Chapter 49

The Children's Crusade/5th Crusade

1213AD

6 ships sailed from the East coast of Italy heading east to the Slave Markets in Arabia the sailors were at first overjoyed with there cargo 30,000 children who attempted to launch a crusade to regain the holy Land from the Islamic Caliphate who had reconquered them 9 years before.

The 4th crusade had been a disaster and even the Spartan government believed it to be a waste of life the princes of Europe seemed to have no regard for the lives of there citizens, after the crusade there had been relative peace that was until 1212AD.

A large force gathered in northern France and the Holy Roman Empire this force was made up of children 30,000 strong as they made their way to Italy to sail to the Holy Land it was there, they met a rich merchant who agreed to sail them to the holy land.

Now they were prisoners soon to be sold in the slave markets in Arabia and from the noise above deck the crew they were in high Spirits their leaders Stephen of Cloyes and Nicholas had been killed by the merchant when they refused to go below decks.

For the next hour the crews cheered and sang to their hearts content until the lookout yelled down to them, "Imperial Warships dead ahead." The crew quickly ran to see if this was true only to pale at the sight 12 Imperial warships were heading their way.

Meanwhile on the Spartan Flagship

The Spartan Royal Family watched in amusement as the merchant fleets crew panic and ran across the deck of there vessels, however it would not remain funny for long the Spartan troops would at first find nothing unusual until they got to the lower decks.

There were very few things in life that could anger Kassandra at this point but seeing the holds of these ships filled with children who were to be sold as slaves set her off. Unleashing her Goddess form. "You dare to enslave children and have the nerve to bring them thought my territory".

The Spartan Fleet escorted the ships to the closest harbour which was nonother than Sparta herself from there the children were escorted to the local healer the mages would later report that at least 4000 of the children were gifted with magic.

(1 month later)

With the children fully recovered they stood in ranks in the main plaza of the Spartan Capital before there saviour the Immortal Queen and her family, Kassandra stood from her throne gaining the attention of the young ones.

"Children you stand here today as freemen once again, however you now stand at an important crossroad in your lives should you wish to you will be escorted to the ships and sailed back to France from there you will make your own way home."

Looking at the kids' faces most of them didn't seem to like the idea you see many of the children were orphans or had been abandoned by their families the past month had been paradise for them so when Kassandra gave them their 2nd option.

"or you may stay here in Sparta find homes and families across the Empire and eventually become citizens of this Empire learn the true faith of the gods of the Empire. So, what's say you." The reaction was amazing the entire population kneeled before the Immortal Queen yelling in unison. "Long Live the Queen".

The children who were magical were sent to the various academies in the Empire the non-magical were adopted into families across the Empire particularly in villages and smaller towns in Egypt and the settlements in the Balkans.

By the end of that year the royal courts of Europe found letters addressed to the lord dukes and monarchs of the realms of Europe.

To the princes of Europe

For the past few centuries, I have tolerated the nations of Europe as your constant crusades against me has amused both me and my citizen's greatly, however this past year has shown me the true barbarity of your nations.

You openly praised an army of children marching off to war against the Islamic caliphate only for them to be sold into slavery by fellow Catholics these 30,000 children are now safe and happy within our borders.

But now I have my reason to teach you barbarians the price for your barbarism Rome. Will. Burn.

Kassandra Agiad

The Immortal Queen

The rulers of Europe in their separate courts sat in shock the King of England the holy roman emperor the King of France would all receive a messenger in their courts all saying the exact same thing. "Your Majesty Rome has been Sacked.

Rome had indeed been sacked by a Spartan Army over 100,000 strong the city was set a flame by the Immortal Queens troops her battlemages making short work of the city's defenders even the Holy Roman Empire armies had been shocked.

The Pope was now a prisoner of Sparta the Princes of Europe had varying responses. King Philip II of France wanted to mobilize an army to free the Papal States from the grips of the Spartan Queen. King Jon of England the brother of King Richard was shocked that the Spartans had attacked.

The Holy Roman Emperor however was not having any off it he mobilized an army of 50,000 men to liberate the Papal states and possibly take them under his rule. In February of the year 1214 the 2 armies met outside the city of Rome.

And additional 500 French Knights troops had arrived to help aid the Emperors troops in liberating Rome however what shocked the allied force was the Spartan Army were not in battle formation they stood in ranked formation but nothing else.

It was only when they got in range did the Spartan Military respond with there Battle-Mages posted on the walls bring fire and death upon their targets killing Hundreds in mere minutes leaving the Holy Roman Empire No choice but to lay siege to the papal States thus beginning the 5Th Crusade 3 years before it would have originally taken place.

The 5th crusade was to liberate Italy from Imperial Occupation and free his Holiness Pope Innocent III from his Spartan captors the crusade would last for 4 years until the Holy Roman Emperor called for a truce the Emperor and Immortal Queen agreed to a peace deal and the imperial army withdrew from Italy back to occupied Sicily before returning to Spartan Territories.

Years later many of those children Crusaders became solders in the Imperial army, merchants or farmers some of them also became priests they had families and settled down they all had one thought when it came to there new lives, Gods bless the Immortal Queen.

(Authors note: hey people sorry its been a while hope you like the new chapter, I am currently working on my elder scrolls crossover so it maybe a few days till I release another Sparta Story. I also want to thank Avoc for his political map of the Spartan Empire he has made thankyou very much my friend.

Revan Shan 2077