Adana had been reclaimed. The Greeks had been destroyed. His old nemesis Nikeforos Argyrus was mouldering in the ground for almost two decades. Despite all this, Matthias had been drawn here, to the mountain glade where his men had been ambushed, and he had been taken. It felt like a lifetime ago.
Looking around he found no evidence of the chaos and blood of that ambush. King Jan, pious man that he was, had buried the dead. A cairn of stones marked their resting place. The Viceroy stood before it, deep in thought. It had been a lifetime ago, he thought, the old Matthias had died that day. The quiet, technocratic Chancellor was gone, reborn as a Zealot, cruel and merciless.
He grunted, he had become prone to hyperbole in his middle years. Yet, there was truth to it. Gazing at the burial ground, he thought, What have I become?
His reverie was disturbed by Adalric, who came running up to him.
"A rider just came from the south my lord. . .terrible news, the Kaiser is dead!"
Matthias gaped at his bodyguard and then swore loudly. This was unexpected. Elberhard and Jan, the two men, not counting the young von Kassel, who had stood with him defiantly against the Greeks in those dark chaotic years just past, were now both dead. Each of them, who had faced so much danger in Outremer, had perished upon their return to Europe. Was that a tragic coincidence or God's judgement on abandoning their mission in the Holy Land?
He shook off the thought, there were now more important tasks at hand than idle woolgathering.
"Saddle my horse, Adalric, we're going back."
Riding south, Matthias left the glade behind him. The past should be left in the past.
Back at the Citadel, Matthias was about to enter his quarters when his Chamberlain stopped him.
"My Lord, I'm glad you got my message. Horrible news. Umm. . .there is a Nun waiting for you in your chambers."
Matthias, already a bit in shock, responded quizzically, "A nun? The repairs on the Chapel are going as quick. . .wait in my chambers? Why did you allow it?"
The man looked at his feet, "She was very. . .convincing my Lord."
The Viceroy's eyes narrowed, "Very well, I'll deal with it."
Entering his chambers, there was indeed a nun, gazing out the window of his, formerly Pelekanos of Akrokos's, study. Matthias was about to speak when the woman turned to face him.
Matthias gasped. She was older, and thin, painfully thin, but it was her.
"My God, Elsebeth."
To be continued.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Matthias's last meeting with Elsebeth and his previous visit to the Glade.
Re: Stories thread - King of the Romans PBM
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