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[RP] - Meeting with the Duke of Styria

Kleeotr
By the windows a breeze moves gently the curtains. Nevertheless, they allow the light of the summer morning to come in.
The room is wide and the walls high and brilliant for the light reflected by large and heavy shields with the symbols of the various provinces of the empire and for the white color they are painted with, that reverberate all that light.
A heavy wood table is in the middle of the space. Carvings all around it say to the observer it was very well manufactured by a skilled craftsman. It's a precious piece, one of those you can find only in a palace where a King or an Emperor lives.

And indeed by the table on a richly adorned chair sits the Emperor. Standing up, near Him, his Squire and both wait for the arrival of the the imperial guards and the Duke of Styria

_________________
Ludwig_von_frayner
It behooved to the Emperor to take the right decisions. It behooved to the Emperor to be fair and strong. When his territory is threatened by bandits, it is his duty to act and mobilize his armies. The recent arrival of Ibario in the East of the Empire, had exacerbated the tensions between the Kingdom of Germany, and Styria. Faced with the escalation of tension, which brought about the fall of Celje, the Emperor had decided to invite the Duke of Styria, Adam Fugger in Strasbourg, so he could deliver his story and answer to his questions.
And the Duke had accepted.

He gave orders to prepare the reception of the Duke. A sober and formal decor had been erected for the occasion. There was no time to dwell on trivialities.
Sitting on the imperial throne, surrounded by the Imperial Squire and some guards, the Emperor was waiting for the arrival of his vassal.

_________________
Ranian
Ranian had received a message from the Emperor's squire, a very important meeting was going to occur and it required more than his presence even some guards. So the Imperial Marshal went at the guards and some called it, and together they made ​​their way from the room, where there were already waiting the Emperor and the Marquis of Bellagio, which is not his friend. As soon as he entered immediately noticed the different shields with various flags representing all the SRING, really liked the woman the reason for representing the various lands. He placed himself at attention in the presence of His Emperor greeted him militarily and with it also guards

Your Majesty! At your service


then motioned to the guards that took place on the sides of the throne in defense of His Majesty, as she poses beside the squire

Marquis Hello!

she said, smiling man, and she waited with them others who were to come
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Jospin81
Il Soldato aveva ricevuto l'ordine di presenziare a quell'incontro.
Non aveva la possibilità di fare domande o discutere un ordine, così disse soltanto "Agli ordini!"
Appartenere alle Aquilae Imperatoris, implicava anche quel tipo di dovere.
Insieme al Maresciallo Ranian, si diresse nella stanza dove vi erano già Sua Maestà e il Marchese Sforza.
Salutò militarmente i Nobili presenti.

--------------------------------------------

The soldier had been ordered to attend that meeting.
He hadn't the opportunity to ask questions or to discuss a order, so to the call he said only "At your orders!"
To belong to the Aquilae Imperatoris, also implied that type of duty.
Together with the Marshal Ranian, he walked into the room where there were already His Majesty and the Marquis Sforza.
He saluted the Nobles in the room in the military way.

_________________
Araldo della Alto Nobile Famiglia dei Borgia
Katamazai
Lodovico Katamazai era nella sua stanza dove stava preparando la lezione per i cadetti delle Aquile quando il MAresciallo Imperiale Ranian lo chiamò ordinandogli di presenziare a l'incontro tra L'imperatore e il Duca di Stiria.
Si mise l'uniforme e si recò all'incontro.
Entrato nella stanza salutò militarmente L'imperatore e tutti i presenti e si sistemò come da ordini sulla sinistra dietro il trono a difesa dell'Imperatore.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lodovico Katamazai was in his room where he was preparing the lesson to the cadets of the Eagles when the Imperial Marshal Ranian him ordering him to attend a meeting between the Emperor and the Duke of Styria. took the uniform and went to the meeting. entered the room and militarily greeted the Emperor and everyone present and arranged as per orders on the left behind the throne to Emperor's defense.
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Sarah_elisabeth
Sarah Elisabeth was quietly present behind the imperial throne. Member of the Imperial Escort, she was there to watch over the Emperor at this meeting. The young woman smiled at Leonardo she often crossed in the scriptorium. However, she remained in place, assessing the room. Entrances, windows, and even the shield of arms of the provinces of the empire, nothing escaped the silent inspection of the Baroness. The safety of the Emperor was her priority and she would give her life without hesitation to protect that of their sovereign. She had let Ranian put her guard forward to intimidate present. She was quiet but pervasive for the need to stand between any weapon and the emperor. In a whisper, she made sure that he was well.

Your Majesty, if anything, do not hesitate to sign. We're here for you.

A glance at her colleagues and she went up, impassive and discreet, blending into the background.
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Jospin81
Leonardo sorrise di rimando a Sarah Elizabeth.
Pochi momenti dopo si diresse al lato destro del trono in difesa di Sua Maestà, così come il Maresciallo aveva disposto.

