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Reports from my returning troops indicated that the Byzantine citizens were extremely grateful for their rescue from the Mongols. They were equally grateful to be free of now deceased Emperor Palaiologos. His father’s unsuccessful attempts to expand his empire had caused him to lose far more of his territory than he had originally hoped to capture. The unsuccessful attempts had left him deeply in debt and he had resorted to heavily taxing the peasants trying to raise enough to defend what remained. Unfortunately, he was only able to afford to defend part of his empire. Mongols had eagerly claimed the rest. Citizens and nobles alike hoped we would annex them into our wealthy, powerful, and expanding empire. I wasn’t sure I wanted to be the buffer between Europe and the Mongol hordes.

For two days, we ferried my 50,000 healthy and mostly healthy Mongol troops across the Bosporus. My commanders were worried about re-arming and releasing them, but so far, my gut feeling about captured and defeated enemy troops had been right. There was something about the way these warriors, who managed to strike fear into the hearts of Europe, looked at my troops with awe and pride that let me know they would be loyal--just like the defeated troops from Normandy, Castile, and North Africa.

While I now knew a lot about the Mongols, (Al-Nasir’s messenger had spent much of our trip to Constantinople telling me everything he could about them) I was still surprised to learn that the Mongols knew of me. The highest ranking officer (still alive) had told me that the Mongols learned everything they could about the heads of state and the major military commanders of every Asian, European, Mediterranean, and African country.

While Baha and his replacements had never revealed anything specific about our tactics, the Mongols had learned from him how quickly and easily I had defeated France, Castile, the Marinids, and the Abdalwadids with minimal casualties among my troops. They had heard how ruthless I could be to my enemies and how stalwart an ally I was to those who chose to befriend me instead of fight me. They had also heard from him how I treated my people and tried to better their lives. They felt that was part of the reason the Great Khan had decided to do the same in their territory. Baha had bragged that most of the profit I made from his trading expeditions went to better the lives of my subjects in the many territories I ruled.

The Mongols had verified this information numerous times from merchants of other countries who also plied their trade in Mongol territory--as well as the information the Mongols had learned about other leaders. I made a mental note to begin collecting information on countries and territories not included in the Kings’ Council--including Eastern Europe and Asia.

Once the Mongol troops (they had asked permission to call themselves the Demon Horde to honor the Demons) were on their way, the ones still unfit to ride watched over Constantinople. I left one of my captains in overall command with a hundred archers, but gave one of the more popular local Barons the job of governing until it was decided what would happen to the Byzantine lands or until I got back. I left orders for our purchasing agents to bring up to £50,000 to help repair damage to the cities and towns, as well as sending necessary craftsmen, slaves, stone, food, and anything else in short supply.

I warned the Baron that he was to keep very thorough documentation of every Pound he spent and if I thought he was wasting it on a lavish lifestyle for himself, he would wish they were still under Mongol control. When I finally left, I think he was wondering if it had been such a good idea to accept the job. I did send a message to Henna Neale asking her to send the Baron two assistants to help him, and more if she thought it would help. I had no idea how many would be needed, but knew that she would. Hell, I couldn’t even tell you how many assistants she had.

I made sure to tell our agent in Constantinople to spread word to each of our agents, traders, ships, and sailors that I wanted to learn as much as could be learned about every leader, country, and principality that was not a member of the Kings’ Council. I specified that I did not want anyone actively spying. I just wanted them to pass on all anecdotal information they might hear as well as their own personal impressions and observations. I was most interested in leaders of the territory we had just captured as well as leaders of other countries who would feel they had a claim to any of those lands. All such information should be sealed and forwarded via the captain of any of our ships to the Duchesses of Normandy in Rouen.

