Re: The Varazdin Castle Court

[Varasd]

Princess Cecilia

The Princess nodded, and the travel continued. From there on, she was very quiet towards Markörgis, and decided to chat with her servants, and some other soldiers instead. Finally, she spoke, though only a quick, short sentence.

"How long until we reach the border?"

The mountains of Transylvania were already to be seen by the group. The roads were fine along the river of Maros, which was the main route of transporting salt from the Duchy of Transylvania. On the important and well-guarded road, travel was easy and safe.

---------
Bernard Zrinski

The Chancellor was relieved when after the long journey, and passing though the neutral territories, they finally was the Carpathian mountains. On the way there, on top of a hill, they saw two travelers talking to two guards - they were soon let to travel further, towards the Crimean Peninsula.

Soon, they would return to the Kingdom of Varasd.

[The Shi Empire]

Visitors from the East



Arriving into the capital of Varasd was 30 Chinese men who entered the city's main gates walking towards the palace. In the centre of this long line of people was the Imperial Ambassador, Dong Liang. The party mostly consisted of his guards, two merchants, and a translator (who could speak Latin). It took them a short while to be able to gain access to the city, and they knew it would take them even longer to be able to get access to that of the Court of the king. But hopes where high, and the translator would talk the guards to sleep if he must. After all, this mission was called upon by the Emperor himself.

[Azaq]

Princess Cecilia

The Princess nodded, and the travel continued. From there on, she was very quiet towards Markörgis, and decided to chat with her servants, and some other soldiers instead. Finally, she spoke, though only a quick, short sentence.

"How long until we reach the border?"

The mountains of Transylvania were already to be seen by the group. The roads were fine along the river of Maros, which was the main route of transporting salt from the Duchy of Transylvania. On the important and well-guarded road, travel was easy and safe.

---------
Bernard Zrinski

The Chancellor was relieved when after the long journey, and passing though the neutral territories, they finally was the Carpathian mountains. On the way there, on top of a hill, they saw two travelers talking to two guards - they were soon let to travel further, towards the Crimean Peninsula.

Soon, they would return to the Kingdom of Varasd.

Markörgis

"We are close, princess. The mountains you dub the 'Carpathians' are within view now."

[Varasd]

Count Orseolo
Varazdin Castle, main square


Count Orseolo, old friend, comrade at arms, and drinking pal, but primarily Steward of the King, has rushed down to the main square. Suddenly, important people started appearing at the castle, and the King wanted them to wait as little as possible. The guests were no others than Dong Liang, Ambassador of the Shi Empire, Merikare the Ambassador from Egypt, and Count Leonard and Olivier de Vaugeois, from Blayk.  

The Count had to stop for a minute to catch her breath, before finally stepping on a stairway and speaking to the guests waiting. Usually, this would have been the task of the Chancellor, the Count thought to himself. He did not like Bernard Zrinski at all, but he admitted that he was effective, efficient, and above all, loyal to King Zvonimir.

"Greetings, greetings, our highly esteemed guests!

Many of you have come to speak to my King, Zvonimir, and you have come from faraway lands! My King wishes to inform you, and ask you, to attend a feast this evening, with you, as guests of honor! Each of you will be assigned with an own quarter in the Castle, and you can have personal audiences with the King tomorrow!

For now, rest, and prepare yourself for the feast!

Welcome, to the Kingdom of Varasd! "

-------------
Bernard Zrinski

Finally on Varasdian soil. The Chancellor and Princess Börte were greeted by Markörgis, the Easterling on the eastern borders of Varasd. The journey back to Varazdin castle was rather short and boring. The Chancellor rode up to Markörgis, and after riding next to him for a while, he finally spoke:

Tell me, Commander Markörgis. What do you know of Princess Börte and her servant, Tsetseg? He asked, while looking forward, as if only being curious about the new guests at the court.

[The Shi Empire]

The Chinese Ambassadors retreated to their caravan for the night, was outside a small inn on the out skirts of town. Talking to each other about the future of the nation, how the diplomatic relations between the two nations of Shi and Varasd. As well as the politeness of the aged man sent out to greet the two, and the news of the feast pleased many of them.

