[DLV AAR] An Eastern Jewel in a Western World!!! Chronicles of a French Miserable.

[la coupe est pleine]

Karnage

Phillip has a spy in his inner circle so he should be able to predict his "half-brother" every moves

Yes, it was really important for the story to have an eye watching what occured in Paris and the North of France, more particularly since Louis took back his authority, adn also because of the numerous fights against those bloody Dutch....


Radzeer

"The end of days are over"... It rather looks like the beginning!

Exactly, it is a new beginning.
Philippe finally suceeded to get back a sort of power in the south of France, and Louis is also back in the game. Be prepared for another season


Sivilombudsmannen

To all those who enjoy the Medieval Atosphere, try turning on one of these songs each time you read the guys AAR Alternativly shuffle all of them in the play list, and play DLV with it in the backroud Everything from medieval gregorian chant, to flute songs from the shire, and onwards:

http://www.deezer.com/fr/music/playl...ieval-35693808

If you do, then say a warm thanks to Brips, Addict-at-Arms over at DLV Rehab Center.

Amazing. It is a perfect medieval music.
Deezer is a great website. I use it often when I am writing. I will try to be more inspired with those lyrics .
I also think I will make some advertisement for them by integrating the link in my next updates, and obviously putting your name, and Brips one, if you agree...

About the generals, you are right, when I wrote citadel, I meant fortress. But Toulouse is still a castle so I need to upgrade the walls, and as I have no character there, I can't... Vicious circle.

About the F3, I tried and nothing happened. I will try the F2, as you adviced me. Should I do it during the game? Will only the mini map increase?
Thanks for all my friend.





I really thank you all for your nice comments. It helps me to write this week much more than during the last 2 months.


About the game, something very surprising happened, as you could have noticed. Louis is still excommunicated, and the Kingdm is still in revolution, with Charles being a rebel. (fortunately not Michel and Philippe).
How do you explain that Louis suddenly took back his authority. I personnaly think he has reached a level of authority of -1, which forced the game mechanisms to implement a level of authority of +10.
Anyway, I liked it because it matches with the story (or maybe the story matches with the events? )


To conclude, I will implement the previous "Philippe trips" map, in the new chapter, in order to understand better all the trips he had done since his youth, without being obliged to go back to the 35 chapter...

[Kjertesvein]

I also think I will make some advertisement for them by integrating the link in my next updates,

I suggest putting it right next to the map on the first post. This way -- New readers are instantly placed right into the medieval atmosphere, while they allways know where to find the link again.

and obviously putting your name, and Brips one, if you agree...

I'm honored for being credited for linking others work here, but that would be rather silly, haha. Brips made it, so a link to the source or Brips himself would do I suppose.

~Wille the Linker

[Draco092]

Great Update...huge change of events that 10 Authority...
Happy BD Philippe!

[la coupe est pleine]

2nd Iberian Campaign (Part IV)
Chapter XXXIX : Stab in the back...

An de Grâce 1207 AC.
Royaume de France.
South of the Pyrénées.

!!!Interesting Medieval Music to listen!!!
Current world... ............................................... Thanks Brips and Sivilombudsmannen




Aide memoire:

Philippe's trips

Heroes...

