At your own side rode Sir Etienne, the moustache'd and formal knight of Gascony. If he was not a man of ready jests he was still a good companion of the road. He had been helping you develop what little French you had begun to learn. On the other road your father's paramour and mother to your brother Hugo, Unna. She rode side saddle, and the tread of her horse sent a jostle through her body that was most distracting.

Still, you kept your eyes forward on home, and those that would be waiting for you. Your friends and family both. It was with a certain thrill that you saw the white tower rise. Once a mosque it was now your personal seat, won through cunning in the game of politics that consumed the reign of the king you deposed. It was a fine sight, an expert example of Saracen building. You felt the strong urge to gallop ahead of your party with a hearty cry, to announce yourself to those within with a mad race to the gates.

> resist the urge and maintain your lordly bearing
> race forward with a laugh

>>43436616
> resist the urge and maintain your lordly bearing

>>43436616
>resist the urge and maintain your lordly bearing

Do wave greetings to the smallfolk once we enter the town

>>43436616
> resist the urge and maintain your lordly bearing

>>43436616
>> resist the urge and maintain your lordly bearing

Ahhhhh it's good to be home!

Ramla lies between Bethany and Jerusalem. Maybe there is a chance Iovetta could try visit when they pass the town ?

Atleast when we enter let us give Chiri one hell of a kiss when we find out about the whole spy business.

Wonderful Chiri.

>>43436616

> resist the urge and maintain your lordly bearing

>>43436778
Reminder that Chiri will never love Wilhelm as much as she loves Mathilde.

>>43436616
>> resist the urge and maintain your lordly bearing
Fucking hype!

>>43436816
That's good. Wilhelm's an asshole.

>>43437041
>Wilhelm
>Asshole

da fuq?

>>43437082
I won't say asshole, but him beating her for expressing some of her true personality means while she's loyal and loves him, all he'll ever see is the mask she built.

you guy dun fugd up

You curtail your youthful impulse and keep a pace with the rest of your party, sitting high in your saddle with reins loosely held. A crowd had gathered to greet your return. You had not been gone so long that you were so sorely missed, but still they gave you small cheer as well as for your neighbour the Arch-Bishop of Trier, who waved with a jowly smile at the assembled commonfolk. He went so far as to take a babe offered from the arms of a desperate young woman and kiss the squealing dark babe on the brow before handing it back.

A small blessing from a foreign holy man.

Yourself, you wave to the crowd, and nod to faces familiar to you even if you had few names to match faces. It seemed to you that there was a lingering sourness to the crowd, though not for you in particular. A troubled air hanged over them even as they applauded you. Strained.

The gathered peasants dispersed to let you ride more smoothly up to the walled tower. There you noble companions waited to greet you.

Your mother was smiling nervously with your fidgeting sister in hand. Giselle resented having to stay still for long. Solomon and Tancred stood together with stern faces, dressed in civil finery, swords worn. With them was Sabeen, who had changed into silken Saracen robes with her own sword belted over the otherwise feminine finery, and Hermann who was barely a finger above slovenly in his garment and bearing.

Mathilde stood dressed finely in blue, with a golden necklace and silver brooch. She had a proud, womanly bearing, with it a smile. Elegant and self-possessed, a woman in manner if not fully in years. She stood with Chihirizahd and her handmaidens, who were only a little less finely dressed. A beautiful welcoming reception.

Of course Ibrahim and Mohmed were not present to receive a guest like Bishop Albero. Still, there were two notable figures missing from the assembly. Xenophanes and Rosalie.

You looked for them as you unhorsed, your squire Alexius taking the reins for you, but they made no sudden manifestation. It left you with a queer feeling down your neck.

Something had happened in your absence. Something concerning those two.

Mathilde stepped forward.

"Welcome home my lord," she said, giving you a dip of a curtsy. When Albero unlimbered himself from off his horse she did the same for him. "Welcome back to Ramla your holiness."

"Glad to be back," he said, rubbing the cloth upon his belly, "Though our stay is short. Jaffa beckons, and from there, home."

Your father went to see your mother, giving her the dutiful kiss upon her cheek while his mistress lingered in his shadow.

There was only one person missing whose presence you keenly missed. Your brother Hugo, absent in service with your retainer Orlando.

"Mathilde," you took your sister into your arms. She wiggled a little against your chest, giggling. "Tell me what has happened since I've been away." You release her to just one arm aroud her shoulder. The girl was growing tall. She brushed a strand of black hair back behind her ear.

"A great deal," she said.

And then, as you walked up to the tower, she explained as best she could just what exactly had transpired.

By the time you were in the hall you were staring dumb.

"But-" you said, trying to make sense of Xenophanes treachery. "You see-" you gulped. Hashashin and backstabbing and your sister hurt in swordplay. "This is-" you put forward your hand as if you could conjure up something to make this news more palatable.

"Shit," you resolved to say, "Shit, shit, shit." You kicked the nearest pillar with a snarl.

Mathilde looked up at you eyes wide and uncertain. Had your shock startled her?

You put a hand to her shoulder, squeezed it with a sigh. "No, thank you," you said, "You did well Matty. You did very well."

She smiled. Tipped up to her toes and kissed you on the cheek. "I'm glad you are home," she said, and scruffed the bit of beard upon your chin. Others in your party were filing into the hall, soldiers and servants unpacked fro the burdens of the road, now free to give relaxed sighs and grumbles, stretching out worn shoulders, backs, legs. It was no easy thing being a soldier on the march, or servant impressed to carry for them.

You sighed as you leaned against the wall. What should you do first? Rest and relax as your soldiery did, or execute your duty as quickly as possible?

> rest
> deal with Rosalie

>>43437275
> deal with Rosalie

>>43437275
> deal with Rosalie

>>43437275
>> deal with Rosalie

I leave to fuck a few princesses & see my waifu AND THIS HAPPENS!

Goddamit Hugo

>>43437275
> deal with Rosalie

Maybe bring Viyan with us since she spent a lot of time with Rosalie since christmas and knows her best.

Also do say a quick hello to mother and give her a kiss on the cheek.

>>43437275
>> deal with Rosali
God damnit woman!

>>43437304
I can get behind this
Promise to write to her mistress or something

>>43437297
>Goddamit Hugo

What did Hugo do?

Rosalie may use her connection to Princess Hod to buy her some time. I'd rather not kill her and risk pissing her off and get Raymond on our ass but we cant leave her unpunished.

>>43437356
If she could do that she would have done it by now and Hod isn't so tempremental

>>43437275
> deal with rosalie

>>43437355
He went full crazy and killed a peasant boy

>>43437356
What connection?

>>43437540
She is Princess Hod's lover. Originally were just spying on us for her like everyone else is. The Assassins must somehow gotten some dirt on her.

>>43437517
Dont think she has had the chance yet

>>43437570
Really? How the fuck did I miss that when rereading the threads.

>>43437570
>She is Princess Hod's lover.
Conjecture
>Originally were just spying on us for her like everyone else is.
Conjecture theoretical element of Truth

>The Assassins must somehow gotten some dirt on her.
only thing we can confirm as true

>>43437570
>Dont think she has had the chance yet
while that's probably true It's would have been likely one of the things she would have pulled the moment she was captured instead of being Imprisioned

You grit your teeth, rub at your face. You were certainly tired enough to sleep the remainder of the day, but you were lord of Ramla first, and this woman had dishonoured your house and betrayed your trust. Treason of this sort, so nakedly done, had only one punishment.

You take your seat on your lordly chair.

To your guards you say simply, 'bring me the traitor', and they left. Mathilde came to stand beside you, a hand upon your arm and an encouraging smile for you.

"I might have found you a husband," you told her as you waited. Her eyes narrowed. "A good lad, foster son to the Prince of Galilee by name of Elinard."

"Good of you to think of me while you were away," she said, giving you another kiss on the cheek.

You take it Mathilde was not entirely happy with this news, but she kept still her tongue. A more mature woman than she had been on your departure. "He'll stay with us a time so you can get to know him," you said, "Mathilde, its the kindest match I could make."

