Acceptance of Fate

(Praetorian) · 28-01-2006, 17:36

Acceptance of Fate: A Castillian AAR

Castello Fernando, Leon, Kingdom of Leon, January 21 1067

Despite the suns prominence in the sky, the air was bitterly cold. A slight wind blew in from the west and brought a chill to the occupants of a small carriage, making its way up a winding dirt road, which ended at the gates of the formidable Castello Fernando, who’s high grey walls cast a shadow over the town of Leon which nestled just below.
The carriage made slow progress up the steep road, the horses panting and snorting from the exertion of the climb, only to be answered by the drivers whip.
A small entourage of carts carrying baggage and gifts followed behind, these themselves being pursued by a column of servants who tramped onwards, with gritted teeth, showered in dust from the long journey. At the flanks of the carriage rode a small cavalry detachment, charged with the protection of those inside the carriage. Their shields and pennants bore the coat of arms of the Royal house of Castille.

Rodrigo de Vivar leant forward and stroked his horses thigh. He felt the tension in the muscles and thanked the horses endurance, for he had travelled a long way. All of the mounts in the cavalry troop had done well he noted, looking round at the men who had taken positions around the carriage, prepared for a sudden ambush even though such an occurrence was unlikely. He noted the dust on the armour of the men, the armour which so often shone like polished silver, so much so that it hurt your eyes to even glimpse at it. It had been a hard ride, and he was proud of them, he smiled at those who caught his eye for they were his men, he commanded them, for he was the Marshall of Castille.

The door of the carriage swung open with a creak and Vivar dismounted immediately, leading his horse over to the carriage. He peered into the darkness of the vehicle and could see the gold of the slim crown that his king wore upon his head.
‘How does ye’ came the voice of his King from the depths of the dark carriage.
‘I am fine my Lord, a little parched from the dust but nonetheless in good condition’ replied Vivar as he took off his helmet and slung it under his arm, it made a soft clang against the metal of his breastplate, which itself was inscribed with the Castillian coat if arms.
‘Good. I requested we stop as my sister feels a little sickly from the journey and I suggested some fresh air might remedy her’. The King indicated with his arm at the other occupant of the carriage, his sister Urraca. Vivar bowed to the lady, whom he had seen once before getting into the carriage back in Burgos, and whom he knew was a senior nun in the Soria monastery. She peered forwards and smiled weakly at him before withdrawing back into the darkness of carriage.
‘That is not a problem, my lord, and it will give the men time to brush the journeys dust from themselves and their mounts so as we are more presentable when we enter Castello Fernando.
‘Ah yes, how much further do you presume it will take until we reach it’ the King said, peering from the small window of his carriage up at the daunting fortress which lurked upon the horizon’
‘Not too long, my liege, we should reach it by nightfall’. replied Vivar.
‘Excellent’
The kings sister rose from her seat and Vivar helped her down from the carriage. She was dressed in the brown habit of a nun and he noted a heavy silver crucifix hanging from her neck, the links of which rattled as he placed her on the ground. She muttered her appreciation and wandered off towards a copse of trees a few yards away from the path they had been following.
Vivar turned back to his King, ‘do you require anything to eat or drink my Lord’ he asked.
‘No, no I am sufficient’ he said pointing to a golden decanter that had been fastened to a block of wood near the entrance of the carriage.
‘Please Vivar accompany me whilst we wait for my sister’ the King indicated the seat that his sister had occupied.
Vivar thanked the King for his generosity and clambered in, he sat down opposite his master, placing his helmet on the seat next to him, the King closed the carriage door.

There was silence for a while as the King stared at him. Vivar turned his eyes to the floor.
The two had been friends since childhood, Vivar being the son of the Kings fathers Chancellor and the King owed Vivar a debt for not three years before Vivar had rescued his father from certain death at the hands of Moorish swordsman when he had been toppled from his horse. Vivar had seen the old king Fernando fall and had spurred his charger into the group of Moors surrounding him, trampling the first few with his horses’ hooves and slashing at the rest with his sword until the Kings Royal Cavalry had arrived and beat the rest of them back. King Fernando had been eternally grateful for Vivar’s act of bravery and had given him command of the Royal Cavalry, a position that also came with that of Marshall and so when the King had succeeded his father to the throne of Castille, he saw no reason to not keep Vivar on in that post, for he definitely deserved it aswell as being a fearsome swordsman.
‘What do you think of my brothers match’? asked the King suddenly.
‘I do not know my lord’. Vivar thought about the women that the Kings brother, the King of Leon was to marry in two days time and the event for which they had been travelling for the past three days. ‘She is said to be remarkably beautiful’. He knew that was true for Antionette of Brugge, despite being in her mid thirties, possessed remarkable beauty.’
‘Indeed she is’ the King replied and he paused in thought for a while, probably thinking of his brothers future wife. ‘She is a rare beauty’.

