A Templar watching over the pilgrim roads
A Papal delegate arrived at Caesarea bearing the news that the Armies of Christ were marching once again - this time into Islamic Spain. It likely wasn't a coincidence that Pope Marcellus - a man known for his martial zeal - chose to declare a crusade for Al-Andalus, the closest infidel kingdom to Castille, only days after a third cardinal from that land joined the College; yet regardless a decision had to be made. Would I please the Church and send a host to the far end of the continent? Or would I risk angering His Holiness and retain my strength to preserve the Holy Land from all its enemies, inside and out? In the end I decided on the latter course, to preserve my promise of peace and prosperity. Many of my vassals cried out with anger that we should be thought cowards by the rest of Christendom, but for the most part the people of the Twin Kingdoms welcomed the news that they would not be called upon to die in a strange land far across the seas.
Not so the Military Orders, for before the month was out both the Templar and Hospitaller orders had raised their banners, amassed their strength and began the long journey into the west. Their absence weakened us, but as my prestige rose so too did the regard of my vassals. While there was still a threat of revolt, my council and I had the loyalty of enough lords that we no longer needed to fear Dimasq or Qinnasrin attacking us on their own. I had more personal concerns though, as it seemed that Manfred's innocent guise had even less foundation than he acted. When he first came to Jerusalem to wed me, he had brought a number of his own German courtiers with him; that in itself was no concern for I cared enough for him that I scarcely expected him to abandon all he knew when he came to an alien land. Yet it seemed that one of his closest friends, Klara, had given birth to a baby boy the very spitting image of my husband. I was disappointed in him, hurt by his betrayal and his continued dishonesty in still
lying to me and I began to take to drink.
I get the munchies when I drink, it seems
My choice not to send the armies west divided the Kingdom in some measure, and Payen would be exceedingly busy in the days ahead. He rooted out two corrupt nobles in Jerusalem itself before reporting that the growing unrest meant there were nine vassals now plotting to breach their oaths of office. This could not be permitted, and I sent him to speak with the aging Comte de Hauran to remind him of where his loyalties laid. Late that night as I stood in reflection on the battlements of my tower I saw a light shining off to the north, over Bethlehem. It began to move towards me, then away. There was a strange whispering in the air as well that built to a dramatic climax - and then died away into a breathless hush.
It was strange how clouds and wind could play tricks on one's mind.
I received word that the Comte de Hauran had apologized for the error of his ways and vowed not to conspire against me in the days ahead; Payen added that he would ride for Kharija next in southern Egypt to speak with another noble plotter and asked if I had heard the word from Rome? It seemed that His Holiness had at last died of the wounds of his youth and been replaced by a Venetian, Symmachus II. The new pope was renowned for frequent fits in which the Holy Spirit came upon him and he spoke the word of God, though it was often hard to decipher. I decided to make my way to the Eternal City and speak with him, explaining my reasoning for not entering the war in Spain - and not coincidentally raising my profile among my older vassals who yet missed my father's reign. In case my enemies took the opportunity to rise up in my absence I commissioned a set of new fortifications for the Tour de David. My father had ever sought to take his blade to the enemy, but in my reign we would value protection and defense of what we had. I named Manfred my regent and set off on the ride to take ship at Jaffa.
I am but a humble pilgrim - honest
I heard afterwards that mere days after I had taken ship the treacherous Comte de Aydhab had mysteriously managed to shoot himself three times in the chest with arrows. As luck would have it his young son had died of typhoid sickness earlier that year, and his next closest heir was me. God was truly smiling on the royal house, and frowning on those who conspired against us. I had a rough crossing to Greece, though it was only after the seasickness continued days after I set foot on solid ground that I understood that it was something more; I had been blessed with a new child swelling beneath my heart. I knew that Manfred would be thrilled when he heard, but that was for later; I was forced to struggle through an absurd amount of rain, on my journey.
I met some Knights on their way to the fighting in Spain who were all too keen to discuss military matters with me as if I were a witless woman - perhaps they thought to persuade me to throw away the men of the Twin Kingdoms in the same bloody effort? Regardless, I firmly turned the conversation to matters of theology (as seemed to befit the nature of my journey) and they seemed pleased enough by our conversation. It was in a more cheerful mood that I completed my journey, meeting with the Pope and his Cardinals from all across the Christian world. I felt something release inside me as I did, helping me to become more friendly, charismatic and easy with those around me. This would serve me well since, after all, smiles and soft words win a hundred friends where the sword leaves only bodies. Upon my return to the Kingdom I proved this once again - Duc Aldebert had done his work well in wooing the Doge Paskoal de Haro to my support, and I completed his victory by appointing the Iskandariyan to become my new Connetable. Only six plotters remained to scheme for their independence now.