Mathilde only nodded, eyes upon the quickly assembling court. Your guests and your men filtered in. The bishop with your family, your knights and high placed servants. Solomon and Tancred both came to stand with you before them, both symbols of your martial power. The tall men made contrasting shadows, one pale and ginger, the other black cut stone. Few would dare your person with those two as a shield.

The guards came hauling a woman. Her arms were in stocks, her frame slack. She seemed a harrowed thing. They dump her before you with no respect or ceremony.

You peer down at her.

"Rosalie Drake," you said, "You stand accused of treason. Of helping my enemies, knowingly giving away my secrets and attempting to abduct my noble sister. You were caught in the act, your own words as heard by my sister damn you. Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

God wills it!

"Mercy, please," she bubbled the words, looked up at you with bruised, sunken eyes, "I was forced into this."

You heard your sister's angry little snort. She seemed possessed of a wrath for this woman. Mathilde had quite a temper, but you had never seen her so openly enraged. Few might have noticed it, her expression was cold and smooth. But it was the burning cold of frost, and the smoothness of thin ice ready to crack.

"Please my lord," she whimpered, "Let me write to my lady in Jerusalem. My friend, Princess Hodierna. She will petition for mercy also. Let me have an advocate. Please. It is..it is my right to have an advocate!"

Your sister lowered her lips to your ear. "She tried to take me off to be given as a gift to a Saracen lord," she said, voice soft, "Made into a Saracen's whore. She gave away all she knew to our enemy to protect herself. She tried to kill your sworn men. This creature deserves no mercy. She has broken every sacred vow she's made, to you and God. Don't reward that with mercy."

Rosalie looked up to you with the eyes of a woman growing mad in every lingered moment. Your sister kept that unsettling passive expression upon her.

> the punishment for treason is death
> grant her mercy

>>43437649
> the punishment for treason is death

>>43437649
I say. Let her write to Hod. And if it isnt good she will hang.

>>43437649
>> the punishment for treason is death
But why should I grant you any more mercy?

>>43437649
Write to Hod to confirm and get more details

>>43437649
> the punishment for treason is death

>>43437678
>>43437662
>>43437664
I am all for having her given to the men then hanged or having her head on a pike. But let us atleast hear from Hod

>>43437649
>> the punishment for treason is death

>>43437649
> the punishment for treason is death
Which should be carried out in a most brutal way.

Feeling like we might be a bit too hasty killing her off right away.

>>43437662
>>43437664
>>43437678
>>43437705
>>43437710
can we at least confirm shit before we create a possible political incident?

I mean we may be killing Hod's for realsies lover and thats something that will be simply let go of easily

>>43437649
>Let me have an advocate
Wait, how does this work?Is it Tiryon style, send for someone?

>>43437840
Just a representative to argue her case.

>>43437840
more or less

mind you if we allow we most certainly have to Inform Hod of the full weight of Rosalie's actions (Eg. Kidnapping Mathilde and selling secrets to Muslim lords)

>>43437649
CONFIRM WITH THE HOD

>>43437868
Yeah, but does she choose, ask someone else to arrange it, get granted whoever?

Because it could take a day or two weeks depending

"Treason has only one punishment," you said, "Execution by burning at the stake. You will be burned alive for your crimes. There shall be no mercy or petitions for mercy for someone caught so openly. You have been judged, Rosalie. I give you a day to consult with a priest. On the morrow you will be reduced to ash."

Cold, blunt words like the strike of an iron hammer.

Rosalie stared at you. And then she curled into a silent ball and lay there.

"Get this thing away from me," you said, dismissing the woman with a brush of your hand. The guards took her up and hauled her away. She made no sound, only gasped like a fish, her mouth moving but no sound emerging, eyes squeezed shut as if to will the world away.

Mathilde gave you a curling smile, brushing the back of your arm happily. You just felt tired. This was not the first person you had executed, but it was the first woman and the last had been a wounded prisoner killed at your own hand.

The crowd dispersed to gather again on the morrow, while Father Desmond retreated to tend to the consigned. You got out of your chair with your sister's help, but from there you staggered away on your own. Keen to find your private chambers and put this business of court behind you.

"Well done," the archbishop said as you passed him, clapping his hands together.

All seemed approving of your decision. Justices rendered swiftly.

Still your feet carried you on, up a case of stairs.

'I could sleep a year' you thought, as you pushed open your door.

Of course what you found waiting for you changed that estimation some what. A bath had been drawn for you, and in it the one who had done so was waiting. Chihirizahd nestled in the hot water, arms resting upon the rim, inviting you with a smile framed by her curling black hair.

> a bath would do you some good
> no, not now

>>43437929
We will put her in a cell intill then. We should also check up on Achilles since Xenophones spent a lot of time at his place. He may have tried to sabotage the warmarchines.

Also shouldnt we find out what exactly she has revealed to the enemy so we know what we are dealing with ?

>>43437816
>>43437873
I wouldn't stress about Hodierna. Yes, Rosalie was the Rose Hod was talking about, but Rosalie calling on her lover like that was massively out of line and Hodierna would be no more sympathetic to her lover betraying Jerusalem than any other noble.

>>43437953
>a bath would do you some good

We earned it, might also be good to hear what she has to say

>>43437953
>> a bath would do you some good

>>43437953
> a bath would do you some good

>>43437953
> no, not now

Fuck it Wil is tired

>>43437953
>> a bath would do you some good

>>43438019
That is kinda what the bath is for. Relaxing

>>43437963
>Also shouldnt we find out what exactly she has revealed to the enemy so we know what we are dealing with ?

FUCKFUCKFUCK we need to do this maybe offer her a reprieve of somekind? fuck

>>43437953
>> a bath would do you some good
Ask our brilliant little concubine what she has been up to in our absence. Perhaps we can pick up the scent of her contribution to our sister's achievement. Might be nice finding a good mentor for our sister.

>>43438056
the answer to this is the same is how she saved us in Jerusalem

she fucked the right people and used Pillow talk to find out the right things

>Chiri still has no babybumps

Damn you cruel fate for making her so infertile!

>>43438155
Truely Chiri is best girl

>>43438053
we could always have her tortured for informantion

>>43438186
Information gotten under torture is worthless. You catch more flies with honey

Reminder that Solomon is a spy

>>43438201
but the lies tell a pattern and grain of truth
that's all we need

>>43438248
Or she could lie out of spite. She would be a woman with nothing to lose

>>43438201
Perhaps offer her something quick instead, if she gives us some info on who Xenophanes was employed by and what was shared.

>>43438259
we could always stick and carrot her, if she tells us what we want to know she gets a painless death (don't think we can let her go) and if she doesn't we burn her at the stake like we planned.

You remove your surcoat, and then your doublet, stretching out your chest as you pulled it off. You saw Chihirizahd's eyes glitter over the ripple of your arms and chest muscles. You bend over and pull off your boots then hose, until you stand stark naked before the tub, rolling back your shoulders. You put a finger in the tub, and then your hand and arm, reaching down into the warm waters. It was enough to make you sigh.

Your hand was enough to do the same to Chihirizahd.

Then you climbed in, sank into the water across from your concubine. The dirt washed off you, the heat soaked into you. It was a blissful feeling that made your eyes flutter in contentment, sinking low until your beard grew wet as well.

"My lord has been busy," she said, her toes tracing up the inside of your leg, her knee raised just a peak above the water. You reached down to run your hand upon the calf of her leg. "Plucking royal peaches."

There was one thing on her mind as her toes drifted up to touch another thing, something that rose to receive her attention. You growled at yourself for being so easily distracted, remembering how your venal impulses had near ruined you in Jerusalem. Still she moved so expertly with just her foot that you did nothing to stop her.

"Fine peaches," you said, "But the finest are found in the gardens of Ramla." You massaged her calf muscles some more, working your way up, the smooth skin pliable under your sure grip.

Chihirizahd brought herself forward, pushed off the side of the bath to half float into your lap, legs either side of you.

"The peaches are ripe and waiting to be plucked," she said, running her hands upon your neck, fingers teasing out the tension there, "And the juice, I assure you, is sweet." Your hands trail her back, one reaches down to cup her fulsome backside, while you draw her chest up out of the water to meet your eager mouth. She hugged your head to her breasts, sighing against your touch until those sighs became soft moans, and her body shifted to a keener urgency, her hips urging you up, poised above your readiness eager and ready.

