Charles cracked a little bit of a grin as he leaned against a tavern door to listen to the old man in the center speak. It was odd to hear his own tale told back by someone else, as though they had had some hand in fashioning it. But that was the way such folk tales began, with but a splinter that swell and grew with each telling. In some versions he'd heard over the last weeks there was even talk of a terrible dragon this "Queen" rode into battle that belched flame from a fire that was fueled by the bones of the just. A little lurid imagery perhaps, but Charles had personally found it quite enjoyable.

When they passed villages they knew the tale had spread to, he was always brought to hear the local version of the story. Ironically this tale of "Queen Dolly" would likely outlive everyone alive today for several generations... but this was fine with Charles. After all, what more could one want but to leave behind a legacy of shedding a little light into the world? Some were not prepared for the harsh truths that lay behind the tale and chose just to view it as the fable it ultimately was.... and some would find their guilty conscious made themselves the subject of the story. So be it. Perhaps they would finally listen to God's true voice in their lives and abandon their current path of wanton lust for power. Then again, perhaps they would not. For Charles, whose faith was absolute, he would rely on God to see things right in the end... but there were some matters that just required a more forceful approach. Such was the bedevilment that had befallen Ireland and England now. Entwined in false belief, led astray by leaders they had false belief in... he did not blame them. For how could he?

It was easy to fall into line with such insanity, human nature dictated that you follow the herd blindly. They did what they had always done, trust in their leaders to always tell them the truth. It was sad in this case that they had been so deceived. Now it fell to he and the strong arms of his Knights and allies to put things back to right. While he found the task odious in some respects, he was willing.

"And so it came to pass," the voice of the old man in the center of the inn was saying, "that brave Paul left Trisa once again, on the eve of that fantastic opening victory against the forces of darkness and evil that had so long plagued their land," the group around the man grew hushed...quiet as they leaned forward with rapt attention. "To some what he did next might be seen as crazy, to others brave to the point of foolishness, yet to Paul the voice of God was now clear. He and his companion Eric traveled north, into lands still under the thumb of the tyrants. "

"But why old man?" Came a voice, a youth of about sixteen, "that's stupid they just escaped!"

"Oh... was it now. Have you now the wisdom of God on high? Or are you another Queen Dolly walking amongst us?" The crowd laughed and the embarrassed young man blushed furiously and fell silent.
"No, I thought not, good lad. North good Paul did indeed travel through lands much like those of Trisa but colder. As the air grew crisper so did Paul find that the skin tone of the inhabitants grew lighter until it was almost indistinguishable from that of those on the island itself. But Paul knew no fear, for he knew that these lands had suffered even more at the hands of the evil ones than his own. For Trisa had made their supplication but this land had been more resolute. Suffering instead a small decay of a death by inches every year the constant approach of Kingdom had swallowed more of their lands until they were reduced to looking out the walls of their last strongholds... even from there they could see the teeming hosts gathering to destroy them when the call came for more ever more."

The old man squinted a bit against the firelight that was spreading shadows around the inn and then wet his mouth with a quick sip of ale before continuing.

"Paul came upon a small group of soldiers from this beleaguered land this day. Their armor was dry and cracked from neglect and their stride short and weak. They did not look even the peasants in the eye as they walked passed for they had known defeat after defeat both in their court and on the battlefield dealt to them by the Kingdom. They were beaten men and their spears drug upon the earth as they walked. Men should not walk that way, for as you might chain a man to bind him the Evil Ones had bound the souls of these men until they believed God himself had abandoned them. So he went among them, giving them some of his own meager provisions for the trip. 'God is with you my friend, eat this and know that your people believe in you and that he will strengthen your arms for the days ahead. For take heart, a great host gathers in the South to sweep the Evil One's from this land as well. Armies of justice and God that will help restore your lands so that you might live free and proud once more... bowing to no man, scraping to no woman. For you are true warriors and should be beholden only to God... and to your honor.' "

"A hush fell over the soldiers then as they munched on bits of bread and cheese Paul had provided and they regarded the old man with looks ranging from surprise to doubt. 'Who are you old man that you make such claims? No one will ever change our fate, for we have been declared enemies of the Kingdom for wanting to manage our own affairs...' Paul smiled. For it was not so different from what his own people in Trisa had suffered."

" 'I am from Trisa,' he replied slowly, gathering himself, 'Attend me well for it might be some time before you see another. For the Queen sent a mighty army to destroy my people and they went about their task well. Heretics and pagans to burn and loot and murder until none were left alive.' Paul put his hands out touching the shoulder or arm of each of the soldiers moving among them as he spoke and as he passed he seemed to be looking only at each of them and they felt their burden lighten as if this man had somehow given him strength he could not possibly process in his frail body.

" 'But just when all hope was lost a light appeared. At first we thought it was our Lord calling us Home, but no, it was the sun reflecting off sharp lances. The teaming host of the Kingdom Horde milled about, turning to see what it was we were looking at... and they saw. Flags flapping in the sharp wind cracking like thunder with the hush that had fallen over the land. A trumpet sounded then, clear and pure notes rang across the countryside.. and then the charge began! Rank upon rank of knights their armor polished to a shine you cannot imagine in this world, swords sharp and hearts true struck the invading host and shattered it... driving it before them into the sea.' "

" 'Impossible!' One of the soldiers explained, 'they are too many!' Paul smiled indulgently at the man. 'Nothing is impossible for God, for all this is as he has willed it. Into the sea they drove the Kingdom host and even now they come this way to help you. Sharpen your blades, repair your armor for the future of your people is at hand. If you have the will to fight beside these brave and true souls who come even now to help you.. you too will drive the invader from your home... together the Kingdom shall fall.' Paul did not stay in this place long, for he had even further to travel, but in the days hence rank upon rank of recruits filled the armies of this land again... brave souls waiting only for the signal to strike."

Charles nodded to himself as he walked on back to the lines of his army and took in a breath of the warming air. The first true clash of arms would be soon however the English tried to avoid it and God would grant them victory against the heretics.