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fleet under my control to drive back the English ships and restore the blockade of Iberia, but they have failed and withdrawn with half their number lost.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.