Imperial Diet IV

[Stig]

And you sir have been banned from the Diet the last time I heard.
Hans never called himself Kaiser, so why would you?

[Ignoramus]

Conrad rises again and glances at the Ansehelm.

Banned by a usurper? I may be only twenty years of age, but I am no fool. I do not recognise Siegfried's authority, and as such am not bound to follow his orders.

Conrad resumes his seat, and begins writing furiously.

[Ituralde]

I would just like to remind everybody that those who, like me, follow the will of the late Emperor Jobst will be rewarded for their loyalty while those who still oppose this appointment even after numerous evidence has been presented and still have the presumption to call the late Emperor Jobst, his trusted aid Dieter and myself a liar will not be forgotten.

[Stig]

*Ansehelm rises*

Hohenburg, I give "poo" about insulting the emperor, he's the one to deal with that. But I do care if you insult my little brother, which you are more or less doing.
I call on Duke Scherer to talk some sense into the boy.

[OverKnight]

Matthias looks at Conrad, irritation flashing across his face.

I will ignore the fact that you have threatened my life, Conrad. I will simply ask that you pass on to your master certain facts.

First, Hans, to his credit, has sought out a legislative solution to his concerns over the succession. This makes your Master's declaration of armed struggle in his name to the men at Adana somewhat ludicrous.

Second, Karl Zirn commands at Adana. Even if Wolfgang wished to raise the Citadel in revolt, he only leads his own retinue. Now the thirty odd men of his escort could be the reincarnation of Alexander's companions but they are still too few in number to alter anything.

Third, the primary reason your master hasn't been dragged kicking and screaming to the gallows for treason is the fact that not one Elector that I know of supports him or his goals. It is not a rebellion, it is a farce. You should be happy it is seen as such, or Wolfgang would suffer the same premature end as his Father.

If I were you, I would leave this chamber and pass on these observations to Wolfgang before your cries of treachery and usurpation draw the full ire of this Diet onto you and your Master.

[Ituralde]

Two burly men appear beside the furiously scribbling Conrad.

You may not, like your master, accept my authority, but I am sure those two men will help you understand my point of view a little better while they accompany you to the exit.

Siegfried smiles faintly as Conrad is, depending on his level of resistance, followed by the two men, or carried out bodily.

And you can tell your master, that I will be waiting here for his apology!

[Northnovas]

A familiar figure walks into the Diet and heads for the Austrian seats. It has been some since the Count was hear debating but a new session will begin shortly....

Electors, it is good to see some familiar faces and to see this room is still in one piece after all the dispatches I have been hearing about the behaviour of the members. There will be much to discuss.
Before any official business begins I would like to offer my sincere gratitude to Chancellor von Hamburg for his leadership these last few years. I concur with his report and I would say that all of the Reich is grateful for pulling us through and getting to where we are today. I salute you!

The Count sits in the benches looking for his Duke.

[OverKnight]

Matthias looks at the latest report.

Jerusalem has fallen?! This is terrible news. We must approach the new Pope and ask that a Third Crusade be called to liberate the Holy City! Despite the Mongol threat, we cannot allow the Saracens to hold Jerusalem!

I would also like to thank the Chancellor, he has done much to bring the Reich back to greatness. He has made a difficult job look easy.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Conrad Salier:

It is my greatest regret to inform the Diet that we in Outremer have failed.

If you have not yet viewed the Chancellor's Report, let me inform you of what has transpired: The remainder of the Egyptian forces outside Jerusalem besieged and assaulted the city. They were not expected to prevail but did just that, taking the city and killing the Pope. The Holiest City is now once again in infidel hands.

I admit that the Horse Lord threat is partially to blame for this. We were all focused on destroying them while the Egyptians were allowed to so threaten the Papacy without a peep from us. I feel responsible - I ordered the nearest army north. Perhaps they could have assisted in time.

I know that the Diet Session has yet to begin but once it does I will introduce legislation to take back Jerusalem and return it to the Papacy. I refuse to be known as the man who abandoned the Pope and Jerusalem to the infidel. If you disagree, then we might as well pack up and return home, for Outremer has no purpose if there is no Pope to protect.