Strmol Castle

[O'Ciarain]

(http://www.slovenian-alps.com/en/ima...rad-strmol.jpg)

Titles and Offices Held

Duke of Aquileia, Trent, Brescia, and Krain
Elector

Tax Rate

20% (1/5)

Inhabitants

Radivoj, 40, Bodyguard/Father figure/Adviser, Bosnian.
Tomislav, 28, Friend/Adviser/Master of Archers, Bulgarian
Nikolai, 24, Friend/Adviser/Bodyguard, Bulgarian

Military Forces

5,000 Levies
5,700 Mercenaries (Company of St. George, 1 yr remaining)
400 Archers
200 Light Cavalry
600 Spearmen
800 Halberdiers
200 Jaegers
200 Men-at-Arms
100 Mounted Sergeants

Wealth and Estates

1. 40,400 Reichsmarks
2. Strmol Castle
3. Modest estate near the Basilica of Aquileia
4. Buonconsiglio Castle

Possessions

Chainmail Armor, Short Sword and Leather Scabbard, Sieben Flanged Mace, Signet Ring, Leather Gauntlets

Spoiler for Family Tree: 

[The Stig]

A small group of mailed figures on horseback appear bearing the colors of the House of von Klaus

[O'Ciarain]

The main hall of Strmol Castle was oddly empty, with only two of Bojan's men standing guard behind the slightly raised dais that held his seat. Voices could be heard, however, coming from a room behind the dais, and it was to this room that a messenger ran. He entered, and gave a quick bow to the Count, who was leaning on a table along with several of his men, including Radivoj and the two Bulgarian brothers, Tomislav and Nikolai. The room had been transformed into a war room, with maps of the surrounding areas plastered everywhere. The current map they were studying was of a small hilly region in the County of Krain where a local bandit chieftain was allegedly holed up. All four looked up when the messenger arrived. "What is it, friend?" Unlike many of the nobility, Bojan treated his subjects with respect. The messenger immediately relayed that a group of knights bearing the colors of the House of von Klaus had arrived. As Bojan and his three men went to greet the men and determine their purpose, Bojan recalled that Count Karl was Count of Osterreich and Salzburg.

When Bojan was settled upon his small dais, and his three advisors were seated as well, a guard was sent to retrieve the men of von Klaus. "Count Bojan I of Aquileia welcomes you to Strmol Castle. If you will follow me, I will take you to him."

[The Stig]

By this time dismounted and dressed in a black tunic, Karl readied himself to meet with Count Bojan.

"Thank you, my good man. My men won't be following me. Please, take me to the count."

[O'Ciarain]

The messenger nodded and turned, marching towards the great hall where the Count was now ready. Bojan sat straight in his chair, still in a slightly stained white tabbard that bore his coat of arms and covered his heavy tunic of Chain-mail. As Karl was finally shown into the room, Bojan waited until he was just at the foot of the dais before rising and offering his hand. "Count Karl von Klaus of Osterreich, if I remember correctly. What brings you to this little corner of the Empire?"

[The Stig]

Karl took the man's hand, shaking it half heartedly.

"I'm simply looking around the area, seeing what the situation is in all the nearby counties. I hope you'll forgive me of my retainers. I've heard reports of banditry in this area and I fear my own skills of swordplay are lacking."

[O'Ciarain]

After the man shook his hand, Bojan returned to his chair. "The situation is improving, and your reports are correct. Most of the banditry, however, is just to the south, in Krain. The bandits there took up the rebel cause to gather more men to them, and they have refused to believe that their rebellion is over and lost. The terrain favors their holdouts, but we are having more and more success and gathering more intelligence as to their whereabouts. Now, on to better things! Are you and your men hungry? I can have the kitchen staff cook up some boar that we brought back the other day and several bottles of one of our finest vintages from my Italian province of Trent."

[The Stig]

"That sounds delightful. I must admit I have a certain weakness for fine wine. I suppose it reflects the relative barbarism of my youth."

[O'Ciarain]

Bojan smiled, and looked around, finding one of staff standing nearby. "Run to the kitchens and have them throw something together, then bring back several bottles of wine." Raising from his seat, the Count takes the few steps down from his dais and takes a seat at the long table that stretches most of the length of the room. Motioning towards the seat on his left, Bojan addresses the other Count, "Please, sit here so that we may speak easier." Radivoj immediately took the seat to Bojan's right, and the two brothers to Radivoj's right. Just as they sat, the servant returned, along with two others, all three carrying bottles of the wine. After all goblets were filled with the beautiful red drink, Bojan raised his in a toast, "To new friendships, may they last until the end of days, and to our Lord God, without whom, nothing is possible."