[House of Judah]

Mattai the Hebrew

Mattai was busy poring over the records of grain harvests and metal mining. He had spent several days working to ensure he could give his king as accurate a prediction as possible for his king’s proposed use of the eastern lands of his realm. He leaned back in his chair. It could work, but there was enough of what economists a thousand years later would call “fudge factor” that it could fall short. Still, the reform would simultaneously free up funds for other projects while opening up more tax revenue. The only downside was that when those lands eventually did become profitable, they would be in the hands of others already who would expect to hold onto the properties they had transformed. Still, chances were that the benefits of the short term gain would only be outpaced by the longer term one of not employing the scheme during the reign of Stephan or his son.

There was a knock on Mattai’s door.

“Boy! Get the door!” He dipped his quill in the ink and began finishing his tabulations. Whoever at the door knocked again and the disruption caused Mattai to knock over the ink well. Mattai cursed and grabbed a rag to dry the ink. “Boy!” He finished repairing the damage from the spilled ink. “Where is that useless… damn.” Mattai finally remembered he had given his nephew the day off so he could help his mother prepare a sabbath meal. Mattai got up from his chair, went to the door and opened it.

“Mattai!” the man on the other side of the door greeted him.

“Meshullam! You’re a long way from home, or have you returned from Jerusalem to the land of your birth?” Meshullam laughed.

“No, I am still a subject of the Judean king. In fact, I am here on business of the King’s chancellor. I had hoped to entreat upon you to introduce a Prince of the Blood to King Zvonimir.”

“A Prince of the Blood?”

“Indeed. Benyamin ben Shimon ben Yehudah, nephew of King Yitzchak, is coming to Varazdin as an emissary of the King in Jerusalem.”

“And you wish for me to provide introduction? Why? I would think a prince of royal blood could introduce himself wherever he goes.”

“He certainly can, but such procedures flow more smoothly when proper lubrication can be applied. You are the King’s treasurer. You hold his ear. It will more easily allow the prince to come to this court and serve his role as emissary.”

“Very well. When does Prince Benyamin arrive?”

“His ship will dock in Fiume within the week.”

“Then I shall inform His Majesty.”

---

“Your Majesty, I have examined the records,” said Mattai. “The only reason I can find to not implement your scheme are potential loss of long term revenues, but even those are not guaranteed. I can’t say for certain that it will completely cover us, but it will help greatly. Enough so that what creditors we have may be satisfied without us needing to take out loans from the banking factors.” Mattai looked back Meshullam.

“Your Majesty, there is another matter I wish to discuss with you. This is Meshullam. He is from one of the Jewish banking families from Fiume. His second-cousin attended yeshiva with my younger sister’s husband’s third-cousin, which among Jews means we are practically family. Meshullam has lived as one the King of Judeans’ many subjects for some years and has come at the behest of Crown Prince Benyamin ben Yitzchak.” Mattai waved the other man forward, who bowed to King Zvonimir.

“Your Majesty, I have come to announce the coming of Prince Benyamin ben Shimon as an emissary of his uncle, Yitzchak ben Benyamin ben Yehudah, the King of Judeans.”

[Varasd]

King Zvonimir

"Yes, yes... " The King examined the plans for the new economy, and nodded every once in a while.
Finally, he reached for his seal, and put it on a quickly drafted announcement, as well as on the plans.

"Let it be announced that from now on, mining gold and silver is a Royal Monopoly, and those who have mines on their estates shall be compensated for their losses.

The Hungarian tribes, the Royal Azaqden Guard, the members of the Clergy, and the Frontier Guard shall have their estates as honorary, while other vassals can remain hereditary owners of their fiefs. Each will need to fulfill a certain task in order to keep ownership of their honorary fiefs.

Along these, the system of taxation shall be made more just, as declared." The King took a deep, tired breath.
"And so on, and so on... They'll know, it's all there. Thank you Mattai, you have done a fair work - now you are tasked to see that the new law is enforced and report to me whenever it meets an obstacle.

But before that, you can stay and be a guest on today's feast. "

The King remained silent for a second, and almost sent Mattai away.

"Right! This Prince Benjamin. He shall be welcomed, send word to prepare proper company and escort for him to the Castle. We have many emissaries here, I may need to speak to the Steward to make room for them, maybe a new wing in the castle shall do."


