Chapter 7: Recovery
Kion braced himself, gritting his teeth while Beshte stood behind him, with his large hands on Kion's back.
"Do it." Kion grunted, and with two powerful motions, the Norman realigned the Kion's back, delivering a very loud and satisfying cracking noise.
"Ahh! Seigneur, ayez pitié!" Kion almost shouted in immense relief.
"Merci." He added, earning a smile from his companion. Kion and his Guard stood just before a village in northern Principatum alongside a hundred or so royal knights, Principatum Knights, and over a hundred Turcopoles from the royal household and Principatum.
Every man in the company endured the blistering heat with thick sweat and blood but remained in reasonably good spirits as they stood over the remains of a Sonn raiding party.
Over eighty horse-archers lay dead with most of their Turkomans recovered and forty or so men captured. However, the warriors didn't stand alone, as men and women from the village came out to greet their protectors, offering food, drink, and water for cleaning.
"Shnorhakalut'yun." Ono said as a local woman, now speaking native Outremer almost like a native. Seeing the grateful expressions of his subjects and warriors alike gave Kion greater ease than a back adjustment.
"The Sonn tremble before the Lion of France!" Bunga cried with his sword held high, enticing warrior and commoner alike with his excitement.
"He certainly knows how to entice a crowd." Anga chuckled as she helped a few sergeants and turcopoles move set down the last few prisoners. One of the Sonn spit at her with a ferocious expression.
"When I get free, you're going to become part of my harem, isam!" He snarled. Anga narrowed her eyes at the young man, particularly from his brutish and heavily accented french.
"I could knock your teeth out, but Christ preached mercy, so I'll forgive you." Anga's response earned smirks and chuckles from those around her, including Kion and Beshte, but the Sonn nobleman looked angrier and shouted some more. The ones least amused were the other Sonn prisoners, one of whom stood up and bashed the young man in the mouth with his shoulder, almost knocking him unconscious.
"Shut up! You spoiled brat! You'll get us all killed!" The Sonn snarled.
"A dozen noblemen among them then?" Kion asked, earning a nod from Ono, who'd come over.
"Oui, which means we have enough to trade for the last of our men taken prisoner. Louez le Christ!"
Kion felt an overwhelming sense of emotion build inside him, nearly bringing the young man to tears. Almost a month passed since his blunder at the Litani and his penance at Bethlehem, and Kion's work only increased.
While Radcliffe himself had to deal with a series of Persian uprisings, his raids on Outremer only increased, particularly in the north. He'd already picked Perdidit regions unprotected by fortresses dry, so the north was a natural target, and Kion immediately came to its defense alongside Prince Rune and Count Vegter.
"How there been any news from Tripoli, Ibelin, or Advik?" Kion asked warily.
"None yet." Ono replied.
"You worry too much Kion, just savor our success here." Fuli said as she diligently wiped the sweat from Azaad's brow with a wet rag.
"She's right. We've seen great success these last few weeks. So far, not a single village has suffered sack or pillage." Azaad added.
"Success." Kion sighed. After the last battle, he didn't feel capable of thinking about success. Instead, his mind lingered on Radcliffe and Radcliffe only.
"Azaad, when they're rested, get a small party and send them south to get an update from our eastern guard." Despite most of the raids happening in the north, Kion suspected it was a ruse and that the Sonn might try something on their eastern flank. As such, he ordered the Count of Tripoli and Baron of Ibelin, Balian, to back up Baron Advik.
God seemed to smile on them, as recently, a company of knights and men-at-arms from the Reich Empire arrived on pilgrimage and agreed to stay on for a month or two with Kion placing them under Ibelin's command.
"Don't thank us, thank your King!" Bunga shouted as a few villagers approached him. However, as they glanced over at Kion, most only murmured. The King sighed and looked away before feeling Beshte's strong arm on his shoulder.
"Don't even think about it Kion, they're alive because of you." The Norman Knight assured him.
"Perhaps."
"Kion, are we heading back soon?" Bunga asked with a somewhat anxious tone.
"Not until we're sure all the raiders are beaten."
"Awww, can't bear to be away from your wife for so long?" Anga chuckled with Fuli and Azaad. Ono, Beshte, and even Kion soon smirked when they saw the bashful expression on Bunga's face as he looked at a white gold ring on his right hand, which gleamed in the sunlight. After nearly dying in battle, Bunga almost immediately proposed to Binga, who eagerly accepted, with Rani's approval, of course.
Since then, Kion and the others noticed his restlessness whenever they had to leave on a campaign.
