Just caught up with you Armic, after my absense, good work. How do you pronounce "Kaetlyn". Kate-Lynn?
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LordLeto said:
I would pronounce it like this Kaat-elyn
Intresting development Amric but what hapend to all the food you spook of earlyer
Anibal- NOpe, for those who know....
Gaijin- Glad to hear it, glad you enjoyed the installment!
LordLeto- Kate- Lynn, that is how it is pronounced...just spelled differently..
Rirre-You were close, and the food is coming...wedding feast, you know!
Gaijin- Glad to hear it, glad you enjoyed the installment!
LordLeto- Kate- Lynn, that is how it is pronounced...just spelled differently..
Rirre-You were close, and the food is coming...wedding feast, you know!
Weeks had passed and although Paris had not had another audience with Henry he had spoken to Helen and Kaetlyn about the discussion between the two men. Both women felt that Richard should be apprised of the conversation as well before any decisions could be reached. Eric and Spenser were all for leaving England and thumbing their noses at the English and their king. Strong words from Paris kept them from antagonizing the English they came in contact with.
Paris finally broke down and sat down with Kaetlyn and Richard while Helen kept the brothers busy with helping her shop in London. The three sat in the apartments given to the family during their stay in England. Paris succinctly told Richard the conversation between himself and Henry. Richard sat back and frowned.
“I wasn’t aware of all the political machinations going on behind me,” he groaned,” But my uncle hasn’t helped matters any by saying anything to you. I was aware, dimly that the nobility pressed for the suit with Kaetlyn. I wasn’t aware that my uncle is determined to insure that Kaetlyn never becomes queen.”
”I could care less about a crown,” Kaetlyn declared hotly.
“I know, my dear,” Richard patted her hand,” Neither do I, truth be told. But England must have a King. Unless my uncle truly does have a son, I am doomed to be the next King.”
“I love you,” Kaetlyn cried,” I don’t care about the crown. Let’s sign a paper saying I don’t wish to be queen. Or better yet, let’s run off together. Get married in Barbados and live there.”
Richard wiped the tears from her face,” If only we could run off. My uncle would hunt us down. Well, me for sure, he would. There would be nowhere safe for us to go. But I can’t run. I have a responsibility to England. One I shan’t shirk, no matter the cost to my personal life.”
“What do you mean?” Kaetlyn sobbed,” What are you saying?”
“If you wish to leave and not marry me,” Richard replied,” I shan’t stop you. It will break my heart, but I don’t want you to marry me worrying about becoming queen, or not becoming queen.”
”I told you,” Kaetlyn began tearing up again,” I don’t care about becoming queen. I just want to marry you.”
Richard enveloped her in a hug,” I want to marry you as well, Kaetlyn. More than anything in the world. But I don’t think I can let my uncle demand terms.”
Paris held up his hand,” What does it matter, lad? Kaetlyn doesn’t care about a crown. She’s told you that, and I for one, believe it. If you two can be happy, what matters if she becomes queen. Besides, if you DO become King, you can decree she is queen, if that is your wish.”
Richard perked up,” Good point, sir. I hadn’t thought of that.”
”So we have your blessing father?” Kaetlyn asked.
“Yes,” Paris sighed,” I don’t like the circumstances, mind you. But you two love each other. I won’t stand in the way of your happiness.”
“Thank you, sir,” Richard pumped Paris’ hand,” Thank you so much!”
“Don’t thank me, lad,” Paris smiled wanly,” You will have a long road ahead of the both you. Political intrigue isn’t a Cypriot thing, Kaetlyn. There are pitfalls that could cause the two of you innumerable problems. Just love each other, trust each other, and don’t let the shenanigans of other people get in the way of your happiness.”
“We’ll try, father,” Kaetlyn smiled,” Let me see, when should we have the wedding?”
“June of next year,” Richard declared,” It takes time to plan a wedding. 1509, June it should be.”
“Oh, Richard!” Kaetlyn exclaimed,” That will be perfect. Invitations to be sent out, so many things to do.”
“I’ll leave that to you young people,” Paris stood up,” Congratulations. I’m going to go find your mother before she spends all of our money.”
The wedding would take place in Westminster Abbey<since I couldn’t seem to find any data as to where the royals of the time married, which REALLY pisses me off>, and the reception would be back at Hampton Court Palace The grounds were extensive, and since there would be quite a few guests to accommodate the place really was the best location for the reception. Henry had offered Windsor Castle as a wonderful spot to spend their honeymoon. Outside of London it was still close enough that if Richard was required to attend court in an emergency he was easily obtained.
The day of the wedding dawned clear and bright. A nice spring day, albeit a tad chilly, the wedding would be at 10 a.m. A vast crowd lined the streets leading to the Abbey and inside the nobility and the wealthy were packed in the chapel awaiting the arrival of the bride and groom.
Kaetlyn arrived in a white carriage, accompanied by her mother and her bridesmaids. Paris and her brother, Xylon, had arrived moments before and were waiting for Richard to arrive with his groomsmen and his best man. His arrival moments later in a black carriage caused the crowds outside to erupt in cheers. He was a popular royal figure and the people really loved him.
