Things were moving. Slowly, but steadily. My return to Norland was marked with little fanfare, and things continued normally for the most part. Norland was continuously built up - the forum was rapidly nearing completion, as it was worked on all hours of the day. It wasn't a grand building by any means, nothing in comparison to something like the Hagia Sophia. But it was a good learning experience.
It was a period of calm before a storm, I felt. I had made some very large promises and I was rushing to make sure that I could follow through with them. Irene, at least, was following up with her own ends. An army of five thousand men were hastily being assembled from recruits in Greece and the area around Macedonia. I had seen them, and the vast majority were young men seeking fame and fortune.
That would serve me just fine. In function, the Romans would act as auxiliaries to the core of my army - I needed them for their numbers, while my army would be the ones to deliver decisive blows to the Bulgarians. With my recruitment of local mercenaries, I had brought our numbers back up to four thousand total. With the thousand recruits waiting in Kiev, in theory, we were back to full strength. With another five thousand in a joint army, we were even stronger than we had ever been.
The issue was timing.
"What Irene wants is a distraction," I voiced, assembling my council - my wives, Hoffer, and the commanders of my army. "The iconoclast issue is going to be a decisive one, and she anticipates significant unrest when the 'debate' overturns the matter. Victory and the first true expansion the Roman Empire has seen in the better part of a century will be spun as their God's approval. Meaning, in practice, we have up to four and a half months to conquer the Bulgarian Empire. Starting today."
The grand debate would last around two months, according to Irene. It was an estimation rather than an ironclad number, so it could be a little more or it could be a little less.
"Completely?" Hoffer questioned, looking down at the map on the table. It was a shame, but I wouldn't be able to make a model of Bulgaria to help plan the invasion. Thankfully, the University had a plethora of maps available as Bulgaria, almost in its entirety, once belonged to the Roman Empire. As such, the map marked the roads, the major settlements, and it had since been adjusted to keep up to date with the towns that the Bulgarians had settled since.
"Not completely, but decisively," I amended, placing a marker on the map. "Enough so that the Romans don't have to worry about a rebellion immediately," I continued, placing another marker on the map. "To that end… Irene is making a gamble. Michael Lachanodrakon is one of the staunchest iconoclasts in the Empire, and many have rallied around him when it comes to the issue. He will be given a command in the aftermath of our invasion."
Thorkell chuckled, "Giving him rope to see if he decides to hang himself with it?"
"Essentially, yes." It was a dangerous game, but a cunning one, I could admit. Putting all of her enemies in a single place, giving them an opportunity and a motive to rebel against her. Only it was a trap. Her own armies would be mustered under the guise of preparing for the Abbasids, and my army would be poised to crush the rebellion before it had a chance to build itself up.
If Michael Lachanodrakon did decide to rebel, then his immediate defeat and the subsequent lack of figures for iconoclasts to rally behind would see that the verdict would be upheld. The unrest would be crushed and Irene's rule would be solidified that much more. Because the largest of her detractors just so happened to be the iconoclasts.
Likewise, it would be an opportunity to get rid of me - both in Regent Irene's eyes, and Michael's. Should we be defeated, then I would be a problem that solved itself. Michael, similarly, would be dealt with afterwards as Irene would pounce on his weakened army. All of that assuming that I lost.
"To that end, this invasion requires speed above all else," I said, putting a final piece on the map. "Thanks to the texts Rome keeps, we know how and where the Bulgarians martial their armies." Since the rebellion that led to the founding of the second empire, the Romans had clashed with the Bulgarians dozens of times in attempts to reconquer the lost province. They failed, but compiled what information they could in the hopes of using it against them in the future. I doubted that the writers of these texts imagined that I would be the one to use them, but they were helpful all the same.
