The cold tension in the Regalian Archipelago kept building, even in the face of the Spring festivities. House Claudio and Artiemus threw a communal banquet for the Dragenthalers who were criminals and rebels mere weeks ago, and now being praised by the Angle Veer nobles, providing but a tiny candle of happiness and communal joy in the an Archipelago that would prove to become more tense by the day. In fact, at the very same occasion where Artiemus and Claudio hosted a party, Tyrannian marched a 72,000 troop army, including house Winslough, Tyrannian itself and the Old Rebels around the Anglian Veer as a military exercise, but in reality to guard against invasion. In the North, Sorenvik made a big public display of strength by marching troops around and formalizing Sorenvik armor for the levies, with a more predominantly urbanizing Holzskagger population, and with the rise of house Haagenvig in the North as a major Baron, the Skagger Elders (those that remained anyway) convened to discuss the local power spectrum between the major Velheim and Holzskagger families. The Conclave of Elders quickly concluded that the power of the great three had seriously eroded. Months of silence from house Santorski and unwillingness to be associated with the Velheimers, the death of Johanna Uëxkulla the Shieldmaiden during the north rebellion, and the aging of the Vladimir Vladislav seriously devalued the power projection of the great three and their ability to represent the Velheim people. As such, the Conclave of Elders proclaimed a new trio of Velheimer guardians, Valbrand Haagenvig, Kaya Sorenvik, and Szymon Vladislav, Duke Vladislav’s oldest son. These three would now be identified as the Great Three of the North, wielding considerable influence in the Czabri Bone Shores and Throat Cap Wald tribes and hillsmen. House Ortonnaise started their re-entry in the spotlight with a foreign diplomacy offensive, though it was likely more identified to be a smear campaign against Hengest Harhold. Ortonnaise’s attempts to rouse the Nordskag King against Harhold’s actions was unsuccessful. While King Krumme denounced Harhold’s actions as dishonorable and in contradiction to the code of Ehren, he made no further statement about the matter and deferred to the Emperor in Regalia. Similarly in Lorhauser attempts failed to prove useful, the local population becoming disinterested in further agitation when du Pont troops started pillaging Peirgarten estates and sending bales of gold in loot from the estates to the Winslough family. Finally however, attempts to convince the Sovereign of Ithania to turn on Harhold were more successful. While the influence of both di Polignac and Ortonnaise had seriously waned in recent months, the Sovereign was disgusted by Harhold’s actions and declared him a grand criminal in the eyes of all people’s of Ithania, making him a wanted man. This meant little for Harhold who likely had no plans to travel to Ithania, but should he ever set foot there, he could expect a cold jail cell waiting for him. The Sovereign did make an official complaint against Harhold lodged with the Emperor, but chose to take the matter no further when the Emperor threatened to castrate the Sovereign’s emissaries and cut all military support for the Ithanian Realm which was currently being protected by the Emperor’s personal army from invasion by the Dread Empire if the Sovereign did not back down attempting to blackmail the Emperor into punishing Harhold. The Sovereign quickly backed down when an invasion from the Dread Empire Elves became a realistic threat, though continued her domestic charge against Harhold. In Narlas, the houses Miramonte, Reinard, Claudio, Black and Haagenvig supported local redevelopment and recovery after the Old Rebels departed. This rare showcase of smaller noble families working together washed away most of the concerns in Dragenthal, especially since von Treppewitz’s army was now present and no longer suppressing the people. With the Old Rebels gone and all nefarious forces removed that once tried to sow discontent and chaos, the region started slowly recovering. As such, Kehlen’s attempts to garner more of the local Viscounts under his defence coalition failed. With the atmosphere in Dragenthal calming down, the smaller houses were less urged to join forces with greater collectives, and preserved their independence. Kehlen then made a two prong move: Firstly his army in the Elven Moors would continue to bunker down, now also joined by Hamelin d’Vaud and Garth Viduggla doing the same, and just in time too. Dominico Alferi’s army disintegrated after numerous Noble Houses recalled their troops, collapsing the entire Elven Cities offensive and making Regalia lose practically 60% of its occupied land, holding onto a small segment of a southern Principality in the Elven Moors. The armies in the Elven Moors now had the prospect of having to deal with an army twice their size. They were reinforced by Digmaan Vazziss, who together with the 3 other armies, was able to stabilize the front and not suffer too much push back. Kehlen’s second move, was the invasion of Winslough lands, though now for occupation. While Winslough was just taking in the gold sent to them by dei Termini from the Peirgarten lands, House Kehlen’s army ransacked through