But before you could close your eyes and attempt to snatch back a few hours sleep from the thought of pillaging Turks, a knock on the door rouses you. You try to shift out from under your wife with great care, but this broke the spell on Yvetta's sleep. She didn't speak, her eyes opened and she looked up at you, fine blue jewels beneath delicate blonde brows, imploring you to ignore the knock at your door for at least a few minutes, her hand on your chest firming as if she could pin you there with her love.

The knock grew harder. You look from the strong oak down to the firming line of your wife's brow. A royal princess was not used to being denied.don't have a spare moment

> tarry with your wife, a few minutes longer with her wouldn't change the tides of fate
> rise, in this time of crisis, you can't spare a moment

(fucked up the formatting, great return, right?)

> tarry with your wife, a few minutes longer with her wouldn't change the tides of fate
I feel like I'm dreaming. Is this real?

>>3122260
> rise, in this time of crisis, you can't spare a moment
holy shit

>>3122296
Nah. No twitter post, no trip.

Believe it or not, its me.

Or don't. Maybe I'm not me. Maybe no one is anyone and we're all just a confused swarm of atoms trying to make sense of an illogical and hostile universe.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

I'm just going to roll for it. 1 first option, 2 for the second

>>3122354
I don't believe my eyes

Yvetta's gaze softens as you settle back down, her hand curling into the bed sheet covering your chest. You cup her fine chin and kiss her, breathing in the flowered perfume of her hair, setting back against the headboard of your bed. The knocking ceases with a defeated sigh, giving you up to the arms of your wife.

There was little comfort in this world. Jerusalem was a hard land, beset on all sides by enemies, with uncertain allies at every turn and populated by factional nobles more concerned with their own rights than the good of the kingdom as a whole. Was it any wonder you had such a troubled mind? The world was a raging storm, with grim news at every turn. Yvetta's arms was a rare safe harbour, the press of her a balm, a spell that made the rest of the world vanish for a few tender minutes.

And it made breaking from her all the harder. You held her until the sun broke through the slit of your window, wasting those moments with kisses, soft then firm then one last long and lingering before she surrendered you to the world and your duty, leaving her in the island of your marriage bed, clad in her long blonde hair and heavy winter blankets. She was a royal princess, and though she could be demanding of your attention, few knew the responsibility of ruling better than her.

You pull on hose and boots, drawing a loose tunic on over your head. You tied on your sword, the Dasmascus blade firm against your hip.

Outside you found your seneschal, Etienne, waiting. The old Frenchman had become bald over the years, the only hair left on his head the goatee and mustache he affected. His look was disapproving, but you were used to his disapproving, hawkish glare.

"What's so important you'd wake me this early?" you said, clapping your belly, "And without breakfast waiting? You're a mean old sod, Etienne."

"Forgive me my lord, but we have visitors," he said, his voice as stiff as his back.

"Visitors," you had been expecting guests, but not for another week. It was the last days of Advent, and your staff had been preparing for an influx of guests for the Yuletide. Some knights and nobles had already arrived from up the coast, but no one important. Whoever these new arrivals were, they had to be fairly important to have Etienne tear you away from your wife.

"A ship is making harbour flying the colours of the Pope," he said, "And your brother arrives by the road, and with him...."

"Prince Baldwin," you said. Your brother, Sir Hugo of Ramla, had become mentor to the young warrior prince, taking him on as squire. But squire or no, a prince was a prince, and one day that boy would be your king. You missed your brother sorely, you saw him rarely these days, but the colours of Rome were not to be ignored lightly.

> go to the harbour
> go to the gates to meet your brother

>>3122489
>go to the gates to meet your brother
If you're really hf then welcome back, we missed you. If you're not then you're a decent writer who should consider writing their own quest.

>>3122489
>go to the gates to meet your brother

Whatever news Rome had sent was nothing compared to seeing your brother again.

"Let's not keep him waiting," you say to Etienne.

"It's cold today, my lord, I suggest a jacket of some kind," he said.

You nod. Trotting up, a page boy enters with a heavy coat that you draw on. Palestine winters weren't as vicious as those of your birth-land, but they still had a bite to them, with the occasional frost and snow. Now that you were away from the warmth of your marriage bed, that chill was starting to creep in.

"No need for gloves," you tell the boy before he can offer mittens.

The castle often woke before you, and it filled the stone corridors with a pleasant working sound. The scent of baking bread floated down the corridors, and your belly protested the lack of a breakfast but you shushed it. Lordship had its privileges, constant hot meals being one of them. Your wife warned you too much comfort could send you fat, but so far you'd managed to sidestep that fate, but the delicious baked treats that came steaming out of the castle kitchens were a threat that had to be guarded against.

Your men-at-arms give you friendly salutes as you pass, and you don't chasten your servants to bow as they went about their day. Better they get their work done than have it interrupted with protocol. Most you knew by name, and gave them warm greetings as you passed.

Down the staircase and through the halls brought you out into the castle yard, the gates open and looking out onto your city. A further ring of stone guarded the city as a whole, with its thatch roofed homes and date palms, the harbour overlooking choppy seas. You breathed in the cold salt air, sharp in your lungs, and thumped your chest to get the blood flowing. Dawn was struggling through dark clouds, but it brought a faded colour to the world.

Christmas was almost here, the celebration of God's birth, and evidence ran through the Christian quarters of the city. All you wanted to celebrate the season correctly was a snowball fight, but the best you had was a thin film of frost that slicked the earth beneath your feet.

"Lord Ascalon," a voice from a window. One of your guests looked down from his room. Usama ibn Munqidh was a Syrian, a Muslim, and a scholar. He had done your queen service, brokering a treaty between his Dasmascus and your Jerusalem against their mutual enemy, the Turk warlord, Zengi. He was on his way to Egypt, or so he said, but travel by sea was rough and the land dangerous without escort. You wave up to the old man with a smile. He clutches a book close, one of his precious histories.

"You will join me for a game of shatranj later?" he asked.

"If I've the time," you say.

"There is always time for shatranj," he says, and you laugh, waving farewell.

Your brother waits at the gate of the city.

>>3122703
When he had first come to Ascalon your brother had been a boy of fourteen, blood smeared from battle, having taken the wall by sword and storm. Now he was a man of twenty-four, tall and powerful on the back of his steed. He wore well fitted mail and a tabard with the device of Queen Melisende, a sword at his hip and spear in hand, shield hanging off his back. He was a sober young man, strong jawed and fine cheeked with brilliant blue eyes and a cap of blonde curls. He had set the maidens of Jerusalem a fluttering, and had become the feature of a poet's verse or two, the model of a handsome, pious knight.

When he saw you he exploded into a brilliant white grin, and swung down from his steed.

"Wil," he grasped you by the forearm, and you laughed as you collapsed into a hug. You were a dark haired man, he was bright blond, you were shadow and light, but none could mistake your kinship. You kissed his smooth cheek and he kissed your bristled beard. "By St Paul it's good to see you," he said, slapping your shoulder. The power in his arms was plain as your hand went numb. When he released it, looking embarrassed, you flexed life back into your fingers. "We have a lot to catch up on. How is Chiri? Your wife? My niece and nephew? And have you heard from Solomon yet? God, it really has been too long."

Before you can answer he turns his head.

"Squire," he barked, "Come show respect to the lord of Ascalon."

A moody teenage boy stepped out from the train of horses. Dusty blond hair shadowed a proud face. He had the fine features of his mother, but puberty was starting to draw out his father in him, broadening his face. Prince Baldwin was filling out to be a strong young man, even if there was still a boyish sulk to his face.

"M'lord Ascalon," he muttered with half a bow.

Hugo looked unimpressed.

> welcome Prince Baldwin as befitting the crown-prince
> the boy comes as your brother's squire, treat him as such

Everybody died

>>3122771
nice

>>3122711
> welcome Prince Baldwin as befitting the crown-prince

>>3122711
> the boy comes as your brother's squire, treat him as such
if you had given some advanced notice i would have been here

Please dont be dead when i finally saw you have come here

>>3122836
Just waiting for votes/players

> the boy comes as your brother's squire, treat him as such
the boy is here to learn ask how you did in his position to be a faithful man and honorable Knight and Warrior there's no need to coddle him just because he's a Princeling. Here's hoping he's not an insufferable prick when he takes the throne

>>3122711
>welcome Prince Baldwin as befitting the crown-prince

>>3122711
>welcome Prince Baldwin as befitting the crown-prince

>>3122840
How have you been man ? Been a very long time. Hows the book writing coming along, And it seems you read my "i miss you" tweet.

File: blpfP5j.jpg (559 KB, 2048x2048)

559 KB JPG

Also posting for best girl

closing votes and starting to write

"Your highness," you say with a bow, "Welcome to Ascalon, I shall have lodging provided for you."

It drew a smile from the boy's sulk, and his bow depened. "My Lord Ascalon, thank you," he said, then shook road dust from his shoulders. Hugo didn't look pleased by that.

"Get the horses to stable," he ordered, "Then come find me in the yard for drills." Prince Baldwin's jaw clenched but he nodded, taking the reins of the horses and walking them into the city.

Hugo looked back to you. "Careful how you treat the boy, Wl," he said, "He's been getting a swelled head. There has been talk around him about 'rightful kingship' since his father died, and the boy has started to listen. With things the way they are, the last thing Jerusalem needs is the boy challenging his mother for the crown."

Your brother had never been one for politics, but time in the court of Queen Melisende must have changed that. You supposed one couldn't be tutor to the crown-prince without getting involved on some level. Still, to see your bright eyed little brother talk low about courtly intrigue bothered you in a way that was hard to place.

