29 Whispers of War
[EDWARD'S POV]
July 16, 1337
Today, I learned the purpose behind my father's visit—it was at the command of my cousin, the king. The directive was clear: return to his lands, mobilize troops, station a portion in his territory, and bring the remainder to the capital.
After some persuasion, I managed to convince my father to lead our troops, incorporating the division I had established within the army—'Guards,' 'Constabulary,' and 'Rangers & Scouts.' The Guards, constituting 75-80% of our forces, would accompany my father, while the other two sections would remain behind. This arrangement allowed my father to lead a formidable force of 3,000 troops, the majority clad in high-quality armor and possessing advanced strategies and formations when confronted by a formidable foe. Additionally, I emphasized to him the importance of adapting to the new ranking system, as it would play a pivotal role in the upcoming war.
He was scheduled to depart for London on the upcoming Monday, the 22nd of July. With nearly a week at our disposal to prepare and ready our soldiers for the impending war, I initiated an intensive crash course for my father on new military strategies, formations, and the updated hierarchy. As the sun approached the opposite end of the horizon, he remained engrossed in the intricacies of these tactics. While I would have relished giving him a tour of Wymondham, the tight schedule and the extensive tasks awaiting us in Norwich left little room for exploring other baronies.
—----------
July 22, 1337
By Saturday, all of my father's vassals had gathered. While their numbers didn't amount to much, not even exceeding four hundred, the presence of important nobles among them necessitated strategic placements to bolster the morale of our army.
Today marks my father's departure for London, and according to my knowledge, the initiation of battles should be orchestrated by the French side. Skirmishes are anticipated to commence by the end of the next month, with the first major battle unfolding on the waters—the Battle of Cadzand, an early engagement of the Hundred Years' War in 1337. This conflict involves a raid on the Flemish island of Cadzand, designed to provoke a reaction and battle from the local garrison, thereby boosting morale in England and among King Edward III's continental allies with an easy victory. Scheduled for November, my meticulous planning aims to ensure success, learning from the past English victory in the battle but failure to capture the city of Sluys, resulting in their retreat. This time, I am determined to execute a foolproof plan to prevent any such setbacks.
Due to my minor age, my father disapproved of my participation in the war—a decision that, despite its own benefits, didn't stop me from expressing my eagerness. After all what young and able-bodied son wouldn't aspire to carve out his own legacy alongside his father in the crucible of war? And I've got to act as much as any normal noble's heir as I can.
In addition, I introduced Father to Zephyr, my Peregrine Falcon. He was genuinely surprised by its abilities, considering that such creatures are not easily tamed. The bird's remarkable speed in delivering messages left him in awe. Despite my efforts to venture back into the forest and capture another peregrine falcon for Father, my endeavors proved unsuccessful. It appeared that these majestic birds were not particularly inclined towards human interaction. As an alternative, I settled for a Goshawk Falcon, readily available in the woods and easier to tame. While not as swift as a peregrine, this falcon boasted a commendable speed of around 30 miles per hour (approximately 50 kmph). I presented him with the falcon, and his joy knew no bounds. In his naming wisdom, he decided to call it "Gosh." The irony of nobles in this era and their naming choices struck me—here was a 'Phantom of the Forest' bestowed with a rather mundane name. I couldn't help but muse over the lack of progress in naming conventions over the years, considering he had named me after his father and nephew.
Around noon, the substantial army of 3,000 soldiers, after amassing an ample supply of provisions, departed from the city towards the capital. This sizable force was beyond my father's expectations, and it would undoubtedly catch other nobles outside of Norfolk off guard. The thought of witnessing the expressions on the faces of those haughty noblemen, realizing that a once perceived comparatively weaker noble now commanded an army surpassing their own combined forces, brought a satisfying smile to my face. Nonetheless, there was little time for revelry as I promptly returned to my duties.
As per my historical knowledge, following my supposed demise, my father, Thomas, hastily sought a suitable husband for his eldest daughter, Margaret. Within a year, Margaret was wed to John Segrave, 4th Baron Segrave, and bore him four children—two sons and two daughters. In 1350, seeking an annulment, Margaret claimed that their marriage had been contracted before she reached a suitable age, and she had never consented to cohabitation. Expressing her intention to travel to the continent to personally plead her case with the Pope, she was prohibited from leaving England by King Edward III. Nevertheless, she embarked on her journey incognito, securing safe conduct from King Philip VI of France.
However, in this altered timeline where I did not meet an untimely demise, everything took a different turn. My father did not rush to marry off Margaret before she reached marriageable age, and the tragic fate that awaited her in the original timeline was averted. At the age of sixteen, Margaret was now eligible for marriage, and I found myself tasked with securing a better match for her—one that would also benefit our house. The morality of such actions was questionable, but in the ways of this era, morality often took a back seat to the pursuit of advantage and power.
