Orders and reports thread

[OverKnight]

1272

I am truly sorry to inform the Reich of the loss of one of it's great men.

The liberator of Damascus has gone to his reward. Count Fredericus von Hamburg took leadership of the Reich in its darkest hour and set it back on course. Without his stabilizing rule, I shudder to think where we would be.

Still, even though we grieve we must welcome a new Swabian to the Diet.

I fear I must bring further dark tidings, this time of war.

Prince Lorenzo of Sicily has besieged Bologna. The fool only did it with his retainers and was run off by the garrison, but we are now at war with Sicily. I am amazed by their stupidity.

Our only consolation is that England is finally at war with France as they laid siege to Bruges.

The Sicilians south of Ragusa have taken ship and now lie off the coast. No doubt they fear the wrath of Duke Arnold.

I wish I could send Count Lothar to wreak a terrible vengeance on Sicily from Cagliari, but the Spanish army there concerns me. They have not withdrawn, and a Spanish fleet approaches Ajaccio with troops aboard. I fear we will be at war with them by next year.

With this in mind I have decided to strengthen our ties with an ally left to us. I again approached the Byzantine Princess Theodora.

Kaiser Siegfried has gained a wife, and we have gained a secure ally.

I know the price was high, but our relations with the Byzantines had fallen and they have troops around Adana. Normally, I would brush this off and wait for their feeble strike, however, this is far from a normal situation. It would be difficult to defend Outremer from both a Byzanitine and Mongol incursion and we cannot afford to lose one of the few trading partners left to us.

Speaking of the Mongols, they have moved close to Mosul, but have not besieged the city.

Edessa has finished rebuilding its walls, and Jan von Hamburg will supervise the construction of Ballista Towers. We will not face the Mongols unprepared.

Athalwolf Engel has spied on three of the four Mongol leaders. So far, they are all night fighters and fell Generals.

Another of our enemies' Kings lies dead, slain by our lone assassin.

The Polish Prince says he's grateful, but I doubt he will show it.

Count Sigismund has pushed into Hungarian territory, driving the enemy before him. Bran should be within reach in a year.

I await word on four battles.


1272 Continued

Kaiser Siegfried has crushed a band of rebels near Magdeburg.

Fritz von Kastilien was victorious over the Poles. He will move to take command of the Army of the Interior in the absence of the Kaiser. Peter von Kastilien has taken command of the FHA and moved it to the bridge south of Thorn.

Ansehelm von Kastilien has destroyed the Russian army in his path and continues to move east.

Gerhard Steffen has routed a force of Swiss Pikemen near Innsbruck. He is now bringing a force of professional soldiers south to reinforce Rome.

Duke Arnold has left Ragusa with most of the garrison. If the Sicilians land to take advantage of this, he will turn and crush them. If not, he will proceed to meet a small Hungarian army near Zagreb.

I have not had word from Duke Scherer about whether he wishes to assist the English. I have moved the Swabian HA to the north just short of our border so that we are in a position to assist if needed next year.

Our diplomat in Spain has found out that Cordoba has rebelled.

Regarding the Spanish threat, I will not attack them this year. If they wish war, let them strike the first blow and suffer the wrath of the Pope. However, I will not give them Cagliari either. If they are hostile, I will not help them take our conquests.