Conseil du Royaume

[OverKnight]

Hugues turns to respond to Perrone. He appears about to speak with some heat, but holds at the last minute. He instead winks dramatically at him.

Oh yes, you've found me out young Sir. This is all a fiendish plot launched by me and my cabal of black cloaked brethren. I wanted to trigger a war where I would immediately be out numbered five to one. And I would have gotten away with it except for you lousy kids.

Do you have anything to offer besides snide insinuations Chevalier? Or does this dog only howl when his master is away?

[AussieGiant]

Alain settles one hand on his chin and another absently stroking Medoc's head. He seems quite entertained at this time.

[econ21]

The King has said that there is a traitor, it is true, but he also mentioned that he was using funds which were neither French nor German. That implies the real instigator of this crime is not a French lord. The traitor himself may be some lowly cur; the King said nothing to lead us to suspect a fellow Council member. While it is regrettable that within France there is a man capable of treachery, it is hardly shocking nor surprising - particularly given that almost half the country until recently has been declaring its loyalty to the English or to rebel lords. I do not ignore the serious charge of treachery, Perrone. What I ignore is your witless slandering half of France - Bourgne and Lorraine - as traitors based on no evidence whatsoever.

As to my eagerness for war, Perrone, you misread my statements. I am eager to defend France in a war that has already started. My earlier protest at our provoking the English is evidence of my reluctance to start a conflict. A reluctance that seems more prudent now than ever. But once a conflict has started, we must be the ones to finish it. Whether this is through negotiating a peace or through victory on the field depends on the wisdom of the Holy Roman Emperor and failing that, the grace of God Himself.

[TinCow]

de Perronne glares at Hugues and starts to open his mouth, but then pauses as if in thought. When he finally speaks, his voice is obviously intentionally subdued.

I... apologize... for any insinuations against your honor Duc de Lorraine. I hope you will excuse a lowly Chevalier such as myself for letting his passions get the better of him when he is told that a traitor has made an attempt to kill his King. It is a most serious situation, and I often speak before having fully thought through my words. Please excuse me, and forgive any insult I have given.

de Perronne bows his head towards the Duc.

As this war makes Lorraine most vulnerable to invasion, I am pleased to know that you will surely join me in calling for an immediate end to this war through whatever means are possible.

[AussieGiant]

Alain looks on rather disappointedly at de Perronne. He shakes his head turns to Medoc and shrugs his shoulders.

"I will endeavour to 'ave a meeting wiz ze German's zis season. Ei do not zink it should be too 'ard to accomplish."

[Andres]

Thierry raises an eyebrow when he hears de Peronne's words. He coughs silently and sips from his goblet.

[TinCow]

Nothing to suspect someone a fellow Council member, Mauvoisin? The King's letter stated that the traitor was "someone in our midst." I was not aware that there were foreigners and "lowly currs" present amongst us. As for the presence of foreign coin, that means nothing. If you were to dump out the purses of most of the men here, you would find foreign coin in their possession. Gold and silver remains valuable regardless of whose face is stamped on it.

War between nations is not engineered by those who have an interest in small profits. I know better than most in this room how easy it is to raise a tidy sum if one is so inclined, certainly better than anyone in your Order. No, the traitor would never be a common criminal or a lowly noble. Such men never embark on schemes as grand as this. If there is indeed a traitor who has allied with the Emperor, it is a man who stands to gain far more than a little coin.

[OverKnight]

Hugues smiles.

I will accept your apology in the same spirit that is given Sir Perrone. Please forgive me for my own harsh words. I am still recovering from the surprise of all this.

The bloody Germans seem to cross the Rhine at the drop of a hat. While this war is unexpected, we must take this oppurtunity to strike back when we can. If we are to make peace, we will need bargaining chips.

Hugues sits to begin working on a short letter. A page is dispatched with it a bit later to the Seneschal.

[TinCow]

de Perronne stares flatly at the Duc de Lorraine. After several moments of silence, he stands up and leaves the Conseil.

[Cultured Drizzt fan]

In all honesty we should not be particularly surprised that the Germans have Declared war on us. But the timing could have been better..... Let us just hope that our relations with the English do not fall apart until we have managed to beat back the Romans and gotten a peace treaty.

[GeneralHankerchief]

*Raynaud de Xaintrailles watches these most recent exchanges in silence. Those sitting next to him can make out muttering, perhaps "fighting the wrong enemies" under his breath, but he says nothing aloud.*