"How have you been? You ask, "How is Sabeen and the kids?"

Whatever conspiratorial mood had swamped Hugo was lifted away at the mention of his wife and children. "Good," he said, "Sabeen is well. Her training ground for noble girls is doing well after it received the Queen's blessing, we have Little Unna already riding with a lance as fine as her mother, better than her brother, and Princess Morphia has demanded she learn at least some sword-play. What about you, hey? How are Judith and Little Will? How is Yvetta?"

You grin at the thought of your own children. Your eldest, Judith, would be at her lessons by now with Chihirizahd. All of seven and sharp as your blade. Your littlest, Will, was still a stumbling toddler at four, but was starting to find his feet. You had to consider their futures soon, who Will would page for then squire, and whether or not to send Judith to her aunt's court, to learn to be a proper noblewoman of the Holy Land.

You and your brother discuss family as you walk up the streets of your city, reunited at last. His laughter exploded at your jests free and unencumbered with the heavy burden of lordship. In a way you envied your brother. His service to the Queen kept him on the road, traveling here and there with nary a rest.

"I was last up north a few months ago," he said, "It's a bad way. Not just the bastard Zengi, but Antioch is in turmoil again. Princess Alice and her jackal of a husband are trying to have Constance dispossessed. They're threatening to join the damned Greeks over it."

"Bad news," you said, and news that you were well aware of, they attempted it every year, as constant as spring. Constance, the seventeen year old exiled Princess of Antioch, had been a semi-frequent guest in your domain, and was expected shortly to celebrate the yuletide.

>>3123002
You returned to your castle to find the papal delegation waiting. So happy had you been to see your brother you had almost forgot it had arrived. They were an armed company, warriors among the aging priests, and they brought pack-mules laden with stock. Etienne spoke with a one-eyed man-at-arms, fast and brief over a script.

Alongside the robed priests and their baggage train stood a tall woman of icy beauty, her dark hair tied back from a cold, pale face in a thick braid, secured by a white silk head-dress. She wore a well fitted blue dress threaded with gold and a foul mood clear in the arch of her fine dark brows, and you were already bracing for a sharp comment.

"And he returns laughing like a drunk in the company of the roughest sort, stinking from the road. Your grace, may I introduce you to his lordship, Wilhelm of Ascalon," your sister Mathilde said. A fat little Italian cardinal blinked up at you from beside her, offering his hand and the ring to kiss. "And this scruffy wall of muscle is Sir Hugo of Ramla."

"Do forgive them, your grace, they couldn't have known who was flying the colours of the Holy See."

> laugh her off and embrace your sister
> kiss the cardinal's ring

>>3123015
> kiss the cardinal's ring

>>3123015
> kiss the cardinal's ring

>>3123015
>kiss the cardinal's ring
Godammit you're making me miss the full quest man

God damn my proof reading is still shit

>>3122853
I'm fine I guess. It's Christmas and I don't have much to do so figured this would make a nice surprise. We all need a little bit more good in the world considering how awful things are, and just getting worse.

>Princess Alice is actually scheming against her own daughter

Only good thing is that she is shit at it. We would be worried if her scheming was as good as her titjob.

I have no idea where we're at, last I recall we were either pushing a boner at our blackguy cutting off some dudes head, or that trap boygirl getting raped by a king and taking some castle or city.

>>3123127
This is after we captured the city of Ascalon and married the waifu

>>3123132
Which one? I lost count. We had a nun or two plus a princess, a handmaiden, a virgin wife, a mistress that couldn't have kids, some potatoes, and a husbando or two. Oh yeah and the Queen, and her sister perhaps?

>>3123155
Iovetta. The girl who was supposed to be a nun.

Also i get the feeling that our dear wife dream was about the vampire thread from the halloween oneshot. Would explain why she was in a "mood"

>kiss the cardinal's ring
I am a man of the faith

>>3123215
And if anyone claim anything else we will send our heathen lover and our muslim mercenaries to murder them

>>3123015
> laugh her off and embrace your sister

Reminder that the traitor (forgot her name) who was burned fully deserved it.

"Scruffy?" Hugo says as he runs a hand through his hair, while you dip a bow to the cardinal, taking his hand and kissing the ring.

"Forgive my impertinence your grace," you said, "It's been too long since I last saw my brother, and lost sense of proper decorum. My castle is yours, and I'm sure the local church would be honoured by your presence."

"Yes, yes, indeed," he said, slipping his hand away. He was a leathery, crook backed old man, "I am merely stopping over on the way to the holy city. We bring news, good news for your queen, and a missive from his holiness Pope Eugenius." The smile he had was turtlish as he folded his hands together, "But for now I need to rest, yes, yes."

"Cardinal Ignatius has come a long way," Mathilde said, "I'm sure Lord Wilhelm will find you suitable lodgings."

"At once," you say, with a click for Etienne. Your majordomo nods as he goes to fetch for the cardinal.

With the cardinal gone you turn to your sister. "I thought you were in France."

She smiled. "I was," she said, "Suffering the leers of the drip known as King Louis. A remarkably unaccomplished young king that spent more time admiring my figure than the words of our queen."

Your sister had grown into a figure of great beauty in the last ten years, from a pretty girl into a stunning woman, but if there had been any change in her nature you hadn't seen it, other than maybe a stronger layer of frost. Her eyes were as blue and hard as sapphires, and as cold as sea-ice.

"You must tell me all about your adventures," you said.

"I'm not scruffy," Hugo said, "Just been on the road is all. I brush my hair and shave every morning"

With that your sister smiled, splitting the ice, and touched the dimple of your brother's chin with her thumb. "A scruffy soul can't be hidden by combs and razors," she said, then deigned you both with a kiss on the cheek. "Merry Christmas."

You brought your siblings into your castle, where your wife had risen. Yvetta was dressed in white with a fur stole around her shoulders, a jeweled choker around her neck, with her long blonde hair in a thick plait that draped down her shoulder. She beamed for your siblings, and was at once striding toward them.

"Matty, oh its good to see you, and Hugo, you freebooter, I've missed you both!" She took them by the hand and kissed them both, and even Mathilde relented under her charm. "Welcome home, eat and drink. You've been sorely missed."

>>3123267
Hugo grabbed Yvetta into a thick hug. "This is from your sister," he said, and kissed her firm on the cheek, "And this is from your other sister," and kissed her on the other, "And this is from me." and planted a last one on her forehead before lowering her to her feet. Yvetta giggled, looking unsteady, her handmaids waiting behind her.

A breakfast had been seat, eggs and bacon with a soft honey mead, and you took your seats.

Some of your other guests came in. Usama was given a plate of rice and dates, a cup of milk, and he gave you a light toast. You chatted with your family about their exploits. Mathilde brought news from France, from the warring lords and the trouble in England. "But the most interesting one I met was a woman named Eleanor. She's one to watch, and better a friend than an enemy," she said. You nodded into your cup.

Hugo filled you in on the courts, on the marriages and betrothals. The search for a suitable princess for Prince Baldwin continued.

At last your children came in with Chihirizahd. Your one-time concubine and now nurse-maid to your children did not sit at the table with your family, but close. She wore her hair covered by a red scarf and wore a modest black dress, but it couldn't disguise her beauty, and no few of the cardinal's men, including the cardinal himself, admired her approach.

Your son didn't wait on protocol but climbed up into your lap, grabbing at what was one your plate and stuffing it into his mouth. You ruffled his dark curls. Your daughter, Judith, curtsied for her aunt and uncle, then for the cardinal. Your Judith had little of her mother's beauty or even your own, and seemed to favour your mother in a mousy appearance, with a bold nose sticking out for her face, but she had intelligent blue eyes and a natural liveliness as she bounced over to her uncle, sitting next to him and grinning up, demanding a story through her missing teeth.

It was then that you had a caller, a leader of the Muslims in your city named Hadeem.

"My lord," he stood before your breakfast table, tall Odo at his side, "May I request your time?" Hadim made the effort to speak French, a language you were now fluent in, though you could speak passable Arabic and Syrian. He was a burly man, middle-aged and strong, well respected. Normally you had a warm relationship, as far as that went, but he seemed nervous. "I ask that we be allowed to celebrate Mawlid, if it be appropriate." Mawlid was the celebration of the birth of Muhammad, and so far you had not concerned yourself to disallow it. You mostly let your Muslims worship freely.

He looked down the length of your table, over the foreign knights and priests, and you could understand his concern.

> of course you may
> I'll not have infidel worship detract from the birth of Christ

>>3123280
> of course you may

Within their own district.

>>3123280
>> of course you may

>>3123280
>of course you may
But keep it inside your own homes. You may not disturb or prevent any Christian from celebrating Christmas.

>>3123280
> of course you may
In Private. Or go to a nice isolated spot and celebrate there.

"In your own quarters and in private, of course you may," you say, "And I suggest you respect your Christian neighbours and their worship in turn. Let us have a peaceful Christmas, and a peaceful Mawlid both." Why break from custom now? Better to continue as you have and keep the peace. Interfering in local customs wouldn't endear you to your non-Christian subjects, and other lords had suffered setbacks for taking a harsh stance towards them. The last thing you needed was to encourage saboteurs and hostility when peace was a frail cracker to begin with.

Hadeem looked relieved, but the Europeans frowned over their meals. Odo had the sense to escort Hadeem out.before Cardinal Ignatius stood, wobbling at the knees.