Water sloushed out of the tub and onto the stone as you pushed her back against the rim, half held out of the water, you upon your knees with her legs hugging your hips, pulling you deep. You mouth worked up her neck, pushed back her hair to fall upon her ear.

It did not take long for you to draw her to a climax, mouth upon her ear, holding her half out of the water, working her so thoroughly. Nor to a second, or a third, and past that you lost count until half the tub water was across your floor and the two of you found yourself wet upon the stone, the eager slap of wet flesh and a wetter woman until you finished above her, spilling deep into that warm pulsing chamber that housed you.

You rolled off her to slap your back upon the wet stone, panting, arm across your eyes.

"I needed that," you said, as her hand found your chest.

"M-me as well," Chihirizahd panted. She slid up on her hips to reach her mouth down, laying kisses upon your chest. "I missed the touch of you," she said. Her tongue darted along your nipples you thought it might rouse you again.

"How were things in my absence?" you asked, stroking her long mane of damp hair.

"Not so bad," she lay her head across your stomach, enjoying your attention, giving you smiling eyes as you brushed out her hair, "Aside from the treason." You chuckled at the dark levity. She brought her head up to your chest, her breasts sliding across your hard, flat belly. "You know it was Mathilde won the day for you," she said, "She is a fine girl. She will be an exceptional woman. Is an exceptional woman."

"Just Mathilde?" you asked, "Are you saying the clever little slave I'm holding had no say in it?" You cupped her face and grinned at her blush.

"Maybe a little," she said with false modesty. You kissed that blushing face, her lips fast meeting yours. It near roused you also.

You lay back, thoughts troubled. "What do you think of Rosalie's talk of Hodierna?" you said. The last thing you needed was more royal ill-will.

"I think," she said, kissing your neck, "You give me a few hours alone with the princess," she ran her hands along your side, "And she will quickly forget all about her." That was something you'd liketo see, and that thought -did- rouse you.

Chihirizahd giggled, and slid her body down to tend to that rousing, when a knock came upon your door.

You gave a heavy sigh of annoyance as Chihirizahd's warm mouth began to take you.

> answer the door
> they can wait!

>>43438658
> answer the door

>>43438658
>> answer the door
Hold off on that thought.

>>43438658
> answer the door

Ask who it is before opening though. And by got, make sure he's decent.

>>43438658
>answer the door

Will only take a moment.

>>43438658
Someone better be dying or dead!

>>43438658
> answer the door
Git dressed and the tub sorted

>>43438744
>Git dressed and the tub sorted

That would take a while. Just put a towel around us and poke a head through the door

File: 1426879889356.jpg (10 KB, 255x200)

10 KB JPG

>>43438718
That's the kinda shit that will guarantee an assassin at the door.

I am now wondering how the heck Chiri knows about our fruit collection in Jerusalem

It was with some considerable will power that you got off the ground, pulling away from Chihrizahd's working hands and eager mouth. She gave you a huffy look as you pulled on your hose. She got off the ground and wrapped a shawl about herself, crossing over to the far side of the room with long, indignant strides.

You had every intention of giving her a good punishment for such haughty behavior. One that she would well enjoy.

Another knock at the door. You looked to Chihirizahd who sat upon the bed, her back to you with chin raised.

"One moment!" you called as you pulled on a doublet. You didn't bother to lace it. "Who is it?" you called as you covered the tub.

> roll 1d100, best of three

Rolled 49 (1d100)

>>43438802
DEUS VULT!

Rolled 29 (1d100)

>>43438802

Rolled 1 (1d100)

>>43438802

Rolled 98 (1d100)

>>43438802

Rolled 36 (1d100)

>>43438802
Rollin

>>43438822
>>43438823
you dolt

>>43438823
I tried. I knew this roll would be good.

>>43438822
Sleepy you quick Bastard ruined everything

>>43438823
>>43438822
Fucking hell. So close.

B-b-but it's the same time!!!

File: 1366412991233.jpg (290 KB, 631x600)

290 KB JPG

>>43438823
>>43438822

>>43438822
RIP in peace Wilhelm

Goddamit what happened to us? do the dice gods hate Crusaders now?

>>43438884
The dice has always hated us. It will only ever roll good to tease us for a bit and let us get our hope up.

>>43438884
Are you fucking serious? There's only a handful of times where we've ever had stellar rolls.

You opened the door. A man-at-arms stood in your doorway. You thought he looked vaguely familiar. He had near half his face covered by a black flap of leather, and brown hair he wore close. Taller than some but no giant, he had a stocky frame and a natural swagger to his walk. When he opened his mouth to speak, he showed gaps in his teeth.

"M'lord," he had the rougher tone of peasant stock, "You don't know me, but I'm known by some of your friends. Your sister."

"How are you known to my sister?" you asked. Your sister had a fondness for masculine, soldierly types. He looked much the type she'd pick for her infatuation of the day. He blanched beneath your accusatory tone.

"This has naught to do with your sister," he said, stepping back, "It's to do with your mother."

"So now you know my mother?" this man was fast becoming irksome.

It was Chihirizahd that came between you. "Bayard," she said, "So good to see you on your feet." She elbowed you in the soft part of your belly. "This is Bayard, who was wounded in stopping the treasonous plot. A good friend."

You let your hackles settle.

"You speak on my mother," you said, "What about her?"

You offer him your doorway. The man comes in. Chihirizahd, still in a state of half-dress, flouts over to your table to pour wine. A cup she hands to Bayard, and then you. She sips a little from the bottle. Eyes for both the men in the room.

Bayard takes a chair uncomfortably. "I make no judgement," he started, "God in heaven knows my own sins. But someone should tell you about your mother and how she has been carrying on with the merchant."

Your blood ran cold. Was he suggesting your mother was having an affair?

"Go on," you said, "Speak freely."

He took a drink. "It wasn't like she's been doing it in public, but she makes late night visits to that man's lodgings. Just twice now, but enough I thought you should be told."

"Bayard is one of the men assigned to the gate," Chihirizahd said, crossing over her bare legs. Bayard was trying not to be obvious, but with only one eye you could see him admiring her legs. You did not blame him for being distracted. "He was valuable in uncovering Rosalie's treachery."

Bayard coughed into his cup. "I did my duty is all," he said.

"You did it well," you said. And gave the man a clap on the shoulder, "My house is indebted to you. And thank you for bringing this to me."

"He deserves a reward," Chirizahd said, brushing his shoulder with her own hand, "After what he's given up in your name, something should be given in return." Her fingers brushed his hair ever so slightly. Her naked flirtations were meant to nettle you, punishment for spurring her ministrations. You weren't blind to that.

> think of a reward for his service
> let Bayard name a reward
> thanks is reward enough

>>43439040
> think of a reward for his service

Some coin and a fancy sword of some kind.

Also talk to mother or send that merchant away before we cut his fucking head off.

>>43439040
>> let Bayard name a reward
Within reason man. But I do thank you sincerely for my sister.

>>43439040
> think of a reward for his service

A house!

do we want to quietly end this before pops finds out? but in all fairness he kinda deserves it.

>>43439065
This

>>43439040
> let Bayard name a reward

>>43439040
Does he own a horse?

>>43439079
Or we could make sure she's not gossiping too much

>>43439079
>do we want to quietly end this before pops finds out? but in all fairness he kinda deserves it.

Doesnt matter. She is our mother, our mother. Infact i am tempted to have him killed.

Discretly ofcourse.

>>43439040
> let Bayard name a reward
He seems like a good sort.

>>43439040
> let Bayard name a reward

We owe the guy

>>43439040
> think of a reward for his service

>>43439040
>> think of a reward for his service
If he hasn't a horse, grant him one. Otherwise, perhaps a place among the retinue of one of our inner circle. He has show some faith, so, repaying some in kind might give him the opportunity to earn some glory for himself.

"What do you think is fair compensation?" you asked.

He brought his gaze back from the bare calf of Chihirizahd up to you. Scratched his neck as he pondered your offer.

"I've a woman coming from Jaffa. A wife to be. Gwen's her name, and I'd like to set her up right. I thought a home in the village perhaps, or quarters we can share in the keep. A married man shouldn't be staying in the barracks."

