Conseil du Royaume

[Braden]

*Henri enters, he is flustered and clearly tired*

My Lords,

I must report that I have had to withdraw from the German forces facing me such was their strength. I do not fear their numbers my lords..no, but their quality is of such that I have not seen before this day.

I myself saw at least eight companies of fully armoured knights…some with horses and some without..four companies of armoured spearmen with support by an equal number of crossbowmen.

Not only this but each man had the look of a seasoned veteran…well trained and well armed and confident in their task. I chose to withdraw, I could have made greater speed with my horse along and there was a great risk that the enemy could catch me if I did not…

However, I remained with my infantry. IF they were to be forced to face such an army then they would do so with me at their shoulders!!

I am planning to now join with what forces are available to the Duchy at Frankfurt before we turn and face this new threat. Even with such numbers our forces are mainly militia…normal working men of the Duchy with minimal drilling.

I understand the King did not feel we required the more professional forces that my castle at Metz could provide and, looking at our current income of the Realm, I can see why. Next season we will be in danger of bankrupting ourselves but our enemies it seems leave us with little choice.

[Ituralde]

My Majesty, I take it from your silence on the matter that my services are no longer required in Albion. I will move with all hast toward Frankfurt to join Prince Henri in the fight against the Germans. May the Welshmen be as much help to you killing the English as they were to me.

[_Tristan_]

Philippe nods at Simon de Montpierre.

I will not keep you in these Isles against your will, Simon. I fully understand your feelings and hope things could have worked differently. Now, be assured that I still consider you a faithful vassal and I'm sure my son, your Captain, will welcome your reinforcement.

I'm sure the Welsh will serve me as well as they did under your orders... Yourself will soon find you among the finest of French soldiers, defending our northern border...

I entrust to you the life of my son Henri.

[Ituralde]

I thank you your Majesty. You will not be disappointed!

Bowing deeply Simon leaves the Counseil.

[Ramses II CP]

Brother Henri there is no shame in saving the lives of your men for a better day. Though we are Franks we are not invincible. All would do well to remember this fact, especially in light of the losses our realm has suffered of late.

I also announce that I and my expeditionary force have captured Grenada from the Moors. The soldiers captured in it's defense were not ransomed; it is clear their Sultan cares only for his own life. I now mean to ride to Gibraltar and sieze the narrow crossing to prevent the Moors at Cordoba from easily being reinforced before I move north against them. I have heard little from my father in law of late, if there is a diplomat available I would appreciate him contacting the Castillians to see how their forces lie and what scouting reports they may have.

Grenada is a hive of scum and villainy, it will require many priests to make a decent place of it. Perhaps Spain can aid in that matter as well.

The Moors there fled my coming in great cowardice, and few would face me. I wonder if all heathens are such cowards. In a few years when I drive on Cordoba we shall find the true test of their hearts.

(edit): Sir de Saint-Amand I have sent papers turning over the command of the Mailed Knights from Toulouse to your staff. They are now entirely at your disposal. If they prove inadequate in any way let me know and I will deal with the matter with my training staff. I apologize once more for declining to adopt you, in light of current circumstances it increasing appears to have been a decision of questionable worth on my part.

[deguerra]

My Dauphin, regardless of our disagreements in the past let me be the first to congratulate you and thank you. Without many troops or much support, you and your house hold our Southern frontier, on which we face an actual and not self-induced threat. But far from merely holding, you have gone on the offensive and are throwing the heathens back to the sea. I salute you, hero of France.

Along with the carrot, though, comes the stick, and I must say that I would be most pleased if Granada and Cordoba were given to the Spanish crown.

[KnightnDay]

"Dauphin, please, no apologies are necessary. God has seen to look after me and I have no regrets with the position I find myself in today.

And the knights I am sure will account for themselves well in battle. Compagnie d'Aquitaine will remain close by my own guard when it is time to cross swords with our enemies.

With that, I must depart. The men of the Reich yearn to do battle with the forces of Lorriane and I intend to see to it that they are not disappointed."