---------------------------

Leonardo smiled back to Sarah Elizabeth.
A few moments later, he took place on the side on the right of the throne in defense of His Majesty, as well as the Marshal had commanded.

_________________
Araldo della Alto Nobile Famiglia dei Borgia
Adam
12. Juli 1461

Ich kenne den Weg“, hätte er die Wachen, die ihm und dem Patriarchen der reformierten aristotelischen Kirche durch den Palast begleiteten, um ein Haar zugeknurrt. Das Gemäuer und seine geforderte Anwesenheit hier machten ihn reizbar. Gut war’s, dass er sich zu beherrschen wusste, denn der Raum zu dem sie geführt wurden, war ein anderer als der, in dem Adala ihn empfangen hatte, damals, zum Eid, dann für ein klärendes Gespräch wie dieses hier, das mit seinem
unfreiwilligen vierwöchigen Aufenthalt
hier endete und dann, als die Zeit vorbei war und sie ihn freigelassen hatte. Ob der jetzige Kaiser darum wusste? Mit Sicherheit nicht. Und wenn doch, war es feinfühlig, dem Herzog in einem anderen Raum zu empfangen.

Ein etwas unsicherer Blick ging zum Alten an seiner Seite, der den als einziger sehen dürfte. Den Wachen an der Tür drehte er nur sein Profil zu, ehe ein merklicher Ruck durch seinen Leib ging und er erst Graufang dann den Wachen zunickte, damit sie die Flügel der Tür öffneten. Mit erhobenem Kopf und ohne Zögern betrat der Herzog den Raum, der schlichter war als der Thronsaal den er kannte. Es dauerte einen Moment bis Adam’s Blick über die Anwesenden gegangen war und dann den Mann auf dem Thron erfasste. Seine Stiefel hallten auf dem Boden, als Adam in dessen Richtung ging. Das stetige Tocken des hölzernen Stabes seines Begleiters untermalte das Herantreten. In angemessener Entfernung blieb der Herzog stehen und beugte das Knie vor dem Kaiser. „Eure kaiserliche Majestät. Adam Fugger, Herzog der Steiermark, ist wie erwünscht erschienen. Es begleitet mich der Patriarch der reformierten aristotelischen Kirche.“

______________

"I know the way", he would have growled almost to the guards, which accompanied the patriarch of the reformed Aristotelian church and him through the palace. The building and his demanded presence made him irritable. It was good, that he knew how to control himself, because the room they were led to, was another one than this in which Adala had received him to speak the oath, then for a clearing conversation like this one here, which ended with his
involuntary stay for four endless weeks
and then, after a certain time, she released him. Did the present emperor know of it? Surely not. But if, it was kindly to receive the duke in another room.

Uncertain Adam looked to the old person at his side. This man might be the only one who saw this look because he turned just his profile to the guards at the door. A noticeable jerk went through his body before he nodded first Graufang and then the guards so that they opened the wings of the door. With the head lifted up and without hesitation the duke entered the room, which was simpler than the throne room he knew. It took a moment until he realized all the people which were here and at the end he catched the man on the throne with his eyes. His boots echoed on the ground, when Adam went in whose direction. The steady noise, which the wooden stick of Graufang made on the ground, provided him. In an adequate distance the duke stopped and bent the knee in front of the emperor. “Your imperial majesty. Adam Fugger, duke of Styria, has arrived, like you wished. The patriarch of the reformed Aristotelian church accompanies me.”
_________________
Graufang
12. Juli 1461

Den hölzernen Stab in der Hand, folgt der Patriarch dem Herzog in das Zimmer. Schon einmal war der Alte in diesen Mauern. Nicht als Gast, sondern als der Mann, der der deutschen Königin die Fehde erklärt hat. Und als als Onkel des Oberhauptes der Dynastie Fugger. Erinnerungen überfluten den alten Geist. Erinnerungen an den Tag, da Graufang seine nicht an den Kasierlichen Thron begleitete. Doch die aufsteigenden Bilder verblassen im Angesicht Adams, der das Knie beugt. Dies ist nicht der Moment, sich Erinnerungen hinzugeben, denn diesmal begleitet er seinen Neffen zu dessen Lehnsherrn.
Was für eine Qual für eine arme Seele, an den Ort des Schreckens zurückgerufen zu werden. Graufang sieht Adam das Knie beugen und der Alte neigt das Haupt vor dem Mann, der Herrscher über das römische Reich ist. Das Heilige Römische Reich? Nicht für den Patriarchen, denn der Schatten der Kirchenspaltung verdunkelt das gesamte Reich.
"Euer Majestät" Die Stimme ist fest, die Augen erfassen die Wachen. Sind Reich oder Kaiser wirklich dermaßen schutzbedürftig?


