Praefectus Praetorio
R.I.P. Brother of the Quill
Chapter 15 April 16, 2018 Zagreb
Dr. Moore and Messaline had pretty much caught up during the drive to and from Ravenna. Therefore, on the short flight to Zagreb they sat quietly in their first-class seats, read magazines and sipped complimentary Champagne.
“Thanks, Windar for the fund-raising,” thought Barb. “Perhaps I do owe you a something for all you’ve done recently. You are somewhat handsome in your professorial, pedantic way.” She chuckled to herself. “However, Geoffrey need not worry!”
Then Dr. Moore’s thoughts went to the girl sitting next to her. She noticed that Messaline was looking at her when she thought Barb didn’t know. Maybe Windar was right. Messa had never seemed interested in boys at the University. Barb had just put that down to her fanatical devotion to her work. Barb remembered her own workaholic approach at that age. Although she had always found time for some good, no-commitment sex.
Barbara had never been seriously attracted to girls. She noticed a particularly attractive or sexy girl now and then in high school and college. Once in a while, she might have fantasized what it would be like to have sex with a soft and sensuous woman. But she never came close to actually doing so.
As they began their descent to Zagreb airport, the pilot came on and warned that there was slight wind and turbulence expected and not to worry. Slight turbulence?? Barb thought someone was hitting the plane with Mjöllnir, Thor’s Hammer, over and over! The roller coaster ride continued until they touched down (bouncing twice!) and were taxiing. When the excitement was over, she realized that she and Messa were holding hands tightly and neither seemed anxious to let go. Nothing was said by either as they gathered their things and exited the plane.
Zagreb, the capital and largest city of Croatia is home to almost a million people. It’s history dates back to the settlement of Andautonia in Roman times. The Medieval city seems to have had its origin around 1094 when a Hungarian king established a diocese there named Zagreb. In 1102, after their own succession crisis, the Croatians accepted King Coleman (the “Book Lover”) of Hungary as King of Croatia and Dalmatia. For the next several centuries, the separate kingdom was ruled by Hungarian monarchs.
The Byzantine Empire temporally conquered the Dalmatian coast and part of Croatia (I said the history is complex) but the Hungarian King Béla III retook it in 1181.
The citizens of Split "returned to Hungarian lordship" soon after [Byzantine Emperor] Manuel's death [in 1180], according to the 13th-century Thomas the Archdeacon.
Upon Béla's invitation, Cistercian monks came from France and set up new Cistercian abbeys at Egres, Zirc, Szentgotthárd and Pilis between 1179 and 1184.
Bela was the effective ruler when Frederick Barbarossa came through Croatia and Hungary on the Third Crusade in 1189-90. Béla welcomed Frederick, and dispatched a troop to escort the crusaders across the Balkan Peninsula. At Frederick's request, Béla mediated a peace treaty between Frederick I and Isaac II [Byzantine Emperor], whose mutual distrust had almost caused war between the German crusaders and the Byzantines.
Dr. Moore and Messaline were greeted at the curb by the rest of the team along with a large van to take them all to the Esplanade Zagreb Hotel. They all got checked in and Dr. Moore gave them an hour to settle in. She was again impressed by the rooms. The Esplanade Suite was nice and roomy. Then they met in the very chic cocktail bar, Esplanade 1925.
Over glasses of wine Dr. Moore greeted them all as valued colleagues. They were all somewhat aware of the manuscript and the Treasure and she filled in the blanks.
First, she emphasized, as had Windar, the need for discretion. While this was an academic project which wouldn’t interest most laymen, the reputed fabulous value of the treasure could excite the wrong kind of interest. Only they and Windar (and of course, Geoffrey) knew of the manuscript and the connection to the treasure. “Don’t Tell Anyone Anything!” Dr. Moore instructed.
Barbara explained that their job in Zagreb was to research the monasteries of Hungary and Croatia in 1190. They needed to identify the one where Frederick stopped and where Nickolas was resident. The enthusiasm of the team members really lifted Barb’s spirits. This group would get the job done, she was sure. They then went to Zinfandel’s Restaurant in the Hotel for a fabulous meal. Though all the staff spoke English, Messaline’s fluency in Croatian (and her very sexy French manner) charmed the waiters and earned them exceptional service. They then went to bed to prepare for the work of the next day.
Barb suggested that she and Messa go back to the bar for one drink. There she thanked the girl for her help at Ravenna and at the dinner. Barb felt a special closeness to Messa and wanted her to feel welcome as the only non-American in the group. They had Sljivovica, a very strong Croatian plum brandy. Barb, who could usually handle liquor, felt a rush to her head after the earlier drinks and the wine with dinner.
They rode up an elevator together and as the door opened on Messalina’s floor, she turned to Barb, said ‘bonne nuit’ and gave her a quick but sensual kiss on the lips. Before Dr. Moore could react, the doors closed. Barb continued to her floor, blushing deeply.