"Adieu, mes amis."

[Cecil XIX]

A letter arrives from Duc Raymond in Dijon.

Your majesty,

In anticipation of future battles with the Germans I shall use one of my prioritizations to recruit one regiment of town militia immediately. Also, I have a question for our scribes: Can an Lord use his prioritizations to recruit soldiers in settlements owned by his vassals?

Your obediant,
R. de Provence

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

Micheal D'Anjou enters the council, apparently in a good mood. He hums slightly as he takes a seat near by the rest of the house of aquitaiune

The English prince was foolish to move so deeply into french lands. He has been dispatched as well as his small retinue. They fought tenaciously, but broke when casualties started to mount. We rode down all we could, and I believe they have been thoroughly eradicated. The only explanation I can come up with as to how he got where he was is by ship, so I would like to petition he king to allow me to build a watchtower north of Pamplona next season.

Casualties among the peasants were low enough, although the uselessness of them as anything but cannon fodder still amazes me. But what can one expect?

[Ramses II CP]

For anyone who was unaware, Prince Henry of England had somehow crept into the forests southwest of Bordeaux. He was not as well hidden as he might have wished, however, as Baron D'Anjou makes obvious. I have given him charge over Pamplona and asked him to discover how the English came to intrude upon our lands. I suspect they've a naval presence of some sort in the west. Perhaps it is time for France to develop one as well?

I have ordered a blockade placed on the port of Cordoba to deny the Moors resources and reinforcement. I also mean to erect a fort at the narrows of Gibraltar, if the Seneschal will permit it next season, so that France can control passage. If the will of the Council is to return Granada to the Spanish they may also wish to garrison that fort, but in the mean time it will prevent Cordoba from being reinforced easily.

Once Granada and the crossing are secured I mean to drive on Corodoba and expel the infidels from Iberia for good. I still do not clearly know the situation in my father-in-law's lands. Perhaps an agent could be assigned to discovering how matters lie?

I ask that all Franks pray for Baron de Chatillon's victory at Bern. Perhaps Duke de Provence could be troubled to stir himself to the man's aid?

The same prayers must be said for Prince Henri and Duke de Saint-Amand in the north. The Germans have clearly found a new source of funding for their armies, especially in light of their purchase of Nuremburg. Perhaps after we have seen off their latest armies an equitable peace could be found?

Speaking of which, I salute your wisdom in enriching our kingdom at the small cost of surrendering those far flung settlements Mon Roi. Your guidance as Seneschal sees France profitable and successful on all fronts!

[_Tristan_]

Philippe nods to his son.

I'm glad to see you appreciative of the work I do. For it is for you I'm doing it, Louis... This will soon be your Royaume.

As to securing the crossing, I fear a fort in Gibraltar may be a magnet to Moorish forces rather than a deterrent. And erecting a fort will cost our treasury dearly, without even adding in the cost of the man manning it. I would suggest rather getting another fleet in your employ to patrol the straits and prevent any massive crossings. It would be a bargain comparatively.

I'll see to send an agent towards Iberia as soon as possible to acquire knowledge of forces in presence.

And, of course, my prayers also go to our brave nobles and soldiers in Bern and Frankfurt. They are fighting blasphemers and if they remain strong in their faith, as in their arms, they will prevail.

Now, I must be back to Albion. There's still some fighting to be done there...

[deguerra]

Mes Seigneurs,

The siege at Berne is broken. The Imperial Army has been routed, their ransom rejected and survivors cut down to the last man. They were lead by imbeciles, but their individual soldiers fought bravely, and French casualties were high. I would especially like to mention Sieur Chrétien, without whom I would not be standing here today.

I would ask that as many of my troops be retrained as possible, with special focus on the armoured knights who took heavy losses. But really, I would ask that we finally cease hostilities with the Reich. We have slain several Kaisers. We have taken a large chunk of their lands. What more do we want?

