Conseil du Royaume

[Ramses II CP]

The Prince smiles widely at de Rethel before replying,

You will address me as Prince or not at all.

I am aware that you abandoned your Duke to face that massive German army by himself. I am further aware that a great many more skilled and competent men, men such as my father, your King, are preparing the defenses of Paris and Bruges which you foolishly claim sole responsibility for. You prove yourself a liar in every casual claim and word.

I am even further aware that you are an oathbreaker. Your word is worthless. God will see justice done to you, for you have baselessly insulted one of his chosen, heir to the throne of France.

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

Gaetan, your continued slandering of the prince is Grating on everyone's nerves. He has done nothing to deserve it, and if you do not cease I assure you that the line of men trying to duel you will be lengthening.

Prince Louis is a valorous man, and also a member of the Royal family, as well as being a Duke. All of these titles are deserving of your respect, yet you show none.

[ULC]

Gaetan still does not look up.

"I could not help my Duc, seeing as the Roi asked that the Order assist in taking Bruges - my saying that I could not help him was a statement of a fact, not of an opinion, not at all Louis. You would insult me without realizing that I am forming my own plans, but not all those plans being put into action are mine - do not claim completely what you do not know, not at all Louis. The soldiers are the Roi's, not mine, he will do with them as he wishes - I will do with myself as I wish."

"My words are not baseless about you being a coward and thief, not at all Louis. As a Sergeant in several armies, including those of the Empire when Rethel was taken, I have had to judge men from little, and what I have seen and heard of you does not make you out to be a bastion of chivalry at any point, and thus I do not lie. If I have lied, I ask you to prove me wrong. Show me a cause you would truly die for, show me true charity, not coins tossed out to the mob."

"Just remember, nobility is earned, not given."

However, Gaetan turns to acknowledge Yvon, a smile upon his lips that is not formed from humor.

"Then take a stand, and show you would die for not at all Louis - I am ready to die for my words and actions, are you?"

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

I hold all faith in Christophe victory. But Know that if he fails, which he shall not, I Will be standing to take his place. You will meet a shallow grave either way.

[Vladimir]

Squire Kip:

I speak for Gontran de Linars,

He shall queue up with all of the House to defend the honour of the House and Prince.

[ULC]

"We will all die, one way or another. All that is left for us, Chevalier Yvon, is to decide how to die."

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

"We will all die, one way or another. All that is left for us, Chevalier Yvon, is to decide how to die."

Yvon laughs Sounds like the talk of a dead man to me.

[Ramses II CP]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Gaetan still does not look up.

"I could not help my Duc, seeing as the Roi asked that the Order assist in taking Bruges - my saying that I could not help him was a statement of a fact, not of an opinion, not at all Louis. You would insult me without realizing that I am forming my own plans, but not all those plans being put into action are mine - do not claim completely what you do not know, not at all Louis. The soldiers are the Roi's, not mine, he will do with them as he wishes - I will do with myself as I wish."

"My words are not baseless about you being a coward and thief, not at all Louis. As a Sergeant in several armies, including those of the Empire when Rethel was taken, I have had to judge men from little, and what I have seen and heard of you does not make you out to be a bastion of chivalry at any point, and thus I do not lie. If I have lied, I ask you to prove me wrong. Show me a cause you would truly die for, show me true charity, not coins tossed out to the mob."

"Just remember, nobility is earned, not given."

However, Gaetan turns to acknowledge Yvon, a smile upon his lips that is not formed from humor.

"Then take a stand, and show you would die for not at all Louis - I am ready to die for my words and actions, are you?"

The Prince's smile only widens and begins to take on a wolfish demeanor,

Nobility is given by the grace of God to those he chooses, it cannot be earned by bandying words with such as you. I note with great entertainment how you twist and turn your statements. I stand by what I said as the literal truth before God, as are all my words.

None may call me a coward, none, even if they feel sanquine about 'judging from little.' I say you judge from nothing and your words are meaningless. You make no case for my cowardice but your own claim, and no case for my thievery at all. You do so because both claims are entirely baseless and, finding yourself backed into a corner, you have discovered to your own displeasure that cruising about taverns has made a liar of you.

You may retract your claims and retain some semblance of dignity at this time. I do not say I will forgive you, but finding yourself so clearly revealed as a false witness must be a bit disturbing.

As to proving you wrong, the burden of proof lies on the accussor both by natural privelege, as I am your superior in every measurable way, and by religious mandate, as God has chosen me to be your King one day. No other man here has stood to attest the truth of your words, nor does your King find favor with them.

I doubt we will need more duels, but if they are needed I challenge de Rethel to answer them consecutively and instantly. If God, judge and jury in all things, favors the man's cause then surely he will be victorious despite any odds.

[OverKnight]

Hugues returns to the Conseil.

