Sorcerer,
Thanks, Or perhaps one underestimates the other and the other wants to remain underestimated....
Thanks, Or perhaps one underestimates the other and the other wants to remain underestimated....
-
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Chapter VII, Part2
The news has reached me that an inordinate amount of correspondence has passed between the Emperor and Adolf. This concerns me more than a little. It would seem that whatever Adolf's intentions, they seem to involve a tighter bond between himself and the Emperor.
But the war with Tuscany, for us, is almost over. We sign a white peace with them on January 26th. By the end of February I have had several loyal nobles suggest that Karel be named heir and warned that Adolf is plotting the overthrow of the Stadtholder. And that in any case Karel is a better choice for the office. Arnold does not want to hear that his eldest son is planning treachery against him, and in no way will change the inheritance. Shortly after this suggestion is summarily dismissed, my old friend and his wife arrive.
He is bent over with age, but it is clear he once possessed broad shoulders. His blue eyes are still as sharp as ever and his mind keen. His wife, considerably shorter, is now over 60 herself, her features still are clearly French however, and the years cannot hide the fact she was once an exquisite beauty.
I explain to my old friend the situation as I know it. The old mentor is quick to agree that I am correct and Adolf is playing the Stadtholder for a fool. I suggest that Eric go to Arnold and suggest again that Adolf be passed over for Karel. Eric agrees. But the Stadtholder is positively livid at the suggestion, even when we produce proof of the epistles between the Emperor and Adolf. Adolf a Traitor? He storms? Why? He stands nothing to gain by seizing what he will rightfully inherit by treachery? Has the Councillor fallen from wisdom to folly? Who is this ancient fool he confides in anyway?
The news has reached me that an inordinate amount of correspondence has passed between the Emperor and Adolf. This concerns me more than a little. It would seem that whatever Adolf's intentions, they seem to involve a tighter bond between himself and the Emperor.
But the war with Tuscany, for us, is almost over. We sign a white peace with them on January 26th. By the end of February I have had several loyal nobles suggest that Karel be named heir and warned that Adolf is plotting the overthrow of the Stadtholder. And that in any case Karel is a better choice for the office. Arnold does not want to hear that his eldest son is planning treachery against him, and in no way will change the inheritance. Shortly after this suggestion is summarily dismissed, my old friend and his wife arrive.
He is bent over with age, but it is clear he once possessed broad shoulders. His blue eyes are still as sharp as ever and his mind keen. His wife, considerably shorter, is now over 60 herself, her features still are clearly French however, and the years cannot hide the fact she was once an exquisite beauty.
I explain to my old friend the situation as I know it. The old mentor is quick to agree that I am correct and Adolf is playing the Stadtholder for a fool. I suggest that Eric go to Arnold and suggest again that Adolf be passed over for Karel. Eric agrees. But the Stadtholder is positively livid at the suggestion, even when we produce proof of the epistles between the Emperor and Adolf. Adolf a Traitor? He storms? Why? He stands nothing to gain by seizing what he will rightfully inherit by treachery? Has the Councillor fallen from wisdom to folly? Who is this ancient fool he confides in anyway?
"'Ancien' fool,' I like the sound o' tha'." He says to his wife, her laughter still the sound of sweet music. "I guess I'm either too ol' to care or so glad I made it to this age I'll take 'ancien' as more o' a complimen' 'an 'fool' an insult." He smirked as he said this. "But if tis me last breath, I'll no' let this traitor live." He assured me.
On June 3rd Bosnia is annexed by Serbia. On January 25, 1464 a personal gift is sent to Brandenburg. In September 3 merchants sent to Flandern complain that "They will not labor to Geldre only to see that money line the pockets of fat Englishmen" (Unhappy merchants -200 trade). It seems the lies of Adolf have taken root, the rumors of English vassalage persist. And on December 1st, Bremen loses Kustrin to Brandenburg via defection, restablishing its original borders.
But at last, I have the proof! Letters are intercepted by my servant in the Duke Adolf's house. It reveals instructions from the Emperor to him on how to handle the matter of "A" once the "Pawn of England" is removed from power. It also gives the Imperial blessing to Adolf to proceed with a coup once the marriage with Catherine of Kleves--- A HAPSBURG--is safely married and gives an heir. Furthermore I hear that Adolf has put his personal guard on alert for this evening. Immediately I go to Arnold with this proof.
