Middle Ages: Interactive

[Csargo]

***

It had been twenty minutes since the British emissary had been ushered into the small chamber, and he was starting to get impatient.

As he sat there waiting, he did so without ever seeing a soul - except for a single manservant named Humphrey, who stood rigid next to a small table with some bread, cheese, and a pitcher of water.

It didn't take the emissary long to figure out that Humphrey was not only deaf, but mute as well. He was nevertheless completely competent otherwise - to the extent that it somewhat angered the Briton. The silence was deafening. Well, except when Humphrey refilled the emissary's pitcher or brought an extra piece of cheese or bread, always right before the emissary was about to gesture for more of either. The utter perfection was disturbing to the point of annoyance; silently, the emissary kept hoping that Humphrey would just once trip, or forget to fill the water before he asked - but, of course, the manservant never did fail.

Then, suddenly, Humphrey moved away from the table - and towards the door. The emissary was just about to make a silent query when Humphrey opened the door and scuttled out of the way of a tall German with a short gray beard and mustache walking in looking at a map.

Once again, the perfect timing both angered and impressed the British emissary, who rose from his chair in respect.

The German who had just entered the room rolled up his map, turned to the British emissary, and bowed his head. The emissary did likewise.

"I am the Baron Sigmund von Wilhelm of Bavaria." said the man in a deep, imposing voice. "Deputy Commissioner to His Most Pious Kaiser Otto the Third of the Holy Roman Empire."

The Briton introduced himself, and von Wilhelm nodded.

"Ah, good. I am glad that your lord Ethelred - long may his reign last! - was kind and wise enough to dispatch you."

The emissary responded with his own pleasantries.

"You must forgive my keeping you - there was an urgent matter that His Majesty required counseling on."

That was a lie, of course, although the Briton would not figure that out; the Germans almost always kept foreign emissaries waiting as a test of their resolve and character. They were not inhospitable so much as they were simply ruthless.

"I hope you do not take it as an offence by any means. Did Humphrey cause you any trouble?"

No, of course not, the emissary sighed inwardly. The Germans were notorious, notoriously bureaucratic, notoriously level-headed, notoriously obsessive. No detail could be overlooked in the Holy Roman Empire. They had kept him waiting, to be sure, but they could hardly be considered inhospitable or rude - his whims had been attended to, and matters of court always took precedence. Above all, the Briton reminded himself, the Germans were perfect - notoriously so.

"No, of course not, on either count," replied the emissary.

"Excellent. Now I shall not keep you waiting any further - let us begin our discussions."

***

On his way back to the English court, the emissary continued to go over what the Baron had proposed to him. A formation of an alliance and a joint invasion of France were tempting offers indeed, especially from the strongest European power - and it was an excellent foundation upon which the destruction of France could be wrought.

But, of course, the emissary knew his place. He must accept His Highness' wishes on these matters...

***

Here is what me and the most Holy of Roman Emperors discussed

As you can see it was his idea to invade France not mine.

Do what you will with this information.

Be warned France the HRE will declare war on you it may not be now but it will be soon.

I wish to make peace with the French and the Pope.