"Is it your custom Lord Ascalon, to let the pagan feast and celebrate under the stewardship of good Christian folk?" he asked, "To encourage the worship of false prophets so close to the birth of our Messiah? Did Moses smile and nod when he discovered the Jews cavorting around the golden calf?"

"With respect, your grace, you are a guest, and you will address my husband with more respect," your wife said, starting to rise from her own chair, heat burning in her voice and fine face flashing with anger.

"I am a servant of God, Lady Ascalon, and charged with a sacred duty," the cardinal worbled, a mean look at his eyes for being rebuked, "And if I had wanted to hear from you, woman, I would have addressed you. Know your place and return to your seat."

As it was prone to do, the heat between nobles began to infect their servants, and mean looks were exchanged between your men and the cardinal's. Your wife rose up, tall and straight, her anger adding a terrifying beauty to her. Your children shrank to your side.

"Be careful how you speak to me, old man," she said, "Do not let my fair sex disguise what I am, and do not let your rings and red cap forget where you are. A priest's robes make poor armour in the Holy Land."

This was getting out of hand, you needed to smooth things over.

You stand.

>Roll 1d100 three times +5, highest wins, against a DC of 75

Rolled 69 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>3123395

Rolled 6 (1d100)

>>3123395
Calm down everyone. We should not be fighting in times like these

Rolled 91 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>3123395

>>3123402
Damn, so close on my favourite number

>>3123410
success!

>>3123410
I was just about to say nothing had changed. Then you came and saved the day

>>3123395
I Intend to covert them not by the sword but by the mercy and kindness that comes from our lord and savior.

You clear your throat, then laugh.

Yvetta shoots you and irritated frown that compels you to kiss her.

"My wife is fierce," you said, "I'd ask you to forgive her, cardinal, but how can I when I love her so?"

You look to him and his own frown on his flabby turtle face.

"Your grace, our ways might seem strange, but believe me, they have a purpose. Jerusalem is not Italy or France. I do not have ten thousand soldiers to call upon or the comfort of Christian neighbours. Why provoke more hostility when the whole of the Orient is hostile enough? For our mission to be successful we must win the favour of our non-Christian subjects, and maybe in time lead them to Christ. But until we hold more of this corner of the world in our grasp, we must tread carefully. We swim amongst sharks, and do well not to add blood to the churning waters."

He didn't seem happy, but his indignation settled.

"Come, winter is never a time to fight, less so when we are so close to the birth of Christ, drink and eat and forget the troubles of the world for a short time."

You fill a cup of wine and call on Chihirizahd to take it to the cardinal. He takes it with his eyes on her breasts, a light in his eyes.

"Enjoy the comforts of my court," you say, "Because there are few comforts on the high roads of Jerusalem. Believe me." You touch the scar on your cheek for dramatic effect.

"Yes," the cardinal said over a sip of wine, still considering Chihirizahd, "Yes, we must enjoy comfort while we can." Your speech seems to have worked, and the Italians settled back to eat, yur own court doing the samme.

You finish breakfast with your son on your lap and your daughter reciting a passage from the Song of Roland. Everyone gives Judith light applause, she has a sweet voice and her memory was exceptional.

Once it was over and your table was being cleared, you found yourself with competing attention.

> your sister wishes to speak in private
> your brother wants your attention
> Chihirizahd is waiting in a doorway

>shoots you and

Fuck.

>>3123459
> Chihirizahd is waiting in a doorway

She has never done us wrong. If she need to talk it is important.

Captcha fucking sucks today

>>3123459
>> your brother wants your attention

>>3123459
> Chihirizahd is waiting in a doorway
Ahh good old firecrotch.

>>3123459
>your sister wishes to speak in private

Okay, writing

You follow Chihirizahd into a corridor, down to a private room.

You close the door behind you as she turns her back to you, unwinding her red scarf, letting her thick black hair fall freely down her shoulders and back.

"That could have gone better," you say.

She looks over her shoulder and grins. "Oh, it was a little entertaining, you just had to spoil it by speaking up."

"I can hardly let my wife brawl with a priest in front of our children, can I?" you reply with a grin of your own.

"Well you could," she said, "You might have when I first met you."

"Are you saying lordship has aged me?" you reply.

She batted dark lashes over a pout. "Of course not, master, of course not," then tutted as she took lint from your chest. You found yourself looking down on her figure, admiring it, remembering lost nights between her dusky thighs as she smoothed the fabric of her dress down them.

>whatever urges you feel, you have been loyal to Yvetta since your wedding
>you have tried to be loyal to Yvetta, but your eyes (and hands) still stray, you are a man of habit and appetite

>>3123532
>you have tried to be loyal to Yvetta, but your eyes (and hands) still stray, you are a man of habit and appetite

Now why did you call for me?

>>3123532
>you have tried to be loyal to Yvetta, but your eyes (and hands) still stray, you are a man of habit and appetite
If only we could get her in a 3some its okay if our wife is present.

>>3123532
>you have tried to be loyal to Yvetta, but your eyes (and hands) still stray, you are a man of habit and appetite

>>3123532
This doesn't mean we actually slept with her since then have we?

>>3123532
>whatever urges you feel, you have been loyal to Yvetta since your wedding
Why do you torture us so qm

>>3123554
Yes, this means you have been unfaithful to Yvetta, and not just with Chiri

In case people weren't aware I'll let them reconsider their votes.

>>3123532
>>3123548
changing then
>whatever urges you feel, you have been loyal to Yvetta since your wedding

Thought it was just groping and eyeballing her.

>>3123532
>whatever urges you feel, you have been loyal to Yvetta since your wedding

>>3123532
>>whatever urges you feel, you have been loyal to Yvetta since your wedding

writing

Its not cheating if it is chiri

Once upon a time you had been a roguish clad, something of a slut happy to have any maiden that was wet and willing into your bed, and while your eyes still came alive at the sight of pretty young maidens and finely made women, marriage had reformed you. No longer were you the sort to slip into a woman's chamber at night, no matter how dark and beautiful that woman was.

You had your wife, whom you loved more than the urges of your loins, and though it had changed your relationship with Chihirizahd, it hadn't soured it. For her part she had not been chaste, though her heart was still yours. You knew a few young knights had enjoyed the special privilege of her as a bed mate, and a few select lords and priests as well. One particularly foolish boy had pledged to marry her after winning back Edessa in the north, but had found only a quick death at the tip of a Saracen lance.

She flashed you a flirty smile as she wound the red scarf around her waist, emphasizing her figure.

"I saw the way the cardinal leered," she said, "Perhaps I can secure his friendship, and maybe discover just what he is taking to your queen."

No doubt she could, you thought, admiring her figure. She had done so for you in the past.

"And there was a cheeky boy in the stable, who deliberately brushed against me. Your brother's squire, I think. You should have a word with him. He looked nervous to do it but he still did. I might be a common slave, but if he thinks he can 'brush up' against a high born lady in that way, he'll find enemies faster than friends."

There was nothing common about her, but you took her meaning.

"I'll have a word with the lad," you said.

Chihirizahd smiled. "And the cardinal?"

> leave him alone
> show him the comforts of Ascalon

>>3123623
>show him the comforts of Ascalon

>>3123623
>clad
clad? cad

>>3123623
> show him the comforts of Ascalon

okay writing

fuck the captcha by the way

>>3123623
> show him the comforts of Ascalon
I mean if shes into him.

"That sounds like it will lead to a very merry Christmas," you said, brushing her hair from her shoulder, fingertips to her neck. A stray touch like this was all you would allow yourself, and the heat of her skin set a heat through you. The way her throat tightened and chin lifted with a soft breath was intoxicating, but whatever war raged in the pit of your loins, you drew those fingers away.

"I'll have all his secrets by morning," she said, finishing the knot in her sash with a wink.

"How did the lessons go?" you asked as she left.

She paused at the door. "Judith....is a bright girl. You're very lucky, both of you."

"We're lucky to have you, too," you said, her face turned away from you, "Not for what you're doing tonight, but for our children, and for both of us. Chihirizahd....you make this castle more of a home."

She didn't reply at first, but instead ducked her head. "We'll speak on the morrow," she said, her voice breathless.

You often wondered if you should find her a husband, Yvetta had spoken of it before. At the same time you could think of no crueler fate for a man, not while she still looked at you the way she did.

You left that private chamber to hear the clatter of swords in play out in the courtyard, your brother and his squire ar training under the shade of palm trees swaying under a chilling breeze. They wore armour and helm with sword and shield, your brother and the young prince. Mathilde watched from a courtyard bench, arms crossed, giving you the look of an annoyed cat. She still wanted to talk, but so did Hugo, and you heard a cough that conjured Etienne, some business or other.

You rarely had a restful time, and Christmas was proving to be no different from any other season.

>speak with your sister
>speak with your brother
>speak with Etienne

>>3123697
>>speak with your sister
Remind me, did Matty married her boy toy?

>>3123697
>speak with your sister

>>3123706
She's unwed

>>3123697
>speak with your sister

>>3123713
The betrothal with the prince of gailele fell through?

I might have to cut this short, something unexpected came up, but if you think this will still be up tomorrow I'll run then

>>3123718
Yeah.

>>3123721
Threads here stay for more than 2 weeks. You have no problem coming back here.

>>3123721
Remember to give a call on twitter so we will know when. I caught this thread completely by chance

>>3123697
>>speak with your sister

Yeah, I have to go. Will lock in talking to Mathilde and hopefully be back at it soon, if not tomorrow morning

File: Bullshit In Belief.jpg (104 KB, 500x489)

104 KB JPG

>>3122242
>Crusader quest

HOLY SHIT NIGGA WAT

MY SHIT POSTING ACTUALLY WORKED HOLY SHIT

>>3123697
>speak with your sister

so many things to do so little time

I wonder if Blackmailing the cardinal is the best thing to do

>>3123935
Aint blackmailing. Just merely loose lips.

