Re: The Varazdin Castle Court

by Austrasia Tue Sep 20, 2016 7:16 pm

Varasd wrote:King Zvonimir:

The old king was still accepting congratulations and passing jokes but then he met an unknown face. He said something in a language he has never ever heard of, so all he was able to do was to ask "What?", of course, in Croatian. He quickly switched to Greek which he spoke fairly good, altough far from perfect.

"I don't speak your language, stranger. Who are you?"[/i]

Baldwin de Guis,

Baldwin stood motionless for a second as the King spoke in another foreign language he did not speak. In a small panic he searched among his retinue for someone, anyone who spoke the foreign tongue that so eluded him. Luckily, Baldwin's traveling priest had some familiarity with the language of Constantinople.

"Allow me, my Lord," the Abbot interjected calmly, motioning himself beside the King. "I shall translate for His Majesty, King Zvonimir."

Baldwin nodded, and looking first at the Abbot and then the King, began, "Your Majesty, my name is Baldwin de Guis, Baron of Eppstein, and a royal messenger of my sovereign, Duke Charles I of Austrasia. My compatriots and I have traveled far from Francia to meet with you and discuss a friendship between our two countries. May we humbly request your hospitality and an audience?"

by **Varasd** Wed Sep 21, 2016 5:29 am

King Zvonimir

Even though the King was not in the mood for rigid formalities, he fist spoke in a calm and diplomatic tone.

"Of course, Sir Baldwin. You shall stay here as my guests and take part in the feast too! But before that, we can speak of course. However, messengers have been from Sielburg too and it would be rude to make them wait too much. So right after their business is settled, we can move on to ours. "

The King stopped for a second, then asked:

"Was your journey safe? I hope I'm not paying all these soldiers for nothing!" -he laughed

Bernard Zrinski:

The Chancellor pondered for a moment then finally said:

"Yes, I think we can convince her somehow. Her sister is married to a Christian Chieftain in Azaq and his brother, the Prince, is married to a Byzantine Princess as it stands. She can't wait for a man until she gets older and her hair turns white! So that is what I was planning. To go on a diplomatic mission to find her a suitor - and we would go to Sielburg first. Whom did you have in mind?

On the other hand, our agreement seems solid and good but first we will need to listen to what the King has to say about the matter. "

by Guest Wed Sep 21, 2016 2:15 pm

Varasd wrote:Bernard Zrinski:

The Chancellor pondered for a moment then finally said:

"Yes, I think we can convince her somehow. Her sister is married to a Christian Chieftain in Azaq and his brother, the Prince, is married to a Byzantine Princess as it stands. She can't wait for a man until she gets older and her hair turns white! So that is what I was planning. To go on a diplomatic mission to find her a suitor - and we would go to Sielburg first. Whom did you have in mind?

On the other hand, our agreement seems solid and good but first we will need to listen to what the King has to say about the matter. "

Daniel Mitt

"Very well. We'll have King Zvonimir say the final words before an agreement is made. About the suitors, the King's youngest son, Max, is the first that came to mind. He is sixteen, but seems to be very mature. Although he is young, I doubt the sons of the King's knights would do."

by Austrasia Wed Sep 21, 2016 4:39 pm

Varasd wrote:King Zvonimir

Even though the King was not in the mood for rigid formalities, he fist spoke in a calm and diplomatic tone.

"Of course, Sir Baldwin. You shall stay here as my guests and take part in the feast too! But before that, we can speak of course. However, messengers have been from Sielburg too and it would be rude to make them wait too much. So right after their business is settled, we can move on to ours. "

The King stopped for a second, then asked:

"Was your journey safe? I hope I'm not paying all these soldiers for nothing!" -he laughed

Baldwin de Guis

Baldwin waited patiently for his translator to relay the King's words before he too laughed lightheartedly. The journey had been rather uneventful, but Baldwin wasn't a novice at the art of diplomacy and he attempted to delight the King with tales of the realm's beauty.

"Of course, Sire, we will gladly wait," Baldwin nodded, "As for our journey, I must say it was quite spectacular. Your realm is as vast as it is beautiful. While we encountered no peril throughout your domain, we were pleased to stop at a few towns along the way to sample your land's unique foods and some of your cultural delights. My man, Luis, was quite taken by some of the local music played by your peasants."

by **Varasd** Thu Sep 22, 2016 5:48 am

Chancellor Zrinski:

"Yes. I shall let you meet the other members of the King's court now. Count Orseolo is the Steward and an old friend of the King and I. He is a merry man but speaks wise words and his advice is always sought. Then, we will need to discuss some details of the Master of the Treasury, Mattai, for example when the first caravan can get off. Of course there is Gisela to meet aswell, and currently a Mongolian Princess from Azaq is staying in Varazdin too - you should definitely meet her. "

King Zvonimir:

The King listened with what the translator said and laughed. He clearly didn't expect the diplomat to list the beauty of Varasdian lands, as he was more curious if his soldiers actually did the job.

