The Lion's Court

Welcome to the Lion’s Court.  From King David’s Citadel in Jerusalem, Yitzchak I rules his realm.  But the Holy Land attracts pilgrims of many faiths from many realms, and Judea’s control of the eastern most ports in the Mediterranean attract many merchants with more faith in coin than any god.  It is a land of a thousand tales and a thousand more.  Which one is yours?

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This thread is for general character RP set within the realm of Judea.  This can be a in a continuing story with recurring characters or can be a one off tale, with a character we may or may not see again.

The Rules:

Yitzchak I
King David’s Citadel

Yitzchak looked out at the main table of his hall.  His children were spread around it, as were Aloys de Narbonnes, the captain of the King’s company of Christian knights, and his sister Aliénor who had both been fostered in his court.  Where once the Occitan noble had worn the arms of his deceased father, he now wore a tunic bearing the arms of his company.  Yitzchak found the design consisting of a sword and clam flanked by lions facing outward upon a red field to be pleasing to his eyes.  He thoughtfully rubbed his beard as the knight joked easily with his eldest sons.

“Tell me, Aloys,” he began, “how fairs your guard?”  Aloys replaced the chicken leg he had been eating on his plate and turned to his king.

“Well, sire.  Our ranks have swollen with many of the lost sons of Europe.  My company stands three hundred strong.  With thanks to yourself and donations from the lords of Christendom we have constructed hospitals in Jaffa, Ashkelon, Acre, Nazareth and Bethlehem.”

“Good for you.  Ari told me of how you distinguished yourself at the Battle of Tortosa.  I have heard it said that you felled forty men yourself before you had to withdraw due to your own wounds.”  The small scar that marred his once perfect and beautiful face twitched lightly and Aloys absently rubbed where a far larger one had been left upon his arm during the campaign north.

“Exaggeration only, your majesty.  I could not have felled more than five and twenty.”  Ari laughed heartily at the combination of humility and boasting.  Aliénor rested her hand on her brother's wrist.  Ever since he had returned she had doted upon him, always worrying even though his wounds hand fully scarred over and were not threatening.

“It is still quite the feat,” said Benyamin in praise.  “Truly, you and your sister are credits to your forebears.”  Aloys preened at the compliment and Aliénor blushed deeply.

“Indeed.  And your company has shown itself many times over worthy of my patronage.”

“And there is many a handsome specimen among them,” commented Sarah.

“That is not an observation I am pleased to hear my daughter has made,” Yitzchak said, which sent his eldest daughter and her best friend tittering.

“You know father, both Aliénor and I are of a marrying age.  It is only natural that our minds turn to potential suitors.”  Yitzchak grumbled as his mood soured.  “So, Aliénor, is there one among your brother’s knights you find pleasing?”

“Pleasing enough to look at, but I think I would prefer a more sedate husband.  I already have a brother to worry after as he campaigns, I have no desire to do so for another.  A scholar I think is more to my liking.”

“A scholar.  How boring.”  Yitzchak rubbed his head in hopes of alleviating the migraine he could feel growing.

---

Aliénor de Narbonnes
King David’s Citadel

Aliénor sat at the edge of the fountain in the castle courtyard, idly running her hand through the water.

“So it is scholar you seek for companionship,” she heard from behind her.  She turned to see Yael, King Yitzchak’s middle daughter.  “I wonder what draws your tastes in that direction.”  Aliénor shrugged her shoulders and turned back to the pool.

“I couldn’t say.”

“Don’t play coy to me, Aliénor.  I have seen you look upon my brother Benyamin.  And I have seen him look upon you in turn.”  Aliénor smiled and looked up at Yael only for the smile to fade when she saw the severe look upon the Judean princess’s face.  “Hear me well.  Nothing can ever come of that affection.  If he was a younger brother, or a nephew to my father, then perhaps it could have.  But he is eldest and heir to my father’s kingdom.  And you are a Christian.”  Aliénor’s head lowered and her mood became somber.  “If he were to take you as a bride he would be unable to rule.  He could not keep our people and our realm safe.  You see that, don’t you?”