Hello mates. I’m Philippe. Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Philippe Capet, adoptive son of the French King. However, my real name is Muhammad Sahadeddine. I’ve been adopted because of an amazing coincidence. I hope to become soon a hero of Chivalry, and help the poor and the orphans. I know, I’ve read a lot of hero stories, but I’m a dreamer… I’m 27 years old and I am the Heir of the Kingdom, after the death of my father. I’ve killed the Pope myself, and destroyed the entire Papal States. I’m back in France after a while in Toledo, under the spanish protection, and I suceeded to be the new leader of Zaragoza, despite my state of outlaw... Louis the Merciless. KING of the Kingdom. "Brother" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  It is my elder “brother”, and the King of France. He is a very skilled and fearful warrior. He can be qualified as a “butcher”. He is my worst enemy since he raped and killed my first love Hélène. He is in Paris, and after some hard times, it seems that he took back his authority. He seems on the way to send me some extermination forces. Michel. "Brother" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  It is my second “brother”. He is one year and a half more than me. We were very good friends during our childhood, but it seems that these happy times are over. Michel is the new unofficial leader of the Kingdom, because he had managed to use the lords as a tool to take the command of the Kingdom, against Louis. I’m the heir just because of his will. He is working in the shadows and is potentially more dangerous than Louis himself. Charles. "Nephew" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  It is the only child and son of the king Louis the Merciless. He was supposed to be the rightful heir but because of Michel plans, I’ve stolen him the title. He should be very angry… Maybe because of that, he decided to be a rebel in order to steal his father’s crown, and had been thrown by Louis in the Paris dungeon. He has been reconciled and is one more trap in my road. Clara. "Wife" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  It is my official wife. She is the daughter of the Spanish King and thanks to that marriage, I’m now considered as a real noble and I’m a little more protected against the anger of Louis. She is definitely ugly and I absolutely don’t want to sleep with her. The problem is that she deeply loves me. Despite the nightmares, I made her pregnant and I let her in Toledo. She gave birth to Philippe, my first and only son. Margit. "Secret love" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  She is my deep love. Nobody knows that, even my close friends. She is beautiful and clever. She is a Hungarian princess. The big problem is that she was supposed to be the wife of Olivier, my old best general and friend. There are so many difficult choices in life. Norbert. "Michel spy" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  He is the messenger who just taught me the amazing news of the death of my father, and that I’m the new Heir of the Kingdom. He is the personal spy, and maybe assassin of Michel. He was sending me Michel orders. He killed my dear friend Charles de Bouillon and try to slay me. I hate him… Olivier de Beziers. "Friend" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  He was one of my loyal generals. He is quite as young as me and a very good warrior. Moreover, he seems very clever and he helped me to convince the army that the Pope Alexander was an enemy. He was my “compagnon d’armes” but when he learned that I was the secret lover of his betroth Margit, he decided to leave me, just after saving my life. I am ashamed having lost his friendship. Bertrand du Guesclin "Friend" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Bertrand du Guesclin is a local noble from brittany, who became the governor of Pamplona. He believed in my dream to found a new Kingdom and he became one of my close friends. He helps me more than everyone else to build an alternate Kingdom in the Iberian Peninsula Arnoul de Penthièvre "Personal spy" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Arnoul is my best personal spy. He was previously spying for Philippe Auguste, my father. He is extremely experimented and plays a key role in my chess game against Louis and Michel. Philippe Auguste the Chivalrous. DEAD in battle. "Father" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  He was my adoptive father, but also the French King. He loved the Chivalric Code, and enjoyed good tournaments. He was a wise ruler and French people liked him a lot. He died in battle, against Flanders, trying to defend Paris. Charles de Bouillon. ASSASSINATED. "Friend" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Charles was the governor of Toulouse citadel and then the governor of Zaragoza. Charles was my only real “friend”. He liked me and I could trust him. He was not a warrior, but he was a clever leader, knowing a lot in the domain of diplomacy, economy and management. He had saved me from Louis’s sword. He had finally been killed by that bastard Norbert when I was away in Italy...

I shouldn’t lose any time to prepare my strengths against Louis. I ordered to hire some swordsmen in Pamplona and a lot of crossbowmen in Zaragoza. I had changed my battle strategy since the battle against Santiago. I was now confident on the strength of the crossbow to get rid of slow or distant troops.

Bertrand du Guesclin was helping me to complete my army.
Margit was still my secret lover. Thanks to her, I found the strength to work hard each day, to convince people with my thoughts, to train myself more and more. She was also very wit and helped me during some negotiations. I was totally in love with her. Some days, I would have loved to be another man and just to be alone in an island with Margit. I ordered some of my best bodyguards to take care of her.

At the beginning of the next spring, we noticed that her belly had started to grow. Surely a new child, but a bastard this time, unfortunately.
“Why Clara is my wife?” I often thought.

My official son, Philippe, was still growing in Toledo. He was one years old now, and I decided to take him with me in Zaragoza. Clara agreed to do that, despite some strong arguments we had together.
What a terrible wife that hideous Clara!!!




During the next winter, I learned that Olivier, my loyal general who saved my life two years before, was living in the north of Narbonne. He lived in the city he was born in, Beziers.
He was reported to be a small blacksmith. I thought it was time to excuse me and to ask him to help me again.
I rode all the way to Beziers with some of my bodyguards. When I arrived in the small city, I asked for him to a local farmer. He showed me where Olivier was living. It was a small forge, located at the extremity of the town. We could see the last sun rays of twilight.

I entered the dwelling, alone. Olivier was there, working on a halberd. He turned his head.
I smiled and said:
- “Olivier, my dear friend, I have to talk with you.”

