Angst

Nyfører and his armies moved by easy stages to Babol in Caspia. By mid Frostmon they were gathered, the 10,000 mounted foot of the 112ers, Skrapehake and Hidy Harald with 10,000 mounted infantry, Boson with another 15,000 infantry, Laganides and Masacaces with 15,000 cavalry, and Hyasaqyte with the 30 great wagons of the artillery corps.

Sadiq led a few thousand open order cavalry to the Besh ford where his men have scouted and foraged for the New Persian Imperial Construction Corps and Boson’s infantry who are building a fort there.

Mustasha welcomed the guests to the wedding of his blood-brother Abraham to Wagnimandua the Galatian on Printemps 1st. A magnificent and major event attended by, amongst others, the Empress Ate and her Galatian, by Emperor Angustus with an impressive retinue of Sassanian nobles and generals, and by Brahma and numerous other local New Persian Emirs and Sheikhs; Suren was there after a very hard ride. It is uncertain if Nyfører’s absence was to avoid unpleasantness, or was because of his new war, but onlookers noted with some relief that Emperor Angustus greeted Empress Ate … and her Galatian … with warm courtesy.

Two knarrs with experienced crews and a few extra large men aboard sailed up the eastern coast of the Known World from Amol: representatives of the Two-Rivers Trading Company, their first halt was at Ufahavn where they were dismayed to find the company offices not only deserted but stripped of even their doors and roof.

A detachment from the Royal Guard was despatched to Ate. The detachment, one nervous man strong, was ordered to inform the ex-Empress that when her husband has paid his taxes she may perhaps get some troops.
It is not entirely clear if the Emperor has already married the young Polonova: when the PITHOff was asked he muttered something incoherent and took another large swig from a large flagon.



At the great New Year festival Salammbo made her eagerly awaited appearance. Onlookers guessed that her words were going to be contentious: when the High Priestess entered the great hall she was accompanied by Maxentius jr and Harribal bin Elros and was preceded by her Temple Guards whilst the Trias Old Guard, Maxentius Jr’s bodyguard, guarded her entrance to (and egress from) the hall and the nearby gateway. The Trias Old Guard also held the horses of the guards along with spare mounts and numerous pack animals.
She announced to the expectant throng that she was going to return to Trias Province where she would ensure that Trias reclaimed its rightful independence. All taxes would of course be withheld.
Once Baal is restored to his rightful place as the sole god of Carthage and once all perverse Motiphs are removed from the Punic Empire, the possibility of an alliance between Trias and Carthage could be considered. She did remind the crowd that were Elros to perish, Harribal his son and heir would be the next Emperor: she would ensure that he was well protected.
Salammbo then left with Harribal and Maxentius jr and the guards: none tried to hinder their passage. They rode rapidly via Tembusi, Schkender and Kys and reached Trias without mishap. They moved without delay to join Zaranissa.

Hasmarbal.

Hasmarbal travelled to Windicta, where he publicly swore allegiance to Philipo as Emperor of Eastern Carthage. Asked to swear allegiance to Baal, Hasmarbal pointed out, rather testily, that he had been swinging the sword against Motiph for many months, so his loyalty to Baal should not be questioned. He did, however, at the suggestion of Philipo, publicly pray to Baal for the deliverance of Carthage under the hand of Philipo.
It is widely believed that Hasmarbal sought funding from Philipo but that before the latter reached a decision the noble Faron dicided that the Demiliton treasury was honour bound to support Hasmarbal and his loyal forces. Whatever the truth of these rumours, it is known that many mounts have been handed over by Faron’s agents to Hasmarbal’s officers.

Hasmarbal rejoined his army and that of Moloch in Marsal. It seems that Moloch’s army, as part of the Demiliton forces, has received a war-chest from the Demiliton treasury.

A’Rrosee & Elros.

A’Rrosee (and Elros) pushed scouts down into the coastal plain; a few far enough to overlook the unwalled town of Marsal and the nearby camps of the armies of Hasmarbal and Moloch. He (they) then moved the forces under his (their “Stop trying to ignore me!”) control to Tembusi and thence to Schkender. A couple of days ago they started a cautious advance towards Marsal behind a large cavalry screen, though with still but a handful watching Marsal.

Altribaal.

Philipo informed Altribaal, the newly elected CinC of the Punic elements of the Trias Army, that he is to be his imperial ambassador at Salammbo's court: “… even though it is unfortunate to lose such a strong leader of men, the political importance of Trias is such that you, Altribaal, must go given that you are the best qualified man for the job.”
Neither Altribaal nor the men who had just elected him to be their commander were best pleased and their discontent was not diminished when they learned that only half the necessary had been put in their divisional war-chest.
By chance, at that time, agents from Trias Province, sent by Zaranissa and Salammbo, made contact with this remnant of the Trias Army, now incorporated in Philipo’s CIA as the Triassic division, in an effort to persuade them to come home and serve the true god Baal, whilst being fully paid and well fed. Salammbo had promised that there would be no recriminations, no victimisation.
None the less, many feared that a return to Trias would be a death sentence. Altribaal persuaded these latter to refrain from trying to impede the departure of their comrades and pointed out that their duty would be done if they reported what they knew immediately … to himself, their elected leader. He and those that chose to follow him, about half the force, fled by night.

Zaranissa & Salammbo.

Zaranissa concentrated the Trias Provincial Army in Senastarte, where he was joined by Salammbo.
There they met and warmly welcomed Altribaal and his men; there was a joint parade of all these forces and Salammbo blessed the banners and those about to fight for Baal, absolving them of any guilt for what they are about to inflict on the heretics. She reminded them that Baal is without sin and as they act in his name and are but his right hand any and all their actions will therefore be without sin too.

The Trias levy is gathering at Paender.

Wallachia.

After resting through much of the winter the army is now stepping up the intensity of its training, readying itself for fresh challenges.
A grand parade on Printemps 30th, to mark the end of the winter was well attended by press and foreign diplomats, probably hoping for hints as to 123’s plans, but to no avail: Cambysses made a speech telling the army how good they are (prolonged cheering), how good their generals are (prolonged cheering) and hinting broadly at future victories over unspecified foes and the development of radical new weapons and tactics, equally unspecified.
The Hunnic squadron of the special Scouting And Subversion regiment of the Intelligence Division was especially congratulated on their achievements
During the evening’s social entertainment four members of the said unit were wined generously by two spies reporters. The two reporters were later asked not to repeat what they had managed to learn … or else!

Hunland.

All is quiet.
The Byelohun levies are gathering at the Site of the Holy Tree: it is perhaps worrying … or should worry the neighbours … that all the levies of Byeloland, including Greek and Macedonian settlers, have already turned up or have sent large contingents to represent them and to discover what is afoot.
The Siberians, rather fewer, are also gathering, on the northern shore of The Sweet Lake.

Germany.

No treasury having been handed over by the recalcitrant Vikings, Friederich has called the Ostragoths to levy to his banner at Friederichshavn for an early start to a campaign; he has also asked Harda Knut to bring his men and the fleets are also to join this overwhelming force.