“Maybe.  I had hoped-”

“Abandon hope.  Hope is for common people.  We are not afforded the luxury.  We must be cold and calculating that others may be warm.  Your marriage must serve your brother, and through him my father who has protected you all these years.  There are within the realm Christians who yet disparage your brother as my father’s dog.  By your hand, you could quiet that voice and swell your brother’s ranks.  It is within your power to end strife and increase the strength of the keepers of peace.”

“At the cost of my happiness?”

“You will have your moments of joy.  And you can take comfort that even if you are trapped in misery, you will have ensured the happiness for others.”  Aliénor looked up at Yael with the beginnings of tears in her eyes.  The younger girl knelt down and hugged the other close to her breast.  “I am sorry it must be this way.  I wish I could give you your joy.”  She lightly kissed Aliénor on the forehead.  “Will you do as I have asked?”  Aliénor squeezed her eyes tightly shut and nodded her head as the tears fully formed.  “Sh sh sh.”  Yael slowly began rocking Aliénor while singing to her a lullaby that Yael’s mother Chava had sung to each of the girls when they were younger.

Music:

Sleep, sleep, my little girl. Sleep, sleep. Sleep, sleep, my little one, Sleep, sleep. Daddy's gone to work - He went, Daddy went. He'll return when the moon comes out - He'll bring you a present! Sleep, sleep, my little girl. Sleep, sleep. Sleep, sleep, my little one, Sleep, sleep.

Numi, numi yaldati, Numi, numi, nim. Numi, numi k'tanati, Numi, numi, nim. Aba halach la'avoda - Halach, halach Aba. Yashuv im tzeit halevana - Yavi lach matana! Numi, numi yaldati, Numi, numi, nim. Numi, numi k'tanati, Numi, numi, nim.

נומי, נומי, ילדתי נומי, נומי נים. נומי, נומי, חמדתי, נומי, נומי נים. אבא הלך לעבודה - הלך, הלך אבא. ישוב עם צאת הלבנה - יביא לך מתנה. נומי, נומי, ילדתי נומי, נומי נים. נומי, נומי, חמדתי, נומי, נומי נים.

Victor von Bärberg
Gates of Jaffa

A lone rider appeared on the road, heading to Jaffa. As he came closer, the guards could see that it was a weary man, on an ever wearier horse. He appeared to be a knight of some short, wearing chainmail, and a tattered white tabard on it. He carried a shield on his back, a sword on his left, and a spear in his hand. His horse was packed with traveling gear, a clear indication that he was alone. When he approached the gates, he stopped and spoke in a tired, yet firm tone, in broken koine greek, mostly used by merchants:

"Greetings to you. My name is Victor von Bärberg, and I've come to see the Nazorean Guard. Show me the way, if you would." After that, he did not spoke, but looked at the guard, and expected that his way be shown.

Gatekeeper
Gates of Jaffa

“God, would you look at this,” said one of the guards as they saw the knight riding towards them.  “Another Christian pissant come to grow fat off our king’s teat.”

“Quiet you fool, or the sheriff will have your hide,” the gatekeeper berated the man.  “The Nazoreans have helped keep the peace and the sheriff would not have that endangered.  And the captain of the Nazoreans is beloved by the king as though he were one of his own sons.”

“As you say, sir.”  The guards awaited the arrival of the Christian knight.

“Good day, m’lord,” called the gatekeeper when he arrived.  “May I have your name and your business in Jaffa?”

“Greetings to you,” replied the knight.  “My name is Victor von Bärberg, and I've come to see the Nazorean Guard. Show me the way, if you would."

“Aye, m’lord,” the gatekeeper responded.  “I cannot spare my men from the wall, but if you follow this road to the port, you shall have no difficulty spotting the church.  The hospital stands beside it.  Look for the arms of the sword and scallop with two lions and you shall know you have found it.”  The gatekeeper then waved the Christian knight through.