------------

Chancellor Zrinski

"Princess Börte." The Chancellor knocked on the door on the Princess. "Princess Börte!" Not being a man patient enough to waste his time, the Chancellor opened the door to the Princess' Chambers.

"Princess Börte, there are two suitors waiting for you. One is a german knight, he is the son of General Aldwyn, from Laibach, and the other is the son of a Hungarian chieftain, his name is Lehel Árpád, son of Zoltan Árpád. They both want to meet you."

[Azaq]

Markörgis

The commander raised his eyebrows at the chancellor's words.

"Where is there to tell? A princess and a servant who trips herself over her own words. They have been friends since childhood, and spend a good deal of time with each other. I will admit, Tsetseg is an odd one. She cannot seem to compose a simple sentence without saying something she shouldn't say or didn't mean to. She's not a fool, merely a clumsy girl. Clumsy with her mouth, that is."

Markörgis thought for a moment.

"Why do you ask?"

OOC:

---

Börte & Tsetseg

The Chancellor's knocking startled Börte and Tsetseg, who were caught in the midst of a very passionate kiss. Tsetseg jumped off of the bed while Börte stood up quickly and fixed her dress so that she looked more presentable.

Just as she was about to allow the Chancellor in, he opened the door himself, starling them once again. Attempting to act normally, Börte listened to the Chancellor's words and quickly agreed.

"Börte has agreed to meet with them."

Tsetseg said, translating.

[Varasd]

Chancellor Zrinski
While still en route

"Just curious about our new guests, Commander. It is best to know who lives under the same roof as you do."

After that, the Chancellor did not say a word, and rode separately.

Present

The Chancellor eyed the two for a long second.

"Did I interrupt something, Princess? Excuse me for intruding like that, but I have very urgent matters to tend to. "

The Chancellor led the two down to the gardens, where the two suitors have been waiting. He stopped at the top of the outdoor stairs, so the suitors would be below them, and they would have to look up at Börte, from a distance.

"You may introduce yourself." The Chancellor said.

"Greetings, Princess! It is a true honour to see you in person! My name is Siegfried of Laibach, son of Aldwyn. My father is currently leading the armies of Prince Stephan in the Northlands, and I serve under the King's banner when he calls the country to arms. I-"

Siegfried was interrupted by the hungarian young man, who stepped infront of him to speak with the princess.

"Greetings, Princess! It is my honour as well, to see you! My name is Lehel, son of Zoltan! I hail from the tribe of Árpád, the leaders of the Hungarians. I have heard our people are very much like, an-"

The two suitors started interrupting each others sentences, to gain the Princess' attention. The Chancellor listened with much boredom, and let the Princess decide for herself what to do.

[Azaq]

Chancellor Zrinski
While still en route

"Just curious about our new guests, Commander. It is best to know who lives under the same roof as you do."

After that, the Chancellor did not say a word, and rode separately.

Present

The Chancellor eyed the two for a long second.

"Did I interrupt something, Princess? Excuse me for intruding like that, but I have very urgent matters to tend to. "

The Chancellor led the two down to the gardens, where the two suitors have been waiting. He stopped at the top of the outdoor stairs, so the suitors would be below them, and they would have to look up at Börte, from a distance.

"You may introduce yourself." The Chancellor said.

"Greetings, Princess! It is a true honour to see you in person! My name is Siegfried of Laibach, son of Aldwyn. My father is currently leading the armies of Prince Stephan in the Northlands, and I serve under the King's banner when he calls the country to arms. I-"

Siegfried was interrupted by the hungarian young man, who stepped infront of him to speak with the princess.

"Greetings, Princess! It is my honour as well, to see you! My name is Lehel, son of Zoltan! I hail from the tribe of Árpád, the leaders of the Hungarians. I have heard our people are very much like, an-"

The two suitors started interrupting each others sentences, to gain the Princess' attention. The Chancellor listened with much boredom, and let the Princess decide for herself what to do.

Börte & Tsetseg

"No, no, of course not. We were merely talking, Chancellor Zrinski. Please, lead the way."