You nodded. That was a fair and understandable request. "Quarters for the pair of you in the keep. You deserve a place of honour in my hall."

He grinned. "Thank you my lord," he said.

"On the matter of my mother," you said, "Tell no one."

He ducked his head. "Yes m'lord."

You drew him to his feet. "My sincerest thanks for protecting Mathilde," and you hugged him.

When you saw him off he seemed to be dancing on the wind, a very happy man. The world could use more simple, happy men. You closed the door on his back and turned to face Chihirizahd.

"My mother," you said, fists clenching.

"The merchant is a Venetian," she said, "Well traveled and well liked. Don't jump to castrate him just yet."

If your father found out before they left, who knew what could happen?

"I should see her," you said, "End this foolishness before it becomes the gossip of the town."

Chihirizahd came before you, took your arms in your hands. "You've other tasks to tend to first," she said, "appointing a new reeve and seneschal, and dealing with Xenophanes' family."

"What about his family?" you asked.

Chihirizahd sighed. "The townsfolk want them driven out. They hold them as guilty as Xenophanes. In truth some wish to see them executed in his place. The sins of the father carrying on to the third generation, or some such rot."

Tell Bayard to infrom the merchant that he will have to stay in the town or outisde of the town from now on. He is not welcome in the keep or have Tancred do it. We need to nip this in teh bud

That troubled you. Alexius, your squire, was Xenophanes' son. Truth was the boy had a brain like dishwater, but he had been loyal and diligent. Nothing suggested they had been involved in Xenophanes plot, that is Nabil's plot, with the Assassins.

But after already angering the townsfolk by admitting dispossessed Jews into their community, could you anger them further by sheltering a traitor's family? It would certainly make the town less stable.

> see your mother and the merchant first
> appoint a new seneschal and reeve
> see to Xenophanes' family

>>43439363
>> appoint a new seneschal and reeve
Time for Lording. Just hope it doesn't bite me in the ass.

>>43439363
> see to Xenophanes' family

Have them exiled. Have Chiri stay with our mother intill we have settled business with the family and appointed new people to make sure she isnt getting into trouble.

>>43439363
> appoint a new seneschal and reeve

Sup Chiri you are now Seneschal

as for the reeve someone we can trust this time for gods sake

>>43439363
>> see to Xenophanes' family
Keep Alexius, as some sort of political hostage deal

>>43439402
pls no, Chiri will be the caretaker for the babies

>>43439363
>> see to Xenophanes' family
Would there be precedence for an annulment of their marriage given the spousal abandonment? Could we perhaps see to a reasonable and discrete remarriage of the wife, and the adoption of the son by someone trusted?

>>43439402
>Sup Chiri you are now Seneschal

Nah. That would mean she has no time to be Spy Mistress and misc.

Are we telling our dad about this? Seems like a dick move not to

>>43439363
> see to Xenophanes' family
> see your mother and the merchant
> appoint a new seneschal and reeve

In this order.

>>43439577
No. That would be a good way to have things escalate out of control and cause a scandal.

>>43439609
So you wouldn't tell your dad that your mom is fucking someone else, pretty shitty son desu

>>43439623
We have an obligation to our princess, and if that requires withholding of truth then it's no question what we'll do.

>>43439623
I'd not want to cause a damn scandal with all the shit that is currently happening. We throw the merchant out of the keep, he can stay in the town.

We have someone to watch mother.

"Xenophanes," you said after a searching minute, "I'll deal with that problem first."

"But on the morrow," Chihirizahd said, opening your doublet to touch your stomach, "For now we've another task to complete." She slid down to her knees, shawl slipping away as she did so...

The next day had you down in the village. Etienne rode with you, as well as some men-at-arms. A gang of children threw stones at the house that had once belonged to their reeve. The knight drove the children off with a stern, sharp bark of annoyance and a raising of his wrist. You climbed down, and went to knock up on the door.

It opened for you, the tired eyes of your squire looking out from the dark interior.

The wife of the traitor lay upon her bed. She was an older woman, unlovely to look at. She had three daughters and a small boy around her.

"Alexius," you said, clapping the boy on the shoulder.

"My lord," he said, stepping back to let you in. You walked into the plain peasant dwelling. The girls, young from thirteen down to seven, rushed to attend you. A seat was drawn up. The mature woman raised her dishevelled, uncovered head, saw you and sat up fully.

"My lord," she said.

You looked around at the miserable dwelling. "There's talk of your family being driven from here," you said, "It concerns me. You had no part in your husband's betrayal."

"No my lord, we did not," she said.

The girl of thirteen, lovely in all the ways her mother was not, brought you a cup of water with a bright smile that failed to hide troubled eyes. When her fingers brushed yours she shivered. You drank some of the water.

"Still though, the other townsfolk do not care," you continued, "They want you gone and are willing to make trouble over it."

"If you think it best we will leave," she said, "I've a sister south of here. We will live with her family. But please, keep my boy on." She gripped Alexius' arm. "He's a good lad. He serves you well."

"You can be my father!" the idiot blurted. You and Etienne exchanged a smug look. The day you adopted a peasant would be a very long time from now, if ever. "I don't need the other. He was a rotten man. Not good and kind like you."

The sisters of Alexius stood around their brother, each with large imploring eyes, quivering lips. The growing sprout of the eldest girl, the chubby one of around ten, and the youngest with snot dripping from her nose. The babe of the lot was picked up by the eldest girl, clutched to her chest.

"Please," they said, "Please don't turn away out brother."

It was an effective performance. The haggard face of the uncomely mother looked close to sobbing.

The townsfolk wouldn't like it if you allowed them all to stay, they might make an exception for one.

> send them all away
> allow Alexius to remain
> let them all stay, damn the townsfolk

>>43439635
>>43439643
Yeah just let our mom kek our dad and let him figure out some other time desu senpai ngl new admins filters are gay as shit

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>>43439623
We don't know she is keking him. Emotional cheating is not as a severe a crime as adultery. We confront her and ask, then decide what to do. At the very least this should be handled back home, not in our backyard, since in the end this is between our mother and father and as such should stay out of sight. We have enough shit to deal with in Ramala with out a scandal.

>>43439667
>> allow Alexius to remain
See if we can turn them to the service of a friend. It's the Christian thing to do.

>>43439667
> allow Alexius to remain

>>43439675
>someone saved that picture
Fucking hell. The day Nivah dies is the day Wilhelm will conquer Jerusalem!

>>43439667
>> allow Alexius to remain

We could also have the oldest girl serve as our sisters handmaiden

>>43439669
No we are putting a stop to it without making a fuss about it.

>>43439667
>> allow Alexius to remain

>>43439675
But our father doesnt even know about it so how can they deal with it or should we send him a letter oh btw mom is a hoe when they get back

>>43439667
> allow Alexius to remain

>>43439675
>pound dates
That's a pretty big date

>>43439675
I miss Fuck Quest.

>>43439727
It was pure shit m8

>>43439744
It was, but the first few threads were fun as hell.

>>43439688
It is an amusing one, in light of the filters.

> allow Alexius to remain
> allow the eldest daughter to work as a servant in our house. Provide food, lodging and training, while sending her wages to her mother to help her. When the others come of age, allow them to serve as well, should they choose. This way they can hope to remove the stain their father left on their name while gaining skills that won't see them turned to beggars or whores in his absence.

>>43439791
Forgot to link. I should stop drinking:
>>43439791
>>43439667

>>43439667
I'd say Alexius and the oldest daughter

>>43439667
> allow Alexius to remain

I don't trust him but dammit the idiots looks to be everything his father wasn't, maybe we should turn him into a paladin?

>>43439690
>>43439791
>>43439823
Mathilde already has her jews and potato

>>43439882
one more wouldnt hurt. She would enjoy having another minion to order around

You cannot say 'no' to those imploring faces.

"Alexius can remain in my service," you said at last.

"Oh thank you!" the eldest girl all but burst into tears, "Thank you my lord." She hugged her brother close and kissed his hair. He blushed deep, grinning wide and tearing up himself.

You put forth your hands.