That said, I care not how many more armies are sent to Berne, they will be smashed like the ones before. And from this day, there will be no more rejected ransom demands. Any Imperial soldier who enters Switzerland bearing arms against me and is caught will be killed. I will block the mountain passes with their bodies if need be.

[Braden]

A messenger arrives wearing Henri's colours

My Lords,

The seige of Frankfurt has been broken. We are victorious this day but I have dire news to report...

...The Duc of Lorraine was killed in action.

My lord the Prince Henri will arrive in a few hours to deliver the details himself.

[Cecil XIX]

Raymond lowers his head in mourning.

The Duchy of Lorraine continues to suffer terrible trouble. My prayers are with dear Thomas, as my condolences are with his survivors.

[Braden]

Two men open the doors to the chambers. One is in his late forties, stocky and calm looking the other is younger..perhaps 30…tall and lean, his armour, for they both wear full plate armour, appear to hang from his frame rather than fit him correctly. His eyes dart about the hall as they enter. They are followed by Prince Henri, eyes reddened and face dark. He too wears his battle armour, battered and tarnished but carries a breastplate. He enters to the centre of the hall and throws the breastplate to the ground for all to see, it has clearly been punctured with small square holes

Henri speaks with a quiver in his voice.

This is the armour of Duc Thomas Saint-Amande of Lorraine. His body was foully pierced by crossbow bolts. He died fighting the Germans he hated, their army is now destroyed its…survivors…Henri glares at the older of the two knights with him…have retreated to Nuremburg and now cower in its walls.

I bring the counsiel nearly 5,000 florins in “tribute” from the German Kaiser. Let me say now that no amount would be enough to pay for the offence Lorraine has been given by these men to our East and they will rue the day they dared to strike at us.

I had retreated, we waited within our own borders and I almost believed that after the trade of Nuremburg that the Germans would allow peace to develop…but no, they decided that they would STILL prefer war and outside Frankfurt we met them with what militia forces we had at our disposal.

By the skill of the Duc, we were victorious that day though half our number lay dead on the field…1,500 Germans lay rotting outside the walls of Frankfurt!

I ask the counsiel and the Seneschal my father for the coin to replenish our losses ((OOC: Retrain)) and permission to pursue the war these Germans clearly wish to continue.

Henri sits with a slump on the Duc’s old chair, flanked by his men

[Braden]

Henri still sits, but has had some wine and has been persuaded to remove or loosen some of his field armour, he reads a message, sips some wine and begins

My Lords,

he starts and sounds paced and considers each word

It appears the young Duc did not leave a living will for the continuation of his Duchy. What happens to the holdings of Lorraine and its vassals is now to the consideration of the King.

I will ask that the blood spilled in defence of the Duchy and France be considered and that a continued threat exists in the East with the Germans. Who is to say how long it will take them to find such an army as the one just defeated again?

Also to this, I ask, for I only have knowledge of my own Barony at this time, that Metz have its walls upgraded once the local population warrants it.

Henri nods to his father before resting again

[Ferret]

André looks suspiciously at Prince Henri, but holds his tongue.

[shlin28]

Villain, his clothing immaculate compared to his two peers in the Duchy of Lorraine, walked into the Conseil.

My lords, it is an honor for me to stand in the presence of such illustrious men, men who have safeguarded and expanded France's influence despite the best efforts of our tenacious foes.

Indeed, it was one of these men of legends, my own liege lord, the Duc of Lorraine that fell in battle outside of Frankfurt. Such a hero deserve to be honored, and I will honor his memory till the day I die.

Villain bows to the assembled nobles, before moving to sit beside his comrades. He did not speak to either of them.

[_Tristan_]

Mes Seigneurs,

I am saddened at the loss of Duc Thomas. I feel responsible for his death, for while I am off in these wretched islands, men of Lorraine are dying defending our lands.

Lorraine will have everything it needs to stand up and fight but I will make everything in my power to obtain a ceasefire. This war has lasted long enough and if the Germans won't have enough to lay down their arms, we will show sense for both and make them an offer they cannot refuse. I cannot suffe to see another death in the House of Lorraine.