Duchess Christina pulled her son down to her height and kissed his cheek. Kyros held her lightly. "This is foolish" Christina said "We could at the very least tell them you're coming." " I know, I know, but I must do this." "We know you do" Duke Aratus said embracing Christina from behind in an attempt to calm her.

"Please be careful son, I love you" "I know, mother. I will. I love you too, both of you."

Kyros stepped out of the estate, the bustle of the city, the ships coming into and out of port, people carrying crates on their shoulders, merchants peddling goods, both necessary and exotic, people yelling over each other, dogs barking and howling in the distance, he thought he was used to it, but suddenly it became dizzying. He was nervous, this wasn't the behavior of a noble. Kyros handled the pendant around his neck, the one possession he allowed himself, a symbol of his house, Baldwin. He tucked the necklace underneath his armor, his mother's insistence, he wouldn't have brought it otherwise, he hoped he would be correct and that he wouldn't have need of armor.

Kyros made his way down the small hill that his estate sat upon and down to the docks and to the merchants ships, stalls set up just outside the area, all trying to grab his and everybody's attention. Kyros grabbed a letter out of his small woolen satchel, the letter granting him passage on a ship that his house had chartered a few days prior. The captain of his ship wore his long hair tied at the bottom back of his head, his beard growing wildly, his white undershirt turned a light brown in places. "Captain?" "Eh? Yeah what'do ya want?" Kyros handed the captain his letter. "I have need of passage to Ashkelon in Judea." The captain snatched the letter from Kyros "Eh, let me see that." The captain skimmed through the letter "Ashkelon" "Duke Aratus? really?" "Well, yeah, lucky for you we'll be 'eaded that way." Kyros handed the captain a few pieces of silver that he had taken just for him. "Well" the captain said counting through the silver "That's more like it."


Ashkelon was a beautiful city from this distance, but it felt too quiet for Kyros. From this distance, you could hear the noise of the harbors in Cybelos. It was busy, sure, just not as busy as home. The merchants and crewmen spoke Greek and assured him that he would be able to find Greek speakers throughout nearly any coastal city, a small comfort as the young lord couldn't speak Hebrew very well and his Latin was rough. He wouldn't know what to truly expect until they docked.

Harbormaster
Port of Ashkelon

The harbormaster and his subordinates made their way down the pier as the Greek vessel pulled into the dock.  He watched as the sailors jumped from the ship to the pier with hauling lines, tying the ship in place, awaiting them to finish securing it.  When the gangplank lowered, he quickly made his way up onto the deck of the ship and began questioning him about his cargo, crewman, passengers…

On discussing the last, the captain pointed to a young man by the rail.  The official nodded and walked briskly over to the young man.

“I am told you are a passenger onboard this vessel and intend to disembark here,” the he said in Greek.  “I need your name and your reason for coming to Ashkelon.  Be quick about it, I do not have all day.”

Kyros peered over at the captain of the ship, he almost cut the man questioning him off multiple times, he was obviously used to this.


The official made his way over to Kyros, spitting at him in Greek, they could never get the exacts of the language down, could they?
"My name is Kyros, sir. I intend to make a pilgrimage of your Kingdom."

Harbormaster
Port of Ashkelon

“Pilgrim.  Right.”  The harbormaster looked the man over.  “I would guess you for a Christian.  Know that the though the King’s law protects you from being persecuted for you faith it does not protect you from being held to account for any crime you do commit.  And inducing a Jew to apostasy is a crime.”  He wagged his finger at the young man as he spoke.  “Now then, you may disembark at your leisure.  There is no duty for entering the city, though there is one for tying up at the dock,” he shouted over his shoulder.  He turned back to the pilgrim.  “You’ll find the Nazorean hospital easy enough, just ask any of the urchins as you leave the docks.”  He left the pilgrim to his own devices and began haranguing the captain again, ensuring he understood the duties for docking and carrying goods ashore.

