Council of Britain and Ireland

[Zim]

A messenger comes in wearing livery of English colors.. He unfolds a scroll and begins to read.

Last week, after planning strategy with several of his generals in a base just south of Scotland, King Henry died in his sleep. He had recently taken ill since his trip to the north but none had known the extent of his illness. His son Edward has taken the throne and is the new King of England.

As his first act as King, King Edward is declaring an armistice with the Norse. For too long young Englishmen have died in this war, long after the death of the old Scottish Royal family which is kin to Henry. With the war well on its way to being won and easily doable by the might of the brave Celtic nations of Britannia alone, we expect this will not affect the fortunes of our neighbor to the north. England will spend the next year in mourning, and will only after consider the possibility of further offensive actions.

The messenger rolls up the scroll and departs.

[Zim]

After conversing with a few of his colleagues the English representative stands.

In keeping with his duties to his allies King Edward has taken Aberdeen for his allies the Scots, preventing them from needing to throw away the lives of their own men in the assault. A diplomat is negotiating it's handover right now. The rest of this campaign season will see no military action as the period of mourning for King Henry begins, and for the moment English armies are drawing back from the front. Further updates on England's actions concerning the war will arrive after the mourning period.

We would also like to say that disturbing reports have been coming in regarding the setting up of the so called "Baron's Alliance" on the Isle of Mann. Nothing is certain yet but we will keep our fellows in the Council abreast of events concerning that issue as well.

[phonicsmonkey]

The Irish representative stands

The English should think twice before betraying the alliance at this crucial moment in the Norse War!

Young King Edward should honour the agreement his father Henry struck with the Scottish and Irish, to fight to the bitter end against the Norse foe.

As for this rabble that call themselves the Baron's Alliance, they will receive no succour from Ireland so long as we are at peace with England and her King.

[deguerra]

Lords of Britain,

In the name of King Donald of the Scots I have announcements for this council:

Scotland recognises Englands right to direct its efforts wherever it deems them necessary and just. We have no quarrel with the English crown, and want none, but hope that in future, the new King of England may show himself to be more supportive of Scotland.

Out of the raving injustices the Norse have committed in our fair lands, something good has arisen: A rebellion of the freedom-loving highlanders formed near Iverness, and marched in protest on the Norse-held stronghold. Along the way, two Norse forces were sighted, and crushingly and utterly defeated, one of them being led by the "King" of the Norse, the other by his heir. The leader of this uprising, a minor young noble by the name of William Wallace was immediately adopted into the royal family.

We are close now, to driving the Norse scum from our fair isles, and this man has contributed greatly to it.

Long live Scotland, strong and free!

Prince Duncan

[phonicsmonkey]

The Irish representative stands, and raises a tankerd of dark ale as he pronounces:

Glory be to the Alliance of Britain! The Norse invaders have been driven from our fair isles never to return!

Hail Kings Brian and Domnall of Ireland, Kings Henry and Edward of England, King Llewellyn of Wales and most of all Kings Alexander, Patrick and Duncan of Scotland who joined together and fought off the vikings in the common cause of freedom from oppression and the threat of piracy!

May a new age of peace reign long over the lands of the peoples of Britannia and Ireland!

[Zim]

The English representative receives a message, appearing shocked by its contents. He rises timidly to address the Council.

Sirs, English intelligence reports have revealed shocking news. Welsh scouts caught riding across English borders have revealed what has been known to all in the isles all along. Wales is planning an attack on England. King Edward has no plans to repeat his father's mistake by letting Wales sack an English city again, only to make a peace deal preferable to the Welsh. England will not stand for such a thing, and so have trapped and destroyed a Welsh army.

An Irish seaborne army has also been sighted near Castletown, and Edward fears the Irish will seize an opportunity to take a city granted to England by a treaty signed by the Irish many years ago.

King Edward would like to ask his friend King Donald to forgive his trespass, as an English agent has crossed his land to capture a spy working for William Wallace, instigator of the so called "Baron's Revolt". He would note that we have made no moves against Scottish diplomats on English soil, and ask that his Excellence the Scottish King be patient with the English, as recent events and news have made them paranoid, especially that of Wallace and his allies marching near the English border.

[phonicsmonkey]

The Irish emissary had been absent from the chamber.

With a crash he bursts into the room, flinging open the heavy double doors and falling to his knees in front of the assembled nobles. Behind him in the corridor can be heard the heavy tramp of booted feet.

My lords! You have been betrayed!

King Domnall has shown himself to be a serpent and has sold out the Celtic nations to the vile English, attacking both Welsh and Scottish lands without warning!

It is said that he and Edward plan to divide the Isles between them to satisfy their lust for power!

A group of armoured men bearing the insignia of the harp enter the chamber and set about the former representative of Ireland, raining blows upon him and dragging his whimpering form away to God knows what sorry fate..

As they leave, a short, dark-haired man with thin lips and an evil leering expression enters and reads from a scroll.

Peoples of Wales and Scotland,

King Domnall of the Free Irish has taken your fate into his own hands.

For too long have the craven coward Kings of Wales and Scotland shivered and trembled under the whip-hand of the overseer, whether it be Norse or English.

For shame Scottish Kings! Have you no pride that you would allow the dirty Norse to defile your lands for decades? Only mustering to fight them off when spurred on by the proud Irish and mighty English?

You are not fit to govern the brave peoples of the Highlands, within whom the blood of true Celts runs fiery and strong. They will welcome proud King Domnall as their new leader, one whose blood is as theirs, and whose passion and Celtic spirit remains ever true.

For shame Welsh Kings! Cowering in your hill forts like bandits while the English encroached ever further on your lands, bringing sorrow and degradation on the noble men of Cymru.

Your people will rejoice to hear that your corrupt and decadent reign is being brought to an end by the true champion of the Celts, Domnall O'Brien.

O how the bards will sing of the brave new Irish future of these Isles!