Watching From Afar

[Nikolai]

Chapter II – 1066 to 1104


“Most curious. I wonder…”

The Creature looked up.

“What now, my friend?”

The Watcher rubbed his chin.

“England, that island nation in the north. Three kings fought for it. One captured, a bastard named William. Then the other invader, from further north, won.”

He smiled.

“This Harald Hardrada, now known as Harald the Dane, has founded a new kingdom named Danelaw.”

He laughed.

“Why is that so funny, my friend?”

The Creature arched his brow.

“This Harald is not from Denmark, merely allied to them.”

The Watcher winked.

“Hmmmm, yes that is most curious I admit.”

The Creature smirked.

“These humans of you are indeed a curious lot.”

The Watcher gasped.

“Ah, yes. Yes, they are. And now look here!”

He pointed.

“In the east, a mighty struggle between the Byzantines and the Seljuks almost resulted in a loss for the former. But now, the war is over with no lands changing hands.”

He nodded.

“It seems the leader of the Seljuks was captured and had to give in. Most interesting…”

The Creature turned.

“And would you look at that. The old ruler of the Seljuks died, and now the Seljuks are no more.”

He narrowed his eyes.

“The Persian Empire? I seem to remember you mentioned them last galaxy run.”

The Watcher clapped.

“Yes, indeed I did! An old people, ancient of days. They actually united the Earth and led a most impressive Space Empire in galaxy Y-19-QWS-7, dimension T-18-TRC. Ah, the memories…”

He pointed.

“And look at that. Harald the Dane died, and his realm split.”

He gasped.

“And then his heir in Danelaw died and lost to a peasant rebellion. Half of Danelaw is now the kingdom of Middle Seaxe! Most curious…”

Another gasp.

“And would you look at that. The grandson of William the Bastard, the losing contender, has inherited Aquitaine and Poitou, making him the most powerful vassal of the French king. Most curious…”

The Creature nodded.

“And he has allied with the king of Danelaw. I wonder how Middle Seaxe will fare.”

The Creature whistled.

“Most interesting, my friend. Care for some wine while we wait for the next move?”

 

[Nikolai]

Chapter III – 1104 to 1140


“Curious.”

The Watcher rubbed his chin.

“Denmark has conquered Norway. How the mighty have fallen.”

The Creature nodded.

“Denmark grows, and the once mighty kingdom of Norway a mere shadow of their former selves. I do wonder how long it will last, though…”

The Watcher pointed.

“Speaking of which, the kingdom of Hungary has grown a lot. They now own the kingdom of Ruthenia.”

He tsk’ed.

“No land border though. It will be hard to hold onto it.”

The Creature smiled.

“Little is easy for these kingdoms, it seems. They do keep falling apart.”

He shrugged.

“It seems to be the way of these primitives. No world spanning empires, and the empires do tend to break apart.”

The Watcher clapped in glee.

“But look at that! The Byzantines keep expanding and the Persians have changed name and ruling dynasty again. I do wonder how this will unfold.”

The Creature seemed thoughtful.

“Yes, yes, it is interesting. The former seems to keep up better. Same dynasty, same ruler for the longest times.”

He clucked.

“And there, things happened in Danelaw again. The king was dethroned in a rebellion against his tyranny, with his son taking over.”

He sniggered.

“Only for the son to die within months and the father being back on the throne. The ways of these men…”

The Watcher winked.

“Speaking of which, the kingdom of Ruthenia got separated from Hungary due to the king’s death. A newborn, dimwitted girl took over. The new Hungarian queen conquered Ruthenia back. But.”

He held up his finger and grinned.

“The queen died, and her dynasty with her. The French Capets are at the helm of her kingdoms now. And Ruthenia disintegrated and is no more.”

He puffed.

“So many changes, in so little time. It is really fascinating.”

The Creature clapped his hands.

“Look at Danelaw. What a turn around. The Danish king conquered the kingdom, and now Denmark, Norway and Danelaw is one kingdom once again.”

The Watcher whistled.

“But for how long, I wonder.”

The Creature shrugged.

“Not long, I wager. But, friend. I do want to taste some of that Qr’uxl’an chocolate you mentioned you had got hold of. May I take a bite?”

