The Varazdin Castle Court

This is an IC thread for the events and things happening in the Kingdom of Varasd. I'll open up a few spots for other regions to RP as characters, though the majority will be RP-d by me. If you want to RP a certain character, by either adding a new, or claiming one of the free ones feel free to request so via telegram. OOC Posts in this thread are allowed, but they should be put in [spoiler] brackets. Reference pictures can be found in the Varasdian Nationstates Factbook under the titles House of Konsky and Nobility, Clerus and Court.

The list of main characters is the following:

• Zvonimir I., of House Konsky - King of Varasd
  
• Adelaide, of Verona - Queen of Varasd
  
• Stephan, of House Konsky - Prince of Varasd (absent)
  
• Aelia, of House Corvinus - Princess of Byzantine Bithynia (Cybelos)
  
• Gisela, of House Konsky - Princess of Varasd
  
• Cecilia, of House Konsky - Princess of Varasd (absent)
  
  
• Zoltan Arpad - Chieftain of the Hungarian Tribes
  
• Bernard Zrinski - Chancellor of Varasd
  
• Peter Orseolo - Steward of Varasd
  
  
• Joachim Guthkeled - Bishop of Varasd (FREE)
  
• Theodosius - Orthodox Bishop of Transylvania (FREE)
  
• Markörgis the Easterling - Leader of the Royal Azaqian Guard (Azaq)
  
• Princess Börte - Princess of Azaq (Azaq)
  
• Tsetseg - Servant of Börte (Azaq)
  
• Mattai the Hebrew - Master of the Treasury (Judea)
  
• Dong Liang - Ambassador of the Shi Empire (Shi)
  
• Merikare - Egyptian Ambassador (Egypt II)
  
• Prince Benjamin (Judah)
  
• Corbinian Schuster, Lord of Klütz (Orberstine)
  
• Daniel Mitt, Diplomat of King Tobias III (Sielburg)
  
• Duke Alexandru, Grandson of Grand Duke Vlad I of Vlachia (Vlachia)
  
  

King Zvonimir
Varazdin Castle, Throne Room

When arriving home to the newly built Varazdin Castle, a cheering crowd greeted the King. He was victorious, after all, and has conquered the whole Carpathian Basin, even though he inherited an almost powerless duchy from his father. The old, weary King entered his throne room, and sat down on his large, wooden throne. He took off his crown, placed it in his lap, closed his eyes, wanting to sleep a bit, but he could not. Too many thoughts swirled in his old head, he wanted to dismiss them, to rest, he has already done so much...
But not enough. He took the Oak Crown* from his lap and placed it back on his head.

"Call the Court together!" - He yelled, not because of anger, but out of determination.
A servant came up, and said told the King that the Chancellor and the Steward still did not return, Zoltan Arpad returned to his tribe.

"Then call the Court Chaplain, and that herbew... Mattai? Call him in too. I want to speak to them. Send a letter to Zrinski to return once there is an agreement with the greeks. Zoltan... Order him to travel to the Calabrians to Montenegro, with 2000 of his kin, and call Orseolo back. "

After the servant was gone, the King let out a long sigh, and began to tap the arm of his throne impatiently.

* The Oak Crown is the crown of Varasd, and it is named after the Oak leaves which are on it.

“Keep up, boy,” Mattai said to his apprentice as he moved quickly through the halls of King Zvonimir’s castle.  “The King has commanded our presence and I will not keep him waiting.”  The boy hurried after Mattai, clutching the numerous scrolls that the King’s treasurer did not carry himself.  They arrived at the doors of the great hall where two of the King’s men stood guard.  “The King has summoned us,” he informed them before a challenge could be made.  The guard nodded and opened the door.  Mattai entered the hall and rapidly approached his king before bowing lowly.

“Welcome home, your Majesty, welcome home.  These halls have missed your presence, sire, as have your people.  I have maintained the accounts in your absence, I’m sure to your liking.  If I may, sire?”  He proffered several of the scrolls for the King’s pleasure, asking for permission to approach his royal person and throne.

The King read through the scrolls after letting the Master of Treasury closer. His expression was clearly worried, and unsatisfied.

"I hoped a quick war would cost us far less than this, Mattai. With the treasue Stephan left with, and our expenses, we barely have enough to defend our realm and muster our troops if foreign enemies attack.
Will our yearly income help us recover, or do we need to raise the taxes?"

