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Chapter 81: Muslim\'s fealty

A young Arab man could be observed traveling alongside his sister, and many other people were spotted walking in the same direction, all summoned by their elder to meet in the square for an announcement.

The young guy was Naasir (see chapters 14-15), who was sent there by his father along with his daughter after hearing the call. They all knew that this was a crucial gathering and that their leader was about to make a major revelation. They were, however, uninformed of the reason for the unexpected call, but they were anxious to hear what their leader had to say, demonstrating the Muslim community\'s respect for their seniors.

The people soon filled out the square of the city. Murmurs and whispers went in the public place as people were wondering why they were there. Many were anxious because they knew that the leader would call them only if there was something important to say, and since they were currently living in a chaotic time in their kingdom, many thought that it would be nothing good for them. They were wary and cautious as they waited for him to speak, but they were also eager to hear what he had to say to satisfy their curiosity.

Naasir was the same as them; he was also wondering the reason for this sudden call, and just like the others, he was anxious about what the leader had to share with his people. A few minutes later, Naasir saw a knight was walking toward the wooden structure, where usually the leader would sit and make an announcement.

Naasir observed as the knight took out the scroll and began to read it in front of the assembled crowd. This apparently indicated that the usual protocol of having the leader make the announcement was being deviated from and that something significant and unexpected was about to be said. Naasir was surprised and eager to hear what the knight had to say, and he stopped speaking to hear the man.

\'\'I ,King Conrad III, Roi Siciliae, Roi Hierosolymitanum, and Dux Swabiae, with justice on my side, declare my arrival to my loyal Muslim subjects in the kingdom. From up north in Germany, I have received dire news of how the usurper treated my subjects, and my heart, which was already weeping from the information given to me, saddens even more when thinking of what he could do to the same warriors who supported my house when most of his supporters deserted it.

Between the king and his loyal Muslim subject, respect had always been present. You valorous citizens always respected the crown by answering his call when it was in need of faithful warriors; not once have I studied from the book that you loyal soldiers refused to take up arms. The king, in the same way, respected you, O\' Proud Men, by gifting you protection and equal treatment as your Christian brothers. My grandfather Frederick, second in his name, respected this relationship, gaining the hatred of the pope, whose eyes filled themselves with anger upon knowing that the merciful emperor allowed you to take residence on his land. More than once the pope ordered him to take arms against what he defined as the spawns and lovers of the devil, but tell me, citizens, would such an accusation be fit for the people that never once treated with disrespect the hand that caressed them? No, THEY ARE NOT! My grandfather refused such orders every time, gaining more than once an excomunication from the church.

He knew, however, that you were an important part of this kingdom; not only have you always paid taxes to him andgiftedt him with strong and loyal warriors, but you people also gave him knowledge, mathematicians, and architects, all things for which he had always been thankful. Please, my faithful subject, allow me to do the same as what my grandfather did ; allow me and my men to defend you. Why would my hear , not suffer the same pain from being pierced with hundreds of swords if it knew that my loyal subjects were being mistreated as a consequence of the mistakes made by my predecessors? I am ashamed to say the least, but I am unable to stop that with only my power. I did everything I could, I swear on everything that is right and just, and as such, it is with a pleading heart that I ask you, O\' Faithful Men, to take up arms once again, liberate yourself from the French shackles that imprison you, know that if I were to be defeated, no miracle would stop the vile French from enslaving or killing you, allow me to do the duty that a king should and protect you, but please support me in doing so, for both Allah and God would look upon such action with just eyes and blesses all of us with his divine gifts.

Signed by King Conrad III*

The people remained motionless as they absorbed each word and considered the ramifications of the message from their monarch, whom they had never met. They were impressed and inspired by the king\'s words of togetherness and hope, they stayed mute, evaluating their significance in their hearts. Naasir was the same for them, but he thought little of it as he was faster in expressing his support for the king. \'\'LET JUSTICE SERVE! The scream echoed over the empty square as his sister and many others glanced at him, but Naasir showed no signs of stopping, continuing to yell \'\'Long live the king\'\'. Soon after, others joined Naasir, each with expressing his support for his majesty\'s cause.

The declaration filled the people with pride and hope, as they saw themselves acknowledged and respected by the king, who addressed their relationship with the crown perfectly. They were reassured by his declaration of protection and their importance to him and to the kingdom. They felt that it was a call to action and that they were being asked to take up arms and fight, not for a shallow end but for justice and liberty. They felt motivated and empowered by the message and were more than eager to rise up and fight for their rights and freedoms, as shown by how fast they replied to his majesty\'s call.

Hope and expectation filled Naasir, as if he felt that this was the test sent by Allah to finally heed the promise he made to his family; it was now his turn to fight for their protection and well-being. He felt inspired and uplifted by the words of the king, apart from finally feeling a sense of purpose and responsibility.

All of this was seen by the elder, who merely smirked at his knight as if saying, \'I know my people well\'. After all, he knew that every person understood that their only choice was to fight against Charles, as the usurper would not think twice about killing them all. He was satisfied that they had understood the message that had been delivered to them. He was relieved that they had not misinterpreted the gravity of the situation and that they would be ready to fight for their liberty and for their own safety. He was confident that they would rally behind Conrad and that they would do whatever was necessary to protect their way of life and their autonomy.

Soon after, the elders took over the role of speaker from the envoy, informing the people that they were at war and that a recruitment drive would begin for those who wanted to join his majesty\'s army. Surprisingly, no forced enrollment was required this time. Volunteering was limited to those who chose to serve in the army in Calabria, with the remainder serving as a garrison force for the city\'s protection. It was a critical time, and many people were more than willing to do their job and fight for what was right. They were prepared to band together and battle against Charles in order to survive.

Many young and middle-aged men flocked to be recruited as fighters, and those who couldn\'t purchase their weapons were given a traditional bow and a modest short sword. The volunteers understood the significance of the decision and would have been committed and willing to assist in whatever capacity was required. They were inspired by their king\'s message of optimism and unity, as well as their belief in the cause.

Conradin was currently up north dealing with the Guelph Coalition at the time, and he had no idea that the letters he handed to Corrado before his trip would become so famous among the Muslim communities.

If he had known, he would have been moved by such a scene because it demonstrated to him and the people that he was their opportunity for a better life and that if he failed, he would have consigned them to maltreatment or, worse, death.

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