The wedding commenced quickly. If you consider two and a half hours of hymns, prayers, and ritual questions and responses quick. Kaetlyn was in the traditional white dress made of white satin with pearls sewn into it in decorative patterns. Her train was nearly 6 feet long, and her veil was nearly sheer with yet more pearls.
The ceremony went off without a hitch, and the guests and wedding party moved on to the reception.
.
Paris finally broke down and sat down with Kaetlyn and Richard while Helen kept the brothers busy with helping her shop in London. The three sat in the apartments given to the family during their stay in England. Paris succinctly told Richard the conversation between himself and Henry. Richard sat back and frowned.
“I wasn’t aware of all the political machinations going on behind me,” he groaned,” But my uncle hasn’t helped matters any by saying anything to you. I was aware, dimly that the nobility pressed for the suit with Kaetlyn. I wasn’t aware that my uncle is determined to insure that Kaetlyn never becomes queen.”
”I could care less about a crown,” Kaetlyn declared hotly.
“I know, my dear,” Richard patted her hand,” Neither do I, truth be told. But England must have a King. Unless my uncle truly does have a son, I am doomed to be the next King.”
“I love you,” Kaetlyn cried,” I don’t care about the crown. Let’s sign a paper saying I don’t wish to be queen. Or better yet, let’s run off together. Get married in Barbados and live there.”
Richard wiped the tears from her face,” If only we could run off. My uncle would hunt us down. Well, me for sure, he would. There would be nowhere safe for us to go. But I can’t run. I have a responsibility to England. One I shan’t shirk, no matter the cost to my personal life.”
“What do you mean?” Kaetlyn sobbed,” What are you saying?”
“If you wish to leave and not marry me,” Richard replied,” I shan’t stop you. It will break my heart, but I don’t want you to marry me worrying about becoming queen, or not becoming queen.”
”I told you,” Kaetlyn began tearing up again,” I don’t care about becoming queen. I just want to marry you.”
Richard enveloped her in a hug,” I want to marry you as well, Kaetlyn. More than anything in the world. But I don’t think I can let my uncle demand terms.”
Paris held up his hand,” What does it matter, lad? Kaetlyn doesn’t care about a crown. She’s told you that, and I for one, believe it. If you two can be happy, what matters if she becomes queen. Besides, if you DO become King, you can decree she is queen, if that is your wish.”
Richard perked up,” Good point, sir. I hadn’t thought of that.”
”So we have your blessing father?” Kaetlyn asked.
“Yes,” Paris sighed,” I don’t like the circumstances, mind you. But you two love each other. I won’t stand in the way of your happiness.”
“Thank you, sir,” Richard pumped Paris’ hand,” Thank you so much!”
“Don’t thank me, lad,” Paris smiled wanly,” You will have a long road ahead of the both you. Political intrigue isn’t a Cypriot thing, Kaetlyn. There are pitfalls that could cause the two of you innumerable problems. Just love each other, trust each other, and don’t let the shenanigans of other people get in the way of your happiness.”
“We’ll try, father,” Kaetlyn smiled,” Let me see, when should we have the wedding?”
“June of next year,” Richard declared,” It takes time to plan a wedding. 1509, June it should be.”
“Oh, Richard!” Kaetlyn exclaimed,” That will be perfect. Invitations to be sent out, so many things to do.”
“I’ll leave that to you young people,” Paris stood up,” Congratulations. I’m going to go find your mother before she spends all of our money.”
The wedding would take place in Westminster Abbey<since I couldn’t seem to find any data as to where the royals of the time married, which REALLY pisses me off>, and the reception would be back at Hampton Court Palace The grounds were extensive, and since there would be quite a few guests to accommodate the place really was the best location for the reception. Henry had offered Windsor Castle as a wonderful spot to spend their honeymoon. Outside of London it was still close enough that if Richard was required to attend court in an emergency he was easily obtained.
The day of the wedding dawned clear and bright. A nice spring day, albeit a tad chilly, the wedding would be at 10 a.m. A vast crowd lined the streets leading to the Abbey and inside the nobility and the wealthy were packed in the chapel awaiting the arrival of the bride and groom.
Kaetlyn arrived in a white carriage, accompanied by her mother and her bridesmaids. Paris and her brother, Xylon, had arrived moments before and were waiting for Richard to arrive with his groomsmen and his best man. His arrival moments later in a black carriage caused the crowds outside to erupt in cheers. He was a popular royal figure and the people really loved him.
The wedding commenced quickly. If you consider two and a half hours of hymns, prayers, and ritual questions and responses quick. Kaetlyn was in the traditional white dress made of white satin with pearls sewn into it in decorative patterns. Her train was nearly 6 feet long, and her veil was nearly sheer with yet more pearls.
The ceremony went off without a hitch, and the guests and wedding party moved on to the reception.
.
