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Chapter Fourteen

Congregation of Fools

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Middle Kingdom

17 Ding Wei

(6th of June 1431)

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Earth -414 IR1. Teillay La Brutz

Lancastrian War (1415–1453)

(6th of June1431 / 2th of April 1844)

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Kastell An'Bruz

Main meeting room

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The room where he arrived was impressing.

Not because it was extravagant or lavish which, in a very subtle way it was, but because it was brightly lit. As if they were sitting outside in the sun.

Three women, the only women in the room, were standing at the head of the table on the other side of the room's entrance.

And two of them were as beautiful as impressing. The one on the left was blond while the one on the right was a red hair. They were both framing the brown haired one who seemed to be in charge of the meeting.

The blond spoke up.

- It won't be me in charge but since I am, with Maureen, my sister wife…

The red hair on the right side bowed in their general direction.

- …a part of the inviting party, I will, for the first minutes, be in charge.

She placed her hand on her chest.

- I am Jane d'Arcy and I am here to represent the d'Arcy Clan who is, more or less, directly in charge of the present endeavor.

She looked to her left.

- Just beside me, let me introduce a person whom most of you will have, at least, heard of, known as Joan of Arc. She will be the one in charge of these negotiations and we will, when present in persons, only act as her advisors.

Her finger aimed at the room's ceiling.

- Please, IT, make yourself known…

A voice coming from everywhere in the room could immediately be heard.

- I am IT and you are currently living within me. I am and will be at your service and answer to your questions. As most of you already know, I am everywhere in the Kastel and you can communicate with me wherever you are just by asking the question you want an answer for. So, don't ask for answers you don't really want to get because if I know the answer I'll provide it.

Jane pointed at the armchairs facing them.

- To facilitate recognition and more easily overcome the introduction phase we have provided each place around the table with a nametag where you will find your name and title surrounded by your families' coat of arms.

Her finger lingered on his father's name tag.

- Those amongst you who are crowned Kings will see that it is only the Kingdom's coat of arms that is displayed. We made an exception for Castille and Leon who has two different coats since the duality is a part of the Kingdom's very nature.

She bowed her head and graced them with a smile.

- Since we are not a part of any current European aristocracy, we have decided to not use the coat of arms that belong to us.

She looked at the two men who were standing at the left side of the room looking like they didn't belong.

- Those who are not part of any European aristocracy have their names and titles surrounded by their countries' coats of arms. In your case Herr Veliki, we've decided to privilege Bohemia, but should you prefer another coat, just let us know, it will be very easy to change it.

- Bohemia is perfect, said Prokop Veliki who had a very rich Baryton as a voice. And I must admit that I am very surprised to have been brought here.

And that was the moment when Louis realized that the Hussite General was using the same language her host had been using. A language he was understanding quite perfectly even if he was sure that it was the very first time he had heard it.

- We have invited the current rulers of all the countries and organizations that have, this last century, supported any side of the waring parties. But you are also been invited as an example of the current theological chaos that reigns in Christian lands.

She looked in the Pope's direction.

- We intend to put a stop to said Chaos and we believe that the so-called Hussites Heresy is, even if it is only one among a lot of other so-called heresies, a good example of the current problems within the catholic church.

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The Pope, who, thanks to his Uncle's support, had been a Bishop for twenty-three years, didn't react with anything but a light frown. He had probably more enemies within the Church then anywhere else and in a very pernicious way he was feeling safer far away from his advisors than with them. But his normal environment has taught him to hide his feelings. Being stone-faced was a second nature with him and it had helped him a lot while climbing the power ladder within the Church.

But he was also very aware that here, within these magical walls, he wasn't welcome or even respected. He knew that his presence in this place, with what was probably creatures of Satan, would have dire consequences for his future.

Just by being here he would lose quite a few of his current supporters.

He sighed withouot showing it.

His election had been a delicate affair and to win, he had made enemies who would not disappear and the promises he would not be able to hold would only augment the numbers of his enemies. Not even counted that the Colonna family, who wanted to secure the Pope position for one of their own, had been on the warpath against him since his election.

They and all those other enemies of him would, as soon as they learned about his current localization, and whatever happened here, work twice as hard to work at his destruction…

And he could see at her eyes, that the woman who had just spoken about and to him was clearly not an ally either.

He looked at Joan of Arc and sighed.

Another one he should probably count as an enemy.