Friederich is already at Friederichshavn with his cavalry.

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Sassanidia.

Rebellion and palace coup rumoured.

Taking advantage of the increasingly prolonged and orgiastic festival of the New Year a group of young army officers with detachments of trusted (by them!) troops entered the Cairo Citadel where the generals and other senior officers were reviewing a parade of scantily clad cup-bearers of various genders.
With no difficulty they took the generals into protective custody: Farex, the able loyal and popular 79 year old Libyan Sassanid CinC of the 1st Army: Neguib the notoriously cautious and unpopular 43 year old Egyptian commander of the Nile (provincial) army: Obisis the desperately unpopular 41 year old Nile Sassanid CinC of the 2nd Army, and Putrifax his 32 year old Nubian Egyptian divisional general were the more senior of the captives, but a few dozen of their staff officers were also put under guard in the cellars of the Citadel. The rebels sealed off the Citadel and the adjacent attached Imperial palace.
The touchy but popular 78 year old admiral Glaci’is had the misfortune to be visiting the palace and he joined the generals in the cellars, his protests soon stilled by a beating. It is widely believed that Stephanus and the whole of the Imperial family were made prisoner at the same time, but if so they did not join the others in the Citadel cellars … rumour places them in the extensive cellars of the Palace.
Over the next few weeks the rebels young officers, Sassanidians from the two Nile Provinces or from Libya Province to a man, tried their captives. First all “foreigners” were found guilty of foreignness and were publicly executed. Most of the remainder followed, only Farex and a handful of staff officers were spared; but when Farex was freed and his sword returned to him, he chose to fall on it.
These men, the self-styled Protectors and Organisers, (P&O), have called all rulers, chieftains, and other dignitaries from the Nile and West Nile provinces to a convocation in Cairo, the Purifiers of Sassanidian Honour (POSH) which is due to start in about 7 hours. Non-attendance has been deemed to be a capital offence: many invitees fear that attendance may have a remarkably similar result.
For whatever reason this group has chosen to eschew names, they are to be known only by their titles, or so it has been announced. The 1st Protector is the new commander of the 1st Army, the Nile Organiser the new ruler Nile Province, Cairo Organiser the ruler of Cairo, and so on. (Zeus assumes that this system will prove so unwieldy that it will be dropped at the first “reshuffle”)
Wild rumours circulate: the most popular is that these men have come under A’Rrosee’s spell and are leading Sassanidia to Motiphation: favoured by some is the notion that this has been planned by Emperor Stephanus as a the only way to cleanse and reinvigorate his empire: ditto Prince Ptelnet: ditto Emperor Angustus: oh, the possibility that they are just a bunch of greedy/bored/nationalist (delete at will!) young men is not wholly discounted. There are rumours of a Supreme Organiser.

One down, …

Ar Karnevs, usually cautious but always gullible, was arrested, tried, and executed for treason when he foolishly ventured from the moderate safety of Damietta in response to an invitation to a funeral of a distant cousin … who is incidentally in excellent health.

Of lowly birth, he rose during the troubled times 4 or 5 years ago: brave, loyal, popular, and a competent commander,in 118 he had been made Convenor of the Levy by Sancho. This had been neither forgotten nor forgiven.

Gaul.

Fratricidal feasting.

Pepin killed his illegitimate half brother Pierre in a drunken brawl in late Frostmon. There had of course long been bad blood between them, each resenting any success achieved by the other.
At a feast to celebrate Irulam’s birthday Pepin angered Pierre by mocking his naval exploits, but then enraged Pierre by suggesting that his long though ineffectual absence had at least allowed several of those present to enjoy the company of Pierre’s young and very attractive wife.
Well, both Irulam and Pepin are known for their amorous exploits: Pierre drew his sword and rushed at Pepin who also drew his sword, but wine and anger proved Pierre’s undoing; he stumbled and fell on Pepin’s sword. There is some dispute as to whether Pepin could have avoided stabbing poor Pierre, but he didn’t and Pierre died a couple of hours later, still cursing Pepin.
In view of the importance of those involved Irulam has asked Cerdic to adjudicate, and to select a successor for Pierre not only as admiral, but also as ruler of Rennes and Overlord of the Coast and Peninsula.

Marseilles relieved.

Cerdic’s winter trained veteran mounted infantry set off from Davos: along the Royal Road to Bern, there across the Rhone and down the valley to the ford that lies some 40 miles or so above the confluence with the Saone. They had by this time brushed aside a few bands of Dacians who seemed minded to contest their passage: these men were able to operate in the appalling conditions at least as well as were the tribesmen: even so they had lost 25 men and 94 mounts, though the latter loss was not a problem as the men moved faster on foot and were using their mounts as pack animals.
At this ford they split up. 500 heavy infantry set off at a fairly brisk pace down the Rhone valley; they reached Marseilles without incident and had no difficulty breaking through … well, just walking through … the very loose siege. But the guards refused to open the gate to let them into the city, particularly as the few Tuscan cavalry that constituted the so-called siege were showing no signs of hostility.
Governor Caractacus was called: he is a Briton, the men demanding entry were a mixture of Montenegran and Thracian Greeks. He agreed to let two officers in to discuss the impasse and to persuade him of their bona fides, but only on condition that the other 493 (the spearmen had lost 5 men) pulled back a good mile so that they could not rush the gate.
The Tuscan cavalry, a little more numerous now, were unable to resist the temptation and killed or seriously injured 17 men without loss before Caractacus let them into the city. They were immensely grumpy about these events and were restrained only with difficulty from venting their spleen on the hapless guards and citizenry.
The other force, a mixture of light, heavy, and extra heavy infantry, crossed the Rhone and then the Saone, losing 9 men and 57 horses and 9 ponies on the latter crossing. The loss of the mounts would not have been a problem were it not for the loss of the equipment they carried.
This second force reached Mende without further mishap, whence they raid into the invader held territory, seeking isolated detachments, though with little success as the Italians have not ventured out much in the winter.

Page 1188

Slavonia.

Baja & Buda.

Brigadier Drusus, commander of Cerdic’s 500 Tuscan garrison troops in Baja, reacted vigorously to the attempt of the citizenry to starve them out. His men took over the city with little difficulty, capturing Bellerophon who had not even got round to recruiting more than half a dozen feudal retainers (Pindar’s had perished with him).
Drusus has imposed a ruthless reign of terror and has imposed a swingeing tax, expropriating not only cash but also valuables, food and indeed maidens.
Xenophon of Buda has gathered what forces he can and with the fine weather now approaching has readied them to go and sort out the situation.

Vikinglands.

Pripyat.

Njal, the able leader of the Vikings of The Pripyat Grazing, still vigorous despite his 80 years, was killed in a hunting accident a few weeks ago. He will probably be succeeded by his unpopular grandson, also named Njal, who was with him on the hunt. It is well attested that there were no suspicious circumstances attendant on the mishap, a fact which is in itself unusual and therefore suspicious.