I tried to hug him but he walked back and replied.
- “Philippe, I’m honored about your presence but as I said to you in Spain, I’m no more your friend. I can’t and don’t want to help you. The story is over. My life is calm and happy here.”

I was embarrassed. I knew that he was right. I would have killed everyone who could have tried to steal Margit, but he was standing calmly in front of me. I admired his moral strength. He was a brilliant general but also a wise man. I was not.
I stayed ashamed, lost on my thought. Olivier was fixing me.

I suddenly felt on my knees and prayed him:
- “Olivier. I truly regret what happened with Margit. I was young, and she made me love her. I knew that it was madness but youth is full of mistakes.
Since the time you saved my life, I can’t sleep peacefully. I’m still thinking about you, about the best friendship I’ve lost. I’m so ashamed of my behavior Oliver.
Please forgive me.”
I bent down my head, waiting for his decision.

He didn’t reply. He just sat on a chair, still fixing me, as if he was waiting for a magic word to speak again.

- “Oliver, “ I continued,
“I’m here to start again our friendship.
My life is such a mess since you disappeared. I understood the heavy loss you meant to me. You are still young and courageous. I think that you are promised to a glorious fate. Come with me Olivier and we will ride again for the Kingdom.
Heretics are spreading everywhere. The enemies of the Kingdom are preparing again to mutilate and split the country between them.

I beg you Olivier. I need your help.
I need the help of each courageous soldiers of the Kingdom to protect our people.
You are the most courageous.
You are a loyal friend.
I can’t succeed without you…
“
I finished, imploring Olivier.

He stood up and whispered, a sad light in his eyes.
- “I’m sorry Philippe. I can’t. I promised me this day to stay out of the Kingdom affairs. I don’t want to be a liar.
However, I forgive you Philippe.
I hope you will continue to protect the people of our kingdom. I wish you a glorious and happy destiny.”

I glazed at him. He seemed determined. I understood that any of my words could convince him. I shook his hand. I felt sad.
I assured him that I would be pleased to help him for everything he could need. I said I was in Zaragoza, and that I would always be ready to welcome him, if he changed his mind.

We rode back to Zaragoza.




When we stopped in Narbonne, I learned what happened during our absence. We had been betrayed. The bastard Spanish…

They had sent a complete and experienced army against Zaragoza. The town was defenseless. They were just the crossbow militia I hired and some spearmen to protect our people.

Zaragoza was besieged since 2 weeks now. The city was well supplied but the Spanish were already building some siege equipments. They could launch the attack before spring.

I stayed stunned learning that.
What? Our best friends, the Spanish?
The ones I’ve sent Rome like a gift?
The ones who helped me and welcomed me in Toledo?
The ones who sent me some troops?
The Kingdom of my wife Clara?
The blood of my son Philippe?

It couldn’t be true…
I realized then that maybe my old forecasts about Vermundo’s behavior were not as wrong as I thought. This swine Vermundo helped me, giving some soldiers, just hoping that those intestinal struggles could help him to split our Kingdom.
Vermundo wasn’t interested at all about my fight. He was just greedy watching at Zaragoza, Pamplona and even Narbonne.
This traitor king will be learned a lesson, I thought.

But which lesson? I was without troops, far away from Zaragoza…

I then thought about Clara , Margit and my son Philippe. They were in Zaragoza.
I shouted of anger:
- “Vermundo, fuc-king bastard, I will cut myself your bowls. Take care…”
I ordered to ride until Zaragoza without any pause…

[Draco092]

I knew you could not trust those spaniards...they're sooo religious to forgive a former muslim who took Rome.

it's funny that Philippe tried to convince Olivier to join him by saying that the country was full of heretics when the people from Beziers were one of the most important cathars.

See you!

[Karnage]

I am not surprised, everytime I play medieval 2, Spain always find ways to betray me. This is an awkward situation for you my friend and a dangerous one. Unless your Spaniards are different then the ones I am used to see. Usually, Spain is a powerful Kingdom.

Perhaps the Spanish King learned of Phillip "feedbacks" on his daughter and got overly ticked off.

[la coupe est pleine]

Draco
Yes, those spanish can't be trusted. They clearly want to take my key city Zaragoza. But be assured the people of that town want to remain french and will fight for their fate

it's funny that Philippe tried to convince Olivier to join him by saying that the country was full of heretics when the people from Beziers were one of the most important cathars.