 

[Nikolai]

Chapter IV – 1140 to 1176


“Curious, it seems Persia is again in turmoil.”

The Watcher tsk’ed.

“Shahid, they call themselves now. And the west has seceded.”

The Creature nodded.

“Unfortunate for them, indeed. And the Byzantines surely will relish the turmoil.”

He pointed.

“They are at war with Persia right now, as well as Georgia.”

The Watcher gasped.

“So much happening now, in this place they call the Near East. Both the Shahid and the Byzantines are in a civil war.”

The Creature clucked.

“Yes, and the Catholics have conquered lands too, and created a new kingdom.”

He knocked on the display.

“Jerusalem. Possession of Peace, a most beautiful name.”

The Watcher smiled.

“Yes, most beautiful. Too bad it is seeing so much violence. I wonder…”

He frowned.

“The kingdom of Syria was also conquered by these Catholics, only to fall into civil war immediately.”

The Creature clapped.

“Something is happening in the north. The long reigning king of Danelaw died, and now Denmark is independent from the rest.”

The Watcher grinned.

“Quite a story, that region.”

His grin went wider.

“And my friend, look at these two characters. Such interesting creatures, these men are.”

He pointed.

“Here is the Catholic Pope. A dwarf, in itself a seldom sight in these human societies. Not like the dwarven species nossir... And he is lowborn too, not often I see that in these parts of human histories. Most curious…”

He sighed.

“And then this man. The Basileus, an Emperor, of the Byzantines. He is a drunkard, a deviant and in the middle of the third rebellion against his tyranny.”

The Creature laughed.

“And winning, I see. Most interesting.”

The Watcher gasped.

“And back to Danelaw. What a curious turn of events.”

He whistled.

“The king of Danelaw died in a siege, and now Norway has gone independent, taking with it parts of the island too.”

The Creature leaned in.

“Not much left of Danelaw now.”

He snapped his fingers.

“My friend, I am starving. What about a taste of that Danish sausage you mentioned a while back?”

 

[Nikolai]

Chapter V – 1176 to 1216

“Curious.”

The Watcher smiled.

“Look at the African coast.”

The Creature leaned in.

“The Byzantines are spreading steadily, I see.”

The Watcher grinned.

“But to the west, the Holy Roman Empire is expanding too.”

He sniffed.

“But the Persian Empire is in dire straits. It’s a wonder the Byzantines haven’t moved in yet.”

The Creature pointed.

“And there Denmark disintegrated. Their core territory has seceded.”

The Watcher nodded.

“Indeed. The Northern kingdoms sure are a shifting lot.”

He beamed.

“But look south, to Nubia. They are getting big, fast.”

The Creature winked.

“Coptic Christianity on the rise in the south, Orthodox in the north and Catholic in the west. It sure seems like the Christians are ascendant in this galaxy and dimension.”

The Watcher nodded.

“Yes, and Islam is on the brink of being overrun in Egypt. It seems like this might be one of the worlds where Christianity dominates.”

He clucked.

“Still, things can change. They often do.”

He gasped.

“Would you see that… Hungary has created their own Empire, named Carpathia. Quite interesting.”

The Creature tsk’ed.

“And with close ties to the French and their neighbors, this could become even more interesting, fast.”

He cocked his head.

“Speaking of interesting, have you seen Scotland?”

He pointed.

“They’ve almost overrun Ireland and have consolidated their own country quite well.”

The Watcher shook his head.

“And Danelaw is struggling in a war for the kingdom of Norway. They did so well, but now they’re on the defensive.”

He gasped.

“But look at France. And England. Carpathia is spreading their influence. Quite interesting…”

The Creature raised his brow.

“And central France, previously a part of Hungary, is now independent and Muslim to boot. Curious.”

He smiled sadly.

“But Nubia is faring worse. With the king there dead, the new ruler is struggling.”

He turned.

“I am thirsting. Some mead, my friend?”

 

[Nikolai]

Chapter VI – 1216 to 1242


“My, my…”

The Watcher gasped.

“What now, my friend?”

The Creature looked up.

