The Town
The spring of 1206, In a country called Andorre under the rule of "King Harold II"
A province on the western part of the country near the coast called Brunswick which is under the governance of their Duke, Lord Barrington in the Town of Milton under Count Jerald.
"Rhaenal ... Rhaenal wake up" as the sun shines on his eyes the voice which belongs to his mother wakes him up.
"Wake up now, there's a stew and some bread on the table. I'll be going to the market now, do not forget to drop by to the tavern and tell Mr.Carn about his debt last week for the vegetables ok?" his mother said, as she leaves the house to go to the market to continue her daily business there as market vendor.
Rhaenal walk outside to wash his face and wave goodbye to his mother. And heads over to the table to eat breakfast.
"Stew and bread again, sigh" Disappointed remarks by Rhaenal.
After finished his breakfast, He head out to the tavern to do what his mother ask. Ouside the tavern he approach Elizabeth, the girl who works in the tavern.
"Uhm, Elizabeth good morning, is Mr.Carn there?" Rhaenal asked.
"Oh, hi rhaenal good morning, Mr.Carn is inside" she replied.
"Oh by the way, you're quite good last night" she added.
"What do you mean?" confusingly asked by Rhaenal.
"What i mean is you're quite good at playing dice with robert and colton last night" she clarifies.
"Ah that .... thanks" with a worried smile on Rhaenal's face.
"Phew, i thought what was that, i'm actually quite drunk last night to even remember what happened" Rhaenal whisper to himself.
Entering the tavern there's some folks already getting some breakfast with ale on the side and some are playing dice as the usual.
"I am telling you the truth, there are this group of traders yesterday, and i overheard them saying that King Harold is dead" said the man sitting on the table
"What are you saying? You can get yourself kill if one of the soldier pass by and heard you, you know that?" Said by the man he's sitting across
"I know, i know, But if that news is true then we're doom, knowing that the heir to the throne is only a child"
"Sshhhh, sssshhh, Can you lower down your voice? You're speaking of treason already, nothing has been confirmed yet, and if that news of yours is true i'm sure there are more than enough capable man who can stand regeant ruler for the mean time"
The two continue until they notice Rhaenal passing by and then tthey stop.
Thoughts running on Rhaenal mind as he heard the two, there are couple of rumors already these last few months that the King is gravely ill, and if what they're saying is true then the only child of the King, Prince Edward is only 16 years of age and he can't rule yet meaning a regeant ruler will be placed until he came of age.
There is also this rumor that King Harold's brother, Prince Henry who the king has banished before is in talks with the King of Prusia one of the neighboring country of andorre in seizing the throne himself since he is the eldest son of the previous King and claimed that his brother stole the crown to him.
Shaking his head, Rhaenal thinks to himself that nothing has been confirmed yet, and he is here in the tavern not to get some news but to get the payment of Mr.Carn.
"Mr.Carn, good day my mother send me here about the payment" Rhaenal greeted the Tavern owner.
"Ah, rhaenal good day to you as well, and as i promised to your mother .... wait for me here" Mr.Carn replied.
"By the way, did you have your breakfast yet?" He asked.
"Yes, i already eat" Rhaenal respond.
"Ahh, good then here's some ale, this is good in the morning you know" passing the ale to the young man.
"But Mr.Carn i don't have a money to pay for this" Rhaenal rejecting the offer.
"Ah forget it, you gave us a laughing matter last night, so it's my treat Ha Ha Ha" laughing loudly by Mr.Carn.
"Thank you Mr.Carn" Rhaenal appreciates the kindness of the Old Man.
"You can get some apples as well if you want to, i'll be back" He added tapping Rhaenal's shoulder.
While waiting for Mr.Carm his eyes is still set to those two people talking earlier, He can't hear what they're talking about but he is sure they're still arguing about something.
"Here ya go Rhaenal, as promised 50 pieces of silver" Mr.Carn giving the payment.
"Thank you, i'll take my leave now mr.carn" Rhaenal replied.
As he walk out of the tavern he saw Robert and Colton, His friends since childhood.
"Hey Rhaenal, good timing we're about to go dicing wanna come?" Robert said smiling
"Uhm, but i need to go to ....." reluctant answer by rhaenal.