I wouldn't be surprised to see England trying to use this marriage as a sort of leverage in future negotiations with Cyprus. Though knowing the constant wars england gets herself into, you're better off not allying with them.
reading about the family is interesting, i also like to weave family things into my AARs, give you a better sense of passing of time. How about some pics of the lovely helen and kaetlyn?
I've never done pics of people, to be honest, Warspite. I made up Helen,and Kaetlyn's hair color isn't the same in reality as it is in the story...
Machiavellian- Well, we'll be getting to that later in the story....
Machiavellian- Well, we'll be getting to that later in the story....
The feast was elaborate and quite fine. The first course was a thick chicken broth with black truffle sauce. The second course had the tops of eggs cut off with the contents steamed with gizzards and livers of chickens. The third course had large iron pots with lids embedded into dough between the pot lid and the pot. When opened there was a bed of straw lining the pot and a chicken that had roasted and steamed within with a rosemary butter glaze upon it.
The fourth course was fish from the sea broiled and it came with baked oysters and steamed vegetables. The fifth course was roast boar with a mushroom gravy sauce. The sixth course was the dessert course with bread pudding, custards, and pies.
Everyone declared the feast a wonderful affair as they cleared the area for dancing and the general frivolity that was common with weddings of the day. An hour later the bride and groom managed to make a secretive exit and left for their honeymoon while the guests and the rest of the wedding party continued to revel far into the night.
Paris and his family left three days later to return to Cyprus. He had received disturbing reports that the Aztecs were demonstrating near the border of Tampico and had given diplomatic insults to acting Governor Owen, who had turned the other cheek although his first instinct was to instigate a duel between the ambassador and himself he restrained himself when he had gotten reports of just how large the Aztec armies were, as they outnumbered the entire colonial army.
Even while in the midst of a war with the Maya they still managed to have 15,000 troops stationed on the border. Such resources concerned Owen, and the governing council of Cyprus who ordered him to do nothing to antagonize the warlike Aztecs. The Maya had asked for an alliance but were turned down as they were at war with the Aztecs and the Cypriots had no desire to go to war with the bloodthirsty Aztecs.
Paris fell ill on the voyage home and started indoctrinating both Xylon and Spenser in the art of government. Spenser would become Duke of the Caribbean while Xylon would take over being Governor. Paris was unable to make it to the port of Barbados and died one day out from it. He would buried with full honors and a huge gathering of the people who came to the funeral rites and he would be placed in the family crypt along, as his father had been years before.
Colonel Owen had given both Xylon and Spenser a full report on the Aztec/Maya war and the fact that the Aztecs had lost the war and a province to the Maya as far as the intelligence reports could tell. The latest orders from Cyprus and the council was that the kingdom is going to stay neutral and not get involved in any way.
No alliances with either nation. The Spanish had begun asking for an alliance, probably in response to the losses they had taken against the former Winward Islands Kingdom and to our own colonial forces in Barahona. The limited Spanish forces kept trying to infiltrate the province, only to be brought to heel and forced to run for their own territory.
The colony there had been beefed up with more military units and more colonists to help build a defensive fortification around the growing town. The colony in Tampico had been heavily fortified due to the aggressive nature of the Aztecs and their ongoing provocations along our shared border.
The lack of a colony in Rio Grande grated on Xylon, as his father had sent numerous colony ships to that province in the hopes of bringing it into the realm and providing a secondary base for further operations and to station more troops in the event the Aztecs decided to try and invade Tampico in force.
Colonel Owen did give over orders from the council that if the Aztecs did invade that the Duchy had carte blanche in how they were to be dealt with, as long as no reinforcements were called from Cyprus and no money had to be spent from the council treasury. Both men grimaced at the penury attitude of the council but accepted it as typical of them.
Xylon stayed in the Governor’s Palace while Spenser decided to live in his father’s one time General’s Residence. The current General of the Colonial Armies had built his own house on base and would be donating to the next General of the C.A. when he retired later that same year.
There were letters from various nobles in Cyprus asking for Paris to do something about the council and the fact that Cyprus itself was stagnating further and they felt that the nation was in danger of falling to forces outside the country who were agitating for Cyprus to give up her sovereignty and become a satellite of the Turk or of Venice.
The nobles were very opposed to such plans, but they were concerned that the council was seemingly considering such a move as long as they got to keep power. There had been demonstrations in the streets of Nicosia and the growers in the southern parts of the island had started refusing to work unless the council rejected the concept of becoming a vassal.
National unrest on the island was rising and it only seemed to be growing worse. The nobles were clamoring for Paris to return to Cyprus and make the council see reason. A few actually demanded he step in and take over the government of the nation, promising their full support. A shame that none of them knew Paris could do nothing as he was dead.
Helen was nearly inconsolable and had decided to return to England to be with her daughter and remove herself from the memories that had made her so happy while Paris was alive and now were torturing her. She left days after the funeral on the ducal yacht, which would return with more news of western Europe from the eyes and ears placed in the English court by Paris.