With his wooden stick in hand, the patriarch follows the duke to the room. Once the old man was here in this walls. not as a guest but as a man who declared a "Fehde" (feud) against the german queen and as the uncle of the head of the Fugger-Dynasty. Memories of that day, his attendence of his niece to the imperial throne, floats the old mind, but the image fades away as Graufang looks to Adam. This is not the time for memorys, now he accompanies his nephew to his liege.
How much suffer for a poor soul, commanded back to the place of horror. Graufang sees Adam bow his knee and the old man bows the head to the man who is sovereign to the roman empire. To the holy roman empire? Not for the patriarch, 'cause the shadow of the schism is darkening the whole empire.
"Your Majesty" The old voice is solid, as the eyes examine the guards. Is the empire or the emperor in particular, in such a need of protection?


Ludwig_von_frayner
The Duke of Styria was announced and entered the reception room. Sitting on his throne, the Emperor looked at him, introducing himself. It was the first time he met Adam Fugger, a man with a controversial past. Some of his councillors hated him, others respected him. The Emperor knew that the Duke of Styria had served several emperors before him, sometimes with dedication and loyalty, sometimes with laxity and irresponsibility. However, he never judged the Duke. He was not a man who listens to rumors. He only assessed men on their actions. As the King of Germnay, the Duke of Styria was his vassal. He had to be right in his choices. Despite critics, he had offered to the Duke of Styria, the ability to distinguish himself. He offered him the opportunity to trust him. Unfortunately, the latest events in the Eastern Empire did not play in his favor.

Worse, now the Duke of Styria did not come to Strasbourg alone. He had brought with him, the patriarch of the reformed Aristotelian Church. A heretic. It was a major contempt to the imperial crown. Was he not himself the guarantor of the Aristotelian religion in his empire? Was he not himself the representative of God in his kingdom? The Emperor struggled to hide his anger, for such an … undesired presence.


    "« The patriarch of the reformed Aristotelian church » ? … What an unexpected guest..."


If he had been inclined to listen to the speech of the Duke Adam Fugger, he was now much less. Squeezing his fingers on the knob of his cane, he detailed the "Patriarch" who bowed in front of him. He would solve such a problem later. It behooved to him to address the most urgent cases. Thus he tapped his cane on the floor, and spoke.

    "Your Grace, « Patriarch »,

    Welcome to Strasbourg. We have summoned you in order to clarify what occurred in Styria, those last weeks. Usually, a simple exchange of letters would have sufficed. Usually, a discussion in the Imperial Diet would have solved the case. But neither the one nor the other were the solution. The seriousness of the reported facts in Styria required a meeting be held as soon as possible. And aware of it, you came. It is therefore unnecessary to dwell on the details.

    In recent weeks, a thief named Ibario came to settle in Styria. It was obvious that such a settlement would destabilize the region. Thanks to our spies, we were informed of his willingness, namely assaulting your Austrian or Slovenian neighbors. By various letters we sent, we have warned you about these projects and the risks of an attack against other imperial provinces. We asked you to join forces with your neighbors to fight the bandits. Despite those warnings, you received him in Graz and welcomed him as a friend.

    A few days later, while the Empire was at war in Helvetia, and while the imperial soldiers fought a common enemy, taking advantage of the presence of the robbers, you have declared a feud against Austria. Why ? Because the Archduke of Austria had closed his borders, refusing to see brigands come on his territory. By your statement, you ignored a fundamental rule of our Empire which prohibits any feud in wartime, breaking your oath of Auxilium.

    June 29, 1461, the troops of Ibario crossed the border of Celje with the Styrian flag. In your letter, you said that you would escort the robbers outside your borders. Nevertheless, the Styrian flag was removed to such armies at the last moment, a few hours before the attack on the city. Accordingly, we must consider that this was an aggression from the Duchy of Styria against Celje ... even if Celje was not concerned by your « feud ».

    We can not believe that the Duke of Styria, crowned for countless years, can ignore such basic... rules."


He paused a moment, and looked back at the Patriarch.

    "Moreover, the presence of "Patriarch of the reformed Aristotelian church" allows us to make a point about the state of religion in Styria. For several days, We received many complaints, reflecting arbitrary trials and repeated assaults against the priests of the Roman and Aristotelic Church. Styria is a part of the Empire since long enough to know that the Empire is a land of faith and belief, and that priests have to be respected and protected ....
    Unless Styria has fallen since that time, in decadence and barbarism ...

    ... That would justify the presence of a heretic, in the Holy Imperial Capital city."

_________________
Adam
Das erwartete Zeichen, dass er sich erheben durfte, blieb aus. Der Herzog bemerkte dies mit Unmut, der sich für einen Moment auch in seinem Gesicht zeigte. Gut, führte man die Unterhaltung eben….. so, der eine auf seinem Thron sitzend, der andere ein Knie gebeugt, davor.
Es war das erste Mal, dass Adam die Stimme des anderen hörte. Der bisherige Austausch hatte sich lediglich auf Briefe beschränkt. Wäre es nach ihm gegangen, hätte man daran nichts ändern müssen. Papier war geduldig, er eher nicht. Mehrmals öffnete sich der Mund, um dem Mann zu widersprechen und Dinge richtigzustellen, die völlig falsch dargestellt wurden, aber ohne, dass ein Wort ihm über die Lippen ging, schloss er diese wieder. Es kostete den Herzog seine ganze Beherrschung, den Kaiser ausreden zu lassen und ihm nicht ins Wort zu fallen.