Winslough lands, pillaging and torching industry and trampling any agriculture in the realm they could find. There were no Winslough soldiers present, all assigned to Tyrannian’s army halfway across the Archipelago, so the Kehlen troops just trashed the local economy without really offering a casus belli of substantive reason why. They did not occupy any land or kill any civilians outside of self defence, but simply destroyed the Winslough economy and income. Naturally, the Emperor was enraged by the continued failures of the noble-led war in the Elven lands. The building tension in Regalia had directly led to armies being undersupplied and whole armies being folded back as Nobles started dealing with their own internal issues more, rather than wage the war for the Emperor. The Emperor immediately fired the Finance, Logistic, Foreign State and War Ministers, and announced he would soon release a series of new military acts to drag the levy system into a more structured state controlled system. There were some investigations as well. The Scholar Ministry attempted to excavate a Dragon Vault on the border of Dragenthal, however their originally optimistic prospects failed quickly when they stumbled into the Vault’s archaic defences and what were presumed to be undead guarding the halls. Further excavations were halted in favor of the safety of the diggers. Harhold meanwhile continued his own investigation into the resistance movements in his own lands, only to discover what everyone expected: the dog killings had been strongly related to the Old Rebels who had sent saboteurs into Harhold lands to try and attack his morale, but had long since shipped off to the Anglian Veer in the relative safety of the Veer Noble’s hospitality.
Tobie chuckled softly as he looked over the reports brought into him, the retired soldier smirking softly at Kehlen's movements against House Winslough. "I'll have to thank House Kehlen myself for their actions against such a house that would accept stolen gold." Ahkrash stared at the report with much disinterest, flipping through the pages as his big, green fingers tore the edges of the fine paper. "Wit' big losses, how Ser Winslough bein' payin' me?" Warrane simply threw the report aside, keeping a scowl upon his face as he twiddled the braid to the right of his fringe with all the rage he could muster. "The idiots that lead these families seem not to realize the war going on in the Elven States, we are in danger of an invasion and they don't even see it coming."
Frederick heard news by local family members from Habichtsburg, giving a sigh. "We never even spoke to Kehlen. Though, we did sign ourselves up for this parade. They will see the wrongs in their doings, one way or another."
Juliette Howlester glanced over the document in hand that declared her husband fired from his ministry, a small frown appearing on her face before she turned towards him- soon pacing across the room to sit besides him, "It's not your fault that you were fired, you've seen all the news. War is coming soon, why else would there be so much madness in the archipelago?" @StarkFromAway
Aelfric huffed at the news. He could not comprehend the utter stupidity of the noble houses in this time of war. He threw the report into the crackling fire, before he rose with difficulty, utilizing his cane for assistance. He shuffled on off at that, muttering in Anglian at the great madness which has consumed the Archipelago.
The notice of termination reached the office only moments after the Baron was informed of the recent changes in the Archipelago. Looking it over, scanning it several times, Dietrich simply nodded as he went to gather up his personal belongings from the desk. Moving over to the fireplace, he tossed a few documents into the flames as was customary of the removal of a minister. Several plans, several drafts, all were incinerated in mere moments. Such was the duty of a sacked minister. Moving down the steps with papers in hands, he came to the lobby, where a few state clerks sat by doing what they always did. They knew what just happened, and simply gave respective bows to their former boss as he walked over to the exit. One such clerk, in an effort to send the Baron home with some contentment, gave the report of the Elven Moors to him. Opening the doorway to the street, the Drache said a few words before disappearing into the city crowds. "At least the remaining armies survive..."
Darcie pursed her lips, drumming her fingers upon the desk in her study. The recent news had reached her in two forms: a letter and the general announcement. “Considered to be a criminal in Ithania. How fascinating. Let’s hope he doesn’t enjoy the shores there that much.” She murmured to herself.
His expression was ice as he approached the Tyrannian, his arms spread, saying simply “Looks like its time to put this alliance to the test. I’ve got houses clamoring for my steel, Tyrannian, I need my foundries defended. You said yourself you want an ally that’s worth something. Well, this is where it starts. Give me an army to get this... Kehlen, whoever he is, out of my lands!” @Aespair
Niko Winslough upon hearing the news sat at his table rubbing his beard, he agrees with his patriarch thoughts, "Kehlen will soon know, Winslough's can bark...and we can bite."
