Looking at Becker for a moment the Duke then turns towards Lorenz.
Exactly what are you proposing Lorenz?
And believe me son, you're going to see plenty of action in just a few short weeks.
I'll say this though, you do seem very motivated.
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Looking at Becker for a moment the Duke then turns towards Lorenz.
Exactly what are you proposing Lorenz?
And believe me son, you're going to see plenty of action in just a few short weeks.
I'll say this though, you do seem very motivated.
Duke, I'm just asking if you could let me handle any prisoners we capture, in the future under your command.
There's not much to handle Lorenz.
Unless you are volunteering to be an executioner.
Lorenz has an evil grin stretch across his face
Glady, Duke......
Raising an eyebrow at the young noble the Duke shakes his head with a rueful smile on his face.
Lorenz, the last time I told an Austrian Noble to get into the thick of things he got himself killed. Now I don't want you to hold back when we engage these Poles but I want you to be covered in Polish blood and not your own.
Dietrich von Dassel:
*making his way into the Austrian chambers, he glances at the formidable architecture.*
Gentlemen, as some of you are surely aware, I seem to have become the Governor of Ragusa. As such, that's why I'm here, to await some sort of message from your Duke Arnold.
However, I hope that this appointment is temporary because I am still a Swabian at heart and yearn to go back to killing the French.
The Dukes demeanour is clearly unpleasant to say the least.
His entire Retinue is spaced around the Chamber in order to ensure security and no unwelcome visitors. Each of them is armed heavily.
Gentlemen,
This is a general order to all governors and provincial rulers of Austria.
Smashing his fist down in emphasis.
I WILL NOT TOLERATE CHURCH PROPERTY BEING DESTROYED in my HOUSE!!!
You are authorised to persecute any and all persons that make any attempt or plan any attempt to destroy or deface the Catholic churches property.
I'm also ordering armed escorts for all clergyman should they deem it necessary for their safe passage in and around Austria.
Thankfully there have been no incidences to date, and I don't intend to see any.
You have your orders gentlemen!! Make sure they are followed to the letter.
Glancing at the new comer, Arnold continues without pause speaking directly to the Swabian Noble.
Dietrich!! I'm not sure what the £$%£ is going on but welcome. Any noble able to physically govern Austrian provinces at the moment is a welcome addition. I hereby give you temporary governor privileges for the Citadel of Ragusa. Its primary aim is to provide top line Cavalry for the AHA's. Please ensure this proceeds as planned.
And if there are any acts of religious or other rebellion please report them to me immediately.
My fellow Austrians, now that I have made my announcement in the Diet I have another one to make here.
I am resigning from my command of the 2nd AHA, pending my relief by either Karl or Lorenz Zirn. I have held this post because it was necessary, but with Karl returning to Austria and Lorenz on the verge of knighthood that is no longer the case. My only wish is that I may finally set foot inside Prague, and stay there.
Gentlemen,
Some orders.
Lorenz Zirn is now going to command the 2nd AHA in Krakow.
Your orders are to extract yourself from Krakow as soon as possible and place yourself near Zagreb. Your role is to provide support Zagreb and Venice in the event of rebellion.
If Krakow rebels then you are NOT authorised to assist. Unfortunately it is not our responsibility any longer and we can't spare any more troops to defend it.
Karl Zirn please make you way to the the 1st AHA. Your orders are to retake Bucharest, quell the city and then move to Bran. You are ordered to provide support to Budapest, Bran and Bucharest in the event of rebellion.
Becker you are authorised to head for Prague, however please also provide governoral assitance to Vienna. You are task with making sure neither province rebels.
I am going to make my way down to Ragusa personally to determine what the situation is.
Are there any question?
My duke, what exactly can I do while providing governoral assistance to Vienna?
Duke, your army will be in fabulous hands, NONE of these fools will dare rebel against me.
Becker,
Your skills as a governor are known to me and the rest of the Duchy. If you deem it necessary I would like you to keep an eye on Vienna while you are in Prague. If you see Vienna on the verge of rebelling then your mere presence would possible be able to quell the unrest.
OOC: I think you would begin to get positive governor traits soon...these would have a positive influence on the city you are station in.
Karl Zirn:
1st AHA needs to regroup. As mentioned Duke Arnold I think the siege of Bucharest should be lifted and I rv with the 1st AHA/Becker and other loose units (Capt. Dieter) to head fron Bran.
There are too many Hungarians and they may get occupied with the Rebels in Bucharest allowing us to move out. There is only one large Hungarian unit that could be a threat.
Would you agree Becker?
Arnold
Having seen the field reports I certainly agree.
Given the command change that is pending this would be best. Karl Zirn is alone so the only real way is for Becker to drop the siege and make his way closer to the coast where Lord Zirn comes ashore.
Nobles of Austria,
Given the current situation our sole aim is to protect and defend this Duchy.
Therefore I'm giving the following official orders.
Becker you are to abandon Bucharest and head south with the 1st AHA to link up with Karl Zirn. Once completed you are ordered to head for Bran and reinforce the army.
