Angst

After fairly brief discussions with the officers of his Lebanese Sassanid elephant escort infantry the P&O 22nd Protector announced that he was going to surrender his force to the noble Emperor Ptelnet. This produced something of a stir.
The elderly Shah’ur, Bey of Beni Suef and Emir of the deserts, loudly called upon all loyal Sassanids to rally to him, but unfortunately a brigade of the Emperor Ptelnet’s Immortals had been ferried across the Nile and were at that very moment being welcomed by the Lebanese infantry.
The other elephant escort infantry was a mixture of Sassanidian Sassanids: many had already fled and as the news spread yet more headed for home: a few men fought, others heeded Ptelnet’s offer of pardon and employment. Sadly, in the fighting, Shah’ur was fatally wounded.
The P&O 22nd re-organised his forces to take account of their reduced numbers and sent men to recruit mahouts and crews to replace those that had fled.
He was preparing to set off to offer his fealty to Ptelnet when he was approached by three men who informed 22 that they were friends of the late General Putrifax whom he, 22, had personally executed. 22’s guards made no effort to prevent the three from killing 22 in a rather unpleasant manner.
The senior Lebanese Sassanid officer, Tronc’ur el Tyra, has taken temporary command.
When all was settled to his satisfaction he went with a modest escort to inform Ptelnet of events and to ask that, if it pleased Ptelnet, he be confirmed in the post of General. He has the support of his men.
Beni Suef is quiet. It is likely that Shah’ur’s eldest son will seek to succeed his father as both Bey and Emir, as tradition demands, and he too has travelled to Ptelnet’s court to offer his fealty.

Ptelnet was outraged by the rumours flying around Sassanidia concerning the death of STG. He sent proclamations out to all Sassanidian cities, pointing out that Stephanus’ family members were held captive by the P&O, and that these family members could verify that STG was foully murdered by the same P&O.
Ptelnet also pointed out that the Supreme Disorganiser had removed all Persians from their land, encouraging the Egyptians to rise up. This was something that Ptelnet would quell when the winter was over.
On 1st Frostmon Ptelnet was officially crowned as Emperor of Sassanidia in Alexandria.
Emissaries had been sent to Carthage, Pontus and New Persia with invitations to Alexandria for the ceremonies and celebrations, and despite the season, many arrived to enjoy the celebrations and sumptuous feasting.
The largest contingent was that from Chaldea. It included 18 year old Ibrahim son of Abraham and his older sister Mahsa, still unmarried at the age of 19. (No, she is not uncomely, but she has claimed the right to reject several suitors, often with perfectly valid reasons.)
It is no secret that Ibrahim, perchance still lacking the highest social and political skills and less than tactful, has spoken to Ptelnet about the possibility of a marriage to link their families … to one of his sons perhaps, rather than the Emperor himself, bearing in mind Mahsa’s demanding nature.
Ptelnet’s full title is “Ptelnet, The Golden Horus, Sharanshar of Sassanidia, Pharaoh of Egypt.” The coronation was carried out by Zoroastrian priests, and was followed by the aforementioned feasting and celebrations.
Ptelnet has given out his Satrapal rings: to Spitames for Sassania; to Suren’s representative for Parthia, plus a Satrapal ring to Mustasha Jnr for Nubia, warmly welcomed back into the bosom of the Empire.

The rebuilding of the Thebes fortifications is going well despite the winter weather. It is confidently anticipated that the work will be finished by early Funfly. A small garrison is being recruited: their first task will be to build themselves a strongpoint.
Mustasha Jr left in good time to get to Alexandria for the coronation where he swore allegiance to Emperor Ptelnet. He brought with him herds of heavy horses and elephants which have been transferred to Imperial grazing lands near Alexandria.

Bloody civil war continued. In Asyut and in Farafra where the Sassanids were very much in the minority, those that had not fled were either killed or enslaved.
However, in a show of strength Koribis with two divisions of the Immortals marched to Asyut, firmly putting a stop to all fighting. At Asyut Ar Diotr the conscientious one-time serf, now Bey, dissuaded hotheads from barring the gates against these unexpected visitors whom he then rather nervously welcomed. He assured Koribis that all was peaceful in the town and that he would ensure that it stayed that way.
Koribis and his men, along with Spitames and Xenoipod, subsequently moved to Alexandria, keeping close to the Nile, their source of supplies on the march.
In Memphis, despite an influx of refugees, Xenoipod and his men had kept order with ruthless efficiency and it remains peaceful as do Damietta and Rosetta.