Latvia.

In the Dvina Vale mead and the onset of spring have set blood rushing to the heads of the young warriors.
Dredd Donarson, popular son of the slaughtered Jarl Donar, urged on by his fiery step-mother Ingebøg, called for vengeance upon Otto the Visigoth and Friederich his unholy backer. His claim to lead the peoples of the Dvina vale was not contested by Niall the unpopular Estonian Jarl of Riga, nor by Jarl Blatt of Viski who has succeeded Wodd, his father, killed at the battle of Viski.
The hotheads have rallied to the Dredd standard.
Of the Jarls of Central Latvia there is little doubt that Thor Ulriksson, the rash German-hating Jarl of Utena will join the rebels: it is not yet clear if Foed of Birzai or Vacuna of Vilna will also join them.
The leadership of the Rusne & Wista Jarls was grabbed by Lemminkainen of Lubin to the chagrin of Poeja of Polessk but it is likely that the latter will join the rebellion when he has heard of it, and Lemminkainen may well have little choice but to join too. Gog Kalevalason is very much an unknown: and as for Thorsson the Timid, well, it probably depends on who frightens him most … or first.
The rising trouble was reported to Sten Gunnarsen who has sent an urgent message to Bjarni and has called the levy to him at Konigsberg. It is feared that many of the warriors from the Dvina will fail to answer his call, or even join Dredd.

Estonia.

Erik has many failings, but lack of courage is not one of them: he told Friederich’s emissary to “Haddaway an’ shite, man”, muttering that Friederich was mad: even if he had the Viking treasury he wouldn’t hand it over.
Anders has called out the levy but seems either to be awaiting instructions or to be waiting to see how events unfold before defining their task. Many urge that he announce his support for Dredd.

Malta.

Rumours circulate. It seems that the mayor boss is in negotiation with a foreign power. He must be a worried man; no unknown ship is being permitted to enter the fortified part of the great harbour, and even those registered there are now searched, seemingly for troops, before being allowed in.

Thrace.

Antigonus Gonadus.

Nahese, Antigonus’ personal physician, killed himself on the Ides of Dormon by binding himself to his treatment couch and then consuming his entire pharmacopoeia, as a result of which he died a confused but unpleasant death.
Antigonus’ wound, trivial though it was, had not only failed to heal but had slowly spread to the surrounding tissues which became an interesting and almost attractive shade of greenish-purple, though with an unpleasant odour. Alarmed, Vashti insisted on further opinions: all agreed that topically applied toxins were to blame, but too late: the corruption continued its inexorable spread and Antigonus perished peacefully.
Vashti and Demetriaces announced that they would personally question Nahese carefully rigorously intensively … but too late, so the evil-doer behind the murder remains uncertain.
Despite his reputation for impeccable honesty and integrity there are those who suspect Demetriaces or even Vashti his mother, but suspicion falls mainly on Shalman or Ate, with or without the aid of Lysander, the cunning and ambitious Governor of Thrace.
Despite these suspicions, Demetriaces has confirmed Lysander in his post, and has stressed the need for vigilance, hard work, and various other appropriate noises. Demetriaces has also promoted Anti-Bessus to CinC, replacing the late Perdiccas, and has asked him to prepare a full report on the army along with recommendations for its development. Plagiar is reported to be dismayed that he has been overlooked.
We hear that both Lysander and Anti-Bessus have sworn to serve Demetriaces loyally etc.

Ptelnet.

Emperor Angustus gave control of the Parthian forces to Ptelnet who arranged for some to be demobilised on generous terms and others to move to join him in Thrace.
Horisis gathered these men, cavalry, infantry and siege corps and sent them, under the command of Koribis who was also ordered to Greece with his division.
They moved by easy stages north through Pontic Iberia and then along the coast road, across the Bosphorus, and thence to Nis where they were reviewed by Prince Ptelnet and allocated to the Immortals and the UPA.

Thorsson.

Thorsson and his men joined those of Cnut and Arne in Burgas and then moved down the coast to Istanbul where they have just booked crossings.

Montenegro.

Argon the Montenegran, Chairman of the West Croatian and Rijekan Councils, took his own life in his 63rd year.
Popular and competent, it is said that he was wearied by the long wars that have so disrupted Rijekan life … though there are rumours of a recent scandalous incident in the ladies section of the public baths, and his chosen mode of death was unusual in the extreme.
He is succeeded by Sisseron, perhaps an ambitious opportunist, but a man who is noted above all for his integrity and scrupulous honesty.
Both Zog and Plutarchos have angrily claimed that they should have been made Chairman of the West Croatian Council, but were deemed unsuitable in view of, respectively, their past links to Cerdic and Ptolemy, and their closeness to the Italian authorities.

Angst

Hans and his much reduced fleet arrived at Daran and established a camp just north of the town. His men have been building mud-brick storehouses for the grain and other supplies which they have unloaded.
It seems that about half Hans’ fleet refused his orders and elected to stay on Bukhara: Hans now only has his famous drekkar, 14 longships and 3 knarrs.
Grain was loaded aboard ships of the Chaldean merchant navy at Tehran; they headed north escorted by Chaldean warships. After an uneventful journey they arrived off Daran. Daran of course lacks a harbour and unloading is therefore proceeding slowly, so far without mishap.
The Chaldeans have refused to put the grain in the storehouses built by Hans’ men and are erecting a rather more substantial storehouse.
A brigade of Boson’s infantry and 2 brigades of Masacaces cavalry have arrived to help at Daran.
Nyfører has moved supplies from the Tigris to Karakum and thence north to the Arax. His men have taken over the ruined fort at the ford due north of Karakum and used it as a base for despatching the supplies down the river.
Masacaces has based most of his division on Karakum whence they organise the transport of supplies. Despite all these efforts, the supply situation remains poor and is expected to get worse as supplies have to be sought from further and further afield.
Nyfører ordered the transport of supplies to Babol by road from Karakum. He has paid compensation to the unfortunate locals and promised them grain once it is available in sufficient amount … unlikely to be any time soon.
A brigade each of cavalry and infantry moved via Babol to the coast, found it bleak and inhospitable and returned to Babol. Lief’s army has also moved to Babol.
Skrapehake and Hidy Harald are scouting the Arax valley from their base in Nyfører’s camp opposite Sevan: a few of their scouts have crossed to the left bank. Hyasaqyte’s men labour valiantly building pontoons but the scarcity of adequate timber is proving a handicap.
Uncertainty and confusion as to the whereabouts of Beelzebub, the debauched Hereditary Sheikh of Babol … had he gone with Nyfører and his armies or was he still in Babol territory trying to sort out the mess, or was he pursuing his favoured past-time … were resolved with the discovery of much of his body at a largely derelict hamlet a few miles west of Babol.


It seems from his wounds that he had been slaughtered by humans but partially eaten by wild animals. No clue as to the identity of his killer or killers or their motive has as yet been found. He had many enemies.
He is succeeded by Damibub, his second son, the eldest having perished in a fight over a woman two years ago.
Tremuras has called the levy to his standard at Sahand.