Our troops and the former Khan’s surviving advisors boarded ships and left for Jerusalem. While I was confident that they already had enough troops to do the job, more troops would make the job safer and easier as well as help insure the safety of Prince Richard. From what the Mongol officers told me, the troops advancing on Jerusalem would take two separate routes. Half of the troops were to follow the coast, capturing ports and towns along the way to prevent supplies or re-enforcements from arriving. The other sixty thousand troops would follow an inland route, planning to take the major cities of Aleppo, Damascus, and Amman before turning due west and skirting the north shore of the Dead Sea to reach Jerusalem. I knew Al-Nasir was pulling his troops back to make a stand at Jerusalem, so it wouldn’t take the Mongols very long to get there.

As we sailed down the coast, we saw evidence that the Mongols had already been there. Mongol banners flew proudly from the ramparts of every port. South of Acre, we finally saw them riding toward Jaffa, leaving a huge cloud of dust in their wake. Learning that they rode three horses and could ride up to ninety miles in a single day meant we would have about two days after arriving in Jaffa before battling them. Two landing boats of Demons went ashore a one-day ride north of Jaffa, their horses having to swim to shore. We continued on to Jaffa where we debarked, much to the relief of the citizens. Many had already left the city with everything they could cart off.

After sending a messenger to Jerusalem, we looked around the coastal plain deciding that no one site would provide us any significant advantage. We then posted a string of sentries from the coast inland far enough to give us plenty of warning should the Mongols try to flank us or sneak a few troops in like we enjoyed doing. The sentries each had one of Sniffy’s numerous offspring that had been brought with us. Other troops worked through the night unloading the cannons from the ships and setting them up far enough from the city walls that we could turn them either north or east. Figuring the cannons would be good for two shots at most, troops took the remaining shrapnel shells and scattered the sharp slag pieces five hundred to seven hundred yards in front of where our troops would set up. They left a wide opening along the two roads leading to the port from those directions. I hoped that the sharp slag would injure the hooves of some of the Mongol horses and cause them to fall, leading to a domino effect of other horses and riders falling over them.

They also buried dozens of grenades, along with fuses leading back to the city. I hoped the explosions would panic their horses and slow them down enough for the cannons to fire another round or two.

Finally, we did the only thing left to do--we watched and waited. Late the next day the Demons returned. They had spent the better part of the previous day picking off Mongol scouts before the main body of their troops got too close for comfort. Right before leaving, they had poisoned the wells and streams in the area to make the Mongol horses sick. They also left scouts hidden to warn us when the Mongols started moving.

Hearing nothing the next morning, and figuring the Mongols were waiting for their horses to get better, I sent a thousand archers out to goad them into action. A hundred of the archers would approach the Mongol troops close enough to unleash several volleys of arrows, and then run. Knowing that it was a trap, the Mongols refused to give chase which let our troops continue the tactic all day, killing several thousand of the Mongol troops. When the Mongols tried to sneak troops out to the north to circle around behind our troops, Demons intercepted and killed them, chasing the horses carrying the clawed bodies back to the Mongol camp.

Hearing the report, I followed later in the day with another thousand troops to see if we could press the issue. I approached their camp under a flag of truce, alone except for one of the former Mongol officers to interpret for me. I waited, making sure to stay well beyond the range of their archers. My wives would be proud of me. I wore my paper armor over my chain mail. The look of surprise on the Mongol general’s face when he saw me in Chinese armor was precious. The stunned look when he saw the black horsehair war banner of Nogai Khan was even better. “Are you here to surrender?” he yelled gruffly.

Pointing to Nogai Khan’s war banner and laughing I shouted back “Do you recognize this? I took it after defeating Nogai Khan’s troops. His headless body is still hanging on the walls of the city but his troops have pledged their allegiance to me. Right now, the 50,000 remaining healthy troops are riding into the territory that used to belong to you and are seizing it in my name.”

I noticed my interpreter nodded at the General’s next question, obviously asking if what I said was true. My interpreter then started talking rapidly and excitedly to the General. The only word I recognized was “Demon.”

“The General wants to know who you are,” my interpreter said, almost sounding smug.

