Act 9: The Oathbreaker (12)

twelve

“I’m taking two full days off starting tomorrow.” Yakov turned over the bowl of oatmeal he had been ladling for the poor. “Don’t ask me what I’m going to do.”

"Tomorrow is Ascension Day, where are you going?" Sancho looked at him in shock and handed him a linen handkerchief. "There's plenty of work to do in the church. We need to move icons, hold almsgiving and relief ceremonies, and conduct prayers and Masses. If you leave now, who will do your work?"

“I’m just informing you about this; I didn’t ask for your opinion,” Yakov said in a hoarse voice. “Just think of it as me being sick.”

Sancho pulled him away from the crowd and back into the knights' fortress, where he washed his hands with clean water. "Brother, I can tell you're not quite right lately. Knights work in pairs to supervise and support each other." He sounded extremely sincere. "There's no one around. Just tell me, what are you going to do?"

“This is none of your business, and it won’t do you any good to know.” Yakov rolled up his leather sleeves from his wrists and brushed the dust off his robe. “…I won’t be staying here tonight.”

Sancho watched him turn and leave, letting out a series of sighs. "Then you should get some rest!" he shouted, glancing around furtively, "Take good care of yourself!"

Yubi had another new outfit made. Yakov, however, thought it looked nothing like what one would wear for hunting—a magnificent embroidered cloak covering his entire arm, brightly colored enough to make him easily identifiable by prey in the forest; a large, cumbersome wide-brimmed hat tied to his chin with a rope, swaying with every step; not to mention the foolish, hard, pointed shoes on his feet, narrow and long, making it impossible to mount a horse without assistance. "Helen said it's popular in Poland…" Yubi examined his nail-like feet, asking doubtfully, "Do you think it looks good, Yakov?"

"How are you going to hunt dressed like that?" Yakov clicked his tongue, arms crossed. "You're dragging around a huge wad of cloth. How are you going to wield a sword or draw a bow? You don't have a single piece of armor on you, and those cumbersome things on your feet will definitely make you fall over after a couple of steps."

“But Diophantus said that I don’t need to draw my sword or bow.” Yubi pondered the rivet-studded leather belt around his waist. “He also said that if I don’t like being on horseback all the time, I can stay in the tent and chat with the ladies and girls.”

Yakov found this absurd, but secretly breathed a sigh of relief—Yubi had never even held a knife before, and his horsemanship was barely scratching the surface. "What kind of hunt is this?" he scoffed. "It's more like a picnic."

“The nobles’ hunting is not what you think; it’s more like a picnic.” Schumeer stroked his mustache. “Each of them has hunters under their command, just like generals and soldiers in an army. The hunters hunt in the mountains and forests, while the nobles simply drink and make merry with their families in the open fields.”

Extravagant, decadent, Yakov thought, but it wasn't unexpected. He put down his baggage, full of weapons and traps, and Yubi took off his hat and came closer to examine him. The two pointed toes of his shoes were awkwardly fighting. "Let me see what you've prepared?" his young master asked curiously. "You must be good at this."

So Yakov laid out the items for him one by one: hunting knives of various sizes with blood grooves, a set of iron hooks of different sizes, plus rope, a dragnet, a wine bag, and a flint. He took a quiver and arrows from his back, and a long bow. It was made of wood and bone joined together, and decorated with antelope horns at both ends. As Yubi was pondering and marveling at it, he brought back an extremely sturdy spear from outside. The iron tip had barbs and hooks, reminiscent of a scene of blood being torn apart.

“No wonder you were teasing me,” Yubi said, sounding a little dejected. “This is exactly what you need for hunting.”

“But I’ve always wanted to ask, how did you resolve your status as a Templar?” Schumeer crossed his legs on the couch. “Did you ask a priest for leniency, or did you apply for an exemption? Even so, a Templar going hunting on Ascension Day will definitely attract attention…”

“No need for all that trouble.” Yakov took the last piece of metal from his baggage—a full-face helmet. “Just cover my face, won’t that solve the problem?”

Schumeer wrinkled his nose in disgust, then burst into laughter. "I knew I shouldn't have overestimated you," he remarked. "When you came, you covered your face, afraid they'd recognize you as a Templar; now that you're covering your face, you're afraid they'll recognize you as a Templar!"

Yakov sighed softly at these words. He unbuckled the leather belt around his neck, took off the ruby ​​ring strung on the hemp rope, and placed it in Yubi's hand.