Chaldean travellers.

Shakbut bar Sahdi moved with two brigades of cavalry to the Tug bridge where he was met by his light brigade on the 12th. The three brigades crossed the Murat and Firat rivers and then rode rapidly via Sivas to Trabzon. Thence along the coast road: they are expected in Amasra in another 3 days or so.

Mustasha the Elder left the Great Oasis with his personal guard and a few trusted friends and advisers and headed north: they crossed the Murat river two days ago.

Ostland.

Nyfører has sent an emissary to Anders on Bukhara.
Nyfører has also sent envoys to the Ostland cities: it is far from certain that all have survived as we hear that there are still bands of dissident Estonians robbing and killing travellers with scant regard for the rights normally accorded to heralds or envoys.
There may be some disagreement between the erstwhile lovers, Daraxes and Rosanna. Rosanna with her two year old daughter and two month old son and a small personal guard turned up unexpectedly at Nyfører’s camp a week ago having, rather worryingly, crossed northern Caspia undetected by Nyfører’s scouts. Rosanna ordered the men holding the fort at the other end of the ford to go home and to tell Hrakon to come immediately to renew his oaths to her and to Nyfører.
Hrakon duly arrived at Nyfører’s camp. Our local expert on duplicity anticipates that Hrakon will try to curry favour with Nyfører by blaming Rosanna and/or Daraxes.
It seems that Rosanna blames the recent troubles on tensions between Daraxes and the Estonians … and to a lesser extent the Latvians … getting out of hand, with both too proud to compromise when minor incidents escalated. She does not think that Daraxes will come to meet Nyfører.
Daraxes has appealed to the authorities in Powellopolis for help should the forces gathering in Caspia invade his lands. He has also appealed to all horse-peoples to come to his assistance should the pony-eating barbarians invade his lands: envoys have gone to Azov Province in the north and to Zagros and Chaldea in the south, but also to the neighbours, the Ishmaelites, Iranians, and Caspians where his appeal is likely to heard sympathetically by those who have been oppressed by the insubhuman barbarians.

Mesopotamia.

Two brigades of Boson’s infantry gathered from Sevan, Besh, and the Hakka-Hakkari complex and then with a cavalry escort moved to Sinjar arriving a few days ago. Entry to the city has been denied pending clarification of something (I know not what!).

Abraham, accompanied by his son Ibrahim, his radiant bride Wagnimandua, and the Chaldean levy has just arrived at the Tikrit bridge where he is establishing a camp on the west bank. They have invited Brahma to visit their camp, as an honoured guest of course, to discuss the local situation.

Zagros.

Kublai has instituted a rigorous training programme for his army and has himself assisted in these training activities. Most brigades are training near Shiraz. Kublai’s heavy artillery has been put into storage and its propellant slaves are now labouring in his gold-mine and on his farms.

Inconspicuous scouts have kept an eye on Nestro’ai, now near Kazgan.

As the weather improved so A’Rrosee and Elros increased the pace of the advance of their forces towards Marsal. Late on the 4th a group of Hasmarbal’s officers out hunting met a large detachment of light cavalry and realised that all was not well: the two survivors raised the alarm.
Hasmarbal and Moloch strengthened the guards around their camps that night and detailed cavalry for an early morning probe in modest force. Modest, as Hasmarbal and Moloch had less than 10,000 men: about 2-3,000 were cavalry though most of the infantry was mounted: they also had about 200 cart-mounted bolt engines and 50-60 elephants.
They did not realise until dawn on the 5th that there was anything more than a large force of scouts or skirmishers nearby. A’Rrosee led perhaps 20,000 Motiphators, about half cavalry and half mounted foot: Elros had led was accompanied by Melqart bar Hanno with about 20,000 Carthaginians, mostly cavalry and mostly very nervous new recruits. They too had elephants, 40, but untrained and very unpredictable.
Marsal is of course unwalled.
The attack at first light was divided into two groups, probably in an effort to avoid the Motiphators and the Carthaginian elements attacking each other in the confusion. By chance this meant that Melqart was predominantly pitted against Hasmarbal’s forces, with the Motiphators against Moloch’s provincial army.
Both attacks carried the camps’ outer defences and Moloch’s men were soon in flight or in whichever paradise their beliefs qualified them for: though for many flight was but a brief postponement of paradise.
The fighting in and around Hasmarbal’s camps was confused by the elephants, Pocilbus proving uncharacteristically competent and Melqart’s raw men being all too fearful of them. But Melqart’s veterans swung the day and soon elephants were trampling they knew not whom in the panic to which the arrival of Melqart’s elephants added hugely.
The pursuit was particularly bloody as Marsal is on a ridge running onto a promontory and many were trapped. Melqart’s attempt to persuade Elros to halt the slaughter was thwarted by the paucity of sweeties.
Over the next week the Motiphators and, sad to relate, Melqart’s men too, hunted down survivors: quarter was rarely asked and even less frequently granted. Marsal was looted, its citizens treated as enemy.
By the 13th A’Rrosee and Melqart had rallied their troops. Losses: Moloch lost perhaps 4-5,000 men, Hasmarbal about 2,000: plus 2,000 or so artillerists and elephant crews and 5,000 or so local populace were also lost though it is likely that many of these will have accepted conversion rather than death. Melqart lost a little over 1,000 men, and the Motiphators about 700.
Pocilbus, Xmaras and Narbal perished.
The surviving elephants and most of the bolt engines were captured by Elros and A’Rrosee.
Hasmarbal and Moloch have rallied their survivors and are now almost at Farah, making good speed with Imperial Guard and some Motiphators snapping at their heels. A’Rrosee and Melqart I’m-in-charge-Elros are now headed purposefully along the coast behind a very large cavalry screen; they passed Voccalica 2 days ago. The elephants are lagging somewhere near Cahns, and many of the Motiphators are motiphating … Anssos and Cahns have been looted and de-Baaled by the Motiphators as they passed: they are busy now in Voccalica. Converts and slaves a-plenty.

Demiliton.

Philipo pushed scouts to the south and to the west: those in the south found nothing of note to report. The west was different!

Trias.
Baal will provide!

Local authorities are establishing who the heretics are (trans. followers of the Motiph perversion) and their role in the so-called religion.
In view of the shortage of good firewood all those of priest/shaman rank will be cleansed by Baal (trans. staked out in the desert and left to die).
All other followers of the Motiph perversion will be given a choice – publicly recant and hammer in the stakes for the priests and other believers or be cleansed by Baal themselves.
Salammbo has announced that those fighting against the Motiph heresy will be granted the lands of those cleansed. All other belongings of those cleansed by Baal will become the property of the Trias military.

Zytokberg.

