>>48346106
>> Wilhelm, Lord of Ramla

>>48346106
>> Wilhelm, Lord of Ramla

>>48346106
> Wilhelm, Lord of Ramla

>>48346106
>Wilhelm, Lord of Ramla

>>48346106
> Hugo, Brother of Lord Wilhelm

>>48346106
> Wilhelm, Lord of Ramla

Let Hugo plough Sabeen in peace.

>>48346106
> Wilhelm, Lord of Ramla

HYPE

>>48346106
Morphia is best princess!

File: [Fire Attack Intensifies].jpg (66 KB, 597x600)

66 KB JPG

time to work for the Waifu!

> Wilhelm, Lord of Ramla

>>48346106
> Wilhelm, Lord of Ramla

It;s really good to have you again HF, im sorry its not under great circumstances

Reminder that Chiri is pure maiden of virtue.

We're back!

Pity this arc be the finale.

>>48346496
We better shag the shit out of Chiri to make up for it.

>>48346510
Fuck that Iovetta.

>>48346510
after Ascalon

we need to maintain the narrative that we are doing this soley for Iovetta who is the sole Woman we love and most certainly have no other room in our heart for another!

>>48346545
>Implying Iovetta wont be the only woman Wilhelm will never get to sleep with.

She will die an old woman without ever getting the W

http://pastebin.com/rZQ8vVBd

You are Wilhelm, Lord of Ramla.

And you have just finished organizing the supplies brought by your Genoan allies, foodstuff and beddings that would help your encampment. Campaigning so close to winter was a risky proposition even in the Holy Land. It might not be as bitterly cold as your ancestral home upon the Rhine, but men could still freeze in the night or awake with numb toes and fingers, the danger of the chill threatening the extremities. The last thing you needed was soldiers rendered fingerless because they lacked sufficient bedding.

With you was your man Sir Etienne, the fussy Gascon with the sharp little mustache. He had an eye for supervision, commanding the common army of servants with a vigour that would have impressed a Roman general. His own squire acted as his right hand, and you caught sight of dusky skinned Jacques (was his name Jacques? You knew him only as Etienne's shadow and Hugo's friend) bawling out a ham handed servant that dropped a sack of flour.

"Ignorant Christ damned peasant," Jacques spat curses in French and Latin, "I ought to shove my foot up your arse and use you for a boot. Drop another thing, just one more thing, and I Christ-cursed will." The peasant nodded dumbly as he gathered up the dropped provisions, and Jacques sent him off with a slap to the back of his balding head, face red, a huff in his chest. The peasant, a Levantine, might have understood all but half of what he said, but he understood the threat in his voice and the rank of squire the boy carried, and did as he said.

Jacques might be uncouth but at least he was diligent, you thought. Your own squire was who knew where. Once you were done here, needs meant you must see to your own camp and your own soldiers. If you were to be first through the wall, your men would require special care.

A Genoan soldier came up, armed, helmed and wearing the tabard of his fair city state, with a robed man collared in gold chain, arm filled with a parcel. He was a scarred, grinning soldier, a seasoned campaigner, in company of a more fleshy faced and plump scion of Italy.

"Guten tag," the Genoan said in muddy German.

"Good day," you replied in Latin.

"You have some education," the Genoan said, "I hoped so. You never know which Germans speak the civilized tongues, and which only their own bastard speech."

"You'll find I'm fluent in both civilized and bastard tongues," you replied, "Though I couldn't tell you which is which." The nobleman behind the soldier smirked, while the soldier chuckled.

"We bring a gift for your queen," the soldier said, "Would you show us to her, or at least tell us the way?"

"And you are?" you asked.

"I'm Michello," he said, offering you his hand, "This is Giovanni, representative of of Genoa's council."

You took his offered hand. "Wilhelm of Ramla." The two Genoans share a smile, flashing words between them in their mother tongue.

"Honoured, Lord Ramla, we have heard of you," Giovanni said with a hand on his heart and half a bow in his form.

> take them to the Queen personally
> tell them where she is, you must see to your own camp

>>48346641
> take them to the Queen personally

>>48346641
> take them to the Queen personally

I'd rather not let the Genoans near the Queen without our oversight. Crafty buggers, although not as bad as Venice.

>>48346641
>> take them to the Queen personally
Could be spies

>>48346641
>take them to the Queen personally

Well well well. Look who came crawling back

>>48346641
>> take them to the Queen personally

>>48346641
>> take them to the Queen personally

>>48346641
>> take them to the Queen personally

>trusting Italians
>ever

Intrigues abound

"I'd be honoured to escort you," you said with a bow of your own. These seems to please your Genoan guests. You turn to Etienne, who is eyeing a list of parchment with a sour eye. "All is well?" you asked.

Etienne blew out a hot breath. "It will have to do," he said with a cluck of his tongue, rolling up the parchment, "But I'd be happier with twice the provisions and men."

"Wouldn't we all?" you said, clapping him on the shoulder, "See to our people, I must see to other duties."

"Sir," Etienne nodded. He walked aside, tapping the parchment against his knee, scrutiny turned onto the workers unloading provisions and carrying them, laden like human mules, into the camp.

You lead Sir Michello and Lord Giovanni through the camp. Some men called to you as you passed, and those you recognized you replied to with a friendly word and gesture. The Genoans kept close, you saw they were judging the camp that they saw. You doubt they could find fault, it had been set up by your instructions, following closely Roman instruction. No waste filled the avenues between tents, and shitting was kept to the far side of the encampment. No doubt they had heard stories of poorly run Frankish camps, overflowing with sewage through the set thoroughfares.

Nothing like that could be seen here.

You went past a grinding wheel, a well-muscled smith working a blade against the grindstone, soldiers waiting for their weapons to be seen.

"A good camp," Sir Michello said.

"Not all our numbers," you said, "Some still tarry, and will be joining us soon."

"Of course," Michello replied.

You came upon the Queen's camp, guarded by her personal soldiery. Tough old men, veterans of her father's army, and younger men plucked from the streets of Jerusalem, armed and outfitted in the holy colours of the kingdom. Old Theodore acknowledged you with a salute, spear raised. The Armenian was smiling, being on campaign had given him a more youthful vigor despite the lines of his face.

"Guests for the queen," you said, "Gentlemen of Genoa."

Of course you did not have to wait long for the queen. She strode forth from her tent, armoured in form fitting maille, armed at the hip with a sword, golden hair gathered up in a woven braid, her brow adorned with the crown of her office. Her face was proud and imperial, taking in the camp at a sweep. A cluster of noble girls followed her, her coterie of noble hand maidens who acted as servants to the queen.

"My queen," you said, gesturing to her.

"Your majesty," Lord Giovanni bowed, "We bring you a gift." He held out the bound package.

"Gentlemen, be welcome," her imperious expression changed to a flashing smile. She clicked her fingers and chairs were drawn up, simple field chairs, and a table with wine, her servants moving quickly to provide this all, "Sit, drink, be at ease."

"The comforts of a royal court, even at war, you honour us," Giovanni lay the package upon the table, taking a seat. Michello remained standing bhind his lord, arms draping casually over his sword hilt.

"Will you drink, Lord Wilhelm?" Melisende offered as she plucked the twine from the package. It unfolded, revealing a robe of black bear fur, collared in white mink. A rare and expensive gift. She held it up. "A beautiful gift," she said.

"To protect you against the cold, and enrich your beauty," Giovanni said, pleased with himself as he drank some offered wine.

She held it to her breast. "Does it 'enrich my beauty' Lord Wilhelm?" she asked, giving you a knowing smile.

> indeed it does
> your beauty needs no enrichment

>>48347056
>> your beauty needs no enrichment

>>48347056
> your beauty needs no enrichment

But it is still a fine gift

>>48347056
> your beauty needs no enrichment

But a fine gift all the same

>>48347056
>> your beauty needs no enrichment

>>48347056
>your beauty needs no enrichment

>>48347056
>> your beauty needs no enrichment

>>48347102
>>48347108
yah

Hope Matty isnt getting herself into trouble or worse, hanging out with Elias.

"Your beauty needs no enrichment, your highness," you said, "Though it is a beautiful gift."

"Your tongue is ever gilded my lord," she hands it to you and holds out her arms, "Hold it for me, so that I might more easily slip it on."

You take it dutifully in both hands, holding it behind her. She slips in an arm at a time, then taking it by the collar, drew it closed around her throat. The sheen of the black fur made the pure white colour stand out all the stronger, and complemented her fair skin and honey-gold hair as well. You saw Michello lean in eagerly, lust glittering in his eyes, while Giovanni sat back with a pleased grin that you thought bereft of lust. His was the pleasure of a diplomat achieving some aim, and you think as you note his eyes flit onto a passing soldier, his tastes run in a different direction than the womanly beauty in front of him.

