IC Tavern Thread

[Privateerkev]

Well, Max and Gunther have become a whole lot more protective in the last couple of days. I'm lucky I can go to the bathroom by myself. I certainly don't do it to look intimidating. Its just that if I try to go somewhere without them, they threaten to lock me away in my room. I think their joking... All they say about it is, "We can't afford to lose another King".

*shrug*

So, Matthias, that cup looks a little big to be holding coffee. *grin*

[OverKnight]

Ah quite astute of you. I'm not a prude, I do have the occasional beer. I just don't enjoy intoxication. It leads to unseemly outbursts in the Diet and broken furniture.

You know, I think half of the objections concerning Outremer would be gone if the King's title wasn't King, no offense meant. You can blame Kaiser Henry for that one. My mentor has told me that Otto von Kassel didn't want it used. He would have preferred Viceroy, Governor-General or Defender of the Holy Sepulchre even. I mean who ever heard of an appointed King?

Still I can just see the Dukes' ears twitch when they hear the title. A Viceroy or Governor wouldn't be a worry, but with a King you have to watch your back. Because Kings outrank Dukes, even if the Duchies themselves are larger and more powerful than Outremer.

Matthias finishes his beer.

I seem to have lost my train of thought.

[Warmaster Horus]

Friedrich, who'd been sitting in a dark corner, suddenly comes out, and sits next to Matthias.

"Do you want another beer?" Without awaiting a reply, Friedrich shouts: "Bartender, two more here!" He turns back to Matthias, and says, with increasing anger: "So, basically, what you're saying is that there wouldn't have been all that legal squabble in the Diet had there been a Charter Amendment changing the name of the King of Outremer to Governor of Outremer, right?

[OverKnight]

Thank you Friedrich.

Matthias accepts the beer and puts on the air of a Pub Philosopher.

No, it's too late for a change in title to alter the dynamic that's been established. In the beginning a different title would have made a difference, perhaps, but not now. I doubt any self respecting King would accede to it anyway.

Titles. . .they spent four hours debating the difference between a Crusader Count and a Count. Amazing. . .

Where was I?

[Privateerkev]

You have a point about the title. I am not fond of it to tell you the truth. But, it is in law and it was given by the Kaiser. For me to ignore that would be disrespectful to both. Plus, its a matter of military discipline. The title carries specific powers, duties, and responsibilities. It lays out what others can expect from me. In turn, the use of it by other shows respect. At least for the title but I hope to earn it for the person as well.

As for the difference between counts, yeah that one was interesting. But, the Charter does lay them out as two different things. Your brother was trying to claim that a Duke could could legally deal with crusader counts in exactly the same way he deals with counts simply because the law said he could deal with counts and those titles are one and the same. As King, I have never claimed the reverse. That would make for an interesting Diet debate. Because, if they are legally the same, I could then start setting building priorities for every county in every Duchy that does not have a count.

*smiles*

Jan drinks his beer

[Ferret]

Dieter walks into the tavern and orders a beer at the bar to take his mind off the important matters of the moment. He has cast his vote and all he can do now is hope his man wins.

[Cecil XIX]

Edmund Becker unceremoniusly enters the bar. He plops down on a barstool and orders a whisky, mumbling to himself.

Another household army... Why has the lord cursed me to secure territory when my own legacy is very much insecure?

He shuts up when the drink arrives.

[Privateerkev]

Jan walks in followed by Gunther and Max. The three go to the bar and order beer.

With a grin on his face Jan is excitedly talking to Gunther about troop dispositions.

"And I want the militia to be retrained with the new armor that will come out of Edessa. And make sure the crossbowmen train on horse sized silhouettes. Be sure the horses get re-shooed before battle, I don't want them stumbling when they charge. Scout out the pass to the northeast of Edessa for that Turkish army that is snooping around. And I want a watchtower in that corner when your done. And make sure Chancellor Matthias watches the area south of Jerusalem. I don't want to get our knickers pulled down like last time. And..."

"Sir!", interrupted Gunther.

Jan looked startled, "What?"

