Chapter 104: Byzantine Cataphracts
Chapter 104: Byzantine Cataphracts
The night was deep. Beneath a palm tree by the roadside, Fringilla, a smug smile on her face, continuously fiddled with the jeweled hair clasp—inset with red, green, and blue gemstones—atop her head. Every so often, she would adjust its angle and ask, "Milord, do I look pretty?"
"Pretty." Lothar replied perfunctorily, feeling somewhat helpless.
She was indeed very pretty. The problem was, this was the fourth time Fringilla had asked him this question. He stole a glance at Banu out of the corner of his eye and saw her also lift a hand to gently touch the gold necklace, set with an emerald, beneath her snow-white neck.
He couldn’t help the corners of his mouth turning up, a sense of joy blooming in his heart. For the gifts he had given out to be received with such delight by both of them made his meticulous selection worthwhile.
Initially, he had worried that giving these two gifts wouldn’t be as practical as using money of equivalent value to upgrade them. It seemed that no matter the species, females found it hard to resist sparkling gemstones.
"We’ve arrived."
The inn where they were staying was named the "Oak and Hazel." It had previously catered mainly to pilgrims coming from Saracen-ruled territories—mostly Jews and Coptic Christians.
Zoroastrians, often deterred by Count Raynald’s past terrifying reputation, dared not pass through his lands. Even if they did, it would be useless; this inn’s main business was its alcoholic beverage service, and devout Zoroastrians did not drink alcohol.
Therefore, after the outbreak of war, this inn’s business, uncharacteristically, had not been affected and was, in fact, showing signs of booming.