In El Minya there are still many serfs and slaves: they revolted, not only against their established Sassanid masters, but also against the new class of ruling Egyptians, themselves so recently liberated and now so lordly.
Sassanids, free Egyptians, and the slaves now seeking their freedom, tend to co-operate on a local basis according to the balance of power, but by and large they all try to slaughter each other … and by and large they have been successful.
Free Egyptians have tended to flee southwards, Sassanids northwards, and the increasingly uppity slaves have gradually gained the upper hand in El Minya.
In El Giza the Sassanids were not only in a majority, but it was here that the remnants of the P&O armies and the West Nile Sassanid levy rallied. The Sassanids attacked the Egyptians, free or serf, and however subservient the Egyptians, they were killed without mercy.

One of Suren’s senior aides journeyed to Palmyra where he sought and was granted an audience with Queen Zenophobia. On behalf of Suren he offered the queen the Emirship of Parthia (aka Syria) Province: this she readily and unsurprisingly accepted.
The queen is now touring Parthia and has just gone from Ur to the fortified Euphrates harbour where she has inspected the newly installed garrison.
Zenophobia has sent her eldest son, Zabda, to Hit to speak to Kerashkes. The latter, until so recently Emir, has graciously accepted Zenophobia’s promotion though he has perhaps been less gracious about his dismissal, even though he accepts that his well-known gratitude to and liking for Macalix made it an all too likely event.
The queen has asked Kerashkes to remain as commander of the Syrian Provincial Army, and indeed to supervise its expansion and up-grading. This he has agreed to do.
The Chaldean army under Tomeniaces bar Auro has gathered at Hakka-Hakkari where they have been joined by Suren. Scouts have been pushed to the banks of the Tug and beyond to the Mus bridge.

Kublai has announced that he will tour his new lands in the Tigris Vale as soon as the weather etc permit.
Kublai has also arranged for the distribution of grain to ameliorate any shortfall and has personally overseen the distribution in Shiraz.

Atenatra and Atankhmun and Mustasha the Youngest finally reached the Great Oasis in late Frostmon. Calcaneus, who you may remember was Angustus’ ambassador to and the trusted adviser of old Suren, grandfather of the present Suren, has stayed to renew old friendships … and to guard his charges, just in case!
When Suren heard of the journey and arrival of Atenatra and her party he ordered that they were to be accorded the warmest of invitations to stay in Chaldea as honoured guests and to be given every comfort. Suren sent his grateful thanks to Calcaneus who was of course included in the invitation.
Rather than returning immediately to Sassanidia with Ibrahim’s party, Atenatra has chosen to stay and rest, at least for some weeks: she also hopes to get to know her husband’s family.
Calcaneus is delighted to be able to stay and continue to renew old friendships.

Our mole reports that having purchased the design and one example of the Foersom Device from Petros, Murcia is beset by problems and anxieties.
In an unsuccessful effort to keep his plans secret he has named it Project Firefly.
He is fearful that Petros will sell the secret to others despite having promised that he would not do so “… but he’s a Greek.”
A further problem is that the smaller the galley upon which the Firefly is mounted, the greater the danger to that galley: ideally he needs heavy quinquiremes, greatly adding to the expense. He has one heavy quadrireme, his flagship, and triremes and liburnians.
He has approached Maharbal for funding, and has entered into negotiations with Pygophilos who has 5 heavy quinqs … but it is difficult as he doesn’t want to divulge too much.
Murcia has also visited Rijeka where there are several yards capable of building quinqs.