Having received reports of both renegade Trias troops and foreign troops lurking near Zytokberg, Zaranissa sent orders to the levy to hasten, whilst scouting cautiously, to Zytokberg. He set off via Linka and Sidris with scouts ahead and patrols out on both flanks, ordered to prevent messengers passing in either direction.
The levy moved more quickly than Zaranissa had anticipated and reached Zytokberg on the 20th. Although they tried to camp inconspicuously, twenty-odd thousand men are not easily overlooked.
The men lurking near Zytokberg were 500 or so Leonese light cavalry with, as guides and mentors, 20 Trias Punic cavalrymen. The arrival of the levy caused panic and they dicided to depart forthwith. Of course on the afternoon of the 21st they met Zaranissa and the Trias army going the other way and unfortunately, rather than talk to the scouting screen which they encountered, they mistakenly thought that that was all there was. They attacked and broke through the screen but were then destroyed by the army.
If there were survivors, they must be few and lost in the desert.
Zaranissa and his men spent a couple of days checking that there were no more enemy nearby, and then helped Salammbo and Salaebal root out heretics.

Sassanidia.

The POSH was well attended by the sheikhs and rulers of Nile province but a number of leading West Nile dignitaries failed to attend and have been proscribed. These include Ar Magrevs, Sheikh of El Minya and spokesman for the peasants’ party, and Ar Mergevs, Emir of the Nile valley and Bey of Memphis, and Ar Diotr, Bey of El Giza: both are adherents of the peasants’ party.
It soon became obvious from the proscriptions and the speeches that the P&O have no sympathy for Motiphation nor for the peasants who relatively recently acquired positions of power with the support of the Punic invaders.
Although no Supreme Organiser has as yet appeared, it seems that these men are upper class nationalists spurred to act by the disasters that have befallen Sassanidia.
During the final day of the POSH it was announced that there would be a significant recruiting drive and that the armies would reconquer Libya and Nubia as soon as they had brought West Nile Province firmly back into the Sassanidia fold.
Our intrepid investigator says that since they have taken control of the Imperial P&O Treasury they can almost certainly afford a considerable increase in the size of the armies.

Our intrepid investigator has also speculated as to the reason for the great deference accorded Me’socolon, the senile and unpopular Bey of Alexandria.

Page 1192

Dacian Highlanders.
Tidying up.

During the winter Scurilus had, with the total support of Jurassa and Scurvius, appointed himself Earl of the Rhone and had taken possession of Cerdic’s extensive estates around Bern Lake (I know it isn’t in the real world, but …)
After local consultation he had then appointed two Lowlanders, Wallis and Zurch, as Barons of the Upper and Lower Rhone Vale
Next Scurilus arranged a meeting with Lygenard under a flag of truce and drew to his attention his somewhat parlous situation. He suggested a formal truce with hostages “… your two sons … no, of course I won’t give you any!” as an alternative to Bern being besieged and the said sons being slaughtered as punishment for Lygenard’s stupidity.
Well, Scurilus can be persuasive and a truce was duly agreed and Lygenard’s two sons are now in Scurilus’ care where they have been treated with exemplary kindness.

And so to spring when young men lightly turn to thoughts of rapine.

Jurassa, forceful and imposing as ever, and Scurvius, charming and popular and much admired for his youthful brilliance, called the Highland chiefs to Bern with as many followers and friends as possible. All were told but had already guessed that the aim was to exploit the Gallic pre-occupation with the Italians and Iberians to exact vengeance … and collect a bit more booty
After a not unpleasant winter savouring their recently acquired wealth and women there was considerable enthusiasm for the venture.
Jurassa dedicated the expedition to the memory of her father Scurvio, and said that it was fitting that it should be led by his grandson Scurvius.
Chieftains Skabidol and Detatox and even Decaboluz with his handful of men came. Scurilus of course came with the bellicose Zurch and the Gaul-hating Wallis.
This considerable force set off north and west; they crossed the headwaters of the Saone just before mid-month: here Regent Aardrid joined the Dacians on their march with a few hundred Aalen Saxons.
Onwards across the low hills to the Seine headwaters, now moving more slowly as they looted and pillaged with enthusiasm. Most are on the left bank of the Seine but a significant number are looting between the Seine and the Marne.
Scurvius has pushed mounted scouts well out in all directions; they have kept a particularly careful watch on Dijon, even though they are now some distance northwest of the town.

Marseilles.

Regan initially expressed some disgruntlement at the reinforcement of Marseilles, not unreasonably suspecting that the new arrivals would stiffen the resolve of Governor Caractacus.
But resourceful as ever, she let the news of the Gallic success filter through to the fortress garrison.
On the 5th 100 of her men, in suitable uniforms suitably travel-stained and with a few pack animals, marched rapidly up to the fortress “harassed” by her light cavalry.
No hesitation this time; the fortress gate was opened quickly but carefully to admit the reinforcements who even shouted in an appropriate tongue.

Her men held the gate open long enough to let in a few hundred friends: the garrison was overwhelmed though some 45 of Regan’s men were killed. Regan, rather unfairly perhaps as they were only doing their job, has had the garrison’s survivors transferred to mining duties.

Gaul.

The invaders’ moves.

Leo has sent a note to Emperor Elros regretting that with the situation seemingly so unsafe he has not as yet sent any taxes (not even sweeties) lest they fall into the hands of the Emperor’s enemies.
Leo has reiterated his willingness to pay any Punic fleets “overlooked” by the Emperor.
The Taragon levy, 15,000 or so strong, having gathered at Aloala was led by Maralo at a brisk pace via Andorra to rendezvous with Sancho Sefi at Toulouse where they arrived without incident.
The Leon levy gathered and then moved to join their comrades who had elected to overwinter in Zaragozza. Now some 15-20,000 strong, they set off over the more or less clear of snow pass towards Dolmansville which they should reach within a week.
Carmino, having satisfied himself that the Leonese treasuries and storehouses are secure, has joined the levy.
El Gordang’s cavalry pushed to La Rochelle, harassed by Asprix’ cavalry. Asprix got rather the worse of the exchanges but called Louchix and Cantonix to come to his aid with their the infantry. When Bregalad sortied from La Rochelle to join up with El Gordang the Tolosans decided that discretion was appropriate and drew aside before triumphantly entering La Rochelle.
Dagamo and his fleet moved down the coast and then up the estuary to Bordeaux. Bregalad and El Gordang returned to Bordeaux, still just about harassed by the Tolosans, though very much more cautiously.
Sancho has pushed strong cavalry patrols along the Garonne to the coast.
Leo moved those of his forces which had over-wintered in Montpelier to Toulouse, leaving Escarrio and Publius to hold the southeast from their base at Nimes.

The defenders’ moves.
Cerdic has of course called out the levies.

The Bruxelles levy and army, some 15-20,000 very assorted fighting men, have just reached Reims.
The Tolosan army, about 2,000 cavalry and 5‑10,000 infantry is about half-way from La Rochelle to Tours. Sirosis, Ferrat, Braznac, Baccalix, and Archeolis with their feudal retainers, perhaps another 10,000 men, are in or near Tours.
The response in Bordeaux province has been negligible … only a few warriors have moved to join Cerdic.
The response of the Bretons was augmented by a generous offer of armour to the volunteers. There must be 25-30,000 warriors including those on the Breton warships. Most of these have reached Tours (No, not the ships!) and the rest are expected over the next few days.

