Cap Ologist
07-09-2008, 11:41 PM
The house stood watch over the slight valley. As the sun descended, the darkness advanced to claim dominion again. Inside, the nervous couple began their ascent to their chamber, to become one.
Their marriage had been arranged out of folly and spite. The young Count Sigvard had heard of the beauty of the Jimenez women, and in a show of braggadocio, he had sent forth his servant to ask for the hand of the Sancha, a member of the royal class near the Mediterranean. As it happened, Sancha and her brother, the King of Aragon were in the midst of one of their frequent spats. Her hand was asked for, the King was feeling petty, and agreed.
And so, after a long journey, she arrived on December 29, 1066, and Sigvard of Kalmar was waiting nervously.
"Welcome to Kalmar Lan."
"Thank you," she replied, looking around at the modest house and estate. It was quite different from what she had known all her life. With a longing glance over her shoulder at the departing procession, she turned, determined to make the best of her new life.
Their first evening together was more nervous than magical. Awkward conversations and awkward pauses, followed by an awkward ascent to their chamber. Awkward embraces and caresses soon followed.
As the sun rose the next day to reclaim the territory seized by the night, they stirred in their bed. The years that followed would see them grow in affection towards each other. In February of '67, Sancha told Sigvard she was expecting, and Ragnifrid, a daughter, was born that fall. Another daughter would come in January of '69.
Life was good for Sigvard. He had a loving wife and two beautiful daughters. Sigvard was the rare man, a man born knowing he was destined for great things. And though, he would always claim that marrying Sancha was his greatest accomplishment, he knew there were other things waiting for him.
Sigvard sent out his scouts in January of 1070, looking for more territory to acquire. In May, they returned with reports that the land to the north and west was under the protection of the King of Sweden and King of Denmark. But all was not bleak, for they brought word of a pagan tribe across the Baltic Sea that had great fortunes.
Preparations were made for the first military conquest. By June, his army was ready, although army was a very generous description for a single brigade. The men were young and energetic, but greatly inexperienced. The trip across the Baltic was mercifully easy, and within a few months they had landed on the beach of what would become known as Sambia.
The Tribe of Pruthenians were no stranger to war, and their forces quickly assembled to repel these invaders. Sigvard and his marshal, Inge Tre Sjoblad rode out to meet the Pruthenian delegation. The Pruthenians demands were simple, leave and live, stay and die.
Sigvard never blinked, he never wavered, he calmly stated, "I am here with my 2nd Brigade, my 1st Brigade is on it's way here from an excursion to the northlands. Their weapons will be thirsty for your blood, their loins thirsty for the choicest of your women. You may tell your Chief that I am Sigvard, Count of Kalmar. My destiny has brought me here, and my destiny will carry me forward. My 2nd brigade will show you the fury of their sword at dawn tomorrow. Tell your Chief to make love to his women tonight, for tomorrow is the beginning of the end of his destiny."
The parlay over, Inge and Sigvard rode back to their lines. "2nd brigade, huh?" Inge asked.
"Never let the enemy know he has you beat," Sigvard countered. "The slightest amount of doubt we can create may be just enough."
The next day, Sigvard gave orders to his officers, the brigade was gathered and they began the long march across the field. The battle was furious, and if his army had been more experienced, they would have most likely routed the Pruthenians.
But the Pruthenians had been warriors for generations, and they were in no mood to go quickly. Sigvard and his forces surrounded the city and the siege began. Word reached Sigvard in 1071 that a third daughter had been born in his absence, Ingegerd.
The blessing of another daughter was stifled by the knowledge that he still had no male heir to carry on whatever his destiny would bring his way. The first victorious siege by what was now known as the 2nd Brigade would end in January of 1072. The Pruthenians were vanquished, and the holdings of the count had doubled, but at no small price. Sigvard was faced with a war debt of 180 florins.
To make matters worse, the settlers of Sambia were revolting against the new regime, destroying the profitability that Sigvard had been counting on.
Sigvard returned home, determined to improve the economy of his holdings. There was also the business of producing an heir. Sancha became pregnant, and in 1074, destiny smiled on him, and Johan, the son he had been wanting was born.
The war debt was another matter, due to the constant revolts in Sambia, it would be 1078 before he would be debt free and the revolts in Sambia finally ended.