Gunther sets his beer down and asks, "Why are you happy? Duke Ansehelm is quite upset with you. Other Counts are testing their boundaries by picking fights with you. CA 12.7 passed because one of your own crusader counts voted on it. The whole Diet is debating whether we are even to be in Outremer. Why are you smiling so much?"

Jan looked at Gunther and beamed, "Because I got a letter from a lady."

Gunther looked hard at Jan for Jan was not known to be the ladies man and said, "A lady my King?"

"Yup!" answered Jan, "The fairest lady in all the world."

"Well you old dog you!" said Gunther as he clapped Jan's back. "Max and I have been watching your room so close, we didn't know you were having anyone in there."

Jan shook his head, "Its not like that Gunther. This lady is a friend. Looks like our problems are over. We'll leave the politics here to the politicians. As for us, we get to go back to Outremer and kick the Mongols out once and for all."

Jan excitedly returns to talking about logistics...

[AussieGiant]

Duke Arnold enters the Tavern. Dress in an elegant but simple black outfit, he takes a seat at his usual table by the hearth.

Ordering a beer he sits at his table alone reading through numerous reports.

[EternalOlympia]

A woman dressed in a tight-fitting but smudged bliaut nearly runs out from the tap room holding a large wooden mug full of frothing dark beer. She slows as she approaches Duke Arnold's table, tucks a stray curl behind her ear, and sets the mug in front of Arnold. She smiles at him and glances quickly at his reports.

Ah, I see you read! Can't imagine looking at hen scratches like that and making sense of them.

[Privateerkev]

OOC:

Hi EO!

I apologize but this thread is for KotR players only. But your more than welcome to join us. Here is the thread for you to post in if you have any questions or wish to join.

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showt...=90154&page=19



*edit*

Please disregard as this has been figured out. :D

[AussieGiant]

A woman dressed in a tight-fitting but smudged bliaut nearly runs out from the tap room holding a large wooden mug full of frothing dark beer. She slows as she approaches Duke Arnold's table, tucks a stray curl behind her ear, and sets the mug in front of Arnold. She smiles at him and glances quickly at his reports.

Ah, I see you read! Can't imagine looking at hen scratches like that and making sense of them.

Glancing up from his reports Arnold face turns from a scowl to a more neutral expression.

He surveys the women in front of him for signs of a deliberate insult before finally deciding to continue as if there was none intended.

Yes, I can read, although the writing is not mine so I can't take credit for the scrawl in front of me.

Most of my advisors are captains and not classically trained.

What is your name?

[EternalOlympia]

The lady looks confused for a moment when Arnold says "classically trained" but then regains her composure, and she bobs a bow.

I'm Larisa. My father's name is Vidmar. But I'm not a Dane! Let's just not start into th...

She stops herself mid-word, pulls her full lips into a tight smile, and blushes. She pins up a cascade of long black hair that has fallen lose, then bends down, a bit low and very close to Arnold, pointing to one of the words on the report.

What does that say?

[Privateerkev]

King Jan walks into the tavern with Max and Gunther dutifully taking up flanking positions. They take their usual seats at the front bar. A barkeep sees them and simply pours three mugs before setting them down in front of the thirsty patrons. Jan looks over and sees a barmaid talking to Duke Arnold in an "interested" manner. Jan chuckles to himself and hopes that she knows what she is getting herself into.

[AussieGiant]

Clearing his throat while gain some composure at how close the lady is, the Duke focuses intently on where Larisa is pointing on the page

Ahh...well...that says...let me see, I believe, that's an attempt at the word, "ambush".

The governor of Budapest is requesting that an army is placed north of the city in a position to ambush any Polish armies venturing south.

Making a deliberate effort to look directly back into Larisa's eye's the Duke continues after a moment of assesment at her understanding.

Do you know what an "ambush" is? Did you say you WERE or WERE NOT Danish?

[EternalOlympia]

Larisa laughs merrily and straightens, brushing against Arnold's arm as she does so.

