IC Tavern Thread

Matthias smiles at Arnold's greeting.

Recent events have taught me that a one sided slaughter of a foe is much better than a "sporting" battle. With the odds against us, we must use every advantage, as you did.

God smiled upon me and my men at Al Qubayyat. I had the advantage of terrain, but if that second army hadn't been delayed. . .things could have gone differently.

As for Lothar. . .

Matthias's expression darkens.

I have not seen him since I returned. If I bet on the wrong side in a civil war, twice no less, I'd make myself scarce too.

All those men sent to their death at Bern could have made quite the difference in Italy.

Matthias smiles grimly.

But that is the past, and we have been asked not to discuss it, in the Diet at least.

I wish you luck in the election, and that new fangled debate Andreas is cooking up.

Arnold:

You're dead right about Lothar...I hadn't thought about it like that until you mentioned it.

Arnold has a small chuckle to himself thinking of his childhood friend and the choices he had made over the last few years. Suddenly the Duke face changes to one of concern.

I'd heard some crazy rumour from my Priest that there is some type of questionnaire being written up...is that actually true!!??

Yes it is.

Matthias hoists his coffee with a wry smile.

To the return of central authority, with some of its blessings less welcome than others.

Blessings indeed Matthias.

Arnold raises his drink in salute.

Fredericus Erlach enters the bar, upon seeing his brother-in-law and Duke Arnold, he signals the bar for a round for the whole table, and makes his way over.

Good to see you fellas,

And Arnold, my wife talks of you like an uncle, you can be assured of my support on your run for Chancellor.

Matthias greets his brother-in-law warmly.

Fredericus, good to see you, my sister is well?

Your exploits on Corsica reached even to Outremer. You gave the Sicilians quite a pasting.

Ajaccio will be ours again, though the mainland needs to be stabilized first, at least in my view. A tough decision, but that's the only type we've had lately.

Clapping his hand on Erlach's shoulder Arnold smiles.

Kordula was the only one amongst us that could keep Gerhard occupied while we got into trouble in some way or another.

I have fond memories of those times when I was with the family as a squire to Gerhard. Your father-in-law was a great man and did a enormous favour to my father while he was away in Outremer all those years ago.

It's good to have your support Fredericus, and as Matthias says, you really handed those Sicilian's a right old thrashing in Corsica well done.

Arnold my friend, you and Fritz have certainly put me in a tough position for the voting. Both of you seem very strong candidates and whoever wins, the Reich would be well off.

This... debate may well sway my opinion. Good luck!

Looking rather concerned at the Prinz, Arnold frowns and shakes his head ever so slightly.

What the £$%£ is this debate about Prinz Peter? I've never heard of anything like this in my entire life.

Fritz is your brother so I completely understand your point of view, and actually I'm privately quite surprised at the general level of positive response I've received since announcing my candidacy.

why you both honour me with your words, and Yes Kordula is well, but Arnold against the Venetians you have been nothing less than Miraculous and Mathias you have killed more Greeks than can be counted.

I would love to return to Corsica, but lets rid our northern Italian provinces of this greek infestation, and then reclaim Corsica. I also have concerns about France, they have greatly increased their power, only time will tell.

Andreas nods to King Matthias, then orders a coffee. He seems weary this morning, and is still shifting through his papers, muttering to himself.

Hmmm....19 questions is bit much, I should trim a few. Haha, what is your greatest weakness? I can see the answers now, "My weakness is caring too much for the Reich".

Matthias snorts.

Greatest weakness? I'm glad I got the position in my younger days, I doubt I would have the patience to answer such a question now.

Good luck, Andreas, considering the reputation of the two candidates, it might count as service in a Forlorn Hope regiment.

Matthias smiles wolfishly, the eyepatch adding to the feral affect.

Andreas laughs at King Matthias' comment.

I'd strike that question, but the source of it was rather high up in the Imperial ranks. Anyway, the candidates can use the questions for toilet paper for all I care. If they suffer a loss of votes for not answering, it's none of my business.

Dieter looks at Count Becker and says,

Thank you sir, but I'm having enough trouble with beer. I will toast your new son. May he grow up strong and smart like his father!

Dieter returns to his coffee. He convinces the bartender to spike it with liquor.

Andreas walks into the tavern, for once sans paperwork and looking quite relieved to be done with gathering questions. He take sthe first available seat at the bar and orders a round of whatever they want for everyone at the front of the tavern.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC: Given how big the place is, buying drinks for everyone in every section would probably bankrupt the poor guy. :clown:

Dieter hears Andreas talk to the bartender. He asks the bartender to put another shot in his coffee, on Andreas's tab. He raises his cup to the Crusader.

Thank you kind sir!

he says with a smile

You're welcome, Herr Dieter. I am in especially good spirits today, since I'm done with that insufferable paperwork. Better yet, in two days we will have a new Chancellor, and a worthy one which ever candidate wins. Then I am off to return to Outremer, where my work is done with sword and lance rather than with pen and paper.

Here here!

By the way, what crawled up Count Bohmen's arse tonight?

Count Karl Zirn endorsed Duke Arnold in the Diet. Count Becker endorsed Duke Arnold in the Diet. Count Bresch endorsed Sir Fritz in the Diet.

Then I do the same thing and all of a sudden I have violated some unwritten Diet protocol?

I can only conclude that Count Bohmen assumes he can pick on those younger than himself.

