I Am Louis XIV

The witches thought it would be a serious meeting, but from what they saw, it seemed that it was not the case. There was water and cakes where they were waiting——this kind of exquisite food made them consume a lot unconsciously. When it is considered precious, the witches who hide their names and live cautiously out of people's sight will certainly not have the opportunity to enjoy sweets and pastries. When they are announced that they can go to the king, the place they go is not like a guard A strict prison or a court, but a small courtyard covered by vine leaves covering half of the sky, the sunlight passing through the emerald green net, leaving mottled shadows on their bodies and the ground.

The king, the Duchess of Colonna, and their son stayed together on a beautiful silk carpet, just like the sultan and his concubine in the picture. The appearance of the little duke inherited all the advantages of the duchess and the king. Even if he didn't smile, his slightly raised lips made him look extra cute. The sight of the witches was taken away by him for a moment, and then they returned to the king—they could say they saluted the king nondescriptly, because They have severed their ties with the court. Over the past hundred years, they have forgotten too many things. Apart from etiquette, they are in awe of power. The witch boldly looked at the king. He was a young man with fair complexion and curly golden-brown hair. The ground is draped over his shoulders, he has a high forehead that only those with strong will have, and a pair of long eyebrows like the wings of a falcon, under the long eyebrows are gray-blue eyes, and the bridge of his nose has a prominent hump, It means that he has great ambitions that other people can't match. If they only have the above characteristics, they would worry about meeting a cruel king, but he also has full lips, especially the lower lip, which is ruddy. It also represents his kindness.

When the witches used physiognomy to evaluate the king, Louis was also looking at these people—unlike the wizards of Gajola Island, the French witches were dark-skinned and rude, and although they were the leaders of the order, They also seem to be woefully lacking in talent and reason, the kind seen in all rulers, with their fur-trimmed dresses, colorful but rough shawls, and unkempt hair. , it reminds the king of a race that is not friendly enough to anyone, and is also hated and despised by many people, etc. It is not right to say that race is because it is eclectic, no matter what kind of people, black skin, white skin Or brown skin, or men, women, children, old people, criminals, scholars... as long as they are willing to obey the so-called laws and rules, they can join them. These people, the British call them Gypsies, and the Spaniards call them They are called Flamencos, Russians call them Tsigans, Albanians call them Efugits, Greeks call them Akinjanos, Arabs call them Lori, and Turkish Ottomans call them Aikun Taka, while the French call them Bohemians...

Among the Bohemians, there are indeed many women who are good at divination and casting spells. There are many liars among them, but there are also real witches mixed in. If the Witch Order wanders in France in this capacity, until It is understandable that the werewolves were driven out today, and Louis smiled: "Please sit down, ladies."

The witches glanced at each other, and sat down on the velvet cushions scattered everywhere. They crossed their knees carelessly, and several of them pulled down their shawls, completely exposing their sizable side to the king. Mary disdained He snorted softly, moved to Louis's side, and leaned on his shoulder. The witches giggled, obviously finding it very interesting. Unlike ordinary French women, Bosnians don't care about fame and marriage. Whom they want to marry, just walk up to the crowd and announce it loudly, the same is true for divorce, the women among them will spend a short night with people for money and food, for a pretty face and a strong body So it will be.

And, since they are Bosnians, the plan for Serbian werewolves and Gajola wizards can no longer be used. When Louis was not Louis, he still knew something about Gypsies. The people on the caravan neither desire power and glory like the wizards of Gayola Island, nor do they urgently need a place to rest and rest like the werewolves of Serbia. They are not bound by morality and law. Although they can blackmail and cheat, it is almost impossible to use money to fetter them. They never save money. Once they get it, they exchange it for food and wine, and then stay up all night. carnival.

"We've considered your three requests." Manit was the first to speak, "But we can't, Your Majesty," she blinked cunningly, "It's not that we don't want to, but that we simply can't do it." , you see, we are Bosnians, we are nowhere, we are wandering, you can see us in many places, and you may never see us."

She waited for Louis's answer, but Louis just glanced at Mary, "You must obey Mary's will in this matter," he said, "Mary is also a witch, and my wife in the other world. Give her this right." After speaking, the king actually stood up, took the little duke's hand, and retreated to one side with a smile, showing a gesture of indifference.