You raised an interesting issue.
Indeed, Beziers is not located in the Cathar area in fact. The Cathar area stops at the north of Narbonne, 20 kilometers on the south of Beziers. However, during the Crusade against the Cathars, the crusaders besieged the city (because it was owned by Raymond Roger Trencavel who decided to protect the Cathars, in Carcassonne, Narbonne, ...) and conquered it.
It has been a butchery because 5000 inhabitants were slaughtered (even if they were surely less than 200 real Cathars in the city. ), it represented half the population.

So yes, there were some Cathars in Beziers but not that much.
-> My story line is saved, eh eh...


Karnage

Perhaps the Spanish King learned of Phillip "feedbacks" on his daughter and got overly ticked off

Very nice idea about Vermundo and his daughter.
But it would have been a radical way to revenge his daughter. In all cases, be sure that he will regret it.

That bastard Vermundo obliged me to change my story line with his betrayal....


Radzeer
A funny battle is coming, indeed, but before, some other plots, just for change ....


Thanks for the comments my friends.

[Draco092]

Draco
Yes, those spanish can't be trusted. They clearly want to take my key city Zaragoza. But be assured the people of that town want to remain french and will fight for their fate


You raised an interesting issue.
Indeed, Beziers is not located in the Cathar area in fact. The Cathar area stops at the north of Narbonne, 20 kilometers on the south of Beziers. However, during the Crusade against the Cathars, the crusaders besieged the city (because it was owned by Raymond Roger Trencavel who decided to protect the Cathars, in Carcassonne, Narbonne, ...) and conquered it.
It has been a butchery because 5000 inhabitants were slaughtered (even if they were surely less than 200 real Cathars in the city. ), it represented half the population.

So yes, there were some Cathars in Beziers but not that much.
-> My story line is saved, eh eh...

Well, now I know that thanks to your PM.

Maybe I'm not such a History Master as you thought XD

[Karnage]

Karnage

Very nice idea about Vermundo and his daughter.
But it would have been a radical way to revenge his daughter. In all cases, be sure that he will regret it.

That bastard Vermundo obliged me to change my story line with his betrayal....


"What can I say. The "Daddy's little girl" expression was brought to a whole new level in your AAR.

[Radzeer]

Yep, Spain seems to be the wild card. Hopefully Philippe gets there in time. Some heroic fight seems to be coming.

[la coupe est pleine]

2nd Iberian Campaign (Part IV)
Chapter XL : Trapped !!!

An de Grâce 1207 AC.
Royaume de France.
South of the Pyrénées.

!!!Medieval Music to listen!!!
Current world...



Aide memoire:

Philippe's trips

Heroes...