It had been decided that the only way to get reliable information about western Europe would be from agents placed in the English court. Some of those would move on to France, Spain, Portugal, Aragon, and Venice. That way any moves leading to war with Cyprus would hopefully be found out and word sent to Paris in time to make preparations. With Paris dead, Spenser and Xylon would have to deal with whatever information was sent back to them. They had decided that anything military would be dealt with by Xylon while anything that would affect the Duchy in other ways would be handled by Spenser.
Eric, bored and with little to do had decided to join the army. Spenser was against it, but Eric was adamant and left for Cyprus to join the main army there. He had known Spenser would make the General of the Colonial Armies release him from service but that Spenser would have no pull in the capital. He left without a word to his brother or uncle and managed to get away before Spenser could have him stopped.
The fourth course was fish from the sea broiled and it came with baked oysters and steamed vegetables. The fifth course was roast boar with a mushroom gravy sauce. The sixth course was the dessert course with bread pudding, custards, and pies.
Everyone declared the feast a wonderful affair as they cleared the area for dancing and the general frivolity that was common with weddings of the day. An hour later the bride and groom managed to make a secretive exit and left for their honeymoon while the guests and the rest of the wedding party continued to revel far into the night.
Paris and his family left three days later to return to Cyprus. He had received disturbing reports that the Aztecs were demonstrating near the border of Tampico and had given diplomatic insults to acting Governor Owen, who had turned the other cheek although his first instinct was to instigate a duel between the ambassador and himself he restrained himself when he had gotten reports of just how large the Aztec armies were, as they outnumbered the entire colonial army.
Even while in the midst of a war with the Maya they still managed to have 15,000 troops stationed on the border. Such resources concerned Owen, and the governing council of Cyprus who ordered him to do nothing to antagonize the warlike Aztecs. The Maya had asked for an alliance but were turned down as they were at war with the Aztecs and the Cypriots had no desire to go to war with the bloodthirsty Aztecs.
Paris fell ill on the voyage home and started indoctrinating both Xylon and Spenser in the art of government. Spenser would become Duke of the Caribbean while Xylon would take over being Governor. Paris was unable to make it to the port of Barbados and died one day out from it. He would buried with full honors and a huge gathering of the people who came to the funeral rites and he would be placed in the family crypt along, as his father had been years before.
Colonel Owen had given both Xylon and Spenser a full report on the Aztec/Maya war and the fact that the Aztecs had lost the war and a province to the Maya as far as the intelligence reports could tell. The latest orders from Cyprus and the council was that the kingdom is going to stay neutral and not get involved in any way.
No alliances with either nation. The Spanish had begun asking for an alliance, probably in response to the losses they had taken against the former Winward Islands Kingdom and to our own colonial forces in Barahona. The limited Spanish forces kept trying to infiltrate the province, only to be brought to heel and forced to run for their own territory.
The colony there had been beefed up with more military units and more colonists to help build a defensive fortification around the growing town. The colony in Tampico had been heavily fortified due to the aggressive nature of the Aztecs and their ongoing provocations along our shared border.
The lack of a colony in Rio Grande grated on Xylon, as his father had sent numerous colony ships to that province in the hopes of bringing it into the realm and providing a secondary base for further operations and to station more troops in the event the Aztecs decided to try and invade Tampico in force.
Colonel Owen did give over orders from the council that if the Aztecs did invade that the Duchy had carte blanche in how they were to be dealt with, as long as no reinforcements were called from Cyprus and no money had to be spent from the council treasury. Both men grimaced at the penury attitude of the council but accepted it as typical of them.
Xylon stayed in the Governor’s Palace while Spenser decided to live in his father’s one time General’s Residence. The current General of the Colonial Armies had built his own house on base and would be donating to the next General of the C.A. when he retired later that same year.
There were letters from various nobles in Cyprus asking for Paris to do something about the council and the fact that Cyprus itself was stagnating further and they felt that the nation was in danger of falling to forces outside the country who were agitating for Cyprus to give up her sovereignty and become a satellite of the Turk or of Venice.
The nobles were very opposed to such plans, but they were concerned that the council was seemingly considering such a move as long as they got to keep power. There had been demonstrations in the streets of Nicosia and the growers in the southern parts of the island had started refusing to work unless the council rejected the concept of becoming a vassal.
National unrest on the island was rising and it only seemed to be growing worse. The nobles were clamoring for Paris to return to Cyprus and make the council see reason. A few actually demanded he step in and take over the government of the nation, promising their full support. A shame that none of them knew Paris could do nothing as he was dead.
Helen was nearly inconsolable and had decided to return to England to be with her daughter and remove herself from the memories that had made her so happy while Paris was alive and now were torturing her. She left days after the funeral on the ducal yacht, which would return with more news of western Europe from the eyes and ears placed in the English court by Paris.
It had been decided that the only way to get reliable information about western Europe would be from agents placed in the English court. Some of those would move on to France, Spain, Portugal, Aragon, and Venice. That way any moves leading to war with Cyprus would hopefully be found out and word sent to Paris in time to make preparations. With Paris dead, Spenser and Xylon would have to deal with whatever information was sent back to them. They had decided that anything military would be dealt with by Xylon while anything that would affect the Duchy in other ways would be handled by Spenser.