Good news from the Knights Templar!
Not all the secret work within the Kingdoms was done by the talented Payen of course - as Reybaud had his eyes, so Payen had his blades and allied with those of the Orders Militant they had succeeded in eliminating the dangerous infidel Hashashin Order from the lands around Outremer. In this new security my daughter Sibylla was born to me, to the great shared pleasure of Manfred and I - though he soon returned to his Klara and I to my resentment. My journey to Rome was soon proved a waste in some ways, for the Pope Symmachus II soon died and the Castillian Pope Constantinus II took his place. Edessa had since given up its claim to Boulogne, and though I felt little desire to war with the French for another man's dream, when I received word that the Kerbogali had declared war upon the heart of Edessa I quickly called my own men to arms, without disturbing my vassals.
The next report from Payen indicated that with this call to arms against a mutual foe the conspiracy had evaporated like a cupful of water thrown upon the open sands. I received regular reports from the Doge on my armies in the field, though I remained in Jerusalem throughout the war. That was one point on which I agreed with my enemies, the battlefield was no place for a woman. Besides which, I had other concerns; the Duc de Qahira had died mysteriously in his sleep - though there were no signs that it was by aught but natural causes. I sent the Dowager Duchess Ildegarde a token of my sympathies in this difficult time and as some small consolation the new and important role of Keeper of the Queen's Swans (both of them). I found my own consolation from my husband's disloyalty in the arms of a good man, Mayor Onfroy the Younger; he asks me for nothing and gives only joy.
My true love, who has not abandoned me
I was not wholly immune to what some might call the dishonour of my actions. Just because Manfred betrayed our holy marriage first gave me no amnesty for my own sins of lust. Yet I was a woman under great stresses, and I needed the solace that only he could provide - or cared to. Still it meant that when my husband asked me to fund some wild ideas he had about improving the economy in Jerusalem I hadn't the heart to refuse him. The Templars and Hospitallers were returning from the west at last, for the great Crusade there was
won; the King of Castille chose to place a relative of his on the throne of Al-Andalus, guarding the Straits of Gibraltar between Christian Europe and infidel-infested Africa. The Mohommedans attacking Edessa were beaten back in two smashing victories at Cressum and Tella, and before long my knights and foot were on their way back to Jerusalem bearing a letter from my cousin the Countess Bourguigne thanking me profusely for our aid. I welcomed the closer ties with Edessa, though my lord Aldebert cautioned me against asking her to become my vassal - at least, not yet.
I found I was pregnant again, sickening from it and the conspiracy against the crown had started up again, although in weaker measure. Only six nobles were preparing to revolt, among them the treacherous Comte of Hauran and the Comte of Farfarun. I sent Payen on another of his errands, so vital to the peace of the Twin Kingdoms. He came to Hauran in shadow, and none saw him come. The elderly Comte of Hauran yet had no sons, and so when he fell choking on his blood in the shadows, the title to Hauran passed back into royal hands. When he traveled to Farfarun though, he did so openly, with a lute in his pack. He was received by the count that night and sang in a warm baritone of duty, and loyalty, and treason... and knives, sharp and deadly in the dark.
The Comte de Farfarun rediscovers his loyalties
The treasonous faction was weakened now, and though I asked Payen to keep his eyes on them for opportunities to strike I felt able to turn my mind to other matters, happier matters such as Countess Stephanie of Giza who at last became an adult. In part celebration I spent lavishly on a great Christmas feast like the ones of my father, and only one vassal failed to attend. We would wear him down I was sure, but in the meantime I made merry with the nobility of the Twin Kingdoms, who were, by and large, coming around to the idea of Reine Blanche as their ruler. With my throne on rock now rather than sand, I took some steps to prepare the succession. My young daughter Sibylla was betrothed to the fourth son of the Comte of French Tripoli, while my youngest son Payen was tied in betrothal to Countess Adalmonde of Bekaa. The final piece of the puzzle was the birth of my new child, Alix, Princess of Jerusalem and my subsequent recovery.
While they may come to resent my choices in future years, the new verdance of my dynasty meant that rather than keeping my bloodline carefully locked away for preservation I was able to look to the future and arrange marriages of dynastic succession for my children, sons and daughters alike. It was still too early to think of one for Alix, and Andre's choice was outside of my power as he was already a noble in his own right, but before I was done I would see a de Bourgogne on or behind every Christian throne east of Constantinople.
Or die trying.
My Council, at least, is loyal
