After a long while, Uroš left the study.
Vitus rested against his chair for a few minutes, then ordered the envoy of the Knights Hospitaller summoned.
Once the formal greetings were over, the envoy presented a letter written personally by the Grand Master. Vitus opened the envelope and gestured for his guest to sit. "What would you like to drink?"
The envoy requested a glass of chilled wine, silently studying the arrangement of the room as he waited for the emperor to finish reading.
He had imagined the audience taking place in a magnificent, gilded hall, with the emperor seated in the place of honor, flanked by numerous eunuchs and guards, and the most significant war trophies displayed throughout.
This room isn't even as spacious as the Grand Master's office.
The envoy finished his wine and found it quite good, so he asked a eunuch for two more glasses and ate quite a few sweet pastries as well.
Vitus spent a long time reading the letter. Its length was reasonable, but the Latin script was extravagantly ornate, and it was peppered with allusions and obscure words, making it considerably harder to read.
In the letter, the Grand Master expressed regret over the emperor's withdrawal, believing Jerusalem should have been retaken in a single campaign.
On that issue, the emperor laid all the blame at the Venetians' feet.
"Three hundred years ago, after the Crusaders retook Antioch, they set out in January. After five months of arduous marching, they reached Jerusalem in June, covering more than 300 miles (480 kilometers).
"They kept as close to the coast as possible to make it easier to obtain supplies from their fleet. If we advanced south, we would follow the same strategy.
"But Venice has long colluded with the Ottomans and the Mamluks, and