Chapter 33: A Father's Burden
[THOMAS'S POV]
14 December, 1337
He is arriving today, that foolish boy! I believed him to be reasonable, rational, and pragmatic, but it appears I was gravely mistaken. He recklessly plunged into the lion's den during his hunting season. Who in their right mind invades the entire navy of the Kingdom of France at dawn to crush them all? He had neither the age nor a royal order to do so. He simply decided to embark on his ships and followed his whims. Despite his success and the absence of any casualties, which is a marvel in itself, Eddie chose to acknowledge his feat and summoned him here for honor. Honor, my foot! This young one deserves a stern reprimand.
Then there's that girl in the court, respectful, visionary, and talented. Vascalta, if I remember correctly, the Bard. I sighed. If only she hailed from noble blood, I would have cherished her as a daughter-in-law. Her songs possess the power to move even statues; perhaps, just perhaps, she could sway Edward to be less reckless.
"Sire, the young lord has arrived in the city!" Captain Derek exclaimed in haste.
"Ah, thank you, Derek, for informing me. I'll be there shortly," I said, offering a smile to Derek.
This young man is diligent and hardworking. Despite being a commoner and not yet 17, he joined the Wymondham army last year and dedicated himself to his studies. This year, his skills earned him a promotion from an enlistee to an officer, and here in London, owing to his exceptional leadership, I further elevated him to the rank of captain. He is bound to carve a name for himself in this war.
I dismissed my thoughts and rose from my chair in the royal garden. Taking a moment to sit amidst nature always proved refreshing, a welcome break from the incessant paperwork. It had been over two months since the last skirmish, and I was confident that, with the majority of their navy decimated, the French would focus on rebuilding rather than engaging in risky endeavors such as raids that would only lead to further ship losses.
Walking towards the Norman Gate, I noticed Eddie and Edward engaged in conversation. Closing the distance, Edward spotted me first. As Eddie's attention shifted, he turned around to find me. Edward executed a bow, and I offered a nod in acknowledgment.
"We need to talk," I stated in a cold tone.
"Yes, father," he replied in a stern voice.
Both of us bowed to Eddie; after all, he was the king first, my nephew second. We then proceeded to my chambers. The accommodations were certainly superior to my own in Norwich. I knew every nook and cranny of this palace; I had spent my childhood here, after all. I gestured for Edward to sit on the bed, taking a seat next to him.
"Edd, you know why have i called you here, right?"
"Yes, father. The Battle of Sluys."
I sighed.
"Why did you do it? Tell me!" I asked him in a harsh tone.
"I just wanted to ensure that our branch of the royal line also gains glory. This seemed like a perfect opportunity for me to do so, father. I planned it rationally over the months; I never act on a whim, and at least you should be aware of that," Edward said in a pleading tone, attempting to convince me.
"Those words would have certainly worked on Eddie, but you can't win me over with 'em," I continued, "I have been navigating this treacherous court with its deadly power plays for half my life, just to protect my family, our family, Edd! Did you even consider what would have been my reaction when I heard that my only son went into the sea, risking it all? For what? Some lost glory? Glory doesn't feed, Edd. And neither did you bother to ask me before going on this expedition. If you were this set on gaining experience, I would have come myself with you and would have given up my life for you if needed. Just why, Edd, why!"
Silence lingered between us for nearly a minute before Edd finally spoke the words.
"I'm sorry."
"You should be," I replied in a monotone. "I would have liked to ground you and let you contemplate your actions, but now that you're here in London, there will be many tasks for you to do. So, from now on, consult me before you take such steps."
"I will make sure to do so, Father," Edd replied with a smile that didn't seem to reach his eyes.
I smiled back and asked him to follow me to the throne room.
Perhaps now, he'll understand my concerns and carefully consider any plans he makes in the future.
We soon arrived in the throne room, a space grander and more expansive than my own in Norwich Castle. This room spanned at least 5,000 square feet, over twice the size of mine, and the king's throne itself was crafted from gold—an ostentatious display of wealth and power for any visitor. Eddie, or Edward III, sat on the throne with regal composure. He possessed a tall stature, characteristic of the Plantagenet Dynasty. Fair-skinned, brown-eyed, and with blonde hair, he sported a Stiletto beard, creating a fitting image of a king. His smile projected a commanding yet gentle aura, contributing significantly to his popularity among his vassals.
I took my seat in the designated chair of The Earl Marshal, while Edd advanced and kneeled before the king. Eddie descended the elevated stairs and beckoned Edd to rise. Placing both palms on Edd's shoulders, he spoke in a booming voice that resonated throughout the court, reaching courtiers, their attendants, a few commoners granted entry that day, and a portion of the retinue of each present noble.
"Cousin, what you've accomplished at your age is nothing short of mystical, unprecedented in our history," Eddie declared. He continued, "They now call you 'The Dawnblade' for swiftly vanquishing the French armada at dawn."
"Your grace, this achievement wouldn't have been possible without your blessings," Edd responded with humility.
"No need for humility when your deeds are extraordinary. You've singlehandedly shattered the backbone of those French contenders to our throne. I'm certain you've become a target of disdain in the French court," Eddie remarked with a chuckle.