Kyros made his way off the ship and into the city proper, sheets of fabric covered the alleyways, protecting the citizens from the insufferable sun, and for that he was grateful. He asked around for the location of the Hospitallers as best as he could, luckily, he had heard some men speaking Greek by the docks and they directed him to the Nazorean hospital.

He believed that he had come upon the correct building and he had hoped they could provide him with some food, or even a bed. "Με συγχωρείτε" he said to the most official looking person he could find. "Am I in the correct area? I am a pilgrim seeking guidance in my journey throughout these lands, and perhaps some bread if you can spare it."

Victor Bärberg
Christian Church at Jaffa

Victor rode though the city in a slow gallop, trying to force a slower pace on himself and his horse, yet both he and his mount were eager that their journey has come to an end - for now. When he arrived at the Hospital, he dismounted, and tied his horse to a post, gently patting the animal on it's head.

"Greetings!" Victor said, in greek, using a much more respectful tone than when he spoke to the guards. "My name is Victor, from the Kingdom of Varasd, and I've come to join the famed Nazorean Guard."

Spyros Sanna
Hospital of Saint James in Ashkelon

“Of course you can have bread,” the sexton replied.  “That is the purpose to this hospital, after all.  Come, I will see you to the refectory.”  He led the pilgrim through the hospital to a large hall lined with tables.  He guided him to an open seat withdrew the chair.  “Please, be seated.  One of the serving girls will bring you a meal and water.”  The sexton strode away quickly to see to his other duties.  The man beside Kyros turned and greeted him.

“Good day.  I am Spyros Sanna, and this my wife Melpomene.  We are somewhat unwilling pilgrims, abducted from our village by Moslem corsairs.  By God’s grace the corsairs unknowingly attacked a ship of Christian knights bound for the Holy Land.  They rescued us, and carried us here to Ashkelon.  It is undeniable that it must be Holy God’s will that my wife and I come to this place, for whatever purpose it is he has set for us.  But I ramble.  Please, share with us you story as we break bread together.”  A plate with a small loaf of bread and some stew was set before Kyros, along with a cup of water.

---

Sir Arnau de Jordà
Hospital of Saint James in Jaffa

“An initiate,” replied the man Victor greeted.  “Welcome.  I shall take you to the Chapter Master at once.”  He guided the knight through the halls to the door of the Master’s office.  It was open a crack and a conversation could be heard from within.

“Sir Arnau, I cannot blink this.  The taverner has laid complaint against both yours and Guy de Loimbard’s men.”

“They were provoked past tolerance, Pyrrhos.  Surely you can see that.”

“And I believe it.  But I do not have not the witnesses to support the claim.  Indeed, the ones I’ve found all say that though Guy’s men hurled insults it was yours who struck first.  I have convinced the taverner that their insults make his men as to blame for this incident as your own.  My father’s steward is assessing the damages to the tavern.  The Nazoreans will cover half the cost of its repair, Guy the other.”

“It will be as you say, my lord sheriff.”

“Do not forget, Sir Arnau.  Guy and his like are unbound men, but you and your men serve my cousin the King.  You all must be resolute.  The next time you and Guy quarrel, ensure that you are beyond reproach and I will have his head.”  Footsteps could be heard and a Judean man opened the door fully.

“Good day, my lord sheriff,” said the man guiding the Varasdian knight to the Judean.

“Good day.”  The man ushered Victor into the office.

“Sir Arnau, may I present Victor von Bärberg, who has come to join our sacred brotherhood.”  Sir Arnau looked up from his thoughts and smiled broadly at the man brought before him.

“Welcome brother.  I am Arnau de Jordà, Master of this chapter.  I am pleased to have you.”  He turned to the man who had guided Victor.  “Send for the priest.”  The man nodded and withdrew.  “Sir Victor, I wish to ensure you understand.  Ours is a Christian order, but we are not in service to the Pope in Rome.  Our master and patron is the king of these lands, the King of Judeans.  Though he tasks us with a duty of safeguarding the Christian places and pilgrims, he can still call us to war and we must honor our vows.  Knowing these terms, do you still wish to become one of our order?”

