"That detestable stepmother of mine has far too much influence over my father, that old man."
"You pity your half-brother's plight?" Mikhail looked at Eric.
"I just find it interesting, that's all. Perhaps God truly has other plans for him." Eric shook his head.
"Yes, God truly does have other plans for him. Just like your cousins who traveled to Constantinople to seek aid from Alexios. Your half-brother Bohemond, after leaving the front lines in Epirus and returning to Apulia, almost immediately traveled to Rome for an audience with the Pope.
He took up the Cross, knelt before the papal throne, and pledged his allegiance, swearing to become the Pope's vassal and fight for the Lord of Heaven. Before long, he'll either be stirring up war in the East or back in Apulia."
"As long as the old man is still around, he has almost no chance of taking Apulia." Eric shook his head. "By the way, what about my sister?"
