[b]Sibourne, 2555[/b]

Few candles illuminates the small library of Sibourne. Theodred had often felt the
term "library" to be ridiculous, consisting of nothing more than a remote,
octangonal room of the town hall. Six of its walls were covered by tall, slender
bookcases, leaving two free for the two entrances. Both were plain wooden doors,
but above the doorframe hung the emblems of Brionne, cut from wood by an artist of
suprising skill.

Five bookcases were filled with poetry, ballads and plays, yet the one Theodred
regarded instead held books regarding the king's laws. Dusty, thick tomes, to be
sure, ones Theodred had spent many nights studying as a young boy, here in this
very library. It was perhaps fitting, then, that here in this small room in
Sibourne, he would break with those laws.

A loud knock on the door alerted Theodred to the fact that his guests had arrived.
'Enter,' he said, his voice weaker than he had imagined it would be.

When the door swung open, Theodred found two familiar faces- Huebald, duke of
Carcassonne, was the first to enter. The tall, broad man's eyes shined with
determination as he entered the room, a smile of anticipation on his lips,
concealed by his thick, blonde beard. Behind him came his son- duke Charles of
Quenelles. Not as tall and strong as his father, yet there was an air of natural
authority about him, and while his father's eyes spoke of a warrior's confidence,
Charles' instead spoke of a calm, calculated intelligence.

Theodred smiled, his eyes still sad. 'Huebald. Charled. I am relieved you could
make it. I trust your journey here was satisfactory?'

Huebald coughed. 'Unfortunately, no. We were followed by the king's agents.

Luckily, we were able to lose them at the border.'

A cold sensation of unease gripped Theodred's heart. 'Are you sure of this? We risk
much by convening in this manner, Huebald. If the king finds out, our work will be
for naught.'

It was Charles who replied, his voice calm yet strong. 'Fret not, duke Theodred. We
shall not be interrupted this evening.' Theodred looked doubtful, then nodded. 'I
suppose you are right. It matters not, I suppose. After tonight our treason will be
complete.'

Huebald raised an eyebrow. 'Treason, Theodred? We all know that Folcard has proven
himself to be less than suited to rule Bretonnia. What we do is for the good of the
people-'

Theodred interrupted, annoyedly. 'Be that as it may, Huebald, we go against the

king's laws. No,' he corrected himself, 'we attempt to [i]overthrow[/i] the king's
laws. Make no mistake; for all our noble intentions, history will most definately
consider us traitors.'

'Be that as it may,' Charles intervened, 'our actions are not for personal glory.
Perhaps our names shall be stained by this act, but we shall uphold the weak
through our actions- an ideal well worth the cost, wouldn't you agree?'

'Of course,' came the reply. 'Yet we must be wary not to underestimate the gravity
of our actions.'

As the other dukes agreed, another knock on the door interrupted their
conversation. The door swung open, revealing an older, stonefaced man, his silvery
hair trimmed short. The man regarded the three present with a single grey eye- his
other eye white, wounded in recent wars. 'Forgive my tardiness,' the fourth man
spoke. 'I could not leave my armies without new orders, not with that undead
monstrosity continuing its campaign of terror against my subjects.'

Theodred smiled. 'Not at all, duke Armand. How goes Aquitaine's war against the
beast?'

Armand did not return the smile. 'As well as might be expected. For now we hold the
strigoi Liviu at bay, confined to the ruins of Bordeleaux. However we have reached
a stalemate- one which could be easily broken if king Folcard were to send
reinforcements. Unfortunately, yesterday I received word that he has decided to
declined my request for military support. Again.'

Hueblad nodded, his eyes angry. 'This seems typical for our king. The people of
Carcassonne have suffered at the hands of the dark fey from across the sea, yet no
help came from Folcard when we called for him.'

'Pfah!' Theodred exclaimed. 'Folcard does not support us, merely critisize us for
perceived shortcomings. He has even threathened to remove me from my position as
duke should I go through with my marriage to Helen, by force if necessary!'

Charles' voice was quiet, yet no less powerful. 'At least you are still treated as
a duke, Theodred. King Folcard and his lackeys treat me as they would a flea-
infested vagabond! I should have duke Marin's head for his insults against my
bride, yet the king denies me the right to challenge him!'

Huebald raised his hands, looking at the other dukes in turn. 'We have discussed
these points many times, my friends. Folcard is an ineffective ruler, who
strengthens his closest neightbours at the expense of our dukedoms. Bastonne,
l'Anguille and Gisoreux are being rebuilt, while Bordeleaux is abandoned to
creatures of the night. The economy of Gisoreux and Montfort is boosted by
Folcard's experiments, while our dukedoms are restricted in conduct by the king's
laws. Folcard does not have the south's best interests at heart, leaving us to fend
for ourselves. Well, so be it. We shall cede from Bretonnia, as we have agreed
upon. Our new laws are complete. Our loyal vassals have been identified, alliances
with other nations have been secured and will be effective once we make our
intentions known. All that remains is for us to decide upon a ruler for our new
kingdom.'

Theodred spoke first. 'You are correct, of course. I would suggest you, duke
Huebald, to be our king. You have organized our efforts these past few months, and
are more well-connected than the rest of us.'

Now Charles stepped forward. 'I agree and support you, father. Your experience
shall be an example to us, as you have been an example to me during my childhood.'

Finally, Armand slapped Huebald on the shoulder. 'Then I shall make it unanymous,
Huebald. May your reign be long and just.'

Huebald smiled. 'I thank you for your support, my friends, and humbly accept this
honour. Know that you three shall be my closest advisors during my reign. Your
concerns shall be mine, your views my guide. Tonight shall see the birth of South
Bretonnia; a new Bretonnia, defined once more by its king's duty to his vassals and
subjects. The road shall be long and hard; I do not expect Folcard to accept our
decision without a fight. Yet we shall stand firm against his tyranny. No longer
shall we be plagued by unfair favouritism, nor the arrogance of those who think
themselves our betters.'

'Now, let us sign our agreement, and make official the birth of our kingdom.'
Carcassonne: Huebald
- fought Folcard in the crown tournament, and feels he was unjustly defeated
- Request for aid against dark elves denied

Quenelles: Charles
- Poor treatment as second-rate duke by other dukes and the king
- Not allowed to defend his honour against Marin of l'Anguille

Brionne: Theodred
- Wild accusations and open hostility after his wedding with Helen

Aquitaine: Armand
- Request for aid against Liviu declined

All
- The granting of trade rights to Montfort and Gisoreux, not the southern states
- The rebuilding of Bastonne, l'Anguille and Gisoreux in favour of Bordeleaux