Eric, bored and with little to do had decided to join the army. Spenser was against it, but Eric was adamant and left for Cyprus to join the main army there. He had known Spenser would make the General of the Colonial Armies release him from service but that Spenser would have no pull in the capital. He left without a word to his brother or uncle and managed to get away before Spenser could have him stopped.
Just caught up! Excellent reading.
FYI Westminster Abbey is the traditional place for royal weddings and funerals and such like. Occasionally it won't be (some of Henry VIII's later marriages were not held there iirc), but since the time of Edward the Confessor it has been one of the central places of English (and British) pagentry and pomp.
FYI Westminster Abbey is the traditional place for royal weddings and funerals and such like. Occasionally it won't be (some of Henry VIII's later marriages were not held there iirc), but since the time of Edward the Confessor it has been one of the central places of English (and British) pagentry and pomp.
stnylan- I had great trouble finding out that information as other information clashed with that, so I went with what I felt would be right....
Apparently I am boring everyone now with this story...should I abandon the tale and just stick with the Lenape?
Apparently I am boring everyone now with this story...should I abandon the tale and just stick with the Lenape?
No, No, No.
I really enjoy this AAR. I find the characters interesting and the approach to how you handled this game unique and quite different. True, it is not your normal Conquer the world and impose the culture of some french or german minor story which we have all grown to love, but I think this one has perhaps I dare say it more merit.
Definately stick with the story. If you want to try something different, give a perspective from another country? That could stir things up.. or even take control of another country and declare war on yourself. Then you could do a point of view from the aggressors and return to the peace loving cypriots.. perhaps the blood thirsty Aztecs. (though I worry at what you could do with those villains, I still remember the chimu's rise.)
I really enjoy this AAR. I find the characters interesting and the approach to how you handled this game unique and quite different. True, it is not your normal Conquer the world and impose the culture of some french or german minor story which we have all grown to love, but I think this one has perhaps I dare say it more merit.
Definately stick with the story. If you want to try something different, give a perspective from another country? That could stir things up.. or even take control of another country and declare war on yourself. Then you could do a point of view from the aggressors and return to the peace loving cypriots.. perhaps the blood thirsty Aztecs. (though I worry at what you could do with those villains, I still remember the chimu's rise.)
Amric - not a bad plan. I guess the reason why the info clashed is that the traditions do vary across the centuries. The last thing you need is consistency
Also, I seriously doubt you are boring people.
Also, I seriously doubt you are boring people.
Machiavellian- Interesting idea...hadn't considered it...Will have to think about it...
stnylan- Thanks. At least I'm not boring you, right?
Lord Durham- coming from you, that is high praise indeed! I will have to continue this...
sapphire- glory and power? Cyprus? Wasn't my original intent...Glory is very much possible, but no way am I going to be able to overtake in VP the biggest nations unless I totally scrap the entire reasoning for this story...which I'm not really prepared to do....yet...
Well I am going to have to do more playing, as I haven't done so yet and I have really nothing more to write yet until I do...except for a brief interlude with Eric and his time in Cyprus...I am in a quandary...
I don't know if I should go for the concept of having Eric try to become the new King of Cyprus, or perhaps Eric and Spenser go into a civil war scenario fighting over the Kingship, or have Eric decide not to become king....
stnylan- Thanks. At least I'm not boring you, right?
Lord Durham- coming from you, that is high praise indeed! I will have to continue this...
sapphire- glory and power? Cyprus? Wasn't my original intent...Glory is very much possible, but no way am I going to be able to overtake in VP the biggest nations unless I totally scrap the entire reasoning for this story...which I'm not really prepared to do....yet...
Well I am going to have to do more playing, as I haven't done so yet and I have really nothing more to write yet until I do...except for a brief interlude with Eric and his time in Cyprus...I am in a quandary...
I don't know if I should go for the concept of having Eric try to become the new King of Cyprus, or perhaps Eric and Spenser go into a civil war scenario fighting over the Kingship, or have Eric decide not to become king....
Too right! I've really enjoyed this one Amric. Not incidentally has been the side-plot of traffic lights (from my POV anyway).
As for the direction of the plot, decisions are tricky things
As for the direction of the plot, decisions are tricky things
Amric this is a great read, I enjoy how you put personal stories in with AAR information. You combine the two in a nice story. I am following this AAR closely so i hope you keep it up.
So sad that paris died, what a bummer to get sick on a ship then die
So sad that paris died, what a bummer to get sick on a ship then die
stnylan- Thanks. I am glad you enjoyed the traffic lights thing...I did it in an AD&D game using just that type of technology.
Warspite- Paris was getting old....you have to remember that the average lifespan back then was far shorter than that of today. But I am glad you are enjoying the story thus far!
So people, what should I do? Make Eric King? Say no? Have Eric and Spenser duke it out to see who becomes king? Or keep the Cypriot council in charge of the nation?