"So you've drank some kumis*?" - he laughed. "Now come, until I can discuss diplomatic matters with you, I'll let one of the Courtiers lead you around the castle... " The King then shouted something in Croatian, then patted Baldwin on the shoulder, after which he went straight to Queen Adelaide and the two began a private discussion a bit further away from the crowd.

by Guest Thu Sep 22, 2016 1:50 pm

Varasd wrote:Chancellor Zrinski:

"Yes. I shall let you meet the other members of the King's court now. Count Orseolo is the Steward and an old friend of the King and I. He is a merry man but speaks wise words and his advice is always sought. Then, we will need to discuss some details of the Master of the Treasury, Mattai, for example when the first caravan can get off. Of course there is Gisela to meet aswell, and currently a Mongolian Princess from Azaq is staying in Varazdin too - you should definitely meet her. "

Daniel Mitt

"Very well, my good man. Whom shall we meet first? I am quite excited to meet all of these extravagant characters."

by **Varasd** Thu Sep 29, 2016 1:45 pm

Chancellor Zrinski

The Chancellor looked around to see if there was anyone close by. Then, he has noticed Börte and Tsetseg along with Otto as they arrived at the scene and pointed at them.

"She is Princess Börte, her servant Tsetseg and their bodyguard Otto. She speaks many languages, and Otto is fluent in German, so there will be no problem with communications. Now please, enjoy yourself around, I will find you as soon as I have spoken to Mattai."

by Guest Sat Oct 01, 2016 12:15 pm

Varasd wrote:Chancellor Zrinski

The Chancellor looked around to see if there was anyone close by. Then, he has noticed Börte and Tsetseg along with Otto as they arrived at the scene and pointed at them.

"She is Princess Börte, her servant Tsetseg and their bodyguard Otto. She speaks many languages, and Otto is fluent in German, so there will be no problem with communications. Now please, enjoy yourself around, I will find you as soon as I have spoken to Mattai."

Daniel Mitt

"Sure Thing!"

So Daniel went for a stroll around the courtyard, awaiting Zrinski.

by **Varasd** Tue Nov 29, 2016 7:41 am

After the King's hunting festivities were over, everything returned to normal. The King was enjoying his time with his wife and friends, while the Councillors helped him run the state.

The, one day, he has decided to call Chancellor Zrinski, Börte, Tsetseg, Daniel Mitt, and Princess Gisela to an audience. For what reason this might be, he told no one.

by Guest Wed Nov 30, 2016 12:34 pm

Daniel Mitt

After Daniel heard that the King himself had called him, he made his way to the area of the audience as soon as possible and awaited entry.

by Rorukheim Fri Jan 27, 2017 4:48 pm

A Knarr from he southern coast of France sails to the coast of Varasd, on board is a diplomat. Arrival time should be tomorrow morning if the seas are fair

by **Varasd** Sat Jan 28, 2017 6:05 am

The King has been waiting impatiently in his throne room - he was never a patient man - and played with his bow until Daniel Mitt arrived. Chancellor Zrinski and Princess Gisela have been waiting too, silently in front of the King.

Once Daniel Mitt arrived, the King stood up and spoke merrily.

"Greetings, Sir Mitt!

I have a favour to ask from you. My beloved daughter Gisela needs a decent spouse." The King strongly emphasized the word "needs", which made Gisela turn her head away for a second. "If you would be so kind, and embark on a diplomatic journey to the Western realms together with Chancellor Zrinski and Princess Gisela, I would be in your debt. What say you?"

----------
Somewhere in the Adriatic

As soon as the Dalmatian fleet has encountered the viking ship - and was sure that the northmen came with peaceful intentions - they have escorted the diplomat to Fiume, the most prosperous trade port of Varasd. From there, a contingent of Croatian warriors, led by German knights, has led the Knarr straight to Varasdin castle.

by Rorukheim Sat Jan 28, 2017 6:26 am

(A Knarr is a warship or tradeship depending on its class)
The Northmen follow you to the castle. Theres 9 of them that go, the rest stay with the ship. In front thin man with black paint around his eyes, he's rather tall and has an unsettling smile. Next his 8 guards follow. You heard stories of the savages in the north but one glance at the Varangian Guard, you think they might be more civilized than previously thought (look at Infantry and Ranged units for a picture of them)

by Rorukheim Sat Jan 28, 2017 6:51 am

On the way to Varasdin Castle, people look at the northmen with fear and disgust in their eyes. To see the heathen, the pagans for themselves. A group of priest pass by the group, and quickly start praying. The northmen glare at them, the tall man makes a claw with his hand at them.

by **Varasd** Sun Jan 29, 2017 6:02 am

Somewhere en route to Varazdin Castle:

The roughly 40 Croatians and 10 German knights leading the Vikings were quite bored throughout their trip. Most of them have heard stories about Prince-Grandmaster Stephan defeating Northmen at the Baltic sea, and for them, all Northmen were the same.