"You think she's ok? I haven't gotten a letter from her in a while."
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I preferred you more careless." Fuli laughed.
"Hmp, just wait until you two are married." Bunga retorted, emphasizing Azaad even as Fuli wiped more sweat from his forehead. This seemed to gain a reaction as Fuli looked timid.
"I, we-"
"You have my blessings, don't forget, Azaad is a knight of Outremer." Kion with, his joy now fully returned as he smiled at his Turcopole captain, who nervously looked back at Fuli.
"I could marry you both right now if you want." Ono said with a smirk, almost earning a yelp from the young couple and immense laughter from the others.
"There's the Kion we know and love!" Bunga proclaimed while placing an arm around his shoulder.
"Sire, Prince Rune!" A turcopole shouted. Kion and the others quickly turned and saw the Prince of Principatum riding towards them with a retinue of his knights, turcopoles, and templars, including Kopa.
"Your highness! Blessings to you and us as well!" Prince Rune laughed before he embraced Kion.
"Prince Rune, I take it things have gone well for you and you Grandmaster," Kion said, earning a warm smile from Kopa.
"Oui, my liege. Like you, we've ensured that no village has suffered pillage or sack by God's divine mercy and your leadership." Kopa's words provided Kion with some comfort.
"I've just done my duty-"
"Don't talk like that!" Rune laughed as he smacked Kion's back with an intense laugh.
"Don't be thinking about the Litani, Kion. Celebrate what we've accomplished here! Not a single one of my, no, our subjects has suffered thanks to your actions!"
"Our actions." Kion corrected.
"Looks like you were right about his humility." Rune chuckled as he turned back to Kopa.
"It's one of Christ's virtues." Kopa said before approaching Kion.
"We have a few letters for you." Kion took the parchment from Kopa and felt his eyes widen as he saw the first came from his mother. The King slowly opened it and almost teared up as he read his mother's words.
"Mon précieux garçon, I've kept you in my prayers since your departure. Whatever struggles you've endured, I know you're strong enough to persevere. You have Christ with you as true as any King who's lived. It breaks my heart to be so far from you, my beloved son, but I know you're doing God's work in Outremer, and it fills me with more joy than you can possibly imagine. Whatever happens, we will always support you and Rani, especially now with recent events. Don't be afraid to reach out to us for help, with eternal love, your mother." Kion wiped away a tear before returning to one part in particular.
"Especially now with recent events?" Kion asked. Prince Rune and several of his knights laughed while Kopa shook his head.
"We only recently learned, but the news is spreading across Europe like wildfire. King Philip's son, your 'uncle' is illegitimate."
"What!?" Kion and his Guard almost yelped.
"Oui! It was just proven that his second wife had an affair with one of Phillip's household knights! Your half-uncle Charles is illegitimate! Phillip was so enraged that he had Charles and his mother tortured to death in a public spectacle!"
Kopa slowly nodded.
"His holiness was so horrified at the King's response that he excommunicated Philip and your brother-in-law declared war on him on behalf of his vassal, the duke of Saxony."
Kion knew that the Duke of Saxony's daughter had been Philip's wife.
"Philip?" Kion asked.
"Kaiser Kovu defeated him in a battle in which Philip was wounded. He now lies on his deathbed and has tried to disinherit your mother. But the Pope has recognized her as the legitimate heir to France." Kopa said.
Kion nearly felt his mouth drop.
"Dieu ait pitié! That means when my grandpa Philip dies. She'll be Queen of France and my Father the King Consort of France!" Kion cried.
"Praise God! The Plantagenets will become Kings of France and England!" Bunga laughed. Kion couldn't quite believe it himself but eventually forced himself to read the next letter and felt his heart race when he saw the Barony of Ibelin's seal.
"It's from Ibelin!" The others listened closer as Kion began to read the contents and nearly laughed.
"Gloire à Dieu! He's won a great victory!"
"He has!?" Beshte cried.
"Oui! His scouts uncovered a raid in force, and he ambushed them near the eastern border, killing over three hundred and taking another hundred prisoners, including Emir Makucha."
"Ha! Serves him right!" Anga laughed. As news of this victory spread throughout the company, many began crying Ibelin's name, much to Kopa and the Lion Guard's concern. Kion didn't seem to mind and took out the third letter, which maintained his smile.
A few weeks later, Rani struggled to maintain her composure as she stared at the ever-increasing stack of parchment in front of her.
"I wish I had better news, your grace." Cadoc sighed while pinching his ulcer-covered face with his bandaged-covered hand.
