That's not quite how it is. I was looking. But seeing that you are completely absorbed in the fight against Muslims, and very successfully, did not want to distract you. But, alas, he is no longer with us. He rolled his eyes and crossed himself, whispering something. "I spent a lot of time and energy trying to gather information about you, starting with your childhood. " With you, there must have been something amazing happening, because at the age of fourteen you completely changed. Of course, I'm not Monsieur Eral, and I do not care about your personal secrets. They are not interesting to me. Even though you yourself are the Devil, if you are doing charitable deeds, then the Creator Himself sent you to help us.
"I'm flattered to hear such compliments.
" Baron, you rendered a lot of invaluable services to the Order. "If to speak in essence, then you alone have done more than any of the members of the order. I would like to invite you to join it. Of course, not ordinary brother.
"You know my answer. "
- Of course, but I still have to try. You were invited many times, but you refused every time. Is it personal ambition or something else?
"It's just a cold calculation, caused by some premonition. "
- Can you share it?
Of course. Remember - how your order was founded. Nine knights of their own free will have sworn an oath and so on. Remember!
Excellent! Remember how long it took until Papa got involved in your business?
" Twenty years. "What are you driving at?
- The Order of the Knights Templar is a military monastic order, which is the support of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land. You reasoned reasonably, but because you are seriously engaged in finance, in order to meet your needs. Resources are, alas, not the manna of heaven, they do not fall from the sky. At the moment, you already have a huge amount of money, what will happen in a hundred years? Do you understand the consequences of this phenomenon?
Of course. On our means, many monarchs of Europe are already envious of envy.
Excellent! Now consider the second aspect. East The Order itself can not wage war against Muslims, and Christian rulers in their own selfish ambitions are not able to act in an organized manner. You can observe the result of such activity already now. Do you remember who Yusuf, called by the people of Salah ad-Din, is?
Yes!
- So, the turnover is so tense that a crusade has begun to prepare against them, in which it is supposed to destroy heresy physically.
What? Where did you get this information from?
" I have many spies. "And do you know who will most likely lead this campaign?
"Do not worry, Baron.
- Earl of Artois, Louis I, who is the most serious contender for the throne of the French kingdom. Do you understand what I'm getting at?
- It's hard not to understand. And it's terrible that, firstly, you are right, and secondly, we can not retreat any more. These are sad words, Baron. Now I understand your unwillingness to enter the order.
" You must also understand why I do not want you to be kicked out of the Holy Land. "While you stay there, even if you bite your teeth into a small patch of land, you will exist. As soon as you fly out of there - you will be abolished and looted, and it is possible that after accusing heresy and betraying the execution.
- I just do not understand this. Why do you need this?
- I need a strong bank, to which I can entrust my business.
- It's amazing! Philip waved his hands in surprise.
- And what is the point of twisting, in order to explain the earthly goals with higher powers?
- Yeah, you totally embarrassed me. Before our conversation, my path was clear and straight. Now I am completely at a loss.
- And why get lost? It is necessary, after realizing the details of the emerging situation, to act in such a way that it is no longer a shame. Although these are all small things that do not yet play a serious role. Let's talk about the matter.
Chapter 6
Then they spent about two hours discussing plans for Eric's future campaign and ways of interacting. The Grand Master offered a way to obtain a formal right to the land that our hero wanted to take to himself. The Baron will be represented at court to the emperor, and his merits against the enemies of Byzantium will be painted with the most vivid colors. In short, they will arrange a small variety show. After that, Alex will be forced to repay such a faithful servant, but since he does not have land for a present or some solid post, he can offer only something formal. For example, a title without a land, of course, it will be prompted in advance by our wise autocrat. And this is exactly what Eric wants. After that, he will swear allegiance to the emperor. Of course, no one from him will not demand anything, since the title is formal. But the right to land will be, it will only be left for her. In general, a curious adventure. From Constantinople, the Grand Master was going to go to the Principality of Antioch in order to take a lively part in what was developing there. Therefore, much of the time in the conversation was devoted exclusively to applied issues. In particular, the issue of Raymund, which remained a serious guarantor of instability, was especially carefully studied. It was necessary to solve two issues: the power in Antioch and the loyalty of the Cilician kingdom. Eric proposed a very simple scheme. The prince, together with the commander, should act as initiators for the release of Rupen. Officially, they must pay 200 gold marks to the Treasury of the Moslem emir. Of course, only 30 marks will be paid, in order for the emir to endow his people, so as not to cause suspicion. After, not far from Edessa, an escort with the grandson of Levon II should be attacked by a group of iconic Turks, naturally hired through a figurehead, which quite by chance, will be missed by several people. Raimund, of course, will be killed in this skirmish. The escort is recruited honestly, from suicide bombers, that is, people who have already baked, but there is no formal reason to execute or expel them. This intrigue should embitter Levon on the Seljuks of Iconium, and also bring them closer to the principality and the Templars proper, as people who selflessly tried to save his grandson. The Grand Master fully supported the idea, since he was most concerned about the situation in the principality. Finally, Eric discussed the possibility of prompt deployment of the bank's branch in the conquered land, said goodbye and left for his compound, where he intended to meet with Demeter and inspect the replenishment. With his priestess, he solved all the issues very quickly, and so in the evening she left for Athens to the ship. The only thing that amused her is a slight shaking, when communicating with him. This woman firmly believed that he was the god Ares, the last doubts were dispelled when all of Europe flew all about his tremendous victory under Edessa. Although the better, there is less chance that she will betray him. Worse case was with the replenishment. Hand on heart, these people could be called a maximum of garbage, albeit armed. Therefore, the younger brother of Demeter departed with her, for he did not live up to his hope. In general, after selecting after ten minutes of inspection of fifty people, the rest he handed in five denarii and ordered to go to all four sides. Pre-surrendering armor, weapons and coats of arms. He really wanted to drive everyone out, but changed his mind, because these, although they were completely unprepared, but had the potential, and therefore transferred the miserable man to the tender care of Rudolph. Toward evening, cooled down, he spoke with Theodore, entrusting him with a new task, which was to contact the Genoese from Sugdeya, and redeem the captive Slavic soldiers from slavery at the age of 20 to 25 years. Of course, not all in a row, but physically healthy, not broken and ready to fight with those who enslaved them. It was necessary to have about fifty to sixty people. The goods are not running, but sometimes it happens. After buying the guys wash, feed and deliver here. He has two months to complete the assignment.