Empresses Ate and Polonova bad farewell to Cambyses and his army at a grand parade at which Empress Ate got a particularly loud cheer from Cambyses’ veterans.
The army then returned to Wallachia in a succession of rapid marches, broken by pauses for impressive parades, and for brief rests and relaxation.
Ate has more recently reviewed her forces, both the Anatolian Provincial Army led by the ever-faithful Paciartes, and the Royal Guard including her personal guard: an unusually joyous series of parades and less formal meetings.
It has been announced by an official palace spokesman that both the Empresses are pregnant, and that the happy events births are expected towards the middle of Aufield. It seems likely that the reunion of Macalix and Ate was unusually cordial, though Polonova’s involvement conception is probably coincidental, despite the malign rumours that have circulated.
Ate has let it be known that she will temporarily relinquish her responsibility for overseeing the day to day administration of the Empire, but will continue to direct the long term planning … in conjunction, of course, with her beloved brother, her co-Eemperor.
Polonova, Ate’s beloved sister, confidant, and protector, has kindly agreed to maintain a watchful eye and to report any irregularities that she feels may vitiate or go against the spirit of womanagement decisions.
of course im still going to go hunting and so is she and if you start a war im coming too i havent been in a proper war for years … oh all right for months … and im not missing one just because well you know and it was all your fault at your age you should be able to hold your drink it was awful you crawling into my yurt when youd been carried back by that nice paciartes waking us both up with your fumbling and with your boots and spurs still on and if theres a war ate says she's coming too
The PNC has generated some comments, a few of which are suitable for reproduction (“No, you fool!”).
“If they cause any trouble at all I shall declare marital law!”
“Revenge: a dish best prepared carefully and savoured cold.”
“Well, after the PNC I can confidently assert that there is a tunnel at the end of the light.”

Salammbo the self-appointed Protector of the Heir and young Emperor Harribal bin Elros are still in Trias Province, almost certainly in Marceward..
That she has not yet taken Emperor Harribal to Taran Scodar is presumably due to an unwillingness to expose him to the rigours of so hazardous a journey during the winter, rather than any doubts as to the actions and attitude of Moloch, the self-appointed Regent, so recently appointed Regent by his predecessor, the Regent and great general Melqart.
Even though all Carthaginians again worship Baal your correspondent foresees the possibility that this dichotomy of views may not be resolved without one or other or indeed both of the protagonists resorting to force.

The situation in Windicta remains unclear though peaceful: Ban’kher and Horus and their men, doubtless still adherents of the Prophet Motiph, still hold the city. Faron has not bee seen in public recently but there is no evidence that the Motiphators are holding him captive.

It is said that the Imperial Treasury has not yet received the taxes due from either Trias province or from Demiliton province. The taxes from Trias may of course be brought at the end of winter when Emperor Harribal comes to Taran Scodar: the possibility that the Motiphators are responsible for retaining the Demiliton taxes is a possibility.

In Istanbul there has been an upsurge of interest in a new rendering of an old play, "Kind Hearts and Coronets", put on this winter by the Sheikh Spears Company of Actors.
Demetriaces has joined his army at Adrianople whence his scouts watched Istanbul and Cambyses’ march home. Once Cambyses’ army had left Istanbul AntiBessus and the Guards moved to the city and took control of the harbour and ferry terminal. The area is being surveyed and it is no secret that the area is to be fortified “… to stop the illegal migrants” the wags say.
A Gallic speaking Thracian ambassador with a light cavalry escort was detained temporarily in Sombor by Drusus “… as my guest, of course.”
It seems that he is journeying to Davos to present his credentials to Cerdic’s representative, the Breton Destrier, Earl of the Upper Danube & Baron of Davos since 111.
Drusus strongly advised him against attempting to reach Davos until the weather had improved and even then to stick to the plain, avoiding the mountains. Drusus had him escorted to Graz whence he has just set off with his own escort as well as Dunarican guides “… who will see you safely to Vasvar.”

Demetriaces has sent a Thracian ambassador to Thassos whence the man journeyed to Corcyra with an escort of Maharbal’s men. At Corcyra he presented his credentials and greetings from Demetriaces to Maharbal.
He arrived after the conclusion of a great council meeting attended by Ariadne and the military and civil leaders of Montenegro and Ellas. It was reported by the relevant authorities that apart from Zagreb the lands and cities of Montenegro are now tranquil … more or less. Strategos Zog informed the council that Ptolemy had stayed in Zagreb to keep the peace and that further he, Ptolemy, was spending some of his personal fortune on good works to repair the extensive damage which had resulted from the recent wars.
The council learned that the situation in Ellas was more serious: Leptonos has announced an immediate reduction in market taxes throughout the province and at the request of Senior Archon Python has moved with his army to Thermopolae. Elements of the army and navy are overseeing the distribution of grain to the merchants in localities where there is any fear of a shortage.
The Thracian ambassador was also (fortunately) too late for the great festival held to commemorate the victories won and to celebrate the birth of a son.

Seg has gathered his army at the Site of the Holly Tree of Hunland, but has not summoned the levies … yet.