“Tell him I am Khan Michael, the Demon Khan, Sultan of Maghreb and Ifriqiya, Duke of Grenada, Grand Duke of Normandy, and Emir of Wadi Tumilat. Then tell him my Demons have poisoned his horses and will make the air magic so our Demon arrows fly much farther than his will.” The General laughed at my proclamation, but I saw his nervousness. Pointing to my right at one of our banners that had suddenly appeared nearly six hundred yards away I climbed off my horse and raised my bow into the air with both hands as if in supplication to the gods.

“Tell him to watch my banner,” I said right before the Demon wail started out of sight and well behind us. Assuring that he could see I was aiming for the banner and not him, I quickly loosed ten arrows at the banner. All ten fell in a circle about a foot in diameter, right in front of the banner.

“Now ask how many of his men will die before they can get close enough to us to use their bows--especially with their horses sick. I have only two thousand men here and can still kill half of his men in the time it takes them to ride close enough that we are in range of their bows. We dipped our swords in Demon blood. His swords will shatter on them. Go, ask him to try his sword against this,” I told the nervous interpreter as I handed him my sword.

After watching me put my bow away, the general did as the interpreter suggested and clashed swords with him. The General’s sword broke against the Damascus steel blade my interpreter now carried. While the General watched, numbly, my interpreter rode, greatly relieved, back to me.

“Offer him two choices. The first is for him and his men to die at the hands of my troops and my Demons when I unleash them to feed on his troops. The second is to serve me, peacefully conquering the former lands of the Il-Khanate and the Kipchak Khanate, and then returning home to their families. Tell him I am the warlord they have heard stories about who conquered most of North Africa and who made peace between the Kings of Europe, and between Europe and the Mameluks.”

As if to emphasize my point, there was an impromptu outburst from the “Demons” behind my archers, sounding like two of them were fighting again. The General glanced that way nervously, unable to see anything beyond the long line of mounted archers who had appeared atop the rise several hundred yards behind me. Finally, he threw the remnants of his sword aside and approached, bowing. When he got close, he dismounted and knelt, performing a genuflection of which I was envious.

Having surrendered to me, I had my interpreter explain to him exactly what I wanted. I expected them to send twenty-five unarmed men with me to get my banners. They were to fly my banner over every port and border city on their way home to let foreign troops know the city was mine, as well as over every major Mongol city when they got home. They could make more banners if necessary. They were to tell their citizens to go about their daily lives and were to spread word across the former territories of the Kipchak Khanate and the Il-Khanate before returning to their homes.

Nobody was to be attacked or injured unless they refused to surrender or they attacked first. I was going to Jerusalem and would go back to England from there to speak with King Edward before returning to claim my new territory and appoint officials who were honest, hardworking, and who had the best interest of the common people at heart. I also instructed him to send messengers as rapidly as possible to re-direct the troops of the Kipchak Khanate back to their own territory where they were to spread word that they had a new Khan, and his troops were to do the same in their own territory. I wanted any of the Khan’s advisors who were with him sent to me immediately.

Once the general headed back to his troops I headed back to mine, sending messengers ahead to Jaffa and Jerusalem to let them know we would be leaving for Jerusalem.

We arrived at Jerusalem just before noon two days later, having pressed on late into the first night. Our messenger the day before had returned from Jerusalem reporting that the battle would probably begin before we could get there.

My heart started working again when we crested a hill and saw only Mongol bodies and horses lying scattered across the ground around the city. Richard was using the superior range of his cannons to destroy the trebuchets the Mongols were desperately trying to erect. Once again carrying a flag of truce, I approached the Mongol camp as the Demon wail started behind me. The wail was quickly answered from the city and surprisingly, yet again from the Mongol east flank.

We stopped far enough away that the Mongol General could approach me and still be out of range of my archers. I showed him the war banner of Nogai Khan and told him those troops and the 60,000 Il-Khanate troops they had sent down the coast had been defeated, and were now over 100,000 of my troops capturing Il-Khanate and Kipchak Khanate territory for me as we spoke. I could tell the General recognized the General in command of the coastal forces we had just captured, and he verified what I just said. I gave him the same options: serve me or die here at the hands of my troops and the Demons. He was visibly shaken but promised we would have his answer at sunrise. He asked to have the war banner of Nogai Khan to show to his Khan and I let him take it.

