Eagle Byzantium

"The barbarian did a great job, as long as he crossed the Sarlev River (this river was the main river in the Seleucia Military District). A hundred years later, the Holy Roman Emperor Red-bearded Frederick I waded on horseback. After setting up a pontoon bridge on this river and using the cover of the forest, our army will soon approach the city of Seleucia and launch a fatal attack." After the letter was sent, Anna was very excited. .

"It's best to persuade the capitulation letter and the emir's head to be effective, and ask the strong Seleucia Castle to open its doors and surrender. Otherwise, now that the heat is gradually rising, the division will explode if they stay too long on the impact plain by the sea. Plague." Gawain's attitude was much more cautious.

As a result, at dusk, Seleucia Castle sent a noble soldier as a representative to the Scarlet tent. He bowed past under the crossed axes and halberds of the guard warriors, prostrated himself in front of Gawain and Anna, and then let What surprised everyone was that this representative was also from the border between Pamphylia and Seleucia. , the owner of a castle named Alamein was actually a Greek warrior named Nikka Kallegos, who was also a military nobleman of the previous dynasty. When the empire's power and fleet collapsed in Asia Minor, he took his family to occupy it. The fortress is self-reliant, sometimes taking refuge with Zahas, sometimes with Sultan Rom.

Now, when Gawain's huge division entered Seleucia, and the emperor's army and horses failed to arrive in time, Nika made a quick decision - the Roma soldiers originally left in Seleucia city welcomed him in and supported him as a general. It was prepared to resist Gawain - but now Nica directly handed over the keys, fortress map and token of Seleucia City to Gawain.

In short, Nika surrendered with the capital city.

The delighted Anna immediately made a promise: Nica's Kallegos family and all the property rights around Alamein Castle would remain unchanged and enjoy tax breaks. In addition, only one hundred cavalry and two hundred spears would be provided in the future. For military service, just follow the archer regiment in combat expeditions.

"I and my seven sons will always be loyal to His Excellency General Stratigos and His Royal Highness the Princess in Purple." At this moment, when Nika raised his head, Gawain realized that the other party was about sixty years old. His eyes were hollow and dull, and he turned out to be blind (but this was probably due to eye disease in his later years). A blind man will be blind, and he has seven sons in a row. Even if you don’t have a daughter, you can be considered powerful. “General Nika, what are your seven sons’ names and where do they live?”

"The names of the dogs are Severn, Ace, Taylor, Leo, Tiga, Gaia and Nexus. The first three of them went to eastern Cilicia many years ago under the orders of the previous emperor. They garrisoned the city of Sith and monitored the local Armenian nobles. Leo and Tiga had their own fortresses in the Mut Valley in the north. "

"Oh? Then please leave your last two young sons with me and Her Highness the Princess. I will train them well." Gawain's tone was obvious. That is to ask for hostages for the future stability of Seleucia - the city of Mut is in the north, connected to the Heraclea (collectively known as the northern region of the Taurus Mountains) area; and the city of Alamein is on the narrow coast in the west. There is another key connecting to the Pamphylia region. Now it is all the territory of the Kallegos family and must be guarded against.

"Yes..." Nika agreed sincerely. His two young sons, one fifteen years old and one only thirteen years old, were now accompanying their father on his left.

"Just stay in the Guardian Brigade and serve as my bodyguard." Anna showed her favor. Then Gaia Kallegos and Nexus Kallegos, two young warriors, respectfully handed over their hands. The sword stood at Anna's lower head.

After the hostage exchange, Gawain immediately secretly discussed with Anna: things must not be delayed. Before Nika falls to your father, seize the time to enter and take over Seleucia City.

The next day, on the Sarlev River, the swollen water was surging. It was summer, and the woods and long grass on both sides were swaying. The cavalrymen belonging to the division on the pontoon bridge had their feathers on their helmets and chicken necks raised, and flags of various colors were raised. , fish and dragon flags overlap, the sound of horse hooves bursts, walking on the pontoon bridge, on the river Waves of water arose on the surface, and several rows of flags were raised on the shore. Generals such as Gawain, Birel, Giovanni, Bramson, Gottschalk, Branas, and Dorus Covered in armor and holding a sword, he supervises the infantry detachment behind him and monitors Nika's team on the opposite side.

Under the flag, next to the blind general, were two brothers, Leo and Tiga, who were also on horseback and wearing armor, and came specially from the Mut River Valley to assist in the battle. "Father, this division comes at an awkward time. Although Gawain calls himself Stella, Tigos, but now the emperor's Where does such a retro military rank come from in the military system? And his seal is still the Grand Duke of Armenia. As for the Princess in Purple, it is even more ridiculous. So far, the city of Seleucia has been rashly handed over without the emperor's golden edict. Okay?"