Eure kaiserliche Majestät. Ich befürchte, Ihr bringt die zeitliche Abfolge des Geschehens durcheinander, vermutlich hat man Euch auch Tatsachen vorenthalten, so dass Ihr ein völlig falsches Bild von dem, was vorgefallen ist, bekommen habt.
Zunächst, als Österreich die Grenzen schloss und zwar ohne die Steiermark oder Polen, die beiden betroffenen Länder, darüber zu informieren, war noch nicht die Rede von Ibario und seinen Mannen. Österreich schloss die Grenzen, ohne Angabe von Gründen. Es war Zufall, dass ich davon erfahren habe und ich habe meine Bürger gewarnt. Über Umwege konnte auch Polen durch uns informiert werden. Gleichzeitig habe ich die Erzherzogin von Österreich gebeten, mir den Grund für die Grenzschließung zu nennen und das beleidigende Dekret wieder aufzuheben. Nach einigem Hin und Her erfuhr ich dann, dass Ibario der Grund sein soll und forderte abermals, das Dekret dahingehend zu ändern, dass es nur ihn betraf und nicht alle Steirer. Dass ich meine Ehre und die eines jeden Bürgers der Steiermark beschmutzt fühlte durch ihr Pamphlet, sagte ich ihr, auch, dass ich, sollte sie mich weiterhin ignorieren, das als Akt gegen mich werten würde.
Sie zog es vor zu schweigen, ich rief die Fehde aus und darüber habe ich Euch in Kenntnis gesetzt, wie auch den König, der damit die Gelegenheit bekam zu einzugreifen.
Tat er dann auch. Es folgte ein reger Schriftwechsel zwischen mir und dem König beziehungsweise seinem Vertreter. Am Ende willigte ich ein, die Fehde einzustellen und Ibario aus meinem Land zu geleiten. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt hatte ich, trotz Ankündigung durch zuerst Pippa und dann Salome, kein Schreiben von Euch erhalten. Mehrere Wochen hatte ich darauf gewartet. Ich nahm an, dass Ihr es mir und dem König überlasst eine Übereinkunft zu finden, was uns auch gelang.
Ibario und ich gerieten in Streit, als ich ihn anwies, das Land zu verlassen. Deshalb, und weil an unseren Grenzen ein Aufmarsch an österreichischen Soldaten war, haben wir unsere eigenen Armeen zusammengerufen. Zu unserer eigenen Sicherheit haben wir Ibario aus der Steiermark geleitet. Zu keinem Zeitpunkt ist er der Grenze Österreichs nahe gekommen.
Dass er unter dem Banner der Provinz die südliche Grenze passierte, wurde erst bewusst, als der Regent von Celje, darauf hinwies. Im gleichen Atemzug wurde das revidiert.
Ihr seht – wir wurden an den Pranger gestellt durch das Dekret Österreichs und als ich um Änderung bat, ignoriert. Die von mir ausgerufene Fehde, um den Makel zu bereinigen, wurde nach klärenden Gesprächen mit dem König ad acta gelegt und Ibario, der Anstoß allen Übels meines Landes verwiesen. Und auch gegenüber Celje habe ich, als der Regent das Gespräch suchte, geäußert, die Steiermark will sicher keinen Krieg.

Also
, „die Arme wurden ausgebreitet, die Schultern gezuckt, „was noch?“
Vielleicht kürzen wir das ganze Prozedere beim nächsten Mal einfach ab und ich lade jede Provinz mit offenen Armen ein, ihre Armeen zu uns zu schicken, nachdem man mich beleidigt hat
?“ Waren die Worte mit Süffisanz durchtränkt? Natürlich. Auch wenn es einer gewissen Bizarrerie nicht entbehrte, diese an den Tag zu bringen, während man auf dem Boden kniete.

Und da Ihr es schon ansprecht, will ich selbst es auch tun.
Es gab keine wiederholten Angriffe auf Priester in der Steiermark. Im Gegenteil. Die Steiermark ist ein gottesfürchtiges Land und ehrt seine Priester.
“ Hart wurden die Züge im Gesicht des Herzogs. Denn eines ließ er sich nicht nachsagen, dass die Steiermark kein Land wäre, dass gottgläubig sei. Er hatte nicht gelitten, um sich diesen Vorwurf anzuhören. „Wir sind aristotelischen Glaubens, was selbst Kaiserin Adala am Ende respektiert hat, warum sonst, hätte sie mich, nachdem sie meinen Glauben geprüft hat und schon ahnte, dass die reformierte Aristotelische Kirche die Rettung der Steiermark sein würde, noch ehe ich es wusste, mich zurückgehen lassen, um als Herzog die reformierte Aristotelische Kirche zur alleinigen Kirche der Steiermark zu machen?“

__________


The sign, he was waiting for, did not come. It wakened the displeasure of the duke. Only for a short moment, you could see this on his face. But, anyway, then they had to talk while one was sitting on his throne, the other one bending his knee.
It was the first time, that Adam caught the sound of the voice that belonged to the other one. The contact, that they had, had been only by letters. It was not his decision to be here. The letters had been fine and if someone had been asking him, there hadn’t has to be a change. ‘Epistula non erebuscit’ A matter of fact, he isn’t. Many times he opened his mouth, only to close it again. The things the emperor said weren’t quite right, but there was not a single word, that will leave his lips. All the control he gains over his body and mind was necessary, so that he didn’t cut off the man.

