Alexios looked at Eric again. "I hope this will be a transaction, one from which I stand to gain something."
"Of course. I hope this transaction will be mutually beneficial," Eric said with a nod.
"Only Anatolia is of any benefit to me. I know the city of Jerusalem is important to Christ, to the Pope, to the Franks, and to the Teutons, but the memory of it has grown very faint for the Greeks. The last emperor to rule there was Emperor Heraclius.
If I provide you with supplies and help you conquer Jerusalem, will you recognize my right as the successor to Emperor Heraclius?" Alexios said with a smile.
"Your Majesty's predecessor, Emperor Constantine, once ruled Paris and all of Gaul, Spain, England, Wales, and Italy. I wonder, do the kings and princes who rule there now recognize your claim to those lands?" Eric responded with a smile.
Alexios smiled. "A wise answer. Once, old Rome or new Rome ruled every corner of the known world.