"My thanks to you," she said from over the collar of her fine new coat, "But I did not ask for fine gifts. We need swords, and men to use them, as well as grain and drinking water."

"All else we have brought," Giovanni said, "With the assurance, of course, that we will be given a corner of the Ascalon port for our private use once it has been taken." As Genoa had in many ports throughout Christian Palestine. You detected there was another request lingering in the back of the Genoans eyes, and the queen saw it to.

"What else is there you want?" she asked, taking her own seat.

"Nothing major," the Genoan said, "The right to first purchase of any captured slaves, to which you will be well compensated, and a share of the treasury."

"How big a share?" she asked, the business of war often married with the business of gold and markets.

Giovanni looked to Michello. "Ten percent," he said.

It was quite a sum, Genoa would come out very wealthy from this campaign, perhaps wealthiest of all the conquerors.

"What do you think, Ramla?" she asked you.

> accept the terms
> they ask too much
> negotiate later

>>48347342

Considering how smitten he is, I think he'll be good for her.

I'm personally ok with the union if we can work something out.

>>48347362

Same. I am just thinking from a Wilhelms perspective.

>>48347355
Tell them to lower the precentage. They have already been promised a district in the city.

>>48347355
>> negotiate later

TEN PERCENT?! they ask far too much, best to weaken their position somehow

>>48347355
>> they ask too much

They are merchants, are they not? Bargain.

>>48347385
>>48347355
> negotiate later

Forgot to green text.

>>48347355
> They ask too much
Press for consolation on rebuilding fortifications. Durkas are going to be right at the gate next season. They commission reconstruction of the section wall that the bitches are to fell.

>>48347355
>> negotiate later

>>48347355
> they ask too much

Lets use that bard tongue of ours

>>48347355
Nope.

10% is ridiculous. Ask for 18% as well as a guarantee that Genoa will send defensive aid to Jerusalem should anything foul befall the Kingdom.

>>48347622
wait, you argued them UP?

>>48347355
Reminder that they're offering us a 10% cut of their venture profits.

>>48347622
10% would be better for a guarantee of aid not 18%

it's like you want to make paupers out of us

>>48347355
> they ask too much

either they up their aid or lower their percentage this is incrediably one sided on their part

>>48347636
Short term profits mean nothing unless you have the merchants by their coinpurse.

Once you blend their profits with the state of the realm, Genoa will be less likely to cheese it and run.

>>48347644
[Citation needed]

>>48347681
Either I'm going insane or the flowery language has ruined my reading comprehension.

>>48347644
They are demanding 10% of the loot.

"There is generosity, then there is being taken for a fool," you said, "Ten percent of the treasury, first right of purchase for slaves, and their own corner of Ascalon? Do not enrich Genoa to beggar Jerusalem."

"You have a counter-offer?" Giovanni turned a ring on his finger. This was the game of his people, he had expected as much.

"You can have your ten percent, if Genoa rebuilds any damage rendered to Ascalon's walls before the next season unfolds." you said, "That would make the sum fair. If not, five percent at a maximum. You are not the only ones at risk in this fight, other parties are to be paid and expected a share of the treasury."

"He speaks with your voice on this?" Giovanni asked, talking to Melisende but pointing to you.

"He gives his opinion, one I take seriously," she replied, leaning upon an elbow, "But my mind is my own."

"Another compromise," you said, "You get all that you own, if you cut the royal house of Jerusalem into your further business in Asia, of an equal ten percent in future dealings."

"A tariff," he said the word like it was a slick of ice. The merchant states loathed a tariff. They had become rich off avoiding such taxes upon their goods through their private ports in African and Asian harbours.

"A partnership, exclusive to your homeland, one that will make Genoa and Jerusalem closer friends," you said, trying to sweeten the sound of it. You could tell it still left the merchant lord sour, though it introduced a glimmer of possibility to his eyes.

"Which would you favour?" the queen asked.

Giovanni moved in his chair, tapping his thigh with ringed fingers. "All are fair save the last, which is beyond my ability to negotiate. Which do you favour?" his last was to you.

> five percent
> ten percent + fixing the walls

>>48347782
> ten percent + fixing the walls

>>48347782
> ten percent + fixing the walls

>>48347782
>> ten percent + fixing the walls+ assistance beyond Ascalon

>>48347788
This

>>48347782
>> ten percent + fixing the walls

The tariff would have been nice.

>>48347813
>assistance beyond Ascalon

They are already doing that.

>>48347782
> ten percent + fixing the walls

>>48347782
> ten percent + fixing the walls
We use sure they can fix walls?
Or are they going to jew on the building materials?
Here a counter offer, good strong walls if they do it well they get the full 10 %

>>48347875
good point

>>48347875
Doubt it. Since it will endanger their tarrif free port in Palestine.

>>48347915
>>48347941
Just a question, as long as they fix the walls well, then it's all good

"Ten percent if they fix the walls," you said, "Though I trust them not to cut corners on the repairs."

Giovanni gave a snort. "And I trust you, Lord Ramla, not to smash them apart like the walls of Jericho!" he waved a finger up at you, but you could tell he was pleased.

"I'll do what must be done to capture the city," you replied.

"As shall we all," the queen said. She smiled to the Genoan. "All to the good, we are in agreement, you get your ten percent on future assurities that repairs will be at Genoa's expense and completed in a timely matter. Mathilde!" She called to your sister, who stepped forth from the small clutch of hand maidens. Your sister was all in blue, dark hair ribboned in silver. She curtseyed. "Fetch my seal."

"Yes m'lady," she said, and went back into the tent. She returned with a heavy silver box, and placed it before the queen. From it Melisende produced a scroll, quill and ink, and a small silver stamp. Across the parchment she scrawled the outcome of the conversation, her promises and Genoa's, and at last signed her name. She had Giovanni do the same, and yourself as witness. Last she took her seal, dipped it in the ink, and marked it beside her name. She blew on the ink lightly to dry it, waved it gently in the air, then handed it to Giovanni.

"All done," she said with a smile. Giovanni tucked it away, grinning.

"A pleasure," he said, "Now if you will excuse us, we must be at sea. The blockade cannot command itself." He rose from his chair, Sir Michello falling in behind him. The tough Italian soldier gave you a friendly nod as they left, one you returned.

Melisende watched them leave, smiling but cool eyed.

"Italians," she murmured, fingering the fur of her new robe, "They haggle as often as Jews, yet a Jew has never left me feeling robbed."

"It was a fair deal," you said.

The Queen sighed. "Yes, it could have been worse," she took a sip of her wine, "Now I shall have the headche of all the other banners looking to renegotiate their rewards. 'Why favour Genoa over your own countrymen?' Feh. Because Genoa has ships that you lack." Her mouth twisted as if the wine were bitter or as if she might spit, but she swallowed and gave you a grin. "My thanks for the support. Some men chafe to be rebuked by a woman directly, having a man around to give vocal disagreement helps smooth things."

"Oh I am always happy to serve you my lady," you replied.

She waved a hand. "Go and see to your men, Lord Ramla, I have reports the fighting shall begin soon, best you be ready."

"As you will," you said. You give a glance at your sister, but the girl's attention was on her mistress. I suppose you had best see to your men.

> see to your camp generally
> see to one of your men in particular (nominate)

>>48348117
>> see to your camp generally

>>48348117
>> see to one of your men in particular (nominate)

Chiri to find out if she has heard anything in the camp.

Our engineer to make sure our siege engines are ready and if he can see any weak points in the city.

And our commanders to make sure the men are ready

File: you see this shit.jpg (186 KB, 1152x864)

186 KB JPG

>>48348117
>> see to one of your men in particular (nominate)

Solomon! let us issue a challenge to Ascalon

their best against ours!

I think I killed the thread.

I'm just going to take this: >>48348163
as a vote to view the camp generally, since its talking about visiting multiple people.

>>48348371
Thats fine

>>48348371
That's fine

we should go find the prince soonish. We have an outstanding request from him to meet us.

>>48348553
who Manuel? we already talked to him as Wilhelm and Matty, promised him aid in the future in return for aid in the future.

>>48348587
No, not him. Elias.

Just arrived, surprised to land in this again. Can anyone remember the order of things?

The Ramlan camp was marked by your banner, standing tall among the tents. It was a motley collection of Levantine and Frankish adventurers, local boys drilled into soldiers under the instruction of your men, Solomon and Tancred, outfitted by your own armoury and wearing your device, alongside the fair skinned Franks come to find glory under your banner, outfitted in their own arms and armour. Over six hundred men fell under your command, them split between the oversight of two knightly men, Arnold of Nassau and Valeran of Gascony, a pair of Frankish warriors who had taken up the cross and, for this campaign, your patronage.

