Next chap! I think you already can predict that I'm setting up Lord Crawford for something with Atem. If you've played the game, you already know the storyline of what's going to happen very soon. Review please!
Rosencruz was called out to see Atem's improvement on his skills with creating and using crossbows. Atem was able to quickly launch the crossbow and shoot perfect shots at 10-15 feet in less than a minute. It had taken almost three months to complete, but he managed to do it. Rosencruz was very impressed and took it that Atem did surpass Sir Keith. Atem was relieved to finally be able to leave a look alike of Bandit Keith. Unfortunately, he would have to face more people he hated.
"I still can't believe you beat me, the crossbow master of the Rose Crusaders!" Sir Keith grumped.
"And in Britain no less," Atem smirked with a smartass tone as Sir Keith shot him a glare. "So, who am I going to choose?"
"We will wait until tomorrow. Right now, we need to prepare for Lord Crawford's arrival. He should be here at any moment," Rosencruz replied.
"Right. How long will he stay?"
"Probably several months. It depends on how long he will need me to plan."
"You mean for the war?"
"You guessed right."
"Does he know about me?"
"The king and Lord Crawford know about you. I've written letters to them about your performance."
"Ah."
"In fact, Lord Crawford is interested in knowing your current performance."
"I must be famous around here."
Rosencruz slightly chuckled while walking Atem back to his castle. Everyone prepared for the arrival of Lord Crawford, who claimed to have needed Rosencruz's services for the war. From what Atem gathered about Lord Crawford, he is the leader of the Rose Crusaders. He continually stayed by King Richard's side and informing him of the performance of the Rose Crusaders.
Lord Crawford needed Rosencruz's help to plan out the attack on the Lancastrians. Rosencruz was one of the very few brilliant scholars that still worked along side King Richard. He informed Lord Crawford of a weapon that might work against the Lancastrians and he became intrigued. Atem was not sure of this weapon, but figured it was probably a dangerous one.
The servants began bathing Atem, which he personally disliked knowing that he couldn't bathe himself in privacy. Though, he did claim he would cooperate, if the servants were men. Rosencruz seemed to be okay with that condition. Atem was getting sick of smelling his own stink anyways. He never thought the day would ever come when he would be sick of smelling his own filth and never bathing for days. On top of that, his head and skin were beginning to itch like crazy to the point where he was miserable. Not even rubbing himself in herbs and flowers could take away the stink and itching.
Atem was bathed in a bathhouse of the palace in a wooden tub. It was surprisingly warm, perhaps due to the fire located in the great hall under him. He also was greatly surprised to know that they did have soap around here. The servants took the bar of soap, scrubbed it on a rag, and rubbed it on Atem's upper body. He began smelling it and his nose wrinkled.
"Smells weird," Atem muttered.
"It's supposed to smell like that, sir," The servant said like Atem was saying the obvious.
Atem guessed that scented soaps weren't invented back in the day. The soap didn't smell bad, but it smelled scentless like lard. Still, it was better than nothing and it did get rid of the itching. He was greatly relieved after his bath, then dried himself before entering into his room to dress himself in dress clothing. Serena arrived in his room where he was dressing at the moment. Atem still had his underwear and long-sleeved shirt.
"How was your bath?" Serena asked.
"Surprisingly better than at home. I'm just glad I was able to get a bath. I was starting to itch," Atem said.
"I guess you're not used to long days without bathing?"
"Yeah. We have our own water heating system where I come from. We can turn on a facet and warm water comes out."
"How extraordinary!"
"Yep, including this place."
"Hey, Lord Crawford just arrived!" Michael announced, opening the door.
"Let's go," Serena said as Atem nodded and began walking with the other two to the courtyard where Lord Crawford was with Rosencruz.
To Atem's surprise, Lord Crawford was a look-alike of Maxamillion Pegasus. Was every person in the middle ages some kind of look-alike of someone Atem knew? He felt like he was in a medieval fair or something. He half expected Marik to pop out of nowhere as the Court Jester. Atem had to smirk on that thought. He decided to leave himself a note to find out which look-alike the court jester was.
Lord Crawford saw Atem arriving with Serena behind him into the courtyard. Lord Crawford clasped his hands together with the biggest smile on his face that would give pedophiles a run for their money.
"Why hello. Sir Atem, I presume. I am Lord Crawford, leader of the Rose Crusaders," Lord Crawford introduced himself with a humble bow.
"Hi," Atem greeted, shaking hands with Lord Crawford.
"I've heard of your performance in your training and I must say I am looking forward to seeing you performing marvelously in the battlefield."
"Uh... thanks," Atem said, trying not to laugh at the fact that Lord Crawford was so much like Maxamillion Pegasus in how he talked like a stalker gay pedophile. "So, how's the war?"
"Oh, it's simply fabulous! We are just about close to winning for the Yorkists."
"Right. Weren't you here to talk with Rosencruz about something?"
"Ah yes. I believe you said something about a powerful weapon?" Lord Crawford asked Rosencruz.
"I did. Though, I believe we should discus this privately," Rosencruz said as Lord Crawford nodded.
"Agreed Rosencruz. I'm interested to see what this might be," Lord Crawford said as him and Rosencruz began moving to a more private location in the courtyard.
"I have a theory about weakening certain cities using sickness."
"How is that, might I ask?"
"I discovered that sickness is commonly caused by the sick and bugs, who are carriers."
"Bugs?"
"Atem was sick about over a month ago from drinking water, which a bug drank from."
"Oh, how awful!"
"Yes and I've made an analysis that those that are commonly sick live in a highly bug populated areas. In fact, the recent plagues held a slightly high population of fleas, which can be found on rats."
"So you believe this knowledge could help us?"
"I believe we should discuss this with King Richard and use these bugs as our primary weapon. We can catapult our dead soldiers, who died from sickness, with bugs still eating their flesh to our enemies. The bugs will spread out to the soldiers and citizens and they will begin to grow weak from sickness."
"What a marvelous idea, Rosencruz! I admire your brilliance and philosophy."
"I'm glad you agree."
"What about Atem?"
"He will be the icing on the cake. I'll send him as a spy to enter into the city and taking care of the castles from the inside. He looks like Henry, so they will be easily fooled by his appearance."
"Yes, but Henry already knows you took his weapon. He knows you will use Atem against him. In fact, my spies have said he's already making preparations, if they ever find him."
"I figured. That's why I'm having my spies to keep a close eye on Henry. I will know what he plans to do about his people knowing if it's Henry or Atem. I will come fully prepared."
"I hope you are right, Rosencruz. I'd hate for Atem to find himself in a dungeon or executed by Henry's hands."
"I would hate that too. You leave it to me. I've got everything planned and under control."