Your imperial Majesty. I am afraid, but I think you mess the things up. The chronological events are much more and different. It seems to be, that someone skipped the information on you, so that the picture you have been drawing is not completely one that represents the facts.
First. At the time, when Austria closed his borders without informing his two neighbors Styria and Poland, there wasn’t a word of Ibario and his men. Austria closed his borders, without a statement which reasons they had. It was only a coincidence, that I got a hold of it and could inform my people. With some indirection we could Poland, also. In the meantime I pleaded the archduchess to name the reasons of this insulting decree. After a short seesaw, I was informed, that Ibario and his men was the reason. I claimed – not for the first time – to change the decree, so that only he would be affected and not all citizens of Styria. Actually, I also told her, that I was insulted by the decree, that she blotted my honor and those of all Styrian. Even that I would act against this pamphlet she couldn’t change her mind.
She decided to ignore me, so I declared the feud and informed you about it, as his majesty, which had the opportunity to do something about it.
So he did. There has been a lot of letters between me and his majesty or rather his representative. At the end I was willing to end the vendetta. Also, I was willing to see that Ibario would leave my country. At this moment there wasn’t any writing of you, even if there was an announcement from Pippa first and Salome second. I waited several weeks. I assumed that you would trust in me and his majesty to find an agreement – as it has been.
Ibario and I got into a fight, at the moment I demanded, that he had to leave the country. Because of this and the movements of the Austria soldiers, we gathered our own soldiers. We escorted Ibario to our borders, so that we could guarantee our own safety. He never came near the Austria borders.
We only got hold of the fact, that he passed the southern border under the eyes of our army, when the regent of Celje pointed it to us. Immediately I denied him the status of a styrian army.
You see – we got pilloroyed trough the decree of austria and when I pleaded to modifier the writing, we got ignored. The feud, that has been called by myself to wash the blamish away, has been called back. As I said there was an active sending of letters between the king and myself. Ibario himself, the impulse of the ill has been expelled from my land. Also I declared to the archon of Celje, that we do not want a war between the Styria and Celje.
So
,“ His arms are going to his sides, before he shrugs, „what else?“
Eventually we could cut the procedere the next time and I will invite all the provinces with my armes wide open, so they can send theirs armys after they insulted us
.” Is there some some smugy tone? Indeed. Even if there isn’t a bizarre note, that he mention it, while he is bending his knee.

And well, because your majesty approached it, I will speak about it:
There wasn´t any attacks against priests in Styria. The contrary is happening. We are a godfearing and we honor our priests
.” A certain cruelty crosses the face of the duke. There is one thing, that he can’t stand. The saying of the nonfact, that the Styria isn’t a godly country. He himself hadn’t suffered all the pain, to hear this accusation. “We are aristots and even her imperial majesty Adala respected the fact in the end. Why would she have let me free and let me return to my country if she hadn’t known or proofed the fact, that the reformed Aristotelian church would be our rescue. Even if I hadn’t known it myself? But she let me go and I, as the duke of Styria, declared the reformed Aristotelian church to the only church of Styria on her demand.”
_________________
Graufang
12. Juli 1461

Als er die Worte des Kaisers vernimmt, gibt es für Graufang keinen Zweifel: Dieser Ort muss geläutert werden. Ebenso wie die Seele dieser fehlgeleiteten, krone-tragenden Person.
Die Hand hält den Stab mit solchem Zorn, dass die Haut sich weiß verfärbt. Die einzige Barbarei ist in den Gewölben zu finden. Tief unten, wo garstige Kreaturen in Menschengestalt herumstreunen. Vielleicht würde es dem Kaiser ja gefallen, einen Blick in seine Folterkammern zu werfen? Gott alleine weiß, welch' dunkle Orte diese Mauern noch beheimaten. - Vielleicht weiß es der Kaiser selbst aber auch?

Doch wen sollte das wundern? Der Mann ist nicht gesalbt worden. Zumindest nicht von des Patriarchen Hand. So mag Ludwigs Herrschaft von den Stimmen des Volkers hergeleitet sein, vielleicht sogar durch viel Geld erkauft, aber sie ist nicht Gottgegeben.

Schweigend lauscht der Alte den Worten des Herzogs. Es ist an dem Jüngeren zu sprechen, nicht am Priester, der ihn begleitet.




