NationStates Jolt Archive

Lord Thomas of Caerphilly was awakened by the sound of the roosters outside. He sighed and yawned as he climbed lazily out of his bed. He put on his standard everyday clothes and moved towards the bucket of water that was positioned outside his room. Scooping up some water, he splashed it over his face then went downstairs for breakfast. After his appetite was sated, he went out to check how the defences were coming along. He spotted the castles chief architect, designer and weapons builder and went over to talk to him.

"Pleasant morning I bid thee, how goes the building?"

"Not well sire, there is no wood for building, and we have no way to acquire any. The forests around here are almost destroyed."

The man shifted foot and looked around nervously, not daring to look Lord Thomas in the eyes. Lord Thomas nodded to himself then lashed out at the architect.

"Really? Well then pray, explain to me why the cook saw you this morning lugging wood into your hut? He was going to collect some eggs, and saw you there. Walk with me, let us see if there is truth in his words."

Grabbing him by the wrists, he held his arms behind his back as he marched the hapless man towards his hut. Throwing the door open, stacks of wood could be seen piled up everywhere.

"I understand now, those carriages coming every day to bring us wood, were doing the opposite. You are sending wood to our potential enemies. Make no mistake, such treachery will not go unpunished."

Unseen by Lord Thomas, the mans apprentice, a slight young boy, saw the exchange, with wide eyes, he crawled off towards the stables and stole a horse whilst nobody was looking. He set off towards his castle with all haste, to deliver the bad news.

David looked upon a masterpiece, several centuries of technology merged to build a fortress to be reckon'd with. Beneath a deep blue sky the thump of hammers could be heard across the complex, still building. Perfection was a necessity.

David turned his eyes back to his book, and continued to write. He was history, the youngest lord London has ever encountered. David was different to his predecessors, he was ambitious, he wanted to prove himself worthy of this honour.

In the midst of his thoughts, his most elite general approached him

"My lord." he bowed "I have news of the castle of Caerphilly"

"Yes General, what have you heard?" replied David.

"Our man at Caerphilly. He has been caught and tried for Treason"

Davids face dropped, throwing his book on the ground in utter frustration.
"What if he tells Thomas ... about us?"

"Sir, I fear we have no time to lose. When Thomas finds out, he will send out troops. We must make the first strike"

David stood up slowly, "Get all of my advisors to the white tower immediatly ... do you think our offensive troops are ready general?"

The general twitched awkwardly, "they arn't entirely ready, yet ... I feel they can fight"

"Well. Advisors to my tower now, and good work General"

David turned and walked away to his tower, asking for the maids and servants to prepare for a conference.

"Ralph Johnson, you have been accused of treason, namely, the stealing of wood from us and the sale of it to our enemies, how do you plead?"
Ralph stood there, stock still and proud on the outside, but a quivering wreck internaly, in the midnoon sun.

"I plead not guilty to all these charges, everything I've done I did for the best of this castle, I have been loyal to this castle since my first day, and will remain loyal to it until my last"

The evidence was clearly against him and he knew it, but pleading guilty was instant death, whereas this way he might have a day or two left.
Lord Thomas sighed theatrically and beckoned to the man to leave the makeshift stage. As he turned to walk off, Thomas spun round, slashing the mans head off, as it seperated, flying into the crowd, spurting blood everywhere. Thomas sighed again and walked over to a bucket of water, where he spent the next minute washing his sword clean. Finished, then walked back onto the stage.

"Let it be known, this is the punishment for betrayal, the man may have remained silent during our little interrogation, but make no mistake, the enemy will know. I went to his quarters this morning, and found that his apprentice has disappeared, along with Ralph's horse. We are too late to follow him, but we will do all we can. Should it come to war, we will be prepared. In here we are the best defended we can be, any enemy can come and get us, we have no need to leave."
He raised his sword above his head and brought it, point down into the wood platform, where it remained, quivering. His gaze pierced everybody's minds, then he smiled and nodded, as if satisfied. He turned and walked off the stage into his private quarters, flicking his head towards the stage.

The commander of the army nodded and fell to one knee, then got up and headed to the stage.

Duke Aramil of Raglan was pleased as he stepped back from the balcony. He had just given a speech to the army of Raglan, 700 highly-trained pikemen. These men had been practising every day, and had demonstrated that they were a competent fighting force, able to fight in formation, raised their shields to block arrows, and all the other complex maneuvers required of an efficient fighting force to protect Raglan. The additions to the Castle were also going well, two storeys were being added to the Great Tower, and all outer walls were being strengthened, as well as the wall around the town of Raglan. Aramil was roused from his thoughts by a page, dressed in the green-and-silver of Raglan, who entered and bowed. "Your Grace, it has been reported that Caerphilly and London are preparing for war with each other, and confrontation is imminent," he said. Duke Aramil listened intently, and then gazed out the window. this was indeed interesting news. Raglan had been neutral with London, and had ties to Caerphilly in the past. he did not know what he would do with this development yet.

Bump.

Bump.

"Send word to The Tower Of London, they are our closest neighbours and thus a potential and obvious ally, whoever controls London can stand a chance to control the Empire itself. Castle Windsor must ally with The Tower." The Duchess of Windsor's orders rang clear in the rider's head as he took a hand written letter from the Duchess herself.

A horse rode swiftly towards The Tower Of London, bearing the Royal Standard Of The House Of Windsor and a White Flag of Peace, the horse kept riding and riding until it finally reached the gates of the ancient fortress. "I bear a message from Her Royal Highess The Duchess Of Castle Windsor, A Message...of a possible alliance with The Tower Of London."

The two men left the town secretly, under direct orders from the Lord. They had the two fastest horses in the castle, and were putting it to good use. They knew that the apprentice's horse was slow and feeble, and even if it got to where ever it was headed, it would not get there quickly. Following the tracks, they rode down hills and through valleys. The tracks became clearer as they stopped by a waterfall for a break. The horses were breathing heavily, but after a few minutes in the waterfall had almost fully recovered. The men splashed water over their faces and drank greedily through their hands, then remounted the horses and rode back on the trail. Soon the tracks became fresher. The rider was not far ahead. They must be approaching England soon, yet the rider kept going, unaware that he was being followed. They took care to stay out of sight and out of his hearing range, whilst still following him.