This turn of events surprised Manit a little. Of course, she had heard that the King of France had a beloved lover who was a witch, and they also had a common child. For the Bosnians, this It's not surprising, after all, their enthusiastic personalities, attractive bodies, and appearances have also attracted countless people, including many officials and dignitaries, but it is impossible for them to let a Bosnian give birth to their children. It is even more impossible for a woman to meddle in government affairs, even if, no, it should be said, a witch.

Didn't Charles VII trust and admire Joan of Arc? And those generals and ministers, those compliments and real money did not come out of nothing, but once it was revealed that there was a witch hidden behind Joan of Arc, no one except Marshal Gilles de Ray I would like to say a word for Joan. They are not hard-hearted, nor are they ungrateful, but... There has long been an unspeakable iron rule between the inner world and the outer world, that is, the power of the inner world and the outer world can never communicate. stacked part.

"But now these so-called iron rules have existed in name only." Mary said, from ten years ago, or even earlier, this is not so surprising, after all, the bait of power is so sweet and attractive, even if it is torn by an iron hook So what if you open your mouth, there are so many big fishes going forward - now the Roman Church will not hesitate to use the vampire's rotten bracelets. It is conceivable that if Carlos II of Spain recruits black wizards, the story of Louis XIII is not impossible repeat.

"But then we have to face the dark wizards of Spain," Manit said, "then we might as well go to Spain."

"In Spain you are alone and helpless, in Flanders you can be protected by at least a hundred thousand armed soldiers."

"Why do you need us when you already have so many soldiers?"

"Mortal to mortal, wizard to wizard," Marley said.

"Where are your people?" Manit asked coldly.

"They'll be fighting for the king on another field, the king of France," Mary replied equally deadpan, "though they're wizards from Italy—"

"We have been away from the court and the patronage of the king for many years," Manit said. "We don't need that anymore. We are Bosnians now. We have no country and no nation."

"As long as you stay in France, drink the water of the Seine, eat the food of Provence or Rouen, and run under the sunshine of Confrança or Marseille," Marie said sharply, "you can bear it." Favors from France, if you are unwilling to undertake your obligations, then leave France and go to a place that will endure you."

"We don't do any good by staying in France, and we can't," Manit said. "Our children are scattered everywhere."

"When they know there's a place where witches are allowed, they come."

Mary's words made Manit's hair stand on end: "I don't understand what you mean."

"It's easy to understand," Mary said, "The king will divide an area in Orleans as a... special area where French wizards can establish their own inner world."

Of course, the French wizards originally had an inner world, even near Reims, but because of Joan of Arc, their inner world was destroyed by the wizards of the Valois dynasty. Lives like cats and dogs - precarious, starvation, but time can always change a lot of things, this reward, a hundred years ago, would have made witches grateful and surrender without hesitation, but now, they are used to "freedom" "They didn't think that would be such an interesting thing in their lives.

With Louis secretly reminding, Mary was not annoyed or frustrated by the cold reaction of the witches, "Ah," she said briskly: "I haven't finished yet," she said calmly: "The king A date will be set, and from that day on, except for the Orleans District, other places in France, once a wizard appears, he will be arrested and tried," she stared into Manit's eyes: "and then executed."

———————

"This is really an evenly matched and exciting battle."

Louis murmured that before Mary's voice fell to the ground, he and the young Duke of Colonna were transferred to the top of the tower by Gajola's wizards, just like being imprisoned in a tower by a witch in a fairy tale Like the princess at the top, he held his son's little hand and looked down together. From him, he could see all kinds of strange scenes erupting in that courtyard.

Louis had stayed in the other world for a while, and even learned how to become a wizard, but he had never actually used magic to fight, not only did he not have one, he had never even witnessed it with his own eyes.

Contrary to what people imagine, when wizards and witches fight, although they need to say spells, make gestures, and use various magic materials, most of the spells do not require the use of wands - flames burst from their fingertips; Covering the ground and running water; the hurricane rolled up the enemy, and then threw it heavily on the ground; vines sprang out from the cracks in the stone slabs, strangling the limbs or neck; some wizards and witches who are good at martial arts will also change into huge long Fighting each other with swords or shields, there are also some wizards who directly turn themselves into water, wind and fire, wrapping the enemy tightly, and several wizards become manticores, three-headed dogs or big vultures, directly Attacks with fangs, claws and beak.