July 12th. 1461

As he hears the words of the emperor, Graufang feels no doubt: This place must be cleansed as well as the soul of this misguided, crown-wearing person.
The hand holds the stab with such anger, that the skin turns white. The only barbarism could be found in the dungeons, deep unter this so shiny looking palace. Deep down, where foul creatures lurk, disguised as human beings. Maybe the emperor feels of risking a look in his torture chambers? Only God knows, how much more dark places this walls are hiding. - And maybe the emperor knows himself..

But who will wonder? No anointment was given to this man. Not from the Patriarchs hand. So Ludwigs power may be given by the voice of the people, maybe by a lot of gold, but his power is not divinely ordained.

The old man listens silently to the dukes words. It's on him to speak, not on the priest...


Ludwig_von_frayner
Sitting on his throne the Emperor listened to the explanations of his vassal. It was hard to be convinced by his speech. He could not bear the ironic remarks. However, he let him talk until the end. When the Duke had finished, the Emperor turned to the Patriarch. The old man says nothing... And such a presence, more than undesirable, became truly unbearable. He thought well to arrest the heretic, right now. But an arbitrary decision would not help matters, on the contrary. He decided to focus on the political events in Styria. Religion could wait.


    "Your Grace,

    You point out, in your own doing, that you contacted Us to solve such a dipute, only after declaring a feud. You hadn't appealed to the arbitration of the Imperial Crown before, in order to prevent the escalation of tensions. It's only when the "offense" was committed, once the robbers were in your territory, once the armies were mobilized, that you decided to call Us. It was too late. Such a dispute could have been settled in the Imperial Diet, if you had taken the opportunity to introduce yourself there, or to send a representative. As you know, it is in the imperial Diet that you can fulfill your duty of Consilium. Many Dukes and Princes flock there every day, to settle disputes, preferring dialogue and wisdom than threats. But since the beginning of Our reign, you never visited the Diet. How would you the voice of Styria to be heard and understood by your sovereign, if you content yourself with the minimum of communication ? It is a lack of seriousness and rigor. You must be aware of it.

    The truth is you chose weapons instead of diplomacy. You preferred to yield to anger, instead of acting with moderation. However, there are periods when the Empire must be united ; periods when the general interest of our Great Nation must override all other interests. When Imperial soldiers are fighting a common enemy, our vassals have to do their utmost to silence their quarrels. Soldiers of Styria and the Kingdom of Germany fought side by side against the brigands of Helvetia, like brothers. All imperial provinces had called volunteers to protect the borders of the Empire. By your "feud", by such unilateral and irresponsible decision, you violated this sacred unity. You have revived the underlying tensions in the East, at a time when the Empire had to be at peace.

    Internal peace of the Empire is our first concern as sovereign. We want that our subjects can live appeased without fear or apprehension, with the awareness of being safe. We want a consolidated Empire. We want our vassals show a sufficient presence of mind not to declare "feuds" for each difficulty. As a consequence, we asked the Regent Pippa to interverne between the Kingdom of Germany and Styria, as a mediator. So you can not say that the Imperial Crown remained deaf to your feud. You know that this is false. Your concerns were our concerns. The efforts of the Regent Pippa were annihilated by the movements of Ibario armies, with the Styrian flag.

    If Austria was not threatened by such movements, it remains that the city of Celje was attacked by the robbers. It was a victim of your faults. As well as Styria and Austria, Celje is an imperial land which deserves to be protected. The fact that Celje was less extent that Austria does not mean that duties are proportionately lower. On the contrary, if Celje is less populated than other imperial provinces, the need to defend it is only greater. As a historical neighbor, it also behooved to you to ensure that nothing happens in Celje. Celje was not involved in that "feud". Celje has never acted against Styria.
    However, the armies of Ibario, with the Styrian flag, crossed the border to attack the Slovenian city. You talk about insult against Styria, for a decree sealing borders ; don't you think that allowing robbers to attack and plunder Celje, with your own flag, is a much more serious insult than the previous one ? You speak about honor. But is there any honor to let robbers terrorize your imperial brother with indifference ? Is there any honor to welcome or ignore the misfortune of your neighbor? Because Austria has not been attacked, but simply Celje, you would like to be congratulated ? We can not believe it. If you didn't want a war, you had to prove it. It behooved to you to resolve such a matter : not by words, but by acts.


The Emperor leaned on his cane to get up. Standing, he looked now the Duke of Styria with severity. Motivated by his speech, his voice was deep and began to resonate throughout the room.

    "We are One. You must learn that. The Empire is a single nation. A nation of proud and altruistic people who share the same project. We are not like the French Kingdom, lost in internal and endless quarrels. We are not like the Kingdom of Hungary and Croatia, where each province fight for itself, leaving the other face to difficulty. We are more than that.

    We are the Holy Roman Empire. We are the light in the shaded sky. When someone attacks one of our provinces, the whole Empire strikes back. We abandon anyone. If we need to move mountains, we do. If we need to sacrifice ourselves to defend our imperial neighbor, we do. That's what the largest and powerful nation in the known world is. It is a land composed of brothers and sisters, cousins, who share the same hope.