"But the rest of you must leave," you said, "Before the week is out. Alexius, I suggest you spend what time you can with your family."

You set aside the cup of water and gave them a friendly nod. "May Christ shelter you," you said before departing.

The men-at-arms outside mounted once you and Etienne returned. You followed suite, and with the knight rode back to the keep. On the way you paused by the town square. A stake was raised, with a pyre around it. You stopped to consider the looming execution. The damned woman was held in stocks nearby, forced to watch her death assembled before her. Desmond stood with the prisoner, waiting out her last moments with her.

If they had talked, they talked no more. Desmond gave you a considered nod as you trotted up.

> stay and watch the execution
> continue on

>>43439898
>> stay and watch the execution

>>43439898
> stay and watch the execution

>>43439898
>> stay and watch the execution

>>43439898
>> stay and watch the execution

>>43439898
> stay and watch the execution


Could we put having the elder girl remain as a servant to a vote? At least a few of us were interested in it. Life is pretty cruel to pretty young women in the holy land with nothing to their names.

>>43440100
I would see to the spoiler as well. We know from what Chiri has said that this is true.

>>43440100
>>43440151
goddamit we are not taking anymore strays

>>43440186
Not for us. Well i guess we could use her to warm our bed when Chiri isnt around, but really it is for our sister. Another minion for her to order around. Half her current handmaidens are jews, another christian would be good.

You stand your horse and dismount. You had passed sentence on the woman, you should watch her burn.

A crowd was gathering as the last of the preparation was made. Most of the townspeople, and others. Master Achilles and his gang of working boys took the time to gather to watch, along with Franz and his semi-adopted brood. People down from the keep. The town center was packed with onlookers.

Space was made for noble visitors. Mathilde had come with Maggie and the jewess handmaids. They came to stand with you and Sir Etienne.

You looked to your sister but she only watched the platform. Head high, blue eyes cold.

Rosalie was taken from the stocks, dressed in a long, filthy white shift and soft white cloth shoes stained by her treatment. Desmond walked with her.

When the executioner tied her to the stake her body was limp, but her eyes open.

A cry from the crowd, one of anger and outrage. A piece of fruit thrown. It struck Rosalie on the breast and burst, splattering pulp on Father Desmond. A rock was thrown next, and it opened Rosalie's cheek, drawing from her a pained cry. The men-at-arms went to restore order at that, the crowd resolved to simple taunting chants and boos.

"Whore!" a woman screamed, shaking her fist, "Saracen whore!"

"You'll suck the devil's cock!" a boy no more than twelve bleated, "Suck the devil's cock!"

It was an ugly sight. You kept your eyes on the woman.

A brand was lit and Rosalie's focus came sharp to the present. She watched the flickering, smoking torch, kicking her legs as if she could escape the flame by climbing the pole, but it was for nothing.

Desmond gave her a last touch to the shoulder before departing her side.

>>43440100
>>43440151
If you take her away she can't marry to help her mother. There's no wire transfer in the 12th century.

The brand was set to the kindling, and the loud crackle of burning wood grew. The wood they had used was young, and it did not smoke much. The fires licked along the twined branches, like thatching of a roof beneath her, piled up most thickly around her feet. She struggled against her bonds, 'no no no no' she moaned as she kicked out her feet, eyes wide and rolling.

It was cruel that there was not enough smoke to suffocate her.

She jerked and pulled against her bonds with every effort.

"NO! PLEASE!" she screamed, "PLEASE! MERCY! MERCY! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY!"

Tears streamed down her face, snot bubbled from her eyes. From grief and stinging smoke, she made such awful gasping cries.

"God!" she moaned.

When flames took the hem of her shift and soft cloth shoes the gasping cries changed to shrieking like you'd never heard, her tongue stuck out, her eyes scrunched shut she seemed blind as a mole. She thrashed against the flames as they burned up her shift, burned her naked, burned through her bright ginger hair, her skin reddening, blistering, baking before your eyes. For a second she seemed like a squalling naked babe bloody from the womb. But that was a brief moment ended when her skin began to pour like candle wax from her figure, revealing cooked meat beneath.

The flames took her tongue. The crowd cheered.

You felt a little ill.

You looked to Mathilde. Her eyes were red only from the smoke, her gaze did not shift or flinch from the spectacle in front of her, even as her companions turned away or wept softly in horror. The soft glow of the fire lit her clear white skin almost gold. A terrible beauty.

Soon enough what black remains of Rosalie were left crumbled into the grey ash of the burned wood. Desmond stayed to sweep up the remains, the priest a face filled with mourning. You however, had court matters to attend.

> see to your mother and the merchant
> appoint new officials

Alright, voting off this post.

> have Alexius' sister join your household
> send her off with her mother

>>43440225
> see to your mother and the merchant

>>43440242
> send her off with her mother

>>43440225
> see to your mother and the merchant
At least until thy GTFO to Jaffa

>>43440242
>> send her off with her mother

>>43440225
> see to your mother and the merchant
>>43440242
> have Alexius' sister join your household

>>43440225
> see to your mother and the merchant

>>43440242
> have Alexius' sister join your household

>>43440242
>> have Alexius' sister join your household

>>43440225
> see to your mother and the merchant

>>43440242
> see to your mother and the merchant
>> send her off with her mother

>>43440225
> see to your mother and the merchant
God can we not do a pyre next time?

>>43440242
>> send her off with her mother

I don't fucking trust their family, maybe Alexius but that's a big maybe

Rolled 1 (1d2)

Rolling 1d2

1 she joins the household
2 she leaves

>>43440319
Ah, didn't see this vote.

>>43440333
just in time I hope?

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>43440348
Rolling 1d2

1 is just in time
2 is too late

>>43440361
>>43440320
Dice god has spoken. That got to be a sign

>>43440242
> have Alexius' sister join your household

>>43440367
It says we're getting fucked again by "just in time" situations

Lucia joins your household as a servant.

>>43440361
oh come fucking on

the families playing possum aren't they?

Quick break. Back soon.

>>43440225
Well Mathilde is freaking me out a bit

>>43440432
Rosalie fugged her waifu and she went full anon

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>>43440424
Well at least two of the kids aren't going to live and die in the gutter I suppose.

>>43440432
Matty a best.

>>43440456
>>43440445
She got a taste of real power and now she craving for more.

>>43440432
Mathilde is an Ice cold bitch sometimes specifically when she's been wronged or upstaged or at least that's how she is in my head

>>43440528
She needs a man. All that pent up anger/fustration is not healthy.

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>>43440432
This is the future we choose anon, we wanted Ice cold Matty we got Ice cold Matty.

oh god her & Iovetta are going to be like the sun & the moon aren't they?

>>43440548
Oh, I think she will enjoy the pliable little boy we are going to feed to her.

>>43440560
I want them to meet so badly. Hope Iovetta can somehow come on a visit on the road back to Jerusalem

>>43440573
oh god she's gonna to straight up kill his soul isn't she?

>>43440580
>implying they won't meet in Jerusalem
we should just send Matty & her entourage to Jerusalem in case things go south big time and she's endangered because of shits wanting our land who might try a shotgun wedding or if things go REALLY REALLY bad and the Saracens smash everything to pieces

>>43440629
She will probably take full control of his land, put him under her heel and possibly kekold him

>>43440643
but he doesn't have land unless Gailee kicks the Bucket

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What does Iovetta look like?

>>43440681
She looks like a whore. Just like her sisters

Speaking of which. Should we inform Hod of Rose's death ?

>>43440681
Gisele makes my heart ache with longing. Never understood fags talking about how much cuteness hurts until I read that manga.

With that unpleasantness dealt with, you return to the keep to deal with something else unpleasant. You dismiss your men, including Etienne, and proceed alone to meet your mother.

Your mother was keeping separate quarters from your father, by his demand. His own quarters he openly shared with Hugo's mother, Unna. It was a blatant act of disrespect to your mother, but as Unna was only your father's 'servant' it was allowed to continue. Certainly everyone knew what was happening in there most nights, it was a secret well known and oft spoken. It did not trouble your father that the world knew.

Knockng on your mother's door it was opened by Giselle, for a change in clean garments with her hair carefully plaited. She looked like a charming girl instead of the animal you knew. "Brother," she hugged you around the trunk. You pushed her off with a pat of the head.