The King unfastened the gold decanter and poured some of its rich, dark red contents into a silver chalice that lay next to it. He took a sip and sighed, taking pleasure in its exquisite taste. ‘This is a fine vintage’ he said, more to himself than Vivar. ’Would you care for some Vivar’?
‘Thank you sir’ Vivar replied reaching for another chalice. The King poured the contents of the decanter into it. He took a gulp for he was thirsty, it was indeed a fine wine. Vivar smacked his lips in appreciation and the King smiled but then his face took a more sincere posture.
‘People claim her to be the most beautiful woman in Christendom, but I fear this to be the only reason for their union.’ He took another sip of wine and placed his chalice on the wooden block. ‘Of course there is nothing wrong with a man taking delight in such a rare creature but as you know she is all but past the age of bearing a child. And without my brother receiving a son he will have no direct heir to his throne, and if he dies childless then the throne of Leon falls to me.’ The King mused on such a possibility and Vivar thought he could see him frown. ‘Such an event would unite the crowns of Leon and Castille and I would be the head of the largest Christian Kingdom in Iberia.
Vivar smiled at the possibility, ’you would, sir’.
‘But alas am I strong enough for the responsibility? The Moors grow stronger every day and though we are at peace for now, for how long do you suppose they will tolerate such a large Kingdom in their midst’.
‘But surely they would fear such a Kingdom, my liege’ opted Vivar.
‘Exactly, and through fear grows paranoia and it will not be too long until they consider such a Kingdom too big a threat to be ignored. And if we loose in a war against them then they shall have driven a wedge between the remaining Christian Kingdoms and Duchies of Spain rendering them all but defenceless against the hordes of black faced pagans that the Moors command.’
‘I fear, your Kingship may be seeing only the worst possibilities if you were two inherit the throne of Leon.’
‘I hope you are right, but such things must be considered. I just hope this extraordinary beauty my brother has deemed to be his Queen bears him a son so that I do not have to face such a responsibility as inheriting his Kingdom.’
‘Yes, sir’ Vivar replied for want of anything else to say. He finished his wine and returned it to the wooden block. There was a feeble knock on the carriage door and the King opened it too see his sister standing at the entrance, her face flushed from the cold of the air. Urraca smiled at her brother and said she felt a little better from her walk but would undoubtedly feel more so once she reached the comfort of a warm bed in castle.
‘Of course, of course you will’ the King answered with affection. ’Please excuse us Vivar, I shall speak with you again when we are in the confines of the Castello Ferdinand’

Vivar excused himself and helped the Kings sister up into the carriage before mounting his stallion which one of his men had been holding for him. He noticed with satisfaction that his men had taken the brief pause to brush the worst of the dust from there persons as he had expected they would. He spurred his horse to the front of the column and the procession of carriage carts and servants followed

.

siekel · 01-02-2006, 15:01

What are your plans with this AAR? I assume that taking the whole Iberian peninsula is not out of reach...

Btw, did you know that Marshal Rodrigo is a real character? The famous El Cid.

canadiancreed · 01-02-2006, 16:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by siekel

What are your plans with this AAR? I assume that taking the whole Iberian peninsula is not out of reach...

Btw, did you know that Marshal Rodrigo is a real character? The famous El Cid.

wow really? I didn't think it was in that era, but more in the late 1100's

siekel · 01-02-2006, 16:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by canadiancreed

wow really? I didn't think it was in that era, but more in the late 1100's

Look here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Cid

Jestor · 02-02-2006, 11:24

I need to install CK on my laptop and start up a Spanish dynasty of some kind... History of Spain to 1700 is one of the classes I'm taking this semester and it's really got me hungry for doing a Spanish Count.

*coz1* · 02-02-2006, 18:13

This is a very good start Praetorian. Please continue.

(Praetorian) · 09-02-2006, 11:01

Thankyou all for your encouragement. Indeed i did know that roderigo de vivar was the famous El Cid, and that shall play a part in the plot.
I apologise for the lateness of my reply, as i have been in Germany attending a conference on Bismarck. I shall have an update by Sunday, but after that it will be a week until the next as i am due to go to Egypt.

