End of the 14th century
The Serbian court. We see many men in noble attires yelling at each other. The young emperor Stefan Uroš V (Стефан Урош V), son of the late Stefan Dušan, is standing with his mother and closest advisors quietly observing the whole thing (He was remembered as Uroš the Weak (Урош Нејаки) which obviously says much about him).
"People calm down. This is no time for such foolishness. We have to stay united. Remember, only unity saves Serbs" Serbia yells trying to talk some sense into them. They all stop talking and look at her angry.
"United, under him? He is not the fifth of his father!" one yells. Serbia grabs her sword handle as a warning.
"Show some respect towards your emperor. He is the legitimate ruler. No one can claim his title" his most important advisor Vukašin Mrnjavčević (Вукашин Мрњавчевић) speaks.
"No one except you! Don't think you are fooling anyone, it is obvious who makes decisions around here" another noble says enraged and probably jealous.
"Listen, to me!" Serbia screams. "There is a great new evil advancing from Asia" we see a black masked figure with a turban and a saber whose eyes glow green in a menacing cloud behind her. "From what I hear, he is very strong and is threatening to take over our region. We cannot afford petty egos leading us into a civil war. Especially now when the outside danger is so great."
The noble men grumble and mutter. One by one, they leave, asking the Bulgarian and Greek provinces to come with them. They come out of Serbia, in a ghostly form, materialise and walk away. The process doesn't hurt but leaves Serbia feeling weak and nauseous.
"Aren't you going to say something?" she turns to the emperor distressed. He does not reply.
One aristocrat asks the vassal Duklja or Zeta *{depending on the sources} and he nods coming along right away.
She sees Zeta/Duklja leaving. "That is so typical. You stay while everything is good and, when that changes, leave with anyone willing to rule you" she calls Zeta/Duklja out. The short kingdom turns and looks at her angry.
"I'm going to forgive that lie only because I know you said it because you are upset" he says offended.
"Of course, I'm upset. You must be the worst big brother in the world!" she continues.
"Alright, sister dear! What would you recommend I do?" he yells putting his hands on his hips.
"I don't know brother dear" she adds sarcastically "The right thing for once!"
Zeta/Duklja looks at her emotionless. He turns and leaves without looking back.
Serbia mutters under her breath.
"It will be alright" the young emperor says.
"Oh, now you say something" she says frustrated.
"Do not worry my fatherland. Everything will be alright. You will see. God will show us the way" he says full of hope. The others are not as convinced. The room becomes silent as everyone worries quietly.
October 1912
Austria and Hungary are reading the newspapers after having breakfast. The empty dishes have been removed to make room for coffee. Austria frowns reading an article.
"Serbia has gained a large victory at Kumanovo, surprising the Ottoman army and taking most of their fire weapons. The Serbian army continues to Skopje" he says displeased.
"Yes, I heard the help talking about it earlier. Everyone is very excited" Hungary says still looking down at her newspaper. Austria shakes his head with his lips pressed. He violently pushes the paper away. "That little hothead is turning out to be more dangerous than I thought" he mutters.
Hungary looks at him annoyed. "And why are you worried. Serbia only did what he said he was out to do."
"Do not be so naive my dear, I know you are smarter than that. It is only a matter of time before he turns his bruts our way" he says putting his hand on his temples.
Hungary smirks. "Oh my dear paranoid husband. Serbia may be a lot of things. Stubborn, old-fashioned, quick to anger and a cross-dresser but he is certainly not stupid. Trust me when I say that Serbia will never attack you."
Austria ponders ignoring her remark. He smiles in a menacing way: "If only Ottoman was smart enough for such an act. In the old days, during castle sieges, the opposing armies used to hurdle dead bodies of those who died of infectious diseases. It was in some instances even more effective than trebuchets." He continues to smile deep in his thoughts.
Hungary is upset by his remark. "Surely, you don't think to suggest such a thing to him. That would be meddling" she looks at him slightly shaken.
He looks at her and gently takes her hand. "Do not worry my dear. I have a far better idea" he says and turns to the only servant in the room. He is not aware that one more is listening in.
SAH has been standing near the door with a tray in her hand. With an expression of terror on her face she hears Austria's voice again: "Slovenia, I will be in the library today. Make sure I am not disturbed."
Hearing footsteps coming towards the door, she quickly disappears.