The annual tradition of gathering at the Elector-Prince’s bedside bright and early each New Year’s Day was not limited to Berlin. It was a tradition of which Friedrich was not particularly fond. He loved his sleep and loathed his meetings with his nobles. The combination of depriving him of sleep for the sake of a meeting was more than he could bear. The year was no 1425, the fifth time such a meeting had occurred.
“Friends, why do you come so early just to get my signature on a few papers? Why not have me sign them before I begin to celebrate? I thought our deal was that you were to run the government, and I was to do what rulers do. I was to enjoy my life, and do little else.”
The two nobles had little choice but to apologize to Friedrich. He did have a point, he was useless and powerless in affairs of state, and they really didn’t need him for anything except the signing of the finished orders anyway. A knocking at the door broke the silence.
“Milords, I have news.”
“Baron Von Prignitz, it has been years since we have seen you. What is it?”
“Yes milord, I have been busy touring the continent, evaluating skills which I had hoped to incorporate into our system of government.”
“And where you successful?”
“Von Friesack, you are still the chief advisor? That is of little surprise, given your untouchable political knowledge and tact. I see you have done well in my absence.”
“You are too kind, my noble friend.”
“Oh, don’t be silly…”
“No, really, too kind… you were speaking of news?”
“Yes, of course, you are always a man of action. I am happy to report that we can now place trading posts to colonize land (Trade tech = 2).”
“Kind sir, do we know of any such land?”
“Not at this moment, but hopefully sometime in the future…”
“Thank you for that nugget of useless knowledge, you may go.” Friesack did not like Prignitz, he never had. He found the man to be superficial and annoying, which is why he sent him away from court.
“Milord, if you may, I have more.”
“Go on, my noble friend.” Friedrich was a bit bewildered by his advisors rudeness, but he had given up on understanding Friesack’s actions long ago.
“While in Paris, I visited an Art Gallery. It served a great purpose, for it helped to keep the people content. It would be a vital boost to our stability milord.”
While this interested Friesack a bit more, it was still relatively useless at this point in time. “Prignitz, the stability of our nation is fine, in fact it could not be better. I think that your venture would prove costly and unnecessary now, but might be of use in the future. Perhaps you will do us the favor of returning to the Atlantic coast of Europe to do further investigation on other options to improve out infrastructure?”
“Your wish is also your command milord, and thus I will go.” Rather perturbed at his the rude treatment he had received, Prignitz turned and left the chambers. That man was growing more egotistical by the day.
Baron Von Madgeburg was now perfectly confused. “Friend, what was that about? Why did you reviewer him in such an auspicious manner?”
“Friend, that is a conversation for another time and place. Where were we anyway? Ah, the census tax…”