The price in blood we've paid is too heavy.

Now the House of Lorraine finds itself leaderless once more. If the other Dukes are not opposed to it, I will appoint the highest ranking member of the House to the position.

I hereby nominate Henri, Prince de France, Seigneur de Metz, Duc de Lorraine.

Stand and be recognized.

[AussieGiant]

Alain nods his head in consent towards the King.

"It is sad tiding to 'ear of Duc Thomas passing.

In ze event of no will being written you 'ave my support in Prince 'enri's candidacy my liege."

[Braden]

Henri stands slowly, tired perhaps, he bows to his Father and Alain

I thank you my Lords for this honour. If it could be refused it would be, but Lorraine needs everyone she has now more than ever and I guess, my experience at least of campaigning against the Germans will aid her in the defence of our lands.

I thank you also for the vote of confidence in me and the offer of aid to rebuild our forces.

Should your efforts my father to attain peace fall to nought...rest assured I will be waiting to ask the Kaiser, in person, and at the end of my sword, if he would reconsider your offers.

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

Micheal Coughed awkwardly

So My Roi, am I allowed to build the watchtower northwest of Pamplona?

[OverKnight]

A young man enters the Conseil. He is slight of build but bears a determined look in his eyes. He bows to the throne and then speaks with a somewhat high voice in contrast to his warlike words.

I am gladdened that the Germans have foolishly refused our latest peace offer. Seneschal de Champagne offered them much more than that, very generous terms, and they still refused.

So let the fools come. Those bastards burned out my family when I was 15, and I've yet to fully repay them. We should make the Empire a desert and then call that peace.

So if blood must be shed, so be it, but we should not offer even one more florin of tribute.

[_Tristan_]

The King nods at Michel d'Anjou.

Permission granted.

He then acknowledges the arrival of Chretien Saisset.

I understand your anger, Sieur Saisset and grieve for your loss. But we have to stand one rung above the Reichlanders and thus, it is our duty to propose a ceasefire at almost all costs. The Eastern front has claimed too many lives of late, Lorraine has paid too heavy a price in blood and though I know that the noble of Lorraine are up to the challenge of many more battles, Icannot bear the burden of so many deaths on my conscience.

Hence, I'd ask you to stay your sword and use it in your defense or that of your Duchy or our Royaume alone. Vengeance should have no place in our hearts.

[Braden]

Henri stands and acknowledges Chretien Saisset

Both you and I are young Chevalier, you have offered your services to Lorraine and we accept them gladly. I foresee much fighting still to come as my scouts report large German armies at our borders still…and I do not believe they are there for the mountain air!

My King, my father…Seneschal…too many titles for me perhaps to pronounce, then again, none more than my own it seems now. Lorraine has suffered as you know and I have made instruction to my Barons to look to their provinces and request what they feel is needed to rebuild our forces.

For my part I ask that you continue with your pledge to recruit for our depleted companies in Frankfurt ((OOC: i.e. retrain)).

However, Lorraine will not sit idly by and accept constant incursions from a German foe who repeatedly refuses offers of peace. I say here and now that if these incursions continue Lorraine WILL be forced to wage an offensive war against the Germans. I cannot and will not accept our villages and farms pillaged and burnt! It is better that the Germans suffer and are made to bring peace than our normal folk are made to suffer longer than needed.

Yes, my soldiers will die but they join as men-at-arms to defend their homes and to stop constant German pillage of their lands…they gladly accept their lives as trade to do this task.

Father, I am not Louis. You see me here telling you and the council what my Duchy is to do…I have not heard Louis tell the council that he intended to strike deep into Iberia until after he had already committed to such a course. Lorraine will and has been forced to consider the same course against the Germans but I am here to tell you and the council this will happen rather than hear from a messenger that Hamburg has fallen.

As Captain of the Order I have also instructed that your requests be fulfilled. I trust this is to your agreement also.

Father, give me the tools and I will bring peace in the East. Continue to talk to the Germans, I assure you that before long their tone will change.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Charles stands..