Some conflict.

Leo and Sancho pushed strong cavalry patrols towards Mende and Clermont Ferrand. They met scant resistance initially as the Gauls, mostly Tolosans, withdrew northwards: as they withdrew the Gauls took with them any food stocks that they could, plus as many of the herds and flocks as they could. That which they were unable to drive or cart off has been collected by the invaders and carted or driven south.

Cerdic pushed cavalry south and as the Bretons arrived these cavalry skirmishes increased in vigour. It is not entirely clear who had the best of the skirmishing … numbers killed, the invaders have a slight advantage, percentage lost, the defenders. The main skirmish area is still south of Limoges but well north of Clermont. A few invaders have pushed through the Mende gap but are essentially unopposed.

The Bruxellois fleet has gathered and is now moving down the Channel collecting Breton contingents as they go. They are now off the mouth of the Seine.

Page 1193

Vikinglands.

Latvia.
You will notice a Thorsson the Timid here in Latvia. There are two Thorssons nicknamed Timid: this one is unrelated to the puissant Thorsson settled in Armenia. This one is timid; the other is not.

Sten Gunnarsen with but 1-2,000 men of the Latvian levy rode to Polessk. He had dicided to ensure the support of Poeja of Polessk and of Thorsson of Taurage, and perhaps the support or at the worst the neutrality of the other Rusne and Wista Jarls. It seems that he intends to wait for Bjarni and Friederich before tackling the rebels themselves.
At Polessk Poeja regretted that after the recent terrible times he could not spare any men to help Sten, but nor would his men help the rebels. Sten didn’t believe him but thought that he had too few men to matter and after a rather sparse feast, continued on to Taurage.
There Thorsson assured Sten of his full and vigorous support, though this was limited by the poverty of his people. Sten didn’t believe him but thought that he had too few men to matter and after a rather sparse feast, continued on towards Vilna where he should arrive in a couple of days.
Lemminkainen learned of the rebellion and of Friederich’s call to the Ostragoths: he thought it prudent to gather 500 or so men of the Rusne & Wista levy before moving to offer his support. With his followers he went up the Wista from Lubin to Slonim where he feasted with Sigurd. They set off with their followers and are now about half-way from Slonim to Vilna. Lemminkainen, unaware of Sten’s efforts, has sent friends ahead to gather the warriors from Polessk and Taurage.
Meanwhile Thor Ulriksson of Utena had persuaded his cousin Foed, of Birzai, and Vacuna, Jarl of Vilna, that their interests lay with the rebels. They concentrated their forces, only a few hundred strong, at Utena.
Dredd Donarson and the Dvina Vale Jarls with about 1,500 warriors had gathered at Riga where, after a few well-lubricated feasts, they crossed the river and then moved in surprisingly good order behind a proper scouting screen to Utena; they are now about halfway from Utena to Vilna. Thor, Foed, and Vacuna have joined their march.

Pripyat.

Having re-established himself, with the acquiescence of Bifrost, as war-leader of Pripyat Province, acknowledged by the Sarmatians as well as the Vikings, Loki called his personal followers and the levies to his banner at Okolova.

Loki has asked Atlas to lead the Sarmatian contingent and Atlas has not only agreed but has brought Trinian’s Sarmatian levy with him. They have some 10‑15,000 warriors, the biggest force assembled in Pripyat for some time.

Coming to join in.

Friederich and his cavalry moved to Konigsberg where they were welcomed by Gog Kalevalason who told them that Sten Gunnarson had already left: Friederich sent a detachment to join Sten and find out exactly what was afoot. Friederich’s fleet, with Ostragoth warriors aboard kept pace and discharged its men at Konigsberg whilst others of the Ostragoth levy followed Friederich on land. By the evening of the 10th 30,000 Ostragoths had gathered.
Friederich and his cavalry rode to Polessk where on the 14th Poeja re-affirmed his strong support for Bjarni, Sten, “… and of course, your good self, sire.” Poeja unenthusiastically agreed to accompany Friederich.
After a two day wait for the Ostragoth levy to catch up, on to Taurage.
On the 21st Thorsson the Timid greeted his visitors with trepidation, re-iterating his enthusiasm for Sten, Bjarni Friederich and er, so on. His enthusiasm grew apace when the Ostragoths arrived on the 24th and Thorsson unenthusiastically agreed to accompany Friederich.
Now in distant contact with Sten, Friederich dicided to wait for more information in Taurage where supplies were not a problem; he pushed scouts across the Rusne.
Harda Cnut and his men have maintained a steady pace along the North German Plain; Harda Cnut and his cavalry have reached Konigsberg: the main body of Harda’s levy infantry is expected to have crossed the Wista by the evening of the 2nd.

Estonia.

After a private meeting with Smaragda (“We are just good friends and if you say otherwise I’ll tell Hrunting.”) Hrunting met Anders. The runes seemingly, and unusually, had but one possible interpretation: that the warriors were to levy at Tallinn with their longships.
Erik Notfenrirson was persuaded by Smaragda that he should offer his unstinted support to Hrunting, and she herself used her not inconsiderable influence to persuade the longship owners and captains to join the expedition. She also convinced Erik to spend some of his cash on more longships for the Estonian navy.
“Where are we going, my lady?”
“I don’t know, I’m not in charge. It’s up to Anders and his nice young friend, Hrunting.”
The 53 longships of the Estonian fleet, plus 29 privately owned longships were inadequate for the numbers who turned up. Even with the 19 provincial knarrs, not enough. Erik reluctantly agreed to hire 13 owned by local merchants. Crowded, but it will have to do.
The fleet left on the 8th and sailed to Valjala to collect the local contingent, thence to Riga where they arrived fairly late on the 29th. They have had unusually favourable winds enabling the knarrs to keep up: most of the warriors are reassured by the now widespread rumour that the pleasant weather is a gift from Freya who must be on one of the knarrs.
We hear that Smaragda herself is not (yet) with the expedition: she stayed in Valjala to talk to Gunnar Njalson in an effort to persuade him to join the expedition at the head of his father’s warriors.
Gunnar is not a chip off the old block: he is an able administrator, but he lacks military skills and indeed physical courage were the truth to be told. Smaragda, after a loud tirade of harsh words and all too believable threats, bullied him into offering her the command of these veterans. She asked old Blovin to lead them and he agreed with enthusiasm, particularly when she promised that Erik would pay them generously. “Oh yes he will!”

Blovin and Smaragda left Valjala a day ago.

Page 1194

Hunland.