Mattai the Hebrew

“We are in a somewhat untenable position, Your Majesty.  The taxes will not cover us, but raising them could lower our overall revenue by driving away the merchants that move our economy.  I’ve gone over the accounts and there are places we could save additional funds, but that will only get us part of the way.  I’m afraid we face a choice of taking the risk of raising the tax and hoping it doesn’t undermine us or seeking to take on debt.  I’m afraid the soldiers, particularly your Azaq mercenaries would deny us the opportunity to pay them at a later date.  I have contacts amongst the Hebrew bankers in Fiume who might be willing to give us the loan.  The choice is yours, Your Majesty.”

King Zvonimir

"The Azaqden Guard have been paid with estates in Lower Hungaria. I had a plan in my mind, Mattai, and I need your opinion it.

We split the land owners into two groups. Those who have herediraty lands, and those who have honorary lands. Those owning honorary lands will only have them if they fulfill a certain office. The Azaqden Royal Guard only own their estates as long as they serve, for example.

How much can we spare if we do the following changes?"

King Zvonimir presented the following map to Mattai.


[OOC: Legend:
Hereditary:
Red: Lands of the King
Orange: Lands of the Heir
Dark Green: Lands of House Arpad
Yellow: Lands of House Zrinski
Brown: Lands of House Orseolo
White: Lands of other Noble Families

Honorary:
Purple: Lands of the Church
Light Green: Hungarian Tribal Lands
Blue: Lands of the Azaqden Guard
Gray: Lands of the Military Frontier]

After explaining the map, the King went on:

"The lands owned by the Clergy, and the Royal Guard are already honorary. If we turn the South-Eastern-Northern borderlands into honorary estates, we can spare expenses of guarding the border. Fiefs granted there could only be owned as long as the Lords fulfill the duty of guarding the border, maintaining forts, controlling trade, and so on.
The second is the issue of the hungarian tribes. They live in semi-nomadic conditions, as their brothers in the East. Owning large pastures is crucial to them, as horses and cattle are their main wealth. However, if these clans could only own land if they would serve in our armies... That would lower our expenses too. "

The King leaned back in his throne, and thought for a while.

"Taking a loan should be our last resort. Tell me, Mattai, how much do we risk if we monopolize silver and gold mining, as a Royal right?"

Mattai the Hebrew

“I would have to examine the exact amounts, Your Majesty, to give you as accurate a prediction as I could for such a scheme.  It will reduce our costs, certainly, and as yet those lands do not produce much tax revenue.

“As for the mines… they could produce quite a boon, but if we are not positioned to immediately exploit them we will lose much.  And there are other potential complications, Your Majesty.”  Mattai looked over to his assistant.  “Set the scrolls on the table and return to my office.  Gather the records for all the mining operations and set them on my desk.  Quickly, boy.”  The boy nodded and set down the scrolls before rushing off.  “My sister’s son.  He has his uses, but he has little enough head for the work of consulting kings.

“Your Majesty, the disputes between Christians over the matters of their faith is of little consequence, theologically speaking, to myself and others of the Tribe of Abraham, but it is known that while you cleave to Rome you have attempted to remain above the schism.  A number of mines in the eastern portions of your realm fall under the dominion of Greek churches and lords who turn towards Constantinople for their spiritual guidance.  To monopolize mining would be to remove those mines from their control.  I am certain that, given the late Bishop of Rome’s excommunication of Eastern Christians, it would be a simplicity for you to be released of your portions of the vows of vassalage to allow you to seize those properties, if that is Your Majesty’s wish.  There are, of course, dangers in such a course.  I am little experienced in war, but I know enough of the desperation a man may go to if he sees all his life on the verge of utter collapse.”

King Zvonimir

"Indeed, I wish not to get myself involved in this dispute. We must avoid that, or else I will have to use the force of arms to keep my realm safe. Another Transylvanian campaign would be way too expensive for us. We just closed an alliance with Constantinople, and I will not break our relations because of some theological matters.

Members of the clerus and royal free cities can keep the lands on which there are mines, but the must pay 20% of their production as tax. Lords who reside over mining areas will be compensated with other estates.

But first, we must complete the reform about the honorary lands, so we can rely on the hungarian warriors in case some lords resist."

Somewhere in Varazdin castle
Royal servant

The servants were still uneasy when handling with azaqdens. Even though they did nothing wrong so far, they were barbarians, from whom you could expect the worst. Many of the castle still did not understand why King Zvonimir wants these people around, let alone as their bodyguards...

"M'Lord, Markörgis! Th-the King wants to see you. It is urgent, he says." - The servant waited a second until he was sure the leader of the Azaqden Royal Guard has heard and understood him, then hurried away as if someone called, quickly muttering a "God be with ye".

