Chapter 62: Varangian Guards
Jorgklusburg, within the Lord's Hall.
The main doors were suddenly thrown open. Castellan Leonard hurried in and took his seat, the evening breeze he brought in causing the lamplights to flicker, casting elongated, distorted shadows from the long benches behind each person qualified to be present.
On a long rectangular table in the center of the hall, a feast of fine food and wine was already laid out. Lothar sat upon the lord's throne at the head, a giant single-headed eagle escutcheon above him, the eagle's wings spread perfectly behind him.
The aroma of roast lamb, cheese, and wine was tantalizingly tempting. But no one raised their knives or forks; they were all watching Lothar.
Lothar, seated on his lord's throne, held up a paper bearing a red wax seal, displaying the King's insignia to the assembly. "His Majesty the King's summons has been issued. Everyone must arrive in Jerusalem within the stipulated time."
