Jean de Brienne took a very deep breath and resisted the urge to storm out of his tent and march right back into the war tent where the war council that had been ‘adjourned’ a while ago was apparently still ongoing to strangle all the fopdoodle’s within wanting to discuss things without him. Or really, mainly just Cardinal Pelagius. The man this time apparently justifying the extended meeting without informing him to talk about the ‘terrible omen that had befallen our world and our crusade’ that had been sighted in the night sky. Every time he did something like this, he was more and more thankful he had invested some time in making sure someone there would always keep him informed on what was happening with a messenger.
Like some burst of light in it meant anything beyond being an unusual sight in the sky.
He really would’ve thought after the disaster last year where his ‘brilliant tactical intervention’ had them nearly losing their foothold in Egypt alongside fully losing a regiment of men he had filled with ‘divinely ordained fervor’ he would’ve stopped. Apparently, he was not so lucky and he was sure he’d lost years off his life dealing with the man, more than he lost from the stress of being a pivotal commander of the Fifth Crusade.
It had gotten to the point he had even begun sending short prayers to the Lord for him to smack some holy sense into the Cardinal. Sadly, just like every other prayer in the world he’d seen be made, it too never seemed to be answered.
Shame really, if he could muster up the same zeal as the Cardinal did, but for actually sensible and well thought out plans, he’d have already fully taken Egypt and would be currently working on reconquering or negotiating for Jerusalem now.
Instead he was here trying to figure out how to wrangle the egos and zealotry that coexisted in tandem within the other commanders and an intrusive Cardinal to keep this from being as much of a dalcop as the Fourth Crusade was. It wasn’t exactly a hard bar to clear, but he’s certain that’s what the commanders of the Fourth Crusade thought too before they went and sacked Constantinople.
He still didn’t understand how what was supposed to be the Crusade that originally targeted Egypt before them had ended up there and breaking apart the Byzantine Empire, but it was certainly a story he’d heard far too much of ever since he first ended up talking with the late Pope Innocent about the possibility of the Fifth Crusade.
Speaking of talking with Pope’s, he couldn’t help but stare at the letter he’d received from the current Pope, Honorius, that he did respect a good deal, unlike a certain Cardinal. It sat on a simple table that he had moved into his tent shortly after setting up camp here. He’d read it a few times already and it was essentially a grand message declaring him the rightful heir of Cillica after Leo decided he wanted to hold a grudge against Raymond-Roupen and purposefully put his four year old daughter on his throne to spite the other man.
That letter was supposed to be a huge victory for him and the beginning of a far more unified Kingdom of Jerusalem. But the letter that laid beside it that had arrived a week before made it quite possibly the most awkward situation he’d ever had to navigate before.
After all, how in the Hell was he supposed to have any claim to Cillica when not only had his wife Stephanie been killed, but his son Jean II had too? Both of them being his direct claims to Cillica and the reason why Honorius had sided with him.
He knew what orders he gave to Baudouin if the vile harpy overreached a second time, especially if it involved his beautiful violet, Yolanda, but would it have pained him to not have had his son killed too?
Jean supposed it couldn’t be helped and was just glad his old friend had managed to keep the news from spreading to those outside the castle. The man was a miracle worker.
That didn’t stop it from putting him in this supremely awkward position where he had to figure out how to break the news to the wider world, which was far closer than it normally was due to the ongoing crusade, that he no longer had a claim on Cillica when everyone expected him to push for his claim on it. Something he was sure the good Cardinal Pelagius would use to try and usurp even more authority from him.
The situation by itself was enough to give him a migraine before factoring everything else he was dealing with before it.
By the Lord, he needed a break before it was too late.
Jean paused after that, thinking for a moment longer before it hit him he had the perfect excuse to take one while handling how he’d spread the news of Stephanie’s death. A grin began to erupt on his face.
It wouldn’t exactly be clean, but if he leveraged enough favors and ‘gift giving’ with the other commanders, he was sure he could convince them to not let the Cardinal have his way with the war planning. And if he could do that, he’d be free to spend a good deal of time back home in his castle and with his daughter.
Of course, it all sounded a lot easier in his head, but surely even in the worst case scenario they wouldn’t lose their foothold that split the Ayyubids in half as the other commanders would really clamp down on the Cardinal in his place if he jeopardized that again. And as long as they held the part of Egypt that did that, the pressure would only begin to mount more and more upon them until something gave away. Hopefully ending in a peace treaty that at least restored the Kingdom of Jerusalem back to its original size in return for them giving up some of their gains in Egypt, if not even more for them.
It’d be a victory that let him relax on its path, and boy did he love the sound of that.
His grin fell a moment later as he thought of his daughter. By the Lord, she was the only other reason he’d taken up praying and he really hoped he’d get an updated message from Baudouin that she’d recovered from the poisoning attempt and not that her condition was worsening.