"It's not your fault, Cadoc. It's the reality of running a Kingdom." Rani, Binga, and Cadoc went over expenditures before an upcoming council meeting. She'd hoped that the newly cultivated land in Perdidit would help offset the loss of revenue when the Venetians left, but now that hope was gone along with so many innocent lives. Now she could only wait until King William arrived in a few weeks before making a plan to make up the lost income.
Rani grunted a little while stroking her chest, which started to feel tender as of late.
"Are you ok?" Binga asked.
"I'm fine."
"You're working too hard, my Queen. You need to take some time to yourself, go hawking or-" Cadoc started.
"I don't have time, Cadoc! Not now!" Rani held her head as the stress of running a Kingdom hit her harder than ever before.
"She'll soon have plenty of personal time once Kion and the others get back any day now." Binga giggled, earning a somewhat bashful expression from Rani.
"Hmp, well enjoy yourself. God has seen fit to free me from such earthly things."
"He's blessed you, Cadoc." Rani added.
"Ohh, I almost forgot, there's another letter for you, from your Cousin Maria, now the Lady of Ibelin, I suppose." Cadoc added another letter to the stack in front of Rani. The Queen opened the letter and slowly began to read it with a slight smile.
Her cousin Maria was also an Aurevitas Princess from the house of Komnenos. She'd managed to escape the desolation of their family from the usurpers and fled to Outremer, where Rani offered her protection. Despite their family no longer ruling Aurevtias, her heritage still provided Maria with a great deal of prestige. As a result, after the Baron of Ibelin defeated Emir Makucha and ransomed him for a vast amount of money, Rani allowed him to marry her cousin Maria as a reward.
"Well?" Binga asked with keen interest.
"Maria says she's doing quite well in Ibelin. That Lord Balian is treating her exceptionally well, that he's treating her more as a partner in administering his barony, and she thinks she might already be pregnant." Rani chuckled.
"What!? It hasn't even been a month!" Bunga laughed.
"It only takes one time, Binga." Rani said in good spirit before feeling her chest get tender again and grunted. Another two days passed, and Rani heard that Kion's party had arrived in Ascalon. However, so far, she hadn't seen him. As much as this irritated her, Rani powered through her ever-increasing fatigue.
She walked through Ascalon's citadel with Cadoc, a bishop, and two other officials while in deep conversation about affairs of state when the Queen saw Binga ahead of them, and she wasn't alone.
Bunga stood there, still in his armor, lifting her up in his arms and passionately kissing her.
"Why do you make your loving wife lonely for so long!?" She pouted in a playful voice.
"Don't look at me. It's the Sonn who keep launching raids. I'm just doing my duty to make sure they can't reach you." He chuckled back before Binga resumed their kiss, at least until they spotted the approaching party.
"Your highness." Bunga quickly set Binga down as a few of the councilors shook their heads.
"Sir Bunga, I see you've returned. Where's my husband?" Rani asked, almost suspiciously.
"Kion? Oh, he's out hunting with Fuli and Anga." The answer caught Rani completely off-guard, and she almost looked shaken. Kion was out hunting? She knew it was a common activity of leisure for nobles, her own father and brother both enjoying it.
The Queen supposed Kion had spent the last month or so dealing with raids and perhaps had earned such an escape but go right into it without even seeing her first. Binga and the others saw the ever-increasing exhaustion on their Queen's face as she nodded and rubbed her tender chest.
"Fine, I guess we'll meet up later."
"Indeed, and hopefully, we'll get through everything before the dinner tonight." Cadoc said, earning a confused look from Rani.
"The dinner?"
"Oui, for the Doge of Genoa, remember the King invited him here." Rani instantly remembered Kion had invited the Doge of Genoa to visit. However, with everything going on and it slipped her mind.
"Right, I'll make sure I'm ready." Rani did her best not to growl. Kion's guest was coming today, and he was out hunting.
"Let me know when he arrives."
"Your grace, he is here." Cadoc said, sounding slightly concerned.
"What?" Rani muttered.
"Remember, this morning, a messenger informed us during the council meeting that King Kion greeted him in the harbor."
"Yeah, he seemed like a fun guy and made a few jokes that nearly killed Fuli with laughter. I would've joined them on the hunt, but I had to get back to my beautiful wife."
Rani nearly turned pale as a sense of guilt ravaged her. That was why Kion went on a hunt, to entertain their guest, putting his duties to the Kingdom first even after a long campaign. Perhaps more concerning was the fact that she'd forgotten about hearing this earlier. She usually remembered everything.
