Purging Romanie

[╬Ritterbruder╬]

Description:
A mission to convert the population of Romanie to the Catholic beliefs, according to the Order's mission. Order troops, with blessings from the Patriarch and the acting command of the Order, march towards the city of Constantinople, purging the countryside of false beliefs as they pass by. The intention is to reach Constantinople, resupply there and continue the expedition towards Adrianople, on the other side of the Ergene river.

Present:
Godfrey of Leuven (547 men)

Direction:
Heading East from Neapolis, towards Constantinople,
south of the river Ergene

Arrival in Constantinople on august 26th

[╬Ritterbruder╬]

Godfrey overlooks the advancing troops from horseback, as a messenger brings the Patriarch's reply. He folds open the letter and reads in silence. He makes a humming sound as he finishes, intruiging Bertrand, who is positioned next to him.
"Response from the Patriarch, m'lord?"
Godfrey sighs as he nods his head, while still inspecting the letter
"It appears the Patriarch is unable to send us additionnal forces"
he chuckles
"he's actually asking me for support to help him capture the Aegean holdings, that sly fox."
Bertrand frowned as he leaned towards the letter
"Aren't those lands given to the Italians?"
"Yes, they are indeed, and I'd rather become a Muslim than spilling my men's blood for those greedy traitors. Yet t'is no matter, I only wanted the man's blessing, which we now have. We'll try to recruit some extra men when we get to Constantinople, the city is swarming with late-coming nobles."
He folded the letter and put it in the pouch on his belt, then turned his horse and started following the troops again. Bertrand followed him.
"send a reply to the Patriarch, Bertrand."
He spoke with a grin
"That we unfortunately cannot be distracted from our primary task and wish him the best in his campaign in the south."
He pointed to the village they were heading towards
"and send out our mounted forces, I don't want anyone to escape that village before we arrive there"