"And since when do I care what the Emperor thinks? My son will rule after me, and he is well-prepared. No, he would not raise his hand against his loving father. The Emperor can plot and scheme all he wishes, but Adolf would not consider such a letter anything more than fuel for the fire and laugh. I will be dining with you this evening. I think you've been talking too much to that dottard fool of a friend of yours. Talk no more of 'treachery' by my son, Mathijs. You have served me well, but I will hear no more of this."
Later on that day, Adolf assures me, "When I rise to the Throne, your place as High Councillor is secure, and your sons's, as long as you continue to serve Geldre well." I nod and act grateful, as if the words of this snake mean anything to me!
That evening, Adolf imprisons his father on charges of treachery. Trumped-up charges, we are sure. But only he knows, as of yet, how those charges were manufactured.
On June 3rd Bosnia is annexed by Serbia. On January 25, 1464 a personal gift is sent to Brandenburg. In September 3 merchants sent to Flandern complain that "They will not labor to Geldre only to see that money line the pockets of fat Englishmen" (Unhappy merchants -200 trade). It seems the lies of Adolf have taken root, the rumors of English vassalage persist. And on December 1st, Bremen loses Kustrin to Brandenburg via defection, restablishing its original borders.
But at last, I have the proof! Letters are intercepted by my servant in the Duke Adolf's house. It reveals instructions from the Emperor to him on how to handle the matter of "A" once the "Pawn of England" is removed from power. It also gives the Imperial blessing to Adolf to proceed with a coup once the marriage with Catherine of Kleves--- A HAPSBURG--is safely married and gives an heir. Furthermore I hear that Adolf has put his personal guard on alert for this evening. Immediately I go to Arnold with this proof.
"And since when do I care what the Emperor thinks? My son will rule after me, and he is well-prepared. No, he would not raise his hand against his loving father. The Emperor can plot and scheme all he wishes, but Adolf would not consider such a letter anything more than fuel for the fire and laugh. I will be dining with you this evening. I think you've been talking too much to that dottard fool of a friend of yours. Talk no more of 'treachery' by my son, Mathijs. You have served me well, but I will hear no more of this."
Later on that day, Adolf assures me, "When I rise to the Throne, your place as High Councillor is secure, and your sons's, as long as you continue to serve Geldre well." I nod and act grateful, as if the words of this snake mean anything to me!
That evening, Adolf imprisons his father on charges of treachery. Trumped-up charges, we are sure. But only he knows, as of yet, how those charges were manufactured.
shawng1 - gotta love those "never have to renew them" alliances.
good work on the installments.
more mrT sex scenes next?!?!
good work on the installments.
more mrT sex scenes next?!?!
Ha! They realise too late! The fools!
With father imprisoned and the support of the council firmly behind me, I can be challenged by no man. Mathijs and Rudolf have supported my claim, and will feel themselves all the more justified when I produce the (albeit false) documents that show that my father was infinite in his duplicity and that he actively sought to bend his knee in fealty to the mad King of England. More an error on the part of my agents than of fact…I am sure that this is the road he was treading.
The Emperor, too, will rue this day. He expected a complacent pawn…what he will find now is…how do they call it?…a sea urchin. Soft meat….but protected by spines of great redoubt. If he moves against me I have two pawns to play…his niece is the obvious one, but I can also play that final trump: usurp me and I reinstate my father who will so willingly swear fealty to the English. That Friedrich would not dare. Strange, but he was right - in the end - about leaving father alive.
The coup was surprisingly bloodless – father meekly accepting his fate and allowing my honour guard to lead him away. I will have his expression of surprise before my eyes until the day I die. He was surprised….I am surprised!…and yet he was never one to ignore the obvious or duck from an obvious fate. I wondered at his words, though. “He was right.” What does that mean? Did someone forewarn him? Is there a plot afoot already to counter my move? I will have Mathijs investigate it for me, as he seems fully in my camp.