>>3123938
aye but a cardinal is a powerful man to have.... under influence.

>>3123946
Yea but we may or may not directly use that info against him. We just may be able to plan things to coincidentally cockblock him.

>>3123950
point, the merits of that choice are in understanding his designs for the coming conflict

File: 1413158700482.png (1.22 MB, 1162x850)

1.22 MB PNG

This feels like a feverdream have I gone to the best timeline?

>>3123963
We aren't in the Vampiric Holy Kingdom timeline. So no.

>>3123737
It is good to see you again!

>no trip
>no twitter post
Doubt.jpg

Poor Judith. She got neither her mothers or fathers good looks

Oh, I can't believe you are denying best girl Chiri, its not cheating if its with her. Just her its no problem

>>3124277
Remember that Chiri and Matilde were the specialest of friends? I think that's where she's going, to at least have a good life and some happiness.
Matty being 21 and unmarried is quite.....strange, maybe their time together did change something inside her.

>>3124282
Probably enjoyed herself with Elias in France

>>3124184
https://twitter.com/KoblOf/status/1076267506010996736

>>3124282
Mathilde is 23, yes she's unmarried, no she isn't a lesbian.

File: 1480392516564.png (1.19 MB, 1500x1500)

1.19 MB PNG

Our Prayers have been answered, good to see you back HF. Merry Christmas, hope you've been well.

>>3124282
Matty os extra frosty now I think the ten year gap has galvanised her

[Spoiler]where the fuck is mah bro Solomon?[/spoiler]

>>3125434
Probably ontop of his wife.

Let's begin

>>3125455
It's actually back

>>3125455
>>3125481
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAgnJDJN4VA

>tfw we havnt touched Chiri in years.

Its a sad feel

>>3125489
And yet the epilogue did say chiri was a second wife to wil

>>3125502
Yeah. It also said that William Jr. Has blond hair.

Your sister sat on the bench, peeling an orange and sectioning it off with her thumb. She didn't offer you any as you sat, but kept her eyes on Hugo and Prince Baldwin sparring across the courtyard, your little brother driving his charge relentlessly. The boy prince put up a good fight, but you could tell Hugo was going easy on him. There was no sense just driving the boy relentlessly into the ground, you supposed, there were better ways to learn than simple thuggery.

"You have to be careful with priests," Mathilde said, a dribble of juice running down her chin, fingers sticky from the orange, "Most men are obvious in their desires. Money, power, fame. Priests wear a righteous cloak, and you can never be sure which are base and which are pious until the moment of decision arises."

You snort. "I know plenty of priests to know most are no better than the average man, just as fallible and corrupt."

Mathilde nodded. "Yes, but those aren't the priests you should fear. It's the pious and the righteous that bring trouble. They have no compromise in their heart, and their holy mission often blinds them to good sense. A corrupt man can be bought, and often with things other than gold. True believers? That's another story."

You consider your sister. "And what's this to do with me, that I should fear priests?" you mean it as a jest but it comes out with a sting. Mathilde gives you a sarcastic look as she pops another slice of orange into her mouth.

"The good father, Pope Eugene, has called for a second crusade," she said, "He has issued a bull calling on Christendom to come to the defense of the holy land. Specifically, he has called on King Louis of France to gather his men and march."

"That's good news," you said.

Mathilde gave a little snort and a bitter smile. "Maybe, but I've met Louis, and he's no leader of men. He may cause as much trouble as good if he comes with all the might of France. Consider our fragile alliances with those few Saracen cities that tolerate us. Places like Damascus. Will Louis honour those treaties, or only see infidels and their treasures ripe for plunder? Can the lords of Jerusalem, with their small barren holdings and their handful of knights, be able to resist the misguided desires of a western king? And the Church has its own game. They think the east, us poor Levantines, are becoming too foreign, led away from the light of Rome by foreign ways. We are neither Franks nor Saracens, but becoming something different, and they worry about what that means."

Your sister had grown wise with the years. You knew her to be one of Melisende's most trusted agents, and how much trust was there could run deeper than you realized. Still, mayhap she was making goblins out of shadows.

>what do you suggest?
>you worry too much Matty

>>3125502
>>3125507
the epilogue isn't 100 percent canon.

>>3125508
>what do you suggest?

Oh how my little sister has grown.

Seriously though, we need to find her a husband. Dont want her to become a spinster and being able to send our family back to a place in europe if shit hits the fan would be nice

>>3125508
>>what do you suggest?

Steal a slice of orange.

>>3125508
>>what do you suggest?

she has the right of it we should probe his persona for weakpoints.

Also lets channel some motherfucking Tywin lannister and be the father figure Baldwin clearly needs guidance from.

>>3125509
does this mean this isn't a one shot?

>>3125519
>does this mean this isn't a one shot?
I haven't made up my mind yet

Unfortunate change of plans. It turns out I have to be somewhere, so I'll be gone for roughly an hour. Really sorry about this guys. Blame Christmas.

>>3125540
happy yuletide HF

>>3125540
QM Curse strikes again and it has only been a day

>>3125540
Man it really is like you never left complete with pisspoor timing Hiatus

welcome back

back, writing

"What should we do?" you ask, leaning back on the bench under the shade of the palm tree, the clatter of blades across from you. Mathilde doesn't answer right away, thoughtfully chewing the last of her orange, scattering the peels over the stone.

"Unify," she said, "It will take years for France to marshal its forces, before then, Jerusalem needs to stand as one. We can't risk division. Antioch, Tripoli, Jaffa, every lord and prince needs to be of one mind, united by one leader for us to stand a chance of remaining independent."

"Well we have one leader, the queen," you say, which earns an irritated look from your sister.

"Baldwin is a good boy, for the most part," Mathilde said, looking to the young prince, "But there are influences upon him at court that have their own designs. Ever since Fulk died there has been renewed grumblings about just who should sit the throne of Jerusalem, the mother or the son." You were not unaware of such talk, but as you were considered one of Melisende's closest supporter such talk was kept at a minimum around your earshot, but you weren't a fool, and knew deeper conversations were going on behind closed doors.

"And more to the point, Baldwin is fifteen. Not just a prince but a young man. He will want to start stepping out from under his mother's shadow," she continued, "And teenage boys are simple in some ways, with simple desires."

You well remembered being a horny teenager, and could sympathize. You watched Baldwin block Hugo's cut with his shield, face twisted up with frustration as he drove toward his mentor. To add the status of prince to those simple but powerful desires, the temptation must be immense, and easily preyed upon.

"It will be another year before Baldwin can make a claim for the throne," Mathilde continued, "His so-called supporters will say Melisende is only his regent, and not queen in her own name."

She cast you a studied eye at that.

> they would be right
> nonsense, the queen rules Jerusalem

>>3125733
> nonsense, the queen rules Jerusalem

We stand by the Queen.

By the way. Did Almaric manage to be born in this timeline before Fulk died or is Morphia Baldwin's only sibling ?

>>3125733
>nonsense, the queen rules Jerusalem
Baldwin should prove himself a capable Saracen killer first

>>3125733
>> nonsense, the queen rules Jerusalem

>>3125740
If he is so eager to rule. We could lend him Ramla to test and train his skills.

>>3125739
>Did Almaric manage to be born in this timeline before Fulk died
Baldwin is Fulk's only son to Melisende.

>>3125733
>they would be right

I say aim for a peaceful transition, this is an opportunity to unify the factions of Jerusalem under the king and place oursleves as the brokering of his kingship, secondly this also allows us to prehaps transfer some of Melisandes policies on the young prince

This also means that we should prehaps place ourselves as a figure of trust for the king in a one on one about what a king should be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doY0IjisBlk

>>3125739
The Queen is good but as far as rightful kingship goes a Queen cannot rule as a king and will be nowhere near as capable in asserting herself among the coming crusaders, Baldwin With our help will be able to assert Jerusalems agenda in the crusade even more so if he has his Mother advising him.

>>3125749
Aren't we the real dad?

>>3125760
No thats Morphia

>>3125781
Yeah but Wilhelm has always been with the Queen. Heck i am pretty sure he swore to her that he would be.

While it might not be ideal i honestly think it makes sense for Wilhelm to side with her

>>3125785
yeah and now politics necessatates change to achieve ambitions

Ambitions>Ex lovers

I'm going to give this conversation another ten minutes before closing the vote

also the crusaders could just end up Installing Baldwin anyway because they want a man on the throne and want to attack damascus.

But obiviously this won't change anything cause MUH queen

>>3125808
And what should be offer the Queen in return for her to step down. A all paid retirement vacation in Ascalon ?

>>3125817
and thats what Im proposing minus implied sex

>>3125821
I guess we could side with generally with the Queen but talk with her about it so it wouldnt be a backstab ?

>>3125826
It will be a ''backstab'' regardless of how you think you can spin it, best to swallow the bitter pill and try and get both her and our foot in the door with close advisoral roles.

voting closed, writing

>>3125849
Goddamit

Feels like Im screaming into the void right now

You could understand the logic of the prince's supporters, united leadership under a strong, young king would put Jerusalem on a more even footing with the Franks. At the same time, a young king, unproven, could be seen as easily manipulated or disrespected. Melisende had proven herself a wise ruler in peace and war, and had both reputation and prestige behind her name. While you were certain the Frankish lords might resent a woman sitting the throne of Jerusalem, you didn't think it was an insurmountable obstacle.

