Homelands
Chapter Twenty Three: Asses to Ashes
Part 3
Prelude:
The death of King Dzintis the Mad was a welcome relief to Christian Europe. His son, now seventeen years old, retook the throne of Hungary as well as that of Bohemia. Karnak of Hungary styled himself King of Hungary over that of King of Bohemia. He said that it was his original title and therefore superseded Bohemia. Even so, after his ascent to the throne of Prussia, his titles were rearranged so that Bohemia came before Hungary (though both after Prussia). Karnak's return to Pressburg was cause of celebration. He was seen as legitimate and fair, ending the oppressive taxes of his father as well as the inquisitions. A scene of him freeing some 500 Catholics from a dungeon in Pressburg became a stable stained glass window in Hungary's churches. Strangely enough he is almost always portrayed with a beard and blonde hair despite always being clean shaven and dark haired (like most Prussian royalty). Many believe this reflects him as a "man of the north", a foreigner, to the Magyar people. Others believe that it was meant to show him as pure as a child (blonde hair) but strong and manly (beard). The real reason is probably that most of the scenes and paintings containing him that survived to the modern day were made hundreds of years after his death and based on the stereotypical image of a King.
A painting of King Karnak of Hungary, painted circa 1430.
May 8th, 1223
Karnak led a parade some three miles long back into Pressburg. With him were guards and minstrels and the ladies that tended his wife's callings. People lined the streets to see the return of their old King. In the few years Karnak had been gone he had changed not only physically, but also mentally. He was now a mature man, fit to rule on his own. From horseback he waved idly to his people, smiling as his grandfather often did. From the young King radiated hope and the people flocked to it. They cheered his name, reached out hoping to be touched by his blessed hand.
Looming above him was Pressburg Castle, the place of his father's death. He remembered it from his childhood, but he remembered it as tall and spiked, always covered by clouds and a magnet for rain. Today it was a totally different place, bright and happy. Birds flocked to its lush trees and chirped with glee. This was a world totally unknown to him. He was free from the shadow of his father. He turned to Isabelle and saw her shyly waving to the peasants. She covered most of her face out of modesty and seemed to enjoy the attention, but rejected it at the same time.
"Smile!" he said to her with his own grin, "These people love you!" He reached out to touch her, but his horse sped up slightly. Karnak laughed, it was probably for the best, he knew Isabella was always uncomfortable in public settings. She did smile at him, but quickly returned her gaze toward her saddle, trying not to appear like anything more than a dutiful wife. The parade began to pull away from the streets and the cheering public and toward the gates of the castle. As Karnak rode past the first set of guards they stood at attention and saluted him. He saluted back, nodding his head to them as he finally passed. Home, he was finally home. He would miss his grandfather, but the time had come, he could right the wrongs and protect the weak as was his scared vow. He nodded to himself, trying to look serious as he entered the castle once again. His time was now, he promised himself to treat each day with the same precautions and carefulness.
"Welcome my lord and lady." The guards said as the horses came to a stop. He held out his hand and took hold of the reigns and helped Karnak down. "We have taken the liberty to prepare dinner already as you must be famished after your long journey from Memelgrád."
"Thank you, we are," Karnak said. He walked over to Isabelle and helped her down himself. She smiled at him and slipped down carefully landing close to him. She stretched her neck slightly and pecked him once on the cheek before falling in behind him with the guards and other people of their posse. The doormen opened the door and bowed allowing the King and Queen to pass through into their castle. Inside, Karnak saw that things had drastically changed since he was there. The rooms were well lit, and color splashed out across the walls and furniture. The dank mildew smell of his childhood was gone, and the cold air was now a warm, omnipresent feeling.
"It is beautiful," the King said, "This is not the place I ruled from as a child. Amazing!"
"Dinner is ready, if you are my lord," The head of staff said.
"I am," Karnak said. The head led them to another room, deeper in the building. Inside was a massive table and at the head, behind Karnak's chair, was a large hearth, the source of much of the warmth in the surrounding environs. Karnak stood as his guests sat, and then sat down himself to start the dinner conversations.
"So, my lord, where do you think the biggest threat to Hungary lies?" one noble asked, curiously.
"From within it is religion, so we must relax my father's policies as soon as we can. From without it is the Emirate of Bosnia. They seem ready to conquer all of Croatia and then where will they turn? They have three choices... First they can move North into Germany and join the others in carving away the Empire, second they can move East into Hungary and attack our weak underbelly, or lastly they can head south into the Roman Empire."
"And you think they will attack us? With your grandfather protecting us?"
"I do. I believe that skirmishes like this would be probes into the body of Prussia. Rome is too strong, and isn't really a target for the Caliph so far from Asia. Germany is the main target, but Bosnia isn't really in the Balkans to be invading Germany."
The Balkans in 1223. Hungary in Grey, Prussia in Dark Red, Rome in Purple, Germany in Olive, the Caliph in Light Green, Bosnia in Green, Shiite Naples in Dark Green, Croatia in Blue, Serbia (a tributary of Rome) in Magenta.
"So you say that Bosnia was set up as a place holder in order for the Caliph to being trying to start a war between itself and Prussia?!"
"Yes, that is what I have said," Karnak said quietly, taking a sip of mead from a golden goblet. Everyone in the room took a deep breath and nervous glances were exchanged. It was a small attack of panic, Islam was at the doorstep of Prussia.
"So what are we going to do about it, my lord?!"
"Right now? Nothing. I could be wrong, and I am not going to work my grandfather into a frenzy if I am wrong. So I shall let Croatia and Serbia fall to Bosnia... if Bosnia attacks them. If Bosnia doesn't attack them, I was wrong. If it does and it loses, I was right, and now we have time to secure Croatia and Serbia to prevent another invasion. If Bosnia attacks them and wins, we would have seen it coming so we can prepare before they can attack Hungary."
"It seems very risky, should you not warn your grandfather?"
"I believe that my grandfather sees it too. And you must remember, I am no vassal, I am a King in my own right. I shall guide Hungary as I see fit." Karnak never raised his voice; it remain solid, but friendly. People found strength in his confidence.
"Well then," the head of staff said after a brief pause, "A toast: All hail King Karnak, Rightful King of Hungary! Long live the King!" Everyone held up their goblets to Karnak, his soldiers saluted with the Polish salute. "LONG LIVE THE KING!"