Concerning what has gone before...

It is the autumn of 1066, England has become a united kingdom. William the Conquerer has taken the throne by the tip of a sword. Instituting his new rule, he has called upon his subjects to rally to his cause. Hundreds flock to his banner. The nobles, who tended to be a fickle bunch, have excitedly vowed thier support for the new monarch. His rally " For England and me!' has inspired even the lowest of his society. William sits upon his throne and plots his next move. Across the sea, another monarch sits upon his throne and contemplates his next move. He had banished the English king and now the cur has gotten himself a kingdom. Right across the sea at that. " Master at Arms!" he said in a regal voice. " Bring me General Cassius at once." Thinking to himself he said ' Now the die shall be cast.".............

Quick house keeping set up. The map is similiar to Europe. The actual cities are not in thier hist places

Also I used a good bit of poetic leeway cause I started this story about 3 months ago and some of it is foggy in my mind. Apologies to all the purists out there.

The knocking on the door startled the english king as was studying his maps. "Who is it?" bellowed the king. "Tis I majesty." said a rather skinny man as he stood in the doorway. "Oh it,s you Thadeus. Come in." The robed man approached his king slowly. Thadeus learned a long time ago that to make William angry was to flirt with death. The old advisor had seen him kill men for less. " So , what is it? Do you have my reports?" asked the burly monarch. "Of course my liege. Here you are." said Thadeus as he laid the sheaf of parchment on the table. The king unrolled the papers and studied them carefully. " I see our naval construction goes on at brisk pace." "Indeed sire, the men work swiftly." The king cursed his luck at conquering a land that had so few resources. Tar and iron were not the only things needed to rule an empire. But patience was... he nodded approvingly as he flipped thru each paper. He looked up and the man still stood in front of him. Puzzeled the king asked "Is there a reason your still in my presence?" Well sire, there is a person at court that wishes an audience." said the man meekly. William,s head snapped around and he said "Who, one those sniveling nobles?" The smaller man cut him off with a raise of his hand "A thousand pardons my liege but he comes from a country called Germany." The large man walked to his throne and sat down. Germany the king thought... ah the land to the west of that scum Louis. "And what are his intentions Royal Advisor? A spot of tea? I think not!" The lion of England rubbed his whiskery chin and said simply said "See him to the court. I,ll be there momentarily." With that the advisor strode out of the room leaving his lord to his thoughts. He had heard of Germany, but in France Louis had never brought him into the Inner Circle. Another bone of contention thought the man. All things will be settled in due time. For now he must deal with this...German. The Great Hall of London was filled with all manner of citizenry. Nobles, courtiers and servants milled about waiting for their king. A tall man in dark blue tunic stood at center of the hall. All of a sudden the blare of trumpets signalled the entrance of His Majesty King William. All rose to their feet as the man they called king entered the hall and sat upon his throne. "Your Majesty may I present to you Gerheart Von Guggenhiem envoy of the german lands. The envoy bowed low and said " My lord, Conrad I of Germany bids you tidings." "And the Lion of England sends his also." said the king. "Germany wishes to bestow upon England our support and cooperation." "Really,how much will this cost England I wonder?" The envoy said " A trade majesty. Germany wishes to exchange secrets that our two nations have dicovered." finished the man. "What would Germany wish to trade to mighty England? " " I believe they are called technologies sire." answered the man. "We wish to trade your glorious kingdom some we call Code of Laws." Cutting of the german William said quickly "I am the law in England. "Of course my lord, perhaps something else might appeal to your majesty." "I,m listening." said the king flatly. "We have noticed your people suffer without marketplaces. Perhaps Currency would be more to Englands liking?" replied the man. Thinking William looked at the envoy and said "What would be the cost to England I wonder?" "It has become known to us that you have knowledge of working a metal called iron." answered the german. Not wanting to give up such an important secret the king felt he must get more. "500 pieces of gold and Markets." said the king. "You have Germany,s thanks sire." "Now if that is all, we have important business to attend to." finished the king. With that, he rose and left the hall. Before he left he motioned to Thadeus to follow him. When they entered the throne room Thadeus asked"How may I be of service lord?" " One question? How DO they know so much about us? Tell those in the naval yard to increase the work. Thadeus prepare the army we have much work to do. I smell a rat."

So ends Pt.1 I hoped you liked it so far. Next Chapter is titled " A Sword for the Cross "

A Sword for the Cross
The elderly man wrote in a large book on the fringes of the Great Hall. The one time advisor to the king now had only this one duty, to chronicle the history of England. The year was 1086 and England had changed. Gone were the days of turmoil and strife. The king had been on his throne for 20 years and by most accounts things were going well for the kingdom. Trade with the outside world was going well. While England was still a semi isolationist nation she had made impressive strides in diplomacy. Only France her ancient enemy remained cut off from the bounty of economic and diplomatic prizes that were to be gained. England,s navy was strong and thanks to an alliance with a Duchy called the Netherlands her army had a small contingent on the mainland. The old man finished his task and rose from his chair. Muttering under his breathe he said " Thadues , old boy, it,s off to bed with your cranky old bones.

The mail clad man walked from the temple. Feeling cleansed , as he always did after services, he allowed himself to think upon all the changes that had occured in his beloved England since the new king had taken power. He had instituted new laws, new taxes and above all a new religion. The one true god had come to the english and he embraced it. Ever since he was a boy growing up as a ward of the temple district, he was exposed to the various faiths and beliefs of the country. Now there was but one god . Somehow it all seemed to make sense to him. He knew where his place was in the world . He was a soldier dedicated to a single purpose. Promoting the will of his king,his country and most importantly his god.

"War?"replied the king. "Yes sir, the evil Burgundians have declared war on our people." said the man. "Why? Under what pretense?" "I believe it had to do with our ships sailing too close to their coasts." answered the heavy set man. "Damn them to hell! Send for my war council admiral. If it,s war they want then let,s give it to them." King William sat upon his throne thinking about this latest turn of events. For twenty years he had sat upon his throne in relative peace. Now it was war! "If trading with them was not enough now they would attack England! Now they would pay and pay dearly. His countries greatest strength was it,s navy and now the Burgundians would feel it,s wrath. Just then came a knock on the door. "Who is it?" asked the king.
"Tis I sir,e Cassius."came the answer. "Enter old friend." said the king. The man opened the door and entered the room. " You look troubled lord. What may be your problem?" asked the man. Cassius was a tall man about the same age as the king but more muscular. He had been with the king since the beginning. The king thought of Cassius as a trusted and dear confidant. "Cassius we are at war. " said William. "War? With whom my lord?" asked his friend. "Burgundia." stated the king. We must prepare for the council. Help me with my armor." "Of course my liege." said Cassius as he helped William to put on his mail shirt. "Why would the foul Burgundians do this?" said the troubled king. "Ask King Louis." was the last thing the king heard before a dagger was buried deep into his back. "I,m sure he could answer all your questions." said the assassin as he slipped out the door of the throne room.

So ends Pt.2 Coming up next " Victory and Realization"