And you had made a strong legal argument in the past that Melisende was queen by her own right, the rightful heir of her father and not a mere queen consort to her husband Fulk. To dispute her sovereignty under the law was to risk undermining your own legal achievements and standing. It could lead to messy questions of succession in the future, should Jerusalem find itself with only women to inherent the throne yet again.

You could see the short term benefit of throwing your lot in with Prince Baldwin, but unlike other lords of Palestine, you kept an eye for the farther horizon. No, Melisende was queen. It was settled law, and undermining the law now would achieve chaotic ends in the long term.

"You know where I stand," you said to your sister, numching forward as you watched the prince draw off his helm, "I'm with Melisende, a queen's man to the end."

Mathilde was quiet for a moment. "Let us hope its not to a short end," she said as she rose, and you frowned after her as she whisked away across the courtyard.

Hugo brought his squire a cup of clean water, and you saw the prince was also watching your sister, barely paying attention to anything else even as water spilled down his chin and over his gambeson. He gulped, cheeks red, fine yellow hair matted with sweat after untying his arming cap. Hugo thumped his back.

"You're improving," said Hugo.

The prince shook his head. "I don't feel like I am, sir," he said, "Maybe if my opponent wasn't a lion turned man I'd have better luck."

Hugo grinned. "Chin up, you're not half as bad as you think you are."

"And not as good as I need to be," Baldwin sighed, shaking his head. He considered the sword in his hand. "I'm a better lancer than swordsman, at least."

"If we only exercised our talents, we'd leave ourselves open to misfortune," Hugo took a seat under the tree, unstrapping his gambeson to let in the cold winter air, "You drop your lance, you draw your sword, you lose your sword, you go to the grapple. Favouring one over the other is fine, but to be untrained in any is suicide."

"Yes sir," Baldwin said with a bow. "Do I have your permission to leave? I've a mind to go read."

Hugo nodded, slicking back his damp blond hair, licking sweat from his lips.

>speak with your brother while he's resting
>speak with Baldwin while he's alone

>>3125900
>speak with Baldwin while he's alone

>>3125900
>speak with Baldwin while he's alone

Perfect chance to talk about issues. And ofcourse ask how his mother and dear-totally-not-our-daughter is doing

>>3125900
>speak with Baldwin while he's alone

writing

(damn but /qst/ is a lot slower than /tg/ was)

>>3125987
To put it mildly. This thread can pretty much survive for the next week or two.

>>3125987
oh yeah, even a heavy traffic quest can hang about for a week before sliping off the catalog.

Now seemed a good opportunity to speak with Prince Baldwin. You followed the teenage boy from the courtyard back into the castle, the young man dumping his sword and shield by the entrance, chugging back water with thirsty gulps. He was a tall boy, he had his mother's colour and some of her height. The gangly adolescent body was already starting to mature into the image of a man, handsome and well proportioned. In time he could match your own height. A good looking boy, but as to his character you couldn't say. You saw little of the royal court, your time spent securing the southern border, and your brother spending most of his time in the north helping repel Saracen raids.

He stopped and turned at the sound of you following him and broke into a sunny grin.

"Lord Ascalon, good morning," he said with a slight bow, "I was looking for your library, perhaps you could show me the way?"

"Do you enjoy reading?" you asked.

He shrugged. "Enjoy isn't the right word, though it can be fun. It's something my mother told me once. A sharp blade will win a battle, but a sharp mind wins wars. I can train my body into the perfect weapon and be a fine knight, but if my mind isn't as strong I would make a useless king. So I read as much as I train, to do less is to betray my kingdom."

A well put thought, one you could only agree with. But still there was something in his tone when he said 'my kingdom'.

"I have heard you are a learned man, my lord, a poet and a scholar," he said with a respect not all Frankish lords shared, "We need more scholars, I think, if we want to secure Jerusalem's future."

That was something you would never have heard from his father's lips.

"If you've a desire to learn, I'd be happy to show you my library," you said, leading him on.

It wasn't as large as you'd like, but you did have a study set aside with books. Within you found the traveler Usama ibn Munqidh. The old Saracen clasped a book and bowed.

"Lord Ascalon, peace be with you. I thought I might study some Frankish history while I could," he said. You had given Usama free use of your library after he had shared the latest news from Saracen Damascus, but his gaze turned to the young prince in your company. "Your highness."

"Sir," Baldwin said with a slight bow, "I remember you, ibn Munqidh, when my mother and your lord signed the Damascus peace accords. You did Jerusalem a service. I'd hoped to speak with you on a book of poetry you wrote, and if it would be right to commission a translation into French."

Usama smiled. "Maybe in time," he said, "If you would forgive me." He bowed as he left.

Baldwin went to your books, but rather than a book on chivalry or bardic tales, he slipped out a dry tome of law. "I've begun reading Cicero," he said, flipping open the book, "But I'm not deep yet."

>talk to the boy about law
>talk to the boy about the stable incident
>talk to the boy about the throne

>>3126050
>talk to the boy about law

>>3126050
>>talk to the boy about law

Through this is a path to impart on him the essence of stability of a kingdom, by rule of laws. His by birthright eventually but trying to accelerate that handover too fast would weaken the kingdom.

>>3126050
>talk to the boy about law

>>3126050
>talk to the boy about law
Time to get SKOOLED boyo!

>>3126050
>talk to the boy about law
>talk to the boy about the throne

The boy has a good mind for talking and clearly has a mind for stately affairs, lets see what areas he's lacking in.

>>3126068
THIS he has most of the qualities that make a good king but only with time will he be ready for the throne.

Do comment on the whole womanizing thing. Dont want him fucking married women in this timeline

>>3126103
oh man marriage REALLY changed Wilhelm

anyway we have a great chance to Impart a rather good Impression on him now considering our reputation

>>3126050
>>talk to the boy about law
>>talk to the boy about the stable incident

writing

"Not many boys your age are interested in law," you said, looking over the tome. It was a Greek text gifted to you by an associate in Eastern Rome.

Baldwin flicked over a page. "Not many boys my age will be king of Jerusalem," he said, "And unlike some of our western cousins, ours is a kingdom of laws. Young laws, laws still not yet set in stone, but laws none the less. A kingdom is won through strength of arm, but bound through the justice of the law."

"Laws are only laws so long as the powerful respect them," you said.

Baldwin nodded. "So then the arbiter of the laws must be stronger, and in Jerusalem that arbiter of law is the king. My father, God rest his soul, was a weak king undone by the law, a strong king would have held his crown."

"By the law your father was no king of Jerusalem at all," you say.

Baldwin closes the book and his eyes. "By the actions of a free traveling knight, you mean," he said, "I might have been small but I have some memory of those days, when you deposed my father in favour of my mother."

"And what does that mean to you?" you asked.

He smiled. "It means the law is not words on stone but a living thing, a beast that must be tamed and mastered lest it maul you. Laws change and shift, and with them shifts the world."

"Or is it more accurate to say the world changes, and it is the law that changes to reflect that world?" you suggest.

His mouth became a firm line. "Maybe," he said, "But that sounds awfully close to anarchy, bordering on blasphemy. A king's authority ultimately comes from God, and in as such as man's law might change, God's law is unchanging. And it as it is the authority of God that underpins kingship, so to does God's law underpin mortal law."

"But that contradicts what you had earlier said, about law being an untrustworthy, living thing," you said, "If God's law is unchanging, shouldn't it follow that man's law must also be so?"

"Umm," his brow crinkled in thought.

>roll 1d100 three time +5, highest wins, against a DC 50

Rolled 6 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>3126159

Rolled 95 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>3126159

>>3126173
Yeeeeeeesssss

No one's going to roll one more just for fun? Either way, writing.

Rolled 55 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>3126159

"Well that's," Baldwin started, rubbing his chin, "I suppose it does but, well."

You laugh. "Don't tie yourself into knots, boy, you're still young. You spoke well, but still have room to improve. Study your rhetoric, your logic, and you will find much of the law flows from those sources as much as from God and culture. Now how those laws are enforced is another matter entirely, but laws that don't have a strong logical foundation cannot withstand the changing world. Take the instance of your father and his claim of kingship for Jerusalem. His basis as being Baldwin's heir was wedding your grandfather's daughter, but what would happen should they divorce or your mother had died childless? He would have to marry one of her sisters to keep his crown.As such, its proof that the crown and its authority is invested in her, and not her husband. So then it logically follows, that as she is the living investiture of Jerusalem's crown, ultimately she stood Baldwin's heir and not her husband, making her the ultimate authority in Jerusalem. Why if it wasn't through her, your half-brother back in Anjou would have been Fulk's rightful successor, and not yourself."

"But as I am blood of Melisende and King Baldwin, I do have a right to the throne," he replied, cheeks hot, "My brother Geoffrey has none of my grandfather's blood."

You wave a hand. "Yes, of course, as your mother's heir. As that logically follows under the law. And if we accept legitimacy through the maternal line, it follows that your mother is rightful overlord and queen of Jerusalem, as you will one day be king."

"I suppose there is some logic in what you're saying," he said, though seemed unhappy about that.

Maybe it wasn't good to press the boy on the issue of the crown just yet. He tucked the book of law under his arm.

"It looks as if my studies are more incomplete than I thought," he said, "Good morning to you, Lord Ascalon, and thank you for the book."