My father…he is a pathetic specimen of a man. His capture was too easily accomplished – it was surprising in a way…that so mighty a man might be so humbled, so quickly. He never sawit coming. I wonder what he thought, as my guard led him away in chains. It was after the wedding to the “sweat” Catherine…what a bitch. She spouts as much nonsense as the Emperor and I cannot wait for the day when I have her strangled. Come to think of it, I may reserve that pleasure for myself. I hate her!
I have all forces on full alert – as other countries may seek to prey on our inner turmoil. One never knows what might happen – be the source from the English, or our old Burgundian foes, or even from the emperor himself. I sent agents today to waylay the emperor’s secret messenger - which should buy me the time to act before he begins to fuss about it unduly, and I can blame it on subversive elements. So much the better. Perhaps he will even send me more money to help “deal” with them.
The English I trust – not at all. I will try to play them closely, making all manner of false promises in order to gain myself time to prepare all that must be done. I could do without Henry’s blatant overtures, though. Perhaps I will set Mathijs on that problem as well. Henry is the bane of my existence, I so swear it now!
The matter remains…I must solidify my hold on the realm before the carrion crows see and seize the opportunity. An adjustment of rights may very well be in order…give a morsel to the poor in order to undermine the rich. I can always revoke their rights later, when the time is ripe and the issues are less pressing. “Appease the masses” someone once said, though I forget who it was, at the moment.
I ask myself, though, who in the devil is that disgusting and decrepit piece of antiquity with whom my spies tell me the High Councillor is most frequently closeting himself? Is he someone to be feared or dealt with – hard to imagine given his age – or is he some ancient relic of the distaff side of the man’s family who may simply be ignored? He seems so…harmless…and yet I feel an unease when I am near him. He bears watching, if nothing else.
What else? Precious little I suppose. I must hold the emperor at bay with false promises and all-too-vulnerable messengers. So, too, the English, for I must ensure that mad king Henry believes I am considering his foul propositions – and perhaps I must look to find a way to quietly support and finance his hidden enemies (for surely England is as ripe for political turmoil as any other nation). I must appear, at very least, to appease the High Councillor and his son – it would not do for too many deaths or disappearances to happen within too short a span of time…
All else is provided for…and I can levy taxes as needed to overcome any financial obstacles. The Duchy – nay, the kingdom, is mine!
All that remains, then, is my brother. That…well, that is a difficult choice…
Excerpt purported to be from the diary of Adolf van Doesberg
With father imprisoned and the support of the council firmly behind me, I can be challenged by no man. Mathijs and Rudolf have supported my claim, and will feel themselves all the more justified when I produce the (albeit false) documents that show that my father was infinite in his duplicity and that he actively sought to bend his knee in fealty to the mad King of England. More an error on the part of my agents than of fact…I am sure that this is the road he was treading.
The Emperor, too, will rue this day. He expected a complacent pawn…what he will find now is…how do they call it?…a sea urchin. Soft meat….but protected by spines of great redoubt. If he moves against me I have two pawns to play…his niece is the obvious one, but I can also play that final trump: usurp me and I reinstate my father who will so willingly swear fealty to the English. That Friedrich would not dare. Strange, but he was right - in the end - about leaving father alive.
The coup was surprisingly bloodless – father meekly accepting his fate and allowing my honour guard to lead him away. I will have his expression of surprise before my eyes until the day I die. He was surprised….I am surprised!…and yet he was never one to ignore the obvious or duck from an obvious fate. I wondered at his words, though. “He was right.” What does that mean? Did someone forewarn him? Is there a plot afoot already to counter my move? I will have Mathijs investigate it for me, as he seems fully in my camp.
My father…he is a pathetic specimen of a man. His capture was too easily accomplished – it was surprising in a way…that so mighty a man might be so humbled, so quickly. He never sawit coming. I wonder what he thought, as my guard led him away in chains. It was after the wedding to the “sweat” Catherine…what a bitch. She spouts as much nonsense as the Emperor and I cannot wait for the day when I have her strangled. Come to think of it, I may reserve that pleasure for myself. I hate her!
I have all forces on full alert – as other countries may seek to prey on our inner turmoil. One never knows what might happen – be the source from the English, or our old Burgundian foes, or even from the emperor himself. I sent agents today to waylay the emperor’s secret messenger - which should buy me the time to act before he begins to fuss about it unduly, and I can blame it on subversive elements. So much the better. Perhaps he will even send me more money to help “deal” with them.