You walked past soldiers readying themselves for war. Some were in prayer, others were in their cups, trading jests over games of dice and rough conversation. There was a nervous edge to many of the men, few of them were properly seasoned warriors. Not just men were present but the camp followers, the women and children of the soldiery, as well as collected hanger-ons, made preparations. You spied a woman make a charm from old worn cloth, to hang for safety of her husband, while another considered twine and needle that would turn from mending blankets, to mending torn flesh.

At the heart of the Ramlan camp was the core, your own men, your personal retinue. Seated by a warming fire, Solomon sharpened his inward curving blade, a strip of beef jerky dangling from his lips as he worked a stone across its edge. The man was the shape and size of a starved bear, big but at the same time with an athlete's leanness to him. You had yet to meet a warrior that was his match. By his side was Tancred, with a younger man in Jaffa colours. They were shades of each other, the young man the image of Tancred in his youth. The man-at-arm's eldest son, Odo. They talked with matching smiles, long toothed, ginger men. Odo had been born in these lands, and the hot sun had freckled his Frankish skin.

>>48348704
Elias is a count but I guess we should

You saw Chihirizahd at a wash basin, working one of your shirts with a thick bar of soap. She leaned over the water, wet to her elbows, eyes hawkish upon the shirt as she scoured it of dust. She was oggled by your 'uncle' Sir Hermann, fat and grey, drinking alone, but also, from the corner of his eye, 'Sir' Hector watched her backside as it rose and fell with the scrape of the soap. Alexius, your mule-brained common squire, attended her in her washing, arms laden with your soiled clothing, and he did not bother to hide his delight at watching her work. She clicked her fingers and he passed her your hose, attacking this next garment as if it were stained with blasphemy.

You did not see Achilles, nor Hugo or Sabeen. The others you knew were on business in further reaches of the camp.

"Solomon," the big man looked up, chewing the jerky like a cow chewed cud, "Have you seen my brother? The boy's been shirking his duties."

Solomon's face split in a grin, a knowing chuckle growing in his chest. "Hugo's been busy," Solomon said. Both Tancred and Odo exchanged their own winks. Solomon gestured to a tent with his chin.

You frowned at them. You strode over to the tent, pushing through the flap. You'd not have him waste time with some whore will you had need of his service.

"Hugo, Christ damn it, enough lazing around and wake u-" you started and stopped. The tent was heavy with the musk of sex.

He blinked hair shaded eyes up at you, sitting up out of the cover of the blanket. Sabeen and Hugo, intertwined, slowly separated beneath the blanket. The boy was bare chested, a bare leg stuck forth, nude beneath the blanket that pooled in his lap. A dark hand slid down the scar that crossed his chest, drifting down into his lap. She rolled away from him with a tired groan, shielding her eyes from the break of sunlight. The blanket fell away from her chest and you caught a sight of dark nipples as she curled away from him.

"Brother," Hugo's shock didn't last as he quickly threw the blanket over Sabeen, Sabeen's eyes slowly widening in embarrassment. "This is, uh, this is not what it looks like." He put himself between you and Sabeen. "We were just resting." Naked, for whatever reason.

"That wasn't very restful," Sabeen said, an arm around Hugo's shoulder, a smile opening her face.

Christ cursed fools, did they not know the danger they were in? "You know the punishment for bedding a Saracen?" you said. You grabbed your balls. "It's castration, boy, castration!"

"It's worth it," he replied hotly.

"A bit of sex isn't worth your balls, no matter how enticing the woman," you snapped.

"It's not about sex," he snapped back. He looked back at her and his face, the tender look, it was all you wished it wasn't, "It's not about lust," he said, and by god you wished it had been just a casual romp.

You stared at him. Christ damn him for a fool, but he was in love. You looked to Sabeen, hoping she still had some sense. Christ damn her too, but she had a tender look for your brother, worry in her brow, and the way her hand strayed into the curling blonde locks about his neck, the little signs a woman gave, Christ's blood, she was in love as well.

"Oh you sweet idiots," you rubbed your face.Now was not the time for such romantic foolishness.

> tell them to never do this again
> give up, it's love
> write-in

>>48348845
>> give up, it's love
but tell them we wont save his balls if they are caught

>>48348845
>> write-in
They can wait until the war is done, Wil is married and settled, and then Hugo can have enough liberty to see for himself.

>>48348845
> give up, it's love

>>48348845
>> write-in
"Alright, you are both obviously smitten. Sabeen, to avoid your paramore being gelded, will you take baptism? If so, I will see both of you wed once this campaign is finished."

>>48348845
>write in
you may do what you will but i beg you, there are too many eyes here. Sabeen if you care to prevent my brothers mutilation this can /not/ happen again in a place as open as the camp

>>48348845
>> write-in
"I can't stop you, just as no one could I if I were in your position. But promise me, you both, that you will not do this again until you know none can find out of this."
"You are my brother, and Sabeen my friend. For the sake of your love, my brother's balls and Sabeen's integrity, please, do as I ask."

>>48348845
> write-in
This shit isn't love, he just horny, happens to every kid, love the first person then bloom later it's over. This kid is going to get his balls crop if he don't stop. Don't don't want to break the kid's dreams, so tell him to stop or off with his balls, kid should know when to stop and drop this shit later.
Also black and white don't mix well

>>48348845
>> write-in

''you will stop NOW, we will talk about this later''

>>48348928
Nah. Brah, they are at the age to imprint upon one another. She is past the age and he is at the age. Marry them if she will take baptism.

>>48348971
>marriage

yeah a noble bastard marrying a Saracen convert of murky birth makes a great marriage!

fuck that!

>>48348971
Nah. Brah. I'm kind of racist can't kid myself at that. Don't want the kid's blond hair and blue eyes go to waste.
I'm just against it but I know anons went that ebony beauty.

>>48348971
Also I want our little hugo buddy to marry some of status you like a noble. That noble we had sex with.

>>48349048
>That noble we had sex with.

que?

>>48349015
Hey, against miscegination as much as the next self respecting European, but with how much trouble his prick has been getting him in, and with how lovey dovey those two are, I would want to get a damper put on that right quick.

>>48349048
That is a good point. If he hadn't shown such a disdain for mores with respect to the Princess of Antioch, I would agree with you. I think he is hardheaded enough to fuck around on the side.

>no one remembers Hugo is supposed to marry into huge tracts of Templar land and dat crazy french booty

>>48349074
you know the one Hugo was at the king's palace and he had a thing with that little lady. It's been so long I forget.
Also just a warning in the middle ages people are known not to race mix you'll be look down upon. So it's bad for us since he's our brother

>>48349117
I do. Templar route best route i feel.

>>48349117
I kind of do, and I read all the threads, so I doesn't surprised me anons forget. They're too caught up in the moment

>>48348845
> give up, it's love

>>48349119
oh Elaine? yeah no, honestly I want Hugo to just be unmarried but have Sabeen as long as he takes the cross

unfortunately unless Sabeen takes the cross shit WILL get ugly, Anitoch and our enemies would see to it.

You think you need a drink. You took a seat on your brother's saddle, scratched your beard.

"How long has this been going on?" you asked.

"How long we've been like this, or how long I've..." Hugo threw on a tabard, at last covering his nudity. Sabeen drew the blanket around herself, leaving just a slip of her navel.

"Both, I suppose," you said.

Hugo looked over to Sabeen and a blush started on his cheeks. "Since Sidon, I think, though I didn't understand...and, well, last night we-" he coughed, "I didn't know she also..." He blushed, smile growing.

Her eyes were only for your brother, big and cat-like in the dark of the tent, drawn back into the tent. "Jerusalem, Hugo, I fell for you outside the gates of Jerusalem, but I also..." her eyes closed, she smiled, "It took me too long to realize it." She looked to you. "I'm sorry Wil, this was foolish, we didn't think about the danger."

"I don't care about the danger," Hugo crouched beside Sabeen, hand to her shoulder, "By God, I'll be damned and dead before I let anything keep me from you." His voice was thick, and a flush grew across Sabeen's face.

"Whatever it is between you, keep it quiet," you said. They looked back at you, Hugo moving to shield his woman. "Keep it out of sight or stop. I cannot have a scandal, and...hell, I will not have my brother gelded. I will not have you hurt either, Sabeen. I'm angry, oh hell, how I'm angry, but I still love the both of you."