>let the boy go
>stop and talk to him about the stables

>>3126229
>stop and talk to him about the stables

Oi. Dont sleep with married women

>>3126229
>>stop and talk to him about the stables

>>3126229
>stop and talk to him about the stables

>>3126229
>stop and talk to him about the stables

>>3126229
>stop and talk to him about the stables

Discretion lad also hands off my not wife

>>3126246

Of course. Its not that he has to be chaste as a priest. But discretion is needed.

>>3126229
>stop and talk to him about the stables

"Wait lad, one moment," you said, a hand to his shoulder before he could leave. Your library was a discrete place, and a good place for such a discrete talk. "I had a word from one of my servants, about a young man that rubbed up against her inappropriately as they passed each other in the stables."

Baldwin's cheeks bloomed red. "My lord," he started, you forestalled him with a smile and a squeeze on his shoulder.

"Just a brush, but still," you said, "Now, would a boy think this endears him to a woman, doing something like that?"

You watched a rush of shame flicker across his face before disappearing. "No, my lord," he said, "I...no."

"No harm, no harm boy," you said, "You've got powerful urges running through you, and few in your life that'll tell you 'no', but there are laws, as we said. Not just laws of the court, but about the ways we behave, in how we treat women especially, both noble and common. Don't we?"

"We do," he nodded, unable to keep your eye. It was good he was so ashamed. You'd known boys his age that were already raping their maids freely and without regret.

"Have you known a woman yet?" you knew the answer before he shook his head. You grinned. "That's normal lad. It doesn't make you a priest to have not bedded a woman yet. And you do like women, don't you?"

His smile turned sly with a very firm nod. Once he learned how to talk to a woman, with his sharp mind, strong body and handsome face, he would make an accounting for himself one day, you had no doubt. Unless he could be taught to be more careful. Still, a boy needed to burn through his urges before he wedded, to avoid trouble of a different sort. You were certainly not one that could claim modest chastity or discretion, not at his age.

>do you have an eye for any maidens in particular?
>you just be careful boy, and keep it in your pants

>>3126301
>do you have an eye for any maidens in particular?

>>3126301
>do you have an eye for any maidens in particular?

Could always send chiri to his chamber tonight

>>3126301
>do you have an eye for any maidens in particular?

I thinking Mathilde, Chiri maybe a few others

>>3126334
He was already eyeing Mathilde when he was younger. Having a bit of a childhood crush

sorry, got sidetracked. writing

>>3126317
Chiri is useful using sex as a tool but I feel like almost litreally gifting her to people as a sex tool is a bit much even with Wilhelm married and such he still cares about her.

>>3126337
Jesus that crush must be awful never to be reciprocated I do have questions regarding Mathildes timeskip history but if we get POV I think they'll be explained in time

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>>3126229
>"My brother Geoffrey has none of my grandfather's blood."


Oh shit no wonder Mathilde got Icey

"A maiden?" again he couldn't match your eyes, "The truth, my lord...the truth is I like women of all kinds, but since as long as I can remember....your sister...has, I-I should go."

He broke from your grip striding away as fast as he could, slipping out of the library, soft and fast down the stone corridor.

You chuckled. Of course as a child he had made every excuse to hug your sister and be close to her, and it seemed puberty had inflamed that feeling. And your sister was a beautiful, unwed woman. There were worse objects of desire for a boy, though you felt a pang of sympathy, Mathilde's frosty personality had frightened off more than one would be suitor, and her own taste in men was very much that of men, not sweaty boys caught between childhood and maturity. Maybe you could arrange something more suitable, a pretty young maid at a late hour or a visit to a drinking hall where peasant girls could be found looking for a pleasant afternoon. If his passions burned too hot there was always the accommodating whore.

You shook your head. It wasn't for you to look out for the young prince in such a way. You were no pimp. And you doubted his mother would care for her son going whoring, particularly at still such a tender age.

The rest of the day was spent in the usual way, taking some minor court and overseeing further preparations for the Christmas feast. Everything moved at a steady rhythm. Whatever frightening news the wind carried from the world, the cheer of Christmas kept it from sinking in. All seemed in order, and as the day closed you thought on how to spend the night.

>at work, you had no time to rest
>with your family, your children and wife
>with your men, to blow off some steam

>>3126389
>with your family, your children and wife

>>3126389
>with your family, your children and wife

>>3126389
>>with your family, your children and wife

>>3126389
>at work, you had no time to rest

with the crusade on the horizion we have much work to do and ambitions to forfill

Where the fuck is my brother Solomon

writing

There was no better time spent than in your study, but not at work. You sat with Little Wil on your lap, looking over the finely drawn maps of Jerusalem, the maps you had commissioned of northern Egypt and the border lands. You showed him the names and listened to him try to read them, those ancient exotic names like Fastut, Bilbeis, Tanis and Cairo, your chin resting in his dark curls. Of Alexandria's ancient wisdom, and the long flow of the Nile, stretching into unknown lands even further south, the lands of the Nubians and Ethiopia and stranger places even further south.

As your daughter and wife read the latest poetry from Occitania, with Judith awkwardly reading some of her own crude but imaginative compositions. You told them stories of your youth, leaving out some of the finer details, of the adventure that had brought you from Germany to Palestine, the characters you had met along the way. Men like Welf, stuttering and silent, or the beautiful Jehanne. You told them of northern winters, winters so cold whole rivers would freeze over. Of their ancestors in those dark, forested lands. Lands they had never known, lands that were becoming foreign to you compared to this drier, hotter world in the east.

And at last you put them to bed, and you were alone with Yvetta.

"My lord," she smiled, holding mistletoe in her fingers, and slipped it through a part in her dress, to nestle between her breasts, the green leaves and red berries fresh against her pale skin. "Is it custom in your land to kiss under the mistletoe?" she spoke in crude German as she slid a hand across the white silk over her breasts, and the other slid behind your neck, into your dark hair and twined there.

"My lady, I don't need mistletoe," you said.

She smiled up at you, a dimpled smile. Motherhood hadn't faded her youth or beauty, but filled it. You kissed her above the mistletoe 'tween her breasts, and walked her to your bed, untying your sword to let clatter to the ground, collapsing on top of her as she shook with girlish laughter between the kisses, your hands bunching up her skirts to travel up her smooth bare legs.

You spent the last hour in bed together, until you both collapsed in sweat and exhaustion upon the blankets. You gave a tired laugh against the cold air that slipped through your window, cooling your passion heated body. You'd built a happy life here, and all the fear of the future and darkness of the world couldn't rob you of these islands of joy, moments captured in time.

But as the joy passed and the chill night crept in, the shadows of fear came with them, and you lay in the dark listening to Yvetta's gentle breathing as the future stretched out dark and uncertain within the cavern of your mind.

Taking a break. I'll either be back in an hour or some time tomorrow.

>>3126484
im off to bed. So hopefully tomorrow

File: 1363784977679.png (210 KB, 402x224)

210 KB PNG

>>3126479
[Urge to protect Wilhelms smile Intensifies]

I think I'll stop there and pick this up tomorrow, but I'll stick around a bit for any questions you guys have.

>>3126684
What made you pick this up again after what? Two years?

>>3126719
It's Christmas and I missed it a bit. I thought it would make a nice surprise for anyone still floating around.

>>3126684
Any insights about last quest during your tenure away?

Also how much suffering?

>>3125502
This, can we revisit that at a later vote? I like that Will is not cheating his wife but Chiri as a second wife was awesome.
We've lost all oir interactions with her because of 3 votes when most of us didn't even know you were back

>>3126776
Epilogue was also a good end for most as could be managed with Cq

I guess feeling like the world is ending due to stuff like climate change had me looking for a distraction too, but I won't go on about that.

>>3126776
My feeling is that Wil is kind of a sex addict. If he starts cheating with one woman, even Chiri, he'd end up cheating in general.

>>3126758
I don't quite understand the question.

>>3126793
with your second wife it's not cheating, adopting some of the local customs, even if not officially lol
I'm just sad that she was left hanging after all we did together and doesn't feel right, I like they'd stay together, and Will making a big effort to not cheat on them too

>>3126793
Did you gain any insights about writing/characters during your abscence

Also did Will ever get that threesome anon wanted?

>>3126799
She and Wil still have a very close bond, closer in some ways. She's nursemaid and tutor to Wil's children. Yvetta also asked Chiri for help with the wifely duty stuff, since she was a virgin originally destined for the Church. So Yvetta and Chiri are very close now too. imo it was as much Chiri's decision as Wil's. She didn't want to be a third wheel in their marriage and decided to step away.

>>3126806
Unlikely. He might have if you guys had decided to play Wil as unfaithful.

And if anything I feel like my writing has really atrophied.

Anyway, see you guys tomorrow

>>3126821
Thanks for running

>>3126812
Any plans for new POV characters?

Crusader Quest is over, stop beating dead horse.

>>3126988
this is all a collective fever dream we are all having ?

Going to get back to it in a sec, just woke up late

I keep forgetting Wil has another little sister.

>>3127862
Probably chasing squrriels or something.

>>3127862
You should probably give their character sheets a closer look

A cold day rose, the sun lost behind grey clouds. You pulled on a fur-lined coat over your sword, checking the cuffs and collar. You checked yourself in the mirror, the line of an old scar standing out on your bearded cheek. Were you looking older? You scrutinized for the faintest hint of grey in your forelock. So far, nothing.

"Lord Peacock," Yvetta murmured from the bed. You turned a smile on your wife, who watched you with eyes half open from the burrows of the sheets. "You're up early."

"Morning prayer," you said, "And morning business."

