Red lion: hell let loose

A former king emerges

It had been five years since Alfred lionheart had abandoned his Thrown and nation for the isle of the lyre. He had a large estate in the middle of the green country. It was a sprawling farm which had many fields and crops. Life was good and he was wealthy, doing too good and far too wealthy to care much about retaking the thrown and joining the great game of "Nation state!".  Every day his faithful and ever hopeful companion duart would give an inquisitive, "my liege, sir, we've been away for years now. It must be perfectly safe to re-emerge and for you to begin some type of political ambition!". "Duart, we have made a vast fortune here! And have far fewer worries than as king or worse yet, escaped deposed ruler!" He made a gesture of exaggeration, "some days I do dream of one day holding power again but for the time being, we have a home and fortune." Duart looked on, "sir, could we maybe at least reach out to the old marshals or make it known who exactly you are. I've been your aide de camp and your faithful adjutant for almost 15 years now, I should like to have some more duties than the garden." The wealthy farmer looked on, "perhaps if sir lotell would make the journey I'd be willing to emerge again.".

Alfred was tending to the flowers one morning when Duart arrived with a letter, "sir! Lotell has sent his regards! He has booked passage on the next ship to the isle. He expresses his gratitude you made it out alive.". Alfred looked on, "I am pleased my greatest marshal is apt to visit us here." John (Duart) had a slight air of confusion about him, "sir, I must ask, you seem to be disconnected from the idea of returning to the light. You are disconnected from even seeing your best marshal." The humble land owner looked on, "I indulge you in this because you have served me well and even passed the time of my absolute power. If it were up to me I'd remain in complete and utter isolation here forgotten to history. I've served my part in the grand story and now this, is my lot in life. John, if you seek some glory you may find your path to it but I'd prefer to remain forgotten." John looked, "I respect your opinion sir but, you are far from forgotten. The republic is a shambles, if you'd read the news you'd know near weekly rebellions break out in the cities." Alfred interrupted, "I assume my old marshals now put down rebellions of their own countrymen?" John took a second, "perhaps, I'm not fully certain." Alfred quickly interrupted, "John, you and I both know nothing of consequence happened to those marshals otherwise, lotell never would've be able to reply. They are obviously leading armies against the countrymen." This had put an end to the conversation.

Days later lotell arrived and was more than happy to provide news of all the going's on.

"My liege, you could take them with a battalion of men! The republic is in shambles! Me and the other marshals have been placed on desk duty. Only the old dukes have command of the armies!" He slammed his fist on the table. "William, William, please calm yourself. I'm touched you think I'd be welcome and that I'd bring stability to the nation but I am settled here and am just pleased that someone from those days has been able to visit." Lotell looked on in disbelief, "my liege! I thought you had nothing but undying love for your nation?" Alfred looked in disgust, "I do have love for my former nation! You dare say otherwise! If you're so wise to know how she may be saved why have you not taken the steps to ensure this! A coup d'tat should be a fitting end and you could give yourself or some other general power, at least until you have been able to draft a true constitution." He forced himself up from the table. "All you People seem to want is for me to make some type of glorious return to carnbell to reclaim the thrown! John, you've continually insinuated I should just arrive in the twin cities and just claim myself king again! William, you say I should bring a battalion and do the same! But to both of you, who would I even lead! What army would I have or could I take with me!" He walked over to the study, "before I hear another whisper of war or usurpation I must have you both work out the plan and despite my best wishes and better judgments I may decide to once again sail to carnbell and reclaim the thrown." He poured himself a glass of Madeira and sat down. "Well sir, if you really feel that way me and marshal lotell will take our leave and return when we have a plan." John walked towards the dining hall along with lotell. For a number of hours the former king sat read and waited. Ideas and visions did fill his head, it had been a while since he had lead troops and maybe once he had stabilized carnbell he could once again return to a life of peace. Just as he was getting ready to go to bed for the night the two men reappeared. "We have devised a plan." He turned and replied, "well, a most opportune time to state such a proposition" he said with his old wit. "I have very high placed friends here my liege and they would be more than happy to furnish you an army and more importantly a navy for which to transport, support and, supply the invasion. Once on the shore you would have an army and plenty more people would be more than willing to volunteer to fight by your side again!" Lotell looked on, "what power am I to have here for command of such a force?" Alfred asked with concern, "that would have to be discussed amongst the four of us." Said lotell, "most opportune would be being given silent control of the government. I must be sure that I have the ability to have absolute command of the nation and her resources so I cannot be betrayed should I require more men than granted to me." Lotell looked on with pleasure, "that can be most assuredly guaranteed my liege!" John, having really only whitnessed and overheard the conversation then chimes in, "so it is decided? You will raise your army and lead a fight to reclaim carnbell?" Alfred came back sharp, "I do long for the thrill of battle once again, however, this reclamation of power is merely to be temporary until I can ensure my great nation is stable and not to reclaim the thrown forever.!" Both John and lotell stared blankly, "sir, I may be so inclined to ask. What has spurned this sudden willingness and lack of willingness to fight this war?" There was nothing but the crackling of the fire and the deafening silence of the former ruler. "It's getting late John, we should take our leave of the king for the night. We can always discuss matters of state in the morning." This had put an end to the nights talks.

