Of Kings and Kin

[EDWARD'S POV]

November 10, 1337

I've done it. Finally, a consequential act, a massacre orchestrated by my hand in this world that feels both strange and familiar. Until this moment, my actions were confined to a smaller scale, seldom surpassing a baronial level. Now, I've catalyzed a profound shift in the demographic of an entire nation, thrusting it into the true war. I've played a pivotal role in this mass destruction—over four thousand men, first divided, and then extinguished, crushed by the cannonballs, consumed by the flames, or swallowed by the icy waters. When I close my eyes, all I perceive is an engulfing darkness, pitch black, echoing with the haunting screams of those Frenchmen, those dead Frenchmen.

As I compelled my mind to calm down and started assessing the state of my seamen, all I could sense was a spirit of 'joy.' It was a joy stemming from the massacre we had collectively executed. This event had significantly altered the course of the war, diverting its tides away from France. Walking to the edge of my ship, I gazed out over the sea. This expansive water body is a true leader in its own right. While it continues to sustain life within its depths, it remains unwavering in the face of the countless creatures that met their end under its influence with each passing moment. The sea, a vast expanse, that maintained its calm demeanor through and through.

I sighed. It truly brought a sense of calm to my mind. Everything has undergone a transformation. I must refrain from viewing the world through the lens of the modern era, recognizing that not every immoral act is inherently bad, and conversely, not every seemingly moral act is unequivocally good. That's my perspective for now and I must move forward with it.

Soon, the sands came into view, indicating the proximity of land. Consulting my virtual map, it confirmed our approach to Cromer. A couple of men sprinted towards the town, likely to announce our imminent arrival. It seemed a celebration awaited us upon disembarking. My men, eager to descend and revel in the night, anticipated engaging in typical post-battle activities. Most likely, they would visit a brothel, embellish their tales of battlefield exploits, and attempt to win the favor of the town's most alluring woman for the night. Well, it appeared that some things about men remained unchanged, not matter the era.

As our ships anchored, we found ourselves surrounded by a multitude of people, numbering in the thousands. They eagerly awaited our descent. Baron Seymour stood with a smile on his face, positioned at the forefront, eager to be the first to greet me. As I descended the ladder and set my first foot onto the sand, an immediate chant erupted from the gathered crowd.

"All Hail Edward"

"All Hail Britannia"

Ah, it seems that some individuals eavesdropped my speech to the seamen and spread the news. The concept of a legendary empire has its own allure. I suppose I have a new goal now – to resurrect a mythical realm under the reign of Edward. And they will never discern which Edward. A chuckle escaped me as I contemplated this notion.

Michael Seymour approached me with agile steps, executing a respectful bow. I acknowledged him with a nod, and he straightened up. Now, with him directly in front of me, his stature became apparent. I'd estimate a generous 5'5", which, in this era, might be considered slightly shorter than average but generally acceptable. His lean build was somewhat uncommon for nobles, but the sea has a way of shaping men, a phenomenon I couldn't definitively assert. He must be one of those shaped by the maritime life.

"I can assume that this journey was a success, milord," Michael inquired, a smile adorning his face.

"Yes, Baron. It was. A success," I replied, reciprocating with a feigned smile.

"Then, this calls for a feast," he declared, casting a quick glance to the soldier by his side, who nodded and hastened back toward the town—presumably to arrange for the celebratory feast.

"Well, feeding this many will certainly put a dent in your pockets. I can take up the cost—" I began, but Baron Seymour swiftly interrupted.

"No need, milord. With your grace, we've accumulated enough wealth to feed each of the men in sight ten times over."

Acknowledging the point, I conceded and requested a room to rest. He promptly relayed an order to another soldier, who then gestured for me to follow. As we traversed the more affluent region of the town, where the families of knights resided, I was led to an inn. This establishment, compared to most, exuded an air of opulence. The soldier conveyed instructions to the innkeeper, who immediately began bowing upon my arrival. After assuring him to relax, the innkeeper handed me a key and indicated the room number. Soon, I found myself reclining on the bed, contemplating the events that had transpired.

To dispel those lingering thoughts, I murmured, "Status."

Status:

Name - Edward Plantagenet 

Age - 14

Title - Heir of Norfolk, Baron of Wymondham

Martial - 12

Diplomacy - 10

Intelligence - 29

Reputation - B+

Wealth - £ 180,411

Skills - Appraise (Lv. 10), Financial Literacy(Lv. 8), Oratory(Lv. 7), Alchemy(Lv. 3), Leadership(Lv. 6), Management (Lv. 4), Falconry (Lv. 4), Virtual Map (Lv. 3), Amplify (Lv. 2)

Level - 14 [51/1400]

Spare Points - 6

Shop - 91 Pts

My reputation had surged to the pinnacle of B-tier. In terms of wealth, I was rapidly closing in on my father's financial standing. If our fortunes were combined, it could potentially surpass even the treasury of the crown itself, albeit the crown's coffers were considerably strained by the ongoing intercontinental conflict. Henry of Lancaster, my prospective father-in-law, stood out as one of the few individuals on the island capable of rivaling our amassed wealth. Rumors suggested that he held the distinction of being the wealthiest peer in England. 