"I.. I am sorry to hear of your situation, but it brings me some solace to speak with my fellow Greeks, Sir Spyros. My name is Kyros, I have left my home on more agreeable terms, I hail from the port city of Pelousion in Greek Egypt. I was fortunate enough to gather enough coin to gain passage on a merchant vessel destined for the holy land." Perhaps Kyros was not telling the whole truth, but he did not lie.

"I have been questioning my faith for some time, especially now with the disagreements between Byzantium and Rome, and.. now I am here with all but my armor."  Kyros ate his stew, ripping a piece of the bread off and soaking it.

"I would know the name of your home. Perhaps when my travels here are through I shall get to know the village."

Victor Bärberg
Hospital of Saint James in Jaffa

"Greetings, Master.
I understand. Still, this order serves a good cause, and I can not ask for more. Protecting the innocent and doing what is right is what I am longing to accomplish. " Victor Bärberg said, while firmly looking in the eyes of Arnau de Jordá. "I have travelled long to join you, and I am ready. "

Spyros Sanna
Hospital of Saint James in Ashkelon

“Sir Spyros?” the man’s wife replied, laughing.  “You’ll be giving my man a big head, you will.  Sir Spyros?  I’ve naught heard so ridiculous a notion.  Look at him.  Does he have the look of a knight to you?”  Spyros scowled at the woman, then turned back Kyros.

“Ill-mannered though her speech may be, she is not wrong.  I am no knight, just a simple farmer from Losta.  I shall seek to do the same here in the Holy Land.  I am sorry to hear of your troubles of faith, but if there is anywhere in the world that show a man the true way to God and Christ it is this land.  I have been told that many pilgrims begin their time in the Holy Land by travelling to the Church of the Nativity, which marks the birthplace of our lord in Bethlehem.  The Nazoreans maintain there a hospital that you could gain succor at as well.”

---

Arnau de Jordà & Father Bertram
Hospital of Saint James in Jaffa

“Very well then,” replied Sir Arnau.  “Let us get you sworn in.”  The door opened and a priest stepped inside.  “Ah, welcome Father.  This is Sir Victor von Bärberg, who has come to join our order.”

“Ah, a new initiate.  Welcome to the order, Sir Victor.  I am Farther Bertram, the confessor for this chapter of the Guard.  I will administer to you your oath as a knight of the Nazorean Guard and will hear your confession of sins if you have any.  Are you ready then?  Good.  If you would take the knee please and repeat after me.

In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, I do solemnly swear in free and voluntary desire, to serve as a Knight of Nazareth of the most holy Order of Christian Guardians of Nazareth. I do swear by the Eternal Power of the Trinity, to be both a true and chivalric Knight, to obey the King of Judeans and my Commanders and to aid my bretheren. I also swear by all that is holy and dear unto me, to aid those less fortunate than I, to relieve the distress of the world and to fulfill my knightly obligations. This oath do I give of my own free and independent will, so help me God!

“Come, Sir Victor.  Now that you have given your oath, I will hear your confession.”

"Bethlehem? That is a half day's walk from here if I am not mistaken, yes? I would not have the coin to purchase a horse, Is there a group who makes this journey regularly by chance? Perhaps merchants travel to Jerusalem by way of Bethlehem? Perhaps I could walk with them as a guard of sorts if the roads are at all dangerous."

Victor Bärberg,
Jaffa

Sir Victor Bärbeg repeared the oath after the Master, after which he went to confess the sins he committed on his path. He already confessed the death of his brother, but as he was not redeemed yet, he did it again, telling his story to the chapter master with honesty.

The varasdian knight was ready to serve, this time knowing that those he serves will not betray him, which will be the foundation of his loyalty.

