CHAPTER II: Niceans and Latins

As our enemies approached our position, we patiently waited for several minutes to ensure that they were in the exact locations necessary to trigger our traps. Despite our strategic plan, Justinian broke discipline and charged the knights without warning. Fortunately, the element of surprise was in our favor, and I took advantage of the situation by picking them off with my bow and arrow, while George attacked the bodyguards with his longaxe and slew them mercilessly. The skirmish quickly turned into a bloodbath, and some of the enemies fled, while others were slain. Unfortunately, the Captain also fell in the melee. I was taken aback when George proceeded to execute the surrendering enemies and beheaded them without hesitation.

Despite Justinian's attempts to intervene and stop him, it was too late. George had already succumbed to his violent habits and could not restrain himself. While they argued, I took the opportunity to loot the corpses and bury the Captain and his soldiers with honor.

After the incident, we journeyed back to Thessalonica with our loot and sold it quickly to avoid arousing suspicion or attracting robbers. Justinian informed the Nicaean spies that our mission was accomplished, and we received the Greek Fire in return. However, our hideout was discovered, and we barely managed to escape with the weapon in tow.

As we roamed the wilderness, we were aimless and directionless. Time wore us down, and we decided to rest near a river where we planned to camp for a few days. While we were resting, I heard someone cry out for help, and I quickly grabbed my spear and headed towards the source. When I arrived, I found several dead Latin troops, and a noblewoman covered in blood, wielding a knife. I attempted to explain that I was not one of her enemies, but she threw a knife at me. Fortunately, my helmet deflected it, and I attempted to reason with her. However, she ran into the woods, and the Nicaean guards intervened, mistaking me for an enemy. I managed to escape from them and fear that I will never see the noblewoman's face again.

After our encounter, we resumed our journey and I suggested that we head towards the Nicean cities in search of work. My companions were surprised by my suggestion, but they agreed. Our journey took a week due to various obstacles, including difficult roads and hostile Latins. We arrived at Raedestum only to find that it was destroyed and its citizens were impoverished. We paid the locals to take us by boat to Cyzicus, a Nicean city port, where we hoped to find work and perhaps reunite with the noblewoman.