“Look to the far east. A new, powerful ruler has risen.”

The Watcher pointed.

“In most realities, this man conquers much of the known world. This could be quite the time for the humans.”

His eyes widened.

“Speaking of Empires, just look at Carpathia.”

He mumbled.

“They have inherited France, they have lands in Sweden, Norway, England, Northern Iberia and even in faraway Kola east of Sweden. Quite impressive.”

The Creature nodded.

“Quite impressive indeed. And all by one man. I wonder what happens when he dies…”

He smirked.

“Could be quite the occasion, I imagine.”

The Watcher winked.

“Yes, yes it might be that, for sure. Back in the east, the Mongol Empire is expanding, but slower than I anticipated. Quite curious…”

He tsk’ed.

“Then it might be hope for the western world, I guess.”

The Creature clucked.

“Those Byzantines are getting more and more powerful, my friend. They’re dominating the eastern parts of the Mediterranean now.”

The Watcher nodded.

“And the Holy Roman Empire is quite stable too. Surrounded by the Carpathians, though. I wonder…”

He grinned.

“The Persians are back too. Not quite as strong as they once were, but consolidating.

The Watcher cocked his head.

“And there Emperor Gilles of Carpathia died. His two-year-old son has inherited and he has problems. France and Brittany both lost to independence wars. Quite unfortunate for the youngling…”

He pointed.

“And France has control over parts of Scandinavia. While Danelaw is all but gone. What a ride it has been…”

The Creature laughed.

“What goes up must come down, it is an eternal law. But my friend, I just found your stash of Juw’lugblian ice cream. Care to share?”

 

[Nikolai]

Chapter VII – 1242 to 1268


“Curious.”

The Watcher tsk’ed.

“What now, my friend?”

The Creature smiled.

“The situation in the Levant and surroundings.”

The Watcher pointed.

“Egypt is virtually extinct by now. The Byzantines has taken the north and Nubia the south.”

He shrugged.

“In itself not unseen before. But look, my friend.”

He pointed further east.

“Abyssinia and the kingdom of Jerusalem has taken the Muslim core lands of Mecca and Medina. And so far, no great jihad from the Muslim sheikdoms has come.”

He rubbed his chin.

“Most curious. One would expect more of a ferocious response.”

The Creature nodded.

“True, my friend. True. But it is what it is, no? Speaking of curiosities, though, look at Carpathia.”

He winked.

“Not much of an Empire, now, is it? Yet, the Emperor still clings to his title.”

The Watcher snorted.

“No, it isn’t. But look to England. Sweden now has united the kingdom under them.”

He shook his head.

“I wonder for how long…”

He gasped.

“Not for long at all, it seems. The Swedish king got presented an ultimatum, and gave in. Now England again is balkanized.”

The Creature laughed.

“England, the place stories and intrigues grow.”

He grinned.

“But look at Iberia. The Holy Roman Empire has really taken hold over there. And Africa too, I see.”

The Watcher cocked his head.

“Indeed. And what’s more, they keep their religion coherent too. Not much heresies to see.”

He turned to another monitor.

“See? Catholicism grows, as does Orthodoxy.”

He laughed.

“And Insular Christianity. Hah, it has died in Ireland where it originated, but the Norwegians have taken it to heart.”

The Creature grinned.

“Indeed. Most interesting. Can I offer you some celebratory tea and Fluf’fizan biscuits?”

 

[Nikolai]

Chapter VIII – 1268 to 1286



“Most curious. The Iberian kingdom of Leon is spreading to France, while France is spreading to Iberia. Most curious…”

The Watcher tsk’ed.

“And the Holy Roman Empire is forcing itself deeper and deeper into the area, too.”

He smirked.

“A real mess, it is.”

The Creature nodded.

“Speaking of messes, just look at England.”

He pointed.

“What was once a unified England is now a plethora of petty kingdoms.”

The Watcher shook his head.

“It really is astounding. And look at that, Ireland has formed. Most interesting.”

He clucked.

“By the way, in the east the Mongols have met the Byzantines. Their expansion is slow, most curious… It usually is much faster. I wonder…”

The Creature cocked his head.

“They seem to be in some trouble, yes. But their troop count is immense.”

