Metz castle.

Henri, Prince of the realm sat in the quarters allocated them at Metz. Across the table, Andreas idly prodded the last of his meal whilst he listened to Henri talk. They had just received a letter from the King, Henri’s father.

“It changes nothing Andreas, nothing. This is an old trick of my fathers, one he has used these past 5 years to continue to keep me side-lined whilst he groomed Louis for succession, promises Andreas, nothing but the empty promises we’ve both had these past years…I grow weary of all.”

Andreas nodded. He’d hoped, for the good of Henri, that this may have been different but it was hard to believe after so many false starts, especially now that Henri had decided to take things into his own hands…regardless of his Fathers instructions. Was the letter in response to Henri’s actions or had it just coincidentally arrived with them at this time and offered a genuine olive branch? Even Andreas, knowledgeable of court politics couldn’t be sure.

“Then what is my lords wish?”

Henri turned from Andreas and stared at the fire thinking, as he was often to do, before replying.

“Come with me?”

“Pardon my lord??”

“Come with me, to the borders. My father waits with an army there and there is where we will not only have our answers when I see my father face-to-face again after so long but we will be in a position to be unavoidably placed in harms way.”

Henri’s eyes flashed with youthful excitement at the thought of seeing an army, let alone the thrill of potential danger so near to Imperial forces. However, Andreas was of less of an accommodating nature.

“My lord…” he started as diplomatically as possible “…whilst I am your tutor, I am under the direct employ of your father and I do not feel this would be his intention.”

Andreas diverted his eyes from Henri, well aware that he’d perhaps spoken out of turn. However, it seemed that Henri was more tactically astute than he’d thought and had already come up with an answer…

“It is not just I who has been left to rot Andreas. What of your mother, passed by this last year? Did you have permission to see her in her illness, or even to attend her funeral? Do you not have reason…as much as I…to move your life forwards in the presence of the King?”

Andreas thought for long moments. It was true indeed, he had personal “grievance” with how he had been treated, and whilst as a lowly vassal to the Royal household he should perhaps expect no less, he couldn’t help but feel the pressure building in his heart for more or at least a half-chance for something greater.

Now looking more fully at the young Prince he resolved himself.

“Indeed, it is as you say my lord. I will follow you.”

“Then that is settled. Rest well now, I will start making arrangements for our travel. If my Father is in anyway genuine in his compassion, or at the very least wishes it to appear so, it may be an opportunity for us to provide more than just our horses.”