Oh, of course I know what an ambush is! I can't read, but I'm not dumb. And no, I am not, not, not a Dane. No. I am a daughter of the Svea, and my father's father fought with Erik at Uppsala on that dreadful day that Erik was taken with a spear.

She remains looking at Arnold for a moment, appearing almost regal if it were not for her faded hemp dress, then giggles as she notices other patrons.

But this daughter of the Svea is needed in the kitchen. A pleasure to meet you Arnold. Perhaps you will be here often?

Without waiting for an answer she scurries into the kitchen.

[AussieGiant]

Closing his eyes for a few seconds while shaking his head in amazement, Arnold opens them again to see the retreating figure of Larisa heading back towards the bar

Okay then...nice...bliaut...nice...very nice.

So, she's not Danish.

Svea...where do I know Svea from?

At that moment Arnold retinue arrives, including his Priest.

PRIEST GET OVER HERE NOW!! I NEED YOU TO ANSWER A QUESTION!

Arnold Priest is immediately detained from fleeing the Tavern and dragged bodily across the room by Bane and Grom, his feet a full metre off the ground.

[Tamur]

*Fritz von Kastilien opens the door as if to enter, but immediately notices Bane eyeing him, along with Arnold, Jan and their retinues. He coughs discreetly, then turns around and says over his shoulder* Oh, oh, I forgot that palimpsest back at the church!

*Fritz makes a hasty exit*

[Privateerkev]

Jan sees his cousin enter and is about to greet him when Fritz turns around and leaves. Jan hears something about "forgot" and "church".

"What'd he forget this time?" Jan says to himself as he drinks his beer.

[EternalOlympia]

Larisa returns and walks slowly over to Jan's table, tucking a stray piece of fabric from her bodice back under her bliaut.

"Excuse me!" she says, and motions for everyone to move their mugs.

She wipes the table down, making sure to put her neck very close to Jan as she does so. Then she pulls a few stray strands of from her eyes, smiles at Max and Gunther, then turns to Jan.

"Anything I can fetch for you, sir?"

[Privateerkev]

As Larisa moves to wipe the bar, Jan backs away from her in order to keep a respectful distance. Max puts a hand on his sword hilt due to someone unexpectedly coming so close to his charge but Jan turns over and motions with his hand for Max to stand down. Gunther just looks over at Jan with a big grin on his face as he drinks his beer. When Larisa finishes and asks if Jan wants anything, he replies,

No thanks m'lady. We're good here.

He then gives her a respectful head nod and returns to his beer.

OOC: If Larisa is this close to Jan, she'll notice that he is not exactly what you would consider conventionally attractive though he's not exactly ugly either. She would also notice that as he sits on the bar stool, his shirt and tunic bunch up into a roll. She can't tell if its the fabric bunching up or a "spare tire" and "slight beer belly" forcing the fabric out.

[AussieGiant]

Arnold's table is in conversation for some time...finally in a loud burst the Duke pounds the table and roars.

SWEDEN!!!! That's it!! SWEDEN!

[EternalOlympia]

"Very well then, if you need anything I am always at your service."

Larisa blinks at Jan and smiles, then bends over and whispers something in his ear. She turns on her heel, and is nearly to the back room when the uproar begins at Arnold's table.

She laughs loud and comes running over, nearly toppling into Arnold's lap in her excitement.

"Do you know of my country? Ah, it is a beautiful place, full of lakes and forests and farmland and grand cities... well, not as grand as here of course, but still... ah, it is so beautiful." She stands staring into space for a moment, and dabs at her eyes with the hem of her dress. Then she looks at Arnold as she tilts her head ever so slightly.

"Thank you. Thank you for this reminder of my home. Someday perhaps you would like to visit there. I could be the best of guides for you."

She smiles at Arnold, rocks back and forth on her heels a moment, then suddenly lunges forward and gives him a kiss on the cheek. Then she makes an embarrassed curtsey, and scampers off to the kitchen where the tender is hollering for her help.

