by The Isles of Xeraph » Mon Sep 28, 2015 3:36 am
by The Isles of Xeraph » Mon Sep 28, 2015 5:07 am
by Tarlag » Mon Sep 28, 2015 8:12 am
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by The Crusader Kingdoms » Mon Sep 28, 2015 9:04 am
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by The Isles of Xeraph » Wed Sep 30, 2015 4:34 am
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by The Isles of Xeraph » Sat Oct 03, 2015 4:46 am
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by The Isles of Xeraph » Mon Oct 05, 2015 1:31 am
The Isles of Xeraph wrote:..Jerusalem, Kingdom of Judea..
"Welcome, Ricard de Veurey! You arrival is highly anticipated!" A bejewelled and sweetly-scented woman bowed and indicated that Ricard was to precede her. As he passed her, she said, "I am Esmé, sister of the King. I and my entourage will see you to his presence."
De Veurey gave a curt nod and fell in behind the heavily-armed Palace Guard and walked off the dock where his small ship was tethered. He'd had to borrow one from a merchant, for as yet his arsenal did not include sea-going ships, just a few small fishing boats. He was accompanied by two of his own soldiers and an aide named Jhane.
He could see the palace of the King from the sea-side village and wondered at it's proximity. As if reading his mind, Esmé said, "That structure is not the palace in Jerusalem, my lord Ricard. That is an ancient fortress built by the Knights of Malta 1300 years ago. My brother had it refitted and restored, and uses it as a sort of retreat when life in Jerusalem gets too...intense. Horses will be there to take us quickly to Jerusalem."
In short order, the little entourage got to the stables of the King and mounted their steeds. On the way, Ricard had noted that the inhabitants of the village were of a cheerful, confident nature. The streets were clean, well-swept, and there was nothing to be seen of the garbage and filth typical of many Europan towns.
In less than an hour, they came to the gates of Jerusalem, that bustling city considered by many to be the center of the Earth. Again, despite it's size, there was an order and level of cleanliness and hygiene not seen elsewhere. Merchants in their stalls bowed respectfully as the little group passed by as did the people in the streets.
Off in the distance, Ricard could see the beginnings of what seemed to be a large cathedral. At this point, it rose about twenty feet, scaffolds and ladders everywhere. Masons, woodworkers, carpenters, and all sorts of other workers swarmed over the structure and the ground surrounding it, busy as bees in their hive.
They passed into the area of Old Jerusalem, and the lanes narrowed to barely twelve feet across. This was the section of the city that the Romans knew 2800 years ago. A peculiar sensation came over De Veurey, one that was later described to him as a "sense of holiness." On the far side of the hill called Golgotha, the palace of King Viktor I came into view. It was a modest building as palaces go. He felt that as temporal ruler of this land that his official presence should be less than the cathedral, for he was a devoutly religious man.
"Please wait here, and I will announce you to the King." Esmé dismounted and disappeared into a low door. Moments later, she came back through attended by a troop of guards. In their midst was a tall, well-built man dressed in black and purple wearing a crown of gold and sapphires.
Immediately, all those still mounted dropped off their horses and knelt in the dust. Esmé said, "My lords, the King of Jerusalem, Viktor von Allmande, Viktor the First, Duke of Luxembourg, Grand Duke of Licthenstein, Prince of the Belgae, Protector of Le Confederation Suisse."
The king moved forward and said, "Please, get up. No sense in getting all dusty on my account." Walking straight over to Ricard de Veurey, he said, "Welcome, my lord Veurey. I've heard a lot about you."
De Veurey gave a short bow. "I trust it has all been good, Majesty?"
The king laughed. "Pretty much, Veurey, pretty much. Would you please come this way? My people will tend to your people. I'm sure they, as you, are hungry and thirsty."
by Tarlag » Mon Oct 05, 2015 7:27 am
by The Isles of Xeraph » Tue Oct 06, 2015 10:00 am
The Isles of Xeraph wrote:..Koloni, Cyprus..
"Get them barriers set up, dammit! Them soldiers from Paphos are getting ready to attack us!" Colonel Marcos Devreau was racing around like a madman getting the defenses ready. In addition, he had to see to the medical units and supplies. His force of 220 patriots were going to be in for a hell of a fight.
While Ricard de Veurey was off consulting with the King of Judea, Devreau, General Larnass up in Peyla, and Major Stosos in Mandria / Kouklia were assembling their units for the all-out assault on Paphos. It was the first bigger city that the patriots had attempted to obtain, and it wasn't going to be easy. Paphos was a port city, which meant it had both access to the sea as well as the boats to fend off any attack from the shoreline. De Veurey had not as yet secured enough sea-going crafts to make a difference in the assault.
All three commanders together had fewer fighters than did the enemy. The governor of Paphos, one Demetrios, called "the Butcher", was going to put up a fight the likes of which the Cypriots had not yet seen. He was an experienced, tactical fighter, brutal in his treatment of his people and of his army.
The warm Mediterranean sun beat down on the assembled troops and the wait for the signal to attack began. All three commanders were tense with anticipation. They'd done all they could to prepare for this fight. They'd drilled the men over and over, laid in all the supplies they'd be needing, and even the cooks would be armed in case they were needed.
Paphos had a low wall surrounding it on the landward side. It was just about twelve feet tall, but it was wide enough for carts to bring fresh rocks, oil, and archers against an enemy that was going to assault the walls. It was an ancient town and the twisting, narrow lanes and byways would be difficult for any invader to find their way through. But De Veurey had left orders to take the city or die trying.
As the sun rose above the horizon, the commanders raised their arms and dropped them. The Cypriot army moved forward, toward victory or death.....
by Tarlag » Tue Oct 06, 2015 10:18 am
by The Crusader Kingdoms » Tue Oct 06, 2015 7:55 pm
by The Isles of Xeraph » Wed Oct 07, 2015 9:09 am
by The Crusader Kingdoms » Thu Oct 08, 2015 4:19 am
by Tarlag » Thu Oct 08, 2015 7:57 am
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