Chapter 425: Dinar

Chapter 425: Chapter 301: Dinar

Eric put Belem in charge of clearing the battlefield and sent Guy to lead a detachment of Gloucester Knights on patrol. Then, Eric entered his tent and quickly fell asleep.

He had so much to think about lately that he was surprisingly exhausted.

Just before dawn, he was awoken by Guy.

In truth, despite his exhaustion, he slept lightly and sat up immediately.

“What is it, Guy?”

“My lord, I did not intend to disturb your rest, but the matter is urgent—”

Before Guy could finish, Eric shot to his feet, reaching for the longsword hanging nearby.

“My lord, it’s not an enemy attack,” Guy said, hurriedly stopping Eric.

Eric frowned. Seeming to guess Eric’s thoughts, Guy quickly added, “And it’s not infighting among the Counts, nor has anyone mutinied.”

“So, what is it then?” Eric breathed a sigh of relief and sat back down on the bed.

Guy glanced back at the tent flap, then walked to Eric’s side and whispered in his ear.

“Well… in any case… it’s best if you come with me. Leif found something. You’ll see when we get there.”

Eric didn’t ask any more questions. With Guy’s help, he quickly put on his chain armor, mounted his horse, and rode toward the valley.

The valley was still filled with signs of the recent battle. The stench of blood lingered, growing more nauseating as time passed.

Guy led Eric to the other side of the valley, where Eric saw Belem and Leif standing beside a camel. The animal was kneeling in that distinctive way of its kind, its legs tucked beneath it.

The bodies of Gulams lay scattered around the camel.

‘Why? What’s so special about this camel?’

Two Saxon Shield Soldiers stood by the camel’s head, using their long spears to hold its neck down and keep it calm.

In the light of the torches, Eric saw the camel staring at him sullenly.

Eric dismounted and walked toward the camel.

Eric noticed two large metal chests strapped to the camel’s back.

“I really didn’t want to interrupt your rest, Eric. You’ve certainly earned it these past few days. But we couldn’t very well bring these things to camp for you to inspect,” Belem said with a smile.

“What’s inside?” Eric looked at Belem.

“Gold,” came Leif’s voice.

Leif then opened one of the metal chests. It was filled with leather pouches.

Eric lifted one. It felt very heavy.

The tie on the pouch was loose. Eric carefully opened it, and the gold coins inside sparkled in the torchlight.

The face of the gold coin was embossed with exquisite Arabic script. On the reverse, intricate patterns and Arabic words, like entwined vines, were inscribed with phrases like “Messenger of Allah.”

Without a doubt, these were Dinar Gold Coins, known for their high purity.

The Byzantine Gold Coins that Alexios had given Eric and his men couldn’t even compare to these.

Eric traced the Arabic script on the coin’s face. The letters spelled out a ruler’s name: Malik.

“Eric, I believe in your exceptional leadership. You’ve brought the glory of victory to me, to Robert, and to all of Normandy, just like your legendary father. But tonight’s victory might not be entirely your doing.

“Perhaps this was truly the will of God.” Belem picked up a gold coin and flicked it. The clear ring proved its purity. “There must be at least a hundred thousand of these. That’s practically a King’s ransom!”

“Or… gold to buy peace,” Eric said, putting the gold coin back into the leather pouch.

“If they want peace, let them go talk to God!” Belem laughed heartily.

“Not us. Malikshah, or rather, Malikshah’s agent in Syria.”

“Are you saying that Sultan Suleiman of the Ottoman Empire, forced to deal with his brother’s attempt to usurp the throne, is negotiating with Malikshah? And this is the gold he’s using to sue for peace?”

“Time will tell if we’re right. They’ll likely send someone to find us again soon to negotiate. For now, don’t let the other Counts know about the gold.”

“You’re not planning to return these gold coins, are you?”

“No, quite the opposite. They will willingly give us these gold coins. And perhaps more than just gold coins.”

…..

The next morning, Eric and his men set out again, soon entering the mountainous region of Syria. The rugged terrain forced some of the Knights to dismount and proceed on foot.

As a result, their marching speed slowed, not just because they were on foot, but also to guard against attacks from the Turkic Cavalry Archers.

Eric knew full well that while the plains were where cavalry was most effective, the Turkic Cavalry Archers were far better adapted to mountainous terrain than the Knights of Western Europe. They didn’t rely on charges, but on their bows, and their steppe ponies possessed greater endurance than the European warhorses.

Unable to charge because of the terrain, the Knights could only dismount and fight as infantry. And for infantry to effectively repel cavalry, they needed to hold formation and occupy favorable ground.

Of course, besides those two reasons, there was a third: to give Suleiman Shah a chance to find them.

Around the third day, at the crack of dawn, Eric received a report from Hook Eye. A Turkic man, claiming to be a messenger from Rome’s Sultans, was asking to see him.

A mounted Turkic messenger appeared in the distance. He was powerfully built with tanned skin, dressed in simple but durable leather armor, a curved saber hanging at his waist.

The Knights immediately tensed, their hands going to their sword hilts, but Eric calmly raised a hand, signaling them to stand down. The Turkic man rode up to the column, dismounted, removed his helmet, and stood respectfully before Eric.

“The great Sulaiman Saudi sent me to invite you to his camp for talks,” the Turkic man said in a slightly hoarse voice, crossing his hands over his chest and bowing his head.

Eric then realized that this ‘respectful’ Turkic man was none other than the defiant young Turk from the Seljuk Clan he had captured a few days ago: Suleiman Shah’s nephew, Turk Ben Alptekin.

Eric noticed the man’s right cheek was red and swollen, as if he had been slapped hard.

Noticing Eric’s gaze, Turk’s chin shot up, his defiant expression returning in an instant.

The sight was made rather comical by his swollen cheek.

“Furthermore, the Sultan has given me full authority to reclaim his property in his name,” Turk said. “Only when that is done will he grant you an audience to discuss a lasting peace.”