"They rely on defensive forts placed in strategic positions to slow any invasion coming from the Romans," I said, gesturing to where they were marked on the map. Whenever the Bulgarians noticed any significant military build up, they would occupy these forts with a few hundred men. Enough to make attacking them painful and slow, but also too dangerous to simply ignore and move around. "They serve a dual purpose, as there are other avenues into Bulgaria that would otherwise be slower but without need for a siege, yet this also pushes the Romans to march the path that the Bulgarians want them to."
It was a clever strategy. To my understanding, the terrain of Bulgaria was mountainous, with large hills and dense forests. It wasn't an easy country to invade in the first place. So, by controlling where the Romans struck, they could far more easily prepare their defenses.
But it wasn't a flawless strategy by any means. And I was hardly the first to notice the strength of their defenses and spot weaknesses in them.
I took the marker that signified my army, "I intend to take one of these paths with a portion of our men to bait them into a rushed response. Histories show that they can muster five thousand men with some readiness - against two thousand, they should feel confident enough to go on the offensive." I said, adding a token on the map and pushing it against my army. My commanders watched on, seeing that the path I would take would eventually lead to one of Bulgaria's major cities.
"In the meantime - Astrid, Thorkell, you will set sail to Kiev with another two thousand of our men to link up with the recruits there," I told them, adding more tokens to the map. Astrid perked up instantly, an expression of anticipation flashing across her face. "Once you do, you'll march down into Bulgaria to besiege this settlement." I said, pointing to it.
Thorkell looked at me and I favored him with a small smile. I hadn't forgotten the oath I had made him. "It won't be a true siege. Merely a distraction. Or, so the Bulgarians shall likely think." I continued and Thorkell offered a shallow nod. Our army would be on opposite ends of the empire, which posed a danger to us, but I had confidence that both of our divided armies could withstand such odds. Thorkell's Blessing worked with whoever was in charge of the army, while Astrid's allowed her to see everything on a marked field.
They weren't the ones I was worried about.
"The Bulgarians have already prepared themselves for an invasion. They've seen the military build up happening in Rome, and they have prepared themselves accordingly." I continued before I grabbed the token that represented the Roman legion. "Odds are, they'll see our attacks as a distraction from the main force. And, from there, the Bulgarians have four paths available to them. All of which serve our needs."
I looked over the faces of my commanders, "The best case scenario for us is if they attempt to divide their forces to deal with all three of us at the same time. But, I doubt that we should be so lucky. Alternatively, they can bring all of their focus on one of us - in the case that they attack me, then you are to link up with the Romans and press the attack. If you are the focus, then you shall retreat to Kiev while I link with the Romans and relieve you. Lastly, and this is the most likely, they shall focus on the Romans."
I leaned forward, "They are not our concern." I spoke coldly, looking at each of them in turn. "We shall link up and while they are distracted, we strike for the capital and capture their royal family." I finished, making the markers flow to a central point.
Khan Kardam, ruler of Bulgaria, was an interim ruler by all accounts. He was no Julius Caesar, forger of empires and a brilliant statesman. Neither was he a Caligula, a debauched despot hated by Rome's nobility. He was neither great nor terrible. Not particularly beloved nor particularly disliked. Under his lengthy rule of nearly thirty years, nothing had changed for Bulgaria beyond the occasional raid on its neighbors or defending itself from raids by its neighbors.
I wanted to underestimate him. It was my natural inclination, but Hadi had taught me how dangerous doing such a thing was.
"It's very possible that the Bulgarians shall continue to fight then, and after they defeat the Romans, we shall meet their weakened army on a field of our choosing." According to rumors and texts, the Bulgarians favored their cavalry. Far more so than the Abbasids. To that end, I had several plans on how to deal with them as my own cavalry was comparatively lacking.
Thorkell nodded along, "Sounds like a great plan. What happens when it goes to shit?" He asked, earning a few chuckles from the others and a mild smile from me.
He was correct on that mark. I could make all the plans that I wanted, but that didn't mean the Bulgarians had to follow them.
