The Duchy of Lorraine

[KnightnDay]

I, Thomas de Saint Amand, swear fealty to Bertin de Montsault.

[woad&fangs]

I accept your oath, Baron Thomas.

[OverKnight]

A servant arrives with glasses of wine.

Drinks all around then!

He raises his glass to Bertin and then Thomas.

To the Comte de Metz and Baron of Franconia.

[OverKnight]

Thomas, I wish you luck at Magdeburg, but be careful.

Bertin, you have served as my second faithfully, and I have not forgotten this. If the Moorish Crusade is called and no threats surface to Lorraine, I'd would be honored if you led our army on the Crusade.

I will proceed to Antwerp without my current forces, perhaps only the mounted sergeants, and rally what men we have in the area to repulse the Germans.

Thoughts? (OOC: woad&fangs, you still out there?)

[woad&fangs]

Bertin is sitting, looking around nervously, and clutching a large goblet of wine when he hears Duc Hugues speak.

Mon Duc, I would be honored to represent the Duchy on the Moorish crusade!

In his excitement, Bertin clumsily dumps his wine all over himself.

ooc:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I had a lot of character plans involving the war with the English but no time to implement any of them because of school. Now I've got a bit more time and motivation so I'll be more active.

[OverKnight]

Hugues nods.

Good, I'll proceed to Antwerp, I'll leave the army with you, though I'll take the mounted sergeants. I'd suggest staying in the current area until the Crusade is called. The Germans might rally again, your help might be needed at Bern, Nuremburg or Hamburg.

I'm too old to go traipsing across the countryside running down Mohammedans. Also. . .I'm not sure if I'd be welcome in Aquitaine.

[Vladimir]

All good men of France are welcome in Aquitaine.

[oops, sorry for invading your thread ]

[OverKnight]

Gentlemen, please update your SoTs.

[OverKnight]

Bertin, do you want to lead the army and take a crack at that German army in the Ardennes or should I?

[KnightnDay]

Mon duc, word has reached me that Bertin has perished in battle with an army led by Hermann Erlach. Is this true? If so, it is a terrible loss and a dark day for Lorraine.

[OverKnight]

Hugues shakes his head mournfully.

It seems that I should have been more explicit in my last statement in these chambers. He could have taken our army, but Bertin perished by attempting to scout the German army with only his retinue.

I have met Herrmann Erlach in battle and defeated him. He still draws breath because the Kaiser ransomed him. I was tempted to end him, but. . .

The Ducs shrugs resignedly and takes a drink.

. . .that would not bring Bertin back.

Such a terrible waste.

[Braden]

Forgive the intrusion but I felt I had to convey my sympathies, personally and those of the Order, for the loss. Lorraine needs brave men such as Bertin and his loss is felt by France.

[Braden]

Mon Duc,

This is a sad day indeed when so much is lost but…Hail Duc Saint-Amand! May he be long lived and feared by his enemies.

I await your instructions. I will be lifting the siege of Hamburg and returning to Frankfurt with all troops under my command unless my path is blocked and unless you instruct me otherwise.

[KnightnDay]

Thank you, Henri. For my part, there is grieving to be had still. But that is for later. Move to Frankfurt with all haste. I am returning there as well. Mailed knights from Aquitaine, a gift from your brother, shall soon join us there as well in addition to the army of Lorraine which Hugues last commanded. Once assembled, we will meet this latest challenge from the Kaiser.

Metz was the first place I saw battle with Hugues and Bertin and our first victory. This place is now yours. Please see to it that the necessary administration is put into place.

[Braden]

We ride to meet you with all haste. I thank you for the castle at Metz, I will ensure it is enhanced as befits a castle…I recall my last stay there, I was well received by the orderlies.

[Ferret]

A tall man bursts into the chambers and briskly walks up to the duke.

Mon duc, I have decided to offer my services to your most noble house.

He turns to Prince Henri

I, André des Vaux, hereby swear fealty to the glorious Prince Henri of France, Baron of Metz.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC: LEEDS! LEEDS! LEEDS! LEEDS! LEEDS! LEEDS! LEEDS! LEEDS!

[Braden]

*Henri looks up at André, Henri is a good head shorter than him but squares him up and down with a firm gaze*

André des Vaux, a man in a hurry no doubt? Still, Lorraine has need of able and noble men now more than ever so how could I refuse such a request.

Join me at Frankfurt with all haste. Should I live out the year Sir Vaux, I will see you in good order to fight the Germans…or the Poles…or the Danes, whichever deems they dislike us more!

