Early the next morning, Losa rode the warhorse that had been carefully tended by the attendants.
Accompanied by Prajna, Furinjira, and Hans, he arrived at the city gate to join Baron Goffrey's group.
It was still early.
In the hazy morning light, the lighthouse of Jerusalem emitted thin blue smoke.
On the vast, dusky Gobi Desert, a line of riders resembled a winding column of marching ants, interspersed with low shrubs.
One could not help but marvel at the vastness of the world.
Knight Kevin, peeling a pomegranate, chatted with Hans: "Attendant... frankly, you don't quite look like an attendant. Your emblem resembles the one of the knight order formed by those Germanic people."
The Teutonic Order was modeled after the Hospital Knight Order, initially aimed at providing medical aid to pilgrims and Crusaders.
Later, it gradually transformed into a military monastery, with medical aid functions transferred to subordinate organizations.
Due to its late establishment, the Teutonic Order's influence in Jerusalem couldn't compare to the Templar Order, with its power concentrated in fiefs such as Acre and other northern territories of Jerusalem.
Currently, the Teutonic Order is a close ally, or rather a "vassal," of the Hospital Knight Order, together balancing the strong and radical Templar Order.
"Indeed similar, but it's just a coincidence; I am not a member of the Teutonic Order."
Hans smiled politely: "Knight Kevin, are you from Albion?"
"Yes, I was once a knight serving Henry II, the king of Anjou and Albion, and came to the Holy Land alone five years ago, when I was still young."
Kevin smiled: "There are many people named Hans in Germany; it's such a common name."
Hans responded with dignity: "Kevin is also a common name in Albion."
"Indeed, that's why I gave myself an Empire name, Uranus; what do you think?"
"Sounds quite good."
"Hans, could you tell me about your master? I've heard from some pilgrims that he once killed a werewolf knight one-on-one in a knightly tournament."
"That's true."
Hans' face showed infinite reverence: "Although he often makes me run errands, doing menial tasks, he is a brave and strategic great knight."
Kevin found it somewhat hard to believe, and he gazed at Losa's back.
"Knight, are you sure you're not deceiving me?"
Hans was a bit offended: "Knight Kevin, are you questioning my adherence to the knight's code?"
...
Losa and Baron Goffrey walked at the forefront of the group, their mounts already replaced by Arabian horses, which were more suited to the climate here.
The two chatted casually.
Goffrey discreetly observed the two ladies accompanying Losa and frowned slightly.
"Losa, you're not married yet, are you?"
Losa nodded: "Not yet."
"The late king's wife, Princess Maria Komnenos, spoke to me about matchmaking. She intends to offer Princess Isabella to you; if you marry her, you'll become part of the royal family."
Losa knew that this Komnenos Family was the imperial family of the Eastern Empire. Maria Komnenos was the sister of the deceased Emperor Alexios II, husband of Empress Ragaya.
She was also the widow of the previous King of Jerusalem, Amalric.
Although both were Empress Dowagers.
Maria Komnenos was not the biological mother of Baldwin IV and Princess Sibilla, and, being a Greek who adheres to the Orthodox faith, her status in Jerusalem was not as distinguished as Empress Angenise's.
Losa shook his head and refused: "Thank you for your kindness, my lord. But I do not intend to marry a royal princess."
"I hope you'll reconsider."
Goffrey didn't press further.
After all, it was just an intention; even if Losa agreed, it might not happen.
It depended on how well Losa completed his mission and what title Baldwin IV might bestow upon him.
"I understand."
The atmosphere became slightly heavy.
Belian was not in the returning group; he had been assigned by Goffrey to the fief of the Ibelin Family in Ramla to hone his skills in handling state affairs.
Belian was Baron Goffrey's only remaining heir; his first two sons had died in battle.
Goffrey looked at Losa, hesitant to speak several times.
Losa, helpless, said: "If you have any doubts, my lord, please speak frankly."
Goffrey sighed: "Losa, it's fine for young men to be a bit romantic, but this journey is fraught with danger; are you really bringing two personal servants with you?"
"Lord Goffrey, you've misunderstood."
Losa hesitated, then spoke directly: "They are not my servants, but my two Witch Consultants."
"Witches?"
Goffrey's expression changed.
Shocked.
Fear.
