Siegfried of Mayen's Camp

**Dirty Chai** · October 07, 2015, 10:54 PM

Near five thousand men fill this circuit of tents and pavilions, lighting up entire hillsides with their night fires. Germans from across the Rhinelands and from Franconia and Thuringia fill the ranks, with some Franks and Saxons, plus the odd Norseman. At the center, or sometimes near it, is a large pavilion, colored black and white but faded from the elements; leathered sentries watch its perimeter.

Troops: 4,840 men
726 Footmen
726 Spearmen
726 Bowmen
1210 Men-at-Arms
1452 Knights

**Zectorman** · October 07, 2015, 11:09 PM

Berthold II walks into the camp of Herr Siegfried late at night well past supper. normally not one to be called on, Berthold none the less was curious of this noble. He knew of the man, being Count of Palatine, Berthold's own father being involved during the Saxon wars on the side of Henry before Henry's betrayal to his family. Both men had tasted the sharp edge of their former liege's wrath it had seemed. That pain, at least, they had in common.

Berthold strode into the main pavilions calling for audience with lord Siegfried.

**Dirty Chai** · October 13, 2015, 04:27 AM

Originally Posted by Zectorman

Berthold II walks into the camp of Herr Siegfried late at night well past supper. normally not one to be called on, Berthold none the less was curious of this noble. He knew of the man, being Count of Palatine, Berthold's own father being involved during the Saxon wars on the side of Henry before Henry's betrayal to his family. Both men had tasted the sharp edge of their former liege's wrath it had seemed. That pain, at least, they had in common.

Berthold strode into the main pavilions calling for audience with lord Siegfried.

Originally Posted by MuttonChops

Richalm arrived with no accompanying guards, certain of the place's security. Even from a far it seemed a camp set against the normal motions of the main camp, whether that was good or ill, he was about to find out.

OOC: This was just to introduce our characters to each other and become affiliated. It's late and retroactive now, but do you still want to RP it?

Originally Posted by Iron Aquilifer

Arriving with two servants and wine, Theodoric arrives in search of kinsmen in which love did not flow freely.

The Rhenish milites let the Duke into the tent after some back-and-forth through a retainer of the Pfalzgraf.
The dark haired Siegfried stood by a small table, his right hand laying resting fingers upon the surface. His left hand was resting on the belt of his tunic.

"Welcome, princeps Theodoricus," the count said in Latin, his bright blue eyes observing his rival's entrance.
"Is this a peace gift?" Siegfried gestured to the wine.

Men from beyond the Rhine were blunt in nature, more frank. Siegfried, in this manner, spoke rather directly of he and Theodoric's... differing stances.

**MuttonChops** · October 07, 2015, 11:25 PM

Richalm arrived with no accompanying guards, certain of the place's security. Even from a far it seemed a camp set against the normal motions of the main camp, whether that was good or ill, he was about to find out.

**Iron Aquilifer** · October 09, 2015, 10:29 AM

Arriving with two servants and wine, Theodoric arrives in search of kinsmen in which love did not flow freely.

**Iron Aquilifer** · October 13, 2015, 04:39 AM

"Yes it is, Siegfried. If the Turks are as fearsome as the rumours tell then I will need to truly accept that you will hold my flank. And I yours."

He had cups furnished.

"Our liege no longer rules. In his place is a bastard from Francia. There are no histories in this army that date to before the march from this city of Romans."

**Dirty Chai** · October 13, 2015, 04:56 AM

Siegfried glanced into a cup as it was handed to him, his eyes looking at the dark red liquid before meeting back with the Duke's eyes.
"A man is killed by another man. That man's son kills his father's murderer. Another son kills the first man's son.
The Landtag assemblies are helpless to stop the cycle of revenge and regicide."

He took a sip of the wine, eyes glancing downwards in thought.

"I will not bring that here, in this cause." The Count stepped forward, setting the cup down.
"The Holy Father asks us to put aside our histories, as you say."

A hand reached out, open, offering a handshake..

**Iron Aquilifer** · October 13, 2015, 07:11 AM

Theodoric took it, offering a firm handshake. If only the rest of this crusade were commanded by men of your qualities. I fear for the image we shall present to the people after our first victory against the Turks.

**Dirty Chai** · October 13, 2015, 03:38 PM

"The only image we need project is that which is God sees, and the Holy Father."
Siegfried blinked, and stepped back to his desk after the handshake.
"It is the churches and cities that must be claimed, not the lives of heathens, by the Holy Father's words."

**Iron Aquilifer** · October 13, 2015, 06:42 PM

"You are correct, lord Siegfried. People die easy enough. It is the temples which live on, our Holy Father has the divine-blessed knowledge to know this. Though every heaven to be shown the falsehood of their ways must spark celebration within heaven itself, as much as every massacre causes despair."

**Dirty Chai** · October 13, 2015, 07:04 PM

The Pfalzgraf gestured to a seat as it was placed beside the Duke by a retainer, and Siegfried took his own seat beside his desk.
"The Christ tells us to show tolerance and love, even to those who do not deserve it."

He scratched his beard, curiously.
"What a foreign idea that seems, when a man looks around at the rest of Christendom.
But in the holy land, there will need to be guardians of these reclaimed churches. The Outremer must be protected, so that pilgrims may freely come and go."

**Iron Aquilifer** · October 14, 2015, 04:46 PM

The pilgrims will have their guardians in us, Theodoric promised emptily. Whether they accept our protection out of love or fear will be decided by how wildly the flames burn on the heels of this army of God. Still, I am glad that so many have made the pledge and taken up arms. Such numbers speak of the strength of our faith. But come, the Duke announced with a finished cup. The time to march is near and I must see to my men. I offer thanks for your hospitality, and hope that it can be returned once Jerusalem is once more free.