Expecting a surprise attack, we stayed alert all night. Richard and Al-Nasir were excited to see our troops and laughed when I told them what I had done. Al-Nasir’s messenger had told me about the Mongols’ strong belief in Shamanism. The insistence of Nogai Khan’s former shaman to be allowed to divine my future on our trip to Jaffa confirmed it.

The answer in the morning wasn’t quite what I had expected. The same General rode up to me with the head of Ghazan Khan on the tip of his spear. The two men with him carried the war banners of the two Khans. One of them also led the former Khan’s horse that now carried only his sword and bow. All three men dismounted and genuflected, swearing their allegiance to me.

I gave them the same instructions I’d given everyone else and gave them my last spare banner with instructions to make as many more as they needed to fly them over major cities, port cities, and border cities. I wanted any foreign troops to know the cities had already been conquered.

“What should we tell the Khan of the Chaghadai?” the General asked nervously.

“Tell him that he already knows everything he needs to know about me. As long as I’m not provoked, I prefer to live in peace with my neighbors, no matter who they are. I risked angering much of Europe by making peace with Sultan Al-Nasir, and just came to his defense. The Mongol people have traded with my agents for many years. Have we ever been unfair in our dealings with anyone? Tell him to remember what has happened to everyone who attacked one of my allies or me and then to remember how I treat every neighboring country living in peace with us.

“If that isn’t enough of an answer, they are free to meet me when I return from London. I personally guarantee the safety of their ambassador, regardless of the outcome of our talks when I return,” I told him.

I ordered the Khan’s advisors to bring a thousand Mongol troops to me in Jerusalem. I wanted to pick the brains of the advisors and would have the troops accompany us when we eventually set out to visit the Mongol lands. The two men with me took the war banners of the two Khans and the Khan’s horse. I took the spear with the Khan’s head and we turned for Jerusalem.

The victory celebration that night was enormous. Still, I insisted that our troops stay alert ... just in case. It was after breakfast the next morning, a very late breakfast, when the enormity of what we’d just done hit me. Actually, it was Baha’s fault. Still a merchant and trader at heart he had the Mongol’s maps out (it took three) drooling over them and showing me the territory we’d just conquered. Part of it extended all the fucking way to China as well as running the entire length of the eastern border of Europe clear to the Baltic!

While I sat down and waited for the blood to return to my face, Baha, Farad, Anuk, Al Nasir, Richard, and Cesar were laughing hysterically. When the laughter was finally limited to an occasional chuckle or snicker, Al-Nasir commented that he would now have a story of his own worthy of telling at the next meeting of the Kings’ Council, a story rivaling King Philip’s annual story. Me, I wondered what the hell I’d just gotten myself into.

We spent the rest of the morning poring over the maps as Baha pointed and rattled off names of cities and towns not shown on the maps and explaining what they produced enough of to export and what they needed to buy every year.

“So, how bad is it?” I finally asked him nervously.

Trying hard to stifle yet more laughter, but not succeeding, he explained that the area produced many things selling well in Europe at a great profit, and the rulers were fabulously wealthy.

Only the distrust between Christian Europe and the Moslems had slowed trade before the Mongols had originally conquered the territory they were now busy claiming in my name. The Mongol invasion had slowed trade with Europe even more. With us now controlling a large part of the area he used to trade with, we could at least triple what we shipped to Europe from Persia. By repairing the main shipping roads, we could speed up travel even more. Bringing the changes to Persia that we had implemented in our other territories would increase production yet again.

“Gentlemen, there is much to be done but I must first determine what territory Sultan Al-Nasir will claim and what territory King Edward will claim,” I told them.