Spyros Sanna
Hospital of Saint James in Ashkelon

“I can’t say that I rightly know.  I imagine there must be call for such a man, despite all the king does to make these lands safe.  You might find such caravans if you seek them out in the marketplace.  I wish you luck on your journey.  May the God grant that you find what you seek on your journey.”

A clutch of servants could be seen forming. at one end of the hall.  One of the knights bearing the arms of the order entered the hall and one of the senior girls immediately made a beeline for him.  Though they spoke in hushed tones, Kyros could still hear them.

“Sir Lorenzo, is it true?  Does the king send his armies to war?”

“Who told you this?”

“It doesn’t matter.  Is it true?”

“It is.  The island is in anarchy, and the king would put it to an end.”

“Will he send the Order?”

“I know not.  All I know is that he musters one of the greatest armies that have ever marched upon the land to secure it.”

---

Arnau de Jordà & Father Bertram
Hospital of Saint James in Jaffa

“To take on the sin of Cain, even when given such provocation contra bonos mores, is still a grave matter my son,” said Father Bertram.  “Yet I hear the hurt within your voice, the pain of your contrition.  You have come to this place and given yourself three hundred new brothers to replace the one you have lost, but know there is no replacing him with new brothers.  You have taken a life.  For your penance, you must work for life.  There is a bitch which resides within the church grounds has birthed a litter.  You shall take one of the pups, give it your brother’s name and raise it.  You shall dote upon it and it shall want for nothing.  You shall care for it and it shall not leave your side.  And when it has aged past living, you shall give it a Christian burial as though he were your own brother.  I grant you absolution for your sins, my son.

”Dominus noster Jesus Christus te absolvat; et ego auctoritate ipsius te absolvo ab omni vinculo excommunicationis et interdicti in quantum possum et tu indiges. Deinde, ego te absolvo a peccatis tuis in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.  Amen.  Passio Domini nostri Jesu Christi, merita Beatae Mariae Virginis et omnium sanctorum, quidquid boni feceris vel mali sustinueris sint tibi in remissionem peccatorum, augmentum gratiae et praemium vitae aeternae. Amen.

“Go, my son.  Serve God and your new king.  Seek out Sir Arnau and he shall command you.”

When Sir Victor found Sir Arnau, he was looking at a map of the Levantine Sea and the lands that surround it.

“Ah, Sir Victor.  I see you have completed your confession.  The Church says confession is good for the soul.  I confess that I am gripped by a sense of worry.  Word has arrived that the king’s armies are going to Cyprus, to contest ownership of the island with the princes of Europe.  What think you of this, Sir Victor?”

"Thank you, Sir  Spyros" Kyros said looking at Melpomene while he emphasised. "I shall see about selling myself as a caravan guard. May God bless you both, I hope you are able to return to Losta one day."

Kyros looked toward the commotion, hearing what had been said he pushed his way past the people gathered and said in Greek, forgetting himself "Which island do you speak of? Not the Aegean islands?"

Sir Victor Bärberg
Jaffa

"During my travel here, I heard in what state Cyprus was. The greeks will no doubt bound together, and try to claim the island. There will be much tension between our King and them, that is what I know for sure.
Is it wise for our King to provoke the Christians? He might have good relations with the Pope, but dynasties keep their grudges for generations. "

Sir Lorenzo
Hospital of Saint James in Ashkelon

“Aegean?  No, Cyprus.  The King has been petitioned by the Jews of the island to secure their fortunes and lives, and perhaps the island itself.  His second son Ari has been dispatched with a host of eight thousand.  It is said that another four reinforce him in securing the island, far more than what the Greek realms can hope to afford for such an adventure as of now.  But all of that is far and away from here at the moment.  In between times, the dispatch of that army means that the bandits will be far more adventurous than they have been.”  Sir Lorenzo regarded the man.

“You have the look of a fighter to you.  I have a convoy, mostly pilgrims, but also some trade supply, destined for Bethlehem, and a need of men at arms to defend it from unsavory sorts.  Would you be looking for work?  You will be properly compensated for your time.”