[The Stig]

Karl raised his glass and drunk with the others.

"To new friendships."

[O'Ciarain]

After the toast, the men began to talk among themselves, while their stomachs rumbled, calling for food. They did not have long to wait, but before the food was brought out, Bojan turned to his fellow count, "Now, my friend, I am slightly wary of immediate Northern neighbor, the Count of Styria. There is really no way for him to expand, and I feel that it is more likely that he would attempt to garner support from our Hungarian and Polish neighbors to the east and strike south, against me. I would ask that we ally ourselves, and should he attack either one of us, the other would come to the defender's aid. How would you feel about that?"

[The Stig]

"I visited him on my way here, and he seemed rather honorable. He did not strike me as the kind of man who would rush into needless bloodshed. Still, his name is Hungarian and I do not know how he would react were the Empire to find itself at war with Poland or Hungary. I would welcome such a friendship, if it were to be utilized for defensive purposes."

[O'Ciarain]

Bojan listened carefully to what his fellow Count said. "Ah, well I have yet to meet with him, but it seemed the only logical path of expansion for him. I will agree to these terms though. Should you be attacked by anyone, I will arrive as quickly as possible to aid you, and should I be attacked, you will come to my defense as well. I must say though, that I am planning soon, to gather several other Counts and possibly lead an assault on Venice. If I am lucky, I will also have the help of the Imperial Army of the South, should the Emperor agree." These plans were still in the rougher stages, but Bojan was actually set to leave for Nassau soon, to speak with the Emperor and see if he would support the invasion. As he did so, letters would be going out to the other Counts he thought would be able to help, for their approval as well.

[The Stig]

"Excellent. This gives me an idea. If you intend to add Venice to the Reich, I may be able to assist you. Would you be willing to meet me in Viena at a later date?"

[O'Ciarain]

Knowing that he would need as much assistance as he could get, Bojan nodded. "Simply give me a date and I will do everything within my power to be there. I am also in negotiations with a group of mercenaries led by one of the Teutonic commanders, so we will have good leadership, without a doubt, my friend." The Count glanced to his right to see if Radivoj had kept with his tradition of always listening to such conversations with one ear, while holding another conversation to cleverly cover up the eavesdropping. The briefest twitch of his protector's ear told Bojan that the old man still had it.

[The Stig]

"I'll send you a letter within the month, and also to anyone else who might be helpful. We'll meet at my house in Viena to hammer out the details, then we can put our plan into action."

[O'Ciarain]

Bojan nodded. "It sounds like a good plan. I will more than likely stop on my back from Nassau, hopefully with good news from the Emperor himself." The Count took a bite from his food and savored it. His kitchens were not the best, but they were heaven compared to what he and Radivoj had had to endure in those dark years of Bojan's youth. The lands of Venice consisted of Venezio, Treviso, and Istria. Since there were only three provinces, one being much more of a prize than the others, and he was expecting more than two others to assist, it would be tough to appease those who contributed. The prize he wanted, however, was Istria. That province was a good stepping stone, from which he could eventually, possibly, take back the land of his birth.

[The Stig]

"Excellent. Now if you don't mind, I'm going to start enjoying your hospitality."

With that, Karl began to dig into the meat Bojan had kindly prepared for him.

[O'Ciarain]

The Count smirked. "Please, by all means, go ahead. And that goes for your men, too. Eat and drink your fill. If you require it, I will have my staff prepare the guest quarters in the East wing, and send word to one of the better taverns to reserve several rooms for your men." With that said, Bojan raised his goblet in salute to his guests and took a delightful sip of his wine. The Count relaxed into his chair some and began to mentally prepare for the coming days, which were sure to be full of negotiations, preparations, and even conflict.

[The Stig]

The Austrians leave two days later. After a month, a letter arrives for Count Bojan.

Count Bojan,

You are cordially invited to Klaus Manor, in the city of Vienna, to discuss a matter of grave importance to the future of the region. It is my hope that this gathering will result in an lasting peace in the area, and also bring greater prosperity to those invited.


Count Karl von Klaus