddered involuntarily. He looked around. The entire tent was filled with Normans holding sharp swords. The smell of horse manure mixed with the smell of blood. The confusion made his insides twitch. So Caesar had no choice but to bite the bullet and continue to propose, "About three miles away behind your camp, stationed is Penipacebastos, the third most glorious man in the empire. His name is Nikephoros Breanus."

"I know that he led five thousand people to follow me in the city of Durazzo. He is a good man as quiet and gentle as a woman." Bohemond laughed.

"It's like this. His cavalry chief is my slave, named Titicius. And Breanus himself is also the co-emperor I want to support this time. Did you know? He is also Princess Anna's Fiancé, do you know Anna?”

When Bohemond heard this, he seemed to be very interested. Then he put down the meat-cutting dagger and twisted his beard twice with his fingers, "So?"

"My hope is that tomorrow, Your Excellency, the Duke, will work with me to persuade Breanus and Titicius to let his five thousand troops join us. This way, the chance of victory will be even greater - I can promise Give Breenus the throne and let him marry Anna, and do it as easily as you Normans hunt, and the rest of the conditions remain unchanged." Caesar rubbed his hands. suggested.

Then, he saw Bohemond's glass-ball-like eyes, looking at him, and he felt trapped in a hunter's snare, and his back was shining, "Your Majesty Caesar, it's a pity. You have no value anymore. As a human being, That’s what I, an old friend, think. Nikephoros Breanus will not listen to you. I’m sorry for what I said just now, but you still have value, Caesar.” Bohemond’s words. , also like cold glass. It hurts the heatless sunshine in early winter.

Suddenly, Caesar understood.

Bohemond, who was as cunning as a fox, said that his only "value" was to let the Normans tie him up and offer him to Alexios Comnenus...

Then your behavior is really stupid. You might as well use the term "throw yourself into the middle" to describe it.

"I am not interested in the battle for the throne between you. I am only interested in the treasures of your Greeks and the kingdoms in Anatolia or the Holy Land. Therefore, your noble Caesar, please become the cornerstone on my path. Yes, I believe that with your status, the emperor will offer me a suitable price..." Bohemond said proudly, then raised the blade of the dagger slightly and continued to click. He cut the meat on the ground, lowered his head to devour and bite.

Caesar, who was in pain and remorse, touched the St. Ilysses pendant around his neck with trembling hands. He didn't expect it. He really didn't expect it. The little girl Anna's predictions and worries in the Holy Wisdom Cathedral actually came true. If I had known this, I really should have followed the group of mud-legged pilgrims to seek refuge with Gawain! then. Bohemond heard a louder sound than his own cutting of meat from the person sitting opposite him. Caesar, who lowered his head like an ostrich egg, moved his teeth. It looked like the old guy was angry and regretful, with tears and snot flowing out. He was probably regretting why he wanted to be captured by the guards at Gallipoli. Should you let those captured by the officials go?

"Hehehehe." Bohemond liked to see others like this. He laughed happily, shrugged his shoulders, and became louder and louder.

"Caesar!" At this time, Artabasdos, who was loyal to the Dukas family, stood up and drew his sword.

With a flash of sword light, Artabastus's arm and scabbard were all cut off. Blood sprayed all over the table and plates. It also flew all over Caesar's head and face, causing him to scream and hurriedly raise his hand. He raised his hand to wipe the blood from his face.

Then, Artabasdos was grabbed by the collar by Tancred who appeared from behind, and turned over. The blade of Norman's sword came out directly from his mouth and "kissed deeply" to the back of his head.

Tancred drew out his sword, pushed the body of Artabasdos down on the dining table, and then flicked the sword blade to the left: Caesar finally pulled it out, and the dagger he used to commit suicide was knocked away, and then the sword blade across Caesar's neck.

Looking at Macaulinus, whose face was stained with blood, covered with tears and sweat, and held hostage by the edge of the sword, he looked as pitiful as an old man catching birds. Bohemond, who was sitting at the host's table, burped, wiped the splattered blood around his eyes with a silk napkin, and said calmly, "Why bother... Anyway, Komnenos I probably won’t take your life, it’s good for everyone, right? You should cherish your life.”

Then, several Norman earls and barons opened the curtain of the tent with a loud cheer. They heard the sounds of fighting inside and rushed over. Bohemond raised his finger, "Don't be nervous, it's just a little noise. Arrange manpower immediately to protect our beloved Imperial Caesar from arriving in Constantinople safely. Then, the whole army will be dispatched - I want to see it in person, Emperor Komnenos.”

At this moment, under Constantinople, 60,000 to 70,000 pilgrims formed a long dragon-like team, shouting slogans for the Lord and the Emperor, and rushed to the coast, where there were many ships dispatched by Alexius, who were going to send everyone to the other side of the strait. On the towering military gate tower, Alexius looked at the scene with satisfaction, and kept waving his hands to greet the ant-like pilgrims. "Give me ten years, and I will give the dying empire an eternal peace." He said to Beril and Damira beside him with some pride.

"Let's go to the Brahena Palace to see it. I haven't seen my daughter for a long time." Then, the emperor, feeling relieved, walked down the stairs.

Inside the palace, on the desolate marble floor, Queen Irene sat on the small throne with empty eyes. Only the boots of the maids and eunuchs were left, echoing in between. Anna sat on the seat below, looking at her mother with worried eyes, but she had no words of comfort to say - no one around paid attention to them, and no one dared to. This was the order issued by the emperor, "The Princess and Her Royal Highness the Queen both need to rest, and anyone who dares to speak casually will be executed immediately."

A correct version at 16191 book1 forum!

After hearing the familiar horn and horse hoof sounds, Anna's eyes followed the long colonnade. After a while there, she saw her father's slender figure appearing there, and walking towards her step by step. (To be continued ~^~)