He hadn’t cared much for Stephanie and his son, but if he found out he’d lost her too… He shuddered. He didn’t want to think about that and so he wouldn’t. She’d recover and that’d be that. His mind mostly at ease now with those worries shoved away, barring the part still managing to incessantly worry about Yolanda’s health despite his mental declaration. Which was quite vexing
He really needed to find her a good man who could keep her safe from such things and assuage his worries.
Jean found himself wondering not for the first time if he’d ever manage to find her a husband that he could trust to do that at least. And then he laughed and shook his head.
He could think about that later. Right now, it was time to begin figuring out how to extract himself from the Fifth Crusade in a way that kept it on course and his reputation at least passable while still planning for the constant skirmishes he’d sure he’d be receiving a report on anytime soon.
Maybe Easter would be a good time for it. He’d have to think on it more and see if the dates lined up for it first, but it would certainly be nice if he could manage that. Who could blame him if he left during Easter to both celebrate it and ‘proceed with his claims on Cillica’.
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With breakfast today, I had come to a realization. That my tastes for food had been utterly flipped from what it used to be. I hadn’t noticed it yesterday due to still trying to figure out what was going on during breakfast, being occupied by having to deal with castle politics during midday dinner, and being distracted by my own thoughts during supper.
Which was strange and somewhat disconcerting to realize. Especially when it hit me while I was eating and wishing I could have another rabbit stew today, that I had only had rabbit stew for the first time yesterday. That I had somehow been convinced when I was first having it that it was my favourite food when it was in actuality Isabella’s favourite food. Which it kinda legitimately was now since that was some of the best food I’d ever eaten and this realization hadn’t changed that, but to be convinced of it before I had even tasted it?
It was extremely worrying for lack of a better term and told me I’d have to be more vigilant about not letting things like this slip by me in the moment.
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Other than that though, the day had been passing by mostly normally. Or well, what was starting to become my new normal with the various lessons I was receiving on everything a young queen was supposed to know from Camille and the more knowledgeable chambermaids. Agathe and Eschiva acting as my shadows throughout it, seemingly just waiting for a good moment to jump in to assist.
Camille in particular had smiled ever so slightly every single time she saw them doing something to attend to or aid me while her lessons were going on.
But as my lessons on sewing came to an end with Camille taking her leave, I was left with the dilemma of free time I had found myself with yesterday. Only this time, I wasn’t confined to my chambers and was free to do whatever I wanted to within reason until it was time for midday dinner once more.
Thankfully, I already had come up with a pretty decent idea of what I could do during my free time yesterday now that I couldn’t fill that time up with playing different games or browsing the internet. And I was only one question away from getting to the place where I’d need to be to begin making progress with it.
“Agathe?” I began softly, “Can you lead me towards the courtyard? The one where the guards are training? I wish to observe them and their efforts.”
The older woman politely smiled and was about to respond before she abruptly paused, her half formed gesture to follow her following suit with her mouth while her eyes scrunched together. “Your Grace, I can lead you there of course, but why would you wish to head there and observe them of all things? There will be precious little for you to do there. Would you rather not spend your free time playing with your dolls or learning more about the household that will one day be yours to guide?”
Why was she-
Oh right, of course. I really should’ve seen some level of resistance to me asking that question coming. This was going to be a frequent occurrence, wasn’t it?
I probably could’ve just insisted on it, all but forcing her to bring me there, but I hated the thought of abusing the semi-strange partial authority I held over her and Eschiva with the position they were in now. That was a slippery slope if I’d ever seen one and never how I’d handle things before in my anyways. It wasn’t something I planned to start doing now.
And also not the impression I wanted to ever give off if I could help it.
So instead, after a moment of thinking I reframed the angle I was approaching it from an angle that couldn’t easily be refuted, my head falling to a tilt in the process. “Are the guards not considered part of the household?”
Agathe nodded her head automatically. “Well, yes, they are indeed. They are, however, a separate part of the household and one you need not worry about. The Castellan will always be the one who manages them, alongside your father and your future husband, whoever he might be. Your duty is to your household and family, akin to how the men in your life’s duty is to leading other men and the kingdom itself.”
I resisted the urge to frown at the reminder of Isabella’s fate, instead playing up the innocence and sincerity in my smile alike in a way I knew I hadn’t been capable of pulling off before finding myself here. “But I am the queen of a Crusader State, am I not? Therefore, is it not my duty to have some understanding of those who stand at the ready to guard me and everyone else at this castle? To pick up their arms and fight for the kingdom? It only makes sense to show myself to them so that they know that the training they undertake today has not gone unnoticed by the one their duty is to guard.” I paused slightly, before forcing myself past the burst of uncomfortableness my finishing words caused to arise within me. “Even if those duties will be mainly for the men in my life like my, future husband.”
If Agathe noticed the slight hesitation in my final words, she didn’t show it while she stared at me, her face looking torn between trying to refute my reasoning or agreeing with me. Eschiva meanwhile just looked unsure of if she was supposed to say or do anything in this situation while she glanced between me and her mother.
