xymnovel Chapter 64 Covenant
Chapter 64 Covenant
In the year 6690 of creation, 1182 in the Julian calendar, mid-May, Constantinople, Golden Horn.
A fleet of ten galleys belonging to the Jerusalem mission, flying the Royal Cross of Jerusalem, slowly entered the heavily guarded harbor. Earl Raymond stood at the bow, his gaze calmly sweeping over the ancient capital.
The fleet docked, and the gangplank was lowered. The welcoming party stood solemnly, led by a middle-aged man wearing a light blue silk robe and a greyish-white courtier's cap—Ioannis Camartiros, the Keeper of the Seals of the Roman Empire.
His smile was like a carefully measured arc, every ounce of enthusiasm adhering to the rules of the "Treatise on Ceremonies." He and the officials waiting behind him spoke in unison, their lengthy greetings and blessings echoing across the dock. Raymond responded calmly in equally fluent Greek, but his mind had already soared beyond the elaborate ceremonial procession, eagerly heading towards the grand palace of Basilius.
The delegation was not directly introduced to the Emperor, but, as was customary, was first housed in a suite of luxuriously furnished domed rooms in the Grand Palace, reserved for high-ranking envoys. This suite was located on the outer perimeter of the palace complex and overlooked the sea.
Ioannis Camatiros explained that His Majesty and the Marshal were dealing with urgent military matters, and a formal audience would be held the following day.
The following afternoon, horns pierced the sky. Count Raymond and his entourage, guided by the chief of staff, passed through Augusta Square and entered the Magnaura Palace. On both sides of the road, armored paladins draped in magnificent cloaks and Varangian guards, wielding double axes, stood like statues.
Inside the palace, beneath the dome inlaid with agate and mother-of-pearl, the atmosphere was solemn.
The young Basilius Alexius sat on a slightly higher throne, clad in a purple-gold imperial robe. His face was handsome, but his eyes darted around, and he appeared pale. The imperial marshal Cantostefanos stood slightly lower to the side of the throne.
The elaborate court etiquette was overseen by Ioannis Camatiros. The emperor only offered a welcome at the beginning as was customary, and then remained almost silent, handing over the reins of power entirely to the marshal.
Count Raymond was already adept at this. He began, as was customary, by praising the empire's long history and the wisdom of His Majesty Basilius, before abruptly shifting the topic to the main issue:
"Your Majesty, wise Marshal, Jerusalem, the easternmost fortress of the Christian Kingdom, is now facing unprecedented pressure from Saladin's army. We need powerful allies, just as a ship needs a lighthouse for guidance. And the Roman Empire, as the oldest cornerstone of the Christian world, its power and prestige are key to resisting the infidels of the East."
He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping across the emperor on the throne before finally settling on Cantostefanos's face: "Therefore, my king proposes that the two kingdoms be united by the most sacred bond—by betrothing Your Majesty the princess of Jerusalem, Your Highness Isabella, to be your queen. This will not only be a union of two dynasties, but also a pledge that the warriors of Jerusalem and the legions of Rome will fight side by side."
Marshal Cantostefanos paused for a moment, then spoke slowly, each word seemingly carefully chosen: "Your Excellency, Rome cherishes the bonds of every Christian brother and is well aware of the challenges facing Jerusalem. However…"
He leaned forward slightly: "The hearts of the people of Constantinople are not always aligned with the Empire's strategy. A year ago, the city's wounds had not yet fully healed. The people harbor deep suspicions towards the Latins. If Your Majesty were to marry a Latin princess now and openly forge a military alliance against the Muslims, it might... ignite our already fragile city. The Empire's enemies are not only in the East, but internal stability is equally crucial to the nation's foundation. We must extend a helping hand while avoiding getting burned ourselves."
"Your Excellency the Marshal is truly insightful and wise," Raymond said, unmoved by Cantostefanos's response, but rather emboldened. "But allow me to speak frankly, the Empire's anxieties may be overlooking the real issue. Saladin is not just one person; he represents all Muslims in the East, and he will undoubtedly carry out the Muslim will in launching the jihad. If Saladin fails, then the Muslims will turn to the Turkic Sultan. The Muslim jihad will not be satisfied with just Jerusalem; their gaze has always pierced through Anatolia, coveting Constantinople. Once Jerusalem falls, the Muslims' attention will immediately turn to the Empire. Will the Normans of Sicily and the city-states of Italy stand more firmly on the Empire's side, or will they turn to seek compromise with the more powerful Eastern infidels?"
Raymond pressed on: "A Jerusalem secured with Roman support will be the Empire's most reliable southern bulwark and its most important trading partner. Conversely, if Jerusalem falls into enemy hands, the Empire will lose a powerful ally and gain an even stronger enemy. An alliance with Jerusalem is not only about saving us, but also about consolidating the Empire's hegemony in the Eastern Mediterranean, securing trade routes to the East, and deterring all potential challengers. The stakes are far higher than any temporary street commotion."
The room fell silent; the imperial officials were all impressed by Earl Raymond's impeccable diplomatic rhetoric.
Cantorstefanos remained silent for a moment, then met Raymond's sharp gaze with unwavering composure. He could sense the weight in the count's words—a profound consideration of the long-term interests of both the Roman Empire and the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
He turned to Alexius on the throne and said in a low but clear voice, "Your Majesty, I believe Count Raymond's words are reasonable. An alliance with Jerusalem through marriage will buy us valuable strategic space and time, and the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Please make your judgment."
The young emperor listened to the marshal's analysis, a look of realization crossing his face.
A marriage alliance? An alliance? He had no particular interest in the latter, but the former... he subconsciously wanted to resist it, Agnes's image still constantly appeared in his mind.
He glanced timidly at Raymond, then at Cantorstefanos, and finally, as if having made a great decision, said in a soft but clear voice, "Marshal... if you think it's right, then... then do as you say. All for the Empire."
After receiving the emperor's approval, Cantostefanos turned back, his tone slightly softening: "Your Excellency, you have persuaded me, and you have persuaded His Majesty. The Roman Empire has agreed to a treaty with the Kingdom of Jerusalem and has accepted the marriage proposal in principle."
The subsequent negotiations moved into detailed discussions.
Cantorstefanos stated, "Rome can provide a great deal of raw materials and inexpensive goods for handicrafts, as well as the naval support you value most, to protect your coast and secure your supply lines. But any other military assistance is unrealistic given the current pressure on both the eastern and western borders of the empire. Furthermore, the specific ceremonies of the marriage, the timing of the princess's arrival, the size of the dowry, and the boundaries of the military obligations between the two sides in the alliance all need to be carefully drafted."
Raymond understood that this was the best possible condition to be negotiated under the current circumstances, and the core objective had been achieved. He nodded and said, "Your Excellency the Marshal has considered everything thoroughly, and Jerusalem is deeply grateful. As for the details, my scribe can discuss them with Lord Joannis."
Finally, beneath the palace dome, a preliminary agreement marking the establishment of an alliance between Jerusalem and the Roman Empire was solemnly recorded on a parchment scroll.
Earl Raymond signed his name on behalf of the King of Jerusalem.
With the assistance of Ioannis Camartiros, the Roman emperor Basilius Alexius affixed the imperial seal. Marshal Cantorstefanos, as the supreme commander of the imperial army, added his own seal.