Eddie's smile then shifted to seriousness as he unsheathed his sword. The longsword had an iron hilt adorned with a thick layer of pure gold, intricately decorated with rosettes. The pommel featured an enameled inset displaying the crossed arms of England and France on one side, while the other side housed a disc of translucent chalcedony, revealing a visible cloth remnant—a clear indication of some kind of relic.
Anticipating the next step, Eddie promptly knelt. It was time for the accolade, the central act in the rite of passage ceremonies conferring knighthood. Eddie tapped the flat side of the sword first on Edd's left shoulder, then the right, accompanying the motions with solemn words, "Rise, Sir Edward, a knight in the name of God and St. Michael."
The surprise echoed not only in my mind but also in the expressions of everyone present. Edd, despite deserving recognition for his deeds, was merely fourteen, and knighthood was traditionally reserved for those at least sixteen winters old. However, Eddie went further. As Edd stood, Eddie commanded a nearby soldier to bring something. Within moments, the soldier returned with a parchmen- no that's not a parchment, it's a royal charter!
Eddie then made a formal proclamation, "By the authority vested in me and in recognition of your exceptional service, unwavering loyalty, and proven skill in matters of naval affairs, I, Edward, Third of my name, hereby appoint and bestow upon you, Edward Plantagenet, 2nd Baron of Wymondham, the esteemed position of Warden of East Anglia."
Continuing his declaration, Eddie posed the solemn questions, "Do you solemnly swear to faithfully serve as a Warden, to uphold the laws of the lands and seas, and to defend our realms against all threats, foreign and domestic? Do you pledge unwavering loyalty to the crown and the people?"
Edd responded with determination, "I do solemnly swear, with a humble heart and a steadfast spirit, to faithfully fulfill the duties entrusted to me as the Warden of East Anglia. I pledge my allegiance to the crown, the people, and the sacred duty of safeguarding our maritime interests."
Eddie smiled warmly as he rested his right hand on Edd's left shoulder and spoke, "May the winds be ever in your favor, and may the seas be calm in your command. May your endeavors be marked with success, and may your leadership inspire confidence and courage in all who serve under your flag."
With these words, the ceremony concluded, and it was announced that a grand feast would take place tonight in the royal castle to celebrate my son's remarkable achievements and his appointment to the prestigious post of Warden.
From my understanding, the position of Warden appears to be distinct from the typical role of Warden of the Coast. It seems Edward specified "Warden of East Anglia" rather than "Warden of the East Anglian Coast," indicating that Edd is being granted authority over the entire East Anglian region. This is a shrewd move on Edward's part. Firstly, he has established a completely new office with significant powers, almost equivalent to the recently created title of Duke. Secondly, it's difficult for anyone to object since Edward has rightfully earned this position through his military accomplishments. Thirdly, this move serves to consolidate power within the Plantagenet family. Well played, Eddie, well played.
It's amusing to realize that, in this scenario, I find myself subordinate to my own son. Hahaha. Who would have thought I'd live to see the day when my son surpasses me, and he's not even of age yet? This child, though reckless, truly fills my heart with pride.
If Eddie appoints a Warden for each of the old petty kingdoms, there will be seven Wardens in total under the king: Northumbria, Mercia, East Anglia, Essex, Kent, Sussex, and Wessex. If we include Cornwall, Wales, and part of Ireland in our possession, the count rises to ten. Comparatively, if we were to divide our territory of France into equal parts, there would be a total of twelve Wardens. It might be prudent for me to request a copied charter of this new office from the Lord Steward to better understand its implications.
Under the jurisdiction of East Anglia lie the earldoms of Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk, collectively forming a substantial and diverse territory. Norfolk, being the most densely populated region, may help Edward hold onto more influence, particularly in matters related to calling for arms. However, it is likely that the Earls of these regions, excluding obviously Norfolk, may be less inclined to readily accept his directives on matters beyond military affairs. Matters such as economic policies or internal conflicts might face resistance or limited compliance from these individual earldoms due to the autonomy they traditionally enjoy.
Nevertheless, the specific allegiance of individual earldoms may be of lesser concern, as the primary need in these turbulent times is men, strong young men. The King can potentially summon around fifteen thousand soldiers, and when including the forces from Norfolk, the total may exceed twenty thousand. This formidable number can confront the French force of thirty thousand men directly. While the French may boast superior training, our grasp of more effective tactics has proven advantageous, leading to victories in three skirmishes in my lead with relatively minimal effort.
With Edward now present at court, I plan to bring him along in future battles, allowing him to gain direct experience and prove the consistency of his prowess. Since his success in the naval battle could be dismissed as beginner's luck, he needs to demonstrate both the acumen of his mind and the strength of his body regularly. After all, dealing with nobles often involves navigating a landscape filled with opportunity leechers.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
AidenAgnor
AidenAgnor I'm not sure why the latest chapter wasn't uploaded as scheduled. I only realized it today when I checked Webnovel and noticed that there was one less chapter here compared to RR and ScribbleHub. Therefore, I decided to upload it immediately. I apologize for the delay.
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