The door slowly opens, then shuts very quickly, and Duke von Salza steps from the shadows. He walks to the bar,

Bavarian wine, sir? asks the man
If it wasn't Bavarian I'd happily drink a tub of it, give me some stuff from Swabia. The bartender nods and nosily fills a mug, the Duke sits down at the bar and looks around at the tavern, observing its occupants.

Andreas laughs.

Perhaps he did not mind it when those men spoke because they have titles and are greater in years than you, or perhaps he became increasingly angry at them at took it out on the first person proclaiming a preference who was junior to him. Maybe he's resentful because you have fought for the Reich, where he has only fled from two battles, and had his County saved by another. Whatever the cause, it need not bother us here.

He nods towards von Salza.

Greetings, mein Duke. I am glad to finally get the chance to meet you in person. I think now that my first beer is finished, I will try a glass of that Swabian wine.

Andreas gestures to the Barkeep.

Duke von Salza looks up as he hears someone talking to him, and recognizes Andreas.

I thought you were in Outremer! Its good your over there...

The Duke takes a sip from his wine and softly swears
At least you got there before those Bavarians could, eh? They wouldn'tve let it die down if they got there before Swabia...

The Duke stares into the space, then lets out a booming laugh
Except the King of course, he was a Bavarian, but now I think he is more Outremer. A' long a' you keep beating those bavs, you've kept me happy. Those bloody...
As the Duke opens his mouth to say something more about the bavarians, he notices the Austrian Dieter, and closes his mouth quickly. He darkly watches the Austrian, taking a sup of his wine.
Good to see you here, at least your not bagging Lutherans in the Diet anymore, or your Saint. I assume all is well in Austria?

Dieter looks at the Duke,

My Saint? It was the Church that made Jan von Hamburg a Saint. I had nothing to do with it. As for "bagging Lutherans", my issue with Sir Fritz is not that he is Lutheran. It is that he revises history.

As for Austria, we're covered in enemies. Poles and Venetians and Hungarians. I helped the Kaiser and Karl Zirn beat an army of Hungarians at Zagreb. But there are more out there.

How goes Swabia? I'm glad the whole Ducal succession thing was sorted out.

Dieter lifts a cup of spiked coffee to the Duke.

Mein Duke,
I was lucky enough to get a reprieve to come here for the Diet. It appears that after King Matthias' last victory, the Greeks are hesitant to even come near our borders in Outremer, so Acre is safe at least for the duration of the Diet.

Andreas takes the glass of wine offered by the barkeep.

So far as I know, none of the Bavarian nobles desire to got to Outremer at the moment, although young Dieter here would like to, wouldn't you, Dieter?

Takes a sip of "coffee"

I'm Austrian but yes I would like to take up the Cross. Duke Arnold has given his blessing. King Matthias has accepted my transfer. Now there is just the tiny matter of getting over there.

It might be some time before I can safely travel to Outremer. But I will try to make it as soon as I am able.

The Duke's tone lightens with another sip of wine, which was emptying fast

Swabia right now is a bloody hellhole. Frenchmen swarming around Metz, Staufen, the whole place.

I hope your ambitions to head for Outremer turn true, can't have the turk ruling the world can we? Well we can't those greeks either...
Athalwolf claps his hands, ordering more wine and turns to Dieter again.

Why do you want to go to outremer? Riches, reward, titles? Is it for religion, boy? Or are you a bloody fanatic?

The Duke, before awaiting a answer, turns to a letter and starts feverishly writing, before sealing it and passing it onto the bartender and quickly leaves out back. The DUke then turns back to the conversation.

Dieter answers the Duke

My father-in-law is Karl Zirn. He ruled Damascus benevolently for years. My wife wishes to return to Outremer. I want to follow in Lord Zirn's footsteps and honor the man. Plus I want to serve Austria and the Reich. Austria needs a representative in Outremer. Outremer needs help. I am also a religious man as you guessed. Not a "fanatic". At least I don't think so.

Now, I have enjoyed the good company but I must retire. Siburg is expecting me home at a decent hour this time.

Good night to you both.

Dieter nods to Duke von Salza and Andreas.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC: It's bedtime in "real life". :yes:

The Duke raises his glass to Dieter, drains it and turns to Andreas.

Well, I take my leave. I am sure matters in the Diet shall explode the next morning. I have to write that report to the Kaiser as well...

Clea the slate of those Turks and Greeks in Outremer, Andreas, and don't forget...

The DUke dons his coat and has one foot out the door
Your Swabian!
He leaves quickly grumbling about writing reports about some useless things

Friedrich, who had been in a dark corner for the whole duration of von Salza's stay, glares at the door. His gaze attempts to replicate that of Duke Arnold's when the Dread Duke glares, and actually succeeds somewhat. He mutters:
"Who does he think he is? Criticising Bavaria! Hmph! We already have a man there, do we need to send more? That man is the one who has given the most to Outremer in recent years, while those Swabians were unable to keep even a Duchy unified! Grrr... Ah, well..."
He turns back to his mug, pulls out a book and begins to read it.

Do forgive my Duke, Friedrich. He is in a hard position to rule Swabia at this time, and may not always find the right words. But he is a good and decent man inside, and wants to restore the Reich and the Houses to their rightful place.

That is more than can be said for some other members of this Diet.

Are you insinuating anything? I realize that, but if he wants to restore the Reich, and by extension its unity, he should avoid criticizing any of the Reich's Duchies.