The English I trust – not at all. I will try to play them closely, making all manner of false promises in order to gain myself time to prepare all that must be done. I could do without Henry’s blatant overtures, though. Perhaps I will set Mathijs on that problem as well. Henry is the bane of my existence, I so swear it now!
The matter remains…I must solidify my hold on the realm before the carrion crows see and seize the opportunity. An adjustment of rights may very well be in order…give a morsel to the poor in order to undermine the rich. I can always revoke their rights later, when the time is ripe and the issues are less pressing. “Appease the masses” someone once said, though I forget who it was, at the moment.
I ask myself, though, who in the devil is that disgusting and decrepit piece of antiquity with whom my spies tell me the High Councillor is most frequently closeting himself? Is he someone to be feared or dealt with – hard to imagine given his age – or is he some ancient relic of the distaff side of the man’s family who may simply be ignored? He seems so…harmless…and yet I feel an unease when I am near him. He bears watching, if nothing else.
What else? Precious little I suppose. I must hold the emperor at bay with false promises and all-too-vulnerable messengers. So, too, the English, for I must ensure that mad king Henry believes I am considering his foul propositions – and perhaps I must look to find a way to quietly support and finance his hidden enemies (for surely England is as ripe for political turmoil as any other nation). I must appear, at very least, to appease the High Councillor and his son – it would not do for too many deaths or disappearances to happen within too short a span of time…
All else is provided for…and I can levy taxes as needed to overcome any financial obstacles. The Duchy – nay, the kingdom, is mine!
All that remains, then, is my brother. That…well, that is a difficult choice…
Excerpt purported to be from the diary of Adolf van Doesberg
Nope...just a good, wholesome coup d'etat.Originally posted by King Of Nines
more mrT sex scenes next?!?!
(Have to preserve shawng1's rating.
)
Mr T,
Thanks again, though I think the ratings are already NC-17, with sex, beheadings, torture, rampant warfare, and other assorted adult subject matter.
We'll let Arnold stew in the dungeon for the evening. Chapter VIII, with the revelation of the mysterious "S," will be begun tomorrow.
Thanks again, though I think the ratings are already NC-17, with sex, beheadings, torture, rampant warfare, and other assorted adult subject matter.
We'll let Arnold stew in the dungeon for the evening. Chapter VIII, with the revelation of the mysterious "S," will be begun tomorrow.
Originally posted by kurtbrian
and I'm very much looking forward to it...
You're not the only one.
Chapter VIII- A Traitor's Reign (June 11, 1465-1471)
I sat in my study shocked as the news went through Arnhem like a lightning bolt. For the first time in my life I drowned my sorrows in alcohol. Out of sympathy, my friend shared a glass of what was admittedly bad wine with me. Though it could've been straight alcohol and I would not have stopped drinking it this night. After the glass, he rose and patted me on the shoulders. That was the end, I could no longer contain my grief...
The next morning, his wife's face smiled at me as she laid a wet towel over my face. For a second I saw her as she was some 45 years before. Her face young, oval, slightly olive in tone. Her hair long and raven black, the same caring blue eyes a man could drown in. And her form, petite to someone taller, perfect for her height, barely a hair over 5'. She made it virtually impossible for men not to covet the wife of my friend just by seeing her. And she knew it. She had been intended, as the younger daughter of so many nobleman who can only afford dowry for one are, for the convent. But my friend had found a way to bargain for the Count's title so that he could keep her as wife.
She had taken that lease on life with a vengeance. While always utterly devoted to her husband, she seemed to become the slightest bit the tease to those who saw her. And that burgundy dress she would wear, perfectly framing her. But she had as much fire as any man....Her voice jolted me back to the present.
"I've never seen you this way, you drank like you were thirty--though I never remember you having so much then--you should get some rest, Mathijs. My husband is here now, it will end well."
"My liegelord in prison, our realm on the brink of civil war, how can I know this? Maybe I'm..." She didn't let me finish the sentence, "Too old?" She shot back, "Don't even tell me about it. You're no older than I am, which is 20 years younger than himself. And HE has come to help. Don't tell me about being too old. You're not."
So she still had the old fire, I mused. That's one thing that hasn't changed about us. Maybe it will end well, I thought to myself as I went back to sleep.
