Madame la Grande

[Gandalfus]

At the behest of Edward of Lancaster, his kinsman Somerset departed the main Lancastrian army and made his way to Vincennes to entreat the Regent of France for ships to cross the narrow sea that lay between the realms of France and England. Accompanied by his illegitimate nephew, his own son, and others within his ducal affinity, Beaufort arrived at the seat of the House of France, his liege and patron clearly marked out by the heavy collar of Lancaster's Red Rose that hung down towards his chest.

[Oznerol]

Once he could traverse the many barriers laid before him and after engaging in short negotations, Somerset was greeted by Beaujeu. The regent was incredibly unusual, for she wasn't even the king's mother. Still, she ruled all the same, and with an iron fist apparently. Anne was exceedingly plain and exceedingly ambitious. And since there wasn't a smarter individual in all France, she dwarfed them all with their shrewd intelligence and cunning, astute schemes. Her husband was just a foil for her desires, just like everyone else. Anne stood like a lance on the chamber where she awaited Beaufort. She offered a thin hand to Somerset to kiss. She was Madame la Grande, she had no rival or peer, and she embodied France like no-one else could. Ironically, despite all the men bickering, the three most powerful kingdoms in Christendom were controlled by women: Isabella of Castile, Elizabeth Woodville and Anne of Beaujeu.

"My Lord de Beaufort, duke of Somerset"

[Gandalfus]

Beaufort planted a flamboyantly servile kiss firmly upon the hand of the regent of France, his hair, grown long in mimicry of the King, brushing against Beaujeu's hand as he did so.

"Fairest madame of France, gracious you are to see me on behalf of my Lord and King, who sends his tidings to thee and His Majesty of France."

Somerset said, as he rose. The largesse of his robes gave him a certain presence.

[Oznerol]

"My cousin hast sent you for a reason"

She moves with a whistle of silk, a murmur of her gown.

"Considering what I already know, thou surely need mine ships to cross the seas, as the Flemish refused to support thy king in his endeavours. And I guess Bar did not provide thee with many boats to sail with"

Her eyes look into his. Clear, sharp gaze, probably her most atractive trait.

[Gandalfus]

"Indeed, Madame, the dastardly Flems of Bruges have thrown their lot in with the villainous mother of Burgundy, my King's sworn foe."

Beaufort gave a deep seated frown. Women were cunning creatures. It seemed that everywhere he looked, the rule of kings was being supplanted by the fairer sex.

"To retake my Lord's throne, we need ships to cross the narrow sea, and thus my sovereign King wishes to renew the alliance that existed between his Blessed father and thy own, King Louis, God rest his noble soul."

Henry was venerated as an almost saintly figure by those who remained in Lancaster's service.

[Oznerol]

"Our cousin of Lancaster asks much from us. Thou know it, Lord Somerset"

Said the regent, sardonically.

"He wants ships to reclaim his lost throne, and we are indeed prone to provide them. However, what does he offer in turn? France has lost much in the errands of Lancaster and at the hands of England, controlled by the vile House of York"

For Anne, England wasn't even a priority, having to wrestle with the French peers, madly trying to gain the regency or simply more power.

[Gandalfus]

"England will soon be controlled absolutely either by the Queen Woodville or the vile sons of York, once one has won the war for control over their accursed King."

Explained Beaufort, unflappable. In fact, Somerset was extremely anxious, but his wild gesticulations and amiable demeanour was a good mask.

"Both shall meddle in the affairs of France, for their alliance to the Lord of Burgundy is tied by the cursed blood of their usurping line. Lancaster offers an allied England and a Duke of Gueyenne that shall provide his support to his noble cousin of France in all things."

Beaufort didn't have anything to give away but promises, and Beaujeu probably knew this.

[Oznerol]

Beaujeu smiled.

"If our royal cousin is so well-disposed towards us, Lord Somerset, he will have to rennounce all the Yorkist conquests in Gascony"

She said.

"He has already given up a whole duchy, I do not think would be much of an hindrance to get rid of some paltry conquests in the South"

The regent clasps hands. It was a hefty price, but Anne wanted to know to what extent was Lancaster willing to go.

[Gandalfus]

"My King is Duke of Gueyenne by right, and he shall happily pay homage for those territories."

Replied Beaufort, a little reluctantly.

[Oznerol]

"If he will not rennounce to the Yorkist conquests we fear he might not be as well-disposed towards my sovereign as he claims"

Said Anne.

"What else, save pleasantries, can my cousin offer? Mustering a fleet like the one needed is no easy feat, less so considering the strenght of thine enemies' forces"

[Gandalfus]

"My King shall consider the return of Gueyenne to the Crown of France, if that is the price named, Madame."

Conceded Somerset, knowing he was being extorted. There was no marriage they could broker, after all, to seal the alliance.

[Oznerol]

"It is either that or some sort of actual concession, valuable enough for mine king"

Said Anne.

"We are gracious and generous with our allies, my Lord de Somerset. But we do not give away freely what is ours, specially with the princes of the blood lurking in the shadows, willing to prey on the regency"

[Gandalfus]

"So be it. Gascony shall be returned to the crown of France, once my cousin sits in Westminster."