Chapter I
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Battle of Prussia,1279.....
The leader and surviving soldiers stay on the blood-stained battlefield in Prussia.... The fight with the Poles has depleted almost 70% of the Teutonmeisters army. It's a desperate situation...The king knows very well that he doesn't have more troops to defend his castle because the Poles will surely win the next batttle and a siege is iminent..... Dark times lay ahead.....
Back to his castle, the Teutonmeister reviews his troops...He has a merely 9.000 elite soldiers to defend Prussia....His emissaries give him good news: 12.000 florins have arrived and are stored in the treasury..... He goes back in the castle...
Back inside, he walks agitated on the marbled floor of his
throne room, waiting for some good news that will help the existance of the Teutonic Knights Order.....
The Teutonmeister Karl I looks like a 60 year old man, but he is only 40. His scarred face reflects the fierce battles that he had participated to. His prudent eyes say almost everything about him. When he speaks to someone, he looks in his eyes everytime, which makes him a respected man and also gives him a noble elegance. He descends from the House of Swabia which rules the Holy Roman Empire.He was chosen to be the leader of the Teutonic Knights because he is of royal blood and also a good strategist and exceptional fighter.The royal apartement in which he lives in decorated with perls and jewels all the way from Antioch and Tripoli,where he has fought along with his brothers-of-arms,the Teutonic Knights. Paintings and oak tree furniture decorate even more this beautiful house where he lives and commands his armies against the invading Poles.
He returns peacefully to his throne room, where an emissary arrives.
"-Noble master, I give this to you. It's a book(letter) from our Christian lord, Pope Nicholas III.
-Thank you. You will be rewarded for your bravery to deliver this important book to me.
-Thank you,sire. May our Lord be with you!"
The emissary gave the Teutonmeister a book in which is written:
"Book from Pope Nicholas III
June 6th 1279
To the Teutonmeister,Karl Swabia I
His Holy Highness, Pope Nicholas III greets you with an important message. God has spoken to him to transmit to you and other fellow brothers of the Knighthood to rally your men and embark on another Holy Crusade to retake the Holy Lands of Jerusalem. Books have been sent also to your brothers so they can join you in the quest to retake the Holy Lands.May the God help you.
God bless you and those who participate in this Holy Task. God has spoken his will. You must fulfill it.
Pope Nicholas III"
The Teutonmeister rolled the parchement and re-sealed it. This is nothing but bad news. He must inform the Pope about the Poles who are attacking the Knighthood Orders. He decided to write a letter.
"Book from Teutonmeister Karl Swabia I
To Pope Nicholas III
June 10th 1279
Holy Father and Leader of All Christians,
We wish to fullfil the tasks that God has sent to us. Unfortunately, we cannot. The Polish people are attacking us in order to take control of our homelands, Prussia. You must send reinforcements in order for us to defeat them and join the crusading army. And also, please excommunicate them.
Teutonmeister Karl Swabia I"
The Meister sealed the letter with wax and the sign of the Teutonic Knights order. He called upon an emissary to deliver this book.
"-Squire Dirk, please call upon Emissary Otto.
-Yes my Lord.'"
After 10 minutes, a 30 year old man came in the throne room. He was similar to the Meister. He was very prudent and also a sybarite, unlike the Meister and also a very devout man and very loyal.
"-Emissary Otto, it is your loyalty to me that will give you this very important mission. This book must be delivered very fast to Pope Nicholas III. You must protect it with your life. 5 of my most loyal knights will accompany you in this important mission. This must not get into the hands of the Poles. You shall go through Pomerania then South Saxony, Franconia, Swabia, Switzerland, Tyrolia, Venezia, Papal States and then Rome. After you deliver the book, go to the Holy Roman Empire leader and propose an alliance. Another 8 men,diplomats also, will accompany you to make this also a diplomatic mission. God bless you in this Holy Task.
- Thank you, sire. May God help you on the battlefield!"
The emissary left the throne room and rode a horse on the paved roads of Prussia with the destination Rome."
By Edyzmedieval
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