Unfortunately Lorenz it seems as if I am too late to prevent Dietrich's actions against the Pope. Given the situation I will be taking back command of the 2nd AHA, you and I will be heading south to Ragusa to refit if possible, provide a presence on the border with the Papal province and then head back into the interior of Austria once we determine how the Papal State are going to react.
Duke Arnold.
Given the current state of the Reich, I worry about concentrating too many nobles in one place. Considering Prague borders two other houses and guards the very heart of Germany I belive it would be prudent to send me there. From Prague I can keep an eye on Vienna as well as Bavaria and Franconia.
I also agree that Bucharest should be abandoned. Let us strip down every building except the Abbey. That should net us over seven hundred florins which can be put to good.
I agree Becker but I need you to form up with Lord Zirn first as he is horribly exposed.
Strip Bucharest and form on Zirn. Once you and he are together then fight your way back to Bran. You can then continue on to Prague and try and calm the populations of those Cities you mention.
Very well, my Duke. I will make arrangements.
I shall obey.
Excellent Men!!
Good luck, God's speed.
Report in as soon as you need anything or require advise.
Lets get too it!!
Duke Arnold, I have a proposal. Please allow me to stay behind and protect Budapust my home town. I feel that it is important I stay there and defend it as it can be extremly vurnable to many enemy attacks and we can not risk losing that area.
Karl Zirn:
Duke Arnold it would appear the junior officers prefer a geographic location of the Duchy. Once Becker and I form up the 1st AHA it does not matter if he wishes to proceed west to Prague and work with you and Cousin Zirn can remain in the east.
Bran will be the defence of the eastern front and Budapest is the next city after Bran. Whatever will motivate them to fight and defend.
I have no preference.
Arnold:
Gentlemen,
Having surveyed the situation and taken into consideration your wishes here are the orders.
Becker you've clearly stated you want to head back to Prague, and Lorenz you also wish to return to Budapest.
Clearly gentlemen you both must concern yourself with more than your own provinces if we are to keep Austria together.
Becker you have a tough time on your hands at the moment. You must sally from Bucharest then head south to Lord Zirn. Once united then head at once to Bran. Bucharest is too far for us to defend so it will be abandoned.
At Bran, Karl Zirn will reinforce and hold it at all cost with the 1st AHA, thereby securing our eastern border against the Hungarian's.
Becker, you can then head towards Prague. As well as Prague you must also look after Vienna. Maintain discipline in the two city garrisons and ensure any and all rebellion are either averted by your presence or crushed.
Lorenz Zirn, you are order to do the same with Budapest which is yours but also you must handle Zagreb on behalf of Karl Zirn while he is in Bran.
I will head south to ensure Ragusa is secured.
Pausing to look at the three Austrian nobles in turn
Gentlemen,
These are trying times, but if we work together and maintain contact with each other I firmly believe we can assist each other and come out of this crisis in a good position.
I'm not saying there wont be sacrifices to be made and some loses, but, we must maintain our trust in each other and keep our discipline not matter what the cost.
I will establish a series of galloping messengers between the cities and castles so that we may stay in contact with each other and ensure we can quickly react to any situations we my encounter together.
Are there any objections or concerns at this time?
If not, then Becker , god speed and best of luck meeting up with Lord Zirn.
Duke Arnold, I would like to ask if I'm still in control of the 2nd AHA.
Lorenz,
Unfortunately not at the moment.
If you are going to govern Budapest and Zagreb you will have to use the garrison troops for the moment.
If the situation presents itself I will hand over the 2nd AHA to you as required.
Arnold
A courier delivers a letter to the Austrian chambers from Edmund Becker. It reads:
My fellow Austrians, I fear my days are numbered when I look upon the Hungarian host arrayed before me. The primary army numbers five hundred-sixty pavise spearmen, four hundred fifty dismounted fuedal knights, four hundred eighty chivalric knights and two catapults with fourty artillerists. There is also another army that is able to assist that consists of an assortment of archers, crossbowmen and artillery totalling eight hundred eighteen people led by a member of Hungary's royal family.
It pains to plead like this, but I beg of you to send every available man to assist me. As it stands the destruction of the 1st AHA and my own death seem very likely.
Karl Zirn:
The odds are greatly against you. What if you sally and do a tatical withdrawl. Your losses will be minimal and we are going to abandon the settlement. That maybe enough to delay the Hungarians who will be occupied to take Bucharest and you can withdrawl to Bran.
Unfortunately I have no troops with me to assist.
Arnold:
Lord Becker,
I've seen the field reports. The situation is grim. Perhaps Lord Zirn can sneak through to Bran without your assistance.
One option might be to stay behind the walls, let them come, smash them against the wall of Bucharest and then depart.
The Chancellor has mentioned he has spoken to you.
What options has he discussed with you?
Duke Arnold.
Karl Zirn:
Seeing the situation at Bucharest I would like to reinforce Becker by getting what troops I can get in Bran and get to Bucharest to break the siege and get our boys out of there.
We can decide who will lead the battle when reinforcements arrive.
Arnold:
That sounds like the best course of action.
What are the troops in Bran consist of?