The Storm: Part 3

[Korbel]

"Greetings Piotrek" responds Benedykt with a warm smile. "Our mission was a failure and barely escaped with our lives. But where are my manners? Let me introduce you to my companion. This is sir Albrecht von Schwarzburg of the Teutonic Order. I challenged him in a duel and I won. He is both my hostage and guest of honor."

"But you made it back safely, this is most important! So, how did this all happen? You know, I'm not a great warrior myself, but I love to hear your stories!"

"I prefer letting sir Albrecht relate the story. You know I do not like to boast. Besides, our guest is more wise to the cause of this conflict. A conflict that involves our beloved uncle Arkadiusz." and motions to Albrecht "You may speak freely sir. I trust my cousin with my life."

And so, Albrecht had to describe again how he managed to ambush Benedykt's unit thanks to information passed by an unexpected visitor. Piotrek was listening carefully...

"This is... Unthinkable! Benedykt, do you suspect that our uncle Arkadiusz has betrayed you? I... I don't know, we need to do something about it! Maybe you'll be able to convince the royal council to give you an audience? Conveniently, you're already bathed and groomed, as we know they're pretty pedantic and won't risk letting anyone spreading disease near the King... " he smiles.

"Piotrek, you know I require at least one witness while adressing the King, and you are both family and friend. I hope you will help me on this."

Turning to Albrecht: "When you are ready sir I will request an audience."

[Adronio]

Just as Benedykt, Piotrek and Albrecht walked out of the tent, Adrian came running up to them.

"Lord Benedykt! I need to tell you something!" He says, giving only the shortest of glares to Albrecht before leading Benedykt slightly away from the rest of the group and continuing in a more hushed voice.

"I managed to get Izajasz to enter in some ad-hoc wrestling ring, and earned a lot of money on gambling when he crushed the champion there. But in order to save face the bastard claimed that it was a planned introduction and that Izajasz was his bodyguard of all things, and Izajasz decided to play along. I am fairly certain there is now a group of people who believe I just cheated them of their money and wants to hunt me down, and Izajasz is probably in that mans clutches!"

[Benedict]

Benedykt eyes Adrian with a grave look. "Every action Adrian has a reaction. Next time you should be more careful." Turning to Albrecht and Piotrek. "Please excuse me for a short while."

Benedykt goes into his tent and starts writing. After a few moments he returns holding two pieces of paper signed and sealed. He speaks to Adrian.

"First you will make yourself presentable. Then you will present at the King's tent with this missive on my behalf." Benedykt gives him the first paper. "Then you will go to this champion you cheated and tell him that I wish an audience with him here. And that Izajasz's presence is required." And gives Adrian the second piece of paper. "Do you understand?"

Then Benedykt motions to Pioterk and Albrecht to follow him inside the tent. "Instead of running around the camp Adrian will do it for us. Will you have some wine with me gentlemen?"

[Korbel]

"And does a bear shit in the woods?" Albrecht winks to Piotrek and Benedykt.

"Excuse me, what?" Piotrek is genuinely confused.

"What, you've never been hunting?" he bursts in laugh, stepping into the Benedykt's tent.

A few jokes and a glass or two of wine later, Albrecht relaxed more, sharing stories with Piotrek and Benedykt.

"And is it true that you cursed your own castle when leaving for a war?" Piotrek wanted to confirm what he heard one day.

Albrecht gathers his thoughts for a second.
"I've always been against this idea of an outright war against the Crown and Lithuanians. There's nothing good for us out of this conflict. But I had to obey my Grand Master. Well I admit, I left my castle in haste and anger... Fine, I may have even entrusted it to the demons..." he can't hide a smile.

[Benedict]

Benedykt raises and eyebrow.
"It seems to me that this war has put you in the wrong side Albrecht. If only the Grandmaster could see to reason."

[Korbel]

"The Grandmaster Ulrich von Jungingen. He's a great knight and a born leader. But unfortunately he's also convinced that the Order can beat your forces. More: he sees it as an obligation. I shouldn't probably say that, but he's just... too proud."

"Pride can lead great men to ruin. And when these men lead it can ruin nations. Too bad the grandmaster has forgotten that. But what of this curse Piotrek speaks of?"

"The sin of superbia. When we should stay humble in servitude to our Lord Christ. And the curse? Utterly bullshit, just some stupid rumors"

"You know, if it wasn't for that war, we could be friends. Amusingly enough, even with this war, we act as friends. Although we did start on the wrong foot."