    You must be aware of that. Perhaps our predecessors were unclear. Perhaps our predecessors used to be lax. Anyway, you have to know that we won't. During our reign, we won't let anyone break such a unity, such a solidarity".


He sat on his throne and asked a cup of wine to refresh his mouth. Once the cup was empty, he breathed and looked at the Duke Adam Fugger and the Patriarch who are still bowed down in front of him.

    "You can stand up straight".


He scanned the room for a moment, reviewing his soldiers present, who had heard him. Then he set his yes on on the Duke and the Patriarch.

    "Well... We'll let you think about these words. We have considered your point of view ; and we need to think about it before making a final decision. Hasty measures are never good. So... Until such a decision is made, you will stay in the Imperial Castle of Strasbourg, in the east wing. You will have your private apartments. You will be fed and housed properly. But under no circumstances you will be able to leave without permission. Any travel outside of your apartment will be under the surveillance of the Imperial Guard.
    Now, you can retire.

    Imperial Marshal ? Drive the Duke Adam and the Patriarch to their apartments."

_________________
Graufang
July 12th. 1461

The Emperor does not show his best behaviour. Or if he does, it's not the behavior an Emperor should show. And he seems to insist on his opinion. Insignificant what Adam is trying to explain. Von Frayner did not listen to the declaration of act and intent of the duke, nor seems he to be keen in being neutral.

The last words of Ludwig let the blood of Graufang boil. This man dares to put them under house arrest? Is this the real meaning of his words? The Patrairch stands as if he has turned to stone and stares to the crowned head. But just a littele moment he stands, then he makes a step nearer to the Emperor.
"Ludwig von Frayner!" The old mans voice echoes through the room. "We are the patriarch of the reformed church and We take orders only from Our creator! You may arrest Us, if it pleases you. Or you may ask Us to stay. - But never again you will issue a command to Us!"
Graufang looks to the Imperial Marshal and in a mildly threatening tone he says: "Do not dare to touch me, young knave. I can walk by myself."
Graufang looks back to the Emperor.
"Now treat us as the guest that we are or spit on the respect to the servants of god, which you asked for your own clergymen just a moment ago. - If you don't mind I would prefer to leave this place of darkness and heresy. And as I do, I will take Adam with me. As a sheep of the lords herde he is under my protection and that means he is sheltered by the mantle of god. "

--------------------------------

12. Juli 1461


Der Kaiser zeigt nicht seine besten Verhalten. Oder wenn er es tut, ist es nicht das Verhalten, welches ein Kaiser zeigen sollte. Und er scheint auf seiner Meinung beharren. Unbedeutend, was Adam versucht zu erklären. Er wollte nicht auf die Erklärung des Herzoges hören, die er zu seinen Handlungen und Motiven abgegen hat, noch scheint er daran interessiert, Neutralität zu wahren.

Die letzten Worte von Ludwig bringen das Blut Graufangs zum kochen.Dieser Mann wagt es, sie unter Hausarrest zu stellen? Ist es das, was seine Worte sagen sollen? Die Patrairch steht, als sei er zu Stein geworden und starrt auf das gekrönte Haupt. Doch nur für einen Moment steht er, dann macht er einen Schritt auf den Kaiser zu.
"Ludwig von Frayner!" Die Stimme des Alten hallt durch das Zimmer. "Wir sind der Patriarch der reformierten Kirche und Befehle nehmen wir nur von unserem Schöpfer entgegen! Ihr könnt Uns verhaften lassen, wenn es Euch zufrieden stellt, oder Ihr könnt Uns bitten, zu bleiben - Aber nie wieder werdet Ihr Uns einen Befehl erteilen!"
Graufang sieht der Reichsmarschall und in einer leicht drohendem Ton sagt er: "Wage es nicht, mich zu berühren, junger Knabe. Ich kann selbst laufen."
Graufang blickt zurück auf den Kaiser.
"Jetzt behandeln uns als den Gast, der wir sind oder spuckt auf den Respekt gegenüber den Dienern Gottes, welchen Ihr für Eure eigenen Geistlichen vor einem Augenblick noch gefordert habt. - Wenn Ihr nichts dagegen habt, so würde ich es vorziehen, diesen Ort der Finsternis und Ketzerei zu verlassen. Und ich werde Adam mit mir nehmen. Als Schaf der Herde Herren ist er unter meinem Schutz, und das bedeutet, dass er durch den Mantel Gottes geschützt ist. "


