AN: Thank you all for keeping with this story. I apologize for the errors in the previous chapters - especially where the code seemed to take over the writing. Lesson learned: Rather than writing from Word and copying over, I will just write from here. This chapter may be a little dry, but I promise you that the action is gearing up soon.
Chapter 6: The Emperor
Barbarossa continued to speak.
"In those days, the King of Germany was actually elected – rather than a product of primogeniture. It required all the lesser kings and dukes of the lands to congregate and vote on a new successor to the previous king. To say that there were a lot of tempers and egos would be an understatement – just as there are in any law-making body. With my Uncle's will as testament, I was able to eventually negotiate myself into position as the new King of Germany. However, despite the name of the title, the King of Germany did not hold much actual power. In truth I was more of a mediator, politicking myself in every court throughout the land, prostrate to the whims of the Council, not matter my agenda or goals, I could be silenced by any group that gathered enough members.
"These men often acted lesser than children, arguing over the pettiest of things whilst ignoring how our imperial glory had diminished over time. We were best by enemies all around us, by nations who would rather see us fractured and weak. All through this time I became adept at gathering my allies, and negotiating with my enemies, an elder statesman – but I nonetheless had the goal of unifying my country into a force that would see us protected from abroad and from within. Sometimes I was forced to use my magic to… convince the most stubborn.
"My first great opportunity came in 1153 when the current Pope, Eugene III came crawling to us for assistance. The popularity and power of the papacy had diminished severely after the failure of the most recent crusade. It had eroded so swiftly and completely that he (the Pope) had been evicted from Rome and its citizens were demanding that the Church give up all its worldly possessions. Using this opportunity, I had the Pope sign a treaty whereby I would install him and protect him and in exchange, he would crown me as Emperor of the Roman Empire. This title came with the name and but was also protector of the Church and its domains. Eugene would be dead before the coronation, but my armies and I were able to install his successor, Adrian IV."
"Finally, in 1155 I was sworn and coronated as the Emperor. However, I refused to bow and kneel in subjugation to a weakling like Adrian. Eventually the ceremony was completed, but I refused to submit myself, in my proclamations and prayers, I openly defying Adrian, speaking 'For Saint Peter, not Adrian.' This vow would later assist me as my magical vows could not be used by Adrian to restrain me – rather I was free to do as I had pleased, beyond the fancies of these corrupt men and institutions."
"However, peace was not to be had. Within hours of the ceremony, Italy would erupt in revolt once more. My first days had me putting down the violence with equal measure. I am not proud to admit that thousands died. Once more, I had blood on my hands for things I could not control. Even once this revolt had died down, I had to return to Germany as my absence was be capitalized by my enemies. In the end this was a blessing as Adrian found himself once again beset by his own opponents, which I will admit I let him flounder for a time. Eventually he even eventually grew enough of a spine to threaten to revoke my position and title."
"In 1157, I severed all imperial ties with the church. I was now free to appoint clergy as I wished, and powers previously not seen since the days of the Old Roman Empire. With this, my clergy and staff brought me magics and knowledge from throughout the known world that had been previously hoarded by the Church for being dark and unholy. My army became stronger with each passing year as did my nation and with that power, our neighbors too became more uneasy with our place in the world. Italy remained a thorn in my side for the rest of my life however, as they would never willingly submit to a King whose ancestors were the ones who brought down the Roman Empire in the first place."
"In 1190, I was once again called to be a apart of a crusade into the Holy Lands. This time it was not one that had been decided by the Pope, but by calamity. Jerusalem had fallen to Saladin and his armies in 1187 – and this was necessary to retake the lands. I did not begrudge Saladin; I had actually formed a treaty of friendship with him that kept him away from our lands the Europe – but nonetheless we were forced by our vows to retake the Holy Land. There's reasons young ones, that you are all but forbidden these days to not make any vows using your own magic. They do not allow you to understand the nuance of a situation and are then force you to act against your will. Though I did not wish to undergo this war, I was not going to go easy on these supposed enemies of Europe. It is said that I was one of the few that Saladin actually feared, and there was no way I could stand aside."
The statue bust paused, almost to gather himself.
"As I was passing through the lands of Eurasia on our way to get to the Holy Land, I diverted from my army to cross a river. My armies cut through mountain passed while I was marching through a river when I was betrayed by my allies. The river was not deep, but I was thrown from my horse with all of my royal armor and was charmed to weigh hundreds, neigh thousands of pounds heavier than it actually was and I drowned. Influential families from Italy allied with my enemies of Francia who wished to see the Holy Roman Empire fractured and weakened once more – so that they could dominate continental Europe. They had long harbored resentment and hatred of myself and what my vision represented. Their revenge beyond death was crueler than most – in my final moments before succumbing to the depths of Hell or Hades depending on your belief, my soul was ensnared by the magicians and placed within this statue. In entrapping me they granted me immortality – but unable to move or speak, or even to pass on. I have been cognizant of the world around me for more than seven hundred years, but unable to do anything."
"With my 'death' my armies splintered and went home. They took with them this bust, not knowing the deceit of my murderers nor how they were holding my very soul in their hands, in their carriages as they trekked back to Europe. I was "buried" in a crypt near my home village. To ensure that this was further contained, the King of France sent his darkest wizards to ward my tomb with traps that drew upon the natural ley lines of the land. They did this in the cover of darkness, unseen by the locals. Eventually my people largely forgot of me except in legend – an embarrassment upon the nature of my death."
"The statue turned away from the group, letting loose what could be described as a sigh. "I was imprisoned in my tomb for centuries. Not dead, not yet alive, with nothing to discern the days, months, and years. No one to speak to, and even if there was, I had no mouth. On several occasions I succumbed to madness, but even that expired due to boredom. It was not until the early 1900s that my tomb was discovered, quite by accident. The conflict that you know as the first World War waged through my area of Europe and was uncovered by soldiers who then sent for researchers, archeologists, and eventually a magician or two. However, the magical traps laid by the magicians more than half a century prior were… triggered. What happened next, was disaster and eventually lead to my current imprisonment and situation that we find ourselves in. Look upon the wall to your right."
"Harry, Hermione, and Ron turned towards the wall indicated by Barbarossa. A sphere of mercury began to rise from the moat surrounding them, and soon flattened itself, forming an oval like shape that was like a mirror. A dull light began to emanate from this surface, growing in intensity until it soon became blinding, filling the room with its white luminescence. The trio tried to cover their eyes as they felt the light seemingly penetrate them, overwhelming their sense of sight, their spatial orientation, and their hearing as a dull roaring filled their ears.