"In that case… you use the Blessings I shall give to all of you," I said, my gaze sweeping over everyone once more. Thorkell cocked an eyebrow, but the others seemed confused. It was no surprise why. It was something that I had kept close to my chest, but now… now was the time. "After Charlemagne was defeated in the field, the gods granted me an ability. The very same ability that Charlemagne possesses, given to him by his God, that he used to create his Paladins."
That got more of a reaction. Alfreic shifted where he stood, "Then you are…?"
He didn't need to finish. "I'm no god, but they have granted me their favor. Far more than most," I admitted. "A Blessing is no light matter. It is not something I can give out carelessly, or without thought. But, everyone here has proven themselves and their loyalty. For this reason, in the battles to come, I would have you wear my Blessing, to become my Chosen Warriors."
It was a calculated decision. I had a fair amount of Prestige gathered up, just enough to Bless everyone in the room, with perhaps one of them receiving a second Blessing. I had kept so much of it in reserve, hoarding it like a dwarf did gold in case I ever had a sudden need for it. Today I felt that need. "Should you accept, know this - our fates are bound. From this day until our last day."
There was a sudden heavy air that settled in the room. None of this was news to Jill, Astrid, Morrigan, or Thorkell, but it was quite the revelation to the others.
That silence was broken by Athrun standing up, bringing everyone's attention to him. The leader of my scouts and archers was around my age, though he seemed much smaller now that I had started growing larger. He held my gaze for a moment before speaking, "I've already sworn an oath to you. Our fates are already one. I shall accept this blessing."
His voice was firm, surprisingly so when he was usually so reserved and soft spoken. I nodded to him, accepting his oath once more, "Then step forward."
I didn't expect for Athrun to kneel before me, but perhaps I should have. Hoffer and Alfric watched on with baited breath, expecting something far more grandiose as I granted Athrun a Blessing.
Martial: Animal Totem.
- The user can take on an attribute of a chosen animal. Can be changed once a day, upon dawn.
Eagle: Enhanced sight.
Bear: Enhanced strength.
Hound: Enhanced smell and hearing.
Cat: Enhanced agility and reflex.
Wolf: Those under user's command instinctively utilize pack tactics.
Athrun stilled as the Blessing took hold and I removed my hand from him. He looked up at me, rising unsteadily to his feet. I pondered his Blessing - it was quite a useful one. I almost wished it for myself, but I knew it would serve Athrun well. He looked down at his hands for a moment, feeling Hoffer, Olek, and Alfric's questioning gazes upon him before he reached out to a wooden tankard.
Then effortlessly crushed it in his grip.
That got the reaction I expected from them. Seeing was believing, after all.
Olek grunted, saying nothing, not even now as he approached me. He dropped to a knee, bowing his head and I had to fight off a smile. Even now, he was unapologetically himself. Then again, I didn't need to hear him say the words.
Martial: Unyielding
- When attacking or defending, the soldiers under the user's command have increased endurance. Minor wounds are more easily ignored, the soldiers can fight harder and for longer without need of rest, food, or water.
Warning: Reduced need does not eliminate all need for sleep, food, and water. Wounds, if left unattended for long enough, could prove fatal.
A perfect choice for Olek, and one that had me rethinking on how I would structure my army. Placing the bulk of it under his command, however impractical it might be, seemed rather appealing now. But, such things could wait. Olek stood up, feeling the Blessing take root within him, before he stepped back.
"I will swear to you, Lord Siegfried," Alfric said, spurred on by proof and not wanting to be last. Hoffer, however, seemed indecisive and I could easily guess the reason why.
"Then step forward," I instructed and Alfric did as ordered. Athrun stepped back, admiring his newfound strength and standing taller as one of my Chosen. Repeating the process, I felt more of my Prestige leave me as Alfric was granted a Blessing.
Martial: Poise
- Momentum generates Poise, which allows the user to endure blows that would otherwise knock them back. Example: User is sprinting forward and is struck by a warhammer. Instead of being knocked back, the user's Poise is reduced, allowing the user to press onward.
Warning: Does not prevent injury.
