A toast to fools
At an inn on the Zagreb-Belgrade road, 1095

The inn stood by the side of the road, halfway from Zagreb to Belgrade. A large patio opened to one side, the view opening on the slow waters of the mighty Danube.

In the patio, Methodios sat at a table with Giuliano. They had arrived at the inn, two days before and Methodios had chosen this place to call a halt to rest their horses. Not far from where the inn stood was a bridge that jumped across the waters. Small fishing boats plied the waters while bigger merchant barges laden with goods were pulled along the banks by teams of powerful horses.

Methodios contemplated the scenery, a sombre look on his face, a look that had not left him since they had left Zagreb. A flagon of wine stood on the table, and though Giuliano seemed to relish the taste of it, Methodios’ cup was still untouched.

Intent on bringing his friend out of his dark thoughts, Giuliano lifted his glass for a toast..

“Here’s to our Hungarian allies !!! What fools they are !!!”

“There is nothing to rejoice about, Giuliano” Methodios answered, chidingly.

“Surely, there is… The deal you brokered with the Magyars will both insure that Zagreb population gains Hungarian protection and that your country’s treasury is full to the brim, money that could be spent to deal with the uprisings we have heard about… Surely this is cause to rejoice…” Giuliano argued.

“Zagreb is not out of danger… Lydham is a good general but I don’t know how much control he has over the rabble serving under him… Their greed may well overcome their religious zeal and have them prey on Zagreb… And I still remain an outcast… I can already hear how some of those Magnaura word-twisters will make the deal seem like another way for self-advancement on my part… It seems like there is never enough I can sacrifice for the Empire… How can I prove that I seek nothing but to serve in the best interests of the Empire ?”

“What do you mean ?” inquired Giuliano.

“See… I took Dyrrakhion from some Italian-paid rebels. I had pledged I would not claim it for myself and I acted on my promise, giving it back to the Basileos. Now, I have sacrificed my lands, for I see them as such, to save the people of Zagreb and obtain a king’s ransom out of it and still I feel like it is not enough… Whatever I’ll do, it will never be enough for these men… Is it because I am not of the nobility or because I have Norse blood running through my veins ?” I don’t know…”

“Surely you do not believe that… I am sure that some will be grateful of the bounty you offered to the Empire… And remember : there was no other course of action… We couldn’t stand up to that many men… It would have meant certain death, or worse, capture and ransom… You did the right thing…”

“Still, it rankles… I cannot even be sure that any of those funds will be used to give me some men to take on this rebellious rabble…”

“What will you do now ?” Giuliano asked.

“Ride to Belgrade and follow the Megas’ orders… There is nothing else I can do now…”

Silence then hung heavily over the two men, leaving each to their own thoughts.

The words of Snorri still rang into Methodios’ mind : “Will you fight Tiger or will you run ?”

******