Varasd wrote:Somewhere in Varazdin castle
Royal servant

The servants were still uneasy when handling with azaqdens. Even though they did nothing wrong so far, they were barbarians, from whom you could expect the worst. Many of the castle still did not understand why King Zvonimir wants these people around, let alone as their bodyguards...

"M'Lord, Markörgis! Th-the King wants to see you. It is urgent, he says." - The servant waited a second until he was sure the leader of the Azaqden Royal Guard has heard and understood him, then hurried away as if someone called, quickly muttering a "God be with ye".

Markörgis made his way into the throne room and approached King Zvonimir, kneeling and bowing as was customary, and awaiting instruction.

Mattai the Hebrew

"I will go examine my records and prepare a more full analysis of the effects of such a reform, Your Majesty. If you'll excuse me." Mattai bowed, then turned and left. He eyed the Azaq mercenary as he passed. Mattai found the Steppe nomads to be discomforting ever since they had arrived. Still, his king was fond of them and so he would tolerate their presence as long as that remained true.

Mattai hurried from the great hall to begin his work.

King Zvonimir

"Commander Markörgis! I'm glad you are here of such a short notice. Chancellor Zrinski is soon to arrive, either on the Danube, or by our Eastern borders. Whatever the case... I need you and a handful of your men, to escort Princess Cecilia into Transylvania. From there on, to Azaq, if the Khan does not send any of his soldiers for escort.

You may pick 500 of other guards as companions, and I need half of the Royal Guard to remain here in Varazdin.

On the way there, why don't you inspect the new honorary estates you have been given? "

The King gave a map to the Commander, with the fiefs of the Royal Guard marked, plus their road to Transylvania.

"Any questions?"

Varasd wrote:King Zvonimir

"Commander Markörgis! I'm glad you are here of such a short notice. Chancellor Zrinski is soon to arrive, either on the Danube, or by our Eastern borders. Whatever the case... I need you and a handful of your men, to escort Princess Cecilia into Transylvania. From there on, to Azaq, if the Khan does not send any of his soldiers for escort.

You may pick 500 of other guards as companions, and I need half of the Royal Guard to remain here in Varazdin.

On the way there, why don't you inspect the new honorary estates you have been given? "

The King gave a map to the Commander, with the fiefs of the Royal Guard marked, plus their road to Transylvania.

"Any questions?"

Markörgis didn't say a word, only grunting and shaking his head. He stood up and took the map, bowing respectfully to King Zvonimir. He then left for the barracks, where he met with his men. He pointed at three of them.

"Nurasyl, Taalay, Otgonbayar - gather your men, we march for Transylvania!"

The three men gathered their men and followed Markörgis, preparing for their travel.

Princess Cecilia
Varazdin Castle

A few guards approached the Queen and the younger Princess, and nodded. Without a word being said, Queen Adelhaid knew that Zvonimir has found a husband for her daughter. They asked for a few minutes together, for saying goodbye. Half an hour later, Princess Cecilia was on the route with Commander Markörgis, and his chosen soldiers, to the faraway lands of Azaq, from which she only heard in tales so far.

From her carriage, she spoke to Markörgis.

"Are we going to Scythia? Is it true that gryphons live there, and horses that eat flesh?" - She asked, with both curiosity and angst in her eyes.

Varasd wrote:Princess Cecilia
Varazdin Castle

A few guards approached the Queen and the younger Princess, and nodded. Without a word being said, Queen Adelhaid knew that Zvonimir has found a husband for her daughter. They asked for a few minutes together, for saying goodbye. Half an hour later, Princess Cecilia was on the route with Commander Markörgis, and his chosen soldiers, to the faraway lands of Azaq, from which she only heard in tales so far.

From her carriage, she spoke to Markörgis.

"Are we going to Scythia? Is it true that gryphons live there, and horses that eat flesh?" - She asked, with both curiosity and angst in her eyes.

Markörgis cracked a small smile and scoffed. He spoke back to her in her own language, albeit in a cruder form, his thick Mongolian accent showing through.

"I know not what a 'gryphon' is, child, but I assure you our horses do not eat flesh. You call this land 'Scythia'? The Hellenes, I believe, use the same term. I have heard others call it 'Tartary', or 'Sarmatia', and still others call it 'Cimmeria'. I know not these names, nor the peoples that gave these lands their names - for they have been conquered and assimilated time and time again - but we call our land 'Azaq'. It is a flat land with little trees, but many plains. It is not our homeland - for our people come from many places - but it is our home."

---

"Chancellor Zrinski?"

The voice of a woman called out in Greek. The woman was rather plainly dressed, sporting simple traditional Mongolian clothing, her Asian facial features clear of her origin. The woman was young and pretty, and spoke with a minor Mongolian accent.