---

Sir Arnau de Jordà
Hospital of Saint James in Jaffa

“Only time will tell.  The King is no fool, he surely realizes how the Greeks will respond.  He must have some plan to secure whatever goals they are that he has.”

“Sir Arnau!  Sir Arnau!”  A young boy came bursting into the office, then promptly leaned over and began breathing heavily.

“Calmy, Avram.  Calmly.  What brings you here?”

“It’s the Sheriff, Sir.  He has sent for you and your men to keep peace in the market.”

“God.  What has happened?”

“As I have heard, nothing yet, but there have been accusations and threats between Neapolitan and Greek merchants.  The Sheriff wants you to interpose yourselves as a lesser inflammatory than Hebrew soldiers standing between themselves and the targets of their hatreds.”

“Very well then.  Sir Victor, come.  It seems you will begin your lessons on being a Nazorean quickly.”  Sir Arnau walked swiftly from the office and down to the stable where his horse was just finishing being saddled.  He swung up into the saddle and immediately rode out with Sir Victor close behind.

“You will find, Sir Victor, that there are four Christians in the Holy Land.  Two are Latin and two are Greek, two would keep the peace and two would disrupt it.  We have few enough disruptive Greeks here, though there are a few.  In general they congregate further north where they are the majority of Christians.  Here we have to contend with Latin agitators.  Those that step out of line we can deal with, but there are many that have learned how to tip toe upon it such that we cannot act against them.”

Kyros of Lesser Sinai
Hospital of St. James at Ashkelon

Fortune would have it that I am, Sir Lorenzo, if I heard that correctly. A pleasure.

My name is Kyros if you'll be needing it.

Victor Bärberg
Jaffa

"There are trouble makers everywhere, sir. You need to rattle a bush for the hare to jump out, though - at least we will know who wants to agitate and who wishes to be in peace when there is conflict.

What is the King's opinion on the Schism, sir?"

Sir Lorenzo
Hospital of Saint James in Ashkelon

“Very good, Sir Kyros.  I shall find you here an hour after dawn on the morrow and we’ll set off for Bethlehem.

---

Road to Bethlehem

The next day found Sir Lorenzo and Kyros riding out of Ashkelon with a caravan bound for Bethlehem.  The Nazorean Knight looked over at Kyros.

“By your name and your ease with the tongue, I would guess you for a Greek.  Worry not, the schism means little enough to me, and anyone among the Nazoreans who would make issue of it knows better than to do so.  The King wills it that either form of Christian shall be welcome in his realm.  The struggles of Christendom can seem far from the Holy Land, at times, though we do have our troubles every now and again.  Ashkelon is not often disrupted by such agitations, but we might be in Bethlehem.  You might be safer if you are among the Nazoreans.”

Sir Arnau de Jordà
Souq of Jaffa

“Our hands are tied somewhat in that regard.  Any time we clash with the troublemakers, if we aren’t above all reproach we have consequences to answer for as well.  Besides, we know who the they are for the most part already.  We have to watch them like hawks constantly.

“The King holds that Christians of either leaning are welcome in his realm, and it is our job to help enforce that edict.  He has ties to those on both sides of the schism.  The new Pope was once the Latin Bishop of Jerusalem, and he has a very close friendship with the King of Cybelos, one of the champions of the Greek Church.  He’s pulled in both directions, but being a Jew he is beholden to neither.  It seems to me that it is for the best that the Holy Land is held by him and not a Christian that might turn to one side or the other.”

Victor Bärberg
Jaffa

"Indeed. As long as there is peace in the Holy Lands... and I doubt that it could be kept for long under a christian rule, now that it is split in half.

Hopefully, with our help too, His Majesty can keep this peace."

Kyros of Lesser Sinai
Road to Bethlehem

"Ah, as a pilgrim you mean? Yes, I suppose that would be for the best if these lands are hostile. Would I have need of a guard if I did not show any symbols?"