"Come on now, you're our luck" Colton said while laughing and dragging him back to the tavern
And they play dice there, the rules are simple each player throws 6 dices on the table and gain points. You gain points if your dice landed on the same number if you got 3 of a kind you get 100 points if your dice have 4 same number you will get 200 points if you have 2 same number you get 50 points as long as you keep on getting points you'll turn will not finish but if you don't get any points you'll lose all the points you earned that turn ofcourse each player can hold and let the other player take his turn. First player to get 2000 points win.
At the small castle within milton. A priest is in a hurry running through the hallway.
"Where is Lord Jerald?" He asked.
The guard pointed at the door in the end of the hallway.
Knock Knock!
"Sir Jerald, i am Father Olswin i got a message from Lord Barrington sir" the priest knocks and introduced himself.
"Come on in" replied by Count Jerald of House Golddal
A Count is a title given to noble people who supervise a county or Land, A Count is appointed by it's liege the Duke.
As Father Olswin enters the chamber he saw Count Jerald dress in his casual attire, eating bread with ale in the side looks like he just got up from bed and beside him is his most loyal subject, Fendrel his messenger and Rhaenal's father.
"I am really sorry if i dress up like this father, i just got up from bed, What is the rush anyway?" Count Jerald said.
"Uhm, my lord i got a message from Lord barrington himself" replied by the priest.
Father Olswin hands over a letter sealed with the Duke's seal. As Lord Jerald reads it his eyes open up wide like he saw a ghost.
"Our beloved King is dead,
His brother is spotted
marching a large number of troops around goldea,
the capital is asking us to intercept
And slow the advance of the former Prince.
Gather your troops and meet me at Hun's Plain"
"Fendrel call Captain Hobard right now" the Count instructed.
"Yes lord" Fendrel immediately look for Captain Hobard.
"So, the rumors are true as we fear it" as Count Jerald puts the letter down.
"Yes lord" the priest respond.
Back at the tavern Rhaenal walk out of the tavern again for the second time now today it's almost lunch time so he'll be heading to where his mother's spot in the market, give Mr.Carn's payment and maybe get some lunch there as well The marketplace is so serious like never seen before. Usually this place is loud, lots of people talking and having fun and laughing but now their talking but no smiles on their faces.
"Rhaenal!" his mother call him.
"Ah, mother what's happening? The atmosphere is not quite right" Rhaenal asked.
"According to the people, something happened ..." his mother respond.
A noise is heard near their location and people are pilling up as noise came nearer. A group of soldiers approaching, around 2000 footmen and around 500 cavalry with Count Jerald leading them. Rhaenal saw his father as well beside the Count. Count Jerald goes in the middle of the market standing atop of a small stage supposedly dedicated for performers when there is a festival going on.
"People of milton, I Count Jerald is here to announce a grave news, Our beloved King Harold II has been illed for quite some time now and last night on his bed has breathe his last breath and is now with our Creator and Saviour, i ask for your prayers for the soul our late King"
People exclaimed and murmurs and some of them in the verge of crying.But Count Jerald continues.
"The Duke of Brunswick, Lord Barrington sends his message to mobilise the troops of milton and meet him as a custom of giving our respects to the late King"
He made up the last part just to avoid confusions amongn the local but marching a total of 2,500 men just for paying a respect is suspicious enough, Count Jerald steps down, hop on his horse and ride. Rhaenal's father went to him and his mother.
"My dear wife ..... Rhaenal" Fendrel said.
"Fa ... Father!"
"Why do you need troops in giving respect to the King?" Rhaenal confusingly ask.
"Rhaenal, things are quite complicated, but i want you to keep your mother safe while i am gone okay?, you're the man of the house now, promise me!" Fendrel asks a favor on his only son.
"Yes father, i promise" Rhaenal responded.
Fendrel hugged his wife and tap Rhaenal on his shoulders and join Count Jerald and the troops on their way. People still keeps murmuring.Rhaenal gave the money to his mother and take his lunch and go on with the rest of his day helping her mother in the marketplace until dawn comes they went home, rest eat and sleep.
In the middle of the night Rhaenal heard some noise outside, as he open his eyes and he cannot find his mother. He went outside and saw her staring at a distance.
"Mother .....?" Rhaenal confusingly call his mother
He saw her face in shock and crying
As Rhaenal look the direction she's looking at, it looks like hell has come to them.
The houses at a distance is burning and they heard some people screaming.