It took a few seconds, but eventually Agathe managed to come to a decision, a nearly imperceptible frown on her lips and a hint of reluctance in her voice. “You do bring up a good point, Your Grace. I will lead the way towards the training grounds in the courtyard.” She said while beginning to lead the way and gesturing for me and her daughter to follow, adding on after a moment, “But be certain to not disturb their training while you observe them, alright?”
I smiled both in relief and triumph while giving her a nod, moving to follow her with Eschiva silently shadowing me.
God, that was a bit like pulling out teeth. But I had gotten what I wanted without resorting towards less pleasant methods, so I was mostly satisfied.
It didn’t take too long for us to traverse the halls of the castle and to exit into the courtyard where the sun was now shining down from above, probably close to around ten or eleven o’clock if I had to guess now.
Simultaneously, the sunshine brought warmth while the air brought the cold chill of winter I had barely noticed within the castle. I inadvertently shivered while preemptively shaking my head as Agathe turned back slightly, already guessing her question about heading back inside since it was cold from her resistance to heading out here earlier.
The woman simply blinked in surprise, before turning back forward to lead the way. I did feel a mite guilty though for Eschiva who I saw shivering lightly beside me. There would probably be a fire for her to stand by in the training grounds, I hoped at least.
Maybe for me too. Though, I didn’t feel nearly as cold as I’d expect to feel while wearing a dress. Was silk a good insulator, or was there something else about the dress that kept it feeling surprisingly cozy?
Gah, I was going to have to ask about that at some point since this was apparently one of the few topics Isabella hadn’t broached with her endless questions and I sure didn’t know anything about the different fabrics used in clothes beyond that some were probably comfier than others.
And even then, I had been told I had terrible taste in clothing fabrics by some friends. That me preferring polyester in my clothes was somehow a crime against fashion and comfortable casual wear.
Before the burst of melancholy those thoughts about what once was generated could even begin to fester, the sounds of men grunting and shouting in the training grounds burst them apart. One in particular belonging towards the familiar visage of the Castellan who glanced over in our direction a moment before swiftly facing back towards the guards after some of them training began to look over our way,
The older man’s voice bellowed out, an edge within it. “What are you lot all gawking at?! Unexpected visit from the queen or not, you keep on going until our drills for today are finished. Especially you Gervase! And I expect you all to not slow down one bit while I attend to whatever purpose she is here for, you all hear?!”
“Yes Sir!” Echoed out from every guard in the training grounds, being particularly loud from the surprisingly young looking teen who I suspected to be Gervase. The man grunted in satisfaction before fully turning to face us.
“Yolanda! To what purpose do I owe this unexpected visit today? Nothing too serious, I hope.” He said with an amicable smile without a hint of the edge he used when talking to the guards, bowing his head deeply in the process.
I stepped forward a little ahead of Agathe, finding myself giving him a small curtsey in greetings before I spoke from what I was beginning to recognize to be one of Isabella’s habits that had passed onto me. “Greetings Castellan Baudouin, I’m here today so I can observe the training of the guards.”
For a moment the older man looked caught-off guard by my request and I began to fear I was about to go through a repeat of my conversation with Agathe with him. Then he laughed lightly. “Hah, last night part of the sky burst into flames and today the queen wishes to observe the way I train the guards for the castle.”
His gaze sharpened and I fought the urge to shiver slightly at how he seemingly analyzed me before he turned towards Agathe. “Was this your idea Agathe, or was it Yolanda’s? You and Eschiva are her new… Handmaidens! Right, that’s what Camille insisted on using in that rant of hers before Aimery cut her off during that meeting.” The Castellan digressed before continuing. “Anyways, completely hers or one of your ideas?”
Agathe gestured lightly towards the still tight lipped Eschiva, both of whom the Castellan apparently knew. “Eschiva is her only handmaiden, I’m just here to teach her until she’s ready to take the duty on by herself. But yes, this was Her Grace’s idea which she explained as ‘a part of her duty in attending to a different section of the household, even if it’s the guards’ and to ‘have a greater understanding of those who guard her and the work they put into doing so.’”
I wasn’t quite certain I liked the way she explained what I said to the Castellan, nor how the Castellan had bypassed me to ask Agathe about that. But just as I was resolving myself to have to deal with the headache that’d be convincing the Castellan, that yes, it was a good use of my time to observe the guards so that my plans in eventually pushing it a bit further could begin, a sort of shift seemed to overtake the older man.
He smiled as if he had just heard some joke only he was privy to.
“Well, Yolanda is in fact, right.” He said much to both mine and Agathe’s surprise. “It’s not often a queen or noblewoman takes up said duty of course, much less at her young age, but an understanding of how the guards operate is something that can be incredibly beneficial for someone in her position to know. Especially considering who our major neighbors are.”
He then swept his arms towards his men with a gesture. “But, if you do not mind listening to my advice, let me recommend you a better option, Yolanda.” His eyes glinted with an uncomfortable amount of interest as he continued with his next words. “Why not come and experience some of the guards training for yourself in a much more personal fashion?”
I swear, his smile was somehow both positively vicious and probing all in one when he said that.