The Watcher gasped.

“Look at that. A new, underage Empress has taken hold of the Byzantines and a huge civil war has started.”

The Creature winked.

“And there goes the Holy Roman Empire into civil war too.”

He laughed.

“And look at that. Leon is falling apart too. What an interesting time…”

He yawned.

“I think I need some coffee, my friend. My treat?”

 

[Nikolai]

Chapter IX – 1286 to 1316


“Most curious…”

The Watcher mumbled to himself.

“Look, my friend. Abyssinia has disintegrated and left an independent Mecca.”

He pointed.

“And it’s Coptic Christianity, it and its surroundings. I wonder…”

The Creature nodded.

“Most interesting my friend. And look at the Papacy, it has expanded a lot.”

He snickered.

“On it’s third war with the Byzantines for continued control over their part in the Balkans, and winning again. Quite something for such a small country.”

The Watcher nodded.

“Yes and look at their north; the kingdom of Lombardy and the kingdom of Sardegna e Corsica is independent.

He tsk’ed.

“And in the east, the Mongols seem to have reached their potential. Not much expanding done for a while now.”

The Creature shook his head.

“Down from over 60.000 troops to barely 15.000. In one decade. Quite a downward spiral.”

He jumped.

“But look at England, my friend. The Holy Roman Empire, Sweden and France has all taken a piece of both England and Denmark. In fact, Denmark is no more on the map.”

The Watcher narrowed his brows.

“Indeed. Quite interesting. But do look at Iberia, my friend. France and the Holy Roman Empire has soon it all under their control.”

He scratched his chin.

“Quite a consolidation… I wonder…”

The Creature smiled.

“Something to mull over with a cup of tea, I assure you. Which blend?”

 

[Nikolai]

Chapter X – 1316 to 1346



“Curious. The resurgence of the Byzantines continue unabated.”

The Watcher scratched his chin.

“And look, they’ve got Mecca under their control. Most interesting…”

He shook his head.

“And The Holy Roman Empire is in a new civil war.”

The Creature smiled.

“In England though, things are happening.”

He pointed.

“Norway is back, in the south. And Wales are expanding. Look, they’ve taken parts of Scotland.”

The Watcher nodded.

“But it is still a mess. Sweden, Norway, various petty kingdoms… And, is that a part of the Holy Roman Empire in the corner?”

He gasped.

“My, my… The Holy Roman Empire is struggling still. But look at the Byzantines. A new Emperor. Catholic and Hungarian. There are rebellions everywhere. Most curious…”

The Creature laughed.

“Speaking of curious. Have you seen the Holy Roman Empire? The kingdom of Middle Seaxe has got independent, and is now owning lands in Germany, England, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Russia.”

He winked.

“Quite spread out, wouldn’t you say?”

The Watcher whistled.

“And some size to them too. Most curious.”

He widened his eyes.

“Look at the Middle East. The Hungarian Catholic Emperor of the Byzantines have lost one of his civil wars. Armenia is independent. So is Hellas. And Egypt. And Cyprus. And Lydia. And several others.”

The Creature looked closer.

“And Mecca and Jerusalem is both lost to him. Quite a turnaround.”

He clucked.

“And there the kingdom of Africa went independent too. And it is everywhere, even in the core territories of the Byzantines.”

The Watcher tsk’ed.

“Not much left of their empire now, poor things.”

He pointed.

“See, there the civil war is over. The Catholic Hungarian is no longer Emperor. But just look at the remains… Quite curious.”

The Creature nodded.

“Very sad. They will have a hard time getting back from this.”

He raised a glass.

“To the Byzantines, a cheer for what they accomplished and for their future! A beer, my friend?”

 

[Nikolai]

Chapter XI – 1346 to 1363


“Curious…”

The Watcher scratched his chin.

” What happened now, my friend?”

The Creature cocked his head.

“Sweden.”

The Watcher pointed.

“Sweden absorbed the kingdom of Middle Seaxe. Seem they had a claim on their throne.”

He smiled.

“Seems blue absorbs blue just fine.”

The Creature grinned.

“And look in the Middle East. France has inherited the crusader kingdom of Mesopotamia.”

