Dont worry the Ummayyads are fine, The only thing that was hurt was their pride, Oh and their Manpower, That REALLY got hurt. Also probably all the civilians in Aquitaine. Judging on how the real crusades went, I don't think things have been working out to well for them.
Chapter 13: The Abyss Stares Back
Apparently this was floating around the internet, Probably appropriate.
Giselbert found his sanctuary, in sin. Specifically the sin of Lust. The Kaiser had fallen from grace, unmarried and the Bachelor of Europe he turned down all offers for a new Kaiserin. Meanwhile the Kaiser's own appetite grew. He started with the attractive women of the court, and those interested in his advances.
The Emperor grew less concerned with the say of the Church, and of his own vassals and bold began to invite courtiers to a private estate outside Vienna. Where he'd treat ladies to an Imperial Night, with an Imperial offer.
Now Giselbert was the seducer, and it Had been so easy, and rewarding. He felt like he was young again, and Important in a world that had turned on him for a false faith following false Ideals. However, Giselbert was still the Emperor, and his Mistresses could not always hold thier tongues with such gossip.
Silvana Lothering's father, the Ser Ewin had found out his daughter's affair with the Emperor. The Scandal became the only thing talked about within the court, but then another Mistress had come forward, and another. Giselbert, did not care, and openly confirmed their claims, and claimed some of their Children.
The Emperor grew more bold, Not satisfied with Courtiers he would turn to already married women, The Queen of Bohemia and a distance cousin was his next target. Giselbert had begun to document his 'adventures' much has he had his findings of the Cosmos. For common decency, the Details will be spared.
The kaiser claims in his writings that even old women began to seek his 'services' and companionship, but at the time he was disinterested.
The Queen of Bohemia however, was his interest and on a trip to Prague the Emperor and Queen had met in private, Nine months later a Child was born, the King of Bohemia was furious. Demanded Answers from the Kaiser in full view of the court. The Kaiser had confirmed his accusations, challenged the King of Bohemia to a knightly duel, and sent him back to Bohemia with a grievous wound. The new King of Bohemia was only an infant, An infant born mysteriously a year after the Kaiser had visited Prague. Though some report the Emperor having sent his brother to personally raise the Young King years later.
Meanwhile a New Military order of Europe, Formed from wealthy Knights from France and Italy named 'The Knights Templar" had appeared in Europe. They quickly used their vast wealth and connections to set up bases throughout europe. Notably building several new fortresses in Jerusalem to better defend the Holy Land.
Meanwhile the Emperor had begun to lower his 'standards'. Even women he had previously rejected were fair game.
And the Imperial harem still grew. The Emperor had practically constructed a Brothel for himself. A silver tongue, Imperial Gold and Giselbert's personality attracted many would be concubines into his web. But Gisebert's ambition, and his hunger only grew.
Not content with corrupting his own soul. The Emperor made an effort to steer his children on what he saw as the correct path. This was the final straw for the Church who had openly denounced these practices, but ultimately could do nothing. Giselbert, while having fallen under the specter of Lust still had the Imperial Army, and with the army, the Kaiser was untouchable.
So untouchable in fact that the Kaiser had set his eyes on the Byzantine Empress. Eufemia the Basilissa had been married to the Byzantine Emperor for Political reasons. Before that She had been raised in Osterreich along with her Cousin, the future Kaiser Giselbert. Now the Emperor had wrote her a letter and the response was a bit more forward than he expected but he journeyed to Byzantium nonetheless, in secret.
The Kaiser was nearly captured in the escape, Though nothing was done, until the Empress had begun to show signs she was with Child.
The Kaiser arranged a rescue for his Lover and Eufemia managed to escape the Byzantine court before any harm could come to her, or her child. However the Byzantine Emperor did not back down, he called the Varingian guard and declared war on Austria with intent to drag Eufemia and Giselbert to Constaninople in chains.
Of course, other events were also Conspiring. The Kaiser had noticed his own sister spending inordinate amounts of time staying in court, instead of with her Husband, the sickly crown prince. Prince Martin had a poor physical disposition ever since taking a severe wound during the crusade. His health increasingly worsened and Princess Hildeburg had offered to take care of the Prince. The Kaiser disinterested in the many marriage proposals for his sister married her to his son not long after though they had born no children and Martin's health grew worse until he was bedridden. Now Hildeberg had been spending less time caring for her sick husband.. and more time eyeing her brother the Kaiser.
Of Course the Kaiser had fallen, His mind addled by his own lust, The Kaiser's account it was the Princess but there is large evidence to the contrary, the End result was something that would besmirch the Anniona name for nearly a century. The Kaiser had clearly lost his mind, and his obsession became addiction. An addiction that would drive him to do terrible things.
Terrible, Terrible, Things.
And So Kaiser becomes Krazy and Loses his Mind. Enjoy the Update. I'm going to go throw up.
