[hider=Introduction]
"It's been almost 500 years since the great king unified Britain..."

"Your majesty?"

"..." The old man looked up at his adviser. Though he was not dressed in particularly regal garb, the man was the king of England. "Ah, sorry, I was merely thinking. For these 500 years the Arthurian Alliance has stood... But surely you know of the rumors... Those of Scotland speak of rebellion... They wish to no longer be governed by the alliance... There have already been squabbles in Ulster... The official word is that Ireland was attacked by barbarians, but..."

"You believe it Scottish liberationishts?"

The king nodded tiredly. "Indeed... And I am concerned," he coughed. "The alliance will not stand too much longer... We are all people, yet why can we not stand together? Are our traditions and histories really that incompatible?"

"Your majesty..."

"It is unfortunate... Tell me, how old is my son?"

"He is 24 and 3 months, sir."

"Of course... Still a child, truly... It is most unfortunate..."

"Sir?"

"Yes, most unfortunate... The inheritance I leave him will most certainly be the bloodiest war seen on the British soil in over 500 years... And there is nothing this old man can do to stop this..."

"Sir, but certainly you could visit with Queen Mary... Perhaps try and reason with her."

"That would be the dream... But alas, I know my health would not allow it..."

"Your majesty... Certainly you don't mean..."

"I do... I am not long now... It is time for my son to take the reins... I hope he is able to bring this to a close... Without too much bloodshed."

"Sir... I understand. We can only hope to put our faith in the young lord... In the knights... And in the people of Britain."

"Indeed... Now then..." The king coughed. "This old man isn't quite gone yet. Would you put out for a glass of mead?"

"Of course, sir..."
[/hider]

~~~House Burgh, Ulster, Ireland. March 3, 1026~~~

The young knight had arrived at the house early in the morning with his entourage. There were still signs of battle around, but the castle had stood firm. Roland had arrived on that day to petition the masters of the house for aid at the king's behest. For now, though, he waited, with a small platoon of soldiers, for any response from the master or keepers of the house.