Alfric's Blessing was a strange one, but I quickly understood how it was to be used. In a cavalry charge. With Alfric at the tip of the charge, he could smash through the line, carried onward by his momentum far more so than others would be. The men that would be trampled would merely steadily slow him.
"That felt… strange," Alfric admitted, standing up as he tried to identify the change in him. He stepped near Athrun and Olek. I could tell they would need some time to adjust, but in the meantime, I looked to Hoffer, who still seemed indecisive.
"I am my father's heir," Hoffer spoke up, admitting to the issue. "The heir to the kingdom of Norway. What you ask, Wolf-Kissed, is to divide my loyalty. To swear fealty, in essence."
It was Astrid that spoke, "You're making it more complicated than it has to be, brother. Our kingdoms are already joined by marriage." She reminded him, reaching out to pat my hand and Hoffer's lips thinned.
"I don't deny that," he hastily clarified. "But one day, I shall be king. King of Norway. If I swear this oath, here and now, to he who shall one day be King of Denmark…" he trailed off, looking at me. He didn't want to so easily give up the crown that I had won for his father. I wasn't surprised. It was an issue that I had foreseen quite easily. As it stood, I had a strong alliance with Norway. That wasn't likely to change after I assumed the throne of Denmark.
What I proposed was a big change from our assumed relationship.
"I understand your reluctance," I admitted. "So I will not ask for your answer now. But, before you decide anything… allow me to tell you of my plans for the future." I said, giving Astrid's hand a small squeeze. Hoffer frowned, and I could see his doubt that I could convince him of anything, but he was at least inclined to listen.
"The Romans have no intention of allowing our people to stay in Crete with our departure," I said, and that wasn't really a surprise to anyone. "Before, we were a short lived and temporary problem. That is no longer the case. I'm almost certain that any who choose to remain behind in the Mediterranean will be slaughtered. Especially with nearly ten thousand of our people sailing down the Dnieper seeking to live in Crete."
As I spoke, I walked back to a chest in the room and pulled out a second map. Jill moved the one of Bulgaria to the side, allowing me to unfurl a map of the Mediterranean. "I cannot control the wills of other men. Should they choose to remain, then I cannot force them to leave. However, I can and shall safeguard them to the best of my abilities."
Hoffer was listening closely, gazing upon the map with a small frown. "Meaning?"
"There are many islands in the Mediterranean. Crete is only one of them. Cyprus. Sicily. Sardinia. Corsica. The Balearic Islands. Minorca." With each name, I pointed at the island on the map and everyone's eyes followed. "Not to mention the many smaller islands scattered about."
Now I leaned forward and spoke in a low voice, "I intend to take them for our people. To keep them outside of the Roman's grip… and to oversee our interests in the Mediterranean after our departure." I could see Hoffer starting to understand what I meant. It was a plan that had slowly come together over my time here. Something I had pondered but didn't think too deeply about until I was forced to deal with this current crisis.
And when I started to consider my Dynasty.
"The Dnieper will be a vital artery to connect our people with the Mediterranean. As such, we must maintain a presence in Kiev. It must be ours. Additionally, I wish to continue to foster a relationship with the Abbasids. In all likelihood, they shall be our allies in the Mediterranean after our contract with Irene ends." Which was a shame, but I had to be practical. The Abbasids courted me so openly because I was a thorn in their side that they wanted to take out and put into the Roman's. I could use that, and so I would.
Thorkell leaned across from me, more absorbed into the plan now. "What of Norland?"
"I will uphold my obligations," I replied with a slow smirk tugging at my lips. "But after my contract ends, I have no obligations. The city will likely be sold to Michalis, but… I don't expect him to maintain a grip on it for very long. If not because of the Romans stripping it from him, then because the Abbasids shall invade… and they shall have our peoples help when they do."
It almost felt wrong to plot against my contract holder, but I couldn't call this a betrayal. I would remain loyal for the duration of the contract. I would honor it and follow Irene's orders to the best of my abilities, no matter how irritating or nonsensical I found them. But, after that?
