My Lord Chancellor,

There are two alternative moves my force could take.

The offensive option is to combine with the Staufen garrison and the Teutons from Frankfurt to strike the half strength French army outside Metz. I believe I could destroy that force with modest cost this turn.

The defensive option is that I proposed for Duke von Salza last turn: my uninfected force guard the bridge to Staufen. I am willing to command a plague-ridden force, but there would be no need for that this turn. The Teutons be moved to Staufen and there, with the garrison, could reinforce me in case the French attempt to storm the bridge. I believe with these forces I could withstand any French offensive this year.

Although my heart bids me strike towards Metz, my head reasons that this would be folly. Both of the two full strength French armies pursuing the SHA could return to Metz this year and either could defeat my force, even after it was augmented with the Staufen garrison. Regardless, my force would not be sufficient to defeat the lancers besieging Dijon next year.

Reluctantly, my recommendation is for the defensive option, although I will undertake the offensive action with gusto if you deem it the better one. I await your orders.

Now, my Lord, I must make recommendations above my station. You are free to ignore them as presumptious but the situation in Swabia is critical and these are my opinions as someone on the ground. I recommend the following actions:

(1) Recruit the mercenary spear regiment for my force for 660 gold. Currently, Staufen is unable to train even peasants. I fear my spear militia will not stand against French heavy cavalry.

(2) Construct the mustering hall for 600 gold in Staufen. The barracks in Staufen was destroyed in the cataclysm. It is urgent that it be repaired so that Swabia can again recruit spearmen to counter the many French heavy cavalry.

(3) Hire three regiments at Staufen, including a mounted crossbow regiment. [OOC: the historical army rules are going to be a constraint on what you pick with no spears to make up the numbers...] I recommend that together my force and the Staufen garrison be brought up to strength so that it can match a full strength French army. There are three such enemy armies standing between me and Dijon - right now, I do not believe I could defeat one. I firmly believe Swabia is currently the weakest theatre and faces the strongest enemy. With my force be called the second SHA or merely an Imperial army matters not, but Swabia needs a second field army now.

(4) Withdraw Duke von Salza and the SHA east of Bern. With von Salza on reserve duty, it would be folly to expose the SHA to battle until a general on active duty can be found. I believe the French will sooner besiege Bern than pursue the SHA.

(5) Order Hugo der Cervole to the SHA so that it has a general on active duty. I had planned to perform that duty myself but the French pursuit of the SHA has cut me off from it - I cannot reach it without going via Nuremburg, which would take many turns.

(6) Replace Hugo der Cervole as "tribune" to the Kaiser's army with Hermann Steffen. Even more so than the SHA, it is essential that the Kaiser's army have a general on active duty. Hermann has proved he can perform that role in an exemplary manner.

I apologise for being forward on these matters, but the situation is critical.

Your servant

Welf von Luxemburg


PS: I have heard from Prinz Dieter - Rome is too disloyal and Florence too unstable for him to continue his march north this year. He requests that a small church be built to combat the subversion influence of Orthodoxy and he will stay to pacify the city this year.