"I need to speak with mother alone," you said, "Would you go find Mathide and have her watch you?" Giselle's eyes went sly and her grin went wide. She nodded eagerly and raced out the door.

You took a breath and straightened your collar. Confronting your mother, the woman that had birthed you, on matters of an affair was no easy thing. But you were lord of this household, and this must be dealt with by you and not your father, least your mother be shamed and this merchant made a gelding.

You found your mother at a chair with good string sunlight coming through, stitching up a shirt. She was smiling, her tense, thin face that had always seemed some what brittle now relaxed and warm. Her brown hair was undone around her shoulders, forming crown and cape of twirling locks. Her wrinkles seemed more the lines of laughter than of a nervous edge that none could ever relieve.

She looked up at you, eyes widened in delight.

"Wil, so good of you to visit me," she set aside the shirt and drew you into a warm, lingering hug. Your hands came by instinct around her shoulders, running through the down soft hair that hung about her narrow frame.

"I've missed you my black lad," she said, ruffling your dark hair, "What's this dirt on your face?" She brushed at your beard. "You should shave it off, let the world know the handsome man it's hiding."

"My betrothed finds it fetching," you said.

"Betrothed?" she piloted you to a chair, "You tell me so little, tell me about this betrothed of yours." She took a seat and patted your knee, face gleaming.

> tell her about Ioveta
> focus on her affair

>>43440760
> tell her about Ioveta

Let start out easy, but let us not mention her name or rank. Just her person and character.

>>43440760
> tell her about Ioveta

oh god we can't shut up when she's mentioned or Involved

>>43440760
>> focus on her affair
We'll talk about happier things in a moment mother.

>>43440760
> tell her about Ioveta

>>43440785
shut up our Waifus involved!

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>>43440760
> tell her about Ioveta

Time to talk about OLEV

>>43440767
This. Make it clear that it must be kept quiet due to our activities.

>>43440760
>> focus on her affair
nope nope no merchant clues

>>43440760
thirding this anon: >>43440767

>>43440767
Agreed.

Ioveta. You did not need much of an excuse to talk about her. Just thinking about her brought a smile to your face. Her hair, like honey gold filtered through sunlight. Her eyes, dark and smokey. Skin, pure and clean and so impossibly smooth to the touch. The smile she had that made her whole body seem to lift up, with flashing dimples that set your heart a pace. And her gentle manner, the kindness that she gave so freely to everyone around her.

You knew no woman who carried herself with such natural, innocent grace as her.

"Oh but my boy is in love," she said before you said a word, taking your hand in both of hers, "She must be something special."

"She is," you said, "You will meet her one day and see it for yourself."

"What is she like?" she asked, "What's her name?"

"Judith," the name popped out of you, "She is...an amazingly kind girl. Intelligent. Beautiful. Brave as well. Last I saw her she had arranged a breadline to feed the poor and hungry of Jerusalem. She manned it herself, outlasting all others in serving the common folk."

"Where did you meet?" your mother asked.

You grinned. "On the road from Sidon, heading south. We rescued her and some others from a band of raiders." You recalled that fight well. It had been a close thing.

"Oh!" your mother put up her hands, eyes glistening, "Oh how romantic!"

"We traveled together for a time after that," you said, "With more battles, and much time spent in company. I think I became smitten with her from the very start. She kept me strong, even when I was in the king's dungeon. She brought me food and drink in secret, spoke with me when I felt most abandoned. She has strength enough to share."

"Where is she now?" mother asked. It was a hard question to answer.

"With family in Bethany," you said, "She is a ward of her sister, and they've land in that region."

"Oh but I long to meet her, she sounds a most charming girl," your mother said.

"Soon," you promised.

Your mother beamed as she took up the shirt she was working on. She seemed so uncharacteristically happy. She hummed a tune. You had inherited much of your musical gifts from her, the soft um of hers putting a pleasant prickly up your back, reminding you of gentle childhood days, a summer in her lap with the sun on your face. You found yourself whistling it back softly, which made your mother's smile grow.

She loved music more than anything else.

> talk to her about the merchant
> leave it, let her be happy

>>43440999

Sometimes we have to be hard, confront her, but be gentle.

>>43440999
>> talk to her about the merchant

>>43440999
>> talk to her about the merchant

>>43440999
>talk to her about the merchant

We have to do it. It has to end. But lets try to be gentle. We will ofcourse remove the merchant from the keep into the town so she will not get tempted.

>>43441007
>Sometimes we have to be hard
>but be gentle.
anon pls

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So. How do you people think Mathilde is going to end up becoming?

>>43441090
I'd be fine if she became an Olga; bitch was hardcore and I loved it.

>>43441090
a woman comparable to Eleanor of Aquitaine in beauty & marriage and St. Olga of Kiev with ruthless cunning that's scarcely belivable

"I didn't come here just on a social call," you said.

Your mother lowered her work. "Oh?" she asked, that nervousness returning to her eyes.

You put a hand to her forearm. "A man-at-arms came to me. He said you have been visiting a merchant late at night. The Italian."

Your mother took a deep, shuddering breath. eyes closed.

She opened them. "Yes, I've been visiting Vincent," she said, "And these visits have not been chaste. Tell me, what has my husband been up to these last fifteen years?"

You drew back your hand. "This isn't about him," you said.

"Have you been faithful to the betrothed that you love?" she asked.

"It's not about her either," you said, hand closing tight in your lap.

"Then what is it about?" she asked, "I'll have no more children, and your father does not care about my affection. What does it matter if I meet a man in the dead of night?" She leaned forward, a strange gleam in her eye. "Tell me Wilhelm, do you really think this one is the first?"

You drew back from her, and that little mean smile she wore.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to shock you," she said, picking up her shirt, "It is not that I'm so casual about such things." She return to working on it. "But if I didn't do you think I could stay sane? Your father has scarce touched me after Giselle was born. Eight years Wil, that's a long time, and I'm a woman with needs."

You stared at your mother dumb founded.

She turns a smile up to you. "Vincent satisfies them very well."

"Mother, please," you said.

She carried on as if not hearing you, "but if it is for the sake of your honour, it will end. Let a woman always place her own life aside for the cold honour of a man."

You grit your teeth at her castigation. How dare she try and turn her dalliance around on you? It was behaviour unbecoming of a noblewoman. But she was your mother, you bit back on the anger in your throat.

"Good," you said, and rose to leave.

A last time your mother set aside her work. "I am happy you came to see me," she said, voice so lonely. You nodded and walked away.

As you left you saw your father. He stood with Unna, his face a mask of anger.

"You'll return with me," he said, arm clasped in his grip. It seemed to pain Unna, tears stood in her eyes.

"I want to see my son," she said, "I will return to you after I've seen him, I swear."

"No!"

Your father saw you watching, and his face went pale. Unna pulled herself from his grasp and staggered over to you.

"Lord," she knelt, "Please let me remain as your guest until my son returns. I've missed him so much. I-I weep for leaving without seeing him."

"You stay out of this boy," your father said.

> stay out of it
> let her stay

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>>43441166
> let her stay

ahhahahhahhahaha

you reap what you sow father

>>43441166
> let her stay

You know what. Fuck you father, this is all your fault. He may actually pay attention to his wife aswell

>>43441166
> stay out of it

Guys remember the queen will cut our dick off if she hears of anything.

>>43441166
> let her stay

>>43441166
I don't what decision to make. Is there any reason why Wilhelm's father is such a dick, HF?

>>43441195
I just want to fix mum's marriage

>>43441201
because he's a selfish womanizer that openly kekolds his wife nigga has this coming a long time

>>43441201
He grew tired of our mother as she got older

>>43441201
When he was younger a lot of his friends died in a battle and his dad was a right prick when he got home.

Also fuck what to pick. HF is good at this.

>>43441222
i say let her stay. He will be forced to actually pay attention to his wife.

>>43441166
>> let her stay
"Father, see to your husbandly duties, and I will see she returns to you upon meeting with Hugo, personally if necessary."

>>43441201
A mix of insecurity and feelings of resentment about his station in life along with other factors. Like Franz said, in different circumstances he could have been stupidly successful, but he was born and raised in a non-meritocratic society.