The Watcher turned.

“Most curious, indeed… And look up in the north west. Ireland is finally united fully.”

The Creature nodded.

“But back to the Middle East. Look at Egypt, Arabia, and Abyssinia. What an interesting setup, both political and religiously! Orthodox and Coptic dominating, with Muslim faiths sent to the periphery.”

The Watcher gasped.

“Indeed. But look back north! Sweden and Middle Seaxe has split again! Most curious. That union didn’t last long…”

The Creature shook his head.

“No, not long at all. Most unfortunate for the Swedes.”

He winked.

“Speaking of unfortunate, the Welsh has had a hard time lately. Ireland is on their back.”

He laughed.

“And look at Mesopotamia. France and the Holy Roman Empire has split the kingdom now. While the Persians are strengthening…”

The Watcher hummed.

“Most interesting. And back on the British Isles, Danelaw has yet again reformed. This time under a Swedish king.”

He whistled.

“And is that another Holy Roman civil war I’m spying. Most curious…”

The Creature tsk’ed.

“I wonder if it will end like for the Byzantines. Some cake, my friend? This one’s made with H’rangian apples.”

 

[Nikolai]

Chapter XII – 1363 to 1374



“Curious.”

The Watcher pointed.

“Look at these two, my friend. The Despot of Egypt, and the Basileus of the Byzantine Empire.”

The Creature nodded.

“Interesting characters. The Despot is a character in himself.”

He smiled.

“Quite learned, that one. A mastermind philosopher, a theologian, compassionate and just. He seems like a likeable person.”

The Watcher nodded.

“Only one vice, it seems, he’s a heavy hashish user. Dulls the mind, that one, and he has a formidable opponent in the Basileus.”

He pointed.

“The Despot is almost incompetent in intrigue, contrary to the Basileus. The latter is an elusive shadow, a reaver, an adulterer, a schemer, he’s prone to visit brothels, he is deceitful and lazy. Yet, he is compassionate.”

The Creature winked.

“Hardly redeeming the rest. Quite the different characters.”

He tsk’ed.

“I wonder how well Egypt will keep together if those two clash.”

The Watcher shook his head.

“He’s old, almost two decades older than the Basileus. He has little time.”

He gasped.

“But look at that! The Holy Roman Empire is falling apart in the south, and partly in the north. I wonder if they will suffer Byzantium’s fate…”

The Creature whistled.

“Interesting. They’re in dark times.”

He laughed.

“But look at that, my friend. The kingdom of Africa has changed name to the kingdom of Nikaea. Seems they want to align themselves more with their Graeco-Roman past.”

The Watcher smirked.

“Indeed. And look at Armenia and Hellas. They’ve spread far. Just look at that down in Africa…”

The Creature clapped his hands.

“Such interesting times! Surely this warrants a glass or two of Yt’rian brandy, don’t you think?”

 

[Nikolai]

Chapter XIII – 1374 to 1391



“Curious, seems like the Chola has been busy lately.”

The Watcher scratched his chin.

“Look at that Empire their leader has built over the last few years. India is all but united.”

He smiled.

“Impressive, don’t you agree?”

The Creature nodded.

“Quite. All while France is going downhill in another civil war. Seems these Empires like that a lot. And they’ve lost Mesopotamia. All independent now. Not even the Holy Roman Empire is there now.”

He sniffed.

“I wonder how Chola will fare in that regard, now that they’re Empire status.”

The Watcher clucked.

“But look at Ireland. So strong and mighty. Although they seem to lose their current war. I wonder…”

He gasped.

“But look at Aragon in Iberia. Totally wreckage by this point. Oh do these humans love to wage war on each others… If only this edition goes to space… I wonder how they will become.”

The Creature grinned.

“Best to make a mental note to get back here in a few centuries’ time, don’t you say?”

The Watcher grinned back.

“Indeed. But we’re not done just yet.”

He pointed.

“Middle Seaxe is out of England now. And it seems out of Germany for that matter. Curious…”

The Creature clucked.

“And there the Holy Roman Empire spiraled down into civil war, while the French still wage theirs.”

He frowned.