The Bohemian witches who came here are certainly not cowardly or incompetent as the elders of the church, but Calais has long been a half Gayola. There are more wizards here than the witches imagined, and, Mary didn't even summon too many people, and she was more willing to use financial resources than to use force—yes, with the support of Watch World, the economy of Gayola Island is no longer as chaotic as Louis saw. The conflict between the wizards of the lower class and the big families is no longer so sharp—or, after the Duchess of Colonna, that is, Marie Mancini, has almost become the manager of Gayola, the rule has become simpler up.

And in the past few years, the strife within the Mancini family, as well as Mary who was killed in the battle with several other big families, the will and skill alone can make Manit have no time to take care of other things. As for the other few Personally, Mary drove the golems and monsters in the courtyard, and they, together with the wizard Gayola as an attendant, were enough to fight and control these daredevils-maybe only for a few minutes, and Mary didn't even let the fight If it spread outside the palace, the Bohemian witches were forced to catch them without a fight.

When the king brought the little duke down from the tower, these witches were much more embarrassed than at the beginning. Manit was stabbed by the manticore's tail and had to cut off his arm immediately , lost a lot of blood, her face was pale, and her companion was not much better. When the king's boots stopped in front of her eyes, Manit struggled: "...I, how can I... believe...you ..."

Mary straightened her sleeves and took the king's arm: "We don't need you to believe me." She said, "Just to let you know."

—————

The Bohemian witches were thrown into prison in the palace, and someone came to visit them the next day, and that person was none other than Valo Vesalius.

"How are you thinking?" he asked.

"We still have room for consideration?" Manit asked sarcastically, yes, Marie Mancini said very clearly that now most of the referees in France are in the hands of the king, and the Spanish double kings (Aragon What the King and the Queen of Castile have done is not impossible for the King of France to do it again. As long as there is the King's will, the stake for burning witches can stand in every corner of France, unless they leave France, But just like Spain has Spanish wizards, Italy has Italian wizards, and England has British wizards... Europa has already been divided up by wizards, and the relationship between them is not even as good as that of the blood clan. If someone from the blood clan passes through the prince's territory, as long as Going to meet the prince, explaining the purpose of coming, you can live for a short time, or leave, but wizards are also a rare and good material for wizards...

Of course, the previous Louis XIII, or the earlier Henry IV did not do this, because at that time there were wizards left by Valois around them, and they were not very interested in fussing with these witches , but Louis XIV is obviously a different person, "His heart is a castor bean soaked in the venom of aconitum." Manit couldn't help but say.

Vesalius knew she was mocking Louis XIV for being narrow-minded and vicious. But now he knew a little about Louis XIV: "You're not entirely wrong," he said, "but our king is like that," he weighed his words, "because there are so many things to do." Complete, so no matter what it is, he is very urgent, time, money, manpower," he leaned down: "So, he can only see two kinds of people in his eyes, one is useful, and the other is It is useless, for the former, he can be tolerant in every possible way, for the latter, His Majesty will not allow him to waste even a drop of water or a trace of air, from this point of view, our Majesty is really stingy." This is what he has experienced so much There are many things, and I only realized it under the reminder of the instructor.

"Such a person who disregards virtue..."

"But only such people can tolerate you," Vesalius said, "I always feel familiar when I see you, yes, I used to be like this, thinking that there are always some things in the world that are inherently superior to other things Above, it's a mistake, gentlemen, I mean, there are some things that are always above others, but it's not love, family, or any kind of precious emotion that I think of, but family names and blood, which Makes me despair because this is something that cannot be broken in any way, I was born Vesalius, not Mancini or anything-fortunately we still have His Majesty, and for His Majesty there is something more Surnames and bloodlines are more important, and that is interest."

He straightened his body: "So be grateful, witches, if standing here is a monarch who values ​​faith, blood and surname above all else, you would have been burned to death."

So, from the very beginning, witches have no right to bargain.

————Sudden power outage, sorry for the delay for half a day. But add more thousand words to complete!