Final Chapter: Here comes Munio's Horde!
Munio I of Hispania and Navarra
Aachen
Autumn of 1228
Almost no one visited the city anymore. The traditional Imperial Crowning was moved south the previous century, to Rome in a futile attempt to bring new legitimacy to the Roman claim. But Emperor Munio felt that he had to pay a visit to the place. Dismissing it for another bout of lunacy the Court complied. After all, the same lunacy held the rebellious Germans in check with a combination of war threats, diplomacy and covert or not so covert assassinations.
But, Aachen? There was nothing to see there, except...
"Leave me alone."
Before leaving, his guards checked the plain tomb again. Munio smirked. Even from the depths of his madness, he was fully aware of the German maneuvers to put some of their own people in the throne again. They pathetically try to ignore that Munio's son, the one that was ravaging Arabian Peninsula by himself against the power of the Heathens, would inherit a claim and easily swept the Germans... Capable Basque men would take Central European crowns and integrate them into the Empire.
But he was not inside that tomb to ponder about the times when he would lie eternally. He came to have a man-to-man or, rather, an Emperor-to-Emperor talk.
Rising from his grave, a ghost appeared. Even in death, Emperor Karl, Carolus Magnus or Charlemagne, was quite the impressive man. He appeared younger than when he died, instead of 71 and he was dressed as a Frankish King or something like that, Munio thought.
"Here you are, another fool that insist calling himself Emperor. What do you want?"
"I am Munio of the Ximena House, King of Navarra, Protector of Africa, Emperor of Hispania and Holy Roman Emperor."
Charlemagne's ghost laughed.
"Much more impressive than the last one, at least! Navarra, you say? I had a bruise with some people calling themselves Navarran, or Basque, I was never sure and they looked small."
"We were. Not any longer."
"Why did you come to see me? Only the crazy can even see me."
"I need an answer."
The ghost looked surprised.
"To which question?"
"I need to know if I could hold Europe together."
"That's all? Of course you can't! A mere mortal, even if he is emperor of the orb, can only strive for making the best of his time. But... If you somehow managed to bring some significant victories, you could start the way for others to follow."
"A victory, like conquering Meccah?"
"You wouldn't..."
"My son and best generals are marching through Arabia as we speak."
Charlemagne nodded.
"Not bad, but you need another piece."
"France."
"Yes. Taking it as a whole would take too long for you. But that door has a Key."
"And the key is Paris."
"Yes."
"Thank you, Emperor Charlemagne."
"I hope you will pay me a visit again... Emperor Munio."
His guards and Court had another confirmation of his crazy nature... Talking like he were in the presence of Charlemagne himself!
"The Chancellor."
Duke Lambert of Alsace, one of the few German nobles that decided to follow Munio without too much of a grudge, presented himself.
"Paris. You know what to do."
Lambert nodded and left.
Munio looked around. Four Kings, a dozen Dukes and many lesser vassals awaited.
"We are the instruments of God. We will accomplish His wish"
It took longer than expected to fabricate a claim on Paris. In the meantime, Arabia was quite active. First of all, the Crusade to take Mekkah was a success.
But a little Yihad followed. Nothing to worry, Munio thought while thousand upon thousand of men died. He was crazy, but he was right.
And, about Paris...
"He would be defeated in mere months."
He was right again.
The words of the defendants of Paris as they contemplate the imperial banners enter the city went down to history.
And among the soldiers, Munio could see three translucent ghosts. He approached the youngest, a knight.
"A glorious battle, indeed."
Another young man, one with a small crown, smiled.
"Wasn't it glorious when
we fought, Roland?"
"As glorious as an ambush could be, Eneko."
The other ghost, Charlemagne, sighted.
"I know my sins were many, but having these two fight for eternity is really aggravating."
"Well, Munio, you did it. And now?"
Munio looked at the city, so shiny and big even after the decadence of France and the war.
"That's another story."
END
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