kingdom of nations

Chapter 147 The Sultan's Funeral (Part 1)
This was the second time Geoffroy had entered Apollo. The first time he came here was as an envoy of the Knights Templar to meet Sultan Nur ad-Din and to discuss the purchase of Edessa.

Although when he stood before the Sultan and made the request, Nur ad-Din just laughed and refused them without hesitation, he then generously addressed them as guests from afar and treated them with considerable hospitality.

This experience left a profound impression on Geoffrey: the ancient city, the bustling streets, the throngs of people, the magnificent castle, the imposing Sultan, the docile ministers, and the opulent rooms, bronze chandeliers, and the ubiquitous pools and fountains—yet they felt no peace while staying there. They were, after all, enemies of the Sultan, the Crusaders—as one of the accompanying monks put it, it was like being huddled in a cave where a dragon dwelled, surrounded by glittering gold, sparkling gems, and precious documents, yet in stark contrast was the omnipresent shadow of the dragon with its outstretched wings, and the flames and smoke spewing from its mouth when it roared.

The timing of this visit was even more dangerous and unfavorable.

The wives and princes of Apol were not prepared to let too many people know that Sultan Nur ad-Din's coffin would be brought into the city today. The people walking around them only cast curious glances, but after all, this was an incredibly prosperous city, and it was not surprising that there were Christians in the procession. They silently walked through the city with the ministers and generals who came to greet them, and arrived at the triple lion gate of Apol Castle.

Does Apollo Castle have only one entrance? Located on the south wall, the first gate is accessed via a long, steep, unprotected staircase—after all, this massive building is situated on high ground, and the surrounding crowd had been dispersed. The two grown princes, the eldest and second princes, emerged with their entourages and soldiers, their faces etched with genuine grief. At least, it seemed—upon seeing the coffin covered in coarse black cloth, tears streamed down their faces, and they drew their daggers, slashing their cheeks.

This practice was also done by the Crusaders when they mourned the death of Amalric I. However, while the Crusaders followed the tradition of ancient Rome, the Crusaders followed the custom of the Turks. Afterward, they competed to place their bloodstained hands on the coffin, leaving faint but blood-stained marks on the black cloth.

The youngest prince was held in the arms of a eunuch, and a servant symbolically cut his arm—then wiped the blood on a black cloth—he was too young to control the force.

Next, Sultan Nur ad-Din's body will be laid to rest in the main hall of Apol Castle, where relatives and friends will mourn and remember him. His priests will chant prayers for him, and his sons will prepare his clothes and change his attire. The first, second, and third wives will then place simple burial items—generally the Sultan's favorite items—into his coffin, such as daggers, rings, or books.

In addition, the Sultan's favorite mount would also be buried with him. Although Saracen doctrine does not advocate human sacrifice, similarly, when a new king succeeded an old one, some young women in the Sultan's harem would die silently. You can see this as a way for the First Lady, the future Queen Mother, to clean up the harem, or you can see it as their concern for their husbands and the king—they genuinely believed that these slaves could ascend to heaven with the Sultan and continue to serve him there.

Of course, there must have been some personal grudges involved.

The Christian mission was seated behind the second door.

Apol Castle was not just a military fortress; it was also the Sultan's outlying court and harem, and therefore its area was enormous—approximately nine times the size of Arrassa Road.

Without experiencing it firsthand, it's difficult to grasp the immense difference. First-time visitors may even find it hard to believe their eyes—their residences are located between the second and third gates. From a high vantage point, one can see the entire Apollo Citadel, a continuous sea of ​​massive stones. The layered walls resemble lines in a miniature painting, and the courtyards are like green and blue filling the space. The domes, painted gold or white, are like pearls adorning the landscape, shimmering in the afterglow of the setting sun. This is no longer a castle; it's a city.

“I hardly dare to think about how many lives, how long it will take, and how much money it will cost to take this place…” a crusader knight lamented. “Even if we exhaust all the Frankish and Apennine armies, we might not be able to take this place. You might be able to move the stones that block the road, but how do you move a towering mountain?” his companion continued.

“Stop talking such discouraging words,” another knight retorted. “How many fortified fortresses or strongholds have been breached by external forces? Now that Sultan Nur ad-Din is dead, his legacy will be divided among his three sons. If even one of them harbors greed, and they forge the walls with iron and the gates with brass, and summon demons to serve them, they will only hasten the fortress’s collapse.”

"We have seen those three princes today. Who do you think will be the final victor?"

"That's beyond our comprehension. The Saracens are quite absurd and reckless in these matters—in the Franks, his eldest son would be the undisputed Sultan, but according to their beliefs, they should choose the most capable one—which is rather embarrassing. These two, no, three princes will probably not be able to rest until they have a proper fight."

"This is a good thing for us."

“It could be a bad thing,” said a more sober knight. “When will the Sultan’s funeral end?”

"The ceremony may last seven to eight days, after which he will be buried in the place he has chosen, possibly a temple in the city, and then the winner will be decided."

Do you think they will decide the ownership of the territory through negotiations?

"perhaps."

"Do we have to wait for the victor to emerge before we can complete this mission?"

“It should be.” A knight stroked his face. “I just hope the new Sultan will be a man of his word.”

(End of this chapter)