Reggio, A Crusader Kings AAR - Chapter 2: The Normans
LJ Cut for Length and Pictures.
My Wife, Judith, is related to the King of England, and thus we would be receiving members of the de Normandie and de Vassy families in our lands. We expected them in December, but various political complications required them remain home in Evreaux and Maine for some time longer. They finally arrived in April, on the 18th. We welcome them into our home, then rode out to the house we were presenting to them as a gift for my Wife's nephew, the Count of Evreaux. After showing them around the grounds and interior then supping with them, I was passed a sealed note.
I recognized the seal of the King of England, William de Normandie, William the Conqueror. I retired myself from the conversation and opened the letter. It informed me that on the 18th of April that a man named William Agrites would be waiting for me at a certain inn located in a mountain pass within my County. I was to allow him to enter my court, and not to inquire as to the reason for his departure from Norman lands.
I immediately seized one of my wife's kin and began to question him, eventually demanding proof. He had none to give me. None of them did. I begged their forgiveness for my rudeness and the evening progressed pleasantly. We stayed the night and left for home in the morning.
Several days later I left my estate, without informing my Marshall, and rode out to that pass. As soon as night had fallen I heard a hound began to howl. It cried from that point on. I arrived at the inn and found the man. I recognized at once that he was a crafty sort, but at the same time, I felt as though I could trust him. After a short discussion I allowed him to accompany me back to my castle. Soon enough I appointed him Spy Master.
It was several weeks yet before I realized that the first prophecy in that book had come to pass. The mastiff had howled all night. No matter where I went the night I met William, its cry always followed me.
I looked at the next quatrain. It sounded grim, but I understood it.
Earth-shaking fire from the center of the earth
Over the walls to throw ashes, lime chalk and dust
Two great rocks for long time will make war
When the dead will come out of their graves
When Etna erupted, there would be war between Reggio and Sicily.
I summoned my council and together we put looked at the situation. While all three Shiekdoms combined could overwhelm my army, we could hold our own against the largest of the three and overtake either one of the smaller two. We determined that the prophecy's reference to Etna meant that we must march south; south to Syracuse, the land of Ibn ibn Abbad.
My Spy Master already knew the disposition of Ibn's forces. 1100 men from his main castle, and a number of small forts along the only road to the south. The two regiments of my army easily outnumber that force. Ibn was also hoping that his alliance with the Christian Count of Capua, my sister Fressende's Husband. I was counting on blood to spare blood, or at least Christian decency. We waited for the sign. We waited for Earth-shaking fire.
My Wife, Judith, is related to the King of England, and thus we would be receiving members of the de Normandie and de Vassy families in our lands. We expected them in December, but various political complications required them remain home in Evreaux and Maine for some time longer. They finally arrived in April, on the 18th. We welcome them into our home, then rode out to the house we were presenting to them as a gift for my Wife's nephew, the Count of Evreaux. After showing them around the grounds and interior then supping with them, I was passed a sealed note.
I recognized the seal of the King of England, William de Normandie, William the Conqueror. I retired myself from the conversation and opened the letter. It informed me that on the 18th of April that a man named William Agrites would be waiting for me at a certain inn located in a mountain pass within my County. I was to allow him to enter my court, and not to inquire as to the reason for his departure from Norman lands.
I immediately seized one of my wife's kin and began to question him, eventually demanding proof. He had none to give me. None of them did. I begged their forgiveness for my rudeness and the evening progressed pleasantly. We stayed the night and left for home in the morning.
Several days later I left my estate, without informing my Marshall, and rode out to that pass. As soon as night had fallen I heard a hound began to howl. It cried from that point on. I arrived at the inn and found the man. I recognized at once that he was a crafty sort, but at the same time, I felt as though I could trust him. After a short discussion I allowed him to accompany me back to my castle. Soon enough I appointed him Spy Master.
It was several weeks yet before I realized that the first prophecy in that book had come to pass. The mastiff had howled all night. No matter where I went the night I met William, its cry always followed me.
I looked at the next quatrain. It sounded grim, but I understood it.
Earth-shaking fire from the center of the earth
Over the walls to throw ashes, lime chalk and dust
Two great rocks for long time will make war
When the dead will come out of their graves
When Etna erupted, there would be war between Reggio and Sicily.
I summoned my council and together we put looked at the situation. While all three Shiekdoms combined could overwhelm my army, we could hold our own against the largest of the three and overtake either one of the smaller two. We determined that the prophecy's reference to Etna meant that we must march south; south to Syracuse, the land of Ibn ibn Abbad.
My Spy Master already knew the disposition of Ibn's forces. 1100 men from his main castle, and a number of small forts along the only road to the south. The two regiments of my army easily outnumber that force. Ibn was also hoping that his alliance with the Christian Count of Capua, my sister Fressende's Husband. I was counting on blood to spare blood, or at least Christian decency. We waited for the sign. We waited for Earth-shaking fire.