I sat in my study shocked as the news went through Arnhem like a lightning bolt. For the first time in my life I drowned my sorrows in alcohol. Out of sympathy, my friend shared a glass of what was admittedly bad wine with me. Though it could've been straight alcohol and I would not have stopped drinking it this night. After the glass, he rose and patted me on the shoulders. That was the end, I could no longer contain my grief...
The next morning, his wife's face smiled at me as she laid a wet towel over my face. For a second I saw her as she was some 45 years before. Her face young, oval, slightly olive in tone. Her hair long and raven black, the same caring blue eyes a man could drown in. And her form, petite to someone taller, perfect for her height, barely a hair over 5'. She made it virtually impossible for men not to covet the wife of my friend just by seeing her. And she knew it. She had been intended, as the younger daughter of so many nobleman who can only afford dowry for one are, for the convent. But my friend had found a way to bargain for the Count's title so that he could keep her as wife.
She had taken that lease on life with a vengeance. While always utterly devoted to her husband, she seemed to become the slightest bit the tease to those who saw her. And that burgundy dress she would wear, perfectly framing her. But she had as much fire as any man....Her voice jolted me back to the present.
"I've never seen you this way, you drank like you were thirty--though I never remember you having so much then--you should get some rest, Mathijs. My husband is here now, it will end well."
"My liegelord in prison, our realm on the brink of civil war, how can I know this? Maybe I'm..." She didn't let me finish the sentence, "Too old?" She shot back, "Don't even tell me about it. You're no older than I am, which is 20 years younger than himself. And HE has come to help. Don't tell me about being too old. You're not."
So she still had the old fire, I mused. That's one thing that hasn't changed about us. Maybe it will end well, I thought to myself as I went back to sleep.
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I woke up later on that morning, recalling what she had said, and threw the towel across the room. I think I took the advice rather well, all things considered. The new Stadtholder displays his German sympathies immediately. He asks me to send a gift to Brandenburg on February 12th and a Royal Marriage with them 2 months later. Interestingly, the same burghers who had complained about the too-English Arnold now suddenly realized this less-Floris-like Adolf wasn't going to be good for business either. The merchant class in particular quickly expressed its disapproval of the new Stadtholder (unhappy merchants -400). But this did not stop Adolf from sending another gift to Brandenburg in September.
The same day a gathering of nobles loyal to Arnold is held secretly at my estate. In it we lay out that we had indeed, intercepted letters demonstrating the charges were trumped up, the nobles desired to go to war immediately, of course. But I reminded them that with an angry France next door, we could not survive tearing ourselves apart while they came to call. Furthermore England was already indulging in the privilege. Once they were stable again, we had a plan to deal with the matters. Until then, we needed to quietly root out those loyal to Adolf by causing him to suspect them of disloyalty.
First we would track down Adolf's agents. By and large, they were incompetent, I already knew who most of them were. Eric and a few others of my personal guard volunteered for this. With this done, the only information that would get to Adolf would come through me, and of course, be tinted by me. Then we would bring disrepute to the nobles loyal to him. Not surprisingly, most were in Munster and Oldenburg. One by one, starting with the counts, and going up to the Duke of Oldenburg himself, they would all be implicated as traitors. Adolf was a traitor, as such, he would expect treason from those close to him. The beauty of being the one finding it was that it removed you from suspicion...right up until the day we could strike.
And so the months went by, the agents were eliminated even more quickly than we had hoped. Removing the nobility was a slower, more patient task. But we were constantly about it. On March 4, 1467, Mecklenburg declared independance from Pommern. The Stadtholder/usurper instructs me to send them a gift to celebrate this. The fact that Pommern already is marching troops on them means little to him. On April 16th, a Royal Marriage follows, when he suggests my daughter, I very gently suggest a more suitable candidate, a daughter of the Duke of Munster, who has old ties with Mecklemburg. Adolf agrees this idea is much better, and I avoid the grief of seeing my daughter killed by Pommernian guns. The city falls to Pommern once again on September 2nd. The year ends with Georgia beign annexed by the Turks as well.
