Chapter 84
King Unuist the Wicked
Death, death, and more death
The past several months, the lords of the realm have been fighting each other over territorial claims. Aenbecan was successful in gaining Wiltshire a year ago. But currently, this was the second war over Gloucester. The duke of Hwicce though, has a lot of allies, so the likeliness of him losing more territory is small.
With support high and his retinue replenished, Unuist set out for war. The Saracens held over Melgueil, their last foothold in Francia. Isolated from the rest of the Umayyad's realm, and with Hispania in civil war, it was the perfect place and time to strike. A holy war to drive the Saracens back into Hispania.
Terrible news came to Unuist from Alsace. Luitgard hasn't woken up from her sleep. The duke had physicians and priests look over her, but nothing could be done to wake her. Luitgard was on the decline, and it wouldn't belong before she will be at Heaven's gates.
To fill in the empty chancellor position was Duke Choros the third, duke of Alsace. The man was nothing less than legendary in speaking. He could convince the devil himself to give him his tongue. Choros was elated to take over as chancellor.
With the duke loyal to the bone, it was easy to ask of him to join the church.
Though this good news was dashed by more bad news.
Countess Dorothea died of illness from childbirth. Unuist was taken aback by this. Yet again, hos son's wife died bringing life to this world. It was a tragic irony. Would this curse plague the family for years to come?
Little Uunis was countess days after being born. It'll be hard for the girl, having no mother. He prayed little pedur was taking this well.
While these events were taking place, the armies were mustering. All over the realm, levies were called. It was estimated Unuist outnumbered the Umayyads 3 to 1.
Uusbail's army and the levies of Lundenwic were arriving in Bordeaux. After diembarking, they will head to Melgueil to siege the fortress there.
Numbering 4 to 1, it would take only take a couple months to take the castle.
The levy of Wales and southern Anglia were on their way to Bordeaux.
With rebellion in Ireland, Unuist sent a gift to the king. He hoped it would be enough to pay for mercenaries. Though, he doubted it would be enough. He prayed that Doelgus won.
The second army arrived in Bordeaux and started their march to Navarra.
Nearly five to one, the siege of Pamplona would be complete in months. So far, there were no any worthy resistance to be seen from the Saracens.
Things were going well. Though, Unuist was strucken with more terrible news, none military related...
While he was loading up the third army, he recieved news of his grand daughter's death. Little, innocent Uunis was found dead in her room, her head cracked open like an egg. It was said that her crib fell and she hit the cold floor, but there was doubt in that story. The crib was new as her and sturdy, and the wound she had didn't look like a fall. There was no doubt in him. Someone murdered little Uunis. Unuist was filled with a rage so fierce. As soon as he was done with the Saracens, he was bringing the axe down in the catholics who did this to her.
Little Pedur, though, was taking it hard. His wife dead and his daughter murdered. The man so optimistic to start a life as a lord with a family was so thoroughly dashed.
The levy of Pictland and northern Anglia landed in Coruna and set up a siege of the castle there. While isolated, it was the main city of the duke of Galicia. Taking it down would cut down the strength of the Umayyads.
While leading the siege in Coruna, Unuist got a letter while in the siege camp. It was written by duke Choros. He read it, dropped to his knees and cried.
Luitgard.... was dead.... When the servants went to check her, she was not breathing. She died in her long sleep. Unuist wondered what she dreamt about. Family, the castles, the countryside, of heaven or.... nothing...
Unuist did nothing that day, only managing to send a letter out back to Choros, telling him to prepare her remains for burial. The letter detailed that her body will be rested in Bern, her birthplace, as it was the closest suitable place for her. The count of Bern will agree to it after some 'convincing'.
These past months have been the hardest months Unuist ever experienced. So much loss, so much tragedy. Unuist barely held himself together.
In Memory of...
Queen Luitgard's Grave, Bern, Switzerland. Translated from Old Pictish.
Queen Luitgard.
November 13th, 818 - July 27th, 872
Queen of the Picts. Wife of King Unuist the Second of the Picts. Mother of five children, Prince Pedur, Princess Cristin, Princess Uusbail, Prince Pedur, and Princess Marie. Brave and proud in life. Legendary chancellor, with the voice of an angel. Faithful follower of Christ. May her body rest peacefully forever and her soul live freely in Heaven.
Her grave is a small sepulchre built on the foothills of the Alps. The grave was isolated from the world, only known by the Kraka-Tur dynasty. It was not decorated save for the engravings. In spring, mountain flowers bloom around the grave.