However, the reaction of the population was much more different. They were worried too when the King claimed to be King of all Hungarians and subjugated the nomads, because there were still many pagans in their ranks. Now, even more pagans were coming to visit their King, and they wanted none of this kind of friendship. The warriors escorting the Vikings didn't care much about the reaction of the population, in fact, they were sometimes bemused how much the villagers were afraid of a handful of warriors.

One of the German knights, who hailed from Northern Germany, eventually spoke to the Northmen - hoping that they would at least understand half of each other's words.

"So, what brings you to the Adriatic and to Varazdin? It's rare to see Northmen here."

by Rorukheim Sun Jan 29, 2017 7:17 am

The leader of the group responds to him, with a little laugh "Oh we were in the area and decided to stop by. We've been meaning to come anyway"

by **Varasd** Mon Jan 30, 2017 5:51 am

Somewhere en route to Varazdin Castle:

"Don't worry, the Prince-Grandmaster have made good mentions of your people when the returned from the North. " The knight - and some of his companions too - continued with this loose chatter while they were traveling.

Once they have reached Varazdin castle and the knight told the castle guard what the Northmen wanted - and that they can be half-understood by speaking German -, the soldiers bid farewell to the Northmen, and began their journey back to Fiume.

The Vikings were escorted into the castle courtyard, where they were asked to wait until a proper lord can come to greet them.

by Rorukheim Tue Jan 31, 2017 12:18 am

The tall man signs and paces impatiently. The others just sit around, either sharpening their axes or picking their teeth. "Why do Christians always make us wait? They seem to love waiting around!" the tall man tells the others who just shrug

by Cantabrio Tue Jan 31, 2017 5:56 pm

A large Spanish ship sailed in the peaceful waters of the Northern Adriatic Sea. The sails bore the flag of Cantabrio. The ship slowed down once they spotted the Varasd fleet. On board was a diplomat and about thirty crew members.

by **Varasd** Thu Feb 02, 2017 9:17 pm

In the ports of Fiume

Just as the soldiers who escorted the vikings to Varazdin castle have arrived back in Fiume, they were entasked with escorting another group of guests to the capital city. They have been recently docked in the port and were eager to set out.

The German knights and the Croatian infantrymen began their journey again, wishing for a river that would take these newcomers straight to Varazdin castle...

In Varazdin Castle

A man with a rather big belly and a merry smile came out to meet the Norsemen. He spoke in German, but it was clear that he wasn't a native German.

"Greetings, good guests! I am Count Orseolo, Steward of the King! I have been asked to come greet you and invite you in for some food and wine. Join me, then after your stomachs are full and your hearts are merry, we shall discuss whatever you came here for! " Before moving on, he turned around and added:

"The King is currently busy, but he should be available soon."

by Rorukheim Fri Feb 03, 2017 4:07 am

The tall man responds in German. "Thank you for your hospitality. I am Jarl Floki. Hopefully your king won't take too long I have a very important proposition for him." There's a grim look on his face. A messenger burst in the room. "Message for Jarl Floki!" He gasps. "What is it?" Floki snaps. The messenger whispers something in Floki hear. Floki remains emotionless. Floki tells him in a strained voice to leave. "I'm sorry for that interruption." Floki tells the count. He countinues on "But as it seems, King Ragnar himself is coming to this meeting."

by **Varasd** Fri Feb 03, 2017 11:34 am

Count Orseolo

The Count was a bit confused about the recent news.
"Your King? Is he coming by boat? If so, let me send some proper soldiers to escort him to the Castle. "

by Rorukheim Fri Feb 03, 2017 1:55 pm

Floki sighs "Yes he's sailing to here on a Knarr, he has a escort of 6 Knarr. He'll arrive here before the day is out."

by Cantabrio Fri Feb 03, 2017 5:00 pm

A large Spanish continued to sail through Varasd waters. Apparently there was not a fleet to inspect them or ask them what they were doing.

by **Varasd** Sat Feb 04, 2017 6:56 pm

Somewhere on the Adriatic Sea

The Spanish vessels were soon approached by warships bearing the flag of the Kingdom of Varasd. A single messenger ship approached them, to name their business.

In Varazdin Castle

Count Orseolo nodded and sent a servant to tell the informations to the King.

"And what business are we going to be discussing, if I might ask? "

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