Chapter 409: A Tempting Offer Part I

The frigate carrying the King of Austria arrived within the port of Gibraltar after several days of travel. During these past few weeks, thousands of Austrian men had gathered in the area, waiting upon their monarch to appear so that he could lead them into battle.

Berengar was dreadfully hungover after nursing away his worries with the sweet taste of liquor. Having stepped onto the beach of Gibraltar, the radiant sun shone down upon him, its warmth increasing his urge to vomit. One thing was sure; it would take him a few days to be fit for combat.

Thus, he stepped forward and rallied his forces around him. Realizing that he would require a few days of rest, Berengar had altered the plan. He would lead the Second Division to Granada where they would regroup with Sultan Hasan Al-Fadl within the city before advancing north and aiding their line of defense at the northern borders of the Emirate.

It took several days to arrive within the Capital City; however, when the 40,000 soldiers from Austria and Bohemia entered the gates, they were practically greeted as saviors by the local Moorish and Arabic populace. After all, these citizens had witnessed the might of the Austrian Army's First Division as they ruthlessly slaughtered the Aragonese and Crusader forces who had foolishly marched upon the city.

Berengar and his Royal Guard ultimately made their way to the Royal Palace to meet with the young Sultan in person. As they approached the magnificent stone building, Berengar dismounted from his horse, where he glanced upon Hasan, who had a broad smile on his face. The two young men shared a brief moment of friendship as they hugged before letting each other go. Berengar was the first to comment on the situation as he greeted his friend from the West.

"Hasan, it has truly been too long since we last met."

the young Sultan nodded his head in response as he led Berengar and his Royal Guards into the depths of the Palace.

"Indeed it has, though I must say your complexion is paler than normal. Are you alright, my friend?'

Berengar instantly nodded his head in response, with a smirk on his face, revealing that he had overindulged on his journey to the Iberian Peninsula.

"I'm fine, just a little too much alcohol, you know how it is. After a few nights' rest, I will be ready to deploy to the frontlines."

Hasan chuckled as he heard this before making a sly comment about the Austrian King's condition.

"Well then, I guess we will not be celebrating your arrival too fiercely. However, I do have something arranged for you that I think will be to your liking!"

Berengar was instantly curious as he heard this; just what did Hasan have in mind for tonight's entertainment? Nevertheless, he smiled in response and nodded his head.

"Well, then you have my thanks in advance."

After walking through the halls of the Granadan Royal Palace, Berengar and Hasan arrived in the dining hall, where the two men sat down. While waiting for food to arrive, Hasan began to question Berengar about how he planned to wage this war against the Catholics.

"I've got to ask, we are heavily outnumbered, and the Iberians have begun to field Arkebuses and Falconets. Though I have personally witnessed the destructive power of your army, I must admit I am not hopeful for victory."

Berengar smiled as he drank from the glass of wine in his hands; sometimes, a bit of alcohol was the perfect cure to a severe hangover. After taking a sip from the glass, he quickly revealed his intentions to win this conflict in the most efficient manner.

"The answer is simple, we form a trench line across your borders and outfit it with men and artillery. No matter where your enemies approach, they will have to cross through barbed wire and trench warfare to make any significant gains.

This conflict shall be primarily defensive; we must bleed the enemy dry and force them to the negotiating table. Such action will buy us time, and allow me to aid in the reconstruction of your army so that you can take the defense of your nation into your own hands."

Hasan was surprised when he heard this; he expected Berengar's armies to march all the way to the borders of France. Hearing that they were fighting a defensive war brought great concern to the young Sultan.

"So we will not be invading the enemy Kingdoms?"

Berengar shook his head as he further instructed on the vision of this conflict.

"I did not necessarily say that, while a portion of our army defends your borders against your neighbors, a force of 10,000 men which I shall lead, will march into the neighboring Kingdoms and wreak havoc upon the enemy cities and townships. I will bring what little infrastructure these barbarians have to ruins and route their cowardly Kings out from their castles!"

Hasan was shocked that Berengar was willing to take such a stance. Nevertheless, Berengar was confident in the combined forces of Austria, Granada, and the Byzantines to defend a trench line from hundreds of thousands of their enemies. After all, the weapons his army wielded were far greater than that of his enemies.

The two men discussed the exact tactics and plan Berengar intended to use in order to bring their enemies to their knees over the next few months. After a few hours, the sun began to fall from the sky, and in its place, the moon rose. Having properly feasted within these hours, Hasan eventually led an inebriated Berengar to a secluded room where he spoke with a smile on his face.

"Wait right here, my friend; there will be someone here to entertain you shortly!"

After saying this, Hasan immediately departed from the area through its silk curtains leaving Berengar by his lonesome. The young Austrian King chuckled to himself as he thought of who could possibly be entertaining him. He knew he would have to decline the Sultan's Offer if he brought out a prostitute for Berengar to enjoy. Nevertheless, he stayed put as he sat in silence and took part in the wine sitting on the table before him. He was anticipating what kind of surprise his friend had planned for him.

Before long, a gorgeous young woman dressed in a Tyrian purple and gold belly dancer costume parted through the silk curtains and entered the room. Though she wore a matching gossamer veil, Berengar immediately knew who this woman was, as he would recognize her magnificent F cup-sized breasts anywhere.

However, after seeing them outside of a regal kaftan and instead contained within a skimpy belly dancer's top, Berengar's jaw had practically dropped as drool pooled up inside his mouth. He could not believe just how impressive this woman's chest was. It was better than even Linde's; he had a severe urge to suck on her nipples the moment he gazed upon her bountiful cleavage.

He was quite shocked as the woman stared him in the eye with her pair of beautiful amber irises and began to dance sensually. Though Berengar knew that Hasan had intended to establish an arranged marriage between their two houses, he had never thought much of it until now.

However, as Yasmin's substantial bust and plump rear jiggled as she danced before him, Berengar found himself growing ever more enticed by the woman's beauty. As if a spell was cast upon him the young King began to consider the fact that this woman was just the thing he needed to take his mind off of Henrietta's confession; he became visibly excited as he enjoyed the show.

Berengar witnessed the amorous dance with excitement as he watched the woman prance away, ultimately. In the end, she halted her actions and climbed atop Berengar's lap, staring intensely into his one good eye. He could feel the breath escape from beneath her veil as she whispered in his ear.

"Name your desire; my husband and I shall fulfill it!"

Upon hearing these words, Berengar was incredibly conflicted. Should he take the woman up on her offer and sleep with her? After all, she was as beautiful as any of his wives, and what man wouldn't want to sleep with such a woman?

Or should he reject her, and in doing so, escape from the trap that Hasan had laid for him? For if he had sex with Yasmin now, the likelihood was he was taking her purity, or at the very least, such a thing could be pinned on him. If such a thing occurred, there could only be three potential outcomes, compensate Hasan and Granada for stealing the Princess's virtue. Take responsibility and marry the woman, or go to war.

After dwelling upon these options for several moments Berengar stared at the beautiful woman in silence as she asked the question one more time.

"How shall I serve you, husband?"