Seg sent fleet messengers to Ghengis’ camp near Volsk in Volga province and to the Siberian steppes:-
"Surrender now and avoid needless destruction. Or at least come and fight us to save your lands."
Ghengis sent urgent messages to his levy gathering by the Sweet Lake, and to all the powerful men of Volga Province: to the ruling brothers Galgyn and Gwalchai Annen, to Pan Ch'ou, Pinqus, Xanadu Tuuf and his son Atle, to Ali Mentari. Pallos and Suborai: he also sent a message to Gilgamesh, his beloved grandson-in-law. Perchance with something akin to desperation he asked them all for urgent help.
He urged them to hasten to Volsk, there to resist the attempt by the upstart Seg to make himself the Khan of Khans. He made sweeping promises which most realised he could not hope to fulfil without himself becoming Khan of Khans … but better the maniac you know than the madman you dont.
Galgyn and Gwalchai are of course Byelohuns who succeeded Gawain, and Pan Ch’ou is the leader of the Volgahuns, beholden to the brothers.
They called their levies to Mekha, the ruined and abandoned city opposite Volsk, and persuaded Ghengis that, at least for the time being, his men should stay on the Volsk or right bank of the Don and theirs on the left … to minimise the risk of misunderstandings.
Pallos, leader of the Greeks settled in the cities has called his adherents to arm themselves and to be ready to defend their cities: Pinqus the Macedonian has given similar advice to his people. It is very likely that the Mesopotamians and Persians settled on the coast, and the more recently arrived Viking settlers there will also try to avoid getting involved. Certainly very few if any from these groups will join the levies at Volsk … unless offered very large financial inducements to do so.
Xanadu Tuuf & Atle lead the Volgan Urohuns. They also have considerable influence with the Siberian Urohuns found in Ghengis’ levies. They have promised to bring their followers to Mekha, and are expected in a week.
That Ghengis appealed to Suborai for help was unexpected. Suborai is of course the youngest of Subedai’s brothers: when Subedai went to join Seg Suborai took over the leadership of the Volgan Byelohuns who are settled in the southwest of the province. Suborai has called the Byelohuns to his standard some 50-60 miles north and west of Rostov.
Gilgamesh has perhaps enough to worry about on his southern border though one remembers his past loyalty to Ghengis; but one must doubt that he could get troops to Volsk in time to influence the likely conflict.



The Siberian levy has started a leisurely move towards the Don valley and Volsk where they are expected in a week or so.
Seg and his followers moved to Moskva where they crossed the Don headwaters into Northwest Urals. They then headed southeast towards the Sweet Lake. Large numbers of scouts have fanned out ahead of the army with many also on the west bank of the Don.
Making good time with the infantry mounted and many spare mounts, the rear had reached the Sweet Lake by the 20th, by which time scouts were scattered through the Southeast and Southwest Urals. The main force is now a few miles east of Kursk.
Although this great army has foraged there has been neither looting nor gratuitous violence: we hear that Seg has paid each man (“Yes dear, and each woman.”) ½ gp as compensation for their good behaviour.
“That’s not possible, that would cost him 35-40,000 gp!”

“Will you tell Ghengis?” “Not likely!”

Slavonia.
Baja & Buda.

The desperately unpopular 63-year-old Xenophon led his feudal retainers south to Baja, some 1,600 cavalry and 800 infantry, the great majority recently recruited to replace the disastrous losses of the previous season. But Xenophon and his men were confident, as they knew that brigadier Drusus had less than 500 men.
Xenophon’s men were perhaps unaware of the full extent of his military incompetence, an incompetence that was to play some part in the disaster about to befall them.
Xenophon sent a herald ahead to negotiate a peaceful settlement but Drusus ignored the offer of a parley. On the 12th, after an unhurried march, Xenophon arrived outside Baja and set up camp near the east gate: he had arranged that at dawn citizens would let down ropes or ladders at several points along the east wall, a fact all too well known to Drusus.
At dawn Xenophon’s cavalry gathered near the east gate waiting for it to be opened to admit them. Meanwhile ladders and ropes were duly let down but when several dozen Slavonians were on the wall a detachment of Tuscans arrived and swept them off. Despite this both the outer and inner doors of the east gate were duly opened … by Tuscans though this was not immediately obvious … and the Slavonian cavalry swept through.
When a few hundred had entered, the straw in the archway of the gate caught fire: a brief conflagration but in the confusion the doors facing inwards as well as those facing outwards were closed. The cavalry who had entered found themselves in a trap, all exits from the narrow street being barricaded. Missiles and fire rained down from the houses: few Slavonians survived and even fewer Tuscans perished.
Outside there was nought but confusion; Xenophon urging his infantry to scale the walls and his cavalry to charge the gate: his men withdrew to their camp and despite his orders prepared to set off for home next morning.
But Drusus is a competent if rather vindictive man and in the wee small hours by the light of an almost full moon the Tuscans attacked the Slavonian camp: no real defences and no sentries: more slaughter though in the end about a third of Xenophon’s men survived: Xenophon didn’t.
Hearing of the above events, Royer crossed the Danube with most of his local Popliteal feudal forces and moved to Buda where he stressed that he came to offer peace and his protection, though he did hint very heavily that a failure to accept him as overlord would not be acceptable.
After a few days of almost friendly negotiation Buda agreed to elect a council to run their every day affairs under the “guidance” of Prince Royer and his wife Rheann.
Rheann certainly, and Royer probably, and the Council possibly knew that this was not a formula to continue for long; indeed Rheann is already advising Royer on the choice of reliable followers to fill the various vacancies left by the series of disasters which has befallen Buda and its people. Royer will soon be Buda’s feudal overlord.

At Rheann’s prompting Royer has invited Drusus … with a bodyguard and under a flag of truce … to discuss a possible alliance.

Page 1195

Exodus contd.
Thorsson’s armies.

Bold Cnut crossed from Istanbul without incident and set off at a brisk pace along the north Pontic coast. A day ago he and his men reached Of where they are enjoying a well-earned rest. They are accompanied by an agent or guide rumoured to be one of Nyfører’s officers: it is further rumoured that Nyfører has hired the men for the season.
Thorsson and his men have followed a more leisurely itinerary: they are currently enjoying the sights and sampling the delicacies and indeed the indelicacies of Alansberg. There have been a few complaints about their casual attitude to prompt payments for goods and services.

Ptelnet.

Ptelnet greeted and reviewed the Immortals and those elements of the UPA present in Greece, and congratulated them on the job they had done over the winter protecting the Greeks from the ravages of the baby-eating Punies. He also welcomed the new recruits and ensured that they were integrated into their new units. However, he told the troops, their time in Greece had come to an end, and they needed to return to New Persia.
Ptelnet and the Immortals left next day at dawn at a brisk pace. Via Philipopolis and Adrianople to the Istanbul ferry, they are now about 20 miles east of Amasra.
The UPA, commanded by Sahure, left a week later having collected up the garrisons. They followed the same route but at a much more sedate pace, the wagon train carefully guarded: they have just reached Adrianople.
The garrisons in those crucial hard-won forts in the passes were replaced by men of the Royal Guard, still looking less than enthusiastic … but disciplined none-the-less.
Ptelnet has despatched couriers to his other commanders.

Staying.

