NationStates Jolt Archive

1256 AD The Republics of Lassic, Coventry and the Border Princes

Bells rang throughout Great Lassic, the peals carried over the autumn countryside taking the news to all of Lassic, THE Vaad was dead. At seventy one years of age Namaan Ilek-Vaad last of the direct line of the House of Vaad had died. Crowds stood at the foot of the Kerack, the hill at the center of Lassic where the House of Vaad stood and the Council was convened.

Vabeck Nikopol moved quickly through the crowd, the Velites Kerbals made a path for him through the crowd holding the onlookers back with their halbreds. Up the winding path he went as he passed through the gates of the House of The Republic and then into the Council Chamber. He entered and paused and stared for a long moment at the now empty throne, with the sword of THE Vaad leaning against it.

"Coventry marches. Prince Dragen Arden has claimed the throne of Coventry and of Lassic." Councillor Anselm said coldly as Vabeck entered.

"Ilek marches, Prince Gelon claims the throne of the Border Principalities and the throne of Lassic, by virtue of Namaan Vaad's mother." Councillor Theron stated in an exhausted voice that was barely a whisper.

"The Knights Purifiers are split, William of Issem has pledged loyalty, but only a third of his Purifiers are with him, he rides here now. The Velites have no generals, the Kerbals are laying in for a siege." Councillor Al Azarad sighed heavily.

Vabeck Nikopol sat " THE Vaad defeated Coventry and the Border Princes, HE founded the Republic and he left the Republic to the People, not to the heirs of his enemies. We are the People's chosen , we MUST safeguard the Republic.............."

He was interupted as the Council Chamber door opened with a bang, a lone Knight entered , emblazoned on his chest was the 'Beaucent' the black maltese cross of the Knights Purifiers, the knight paused and then spoke "My knights are split in their support of the Republic and in upholding the will of the People, but I am here and I pledge my life to the Republic. The Republic will persist."

It was William 'The Silent' of Issem, Vabeck nodded to him and then looked back to the Council "We must act quickly. The Velites must be called up, they fought for THE Vaad they must fight for us now."

Councillor Al Azarad shook his head "We are not warriors, we were chosen because of our learning, not our ferocity in battle, the Velites will never fight for us."

Vabeck Nikopol stood "While THE Vaad lived, we administered the Republic and THE Vaad commanded the Purifiers and the Velites. We still must administer the Republic, we simply need to choose a General, a Commander to rally and lead the Velites."

Councillor Theron motioned "Then let it be Sir William, he has loyally served the Vaad in his campaigns, and he seems our only loyal knight left."

Sir William nodded "If empowered, I will do what must be done."

Vabeck Nikopol turned "You will have to kill your brother Purifiers."

Sir William nodded again "THEY serve God, I serve the People."

Councillor Anselm nodded "Let us vote, who agrees that we should make Sir Wiliam Commander of the Velite Guard?"

The six Councillors raised their hands , they had no other choice.

Vabeck nodded "Go then Commander Issem, you are empowered by the Republic, we charge you with the defeat of the enemies of the People. Raise the wrath of the willing and carry the standard of the Republic forth from here until it flies over every stronghold of the People's enemies.

By your blood and the blood of the willing will the Republic persist. All Power to the People!"

As Vabeck Nikopol shouted that he seized the sword of THE Vaad and handed it to Commander Issem, the other Councillors stood and shouted with Vabeck "All Power to the People!"

*****

Sir Willaim Issem charged down the hillside on his horse, the Velites Kerbals dropped their stores and provisions and all seized the halbreds and shields, forming a river behind him as he brandished the galvorn sword of THE Vaad.

At the foot of the hill a boy saw a black glint moving down the hillside towards the square of anxious Lasseans he began shouting and waving.

"THE VAAD! THE VAAD! Here he comes look! It's HIS sword!"

The crowd murmured and moved apprehensively as William Issem charged through the gate, the crowd immediately saw the cross of the Purifiers and not the Jaguar of THE Vaad and grew silent, they whispered, had William been made king?

William Issem climbed from his horse and stood before the gathered crowd. "I swore on my life, to honour THE Vaad's will. No single man may claim his throne or hold dominion over the People. The Republic IS the People and the Council of Lassic is their servant.

The Council of Lassic has empowered me to raise the Velite Guard and to carry the standard of the Republic in defiance of those who illegally usurp the People's power and defy the will of THE Vaad.

Coventry, The Border Princes, Narvik, let them all come. They fight with the weak will and temerous strength of a single man. Their Czars and Princes are out numbered a thousand fold by the People. Stand together with me and we shall replay the victories of THE Vaad. Young men recall now the stories of your fathers and grand fathers and their tales or heroism against the Princes and of THE Vaad's victories. Remember them for we will now recreate them."

He paused and raised the sword of THE Vaad, it glinted blackly in the cold autumn sun, he then bellowed "Men of Lassic Stand With Me, and Be Not Afraid!"

The crowd roared as he gestured East, towards Coventry.

"Those who are willing, join me now, Velites! Come and deliver the People from their foes! All Power to the People!" He shouted, the crowd roaring with him, many young men rushing off to find and don their fathers armour and weapons.

*****
Vabeck Nikopol and the Council watched from the hill, Vabeck drew a deep breath "We have much work to do, William and his Velites must want for nothing while on the march. We must align the merchants and the guilds behind us and behind him, the fate of the Republic now rests on our shoulders. If the People remain united behind us then we can fund and support the Velites."

He turned to the Council "Go, go with your Reeves and bring taxes and aid here from all of those still loyal to THE Vaad ,return here in one months time and we will have everything that William needs, or we will perish."