"Perhaps..." Sabeen spoke softly, "Perhaps I could be baptised?" Her eyes went from Hugo to you. Become a Christian? Immediately you saw the potential, it would be a morale boost to your forces for a child of Islam to give up her religion in love for a Christian man. It would be a symbol of Christ's truth penetrating the heart of the heathens and embolden the cause of the army. But you could see Hugo had other thoughts on what a baptism could mean. Would he marry this girl even against your wishes should she take Christ into her heart? He was a hard-headed fool, just like you, and you believed him when he spoke of death and damnation.

"You would become a Christian for me?" Hugo's voice was so tender and boyish, his face lit with the wonder of young love.

"Yes," her voice was soft and girlish, a tone you never expected to hear from the warrior woman, and face fallen in a shyness that was unlike her.

> allow it
> no, never

>>48349170
> allow it

>>48349170
> allow it

>>48349170
> allow it

Banish the thought of marriage between them though, Hugo's too valuable a political piece even if he remains unmarried

>>48349170
>> allow it
"I will have you think on it over night. You will spend the night in your seperate tents. If on the morrow you think the same, I will witness it myself."

>>48349170
> allow it

>>48349170
NOT NOW. It can still be used as a bad rumor. And your boss (the lancers) changing faith is kind of a huge thing to happen.

>>48349170
>allow it
but she has to be waldensian

>>48349170
>> allow it
No marriage at all. Hugo's even if she made Christian will look bad on us. We'll be known as the brother that married a muslim. If he marry a noble we get mad gainz in land and renown

>>48349233
>waldensian

about 30 years too early anon

File: tmp_9207-resized_success-(...).jpg (29 KB, 800x800)

29 KB JPG

>Crusader Quest

>>48349170
>postpone the decision.

Sabeen, think on this carefully.

You rub your brow. "Very well," you said, "But do not think this is permission for anything more, understand? I am agreeing to save your soul, Sabeen," you said, and then pointed to your brother, "And his balls, not to you two running off together. The two of you will not wed."

Hugo grit his teeth but Sabeen closed her eyes on a smile. "Thank you, Lord Ramla," she said with a slight bow.

"It will have to be tomorrow," you said, rising from your seat, "For now, get dressed and act like nothing has happened."

You slipped from the tent as Hugo pulled on his hose and Sabeen set aside the blanket to dress. For all your boycott of any marriage between them, Sabeen seemed happy.

The rest of the camp carried on as if nothing had happened, Solomon still worked his blade, the knights still ogled Chhihirizahd, who now hung your laundry up, reaching high up indeed to peg the clothes on the line. (Even you paused to consider that)

Father Desmond talked with Franz by your standard, the two sharing a jug of wine. All seemed as it should be.

> search out a companion or noble (nominate)

>>48349331
Prince Elias.

This talk has been waylaid for too long.

Also dont be antagonistic like previously. We'd shed sacren blood side by side. We're comrade in arms at least now.

>>48349331
Solomon or Etienne, get to know the state of the men

>>48349331
> search out a companion or noble (nominate)

Solomon, He need's to be ready to duel their best if we issue a challenge

>>48349364
Solobro is alway ready to murderdice another upstart noble.

>>48349346
This. He has designs upon our sister and has the position to make our life either much better, or much worse.

"Solomon," you sat beside him. He finished his jerky, thumbed the blade of his shotel, "Are you ready to fight?"

"Always," he said, sliding the blade back into its scabbard, "Who do you need killed?"

You grinned. "I thought I might present a challenge to the defenders of Ascalon, their champion against ours."

Solomon grinned back. "Sounds like fun, I hope they take it."

You clapped an arm to his shoulder. "How are things otherwise?" you asked.

He made a snuff in the back of his nose. "I worry about the twins," he said, speaking of his children, "And their mother. Etain is a feisty thing, but frail bodied." It's reasonable to worry, you supposed, though you scarcely thought about your own bastards. Perhaps if they were the fruit of a wife, they'd be more present in your mind at times like this. "I've been keeping busy though," he says, an eye for a young washer woman come strolling through with his bedding.

"We'll drink tonight," you said, "Share some old stories. I hear the fighting should start soon."

"I hope so," he said, "The thing I hate worst about a siege is the waiting around."

"Well I've business to be upon," you said, rising from your chair. Orlando had returned to the camp, and he was chastising Hector for making eyes at your woman. They exchanged companionable blows, soon turned to boyish laughter.

You had a standing invitation to visit Count Elias, formerly Prince Elias, to discuss some matter. You could not say you liked the man, but he had station and Frankish troops brought all the way from Maine at his disposal, further snubs might lead to problems in the camp.

> visit Elias
> fuck him, visit someone else

>>48349539
> visit Elias

>>48349539
> visit Elias

>>48349539
>> visit Elias
let's a go

>>48349539
>> visit Elias

Bring some mulled wine.

>>48349539
> visit Elias

preshaps we should take this as a chance to mend ties between husband and wife

also seriously kill the claim Elias made about Iovetta

>>48349605
Wasnt that claim only made to hugo? I dont thinks gone around. We havnt heard anything of it for a while.

>>48349616
not really the point, more to satisfy Wilhelm

what do you guys think Iovetta's doing right now?

>>48349751
digging for gold

>>48349751
Writing in her diary about how much she misses Wilhelm.

File: Iovetta.jpg (106 KB, 850x879)

106 KB JPG

>>48349751
being a qte

>>48349751
trying not to fap

You supposed it was time. He was no friend of yours, and had worked against you and the queen in days past, but perhaps the man had reformed. You had heard murmurings of his affection for your sister, and hoped it was just talk and she had not become one of his many purported conquests. Hugo came out of his tent at last, drawing on his gambeson, Sabeen passing out his sword. She too slunk out in hose and gambeson, herself again the warrior woman (save perhaps for a slight hitch in her step).

"Hugo," you called the boy over, "Alexius," you called Shit-for-Brains over too. Both your squires were company enough for visiting a count, and with them at either flank you went to call upon the Count of Maine.

His camp was far from the centre, a mark of the displeasure the queen held for him, but as you approached you saw it a decent if not excellent camp. French troops spoke to one another in their provincial tongue, watching you approach with interest. A knight came to greet you personally.

"Lord Ramla," he said in a thick accent, "You call on my master?"

"Is he indisposed?" you asked.

"Not at all," the knight went into the largest tent. His head broke out from the flaps. "You may enter."

You walked through, and four Elias seated at a desk reading a letter. In one corner he had a bed, a trunk and a falcon on its perch. A dark eyed woman lounged upon the bed, drinking wine from a horn. The dress she wore was silk, and it clung tightly to the contours of her body. Elias looked up from his work.

"Wilhelm, good of you to visit me at last," he looked to the dark eyed woman, "Dangerosa, out," he ordered, and she pouted, slinking away. "A companion for the road," he said, "A man has needs, as you well understand." You could not fault him considering your own nightly companion. "Have a seat," he offered you a chair, and drew out a bottle of mead.

"You wanted to talk about something?" you asked as he poured you a measure.

"I am unwed," he said, "Old for it, but I've never thought much on taking a wife while I was young."

"And something has caused you to change your mind," you sipped the drink offered. It had a pleasing, rich taste.

"Someone," he said, setting aside his papers, taking up his own cup, "Your sister, in point of fact. A talented young woman, and beautiful." Nothing you hadn't heard.

"My sister is betrothed to the heir of Lord Bures," you said, "The future prince of Galilee."

"A prince of desert and dry rivers," Elias replied, "I am Lord of Maine, a province of France, rich and fertile land. It has made me rich." He touched a gold torque at his throat.

"My neighbour, and a powerful name in this kingdom," you countered. "Why my sister, is it love?"

He pursed his lips. "Would you believe me if I said it was?" he asked, then chuckled, "Mayhap I see the motion of things. Your star rises Wilhelm, my father's has fallen and taking me with it. I would rise again, and I think supporting you will do it." Was this a trap? You saw no hint of guile on his face, he seemed honest, but you knew he was counted as clever a talker as yourself. "I would be a force in Jerusalem again," he said, "And you would have allies in France. It is mutually beneficial, a much better match than a stuttering boy, who will lord over rocks and most likely die fighting Saracen bandits."

> I gave Bures my word
> I'll consider it
> write-in

>>48349822
>I'll consider it

Elias is the younger (middle sibling?) of his brothers from memory and not the richest nor powerfulest of men in France

still we should mend the wound with France at least and consider this

>>48349822
> I'll consider it

>>48349822
>> I'll consider it
>> write-in
"Your words have merit and I am not unwilling to bury our old troubles and start anew. I only wish to not offend Lord Bures to far.

But talks of politics aside, as her brother do you truely love her? And promise that if I do agree, you will do everything to keep her safe and happy?"

>>48349822
> I'll consider it

>>48349822
> I gave Bures my word
Frankly nothing is worth becoming your brother in law.

