Bastions
Chapter Forty One: Aeterna Rege Europa
Part 5
Prelude:
Shia Islam's place in Europe is often overshadowed by the "Native Islam" of Frandism. Three regions in Europe were infamous for their dogged determination to remain Shiite throughout the early modern period to the modern day: the two Sicilies, the Alps regions of France and Italy, and "Bosnia". Bosnia, though, originally a specific region of the Balkans, eventually becomes a cover-all term to refer to any Slavic Muslim in the Balkans. Shia Islam arrived in Europe with Egyptian crusaders, originally conquering the island of Sicily and later the Kingdom of Naples on the main land. From here they waged war in northern Italy and the Balkans, even going so far to conquer the city of Venice. But they did not hold onto their Balkan lands for long, eventually losing them to native Shiite converts. Bosnia eventually was absorbed into Prussian Croatia, and then freed along with Croatia. By 1364 the Bosnians were confined to three pockets amongst the different Balkan states. Eventually a revolt broke out in two of these three pockets. Bosnians in Dalmatia were able to wrestle control of the coast from the Croatians and established their own realm with the support of the Kingdom of Naples. The Balkans was quickly destabilizing as both Hungary and Rome turned their attentions elsewhere, leaving the small states to fend for themselves against their internal divisions and external pressure.
Religion in the Balkans circa 1364.
September 9th, 1364
Lord-Protector Doyvát had been sent on a rare diplomatic mission outside of the Prussian sphere of influence. Today he toured the city of Constantinople, the first major member of Prussia's royal family to enter the city without an army with him. The Roman Empire was in a sorry state, or so the Prince had seen on his brief sojourn outside of the Great Palace of Constantine. Years of war with the Armenians and Georgians were leaving the city void of life. It was a city of grand opulence and utter poverty. Many of the servants did not speak Greek, rather a pidgin of Greek and Slavic tongues. Emperor Æthelstan did not seem to mind; instead he continued to eat grapes off of the bunch as he reclined in his lounge chair. For an Emperor fighting a losing war in the East and facing rebellion in the West he seemed to not have a care in the world. The Emperor was younger than Doyvát; he had no connection to the real world. The real power behind the throne was his whore of a sister: Isabel. She, along with Æthelstan's wife, Helena, controlled the Empire through a web of sex-fueled intrigue.
Doyvát sat almost completely dumbfounded with how out of touch the Saxon dynasty had become. He sipped impatiently at a glass of wine, taking mental notes on the workings of the Imperial court. His mission was to gauge whether Prussia could benefit from supporting revolts in the Balkans. From what he saw, it was a miracle that the Roman Empire was even still a singular element. He was joined by Prince Constantine II, Duke of Bulgaria. Like most people in Bulgaria he spoke Greek as a native language, but was still treated like a Slav by the increasingly xenophobic Saxon dynasty. The irony was not lost on either of the foreigners that day. "It is awfully hot today..." Æthelstan mused, he turned over and a pair of women clad only in golden chairs and thin strips of cloth began to fan him. Doyvát watched them, not really paying attention to their form or niceties. Rather he was amused by their dark skin, and exotic skin paintings; their style was obviously Arabic in origin. Both seemed unhappy with their lot, but giggled and smiled when the Emperor grabbed them and tugged at their clothing. Eventually Isabel entered the throne room and stood in front of the two gentlemen who had ventured to the court.
The Serbian and Bulgarian Revolts of 1364. Nations with white outlines are Christian, Nations with green outlines are Muslim.
"Can I help you, Lord-Protector?" she asked Doyvát.
Doyvát shook his head, "I am rather certain that Prince Constantine has been here far longer than I. I would not be offended if you tended to matters of the Empire before entertaining a visitor like me."
Isabel looked at Constantine as she might a servant's reckless child. The gruff old Duke stood up, but was rebuked, "I doubt that the Prince has anything important to say," she said leaning forward and pressing her breasts together as a show for the Lord-Protector.
Doyvát was unmoved, "I doubt he'd journey this far without purpose." Isabel sneered at the both of them and walked over to the throne. She stood beside it and motioned for Constantine to come forth.
"What is it, Bulgar?"
"M'lady, the revolts in the North and West have spread. The Serbians have already begun to siege my western forts; they seek nothing less than utter conquest. I cannot be expected to put down all these rebellions and contribute to the war effort in Anatolia. I ask that I be allowed to put down this rebellion before dealing with the Armenians," Constantine said.
Isabel seemed unmoved and Doyvát watched carefully, listening to her every seething word. "Constantine, you come here to the Queen of Cities and you beg, and you wallow in your own self pity, and you bring this tale of woe and hardship before the ears of our dear Emperor? For what good? So you can be relieved of the duty that every member of this Empire must fulfill?"
"M'lady, I have been doing my duty since the day I was old enough to swing a sword. I cannot be expected to fight two wars at once."
Isabel sat down in the Emperor's throne, causing Constantine to grimace. "And why have I never heard of this Slav rebellion before?" she lied. "I think we have a traitor in our midst, do we have a traitor in our midst, Constantine?"
"No."
"Good. Now sit down, Constantine."
A few hours later Doyvát cornered Constantine beyond the ear of Isabel or the Empress. "What was that, Prince? I have seen the Slavic rebellion first hand, how do you tolerate that witch of a woman sit in the throne of your ancestors?"
Constantine looked at Doyvát harshly, "Not all of us get to live lives of luxury. Some of us have to fight to stay in power, and sometimes that means licking the hand that binds us."
"It doesn't have too. Bulgaria is no more a Slavic land than Constantinople. Rise up! Take the throne that belongs to you! Prussia will help you," Doyvát said. His conviction seemed to spread through Constantine's face. "Overthrow the rule of the harem, Constantine."
For a brief moment, Constantine seemed like he was going to accept the offer. But instead he shook his head woefully. "No, I cannot do that. I am a Bulgar, born and raised on the banks of the Danube. Why should I potentially sacrifice my people for you?"
It was true, Doyvát had little care of the Bulgars or of the Roman people, but to replace the Saxon dynasty with a more stable one would be highly beneficial to the Prussians, especially if that dynasty was indebted to the King. "The choice is yours. You wouldn't even have to raise an army. Just command the loyalty of the Serbs and your own people. The armies there are already loyal to their Duke."
"Lord-Protector, you are a shrew of a man at times. I've heard of your chivalry and your knightly ways. But your actions do not always meet your reputation. I will not sack Constantinople; I do not wish to deal with Armenians and Georgians for the rest of my life. If I were to do this, I'd make a new state with a new capital: Tarnovo. And Bulgaria would be free from Prussians as well as Romans. You can be sure of that."
End Chapter Forty One