((OOC: YAY LEEDS!!..haven't worked out how to do hidden text yet))

[KnightnDay]

Thomas, whose mood had been darkened by the recent events, clearly has his spirits lifted with the words of Andre Vaux.

"You are indeed a most welcome sight in these halls, Chevalier Vaux. I welcome you to the House of Lorraine and trust you look forward to some hard fighting. That is all that awaits us to the east. Meanwhile, please enjoy what hospitality we can offer, good food and drink you will have no trouble finding here. In Frankfurt things are slightly different, I have yet to convince the locals of the superiority of French wines over German ones."

[Ferret]

André bows and starts to fill a plate.

I will leave for Frankfurt the moment my belly is filled.

[Braden]

Henri laughs

Ha! Indeed Chevalier, we shall all feast now for tomorrow we may be meeting God. As for German wine, I hear they are good for washing down one’s horse as they prefer quantity over quality. Perchance a feast is due to celebrate the lives of those we have lost this last season, we shall arrange one in Frankfurt after we have bested the Germans in the forests…as I understand it the German boars are particularly good for eating.

[Braden]

Mon Duc, André...I am sure we have much to discuss in the private rooms.

I submit a report on the German army I have been forced to withdraw from.

[KnightnDay]

Brothers of Lorraine, I have news that yet another young chevalier harkens to our cause in the east. He should be meeting with us soon.

Andre, I wish to bestow the governorship of Reims upon you. I have no doubt the city will flourish in time under your leadership.

[Braden]

What is the name of this notable man my Duke? I have thought hard about this recently and feel I must approach one chevalier…obviously if this is the same man then I need not.

[shlin28]

A man taller than André des Vaux strode into the meeting hall, his shining armor newly forged from the family blacksmith and his face a handsome replica of his father's, his noble features unblemished and more suited for a mere merchant than a Chevalier of France - only his eyes betrayed the lust of power that constantly boiled within him.

Noble lords! It is a dark time for France, and France needs all of her young men to be at arms to protect France from the enemies without. I am one such man.

I may not be from an illustrious lineage, neither am I fabulously rich, but I promise that I will protect France's interest with my heart, expending sweat, blood and even my life if the need demands it.

The noble Duchy of Lorraine has guarded France's tenuous border with the 'holy' 'Roman' 'empire' for years, even my own brother gave his life but months ago for this aim. To honor both the glory of France and my brother's memory:

The newcomer's mouth moved just a fraction, so that no-one around him could see it, towards a sneer at the mention of his brother.

I, Villain de la Salle, swear allegiance to Thomas de Saint-Amand, the Duc of Lorraine!

[Braden]

Most welcome Chevalier de la Salle, most welcome indeed. There is much to be done and much German blood will have to be spilt before we are finished. If the Duke accepts your pledge we will have need of you at Frankfurt.

there is a gleam in Henri’s eyes and a certain smile on his lips

[Braden]

I have arrived in Frankfurt and reviewed the forces we have gathered...I am heartened indeed, we have more than enough to best all the Germans have and more.

The greatest battle of our time awaits us...

[Ferret]

I thank you for this gift mon Duc, I assure you it will prosper under my guidance. The Germans on the other hand surely stand quaking in their boots, our growing house is more than capable of destroying the remnants of their 'empire'.

Welcome to Villain de la Salle, I am sure you will of great use to the Duc.

This last sentence is said coldly, André is clearly unhappy that he is no longer the tallest in the room.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC: Yay Shlin!

[OverKnight]

A young man enters the chamber. He kneels. There's something about him that seems oddly familiar.

Duc Henri and Seignuers, my name is Chretien Saisset, I offer my sword and service to the Duchy of Lorraine.

[Braden]

Seignuer Saisset, to whom to you swear? Lorraine has need of men to manage her lands as well as lead her armies.

[OverKnight]

Chretien nods to the Duc.

My lord, if you desire I will pledge fealty to you directly or to one of your subordinates.

I wish to serve the Duchy in the field. One of the reasons I chose to serve Lorraine is that her men do not shirk from combat. I have been blooded at Bern under Baron de Chatillon, and yet there still remain a seemingly infinite number of Germans to slay. They must be planting Dragon's teeth.

My father was a Steward, so I have some skill with managing a settlement, but I would prefer the field.

OOC: You might want to play with the house structure to create a Duc -> Count -> Baron chain to increase Henri's influence.