Chapter 47: Baron Lothar
The atmosphere of impending war had become increasingly palpable. Sergeants of the Knights Templar, clad in white surcoats with a red cross, carrying teardrop shields and kite shields, patrolled the main streets in groups.
Those idlers, Jerusalem's biggest troublemakers, were now being rounded up by the Templar sergeants, destined to serve as conscripted peasant soldiers.
Temporarily expanded blacksmith shops now extended into the streets, the searing heat of their furnaces and the sound of hammers striking iron ingots echoing incessantly.
Knights of the Teutonic Order, in their black surcoats with a white cross, also made a rare appearance in the Holy City, escorting a noble leader towards the royal palace.
"Brother, do you know who the current Grand Master of the Teutonic Order is?" Lothar inquired.
"Brother" was a simplification of "Brother in Christ," a term any Christian believer could use to address another to show closeness, provided, of course, their status was comparable. If a commoner called a knightly lord "brother," it would be quite normal to earn a beating.
"The Teutonic Order?" The Royal Knight looked surprised. "Oh, I understand. You mean that group of German knights residing in Acre? They don't have a Grand Master yet. Their daily affairs are currently managed by a council, similar to those in the ancient Imperial era. However, they have been busily preparing for an election recently."
Lothar's expression flickered. 'So the Teutonic Order at this time doesn't even have a Grand Master?'
His mind began to race. If he achieved certain accomplishments, with his status as a German noble, might he have a chance to contend for the position of Grand Master?
'No, that doesn't align with my plans.' He wanted to be a secular lord, not a church knight; the latter was too constrained by the Church, like a castle in the air—powerful but illusory.
Perhaps Hans could try for it. But Hans was too young, too green; it would be difficult for him to distinguish himself in a short time.
"Have there been any changes in Jerusalem during this period?" Lothar asked. "I heard that Baron Godfrey's heir, Balian, is supposed to duel Guy of Lusignan. What's that about?"
A troubled look appeared on the Royal Knight's face. "This matter is somewhat complicated. It's said that Guy personally saw Sir Balian entering Princess Sibylla's chambers... and so he issued a challenge to Sir Balian. According to the rules, the loser may no longer pursue Princess Sibylla."
Lothar frowned. 'Could this be related to the veil I had Hans give him?'
The two entered the royal palace one after the other. Lothar waited in a room for a short while before maidservants clad in thin gauze entered in single file. Their graceful figures were vaguely visible beneath the sheer fabric, and their soft, small hands began to remove his clothes without asking his permission.
"Lord Lothar, please accompany us for your bath."
***
A quarter of an hour later, Lothar, feeling refreshed and wearing a silk shirt, walked into Baldwin IV's great hall. Arm-thick candles burned within, and sunlight streaming through the narrow windows illuminated the hazy smoke.
Baldwin IV was still seated at his desk, holding a quill pen, writing something unknown, as if he hadn't moved at all since Lothar's last departure. The candlelight flickered.
Without lifting his head, Baldwin IV asked, "You killed Kaukab?"
Lothar nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty."
A hint of gratification appeared in Baldwin IV's eyes. He put down his pen and gestured for Lothar to sit. He smiled. "I truly was not mistaken about you. To venture deep into enemy territory, launch a surprise attack on a regional governor's castle, and successfully breach it—you, like your father, are an outstanding general."
Lothar said modestly, "It was thanks to the Heavenly Father's blessing, and the elite quality of Baron Godfrey's cavalry."
"No need for modesty. You were the core of this operation." Baldwin IV leaned on the desk, struggling to stand up straight, and smiled. "If this matter fails to cause discord between the Sasanian King and Saladin, then the fault lies with my planning. You have done your best. How should I reward your meritorious service, Lothar?"
Lothar shook his head. "Whatever Your Majesty bestows upon your subject, your subject will accept and be grateful for your magnanimity and generosity."
Baldwin IV sighed lightly, a trace of coldness in his laughter. "Heh, you risked life and limb for the future of the Kingdom, while the Kingdom's nobles are still endlessly infighting for power and profit." He slammed his hand on the table. "How can a country be well governed when associated with such vermin?"
Lothar remained silent, merely lowering his head slightly.
The game of power, once begun, had no room for an end. Whether the Nobles' Party or the Queen Mother's Party came to power, it would be a huge blow to the other side. No one was willing to yield. The struggle would never cease.
Baldwin IV, having vented his anger, gradually calmed down. "Knight Lothar, to whom do you think I should betroth Sibylla?"
"Everything is for Your Majesty to decide." Lothar still did not speak rashly. Monarchs, whether Eastern or Western, were always sensitive and suspicious regarding matters of succession.
"Lothar, are you truly loyal to me?"
Lothar quickly replied, "Of course. I have sworn an oath in the name of the Heavenly Father."