>>48349822
> I'll consider it

for a man in love he is certainly not afraid to keep a woman that he doesn't love in his chambers

>>48349892
Matty's happiness.

Also it allows the possibility of letting matty retire to france if things go ploin shaped.

>>48349822
>> write-in
We're in support of Jerusalem, can't fault Lord Bures in that regard or change so quickly in design

>>48349917
>implying she'd be happy

this is no guarantee he'd treat her well or with dignity or even be subtle with any affairs he may have, that indignity would be an insult on us as well as her.

but best to give him the benefit of a doubt and see how things fold out, maybe some specifics beyond his vague riches and promises of aid.

>>48349955
True but at the least we should speak privately with matty as well as to what she thinks.

>>48349966
considering her current betrothed is an uncharming bore of a child, I don't think she'd be opposed.

Matty discovers the appeal of bloodletting and violent sex when?

>>48349997
Her wedding night.

>>48349822
>I gave Bures my word
Better to not spurn Galilee.

>>48350003
I seriously get the feeling you people only vote in favor of Elias because you want to read Elias and Mathilde smut.

>>48350021
yes and

>>48350021
Perfectly fair.

If we are worried about Bures. We know he fucks boys, could use that to blackmail him out of the agreement.

>>48349822
>> I'll consider it
>> write-in
"I will speak to my sister of this. If it is love you feel for her, I will put weight behind your proposal."

>>48350044
>>48350049
>these semen slurping players

Guys, remember. Allowing Matty to be with Elias is allowing a girl to marry Wilhelm.

A snake who visit every bed he can.

>>48350049

That'll create even more black blood between us. It'll be better to try and engineer a better match for the Lord Bure's son. Like say the unborn daughter of Count Hugh.

>>48350021
It's like you don't wanna read about Matty bullying Elias.

>>48350021
kind of, however Wilhelm needs to get some shit out of it in the end for it to be truly okay

"I'll consider it," you said, "But Bures is not a man I wish to offend. You might scorn Galilee as a land of nothing, but it is my neighbour and he is the constable of the realm."

"Of course," he said with a liquid smile.

"Now tell me honestly, do you really love my sister? If you do wed her, will you keep her safe and happy, and treat her with the dignity of her station?"

"I will keep her safe," he said, "And as happy as I can. I...truly, I am very fond of the girl."

Your brow lowered. "Then for now this stays between us, but consider yourself in contention for her hand," you offered him yours, and he took it in a strong grip. You left him at his table, cup only half drunk. The Maine camp watched you leave, and once you were outside its picket, Hugo was up beside you.

"You can't let that man marry her," he said, "He's the worst kind of scum. Unfaithful, ambitious, a silver-tongued gambler only looking out for himself."

"Some could say the same about me," you replied. Your steps took you to the outskirts of the camp, to the assembly of the warmachines. Achilles oversaw the loading of one of the great trebuches, a war tower standing tall beside it. In time these would be the key to Ascalon's gates. The fat little Greek looked up at you. He snapped fingers at one of his aides, the churlish Ramlan boy, who shouldered one of his flame throwing tubes. The boy stepped away with a scowl.

Muscled porters loaded a big stone into the open palm of the trebuchet's hand.

"Ramla," he said, "We were about to test this baby's arm." He slapped the frame of the trebuchet.

"I won't stop you," you said. He grinned, going to the lever.

"Watch," he said with a wink, and yanked the lever back.

It gave a groan as ropes slipped and wood shifted, mathematical principles coming into play as the arm of the trebuchet swung up, throwing the stone overhand, up into the blue of the Palestinian sky. It tumbled overhead. You craned forward to watch, shading your eyes. Alexius made awestruck sounds. The rock thumped with an explosion of dirt into the clearing before the gates of Ascalon, and you saw a frightened stirring upon those walls.

"We will liberate this city," Achilles said, eyes shining on the fortress.

> retire until tomorrow, and the opening hours of the siege proper
> call on someone first (nominate)

>>48350095
>other
Let me try

>>48350095
> retire until tomorrow, and the opening hours of the siege proper

Not really sure who else to call upon. May as well call for Chiri and get some rest.

>completely outnumbered by players who only care about smut
I feel like I'm wasting my time here

>>48350095
>>48350117

Actually, we're gonna start charging this place.

Shouldn't we have Achilles begin firing already?

Have them fire through the night, don't let them sleep.

>>48350095
Talk with Mathilde/The Queen ? to hear how things are in Jerusalem, how iovetta is ?

We havnt heard from her or about her for quite some time.

>>48350128
That is a good idea. Will mean they will be tired by the time the attack begins.

>>48350127
should've seen tartarus' double quest, that shit was cray

>>48350095
> retire until tomorrow, and the opening hours of the siege proper

retire to our chambers NO SEX! that can come after the siege is done and dusted and we have Iovetta

I guess we could(should) inform Bures his nephew has competition.

>>48350128
there may be a tiny chance we could get them to surrender peacefully but that would be a crit most likely.

>>48350127
>implying we're not just trolled your easily offended arse.

Prince Elias is a still a major player in the court and through him comes normalisation of relations with the Queen's Consort.

It also builds a small link to the royal family even though it's not of Queen Melisende side but the royal family nonetheless.

>>48350141

Will they? We can rotate loaders and Achilles doesn't need to be ranging every shot for this as long as we're smacking the walls/keeping them up.

>>48350153
Dude. We're betrothed to Ioveta and we're close with the queen. We don't need more links to the royal family.

>>48350169
the point anon is making is that it will help unite the factions within the court of Jerusalem so we stand united aginst outside influence

>>48350153
>I'm merely pretending in 4chan lmao

>>48350164
I meant the enemy would be tired.

>>48350183
we're literally playing a game of lets pretend anyways~

>>48350182
It wouldn't though.

be back in a sec

>>48350189
pretending @ your life lmao

>>48350217
[citation needed]

>>48350226
that i am~

>tfw on /tg/ at work.

IT is a good life.

>>48350217
It would not unite as the other anon claimed, but it would give us influence in two different camps within Jeruselem's ruling class. If we could foster reconciliation, and present a united front against the Turk in the north and the Arab in the south. Keeping Europe's eye on the holy lands might help us keep the Seracen at bay.

>>48349780
Iovetta is a slut!

Sluuuuut!

>>48350348
But how can she be a slut if she is untouched?

>>48350348
for Wilhelms D ;^)

>>48350354
She is giving out blowjobs to prisoners!

>>48350354
Hail the greeks

>>48350302
>but it would give us influence in two different camps
this is literally the "I can play everyone" aspect of diplomancing bs, which barely works in power fantasy quests and I give no weight in this one

File: ok.png (92 KB, 500x375)

92 KB PNG

>>48350388

>>48350388
>CQ
> a power fantasy quest

AHAHHAHHAHAHHAHHAHA someone obviously didn't meet the greeks

With much of your business done, and the light of the sun beginning to fade, you return to the campfires of your men.

They assemble in bits and pieces, your men. One-eyed Bayard sat with Tancred, grinning through the ruuin of his face. Your sister's bodyguard meant the presence of your sister, who sat with Chihirizahd and Sabeen, their face's animated with chatter, cheeks glowing in the light of the campfire. Orlando hailed you as you entered, one arm around the shoulder of Hector (whose eyes as ever strayed to your sister), Sir Etiene at the other, who drank good beer while his squire lazed on his back watching the stars unfurl. Orlando was sober, but the firelight made his cheeks waxy, and he had a glint of nerves in his eyes. Your uncle Hermann sat with Franz and Father Desmond, the older men watching the surrounding camp with a fond sadness, each of them cradling a cup of wine in their hands.

Solomon lounged closest to the fire, cradling his sword, lying between Tancred and Bayard, listening to the conversation around him with a long smile.

You sent Hugo off with a soft bat to the back of his head, and he went to join Jacques by the tent, squatting beside his mate. Hugo said something that brought a snorting laugh out of the boy. Alexius looked up to you and you sighed, nodded, sending the boy to join the other squires.

The eyes of the camp touched on you, but they didn't stop for you, not until Chihirizahd stood and came to you with your harp in hand.

"Would you play us a song my lord?" she asked.

"Play us a tune Wil!" Orlando said, and the cheer was taken up by the others.

"C'mon Wil," Mathilde clapped her hands and Sabeen leaned in.

> play a song
> don't play a song

>>48350425
> play a song

Raise Morale

>>48350425
> play a song

>>48350425
>> play a song

>>48350425
>> play a song

>>48350423
>dat reading comprehension

>>48350474

hes sort of right though, we've been threading our way between factions much more powerful than ours. We've only just started getting onto a similar footing.

Sorry got pulled away, writing.

