Henri stands and acknowledges Chretien Saisset

Both you and I are young Chevalier, you have offered your services to Lorraine and we accept them gladly. I foresee much fighting still to come as my scouts report large German armies at our borders still…and I do not believe they are there for the mountain air!

My King, my father…Seneschal…too many titles for me perhaps to pronounce, then again, none more than my own it seems now. Lorraine has suffered as you know and I have made instruction to my Barons to look to their provinces and request what they feel is needed to rebuild our forces.

For my part I ask that you continue with your pledge to recruit for our depleted companies in Frankfurt ((OOC: i.e. retrain)).

However, Lorraine will not sit idly by and accept constant incursions from a German foe who repeatedly refuses offers of peace. I say here and now that if these incursions continue Lorraine WILL be forced to wage an offensive war against the Germans. I cannot and will not accept our villages and farms pillaged and burnt! It is better that the Germans suffer and are made to bring peace than our normal folk are made to suffer longer than needed.

Yes, my soldiers will die but they join as men-at-arms to defend their homes and to stop constant German pillage of their lands…they gladly accept their lives as trade to do this task.

Father, I am not Louis. You see me here telling you and the council what my Duchy is to do…I have not heard Louis tell the council that he intended to strike deep into Iberia until after he had already committed to such a course. Lorraine will and has been forced to consider the same course against the Germans but I am here to tell you and the council this will happen rather than hear from a messenger that Hamburg has fallen.

As Captain of the Order I have also instructed that your requests be fulfilled. I trust this is to your agreement also.

Father, give me the tools and I will bring peace in the East. Continue to talk to the Germans, I assure you that before long their tone will change.