Jean sat pitifully on a rock overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, blank-faced and staring out into the vast waters before him. He had lost another son today, this time not to death but to treachery. Antoine, the godfather of his grandchild, longtime friend and even whaling companion, had betrayed him for the literal anti-christ. Needless to say, he was devastated.

His children watched him from afar, silence between them as they contemplated their next move - both as a family and as a crusading force. Francis silently recited, "At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other... Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." Turning to the others, he continued. "We must stand firm. Clearly, this is the end times if entire Kingdoms can be subverted to the will of ‘the abomination that causes desolation'. If we don't strike hard, now and decisively, this cancerous growth of sin and heathenry will continue into exponential proportions, to such an extent that it cannot be stopped."

Martin nodded. "Even now, the Germans are sprouting with seeds of heresy and deceit for their own greed. No doubt they will need to be dealt with in kind soon enough."

Andre Febus crossed his arms before him. "My duty is to that of my own realm, as is your own, but I see the logic in your words and reasoning. If we don't put a stop to Ismail here and now, there may very well be another Moorish state in Iberia by the end of our lifetime, and our children will inherit the sins of the fathers. Nevertheless, we have lands in the New World that remain untouched - perhaps we should fail at this? What then? We need someplace to fall back to, someplace safe should the true End Times be upon us. Because if they are, this is only the beginning of birthing pains, as Jesus Christ Himself said."

"I agree wholeheartedly." Henri said, worriedly. "If this Crusade proves impossible, we must return home and see to the establishment of colonies much alike Spain, and unite Christendom for the worst of it all."

Charles simply nodded meekly, still clad in his armor.

"Then it's settled." Francis took his sword and pointed it to the east, over the vast desert. "We will take Egypt, and then Jerusalem, and kill Ismail! God Wills It! The Pope Himself said that no man can undo the plans of God, we are guaranteed victory in the end! 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' Should the End Times be upon us, then our hope and future lies in the Kingdom of Heaven, and should it not be, then our hope and future lies in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Be it this Kingdom or that, we will see ourselves members of it, defenders of it, and lords of it! Onward, brothers, to victory!"

The Crusading forces under Jean of Navarre and Aragon are to board their vessels and head en masse along the coast to Egypt. Messengers are also sent to the Papacy and Poland that now is the time to strike. Should the weather not be permitting, the navy will take safe harbor along the Hafsid coast. The navy's first stop is Tripoli (in North Africa, not in Syria), then Marsa al Brega, and then head for Marsa Metruh, marching inland to Alexandria and then Cairo. Battle tactics will be sent upon request / assignment of a battle moderator.