Prince Dragen raised the visor on his helmet and surveyed Hammerstead. The South of Coventry was his, by default, strong loyalists and Catholics the South had flocked to his banner with the death of The Vaad. Hammerstead, north of Coventry was crucial. Hammerstead lay at the feet of the Tendarus mountains and was rich in ores of all kind, controlling Hammerstead also meant controlling the North of Coventry.

Prince Dragen turned to his younger brother "Frederick, take ten thousand of our men and immediately march for Issem Ford, if the House of Vaad sends soldiers, they will have to cross the Temz River there. Winter there with your men, once I have Hammerstead, I will winter here and then head west in the spring to join up with you and push into Lassic."

Frederick nodded "I will do as you command." he then rode off and gathered his men to head to Issem Ford.

Prince Dragen watched as a herald rode from Hammerstead to parlay, riding with a white flag. Prince Dragen spurred his horse and rode out to meet him, at his side Cardinal Wolfram and Field Marshal Caufield kept pace with him.

The Herald stopped and bowed "Hail Dragen Arden, Prince of Coventry. I bring you greetings from the Mayor of Hammerstead and wish to know why you have assembled arms here?"

Dragen looked contemptiously at he man who represented the elected 'mayor' "The Vaad is dead. The Republic is dead. Hammerstead is mine by birthright , by right of my family. Hammerstead will yield to me as have all of the cities of the South of Coventry."

The Herald nodded " If you pledge the safety of al who live in Hammerstead, and pledge to protect their property, the Mayor will yield to you, and accept you as Lord."

Prince Dragen smiled and nodded "I promise my people this. Have the Mayor open the gates, my army will restock here and rest before we march on."

The Herald nodded " I will ride to the Mayor and tell him, I will then return here, to lead you into Hammerstead if the Mayor gives me leave." He bowed and rode off.

*****

The Herald relayed to the mayor all that happened. The Mayor sat wringing his hands. "How many men does he have?"

The Herald stated "twenty to twenty five thousand."

The Mayor sighed "we have only a thousand some defenders.............it would take us week to conscript the miners. Prince Dragen promised to spare the city and it's people and property?"

The Herald nodded "Yes your honour. He gave his word."

The Mayor sighed again "Very well, bring him here, we must yield to him."

*****

The Herald took his place at the head of the army and led Prince Dragen in triumph into Hammerstead. Cardinal Wolfram leaned to Prince Dragen "You have no cause to keep oaths to heretics. Hammerstead is yours by God's grace , no one elses!"

Prince Dragen nodded and smiled as he turned to Field Marshal Caufield "Once the whole army is in and I am with the Mayor, seize all within these walls , let no one be armed but my men. Make them swear an oath of allegiance to the Holy Father and to me. Those that refuse seize everything that they and their families possess and turn them over to the Holy Father's Inquisitors."

Field Marshal Caufield nodded "By your command my lord."

Cardinal Wolfram straightened up in his saddle and smiled at Prince Dragen "You truly are a King among men. Blessed will be your reign, Dragen the Heretic Hammer."

William the Silent drilled the Velites relentlessly on the field outside of the walls of Great Lassic. The crops were already in and winter was a scant month away. No time to campaign, but now after a month, he was preparing to move out. The Reeves of the Council had returned with money and supplies, much more than expected, but still less than would be necessary.

Sir William watched his men as they packed up and got the supply wagons in line, he sat next to his sparse cavalry, only one hundred and twenty. One hundred Purifiers and twenty mounted Kerbals.

"Where do we march to Sir William?" Kalman, General of the Kerbals asked.

"We will make for Trozen and winter there. It is only a days march from Issem Ford. At first thaw we will march on Issem Ford and make our crossing of the Temz there. I know that land well." William replied.

The men then paused and watched as a rider came thundering down the highway , he wheeled uncertainly and then headed straight for Sir William.

"Sir William! Sir William! Hammerstead has been sacked and Issem Ford occupied!" the rider blurted out breathlessly as he reached Sir William and his men. "Hammerstead surrendered to Prince Dragen and then he marched in and slaughtered them all, he is wintering there now, his brother has taken Issem Ford with fifteen thousand men!"

Sir William displayed no emotion "That is as I expected." He shifted in his saddle and spoke to his men who were lining up to leave "Do you hear that? Those who surrender to Prince Dragen in good faith, are murdered. Remember that." He said in a loud clear voice.

Sir William spurred his horse and with that the Velite Army began the march to Trozen, under the Black Flag of the Republic.

*****

Vabeck Nikopol sat in the Council Chambers with the returned members of the Council. Councillor Al Azarad spoke up "Along the nothern border we received litle support. The Burgermeisters and Bursars do not trust the Council to disburse the supplies and monies. They complain of the lack of a clear and accountable central authority."

Councillor Anselm nodded "what if we gave the finances and control of taxation and supplies directly to Sir William?"

Vabeck grimaced "Too much power in a single man's hands? That is what The Vaad warned against in his will, besides Sir William has a war to fight, I doubt he would welcome the distraction of having to deal with gathering his own supplies and funds. We should find a solution that absolves him of that burden."

Councillor Anselm shrugged "Then what?"

Councillor Theron looked thoughtful "We elect a Prime Councillor, one of us that will act as a central authority to organize and be accountable for central government authority. We could each kep our specific tasks, and we elect a replacement for the Prime Councillor, the Council would then six plus one, that would allow for a tie breaker as well, The Vaad used to break ties between us, so we need a position that does that anyway."

They all nodded sagely and thoughtfully.

They then began to discuss the particulars of the new office and organize it and record the duties.