"I am Tsetseg, servant of Princess Börte. My lady should be along soon, though I should warn you that she only speaks Mongolian, so I may have to translate for you if you wish to speak with her."

Just as Tsetseg finished, Börte emerged. Considered by many to be the most beautiful woman in the Khanate, Börte was indeed quite a sight to behold, a true Mongolian beauty.

"Chancellor Zrinski, this is Princess Börte."

Tsetseg said, bowing.

Princess Börte:

Tsetseg:

Princess Cecilia
Somewhere in Varasd

Princess Cecilia continued with her barrage of questions, seemingly expecting Azaq to be a dream world of tales.

"You're silly, everyone knows that a gryphon is. It's a creature that has the head and wings of an eagle, but the body of a lion!
Yes, we know it as Scythia. Though I have heard from some of the hungarian chieftains, that they also come from there.
No forests, or mountains? But it must be beautiful, isn't it, Markörgis? Do you border the lands of Presbiter Johannes? Tell me if I'm asking too many questions."

--------

Bernard Zrinski
Azaq

"Greetings, Princess! And greetings to you too, Tsetseg. Shall we begin our journey? The sooner we set out, the better. I have left many urgent matters at home, and my King surely misses my presence." - Bernard spoke, seemingly more to himself than the mongolians.

"Her language will be no problem. You see, King Zvonimir's bodyguards all hail from Azaq, and most of them have already learned a language of the Kingdom. Though I suggest the Princess begins to learn one too. German, if she wishes to speak with the knights of our realm, Italian or Latin, if she wishes to speak with other Lords from the West, Croatian, if she wishes to speak with most of the court, and hungarian, if she wishes to. Speak with common soldiers and nomads, I suppose. I can arrange the best tutors for her, if she wishes to.

Also tell her that if she has any problems, I am to whom you should speak. Not Markörgis, nor Count Orseolo, not Bishop Guthkeled, and especially not Chieftain Arpad. "

Bernard stopped for a moment, and examined a letter a servant brought him. He read it unexpectedly quickly, within a few seconds, and gave it back to the servant.

"It seems like Princess Cecilia will depart Varasd, and come to Azaq. She will be the wife of your brother, Princess. You shall take her rooms in Varazdin Castle. If you have any questions, Princess, I am ready to answer all of them during our journey."

Varasd wrote:Princess Cecilia
Somewhere in Varasd

Princess Cecilia continued with her barrage of questions, seemingly expecting Azaq to be a dream world of tales.

"You're silly, everyone knows that a gryphon is. It's a creature that has the head and wings of an eagle, but the body of a lion!
Yes, we know it as Scythia. Though I have heard from some of the hungarian chieftains, that they also come from there.
No forests, or mountains? But it must be beautiful, isn't it, Markörgis? Do you border the lands of Presbiter Johannes? Tell me if I'm asking too many questions."

--------

Bernard Zrinski
Azaq

"Greetings, Princess! And greetings to you too, Tsetseg. Shall we begin our journey? The sooner we set out, the better. I have left many urgent matters at home, and my King surely misses my presence." - Bernard spoke, seemingly more to himself than the mongolians.

"Her language will be no problem. You see, King Zvonimir's bodyguards all hail from Azaq, and most of them have already learned a language of the Kingdom. Though I suggest the Princess begins to learn one too. German, if she wishes to speak with the knights of our realm, Italian or Latin, if she wishes to speak with other Lords from the West, Croatian, if she wishes to speak with most of the court, and hungarian, if she wishes to. Speak with common soldiers and nomads, I suppose. I can arrange the best tutors for her, if she wishes to.

Also tell her that if she has any problems, I am to whom you should speak. Not Markörgis, nor Count Orseolo, not Bishop Guthkeled, and especially not Chieftain Arpad. "

Bernard stopped for a moment, and examined a letter a servant brought him. He read it unexpectedly quickly, within a few seconds, and gave it back to the servant.

"It seems like Princess Cecilia will depart Varasd, and come to Azaq. She will be the wife of your brother, Princess. You shall take her rooms in Varazdin Castle. If you have any questions, Princess, I am ready to answer all of them during our journey."

---

At first, Markörgis was a bit annoyed at her constant questions. But he decided it best to entertain her, and it wasn't like he had much else to do on the long trip.

"Your questions are fine, child. You are going to a land you have only heard of, but never seen, it is only sensible to be curious."

He chuckled a bit.