As dawn broke, the festive atmosphere grew even stronger. Large numbers of nobles, accompanied by servants and hunters, poured out of the Charithus Gate. Countless fine carriages and brightly colored banners lined the moat, while trumpeters and drummers, already eager to break free from the city's solemn constraints, couldn't wait a moment longer. People, horses, eagles, and dogs huddled together, laughter and barking mingling, filling the road to the mountain camp with a boisterous, celebratory atmosphere.

Yubi hadn't seen the sun in a long time, and had to shield his face with the brim of his hat to keep his eyes open. The weather was exceptionally fine today; a large patch of morning dew still clung to the grass, occasionally blurring his vision, yet he couldn't help but be moved and overjoyed by the atmosphere—he was surrounded by young men and women of similar age, each youthful face brimming with the vitality of life, chatting about the most trivial gossip, showing off their new clothes and hunting dogs, as if these carefree things were the only things in the world worth caring about—while Yakov beside him had become like a silent can, not uttering a sound since leaving the house. Yubi tried to cheer him up, but acquaintances kept greeting him. Before long, Diophantus Philactus came looking for him.

"You only brought one attendant with you?" The blond nobleman was also dressed in a magnificent outfit that almost prevented him from moving. He curiously examined Yakov's helmet and figure, and smiled knowingly.

“He’s better than ten of the best hunters.” Yubi’s shoes wouldn’t come off the stirrups by themselves, so he could only nod perfunctorily—his ears were burning with embarrassment at the thought of the illustrated book. “And you?”

“I’ve brought ten of my best hunters. We’ll see who catches the most prey and then we’ll know if you’re just boasting.” Diophantus raised his chin. “Come with me, and I’ll introduce you to my family.”

“It is my honor.” Yubi was about to spur his horse forward with Yakov when Diophantus stopped him. “It is your honor, not his.” The nobleman’s arm was arrogantly stretched out toward the end of the procession. “The hunters are waiting to be assigned tasks.”

Yubi was about to offer a few words of explanation when Yakov sighed behind his helmet. The "squire" bowed respectfully to him. "Call me anytime." The tall, strong chestnut Norman horse immediately turned and trotted away.

“He’s quite obedient and sensible,” Diophantus whispered, leaning closer to Yubi’s hat. “My mother and sister are here; the Templars can’t even glance at them, right?”

Several magnificent tents were set up at the mountaintop camp, each capable of holding nearly a hundred people. Yubi saw temporary stables and campfires, kitchens and dining tables. Crates of vegetables and fruits were piled on the meadow, and cooks were already busily preparing them; wine barrels were stacked like a small mountain, with numerous servants taking turns pouring wine and adding berry juice for flavoring. So much stuff had to be transported up the mountain, and everything was set up and operational in just one morning! Yubi couldn't help but marvel. He followed Diophantus's horse slowly, noticing that there were even people waiting to help him dismount in front of the tent—he had just been worried about what would happen if his shoes got stuck on the horse. Yubi secretly observed that Diophantus was also wearing those strange pointed shoes, the toes even longer than his own, making him walk like a comical duck.

“They’re all here,” Diophantus said, his face suddenly clouded with worry. “You’ll just have to be patient.”

Endure what? Yubi didn't understand his intentions. Two handsome young men slipped into a fragrant tent and saw a sycophantic bard playing a flute in the middle of a carpet. Diophantus coughed lightly, causing a multitude of powdered faces to turn around.

“I have brought Lord Jubius with me.” He gave a curt bow, then immediately straightened up, tossing his blond hair. “Now you will all let me go to the hunting grounds, won’t you?”

"Go on, go on, look at you so reluctant." A noblewoman rose, her intricate beaded necklace jingling. She pulled Yubiu aside and dragged him into the group of women. "Lord Yubiu is more handsome than you, we don't care about you!"

Upon hearing this, Diophantus grinned and fled like the wind. Yupi, bewildered, sat down amidst the laughter, then suddenly understood Diophantus's intention. He was eager to go out and play, wanting him to accompany the ladies in his place! But to be honest, he didn't dislike it that much—women were far cleaner and more polite than men, and even if they were a bit gossipy, they would never bully or mock him. He saw that there were not only Greek nobles, but also Frankish and Italian nobles. They wore different styles of fine clothes and jewelry, and spoke various languages—Yupi realized that the nobles of Constantinople had married brides from all over Europe.

"Where are you from?" the noblewoman asked, squeezing his hand.