In Viski by mid-Frostmon there was no food left in the town and indeed precious little in the surrounding countryside. The Ostragoths who had been left as a garrison, by then virtually unable to forage or hunt, dicided to try to make their way to Birzai … it was that or starve. They all perished, more due to hunger and cold than to Latvian attacks.
The garrisons left in Birzai, Taurage, and Konigsberg have survived with only minor losses.

Escaldes, the famously impetuous and brilliant general has died of wounds sustained during the 123 campaign. Initially believed to be trivial, the wounds broke down and festered when Escaldes persisted in going hunting during the freezing winter weather. Deterioration persisted, gangrene supervened, and this proved fatal when Escaldes categorically refused to permit amputation.

Sancho Sefi sent officers to the provinces, to Leon, Taragon, and Portugal with orders that the levies were to join him in Gaul by the beginning of Wapenry. Also to the Pyrenees suggesting that their levy join him.

The man claiming to be Philipo made his way cautiously up the Ebro Valley with his small band of followers, then across the low pass to the Douro opposite Arevalo. One of his companions crossed the river and finding the atmosphere in Arevalo tranquil, summoned the group across.
Philipo is or was the ruler (self-appointed) of Arevalo and he was greeted with moderate enthusiasm by the townsfolk but this turned to caution when it became apparent that he intended to rebel against Sancho Sefi. The townsfolk don’t love Sancho but remember all too well the recent war.
Philipo and his followers, now fewer in number as several had departed to the warmth of the hearths from which they had so long been parted, pushed on to Toledo where he found Carmino at home. His welcome here was much more enthusiastic.
Carmino, a long-standing family friend who had been made war-chief by Philipo back in 120, called the Leon levy to his standard at Toledo and there they have now gathered, some 30-35,000 strong.

Sancho Sefi’s officer (i) and an emissary from Philipo (ii) arrived at much the same time in Barrax to ask Maralo to
i) bring his levy forthwith to join the ongoing conquest of Gaul
ii) rise up against their Portuguese oppressors.
Maralo called upon his advisers, not only Taragonese but also the leaders of the Primas and Demiliton settlers.
These latter, Bumbabel for the PrimPunics and Andabal for the Demilitonians, voted strongly against leaving the province unguarded until all danger of civil war had passed and indeed they have called their followers to arm themselves and be ready to defend Taragon.
The assembled Taragonese worthies dicided to follow the Punics lead, possibly anxious to defend the province, but also anxious that if they left at a time of such uncertainty the Punic settlers would take over the rule of Taragon opportunistically.

The Portuguese levy rallied to Julio’s banner at Cordoba, intending to take the easier and better supplied coastal road to join Sancho in Gaul.
However, when Julio heard of events in Leon he called upon all the rulers to prepare to defend Portugal, seeing all too clearly that Philipo must intend to grasp his chance whilst the going was good … or at least as good it ever would be.

Zorro received the messenger from Sancho Sefi with great suspicion but as the situation clarified, he too decided to seize his main chance whilst the going was good. He is well aware that when Sancho returns the Leonese are going to be defeated in short order.
He sent the emissary hastening back to Sancho with the bad news and with the offer of unstinted Pyrenean support in exchange for the unequivocal acceptance of his right to rule Zaragozza, Najera, and Bilbao, and the gift of Soria and Arevalo to him, for which he would offer his fealty to Sancho.
Meanwhile, optimistically, Tonto the war-leader called all the Basques to his banner at Najera. He and Zorro encouraged their followers with the prospect of vengeance for previous slights, as well as fun and loot.
How many? Lots! Well, 5-10,000 perhaps.

Political happenings.
It is reliably rumoured that Anders travelled to Powellopolis by a rather circuitous route and it is less reliably rumoured that he there swore fealty to Thorsson. It is increasingly improbably rumoured that he has placed his fleet at Thorsson’s disposal: it is entirely believably rumoured that Anders has sold to Thorsson a number of surplus longships which our eastern naval correspondent unreliably says are in a reliable condition. Odd: why would he do that? Oh, yes, it could have been that our eastern naval correspondent reliably said that they were in an unreliable condition.

It is widely believed that Thorstein and his flotilla of longships reached Bukhara without loss but that shortly after their arrival Thorstein was placed under longship arrest and that Gylfi, doing his best to hide his astonishment, took command.

Nyfører has ordered the release of Darius and his banishment from Ostland and from all New Persian territories (presumably only those where Nyfører’s writ runs) for two years.