Written by Guy, Sat Sep 5 3:42:37 US/Pacific 1998
Prologue
Richard Plantagenet is revered as one of the great warrior Kings of England. This is due to the fact that of his reign from 1189-1199, he spent a total of six months in England. This aside, Richard I was best known for his bravery which earned him the nickname "The Lionheart".
Richard came into the world on September 8 in the year of our Lord 1157.
In 1183, Richard's brother, Henry, died leaving Richard as the heir to the English throne. During the same year, Richard learned the tragic loss at Hattim, where the crusaders had lost Jerusalem to the Saracen leader Saladin. Richard took upon the cross of the crusaders, much against his father's approval.
In 1189, upon the death of Henry II, Richard was crowned King of England in Westminister Abbey in London. One of his first acctions was to raise funds for his crusade later to be called The Third Crusade.
Soon, in response to the please of the Templars and other valiantly holding against the Saracens in the Holy Land, France joined Richard's army. Despite the fact that King Philip II of France knew Richard could be vain and cruel, he acknowledged that the souvereign of England had unrivalled style and charm, as well as the gift of command.
However, the Emperor of Germany, Frederick I (Barbarossa), jealous of Richard, refused to take part in the crusade. Therefore, he ordered his knights to remain still. Secretly, Frederick I organised his own Crusade, which did not set out until May 1189 (shortly after the troops of Philip and Richard left Europe).
Despite the Emperor's demands, some German Noblemen regarded the crusade as a holy mission and joined Richard's armies. Among those brave knights was Ulrich Wilhelm Von Quirnheim.
Quirnheim, 1189
Winter was the worst time of the year in Bavaria. Snow was falling heavily as the young knight rode his black horse. The name of the young man was Heinz Moelthe. He wore a silver armour, given to him by his father, with a long blue cap. Although the knight was extremely tired, he couldn't rest. He had to reach his destination as soon as possible. Because of the bad weather, he encountered some problems during his journey. However, despite the delay, he expected to arrive to Quirnheim shortly. The young man had never been to the Bavarian village before, but like all his compatriots, he had heard stories and legends about the wisdom and the courage of the House of Quirnheim. Heinz was looking forward to meeting the Count. He had seen him once at the Emperor's palace and admired him ever since. That day, the Count challenged the German Souvereign, refusing to arrest the English ambassador, Lord Brighton. His courage and force of character were simply remarkable.
The knight now rode on and between the great, beautiful trees, which grew on each side of the road. He had never seen such trees: they were so grand and stately, and their branches grew so low down on their huge trunks. The white snow covering the trees made them look nobler than ever. He did not know by then that the Quirnheim castle was one of the most beautiful in all Bavaria. Heinz felt a great pleasure in the beauty that surrounded him. He liked the perfect stillness, which rested on everything.
By sunset, Heinz reached the village. While it appeared so picturesque when it was seen from the distance, the knight was astonished to find idleness, poverty and ignorance where there should have been comfort and happiness. As he looked at the squalid, uncared-for children growing up in the midst and vice and brutal indifference, he thought of the Count's family spending their days in their manor, served like princes and knowing nothing than luxury, ease and beauty. Heinz tried to put these thoughts aside, while keeping on riding. It was no longer after this than he saw the castle. It rose up before him stately, beautiful and grey. The last rays of the sun casting dazzling light on its many windows. It had turrets, battlements and towers; a great deal of ivy upon its walls.
-"It's the most marvellous place I've ever seen", the knight remarked, his face flushing with pleasure. "It reminds me one of a king's palace."
He saw the great entrance-door thrown open and many guards in two lines looking at him, and wondered why they were standing there. At the head of the line of guards stood an elderly man in a rich white tunic. He had grey hair and wore a cap. Heinz thought from his look in his eyes that he was going to speak to him.
-"Behold young man", the man simply said, "you are not welcome here. This is the Count's land and no visitors are expected this evening."
-"Pardon me sir, I was sent by the German Emperor, Frederick I himself. I have an important message that the Count Ulrich Wilhelm Von Quirnheim must receive."
The man's old face looked suspicious and unkind.
-"Very well", he said, "give me the message and I'll give it to the Count right away."
-"Once again, pardon my insistence, but I was requested to deliver the message in person. Those were the Emperor's orders."
It seemed to Heinz for a moment, as if there was great anger and hate in the old man's eyes.
-"I should know the Emperor's wisdom anywhere", he finally replied sarcastically. "What is your name?"
-"Heinz Moelthe from Vertzig, sir. It is a small town in the western country."
-"Well, please follow me. Let me show you the way to his Excellency's quarters."
The elderly man said a few words to one of the guards in a low voice, who had entered the huge castle, and the instructed the rest of the armed men to take Heinz's horse to the stable.
*
A few minutes later, the old man, who had escorted Heinz to the Count's room, opened it and announced in a quite voice: "Sir Heinz Moelthe from Vertzig, your Excellency." Heinz crossed the threshold into the room. It was a very large and splendid room, with massive furniture in it. The draperies were so heavy, furniture so dark, the diamond-paned windows were so deep, and it seemed such a distance from one end of ot to the other, that since the sun had gone down, the effect of it all was rather gloomy. For a moment, the knight thought there was nobody in the room, but soon he saw that by the fire burning on the wide hearth there was a large chair, and that in the chair someone was sitting- someone who did not at first turned to look at him. On the floor, by the armchair, lay a dog, with body and limbs almost as big as a lion's. Then the person spoke.
