Adana, 1266

Matthias sat alone in the Imperial Chapel inside the Citadel of Adana. It was the first Church built by the Crusaders in the Holy Land, initiated by Otto von Kassel in 1188 to give thanks for the twin victories nearby. After the death of Maximillian Mandorf, the Chapel had been enlarged and remodeled. A stained glass window showed Maximillian striking down the Turkish General Ali al Hadi with a flaming sword. It was one of the miracles that had led to his canonization, though that had occurred only recently to coincide with the Third Crusade. The Pope had made the architect of the original Crusade on Jerusalem a Saint as an astute move to inspire the retaking of the city.

Now another Bavarian ruled in Adana. Matthias had finally arrived in his County 26 years after he had been assigned it. His path had taken many twist and turns, from rotting in Bologna, to shipwreck and finally sailing to Jerusalem to liberate the city. With that task accomplished and the Mongols dispersed, Matthias had looked forward to at long last establishing his rule in Adana. Events, however, seemed to be working against him as usual.

Matthias's hand shook as he reread the note it held written by an Imperial merchant. The rumors were true, Baghdad was indeed besieged by a new wave of Mongols. One army it seemed, but there were bound to be more out there.

A coughing fit overtook Matthias, echoing through the Chapel, as he could feel a fever run through him. This was not how it supposed to be. The Mongols had been destroyed. Matthias had already begun work reducing the number of soldiers in Outremer to ease the burden on the treasury. What foolhardy or obstinate foes would come back for a third time after being crushed twice? Matthias shivered, what should be done? To be honest with himself, the eradication of the second wave had largely been the work of Fredericus, Conrad and Elberhard. This new threat would be his responsibility. Count von Hamburg had once asked him if he was worthy of being a Crusader. Matthias had given him a flippant answer, but now he wasn't sure if he was worthy, as a Crusader or Chancellor.

Matthias rose from his pew and knelt by the Altar, praying for guidance. Raising his head, he noticed there were words inscribed on the Altar, a quotation from Saint Maximillian before he had entered the second Battle of Adana:

“The Lord is testing us. It is not enough that we bring force of arms to his Great City. We must be worthy of possessing the lands of Christ. I shall give thanks for the hardships we bear, for they serve to purify the souls of those who have taken up the Cross for baser reasons.”
The words struck Matthias and he reeled as if from a blow. He could feel the fever rise in him and his vision swam. It seemed another time of purification was at hand. A test for the Reich and its Chancellor sent by God. As much as Matthias might wish that this cup would pass from him, it was not to be. He would pass the test, emerge from the Crucible a stronger man, a pure soul, or he would be consumed.

Matthias stood. The time for reflection and doubt was over. It was time to act, and decisively. The Reich would be marshalled to face this new threat. Outremer would gird for another attack, and the rest of the Empire would assist. It would take sacrifice, blood and treasure to accomplish this, perhaps more than some were willing to bear, but Matthias had been elected to lead, and lead he would.

The Chancellor strode out of the Chapel.