Two weeks later, visitors, dignitaries were expected at the residence for the first time.

"Sir, our esteemed guests have arrived." John was more than happy. Government officials were coming to the mansion to discuss the affairs of state. "I'll be present in just a few minutes, have lotell ready to make formal introductions. If they wish to have notes made I'll expect you, as aide de camp, to take these notes." Came the voice from the upstairs private study. "As you wish Sir." Was calm but excited reply. The two cavalry guardsmen escorted the several members of the government towards the house. On the road was the rest of the 1st house guards with two companies mounted and two acting as light guards. Their bright green and black uniforms were very distinct and at first glance Alfred was struck with visions of the grand battles that he would fight, lines of musketeers unleashing volleys into opposing lines the cannon as they pummeled the earth and punched holes in the lines of both armies and not to mention sweeping cavalry charges a modern take on the chivalrous knights of old. "Greetings gentlemen, I'm pleased you were willing to attend this property for such... shall we say... interesting affairs." He had no idea but he was in fact talking to the king of lyre, Seamus the third. "The pleasure is all ours sir, I think of this less as 'affairs' and more as making an alliance between our two nations." As he finished lotell walked in, wearing his full royalist uniform, "my liege my I introduce his majesty Seamus the third of lyre! Your majesty this is my dear friend and former ruler of carnbell king Alfred lionheart the first." Alfred was not short to interrupt, "I'm pleased to meet you and it's former king, I've only been persuaded to have these discussions as my once great nation is a mess and needs to be made straight again. As of late I've been rather happy living a life of obscurity and leisure here."

   The two rulers bowed and shook hands, "the pleasure is ours, had i known such a man of legend was among us here I could've furnished you much better. The entire royal court here had been trying to figure out what had actually happened to you, or more so where you have gone. We knew you weren't dead, the republic would've made a true spectacle of the execution." Alfred brought a reply, "well yes, I knew they wouldn't give me much in the way of a retirement. So I fled. And I've been happily retired since but given the strife of my countrymen I feel I must do this." They walked towards the dinner hall and began to take their seats, "how many men would you say you'll need?" Asked the minister or war, "well dispute having been told a battalion would do that will not be sufficient. Given the situation and your, shall we say 'history' with the carnbell Republicans I think we can make a deal. Guaranteed sovereignty free of harassment in exchange for the use of all your army and naval forces." The minister and king looked back, "this is simply too much a false promise I cannot in good conscience decree to my forces go to war..." the minister was stopped short, "shut up halec!" Said the king, "they wouldn't be fighting for someone else, they'd be fighting for national sovereignty! I say it's a done deal." Alfred looked back, "pleased you are in agreement! Now if we can talk numbers, I'm not asking for the largest force in the world but I am not asking for a few measly units. I need an army. Plain and simple no less than 12,000 troops these can be staggered over a few months but my simple plan involves what I have dubbed the 'the small war'. We land in and around the 'twin cities' then cut a path avoiding major conflict with the republican forces until we are right in front of the government quarter. Then we can resolve for a major battle having avoided the major forces until we mop up the leftover troops and reserves." The king stood up, "simply marvelous! It is a deal, my Royal Navy and Royal armed forces are yours. I'm addition I will raise a further 20,000 reinforcements for you on top of the supplies." The two men shook hands, "then it is set. You shall meet your personal command in two weeks time at hampstead castle!!" The two men walked towards the mansion doors. The war was about to begin.