While you try to help me decide, here is another update....
April 15, 1522
Eric had been on Cyprus for many months now and had indeed gotten into the military academy. As a legacy man he was expected to do great things and be a great leader. During his time in the academy he had been approached by numerous nobles trying to curry his favor and support them in a restoration of the monarchy. Many of them had tried to convince him that his brother would be a good king. A scant few had tried a different tack and tried to convince him that HE would make a great ruler.
For over a year Eric had pleaded that he wasn’t interested in politics, only his military career. He wanted to be a soldier like his father and grandfather before him. But the nobles weren’t ones to take no for an answer well. They continued to send him gifts.
Wine, women, songs written in his honor and in the honor of his father and grandfather, a fine sword, gleaming armor, a trained French warhorse of impeccable breeding, a vacation villa on the southern coast of Cyprus. All in hopes of bringing him to their cause. In hopes of leading them to a restored monarchy and a possible return to greatness for Cyprus.
Some of those same nobles had dreams of regaining the holy lands even though Jannus so many years ago, over a century, had formally waived Cypriot rights to them. Some of them had ancestors who had large tracts of lands in the lost Kingdom of Jerusalem that they had desired to regain for generations.
Eric had been training hard and had progressed well in his studies. Most of his family that had still resided in Cyprus had died of a plague that had run rampant through the island a few days after his arrival. He and his brother, sister, and uncle were the only members of his family left. The family cemetery was filled and closed as it was unlikely the family would ever reside permanently on the capital island.
His family hadn’t been the only one to suffer. Nearly one quarter of the entire island population had died, and another eighth had recovered but had been visibly scarred. It had disrupted the economy of the nation and it was still only just recovering from the turmoil. Eric had not written to his brother since he had left Barbados.
Spenser had written him to inform him that Xylon had fallen ill. But with no reply from his brother he hadn’t written again. Eric had no idea if his uncle was still alive or not. Kaetlyn had written to inform him that she was pregnant and would be delivering by the time he got the letter. Eric did reply to her and wished her well and sent some gifts for her and the new baby.
Eric graduated from the academy with top honors and was posted as an adjutant to the General of the Army stationed in Nicosia. It was a plum position and had clear perks as he would be invited as a matter of course wherever the General, Tenios, was invited. Social occasions of all sorts, including formal balls and coming out parties for young women, state dinners. The whole island was his oyster.
He was preparing for another evening out at a social occasion at the house of one of the ruling council members. Wearing his formal uniform, he stepped out and walked through the streets of Nicosia. He saw the improvements that had started in Barbados had finally arrived in Cyprus. Street lights were like those of home, as were the traffic signals as well.
Busy as the streets were, the traffic lights kept things moving in an orderly fashion. He arrived at the residence and was admitted into the house, where the swirl of many bodies parted as he advanced further into the house. Young women eyed him contemplatively as he passed by. The parents of the women eyed him more speculatively with thoughts of how he could be used to their advantage.
Eric made his way to the buffet and heaped a plate full of different delicacies and grabbed a glass of wine to wash it down and sat out on the veranda with his plate balanced on his lap. A large man, a veritable mountain approached him. Standing before him, he cleared his throat before he spoke.
“My name is Orrin, Duke of Africa,” he announced,” I’ve been wanting to speak to you for some time now, but haven’t had the opportunity to do so until now.”
“My lord,” Eric rose and bowed carefully,” Please join me.”
Orrin sat down lightly for such a large man,” Thank you. I believe you have met my daughter, Adonia?”
Eric nodded,” Yes, sir. I have indeed met the lovely Adonia.”
“Good, good,” Orrin tried to smile,” I wanted to speak to you of something else as well.”
Eric looked a bit concerned,” About what, sir?”
“The monarchy,” Orrin stated flatly,” Or the lack of one, to be more precise.”
“My lord,” Eric swallowed another bite of food,” The monarchy died when the queen died without issue.”
“So it did, lad,” Orrin agreed,” But I and others like me, wish to have it restored.”
“I know that there are those who desire this,” Eric replied carefully,” But there are those who do not want such a thing. And there are others who believe that a true democracy such as Athens in the ancient times is the direction Cyprus should go.”
“Bah!” Orrin exclaimed,” Democracy is an ideal that can’t work in reality. It was fine for those ancients who knew no better, but a strong monarchy with a steel fist of a noble core would be far better.”
“What happens,” Eric stated,” If after a couple of generations you get a weak, ineffective monarch? Then you are stuck with him or her. There are those who believe the king or queen should be elected by the nobles and serve his life in that capacity and when that person dies a different person would be elected by the nobles.”
“That is one route,” Orrin shrugged,” But I don’t like it. Smacks too much of democracy. In the end, democracy was an idea that was an interesting experiment, but nothing more. When faced with a truly strong monarch like Philip of Macedon, they were completely defeated and brought into his realm.”
“True,” Eric agreed,” But why speak to me about it? I am just a captain in the army. An adjutant of the general. Nothing more.”