28-01-2006, 17:36	#1
(Praetorian) Canis Canem Edit Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: That Green and pleasant land, that is forever England! Posts: 240	Acceptance of Fate Acceptance of Fate: A Castillian AAR Castello Fernando, Leon, Kingdom of Leon, January 21 1067 Despite the suns prominence in the sky, the air was bitterly cold. A slight wind blew in from the west and brought a chill to the occupants of a small carriage, making its way up a winding dirt road, which ended at the gates of the formidable Castello Fernando, who’s high grey walls cast a shadow over the town of Leon which nestled just below. The carriage made slow progress up the steep road, the horses panting and snorting from the exertion of the climb, only to be answered by the drivers whip. A small entourage of carts carrying baggage and gifts followed behind, these themselves being pursued by a column of servants who tramped onwards, with gritted teeth, showered in dust from the long journey. At the flanks of the carriage rode a small cavalry detachment, charged with the protection of those inside the carriage. Their shields and pennants bore the coat of arms of the Royal house of Castille. Rodrigo de Vivar leant forward and stroked his horses thigh. He felt the tension in the muscles and thanked the horses endurance, for he had travelled a long way. All of the mounts in the cavalry troop had done well he noted, looking round at the men who had taken positions around the carriage, prepared for a sudden ambush even though such an occurrence was unlikely. He noted the dust on the armour of the men, the armour which so often shone like polished silver, so much so that it hurt your eyes to even glimpse at it. It had been a hard ride, and he was proud of them, he smiled at those who caught his eye for they were his men, he commanded them, for he was the Marshall of Castille. The door of the carriage swung open with a creak and Vivar dismounted immediately, leading his horse over to the carriage. He peered into the darkness of the vehicle and could see the gold of the slim crown that his king wore upon his head. ‘How does ye’ came the voice of his King from the depths of the dark carriage. ‘I am fine my Lord, a little parched from the dust but nonetheless in good condition’ replied Vivar as he took off his helmet and slung it under his arm, it made a soft clang against the metal of his breastplate, which itself was inscribed with the Castillian coat if arms. ‘Good. I requested we stop as my sister feels a little sickly from the journey and I suggested some fresh air might remedy her’. The King indicated with his arm at the other occupant of the carriage, his sister Urraca. Vivar bowed to the lady, whom he had seen once before getting into the carriage back in Burgos, and whom he knew was a senior nun in the Soria monastery. She peered forwards and smiled weakly at him before withdrawing back into the darkness of carriage. ‘That is not a problem, my lord, and it will give the men time to brush the journeys dust from themselves and their mounts so as we are more presentable when we enter Castello Fernando. ‘Ah yes, how much further do you presume it will take until we reach it’ the King said, peering from the small window of his carriage up at the daunting fortress which lurked upon the horizon’ ‘Not too long, my liege, we should reach it by nightfall’. replied Vivar. ‘Excellent’ The kings sister rose from her seat and Vivar helped her down from the carriage. She was dressed in the brown habit of a nun and he noted a heavy silver crucifix hanging from her neck, the links of which rattled as he placed her on the ground. She muttered her appreciation and wandered off towards a copse of trees a few yards away from the path they had been following. Vivar turned back to his King, ‘do you require anything to eat or drink my Lord’ he asked. ‘No, no I am sufficient’ he said pointing to a golden decanter that had been fastened to a block of wood near the entrance of the carriage. ‘Please Vivar accompany me whilst we wait for my sister’ the King indicated the seat that his sister had occupied. Vivar thanked the King for his generosity and clambered in, he sat down opposite his master, placing his helmet on the seat next to him, the King closed the carriage door. There was silence for a while as the King stared at him. Vivar turned his eyes to the floor. The two had been friends since childhood, Vivar being the son of the Kings fathers Chancellor and the King owed Vivar a debt for not three years before Vivar had rescued his father from certain death at the hands of Moorish swordsman when he had been toppled from his horse. Vivar had seen the old king Fernando fall and had spurred his charger into the group of Moors surrounding him, trampling the first few with his horses’ hooves and slashing at the rest with his sword until the Kings Royal Cavalry had arrived and beat the rest of them back. King Fernando had been eternally grateful for Vivar’s act of bravery and had given him command of the Royal Cavalry, a position that also came with that of Marshall and so when the King had succeeded his father to the throne of Castille, he saw no reason to not keep Vivar on in that post, for he definitely deserved it aswell as being a fearsome swordsman. ‘What do you think of my brothers match’? asked the King suddenly. ‘I do not know my lord’. Vivar thought about the women that the Kings brother, the King of Leon was to marry in two days time and the event for which they had been travelling for the past three days. ‘She is said to be remarkably beautiful’. He knew that was true for Antionette of Brugge, despite being in her mid thirties, possessed remarkable beauty.’ ‘Indeed she is’ the King replied and he paused in thought for a while, probably thinking of his brothers future wife. ‘She is a rare beauty’. The King unfastened the gold decanter and poured some of its rich, dark red contents into a silver chalice that lay next to it. He took a sip and sighed, taking pleasure in its exquisite taste. ‘This is a fine vintage’ he said, more to himself than Vivar. ’Would you care for some Vivar’? ‘Thank you sir’ Vivar replied reaching for another chalice. The King poured the contents of the decanter into it. He took a gulp for he was thirsty, it was indeed a fine wine. Vivar smacked his lips in appreciation and the King smiled but then his face took a more sincere posture. ‘People claim her to be the most beautiful woman in Christendom, but I fear this to be the only reason for their union.’ He took another sip of wine and placed his chalice on the wooden block. ‘Of course there is nothing wrong with a man taking delight in such a rare creature but as you know she is all but past the age of bearing a child. And without my brother receiving a son he will have no direct heir to his throne, and if he dies childless then the throne of Leon falls to me.’ The King mused on such a possibility and Vivar thought he could see him frown. ‘Such an event would unite the crowns of Leon and Castille and I would be the head of the largest Christian Kingdom in Iberia. Vivar smiled at the possibility, ’you would, sir’. ‘But alas am I strong enough for the responsibility? The Moors grow stronger every day and though we are at peace for now, for how long do you suppose they will tolerate such a large Kingdom in their midst’. ‘But surely they would fear such a Kingdom, my liege’ opted Vivar. ‘Exactly, and through fear grows paranoia and it will not be too long until they consider such a Kingdom too big a threat to be ignored. And if we loose in a war against them then they shall have driven a wedge between the remaining Christian Kingdoms and Duchies of Spain rendering them all but defenceless against the hordes of black faced pagans that the Moors command.’ ‘I fear, your Kingship may be seeing only the worst possibilities if you were two inherit the throne of Leon.’ ‘I hope you are right, but such things must be considered. I just hope this extraordinary beauty my brother has deemed to be his Queen bears him a son so that I do not have to face such a responsibility as inheriting his Kingdom.’ ‘Yes, sir’ Vivar replied for want of anything else to say. He finished his wine and returned it to the wooden block. There was a feeble knock on the carriage door and the King opened it too see his sister standing at the entrance, her face flushed from the cold of the air. Urraca smiled at her brother and said she felt a little better from her walk but would undoubtedly feel more so once she reached the comfort of a warm bed in castle. ‘Of course, of course you will’ the King answered with affection. ’Please excuse us Vivar, I shall speak with you again when we are in the confines of the Castello Ferdinand’ Vivar excused himself and helped the Kings sister up into the carriage before mounting his stallion which one of his men had been holding for him. He noticed with satisfaction that his men had taken the brief pause to brush the worst of the dust from there persons as he had expected they would. He spurred his horse to the front of the column and the procession of carriage carts and servants followed .

