Putting on a Show

The flames of war had temporarily been extinguished, and the army of the Basileus from Eguptos was already marching along the avenues of Constantinople.

The Winged Hussars, their backs adorned with feathers, rode at the head of the procession in tight formation. Behind them came fully armored horse archers and Iron Pagoda cavalry, wrapped from head to toe in armor. The thunder of hooves left the Greek citizens watching in alarm.

Some well-traveled Greek citizens exclaimed, "Heavenly Father above, it is as though I am seeing the armored cavalry under Emperor Romanos. After the disaster at Manzikert, I never thought they would be rebuilt in the hands of a band of Franks."

At present, the Empire's main cavalry forces had all adopted tactics modeled after the Latin Knights. Only Georgia and Sasanian Persia still maintained armored cavalry in any substantial numbers.

When knights in colorful surcoats from the camps of the three great knightly orders marched past, bearing the name of the Saint Lazarus Order, the crowd collectively held its breath. "Ah, such a holy and orderly army. They are nothing like those loose and undisciplined Frankish barbarians. The Holy Land truly possesses God's mighty power, to transform a band of barbarians to such an extent."

"Brothers, do not call them barbarians anymore. They are monastic knights who practice celibacy and have vowed themselves to God. They are true believers, or else they would never have helped us deal with those Latin barbarians."

Though many understood the situation, there were also many with ulterior motives weaving through the watching citizens, stirring up the crowd.

"Didn't they say the Latin barbarians had already been driven back? Why are they entering the city?"

"Idiot, can't you see they are flying the Empire's banners? This is the army of the King of Eguptos.