“You are far more than that,” Orrin demurred,” You are the son of Paris, who was the son of Ajax. Mighty leaders and well respected by the nobility.”
“You do realize that Paris was adopted by Ajax, who himself was also adopted,” Eric inquired gently.
“Yes, and that is key,” Orrin smiled,” In spite of not being of original Cypriot blood you father and grandfather were true sons of the nation. We in the nobility respect that. Oh, granted there are those who don’t, but those of us who are more pragmatic realize that your family is one of the best known and most respected in all the nation.”
“Your family is also well respected,” Eric pointed out.
“True,” Orrin admitted,” But I am not well liked. I am too outspoken. You, on the other hand, are not that well known. But you carry the lineage of your family which IS well respected. Your brother and uncle run the Caribbean jointly, or did until Xylon died. Now your brother is Duke of the Caribbean.”
“So why not approach him?” Eric asked wryly.
“Because he has no interest in becoming king,” Orrin admitted,” One of my colleagues asked him and he refused to have anything to do with it. He is happy in Barbados and has no desire to return to Cyprus for any reason.”
“I don’t have the clout nor the experience to run a nation,” Eric protested.
“Nonsense, Eric,” Orrin chuckled,” Why do you think kings have advisors? They help him run the nation.”
Eric frowned,” Just how much ‘advice’ is the potential king going to have to heed?”
“Only as much as he desires,” Orrin replied,” Of course those who are instrumental in helping the king attain his throne ought to have more say in the running of the kingdom.”
“I see,” Eric finished his plate of food,” Again, why approach me. Duke Peder of Nicosia has a large following.”
“True,” Orrin agreed,” But outside of his demesne he has irked many of his fellow nobles and it has come to our attention that he isn’t well liked by his peers.”
“Plus he is old and set in his ways,” Eric said.
“There is that as well,” Orrin had to admit,” But I don’t want to press you. How about this? Think about it. Think about becoming our king. I will speak to you again in some few weeks. Let me know what you will, then.”
“Very well, my lord,” Eric agreed,” I will think on it.”
”That is all I and my associates can ask,” Orrin stood up.
Eric stood up and shook his hand,” I look forward to speaking to you again in a few weeks.”
”As do I,” Orrin walked away melting back into the crowd inside the manse.
Warspite- Paris was getting old....you have to remember that the average lifespan back then was far shorter than that of today. But I am glad you are enjoying the story thus far!
So people, what should I do? Make Eric King? Say no? Have Eric and Spenser duke it out to see who becomes king? Or keep the Cypriot council in charge of the nation?
While you try to help me decide, here is another update....
April 15, 1522
Eric had been on Cyprus for many months now and had indeed gotten into the military academy. As a legacy man he was expected to do great things and be a great leader. During his time in the academy he had been approached by numerous nobles trying to curry his favor and support them in a restoration of the monarchy. Many of them had tried to convince him that his brother would be a good king. A scant few had tried a different tack and tried to convince him that HE would make a great ruler.
For over a year Eric had pleaded that he wasn’t interested in politics, only his military career. He wanted to be a soldier like his father and grandfather before him. But the nobles weren’t ones to take no for an answer well. They continued to send him gifts.
Wine, women, songs written in his honor and in the honor of his father and grandfather, a fine sword, gleaming armor, a trained French warhorse of impeccable breeding, a vacation villa on the southern coast of Cyprus. All in hopes of bringing him to their cause. In hopes of leading them to a restored monarchy and a possible return to greatness for Cyprus.
Some of those same nobles had dreams of regaining the holy lands even though Jannus so many years ago, over a century, had formally waived Cypriot rights to them. Some of them had ancestors who had large tracts of lands in the lost Kingdom of Jerusalem that they had desired to regain for generations.
Eric had been training hard and had progressed well in his studies. Most of his family that had still resided in Cyprus had died of a plague that had run rampant through the island a few days after his arrival. He and his brother, sister, and uncle were the only members of his family left. The family cemetery was filled and closed as it was unlikely the family would ever reside permanently on the capital island.
His family hadn’t been the only one to suffer. Nearly one quarter of the entire island population had died, and another eighth had recovered but had been visibly scarred. It had disrupted the economy of the nation and it was still only just recovering from the turmoil. Eric had not written to his brother since he had left Barbados.
Spenser had written him to inform him that Xylon had fallen ill. But with no reply from his brother he hadn’t written again. Eric had no idea if his uncle was still alive or not. Kaetlyn had written to inform him that she was pregnant and would be delivering by the time he got the letter. Eric did reply to her and wished her well and sent some gifts for her and the new baby.
Eric graduated from the academy with top honors and was posted as an adjutant to the General of the Army stationed in Nicosia. It was a plum position and had clear perks as he would be invited as a matter of course wherever the General, Tenios, was invited. Social occasions of all sorts, including formal balls and coming out parties for young women, state dinners. The whole island was his oyster.