Hello mates. I’m Philippe. Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Philippe Capet, adoptive son of the French King. However, my real name is Muhammad Sahadeddine. I’ve been adopted because of an amazing coincidence. I hope to become soon a hero of Chivalry, and help the poor and the orphans. I know, I’ve read a lot of hero stories, but I’m a dreamer… I’m 27 years old and I am the Heir of the Kingdom, after the death of my father. I’ve killed the Pope myself, and destroyed the entire Papal States. I’m back in France after a while in Toledo, under the spanish protection, and I suceeded to be the new leader of Zaragoza, despite my state of outlaw... Louis the Merciless. KING of the Kingdom. "Brother" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  It is my elder “brother”, and the King of France. He is a very skilled and fearful warrior. He can be qualified as a “butcher”. He is my worst enemy since he raped and killed my first love Hélène. He is in Paris, and after some hard times, it seems that he took back his authority. He seems on the way to send me some extermination forces. Michel. "Brother" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  It is my second “brother”. He is one year and a half more than me. We were very good friends during our childhood, but it seems that these happy times are over. Michel is the new unofficial leader of the Kingdom, because he had managed to use the lords as a tool to take the command of the Kingdom, against Louis. I’m the heir just because of his will. He is working in the shadows and is potentially more dangerous than Louis himself. Charles. "Nephew" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  It is the only child and son of the king Louis the Merciless. He was supposed to be the rightful heir but because of Michel plans, I’ve stolen him the title. He should be very angry… Maybe because of that, he decided to be a rebel in order to steal his father’s crown, and had been thrown by Louis in the Paris dungeon. He has been reconciled and is one more trap in my road. Clara. "Wife" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  It is my official wife. She is the daughter of the Spanish King and thanks to that marriage, I’m now considered as a real noble and I’m a little more protected against the anger of Louis. She is definitely ugly and I absolutely don’t want to sleep with her. The problem is that she deeply loves me. Despite the nightmares, I made her pregnant and I let her in Toledo. She gave birth to Philippe, my first and only son. Margit. "Secret love" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  She is my deep love. Nobody knows that, even my close friends. She is beautiful and clever. She is a Hungarian princess. The big problem is that she was supposed to be the wife of Olivier, my old best general and friend. There are so many difficult choices in life. Norbert. "Michel spy" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  He is the messenger who just taught me the amazing news of the death of my father, and that I’m the new Heir of the Kingdom. He is the personal spy, and maybe assassin of Michel. He was sending me Michel orders. He killed my dear friend Charles de Bouillon and try to slay me. I hate him… Olivier de Beziers. "Friend" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  He was one of my loyal generals. He is quite as young as me and a very good warrior. Moreover, he seems very clever and he helped me to convince the army that the Pope Alexander was an enemy. He was my “compagnon d’armes” but when he learned that I was the secret lover of his betroth Margit, he decided to leave me, just after saving my life. I am ashamed having lost his friendship. Bertrand du Guesclin "Friend" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Bertrand du Guesclin is a local noble from brittany, who became the governor of Pamplona. He believed in my dream to found a new Kingdom and he became one of my close friends. He helps me more than everyone else to build an alternate Kingdom in the Iberian Peninsula Arnoul de Penthièvre "Personal spy" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Arnoul is my best personal spy. He was previously spying for Philippe Auguste, my father. He is extremely experimented and plays a key role in my chess game against Louis and Michel. Philippe Auguste the Chivalrous. DEAD in battle. "Father" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  He was my adoptive father, but also the French King. He loved the Chivalric Code, and enjoyed good tournaments. He was a wise ruler and French people liked him a lot. He died in battle, against Flanders, trying to defend Paris. Charles de Bouillon. ASSASSINATED. "Friend" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Charles was the governor of Toulouse citadel and then the governor of Zaragoza. Charles was my only real “friend”. He liked me and I could trust him. He was not a warrior, but he was a clever leader, knowing a lot in the domain of diplomacy, economy and management. He had saved me from Louis’s sword. He had finally been killed by that bastard Norbert when I was away in Italy...

During the travel, I sent a message to Olivier. I would like him to be aware of this disastrous situation. Maybe he could change his mind.

I didn’t take the time to admire the landscape that time. My love and my son were my only thoughts. They were trapped. I didn’t worry a lot for Clara, because she remained the daughter of the Spanish King Vermundo, but Margit would be surely raped or even worse. It reminded me the tremendous times when I heard about the death of Hélène.
It won’t happen again…
Never…




One day, we were riding along the south border of the Pyrenees when I saw a group of knights riding toward us.
The French banner!!!
I smiled. They were surely some friends coming from Toulouse to help Zaragoza.

When they saw us, they stopped. A general was leading them. They were quite as many as we were with my bodyguards. The general asked me who I was.
I replied proudly that I was Philippe, Dauphin of the Kingdom. I returned the question.
The general seemed to be a little shocked about that news. He glazed at his soldiers, silently. Then he said:
- “My lord, I ask you to join us. The rest of my troop is just behind.”

I smiled. He was not alone. It was quite sure that they came from Toulouse. We started to ride and I asked:
- “Where do you come from? I really need your help. We are in a really difficult situation and Zaragoza had just been….” I stopped suddenly.

It was not just a troop that appeared in front of us. It was an entire army. A complete French army!!!



I stopped my steed, speechless and stunned.
I turned my head to ask the French general what was that army when I felt a sharp and cold feeling in my neck…

The general was just beside me, and his sword was already grazing my neck…
- “Philippe, you are arrested by order of the King, Louis! Please do not resist and nothing wrong will be done to you and your comrades.”





- “I’m trapped!!!” I winced.
My wife and son are besieged in Zaragoza and I was trapped. It couldn’t be true. Was there a devil force to play against me? Was I damned to be the eternal victim of the destiny?

The bulk of the army was surrounding us now and it was impossible to flee.
- “What the hell!!!” I shouted.
“Who are you to arrest me? Who are you to arrest the heir of the Kingdom?”

The general who was still holding his sword on my neck didn’t reply.