Dr. Moore and Messaline had pretty much caught up during the drive to and from Ravenna. Therefore, on the short flight to Zagreb they sat quietly in their first-class seats, read magazines and sipped complimentary Champagne.
“Thanks, Windar for the fund-raising,” thought Barb. “Perhaps I do owe you a something for all you’ve done recently. You are somewhat handsome in your professorial, pedantic way.” She chuckled to herself. “However, Geoffrey need not worry!”
Then Dr. Moore’s thoughts went to the girl sitting next to her. She noticed that Messaline was looking at her when she thought Barb didn’t know. Maybe Windar was right. Messa had never seemed interested in boys at the University. Barb had just put that down to her fanatical devotion to her work. Barb remembered her own workaholic approach at that age. Although she had always found time for some good, no-commitment sex.
Barbara had never been seriously attracted to girls. She noticed a particularly attractive or sexy girl now and then in high school and college. Once in a while, she might have fantasized what it would be like to have sex with a soft and sensuous woman. But she never came close to actually doing so.
As they began their descent to Zagreb airport, the pilot came on and warned that there was slight wind and turbulence expected and not to worry. Slight turbulence?? Barb thought someone was hitting the plane with Mjöllnir, Thor’s Hammer, over and over! The roller coaster ride continued until they touched down (bouncing twice!) and were taxiing. When the excitement was over, she realized that she and Messa were holding hands tightly and neither seemed anxious to let go. Nothing was said by either as they gathered their things and exited the plane.
Zagreb, the capital and largest city of Croatia is home to almost a million people. It’s history dates back to the settlement of Andautonia in Roman times. The Medieval city seems to have had its origin around 1094 when a Hungarian king established a diocese there named Zagreb. In 1102, after their own succession crisis, the Croatians accepted King Coleman (the “Book Lover”) of Hungary as King of Croatia and Dalmatia. For the next several centuries, the separate kingdom was ruled by Hungarian monarchs.
The Byzantine Empire temporally conquered the Dalmatian coast and part of Croatia (I said the history is complex) but the Hungarian King Béla III retook it in 1181.
The citizens of Split "returned to Hungarian lordship" soon after [Byzantine Emperor] Manuel's death [in 1180], according to the 13th-century Thomas the Archdeacon.
Upon Béla's invitation, Cistercian monks came from France and set up new Cistercian abbeys at Egres, Zirc, Szentgotthárd and Pilis between 1179 and 1184.
Bela was the effective ruler when Frederick Barbarossa came through Croatia and Hungary on the Third Crusade in 1189-90. Béla welcomed Frederick, and dispatched a troop to escort the crusaders across the Balkan Peninsula. At Frederick's request, Béla mediated a peace treaty between Frederick I and Isaac II [Byzantine Emperor], whose mutual distrust had almost caused war between the German crusaders and the Byzantines.
Dr. Moore and Messaline were greeted at the curb by the rest of the team along with a large van to take them all to the Esplanade Zagreb Hotel. They all got checked in and Dr. Moore gave them an hour to settle in. She was again impressed by the rooms. The Esplanade Suite was nice and roomy. Then they met in the very chic cocktail bar, Esplanade 1925.
Over glasses of wine Dr. Moore greeted them all as valued colleagues. They were all somewhat aware of the manuscript and the Treasure and she filled in the blanks.
First, she emphasized, as had Windar, the need for discretion. While this was an academic project which wouldn’t interest most laymen, the reputed fabulous value of the treasure could excite the wrong kind of interest. Only they and Windar (and of course, Geoffrey) knew of the manuscript and the connection to the treasure. “Don’t Tell Anyone Anything!” Dr. Moore instructed.
Barbara explained that their job in Zagreb was to research the monasteries of Hungary and Croatia in 1190. They needed to identify the one where Frederick stopped and where Nickolas was resident. The enthusiasm of the team members really lifted Barb’s spirits. This group would get the job done, she was sure. They then went to Zinfandel’s Restaurant in the Hotel for a fabulous meal. Though all the staff spoke English, Messaline’s fluency in Croatian (and her very sexy French manner) charmed the waiters and earned them exceptional service. They then went to bed to prepare for the work of the next day.
Barb suggested that she and Messa go back to the bar for one drink. There she thanked the girl for her help at Ravenna and at the dinner. Barb felt a special closeness to Messa and wanted her to feel welcome as the only non-American in the group. They had Sljivovica, a very strong Croatian plum brandy. Barb, who could usually handle liquor, felt a rush to her head after the earlier drinks and the wine with dinner.
They rode up an elevator together and as the door opened on Messalina’s floor, she turned to Barb, said ‘bonne nuit’ and gave her a quick but sensual kiss on the lips. Before Dr. Moore could react, the doors closed. Barb continued to her floor, blushing deeply.
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