"What a strange creature. I have never heard of such a thing before, nor have I seen one. But I have heard a familiar description, of a combination of bird and lion parts before. It is a Persian beast - called the Simurgh - with the body of a peacock, the head of a dog, and the claws of a lion, and they say sometimes it even has the face of a man! I have never seen one myself, nor met anyone who had. It sounds like mere fantasy to me, as is this 'gryphon' creature, most likely. If such beasts do exist, I will be surprised."

He pondered more on what she asked.

"There are forests and mountains, but they are small and rare. Most of it is large plains covering the basin of a great river. Whether it is beautiful or not depends on one's definition of 'beauty', I suppose. To I and my brethren, who hail from such places, it is our own sense of beauty. It as beautiful as one would consider their homeland to be, I suppose. Perhaps a more... poetic person could give a more desirable opinion on it, not a warrior like myself."

He shrugged.

"This 'Johannes', I have heard mention of him before. It is said he rules a nation of Christian folk in the east, if I recall. I have not heard anything of him outside Christendom, so I am skeptical of where it is he is from - assuming he even exists - but if I had to make a guess, he is much further east than we are heading, I am afraid. His lands, I think, are closer to the homeland of our people, to Mongolia, though I would wager he rules Turks. If I had to make a guess, the oasis towns of the Uyghur Turks might be where this 'Presbiter Johannes' rules, as there are many cross-bearers among the Uyghurs. I know not of any kingdom in their lands though, though it has been many years since I have been anywhere near these lands, so much may have changed."

---

"I see, well, I am sure she will be eager to learn all these languages, and particularly whichever one may be spoken by her future suitor."

Tsetseg had a difficult time suppressing the disappointment in her voice as she admitted that her one true love was to marry another, and have his children, but at the same time she knew it was inevitable, and that there were few souls in the world that would accept their love. She dared not dread on the thoughts any longer, and quickly flushed them out of her mind.

After informing Börte of the Chancellor's request that she seek him out if she had any problems, and of her sleeping arrangements. At that moment, Tsetseg had a question - a foolish one she should not ask - but she felt compelled, and so did.

"If I may ask, Chancellor, where might myself be staying? I would hope that it be close to my ladies chambers, in case she might require my services. Forgive me if I am overstepping my bounds, I only seek to make sure that I can be there for my lady - for my friend - if she should ever need me."

She tried to play it off as concern, and friendship. But her true, hidden intentions were more romantic - and lustful - in nature.

Princess Cecilia
Somewhere in Varasd

"I see. I start to doubt the tales of the travelers now. However, I'm a bit relieved too, that there are no such ungodly beasts in Azaq. "

Cecilia opened her mouth, probably for another question, but remained silent. She looked into the distance.

"Did my father send even more soldiers, just to escort me to Azaq, Commander?"

A small group of hungarian nomads, all mounted and armed, approached the company of the Royal Guard, and stopped at a distance of less than two hundred meters. Just in the shooting range of a bow, many mongolian guardsmen noticed, and looked at their Commander.

"Héjj! Ki jön ott? Kik vagytok?*" - shouted one of the hungarians, who rode in the middle. Behind the group of hungarians, there was a tree line, with shrubbery, possibly with a creek.


*Hey! Who comes there? You are you? - in hungarian.


-----

Bernard Zrinski
Azaq


Bernard Zrinski raised an eyebrow at the question. He eyed Tsetseg for a couple of seconds, then spoke.

"In the servant's chambers, in her wing of the castle, of course. You're part of her personal court, aren't you?You shall be there to serve her, of course. She will need someone who speaks her language and ours, and my King does not keep his Royal Guards to translate. "

The Chancellor of Varasd shrugged, and turned away, his mind clearly focusing on completely different matters already.

Varasd wrote:Princess Cecilia
Somewhere in Varasd

"I see. I start to doubt the tales of the travelers now. However, I'm a bit relieved too, that there are no such ungodly beasts in Azaq. "

Cecilia opened her mouth, probably for another question, but remained silent. She looked into the distance.

"Did my father send even more soldiers, just to escort me to Azaq, Commander?"

A small group of hungarian nomads, all mounted and armed, approached the company of the Royal Guard, and stopped at a distance of less than two hundred meters. Just in the shooting range of a bow, many mongolian guardsmen noticed, and looked at their Commander.

"Héjj! Ki jön ott? Kik vagytok?*" - shouted one of the hungarians, who rode in the middle. Behind the group of hungarians, there was a tree line, with shrubbery, possibly with a creek.

*Hey! Who comes there? You are you? - in hungarian.


-----

Bernard Zrinski
Azaq

Bernard Zrinski raised an eyebrow at the question. He eyed Tsetseg for a couple of seconds, then spoke.