Gaeten de Rethel has spoken foolishly. The Dauphin is a man of many parts, but he is most certainly not a coward. Even a casual glance at his battle reports would show this. I refute the statements my vassal has made and ask that he withdraw them. If I am alive when the Dauphin becomes King, I will swear fealty to him.

Quite simply, we are at war, we cannot afford such bickering while the enemy is at our doorstep.

[AussieGiant]

Leaning forward the ever smiling and ironically amused young Duc says in a quiet voice.

"'aving received reliable reports over ze past few hours I 'ave to agree wiz Duc de Champagne.

de Rethel has, or should I say, 'ad a death wish. ze dueling line is long and for good reason.

Turning to de Champagne.

"By ze way Duc de Lorraine, good showing on ze bridge and well done in taking Staufen. Zat should hold ze southern border for a few seasons."

Turning to an administrator of the Seneschal Office he begins to discuss planning deployment options, he turns back to the council in general.

"If you could all please make further requests for troops that would be just splendid?

At least in this way I will have requests from all twenty nobles, the four houses, the Order plus the King and Dauphin.

Tapping his chin with exaggerated thought he continues.

"I should probably send a note to Her Highness in Rome to see if she requires a regiment to guard her. I need not descriminate."

[Marcus Agrippa]

A note arrives with instructions to be read at the counsel Signed from Alexandre Le Sueur.

Fellow nobles!
I have heard the worrying news from the Seneschal that the Holy Roman Empire sees fit to invade out lands and the English wish to take Wales. I propose procede as such.
1. we consider if we need the land newly conquered and if we can protect it.
2. We might gain land at home if we sell it to the English.
3. If we sell Stuffen to the English the Holy Roman Empire will have to wage war on them.
4. we could buy peace and maybe an alliance with one of them which would secure our borders for the time being.

I await the counsels decision.

[Ramses II CP]

Good thinking Sir, err, Le Sueur! Can't hurt to have the Seneschal try the offer out on them, eh? Mon Roi what say you of your latest possession, could Duke de Rohan offer it to the English for Anger and an extension of our truce?

[AussieGiant]

Standing, while officers in the livery of Bretagne begin handing out the Kingdom report Alain seems far more confident than before. In a clear steady voice he continues.

"I table ze last season for you my lords. Ze Office of ze Seneschal is distributing the relevant documents to where ever you maybe.

Clearly wiz Caernarvon and Staufen in our possession I could make a very serious offer to ze 'eathen English regarding any of our rightful provinces on the mainland.

Ze question is, how far should we negotiate.

I am open to suggestions my lords!!

[_Tristan_]

The King strides into the Conseil, still wearing his armour.

Mes Seigneurs, I'm glad to see how you've stood up to face the threat of the Saint Empire preying on our lands. By fighting them, we fight for God.

Congratulations, Alain for your good work at Caernavon and you also, Hugues for your heroic conduct at Stauffen.

Sieur Lesueur's proposal is sound. In my opinion we should try and get both Angers and Caen in exchange for Caernavon and Stauffen. It will perhaps my cousin Guillaume's hand in joining us against the soon-to-be excommunicated Emperor.

Your mission, then, Alain will be to seize Dublin and use it as a trading item for Bordeaux. We would have then managed to kick the English out of France, leaving us to concentrate on fighting the Reich.

I will ask the Order men to join me in the North to defend Bruges or assault Antwerp, whichever makes the msot sense strategically, the reports from our scouts have nopt yet reached me (OOC : no look at the save yet).

Finally, while I do not like the idea of duels among the nobles of France, I think sieur de Rethel has committed a grave sin against the honour of the Prince, one that will surely be corrected by Sieur de Perronne. I would only ask that the duel not be to the death, as I know sieur de Rethel to have a deathwish for reasons I cannot entirely fathom. It is true thta he has incurred my displeasure but I hold him no grudge and his quick recovery is to his credit. Nevertheless, since then, he is but the shadow of the man he was before. I call upon your mercy Sieur de Peronne and yours as well Louis...

These were the words of a madman... Please take this into consideration.

As to unearthing the traitor among our midst, I fear that the actions of another Order man has worked against us... I was following the men from the companies that had tried to capture me at Reims, hoping they would lead me to the culprit, but Sieur de Neufville's intervention lay this plan to ruin...

[AussieGiant]

At the mention of Dublin Alain ceasing kissing the pageboy he was locking lips with on the front bench. He grabs a hearty drink, belches and can be seen mouthing the word D-U-B-L-I-N ARE WE £$%£ MAD??!!

Shaking his head to gather his thoughts the young Duke stand.

"Of course my King.

Dublin it is.

I'll get wight on it."

[_Tristan_]

Alain, that was only a suggestion... We are in no hurry but I would hate to see the Scots or English beat us to the post and bring the rebel Irish to toe the line...

All I would ask you is that you keep a close watch on the Green Isle and prevent one or the the other nation from supplanting us. The Irish have valour aplenty, as you do, but I do not want you to risk your life unduly.

