Thomas de Saint-Amand rises to address the king. "Majesty, I too share your desire to secure Metz at the first opportunity."


Thomas bowed, then turned to the other counsel members assembled.
"Knights and nobility of the Franks, I hear the cries for securing those areas held by the English, but I maintain the capture of Metz must be of the highest priority. At this very moment, our Master Spy, Aubert Fevre, only needs our word to infiltrate the castle. With his assistance and 1520 florins to raise the mercenary crossbow and spear companies, we can secure Metz this very season. The reward of 2500 florins will immediately pay the entire cost of the venture and still return a handsome reward to the treasury."

"Make no mistake, my friends. The Kaiser has his eyes firmly fixed on Metz. If it falls to the empire, the Germans will occupy a bastion from which the Reich can threaten us at any moment with armies far greater than any the English will ever threaten us with. For the sake of our security both present and future, I ask the blessing of those assembled to advance an edict to move against Metz without delay."

Thomas then takes his seat, hoping the others will take note of his words.