Allevatore_dicapre

In a usurped kingdom , amid a war-torn and  blood-soaked Italy, Conradin's battleground is set. To reclaim his birthright the crown of Sicily,  he must tread a path paved with blood, learning that he must do whatever it takes to ascend the throne.




---------------

In the year 1266, the tale of Conradin, the last scion of an ancient imperial dynasty, unfolds. His once-great kingdom, Sicily, has been ruthlessly usurped first by his own uncle and now rests in the hands of the cunning French Count Charles. Through a treacherous plot involving the Pope, Charles managed to oust the Hohenstaufen from the Kingdom of Sicily and crowned himself as its king.

In the East, powers such as the Despotate of Epirus are keenly observing the instability in Sicily, poised to seize any advantage that may arise from the chaos. Meanwhile, the small Italian communes are caught in the political crossfire, aligning themselves with one side of the conflict or the other based on the prevailing political party in power and their vested interests. These shifting allegiances turn the Italian peninsula into a powder keg, where all-out war seems inevitable.

As the shadows of history close in around Conradin, the world watches with bated breath. Will he emerge triumphant, his name forever etched in the annals of Sicilian glory as the rightful king who defied insurmountable odds, toppling both the Pope and the usurper? Or will he, in his valiant struggle, become a tragic figure, a symbol of lost opportunities and shattered dreams? The future of Sicily hangs in the balance, and Conradin's destiny remains uncertain, poised on the precipice of history.

The return of the fallen king

As Maletta led his forces onwards, crossing rivers and rugged terrain, he couldn't help but marvel at the audacious plan that had brought them to this point. The king's plan had been nothing short of mad, yet it seemed to be working, and Maletta couldn't shake the feeling that some divine intervention must be at play.

"By the Lord's grace," Maletta muttered to himself, "this king may just succeed where others would have faltered."

Despite the urgency of the situation, Maletta's mind couldn't help but drift towards his own discomfort. He had been enduring lower back pain for the past week, and it was becoming increasingly unbearable. Every jolt from the horse sent sharp waves of pain through his spine. He knew he needed to consult a physician as soon as he returned to the kingdom. Neglecting his health at such a critical time could have dire consequences, and he couldn't afford to be hindered in carrying out his duties.

Battle's for a crown (10)