Chapter 2: Knight
Chapter 2: Knight
Lothar was starving.
Training was an exhausting thing. Combined with the fact that today’s lunch was especially good, he found himself eating rather hastily.
Just then, he heard a rhythmic tapping—someone drumming their fingers against the table. Following the sound, Lothar looked up and saw Count Werner glance at his elder brother Otto before speaking.
"His Holiness the Pope has called for a new Crusade."
"In the distant East, the Egyptians have allied themselves with the Sassanid Empire. These evil, fire-worshipping heathens have been steadily consuming the Eastern Empire’s territories in Asia Minor for decades. They persecute our Christian brethren without mercy, block the pilgrimage routes, and have the Kingdom of Jerusalem completely surrounded."
The Count paused briefly before continuing.
"The Empress of the Eastern Empire, and the Grand Master of the Templars, Gerard, both recently sent letters to the Pope, urging all God-fearing knights to aid the Eastern Empire in liberating Anatolia and reopening the path to the Holy City of Jerusalem."
"The Franks have already mustered over two thousand knights and even hired two witch advisors for their campaign. They are ready to set off."
Otto, visibly excited, interjected: "Father, when will our German Crusaders depart? We can’t let them take all the glory!"
Count Werner frowned, sighing in disappointment. Instead of answering Otto, he turned to Lothar instead.