"In the servant's chambers, in her wing of the castle, of course. You're part of her personal court, aren't you?You shall be there to serve her, of course. She will need someone who speaks her language and ours, and my King does not keep his Royal Guards to translate. "

The Chancellor of Varasd shrugged, and turned away, his mind clearly focusing on completely different matters already.

---

Markörgis recognized the men as Hungarians right away, seeing them, standing in his way, making demands of him boiled his blood. He spat on the ground to his side, and yelled at them in broken Hungarian.

"The Scourge of the East!"

He said, laughing as his men did the same.

"I hope you do not think I a fool, Magyar. Your pathetic shrubbery will not keep your archers safe, nor conceal your ambush. There is only one thing we have worth taking, and you're not going to take her. Come even within pissing distance and you will find your hands severed and sewed into your stomach."

Markörgis looked back at Cecilia, and whispered to her.

"There is no escort here, princess. Only treason, and it will be dealt with. If you do not fancy seeing men die, then turn your eyes away."

He turned back to the Hungarians.

"Defile your proud warrior culture with this banditry and treason if you must, it will only be two minor stains on your peoples' legacy. But do not hide behind the Earth like cowards and make a third stain, for when I drag your archers' heads out from the brush, I will make it known that they died hiding like scared children. Let it be clear here, piss-drinkers: If you fight now, you die now."

His men readied their weapons, in particular their bows, preparing for the inevitable hostility that was to come.

---

Tsetseg realized the error of her question far too late, but was pleased that the chancellor did not seem to think much of it. She sighed a breath of relief.

"Ah, yes, of course, my mistake. It is just, I usually sleep with the princess in her room-"

Tsetseg was interrupted when, out of sight of the chancellor, Börte elbowed her servant. Although she herself could not speak Greek, she understood enough to know that Tsetseg was speaking of something she should not be. Realizing what she was saying, Tsetseg quickly tried to 'correct' herself.

"-BECAUSE the servants quarters are... currently undergoing reconstruction, yes. I was not sure if the same was true for the castle in... Varazdin was it? I realize now, however, that this was a silly question. I am sure your castle is in perfect shape. I apologize, Chancellor Zrinski."

Tsetseg cleared her throat, hoping the chancellor hadn't caught on.

Princess Cecilia
Somewhere in Varasd

The leader of the nomadic band spat on the ground as well, when the mongolians drew their swords. From behind the shrubbery, another, somewhat large, group of warriors emerged, and began to charge. They did not dress nor look like hungarians - probably some slavic lowlifes who were easy to hire for anything that involved money and violence.
The horse archers gave room for their charge, and began raining arrows on the escort of the Princess. They broke into two, and began riding to both sides of the mongolian group, in half-circles.

"Bandits?!" Princess Cecilia cried out in a scared, yet outraged tone. "How DARE they?! Commander Markörgis! Show them how a heroic knight deals with traitors! " Said the Princess, and offered one of her handkerchiefs to Markörgis.




-------

Bernard Zrinski
Azaq

Bernard slowly turned towards Tsetseg, and said nothing. He examined her in silence, and took a step closer, leaning above to the mongolian servant, looking down on her.

"Varazdin Castle, the Seat of King Zvonimir, is not fully constructed yet indeed. But the Royal Chambers are. " - Bernard narrowed his eyes, looking straight into the eyes of Tsetseg, as if he was trying to see into her mind through her eyes. "But how is a servant in Azaq so well-informed? To speak multiple languages, even though her mistress doesn't, to know the state of fortresses in faraway regions... "

Chancellor Zrinski took a step back and straightened himself.

"You need not to answer. You probably wouldn't, anyways..." The Chancellor turned around, and walked to the entrance, and turned around for a mere second:

"I will be keeping an eye on you."

With that, he left, and the journey, with that, Börte and Tsetseg's new lives in Varasd as well, has begun.

Varasd wrote:Princess Cecilia
Somewhere in Varasd

The leader of the nomadic band spat on the ground as well, when the mongolians drew their swords. From behind the shrubbery, another, somewhat large, group of warriors emerged, and began to charge. They did not dress nor look like hungarians - probably some slavic lowlifes who were easy to hire for anything that involved money and violence.
The horse archers gave room for their charge, and began raining arrows on the escort of the Princess. They broke into two, and began riding to both sides of the mongolian group, in half-circles.

"Bandits?!" Princess Cecilia cried out in a scared, yet outraged tone. "How DARE they?! Commander Markörgis! Show them how a heroic knight deals with traitors! " Said the Princess, and offered one of her handkerchiefs to Markörgis.