The plan was a simple one. During my time in the Mediterranean, I would start developing and building a presence on it's various islands. I would develop a second army, only this one would remain in the Mediterranean after I left. With a standing alliance with the Abbasids that I intended to foster, the islands would prove to be a thorn in the side of both the Romans and Francia.
All the better, I intended to pay for it all with the gold and silver I took from the Umayyads.
The gods had approved of my plan. Enough so that they had granted me a quest.
Quest: Lord of the Tides
Objective: Establish a military presence on (1/4) major islands in the Mediterranean:
- Reward: 1,000 Prestige. Title: Lord of Tides. 1 Boon.
Bonus Objective: Establish (3500/20,000) army within the Mediterranean.
- Bonus reward #1: 1 Martial perk.
Bonus Objective: Maintain (350/1,000) standing fleet.
- Bonus reward #2: Learning Perk: Early Age of Exploration Ship: Caravel.
Bonus Objective: Maintain an alliance with (0/1) major power within the Mediterranean.
- Bonus reward #3: Third hint to legendary item (3/3)
Lord of Tides: The ocean will ever be in the favor of the bearer of this title.
The rewards were deserving of such a challenge. Especially with so much risk involved. I doubted that the Romans would be content to let me build up such an army. It would have to be done cautiously, with cunning and guile. I had plenty of chances to obscure my intentions and Irene had never placed any defined restrictions upon me in regards to conquering lands on my own.
But, all of that was in the future and there was much that was still undecided. Particularly in regards to Hoffer as he considered the offer before him. It appealed to him, that much was obvious.
"You would have me rule this kingdom?" He asked for clarification and I nodded.
"It comes with dangers and risks," I started. "You would be isolated. Your demesne spread out. I have plans to ally with the Abbasids, but at this point, I cannot make any promises." I continued, knowing that this would shift the nature of the structure of the Mediterranean
If I fulfilled all of the bonus objectives, then the lord that I left behind would have the most dominating navy in the sea. The Romans had no true navy to speak of. The Abbasids were rebuilding the fleet that I had stolen and destroyed. There were the Franks to consider, but given the nature of the balance of power, I doubted they would have much of an opportunity to build up a navy inside the Mediterranean Sea.
If all went to plan, which was a big if, then for the foreseeable future, the Franks and the Abbasids would war over Iberia. It wouldn't be a conflict that would be easily resolved in a few years. I expected Charlemagne to conquer large swaths of territory, but he would be fighting to keep it for potentially decades. To that end, whatever alliance I struck with the Abbasids would ensure that, if nothing else, we maintained a common enemy. Especially with us controlling the seas, enabling the Abbasids to deliver their troops to Iberia and preventing the Franks from attacking the Abbasids.
I couldn't make any defined plans, simply because I didn't know what the future held. I could only make estimations based on what I knew of the players involved.
"It is not a position that you must keep until the end of your days, should you not wish it to be. It can be a crown that you pass to your sons and grandsons as you inherit your father's," I offered and Hoffer's lips thinned before he offered a slow and deliberate nod.
"Aye. I'll accept your blessing. My father would box my ears if I passed up this opportunity to rule over some rocks at the end of the world," he admitted, walking around the table and taking a knee before me.
For a third time, I reached out to grant a Blessing and I felt my rapidly diminishing Prestige flow out of me and into Hoffer.
Learning: Forecast.
- The user always knows what the weather shall be like a week in advance.
That was… simultaneously far less impressive than I expected, while also being uniquely perfect for Hoffer. He was a sailor through and through. There was a reason why I chose him to help command my fleet. The weather was an important aspect of sailing - the Mediterranean was more temperate than the North Sea we hailed from, but a single bad storm could see a fleet demolished all the same, doomed to vanish beneath the waves.