Tsetseg said without hesitation, the two then followed the chancellor to the garden. Upon arriving, Börte eyed the two suitors for a moment as they introduced themselves. As they began to continuously interrupt each other, she quickly got irritated, rolling her eyes and sighing. Having had enough, she clapped her hands as loudly as possible.

"Gentlemen, please! Speak in turn, do not interrupt each other!"

Tsetseg said angrily, translating for Börte who had not even said a word. She couldn't help but think how immature the two were acting.

"These two could never satisfy Börte, they act like children."

She thought to herself. Börte then spoke to her, and Tsetseg repeated what she said.

"Siegfried, since you were the one interrupted first, you may speak first. When you are finished, and only when you have finished, then you will be able to speak, Lehel. Until then, please be patient and wait your turn.

My lady does not appreciate such rude and childish behavior."

She added the last bit herself, upset by how the two were acting on their first impression.

[Varasd]

Bernard Zrinski

The Chancellor smiled a bit at the outburst of the Princess and her companion. Siegfried began to speak, with fresh breath, explaining to the Princess his lineage of knights and warriors, up to some, probably fictional roman family from the patrician class, and the deeds of his forebears.

After he was finally done, the same began, except the hungarian version. His forefathers went up to the elite warriors of Attila himself, and told how his ancestors have raided and pillaged much of Europe, after the hungarian tribes arrived in the Carpathian basin in the beginnings of the 9th century.

Once both suitors ran out of words, silence befell the place, and everyone waited for what Börte had to say.

[Azaq]

Bernard Zrinski

The Chancellor smiled a bit at the outburst of the Princess and her companion. Siegfried began to speak, with fresh breath, explaining to the Princess his lineage of knights and warriors, up to some, probably fictional roman family from the patrician class, and the deeds of his forebears.

After he was finally done, the same began, except the hungarian version. His forefathers went up to the elite warriors of Attila himself,  and told how his ancestors have raided and pillaged much of Europe, after the hungarian tribes arrived in the Carpathian basin in the beginnings of the 9th century.

Once both suitors ran out of words, silence befell the place, and everyone waited for what Börte had to say.

Börte & Tsetseg

Börte was bored to tears (metaphorically) by the suitors' boasting and exaggerating of their families' lineages. Sick of this, she spoke something to Tsetseg - who was equally irritated - who then translated.

"The princess has no interest in the pompous boasting about your respective Houses and their prestige. What House she marries into and brings children into is of no concern to her, for she is not marrying a House, but a man from that House. Tell her why you - not your House - deserves her hand in marriage. Tell her about your personalities, your interests, whatever you can think of that concerns yourself that a potential future bride would find interesting or appealing.

...And that does not mean boasting about your combat prowess. She seeks to marry a man, not his profession or family. Tell her about yourselves as individuals, not warriors and nobles."

Tsetseg could not stress the last part anymore, which visibly pleased Börte who smiled when she did so.

[Varasd]

Bernard Zrinski

The two suitors remained silent for a second, clearly not expecting such a question. They were used to, and prepared for, a typical european style of marriage - where the prestige of their House is what counts, not their personalities, or their personal interests. They remained silent for a long time, both clearly searching for what to say.

Finally, the Chancellor broke the silence, with a bored clap with his hands.

"Well, then, gentlemen... I believe that both of you should be given time for this seemingly unexpected question. The Princess is clearly growing weary of remembering all the glorious deeds of your ancestors, so she needs to clear her mind now, as well."

The Chancellor shooed the two suitors away with a small gesture of hand, and led the Princess and Tsetseg down to the gardens.

"Excuse me if I've brought an end to their petty little contest too soon, Princess - and also excuse me for bringing these two in front of You. It was a little favour I have made for the Chieftain of the Hungarians, and the General of Prince Stephan. It's politics, I hope you understand.

I would like to introduce someone for you. He is Otto Berger, a fine soldier. He will be your bodyguard, and will accompany you anywhere you go. He might not be a bright man, but you can trust him. He speaks german and croatian, and a bit of greek, if I recall correctly.

Now, on a different matter, while I still have the time. Is there anything I can arrange for you? "

After the Chancellor asked, a large man in simple clothing came forward, and bowed deeply in front of the three. After the answer of Börte, if she had anything she needs, the Chancellor swiftly left them, to tend to matters that he deemed more important.

