Bruges, 1083

 The man who was ushered in the royal pavilion bore upon him all the marks of the wealth that made him what he was : one of the leading merchants of Bruges, the Venice of the North.

 Clad in a heavy fur coat, with heavy chain of gold studded in gems hanging from his neck, his hands coming out of his deep sleeves in a respectful bow allowed the King to get a glimpse of several gems that could almost put those of the King to shame. But even more than the jewels, it was the girth of the man that spoke of his wealth. Philippe estimated it would take the arms of three man to circle the man at his widest.

 “Nicholas van Donkkers, at your service, your Majesty”, the man intoned. “You have sent for me, I believe ?”

 “Yes, Monsieur Van Donkkers… Please, join me by the fire and warm yourself…”

 “Thank you, your Majesty” The man warmed his hands by the fire, clearly wanting for the King to speak first.

 “I have asked you here as the leading merchant in that guild of yours. You and I have some impotant matters to discuss for the future of your city. How do you like having Artois as your souverain, van Donkkers ?”

 Not knowing where the discussion would lead, the merchant chose to speak his mind truthfully.

 “Robert d’Artois is a fool, a dangerous fool… But to be frank, your Majesty, I’d prefer having him as my overlord and suffer his foolishness than having him removed at the risk of seeing my city sacked and my riches and those of my fellow merchants spilt down the streets.”

 “To be frank myself, I’d prefer Robert removed but I do not want to see your “riches” go anywhere else than the coffers where they belong. Nous, les Français are not thieves like those English fiends. So you see your views are not irreconcilable. I want Flanders to be part of France and to accomplish this, I’ll need Bruges to surrender to me. A siege is a lengthy and costly business, one I do not relish… And neither should you…”

 “No, your Majesty, but it is not as if I or any other of the citizens have any choice in the matter. You either lay siege to the city or you don’t… And seeing the massing of forces and that lightning raid by some of your knights, I expect the siege will come soon… Preparations have already been made… Artois is a fool in all things but not in matters of war… Truly, it may cost you dearly to storm our walls…” Nicholas wondered if he hadn’t gone too far, his words had come out of his mouth faster than he wanted to speak them… now it was too late to take them back.

 Philippe immediately picked up on the unease of the man.
 “You are right… The siege will come. And if it lasts, it will mean the end of your guild and your precious privileges… Other cities will fill the vacuum left when your port and gates close up. You will never be able to recover. Ruin is what awaits you if I siege the city.”

 Nicholas managed to stand his ground though the commitment of the King frightened him.

 “Only if you win, Votre Majesté… Artois is right now negotiating with the English to come and help, if they do, you’ll be caught between the rock and the hard place.”

 “And I will win that I can guarantee you… If not now, then one day, and when that day comes, you will wish you are on my side, van Donkkers”

 “And what can I do to be on your side ? Bruges is my city… I live there, as did my father and his father before him…”

 “So be true to her and have her join one of the greatest Royaume of our age… Help me overthrow Artois…”

 Van Donkkers was taken aback, never had he expected such an offer. But he now saw the uncertainty that beset the French king. Bruges was heavily defended and France was at the mercy of the English and the Germans. If he could not get a swift resolution here, leaving the French army tied up in a lengthy siege, that mercy could very well end suddenly and violently. Nicholas suddenly sensed he had the higher ground, an opportunity that could well turn in his favour.

 “What would you require of me and the guild then, your Majesty ?”

 “To help this man get in and out of the city unnoticed…” Philippe made a small gesture with his hand and suddenly a man dressed in a black tunic and cloak stood by his side. “He must have been hiding in the shadows of the tent all this time” thought van Donkkers, a thought that chilled him to the bone despite the fire. His face was totally common, the kind of face you would forget immediately once you had him out of your sight.

 “Nicholas vanDonkkers, meet Aubry Fevre, a loyal servant of the Couronne Française”

 The man gave van Donkkers a parody of a bow, his eyes never leaving Nicholas’ face.

 “I want you to help him acquire knowledge of Artois’ forces in the city, their patrols, anything… And when the time comes, I want you to help him have the gates opened for us…” A look of worry crossed van Donkkers’ face “Don’t worry, he’ll know how to proceed, all you have to do is make sure he can relay to us anything he discovers and make sure he can bribe, kill or otherwise subdue the gates’ guards when the time come…”

 Van Donkkers balked at the enormity of the plan. Nevertheless the opportunity was still there, otherwise why would the king bother to ask him ? He could have sent the man, unbeknown to anybody in the city.

 “Your Majesty, you want me to betray my city but I see nothing in it for me or my fellow citizens. Once your forces are in the city, they’ll be free to prey upon our women and our riches, such is the law of war. What assurances do I have that anything like this will not happen ?”

 “You’ll have my word, van Donkkers… Surely the word of the French king carries some weight..”

 Out of pure boldness, Nicholas went on “Yes, you Majesty… But what would there be in it for me, personally ? What of the Guild ?”

 “So we’re down to haggling, van Donkkers… Speak… What would you ask for your service ?”

 “Your promise that the town will be left untouched when it falls…”

 “Granted.”

 “…and your promise that you will take steps to make Bruges the major trading city of France.”

 “Granted.”

 “Thank you, your Majesty.” Nicholas fought hard not to let as igh pass his lips.

 “Do not thank me yet… The city has not fallen… And should you fail in helping us resolve this siege in due time, you’d prefer your pact was with the Devil rather than with me. Now, go and take Aubry with you. Next time I’ll see you will be on the other side of those walls.”

 With a quick bow, Nicholas retreated, the man Aubry in his wake.

 Walking back to his carriage, Nicholas was trying to find how to explain the new servant he had acquired in his retinue.