Peasant Rebellion

Two weeks ago, King Roland Godwin Fermion III, summoned Will to attend the latest Privy Council.

In a year, Fermion developed rapidly. Villages and towns were rebuilt and repopulated. All the corpses had been buried or burned to ash. Roads and farms were repaired. For a time, things seemed to return to normal. Life seemed normal.

But the reality was different. The plague had changed the power dynamic between peasants and nobles.

The reality was there were not enough peasants.

After the 8-Day Plague swept through Fermion killing over one-third of the population, it created a labor shortage.

During the recovery nobles openly competed against each other to keep and entice peasants to work the fields.

When peasants recognized the power of supply and demand, many peasants began to re-evaluate their worth.

Several lords begrudgingly acquiesced to peasants' demand for higher wages and better working conditions.

However, many lords did not and lobbied the king to pass a law to limit any such wage rise. These lords were called traditionalists. In addition to lobbying against a rise in wages, Traditionalists argued the need for greater revenue to support fiefdoms' recovery.

Six months ago, King Roland Godwin enacted both laws, to the cheers of Traditionalists.

Subsequently, Traditionalists began taxing peasants. Traditionalists levied a tax on every adult, without reference to income or resources.

However, many peasants realized their power and chose to migrants to more progressive lords.

The Peasant Rebellion started in Guidon when nearby farmers rose against the crippling Poll Tax. Peasants were tired of subsistence living and chose to strike against the unfair taxation.

Last year, on the last month of summer a group of the peasants put down their pitchforks and hoses and began to strike outside Guidon.

At first, the city lord and his cronies ignored them thinking the problem would go away.

But each day the striking crowd grew larger and larger.

When the Guidon City Administrator tried to talk the crowd down, they threw him out.

By the end of the first month, the crowd had quintupled in size. Peasants from other Traditionalists fiefdoms joined the strike outside Guidon.

With harvest approaching, the Traditionalists sent their soldiers to re-establish law and order at the beginning of the next month.

But the peasants meted out the same treatment the soldiers gave them. At the end of the first day, the causalities equaled 10. Eight dead farmers and two dead soldiers.

On the third day, the fighting intensified. Reinforcements bolstered both soldiers and farmers. By the middle of the month, 10,000 soldiers fought 12,000 peasants. The causality rate kept increasing on both sides.

Since the peasants weren't trying to seize the city, the soldiers and city guards were not able to use the city walls for defense.

As dissatisfied farmers joined the strike, the peasants decided to march on Yorkshire.

In mass, the peasants overwhelmed the nearby baronies and burned their manors.

Baron Dwight vont Wright barony was the first to fall, along with his head. Baron vont Wright's head was mounted on a pike.

By the third month, all the baronies around Guidon fell. The harvest the City Lord was expecting was used to feed the sieging rebellion.

The three-month siege on an already cripple Guidon was more than the city guard could afford. The starving city guards agreed to open the gates for amnesty and food.

With Guidon's gates open, the peasant quickly seized control of the city.

Unable to flee, City Lord Timothy vont Alms and his oldest son were decapitated. Their heads were hung outside the city gates in celebration.

When word spread Guidon had fallen, villagers from all corners of the Fermion decided to march on Yorkshire to plead their case for a better deal before their young king.

Most peasants did not blame King Roland Godwin for their problems, but his archaic advisers and corrupt officials.

With 30,000 people, the peasants set off for Yorkshire. As they marched north, they ransacked noble manors and decapitated every Traditionalist family.

By the last month of the year more than 60,000 people marched on Yorkshire.

The mild winter weather encouraged people to join the revolt.

As the peasants moved on to Yorkshire, other peasants waved them through heroically. Too many peasants, the rebels were freedom fighters!

The rebellion came to Yorkshire, the first month of the year.

In response to the rebellion, Marshall vont Smith stationed a brigade soldiers inside Yorkshire. Additionally, King Roland Godwin declared martial law in Yorkshire.

With neither party attacking the other, King Roland planned looked to cool the rebellion.

Yet even he was caught off guard when the peasants seized the farmers outside Yorkshire.

As both sides set out the winter months, with spring and planting season approaching the kingdom had to put an end Peasant Rebellion.

In an attempt to prevent further trouble, the king agreed to meet the peasant leader, Tyler.

This brings us to the present.

In the Privy Council, King Roland Godwin sought resolution.

"Dear cousin, thank you for joining me again," Roland said graciously.

"Quickly, everyone tell me your recommendations?" King Roland asked angrily.

"You should give in to their demand. Allow lords to raise peasant wages and openly compete amongst themselves for capable retainers," Dean Trevor vont Lawrence.

"You would have the king lower himself to the rabble. The power of the throne would lessen," said an adviser. The king's power must be seen as absolute!" the adviser reprimanded the Dean.

"You old coot! It's your fault we're in this mess! What do you propose? Murder them all? The peasant outnumbers nobles. Even the soldiers are peasants, would you have them kill their family members," Dean Trevor vont Lawrence vehemently retorted.

"Marshall vont Smith, what is your council?" King Roland asked.

"My responsibility is to protect this kingdom, your majesty. As a soldier I'll fight any enemy you tell me to. But there is no honor in killing civilians," the marshal counseled.

"The rest of you adviser, what say you?" the king questioned.

"Your majesty considers this, if nobles are forced to pay peasants, the world we live in shall change forever. Ask yourself if you're ready to transition the kingdom into a new unknown era?" asked Adviser Chen, the old grey-bearded adviser.