He should have acted as soon as he had been informed of her capture by Burgundy. He had his doubt that the Duke would have listened to any of his demand but he still should have asked. Especially since Burgundy had shown that they wouldn't hesitate to hand her over to the English. He had known that Cauchon had been firmly in the Lancasters' pocket. Letting him presiding the trial had been an error. He should have sent his best men to get her under his own jurisdiction.

But he has been, like all the other Bishops, more than reluctant to accept the reality of her alleged status. Not only could she have been an impostor…

Still could be.

But, and that had been the main point of the Clergy's critics, she hadn't come through any official venue.

Of course there was no official venue and even if she had come directly to him he was quite sure that his staff would never had let her reach him.

God should have warned him…

Why would he warn the boss of an organization that has fucked him a thousand years ago by forging his son's words into something that was, as you would know had you read the real Gospel, totally unacceptable?

Once more his years of coaching by his family saved him.

He forced himself to remain totally quiet and to not show anything of his inner turmoil…

And it saved your image to not crap yourself in public.

There was a shadow of a snicker pulsing into his head.

I just won a bet because of you, so I'm in a quite good mood, droned the voice in his head. So, don't destroy our thin relationship by denying evidence. Let's be clear from the very beginning, you are not God's shepherd on Earth and the Church does not worship the one true benevolent God. If there is a God you worship, it is Mammon and you perfectly know it!

Eugene who had a rather intimate knowledge of how the Church was working and what its true goals were, forced himself not to protest vehemently. The Church was clearly interested in riches but it was because they needed funds for all the Church's good deeds.

Good deeds like Francesca and Grazziela?

Eugene forced himself to stay calm and focused. Whatever it was that was droning into his mind, it knew him and the rest of the family. And since he had taken the time to communicate with him not everything was lost.

Why do you waste your time with me if you think that I am an impostor?

Because it would be easier to keep the Church's façade to just get rid of the rotten furniture and the crooked employees.

Am I one of those?

Of course you are, you are even the head crook, but you are perhaps smart enough to understand that the 'getting rid of' can be smooth and almost painless or, if you show too much reluctance, bloody and painful. We have no preference. That's why Prokop Veliki is present. He's here to remind you that ther are already other alternatives than the established Church and that we are very ready to use them. We have learned from the Cathar episode that the so-called Church is the real enemy…

Another hassle of laughter shook his brain.

Do you remember Arnaud Amaury's words just before he sent his troops against the City of Beziers that was inhabited by a great majority of Catholics?

Tuez les tous! Dieu reconnaîtra les siens! (Kill them all, the Lord knows those who are His).

Exactly and the man who said those words was Pope Innocent the Third's Legate. His official envoy. The very man who pretended to be there to protect his fellow Christians against Heresy ordered thousands of Catholics to be butchered, raped and burned alive… That was the very moment when the Church lost its last credit with the true benevolent God to become the Devil's tool.

We are not…

Of course, you are. And to add insult to injury, because you have been demoted into the bad guy's club, you are now fair game for even the tiniest warrior of God…

Mistakes have been made, wouldn't it be better to give those who, like me, haven't been perpetrators, the opportunity to repair?

Not been perpetrators? You have condemned Jan Hus to be burned alive for heresy when what he was saying about the Church was the truth… You even forbid him to speak to present his case. And King Sigismund's promise was forsaken. An innocent more has been killed to protect the Church hierarchy's interests. Believe me, we won't forget nor forgive, all those who were there will pay the price of their felony.

He has been tried and has been found guilty…

Guilty of saying the truth! That's quite an unfortunate result, wouldn't you agree?

The Christians need to stay united, the Turks are at our door.

Have you ever considered that the Turks could be God's answer to the Church's many betrayals? The Koran is believed by a lot of people to have been provided by God to Mohamed the Prophet. And since we have proof that the Church has tampered with the Christian Gospel couldn't it be that the Muslims' successes are the result of God's approval of them and disapproval of you? You who made everything in your power to not save Joan… Or will you, once more, pretend that with her too, you weren't one of the perpetrators. Just, again, an innocent bystander?

What about preserving the façade?

Still an interesting way to correct what needs to be corrected. But don't let yourself be smug. We will destroy all those who are rotten to the core. Be them members of the Church or part of the Aristocracy. In the end the guilty parties will pay, the only thing that is open to discussion is the how they will pay. Will it be discreet as in a nightly heart attack or very visible like a demon jumping them in public and slowly eating their soul? We can do both… Do you need proof?

I'm sure we can do without!

As you wish… Since the presentation phase is coming to an end, It's time for me to let you focus on what is going to be announced. You won't like most of what you are about to learn but then, just consider it as a training bout. These coming years will be so full of unpleasantness that you will even regret your time as a young scared bishop…

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A cloud of what looked like smoke appeared just over the table.