He wasn't always a douchebag. Okay, that's not entirely true. He was a bit of an asshole, but that got worse with time.

>>43441241
He was pretty much just like Wilhelm is right now when he was that old, wasnt he ?

>>43441249
Not exactly, he was a bit more of a prick and a lot more cynical.

Let's save this convo for post game chat.

>>43441241
Does he hold any love for his children and wife/mistress? I can't recall him being even minutely affectionate or proud of anything either Wilhelm or Hugo had done, and they're both wildly successful.

>>43441265
My bad about >>43441268

"You are always welcome in my hall, Unna," you say, putting yourself between the woman and your father. He rolled his jaw at you in frustration, but glared past you at the woman you sheltered.

He raised a finger. "I took you from the gutter," he said, "I put you up. Dressed you. Fed you. Sponsored your brother's studies. This is how you repay me?"

"He's our son," Unna replied, "And I'm not your slave. Please Wil, don't be like this."

His nostrils flared. He choked back his anger. His fist found the wall and you wonder if anything broke.

"Fine," he said, "Fine! Stay here, stay here as long as you like." And he strode away proudly, face still red, teeth still clenched.

Once he was gone Unna sighed, leaned on your back. "Thank you Wilhelm," she said, "He can have the most awful temper, but I'm sure he'll come back to himself in time. He'll wait for me."

"And you will go back to him?" you asked, looking around at the women. Her eyes were closed, her expression soft. She nodded. "Well, until you do, consider this your home."

She gripped the fabric of your surcoat and smiled.
-
Affairs were to be arranged in the hall. You had a new Reeve to appoint and a new seneschal as well. The Reeve would be first nominated by the villagers, and you would pick which of the candidates you liked the most. The seneschal on the other had...

> appoint from your retinue
> hire from abroad

>>43441334
> hire from abroad

I dont think we got anyone from the staff that can fit the job.

>>43441334
Who would be a good choice from the retinue? Wil would know this from interacting with them right?

>>43441359
Etienne and Orlando would both be good at the job.

>>43441334
> appoint from your retinue

>>43441368
Actually, that is not a bad idea.
>>43441358
>>43441334
Changing to Orlando. It is the one thing he is good at.

>>43441368
Yeah I kinda thought those two would do it. Orlando would be the better choice for now could we possibly give him a month to act as senechal and if he's good enough he keeps if not we get the hiree? It gives him an important place, keeps him from fighting usually and keeps Ettiene out fighting.

>>43441334
> appoint from your retinue

considering that 2/3 of the staff we hired from abroad have fucked us over I say we keep this to those we trust, with that said I'll nominate Orlando until we find someone better suited (i.e not someone of knightly standing)

>>43441334
> hire from abroad

Sorry I got distracted.

You appoint Orlando as seneschal. One sec, writing up.

>>43441472
You also lost your name and trip

> Lost my trip

You decide Orlando would make a suitable seneschal. The man was not the boldest knight on the field, but he understood court protocol and was no slouch for finances. Currently he was away arrange trade deals with your neighbours and some further afield. You think by now he might have reached Tripoli.

The business of the town reeve was something you could more immediately care for.

A number of men were sent for your approval.

> Aram, the blacksmith. A middle aged man and widower with two sons and a daughter. Well liked by the town, with a fondness for drinking games.
> Skander, a farmer. His daughter was taken by a leopard. He gives sound judgement but is not well known in town.
> Schlmo, a converted Jew now Christian that was fast becoming popular. His daughter is your sister's handmaiden

>>43441511
>> Skander, a farmer. His daughter was taken by a leopard. He gives sound judgement but is not well known in town
Being sound in advice is better than being wellknown. Besides once he becomes Reeve he will become known.

>>43441511
>> Skander, a farmer. His daughter was taken by a leopard. He gives sound judgement but is not well known in town.

>>43441511
> Skander, a farmer. His daughter was taken by a leopard. He gives sound judgement but is not well known in town.

>>43441527
You're pretty much the only namefag I like, Sleepy.

>>43441511
Is this a ruse to write "it is Aram"?

>>43441511
>> Skander, a farmer. His daughter was taken by a leopard. He gives sound judgement but is not well known in town.

Can we have Etienne fill in for Orlando intill he returns ?

Skander seems a more prudent choice. You remember him vaguely from when he first came to Ramla. His daughter had been a victim of the stray leopard that had crossed into your territory. The man seemed aged by the experience, his eyebrows gone pure white, but his back was still straight and his muscles firm. He wore a broad brimmed straw hat to keep the sun from his back working in the field, but in your hall he'd be seeing little of that sort of work.

His farmland he left under the supervision of his adult son, and he set up in a small hut on the outskirts of Ramla with his similarly mature wife.

He wasn't one for wasted words, but when he spoke the words were always well put.

With that done you took a moment for yourself. Enjoyed the company of your friends. Soon enough your family would be leaving for Germany again, returned to the bosom of the Empire. You did not know if you were happy to see the back of them or longing for them to stay.

You thought also on your brother in the north, travelling with Sir Orlando and Sir Hector. You feared for his safety, and hoped that he was safe...
-
end thread
QnA time

>>43441561
Yes, that's fine.

Archived.

Sorry for the short thread. I'm a bit tired tonight.

>>43441649
Next thread when?

When Elirand and Mathilde thing happens could we do it from her PoV ?

Anyway we screwed up or missed out on ? I mentioned we should check up on achilles since Xenophone spent some time there. Wanted to see if he may have sabotaged or do anything about the warmachines.

I assume we did a through search of his house aswell for any notes ?

How on earth did Chiri find out about the royal sisters thing in Jerusalem `?

Also pastbins needs updating.

>>43441649

>>43441268

>>43441683
>When Elirand and Mathilde thing happens could we do it from her PoV ?
Possible.

> Anyway we screwed up or missed out on ?

Not particularly. Achilles would have noticed sabotage, Nabil was just figuring out what Achilles was building. Information gathering.

> How on earth did Chiri find out about the royal sisters thing in Jerusalem `?
She knows Wilhelm pretty well.

How has peoples view of Wilhelm changed from this. Both his personal and the town ?

Can you tell us what Hod's reaction is from all of this ?

Also thank you for running again

>>43441697
Thanks for running as always HF
>next thread when?
>Since Rosalie is kill how could we possibly learn of what was leaked?
>Dad is royally pissed right?
>we might be fixing his marriage right?

>>43441268
>Does he hold any love for his children and wife/mistress?
Yes, but its a strangled, possessive love. He's very jealous of Wilhelm's achievements, and is cold toward both Wilhelm and Hugo for leaving on an adventure rather than remaining in Trier and entering the bishop's service like he did.

The man just isn't very good at expressing himself to his family, but he does love them in his way and is worried about them staying in the Holy Land - which was notoriously violent even for the period.

>>43441726
What was the possible encounters from opening the door during the bath scene?

>>43441700
>How has peoples view of Wilhelm changed from this. Both his personal and the town ?
People respect Wilhelm more as a lord not to be fucked with. Showing mercy to Rosalie would have lowered his standing in the realm. People would have seen him as overly sentimental towards women and weak.

Some of his friends expected Wil to spare Rosalie, but are glad he did the hard thing even if it made them uncomfortable. The only person in your household particularly upset about it is Etain.
>Can you tell us what Hod's reaction is from all of this ?
She'll be upset and in mourning for a while, but would recognise that Wil made the right call.

It's nothing personal, it's politics.

>>43441760
How much does the Arch Bishop like Wilhelm right now?

While we didnt get to spend much time with mother due to being mostly busy. What are her thoughts about Wilhelm confronting her about the affair ?

Also what is her thoughts about "Judith" She seemed quite thrilled.

I take it we will play as Hugo next thread. Atleast at the start

>>43441753
Vincent introducing himself.

Your mother to complain about something.

Sabeen dropping by for a chat.

Mathilde come to say hi.

The Archbishop and his retain, Sir Paulus Heinrici

If you hadn't opened the door it would have been lowest of three and they'd have walked in on you getting a blowjob.

>>43441811
If you hadn't opened the door it would have been lowest of three and they'd have walked in on you getting a blowjob.