[Privateerkev]

Jan remains composed as Larisa whispers in his ear. But, his cheeks flush. He watches her as she leaves his side and goes over to Duke Arnold. Jan turns and says something to Gunther too low to hear. Gunther looks at Jan and nods slightly. Gunther's elbow shoots out and knocks Jan's drink off of the bar. Jan acts surprised and Gunther gets up and walks over to Larisa where he tells her,

Excuse me m'lady, I accidentally knocked the King's drink off of the bar. Would you please come over and bring a towel?

[AussieGiant]

The glint in Arnold's eye is very clear to the members of his retinue.

"Are you going to chop her head off or go and talk to her?" Grom's question has the entire table waiting for an answer.

"Anytime you look at someone like that it's usually one or the other."

Pausing for a moment Grom dabs his serviette in a bowl of water and moves towards Arnold at the head of the table.

"ahh you have some lipstick on your cheek my liege, let me get wipe that off."

Even Bane's Full Helm is able to convey the shock at what Grom is attempting to do.

With Grom's hand just inches from the Duke's face, the dreaded look is a sight to behold.

"Touch me Grom...and you'll be sucking soup through your ass for about a year. Capish!!??"

There's a moment of hesitation from the big barbarian. Some small voice inside his head screams at him to reconsider what he is doing.

"Ahh, since you put it like that then you might want to do it yourself."

Nervously handing the serviette to his Lord, Grom slides back to his original position on the bench seat, the stunned looks on his companions faces clearly causing more confusion in the young warrior.

“What!!?? What did I do wrong?”

[EternalOlympia]

Larisa returns with two towels draped over her arm. She wags a finger at Gunther, then begins cleaning up while humming softly to herself.

[Privateerkev]

While Larisa is cleaning up the beer, Jan takes the oppurtunity to lean down and whisper something in Larisa's ear.

[EternalOlympia]

Larisa giggles as Jan begins, but then finishes her wiping up and stands straight and tall. She pulls a shoulder of her dress up that had slipped down and, speaking just loud enough so everyone can hear, she grins and says:

Thank you for letting me know about that, Jan, it is a relief. I was worried that belly of yours was from bowel problems.

She covers her mouth, eyes wide, and disappears into the kitchen.

[Privateerkev]

After Larisa leaves, Jan looks down at his belly. He can swear that it stares back at him. "You'd think that with all the battles I've been fighting, it would go away," Jan thinks to himself.

Gunther is watching Jan through all of of this and says with a smile, "My King, you know your not exactly helping your weight problem with all the beer you have been drinking."

Jan looks back at Gunther with an embarrassed look and says, "well it hasn't gotten in the way of my fighting ability yet so I try not to worry about it too much." With that said, Jan orders another beer to replace the one that was spilled.

Gunther maintains his amused look and asks, "what hasn't gotten in the way? Your belly or the beer?"

"Both", Jan grunts. Jan slumps in his stool drinking his beer and watches Larisa from afar. "Bowel problems?", he mutters as he shakes his head.

With this, Gunther and Max can't take it anymore and bust out laughing. Jan, looks annoyed at first but lightens up and starts chuckling. The three men resume their drinking.

[Privateerkev]

As the three men sit there drinking, Gunther sees Jan reading something. Jan's eyes go wide with shock.

"My king, what is it?!", says Gunther as he reaches for his sword hilt. Max's eyes dart around the room immediatly assessing possible threats.

The King regains his composer and tells Gunther, "not here. We have to leave. Now." Jan leans in and gives Gunther some instructions.

Max gets up and walks to the front door and opens it. As the cool air blasts his face he looks outside with one hand on his sword. "Clear!", he yells out. Jan writes something down and passes it to Gunther. As Jan walks over to Max, Gunther walks over to the barkeep and says something. No one notices Gunther place the note under a half-full mug of beer. Gunther then walks over to the front door and blocks it as the other two men leave. While Max leads King Jan outside, Gunther stops patrons from leaving in order to make sure the King isn't followed. After he sees the King and Max round a corner, Gunther follows out the door with his hand on his sword.

The barkeep yells out for Larisa to come and collect the mugs.