After an entire afternoon of meticulous research and sifting through what felt like an endless array of parchments, I managed to narrow down the potential matches to just three candidates:
1. Henry Percy, 3rd Baron Percy of Alnwick
2. Humphrey (VIII) de Bohun, 6th Earl of Hereford, 5th Earl of Essex
3. Hugh le Despenser, brother of 1st Baron Despenser and great-grandson of Edward I.
Upon careful consideration, the prospect of a union with Humphrey de Bohun appeared to be the most judicious choice. The de Bohuns held considerable influence, boasting a solid track record of loyalty. Furthermore, their geographical locations could strategically bolster our influence in both the Midlands and the Southern regions. The other options presented potential drawbacks; the Despensers had a history of conflict with the reigning monarch, including the execution of one by Edward II. As for the Percys, while renowned as a military powerhouse, the considerable distance between our lands made expecting substantial support within the needed timeframe less feasible.
I ensured to discuss the proposal with Margaret, laying out the advantages of marrying Humphrey. Despite the 12-year age difference, Humphrey was an accomplished man with extensive lands, and I was confident that Margaret would find herself well-privileged in such a match. Following our talks during supper, I retired to my chambers, and sleep came easily after a day of diligent work.
—------------------
July 25, 1337
A letter arrived with Gosh, and it brought news that Father had safely reached London. The journey had stirred memories of his past days leading an army into the Scottish hills, the rugged terrain trembling at the might of their movement. The letter conveyed the indescribable power one feels while at the helm of such a formidable force. Father reassured me that, someday, I too would lead an army, perhaps even greater.
Something important also happened. Yesterday, upon completing the quest to master the first part of the Radiant Sword Style, I received 200 SP and over a thousand XP, facilitating my level-up. With my newfound SP, I promptly purchased the skill "Virtual: Map." To my surprise, a screen popped up.
"Congratulations! You have gained access to the Full Version of the Shop!"
I couldn't help but wonder if I had been using a tutorial version of this feature until now. Regardless, I immediately opened the upgraded shop and found only one button in the middle of the screen—a magnifying glass. Clicking on it revealed a search bar, and without much thought, I typed the first thing that came to my mind: "Radiant Sword Style Part 2."
"Lancelot's Radiant Sword Style: Part 2 of 10 - 250 pts [Information]"
My eyes lit up with excitement. Now, I could access the next installment of this style. However, I was still halfway short on SP to purchase the next edition of the book. Determined, I spent the next hour exploring the search bar, uncovering various skills and information. It appeared that almost everything was available now, including all parts of Lancelot's Radiant Sword Style. Regrettably, I couldn't afford them. Each successive part exceeded the price of the last, doubling or more. The last part, priced at almost a million points, prompted me to close the screen to avoid further demotivation.
Today was dedicated to the thorough inspection of the barracks and the newly constructed concrete walls. I meticulously ensured that the garrisons were adequately manned to defend the city, and I dispatched the Rangers and Scouts group to the naval borders, assigning them the critical task of keeping an eye out for any potential French raids. The past few months had been prosperous, with my cement sales accumulating a substantial £15,000. This significant wealth was carefully stored away for future needs, contributing to my current net worth of £125,000, which, when translated to modern times, would be approximately £93,627,512.
In line with my commitment to the well-being of the earldom, I passed reforms that significantly reduced taxes. The revenue generated from the sales of cement proved more than sufficient to sustain the earldom, allowing for a fairer distribution of the financial burden on the populace.
Later in the day, I engaged in the art of swordplay with Osbert. I had chosen to send Sigurd, my paramount knight, alongside Father to the capital, confident that his prowess would gain significant recognition on the battlefield. Despite being past his prime, Sigurd demonstrated a prowess that rivaled the brightest of the young generation. I can even vouch that he can take on two of Father's personal guards with a single hand while pissing with another.
As the day wound down, I sought refuge in the quietude of my chambers. The flickering candlelight cast a mellow glow, creating a tranquil atmosphere that eased the weight of the day's responsibilities from my shoulders. Thoughts of the strategic moves and decisions swirled in my mind, forming a tapestry of plans for the upcoming battles and the overall well-being of the earldom.
Feeling a mix of accomplishment and a touch of fatigue, I geared up for a night of rest. Flopping onto my bed, the cool touch of the linen sheets welcomed me. The events of the day played back in my mind like a reel, and as I shut my eyes, I braced myself for the challenges that tomorrow would inevitably bring.