[Azaq]

Bernard Zrinski

The two suitors remained silent for a second, clearly not expecting such a question. They were used to, and prepared for, a typical european style of marriage - where the prestige of their House is what counts, not their personalities, or their personal interests. They remained silent for a long time, both clearly searching for what to say.

Finally, the Chancellor broke the silence, with a bored clap with his hands.

"Well, then, gentlemen... I believe that both of you should be given time for this seemingly unexpected question. The Princess is clearly growing weary of remembering all the glorious deeds of your ancestors, so she needs to clear her mind now, as well."

The Chancellor shooed the two suitors away with a small gesture of hand, and led the Princess and Tsetseg down to the gardens.

"Excuse me if I've brought an end to their petty little contest too soon, Princess - and also excuse me for bringing these two in front of You. It was a little favour I have made for the Chieftain of the Hungarians, and the General of Prince Stephan. It's politics, I hope you understand.

I would like to introduce someone for you. He is Otto Berger, a fine soldier. He will be your bodyguard, and will accompany you anywhere you go. He might not be a bright man, but you can trust him. He speaks german and croatian, and a bit of greek, if I recall correctly.

Now, on a different matter, while I still have the time. Is there anything I can arrange for you? "

After the Chancellor asked, a large man in simple clothing came forward, and bowed deeply in front of the three. After the answer of Börte, if she had anything she needs, the Chancellor swiftly left them, to tend to matters that he deemed more important.

Börte & Tsetseg

Börte merely nodded toward the chancellor.

"No, she is fine, thank you Chancellor Zrinski."

When he left, Tsetseg turned to the bodyguard.

"Hello, sir. I am Tsetseg, Princess Börte's personal servant. Chancellor Zrinski said you speak a bit of Greek, yes?"

[Varasd]

Otto took some seconds to understand what the two were saying.

"My name Otto Berger, Lady." Otto bowed deeply again, after introducing himself.
"Yes, a bit of greek. Not much, though - better at native tongue, german, or croatian. Not a word of latin." - He added, and laughed a bit. Otto looked like a merry man, who was only a soldier because of his natural built, not because he had a taste for blood.

[Azaq]

Otto took some seconds to understand what the two were saying.

"My name Otto Berger, Lady." Otto bowed deeply again, after introducing himself.
"Yes, a bit of greek. Not much, though - better at native tongue, german, or croatian. Not a word of latin." - He added, and laughed a bit. Otto looked like a merry man, who was only a soldier because of his natural built, not because he had a taste for blood.

Börte & Tsetseg

"Well, the Princess is glad to have you as her bodyguard. I am sure you will do your duties well."

[Varasd]

The Feast

In the evening, the great feast begun in Varazdin Castle. With King Zvonimir sitting at the host seat, with Queen Adelaide, and Princess Gisela at his sides. Almost everyone was invited, Zoltán Árpád the Chieftain of the Hungarians, Count Orseolo, the old-friend and Steward of the King, and the ever-watching Bernard Zrinski, the cunning Chancellor, and Markörgis, the Commander of the Royal Guard, and Mattai the Hebrew, the Treasurer, at the Varazdian side of the table.

Many guests were present, knights and nobles, as well as members of the clergy, but most importantly,
Princess Börte and Tsetseg, with Otto Berger standing at the wall behind them, Dong Liang, the Ambassador of the Shi Empire, Merikare, the Egyptian Ambassador, Prince Benjamin, Count Leonard and Olivier de Vaugeois.

The feast was grand - all kind of food have been served, game meat, exotic fruits from the Mediterrean, anything that one could imagine. The King stood up, slammed his fist three times on the table, and spoke:

"Greetings, to every one present! Enjoy your time in Varazdin Castle, let it be known that the King of Varasd is kind and welcoming to all guests! Eat and drink as you wish, for we have all the time for other matters - you are welcome to stay as long as you'd like.

Let me take this time to greet royal blood in my halls as well: Hail, Börte, Princess of Azaq! And hail Prince Benjamin, of Judah!" - The King raised his grail, as he stood up, to greet the guests.

