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.




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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

In a private chamber adorned with opulent tapestries and dimly lit by ornate sconces, three men sat engrossed in their activities. The servants moved with graceful efficiency, clearing away the remnants of their meal, leaving in their wake the enticing aroma of wine and the sweetness of honeyed milk.

Two of the men, deep in contemplation, hunched over a finely crafted chessboard. Their eyes flitted across the board, calculating their next moves with precision. The intricate dance of black and white pieces mirrored the intrigue and strategy of their political maneuvers.

Seated slightly apart from the chess players, the third man observed the game with keen interest. His noble bearing and refined attire marked him as a figure of high stature, even though he remained a silent spectator. The room echoed with the soft clinking of goblets and the faint rustling of robes, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and shared purpose.

Dealing with unfinished business(1)