Al Nasir spoke up. “Technically, you are one of my lords so I would expect you to defend any of my territory. I also understand that you owe allegiance to others as well as to yourself. Since I would probably have lost everything without your assistance, I am content with keeping only the territory that was previously mine. In fact, I am moved to expand the Tumilat Canal Province, changing the boundary to forty miles north and south of the canal and forty miles east and west of the canal southward to the Red Sea.”

“I doubt Father will claim much either,” Richard added. “None of his nobles were called to service and it cost him nothing. Besides, this is a long way from London and defending it would be difficult and expensive.”

“Very well, for now, Baha, I would like you to represent me in the area you refer to as Persia. Note which nobles seem inclined to support me and which might not. You know what to do with any who openly defy me. Note what damage needs repair, especially the critical things, and prioritize the repairs for security first, then those benefitting the average citizen, and then trade. See what items they produce that bring us the most profit, and then see what we can do to maximize production of those items. People needing work can help with repairs, or work producing copper ingots, iron tools, and other things to deliver to the blue fleet. Feel free to appoint any assistants you feel that you need,” I instructed.

“What city would you prefer as your capital?” Baha asked.

I shrugged. “I have no idea,” I admitted.

“The Ilkhanate used first Maragha and then Tabriz which are both on the Silk Road,” he explained as he pointed out both locations on the map and explained a little more about the Silk Road.

“Before the Mongols, though, the capitol was Baghdad,” he added pointing to it on the map. “While Maragha and Tabriz are farther along the Silk Road, Baghdad is the convergence of several routes beginning the main trunk of the Silk Road. Using Baghdad might also signal everyone that you are distancing yourself from the Mongol policies and bringing policies to the region to promote growth, prosperity, and trade.”

“Besides,” he added grinning knowingly, “Baghdad used to have a library with over 20,000 books. The Mongols destroyed the library, and many of the books, but many of their books remain hidden in caves, mosques, schools, and private homes to preserve them. Nearly a thousand of the books I was able to buy came from Baghdad and I am sure the people will be excited to see a new library rebuilt, emphasizing your interest in knowledge, and learning. They already know about your university and library in Rouen. Opening another in Baghdad would be a master stroke to excite and encourage the people all over this region,” he exclaimed excitedly.

Baha knew how highly I valued books and knowledge--just as much as he did. “Agreed, make Baghdad the capital and see if there is a building available to temporarily house a new library until we can consolidate control of the area and make the necessary repairs to roads and city walls. I want a relay system across the area like we have in each of our other holdings ... although it would appear that project may take decades to complete,” I sighed looking at the length and breadth of the Mongol lands.

“I will see to it,” he promised eagerly, practically running out of the door after bowing appropriately to each ruler.

“And take 5,000 archers, 1,000 of the Mongol troops, and Ghazan Khan’s advisors with you. And get cannons delivered as soon as possible,” I hollered after him.

Everyone laughed as he waved without looking back, signifying that he had heard me, an action that could easily be considered highly inappropriate and offensive had we been in public. Here, though, everyone knew me very well--probably too well. “I guess we report to your father now and see if he approves,” I sighed to Richard.

“I will return as soon as I know the details regarding the final disposition of these lands,” I told Al-Nasir while motioning to the map of the Il-Khanate territory. The brief look I took at the map of the Kipchak Khanate territory left me knowing it could take years to work out its final disposition. I was sure there were multiple claimants for many of the lands, just like there had been previously in Western Europe before the Kings’ Council.

In fact, that was a good idea. This time I’d let the Kings’ Council adjudicate the disputed claims and make the final dispositions. They had successfully halted the warfare previously tearing the area apart as nobles fought each other trying to wrest control of more territory from the current claimant. To a degree, much of Eastern Europe was still that way, though. Each year’s Council meeting included a litany of who was battling whom for what territory and what territorial changes had occurred since the previous meeting. That always required a new map to be drawn, one that was outdated by the following year’s meeting.

It also included at least one comment from an appreciative regent or other noble, happy that they didn’t have to deal with it anymore and how big a difference it made in the confidence of their people and their ability to be more productive and happier with lower taxes. Most of the Kings had enough coming in from taxes that they had enough extra saved to pay for an entire year.