"You want me to testify before His Majesty?"

"That's exactly what I have in mind. And you will have my gratitude and support for that. You see, my uncle from my mother's side took possession of my title and lands with my father's passing. He has every reason in the world to remove me, as I am a threat to his position. So far the King has been reluctant to pass judgement. As you understand, with what you have learned, it shows that my uncle is collaborating with the Teutons just to get me out of the picture. Which makes him a traitor to the King."

"They'll want to interrogate me..."

"I wouldn't worry about interrogation. As I told you, you are already my guest of honor. Which makes me accountable for your actions. The King wouldn't insult me like this. It is a delicate balance. If you are truthful you have nothing to fear. Only to gain."

"It's a war. And they need informations."

"Of course it is a war. And they also need allies. What would you believe the King needs most? A humiliated teuton lord treated as a prisoner, or an honored guest and ally, after the war is over?"

"I don't think-" but Albrecht never gets to finish his sentence, interrupted by the arrival of Adrian Donarski, Benedykt's squire.

[Adronio]

"My liege" he says to Benedykt, before taking a moment to catch his breath.

"The King wants to see you immediately. The Tatar however refuses to leave his campfire and told me that you'd have to come to him if you want to speak."

[Korbel]

King Vladislav Jogaila


Grand Duke of Lithuania Vytautas


Chancellor Mikołaj Trąba

"And where is lord Gołąb right now?" King's eyes were always moving, almost nervously, as if he was looking for something or maybe never feeling entirely comfortable and calm? Now, after listening to Benedykt and Albrecht, he wanted to hear the other side.

"As far as I know, he left the camp, they say he wanted to escort an old friend, whatever that means Your Majesty" chancellor was always well informed.

"Left the camp?? Seven heavens, what kind of campaign it is, when my knights are roaming freely in the Order's land? What do we do now?"

"Wait?" Grand Duke carelessly threw in.

"Wait? We can't wait, we don't have the time. We need to move and move fast, we set off at morning. And actually, I need you Benedykt to be ready before dawn... You have to scout the path ahead, again."

"Actually, we might have a good source of information in sir Albrecht standing here" Vytuatas smirks, this time more interested in the topic.

And Albrecht looks at Benedykt.

[Benedict]

"My lord, sir Albrecht is not a prisoner of war. He followed me here on his own accord as a guest of honor, to offer this valuable information to our cause. To treat him otherwise is a breach of conduct and etiquette. I thought this is the province of my uncle. And surely unbecoming of the Grand Duke Vytautas."

[Korbel]

"Watch your mouth, boy! Are you forgetting that we're at war and I'm leading the half of the army? We need to know about our enemies movements, so that we don't put our people's lives at risk!" Grand Duke stands up immediately, ready for a confrontation.

[Benedict]

Benedykt gets up and throws his glove at the Duke's feet, his voice dripping contempt. "Who do you think you are talking to? You may address your squires as "boy". You will address me by my title, which is Duke. I challenge you to a duel sir."

[Korbel]

"Stop this madness!!" king Jogaila banged his fist on the table. Chancellor Mikołaj whispered something to his ears.

"Benedykt, I understand you, but we really need the information sir Albrecht can provide. Our guards will take him. And you need to be ready before dawn, as I've said. The audience is over, God Bless you."

[Benedict]

"I am sorry Albrecht." says Benedykt defeated. Turning to the King, Benedykt bows his head. "Your will is law your Majesty. I just trust to Heaven that sir Albrecht is treated fairly." The young knight turns and exits the King's tent.

[Korbel]

There are always upsides and downsides. The presence of the Tatar units in the allied army proved to hurt the reputation of King Jogaila as a Christian ruler. And the Tatar themselves, not knowing the geography and the polish language for the most part, have failed to distinguish between friendly and enemy territory in the early phases of the campaign - as a result, a few polish villages were burned.
On the other hand, Tatars were excelling at the tasks of scouting, screening and capturing enemy soldiers, granting an advantage for the allied forces.

Jelal Ad-din was sitting near the campfire enjoying his meal, with Naiman-beg and his other officers, the whole company laughing heartily at jokes only they could understand, when...

[David Mogendo]

Izajasz steps forth. "I apologize for the intrusion, Sir Ad-din, may I speak with you in private?" He says, glancing at Jelal's companions. He had to be very careful of what he said next, the slightest slip up could cause problems for Lord Tarnowski.