Dark red: hungarian bandits
Red: slavic bandits

Dark blue: carriage of Cecilia
Blue: Guards

---

Markörgis scoffed at the Princesses' words.

"I am no 'knight', princess. I am a warrior."

He said, as refused her handkerchief. He and his men took out their bows and prepared for battle, rallying his men.

"Their numbers will not save them, nor will their pathetic mercenaries! Butcher them, leave none alive, and if they so much as lay a hand on this carriage, cut it off!"

The men circled the carriage, firing their bows off at the bandits. Markörgis himself took a shot at the leader of the bandits, while his men focused on the horse archers first, and when the charging Slavs got close, they took out their swords and spears, and attempted to trample them with their horses, swinging their blades at the Slavs' necks.

Princess Cecilia
Varasd

The Princess closed the doors of her carriage, and peeked out from the openings to watch the battle. Through her eyes, it was a true battle, the one they speak about in legends and tales, even though it was just a band of bandits thinking they had a change against the Royal Guard...

The hungarian horse archers were talented with the bow, but not as trained as the mongolian warriors. The slavic bandits were crushed by the charge of the Royal Guard, clearly, they have expected the hungarians to soften, and maybe even rout the enemy. Their hopes were quickly gone, when the Elites withstood and returned the enemy fire, and charged at them. Some of them did not even wait until the Royal Azaqden Guard reached them, and began to flee.

The hungarian nomads stood and fought, though, engaging the mongolians in close combat too. They charged straight for the carriage of the Princess, knowing that having her captive would mean that the mongolians would not dare to attack any further...

----------

Bernard Zrinski
Somewhere in Azaq

The caravan of the Chancellor was traveling well, without obstacles. The roads were fine, and on the plainlands there were no natural barriers either. The river crossings were secured by guards, too, which impressed the Chancellor. His respects for the nomads of the East grew day by day, which gave him many ideas on how to deal with the nomads of his King's realm.

Bernard slowed his horse a bit, and took up the pace of the carriage of Princess Börte. He looked at her while talking, even though he clearly expected Tsetseg to translate and answer.

"Your Highness. Once we arrive in Varazdin Castle, do you want me to arrange suitors? Not instantly, but after you get familiar with the Castle, everything should be going according to planning. It's always good to have a strong set of plans."

Varasd wrote:Princess Cecilia
Varasd

The Princess closed the doors of her carriage, and peeked out from the openings to watch the battle. Through her eyes, it was a true battle, the one they speak about in legends and tales, even though it was just a band of bandits thinking they had a change against the Royal Guard...

The hungarian horse archers were talented with the bow, but not as trained as the mongolian warriors. The slavic bandits were crushed by the charge of the Royal Guard, clearly, they have expected the hungarians to soften, and maybe even rout the enemy. Their hopes were quickly gone, when the Elites withstood and returned the enemy fire, and charged at them. Some of them did not even wait until the Royal Azaqden Guard reached them, and began to flee.

The hungarian nomads stood and fought, though, engaging the mongolians in close combat too. They charged straight for the carriage of the Princess, knowing that having her captive would mean that the mongolians would not dare to attack any further...

----------

Bernard Zrinski
Somewhere in Azaq

The caravan of the Chancellor was traveling well, without obstacles. The roads were fine, and on the plainlands there were no natural barriers either. The river crossings were secured by guards, too, which impressed the Chancellor. His respects for the nomads of the East grew day by day, which gave him many ideas on how to deal with the nomads of his King's realm.

Bernard slowed his horse a bit, and took up the pace of the carriage of Princess Börte. He looked at her while talking, even though he clearly expected Tsetseg to translate and answer.

"Your Highness. Once we arrive in Varazdin Castle, do you want me to arrange suitors? Not instantly, but after you get familiar with the Castle, everything should be going according to planning. It's always good to have a strong set of plans."

---

Markörgis made sure to direct his men on the Hungarians, letting the Slavs flee in terror. He hoped to be able to hunt them down later, but for now they focused on the more worthy foe, though Markörgis did not think of them as such.

He admired the Hungarian warriors and their skills, but what he saw before him were not warriors, only men with weapons. Unorganized, and brute without point. They had overestimated themselves, and lacked respect for their betters. They were true bandits - scum of society - not worth his time, and for this they must be punished. This was no battle to him, it was a waste of time, and so he made doubly sure it would be over soon.

As he watched several Hungarians slip past his men and head toward the carriage, he felt insulted. Did they think they would drop their arms and surrender? He directed his men toward the other Hungarians at the front.

"I will deal with these sods, finish off these fools ahead!"