[AussieGiant]

Looking a little more relieved Alain leans back on the bench and lets out his breath between puffed cheeks.

"Yes your Majesty I will make sure we keep zings under control over zere."

[_Tristan_]

In the meantime, I've received word from our scouts... They think that the ford on the Escaut would make a perfect position to both interdict passage to the large German army led by Wenzel Dietrich and to start the siege of Antwerp which is lightly defended.

I intend to march there and start making our camp there. I would be grateful if the Order men currently in Bruges or in the vicinity, Mauvoisin, Neufville, Rethel and Montferrat joined me there. I'd like also to have the support of Sieur de Montpierre and La Hire if they would ride from Paris. This would Paris defenseless but I've prioritized men to keep order there.

With all these noble knights under my command, I'm sure we can prevent Dietrich from setting a single swineherder foot on French soil.

[OverKnight]

Hugues studies the maps.

It seems the Germans have quite a few armies out there. They have an army within a season's march of Reims, another in range of Staufen and I would wager another east of Antwerp. (OOC: Not sure if what I saw during AI move after defensive battle is admissable.)

I doubt I can hold Staufen against that force to the east if they immediately siege. I could stage a delaying action in the hills between Staufen and the Germans, bleed them, and then retreat to Staufen. I could get a sally in before they assault and hopefully reduce them enough so I could repulse it. This would tie up the Germans there but leave that army near Reims out of reach.

Or I can abandon Staufen and march to the ford of the Moselle, and be in a position to recieve an attack on favorable grounds or assist if that other German army closes on Reims. However, I'd be ceding Staufen without a fight and the Germans might consolidate their forces in the area.

I believe coordination is key if we are to isolate and destroy these superior forces while preserving our Kingdom. If we each fight our own little battles without an eye toward a larger strategy, we'll be crushed.

Thoughts my lords?

Edits: Perhaps a map would clarify my point.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Vladimir]

Squire Kip hastily scribbles notes for his lord while maintaining a grim look on his face.

[KnightnDay]

May I suggest that Staufen provides us with the strongest and best means of defense against the Kaiser's forces to the east. To yield it without a struggle may provide the enemy greater comfort and certainly provides them the means to raise yet more troops against us. I further feel ill at ease at the suggestion that this place be traded away like some barn animal when the blood of our brave and fallen comrades still stain this ground.

Between Metz, Rheims and Staufen there are 6 new companies that could be formed. That, combined with other support perhaps by way of Paris or Bruges should allow us to hold our own along this front. We do after all have our fearless and noble king as well as the Fleur de Lys ready to repel these brutish thugs.

Let us hold firm I say.

[AussieGiant]

"'ow about I trade Staufen to ze English for one of OUR provinces?"

[OverKnight]

Hugues responds.

I am more concerned about how we are to blunt the drive of those two German armies, with a third near Antwerp I think, into our eastern holdings. I can tie down one, the question is: How do I do it? By moving to the interior or holding Staufen?

The second question I am asking is this: How do we repulse those other two armies while I am busy with the third? I believe we need a strategy that encompasses all our forces in the area rather than each army acting on its own.

We must find a way to hold the line until reinforcements arrive from the Spanish campaign.

[AussieGiant]

"Perhaps you withdraw to a choke point like last time Duc Champagne? I can sell Staufen to ze English and then you can hold ze south.

We simply do not 'ave enough forces to defend all three armies. Not until ze Dauphin arrives from Spain."

[Ituralde]

Simon de Montpierre enters the Council Chambers hastily and bows before his King.

My Lord,

I have received your call for help and I am under your command. I thank you once again for the help you have provided me in getting her fast. I am delighted to report that I was able to secure the lands of my father against unsubstantial Italian claims. With my personal matters sorted out I can once again serve France and the Order in full capacity. From what I heard both suffered strong blows in the past.

OOC:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I have created my SOT accordingly. So please move me as I won't be able to do it.

[AussieGiant]

"'aving reading reports from Duc de Champagne it would seem we are all satisfied with ze idea I have outlined. Staufen is up for sale?

My King are you happy with zat and also Caernarvon, Zaragoza and Valencia being used in zis fashion? They are all part of ze Kings Demesne at zis time.

I am looking for advise my lords. I will prioritise ze acquisition of Angers, Caen and Bordouex over all provinces we have taken."

[OverKnight]

Hugues's eyes widen, but he says nothing.

[AussieGiant]

Looking a little aggrieved Alain turns to Hugues and the Council as a whole

"In addition, Metz is also technically under ze Kings Demesne as it must be ratified at ze next Council Session. No recruiting can be done at zese provinces until then. Therefore zey are probably of more use as bargaining pieces at ze moment.

I would remind you all to read our charter more closely."

[TinCow]

At the mention of Zaragoza and Valencia, Christophe looks up sharply. He calls over a squire and whispers in his ear for a few moment. The boy nods and walks quickly out of the chamber.

[AussieGiant]

"At least zat got someone's attention."