"HAIL! HAIL! " - the Varasdian nobles and knights chanted, and they sat down. No matter all the food and drinks, no matter the courtesy - the Varasdians were what they were, and showed their true identity at the table, stubborn and strong, warriors who still had that barbaric blood in their veins, just like their ancestors. They never were Romans, never will they be.

[The Shi Empire]

Slowly but surely the small Chinese party took their seats near the far end of the left hand side table after making sure it was fine for them to sit down. As the feast began, the hesitantly picked around that of the food, trying not to take in too much meat, mostly trying to go for anything that lacked meat, which proved difficult. They would spend quiet a long time talking amongst themselves. These where not Chinese, nor where they Romans. they where Varasdians. To the Chinese they seemed like more civilised versions of the Mongolian and Manchurian Hordes, or more aggressive Tibetians. That was at a stretch however

[Blayk]

The two men from Blayk made there way towards the table on the left hand side of the dining hall and took their seats not too far from the Shi Ambassadors. Although the two men shared the same father, the unbeknown to them former Archduke and new King of Blayk Dominique I, the men could not be more different to each other. Leonard, who bore the title of Count of Haute-Normandie and Heir Apparent to the Throne of Blayk was a striking image of his father, albeit in his glory days, with rather long black hair, a neatly trimmed beard and grey eyes that looked like they could see right into a man's soul. His younger Half-Brother on the other hand wore his short, blonde hair rather neatly, he may have been seventeen summers of age but still could not muster enough hair on his upper lip to be called a mustache and his eyes were a soft blue, highly reminiscent of his mother's. However it was not only in looks that the brothers differed while Oliver wore the elegant robes made of expensive silks and linens signifying his high status among the Parisian Nobility, his brother wore the comparatively simple garbs of a Norman Man-of-Status, made to be more so comfortable then to look fancy.

The two men helped themselves to the food, occasionally looking over at the Chinamen to try figuring out why they would not eat the meat, after a while Leonard poured a drink for himself and his brother.
"Quite the feast, Is it not brother?" He spoke in Parisian French.
Oliver nodded as he took a sip of his drink before almost spitting it out.
His older brother burst into laughter, "Oh you Parisians and your inability to drink anything other than your fancy wines."

Leonard took his drink along with his brothers and drank both of them.
"You do realise that you shouldn't drink that much that quickly, No?" His brother asked.
"Oliver, Oliver, when will you learn, we Normans take to drinking as quickly as you Parisians take to proclaiming that you descend from Charlemagne."
"That's rich coming from the next in line to the throne of Charlemagne's greatest successor."
"Anyway brother, how come you haven't begun to flirt with the servants yet?"
"I just don't feel like doing so." Replied Oliver sheepishly.
"Oh wait, now I remember, you don't know how to speak Croatian do you?"
Oliver stumbled over his words trying lie his way out of the statement before spouting.
"At least I can speak Latin."
Leonard looked like he had just seen a ghost before starting another argument with his younger brother.

[Varasd]

The King was eating and drinking merrily, mostly speaking to his old friend, Count Orseolo, and Queen Adelaide. Princess Gisela ate quietly, eyeing the guests for now. She seemed to be a bit bored with the feasts, and even though she tried her best to mask it, it could be still seen on her face.

---------------
Chancellor Zrinski

Chancellor Zrisnki, sitting closest to the Chinese ambassadors, turned to them. He raised the leg of a rabbit, and spoke:

"Is it custom in your realm not to eat meat, your Excellencies? Excuse me if I asked a taboo, I am simply a curious person. I wish to know the most about our highly esteemed guests, as possible."

---------------
Lajos Újlaki

Lajos Újlaki, was the Count of Heves. His family were descendants of Hungarian chieftains, however, they quickly accepted the feudal form of life - in fact, they were the ones who first vowed allegiance to King Zvonimir I and called his aid, giving the King a casus belli to conquer Hungaria. For this, they have gained the County of Heves, a region in the middle of Hungaria. The other Hungarians did not like this family very much because of this. The King trusted them, and so did the German and Croatian nobles, because they knew that without their help, the other Hungarian lords would make the Újlakis pay dearly for their treacherous act.
A relatively minor noble family, yet they were clearly on a quest for power, trying to solidify their positions whenever they could. Ten members of the Újlaki clan died serving King Zvonimir, and three of the barely adult boys were fighting under the banner of Prince-Grand Master Stephan.
Lajos, head of the family, was sitting close to the de Vaugeois brothers, and Princess Börte. He spoke to the frenchmen after seeing how one of them did not drink the wine.