I understood why. A magnificent knight was approaching. He removed his helmet and announced.
- “I’m Baudouin de Nantes. I’m the Connétable de France. I arrest you because of your crimes against the Papacy, because of your crimes against the Kingdom, and because of your betrayal of our rightful King Louis.”
I was knocked out. I even didn’t succeed to talk. I was quickly disarmed and chained up.

I closed my eyes, unable to accept the reality.
My heart was broken…




I remember that the army installed a camp for the night. I was watching them, still shocked by what happened.
Just before twilight, I had been brought in the Connétable’s quarters. Two bodyguards were beside me, holding firmly my chains. Baudouin de Nantes came in front of me.

It was a solid warrior. He was one of the most loyal general of Louis and fought with him many times against the Dutch in the past 5 years. I couldn’t hope any mercy from him.

He fixed me for some seconds before to say:
- “Philippe, I will bring you with me and the army till Paris where you would be judged about what you had done in Italy. I know that you are a skilled and courageous lord but the orders of Louis are clear.
However, if you need anything during the travel, feel free to ask…”

I interrupted him and whimpered:
- “Baudouin, I know your orders. I just beg you to help me protect Zaragoza, and then, I would go with you in Paris.
I beg you Baudouin. My wife and my son are besieged there.”

Baudouin seemed suddenly surprised.
- “Zaragoza?” He exclaimed.
“What happened there?”

It was my turn to be surprised. Baudouin hadn’t been warned about that.
I quickly explained:
- “Yes. Zaragoza is besieged by the Spaniards since 2 months. We have the duty to protect the French people of the city.
Haven’t you heard about that?”

He sat on a chair, apparently puzzled.
After a while, he said:
- “I will think about that Philippe. I will think and take my decision. However, you will stay there until I change my orders.
A bientôt Philippe.”

Baudouin left the tent and the guards remained. I was useless. I was a prisoner waiting for his judgment, defenseless…

[Karnage]

Arrested!!! This Is getting rather interesting, please continue

[Draco092]

Wow!!!

Where did that come from? Such a unexpected turn of events!

I agree with Karnage...please update ASAP!

[Kjertesvein]

It was my turn to be surprised. Baudouin hadn’t been warned about that.I quickly explained:
- “Yes. Zaragoza is besieged by the Moorish since 2 months. We have the duty to protect the French people of the city.
Haven’t you heard about that?”

First the Spaniards, now the Moors? Or is our Phillipe playing tricks on our french noble to instil more rage....

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

~Wille

[la coupe est pleine]

Karnage, Draco
Yes, since Louis is back in the game with a lot of authority, I was obliged to implement that in the story.
Bad moment for being captured, indeed.
I will try to update as soon as possible. Cheers for following.

Sivilombudsmannen
Thanks for the mistake. It was actually the spaniards indeed.
Ah ah ... You took the pictures as piece of evidence...

I probably did the mistake because of the moors who bedieged Zaragoza years before. It seems that the tide had reversed and that the spanish had took the advantage.

I tried F2 and it worked. I will update with better cards now.

[Radzeer]

Now that is an unexpected twist! Do I see the dungeon coming?
Great story, +rep!

[la coupe est pleine]

Now that is an unexpected twist! Do I see the dungeon coming?
Great story, +rep!

Dungeon coming. Hum, not a bad idea actually.
But who will save Margit and Philippe Jr?

Here is the next chapter.

[la coupe est pleine]

2nd Iberian Campaign (Part IV)
Chapter XLI : My dear friends...

An de Grâce 1207 AC.
Royaume de France.
South of the Pyrénées.

!!!Medieval Music to listen!!!
Current world...



Aide memoire:

Philippe's trips

Heroes...