The years of paying off his creditors had not been completely wasted, for Sigvar had kept his scouts out in the field, searching for the next chapter of his destiny.
Their marriage had been arranged out of folly and spite. The young Count Sigvard had heard of the beauty of the Jimenez women, and in a show of braggadocio, he had sent forth his servant to ask for the hand of the Sancha, a member of the royal class near the Mediterranean. As it happened, Sancha and her brother, the King of Aragon were in the midst of one of their frequent spats. Her hand was asked for, the King was feeling petty, and agreed.
And so, after a long journey, she arrived on December 29, 1066, and Sigvard of Kalmar was waiting nervously.
"Welcome to Kalmar Lan."
"Thank you," she replied, looking around at the modest house and estate. It was quite different from what she had known all her life. With a longing glance over her shoulder at the departing procession, she turned, determined to make the best of her new life.
Their first evening together was more nervous than magical. Awkward conversations and awkward pauses, followed by an awkward ascent to their chamber. Awkward embraces and caresses soon followed.
As the sun rose the next day to reclaim the territory seized by the night, they stirred in their bed. The years that followed would see them grow in affection towards each other. In February of '67, Sancha told Sigvard she was expecting, and Ragnifrid, a daughter, was born that fall. Another daughter would come in January of '69.
Life was good for Sigvard. He had a loving wife and two beautiful daughters. Sigvard was the rare man, a man born knowing he was destined for great things. And though, he would always claim that marrying Sancha was his greatest accomplishment, he knew there were other things waiting for him.
Sigvard sent out his scouts in January of 1070, looking for more territory to acquire. In May, they returned with reports that the land to the north and west was under the protection of the King of Sweden and King of Denmark. But all was not bleak, for they brought word of a pagan tribe across the Baltic Sea that had great fortunes.
Preparations were made for the first military conquest. By June, his army was ready, although army was a very generous description for a single brigade. The men were young and energetic, but greatly inexperienced. The trip across the Baltic was mercifully easy, and within a few months they had landed on the beach of what would become known as Sambia.
The Tribe of Pruthenians were no stranger to war, and their forces quickly assembled to repel these invaders. Sigvard and his marshal, Inge Tre Sjoblad rode out to meet the Pruthenian delegation. The Pruthenians demands were simple, leave and live, stay and die.
Sigvard never blinked, he never wavered, he calmly stated, "I am here with my 2nd Brigade, my 1st Brigade is on it's way here from an excursion to the northlands. Their weapons will be thirsty for your blood, their loins thirsty for the choicest of your women. You may tell your Chief that I am Sigvard, Count of Kalmar. My destiny has brought me here, and my destiny will carry me forward. My 2nd brigade will show you the fury of their sword at dawn tomorrow. Tell your Chief to make love to his women tonight, for tomorrow is the beginning of the end of his destiny."
The parlay over, Inge and Sigvard rode back to their lines. "2nd brigade, huh?" Inge asked.
"Never let the enemy know he has you beat," Sigvard countered. "The slightest amount of doubt we can create may be just enough."
The next day, Sigvard gave orders to his officers, the brigade was gathered and they began the long march across the field. The battle was furious, and if his army had been more experienced, they would have most likely routed the Pruthenians.
But the Pruthenians had been warriors for generations, and they were in no mood to go quickly. Sigvard and his forces surrounded the city and the siege began. Word reached Sigvard in 1071 that a third daughter had been born in his absence, Ingegerd.
The blessing of another daughter was stifled by the knowledge that he still had no male heir to carry on whatever his destiny would bring his way. The first victorious siege by what was now known as the 2nd Brigade would end in January of 1072. The Pruthenians were vanquished, and the holdings of the count had doubled, but at no small price. Sigvard was faced with a war debt of 180 florins.
To make matters worse, the settlers of Sambia were revolting against the new regime, destroying the profitability that Sigvard had been counting on.
Sigvard returned home, determined to improve the economy of his holdings. There was also the business of producing an heir. Sancha became pregnant, and in 1074, destiny smiled on him, and Johan, the son he had been wanting was born.
The war debt was another matter, due to the constant revolts in Sambia, it would be 1078 before he would be debt free and the revolts in Sambia finally ended.
The years of paying off his creditors had not been completely wasted, for Sigvar had kept his scouts out in the field, searching for the next chapter of his destiny.