>Hugo has been ploughing that Saracen ass full stop since that night


Thats mah boy!

You took the harp and turned it over in your hands. Why not a song? There would be no time for singing soon enough. Your fingers found the harp strings, pulling forth a tune.

It was a slow song, one that carried all your trials, and your hopes for the future, but it had a spritely note to it as well.

Those around you, your friends and companions, some sat up to listen while others eased back to enjoy, but they all came together in a ring around you. Cups were raised in toast and conversation died down as your music flowed over them. A sniff went up from beside you and you cracked an eye to see your sister dabbing at her eye with a silken cloth. A tender maiden underneath it all, you thought, as she leaned against Chirizahd. The Kurdish girl stroked your sister's hair as they listened to you play.

"Maybe I haven't said it before," Orlando got up, his own cheeks wet, "But I love you all. And whatever happens in the coming days, we face it together."

There was a groaning cheer, and Hector pulled Orlando down into his lap, catching him in a headlock. "Be more of a mope!" Sabeen called back to laughter. But still there wet eyes all around, and Orlando's sentiment was carried through the smiles they shared, the worry they tried to hide. Solomon went so far as to thump Orlando on the shoulder, a sign that he had at last buried his grudge.

Your song ended with yawns around, with Mathilde nestled in Chirizahd's lap, and Father Desmond heading off to bed. You set your harp aside, bed called to you as well, and beyond that the morning. You stretched out. Chihirizahd set your sister aside gently, and took your arm.

"Shall I put you to bed my lord?" she asked.

> yes
> yes (but no sex)
> no, I'll see to myself

>>48350779
> yes

We may die. Might as well do it.

>>48350779
>> yes (but no sex)

>>48350779
>> yes (but no sex)

During the sack we ought to get Chiri something nice. Shower her with jewelry for her services, both the spying ones and the carnal.

>>48350779
> yes

>>48350779
>> yes (but no sex)

Keep the D in the pants

>>48350779
> yes

This wouldnt be such a big problem if she just converted!

She is being selfish and cruel towards poor little innocent Wilhelm.

>>48350779
>> yes (but no sex)

I could use some sleep," you said, "But just sleep."

Chihirizahd bowed her head against your chest. "I understand," she said, leading you into your tent. Once she had secured the tent flap she helped you out of your tabard, out of your doublet and hose, but she kept her touch light, her ministration chaste. All save for a soft kiss on the back of your neck. When at last she had you into your bed, she slipped her dress from around her shoulders, dropping it about her ankles, standing beside your bed dressed only in the dark, it turned her all to shades of black and grey. She looked down upon you in your bed.

Twitching back the sheets she slipped herself in beside you a leg at a time, the warmth of her naked body pressed against your own. Her arms wound about your neck, across your chest, drew your head into the nape of her neck, the soft rise and fall of her breasts.

She murmured some heathen song as she held you, singing you softly to sleep. At last night took you while you were in her arms.

A peaceful night.
-
> switch to Hugo
> switch to Mathilde
> stay as Wilhelm

>>48350904
>> stay as Wilhelm

>>48350904
>> stay as Wilhelm

>>48350904
>> stay as Wilhelm

>>48350904
> switch to Mathilde

>>48350904
which is the one to make sure Matty's fiancee doesn't bite it?

>>48350904
>> stay as Wilhelm

IT BEGINS!

>>48350904
>> stay as Wilhelm

The day began cold. It began with a baptism. A priest, a girl in a white shift, and a washing tub of water. Father Desmond held his bible in hand, a cross of the lord in the other. Sabeen knelt before him in the water of the tub, wearing a white shift, the hem becoming translucent as it soaked up the water. You stood near by with Hugo and Mathilde.

A small crowd had gathered, not just your own men but others. It was rare for a Muslim to become a Christian, and many were taking it to be a good sign, but the attention had made Sabeen nervous, put a twitch in her and her fingers, but whenever she looked to your brother, a calmness would come over.

Father Desmond spoke in Latin, maybe one in ten of the crowd could understand him. At last he came to the important part.

"Do you take Christ into your heart, swear yourself to him and his service?" he asked.

"I do," she said, but you felt she had another man in mind than Christ Jesus. Desmond smiled at the girl, setting aside his cross and bible, he put a hand to her back and the other to her chin, and gently lowered her back into the water. She went under with a gasp, bubbles breaking the surface. It was a cold morning the water would be chilly.

"Rise reborn in the name of Christ," he said, and she came up with a gasp. There was some applause, and some unChristian appreciation for her dark body showing thrugh the clinging wet fabric of her shirt. Desmond put himself between her and the crowd, to protect some of her modest. Hugo did the rest when he brought her a cloak, helped her out of the water.

He was grinning and she was soon grinning too, a laugh starting out of her that Hugo answered, heads knocking together as they laughed, Hugo hand's smoothing the cloak around her shoulders, her hands pinching at the laces of his gambeson. The laugh broke off with a kiss, Hugo's mouth finding Sabeen's, his arms wrapping around her. It was drawn, long and tender.

"Enough," you said, unhappy at the display, unhappy at the way Father Desmond and your watching friends looked on with approval. Hugo broke away from his lover. "Sabeen, get armed, get armoured," you order.

"Yes, my lord," she replied with a hand to her heart. You took Hugo by the arm.

"We've places to be, fetch my horse," you said. He darted away, expression gone serious.

He returned soon with your horse and your helm. You pulled it on, looked to your fellows.

"Mount up, and be ready," you orderered.
-
It was such that the army of Jerusalem assembled on the field of Ascalon, shadowed by the Cross in which a splinter of the True Cross was kept. Melisende sat beneath the holy relic on which Christ had been killed, armoured as a man, her helm mounted with a golden crown, a sword at her side and spear fluttering with pennons in the colours of Jerusalem in her hands. All the banners of her army were arrayed behind her, lords rode at her side.

You closest of all.

The stern faces of Saracen warriors stood on the wall, spears in hand, armed and armoured in their foreign style. You were just outside of bowshot.

Even while standing still the army was loud, the sound of horses kept in hand, the shift of armoured bodies, coughs, sniffs, grunts and murmurs of small talk between soldiers. You looked back at the sea of gleaming spear points, a riot of colour of competing house coats, a veretable rainbow on display as each lord's man had donned their personal livery. And behind them the heavy war machines. Tall, gaunt siege towers and the framed, silent trebuchets promising violence.

You looked back to the walls.

Melisende trotted her horse forward, a white stallion.

"I am the master of Jerusalem," her voice was strong across the yard, "I call on Ascalon to surrender to me or suffer sword and storm."

"By what right does Jerusalem attack?" a fat man stood looking over the battlements, armour for war.

"By all the right of Christ," Melisende pointed to the cross.

"A curse on your Christ!" the fat man replied, "We stand guarded by Allah!" Some of the Saracens cheered, but not many.

You stirred in your saddle. Now was a time to add your own voice.

> offer your challenge to the defenders
> remain silent

>>48351122
> offer your challenge to the defenders

>>48351122
>> offer your challenge to the defenders

>>48351122
>> offer your challenge to the defenders
no country for old men

>>48351122
>>offer your challenge to the defenders

>>48351122
> offer your challenge to the defenders

File: Nubian Brother 1v1s a turk.gif (1.7 MB, 248x184)

1.7 MB GIF

>>48351122
>> offer your challenge to the defenders

>>48351122
>> offer your challenge to the defenders

If your Allah is so great surely your champion would best our own

"You say Allah protects you, we say Christ is with us," you brought your horse up beside Melisende, who gave you a cool look. "What's say you prove it? A meeting of champions, one of ours against one of yours. Whoever is victorious, that shall prove the will of God!"

The fat man's jowls shook. "And you are the accursed German, who has brought this evil upon my people?" he spat, "Very well, bring forth your champion, and we shall bring forth our own, but know that whatever the outcome we shall never surrender."

"So be it," you said.

You rode back to the line with Melisende. She bounced in the saddle with a soft jingle. "Is this some scheme?" she asked.

"It will be good for us," you said, "My man cannot lose, and seeing their man die after evoking Allah will rattle the defenders. Trust me, Melisende." You used her Christian name at that, imploring her with your eyes.

She bit her lower lip. "By Christ we might as well," she said, giving her blessing to the exchange.

You rode to your horsemen, all armoured and waiting with lances in hand. Solomon sat impassive, knowing what ou had planned. Sabeen looked more nervous, eyes narrow, her attention on those walls. You had heard Malik, her father, was within. Your knights all looked excited at the prospect of a duel. One of the Hellions, your old boozing companions back in Germany, rode forward.

"Send me out, Wil," Karl said, "Let them taste a German's steel."

You shook your head, you already had a champion in mind.

