Conseil du Royaume

[Ramses II CP]

Prince Louis has watched the debate over ownership, indepedence, and vassaldom with a puzzled look on his face. On hearing his brother's most recent statement he pauses for a moment to try to read back over the record. With a look of faint disgust he then rises and speaks,

Noblemen of France it distresses me that we have stretched reason so outrageously with the crude intent of opposing the will of our King. I have a feeling we could pay a fleet of lawyers a King's ransom and get back an answer no more clear than 'maybe' at the end of it. My opinion, frequently heard I hope, is simply that this body and it's laws exist to enact the will of the King rather than subvert that will...

Louis bows to his father before continuing,

Nonetheless the interests of not one but two Princes of the realm now seem to lie athwart that expressed Royal will. Let me suggest that rather than strive against their father and King my two brothers seek a way to make this deal more palatable to him. Perhaps a suitable gift, or assurances of some other kind?

The campaign in Iberia has cleansed my health greatly; it is a boon to fight heathens for whose souls no care need be taken. I pray that we can bring an end to our wars against Christians, one way or another, and carry the fight into alien lands in the coming years. My heart tells me there is a danger in Islam greater than any squabble betwixt Catholics.

Louis returns to his seat with a troubled, contemplative look on his face.

[Braden]

Henri has returned to the chambers. He is clearly healthy and in good mood, he wears no armour and is dressed well but plainly. On hearings Louis' words he softly shakes his head before rising

My Lords, Louis

My scribe was merely tasked to locate a document most of us already knew existed and the answer was clear and honest...I see no argument here.

Still, I agree with you Louis, we are here to abide by the law the King has set out and I have reminded us all here of what this particular law...that the King put in writing...said.

My father does not rule by tyranny or fear. He rules by upholding the laws he gives to us. All good people may err on occasion, even a King, and it is our duty as Duc's, members of the Conseil or indeed Princes to ensure such is redressed with honour.

Had our father approached me with a reasonable alternative or an argument I could understand for his actions rather than just presuming he could take property from a Duchy then it is likely I would have compromised. You know me...this I would have done.

If the King has concerns about me and how I rule my Duchy, then he can approach me and I will swear by any means needed to negate such concerns for I am loyal to France and the King. Fact is that no such fears or worries have been expressed, thus I cannot address them. I am unsure what a mere Prince could "gift" to a King such as ours that could impress him at all?

However, I say this...

Henri takes pains to look at the conseil and the King finally

...I remind everyone that I have said that the Duchy of Lorraine will not suffer the German incursions past this next year if negotiations fail again. We will go on the offensive and I say to my King and father that perhaps Nuremburg, Magdeburg and Hamburg might be a gift suitable for him? I say here, publically that the Duchy will strive to take all these places and that they will be willingly given to the King to do as he pleases...including negotiations for Peace. I cannot see any other assurances or "gift" that I can give.

On happier news, your latest defeat of the Moors gladdens me greatly. I would hope again that in the next session we will call for a Crusade against a worthy and un-Christian foe such as them for such is long overdue now.

Henri smiles and returns to his seat

[Braden]

The Herald of Prince Henri enters to address the Conseil

My Lords, my King,

As you are aware, Prince Henri cannot attend at this time besieged as he is within the walls of Frankfurt. However such missives he is able to pass through the German lines I have been bidden to advise the Conseil of.

The Prince assures the Conseil and King that he has instructed Brother de Beauvais of the Order that he has “free hand” to deal with the Germans threatening Antwerp and that he feels there are sufficient troops to defend the city. Further assistance will be made available with the release of the Order’s forces near Frankfurt later this season should it be required.

My master has also instructed the Order to lead the forces of Lorraine to the defence of Frankfurt and predicts a swift victory.

Prince Henri thanks the King personally for fulfilling such troop requirements as was possible in Frankfurt and Metz this last season, and again reminds the King of his Loyalty to the Crown and his pledge to force the Germans to Peace if needed although he wishes the Kings diplomats well in their current dealings.

