The Tatar delegation spent a long time merely entering the harbor.
Then came the equally lengthy process of negotiating with the Franks. Bals, the commander of the Kheshig Army and a centurion, was nearly out of patience when Fulk finally informed them blandly, "It's settled. Next, we're going to Jerusalem, the capital of the Overseas Empire."
Bals let out a breath. "Finally, it's done. These Franks really don't know how to get things done properly. Centurion Fulk, my men were a little rude earlier. Don't take it to heart."
Ivan's unit had actually received fairly good treatment from the Tatars. Ivan himself had been granted the post of chiliarch, as well as the hereditary position of darughachi over his original territory. As long as he paid tribute each year, he could retain his autonomy.
This tribute was even less than what Kutlug and Yelü Zhilugu had demanded before. However, Ivan's unit also had to send out its three thousand finest cavalrymen, led by Ivan himself, with the Tatars dispatching military overseers to join the western expeditionary army.
Fulk shook his head. "I don't mind such minor offenses. I only want to warn you that the Overseas Empire—the Southern Frankia you speak of—is by no means an enemy you should provoke."
Bals grinned. "I'll see it with my own eyes, Centurion Fulk. How much longer until we reach this Jeru-whatever... the royal encampment of Southern Frankia?"
"Not far. Jerusalem is only five hundred li from here."
Bals laughed. "Only five hundred li? It seems Southern Frankia isn't much of a great nation either. Great Tatar has conquered countless lands stretching a thousand li."
Fulk could not be bothered to explain. He merely said, "You'll see for yourself."
With a mission to complete, the delegation did not linger in the bustling Port