She murmured as you left. One of your page boys, slim, black Abraham, was waiting. The son of your old companion, Solomon, Abraham was a beautiful boy of ten, with his father's rich dark skin and his mother's fluffy dark hair. He considered you with that odd seriousness that trade marked the boy. You gave him a nod as he stepped in behind you.

Your first stop was the chapel, were on one knee you spoke a quick prayer, calling on God to shelter your family from oncoming storms, pledging him your faith and loyalty. It was more habit than tradition, and you broke from the chapel down to the stables.

You were glad for your coat and thick soled boots. Your breath turned to an icy mist before your eyes. The stone of the courtyard was slick with frost and the air itself carried a bite. You suspected a cold rain would sweep through soon, a bitter shroud over the season. Snow was rare, but December was often wet. All the snow fell in the farthest hills and mountains, nourishing the farmlands once they melted in the spring. What you'd give for a decent spot of snow.

You found Chihirizahd by the stables. She wore a black dress, a yellow scarf around her shoulders, her hair still mussed from bed. She looked concerned.

"And what did our lecher have to say?" you ask, leaning on the wall beside her, Abraham keeping watch for eavesdroppers.

She pursed her lips. "Nothing good," she said, "He spoke a little on the coming crusade, but truth is he spent more time speaking on the wickedness of eastern Christians than he did Saracens. And took it out on me so much I feared he'd have a stroke. More energy than I expected from such an old man."

The last thing you needed was the image of a wrinkly old man furrowing your former lover.

"Do you remember old Ralph of Domfront?" she asked. It's a name you hadn't heard in a few years. He had been exiled by Princess Alice and her husband, Raymond over some stupid thing. "It seems he found his way to Rome in his exile, and discovered allies willing to champion his cause. It looks as if they want him reinstated as the patriarch of Antioch, 'to better guard the faithful'."

"Canny old fox," you muttered, rubbing your chin. Antioch, the eternal headache. If it wasn't Princess Alice causing trouble, it was the Greeks or the Romans, never mind Saracen raiders. "I'm surprised he's still alive," and the sooner he was dead the better, you left unsaid.

Politics didn't stop for Christ's birth.

"Do you want me to keep working the cardinal?" Chihirizahd asked.

You scratched your chin. While there might still be information to pry from him, he seemed partially a fanatic. Who knew what he would do if he suspected she was a pagan?

>better not
>a little more, but be careful

>>3128004
>better not
We'll have enough. Don't want to risk our girl

>>3128004
>better not

Dont want her to end up dead because of an horny italian

>>3128004
>better not

"I think that's enough for now," you said.

Chihirizahd smiled. "I won't be sorry to see the back of him," she said, "I almost regret doing it. Why is it your priests always have the strangest desires? I think celibacy pollutes their mind."

"Who can say," you reply.

"Did you speak with the boy?" she asked, "Because if he touches me again without my permission, prince or not I will slap him."

"I talked to him," you said, "And he seemed chastised. The prince is a good boy, just a bit overwhelmed. Puberty is a mad time for a young man, and he doesn't have a father to guide him through it."

"Well that's good," she said, "Maybe you should find him a woman, have him burn through some of that energy in a constructive way."

>It could keep him out of trouble, are you volunteering?
>I don't think that's a good idea, the boy could pick up bad habits

>>3128067
>It could keep him out of trouble, are you volunteering?

Also.
>"Did you speak with the boy?" she asked, "Because if he touches me again without my permission, prince or not I will slap him."

Where did our lovely little Chiri get these fangs from all of the sudden ?

>>3128067
>It could keep him out of trouble, are you volunteering

"Maybe that could help keep him out of trouble, keep him away from fooling around with a woman that could bring him real grief."

You consider Chihirizahd. "Are you volunteering?" you asked with a sly look, "I didn't think he was your type."

"The boy-prince?" Chihirizahd hid her smile behind her hand, "Oh no, he's a pretty boy, but far too young for me. I can arrange something with one of the maids though. A chance early morning encounter or after dinner. It wouldn't take much to prod that in a certain direction, and he doesn't lack for admirers among the girls."

Maybe she caught a shadow of doubt on your face, when she said, "Better we take the boy in hand rather than risk someone more nefarious leading him astray. As you said, he has no father, but he's surrounded by grown men all competing for his favour. Who knows what things he could be taught or pressured into? No, let's introduce him to a pretty, willing peasant girl and see what happens."

A sensible enough proposal. "Well, see it done," you said, stretching out with a yawn. Your belly rumbled for food.

Chihirizahd left to fulfill her daily responsibilities and you did the same, Abraham a little black shadow. You missed the boy's father dearly, your blood brother Solomon currently on pilgrimage in Axum. He had wanted to take you on a tour of the black African kingdoms, show you his homeland, but you had reluctantly turned down the offer. Jerusalem was too chaotic to leave unattended for that long. He had been gone for eight months now and you were a little worried. The road was dangerous, and as talented a warrior as he was he wasn't immune to starvation and disease. You would feel more secure once he was returned.

In his absence command of the Ascalon garrison had been split between Odo, the tall serjeant of the men-at-arms, and young Sir Jacques, the tan young man of no particular heritage, who had only recently come into your service after returning from fighting in the north.

Dark haired, dark eyed, and with the pointed face of a Saracen, he ambled along the corridor going one way, you the other, his spurs clicking at his boots. He had once been a common born squire to Sir Etienne, but alongside your brother had been knighted at the capture of Ascalon. It had been a day of chivalry, and those knighted on that day carried it with pride.

"My lord, up early I see," he said, stopping to greet you.

"Enjoying the cold," you said, "As much as I love Palestine, its far too warm most of the year."

Jacques laughed. "You Franks are always wilting in the heat," he said. He drew a note from his pocket. "Here, this arrived this morning."

He handed it over. It was a missive from Gerard, Lord of Sidon, announcing he would be arriving shortly, alongside your neighbours Hugh of Jaffa and Barisan of Ibelin. You had expected most of them, but the name Barisan troubled you. The others you counted as friends, but Barisan was a schemer that you had little reason to trust.

You had the day to clear up some business before their arrival, and there was plenty to do.

>review the troops
>focus on preparing the Christmas celebration
>attend to court
>why work at Christmas? take the day off

>>3128169
>attend to court
>review the troops

Have wife overview the christmas preperations

>>3128178
just to clarify, you can only pick one option

>>3128178
That sounds good

>>3128180
ah
>review the troops

Then

>>3128169
>attend to court

>>3128180
You should probably inform on twitter you are running if you want me people in the thread

>>3128169
>review the troops

>>3128169
>attend to court

Reviewing the troops should be the next thing we do, need to be on the war footing sooner rather than later

>>3128169
>review the troops

I hope Solomon is doing well, we need his blade as soon as possible

>review the troops

writing

(sorry, got dragged away by Christmas stuff)

Since Sidon is coming that might mean sir froggy as well

When your enemies weren't Christian you couldn't rely on Christmas being a time of peace. You assembled your garrison for review under the careful eye of Sir Jacques and the lanky blond frame of Odo. Many of these men had marched with you from Ramla, veterans of the battle of Ascalon, and they wore the scars to prove it. They were a hardened core of Frankish veterans, mostly footmen armed with spear and shield, armoured in gambesons with nasal helms. Some wore decorative mistletoe for the season and a few were red cheeked from drinking even at this early hour, their breath forming a chilly mist.

Other than the common born men-at-arms, you had a handful of knightly retainers, shod in mail and armed with land and sword. They were your personal bodyguard, headed currently by Jacques, and rode with you into battle.

You had padded out your body of troops since that day of blood and fire.

How did you improve your forces again?

>you had increased your body of spearmen
>you had trained a body of archers
>you had trained a small body of cavalry to bolster your knights
>you had recruited a body of skirmishers

>>3128260
>you had trained a body of archers

To counter those infernal horse archers

>>3128260
>you had trained a small body of cavalry to bolster your knights

>>3128260
>>you had recruited a body of skirmishers

on one hand Skirmishers are useful for rapid response and well skirmishing

>>3128268
Maybe have our own horse archers with Blackjack and christ?

>>3128260
>you had trained a small body of cavalry to bolster your knights

Do we want light cav that can counter Sejuk or Egyptian cavalry or something else?

>>3128283
>To excited about CQ to finish a post

goddamit Skirmishers are a decent Idea but I'm not sure how well they will do in practice.

>>3128260
>>you had trained a body of archers
More useful if we get besieged as they can just stand on the walls

Rolled 1 (1d2)

okay, rolling

1 for archers
2 for cavalry

On a another Issue, we need to start talking about unity and I mean proper unity not just tokenistic loyalty to Jerusalem, there was and almost certainly still is a very big divide between North and south Jerusalem the North has it's myriad of agendas from Raymonds rabid hatred of Muslims to Antiochs near open Sedition, these Issues are what we are going to need to resolve before the crusades begins or else Jerusalem is up shit creek.

the saving grace of the situation is that the south is at least as far as I'm aware solidly queensmen territory with Hugh, Brughes and ourselves are relatively in unison with the Queen.

Where and how do we start?

>>3128332
Get Constance back in control of Antioch

You had trained a body of archers, paying the Frankish peasants to train in the bow at least once a week, to better protect against your walls against invaders and to counter the hit and run tactics of the horse-born Saracen Turks. Out of that militia you had recruited the more skilled archers for more dedicated service. The castle archers had taken on an element of prestige among their class, with fine gambesons and long pointed knives at their belts. Among them was a noteworthy shot, Samson, who had become their unofficial leader. A man only a little younger than you, he worked as a tanner when he wasn't at the archery range, and had a cool headed, mature nature that drew respect from all quarters.

