Suum Cuique - Brandenburg Rising
By Wraith, Brandenburg
Changing of the Guard
Castle Brandenburg, March 17, 1270
Young King Wilhelm III von Brennenburg enthusiastically set up his toy knights and footmen all about the room, occasionally glancing up at his uncle Alexander - the Lord Regent - as he paced back and forth impatiently and gazed out at the horizon beyond the balcony. He was scarcely a boy anymore, so while he did not entirely understand what exactly was going on he knew that his uncle was quite frustrated and equally anxious. As expected, a pair of men who wore differing tunics that bore heraldry unknown to him - no doubt part of his uncle's small council. He was learning more about the heraldry of his own family and vassals under his uncle's tutelage, and recalled the description of his own coat of arms -
Sable and argent a pale azure, an eagle sable, displayed, armed and langued gules.
One of the men handed his uncle a letter and spoke to him in hushed tones, glancing over at the boy several times momentarily. Wilhelm began moving his toys closer in order to overhear.
"The battle for the city is won, Duke Magnus retreats his forces to Prague. But the Dukes of Holstein, Mecklenburg, and Meissen have joined in his little revolt. It is not so little anymore," said the older man, whom Wilhelm recognized as his kinsman, Duke Lothar of Thuringen.
"I am expecting a bird from the King of Germany momentarily. I suspect he will be joining our side to put them down once and for all," his uncle said. "Damned traitors, they would hand the kingdom our forefathers built over to a
Salian, and a Salian in bed with the Greek Emperor at that."
"There is...another option, my lord," said the younger man, a slimy lower baron whose name Wilhelm could not recall. The three of them briefly glanced together at Wilhelm; the boy pretended not to notice by clashing two of his toy knights in mock battle.
"I will not hear of it at this time, as I have told you repeatedly, Lothar," said his uncle, dismissing the thought with a wave of his hand.
"Your claim is stronger! He is the son of a third son of a second son, for God's sake!" Lothar muttered, attempting to keep his outburst from being overheard. "You are the
only grandson of Alexander III!"
"Be
silent," Alexander hissed. "The time is not yet right."
As if one cue, a falcon called as it flew in from the distance. Alexander stepped out onto the balcony and presented his arm, with the bird elegantly fluttering its wings as it set down upon it. The Lord Regent took and unfurled the parchment from its legs and read the curt message it contained with no change in expression. A moment later, a servant entered and took the bird, no doubt returning it to the aviary tower. Alexander shoved the letter into the hands of Duke Lothar. "
Now do you understand, you impatient fools? The German King's eldest daughter is betrothed to the
boy, not to me. You wonder when the time is right? It is now. Fetch the edict."
"Of course, my lord," said the spymaster, bowing his head and exiting the room with a slight smile directed at Wilhelm.
Alexander sighed and rubbed his brow. "Let's go," he muttered, nodding his head to his kinsman. Wilhelm looked up from his toys as they approached him. "Nephew, come to the table for a moment. There is something important you need to seal and sign," his uncle said, offering his hand.
"What is it, uncle? I heard you talking about the King of Germany," Wilhelm responded, feigning ignorance as he took a seat at the table with both men flanking him.
"That is part of it, yes," Alexander said, sighing. "Wilhelm, I'm not sure you fully understand the magnitude of the current situation."
"I'm thirteen, Uncle, I'm not a little boy anymore. Tell me."
"I am. The realm is in civil war. The Duke of Poland seeks to usurp you and our family to make a rival claimant King of Prussia," Alexander explained.
"I know, Uncle," Wilhelm replied. Duke Lothar raised an eyebrow behind him.
"Drastic action must be taken to stabilize the realm, nephew," Alexander continued. The spymaster re-entered the room, flanked by some servants and bearing a long sheet of parchment. He laid it down on the table as the servant placed a quill, ink, and heated wax beside him. The edict was filled with a confusing mess of Latin, no doubt the legal technicalities of the orders; it was barely intelligible for the young boy. "This edict will grant me greater powers and responsibilities to protect and reunite the realm in the name of the House of Brennenburg. All it needs is your signature and royal seal," his uncle finished, removing the special signet ring from his finger and placing it in Wilhelm's hands.
"Of course, Uncle," Wilhelm replied, seizing the quill and enthusiastically dipping it in the ink. He made a signature with flourish as his tutors had instructed him, and with his uncle's help dripped a puddle of hot wax beside it and impressed the ring's distinctive seal into it. Behind him, Duke Lothar and the spymaster smirked in triumph. Looking up, Wilhelm saw his uncle nod at them, and the spymaster seized the edict, rolled it up, and left the room with the servants in tow.
