Eagle Byzantium

When Baldwin and Gottschild led the army to withdraw to Caron, Gawain finally understood the reason for his enmity with Tancred.

After the bloody battle of Doli Laem, Bohemond used the conspiracy of exposing the emperor in front of the pilgrims to gain the support of most of the lords who did not know the truth. He left Godfrey and Raymond aside, plus the emperor Edicted "Commander-in-Chief of Asia" ", seemingly becoming the sole leader of the Pilgrim Legion, Godfrey could only bear in mind the overall situation, and then Bohemond went even further, openly demanding that the towns captured or surrendered along the way hand over all keys and surrender books to the Normans. .

The dissatisfied Godfrey summoned Baldwin after the capture of Konya, "You and Gottschild set off with the detachment and wait for an opportunity to get in touch with Gawain."

However, Bohemond, who was very alert, quickly proposed a plan at the meeting of cardinals accompanying the army: Baldwin was not allowed to act alone to prevent the Konya Turks from counterattacking, so Tancred took a thousand Norman soldiers with him. Together with 500 Armenian soldiers from Pak'ad, he marched with him.

But after crossing the city of Caron and defeating Konya Sultan's small forces once or twice in the desolate mountains, Baldwin and Tancred soon came to dislike each other in terms of the distribution of spoils (or in other words, the two factions had a grudge against each other). (for a long time), a fierce quarrel broke out, and the "faithless warrior" "Pakade had already sniffed out the limelight. He believed that Bohemond was now the best candidate to serve, so he secretly instigated Tancred and joined forces with him to drive through the Cilicia Gate to capture Tarsus. City, ruthlessly and ruthlessly threw Baldwin into the rugged Butantelot Valley.

The furious Baldwin was about to attack the town of Danishmund and perform feats to humiliate the Normans. However, after two days of detours, he was trapped in the valley, and had Gawain not come to rescue him in time. I'm afraid that the couple will really be martyred in this valley, accompanying the holy apostles from thousands of years ago.

"If you want to seek revenge from Tancred, you have to go to Cilicia, follow behind, and wait for an opportunity to snatch his merits." Gawain soon understood that what Baldwin was thinking happened to coincide with his and Anna's plan. Okay, this guy himself is also a capable person. The two hit it off immediately.

Although Baldwin's team had been trapped before, the main force was sound. Count Burke of Astennoburg, Brother Auden of Verdun Abbey, and Baron Leonard of Thuleburg, with a total of 300 chainmail knights and There were retinues of sergeants, five hundred infantrymen, and archers. Gawain also enthusiastically decided to reunite the cavalry companies from the two brigades. Formed a mobile advance party, met with Baldwin, and headed for Cilicia.

In the "Gongshi Regiment Meeting House" temporarily transformed from the Judah Mosque, its side hall was originally a mosque hospital called "Mulistan", and now it has become a room for the female dependents of the army - Anna and Agnes are there. I live in a secluded small hall at the end of the colonnade. The furnishings inside are very simple, except for a potted daffodil. There were just boxes stacked with books and two beds.

Now Gottshilde has also moved into the room next to her, and the whole residence becomes lively because this elegant lady can speak Greek. He was especially good at telling witty jokes, which made Anna happy for days, until Gawain stood in front of the entrance curtain and said goodbye to her, holding a helmet decorated with red hand feathers.

"We will also go through the Cilicia Gate. I hope it goes well." Standing by the pillars, Gawain and Anna stood alone facing each other. Da Manzi lowered his head and said to her.

Anna closed her eyes and then asked, "What about Cabeamiya? Do you want to go with the fighting team?"

"No, this march needs to be very fast. Only the cavalry company of the brigade will participate."

As a result, Anna's expression became more relaxed, and she sometimes resorted to harsh and decisive measures. Strategies that even Gawain didn't expect, such as the unauthorized establishment of the "Guardian Brigade" to seize Gawain's military power; but sometimes, like a girl of this age, there is no emotional cover-up or pretense. Then, under the candlelight in front of the alcove, Anna hugged Gawain's waist and gently reminded him, "Although you are very smart, great barbarian, I still want to remind you, where is the Land of the Seven Ridges? I am I dare not jump to conclusions, so there is no need to stick to Cilicia. Not only are the Konya Turks garrisoned there, but also Armenia is entrenched in the north against the Taurus Mountains on the passage to Antioch and Edessa. All forces..."

Gawain knowingly placed his head next to Anna's ear and whispered something to her. Her Royal Highness the Princess nodded and smiled frequently, "Yes, that's it, Gawain... our situation is about to open up."

"Well, when Melo is healed, you entrust him with Bramson, Birrell, and all the rest of the companies, and the Paulists to pass through the Cilicia Gate - I will offer you a true The city and the fortress are given to you, your noble and lovely princess.”

Anna beamed with joy, hugged Gawain's neck, stood on tiptoes and kissed him softly a few times, "Let it go and do it according to your plan Gawain! Don't worry, I won't start a fire in the backyard of Caron City." , Anna is measured.”

Gawain couldn't help but laughed bitterly, and then said that I will solve everything immediately, "Tell Gotschild that I will take good care of Baldwin on the battlefield."

In the square outside the Grand Mosque, all the cavalry were organized. Now even the packhorses that had been abandoned by the Konya Turks in Karon City were pulled over. Finally, 600 cavalry were gathered. Baldwin also brought all the cavalry on hand. The elites gathered together, and about 250 chain-mail cavalry formed several marching lines, swearing to go out for battle.

"Everyone, we have abandoned everything in our hometown. We did not come here to eat the leftovers from the Normans. From now on, everything Baldwin owns has nothing to do with Bohemond. We only take what we deserve. Anyone who tries to get involved is my enemy. From today on, this is also my brother's attitude!" Baldwin pounded the armor on his chest, his attitude was fierce and clear.

"All the glorious cavalrymen of the Paratolla Division (Paratolla means bow and arrow in Greek), now as the supreme commander, I ask you to cross the Cilician Gate and head for the fertile plains and rivers. You have been through long battles and fatigue before, and some of you may be timid, shaken, or afraid, but I tell you that the time of reward has come-the land of Cilicia is full of prosperous cities and towns. The Conian Turks who are stationed there have been completely destroyed by our attacks before. When they see our flags and horses, they have to flee. So polish your helmets and armor, raise your battle flags in the marching horns, and pierce the chests of the evil pagans who dare to resist with swords and spears. Remember our oath, those who hold the red hand as the banner will be crowned king by Christ!" Gawain pulled the reins and issued the same battle oath to all the cavalrymen.

"In accordance with the will of our Lord Jesus, save the hometown of Saint Apostle Paul!" The cavalrymen present responded in unison, waving their swords and hammers. The red flags were particularly dazzling under the white hexagonal stone tower and the bright sunshine. (To be continued ~^~)