Eagle Byzantium

The emperor was doubtful at all. He walked to the silver plate map table and stared at the area where the Holy Sea was. "Meleith, convey my will - I agree to Gawain's request, but carry Bohemond's coffin." There must be no more than four ships, and they must sail through the Bay of Smyrna, all under the surveillance of our ships and islands. In addition, I promise that my naval lord will not open the coffin to examine the body. However, I will order John to arrive at Eupiia from Corinth quickly, and he will examine Bohemond's body. If it is true, then I can The emperor's mercy and virtue allowed his body to be released instead of being sent to the racecourse and left to be insulted by the citizens of the imperial capital. "

"Yes, this will also reflect His Majesty's generosity and compassion, and will not arouse the hostility of the Normans in Apulia and Antioch. And Prince John will examine the body, and there will be no flaws in his identity."

After the arrangement was completed, the emperor frowned and silently touched the edge texture of the map table made of precious wood with his fingers. He still couldn't believe it in his heart, "I have encountered many old enemies in my life, both outside and inside. In the past few years, the two people I fear and hate the most are Bohemond and Gawain. . I really didn’t expect that not long after Bohemond and Gawain joined forces to harm the empire, they would lose the power of Antioch in such a confused way, and at this time, they would be shot to death by my fleet. Can they be removed like this? A big problem? No, I can’t take this kind of true or false news lightly, absolutely.”

Just as the emperor was wondering, there was a cry of mourning at the Seleucia port. Many Norman knights who followed Bohemond in front of the dock took off their helmets and armors, knelt around a coffin, and held their hands in their mouths. Holding the hilt of the sword with tears, he prayed repeatedly for the Duke of Apulia, hoping that he could ascend to heaven.

Even the hermit Peter came from the Arahant monastery, and together with many priests, he held up the ritual objects and crosses, and made up for the deathbed confession ceremony for the suddenly deceased Duke. The coffin was pushed aside and Bohemond's body was embroidered. Covered by his robe, his lifeless blue-white wrists were exposed.

On the battlements of the sea defense city, the great patron in black robes, the female Caesar of Tarsus, and many other members of the court gathered there. Everyone, regardless of gender, was holding elegant white flowers. Hemond's coffin was sent off to express his sincere condolences.

The soldiers and the onlookers all saw or heard that although it was said that the Duke of Apulia and the great patron had always been at odds with each other and fought with each other, the real situation was that heroes cherished heroes - Gawain held on to the crenel , wept bitterly for the death of the Duke, and could hardly stand up straight. The female Caesar's eyes were extremely red, and she repeatedly tried to persuade her husband not to be overly sad.

The sailors on the dock pier tied the coffin with four layers of ropes, then used a disc-type noose crane to hoist it high, turned it around the jagged rocks, and slowly placed it directly on a hot wax ship. On the deck of the duck merchant ship, followed by the shrill and long sound of trumpets, the Norman knights lined up They formed two lines, holding in the middle the white background and gold-rimmed flag redeemed from Marash Armenia, stepped onto the merchant ship on wooden planks, solemnly covered the coffin with the flag cloth, and then the ship raised its sails and The other three smaller ships slowly paddled away from the Seleucia military port.

"Farewell, farewell forever! My friend Bohemond." Gawain, who was behind the battlements of Haiphong City, clutched his chest and looked at the ship full of sorrow. His tears were pouring down and his voice was almost suffocated.

Anna also shed tears and held Gawain's arm, also lamenting the passing of a hero.

About half a day later, the small fleet passed the port of Atalia. From the castle tower, Brenus and Asasidus looked on with disbelief.

"Is this true?" The Earl of the Navy asked first.

Brenus pointed to the coffin covered with eye-catching flags on the deck of the leading ship from a distance, and answered cautiously, "Your Majesty is wise in thinking about problems, which you and I can never reach. He has considered the entire future of Apley." The situation in Asia and the Two Sicilies is really amazing and admirable. It is said that after His Majesty conquered Tarsus, he must be going to conquer Antioch, so it is also for the purpose of giving Bohemond a proper and dignified funeral. appease italy In this way, when attacking Antioch, the Normans there would calm down and even sign a no-war treaty with His Majesty. To the prince of Corinth Do it (after John completes this task, he can go directly to the imperial capital to report and assume the position of chief executive), because only the outstanding status of the prince can even the Normans who do not know the king can be convinced. ”

"That's it, that's it!" Asasidus immediately made a very, very surprised expression to show that His Majesty's strategy was beyond the imagination of ordinary people.

The supervisory officials behind them also lowered their heads and did not utter a single unnecessary word.

Flattery is flattery, but twelve light rowing warships soon sailed out of Atalia Port, following closely behind the fleet carrying Bohemond's coffin, and acting as an escort to the Bay of Smyrna. Monitoring tasks.

Under the continuous clouds, the waves were always gray and black, losing the liveliness and blue of the original Holy Sea. "It feels like there will be wind and rain!" The commander in charge of the Atalia warship watched the turbulence The increasingly dense waves, touching the slightly moist armor, said to the sailors around him, and received unanimous approval.

In the afternoon, at the end of Attalia Bay, the commander looked up. The dark clouds seemed to be getting thicker and more oppressive, as if they were pressing directly on the bridge of a person's nose. He could still see them with his eyes in the distance. With a white flash, the sailor stared at the sail's turn and loudly reported, "The storm from the direction of Cilicia is coming soon."

"Damn it, originally when we observed the stars, there should be no such weather. Everyone, please keep an eye on the ship in front!" The commander jumped onto the wooden tower at the bow of the ship, waving his arms and pointing at the dim front in the howling wind. .

"Your Excellency, look, look," a lookout suddenly shouted, pointing at the third sailboat in the small fleet ahead.

Commander Atalia looked in his direction and saw sailors running hurriedly on the sailboat, taking out barrels and boxes from the cabins below the deck, plopping them towards the sides of the ship. Tossed in the rolling waves, "Raise the fireworks, speed up the rowing of the oars, and ask what the ship wants to do?"

"The purpose of throwing away all the cargo in the cabin is very simple. It is to reduce weight. They want to follow the wind and speed away." Before the lookout could finish speaking, the ship had all the sails removed. It rose, bulging forward and backward like a full moon. Driven by the strong wind, it quickly broke away from the fleet it was in, splitting the waves on both sides, and headed towards the southwest like lightning. (~^~)