As I examined my status screen, I noted significant breakthroughs in my skills. The Appraise skill, which had remained at Level 9 for months, had finally surpassed that barrier. Financial Literacy had experienced a modest level-up, and Oratory had taken a considerable leap. Leadership, too, had made substantial progress, overcoming the Level 5 bottleneck. The newly acquired skills, 'Virtual Map' and 'Amplify,' were also steadily advancing. My 'Falconry' is also at a decent level considering the fact that I've put Zephyr on leave for now. My overall level was inching closer to 15.

Reaching a level of 15 indicated a wealth of experiences worth a lifetime. Typically, individuals at this level were seasoned, with men over the age of 50 commonly attaining such a status. In contrast, an average teenager like myself would typically be at Level 7-8. By the age of 30, people usually reached levels around 12-13, after which leveling up became more challenging. It was worth noting that others remained oblivious to their own levels, as only I possessed the ability to see them.

Observing my spare points, I made a strategic decision to invest all of them into Diplomacy, raising it to 16, recognizing its imminent importance in the upcoming events. Although there was an option to convert spare points into skill levels at a rate of 1 Skill Level = 2 Spare Points, I chose to reserve them for future needs.

With my decision made, I allowed my eyes to close, embracing the darkness as I prepared to face the challenges that awaited me.

—------------

November 15, 1337

Arriving in Norwich two days ago, I engaged Baron Seymour to continue with the construction of additional ships, following the plan I provided. The Baron readily agreed, considering the lucrative nature of shipbuilding for Cromer, sustaining the livelihoods of numerous individuals, including woodcutters, carpenters, blacksmiths, laborers, administrators, sailors, and painters. Disrupting this economic activity abruptly could incur the displeasure of the Baron and the public, both crucial factors in maintaining my image and the trust they have placed in me.

It wasn't long before Osbert notified me of the arrival of 'Gosh' with a letter bearing the seal of the crown. It seems my father informed the king about his falcon and the king opted to use it as a means to contact me.

Curiosity piqued, I unsealed the letter to read its contents:

—-------------

My Dearest Cousin Edward Plantagenet, Regent of Norfolk,

I extend my heartfelt commendations for your exceptional leadership and unwavering courage in the one-sided Naval Battle of Sluys. The reports of your exploits have reached me, and it brings great pride to witness your strategic brilliance in turning the tides of war. Your dedication to the realm is truly commendable.

In light of your triumph, I cordially invite you to London, where we may discuss the path forward and celebrate your successes. Your presence is requested within the next month, allowing ample time for you to conclude matters in Norfolk.

I eagerly await your arrival in the capital to honor your achievements and plan for the future.

With the utmost respect and admiration,

Edward III

King of England and France

—-------------

It seems the king isn't angered by the fact that I led a substantial fleet into enemy territory, decisively defeating them without incurring a single casualty. I believe he recognizes that anyone contributing to the victory in this war is valuable, and he likely doesn't have the luxury of being upset with those who aid in securing success. The ongoing conflict holds the potential to bring extensive lands overseas under his control, and my accomplishments have undoubtedly played a significant role in furthering his cause. Despite my father's probable objections to exposing a child to the battlefield, it appears the king remained steadfast in his decision, prompting him to request my presence through a letter of summons.

As the journey to London is that of two days, I find myself with four weeks to prepare for what lies ahead. With Margaret still present and well-versed in the knowledge required to govern a territory, I have decided to appoint her as the regent in my absence. Over the course of these four weeks, I plan to impart the essential skills of an earl to her, as my next return to Norwich will be most probably brief, primarily focused on gathering men and ships.

Considering the safety of my sisters, I resolve to establish a new household guard to watch over them in my absence. Although I desire to bring Osbert with me to London, the protection of my sisters takes precedence, and he remains one of the few individuals I truly trust in this city, fraught with political machinations.

In addition to these preparations, I must initiate a fresh round of recruitment and possibly enlist the services of some free companies to assemble a new, larger army. Bringing this force with me to London is crucial not only for strategic reasons but also to enhance my reputation within the king's court, where the influence of other prominent subjects looms large.

The moment to navigate the intricacies of court intrigues has arrived, a challenge I must face with tact, strategy, and diplomacy.