Baldwin IV sighed. "They too once swore oaths... Lothar, I know you are different from them. I wish for you to speak to me frankly."
Lothar was silent for a moment, then finally spoke: "Your Majesty, I do not know who is more suitable, but Guy is clearly not qualified. He is a reckless, opinionated traditional knight. To entrust Jerusalem to him, the Kingdom will sooner or later be ruined at his hands."
Though he spoke of Guy, Lothar was actually also referring to the Queen Mother's Party. This group's ideas were too radical; despite being weaker than Saladin, they were fixated on a decisive battle, then on expanding their territory, recovering Antioch, or even occupying fertile and prosperous Egypt.
It wasn't necessarily foolishness; the Crusader knights were indeed elite, and in minor skirmishes with the Ayyubids over the years, they had won more often than they had lost. This had given them blind confidence. And now, the Crusader military strength was also rapidly expanding; the funds left by the king of England were being swiftly converted into soldiers.
"Guy..." Baldwin IV sighed deeply. "I understand your meaning. Entrusting the kingdom to my mother and sister is legitimate, but foolish. Yet, a king is not omnipotent either."
Baldwin IV felt helpless about this; the balance of power within the country had long been upset. The King's Party was caught between the Nobles' Party and the Queen Mother's Party, its influence diminished, making it difficult for his own voice to be heard through them. And once the King personally entered the fray and opposed the domestic nobles, everything would become uncontrollable.
"Actually, I would prefer you, Lothar. You are young and promising, your talent in military strategy is no less than Regent Raymond's, and your political acumen is not inferior to Godfrey's."
Lothar resolutely shook his head. "But Your Majesty, you must have also heard what Baron Godfrey said. I have two witches in my service; it is truly impossible for me to marry Princess Sibylla."
"A pity. My sister, though her desire for power is a bit strong, is actually a very good wife." Baldwin IV was silent for a moment, then said, "Then it must be Balian. But he is still too "Green". I don't know when he will mature, nor do I know on which day I might suddenly pass away and return to the Heavenly Father's embrace."
Lothar hesitated for a moment but still didn't mention that he might have a way to cure leprosy. It was still too early to say anything for sure. Summoning a high-quality healer retainer, even after obtaining a fief, would take a very long time.
"What are your thoughts on the duel between Balian and Guy this afternoon?"
Lothar asked in return, "Does Your Majesty want me to guess the winner and loser?"
"The outcome is not in doubt; Balian is a young knight and definitely no match for Guy. What I want you to consider is, after this battle, how to refuse Guy's marriage proposal to Sibylla."
Lothar was silent for a moment, then said, "It will be very difficult. The Queen Mother's Party is too powerful. If Balian is defeated in a sacred and fair knightly duel, the resistance to betrothing Her Highness the Princess to him afterward will be too great."
"Then you shall duel in his place," Baldwin IV said gravely. "The gauntlet Guy threw was not picked up by Balian. He only verbally agreed to this duel. According to the rules, he can find a substitute."
Lothar shook his head. "Balian is a very proud knight. He didn't pick up the gauntlet because he was formerly a blacksmith and didn't understand this rule, not because he intended to cheat from the beginning."
"You mean Balian will not agree?"
Lothar nodded. "Correct."
"Then let the Heavenly Father decide all this." Baldwin IV drew his sword, which glinted coldly, and once again laid it on Lothar's shoulder. "Knight Lothar, by the blood of the House of Baldwin, in the name of the King of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, I elevate you to Baron of the Kingdom of Jerusalem and grant you the royal fief of Jorgklusburg as your domain."
Lothar quickly knelt, his voice somewhat emotional. "Thank you for your generosity, Your Majesty."
Baldwin IV shook his head. "This is not worth much of your expectation. Jorgklusburg is a barren place, long under royal control, but neglected by all. I apologize, Lothar. I originally intended to grant you Bethlehem as a fief, but the current situation in the Kingdom makes it impossible for me to withstand the pressure from my courtiers and grant you the wealthy and sacred Bethlehem."
Lothar shook his head. "It is already enough, Your Majesty. I will achieve more merit in the days to come." Many knights served their liege lords for a lifetime yet could hardly be promoted to baron. Though a baron seemed like a low-ranking noble, in Jerusalem, it already meant one had entered the inner circle and was qualified to participate in this game of power.
"Rise, Lothar. Care for a game of chess?"
Lothar shook his head. "My apologies, Your Majesty, I do not know much about it."
Baldwin IV smiled and said, "It is I who should apologize. Due to this foul disease, I rarely go out. My only pastime is playing chess. It's actually very simple; I will teach you. The ways of a king and a general are all contained within this small chessboard: the King, Queen, Bishop, Knight, Rook, and Pawns, each fulfilling their respective roles..."