The Ducal council, part 1
Rainald was happy to see the walls of his hometown, Jülich, shining in the distance. With him he brought messages from his cousin in Berg, notices on the Emperor, and a grim determination that it was time his tutor retired.
Passing into the town, he was greeted by some of the guards, who obviously noticed who he was. Offcourse, being as those people were his fathers', it was not too surprising, but it did cheer him up. As he rode on to meet his father, he noticed how bustling the town was. Apparently, business was being relatively good for the people of his homeland, undubtedly because, for the time being, there had been few skirmishes and no wars at all.
Entering the castle that was his home, he was greeted by his mother and father who had been waiting for him: "Rainald, finally you are home! Your father and I were allmost thinking you were lost," said his mother, allways worried by her young boy getting harmed. His father, however, was a bit stricter: "Young man, what was it I ordered you to do when you left Prague? Head home immediately, yes. I do hope you have a good explanation?"
Rainald, who was rather used to this, replied in a tired tone:"Do you have any idea how tireing it is to go all the way to Prague and then try to get home immediately? Besides, cousin Wilhelm demanded my attention for important matters."
This ensured the end of further discussion, as his parents took him to the private dining room where they could eat, and more importantly talk, in private.
His mother spoke first as they entered, trying to keep state-business away for just a little longer: "Rainald, how was your journey? Encountered any bandits? Have you seen Prague? I've heard it's even more beautifull than Paris."
Rainald wasn't really in the mood for such chattering, and replied rather bluntly:"Yes mother, it was a very nice journey, and allthough I do not know how Paris looks, I can say Prague looks better than anything I have seen before.
I should say one thing was annoying on the journey: Christian. He is getting to old to travel around, he very nearly insulted one of the most powerfull men in Bohemia, and he was constantly whining."
"Rainald, I will accept that you do not like Christian, but you will not speak so badly of him!" Thundered his father.
"Yes father, sorry father," Rainald replied unenthusiastically, "Now, as to what cousin Wilhelm had suggested: he thinks it would be a good idea to, once or twice a year, or more often, come together as Dukes of House Jülich and their sons to discuss matters that are important to all Duchies, like positions in the Imperial diet or matters of war and peace. In this way, he hopes to increase unity and not fall into pieces like house Wittelsbach or such."
"Hmm, the idea has merit. Unfortunately, your brother isn't here now, but when he and cousin Wilhelm can make it we will discuss these matters. Now, I believe our dinner should be arriving about now.."