He was preparing for another evening out at a social occasion at the house of one of the ruling council members. Wearing his formal uniform, he stepped out and walked through the streets of Nicosia. He saw the improvements that had started in Barbados had finally arrived in Cyprus. Street lights were like those of home, as were the traffic signals as well.
Busy as the streets were, the traffic lights kept things moving in an orderly fashion. He arrived at the residence and was admitted into the house, where the swirl of many bodies parted as he advanced further into the house. Young women eyed him contemplatively as he passed by. The parents of the women eyed him more speculatively with thoughts of how he could be used to their advantage.
Eric made his way to the buffet and heaped a plate full of different delicacies and grabbed a glass of wine to wash it down and sat out on the veranda with his plate balanced on his lap. A large man, a veritable mountain approached him. Standing before him, he cleared his throat before he spoke.
“My name is Orrin, Duke of Africa,” he announced,” I’ve been wanting to speak to you for some time now, but haven’t had the opportunity to do so until now.”
“My lord,” Eric rose and bowed carefully,” Please join me.”
Orrin sat down lightly for such a large man,” Thank you. I believe you have met my daughter, Adonia?”
Eric nodded,” Yes, sir. I have indeed met the lovely Adonia.”
“Good, good,” Orrin tried to smile,” I wanted to speak to you of something else as well.”
Eric looked a bit concerned,” About what, sir?”
“The monarchy,” Orrin stated flatly,” Or the lack of one, to be more precise.”
“My lord,” Eric swallowed another bite of food,” The monarchy died when the queen died without issue.”
“So it did, lad,” Orrin agreed,” But I and others like me, wish to have it restored.”
“I know that there are those who desire this,” Eric replied carefully,” But there are those who do not want such a thing. And there are others who believe that a true democracy such as Athens in the ancient times is the direction Cyprus should go.”
“Bah!” Orrin exclaimed,” Democracy is an ideal that can’t work in reality. It was fine for those ancients who knew no better, but a strong monarchy with a steel fist of a noble core would be far better.”
“What happens,” Eric stated,” If after a couple of generations you get a weak, ineffective monarch? Then you are stuck with him or her. There are those who believe the king or queen should be elected by the nobles and serve his life in that capacity and when that person dies a different person would be elected by the nobles.”
“That is one route,” Orrin shrugged,” But I don’t like it. Smacks too much of democracy. In the end, democracy was an idea that was an interesting experiment, but nothing more. When faced with a truly strong monarch like Philip of Macedon, they were completely defeated and brought into his realm.”
“True,” Eric agreed,” But why speak to me about it? I am just a captain in the army. An adjutant of the general. Nothing more.”
“You are far more than that,” Orrin demurred,” You are the son of Paris, who was the son of Ajax. Mighty leaders and well respected by the nobility.”
“You do realize that Paris was adopted by Ajax, who himself was also adopted,” Eric inquired gently.
“Yes, and that is key,” Orrin smiled,” In spite of not being of original Cypriot blood you father and grandfather were true sons of the nation. We in the nobility respect that. Oh, granted there are those who don’t, but those of us who are more pragmatic realize that your family is one of the best known and most respected in all the nation.”
“Your family is also well respected,” Eric pointed out.
“True,” Orrin admitted,” But I am not well liked. I am too outspoken. You, on the other hand, are not that well known. But you carry the lineage of your family which IS well respected. Your brother and uncle run the Caribbean jointly, or did until Xylon died. Now your brother is Duke of the Caribbean.”
“So why not approach him?” Eric asked wryly.
“Because he has no interest in becoming king,” Orrin admitted,” One of my colleagues asked him and he refused to have anything to do with it. He is happy in Barbados and has no desire to return to Cyprus for any reason.”
“I don’t have the clout nor the experience to run a nation,” Eric protested.
“Nonsense, Eric,” Orrin chuckled,” Why do you think kings have advisors? They help him run the nation.”
Eric frowned,” Just how much ‘advice’ is the potential king going to have to heed?”
“Only as much as he desires,” Orrin replied,” Of course those who are instrumental in helping the king attain his throne ought to have more say in the running of the kingdom.”
“I see,” Eric finished his plate of food,” Again, why approach me. Duke Peder of Nicosia has a large following.”
“True,” Orrin agreed,” But outside of his demesne he has irked many of his fellow nobles and it has come to our attention that he isn’t well liked by his peers.”
“Plus he is old and set in his ways,” Eric said.
“There is that as well,” Orrin had to admit,” But I don’t want to press you. How about this? Think about it. Think about becoming our king. I will speak to you again in some few weeks. Let me know what you will, then.”
“Very well, my lord,” Eric agreed,” I will think on it.”
”That is all I and my associates can ask,” Orrin stood up.
Eric stood up and shook his hand,” I look forward to speaking to you again in a few weeks.”
”As do I,” Orrin walked away melting back into the crowd inside the manse.
Amric sorry, have been rather busy lately but I do try to keep up with this excellent story
My personal opinion would have him turn into a Cromwellian like figure, running a 'democratic' tyranny, but that's just me.