5 Miracle

Slums of Pentos.

"Rumors came to my ears of a man who was one of the greatest water dancers in bravos and and one of the best warriors in essos. Yet rumors also say he was crippled by a wealthy merchant because he slept with his wife. And the merchant of course had his wife killed along with her unborn son . But i find it hard to see how a crippled man moved from bravos to Pentos."

"You come here to mock me like the others!" The man said dejectedly . Or have you come to spit on me ? Perhaps throw horse shit on my rags that I call clothing." The man stated calmly as such an occurrence was almost an everyday thing due to the troublesome slum rats called children.

He smelled like shit of course , a dirty beard covered most of his face and the hair atop his head grew raggedly down his back and his eyes had a dull and conceded look to them.

"Quite the opposite . I offer an opportunity, a new life "Baldwin said as he stooped down to the man's level.

His two guards behind him stood stern and watchful, though lacking of their armor and just wore mere commoner clothing these two men carried held onto the hilt of the blades by their side ready to draw it at any who dared to harm their monarch.

Brown hair and blue eyes the former water dancer recognized.

"I offer to you what was taken ?"

"Is that so ?" The man sarcastically scowled

"Can you bring the dead back to life ? "

"No" Baldwin answers as he watched the man's gaze

"Then leave me the fuck alone , leave me !" He howls

"Peace my friend, See for yourself what I offer" The king says as he placed his hand on the swordsman unfeeling leg.

For a second the cripple looked deadpanned at the fool or mad man , ready to give him a verbal bashing .

But before he could , Baldwin rose from his stooping posture now seemingly finished with what he had done ..

"Rise now" He stated

"My…My legs ! I can feel them !"

------------

"Grandmaster"

"My Lord" The knight Templars leader calls

"You seem unsettled"Baldwin prodded as he gazed casually through his mask at the man .

"None at all my lord"He answered swiftly though his discomfort was clear .

"I might've been unable to address this matter at the past meetings because I wanted to spare you the embarrassment and that of your knightly order." Baldwin said making the man shift ever slightly.

"I understand the emotions that might run through a man in such a scenario as battle but, the Knights Templar swore an oath of poverty, chastity, obedience and renounced the world, just as the Cistercians and other monks did. But rumors of some of your men raping women , young girls and blatantly killing children is something I will not tolerate here. You will bring your men to heel ! Make an example of the guilty , a hundred lashes for every one accountable or were involved in such acts ." The king scowled

"My-My Lord I apologize for their conduct I …, he stammered

"Silence !You are monks not animals that bear its teeth when it sees a prey! Or do I have to remind you of your duties as knights Templar?"

"No my king and this will not happen again I assure you " He pleaded

"Ensure that it doesn't" Baldwin warned

"My lord we are ready " A royal guard informed the king

…

People normally forget that the knights Templar isn't just a fighting force .

Officially endorsed by the Roman Catholic Church by such decrees as the papal bull Omne datum optimum of Pope Innocent II, the Templars became a favoured charity throughout Christendom and grew rapidly in membership and power. The Templar knights, in their distinctive white mantles with a red cross, were among the most skilled fighting units of the Crusades.

They were prominent in Christian finance; non-combatant members of the order, who made up as much as 90% of their members managed a large economic infrastructure throughout Christendom. Many of who Baldwin used to recreate his financial and economical systems of Pentos then Qohor.

They developed innovative financial techniques that were an early form of banking, building a network of nearly 1,000 commanderies and fortifications across Europe and the Holy Land, and arguably forming one of the world's earliest multinational corporations.

The combatants of the knights Templar as witnessed in Qohor had more defined duties

besides fighting alongside the army . They now protect and escort monks along with caravans traveling to other free cities to spread the good word and let others know of the masked man , holy king blessed by God himself .

A man ? No a saint who could heal the blind , heal the cripple and the deaf .

Pentos which was deemed a war zone and a city beholden by merciless invaders had slowly yet surely become a haven for slaves and run aways, those deemed at the very bottom of the system flocked to the city , the ill came in hope to be healed of their ailments and the curious came to witness and verify.

The outsiders and enemies had now become friends and faithful citizens of the empire that on this fine day his highness shall usher in.

...

"How far we have come…How far we were taken from our homes, taken from our families and taken from our lands, but never in our time of distress and need have I abandoned you ,…. nor have you abandoned me! And for that I'm forever grateful"

" Grateful to have you all aiding me along our harsh journey , grateful to have you all put your faith in me ."

"But once again I ask you. I ask all of you ! will you follow me again ?Will you follow me, not as a man , not as your leader, nor your king but as your shepherd.A shepherd to guide you all throughout this time … and usher in a new age where the banners of the cross shall be seen from the lands and seas of the east to that of the west !!"

And when all was said and done and the king now finished with his speech , there followed was an eerie silence, a silence that spread through out the entire gathering of thousands.

None ushered a word as they stared fervently at the masked man .

"Empire!!!!" Came a single shout followed by thousands more who joined in cheer and shouts . (Bros a payed actor)

EMPIRE !!!

Magnificent was what one could call it . Incredibly magnificent , though a many were far away from the king as he made his fiery speech , probably even too far for one to hear honestly , but miraculously they found themselves hearing every word he said as they gazed upon him .

…..

"I Baldwin Amalric , messenger and Saint of the lord swear to protect and guide my people to prosperity , and by God , this I swear"

No longer carrying the name of Pentos . This great port City and was now deemed Ascalon , Capital of the Amal Empire. Qohor on the other hand was dubbed Secundus from secundo which meant second in Latin as it was the second city to fall in Christian hands .

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