The Sea near the Egyptian coast, 1122

Efstathios sat on a barrel on the deck of his ship. He looked into the empty distance. The message of the Kosmas Mavrozomis' death shocked him a lot.

Kosmas was his Lord but also someone he could count on. A great man who have died too soon just like Markianos Ampelas.

"This can't be coincidence!" Efstathios said to himself.

"Two men from the Asteri have gone. Both of them after I joined the Crusade. Both of them died after I first ordered a sabotage against a fellow Crusader."

"This can't be coincidence," He said again.

Some sailors passed him and were looking him as people look the persons who talk to themselves. They were sure that a long voyage on the sea finally taking his mind.

But Efstathios didn't care what people thought about him. He blamed himself in those deaths that took two great men from their families.

"God is punishing me! He knows that I joined the Crusade only to revenge of the death of my father. God knows this! I must redeem myself!"

He stood up and sayd with a strong voice..

"God if You hear me then know this! I promise to bring peace and prosperity to our people. I will forgive to the people who have hurt me and my family! I feel no grudge against them anymore! To the end of my days I promise to be a good Christian who respects life! Yes, this I promise!"

After saying that he looked around him and people on deck saw something different in his eyes. A changed man.