I felt a huge weight lifted from my shoulders after deciding to let the Council deal with the bickering. Richard and I discussed it on the road to Jaffa the next morning. At noon, we met a messenger rushing to Jerusalem--one whose uniform I recognized. Evidently, King Edward had arrived in Jaffa with troops to help. I sent messengers to Al-Nasir in Jerusalem and to King Edward in Jaffa and continued on to Jaffa. Perhaps we could have the details worked out in a few days.

King Edward just shook his head when we rode in shortly after sundown. “I bring 10,000 troops to help defend Al-Nasir and Jerusalem only to learn when I get here that you have already defeated both Mongol armies and conquered half of Asia,” he grumbled playfully, trying to sound upset.

He embraced both Richard and me when we dismounted and insisted on a full report, one lasting late into the night. He agreed with Richard’s assessment; I hadn’t brought any English nobles--except Richard--and my campaign had cost him nothing. Therefore, the lands were mine to do with as I pleased.

My first suggestion floored him, making both him and Richard extremely proud. Since the Byzantines had asked to be annexed, I would keep them as English lands and form the Duchy of Byzantium--yet another jewel among my English lands, and asked to let Richard be the first Duke. Aside from remaining safe, Richard had already accomplished what his father wanted during his stay with me. He had learned what life was like away from London, attended the University, and served honorably in the military. I felt he was more than ready to rule.

He had joined in as my wives and I ruled over lands from the Baltic to Egypt. We had included him in our decision-making process as frequently as his studies and military service would allow. This opportunity would allow him to make his mistakes where they weren’t so readily visible in London, and to hone his leadership abilities. When he finally ascended to the Throne of England, the people would already know what to expect from him, and Richard would have a much better understanding of what he was getting into.

When King Edward agreed, Richard practically ran to the harbor, looking for a ship available to sail for Constantinople on the next tide.

King Edward also agreed with my assessment of the potential problems associated with Eastern Europe. I assigned messengers to return with Richard and to spread word across Europe that I had defeated the Kipchak Khanate and the Il-Khanate and now laid claim to their territories. All current rulers in the area and all rulers of vassal states were to meet in Rouen one week before the June 1 commencement of the Kings’ Council.

All remaining questions or disputes regarding ownership of, or fealty of those associated with the conquered lands would be addressed beginning on the third day of June in Rouen, in front of the Kings’ Council.

The decision of the Kings’ Council would be final. Anyone not showing up would forfeit any future claims to the territory or claims of freedom from the captured territory, including all vassal states of the Kipchak Khanate. In addition, anyone attempting to solve the dispute militarily would find me at the walls of their capital with my troops and 200,000 Mongol troops to end the dispute permanently and decisively.

King Edward issued orders in the morning for most of his troops to return to England once they re-supplied their ships. We left for Jerusalem, still a bit bleary-eyed from the late night. Richard had sailed for Constantinople shortly before dawn. King Edward and I rode a little faster than we had ridden the previous day hoping to reach Jerusalem before dinner. We were obviously expected as the last two miles of the route into the city was lined with mounted Mameluk troops, their swords raised in salute as our column passed. Al Nasir met us just outside the city and after an emotional greeting, rode with us, three-abreast, through the gate and the streets of Jerusalem to the Royal Palace.

Even though the two men had met previously in Rouen several times, their meeting outside Jerusalem where they had last met on the field of battle was bittersweet, and I saw the emotion in each of their eyes when they greeted each other, knowing just how far they had come from once being sworn enemies.

Even as we were dismounting at the Palace, though, Al Nasir had to tell King Edward the newest story about me and they laughed for quite a while before either ruler could let go of his horse and stand unassisted, let alone walk. Even the ever-stoic Mameluk Palace Guards were unable to completely stifle their own laughter. Several had to walk away quickly lest they also burst out laughing near the two rulers. I doubt that it was the first time they’d heard similar stories about me.