"Chelsea Quinn Yarbro - Olivia 2 - Crusader's Torch" - читать интересную книгу автора (Yarbro Chelsea Quinn)

abandon, at least until more order is restored here.
The great Islamite warrior Saladin has demonstrated his capacity for conquest
now that Hittin has fallen and Jerusalem is in his hands. I am far from certain that
this will be the limit of his expansions; one has only to think of Spain to know that
Christian countries are not beyond his plans. I, for one, do not agree with those who
say that the Byzantines will be able to hold his forces back. Consider that the
Cypriots have already defeated them. The armies of Saladin are more formidable
than the people of Cyprus.
Of course one hears rumors. When does not the world buzz with them, like bees
and mosquitos? It is said that Isaac II Angelus desires the aid of his Christian
brethren in the West. There are those who have denied the chance that there will be
another Crusade. Most kingdoms cannot afford the expense, according to what I have
heard. The loss of life in the last one has given many leaders pause, and the
disharmony between kings has become so great that few kingdoms are able to
sponsor such an expedition. However, it may be that with Saladin in Jerusalem, the
Pope will decide that Christians must demonstrate their faith by restoring Catholic
rule to that most holy of cities. Unlikely though many think it may be, I believe that
the Christians must act; since the Byzantines are not inclined to fight the Islamites
alone, we must assume that it will fall to good Catholics to defend the Holy
Sepulcher.
I wish to make a suggestion to you and to our families: on the chance that there is
another Crusade, rather than take the kinds of risks that are currently entailed in
trade, we might instead invest in transport ships, for troops bound for the Holy Land
will need our assistance, not only to carry them to Acre and Tyre, but to keep them
supplied once they are there, for it can hardly be expected for the Catholic
communities there will be able to supply an entire army.
It is true that many of the Crusaders are likely to take the overland route through
Hungary, but many others will prefer the faster sea routes, and all will rely on
transport ships for additional arms and supplies. I realize that there are those who
frown on Venetians profiting from such holy undertakings as Crusades, especially
since we do not take up the Banner of Christ. To those, I say that the Crusaders
would be the worse for lack of our support, and that as long as la Serenissima trades
with Islamite kingdoms and cities, then we must be careful to be sure our conduct
does not worsen the conflict. By shipping and supplying the Crusaders, we fulfill the
obligations we have as Christians as well as maintaining our necessary positions as
Venetians.
You are more knowledgeable in these matters than I am, but if I have understood
what you have told me, there is nothing in this proposition that is contrary to the laws
of our Repubblica or the dictates of the Church. If I have erred, I pray you will tell
me of it and aid me to correct my faults.
I solicit your prayers and instruction, and upon my return I will avail myself of
your company. I miss the solace of learning and the joys of our families. To be two
years away from wife and children is a trying thing for a man; I long to return. May
God send me a swift and safe passage to Venezia. I will depart in two weeks. You will
have this in good time so that our families need not delay in coming to a decision in
this matter.
Your cousin and most devoted student,
Giozzetto Camarmarr
On the Feast of the Holy Anchorites, in the 1188th year of Our Lord, by my own
hand and under my seal.