"You don't fancy this wine, I see? It's not the best, I admit, but only because the King had to organize this feast in a hurry. If your time allows, travel to Slavonia, where the best wine of the Kingdom is made!"

----------------
Otto Berger

Otto stood silently behind Börte and Tsetseg, vigilantly watching the feast. As he saw that the Princess and her servant sat close to Count Újlaki, the Count became the focus of his attention. Upon seeing that Count Lajos Újlaki is distracted, he leaned closer to Börte and Tsetseg, and whispered.

"No speak to that man."

He quickly stood back at attention in silence, avoiding any attention his whispering might draw - hoping he used the correct Greek words when speaking.

[Guest]

*A messenger arrives at the castle*


"Hail, men of Varasd. I come from distant lands to the North, near the people of Juttlande. Me and my people are from the Viking Lands of Knirfoggsen. On an expedition, some of our people can across some lands here. They told us of great cities with grand buildings. I request to go inside and meet with your leader. I have a letter from my lord, Grand Jarl Harald."

[Blayk]

The two brothers stopped their bickering and turned to face the Hungarian man, it took a few seconds for Leonard to remember enough Croatian to structure a sentence but once he had he spoke,

"Please, forgive my brother, he has acquired a rather particular taste in his wines from being pampered by his mother, the Archduchess. Not to mention that he has only been drinking for one winter now due to some fancy Parisian rule, but this Slavonia place just north of the Hungarian lands is it not? Perhaps we shall head their before going back to Paris."

Leonard turned to his brother who had been trying to figure out what the others were saying to no avail.
"Frère, l'homme m'a dit que le vin en Slavonie est bon. Allons-y avant de se rendre à Paris , Eh?"
Oliver swiftly responded.
"Slavonie? qui est un bon moyen de la route pour Paris. Père nous a demandé d'être de retour dès que possible. Sans compter que nous avons pas d'argent qui peut être utilisé ici."
"Vous faites une affaire soild il Oliver." Replied Leonard before turning back to face the Hungarian man.
"It has occurred to me that we do not know each other's names, I am Count Leonard de Vaugeois of Haute-Normandie, Hier apparent to the Archduchy of Blayk, and you are?" He asked in Croatian.

[Azaq]

Otto Berger

Otto stood silently behind Börte and Tsetseg, vigilantly watching the feast. As he saw that the Princess and her servant sat close to Count Újlaki, the Count became the focus of his attention. Upon seeing that Count Lajos Újlaki is distracted, he leaned closer to Börte and Tsetseg, and whispered.

"No speak to that man."

He quickly stood back at attention in silence, avoiding any attention his whispering might draw - hoping he used the correct Greek words when speaking.

Börte & Tsetseg

The two looked surprised at his words, looking at each other for a moment. Tsetseg softly whispered back, hoping to answer both their curiosity.

"Why?"

[Varasd]

Gate Guard

"The King is having a feast. If you are a noble ambassador, you can join them. Otherwise, you must wait until the celebrations are over." The guard said to the norseman, clearly not in the mood for further chatter.


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Lajos Újlaki

"Not to the North, my good man. To the south, just on the other side of the river Dráva, less than a couple of days of travel from Varazdin castle. " Count Újlaki went on, speaking in a friendly and merry mood.
"My name? I am Count Lajos, of the Újlaki clan. We are Hungarians, though not nomads by any chance." He added, laughing. "And whom can I respect in your persons?" He asked, looking at the brothers. He spoke german, though he clearly had troubles with the more advanced sentences.


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Otto Berger

Otto acted as if he was picking up a leftover bone from the floor, and gave it to a hound. The dog merrily took it, and walked away with it's meal. While doing this, Otto whispered to the Princess and her servant:

"I tell later. Just trust me." he said quickly, before straightening up again, to watch over the feast.

[Guest]

The messenger nodded and told the guards he'll be back when the feast ends. He leaves in search of an inn to remain until the end of the feast.

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