"You two have said so much, but you haven't said a single word about caring about your two young brothers..." Nika raised her turbid and pale eyes, listening to the loud sound of marching on the river, and said leisurely, "The roots of the family are in Alamein Castle. No matter Gawain, the emperor, or the Turkic sultan, we can take it away. We Kallegos must keep it firmly no matter how many generations it takes." Protect it."

"In other words, the three elder brothers went to Sith City, and the two younger brothers were given to Gawain as hostages. We will stick to the Mut Valley, and you, father, will stay in Alamein City. When the emperor comes, we will welcome the emperor, right? "

"In short, you can't completely commit to one party." In the end, Nika gave a definition to his various behaviors.

In the midst of the ranks of the divisions entering Seleucia, Anna's little carriage, surrounded by the entire guard, came to the eyes of Nika and her two sons. Leo and Tiga were the first to dismount and pay homage, and then blindly The old general, also supported by his military servants, tremblingly bowed before Anna's eyes.

"Don't worry. If anything goes wrong in Alamein, just come to me and Gawain for help." Anna smiled and made such a promise, but the meaning behind it was obvious - as expected, the understanding Nika promised, Immediately, he and his two sons returned to the castle and territory to reorganize their troops and prepare to follow Gawain's division to participate in the attack on Antioch and the kingdoms of Little Armenia.

Seleucia, the former huge and solid imperial capital military town, is located at the strategic intersection with Heraclea, Konya, Pamphylia, Isauria, and Cilicia. It is built on the gray swirling seaside rocks. On the cliff, overlooking the curving Sarlev River, the solid city gate leads to the flat river plain. On the stone cliff is a separate gate leading directly to the acropolis above. There are stairs under the acropolis, leading to the adjacent ocean The concave half-moon-shaped military port on the ocean side is a large fortress that can support five thousand elite soldiers for garrisoning. "Anna, this is the first diamond inlaid in your crown." Soldiers cheering on the city gate tower holding weapons and flags , waving red crocus petals downwards, in the corridor, the changing light and dark light, through the curtains, reflected Anna's eyes raised in joy, and Gawain's voice came from the side.

"Of course Gawain - ordered that starting tonight, within three days, the entire army will have a feast, and all the wealth in the city will be distributed to the soldiers of the division and the navy of Jalguba."

At night, the torches were brightly lit in the hall of the Acropolis in Seleucia. Almost all the Greek nobles and landowners in the area and in Sicily were standing along the colonnades and bonfires. Among them, Nikka and his two sons , is the core of the entire crowd, and will be settled in a short while. Na was covered with a veil, with bright pearls, turquoise, and coral necklaces around her forehead and neck. She wore a diamond shawl and purple boots. Gawain, who was huge, and sixteen people held flags, flags, and long-handled axes. The guards lined up in two rows and followed him out of the small prayer room. Along the side steps, Anna climbed up the steps with a solemn expression, walked to the high-legged couch, then turned around and sat down. Gawain also stood on the steps beside her holding a sword.

Looking down at the group of noble landowners who were kneeling to her, Anna exchanged a few words and then got straight to the point, "From now on, I will rule this land in the name of the Dukas family and do my best to eliminate all kinds of enemies for my father's empire. , and fully support the pilgrims in regaining the Holy City.”

Then, under the gauze, Anna's upright face illuminated by the firelight was as cold as ice. She lifted the enamel box handed over by Gawain, and her voice echoed in the hall, "In this box are my unique seals and tokens. Gold-encrusted quill, green inkpot, from now on I Anna Ducasse's stamp on any sealed document, whether military or civil, will be unimpeded in this land." After saying this, Anna solemnly placed the box. In the hands of Agnes who knelt down on his right side.

Many people in the entire crowd were shocked by these rebellious words. Some nobles directly pulled the corners of Nika's robes, roughly meaning, "Where did this little girl come from? Even if she is The emperor's daughter, responsible for the recovery This land, but she actually dares to call herself Ducas to exercise power. This will make us very passive and understand! If the emperor really knows, we will get together and accompany this in Seleucia! If a girl is crazy, she won’t get any good results.”

Check out the 16-9 book bar to see the correct version!

However, Nika still opened his lifeless eyes, lying on the ground, his mouth under his white beard motionless, quietly listening to Anna's admonishment.

Then Gawain held the hilt of the sword and stepped down two steps, so that Anna's eyes were exactly on the same line as his head. This lady scanned the audience with her blue eyes, "Now I take the place of the patron. Her Royal Highness the Purple Princess presented the first prize after the recovery of Seleucia An order is given. From now on, troops from our division will be stationed in all the military towns and fortresses on this land. You all must hand over the money to the designated place on tax day. You must also provide military service and supplies during the war. Equip yourself and follow my flag to fight.”

"You brave warriors who have doubts, please stand up!" Anna stood up behind Gawain and said slowly, "Otherwise, as my Lord said - 'People, get up and go meet Samaria. The messenger of the king of Asia'. (To be continued~^~)

PS: The map will be updated in the novel post bar soon