Homelands
Chapter Twenty: Storm and Sun
Part 4
Prelude:
Morcar the Exile built three Saxon cities on the Baltic coast: Máreængrád, Mæmálgrád (Middle Prussian: Memelgrád) and Sambigrád (originally Cyningscír). Known as the "Third City" through much of its early history, by 1201 it was little more than a fortified fishing port. Between the death of Morcar and 1201 the city is mentioned a total of three times. Once in a tax collection sheet, once in a poem about a ship being blown off course, and once on a map of major and minor ports on the Baltic (it was labeled as "minor"). A saying from the time, to "leave someone in Sambia." meant to leave someone behind or grow estranged from them. The region was known for housing the last native speakers of Saxon in Prussian history, and though by no means a majority, the death of the last member in 1201 was a shock to much of the 'Saxon' nobility. The city, of course, would see little more attention again until more modern times. But caught between the glory of the two Prussian capitals, Sambigrád and its surrounding environs produced a great number of thinkers and scientists. It was close enough to the big cities to have researched reviewed, and far enough away to not have it stolen.
December 28th, 1201
Meinekinus was shut into his palace in the Principality of Prussia. Like many Prussian rulers he had lost more than one wife to child birth and now sat alone, cold, in his palace too big for one small monk. His beloved Bozislava had left him many years ago after she gave birth to their third son, Leszek. Even so, his work at the monastery had kept him and his mind busy. But now he was left with nothing. He was too important to have work, so he sat around with nothing to do but lament Borut's words and his place in the workings of the Kingdom. On this day, shortly after Christmas, he found himself the unexpected host for several lesser nobles who had been traveling through the region. Amongst them was Ermessentz de Lusignan, the unwed daughter of the former King of France.
"And that is when the Count of Savoy betrayed the Kingdom and Orleans fell the next week," one noble was saying.
"It is terrifying to think one Christian one turn against another for support from the Caliph!" Ermessentz said.
"Well now he is a Duke, but it is only a matter of time. With the shiites of Sicily pushing north, it is only a matter of time before the Caliph and Sicily come into conflict," the noble said, stroking his beard for added effect.
"It is as in any war, people do what they must to survive. The King of Catalonia, or now just Barcelona, also pays tribute to the Caliph. Doing so protects many innocent lives," Meinekinus said. He sipped absently at spiced mead having trouble removing his eyes from Ermessentz.
She looked back, almost invitingly, but another noble began to speak, ruining it for them, "Well, the Croats know what they are doing! Edessa remains in Catholic hands and they've carved a war path through Iraq and into Basra!"
"Yes," Meinekinus said, "But they did it as mercenaries to the Seljuks In fact, Basra pays tribute to the Turkish Sultan. Edessa is soon to fall, their time is limited to the kindness of the Sultan. The kindness of all humans is limited."
"What will happen if Rome falls?" Ermessentz asked.
"Catholicism dies," from the corner emerged a cloaked figure. He had been traveling with the nobles, but until now had remained silent. Under his cloak was the markings of a catholic priest. "Papal authority has failed us and led Christendom into ruin and horror."
"Heresy is it?"
"No, you shall see. When Papism falls Christianity shall be free again." Everyone was silent.
"When Rome falls, the West will follow," Meinekinus said. "Christianity sits on the edge of the abyss, teetering. Already we see our own making alliances with our enemies. Orthodoxy has stood as a shield for Western Europe from Islam and Paganism faithfully and reliably. And now they crumble from within, betrayed by neighbors and losing their flock to the kindness of their enemies. We truly sit at the end."
"The end?"
"Yes... the end of Catholicism. Orthodoxy will remain, tried and true," Meinekinus said.
"The world is changing so quickly around us," Ermessentz said, "I can only wonder where everything will be in century..." Everyone returned to silence as Meinekinus stood to retrieve more mead.
"You Prussians sure seem to enjoy your mead," a male noble said. He offered his goblet and Meinekinus dutifully filled it.
"Yes, it is part of our Saxon heritage. Though honey is rare here so we actually cut most of the must down with malt. Still good." Meinekinus sat down and watched the others mill the mead over in their mouths.
"I haven't heard much talk about the Carthaginians, they are quiet a problem for the Kingdom of Italy and the Roman Empire," one noble said.
Meinekinus chuckled quietly. "What is so funny?" Ermessentz asked.
"History has a funny way of repeating itself. Carthage was a thorn in the side of the Roman Republic and a thousand years later it is one again a thorn in the side of the Roman Empire."
"Well those Bretons and Merovingians have become a pain to all trade in the Mediterranean. They sail out of Carthage and plunder everything flying a Christian flag other than you damn Prussians. They've even briefly sieged Holland!" one male noble exclaimed.
"Yes, but they aren't as bad as those damned Englishmen. Argh!"
"The English have taken to raiding?" Meinekinus asked.
"Yes, they love hitting targets in Scotland, Ireland, Norway and Germany."
"Huh, I did not know that." Meinekinus glanced to the elaborate water clock behind him, a gift from the Sultan of Turkey for allowing the Cumans refuge. "It grows late, I must suggest we each head to our rooms." The Prince smiled kindly as he stood up and offered his hand to Ermessentz to help her out of her chair. He smiled at her and she reflected this back at him.
"Yes, it best be our time to retire," she said. And when everyone was in their own room the quiet sounds of footsteps echoed through the empty halls and soon one room was occupied by two and another by none.
The World in 1202, it is important to note that this late in the Infinite War that the Papal State is a vassal of the Kingdom of Italy. This was a major issue with many Catholic rulers at the time.