"Cousin council me, I need your advice. Your advice has never failed me yet," King Roland said worriedly.

"Your majesty, Dean Trevor vont Lawrence council is wise, end serfdom. People should be paid for their labor. That's how mercantilism has always worked in this kingdom.

Tell the lords to run their fiefdoms like a business. Pay your workers and sell your products. End feudalism and progress to mercantilism.

This is your opportunity your majesty to fundamentally change Fermion for the better," Will encouraged.

"Mercantilism? Your majesty what a bold initiative. I agree with Viscount vont Ballard," Trevor vont Lawrence said excitingly.

"You are a fool, if you listen to this merchant! End Feudalism? That's all we've ever known," said an adviser.

"Consider your reputation your majesty. The people are afraid of the unknown. The nobility would revolt!" said another adviser.

"How could the nobles revolt? Their peasant would kill them first. Fear is a hindrance to progress. Old friends, our generation is behind us now. This is the time for the younger generation to shine," said Adviser Chen.

"You all are mistaken! The nobles will plot against us?" one of the advisers warned.

"Marshall vont Smith, have I ever been afraid of a fight?" King Roland asked feeling more confident.

"No, your majesty!" the marshal said resolutely.

"Your majesty, you're making a mistake!" said the other adviser grabbing the king's robe.

Marshall vont Smith drew his sword causing the old man to remove his hand quickly.

"Your majesty, may I know your orders," Marshall vont Smith said.

"Excepted for Adviser vont Chen, hang the other two advisers heads over the front gates. They're the ones that got us into this mess in the first place. Then bring Tyler into the throne room," King Roland Godwin said standing from his chair.

"Your wish is my command," Marshall vont Smith said directing two palace guards to drag the men to the executioner.

"Bryson, I declare that nobles are allowed to raise peasants' wages at their leisure, and an end to serfdom," King Roland decreed

"Yes, your majesty!" Bryson bowed and left the room.

"Will, Trevor, follow me into the throne room. Will, stand to my right, Trevor, to my left. Adviser vont Chen you are feel to go," King Roland ordered.

A short while later, in the throne room, King Roland heard the cheers as the heads were hoisted outside the castle gates.

Loud cheers and applause rose from the Ramble Quarter.

"Long Live the King," rang out across Yorkshire.

King Roland smiled listening to cheers outside.

Twenty minutes later, Tyler was led into the throne room and at once kowtowed to the king.

Tyler entered wearing his farmer's clothing. Although the outfit looked recently washed, the clothes looked dirty and travel-worn.

Even though he looked to be Will's age, his brown hair and several white hairs mixed in. His shoulders were broad, his hands had callouses, and his white skin was overly tan.

Will looked at him and wondered if he reincarnated as a commoner instead of a noble would he look like him.

As if Tyler knew what Will was thinking, the two men locked eyes. Upon recognizing Will, Tyler did his best to hide his admiration.

The two men stared in mutual respect of the other. It was the respect Tyler had sought his whole life from a noble. At that, moment his dream had come true.

Tyler's admiration for Will was not lost on the king or Dean vont Lawrence. They knew commoners idolized him.

"Welcome Tyler, leader of the Peasant Rebellion. I commend you on your efforts. No doubt you've heard by now, I decreed your demand just. Peasants' wages shall be determined by their employer, and serfdom has been outlawed," King Roland said releasing his Journeyman aura.

When Tyler felt the king's aura, it made him fearful.

"Y-y-your m-m-majesty t-thank y-you!" Tyler managed to say before King Roland removed his aura.

"Are you satisfied? Do you have anything you'd like to say?" King Roland asked.

"No, your majesty. It's an honor to lay my eyes upon the king. Being in your presence is treasure enough.

I speak on behalf of the kingdom's peasants when I say thank you for supporting us," Tyler kowtowed again.

"Very well, if there's nothing left to say. You are dismissed. And I want the rebels outside the castle diapered in two days," King Roland commanded.

"This humble peasant shall comply, but…" Tyler said.

"Oh, you have something to say. You may speak freely," the king said encouragingly.

"May I say something to Viscount vont Ballard?" Tyler asked nervously.

"Are you a fan of his?" King Roland teased Will. He knew the peasantry admired him.

"Yes, he is an idol to every peasant," Tyler said.

"Tyler how may I help you?" Will asked.

"I want to apply to Valley A&M Academy, Agriculture College. I and others want to know if our involvement in the rebellion shall prohibit us from applying," Tyler asked.

"Tyler, that's a good question. But only his majesty can decide your fate," Will replied truthfully.

"Send for the Royal Stewart," the King commanded to another steward.

"Tyler, if the rebels disperse in 48-hours, I'll allow it. I expect the next months to be peaceful. Starting today, any peasant in violation of shall receive just punishment. Bryson, did you hear what I said?" King Roland asked.

"Yes, the criers shall be task announce your proclamation tonight," Bryson bowed and left.

And with that, King Roland left the throne room and walked to his study with Will and the Dean.

Sitting down behind his desk, he stared at Will and Trevor, then he pointed at them.

"You two shall help me write the book on Mercantilism. This book shall define my philosophy on political economy," King Roland said pensively.

Will was stunned. What a monumental undertaking for a new king.

"I'll also ask Cardinal vont Clermont to send a disciple to provide me with moral advice. Now let's get to work," King Roland said cheerfully.