The Prince will address recruitment requirements soon, potentially after the battle, but is likely to request a Priest is trained in Frankfurt this season to address the needs of the local population who have been sorely tried and pillaged by the German forces for so long. He also requests that should there be any French Priests of note that can be made available for the East it would be well received by the common folk.

Once the immediate issue of the defence of Frankfurt is addressed Prince Henri will redress his forces and embark to cleanse the Duchy of Lorraine of German forces, to do this he feels he requires no extra forces at this time from Frankfurt and strongly feels the people of the Duchy need relief from the Duchy once the German threat is dealt with.

I thank you.

[_Tristan_]

Having listened to Henri' herald, Philippe speaks to the man.

Convey this message to my son Henri, if you manage to break the Reichlanders' siege and get back into Frankfurt.

Tell him I have never questioned his loyalty nor that of his House. Those have been proven countless times on the filed of battle.

It is rather his judgment I questioned and the manner he had of conducting his business. Behind my back without giving me any notice of what he had in mind, business that could have dire repercussions for our Royaume.

And all for what ? For indulging the whims of a spoiled child who doesn't even know where his place is ?

I do not like the way this business was conducted... It casts both of my sons in a poor light, unworthy of King's sons.

[Braden]

Shocked at being approached directly by a King the Herald is taken a-back but listens carefully before bowing and responding

Of course my King, you have my word on my life this will be done. I am certain that my Lord will be more than happy to hear from you and to respond with kindness and loyalty.

[Ramses II CP]

Prince Louis, dressed for travel, enters the chamber and announces in an angry tone,

I commanded the mercenary fleet under my control to drive back the English ships and restore the blockade of Iberia, but they have failed and withdrawn with half their number lost. I suggest that the remainder be...

A black look of fury momentarily descends across the Prince's face before he masters himself and turns it into a grim jest,

Well, I suggest that the bloody fools be executed, but I suppose releasing them from their contract will have to do (OOC: Disband them if you like Seneschal). They're useless now, I've no need to sail anywhere and they obviously can't fight. With the blockade thrown down and unknown quantities of Moors still marauding through Portugal and Spain I am faced with the choice of withdrawing my army or proceeding ahead of plans with a siege. I have decided to go on the offensive. The last small Moorish armies in the Cordoba region have been cleared away and now siegeworks are being prepared outside the city.

I fully expect large armies to be moving north out of Africa in support of our foe so I pray that the siege can be completed quickly. Mon Roi I vow I will not make the same error I did at Bern; our main camp lies across the river from Cordoba and none shall take the bridge by surprise. The Moors have shown themselves to be cowards thus far, I fully expect them to huddle down within the walls and beg their infidel god to save them.

I will pray for brother Henri! Good fortune men of France!

With a casual bow Louis departs the chamber.

[Tamur]

Barthelemy de Soissons enters the chamber, clumsily climbs to an outer seat, and sits. He listens for a few minutes, then when silence descends on the Conseil he stands in place.

The state of the Royaume could not be better, my good sirs. Just look around us!

The Germans, those beer-guzzling puddingheads, are no match for us on the field of battle. The infidel Moors play hide and run with Louis. The English and the vikings... *Barthelemy clears his throat and spits downward, then winces and shakes his right leg for a moment* ...mere nagflies.

With all this going well, what could be wrong? Why are our King and his sons at such odds?

*Barthelemy pauses and jingles a coin purse noisily.*

The royal treasury, my friends. That is the problem.

Our people pay their fair share of taxes. But we need gold. Only then will le Royaume be at peace, and the family we hold so dear can forget their troubles over land and position, with all else secured by a full and overflowing treasury.

So, let our armies go forth against the Germans and the heathens! Let us sack their cities, sell everything, and leave them desolate! Tens of thousands will flow into the treasury, and all our troubles will be forgotten as if they melted away like a dream.

Barthelemy sits and belches.