“I’m from Hungary,” Yubi said cautiously, “Transylvania, Hungary.”

“He’s Ambicya’s brother, so he’s Hungarian, of course,” another girl said with a smile. “Where are Ambicya and Agnes?”

“They’re all married now, unlike you who have such a leisurely life,” another noblewoman scolded her. “Behave yourself, or people will laugh at you!”

“Mother, if I were to act dignified, how could I possibly meet the wealthy husband you’re looking for?” The girl retorted sarcastically, “How could I let your old maid get married so soon?”

This remark elicited a burst of laughter, leaving the mother speechless with anger, and making Yubi shrug her shoulders in embarrassment. Was this a gathering of unmarried girls and their mothers? Yubi wondered as he noticed a blonde girl in the crowd who resembled Theophrastus, smiling shyly at him, her blue eyes sparkling.

“I heard that Lord Jubius has a fiefdom in Transylvania.” The lively girl nimbly moved to his side on the carpet and put her arm around his shoulder. “His future looks bright.”

How did this news get here? "No, that fiefdom belongs to my brother..." Yubi hurriedly protested. Before he could finish, someone spoke up for him. "Transylvania is so vast, and he didn't even give you a single manor or village? He must have swallowed your inheritance!" The noblewoman beside him grabbed his hand and gestured passionately, "Even our Caesar, though driven away by his jealous brother, still has the claim to Croatia!"

The girls all felt sorry for him, and Yubi dared not utter a word. "Is your brother married?" another noblewoman asked him, feigning seriousness. "Does he have any children?"

"not yet…"

“Then you still have a chance,” the noblewoman said earnestly. “Men are out there fighting and struggling, and there are many unexpected things that can happen. You should get married and start a family as soon as possible. Maybe Transylvania will fall into your or your child’s hands.”

Marriage and starting a family? Yubi shook his head repeatedly in fright. "That's too early!" He forced an awkward smile. "I...I don't have a woman I like yet..."

"Love can always be nurtured, but offspring are what truly matter!" His wife advised him. "Some self-proclaimed valiant generals and kings always think that fighting and war are the source of strength, but little do they know that the kingdoms they painstakingly conquer will eventually belong to their wealthy and fortunate brothers. Anyone with eyes can see who is the truly shrewd one and which path is the easiest and safest shortcut."

Yubi immediately felt that this fragrant and magnificent tent was like another battlefield, no easier than the blood-soaked, muddy forest of the hunting grounds—in fact, it was easier to just throw caution to the wind and wield weapons. No wonder Diophantus had turned and run away, telling him to be patient! Just as he was blushing and pursing his lips, unsure of how to react, the blonde girl who had been secretly watching him was suddenly pushed to his side by the crowd.

"Eudosia, why is your face red?" The girls burst into laughter again. "Your brother only brought Lord Eubius here because you asked him to!"

"I didn't..." the blonde girl's voice was barely audible, "You're all making fun of me, it's so annoying..."

"You, you are Diophantus's sister?" Yubi immediately straightened his back, making sure not to bump into her. "You look very much like your brother..."

"Is she pretty?" A wealthy woman nearby quelled the commotion, trying to quiet the crowd. "Do you like her?"

Yubi stared, bewildered. To say she wasn't pretty would be offensive, but to say she was pretty carried a special meaning at this moment—he racked his brains, trying to come up with a suitable answer. A pair of bright, large eyes were fixed on him, holding their breath, awaiting his reply.

“She…she was as beautiful as her brother, like a radiant sun god…” Yubi felt her tongue was stiff. “She was so dazzling and radiant that I dared not look directly at her…”

The women uttered sounds of regret, as if lamenting that their prank had failed and the handsome man in their grasp had escaped unscathed. Just then, the sound of a trumpeter came from outside the door, and a servant immediately rushed into the tent to announce, "Master Angelos has won!" the man shouted, head bowed, "He's hunted a wild boar!"

Yubi felt as if the messenger had saved his life. The ladies and young women around him finally turned their gaze away from him and began to applaud in celebration. "Ladies, it seems it's time for dinner." The noblewoman finally released his hand. "Let's spare poor Lord Yubius and let him have some time alone with Eudosias."

