Prologue
”Do you really think it’ll work My Lord?” Charles asked. Sigebert kept staring out over the fields and just nodded. “But Sire,” Charles started, “we’re killing a nobleman. No, not just killing him, assassinating him!”. Sigebert turned to him. Charles could see the determination in his eyes, his absolute confidence in himself, and in his right to kill this man. “He is no noble,” Sigebert said, “he is but a usurper, a mere pretender, they all are”. Charles was always impressed with his liege’s complete faith in his cause. Impressed by it, surely, but not fond of it. Charles always feared that this faith would be the downfall of Sigebert, that it would blind him to opportunities as well as dangers. It was his job to make sure that didn’t happen. “Very well My Lord” Charles sighed, "I will set the wheels in motion”.
Chapter I
Rise of Sigebert
Bernard-Ezi d'Albret, Count of Albret
Rise of Sigebert
Bernard-Ezi d'Albret, Count of Albret
Charles arrived at Le Petit Porc late in the evening. Le Petit Porc was a small tavern on the outskirts of Albret. The only thing giving away it’s existence was the subtle shimmering light escaping the front windows. How any light could get through those windows at all baffled Charles. They were so dirty, you’d think they had not been cleaned in the last 50 years, and they probably hadn’t. He was meeting Bernard de Lomagne, bastard son of the Count of Labourd. Bernard was, on the surface, a congenial man, full of laughter and fond of the ales. Charles had liked him from the moment he met him. He had often hunted deer with Bernard, and not once in the 6 years he’d known him, had Bernard mentioned any political ambitions to him. Charles was then shocked when he’d discovered Bernard held the position of Commandeur in “Les fils du Aquitane”, a rather clandestine group actively opposing the nobility in Aquitane. It was like there was two faces to the man, each one at an extreme end of the spectrum. Regrettably, he would not see the Bernard he so liked today. He was there with orders from his liege, orders that once they were given, would set a plan in motion not even God himself could stop.
Sigebert d'Albret, adopted son of Bernard-Ezi d'Albret
Charles entered the tavern to find it almost empty. The barkeep was busy polishing the cups used to serve ale to the now passed out drunkard at the center table. Charles found Bernard sitting in a corner booth. “Old friend,” said Charles, “it is good to see you again. I hope you are in fine health this day”. Bernard looked up at Charles. There was a grim look on his face. “Likewise my friend. Please, sit”. Bernard gestured at the seat across from him, and Charles sat down. “Time is running short Charles. The window of opportunity will soon close. We must act now. What says our Lord?” Bernard asked. Charles paused for a moment. This was it. “He asks that you fulfill your duty, and kill the pretender of Albret, his sons, and his brothers”. Bernard nodded. “And he has agreed to my terms?”. As all men do, Bernard wanted something, and like so many before him, he wanted power and wealth. “Yes. You will become Marshal, and be granted a sizeable estate.” Bernard looked pleased, and he should be Charles thought. “Very well, then it shall be done. By this time tomorrow, Sigebert will be lord of the province.” Bernard got up and said goodbye to his friend. Charles watched him leave the tavern, and thought to himself “Too bad he has become so ambitious. I will have to get rid of him soon.”
Bernard-Ezi adopted Sigebert as
his son, and Sigebert returned the
favor by stabbing him in the back
Guillaume d'Albret, legitimate son
of the Count and heir apparent,
is assasinated, alongside his
father and brothers
The word came the following morning. The Count and his family had been murdered by unknown assailants in the night. No one knew how they’d gained access to the estate, but they had. No one had heard anything, not the guards, the servants, not even the Counts own spymaster had sensed something was wrong. Not until a servant maid had found the Count lying in a pool of his own blood had the alarm been raised. At this time, the province of Albret was effectively without leadership. The Duke of Toulouse would have to name a new Count, as there was no heir by blood. And Sigebert knew he would be him. In preparation of this day, Sigebert had Agnes, daughter of the Duke of Poitou betrothed to him. That the Duke would choose sin son-in-law to govern the province was a given, so it was no surprise when the messenger arrived. The Duke of Poitou had recognized Sigebert. Sigebert was now Count of Albret.
Sigebert is now Count
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