On June 18, 1468, I send a letter to England affirming that despite Adolf's rhetoric, that the usurper is playing the Empreror for a fool and that our alliance is firm. I also request that when the Duke of Bedford is available, he come to aid us in the matter of the "restoration" of matters. In the same month he continues his German policy by sending a gft to Bremen. In October he signs a trade agreement with Koln--as if we will find any profit in that! And on the 25th the Turkish march continues, this time they annex Walachia.
The same day a gathering of nobles loyal to Arnold is held secretly at my estate. In it we lay out that we had indeed, intercepted letters demonstrating the charges were trumped up, the nobles desired to go to war immediately, of course. But I reminded them that with an angry France next door, we could not survive tearing ourselves apart while they came to call. Furthermore England was already indulging in the privilege. Once they were stable again, we had a plan to deal with the matters. Until then, we needed to quietly root out those loyal to Adolf by causing him to suspect them of disloyalty.
First we would track down Adolf's agents. By and large, they were incompetent, I already knew who most of them were. Eric and a few others of my personal guard volunteered for this. With this done, the only information that would get to Adolf would come through me, and of course, be tinted by me. Then we would bring disrepute to the nobles loyal to him. Not surprisingly, most were in Munster and Oldenburg. One by one, starting with the counts, and going up to the Duke of Oldenburg himself, they would all be implicated as traitors. Adolf was a traitor, as such, he would expect treason from those close to him. The beauty of being the one finding it was that it removed you from suspicion...right up until the day we could strike.
And so the months went by, the agents were eliminated even more quickly than we had hoped. Removing the nobility was a slower, more patient task. But we were constantly about it. On March 4, 1467, Mecklenburg declared independance from Pommern. The Stadtholder/usurper instructs me to send them a gift to celebrate this. The fact that Pommern already is marching troops on them means little to him. On April 16th, a Royal Marriage follows, when he suggests my daughter, I very gently suggest a more suitable candidate, a daughter of the Duke of Munster, who has old ties with Mecklemburg. Adolf agrees this idea is much better, and I avoid the grief of seeing my daughter killed by Pommernian guns. The city falls to Pommern once again on September 2nd. The year ends with Georgia beign annexed by the Turks as well.
On June 18, 1468, I send a letter to England affirming that despite Adolf's rhetoric, that the usurper is playing the Empreror for a fool and that our alliance is firm. I also request that when the Duke of Bedford is available, he come to aid us in the matter of the "restoration" of matters. In the same month he continues his German policy by sending a gft to Bremen. In October he signs a trade agreement with Koln--as if we will find any profit in that! And on the 25th the Turkish march continues, this time they annex Walachia.
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February 1, 1469 is replete with events, a revolt breaks out in Flandern due to Adolf's heavy-handedness in dealing with internal matters. It is quickly put down. I sign a trade agreement with England to the discomfort of the "Stadtholder." And Charles "The Bold" rises to the throne of Arch-enemy Burgundy. Will this signal a new round of wars with them as well?
That night, I play chess with my old friend, and for the first time, I beat him two games in three. "Ye played very well," He mused, "Las' lad who did tha' to me was, well mus' ha' bin Cap'n darlin'. Ye think dear wife?" He said with a smile.
"It's having to act like I can't beat our paranoid Stadtholder that does it. I play everyone else in a bad mood." I said, with a certain satisfaction.
"When will ye star' winnin' ag'in?" He asked me.
"The day our plans cannot be stopped." I replied in return to his smile.
"Goo' eno'. Now I'll have to sit' here awhile and study yer game while I enjoy this ale. Gla' ye make decent brew, because the wine here is poor. Hopefully I'll git the las' batch from me home before too long." He smirked again as I retired, when I turned at the door, he was absorbed by the board.
On July 1st we improve our military doctrine slightly (land tech 3). On October 10th I impose on Adolf's sensibilities enough--ever so gently--to allow us to renew royal ties with England, marrying my daughter to the Duke of Bedford's son. I shudder to think of what would've happened if I had allowed her to by killed by Pommernian gunfire.
But the next month, we are ready to shear away the last two bits of Adolf's support. The false documents are leaked by my old friend to his friend, the Bavarian Ambassador, who takes them back to the Emperor. Along with proof the Stadtholder is playing the Emperor for a fool and has no intention of closer ties--even using his niece as a pawn for position. His reaction is immediate. He withdraws all support from the "usurper Adolf of Geldre" and demands the reinstallation of Arnold forthwith. (Scandal in the Court, relations -50 with Bavaria, monarchs diplomacy -3 for 4 months). When Adolf asks who is to blame, I direct him to the Duke of Oldenburg, in whose own desk are these same documents, for some strange reason. He is long in dying, I am afraid.
