Homelands
Chapter Thirty Four: Thicker than Water
Part 5
Prelude:
By 1316 it was certain that a monarchist victory was inevitable. However it seemed that the Roman Empire, which had lost Wallachia rather quickly, would be able to hold onto Croatia. Not because of their military might, rather the Croatians openly rejected Prussian rule in favor of Roman rule. Impalings of commoners and other protesters were common. The streets of Zagreb and Ragusa were lined with the rotting bodies of the dead. The Romans, were split between those that saw it fit to defend Croatia, and those that wanted to just leave it as it was proving to be an economic drain. Aldwin Leofricson wanted to defend Croatia and despite constantly being defeated by his archrival, Árás Kæstótis, he had attracted a following in Croatia, were he was a hero and protector. The Roman Emperor and his new heir did not support the constant support to Aldwin, so they cut him off from supplies. This left Croatia alone in the war against Prussia. But Aldwin learned from the battles in Wallachia and moved into the mountains and forests. From there he would wage war with or without Constantinople's support. So while Croatia was nominally a Roman state, pleading for Rome for support was futile. The Empire just didn't have the funds and recent issues with Armenia were more pressing then defending a rebel state. So despite clear indications that they could hold onto and win Croatia, the Romans abandoned the plan leaving Aldwin and his army behind.
August 8th, 1316
Xarles bin Iñigo walked slowly down the titled halls of the great palace. His personal retinue followed in close pursuit. The Duke of Navarre tried to keep his calm as he turned the corner and walked into the massive dining hall of the Caliph. The stories of his anger and cruelty were famous within the Caliphate, but never did he hear them from other Dukes and Princes, always from the lay men. On the far end of the room, sitting on a plush purple and gold pillow, was a rotund man taking food off a floating plate that came out of a hole in the wall from whence flowed a small, placid river. The Caliph kept only two guards in his personal attention, eating slowly, often offering them grapes and meats from his own plate. "My lord," Xarles called, "My lord, I have arrived as you have requested."
The city of Toledo, circa 1316.
"O yes, please forgive me! I have misplaced so much time today that I have had to combining work and eating. Would you please join me, dear Xarles?" Caliph Ramon Abbas called. He motioned them over as if the room had been crowded and not completely devoid of life. But his voice was friendly and calm, and Xarles's heart warmed as he walked over and sat across from the Caliph on the other side of the small river. Soon a few trays floated out and the Duke took what he needed and nothing more. "I assume you have finished your diplomatic work in the East?" The Caliph asked in the same friendly tone.
"I have, your lord. I have brought you a copy of my writings for you to read at your will, but I would be happy to give you a brief overview."
"I can read the overview later, but you must tell me of your travels! Ah to see the so-called Black Forest and the great Danube River that carves its way across our lands! Tell me, is it true that in Venice people move with boat instead of horse and cart?!"
"Yes, my lord, the city of Venice is on a very small set of islands. It was very beautiful, they had built a great mosque in honor of your father. It was very beautiful. The Black Forest is rather dark, inside I could never see the sky or the light of day. The trees were so packed and massive! Truly the lands of the East are as majestic as the stories tell."
"Good, did you manage to meet with the Prussians, though? That was of grave importance," The Caliph asked as he drank from a large goblet.
"I did. It appears that the monarchists are going to win, but from my observations and understanding it is only because King Vishly disenfranchised so many of the powerful nobles before the civil war started. Had he not this war would probably be much more in the favor of the Fraternal Forces. We face much of the same from the Taifa, especially in France and Germany."
The Taifa of the Caliphate. Leon, Zähringer and France are special Taifa. France and Zähringer are actually multiple Taifa ruled by a single dynasty. Leon is under the control of Toledo, but is specially reserved for Christians, despite having fewer and fewer practicing Christians each year.
"Yes, and we have issues with the spread of Franda heretics throughout the Empire and the migrations of Shia populations from the South. Is there no example from history we can work off of?" The Caliph lamented, "Are we lost without a light? Are we doomed to lose everything as my ancestors lost England? The Beauce family in France, the Zähringers in Germany, they are all prepared to overthrow all that we have worked for so that they might come out ahead."
Xarles took a deep breath, it was true word of civil war was being passed around in the Caliph as it had been in Prussia. But in this case the Caliph's allies were vastly outnumbered. He would quickly loose and soon the entire Empire would just crumble to dust. The two men were silent for a few minutes before finally Xarles spoke, "My lord, I believe we both know what the answer is, but neither of us wants to say it."
"Yes, I agree. We must increase noble power in order to pacify them," the Caliph said. He looked desperate for answers but the world around him was changing quickly. Frandists were Muslim heretics that preached a different form of Islam that blended more Christian beliefs into the basic Quran. So alcohol ceased to be prohibited, and Jesus was elevated slightly to a position as a pseudo-messiah. But they were more conservative in other ways, rejecting sciences that were often welcomed by traditional Sunnis. It was becoming a massive strain on the Caliphate.
"We should allow five of the most powerful Tiafa to send representatives here to represent their interests in the court. That would likely pacify them, as they are often complaining that Toledo often disregards their needs," Xarles suggested.
"Duke, there is much we should have been doing these past years, we have let the system slip. We have let our people become decadent. We have become lazy and stupid." The Caliph stood up and began walking. Xarles stepped over the river and stood by his leader's side.
"What do you think we should do? It is not too late to begin reforms, recentralize. We can do it. We are the true power of this continent. Not Prussia."
"Xarles, look into your soul... do you really believe that statement? Do you really believe that we are stronger than Prussia?"
"We have more money, people, soldiers, lands, resources... yes... we are far more powerful than Prussia."
"Child: we have more money... and more debts; we have more people... and more languages; we have more soldiers... and more enemies; we have more lands... and more religions; we have more resources... and many more projects that are necessary. When Prussia is done with this war they will have trimmed the fat from their bones, hardened weak arms into muscular weapons, built many siege engines and have many more trained soldiers. I pray to Allah every day that they do not turn their attention back to us, for if they do we are in serious trouble. Their cruelty also knows no bounds. For how much longer can they hold that system together? Fear and hatred will not build a lasting Empire! No, dear Xarles... we cannot walk that road, we cannot try to wrestle the nobles back into power."
"I understand my lord, and Navarre will always be an ally of the Caliph in all his glory."
"Thank you, I knew you, of all my closest allies, would understand and follow me. I have great faith in you, as you remind me of your father. Try not to fear the Prussians so much, a little of them might flow in you," the Caliph winked. "If there is one thing that any Caliph can rely on it is the loyalty of Iberians... the Istimari, Berbers, Leonese and... of course... the Vasques."
"We are honored, my lord. But can I ask of this blood that might flow through my own veins?"
"Sure, see Xarles, a long long time ago there was a great Saxon known as Aelle..."
End Chapter Thirty Four