Gerhard Steffen struggles to his feet, looking rather drained even for someone as chronically sick as he is. Murmers through out the Diet say that he's been this way ever since his son died against the Milanese.

I extend my condolances to the slain Kiaser's family, re-afirm my allegiance to the current Kaiser, whoever it is this week, and hope that thses petty squables about who said what about who can be put aside during this time of deepening crisis.

We have enemies at the gates in outremer with the return of the Mongols, we have French, Russians, Poles and Danish troops in the north, and Hungarian barbarians in the east. Only through co-operation can we ever hope to reach salvation.

More great victories like those won by Arnold against the hungarians will be needed if we are to continue foreward.

I have heard Sentimnet that the resources being used for the raid on Russia would be better used going after Karkow, I would agree with this, it would firm up the boarders while hurting our strongest enemies on the front.

As for accusations that Bavaria is avoiding most of the fighting both Austria and Franconia have been offered Bavarian troops under my Watch as Duke, it is not my fault that they haven't been used as effectively as they could have been. I am also concerned that given our boarders with France, our slowly worsening relationship with Sicily, and the Spanish advancement on Sardinia, evacuating all thr troops out of Bavaria woudl leave Bavaria, and the Capital Rome dangerously undefended.

(OOC: Does Rome still have a larger than normal garison?)