After some discussion with my brother.. Charles nods to Henri.. I will accept Villain de la Salle into Royal Family. The deal I made with my brother sees that Staufen will be handed to me in return.

So,

Villain de la Salle, welcome into our family!


(OOC: Tristan, accept that MotH offer when Braden have confirmed this deal. )

[Braden]

Henri stands

Indeed brother, I wish you well in establishing your own Duchy on our Southern frontier. I too welcome Villain into our family and toast his continued work with the Duchy of Lorraine.

((OOC: I confirm the completion of extensive, awesomely evil, back-handed, backroom dealings)

[_Tristan_]

Philippe sits upon his throne, anger visibly rising, then turns towards his son Henri.

Please tell me what accomplishments and what qualities does Sieur de la Salle hold that you think he should be a valid addition to our illustrious family ? True, he has met success in battle... He's not the first, and in thse trying times, he surely will not be the last... Hence what makes him stand over the rest ? If I were to follow your lead my son, I'll soon find myself considered the sire of so many nobles, I could field armies with only my sons... So think twice about this...


Or did your vassal offer you something special in your meetings with him, that makes him stand out from the rest ? something that makes him special ? Because from what I know of the man, aside from a mean streak, there is nothing out of the ordinary in that man... For that matter what did you own brother promise you ? What hold do they have on you ? Am I to believe the spreading rumours about the untimely death of your former liege lord, Duc Thomas, under your command ? Is this a way to silence them from speaking the truth about these matters ? Have your ambitions led you to commit the unthinkable ?

Speaking of which, I bestowed upon you the title of Duke but never did I bestow upon you the lands that belonged to you liege. Hence Frankfurt and Staufen are not truly yours. Your liege dying without a will made those province part of the King's Demesne. But I'm in a conciliatory mood, so I will have you retain your newly chosen Ducal capital of Frankfurt.

But Staufen is not yours to give. It belongs to me. Or rather, it will belong to your brother for I would not break the word of a Royal Prince to another but on the condition that he refuses to make Vilain de la Salle part of the Capet family.

Philippe glares at Henri and turns with a knowing smile to Charles.

[Tamur]

A boy page ducks along the tables of the Conseil and delivers a small scroll to Prince Henri's retinue, then returns to Sir Barthelemy's side

[Braden]

My King,

I am sorry you feel this way but unfortunately you believe the law different from what is actually written.

The property of a Duc who dies without a living will then "his land goes to the highest member of his feudal chain", which would have been me even without the Duc's untimely AND ACCIDENTAL death.

I'm sorry father, I'm really not sure what or why you feel this way but Lorraine is my domain by right...in law and you cannot take that from me, or would you start a very dangerous precident where the King can step in and take a Duc's property as he wishes?

Villain is not even MY vassal, he is the vassal of my Count. To my own knowledge Villain is a very loyal and brave man. He has defeated an enemy that would have even cause me to baulk...because I requested him to defend our lands!

He did not shurk his duty even on pain of his OWN potential death...actually, to many, his own CERTAIN death.

Lorraine defends us against an enemy who repeatedly refuse approaches for peace, we do so without undue demands. The fact that I wished to pass Staufen to another to control was not just so that I could reward Villain but also so that Lorraine need no longer worry about our Southern border.

Had you, father, thought to actually ASK the reasons behind this instead of believing some bizarre rumours which are slanderous and unfounded..then perhaps you would not feel this way.

Besides, what "ambition" do you speak of? Mine? My ambition has always only been to serve you first and attain my own province, this is no less than Charles and far less than Louis. Do you deny that it was you who promised me Hamburg but only IF I pledged myself to the then Duc of Lorraine? Was is such a shock that he died and I then followed your instructions and pledged myself to the new Duc?

I ask you...and think carefully my father...do you really believe me, the Captain of the Order of the Fleur De Lys of all things, to be even remotely capable of what you intermate here?

scourn is in Henri's eyes as he sits back down