Hello mates. I’m Philippe. Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Philippe Capet, adoptive son of the French King. However, my real name is Muhammad Sahadeddine. I’ve been adopted because of an amazing coincidence. I hope to become soon a hero of Chivalry, and help the poor and the orphans. I know, I’ve read a lot of hero stories, but I’m a dreamer… I’m 27 years old and I am the Heir of the Kingdom, after the death of my father. I’ve killed the Pope myself, and destroyed the entire Papal States. I’m back in France, suceeded to be the new leader of Zaragoza, despite my state of outlaw, but had just been captured by a loyal french army... Louis the Merciless. KING of the Kingdom. "Brother" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  It is my elder “brother”, and the King of France. He is a very skilled and fearful warrior. He can be qualified as a “butcher”. He is my worst enemy since he raped and killed my first love Hélène. He is in Paris, and after some hard times, it seems that he took back his authority. He sent me some extermination forces. Michel. "Brother" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  It is my second “brother”. He is one year and a half more than me. We were very good friends during our childhood, but it seems that these happy times are over. Michel is the new unofficial leader of the Kingdom, because he had managed to use the lords as a tool to take the command of the Kingdom, against Louis. I’m the heir just because of his will. He is working in the shadows and is potentially more dangerous than Louis himself. Charles. "Nephew" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  It is the only child and son of the king Louis the Merciless. He was supposed to be the rightful heir but because of Michel plans, I’ve stolen him the title. He should be very angry… Maybe because of that, he decided to be a rebel in order to steal his father’s crown, and had been thrown by Louis in the Paris dungeon. He has been reconciled and is one more trap in my road. Clara. "Wife" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  It is my official wife. She is the daughter of the Spanish King and thanks to that marriage, I’m now considered as a real noble and I’m a little more protected against the anger of Louis. She is definitely ugly and I absolutely don’t want to sleep with her. The problem is that she deeply loves me. Despite the nightmares, I made her pregnant and I let her in Toledo. She gave birth to Philippe, my first and only son. Margit. "Secret love" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  She is my deep love. Nobody knows that, even my close friends. She is beautiful and clever. She is a Hungarian princess. The big problem is that she was supposed to be the wife of Olivier, my old best general and friend. There are so many difficult choices in life. Norbert. "Michel spy" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  He is the messenger who just taught me the amazing news of the death of my father, and that I’m the new Heir of the Kingdom. He is the personal spy, and maybe assassin of Michel. He was sending me Michel orders. He killed my dear friend Charles de Bouillon and try to slay me. I hate him… Olivier de Beziers. "Friend" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  He was one of my loyal generals. He is quite as young as me and a very good warrior. Moreover, he seems very clever and he helped me to convince the army that the Pope Alexander was an enemy. He was my “compagnon d’armes” but when he learned that I was the secret lover of his betroth Margit, he decided to leave me, just after saving my life. I am ashamed having lost his friendship. Bertrand du Guesclin "Friend" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Bertrand du Guesclin is a local noble from brittany, who became the governor of Pamplona. He believed in my dream to found a new Kingdom and he became one of my close friends. He helps me more than everyone else to build an alternate Kingdom in the Iberian Peninsula Arnoul de Penthièvre "Personal spy" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Arnoul is my best personal spy. He was previously spying for Philippe Auguste, my father. He is extremely experimented and plays a key role in my chess game against Louis and Michel. Philippe Auguste the Chivalrous. DEAD in battle. "Father" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  He was my adoptive father, but also the French King. He loved the Chivalric Code, and enjoyed good tournaments. He was a wise ruler and French people liked him a lot. He died in battle, against Flanders, trying to defend Paris. Charles de Bouillon. ASSASSINATED. "Friend" Spoiler Alert, click show to read:  Charles was the governor of Toulouse citadel and then the governor of Zaragoza. Charles was my only real “friend”. He liked me and I could trust him. He was not a warrior, but he was a clever leader, knowing a lot in the domain of diplomacy, economy and management. He had saved me from Louis’s sword. He had finally been killed by that bastard Norbert when I was away in Italy...

For one week, I stayed in the same tent. I never saw Baudouin. I was just waiting, eating and thinking. I was not as much demoralized as when I had been captured but I was still in a very sad mood. I knew that Margit and my son could be slaughtered if no decision were taken to counter attack. Maybe they were already dead…
Moreover, I couldn’t expect any mercy from Louis and Michel. The only solution was to escape…

I didn’t know where my friends and bodyguards who had been captured with me were. I tried to talk with my guards but they didn’t reply me. I was like an exile man.
I wasn’t used with that feeling. I was used to command, to rule and to be admired. Not to be the black sheep of an army…
Despite the silence of the guards, I succeeded to catch some talks between soldiers. I heard talks about some rebel soldiers, fed up with Louis’s decisions. I heard about a spy inside the army. I heard about the inability of some lords to decide what to do. I heard about some Crusaders…
It seemed that the army I was the major prisoner was not as unite as it should be. Maybe there was an opportunity for me.
But how to grab it when you are chained?