That evening, Rani had three of her ladies in waiting help get ready for the dinner. One applied makeup and did up the Queen's hair while the others bickered over which dress she'd wear.
"Her majesty should wear Aurevitas fashion! It's more regal and emphasizes her prestigious heritage!"
"Are you stupid? She's meeting the Doge of Genoa! The Genoese are on the brink of war with the Aurevitas Empire! She needs to wear this one. It's the latest fashion in France, which as of this week is now ruled by her husband's family!"
Rani, too, heard the news that King Phillip had recently died in the Duke of Saxony's dungeons and that soon after, Queen Nala was crowned in Paris as Queen of France and Simba as her King Consort.
"Oui, I agree with Kanda. The French one." Kanda grinned victoriously and brought it over before helping her Queen put it on. Finally, Rani sat at the head of a long table in the citadel's dining chamber wearing her blue dress and bejeweled crown.
The numerous candles lit up the hall and emphasized its vibrant colors via several tapestries and other pieces of artwork. The minutes went by, and Rani began to grow anxious at the Doge's tardiness. However, the tension broke instantly when she heard almost intense laughter from just beyond the doors.
Finally, they opened, and Rani saw her King enter alongside another man. Despite everything he'd gone through since the Litani, Rani saw what looked like genuine joy and vitality in her husband as he laughed.
The man beside him was much older than Kion. By the wrinkles on his face and graying of his long black hair, Rani guessed he was perhaps in his late forties, early fifties. An Italian, by the looks of it, and he stood over a foot shorter than Kion.
However, the man certainly had Kion beat in weight, as evident by his thick neck and protruding gut, though he wasn't quite obese. Even so, the nobleman looked well-groomed and exceedingly rich by his silk robes and more rings on his fingers than Rani.
He also had an inviting demeanor to him, and even from first glance, Rani sensed that this was a man someone could quickly get along with and have a merry time.
"Hah, and to think some say the Plantagenets only know how to fight wars! You young man have proved better company that half the men I know in Genoa!"
"Merci, I'm just grateful none of my companions died of laughter during our hunt. Your wit is as legendary as it seems, honorable Doge."
"Ahh, humility doesn't suit a Lion, your majesty!" The portly Italian laughed while keeping his arm around Kion, at least until he saw Rani.
"Ahhh! There she is!"
"Doge, this is my beloved wife. Queen Rani of Outrmer, Rani this is Vieri Fiamoli, the Doge of Genoa."
Rani nodded and put on her warmest smile before standing up to greet him.
"Welcome to God's Kingdom, honorable Doge. It's an honor to have you here." Vieri bowed respectfully before kissing her hand.
"No, your grace, the honor is all mine! I've put off taking a pilgrimage for too long and was blessed that his majesty sent me an invitation." The three sat down and began eating alongside the Constable of Tyre, his wife, and a few of the local barons. Despite her fatigue and pain, Rani couldn't help but lose herself to Vieri's pleasant company. The Italian was incredibly funny and surprisingly kind, offering Rani and Kion numerous compliments throughout the dinner.
"Another helping, my lord?" A server said as she held out more crab on a plate.
"Oui! Thank you!" The Doge eagerly filled his plate while another server refilled his wine.
"Who are your cooks!? I'll trade you a dozen war galleys for them!"
"Treasures from Perdidit. I'm afraid they're staying." Rani chuckled.
"Ahh, it just gives me more of a reason to visit here again. Or perhaps you could bring them with you on a trip to Genoa. I feel obligated to host you two there after this marvelous hospitality."
"That's very kind of you, but Outremer is far more demanding than any Kingdom in the west." Kion said, earning a sad nod from Vieri.
"True enough. The east is more turbulent."
Rani braced herself and took a deep breath.
"You have my sincerest apologies, your excellency, for what happened in Aurevitas." However, to Rani's surprise, he showed no sign of anger and continued to smile.
"Why should you apologize, your highness? Your family was always an excellent partner to Genoa. It was the damn usurpers who consorted with the treacherous Venetians and massacred my people. Still, another good reason King Kion invited me out here. This pilgrimage has reminded me that Christ expects us to look past wrongs committed against us and forgive. Plus, peace has other virtues as well, and if one can serve God and recoup profit, all the better."
Rani sat up straighter and listened closer with peaked interest.
"Indeed. So no war with the Aurevtias?"
"Ha! She has a good sense of humor too. Of course not. We'll need those ships here." Rani's eyes widened, and she turned to a smiling Kion who winked at her. She now understood. Kion had talked Vieri out of a war with the Aurevtias and taking up the shipping lost when the Venetians left.