That night, I play chess with my old friend, and for the first time, I beat him two games in three. "Ye played very well," He mused, "Las' lad who did tha' to me was, well mus' ha' bin Cap'n darlin'. Ye think dear wife?" He said with a smile.
"It's having to act like I can't beat our paranoid Stadtholder that does it. I play everyone else in a bad mood." I said, with a certain satisfaction.
"When will ye star' winnin' ag'in?" He asked me.
"The day our plans cannot be stopped." I replied in return to his smile.
"Goo' eno'. Now I'll have to sit' here awhile and study yer game while I enjoy this ale. Gla' ye make decent brew, because the wine here is poor. Hopefully I'll git the las' batch from me home before too long." He smirked again as I retired, when I turned at the door, he was absorbed by the board.
On July 1st we improve our military doctrine slightly (land tech 3). On October 10th I impose on Adolf's sensibilities enough--ever so gently--to allow us to renew royal ties with England, marrying my daughter to the Duke of Bedford's son. I shudder to think of what would've happened if I had allowed her to by killed by Pommernian gunfire.
But the next month, we are ready to shear away the last two bits of Adolf's support. The false documents are leaked by my old friend to his friend, the Bavarian Ambassador, who takes them back to the Emperor. Along with proof the Stadtholder is playing the Emperor for a fool and has no intention of closer ties--even using his niece as a pawn for position. His reaction is immediate. He withdraws all support from the "usurper Adolf of Geldre" and demands the reinstallation of Arnold forthwith. (Scandal in the Court, relations -50 with Bavaria, monarchs diplomacy -3 for 4 months). When Adolf asks who is to blame, I direct him to the Duke of Oldenburg, in whose own desk are these same documents, for some strange reason. He is long in dying, I am afraid.
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On January 22, 1470, we shift our doctrine to take advantage of our new tactical innovations (Offensive to 6). On November 26th we sign a trade agreement with Genoa and on January 1, 1471 we send a gift to Bavaria along with a secret missive assuring the "traitor's days are numbered."
From that day on, I stop losing chess matches with the Stadtholder. The first night, I beat him 6 games in a row, all in less than an hour. Within a month, he seems to be finding excuses why he doesn't want to play against me anymore. Typical.
On April 12, 1471, Edward IV is named King of England, and at last the Duke of Bedford can come to Arnhem, he arrives in May.
"You once asked me who I learned chess from," I said as we walked to my study, "let me introduce you to..."
"Sean O' Glaigh!" The Duke of Bedford exclaimed. "I thought you were dead."
"The nex' person who says tha' I'm gonna run through." Sean said with a mock growl. "But tis goo' to see ye ag'in." He said with a smirk.
"And you must be the lady Christina. Time has affected you little." She blushed and curtsied in return.
"Anyway, don't we have a plan to be about?" I ask with mock impatience. "None of us are getting any younger standing here."
Sean looked at me with a glint in his eye and a smirk, then nodded and began, "Aye, tru' eno'. Our frein' the Stadtholder has ne'er bin frein's wi' England. An' he's bin by and large afraid o' 'em his whole 'reign.' I intend to use tha'. Goo' Duke, tonight ye will go to the Stadtholder and tell 'im he has 48 hours to abdicate or England will invade in Flandern. The High Councillor'll accompany you, along with Eric and meself, to assure him that he needs to do this for the goo' o' the realm."
"That ought to be very well received," the English Duke said with a chuckle.
"Tha's the point, assorted o' the loyal nobles'll be a' the door listening. When he blows up a' the suggestion, he most certainly'll say somethin' self-incriminating or treasonous. The nobles'll then apprehend Adolf for treason an' the door'll be open to reinstate Arnold as Stadtholder where he belongs.
On July 24, 1471, we confront the usurper Adolf in the Palace of Arnhem. The Dukes of Flandern and Friesen, and the Counts of Haarlem and Vlissingen are all present at the door as the Duke of Bedford presents "England's terms" to Adolf of Geldre.