- Please focus on the cloud. It is more or less a mean to show you things.

The smoke began to coalesce and son they could look at what very much took after a table with people sitting -or standing- around it.

- That's us, said Louis after only a few seconds.

And to prove his point he made silly gestures which were immediately copied by his alter ego in the cloud.

Henri, King of England, followed him for a few seconds but soon stopped when he saw the faces his regents were doing on the image.

Both Louis frowned at the Lancaster brothers but only the one present at the table could be heard.

- Gentlemen, said he in a very contemptuous voice, you forget yourselves, you are but his regents. He's the King and if your ruler wants to make silly faces, nobody who's his subject should even think at frowning at him in public! We are perhaps young but we are God's choice as our Kingdoms' rulers. And in his case he is the crowned and reigning King! When in public, you owe him respect and obedience!

The whole assembly was rather flabbergasted at Louis' intervention.

It was the first time, ever, that all these men, all these powerful men, had a chance to look at France's heir! Charles had made every effort to protect his son by hiding him and none of the present rulers had ever had a real idea of what Louis had been capable of. To see him and to listen to his words has just given them another image of France's reality.

His father, Charles the Sixth, has, for years, been known to be a pusillanimous and prudent man who hated to make decisions and who, without Joan of Arc would have given up years ago.

But clearly his Heir wasn't cut from the same cloth as his father.

And he clearly was on another level of smartness.

Louis, as if to prove his superiority, didn't let anyone come out of their surprise.

- Why do you look so surprised? A king, whatever King, must be respected, especially by his servants. What would you think of a King that let a mere advisor forget his subordinate position to frown at him. In public!

Once more he looked at the Lancaster brothers.

- You can be his Uncles and you can be his Regents, you still are his subjects and you owe him the respect due to England's legitimate King.

Here he bowed his head in Henri's direction.

- We might be enemies and we might be at war but you are a fellow King and I will never let public disrespect mare our relations.

Henri bowed back and the trace of a smile appeared on his lips.

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You were right, he's impressive…

Jane didn't make any effort to hide her smile. She's just got the certainty that she had another promising pupil.

He was known for his superior intellect and his very convoluted plots, intervened IT. And for a total absence of scruples. He would have been a force to count on. Let's hope that we can help him on both those levels.

He will have the best teachers and I will myself make sure that honesty takes its right place within that sharp mind.

And the way he had seduced young Henry while belittling the Lancasters had been masterfully executed.

Jane did quite agree with IT. The young French heir's intervention had been a surprise for her too. That a nine year old boy could play such a smart game had been a pleasant surprise for her. Especially for a boy who hasn't been upgraded. What would he be once the Council has accepted to upgrade him? She looked forward to have him in Pemberley.

Alexandre and William's friendship will help us as an example. It has levelled the playing field between Great Britain and the French Consulate and avoided tensions between both Empires until today. Let's try to do the same thing with Louis and Henri.

Henri hasn't been a very good King…

Look at that scheming pair of Uncles of his and you'll immediately see where he got his bad education. I'm sure that we have the means to make an honest ruler out of this young man, whispered Jane. We will be able to use Louis' superior intellect to pull Henri towards his peak.

He's clearly not at par with the Dauphin…

He's young and we have the tech to boost his mind. We'll see what happens once he is out of his Uncles bad influence.

They won't let him go gracefully… They literally reek of greed and power lust. They know that he's their ticket to power. There's a scent of Nazi bullshit when I look at them. I wouldn't trust them were I a Human.

We'll see if, after we've shown them the real place of Europe in the grand scale of things, they are smart or not.

Ambitious and greedy, that's a certainty. Smart? I very much doubt it. Cunning? That is probably more the case. Just look at what they did to England in those other timelines.

There's always the assassin's path…

I thought you loathed seeing him doing it.

I do but, from time to time, one must look at the facts. And the facts say that when two-legged cockroaches creep out from under the furniture, you must take measures. And, in my experience, there is no clean way to deal with that sort of pests.

She frowned in the direction of the Lancaster brothers.

Especially, if, like those two snakes, they are powerful and full of themselves. They have the means to make our life a lot harder and Geoffrey's direct approach looks like the right path when dealing with major pains like them.

They will perhaps surprise us?

I'm sure they will do but I'm quite sure that it won't be in a good manner.

She took a long breath.

It's your turn, open their eyes on the reality of their position in the world.

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