01-02-2006, 15:01	#2
siekel Lord of Váh and Tatras Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bratislava, Slovakia Posts: 177	What are your plans with this AAR? I assume that taking the whole Iberian peninsula is not out of reach... Btw, did you know that Marshal Rodrigo is a real character? The famous El Cid. __________________ Read my new CK AAR: Lords of Váh and Tatras (1337- ) Read my Welf CK AAR: The House of Welf (1187): From An Exile To The Throne (1187- ) Read my Hungarian CK AAR: Ladislaus I the Saint, and his dynasty (1066-1301)

02-02-2006, 11:24	#5
Jestor King of Spades Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 1,087	I need to install CK on my laptop and start up a Spanish dynasty of some kind... History of Spain to 1700 is one of the classes I'm taking this semester and it's really got me hungry for doing a Spanish Count. __________________ WritAAr of the Week: October 13th, 2006 Best Character Writer of the Week: April 11th, 2007 Ten Years After: The Lost Girl and the History Book (Ongoing - Sequel to The Beautiful Girl and the History Class) The Beautiful Girl and the History Class (CK) (Completed) -Winner of the 2008 Illustrious PewtAAR Cup -Weekly AAR Showcase: May 27th, 2007 -Favorite Narrative AAR (CK) AARland Choice Awards 2007 Q1 -Favorite Narrative AAR (CK) AARland Choice Awards 2007 Q2 -Favorite Overall AAR (CK) AARland Choice Awards 2007 Q3

02-02-2006, 18:13	#6
coz1 GunslingAAR Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Around... Posts: 10,551 Blog Entries: 10	This is a very good start Praetorian. Please continue. __________________ The fAARq & Forum Rules For the Glory of Scotland Forever - A For the Glory AAR Find all my AARs listed in The Ink Well Visit my blog at Hear the Hurd and my Paradox blog Number One With A Bullet

09-02-2006, 11:01	#7
(Praetorian) Canis Canem Edit Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: That Green and pleasant land, that is forever England! Posts: 240	Thankyou all for your encouragement. Indeed i did know that roderigo de vivar was the famous El Cid, and that shall play a part in the plot. I apologise for the lateness of my reply, as i have been in Germany attending a conference on Bismarck. I shall have an update by Sunday, but after that it will be a week until the next as i am due to go to Egypt.