Part Two
Gerrit-centric
Nearly 2 years ago.....
December 1116
'Aah'...
Gerrit opend his eyes. 'Come on don't stop...!' Gerrit had to look down at her...'What is it this time?'.
She met his eyes 'I think I heard someone coming...maybe it's your wife! What if..'
Gerrit stopped her by putting his finger on her mouth, like they do with small children. He was now annoyed with her, not only is she less than average looking but also a talker.
Ohh well she was the best around. 'My wife? She's pregnant and far away..I doubt...'
Someone knocked at the door...
'What...but.... quickly....quickly get out of the bed..no wait..quickly...no no time for that just lay down next to me and don't move...'
Another knock...
'Gerrit, I know that you're in there...can I come in?...you're not "
busy"...?'
'Phew...thats only Kristof.' Gerrit had to shout 'Come on in my friend...no need for shyness!'
Krisof has been Gerrit's best friend since they both started training at arms under Kristof's father Falco and later his brother Guglielmo. Kristof's bad luck just like Gerrit's was they ware both not the heirs
to their fathers and that was probably what brought them together in the first place.
'Gerrit, your father has sent me for you...he wants you to attend the court meeting today..he said it's important!'
First this wench now his best friend? Is the world against me?
'As you may see I'm already in a meeting.' Gerrit couldn't stop himself from grinning.
'Come on Gerrit, you know how your father can get when he doesn't get his way?'
Gerrit had to think about it for a second, but his friend was right. It was best to get to the meeting, listen to the old man for a while and organize a better party tonight.....with better
attendance.
'Fine I'll be there...'
--------------
So let's see what the old man has to say today. It's probably again about that Count of Jülich. Or maybe the Italians? Gerrit entered the hall. Everyone was already there.
The old Marshal and just newly appointed Spy Master Falco, Kristof's father sat at his father right. Next to him his second son Guglielomo the new Marshal and probably the only person who could match Gerrit
in a fight one-on-one. Kristof was sitting next to his brother. Always smiling. Like he knew something.
The Swedish steward Magnus was sitting on Duke Engelbrecht's left. Next to him the Bishop Bavo who never said a word. Everyone was here, so something is up.
'Ahh Gerrit, you managed to find some time I see?' His father wasn't pleased. He never was. Not since he lost his ability to walk normally two years ago.
'Father...' and with that Gerrit took his seat next to his best friend.
'Now that we are here we can finally start the last preparations.'
Preparations? Ahh so the old man wants war. Hmm maybe the German King wants to conquer Holland back?
'As you may know we are in a bad position. To the west there is the damn French King and his rotten Duke of Flanders. We do have a truce with them...but for how long? The old bastard is nearly dead.
To the south the Italian King is getting stronger with the day. And to the east the German and Burgundian Kings are still at war but not for long. Falco just reported that in a few months the Germans shall win
and where will they look next? They still have a claim on these lands since Dirk!
Last week a relative from Aragon...or whats left of that...came to me with a proposition.'
Gerrit interrupted..'Wait..... we have relatives in Aragon?'
Engelbrecht took a long sigh and continued 'Yes, you may know him.He's your father-in-law?'
The court laughed...but Gerrit wasn't amused...
'Well than he's not really a relative...since...'
His father now interrupted him 'Yes Gerrit but what I was saying is that he gave me an idea. He claimed that the old Emir of Zaragoza died a few weeks ago and the new one is his 9-year old son.
I had Falco investigate this matter and it seems our Spanish relative was telling the truth. We shall not make the same mistake we took two years ago....this time we shall go to war!'
'Now to the tasks...by now you most of you should have figured out that I won't lead this campaign.
So the campaign will be lead by...'
Gerrit was smiling, this was it, this was his moment. He will have his glory!!!!
'Reinoud, my oldest son and count of Gerle.'
Gerrit couldn't be more angry. Ohh well what did he expect? War? Glory? He will probably have to stay here and care for the old man.
'Kristof your task is to go south to Count Alberico and Count Adelfo and raise their armies and meet us back here in Heemskerk. Gerrit you will...Gerrit are you listening?'
Gerrit looked up at his father with disapointment.
'I have a big task for you young man, you will travel to Utrecht to meet your uncle the Bishop and tell him everything.
Let him raise the army of Sticht and Count of Jülich. Than go to the north and tell your brother to raise the armies of my bastard brothers. Ohh and I nearly forgot. You will be accompanied by your nephew Bartolameus,
the second son of Count of Frisia.'
This couldn't get any worse...'Ohh come on that little brat? What is he eleven?'
'Your nephew just finished his studies under our Marshal and will travel back to Frisia to his father, besides if I let the matter only up to you, you'll end up in one of Utrecht's biggest brothels by the end of the month
and we won't leave for war until I'm dead.....so off you go.....and Gerrit.....write to your wife. She is pregnant you know? and this may finally be a son....I know you're still bitter about...'
Gerrit didn't let his father finish..."I know father, I shall write before I leave.'
