The Decorum of Warfare - Zarry - GIOD Sequel

four.

(all dialogue with the French people is supposed to be in French, but I'll save you guys the translations, just letting you know for context)

September 1493, Bordeaux, Aquitaine, Territory of the Kingdom of England

France was now torn in two.

After the Battle of Thouars, Zayn and Harry officially took over Aquitaine and other parts of France that Melisende had written over to them. There haven't been any rebellions as of now but that doesn't mean they won't happen at one point or another.

Instead of making their way back home to England, they went to Bordeaux. Immediately, they arranged some festivities for the people and eventually, they will travel around the most important strongholds in the regions they essentially attached to England. In all of their public appearances, they have only spoken in French and spoke of England as little as they could. It must have helped a little that Zayn mentioned his family being the ruling Lords and Ladies of the land for centuries a few times, and also his own experiences coming to France growing up. They're not complete foreigners after all. This land was once before English, until their ancestors lost it in the hundred years' war.

Melisende's presence would've helped perhaps, but she's stying in Windsor to act as regent while they're in... what they're now calling the French part of England. They're careful about the proclamations they make. It's rather important they let people hang onto their patriotism. Besides, while Melisende would've been an asset in France, they don't trust anyone with the Crown more than her.

The gentry is a bit wary of their presence but they're not completely hostile. They have invited quite a few of them to court at Chateau de Roquetaillade, to show their hospitability. While the court remains quite French in the time-being, the Privy Council members that came down from England are gently nudging them to start implementing some changes soon. It can wait. They didn't conquer the land to rule it, they did it to stop a disaster. England is well of on her own.

Even if it all seems relatively peaceful, the war is far from over. They have spies and informants in the "proper" France and Pierre nor Mathieu have given up. They're plotting and preparing for war. But so are Zayn and Harry.

Their honeymoon some years ago wasn't just for them to relax and have sex all over Europe. They formed alliances. Inconspicuously, over dinner and a pitcher of wine. The first of them has already come in handy as the Medicis graciously provided them with a precautionary loan for the far so they don't deplete the Treasury. But they also had allies on the other side of Europe, in Spain. Now it also happens that they share a border with them.

As two Kingdoms and strongholds for Catholicism, their alliance hasn't been shaken by this futile war. Quite opposite. Catalina and Timoteo offered up some of their military capacity to help them with France. And who would refuse such gesture from a Kingdom as powerful as the newly-united Spain? Not to mention that there have been rumours that Pierre has struck up an alliance with the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation.

In June, Helen came to Bordeaux with their children and the Privy Council members that would help set up the Privy Council in French England. They officially appointed Agnes as the governess of the land, which has been viewed as something a bit controversial considering her Brother is waging a war against England. But Agnes couldn't be further away from Mathieu in character, intelligence and everything, really. While Mathieu is all spitefulness and hatred of Mariota, Agnes has the kindess of her Father and intelligence of her Grandmother. Either way, Mariota has left Bordeaux and now lives on Pierre's court, along with Mathieu. She forced her husband Gamet to come with her too so only Agnes and Clericia remain in Bordeaux.

In the troubling wait for the next battle, all they can do is try to establish their presence in Aquitaine as protection, not oppression.

xxx