When it came to the training of your forces, you had focused on:

> defense, fighting from static positions against theoretical invaders
> offense, you take the fight to the enemy with an emphasis on pitched battles
> besieging the enemy, Ascalon made a good training ground for enemy fortifications
> non-linear, skirmishing and raiding in a burning raid manner

>>3128342
It's a good start but the how is the Issue, likely straight up forcing the issue will lead to open conflict with the greeks interceding on Antioch's part.

Some plot or ploy is needed I think.

(sorry, I have some surprise Christmas guests. Will keep writing but there might be delays)

>>3128360
Not sure. Would like to have something defensive but i would also like tactics that counters the hit and run nature of turkish warfare.

>>3128360
> defense, fighting from static positions against theoretical invaders

>>3128360
> non-linear, skirmishing and raiding in a burning raid manner

Raiders and bandits must have been our main problem. Best to counter that.

>>3128360
> defense, fighting from static positions against theoretical invaders

I'm entirely sure this will bite us in the ass but Im not seeing much of an option that works as a solid counter

>>3128260
>you had recruited a body of skirmishers

Basically >>3128268

>>3128360
>defense, fighting from static positions against theoretical invaders
This is my first time playing in your quest and i have to ask somethings. Since this is a historical fiction quest, how much does it deviate from actual historical outcomes? How much influence and change does Wilhelm cause to historical events? Are all the historical figures (Saladin, Richard the Lionheart, Nur ad-Din Zengi, Baldwin IV the Leper King, etc...) going to be in the quest?

>>3128360
>non-linear, skirmishing and raiding in a burning raid manner

>>3128410
Ascalon, Darum and Gaza was taken before the second crusade, Almaric was not born but instead Morphia our secret daughter is. We managed to foil Fulk's upsurps attempt and married Iovetta and avoided her joining the church.

Should tell what kind of influences and changes that can be.

>>3128410
It's set in the era of Imad ad-Din Zengi (in OTL he gets assassinated next year, but changes have already been made that will effect that).

Currently Jerusalem is ruled by Queen Melisende, her son Baldwin (eventually Baldwin III) is almost of age, and there is a dispute rising over whether or not Melisende should relinquish the throne for her son like she did in OTL or if she has the right to hold it as an independent queen. Wilhelm and others (including Hugh of Jaffa, who has survived to this year unlike OTL) have argued that Melisende is a rightful, independent monarch and so far that's been the law of the land, but could change.

Hugo prevented the seven year old Constance of Antioch from being wed to Raymond of Poitiers and now is Princess-in-Exile feuding with her mother, Princess Alice, who wed Poitiers instead.

Wil and his shenanigans have shifted the time line and are starting to leave deep imprints on the culture of Crusader Jerusalem too.

Other figures that have appeared are Shirkuh, Saladin's uncle, Usuma ibn Munqidh (who debuted in this thread), most of this eras crusading lords and priests like Ralph of Domfront, and Roger of Sicily, Manuel Komnenos, as well as a few others.

>>3128421
Edessa fell earlier than in OTL as well, but the Saracens were kept from sweeping further in by a combined Greek-Crusader army, and its been constant fighting in the north ever since.

>defensive

writing

>>3128410
>How much influence and change does Wilhelm cause to historical events? Are all the historical figures (Saladin, Richard the Lionheart, Nur ad-Din Zengi, Baldwin IV the Leper King, etc...) going to be in the quest?

Heres a short list

>Basically co-opted Melisandes coup of King Fulk by calling Bullshit on charges laid against him and his co conspirators
>Stopped princess Yvettea (Iovetta) joining the church and married her
>By coopting the Coup forstalled the murder of Hugh of Jaffa
>Hugo (Wilhelms Brother) kidnapped Constance from Antioch and forced Raymond of Poiters to marry her mother Alice
>Rallied Jerusalem to take Gaza, Ascalon and Darum.
>Pon count of Tripoli was killed by Egyptians during the taking of Ascalon and not Sejuks, Raymond his son now has mad murderboner for Muslims
>had a secret bastard with queen Melisande in the place of Almaric known as princess Morphia

thats as much as I care to remember, the biggest thing regarding historical divergance is attempting to change the direction of the second crusade as Wilhelms ambition was to become King of Alexandria.

>>3128435
So this quest has a lot of events that are historical, but also a lot of events that are completely fictional and diverge from what actually happened? That's interesting.

King Amlaric also doesn't exist which means that some important historical figures that impacted events won't exist.

Is there a limit to how much things can change from historical reality or is it a free-for-all without it being bound to what actually happened? Can something like this anon mentioned>>3128440 about Wilhelm becoming King of Alexandria (which would never happen historically) occur?

While you were concerned about the north, your responsibility was defending the southern border of Jerusalem, and had trained your men to defend Ascalon's walls, as well as fighting in solid formations, your spearmen covering your archers as they loosed into charging enemies. While the Egyptians were not the treacherous foes the Turks were, they could still muster formidable numbers, far more than any Frankish lord of the kingdom, and it was in your heavy footmen and superior archery that you relied upon to see them off.

Lately your border had been quiet, though Egyptian raiders and the occasional troop of bandits menaced your countryside, but that was more reason to keep your men drilled. Attack could come at any time, with little warning.

You finished inspecting your men, most you knew by name. You talked with them a little trading jokes and asking after their families. They were blunt, honest men ready to laugh at whatever witticism came to you, and were clearly in good spirits. You dismissed them after a few drills, sending some home for the day.

It was around nightfall that you heard it, the clop of hooves and a woman's voice rose in song.

"Hey-ho, merry-yo, traipse with me my d~arling!"

A lone rider came through, with squirrelly brown hair cut short in a mannish fashion, wearing tailored maille with a lance slung across the horn of her saddle.

"Through the fields, down the glen, o'er more a farthing!"

The horse sagged a tired head as the young woman crowed from its back, booming across the yard.

"Down among the flowers, we'll find a quiet h~our!"

Her song faded out as she spotted you, a mad grin replacing it.

"Eh, Lord of Cats, what a surprise to see you," your eighteen year old sister, Giselle, leaned back in her saddle, horse snuffing. Giselle would have been pretty, but her nose had been broken in two places and she was missing a front tooth, and the mad glint in her eye didn't help either.

"Giselle," you'd heard nothing from her in months, ever wandering, and hadn't expected her this Christmas, "Where have you been?"

She swung down from her saddle, mail ringing as she landed on her feet.

"Here, there, every which where," she said. She threw her arms out wide. "No hug for your sister?"

You hesitated. Not that you didn't love her, but she had been building a reputation. Not a knight but riding like one, and fighting for pay rather than loyalty or honour, you had heard she'd spent some time in a Saracen's employ, other times as a bandit. You were surprised she hadn't been hanged yet. In that way you were relieved to see her, at the same time though....

"Aunt Giselle!"

Judith struck your sister, a ball of hug and affection clinging to her hips. Giselle laughed, wrapping up your daughter in her mail'ed arms.

"Whose this stinky rabbit?" Giselle said, peeling her off. Judith grinned up at her, their missing teeth (Judith's from being a child, Giselle's from being insane) a mirror of each other.

You looked back to see Yvetta standing on the castle steps, looking uncertainly down at your youngest sister. She had been preparing the Christmas feast, and preparing lodgings for your soon-to-arrive guests. You could see she hadn't planned on Giselle, and it wasn't a happy surprise.

> welcome her home
> do not be rude, but do not be overly welcoming either

>>3128493
>Can something like this anon mentioned>>3128440 about Wilhelm becoming King of Alexandria (which would never happen historically) occur?
It would be extremely difficult, and harder to take. Its worth pointing out that Frankish crusaders did capture African cities, both in Egypt and along the North African coast. Holding them was always the big problem.

>>3128498
>welcome her home

>>3128498
> do not be rude, but do not be overly welcoming either

>>3128498
>> welcome her home
It's Christmas, after all.

>>3128502
>harder to take
*harder to hold

>>3128498
>> do not be rude, but do not be overly welcoming either

>>3128498
> do not be rude, but do not be overly welcoming either

We should had married her off years ago

>>3128519
She's a sellsword lady knight is that even remotely possible?

>>3128524
Only thing that is protecting her is that she is our sister. And she is not a real knight.

Did she steal her equipment from our armory?

>>3128502
It's not really just taking Alexandria and holding it that it's extremely unlikely and ahistorical, but also justifying why someone like Wilhelm would ever be allowed to become King of Alexandria by anyone but okay. I can suspend my disbelief since this is called historical fiction and the quest is great.

>>3128527
I meant her temprement and her prospects, unlike Hugo she's a woman and sister to a lord of Jerusalem she can't (and shouldn't) do as she pleases.

I blame young Wil for letting women learn Swordplay.

>>3128538
Do worry so far it is really just Wilhelm personal ambition and dream.

He did manage to become an important lord and marrying a princess

>>3128524
Giselle doesn't give a shit about what is or isn't socially acceptable, but she isn't a knight, and her being a woman is one of the reasons she's bordering on being an outlaw and working as a mercenary.

It's worth pointing out that while I do care about historical accuracy up to a point, I also treat it as a heroic adventure story. There are a few women who take up arms in the story, but its not so common that it passes without question.

writing

>>3128546
>Giselle doesn't give a shit about what is or isn't socially acceptable, but she isn't a knight, and her being a woman is one of the reasons she's bordering on being an outlaw and working as a mercenary.

Yeah young Wil is to blame, I say old Wil puts his foot down on this.

Oh god he's turning into his dadexcept with a better marriage