Chapter 16: Matheld and the wool
26 January 1258
Dear Diary,
Today was a happy day, after a tough month. I got titular recognition for my deeds, and have risen very high among the Swadian nobility, even higher than I had been back in the Holy Roman Empire, as count of Holland. The scheming of marshall Klargus hadn't helped him: the king likes me too much for that. After the marshall had left me in hostile Khergit territory, I turned around, and rode to Durquba. I had heard that flax would sell pretty well over there. Underway I dropped off most of my men at Halmar: I would travel faster without all those crossbowmen. I also met another young lady in the tavern, with the fighting spirit of a man: Matheld. She joined my group, and rode along me to Durquba. But I immediately regretted having her alongside me, since she started to complain about Firentis talking about peace and such. She only wanted war and bloodshed.
Before I reached Durquba, I heard that Khudan was being besieged. I even hadn't had the chance to pay it a visit, and it was already under attack. I hoped the marshall would save the day: he seemed pretty bound to kill as many Khergit as possible, even peasants, and the city was now a Swadian one after all. In Durquba I sold my flax with much profit, and bought some date fruits. Then I rode on to Ahmerrad. In the middle of the desert I fought with some bandits, and Matheld started to complain about Ymira. She really became a pain in the buttocks. The moment Marnid returned, I wanted to sent her out to spread the word of my future rule, but she didn't quite get it. Instead she started to fight with Jeremus. So I sent her away to spy a little in the kingdom of the Nords. That kept things stable in my party. In Ahmerrad I bought some iron, and even more wool. I got plenty of that sheep fur with me now: I started to feel like a sheep myself.
I bought more wool in Ahmerrad at the local goods merchant: I felt like a sheep.
After my visit to the Sarranids, I rode very carefully through the hindland of the Khergit Khanate, to get to my city of Khudan. Unfortunately the road led me right through the heart of the Khergit homeland. I tried to sneak past the city of Ichamur, but first made a stop there to sell all my iron and even some wool. I left the city in the middle of the night, using the darkness as a cover for my retreat. It all seemed to go well, until dawn arose: I almost stood in front of Sungetche Castle, the fortress guarding the pass I had to cross. But luckily Matheld hold me back in time: she had gathered intel on the kingdom of Nords, and returned to me. This is actually the only usefull deed she had done for me this past month. Together we waited at the Khergit end of the mountain range: at the other end, she told me, were a lot of Khergit nobles fighting Swadian lords. When the night fell, the large Swadian force reached the castle. Even though they decided not to attack, I used the diversion to sneak past and ride to Khudan.
Khudan was under siege when I arrived, but luckily the Swadian army relieved the city pretty soon from it. The boyars had heard about their khan getting smashed by the main Swadian army, and didn't try to find out their luck. I took a food look at my second city, but wasn't able to sell my wool. Therefor I rode on to the Vaegir city of Rivacheg, where I also couldn't find a good deal, and continued to the Nord city of Wercheg, where I bought some salt. On the road Jeremus was hit by Matheld: she was complaining about headages, and he tried to cure her with leeches. She then struck him with an accusation of witchcraft! Really something unheard off; I know I can trust Jeremus. He's a fine surgeon, and has proven himself not only to me, but also to other lords.
When I continued my journey to Curaw, I was attacked by a few bands of sea raiders and taiga bandits, but managed to slay them. After the fights Ymira tried to loot a purse from one of the bodies, but Matheld struck her and said she had made that kill. Maybe she was right, maybe not: her vile behaviour was really getting on my nerves. In Curaw I bought some iron, and sold all of my salt. Then I continued to Reyvadin, where I sold all my iron. I still had an awful lot of wool with me, but being close to my holdings, I realised I had to post more men to defend it all. I would start with archers, or better said: Swadian crossbowmen or sharpshooters, although I knew I had to settle down for some skirmishers for now. I immediately started to recruit as many Swadian peasants as possible, starting in the villages near Dhirim. I of course paid a visit to that city, but there weren't any good deals over there. I did hear in the tavern about a peace settlement between Swadia and Khergit: finally, since now I could concentrate on recruiting men for my holdings, instead of fearing every journey. I could even visit lady Ruha in Tulga, where I of course immediately headed. She was glad to see me.
Finally there was peace between Swadia and Khergit.
After my short visit to Tulga, I rode back into the kingdom of Swadia, and continued my tour along the villages. As I rode to Uxkhal, king Harlaus decided it was time to fight the Rhodoks. The previous war had been over for just a few days, and the madman plunged his kingdom into a new one. I really need to take over, since he destroys the commerce with his aggressive policy. Anyway, there no good deals in Uxkhal, so I continued to Suno, where I met lady Elys. I also sold a little bit of wool, but bought mostly wine and oil. Then I rode on to Praven, where I met king Harlaus. He wanted me to train more knights, which I of course would do. Maybe he would reward me with another castle or city, if the war would go well? I suggested he would take Reindi castle, which neighboured the rest of my holdings. In Praven I sold all of the oil and some wine, and visited lady Gaeta. Then I returned to Uhhun Castle to pick up some good men and help the king with Reindi Castle, but when I arrived, he had already conquered it.
I brought my veteran men back to Uhhun Castle, and started to divide my archers all along my holdings. Two cities and three castles: each one should have at least fifty sharpshooters, but since training takes time, I would have to settle for crossbowmen or skirmishers for the time being. This journey brought me also to Khudan, where I finally managed to sell the last pieces of my wool. I almost started to grow wool myself. The moment I started to ride back to Uhhun Castle, Matheld came to me. The past month had been a difficult one, not only for me. She had fights with many of my close friends, and didn't like the trading and peacefull solutions I came up with. There wasn't enough plundering going on for her liking, so she'd left to find her fortune on her own. Good riddance: if she hadn't left, I would have sent her away once I got to Uhhun castle.
Matheld decides to leave the party. If she hadn't taken this decision, I would have kicked her away.
The moment I arrived in my castle, a messenger was waiting for me. King Harlaus was holding a feats in Praven, and I would be the guest of honour. With only a few of my trusted men I rode as fast as I could, although I did pick up quite some wine in Suno. Once I stepped in the large hall of the capital, all eyes of the present nobles turned on me. Some, like my enemy count Meltor, were loaded with jealousy, while others, like my friend count Despin, were full of admiration. The king started with the announcement that the recently castle of Reindi would be now under the control of count Devlian, while he would keep the village of Ehlerdah for himself. But, he continued, this recent conquest was only possible thanks to my good suggestion. He thus spoke:
'The past half year count Floris has shown us the true meaning of ambition. He has already been rewarded well with land, cities and castles, but his cunning still amazes me. Taking care of our eastern protection all by himself, he will need the royal recognition that comes with that responsibility. Therefor I have decided to give him the title of Margrave.'
I'm glad I had brought the wine, since I certainly gave away many rounds this evening. Margrave! I have risen in the ranks of nobility. Now I really need to consolidate my holdings. But first I'll party.
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Gameplay notes
Here is a picture of Floris' current stats:
From now on I'll show you once in a while a map of Calradia. Here is one for the starting situation, when Floris arrived:
And here is one for the current situation. I encircled my holdings, Floris' Margraviate. You can see that the Vaegir and the Khergit have lost many holdings. The Sarranid had much success against the Khergit, but are losing in a recent war against Rhodoks. The Nords are doing extremely well: they only have gained territory, and didn't lose anything. Swadia has lost quite a lot to the Nords, but have gained much more in the east.