"Solomon?" you said. He gave you a grin, spurring his horse forward.

"The Nubian?" Karl was disappointed, as were many of the other foreign knights. They did not know Solomon, had never seen him fight.

From out the keep gates came a pair of Saracens, armoured in lamellar, with long lances and high domed helms. One was young, an alien to you, the other was old and white bearded, all too familiar.

You rode with Solomon to meet them.

"Malik," you said.

"Wilhelm," his face was hard, his voice unfriendly. You couldn't rightly blame him. "I thought you might send your Nubian out. This is Kamal, he will be killing your friend this morning."

"Hello," you said, giving the Saracen cavalier a friendly nod.

The Saracen spat something hot and angry in his native tongue. Solomon chuckled, replying in the same, which only grew Kamal's fury.

"Shall we watch together?" Malik asked, offering you his water skin. There was no need to be rude, you took it.

The champions took to either side of the field. A chill wind picked up from the harbour, filling your nostrils with the smell of the sea, blowing up cloud dusts from the barren field. You waited with Malik, the man's harness groaning as he bent forward in anticipation, horses nervy beneath you both, chomping at the bit, stomping at the dust.

You licked sweat from your lips despite the chill.

> roll 1d100, best of three

Rolled 58 (1d100)

>>48351294

Rolled 90 (1d100)

>>48351294

>>48351310
SOLOMON SOLOMON SOLOMON!!!!

Rolled 36 (1d100)

>>48351294
DEUS VULT! SOLOMON SMASH!

>>48351310
Noice

>>48351294
Goddamnit Malik. Tell him it is not too late. He can come over to us. Sabeen is doing well.

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>>48351310
DEUS VULT!

>>48351310
Solomon. Slicing and dicing all day everyday.

We really need to give him his own damascus steel blade.

Malik should really had seen this coming.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otQtYgw_0NY

imagine if we scored of solomon nat 100 here.

Would ascalon throw open its gates? Or how many would throw themselves from the walls instead of facing shaitan himself.

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>>48351449
just wait till they see the Flamethrower, they'll think the devil himself has come to siege Ascalon!

"My daughter, she is in your camp?" Malik asked.

The battlements no longer held just soldiers, common people, women and children, had come to watch the champions meet.

"She is," you said.

"She is safe, she is well?" he asked.

"Yes," you replied, "And I'll keep her that way as best I can."

"I know you will," he said. He watched the dust stir, the two horsemen square each other up. "Hugo is a good lad, he will make her happy," the old man said.

And the two riders galloped toward each other, lances lowering, hooves churning up the dirt. Man and beast were one in their approach, both were master horsemen, both steady on the lance. They closed the gap fast, clouds blooming behind their horses, the world narrow between them. A hush fell over all that watched. The silence loomed around the thud of hooves approaching one another.

A gasp. The Saracen's spear glanced off Solomon's helm with the ring of a bell. Solomon's lance crunched against the armoured shirt of the Saracen. It pushed the Saracen out of the saddle, held him aloft in the air as he flew backwards. And then he came crashing to the dirt, rolling, groaning on the spear shaft that stood from his chest. A horrified gasp went up on the wall. A beautiful woman, her veil lowered, her face contorted in horror.

"Kamal's wife," Malik's voice was clipped, matter-of-fact, "I should say, her widow." He said this as Kamal climbed to his feet, ripping the spear from his chest. It had punched through the armour, when he pulled it out he held up a bloody spear tip. He staggered, drew the sword from his hip, turned to face Solomon. Shouted his defiance in his alien tongue, throwing the spear down at his feet, daring Solomon to fight him on foot.

The fatal snick of Solomon's blade coming from its sheath. Solomon dismounted, hit the dirt like a big cat. He started toward the proud Egyptian, who grinned bloody teeth through the part of a black beard.

"Inshallah!" Kamal said, stumbling forward with a heavy sword stroke.

Solomon did not stop it, he bobbed back and let it slip by harmlessly. He let Kamal try again with an overhand cut, simply shifting his weight out of the sword's path at scant inches. Kamal staggered, dropped to his knees, clutching his chest. He tried forward again, surging up. Solomon let him stumble past, caught him by the helm, pulled him off his feet, threw him to the ground while prying the helm from his head. He threw aside the Saracen helm.

With sword as a prop, Kamal got onto his knees, choking on pain, chest heaving, blood gushing down from his wound. Solomon placed his blade on the back of Kamal's neck.

He looked to you, then to the wall. Drew up his blade, and brought it down.

The crowd wailed, Kamal's head thumped into the dirt.

Kamal's widow screamed in horror, pawing at the air, tears streaming from a bawling red face. She may have thrown herself from the wall if soldiers hadn't wrestled her down. Countering the moans of horror upon the wall, a great cheer went up from the Christians, spears drummed against shields, praise to God shouted as loud as possible. Solomon held up the Saracen's head, frowning, nodding in respect, then cast it aside like so much garbage.

Malik watched dead eyed. He looked to you.

"I'll see you on the walls, my friend," he said.

"Until then," you gave him a salute, which he grudgingly returned.

You rode over to Solomon, who mounted his black stallion, and together returned to your cheering lines, leaving the corpse where it lay.
-
taking a break, be back in about an hour and a half

Need to sleep. Thanks, HF.

>>48351494
Honestly what did he expect?

we should make this a tradition, everytime we assault the walls we let Solomon cut down their best, it will add to the sense of Impending doom

>>48351494
Classic Solomon. Maybe he can comfort Kamals wife after this is all done ?

>>48351494
See you later

>>48351531
Solomon is many things, a rapist he is not

>>48351494
see you later HF

>>48351517
Just got to make sure no one backstabs him with an arrow after the duel.

>>48351542
Who said anything about rape?

>>48351630
and face dishonour?!

....yeah thats possible

>YFW Solomon catchs the arrow in midflight

>>48351651
>YFW Solomons uses the arrow to break the wall

>kamal

Huh, i thought i recognised the name. Solomon killed one of ascelon's more skilled faris, son-in-law to the lord himself ans husband to his eldest daughter.

>>48351722
Goddamn. How much does the Queen love us right now ?

Pretty sure it is around "I want another baby" level.

>>48351735

It wont be us she wants but solomon seed now.

>>48351747
Goddamit how are we going to explain a African murdergod to the christain courts?

The black hair was hard enough

>>48351761
Sunburn in the womb at ascelon.

I'm back. If anyone is still around I'll be posting the next update soon.

>>48352070
Im here

>The Queen and Wilhelm will be sharing the lord of Ascalons bed after the siege.

>>48352070
I'm here daddyo

>>48352079
Iovetta*

>>48352089
That will first happen on their wedding night. The Queen will be the last woman Wilhelm fuck that isnt his wife (or Chiri)

>>48352070

Time for slaughter.

>>48352070
Woot!

>>48352079
>not Iovetta and chiri

Melisende met the two of you at the front of the line, a smirk on her face. The cheering behind her did not abate for some time, and looking at the army you felt a powerful energy, a blood thirsty anticipation. Bannermen rode up, the Count of Foix fat on his horse, the Count of Tripoli beside him. Hugo rode up, as well as Sir Etienne, keen to join you in your moment of glory.

"Shall we begin the assault my lady?" Foix asked, "My Iberian friends are keen to bloody those walls." He dabbed a cloth at his sweaty face, red and bulbous around the nasal bar of his helm and the maille around his neck.

She looked to you, brow raised. "What say you Lord Ramla?" she asked, her ornamental spear across the neck of her horse.

> advance on the walls with siege towers and ladders
> let the trebuchets do their work first

>>48352115
> let the trebuchets do their work first

First soften them up.

>>48352115
>> let the trebuchets do their work first

Letting the troops advance without softening them up will chew up our troops.

>>48352115
> let the trebuchets do their work first

>>48352115
> let the trebuchets do their work first

The bulwark needs to be broken before we can split their defences

Guys, I know the die is cast, but has anyone considered the ramifications of sieging Ascalon? I mean, Egypt is divided right now, right? If we take Ascalon, aren't we providing them with a common enemy? And aren't the Seljuks right at our gates in the north?

We should water the troops while the siege does its work.

>>48352168
Yeah but cute girl.

>>48352168

They've not stopped attacking us out of love but out of killing each other.

They would come for us in any case so we might as well take the first step rather than wait for them to come at us.

>>48352168
The border towards the Seljuk is guarded. No men has been taken from that front. The Eqyptians are too divided that not even we will be able to make them join. Too much bad blood. Cousins who will be willing to backstab eachother to be the one to defeat us.

if only we had some ballistas or scorpios. sweep the battlements.