He said as he exchanged his bow for his sword, unsheathing it. The sword shined in the sunlight, having been recently polished and sharpened. It begged for bloodshed, and now it would see it.

Markörgis charged the group by himself, swinging and slashing his sword at man and beast alike with great fury and precision.

---

Tsetseg had remained somber and quiet since the Chancellor's last words. She realized now her attempt to redirect her question as ignorance had backfired, and she believed the Chancellor thought her a spy of sorts. Börte pitied her and tried to reassure her, but in her mind she had made a grave mistake in even saying anything at all. When the Chancellor approached the carriage, she did her best not to appear tense. Börte listened to the Chancellor, knowing full well what he was saying, even if she could not say it herself. She thought for a moment and nodded her head in agreement as Tsetseg spoke to the Chancellor herself.

"I apologize, Chancellor Zrinski, for when I said the princess does not speak any language that you might speak I failed to mention she does have a basic grasping of the Greek language - enough to understand it, though not to speak it - and does not need me to relay what you say, only what she wishes to say. Again, I apologize for this lack of information. It slipped my mind, you see. She was in the process of learning the Greek language in full due to the proximity of the palace with the Greek-speaking cities of Azaq."

She bowed respectfully.

Princess Cecilia

The Princess hid in her carriage when the fighting started. She heard screaming and clashing of swords from outside, and then, silence, after a while.

When she first peeked out, she saw bloody soldiers, men screaming, crying on the ground - the luckiest of them were already dead. A lone slavic man was searching for his hand before a mongolian finally put him out of his misery. Princess Cecilia quickly pulled back into her carriage, shocked and scared, and took some deep breathes.

When she emerged, her face and tone were both calm.

"Commander, you have dealt with the bandits, I see. Let us move on then, I do not like to idly sit around." - she said, with the typical neutral, yet posh tone of Royalty, which clearly did not mirror her true emotions at the time.


------

Bernard Zrinski
Azaq

"Very well, Tsetseg. " Bernard continued, looking at Börte already. "Your Highness will have an easy time speaking the language, since you already understand it. A week or two and you might not even need a translator. Once Your Highness arrives at Varazdin Castle, I shall find you a well-learned tutor for learning italian.

However, you did not answer my last question. Once we arrive, do you want me to start arranging suitors? "

Varasd wrote:Princess Cecilia

The Princess hid in her carriage when the fighting started. She heard screaming and clashing of swords from outside, and then, silence, after a while.

When she first peeked out, she saw bloody soldiers, men screaming, crying on the ground - the luckiest of them were already dead. A lone slavic man was searching for his hand before a mongolian finally put him out of his misery. Princess Cecilia quickly pulled back into her carriage, shocked and scared, and took some deep breathes.

When she emerged, her face and tone were both calm.

"Commander, you have dealt with the bandits, I see. Let us move on then, I do not like to idly sit around." - she said, with the typical neutral, yet posh tone of Royalty, which clearly did not mirror her true emotions at the time.


------

Bernard Zrinski
Azaq

"Very well, Tsetseg. " Bernard continued, looking at Börte already. "Your Highness will have an easy time speaking the language, since you already understand it. A week or two and you might not even need a translator. Once Your Highness arrives at Varazdin Castle, I shall find you a well-learned tutor for learning italian.

However, you did not answer my last question. Once we arrive, do you want me to start arranging suitors? "

---

Markörgis nodded toward the princess, grunting a bit. He turned back to the battlefield, preparing to mount his horse when he saw a lone Hungarian struggling to limp away from the fight. He recognized the man as the one spat on the ground and had dared to ask him who he was and what his business here was. He grinned, and signaled his men not to pursue the now weakened foe.

Instead, he approached the corpse of a Hungarian, ripping a spear out from it's backside, and then lunged it across the battlefield at the fleeing Hungarian, striking him in the spine, paralyzing him before he dropped to his knees, and then fell face first into the dirt, dead and bloodied.

Markörgis chuckled and his men laughed.

"Round up those Slavs, they couldn't have gone far on foot. When you find them, take off their heads. They won't be needing them anymore."

His men laughed, and several of them rode off into the brush after the fleeing Slavs while the rest treated their wounds and laid their dead to rest and burned the bodies of the Hungarians and Slavs. Within moments the men that departed returned with the heads of their Slavic foes in hand, while their roped bodies were being dragged by their horses. The bodies and heads were chucked into the charred ashes of the other fallen foes.

Markörgis then mounted his horse.

"Alright, Princess. Let us move on now, to Transylvania."

---

"Oh, of course, my apologies. Yes, she would like that."