The air around Vienna was unlike anything Eystein Haraldsson had experienced in service as a diplomat to the Kingdom of Denmark. Fear, uncertainty, resolve, pride... The confusing and contradictory emotions were well suited to what was currently the de facto capital of an Empire undersiege. Only the most important and urgent business could have kept him from finding time to spend in the markets and taverns, listening as the people dicussed the interesting times they found themselves in.
But as it happened, Eystein was here on such business. He was summoned by Prinz Leopold, and after a tantalizingly brief stay in Vienna to double check his wherebouts, he was instead just reaching a castle near the city where he was to have his audience. After a brief introduction to the guards at the gate, he was led in to meet the Prinz.
Prinz Leopold was in the map room, sat behind a large table of dark wood and strewn with charts. He looked pale and drawn, his face lined with tiredness and dark circles around his eyes. Eystein allowed himself a moment's private amusement; he had a good idea as to why the Prinz was sleepless.
Still, despite his evident exhaustion Leopold emitted a calm determination and with a regal air drew himself up in his chair to his full height before motioning to the Dane to sit. Eystein found his seat and was immediately fixed by the Prinz with a piercing gaze of his steel-grey eyes. A mailed hand was placed on the chair back beside his ear and it made him jump.
"Nervous, Dane?" inquired the Prinz, a wry grin upon his face.
Admittedly he was, at least moreso than when he first arrived. Eystein didn't think the Prinz was the type to summon only to harm him, but then one couldn't be sure... Clearly Leopold was being affected by the stress of his situation. Still, Eystein silently cursed himself for responding to the intimidation and resolved to recover from it.
"Indeed, my lord. They say the Hun could be here at any moment, and I would not want to be caught in the middle of such a powerful struggle."
The Prinz laughed, suddenly and loudly, his deep voice echoing and booming around the small antechamber.
"Yes, indeed, the Hun. You'd like that, wouldn't you? Well listen to me Dane and listen well for I have a proposition for you.
The hand of my Royal sister Agnes, in return for a ceasefire, an alliance with the Danish Kingdom, and exchange of geographical information, full trading rights and a small stipend of 1000 florins per season.
King Knud should know that this is the one and only time he will hear words of friendship from the Reich. While I concede that our errant servant Magnus of Saxony hath enraged him with his unprovoked aggression, I consider that was a personal matter and the King's opportunism at this time of strife for my nation does not sit well with me. It does not sit well with me at all."
He paused for a moment. The shadows were lengthening as the afternoon sun grew weaker through the leaded windows. Leaning forward he continued, this time sotto voce.
"You must believe me, Dane, when I tell you that the Reich, eternal and blessed, will endure. Our enemies will be cloven asunder and their cities blasted to the ground, stone by stone. This I swear. Your King Knud had better not count himself among them."
The Dane relaxed.
"Indeed my Lord, King Knud would much prefer to remain on good terms with the Reich. But I am sorry to say that the Danish Prince has only this month accepted another marriage offer and is no longer available to wed. However, with Poland seizing control of the Baltic, Hamburg guarding by only one regiment, and the Kaiser having gone silent to my King's earlier overture of friendship, we could not simply sit back and allow Poland to take Saxony. With Hamburg under our protection, you will have no need to fear that it will fall into the hands of your enemies."
Leopold cocked an eyebrow.
"So the Danish King covets Hamburg eh? What say you to this then: we add Hamburg to the aforementioned offer. King Knud may keep it so long as he pays us 1000 florins per season, enters into full trade and military alliance with the Reich and allows our geographers access to his maps."
Eystein nodded.
"My lord, I can assure you that King Knud will agree to this."
The Prinz grinned wolfishly.
"Then it is done. I bid you farewell Dane."
He rose swiftly from his seat and with a flourish of his black cape he was gone, leaving Eystein in the company of the royal guardsmen, who ushered him from the maproom.
Re: Silesia, 1084
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