Syria, Homs front, Crusader camp.
The three leaders of the war council held another private meeting.
The key issue was how the northern Crusaders should deal with the Germanic Crusaders who had already landed in Tripoli, as well as their leader, Emperor Henry's representative, Leopold of Austria.
"Leopold of the Babenberg family? How many men did he bring?"
Richard was rather dismissive. The Babenbergs were indeed a prominent noble house and even shared some kinship with Philip's Capetian family, both being branches of the Robertian family. But such status was simply not worth mentioning before him and Philip.
"Forget it. It isn't important. Frankly, three voices in the war council are already more than enough. I don't want a fourth."
Raymond naturally felt the same way, but he would not show it. In an even tone, he said, "Duke Leopold did come as Emperor Henry's representative. The Germanic nobles in the army will naturally lean toward him. If we do not grant him sufficient authority, I fear he will not agree."
Richard looked contemptuous. "If he doesn't agree, tell him to get lost. We don't need them here."
In his view, the Ayyubids could no longer even be called half-crippled. They already had one foot in the grave. There was no need for more people to come and divide the spoils.
Moreover, he considered the Germans—whether nobles or ordinary soldiers—to be crude, reckless, completely undisciplined, and far inferior to the Gauls in combat.
"Heh. The Teutons set out the latest, yet they arrived sooner than the troops of your country, which has always been the most enthusiastic about the Crusades."
Philip sneered. The Crusaders from Gaul, who had departed from Provence—that was, Lower Burgundy—had arrived long ago. Only Richard's troops were still drifting across the sea.
Richard could not help