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You had been away; aye, the war over the isles had left you abroad leading your armies to victory. But now you have returned, victorious and celebrated by your people. But you had been far away, so you couldn't keep an eye on the great lords, those lords who were, or were the descendants of those who had risen with your father back in '39, thirty-five years ago.
They had loved your father, but under you the relations had been cooled. Father was always too willing to remain their primus inter pares, their duke instead of their king, which was not something you were willing to do. Now, as you survey the land upon your return, you can sense the tension and unease among the great lords who once revered your father. It is clear that reasserting your position as king is to be at the forefront of your agenda.
And the best way to do that is to go on tour; a king is only as legitimate as the splendour he exudes. You must be seen, heard, and your presence felt, for when the king is at your doorstep, would you dare refuse him?
So it was decided, upon a tour of the north, where the great fiefs and estates of these lords lay. You leave for the southeast first, to visit them there, and work your way up to the northeast, near the Viskaran border. From there on out, you would go westward, stopping at Eisenhaben before going onto the Lindwurm peninsula, where you would pass Greifswald's only true mountains before crossing the river delta of Reigersumpf before travelling back to Rittersbach. You would hold this grand tour in the autumn, before the winter came and the year was over.
You decided to leave Sophia here this time around; she wouldn't mind, though you decided to take the rest of your children and wife with you as well.
As you were beginning to make preparations, the first leaves were already falling upon the road, as a grand retinue of knights and household guard had been arranged for as well as six elven bodyguards who had taken up employment with your guards.
The first stop on the road would be Count Wilhelm von Hoenstein's castle, one of the oldest men in Greifswald, who had refrained from actively participating in politics these days, but whose reputation as one of the last veterans of the war of independence made him respected by all.
Getting him on side would dissuade and recover a good chunk of the older generations, which would most certainly help. The octogenarian would most certainly welcome you. His wisdom, still able mind, and experience could help mend the rift between you and the nobles, if you tried.
His castle, Hoenstein, was built upon a ridge of basalt, which was what the foundations of the castle were made of. The view from the castle's tower was said to be breathtaking, offering a panoramic vista of the surrounding countryside, which was flat and open.
