Adana, 1350

Adana was in the grip of the Black Death. The six year Greek siege had worsened the outbreak, confined quarters and privation had aided the spread of the disease. The Great Keep in the Citadel was now used as a quarantine for the sick and dying, with the troops stationed on the two outermost rings of the Citadel. Despite two sallies which had bloodied them, the Greeks had kept to their siege, they seemed to be in a race with the plague to see who could take Adana first. Or perhaps they were content to sit outside the walls and let pestilence do their work for them.

Matthias had steered clear of the Keep. Barring quarantine and prayer, there was little he could do for the afflicted, the Greeks, though, were another matter. He had spent his time since the last sally rallying the troops and working on a defense in case the Byzantines summoned up enough courage to attack. Grim tidings, however, had brought him from his new quarters at the Gate House of the second ring to the Keep. Despite the pleas of bodyguard, he had entered.

He found her among the dying in the Dining Hall. Elsebeth was lying on a straw pallet. A simple cotton shift had replaced her nun's habit. Matthias could see the black splotches dotting her skin, prevalent around the neck, that gave the disease its name. Her clothing hid the swollen buboes that would have surely formed at armpit and groin. She breathed shallowly, lost in a fever, a sheen of sweat on her forehead and a trickle of bloody sputum ran down her chin from the left side of her mouth.

With a groan he sank down beside her. Tremulously he reached out and took her hand, "Elsebeth? I'm so sorry, I just heard."

She opened her eyes, and smiled faintly.

"Pardon me Viceroy, if I do not stand in your presence. I find myself indisposed."

A coughing fit took her and Matthias could not help but recoil as more bloody sputum sprung from her mouth. After it had passed, he dapped at her face with a cloth and gave her some water, cradling her head so that she could drink. Elsebeth gasped in pain as she was moved.

"No apology needed," he belatedly replied, "for anything."

Elsebeth looked up, her eyes clearer, "You should not be here. That is how I was afflicted, tending to the sick."

Matthias silently shook his head, unable to speak. After a moment, his words came roughly, "It is in God's hands. Though. . .His Will has become difficult to discern lately. I had to come when I heard, the last time we spoke, I was harsh, I would not have our last. . ."

He paused.

"Last words?", Elsebeth interjected, her voice weak, "I am dying Matthias, that is evident. You need not dance around it."

He exhaled painfully, a mix of laughter and despair, "Of course. I would not have our last words be in anger. Whatever you told Theodora, you had no idea what it would lead to. I should have realized this. We have all done regretful things in the upheaval around unification. The past is the past."

Elsebeth visibly relaxed, though pain remained in her eyes. Her breathing became shallower.

"I'm glad. . .a request. . .bury me with Otto."

Matthias smiled sadly, "Of course. . .with Otto."

He paused again and then spoke quietly, "You're the only women I ever loved. A bit unfair to say this now, I know, but there it is. I hope that means something to you."

Elsebeth nodded weakly. Another coughing fit took her, she struggled to breath through the agony.

Matthias brought a vial from his belt.

"This will help, Laudanum. It will ease your path."

Gently he helped her drink from vial. Waiting, he held Elsebeth's hand as she began to fade.

"I'm here. I'll be here until the end."

Matthias prayed as the last child of Kaiser Heinrich passed on.

Adalric, the only member of the bodyguard who had dared to enter the Keep, found Matthias hunched over her body.

"My lord, the Greeks are mustering to attack! You are needed at the walls!"

The Viceroy of Outremer raised his head, blackness writ across his features. Standing he grasped the hilt of Iron Faith.

"We shall see if God still favors us. Deploy the men as planned, we have Greeks to kill."

With a sigh, Matthias turned and marched out of the Keep to face the attackers.