"I have a copy of the treaty King Kion, and I wrote out earlier today if you'd like to look it over and request any alterations, your grace." Rani eagerly nodded and took the parchment with incredible attention to detail. She read through it more than once, and upon finishing each time, she smirked at Kion with a proud look. The treaty was precisely as she'd have written it, giving her even more pride in her husband.
The Genoese would be able to replace everything they lost from the Venetians and bring their trade revenue back up to where it was. However, it also specified that the Genoese would not only provide additional ships to their Kingdom's Navy, but they'd also station fifteen hundred of their elite mercenary crossbowmen in the port cities to augment the feudal army. Of course, the crossbowmens' wages would need to come from the royal treasury when called upon for service, but that certainly wouldn't be a problem.
"This looks perfect! Walter, our seal makers." A servant nodded and quickly took out two wax seals before setting them down before Kion and Rani. Vieri took out his own, and after melting some wax, the three each placed their seal near the signature block.
"Praise be to God!" One of the Barons cried.
"Yes! I propose a toast to peace between God's children, to new friendships, and the safety of Outremer!" Vieri raised his goblet and joined the others.
"To Outremer!"
"And to the House of Plantagenet, Kings of England, Navarre, Outremer, and now France!" Vieri laughed, earning a wider smile from Kion.
"Oui." By the time dinner ended, Vieri had eaten and drank so much that two of Rani's royal cataphracts had to carry him to his bed-chamber. The King and Queen, however, stood together on a balcony overlooking the city and ocean.
The ocean waves and approaching tide eased some of Rani's discomfort as she rested her head against Kion's shoulder.
"I've missed you." Kion said before Rani kissed his cheek.
"I've missed you too. I don't think I've ever seen a more dutiful nobleman in my life, organizing a treaty on the same day you come back from a campaign." The Queen chuckled.
"As I said, I didn't come out here for leisure. Besides, there's still more work to be done-" Kion started in an exhausted tone before he felt Rani pull him into a passionate kiss. The King closed his eyes and held her tightly, savoring the moment.
"I think we've both spent too much time worrying about our duties. Just for tonight, let's celebrate our successes."
"Our successes." Kion sighed as the pain from Litani returned.
"Yes! In fact, I'd say that the new Genoese treaty is solely your success!" Kion noticed Rani's expression turned more vigorous as she stroked his long hair.
"I think we ought to celebrate properly." Kion's eyes widened, and he nodded in agreement.
A few more weeks passed, and the two stood at the docks of Tyre alongside the Lion Guard and dozens of royal knights. Before them, a large fleet of ships docked with the help of dock workers.
From the largest ship came a monster of a man adorned in mail and a surcoat with a bejeweled crown on his head. William was perhaps the truest Norman Kion ever saw, standing seven-feet tall with more muscle than Beshte and thick blonde hair.
"Dieu ait pitié." Ono muttered when he saw the King of Sicily approach them. His Norman knights weren't much smaller than their King, and some feared the dock might collapse.
"Kion!" William roared like a crack of thunder. Without warning, he wrapped his arms around the younger King and ensnared him in an iron grip that made Kion groan in pain and feel his back crack. Rani and the Lion Guard chuckled seeing this.
"Cousin." Kion muttered, struggling to regain his breath.
"It's been too long since I've seen my dear cousin's youngest son. Look at you, all grown up, and the King of Outremer, and yes, Queen Rani!"
"King William." Rani felt the human giant kiss her hand.
"Ahh, what do we have here, a Norman in your company!" William laughed while emphasizing Beshte.
"Oui, your highness, and I'm not the only one." Beshte said, bowing his head.
"Ahhh, I knew you were right in the head! I hear the Sonn's new King has been giving you trouble. Fear not, I have three thousand men with me eager to fulfill our crusader vows."
That evening, much of the Kingdom's northern nobility joined them in a dinner with William and his nobles who'd joined him. Ono and the others saw a wary look in Kion's eyes as they saw William losing himself in conversation with the local nobles.
"One evening, and they're already as thick as thieves." Anga muttered.
"Indeed, they love him." Kion sighed before Rani placed her hand on his.
Moments later, a messenger sprinted in with a frantic expression.
"Sire! Sire! News from our spies in the east! Radcliffe is raising an army and plans to move on the County of Edessa!" The chamber went silent, and all eyes turned to Kion.
Tightening his fist, Kion took a deep breath and stood up.
"Call up an Arrière-ban!"
"Yes! Time to show this Radcliffe the power of Sicily!" William roared.