12 Arriving Before the Count and Recovering the Past. (1/2)
The Baron nodded and said.
”Alright, but where should my unlanded knights go to?”
The Attendant smiled and said.
”We have prepared a feast for them outside.”
The attendant then looked towards the knights and said.
”Please follow me, Gentlemen.”
The Group of Knights then split in two the Unlanded knights left the room following the attendant. While the rest of them went inside the Great Hall. As the group went inside, the younger knights were aghast with the opulence of the room. Starting from the bottom up the floor was covered by a thick woolen carpet with its weave retelling the story of the rise of House Apothia. The walls were covered by extensive tapestries depicting the great feats of local heroes. Four great marble columns were holding the roof, each thicker than a two hundred year oak tree and beautifully sculpted they were then further embellished with gold to show its owner's vast wealth. Even the tables where the nobles sat were made out of imported ebony wood. While each of the chairs was a beautifully carved piece of art. But the grandest item in the room was the Count's seat. A beautifully carved throne made of gold and gems. Upon the seat rested a greying middle-aged man his clothes as opulent and grant as anything else in his grand hall. As the Count stood up, they all bowed deeply.
The Count then stood up and walked before the Baron and said with a hint of annoyance.
”Rise. You are a bit late Baron Monver. But the fact your Barony is the furthest one away somewhat excuses you.”
The count then walked back to his seat and sat down before saying with dignity.
”I officially declare this council meeting to have begun. I shall first name my noble vassals which will not be required to take part in the war. Sir Alexander von GroyCastle, Sir Remington von Xoria, Baron Emanuel von Kompoli, and Sir Galahad von Highkeep. Firstly I would like all of you to remain in the room. Secondly, only Baron Emanuel will not be forced to take part in the campaign his landed knights will.”
The count then continued
”Now that we took that out of the way. I would first like to know how many troops will each Baron and Knight taking part in the campaign would provide. Give me your max amount of troops and my scribe in the corner will do the math. I am sure the barons are aware of their knight's forces. As such, I would like if Baron Monver, Baron Emanuel, Baron Victor, Baron Oliver, and Baron Charles to give me their numbers so I can properly formulate a plan.”
Baron Monver then responded.
”The total amount of men at arms my realm can provide is one hundred plus the men at arms from the realms of my four landed knights taking part in the campaign is one hundred and eighty. As for the levies, my realm can provide two hundred and as for my knights fifty each. A total of about four hundred levies. Overall we can provide five hundred and eighty men.”
Baron Emanuel then added.
”Four of my knights are taking part they have about twenty men at arms each and fifty peasants. A total of about two hundred and eighty men.”
Baron Charles smiled and then awkwardly said.
”My Liege Felix I don't know those numbers as my hand of the lord handles those. But he is currently waiting outside.”
The Count sighed and gestured towards an attendant before responding.
”Fine fine he can come inside.”
The attendant went outside before returning with a well dressed scholarly looking youngster. The youngster bowed deeply before the count.
The Count then said.
”Rise, please can you give me the report on the numbers of troops your baron's fief and his knight's fiefs can provide”
The Youngster simply responded
”Well, your lordship. As I don't know the knights which have been exempt. I shall instead give a more wide run down. My lord has eighty men at arms and about three hundred possible levies. As for the knights, there is six. Each with about twenty men at arms and fifty levies.”
The count nodded and said.
”Thank you As for the knights exempt they are the following Sir Alexander von GroyCastle, Sir Remington von Xoria, and Sir Galahad von Highkeep.”
The youngster nodded and responded.
”Then all of our knights will take part in the campaign.”
The count nodded and simply said.
”Dismissed.”
The youngster bowed and exited the Great Hall.
Baron Oliver simply said.
”I and the knights taking part have in total two hundred men at arms and four hundred and forty levies give or take a few.”
Baron Victor simply added
”A hundred and twenty men at arms and two hundred levies for me and my knights your lordship.”
The count nodded and said.
”Scribe give us the troop count please”
The scribe nodded and said.
”Baron Monver and his knights need to bring a hundred and forty-five men. Baron Emanuel's men need to send seventy men. Baron Oliver need's to send a hundred and sixty men. Baron Victor eighty men. Finally Baron Charles another two hundred men. In total adding up the three hundred and forty men, the king mandated your lordship must send. The grand total is nine hundred and ninety-five men or about one thousand men give or take a few.”
The Count nodded and said.
”With this matter over. I need to inform you that the campaign will take at least a year to conclude. As such I am expecting you to have prepared your levies, supplies, and your Regent picks by early spring. That is all from me. Does anyone else have any news, opinions or facts that they would like to bring up?”
Baron Emanuel then responded.
” I heard the local nobles of the Dukedom of Ribertan are split into four factions. The Edgarians supporting Edgar's right to the Dukedom. They are Mostly the northern lords of the dukedom among them there is one count. The Loyalists wanting the Dukedom to remain independent mostly court nobles and the nobles close to the Dukedoms capital While they might seem weak at first glance they control most of the forces of the late Duke and a Count is among their ranks. The Bastienians supporting Bastien's right to the Dukedom. They are mostly southerner's and among their, ranks are three Counts. While the Karellians only have a small group of supporters calling themselves the Dimitrians supporting the claim of Arch Duke Dimitrios.
The count nodded and said.