CHAPTER XVIII: Demetrius of Legnica

After that battle, I was given a title by the Polish Duke. "The Saviour of Legnica", is a very honorable title for a such fool as me but without Shen Lian's help we could not have won the battle because of his extensive knowledge about the Mongols so when Shen was in Constantinople, I asked Emperor Justinian to give him lands and his own Thema to govern and command, and he agreed.

Justinian had just recently captured the territories of Thessalonica and Peloponnese islands, a deed that seemed impossible but he did it with the help of Shen Lian using the new invention called bombards which devastated the city walls and their static ships that are docking in their ports. So in return, Justinian made Shen a Strategos of the theme of Thessalonica.

At first, he suffered due to not knowing Greek and only knowing Latin which is only used in diplomacy and palace events, but with loyal translators by his side and his Greek Companion, Jeremus was appointed by Shen as his secretary in treasury and a Stratopedarchēs which is the Master of Camp the one who will provide the army was stocked with food and arms.

Meanwhile, in 1243 I was again traveling to the Polish lands hoping to secure an alliance with them that lasted for a year to improve relations with them. My supposed intervention in Legnica boosted their favor in allying with us. While I was gone, Shen Lian peacefully submitted the Epirotes and the Moreans through threats of cannons or diplomacy.

While I was resting in Poland, they held several tournaments in which every person who is a noble or a knight errant can win to get a prize or a lady's favor. I was invited as a guest by the Duke to watch the prestigious event I accepted it so I can be entertained or perhaps a way to get me killed. Beside my seat was my Varangian guard. On the lower decks are several disguised Saint Lazarus Brethrens and some Teutonic Ritterbrüder that happened to arrive at Poland after some orders from George, which now has happened to be friends with all of the orders in the Levant and in the Baltic, with the Lazarus Knights on his side he now holds a plan to remove the original corrupt order in the Levant.

While we are watching a duel, a knight armored in full black suddenly challenged me, he spoke these words to make me interested, "Demetrius of Legnica, I challenge you into a battle of honor!" Everyone looked at him, not even the guards won't take him out as black symbolizes death and terror. I gladly took his challenge and soon the duel will soon begin.

I knew that the challenger was a fierce and skilled warrior, hr is possibly known for his strength and ferocity in battle. I stood in the middle of the arena, his armor does not shine in the sun, because of his armor's color. Across me, he stood there the challenger, both of us stared each other down, our eyes locked in a fierce gaze.

The duel began, and we both clashed swords, their blades ringing out in the air. Demetrius quickly realized that the challenger was strong and fast, but he was also reckless and impulsive. I knew that he used the Viking stance of fighting to force me to be nervous. However, I used this to his advantage and slowly began to wear him down.

Finally, I saw an opening and delivered a swift blow to the challenger's chest, knocking him to the ground. The challenger lay on the ground, defeated, and I was declared the victor.

People cheered my name and soon the Knight vanishes like a shadow, forever forgotten by the people as soon I realized that if you failed you will be forever a memory, the Polish Duke and his nobles were happy that I won against the mysterious knight but I was still dumbfounded that the knight suddenly disappeared.

Maybe he was death? Ready to take me to heaven or tested me.