Adam
Ungläubig ging der Blick Adams zu Graufang und dann wieder zurück zum Kaiser. Langsam erhob er sich. Die Ankündigung, er solle „Gast“ in dem Palast sein, lähmte ihn in seinen Bewegungen und auch in seinem Denken. Kein Wunder war es also, dass der Alte zuerst das Wort ergriff und währenddessen schob der Herzog sich schützend vor ihn. Wollte man den Patriarchen abführen, musste man erst an ihm vorbei. Seine Rechte legte sich an den Griff seines Schwertes. Eine eindeutig drohende Geste, die aber nur besagte, man solle den Alten nicht anrühren. Ein Angriff sollte es nicht sein und damit einhergehend versuchte auch er mit Worten, sich zu erklären. Weit weniger diplomatisch als der Patriarch, dessen Blut auch nicht so leicht hochkochte.
Habt Ihr mir nicht zugehört? Österreich hätte jederzeit die Eröffnung der Fehde durch eine Entschuldigung verhindern können, selbst als diese ausgesprochen war, habe ich mein Wort gegeben, die Fehde sei beendet, bei einer Entschuldigung. Aber es folgte nur Schweigen. Wollt Ihr mir vorwerfen, dass ich meine Bürger schütze und handelte, wie ich gezwungen wurde?“ Hätte der Kaiser zweimal so weit entfernt gesessen wie jetzt, hätte er ihn dennoch verstanden, derart laut redete der Herzog, der in Rage war.
Und was für eine Rolle gebt Ihr Pippa in diesem Ganzen? Ich erhielt lediglich die Mitteilung, sie meldet sich bald bei mir – und dann hörte ich nichts mehr. Mit keinem Wort hat sie versucht, sich einzubringen oder zu vermitteln, weshalb meine Worte, dass die kaiserliche Krone sich herausgehalten hat, richtig sind.“ Die Hand war inzwischen vom Griff des Schwertes verschwunden, ohne dass dem Herzog, der gestenreich redetet, überhaupt aufgefallen war. „Wenn das Imperium eins ist, wie Ihr so schön behauptet, warum wird dann nur einer Seite Glauben geschenkt? Egal was ich vorbringe, es wird abgetan. Warum wird es hingenommen, dass Österreich immerfort gegen die Steiermark vorgeht? Sei es in Worten oder Taten? Warum gelten andere Gesetze für Österreich als für die Steiermark? Nennt Ihr das Einigkeit? Nennt Ihr das, niemanden ausschließen?
Wenn ja, spucke ich drauf
.“ Tatsächlich tat er das, auch wenn es nur angedeutet war.
Im Falle von Celje haben wir im Übrigen, weil wir selbst Not an Männern haben, Hilfe zugesagt, anderer Natur. Geld und Lebensmittel waren wir bereit zu liefern, hat man Euch das gesagt?“

Er schwieg einen Moment, in dem er die Männer des Kaisers taxierte, eher sich ein letztes Mal an diesen wandte. „Ihr lasst mich verhaften und umschreibt das dann nett als Stubenarrest?“ Adam würgte den Kloß in seinem Hals herunter. „Der Mann an meiner Seite kam nur auf mein Bitten mit. Er hat mit dem, was Ihr vortragt nichts zu tun. Lasst ihm seine Freiheit.“

__________

The gaze of Adam was faithless, as he glanced between Graufang and then back toward the Emperor. Slowly he got up. The announcement, that he should be a guest in the palace, slowed his motions nearly to a standstill. Even his thinking was frozen. That the old man spoke first, was quite not a surprise. While the man was speaking, the Duke’s intention was clear, as he stood before him. He just wanted him to be safe. If someone were going to arrest the Patriarch, he had to go against himself first. His hand grasped the hilt of his sword. It was a gesture, that was without a doubt lowering. Actually it shouldn’t be an attack, so because of this he also tried to show his opinion with his words. Well, indeed much less diplomatic as the Patriarch, which blood was cooler.
Didn’t you follow the line? Austria could avoid the feud at any time, a simply apology would have been enough. Even as we started the feud my word stood for itself. But what followed was only ignorance. Do you really want to accuse me for protecting my citizens and act, as I was squeezed?” If the emperor would have been twice this far away, he would have understood all the words clearly, because of the anger that drove him.
Actually, what a role has Pippa in it? I received a message from her, that she will contact me – but then nothing. Not a single word from her, so that she could try to arbitrate or even to help, so that my words are true. The imperial crone didn’t interfere.” The hand had gone away from the hilt of his sword. So because he was using a lot of gestures, he even not noticed. “When the imperium is one, like you say, why do you only believe only one side? It seems to be, that I could say everything, you wouldn’t listen. Why you take the insult from the Austrians against the Styria? Without a difference if it is in words or acting? Why are there other rules for Austria in relation with Styria? Do you name this unity? Do you name this not to expel someone?
If this is the case, I will spit on
it.” In fact, he did, even it was just faked.
So which is the case of celje, we helped them. Maybe not with men at armor, but with other goods. Like you know, we are short on soldiers. We gave our word, that there would be money, food. Has somebody told you this?”

For a moment there was silence, while he looked the men of his imperial majesty up and down with his eyes, before he spoke a last time. “You will arrest us? Like children?” Adam chokes a little. “The man on my side came just on my behalf.. Give him his freedom.”
_________________
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