Envy.
Reverence.
Loathing.
For a moment, it was quite remarkable.
For most people, the extraordinary existences of this world are merely fabricated in novels.
But for a noble like Godfrey, dealing with such existences is not a rare occurrence.
Baldwin IV also sought treatment from witches.
If it weren't for a place like Jerusalem, with its strong theological atmosphere, hiring a witch consultant would easily shake the royal family's reputation.
Even the King of Jerusalem would certainly not refuse the allegiance of a witch.
They not only possess extraordinary powers but also have vast knowledge.
Agriculture, iron casting, philosophy, history, language, archaeology...
Even without extraordinary powers, they are the best advisors and assistants.
"Sorry, I misunderstood."
Baron Godfrey turned and nodded apologetically to the two ladies.
Even a Great Lord does not wish to easily offend a witch.
Losa shook his head and said, "My lord, no one could have imagined that two witches would serve an ordinary knight; it is not your fault."
"Ha, you are not ordinary at all. Since yesterday, you have become a well-known figure in Jerusalem, with many noblewomen and single noble ladies interested in you."
Godfrey smiled, "Otherwise, Empress Maria would not have suggested marrying Princess Isabella to you; you are no less than the choice of the Queen's Faction, Guy of Lusignan."
Losa fell silent.
He seems to have underestimated his own charm.
Looking at it this way, he truly is a desirable candidate, not only handsome but superior to Guy of Lusignan.
Moreover, he has elegant speech, outstanding knowledge, and eloquence.
And he holds the title of Champion Knight, having publicly slain a renowned werewolf disguised as a knight during the Austrian Border Territory's knight tournament.
Additionally, he is highly valued by Baldwin IV, tasked with secret missions, and without any accidents, he is expected to rise swiftly and achieve great success.
Godfrey smiled and said, "If you don't fancy the royal princess, I can arrange a noble marriage suitable to your status, with a generous dowry to help you stand out in Jerusalem."
"No need, Lord Godfrey, being favored by witches is not without cost; it means I might have to embrace celibacy for quite a long period."
Godfrey understood but still smiled, "It's worth it."
"If celibacy could gain the favor of witches, I believe the knights under Gerard and Roger would be ecstatic."
...
The group gathered with the Kurdish cavalry under Ibelin and Baron Godfrey.
Having heretic cavalry under the command of Crusader Lords is not a shameful thing, but the number of these Kurdish cavalrymen is quite substantial.
Fully forty heavy cavalry clad in dark Zha Armor or Scale Armor, assembled fully armed in a village.
"Holy Fire Everlasting, my lord."
The leading cavalryman rode towards Losa, covering his right shoulder with one hand and slightly bowing his head.
"I am Abraham Abdullah; we can converse in Gaulish."
Gaulish and Latin are widely used court languages in Western Europe; Losa only speaks Gaulish and Germanic, while his brother Otto is more intelligent and also proficient in Latin.
"Holy Fire Everlasting."
Losa imitated his gesture, covering his shoulder, and bowed his head, "Baron Godfrey of Ibelin should have already explained the mission's content to you, right?"
"Yes."
Abdullah waved his hand, and immediately two cavalrymen came forward, handing Losa a neatly folded set of Fire Worship-style armor.
Losa and Hans took off their helmets and tunics, changed into new armor, wrapped their turbans and robes, and removed all the Western decorations from their horses, packing them away.
"Holy Fire Everlasting."
Losa repeated the shoulder-covering gesture, saying it again in the other's language.
The leader of the Kurdish cavalry, Abdullah, couldn't help but laugh, "Your hand is a bit too high; it should be like mine, and you should use your right hand, not your left."
"In our customs, the left hand is used for wiping unclean things such as feces, using this hand for greetings is arrogant and rude, easily angering the other party."
Losa repeated the motion again, "Thank you for your guidance."
"During this period, I'd like to learn Arabic from you."
Abdullah shook his head, "I'm happy to serve, but unfortunately, Kurdish, Persian, Arabic, and Turkic languages are different; I only know Kurdish and Gaulish."
"Then Kurdish."
Kurdish is similarly a widely spread ethnic group in West Asia, second only to Persians, Arabs, and Turks.
"Pack your bags; we'll set sail immediately!"
Losa commanded.