Conseil du Royaume

[OverKnight]

Hugues stands, he sways a bit but steadies himself.

Metz is besieged. Another German army threatens Dijon or Reims. I and the Nobles of Lorraine will do what we can about Metz, but will anyone else act against this threat to our Kingdom?

The Duc glances over to the Bourgogne section of the Conseil, raising an eyebrow before his gaze passes on.

Perhaps the Order? They are here to "protect the welfare of the French people". Oh, but they are busy protecting the welfare of the one Frenchman who is most important. They are in Flanders and Germany.

The Seneschal? He is in Wales. And there is no money for mercenaries. We must build instead, we wouldn't want to short the Germans on kindling.

The Dauphin? On his way, praise the Lord, but not here yet.

The King?

Hugues pauses, something on the tip of his tongue. He closes his mouth with a click of his teeth. After a moment, he speaks again.

The King is otherwise engaged. Though I would hope the threat of excommunication will shift his Majesty's focus to our homeland.

We face the loss of Metz within a season, and another city perhaps within two. What are we going to do about it?

Edit: Need I remind anyone what city is west of Dijon and Reims?

[AussieGiant]

Alain Grimaces at Hugues words, standing slowly.

My Lord Duc, I wish to personally apologies for not recruiting additional forces in ze last season. Ze situation in Lorraine is dire and I can not explain my complete lack of oversight regarding ze matter.

Wiz ze situation in Dublin nearly untenable, I will move as many men as I can from Bretagne towards your Ducal seat in the coming season.

[Ituralde]

Simon turn towards Hugues.

Duc de Champagne, if you require the assistance of the Order you just have to ask the Captain of the Order. I am sure we could be of service. Of course for now we have chosen to follow our Roi and will do so until he no longer requires us.

[OverKnight]

Hugues takes a swig from a wineskin and turns to Simon.

I have stated several times the severity of the situation. I have asked for help several times. I have begged for a comprehensive approach to respond to the German build up in this very chamber!

I have been met with a few mollifying words or silence.

Well the time for words has passed. To Hell with all of you!

Enough is enough! I have had it with these Germans in my Duchy! I'm going to go kill those s and make them rue the day they crossed the Rhine!

Hugues stalks out.

[econ21]

Esteemed Duc de Lorraine, I see the Order as primarily defensive, so I am extremely sympathetic to your call for aid. However, even if we answered your call this season, the Order Company could not reach Metz in time to assist in lifting the siege. If we look beyond this season, the King is arguably more exposed in Frankfurt without our support than you are in Lorraine. Consequently, to speak frankly, I cannot see the Order being able to provide you immediate aid. After the coming Conseil session, our new Captain will doubtless review our deployment in consultation with the King and the Seneschal. Our duty is to march to wherever we are most needed, but discerning where precisely that will be is no easy task and will require careful coordination with leaders such as yourself.

[OOC: posted while OK was posting. No doubt Hermant was vainly speaking as the Duc was storming out.]

[AussieGiant]

Alain frowns as Hermant makes his address.

He stands, tilts his head to the side, opens his mouth, purses his lips to speak, raises a hand with the index finger pointing towards the centre of the chamber, sucks the air through his teeth, blows out loudly, then shakes his head and slumps back down on his seat.

Madoc, now a brilliant shade of lilac, his head the same height as a seated man, seems slightly confused by the episode, but still gives his master a reassuring lick on the face once Alain resumes his place.

[KnightnDay]

Thomas, clearly agitated by what has come to pass, stands to speak. He knows that he must not say what he truely believes, lest he forsake a code of conduct that he swore to follow as he came of age.

"Seigneurs, you will excuse me, but my path is set. My place is by the side of my lord, the Duc de Lorraine, to whom I swore loyalty and with whom I have fought and will fight to the death if God wills it. Lorraine and its people will be defended, to my last breath. To this I swear."

Thomas then turns and walks almost out of the chambers. He then comes to a sudden stop, overcome by anger. He turns suddenly in the direction of Hermant.

A wise decision to remain at our Kings side. Perhaps he will favor you and the Order with Frankfurt in addition to whatever else he's promised you- for your loyal and faithful service!

He then turns again and leaves the conseil.

[OverKnight]

Hugues bursts into the Conseil battered and bloodied, he tromps to the center of the room while drinking from a wineskin. As he stops to speak, he sways, barely keeping his feet. Is it blood loss, wine or both?

There are no more Germans left between the Moselle and the Rhine!




The rest will have to wait until next season. We're back at the ford, though those lazy militia from Reims had to rest at Metz. Made me bring those peasants with me. . .ugh.

The first batch of survivors were ransomed for 2056 florins. That means we can build something! Wooooo!

Second batch the Germans didn't want to pay for, so. . .

Hugues makes a loud and sloppy throat cutting gesture.

Bertin and Thomas fought like lions! I love those guys! They make me so proud!

That's how we do it in Lorraine!

Wooooo. . .

Mid exclamation, the Duc pauses, gags noisily and starts to look a bit ill.

I don't feel so good.

The Duc keels over with a loud clatter of metal. Reeves, always in the background, drags him to the Lorraine benches and attempts to revive him.

[KnightnDay]

While Reeves tends to Hugues, Thomas now enters the chambers, a look of utter exhaustion upon him. Contained in the butcher's bill- fourteen of his bodyguard dead, paid by Thomas. His duc's loss was greater still.

Stopping at Lorraine's bench, he points to Hugues de Champagne and proclaims:

"There my brothers, is the rock of the Moselle. The Kaiser's men cannot break him. Lorraine is safe while he lives; he fights as though the fury of tens of thousands stand behind him!"

Thomas then slowly walks to take his seat.

"Reeves, when you have a moment, please hand me the duc's wineskin. I think I need it."