章節 70: On a mission (1)

It was a beautiful day in the Mediterranean. Clear skies and azure waters adorned the view, and the weather was ideal for sailing, swimming, or simply relaxing on the beach. The waves were coming in quietly, rolling onto the beach and slamming against the shoreline. It was a stunning scene, with the sun streaming down and illuminating the water like silver. It is a sight that would bring peace and relaxation to everyone who appreciates the sun and the sea, giving the viewer of the image an atmosphere of tranquillity and serenity, as the sunlight gives it a sense of vitality and vigor as the waves sparkle and gleam in the sunlight.

Nonetheless, if one were to look further away from the shores and into the sea, eight ships could be seen skillfully navigating the calm sea, breaking the waves through the sheer force of the mast , with the sun sparkling off of their hulls as they sailed towards their destination. The ship was a sight that was truly magnificent and awe-inspiring, as they sailed effortlessly over the sea making their way to the place where they would need to land and carry out their mission.

Commanding the ships was a middle-aged man with dark black hair and olive-colored skin, as was usual for the people from the Mediterranean Sea. His face was stern, he was an experienced man of war , tough in personality but not unkind. Scars from his service during the reign of Emperor Frederick II adorned his skin on his chin and cheeks. The man in question was called Corrado Capece, and he was a veteran of the Ghibellines and a loyal servant to the true Sicilian king Conradin.

He was miles away from his king as he has been sent on a mission that will prove critical for Conradin's campaign. It was an important assignment that would prove crucial to the Ghibellines and their cause, and that would directly influence the outcome of the war.

For this mission, Conradin had gifted Corrado with 200 knights, which would prove critical for his protection as well as the success of his mission. Corrado's eyes could not help but wander towards the scroll that he held in his hand, and so he started reading it for the fourth time as his ships sailed closer to the destination where he would carry out his mission, as there were only a few hours left before he would reach the assigned area.

*I, Conrad of the House of Hohenstaufen, third of my name, Rex Hierosolymitanus (King of Jerusalem), Rex Sicilia, Dux of Swabia, grandson of Emperor Frederick II, hereby bestow upon my loyal vassal, Corrado of the House of Capece, the title of Generalis Exercitus de Liberatio Sicilie (General of the Army of Liberation of Sicily). I, as king, hereby declare that Corrado be assigned the full power that I, as king, would have until my imminent arrival on the island itself. I declare every order given by General Corrado to be treated as the direct order of the king, and if it is not heeded as such, I allow Corrado the justicial power to see fit for an appropriate punishment for the transgression.

Signed Rex Corrado III *

Corrado would be lying if he said he wasn't thrilled about the future, as this was the most powerful title ever bestowed upon him, and he was adamant that he would make Conradin's desires come true, doing everything he could and much more to guarantee that they would. He knew that with this title and all the power that came with it, he could do whatever he wanted, and he was determined to utilize it to assure the success of their cause.

He never forgot what his objective was because he remembered the exact commands that were given to him as if it was yesterday.

---------------------------- Several days ago

''Your highness, are you sure of this?'' Corrado asked, since he was reluctant to depart from his liege,

''I do not want to hear any excuse; I need you to do this to ensure our chance of success. Do not worry about me since I have good people who will protect me. Listen carefully, for this is your mission: you will depart from the city and take the sea with 200 knights to embark on a voyage to Sicily. There you will have to coordinate the forces still loyal to my cause and make use of the Muslim communities throughout the reign. Now listen very closely for these next words: Your objective is to gain time; do not engage Charles' army unless you are completely sure that it will be an overwhelming success; the numbers are too short, and we cannot deplete it too much if we want to win. Make sure to fill the warehouse with food, and tell our loyal soldiers to barricade themselves in their castle, for soon I will join you with the rest of my army, and then and only then we will march to put an end to Charles' reign.

''I obey your highness.

------------------------------------------ End of flashback

The ships finally reached the Sicilian shores after a long and arduous journey through the Mediterranean Sea. The coast was bathed in the warm sunlight of the afternoon, and it was a beautiful scene to behold after being at sea for so long. The ships docked on the shore, and the soldiers would now make their move towards their next destination, as they had taken their first step in Sicily itself. It was now time for Corrado to do his work, and he would have to move quickly and strategically, for he knew that he was in a precarious position and he had to play his cards right.

The aim was to increase their numbers by using rebels, so he gave many of his knights the command to infiltrate the major cities in Sicily and rally the inhabitants, just as he had planned while on the ships. They would get weaponry from incoming Genoese ships, which were loaded with supplies generously donated by the republic. Corrado had every town in Sicily start off as the opening move for their insurrection, following the pre-written letters with these instructions.

Corrado also entrusted numerous smaller ships to embark some men at Calabria, from which they would there after travel to the many Muslim communities built in the regions of Calabria , Apulia and Basilicata.

This was to be the first step of his mission to take over Sicily, and he hoped that it would not be the last. For Corrado, his personal task was to infiltrate the city of Marsala and to do so, he was to act as the mercenary guard of a rich merchant who would be moving into the city with supplies such as foods, wines, and also some hidden weapons. It would be a challenge, and he would have to use every bit of his willpower to act like the merchant's guardian during his time in Marsala, but he was ready to try as he was determined to succeed at his mission.

Sure enough, everything was ready. The cart was provided by the ships, and it was filled with boxes full of food and wine. Under it all, there were swords and maces which would be given to the rebel inside the city . Corrado was ready, and he was determined to get the job done, as this would be the first move for the Ghibelline cause in Sicily. He would have to act quickly, for he knew that every step in his mission in Sicily would be decisive in their efforts for rebellion. He had to be careful and take his time, for he could not afford to make any mistakes.

The next day, Corrado, along with one man hired by the Genoese, acted as a merchant and his guards trying to get into the city. The cart's wheels spun as they got near the city, where they were then promptly stopped by a French guard. They knew that they had to answer to the guard, for they were not allowed to freely move around the city, and they had to give an explanation as to why they were there and what they were doing there, so they would have to be careful and think fast, for they did not want to make the wrong move and get themselves into trouble.

''What business is it of you? The French guard spoke in an ugly Neapolitan while eyeing the merchant up and down. ''Oh noble sir , I am a simple merchant trying to get through; I do not want to cause any trouble'', the man said while giving an amiable smile to the guards.

''What in the box? the French said while pointing to the cart's boxes. ''Just some food and wine, sir; as I said, I am a simple merchant trying to get through'', the acting merchant said while extending his hand with a few silver coins, trying to bribe the guard. The guard looked around to see if there were any of his comrades, and when he understood that he did not need to share the bribe with anyone, he took it but also prompted the merchant to give more to pay for the tax to enter the city. The sum asked by the guard was three times the one raised during Manfred's reign; he did not know if it was tripled by Charles or if the guard tried to rip him off; nonetheless, he did not care and paid without any trouble. ''Go inside; make no trouble here'' The Frenchman dismissed the two while screaming to his colleague to open the door, always in a bad Neapolitan accent. It seemed that the other guard was not French, explaining the use of the Neapolitan language.

The first step was successful; they were now inside. The next was to take control of the city; however, he had to take his time. Since he could not risk gaining the city only for the other Sicilians town to hear the news and understand what was happening , surely leading the rebellion to the latrine, he had to play his time and strike when the time was right.

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Author's thoughts:

Yo guys , I have got exam till 3 of july wish me luck.

Also review the goddamn novel moth**ucker (Read in Samuel L Jackson's voice)

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