With Family Like This, Who Needs Sunnis?

[Actinguy]

Welcome, super friends!

For this AAR, I will be starting as Duke Nuno, a vassal of Galicia in the murderous Iberian peninsula. The Iberian peninsula is primarily split up between four major forces in 1066: The Muslims...and the Kings of Galicia, Leon, and Castille. These three Kings also happen to be brothers...and none of them start with sons, making it an assassination free-for-all. Likewise, the Muslims are not united, resulting in a bit of in-fighting there as well. Things in the Iberian peninsula are always exciting!

Other, usually minor players include the Kings of Aragon and Navarra (distant cousins of the Kings of Galicia, Leon, and Castille), and the independent Duke of Barcelona...who is usually fairly strong, given that he's stuck between a bunch of kinslaying-Kings and Chistian-killing Muslims.

As Duke Nuno II, in addition to my own county of Porto, I also have three other count vassals. One of these is my 16-year-old daughter, Loba, the countess of Coimbra. She has a newborn daughter, Elvira. Loba is my only heir right now...her daughter Elvira is naturally from my son-in-law's dynasty (Sisnado), which means I need to engage in some baby making...FAST.

Of course, nothing in Crusader Kings II is ever easy. Not even sex.

(Incidentally, there will be some mild cross-over with my CK1 AAR The Butterfly Device. You'll be able to follow along fine without reading it...there will just be a couple easter eggs for those who were following me way back when.)

 

[Actinguy]

Duke Nuno II of Porto, Circa 1066​

With the moon blocked by clouds, the series of campfires were the only source of light that night. Hundreds of soldiers huddled by the flames in the snow-covered mountainside, desperate for the heat. One soldier, Duke Nuno II of Porto, removed his helmet and reached into his pack, removing a solid piece of glass with a gold backing.

"What is that, my lord?"

"A mirror," replied Duke Nuno, as he aimed it towards the fire, attempting to see his own reflection in the darkness. He saw two dark eyes peering back at him beneath loose locks of his hair. He ran his tongue along his teeth, attempting to dislodge a piece of boar. "My father found it among the dead heathens while fighting the Moors. He gave it to me in his final moments. One day, I will give it to my daughter...your wife...and then it will belong to your own children."

Though the Duke couldn't see it in the darkness, his son-in-law Count Sisnado Davides still smiled warmly. "I truly appreciate that, my lord, but there is no need. It is far too beautiful a mirror to belong to my family. We have not earned such an honor. It is right that you should have it, but when you join the Lord, we will see it donated to the church in your honor."

"Nonsense. I want you to have it. I want my infant granddaughter Elvira to look in that mirror one day and see her own beauty. And, perhaps, to see that her grandfather loved her very much."

"Then that is how it shall be, my lord. But I confess I do not understand such talk. You are a young man yet, likely to live many more years, and even spawn many more heirs. A son, perhaps, to leave such treasures too."

"I know that I have but four years on you, Sisnado, yet I suspect my end nears."

"You are not feeling well, my lord? Should I fetch a maiden?"

"No, no. My health is quite fine. As you say, I am still a young man. Yet I can not help but feel there is something coming. Something terrible. Some tragic end which races ever closer."

"I understand, my lord, but I am sure you are wrong. We have a simple battle ahead...the three Kingdoms versus a simple wayward count. The battle may well be over before we even set out again in the morning. Surely there is nothing to fear."

"Understand me, Sisnado. It is not my own end that I fear. Though I suspect it is all too soon, I shall accept my place with the Lord. No...it is those left behind for whom I fear. My daughter Loba. My granddaughter Elvira. I can not help but feel..."

"My lord, surely you know I will let no harm come to them? I care for them just as you do. Should any mal fate befall my wife and daughter, it would have to befall me first."

Duke Nuno nodded, temporarily relieved. "I know this to be true."

"Good," replied Count Sisnado. "Then let us end such talk and retire to our tents for the night, shall we?"

Duke Nuno returned the mirror and picked up his pack...but something strange caught his eye. Something he was sure he had not seen a moment earlier. He leaned forward and picked up a dirty parchment, holding it to the light, but unable to make out the scratchings. If he could read English, of course, he would have known that it said "The Journal of Juvenal Quentis."

But none of that mattered at the moment....for a lone horseman had just charged into camp, shouting at the top of his lungs:

"THE KING IS DEAD! LONG LIVE THE KING!"

 

[Padre Pio]

Can't wait for the next part. The chapters are sweet and short but packed with enough mystery to make the reader twiddle his thumb in anticipation for the next update. I have always been fond of your writing style, ever since I stumbled upon your 'The Butterfly Device' AAR.

Please update soon!

 

[Brougal]

Interesting, I'll be following