-"Do not stand still by the threshold like a fool. Come in." Then he turned to the old man who had escorted the knight. "Kurt, please leave us alone."
-"Yes, your Excellency", the elderly man simply replied. He bowed respectfully and left the room.
The Count lokked up, with his hand on the big dog's neck. What Heinz saw was a handsome man with dark hair and eyebrows and a nose like an eagle's beak between his deep fierce eyes.
-"My guard has just informed me that you carry a message from the German Emperor."
-"Yes, your Excellency."
-"I hope you are very well, I believe you have travelled a long way."
-"Indeed, your Excellency", the knight nodded, "I have travelled all the way from Vertzig, which is a small town located in the western aprt of the country."
-"I know where Vetzig is young man", the Count smiled. "What were you doing there?"
-"I was part of the Emperor's private garrison."
-"The German Emperor is presently in Vertzig?"
-"Yes", answered Heintz, "since the end of the summer. He is sojourning in his grandfather's castle."
-"Of course, the well-known fortress of Vertzig", the Count remarked. "So, what is the message that you had been asked to deliver? Have a seat."
-"Thank you, your Excellency."
There was a chair, and he sat down on it. It was a high-backed, rather tall chair, but it seemed to be quite comfortable as he sat there and regarded his august counterpart intently and modestly.
-"I was asked to deliver the message as soon as possible. It is not a written one, since his Highness didn't wish me to be caught and the content of the message to be revealed."
-"Oh", the Count exclaimed, "this must be a message of high importance, pray go on."
-"It is, your Excellency", Heinz continued, "and the matter is rather urgent. As you know King Richard I of England is raising funds for a new crusade."
-"Of course", Ulrich nodded, "it is a noble task. Jerusalem must be liberated from Saladin's hands. Philip II of France will stand beside Richard in this fight. I presume his Highness has decided to join the crusade as well. After all, he took the cross publicly in March 1188. As a Christian Knight, I fully support his actions."
-"Well", Heintz stuttered, "I am afraid that it is not the case. Our beloved Emperor, Frederick I, secrectly met his Gracen the Duke Leopold of Austria. Both had agreed that neither Germany nor Austria would join the crusade. They do not trust Richard I and believe his motives are as obscured as confused. According to their spies, the King of England wishes to gain material benefits from the expedition and to be crowned King of Jerusalem."
As the Count didn't react, Heintz continued.
-"The Emperor requires full support from Bavaria. As one of his most loyal Knights, he urges you to persuade the members of the Bavarian High Council not to join the crusade.
Ulrich clutched the arms of his chair with both hands until the veins stood upon them; the vein stood out of his forehead too; his fierce face was almost livid.
-"What do you mean!" He cried out. "You are mad! Whose lies is this?"
-"It is nothing but the truth", the knight mumbled, "the Emperor himself told me so."
The Count sprang up from his chair and began to walk up and down the room.
-"Ha!" Ulrich ejaculated, "I should refuse to believe a word of it. This crusade is a sacred mission. We have to conquer the Holy Land. We are all noble Christian citizens in Bavaria, worshiping God and believing in His word. I can hardly believe that his Highness would not like to take part in it."
-"Once again, your Excellency, I must insist on the authenticity of the message. By disobeying it, you are disobeying the Emperor's orders."
The veins on the Count's forehead stood out like purple cords. Something else stood out upon it too- cold drops of moisture. He took out his handkerchief and swept them away.
-"And now his Highness would like me to persuade my fellow friends to follow his misguided decision?"
-"Yes, your Excellency", the knight nodded, these are the Emperor's demands."
Fierce and terrible words poured forth from the Count's lips. His rage, hatred and cruel disappointment shook him as a storm shakes a tree. He examined the fireplace, as taking the matter into consideration.
-"Young man", Ulrich finally said, "Has the Emperor sent any other messenger to Bavaria?"
-"No, your Excellency", the knight answered. "His Royal Highness asked me to deliver the message to you. Your Grace is the first one to be informed of this urgent matter."
-"I see", the Count simply replied. Then he approached the room's door and called on the old man. He said something in a low voice to him and the elderly man left the room. Shortly afterwards, he came back, followed by several guards.
-"Kurt", the Count ordered the old man, "arrest this messenger at once. He is a villain and a traitor."
Fear gained the knight.
-"But your Excellency, I am the Emperor's messenger. I am carrying his words. You can not arrest me and judge me."
-"I will not judge you", Ulrich remarked. "Nobody will ever find your body. You will be reported missing. As you know, winter in Bavaria is hard and painful. Many travellers die on the roads, from hunger or exposure. Sometimes, wolves or other wild animals attack them. You will be just another victim."
Facing would-be death, the knight fell on his knees, imploring clemency.
-"I am begging your Excellency, spare my life. I have a wife and two children."
-"I am sorry young man, but there is much at stake. As soon as my guards get rid of you, I will call on the Bavarian High Council and will persuade them to join the crusade. The Emperor will not have much time to react. When his Highness hears about our decision, our army will be far away. As for you, they will all think you failed miserably, without being able to deliver your Emperor's message."
The Count ceased speaking and waved his hand. The guards bowed and took the poor knight with them.
-"Kurt?", Ulrich called his servant.
-"Yes, your Excellency?"
-"No messenger has ever arrived to Quirnheim tonight. Do I make myself clear?"
-"Of course, you Excellency."
Saying that, the servant bowned once again and left the room. The Count sat on his chair, put his hand on his beloved dog and closed his eyes.
If you have any comments, you can email Guy at guy.galazka@skynet.be.
In the meantime, return to the main Fan Fiction page...