Conseil du Royaume

[Ramses II CP]

I see our new Seneschal has asked that Toulouse be 'opened' for recruitment. I will do him one better, I have brought two unblooded companies of Mounted Sergeants with me from Toulouse. I will donate those to the defense of the realm and allow them to be allocated as the Seneschal wishes this very season. (OOC: When I do my move I'll leave the two not-veteran companies in place. I'm altering my SoT but this constitutes permission as far as I'm concerned)

As far as recruitment from my castle, however, I must say I am displeased with the state of our defenses along the southern borders. I trust none of the powers that flank us there. I have left my vassals in place to defend, but they have very few men to do so, and thus I propose a compromise. For every company of cavalry I release to the Seneschal's discretion I ask a company of archers be trained for the defense of my lands. A good starting point would be retraining the mercenary crossbowmen at Valencia this season, so that Sir de Xaintraillies has a better chance of defending our furthest flung holding. A company or two of Town Militia at Marseille would not strike me amiss either, and their upkeep would be supported by the locals.

I do not wish to seem greedy, but cavalry are the strength of our realm. If I am to sacrifice my strength while my own lands are vulnerable it seems only fair that I take some recompense.

Congratulations on your election Duke Hugues.

[deguerra]

Raoul sighs

Prince Louis, it seems we both agree and disagree. Your point regarding cavalry is well made. I salute your releasing them, and of course would not be displeased to see one or both go to Bourgogne.

I disagree in part with your assessment on our southern borders. As to the feelings of our neighbours towards us you may be correct, but I ask you if this might not be due to the fact that we, and by we I mean the Duchy of Aquitaine, expanded quite ruthlessly into what the rulers of Spain considered their lands?

And now, we need more and expensive militia to hold them.

As to you, Sieur de Rethel, might one enquire why the defence of this Swiss pass is vital to the continued existence of our realm? And if it is, why you are the one defending it?

[Ramses II CP]

The Prince offers de Chatillon a genuine smile before speaking,

No need to be circumspect; your own lands are under greater threat and so you question any recruitment away from them. I comprehend this, however, the Moors and English are the neighbors I primarily mean, not to forget the Milanese. Rumors have it that the Moors are gathering forces once more, and we've no cavalry at all other than Sir de Xaintraillies' own bodyguards to meet them. I ask only a few peasant archers, who are cheap, and perhaps some crossbowmen, to answer that threat and offer you the best cavalry our realm has in exchange.

I will also point out at this time that I rode north, halting that expansion to no benefit of my own House, the very instant I learned of the threat here. If my wife is any proof the Spanish will curse, scream, pitch fits... and keep their word to the bitter end, loyal as a dog. I see no reason to doubt them at this time, but I see little strength in their realm either. If we do not aid them the Moors will sweep them aside and be at our doorstep, a doorstep which has very few men watching it and enemies on all sides.

My motives are utterly transparent. I wish the realm to benefit, but I wish my House and lands to be secure as well. Can you truly find fault with this?

[Ramses II CP]

Mmm, yes, I should also note that I have moved with my remaining men into position to block any German move towards our lands out of Bern. You need not fear the enemy from that place.

[deguerra]

You misunderstand me, my Prince. I was trying to bring neither your House nor you into any disrepute. Few nobles of this Kingdom can rightly claim to have done as much of you for our safety and prosperity.

I do find fault with our expanding into lands on which we have no claim, at least insofar as our purpose is for annexation rather than to trade them in for those lands to which we do have claim. House Aquitaine's expansion was, in this regard, the lesser of my worries.

But ultimately, I talk here of things I understand too little of. What I do understand is that my Duchy needs men, so I ask that any who can help do so.

[KnightnDay]

If I may point out to members of the Conseil, that a member of our diplomatic corps, Geoffroi de Cressensacq has been enjoying a steady diet of wine and brie within the relaxed confines of Paris for the better part of a year now.

Perhaps the Seneschal might direct the fine gentleman to meet with a representative of the Kaiser without delay for the purpose of fulfilling the edict just approved, to seek an equitable peace with the Reich?