>>48352183
>>48352185
>>48352187
The egyptians weren't an active threat, though. The Seljuks were. Wouldn't it have been wiser to focus on one enemy instead of gaining two?

>>48352220
The constant raids and the shape of our borders would had made that impossible. We are pretty much clearing our back so we can focus on the front by taking Ascalon, Gaza and Jaffa.

>>48352240
Alright. Hold me, I'm scared, man. I don't want to kill Malik. I don't want to make the people of Ascalon suffer. We might not see some of our people survive this. Why's it gotta be this way, man?

>>48352251
Because God Wills It

And dont worry. We will do our best to take Malik and his men prisoners and make sure they are treated well.

"We brought these war machines for a reason," you said, "They might not bring down the walls today, but let them soften the enemy."

Melisende nodded. "Very well, give the order for bombardment. Let us shake the walls of Ascalon, and teach Egypt the terror of the one true god." Her hand went up for a messenger, and she sent a boy running with the order.

You turned in your saddle to watch the lowering of the machines' baskets. Big men laboured over stone, loading the heavy shot into the machines as you had watched them do the day before. The ropes were taught, straining with tension. Achilles raised a flag, and as one the levers were dropped. The trebuchet's rocked in place from the power of their release, wooden limb smacking against the frame as the heavy stones were lobbed overhead. You watched them arc overhead, the stones let slip the natural bonds of earth, tumbling through the sky across the open plain.

The crunch of stone against the wall, the sound of men shouting in frightened tongues, the cheer from your own side.

*thump*thump*thump*

The stones slammed into the side of Ascalon's walls, some leaving indents, others tumbling to crash harmless against the ground beneath. One arced higher than the rest, and disappeared over the walls to land in the city behind it. Another still smashed into the battlements, scattered armoured men like pins.

The cheering did not continue past the second volley, and the army sat in mostly silence as they watched the bombardment continued, hoping to spy a possible collapse in the city walls, but they held firm.

"It will take days at least before you see those walls come down," Pons said dryly, wetting his throat with water.

"Perhaps we can mount an assault, take the walls without destroying them," Foix said.

Again, Melisende looked to you with a brow raised.

> assault the walls
> wait until tomorrow

>>48352251

Because we are removing kebab

>>48352263
> assault the walls

Use the trebuchtes to cover the siege towers or use pots of greek fire to throw over the city walls ?

>>48352263
>> wait until tomorrow

Give them no sleep.

We are in for the long run. An extra day will do nothing.

Also we should be lobbing fire pots into their house.

>>48352263
>> wait until tomorrow

One day's worth of waiting will be good enough that we don't have to worry about their reinforcements coming. Plus, they'll be extra tired from all the damage control. Assaults are costly, we have to limit them.

>>48352263
>> assault the walls

Give them a couples of concentrated volleys first on certain sections of the wall before assaulting said sections

>>48352270
>>48352263
> wait until tomorrow

Yeah i changing to wait. Continue the bombing throughout the day and during the night, use greek fire during the night when it will be most effective. Also make sure to get our engineer to calculate what angel our trebuchetes fire at to make sure they all hit.

>>48352296
This, in addition concentrate our barrages on a few sections of the wall rather than all over the place

>>48352263
> wait until tomorrow

>>48352296
+1
Good night its 2 here in the west coast states.

>yfw you realise queenie is using us to give the cautious options. So that her lords won't disparage her that she is timid in battle.

sasuga queenie

"A hasty assault leaves men dead who'd have otherwise lived," you said, "We should assault tomorrow. Have the trebuchets continue their bombardment throughout the day, at night, have them set pots of Greek fire beyond the walls to burn the city. Leave men to guard them lest the garrison try to sally forth in the night. Have them sing and drum and make as much noise as possible. We'll give these bastards not a moment to rest, while our people feast. Come tomorrow they will be tired, we will be rested, and the walls will be weaker."

"Then that shall be my order," Melisende said with a nod.

Foix and Pons looked to you with a certain respect, but also an unwelcome scrutiny. It was clear to them you held the queen's ear, and possible de-facto command over the army. They turned their horses back, relaying orders to subordinates. You tarried beside the queen.

"You've served me well, Lord Ramla," she said, a familiar gleam in her and smile beginning on her lips, "Deliver Ascalon to me and you may find me most generous with my favour."

"I do only as you command," you said with a smirk.

"And you do it very well," she replied, sitting high in the saddle as she rode back to her host.
-
End of thread

Wil +1 War, +1 Lead

QnA as usual. Sorry to end it there but a bunch of folks are going to bed anyway, and I feel this is a good place to leave off until next session.

Current plan is to run on Thursday (my time).

>>48352369

You doing alright HF?

Hope the job hunting goes smoothly. Hang in there, things will work out.

>>48352369
What are the odds of them surrendering? How common are surrenders during the period?

>>48352369
Glad to see you return HF. Hope you have been doing alright.

>>48352391
>You doing alright HF?
I'm unemployed and suffer from continuous bouts of major depression.

I'm not doing great, but things could be worse. I've some how kept my woman and most of my health. Right now I'm just trying to keep them both.

>>48352402
Not great. Surrenders happened, but at the same time Christian/Muslim conflicts were notably more brutal than the norm, and in the past Christians slaughtered Muslim (and Jewish) populations that -did- surrender, so they have no reason to trust Christians in this matter.

>>48352369

Besides Malik, are there many at the level of Kamal? How badly was morale shaken when he was basically toyed with and slaughtered.

>>48352425
We will have the option to try get Malik, Aymal and the others alive, right ?

>>48352430
>are there many at the level of Kamal?
There are a few.

> How badly was morale shaken when he was basically toyed with and slaughtered.
Pretty damn badly.

>>48352435
Maybe, depends how things play out.

>>48352443
How long would it take for a relief force to come from Egypt?

>>48352425

Chin up, man. It's going to get abit worse before it fully gets better but I think you'll be fine. Lean on your girl, your family, your friends. And keep applying, even after god knows how many rejection letters.

>>48352443
I gotta re-read the Malik short story.

Speaking of which i dont take you continued with those ?

>>48352460
No, I'm afraid I didn't.

>>48352454
By sea or by land?

>>48352369
Great to have you back HF, especially after you disappeared without nary a word.

What's made you want to make Ascalon the potential final Arc?

Malik will flip his shit when he finds out what happened to Sabeen right?

After Cq are you going to disappear from quests forever? It'd be a shame to lose one of the best qm's /tg/ has

>>48352468
Just how long/much were Hugo and Sabeen doing it for it to stink like that in his tent ?

Whats the word about Wilhelm in the army ?

Whats the word about Solomon after his little display, i doubt he will go unrewarded by the Queen after that little feat

Lead: 91+8(99)
War: 79+15(94)
Int: 90+10(100)
Cha: 94+4(98)

>Lead: 99

SOON.JPG

>>48352468
Both, I guess.

>>48352523
That 99 is completely contextual as it relies on item bonuses from our inventory

Anyway chin HF I'm dealing with similar shit to you and I just want to say stick with the things you know will make you better and it will be easier for you!

>>48352538
I wouldnt worry too much about Naval. Due to our blockade the nearest place they can land is Jaffa from which they will have to march through Gaza where our advanced force is to hold them back/warn us. So we got that covered.

>Tried to make a quest based on CQ in Game of Thrones universe as a wandering knight.

Had to stop due to my own depression and issues.

I know that feel HF.

>>48352558
Look at our int, dohoho.

I'm just looking out for that magical 3 digit stat, even with bonuses. We can't exactly be like solobro. Fucking 101 in war before bonuses.

>>48352588
You are aware that only happened because Solomon broke the fucking game right?

>>48352468
Does Malik hate us or is he just very dissapointed ?

Sorry, got dragged away.

>>48352504
>Just how long/much were Hugo and Sabeen doing it for it to stink like that in his tent ?

Like jackrabbits.

>Whats the word about Wilhelm in the army ?

That he seems to know what he's doing, and that's very close to the queen.

>Whats the word about Solomon after his little display

Everyone is impressed.

>>48352680
He is very disappointed.

>>48352476
> What's made you want to make Ascalon the potential final Arc?

It seems a good capstone to everything, one way or the other.

> Malik will flip his shit when he finds out what happened to Sabeen right?

He won't take it well

> After Cq are you going to disappear from quests forever?

I don't know yet. Quests take up a lot of time and I have both 1. real writing to do and 2. I have to find a job, making commitments hard to figure out.

>>48352538
By foot about a month, by sea, about a week or two depending on weather.

>>48352867
>Like jackrabbits.

Keeping this up Sabeen will have a swollen belly soon.

>He is very disappointed.

Gotta make him know he is still our mate.

>tfw Welf isn't here by our side

>>48352867
Thanks, HF.