French Campaign (Part IV)
Chapter LXIV : Time for a duel
An de Grâce 1209 AC.Royaume de France.
Boistrudan.
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In my tent, the doctors helped me to cure my wound. It was bleeding again, and they were not sure I could live. Sometimes, after severe wounds, the gangrene spread in your body and there is nothing to do but accepting your death. Sometimes, everything goes well and soldiers are saved.
The doctors said me that they were behaving as well as possible to save me. We would know the answer in less than three days.
It was the first time of my life I was so ressourceless against the life. I couldn’t decide anymore if I would live or die. It was the nature which would decide. I was the nature puppet.
I ordered my men to keep a defensive position near Boistrudan. I would like them to wait until my wound could go better. The plan was to defend if Louis was coming again with his reinforcement army. I didn’t think he was planning a new battle, but it was better to be ready.
My only victory was finally having captured Charles. And it wasn’t a small catch. I was thinking about some blackmail with Louis, but the problem was that Louis could take the opportunity to see the death of his “hated” son by someone else than himself.
Everything was blurred and every question was hard to solve. I decided to wait my fate, and then, to act…
I spent one week being delirious. The first days, my wound was getting worse each day. It was more painful than at the beginning and I was bleeding some yellow and brown mixture. I had some feverish and couldn’t eat anymore. I was still drinking as much as possible water, but it didn’t seem to help. The fifth day after the battle, I wasn’t conscious and spent the whole day saying things about my youth, the Pope and the Crusaders.
The following day, I remember being in the darkness, when I heard some voices I already heard before. I liked those voices and I succeeded to open my eyes. I couldn’t see clearly. People were moving in front of me. I suddenly felt something wet in my right hand. Someone was caressing my hand. I turned my head and saw a woman, weeping.
Then, it was like my brain was reconnecting and I remember the voice of Margit.
Margit! My Hungarian love.
She was there beside me. Wasn’t she supposed to stay in Toulouse?
My view was improving and I saw her face, her body, and her tears. I felt better and I smiled. She noticed that and smiled me back. I was still painful and groggy, but I wasn’t dead, and for the first time since my wound, I felt better.
Margit had been called by Olivier to come and assist me. She took 6 days to ride over the Kingdom. She was exhausted. Maybe she saved me.
My health improved with the days and it seemed the death didn’t want to meet me. After a month bed ridden, I began to walk.
Apparently, Louis decided to keep Paris and to raise another professional army. It was clear that he had been warned about my wound and maybe he decided to wait for the disease to kill me.
He was wrong, I was alive and eager to fight again.
Margit was such a support during those hard times. She decided to bring our children, Philippe, Raoul and Sibylle, with her. I enjoyed to show them my love and to teach them the first teach of the life. Philippe was 4 years old and already learning how to use a sword. Raoul was 2 years old and was learning how to walk. Sibylle was still a little crying baby.
During those days of convalescence, I elaborated a new plan. I would like to threaten Louis of killing his son Charles, if he refused to fight me in duel. I knew that I couldn’t siege Paris because my soldiers were exhausted, after those months of walks and battles.
The only solution to win against the bastard king was to face him in a private duel. I was mutilated but I felt I could succeed, without spreading again some French blood in a fratricide battle.
My spies told me that Louis wasn’t in an easy situation, after his defeat and the capture of his son. His authority was low again and Parisian feared my army like plague. I had won a reputation of indestructible general, all over the Kingdom, and I should use it.
When I succeeded to ride and to fight, I decided to leave Boistrudan to go to Paris. The following week, we reached the Seine. There were no soldiers to protect the gates. They had been called back to protect Paris.
We arrived near Paris a Sunday. The day of the lord.
I sent a messenger to avoid the siege. He was bringing a message.
“Louis,
I’m Philippe, your brother and the son of Philippe the Chivalrous.
I’m the man you faced with your usual craftiness, two months ago.
For the crown, for Paris, for the Kingdom, we need to meet each other. The situation can’t remain confused.
People don’t know who to believe, who to follow. They deserve a clear answer.
I know that you hate me since ages. You have to know that I’m now sure to hate you as much as the devil.
You stole my youth happiness.
You stole my first love.
You stole my left hand…
You are my monster. You are exactly the representation of evil. You are my target.
Until one of us would remain dead on the floor, none of us would find the serenity. Our fates are linked. Only one has to live. The Kingdom can’t remain divided between two trends.
France is one entity, since ages, and forever…
I know that you fear me, even without my hand. I know that you are a dirty coward, hidden behind high walls.
I don’t fear you anymore and I am ready to show you and your men the delights of the torture you deserve. I won’t accept any quarter and every single man who will try to face me is going to suffer heavy wounds.
My forces had made the trip from the Iberian Peninsula to Paris. They are not cowards and are ready to conclude the story.
But I don’t need anyone more than you to offer his blood in sacrifice. I want you to have the bowls to face me. I want you to fight against me. I want a chivalric duel.
I’m sure you are going to find an alternative, an emergency exit.
But I don’t think you have any opportunity to do that. I have captured your son Charles. If you refuse, he would be slain like an English pig. And you can be sure the new will be spread all over the Kingdom, from Paris to Pamplona, and then all over the Christendom. You will become the laughing stock of the Western Kingdoms.
Frankly, I don’t think you can afford any more disgrace, after your shameful defeat. Your enemies’ spikes are ready for the appropriated time to strike.
I let you 3 days to think about the deal.
I’m ready to fight you in the Ile de la Cité, on the Church Square of Notre Dame.
Your beloved brother.
Philippe…
“
After two days of waiting, I was not as convinced as before of the success of my message.
Maybe Louis the Merciless didn’t bothered to see his son dead?
It was strange because it was a perfect opportunity for him to establish his power back. He would face a mutilated man, exhausted by the feverish. He would fight in Paris, and he would avoid a bloody fratricide battle.
What else?
What could be better?
I began to prepare the siege of Paris the following day when I heard the sound of a steed gallop.
A royal messenger.
I saw the guy. He was a young noble, wearing a fine armor and a white flag. He rode toward our camp. I met him near my tent.
He proclaimed:
- “Dauphin Philippe.
Louis received your message and after long talks and thoughts, he agreed to meet you in the île de la Cité, to fight you during a loyal duel. He accepted the condition that your army will stand in the southern shore of the Seine and that the royal army will wait in the northern shore.
The duel is going to happen in two days and you are required to take your armor and sword, like our old laws agree. A free day is proclaimed for the Ordalie, the God Judgment.
I, Monseigneur de Chantilly, will be the unbiased assessor of the fight.
A bientôt Monseigneur Dauphin.
“
Alea Jacta Est…