"Thank you, lad. That will be all, you can go back to your games," Alexander said, smiling warmly and patting him on the shoulder before turning to Duke Lothar. "Is the army ready?"
"On the march, Your Majesty, but only an hour's ride away."
"Excellent. Fetch my squire, I have a war to win."
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Castle Brandenburg, February 7, 1275
Wilhelm stepped into King Alexander IV von Brennenburg's parlor, muttering thanks to the guards and servants flanking him. His uncle and one-time Lord Regent leaned against the railing of the balcony, gazing out at the darkened, snowy landscape of a winter night in the heart of Germany. The older man turned around to face him properly, sighing and shaking his head. His uncle's hard face and stern expressions seemed more aged and weary than he remembered.
"Welf informed me that you had wished to speak with me concerning more...mature matters," Alexander said. "Leave us." His uncle nodded and gestured for the guards to step out into the hall, which they did, closing the door behind them.
"Indeed. A pity his father - your little crony - is dead," Wilhelm growled, scowling. "You stole my crown."
"You gave it away, you foolish boy," Alexander said simply, grunting in amusement. "Perhaps if you had spent as much time
being less ignorant instead of
pretending to be ignorant, you would not have been so naive."
"I was a boy then, no longer," Wilhelm replied, clenching his fist. "And I
trusted you."
"If you are indeed a man grown, then perhaps take that lesson to heart," Alexander said. "God is great. Men are cruel. Trust in God, and not men."
"You
stole my
birthright!" Wilhelm shouted, taking a step forward an shaking his fist with teeth clenched.
The King's eyes narrowed. "No, let me tell you about 'stolen birthrights.' Your grandfather stole
my father's birthright.
My father was born mere
weeks after his own passed away. Karloman III should have relinquished the crown to him, but he did not. It should never have gone to
any of my half-brothers or their kin," he snarled, scowling furiously and emphasizing his words by slicing the air horizontally with his arm and outstretched hand. "Your father and mine were half-brothers, born of the same mother, but mine was fathered by the elder of two brothers. The crown of Prussia is mine
by rights. So do not speak to me of stolen birthrights you stupid, foolish little boy."
For a fraction of a moment, Wilhelm's eyes wandered to glance at the railing of the balcony behind the King, which was barely half his uncle's great height. He squeezed his eyes shut, however, and banished such rash thoughts from his mind - the man may be much his senior in age, but the numerous scars carved into his face reflected a long history of bravery and battle prowess that dwarfed his own. Wilhelm shook his head. "I never signed away the family estates."
"A simple oversight on my part. It shall soon be rectified."
"You have no right-"
"
I have every right!" Alexander roared. "I am the King who has held this realm together through one of its most trying periods. My scars are enough testament to my dedication.
I will be shown respect!"
Wilhelm cringed. "What will you do?" he muttered at last, defeated.
"I will take official ownership of our estates in Brandenburg and Prussia. You will be compensated, of course, recognized as Duke of Bohemia and granted sovereignty over all the vassals
de jure of that title. I expect Prague to become one of the great cities of this kingdom, so take pride in being given lordship over it," Alexander explained, gesturing unconsciously with his hand. "You will also be granted some small lands and title I have amassed from childless vassals, primarily in the recently-conquered regions of Poland and Mazovia. Am I not generous?" The King held his hand to his chin and raised n eyebrow expectantly.
"Yes...Your Majesty...you are," Wilhelm conceded begrudgingly. "I...apologize for disturbing you tonight."
Alexander rolled his eyes. "I expected you sooner or later. I am pleased you are not throwing further tantrums or taking rash action, as boys your age are so prone to do. You tutors appear to have taught you proper courtesy."
"Thank you...Your Majesty," Wilhelm muttered. "I will show myself out and return to Stendal in the morning. Good night, uncle."
"Good night, nephew."
Moments after Wilhelm left the room, the King's son Viktor stepped inside. "How did it go, father?"
Alexander groaned. "About as expected. The boy is still a naive fool at heart, and his attempts to appear defeated only mean he is plotting something. Send a bird to his wife, remind her to keep us posted on his activities in the future."
"Right away, Your Majesty."
OOC: "Wilhelm" in this is actually Ezzo von Brennenburg in-game, for anyone wondering. I changed his name in this week's edits so it's less stupid, so imagine I just ret-conned it into being Wilhelm the whole time, because that's what happened.
