Chapter 383 - 271: The Arabs of Cyprus
The small town looked somewhat illusory from the sea, as it was mostly hidden in a sleepy hollow between shrub-covered hills and the water. But there were several white houses, winding alleys, dozens of wells, and a few Christian Churches, at least one of which had once been a temple to a Greek Goddess. The town even had a theater.
Not far away, there appeared to be a large square, surrounded by pillars like rows of trees.
On one side of the square stood a large, white building that had originally been a bathhouse. Now a solid, square fortress, Eric and his party were led to a meeting in a "magnificent" room on the top floor, though it too looked quite spartan.
Eric, King Robert, and a retinue of High Lords walked in. The Knights were in other rooms; they were offered wine and accompanying snacks—some dried walnuts.
The Infantry and Pisa Oarsmen waited outside, permitted only diluted beer.
Governor Constantine once again offered his apologies to King Robert.
"Great and respectable King of the Normans, and all you devout Frank Lords, I offer you my sincerest apologies. On this precarious, barren little island, I cannot provide you with a reception worthy of your station.
Cyprus is a desolate place beyond the fringes of civilization. I hold a tattered command over this barren land, surrounded by Pirates and Heretics."
"That is precisely why we have come. If this place were the Celestial Realm, then I imagine our expedition would be both pointless and without value." Robert once again displayed his magnanimity and tolerance, helping Governor Constantine to his feet.
"What is the situation on Cyprus now, Governor Constantine?" Eric asked.
"There’s only a group of half-baked soldiers here. Have all the regular troops been wiped out by the Turkic People’s offensive? Are their attacks at sea also this unstoppable?" Belem asked, looking at the soldiers behind Governor Constantine.
The difference between new recruits and veterans was quite obvious.
"Does this mean part of the island has already been occupied by the Turkic People?" Stephen asked, scratching his head.
Governor Constantine seemed to find it difficult to speak, pausing for a long moment before slowly revealing the truth.
"This island was once jointly ruled by the Greeks and the Arabs. For certain reasons, the Arabs had to leave. Most Arabs left, but some did not. One of them, a man who calls himself Faruk, began launching attacks from the inland mountains."
"Certain reasons?" Eric asked, looking at Governor Constantine.
"After Manzikert, the Empire’s residents on the frontier grew fearful and anxious. Their friends and relatives were all soldier-farmers in the Anatolia Region.
The Turkic offensive was unstoppable. Their hometowns were destroyed, their friends and families mercilessly slaughtered and violated. During that time, all the news from Lycia was horrifying and heartbreaking.
And then..."
Governor Constantine sighed, not continuing.
"Some people placed the blame on the Arabs who had already settled in the Empire," Eric finished for him.
"Yes." Governor Constantine nodded helplessly.
"We wouldn’t have this kind of nonsense back home. Let those who should farm, farm, and those who should fight, fight. The Greeks love to mix everything together, which is why it’s all a mess and everyone gets to have their say on every topic.
That rabble would fight over an apple. To let them talk about war is a complete disaster.
The best thing for that rabble is a whip. To whip their mouths shut," Belem said with a shrug.
"I’d wager those Greeks did something to those Arab Heretics.
Once the fury of the common people is ignited, it won’t stop until blood has been shed." Stephen looked at Governor Constantine. "Confiscating property, violating women, murdering children, trampling on their dignity..."
Governor Constantine responded with silence.
What Stephen said was most likely correct.
"You should have flogged them. Violence is the only language those lowlifes understand," Rufus suddenly interjected.
"There are only soldier-farmers here, and most of them wouldn’t side with the Governor. If he were to act against their will, especially at a time when Constantinople’s power is weak, they could replace him at any moment," Eric said, looking at Governor Constantine.
"Yes. I was powerless. I did my best to explain, but they only believe what they want to believe.
I tried to save a few of my Arab friends. They were very kind people. They would always make a donation for the festival of Christ on Easter, even though they were Heretics." Governor Constantine looked very sad.
"Since the tragedy has already occurred, there’s no use talking more about it. How many of those Arabs are there?" Belem asked.
"About three or four hundred men. If you include the old, the young, and the women, it’s closer to a thousand people."
"And you can’t deal with them? You have at least a hundred well-equipped men here, plus seven hundred unarmored ones. Even if they haven’t had any proper training, the Saracens should be the minority and the Greeks the majority, shouldn’t they?" Belem frowned.
"They have allied with Heretic Pirates. They’ve become very powerful. They have cavalry, and now they’ve even occupied Lefkara Town—a large town on Katorlevkara Island. We haven’t received any news from that place in months.