Eagle Byzantium

At the iron bridge where the Orontes River bends to the sea, Stephen and his brother-in-law Robert led a camp of 4,000 people and temporarily stationed here.

It was not very far from the Roman Empire's military camp, but it seemed particularly lonely: the angry Adhemar claimed that he was betrayed by his most trusted "Military General Counsel", "Since Stephen of Blois has abandoned me, abandoned thousands of brothers who fought side by side with him, and abandoned the Lord's cause, why should I force him to stay? The road to hell or to heaven is chosen by people, and the Lord is only responsible for the upcoming judgment."

Holding the letter of condemnation from the priest, Stephen's eyes were red and his face was pale. He slowly walked to the grass in front of the camp, where it was very close to the beach of the Orontes River. Summer was coming, and the green grass and green valley were like being dyed with a brush. The emerald river water softened. He couldn't help but think of the late autumn last year, when the endless armed pilgrims appeared under the city of Antioch. That was also the most beautiful moment of this country: green river water, golden wheat fields, and the most beautiful hunting ground, Daphne Forest, were right in front of his eyes, like a girl in a gorgeous dress.

At that time, including himself, everyone thought that the siege of Antioch was just a pleasant journey like an autumn hunt.

But the cold winter rain, the bleak sunshine, the bones everywhere in the mud pits, and the fierce pagans on horseback destroyed the pure will. In those lightless days, the only thing that could support him was the gentle smile of his wife Adela, not the boring and fanatical faith.

All the ambitions and dreams at the time of departure have now turned into meticulous and mercenary calculations, and the luggage hanging on the mule saddle. It is still in time to return, and he can also bring back a considerable amount of wealth for his territory and his wife and children.

Stephen looked at the twin stone towers standing at the bank of the rumbling river. It was the "Iron Bridge Estuary Fortress" engraved with his martial arts, but it won't be long before his name will lose its brilliance and be forgotten.

"Let God remember who has been here? I just want to go back and reunite with Adela." Stephen tore up the letter sent to him by the priest and threw it into the wind. Some of them spun into the sky, and some floated into the river.

At this moment, a cavalryman holding a red hand flag slowly came in front of him, and then pointed to a scarlet tent erected at the edge of the Daphne Forest, and said, "The Grand Duke of the Empire has set up a banquet over there, hoping to say goodbye to Lord Blois and Lord Normandy."

"One eighth of the Antioch city area belongs to you, and there are seven small towns around the entire city. It's not that there is no way to hold on, right?" In the scarlet tent, the musicians played the flute, beat and shook the Saracen-style tambourine and fork bell, and it was very lively. Gawain leaned on the cushion, sat cross-legged on the carpet, and personally filled Stephen's glass with fine wine and asked.

On the other side, Robert of Normandy, wrapped in a tattered cloak, was touching a huge and delicate musical instrument in the tent that he had never seen before, the Byzantine Roman organ. He had seen it in the court of the Emperor of Constantinople, but it was the first time he had touched it up close like today. Next to the organ stood a beautiful and noble girl - Hertomia, the daughter of Orson (after marrying Lambert, this girl voluntarily accompanied her father to the war. After gaining qualifications in the future, she will enter the court of Seleucia and accompany Anna as a noble lady). She looked at Robert politely but with cold disdain, the kind of eyes that look at barbarians. When the other party touched the key parts, Hertomia quickly protected it with her fingers, and then smiled at the Count of Normandy in resistance.

Meaning "Don't touch".

Robert smiled awkwardly, pinched the corner of his tattered clothes, looked at Hetomia with envy, then retracted his hand, looked at the organ with admiration, and then hunched back to his seat. Next to him was Count Robert of Flanders, who was drinking one glass after another, and was also annoyed that the two had broken their promise and left without saying goodbye, but he was still here to see them off.

"My city is entrusted to my dearest friend, Lord Flanders. I hope he can share our share and enjoy the glory of recovering the Holy Land. In addition, I also wrote a letter to the Clergy of Adhmar to recommend you to succeed as the Military Chief Counsellor of the Cardinals." Stephen first looked at his brother-in-law who had returned with a caring look, and then said to Lord Flanders with guilt.

"Me? Haha, don't be like that, my friend, I appreciate your kindness." Robert of Flanders gulped down the seventh glass of wine and coldly refused.

Gawain blinked his blue eyes, then clasped his fingers together and rested them on his chin, resting them on the dining table. Beside him, Muzafiadin was using the Turkic dialect to bring a plate of fresh meat and call the "captain" on the scaffold to come down and eat. However, the captain had a reluctant expression on his face and was not even interested in looking at him. "It hates to hear Turkish." Gawain reminded the military servant, and then said to Stephen of Blois, the other two lords, and Orson and Melo beside him, "In fact, Lord Flanders really has no hope of succeeding you, and according to my prediction, Lord Flanders and the honorable Hugh will soon return."

This is almost the first time that Gawain has played the role of "prophet" in public. In the past, he had played this trick on Anna or Cabea Amiya in private, and most people had surprised expressions.

However, Robert Flanders did not mean to deny it. He put down the wine glass and pulled his beard painfully with his hands. This was very abnormal in his behavior, which was always known for his calmness. "You know, no matter what My territory of Flanders, Blois and Normandy are all caught between the forces of the King of England, the King of France and the Salian Caesar. I have received a secret message that the King of France is trying to attack my territory. If this is the case, according to the covenant I signed with the King of England, he will provide me with reinforcements." After finishing speaking, Robert of Flanders drank his eighth glass of wine, wiped his beard and laughed bitterly, "That is. He said, once this situation comes true, I will go back and stand on the side of the King of England, and Hugh will go back and stand on the side of the King of France. We will fight against the Turks side by side here. If we go back immediately, we will meet with swords. "

"Let's work together to regain the Holy City first." Gawain was also a little sad. He poured the ninth cup for the other party, and then said to Count Blois, "Will Adela agree if you go back? As for me, if I run away halfway If I go back, my little woman will scold me to pieces. And where is the respected Lady Adela? Have you informed her of your return?" (To be continued~^~)