Conseil du Royaume

[_Tristan_]

Philippe nods at Simon de Montpierre.

I will not keep you in these Isles against your will, Simon. I fully understand your feelings and hope things could have worked differently. Now, be assured that I still consider you a faithful vassal and I'm sure my son, your Captain, will welcome your reinforcement.

I'm sure the Welsh will serve me as well as they did under your orders... Yourself will soon find you among the finest of French soldiers, defending our northern border...

I entrust to you the life of my son Henri.

[Ituralde]

I thank you your Majesty. You will not be disappointed!

Bowing deeply Simon leaves the Counseil.

[Ramses II CP]

Brother Henri there is no shame in saving the lives of your men for a better day. Though we are Franks we are not invincible. All would do well to remember this fact, especially in light of the losses our realm has suffered of late.

I also announce that I and my expeditionary force have captured Grenada from the Moors. The soldiers captured in it's defense were not ransomed; it is clear their Sultan cares only for his own life. I now mean to ride to Gibraltar and sieze the narrow crossing to prevent the Moors at Cordoba from easily being reinforced before I move north against them. I have heard little from my father in law of late, if there is a diplomat available I would appreciate him contacting the Castillians to see how their forces lie and what scouting reports they may have.

Grenada is a hive of scum and villainy, it will require many priests to make a decent place of it. Perhaps Spain can aid in that matter as well.

The Moors there fled my coming in great cowardice, and few would face me. I wonder if all heathens are such cowards. In a few years when I drive on Cordoba we shall find the true test of their hearts.

(edit): Sir de Saint-Amand I have sent papers turning over the command of the Mailed Knights from Toulouse to your staff. They are now entirely at your disposal. If they prove inadequate in any way let me know and I will deal with the matter with my training staff. I apologize once more for declining to adopt you, in light of current circumstances it increasing appears to have been a decision of questionable worth on my part.

[deguerra]

My Dauphin, regardless of our disagreements in the past let me be the first to congratulate you and thank you. Without many troops or much support, you and your house hold our Southern frontier, on which we face an actual and not self-induced threat. But far from merely holding, you have gone on the offensive and are throwing the heathens back to the sea. I salute you, hero of France.

Along with the carrot, though, comes the stick, and I must say that I would be most pleased if Granada and Cordoba were given to the Spanish crown.

[KnightnDay]

"Dauphin, please, no apologies are necessary. God has seen to look after me and I have no regrets with the position I find myself in today.

And the knights I am sure will account for themselves well in battle. Compagnie d'Aquitaine will remain close by my own guard when it is time to cross swords with our enemies.

With that, I must depart. The men of the Reich yearn to do battle with the forces of Lorriane and I intend to see to it that they are not disappointed."

"Adieu, mes amis."