From that day on, I stop losing chess matches with the Stadtholder. The first night, I beat him 6 games in a row, all in less than an hour. Within a month, he seems to be finding excuses why he doesn't want to play against me anymore. Typical.
On April 12, 1471, Edward IV is named King of England, and at last the Duke of Bedford can come to Arnhem, he arrives in May.
"You once asked me who I learned chess from," I said as we walked to my study, "let me introduce you to..."
"Sean O' Glaigh!" The Duke of Bedford exclaimed. "I thought you were dead."
"The nex' person who says tha' I'm gonna run through." Sean said with a mock growl. "But tis goo' to see ye ag'in." He said with a smirk.
"And you must be the lady Christina. Time has affected you little." She blushed and curtsied in return.
"Anyway, don't we have a plan to be about?" I ask with mock impatience. "None of us are getting any younger standing here."
Sean looked at me with a glint in his eye and a smirk, then nodded and began, "Aye, tru' eno'. Our frein' the Stadtholder has ne'er bin frein's wi' England. An' he's bin by and large afraid o' 'em his whole 'reign.' I intend to use tha'. Goo' Duke, tonight ye will go to the Stadtholder and tell 'im he has 48 hours to abdicate or England will invade in Flandern. The High Councillor'll accompany you, along with Eric and meself, to assure him that he needs to do this for the goo' o' the realm."
"That ought to be very well received," the English Duke said with a chuckle.
"Tha's the point, assorted o' the loyal nobles'll be a' the door listening. When he blows up a' the suggestion, he most certainly'll say somethin' self-incriminating or treasonous. The nobles'll then apprehend Adolf for treason an' the door'll be open to reinstate Arnold as Stadtholder where he belongs.
On July 24, 1471, we confront the usurper Adolf in the Palace of Arnhem. The Dukes of Flandern and Friesen, and the Counts of Haarlem and Vlissingen are all present at the door as the Duke of Bedford presents "England's terms" to Adolf of Geldre.
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Who is
As usual your writing is just fantastic!
Hmm... I'm praising you so often that I'm starting to repeat myself...
?
As usual your writing is just fantastic!
Hmm... I'm praising you so often that I'm starting to repeat myself...
Ah, yes. The famous Sean O'Glaigh, and Christine, his beautiful wife of many years, the younger sister of Constance, wife to Sir Robert of Brandon, the illegitimate son of John of Gaunt, but better known as Captain, Commander of the Free Company.Originally posted by kurtbrian
Who is
?
Nice intro, S. It gave me a bit of a shiver. The old geezer must be pushing 80 by now
LD,
Actually by the time I mentioned his name, 83, IIRC, I did the math just to make sure I wasn't being TOO unrealistic.
kurtbrian,
I'll take all the compliments you care to give.
And Sean O' Glaigh is an infamous mercenary, butcher of the Black Company. Member of the Tuscan unholy trinity, Irish Clan Chieftain, nemesis of the Duke of York and all his kin, sometime Lt of the Free Company. Acquired the position of a French Count by sending some of his Tuscan coin north to marry the beautiful Christina, thereby also entrenching his position as a Tuscan publican/esquire.
See Book 2 of the Free Comapny saga for most of the details.
Actually by the time I mentioned his name, 83, IIRC, I did the math just to make sure I wasn't being TOO unrealistic.
kurtbrian,
I'll take all the compliments you care to give.
And Sean O' Glaigh is an infamous mercenary, butcher of the Black Company. Member of the Tuscan unholy trinity, Irish Clan Chieftain, nemesis of the Duke of York and all his kin, sometime Lt of the Free Company. Acquired the position of a French Count by sending some of his Tuscan coin north to marry the beautiful Christina, thereby also entrenching his position as a Tuscan publican/esquire.
See Book 2 of the Free Comapny saga for most of the details.
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LD,
BTW, thanks for letting me borrow him and give him an appropriate exit from the EU universe.
BTW, thanks for letting me borrow him and give him an appropriate exit from the EU universe.
My pleasure. I have no copyright claims. That is, until the book deal gets done...Originally posted by shawng1
LD,
BTW, thanks for letting me borrow him and give him an appropriate exit from the EU universe.