Chapter 354 - 252: Cheap Silver Coin

"Never mind Christians—in most of Anatolia, you might not find anyone at all.

"It’s been nearly eight years since the Greeks lost this territory. They aren’t very clear on the situation in Anatolia themselves, and they’re more concerned with reclaiming their lost lands there than with Jerusalem."

Then, Eric pointed north of Cyprus, toward the region of Cilicia on the southern coast of Anatolia.

Robert’s voice rang out. "And what if he refuses? According to this map, Cyprus is one of the Greek Empire’s last remaining strongholds in southern Anatolia. You just said yourself that they care more about Anatolia than Jerusalem.

"He’ll be expecting us to march into Anatolia and fight the Turkic People, reclaiming their lost lands for them. They’ll probably think we want the island of Cyprus to launch a direct assault on the Levant and capture Jerusalem.

"I don’t think their poor treatment of us at Vasiliky Port is a strong enough pretext. They won’t just hand Cyprus over to us." Robert pointed at Cyprus and looked toward Eric.

"You’re right. They care far more about Anatolia. Their primary goal is to have us help them reclaim it, and to ensure we do, they’ll probably use both enticements and threats on us in Constantinople." Eric nodded, agreeing with Robert’s assessment.

"Threats? They dare! We have a massive army, not to mention Crusaders from all over. We could destroy this Empire with ease," Belem scoffed.

"Yes, there are a lot of Crusaders. That’s why the Emperor will try to separate the leaders from their armies. He’ll claim there aren’t enough supplies and only allow them to bring a portion of their forces into Constantinople.

"Those Crusader leaders are only thinking about Jerusalem; they aren’t on guard against the Emperor. I’d wager many of them are already in Constantinople, while the bulk of their armies have been quartered elsewhere.

"The Emperor can easily coerce those leaders from within Constantinople. Of course, he’ll probably use more enticement than outright threats."

"What do you plan to do, Eric?" Robert looked at Eric.

"Your Majesty has come down with quartan malaria. You’re in no condition for a long journey and are in great need of rest, are you not?" Eric said, looking at Robert with a smile.

Robert paused for a moment, then began to laugh as he understood what Eric was implying.

"I understand."

"When the Emperor’s Envoy leads us across the Corinth Strait and toward Athens, Your Majesty will be forced to stop and rest due to your quartan malaria. You will remain in Athens with the army, because there is no reason for a King’s army to abandon a sick King.

"Your Majesty can then dispatch Belem and me as your representatives, leading a small contingent of the army on to Constantinople.

"This will give us a great deal of room to maneuver. Because the two of us, a pair of Norman Earls in Constantinople, are insignificant. Meanwhile, the Norman King will still be somewhere in the Empire, leading his Norman Army and able to command it at any time.

"Whether we wish to withdraw, attack, or even... join forces with the Normans of Apulia to invade the Greek Empire," Eric said with a smile.

Afterward, Eric and Robert discussed matters concerning Cyprus, including using it as a naval base for an invasion of the Levant and Egypt.

An hour later, Eric and Belem emerged from the command tent.

Once they were a short distance from the tent, Belem looked at Eric and spoke.

"If it’s just the two of us going to Constantinople, that means Rufus and Odo will stay with Robert. The last time you left Robert’s side, it cost you your lands in Cornwall.

"Who knows what Odo will manage to take from you this time. Robert usually gives us one ear and Odo the other, but now you’re giving both of his ears to him."

"We have to do this. The Greek Emperor won’t be easily persuaded, and in all likelihood, we’ll need to make some compromises. If Robert, Odo, and Rufus were all in Constantinople, the situation would only be worse."

’If Robert were still just a Duke, perhaps I wouldn’t have to consider all this. But now, he is a King.’

"Compromises? You’re not planning to..."

"Relax. Any compromises will only be in effect in Constantinople. Once we’re on Cyprus, who’s going to be there to control us?"

"Really?"

"Come on, trust me. When have I ever deceived you? Instead of worrying about that, I think you should look forward to the Greek Emperor’s enticements."