Conseil du Royaume

[OverKnight]

Philippe turns to the Senechal

Hugues, you asked what I would require for taking on Maximilian and his cohorts. It depends on what your vassal Saint Amand requires for garrisonning Frankfurt. One or two spearmen would be fine if I could keep the crossbowmen already in Frankfurt within my army. I'll have my quartermaster draw an account of what is needed (OOC : I'll take a close look at the save) and give to you.

My King, having studied the reports, I will release up to 1600 florins for hiring mercenaries. Your Majesty could acquire two companies of spearmen, or one company and some crossbowmen with those funds. Your choice, though it appears your Majesty needs footmen.

All I ask for Frankfurt is that you leave a company of men of your choosing behind to garrison the city. Thomas has prioritized some militia for the city, but they will not be ready until next season.

Is this acceptable?

OOC: If it is, you can take the save and make the hires yourself before any action.

[OverKnight]

Reeves hands Hugues a report. The Duc chokes on some wine he had been drinking. Wiping off his doublet, he stands to speak.

Dauphin, may I ask why your men are directly outside Bern? Your Highness is damned close to violating Edict 2.2. You're not sieging the place, but you seem to be inviting them to strike at you.

Remember the gentleman in the pointy hat? The one who can bring damnation down on us? Hmm? I'm not sure if he cares much for the subtle distinction your Highness might be aiming at.

[_Tristan_]

Philippe acknowledges Hugues' proposal with a nod.

1600 florins should be enough, Senechal. I thank you and will proceed to go back to Frankfurt immediately.

(OOC : I'm not on my own internet right now and may not access the save until tomorrow so could you leave the save open until tomorrow early evening GMT...
Moreover, I'm waiting on word from Zim about some issue...)

And, Hugues, do not worry about the Pope... Surely he will make the difference between who is truly the aggressor between Louis or the Imperials...

[OverKnight]

Hugues bows to the King.

Excellent, I wish your Majesty good fortune against the Kaiser. A few more poundings might make them more likely to see reason.

OOC: Since this appears to be the major action of the turn, I'll keep the save open.

Edit: I wish I had your Majesty's confidence in the. . .strategic insight. . .of the Pontiff.

[Ramses II CP]

Simply put I heard a lot of talk here about the Germans at Bern being a threat to the upper Rhine region. I decided that the simplest solution would be to block them from departing that castle by taking possession of all the west bound roads out of it. The edict in question does not deny me the right to ride into German lands, and I give my word that I have no intention of making an attack. I am simply defending France from a forward position.

Let me further say that, having taken the lay of the land, the German commander at Bern is a fool to practice lay-about-the-fort thinking with the types of troops he has on hand. If it angers His Holiness that I take advantage of this fool then I will personally issue an apology and depart the region of Bern.

One thing you can be sure of, there will be no siege of Bern.

[OverKnight]

Hugues nods.

Hmmm, yes a "forward position", a very forward position indeed.

I trust that your Highness knows what you are doing.

[_Tristan_]

Please disregard... Nothing to see here...

Philippe enters the room and all can see his last battle has been very hard on him. He limps heavily. His left arm is in a sling, but more frightening is the vicious cut upon his face that deforms his mouth in a grim mockery of a smile (OOC : Got Terribly Scarred fighting Maximilian).

Eyeing the assembled Lords, some turning their faces from his mauld face, Philippe speaks, his voice as stentorous as always.

Do not look away my Lord... This (showing his face) is the price to pay for serving the Lord and France... I'm proud of this... And with Bertrade gone a few years ago, I have no need of a handsome face.

And it seems this face served me well... I met my cousin Guillaume a few days ago and either he was anxious to get out of sight of my ugly face or he was afraid he might catch it, anyway he accepted to deal with us on very favorable terms I found...

But first things first... Maximilian is dead and the Imperials must right now be electing their next beer-swilling pudding-head Kaiser... His second in command was captured and asked permission to take away Maximilian's corpse , with the remnants of his army as escort, to his last resting place... I agreed but made him pay the hefty sum of 4798 florins...

Without the help of our Senechal and the men of the Order, I would not have been able to achieve such a result. The Senechal for providing me the funds to hire enough mercenaries to make a difference, the Order Chevaliers for fighting like true French nobles, killing Maximilian and capturing his second while I was fighting on the other side of the field.

I wish to thank also le Sieur de Saint Amand for accepting to release into my command almost all of Frankfurt's garrison (OOC : I've adjusted the taxes to prevent it from rebelling).

Thanks to all this efforts, we're one step closer to make France into the bountiful Royaume it was under the reign of Charlemagne. Guillaume has released into our custody the provinces of Normandy and Anjou in exchange for Wales and Valencia. My mangled face perturbed him so much that he didn't even haggle when I offered him the Imperial ransom as a compensation for the exchange.

Bretagne is no more an island, separated from us by an English sea... We've finally managed what we set out to do so many years ago... I've been harsh with Duc Alain, I now admit, and as a sign of forgiveness, I wish to assign to his Duchy the castle of Angers.

Now, Mes Seigneurs, let us rejoice of our good fortune... Drink to your heart's content and pray to God that it will help you forget my dismal face !!

Philippe claps his right hand on his throne armrest and the gates to the hall open to let in serving boys and girls carrying small casks of wine and plates of rich and elaborate foods.