Fucking hell. I almost wish we had done that.

>>43441790
He likes Wilhelm a lot. He's been a good host and shown him around Jerusalem, kept a lively hall. Albero is a bit of a jolly German in this quest, he likes to enjoy himself without being a lecher.

Well i am off. Wish you a good night HF and looking forward to the next thread.

>>43441802
>While we didnt get to spend much time with mother due to being mostly busy. What are her thoughts about Wilhelm confronting her about the affair ?
She thought Wil was being a gross hypocrite. She understood why, but she resented it. Still loves her boy though.

> Also what is her thoughts about "Judith" She seemed quite thrilled.
She likes what she heard, and she'd have almost passed out for joy if she discovered her identity.

> I take it we will play as Hugo next thread. Atleast at the start
That's the plan.

>>43441760
>People would have seen him as overly sentimental towards women

ahhh no I think thats just how Wil is

>The only person in your household particularly upset about it is Etain.
aww dang

>>43441725
>next thread when?
Maybe Friday, most likely next tuesday.

>Since Rosalie is kill how could we possibly learn of what was leaked?
To a degree you can't. You know what Rosalie leaked already, she made a full confession, but that's it. The rest is guess work.

>Dad is royally pissed right?
He's in a mood.

>we might be fixing his marriage right?
That marriage broke so long ago its a bit of a joke.

>>43441838
How pissed is daddy we allowed Unna to stay? He gonna come back and fight for Ascalon with the Bishops me ?

Two questions HF.
But first thought I would say that I thoroughly enjoy and look forward to this quest. the history nerd in me is quite entertained.

>Where are we in our timeline for the siege of Ascalon?
>About how many threads do you think until we begin to muster our forces?

>>43441862
He will return with the bishop's men.

>>43441867
About nine-ish months, maybe more before you start muster your forces.

I have no idea. Right now I'm thinking five? Depends how long Hugo's quest takes.

I'd actually like it to be a bit longer to flesh out the characters more, but I might also write up some short stories about the side characters and their day-to-day lives instead. Does that sound interesting to you guys?

>>43441855
>To a degree you can't. You know what Rosalie leaked already, she made a full confession, but that's it. The rest is guess work.

so uhh what did she leak to our knowledge?

also fucking goddamit we should have interrogated her before burning her alive

>>43441884
>I'd actually like it to be a bit longer to flesh out the characters more, but I might also write up some short stories about the side characters and their day-to-day lives instead. Does that sound interesting to you guys?

It does. Would like some more character interaction and devolpment

Also how is Alain holding up ?

And the Queen should soon give birth i assume

>>43441884
If you can find the time HF, then yeah that sounds awesome. If it's between quest and backstory for side characters, I would be inclined to stick with quest.

but why not both?

>>43441884
Yeah sounds interesting. But ohh man it's gonna be funny seeing daddy Wil taking orders form his son.

>>43441884
>I'd actually like it to be a bit longer to flesh out the characters more, but I might also write up some short stories about the side characters and their day-to-day lives instead. Does that sound interesting to you guys?

HF are you by chance one of /tg/'s glorious writefags?

because that would be fucking swell

>>43441892
>so uhh what did she leak to our knowledge?
Just the general logistics and household information that she had.

> also fucking goddamit we should have interrogated her before burning her alive
There would have been no point to it, she already confessed everything.

File: 1363237517140.png (13 KB, 400x400)

13 KB PNG

>>43441855
>That marriage broke so long ago its a bit of a joke.

But I want to fix whats broken ;.;

One thing i am really interested in is what peoples thoughts and feelings about Wilhelm is. I would greatly enjoy seeing/reading their reactions to what he does and what they have heard.

>>43441895
>Also how is Alain holding up ?
Sucking on Jehanne's boobs so pretty good.

>And the Queen should soon give birth i assume
Very soon, yes.

>>43441902
>Just the general logistics and household information that she had.

So nothing serious? any chance we found out what Nabil may have leaked?

>>43441911
>Queen giving birth

oh so she's not going to be pregnant on campaign? JOY!

>>43441911
>Very soon, yes.

>She ends up giving birth to twins both with blue eyes and black hair


Luckily for us the blond runs pretty strong in her family.

>>43441899
>HF are you by chance one of /tg/'s glorious writefags?
Not particularly. I wouldn't mind but I'm so busy writing my own fiction and this quest that I haven't had the time.

I've thought about writing a story or two about a detachment of Armageddon Steel Legionnaires though. Because there isn't enough Steel Legion stuff out there.

>>43441896
>but why not both?
Well it can get awkward trying to shoe horn the daily life stuff into the quest, and it can distract from the actual plot and stuff to the detriment of Wil's progress.

I was planning on writing two 'books'. One a collection of short stories about the characters with a fair bit of action. Another about their romantic and sex lives, kind of a smut book.

> fucking street sign captcha

>>43441911
Who does Alain look like? Are there questions being asked?

>>43441959
A baby.

Maybe when he's older people will wonder how such a good looking kid was spawned by a Frog, but until then no one is questioning it.

>>43441954
>Well it can get awkward trying to shoe horn the daily life stuff into the quest, and it can distract from the actual plot and stuff to the detriment of Wil's progress.

Yeah i understand that. But it would give us a chance to relax and let us take our time to visit our mother/chiri/hear Franz's stories etc etc. Without fearing that someone is going to end up murdered and/or raped.

>Maybe when he's older people will wonder how such a good looking kid was spawned by a Frog, but until then no one is questioning it.

He gets it from his mother! now stop asking questions!

>>43441954
I agree with the bloat. When you start to pack too many characters into a story it starts to become a soap opera. Books sounds sweet to me, I'm all for immersion and world building.
If you feel it go for it!

File: YES!YES!YES!YES!YES!.gif (1.39 MB, 444x250)

1.39 MB GIF

>>43441954
>I was planning on writing two 'books'. One a collection of short stories about the characters with a fair bit of action. Another about their romantic and sex lives, kind of a smut book.
>Smut AND Glorious HF comfy writing
>MFW

Actually, if anyone is around

> roll 3d100, best of three +20

>>43442055

Rolled 9, 65, 73 + 20 = 167 (3d100 + 20)

>>43442055

Rolled 70, 8, 40 + 20 = 138 (3d100 + 20)

>>43442055

Rolled 10, 41, 16 = 67 (3d100)

>>43442055
oh god why?

Etain safely gave birth.

Roll 1d3

Rolled 3 (1d3)

>>43442097

>>43442118
Twins.

roll 1d3

Rolled 3 (1d3)

>>43442120

>>43442123
Solomon and Etain have become the parents to a pair of twins, a boy and a girl born within minutes of each other. They were delivered successfully by Ibrahim and Mohmed over the course of a long hot day.

The boy as a result is named Abraham. The girl is named Margaret, for Etain's closest friend.

Cheers guys.

>>43442193
Night HF, thanks for the run.

>>43442151
oh neat Thanks for running HF!

Just jumped into the thread and loving the style, the theme, the atmosphere of this quest already! Keep it coming!

>>43442151
I didn't realize that enough time had passed for Etain to pop out a pair, but I'm not complaining.

>>43442719
My timeline got fucked up some where along the way. Best just roll with it.

Rolled 70 (1d100)

>>43442743
Good enough for me

Preemptive sacrifice for the dice gods to keep Hugo alive

>>43442754
You should conserve your dice. You don't want to throw away a 90+ on nothing.

>>43442772
well if anything the last 2 threads have proved that

>>43442772
I only rolled 90+ once in Crusader Quest. In the very first thread, it's been nothing but misery and Welfing since.

I only rolled 90+ in the first thread of TKQ too

>>43441929
mate black hair is a autosomal dominant gene.

>>43442772
Would Wil's standing have suffered if Rosalie had been strangled before the flames consumed her?

A common occurence as burning is a fucking horrible death, but then again treason.

>>43442880
not likely, in the end he still roasted a woman alive, proving to those around we are not a soft touch were women are concerned

>>43442880
Wasn't strangling only brought in as part of the process in the 16th century?

>>43442873
Yeah. But if you look at history the blond didnt go away no matter who the qqueen/king fucked