“It’s a pity really. They have so much potential…”

He cocked his head.

“Wouldn’t you see that. Chola has collapsed. Almost completely. The death of their founder was not what the doctor ordered it seems.”

The Watcher nodded.

“Quite unfortunate. They had potential. Oh!”

He clapped.

“The French! They got out of their civil war. And now they’ve created a formal Empire. The Empire of Francia. What a joyous occasion for the French!”

The Creature winked.

“Quite an occasion. And they’ve returned to Mesopotamia. I think this warrants a celebration on our end too, wouldn’t you say?”

He stretched out his arms.

“U’bilian chicken, my friend?”

 

[Nikolai]

Chapter XIV – 1391 to 1415


“Curious. Most curious.”

The Watcher chuckled.

“What now, my friend?”

The Creature smiled.

“The British Isles, my friend. Just look at it. It hasn’t been this orderly for ages.”

The Watcher pointed.

“Ireland united, same is Scotland. And Danelaw has almost got the borders of old England.”

The Creature grinned.

“Indeed. Most satisfying. Can’t last, though. By the way, did you check the religious situation? Quite the interesting topic.”

He winked.

“Orthodox spreads everywhere, so do Catholicism. Nestorians has taken hold in the Baltics; Islam is sent out to the fringes of the map. And Insular is almost eradicated. The Waldensian faith is doing well still in the Hungary region. And in the East, Tengri and the various Hindu faiths are doing well too.”

He exhaled.

“Whew, quite a mouthful. But oh, so interesting!”

The Watcher grinned.

“Quite, my friend. Quite. But look at the Middle East! Armenia got split in a civil war, and Syria took most of the Empire! I wonder…”

The Creature nodded.

“Indeed. And the Holy Roman Empire keeps shredding pieces too, although to a smaller degree. Just look at this, smaller parts independent everywhere.”

The Watcher gasped.

“Just look at that. Scotland has invaded Ireland and won. Wales is gone too, taken out by Danelaw and Ireland. The French has a toehold in Cornwall, and the Holy Roman Empire has lost their stronghold between Danelaw and Scotland, finally. I wonder…”

The Creature laughed.

“It probably won’t last. Those humans are a curious lot. The resurgence of Danelaw surely warrants a celebration, though. Can I offer you some P’hky’tulian puke? It’s said to be delicious.”

 

[Nikolai]

Chapter XV – 1415 to 1453



“Curious.”

The Watcher shook his head.

“Look at that, my friend. The Mongol Empire is dead. It has totally disintegrated.”

He tsk’ed.

“It never got very big in this dimension and universe.”

The Creature nodded.

“Quite unfortunate for them… Speaking of unfortunate, look at the Middle East.”

He pointed.

“Francia was waging a war for the entirely to the kingdom of Persia and was on the brink of total victory. Then they collapsed into civil war, and now their entire authority in the region is gone.”

The Watcher smiled.

“It really has been a bumpy ride for the French in that region.”

He gasped.

“Look at Danelaw. Gwynedd has almost fallen in her entirety to them. England is almost back under a new name. Quite curious.”

He laughed.

“Speaking of new realms, look at Mallorca in the Western Mediterranean. Quite widespread.”

The Creature smirked.

“Yes. And look at Tahert and Cordoba. Quite a change in power dynamics.”

He laughed.

“And back to Danelaw. They won a war against Francia, and now Francia is almost gone from the Isles. Quite an accomplishment.”

The Watcher clucked.

“And at the same time Francia has expanded in Ireland and is winning against Scotland.”

He gasped again.

“Look at Egypt. The entirety of their kingdom was inherited by the king of Cyprus. Cyprus reigns supreme in that part of the world now. Such power.”

He smiled sadly.

“But my friend. Our time is over here now. The world is about to advance to their next stage, and I need to proceed to my next assignment. New worlds, new universes. New dimensions. I do hope I will see more of these humans in due time though.”

The Creature winked.

“Or other humans. They are quite usual in the different worlds.”

He grinned.

“We need to celebrate a watch well done, though. I have taken the liberty to raid your cellar and found this excellent, aged Pfr’hryp’fillian wine. Cheers!”