“He will pay you will see in due time Ser Winslough, his actions will be served with justice.” Azara spoke running her finger around the brim of her glass, towards Leopold and Gallus. @Aespair @OnyxXIII
News reached the Moors shortly after the events in Ostlaukirchen as a messenger entered the red and silver command tent. He handed a neatly rolled scroll to the aging Kehlen, who skimmed over the contents. "Excellent to hear of such a easily won victory against such dishonorable curs. Though it is a pity that some will certainly take offense to this without need, but such is the way of the Crown Isle." the man mumbled to himself before returning to his command.
“Kehlen’s nightmares are going to be red and silver, full of the war cries of falcons.... you can count on that, Lady Tyrannian.”
Otto Bergmann sighed, he was elated at the news of his beloved home of Dragenthal stabilizing. However, he was troubled that his boss and liege Drache had been fired. The Military Tribune would now have to go about without a man he trusts.
The Colonel sat alone in his tent, writing reports here and there as the flaps of his little cloth home billowed within the breeze, a courier came abounding, carrying with it news from the Coinage Caravans; "Ah lets see here...what in the," The Dressolini went on a tangent of curse words, all the money wasted on those Winsloughs! Oh how he will be spiteful towards this occurrence....
Katrina gave a small snort as the news reached her. It was one of both humor and satisfaction. The elf fell silent for a moment before speaking to herself in a rather humored tone. "Isn't his wife Ithanian? Pah. I'm intrigued to see how this plays out." After the words left her mouth, she turned to her study on the topmost floor of her new residence, and stuck a single drawing pin, with the top colored a reddish hue along with an 'H' into where Ithania was marked on her map, before glancing over it once more. "But Ithanians.. What are they going to do? Make angry fan gestures at him?" She mused, rubbing her chin with her scarred hand. "I suppose one can never judge a book by it's cover, more the words within.." Once again, she paused, breaking out into a loud burst of laughter. "Oh, right, that oaf can't read!"
That was all Alexandre said to the courier, who was reading aloud the latest news and happenings over the d'Vauds morning cup of coffee, shaking his head afterwards. He was a bit disappointed with the sacking of his nephew. He felt that the previous actions of the Velheim entourage that campaign against the Ministries had done little justice to Benedictus. He was even less enthused as the courier continued to read about, what seemed to Alexandre, the senseless Kehlen invasion of the Winslough lands. "What in the deepest, darkest pits of the void is Kehlen doing. He orders an invasion of House Winslough while simultaneously fighting on the Elven front. Surely a sign of things to come from House Kehlen, for better or worse .."
The General would rest a hand on his irrate cousins shoulder, hearing the news. "Worry not, this was an expected outcome. The good Lord Kehlen will do fine with Peirgarten gold. It comes at no loss to us. Save your worry for more pressing matters. This is a victory." He would smile at the overall success in his campaign, going to run over some of the gathered documentation. The young man retained his cold and calm grace with his victory.
Papers were stacked high at the several desk of the ministry, whilst clerkc swarmed the halls, talking about the latest events and scolding about their superiors. ''Yes- I heard, I heard madame.'' Sophia spoke as she was halted by one of the clerks on her way to the office of the Foreign Minister. Sophia slowly made her way there, as the servant that had supported her right after the attack, had made place for a cane. Sophia used her fan to knock on the door, yet not awaiting an answer and already stepping inside after a few seconds. The light of the large windows behind the desk blinded her for a brief second, before her gaze focussed on the sofa near the fireplace, expecting the Minister to be seated there, unsure if she was yet she simple started to talk. ''Your Excellency, I just heard the news.'' She started, the Ithanian lowered her head slightly, taking hold of her fan with two hands, leaning her cane against the desk. ''I am horribly sorry- it has been a pleasure working with you.'' Sophia didn't wait for an answer, simple took hold of her cane and moved out of the office again, closing the door behind her. ''It is truly a pity, she was such a great asset.'' She mumbled to one of the clerkcs that walked with her towards the exit. @CrysRazapple
Zas'kince Allas was just annoyed at how this is going, "Regalia's fighting a war on two fronts in my opinion, the infighting between the noble houses, and the fighting in the Elven Moors..." he'd mutter in Modern Elvish.