I was thinking about that news when I clearly saw a shadow walking around the curtains of my tent. It was the middle of the night and some of the braziers outside were showing a shade.
It was a man. This man was trying to enter the tent, avoiding the guards at the entry.
I was petrified.
Who was it? Could he be a friend? Could he be an assassin? I was fixing the man shade without any noise.
The guards outside were talking and joking together. Sometimes, they were moving, going round the tent or joining other soldiers around the braziers. The shade was leaving and coming back. It lasted more than one hour. I felt the drops of sweat going down my back. If it was the opportunity I waited for one week, I would be ready to take it…

Suddenly, the shade came another time and entered quickly the tent. I just heard the noise of the torn canvas. It was a pro work. The man had surely cut some parts during the last hour and he succeeded to penetrate easily and without noise. I didn’t distinguish the man at the beginning, because he hid himself behind some furnishes in the tent.
Nothing happened during several minutes. The man finally stood up and came near. He was wearing a black cloak.

“Norbert ! “ I feared.
The guy threw his hood and I discovered his face… I smiled. Arnoul !
My loyal Arnoul de Penthièvre. He was there to save me. I was not as damned as I thought.

Arnoul put one finger on his mouth, meaning that nothing should be said. I was aware of that, because we could clearly hear the guards keeping talking.
He whispered near my ear that we should be quick. The guards would surely soon notice the hole in the tent.
Arnoul helped me to untie my chains. He sent me a dagger. I was ready.
We were starting to leave the tent when we clearly heard the screeching voice of a guard:
- “I am going to see if our guest is sleeping well”.

Arnoul suddenly ordered me to lie on the floor, near my chains. The same moment, Arnoul hid himself behind a cupboard.
We didn’t wait for a long time. Two guards entered with a torch. They saw me and smiled.
- “Are you sleeping well my lor….”.
The guard suddenly fell on the ground, blood flowing from his back. Arnoul was quick but the second guard avoided his second blow and succeeded to take his halberd. Arnoul was quite defenseless now.

I surged behind the guard and with a quick move, I cut his throat. The blood gushed and spoilt my clothes. We heard a small rattle and the corpse fell down.
I was back in the game…

I didn’t feel sorry for this guard and it was the proof of the change which occurred in me since the Papal adventure. I was growing as a professional warrior, without any compassion and sympathy feelings. My heart was tougher each day.
The good days of my youth, filled with honor and chivalry were far away…

I searched in the tent for my sword, Durandal. After a while, I found it and we left the place with Arnoul. In the camp, we were quiet and quick. Like two shadows, we crossed the field, stole two steeds, and flew across the countryside.

Liberty…



I strongly thanked Arnoul. There were still a lot of problems to solve but the major one was over. I asked him how he succeeded to save me, and how he learned that I was prisoner.
He explained that he was riding toward the South from Paris when he heard about my arrest near the Pyrenees. He decided to save me as soon as possible.
It is why he infiltrated the camp and helped me.

But it was not all. When he arrived in the military camp, he met Olivier. Arnoul and Olivier knew each other very well because we were together in Italy. My spy was very surprised to see Olivier there because he knew that my old war brother decided to stop fighting since the Iberian ambush. They talked together and Arnoul learned that Olivier finally made up his mind after receiving my letter about Zaragoza siege.
I was stunned about that new. I was thinking that Olivier was definitely a retiree warrior, despite his youth.
The thing is that Olivier was also in the camp to help me, trying to persuade some of the Crusaders there to desert, and to liberate Zaragoza. It was why there were some rumors of rebellion amongst the army. Olivier was convinced that he should help the people of the city. The Crusaders were easily persuaded too because they were men prepared for battle, not men prepared for executing dark plans of a master plotter. Moreover, a lot of them had heard about the heroic battles Olivier and me had fought in Italy. They quickly thought that I would help them better than Baudouin to meet battle and glory.

Arnoul explained me that Olivier and the major part of the Crusaders were deserting Baudouin’s Army the same night than us. Arnoul was supposed to meet Olivier the day after in a little city, just in the south of the Pyrenees.

I was delighted this night. We were riding, it was cold and a frozen rain was pouring on us, but my mind was in another world. I was warm, thinking of Margit and my son. I was like I could have fought an entire army.

Happiness is so easy to reach when you missed to lose everything…

[Draco092]

Wonderful! Olivier (one of my favourite characters) is back...and his timing couldn't be better.

Now to Zaragoza!

[Karnage]

Excellent, I was afraid to hear Phillip depressing tales of dungeon life. Now, to war