When Yubi finally saw the wild boar, it had been plucked, gutted, and roasted to a perfect crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, then sliced ​​into small pieces. Servants distributed sauces, and Yubi chose a Carmenere sauce made with red wine, cinnamon, cardamom, and saffron, thickened with breadcrumbs—supposedly the best sauce to accompany wild boar meat. People ate and chatted on the grass, the aroma from the grill filling the air. Yubi wanted to talk to someone, but none of his friends had returned. He felt a pang of sadness; they were all having a wonderful time in the forest, while he was stuck in the girls' tent. If he were to actually hunt, he might clumsily make a fool of himself. Yubi thought, "If only Yakov were here. If only the two of them went hunting, like in the Transylvanian forests, and with Schumeer to paint for them, how wonderful that would be!"

Suddenly, a soft, weak voice timidly brought him back to his senses. "Lord Eubius," the blonde girl named Eudosia had somehow sneaked up on him, "I have something I'd like to tell you in private."

Yubi glanced around nervously—luckily, no one seemed to be paying attention to them. "Is there something urgent?" he asked carefully, setting down the plate of wild boar meat. "Do you need help?"

“Come with me.” Eudosia’s face was as red as if it were about to bleed. She didn’t dare to look Yubi in the eye, but instead shyly tugged at a small piece of his sleeve. “…Let’s go up the hillside over there, there are fewer people there.”

The two climbed a verdant slope—Yubi, already unable to bear the scorching sun, found his pointed shoes making him waddle like a goose. Even the lady in her long dress was faster than him. "I'm so sorry, it's my fault for wearing such stupid shoes…" Yubi gasped, sitting down at the top of the sweltering slope. "I'll never wear these again…"

“I think it’s absolutely gorgeous.” Eudosia smiled shyly and sat down on the grass next to Yubi. “It makes people’s legs look long and slender, and their height look tall.”

Below the slope lay the forest where the hunting grounds were located. The two young people faced the forest, enjoying the gentle breeze blowing through the trees. "Actually, I should be the one apologizing to you..." Eudosia looked down at the tips of her shoes, "Their commotion must have bothered you."

"It's nothing." Yubi turned her head away, only daring to look at the small grass beside her. "I'm troubled, but you're even more troubled."

“I’ve heard some things about you from my brother,” Eudosia said. “You are a man of exceptional beauty and excellent birth; there must be many girls who admire you.”

Yubi paused, lost in thought. Until now, he'd never paid attention to these things. But thinking about it carefully, it seemed that Christina, Helen, his mother, and his sister all doted on him—was this a kind of favoritism? He didn't dare to be so arrogant as to conclude, yet he understood in his heart. "No, that's not it..." he hesitated, considering how to reject her feelings without hurting her. "I think it's too early to talk about these things..."

The young girl beside him suddenly revealed a sorrowful yet mature look in her eyes. Yubi keenly noticed this and stopped speaking mid-sentence.

“I…I actually know you. You’re hiding something. My brother told me.” Her delicate lips moved slightly. “I came to you because I wanted to tell you…I don’t mind those things.”

"What?"

“It’s…it’s that kind of thing. Don’t tease me, I can’t explain it.” Eudosia avoided his gaze. “My mother warned me that it’s actually quite common. You don’t need to feel ashamed in front of me…”

"My mother said that as long as it doesn't affect having children, those strange hobbies are actually harmless."

Like a bolt from the blue, Yubi finally understood what she meant—he remembered the book Yakov had thrown into the pool. He was speechless, as if choked by a gentle breeze.

"My mother and brother also told me to tell you that if you, you..." The girl was too shy, her voice trembling, "if you marry me, it will also benefit your fight for the fiefdom. Do you know the Angelos family? They just won the bid... My family is related to theirs by blood, and their fiefdom is right on the banks of the Danube, and they have some troops..."

"If you are considering this matter, and your sister agrees, then please, please come to our house later to discuss it further..."

"But... but are you willing?" Yubi stood up in fright.

“…Why wouldn’t I want to?” Eudosia looked timidly into his eyes. “If you…if you hate me, you won’t need to sleep with me anymore after the baby is born…”

Absurd. Yubi thought, this was too absurd, to be so blatantly displayed under the scorching sun. The joyous feast continued behind them, the musicians' celebratory music sounding discordant and jarring. Yubi's two shoes started to fight again, preventing him from leaving, yet making him sad to stay. Just as he anxiously pondered what to do, a very familiar figure slowly emerged from the forest before him.

"Yakov!" Yubi didn't care whether he would be discovered to have a Templar Knight smuggled in there, and he turned and left.

The comical toe of his shoe finally tripped him up—he tumbled down the low hillside, the last sound he heard being the girl's exclamation from the top.