Hoffer stood, wearing a small smile as he felt thoroughly pleased with his future. I nodded to him, and to Alfric and Athrun. "We have time before the invasion of Bulgaria. Take time to get used to your new abilities." I instructed, knowing that we would need them in the days to come.
"By your leave then," Thorkell said, inclining his head to me. And I think it was then that the others realized that Thorkell already had a Blessing. They all offered lingering looks upon me, following Thorkell out of the war room in my Longhouse. He closed the door behind him and only then did I let out a small sigh, scratching at my cheek to find it entirely too bare for my liking.
It was then that I heard a slow sarcastic clap from behind me, and turning around I saw it was Mortigan, her expression thoroughly pleased. "Oh, my - Deceit becomes you, Siegfried. T'is the highest of ironies, of course, that you hesitate to tell a bold faced lie, yet so easily plot to upend the order of things in this sea." The genuine praise in her voice got another sigh from me as I returned to my seat.
"I was too optimistic," I admitted. "I had hoped to establish a relationship of mutual benefit with Irene by the time we left, so we could continue to benefit once I became king. But, as things are…" I made a dismissive gesture, as if tossing away that future. As it stood, I would turn more to the Abbasids - we would still be connected through the Black Sea, so it would impact trade little.
Jill gave me a measured look, "An alliance with the Abbasids… it would be good for us. Though, naturally, the Abbasids will stop trying to court us so desperately once we start to respond to their advances." She ventured before tilting her head at me ever so slightly, "There is one way to seal the alliance for good."
I nodded, "A marriage." Likely with Jasmine. There was a question of who she would be married to - I was a likely contender, but so was Hoffer as he would be the one remaining behind in the Mediterranean sea. Then there was the possibility that we would be asked to convert. That… would complicate things. But, I couldn't yet tell how much or if they would be open to the idea in the first place.
Jill nodded, glad that I had thought the whole thing through. "It would also be a question of when. I imagine a marriage between you and an Arabian Princess would alarm the Romans." She ventured, her expression adopting a calculating look. "It would be ideal to have the marriage take place in secret. We would continue to benefit from our current relationship with the Romans while cementing our alliance with the Abbasids."
"A little quick on the assumptions," Astrid remarked, crossing her arms. "We don't know if Jasmine would even entertain the idea of a marriage. She could throw herself into the ocean at the mere thought."
To that, Morrigan let out a telling scoff. All of us glanced at her, but she offered nothing. She knew something but she wasn't telling.
It gave me a chance to bring the conversation back, "It's all moot at this point. We have a list of possibilities, but as it is, many of them are reliant on the actions of others. For now, we focus on achieving what we can." I decided, looking between the three of them. Astrid sighed with a nod, while Jill simply nodded. Morrigan simply seemed amused at what the future could hold.
At least she did for a moment, her gaze flickering to Jill. The two shared a glance and I immediately felt ill at ease. I didn't know what that glance meant, but it clearly meant something because both of them then turned to look at me.
"I suppose it is as good of a time as any, seeing as we are discussing the future," Morrigan started but it was Jill who delivered the news.
"We're pregnant," Jill informed and any thought I had in my head vanished like the morning fog in the face of the sun. "Morrigan and I. We are both with child." She clarified and I… suppose my surprise must have been evident. She placed a hand on her stomach while Astrid began to cackle.
However, it was Morrigan that delivered the news that drove me to half collapse in my seat. "With twins, in my case. Or so my Blessing tells me."
"Oh," I uttered. I was going to be a father three times over. It wasn't shouldn't have been a surprise. If anything, it was more surprising that it didn't happen sooner. But…
I made a decision at that moment. One that I had debated to death within the confines of my mind - on what Legacy would be best for my Dynasty. Out of all the options, Learning had most appealed to me as it would help my descendants find and refine whatever talents they might possess. But, the choice that offered the most long term benefit was clear.
I chose Breeding almost before I could think better of it, reaching out and grabbing their hands.
My family was growing larger once more. I hoped Ragnar would be kind to his new siblings.
...
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