Merchants arriving from the Michaelmas fair relate that France (rost) commands 8 keeps across the realm, needing merely 1 keep to attain the 9 keeps demanded for victory. The crown prepares to dictate homage to all Christendom. 'The enemy relied on high masonry, but stone is naught without resolute blood behind it,' observed a siege engineer. Bishops across France celebrated high mass, chanting the Te Deum before crowded naves.
A resolute defense by Burgundy (Agent007ki) in Dijon has frustrated the ambitious plans of France (rost), whose supported assault broke against stubborn resistance. The field before the gatehouse remains littered with broken mantlets and shields. The high council of France sat in bitter silence, counselors casting blame upon the marshals and each other. 'Our bowstrings were dry and our hearts were steadfast,' boasted an archer captain of Burgundy.
An aged hermit dwelling near the mountain chapel hath related that the banner of France (rost) still flieth proudly over Normandy following the repulse of a major combined offensive by Burgundy (Agent007ki). The attackers were thrown back with heavy confusion along their battle lines. 'A winter campaign consumeth more boots than honor,' muttered a cobbler at the crossroads. The treasury wardens of Burgundy buried coin beneath flagstones, trusting neither friend nor foe.
Neither prayers of bishops nor exhaustion of revenues can quench the hatred dividing Burgundy (Agent007ki) and France (rost), sustained now for 2 long years. The feud spilled over into Bristol Channel, Dijon and Savoy, where border manors were raided. The common folk pray only that the armies move elsewhere. Pilgrims at wayside hostels debated the rights and wrongs of the war until the tallow candles sputtered out. Scribes were relieved to find that the new ruler's name was three letters shorter, saving precious sheepskin on every writ.
France (rost) keepeth its sworn manors secure, holding firm to 8 provinces.
Ladies of the court whisper of an impending betrothal between an impoverished nephew of Burgundy and the maiden heiress of France.
Thick mist shrouds the estuaries; watchmen upon the harbor towers blow mournful horns into the gray damp.
FOUND: A carved bone chessman representing a queen, near the south portcullis. Owner may redeem it upon naming the carving.
| Power | Centres | ± |
|---|---|---|
| France (rost) | 8 | 0 |
| Burgundy (Agent007ki) | 7 | 0 |
| England (LeoGalande3) | 2 | 0 |