Arne Loppson and his men were ready to cross on the ferry when they received a cash offer for temporary employment in Thrace. After some debate they voted to accept the offer, and marched briskly via Adrianople to Philipopolis where they were welcomed by a slightly surprised and initially worried Demetriaces. He was reassured by Suren’s agent who accompanied them.

Demetriaces.

Demetriaces asked Plagiar to visit Shalman as his envoy. Shalman is requested to recognise Demetriaces as successor to his late much-loved father the Prince Antigonus.
It is noted that Demetriaces and the Lady Vashti are now accompanied by alert personal guards and that food tasters are now employed … and so far there have been no further untoward happenings.
Demetriaces has distributed aid to the needy.

Thrace.

“Everyone's buggered off and left me alone. Oh well, more time for Poli and me to do whatever it is young folks do. Like play games of scrabble (Fxnqhyrt is so Sarmatian a word, 274 points to me) and go for long rides (cough, well she doesn't walk does she) in the countryside.

By the way, Polonova, what’s the significance of 210?”

Montenegro and environs.

Maharbal sent Baalqert with a substantial force up the coastal plain and they patrol widely from their Potok base.
Maharbal, looking exhausted after the long winter and Ariadne’s enthusiastic demands, concentrated his forces and those of his friends and allies at Ariadnopolis. His army and those of Leptonos and Ceutabaal moved up the coast to Thessaly, shadowed by the 2nd fleet under Sirsalis. Ariadne has stayed in Thermopolae: in her condition campaigning was thought inappropriate “… that’s ridiculous, I’m only three months.” “We shouldn’t take any risks! and I need the rest.” “What was that?” “Nothing dear.”
At Thessaly they were welcomed by Heracles who did his best to gloss over the unfortunate misunderstanding last year “… an over-officious harbour master, now replaced.”
Heracles, well known for his monarchist sympathies, greeted young Prince Kostas with particular sycophantic enthusiasm.
Maharbal has pushed scouts north and east. He also sent an officer to express his condolences to Vashti and Demetriaces and at the same time to reassure the latter that Maharbal and his forces were only coming to take control of the Montenegran lands whose return had been promised by the Empress Ate, your noble aunt.

Achmenia, north.

Gilgamesh has inspected his army and placed them on high alert. His Governors have been instructed to inspect all town defences, strengthening them where necessary and repairing any winter damage or deterioration.
Harmuz, appointed by Gilgamesh to administer Georgia, has inspected the captured liberated cities: all seems to be relatively harmonious and peaceful.
Gilgamesh sent his son-in-law Mihrak with a substantial bodyguard … the 2nd brigade of the 1st division of the Azov Army under Brigadier Enkiduz … to talk to Hystaspes, Bey of Uil, about the advantages of liberation. They arrived after a leisurely ride a couple of days ago.
Hystaspes, a man blessed by nature with a happily limited grasp of complex problems was loath to open the city gates to his visitor. Mihrak indicated that he thought this an unprovoked display of ill manners whereupon Hystaspes, a man further blessed with little patience and a limited attention span, told him to asterisk off.
Mihrak wasn’t pleased but Enkiduz was enraged at such discourtesy to his cousin, his general. He pointed out to the city’s guards that his men were more numerous than the menfolk of Uil and that unless they opened the gates forthwith, he would storm their miserable town and personally supervise the ……

The captain of the guards … there were but 40 of them … opened the gates and personally led Enkiduz to the royal palace hovel. An increasingly subdued Hystaspes was dragged before Mihrak and is even now discussing the advantages of liberation with increasing enthusiasm.

Naval Affairs.

A fleet of about 30 nondescript galleys was sighted off Olympia: the next reliable sighting was off Crotone. About the mid-month 15 of them passed through the Straits of Messina. Another half-dozen or so headed south: six stayed near Messina.
Not again. The six that stayed are unreliably reported to be Greek: be that as it may, they are now inspecting shipping and collecting a piracy suppression tax.
The 15 which headed north through the Straits then rowed up the west Italian coast as far as the Tiber before heading out to sea.

A fleet of 8 merchantmen passed through the Straits northwards with some difficulty a week ago; they were helped by the anti-piracy patrol but the charge for this useful service has not been announced: if the winds and currents are adverse most merchantmen prefer to wait in either Messina or in the bay on the north shore of the Messina peninsula. Where these 8 went is uncertain.

Malta.

A fast galley arrived from Windicta and a senior negotiator and a couple of his men were allowed into the fortress; the galley itself was refused entry to the inner, fortified, harbour.
It is widely believed that a deal was agreed, presumably in good faith on both sides. The galley and its agents left.
The next arrival was a Gallic flotilla of six galleys. They were refused entry to the inner harbour. They put a few hundred marines ashore and these men peacefully but firmly took control of the island; a couple of the galleys rowed round the island, and another pair patrolled off the harbour entrance.
The Gallic admiral, one Temeraix, requested entry to the fortified harbour but it was again refused. He recalled his marines.
Then three Punic galleys, two transports and a single escorting trireme, arrived. They were seen by the Gallic scoutships and when the other four Gallic galleys came out to join them, the Carthaginians turned and headed back towards Windicta, shadowed for some distance by two of the Gallic warships.

Two nights ago the heavy duty boom that closes off the narrow entrance to the inner harbour was opened by men already inside the fortifications and the Gallic galleys entered. The Gauls have made it very clear that they now own the harbour including the armouries and workshops, but not the fortress itself …yet. Temeraix has asked for a meeting with the captain of the garrison, few in number but adequate for so strong a fortress

Angst

Page 1197

NEWS of the KNOWN WORLD
INCORPORATING THE RAGNAROK REPORTER.
Funfly 30th 123

HUNLAND.

Honoria warned Seg that Tenapin ap Orlin is not to be trusted.

“… he puts 20,000 warriors in the field and if he rebels many of Subedai’s levy would refuse to fight or could even join Tenapin. We don’t really know what happened to his father, do we? We only have Tenapin’s word that he is dead.

“And look at his behaviour last year: messed up your plans just so that his men could have first grab at the loot: and some iffy communications to Ghengis; I mean how did Ghengis escape you. I tell you, I don’t trust him. Watch him! Just don’t turn your back or give him a position where he could lose you the battle.”

“Yes dear.”

“Oh, do listen. You know he has a better claim to the High Khanship of Byeloland than you do: even some claim to be Khan of Khans.”

“Yes dear.”

The Siberian levy speeded up its rather leisurely pace when they realised that if they didn’t Seg would soon be treading on their tails. When they reached Mekha they were carefully helped across to Volsk, which is of course on the other bank, by anxious Volgans.

Xanadu Tuuf and Atle, leaders of the Volgan UroHuns, reached Mekha with their followers as expected and camped a little to the north of the ruins.
Seg continued down the left bank of the Don on a broad front. On the 5th Suborai in person came to Seg’s camp, duly and carefully escorted. He had a happy reunion with his brother Subedai and not surprisingly offered his services and those of his few followers to Seg.

As Seg’s forces approached the ruins of Mekha both Xanadu and Atle also came to his camp, equally carefully escorted by some of Seg’s numerous and alert scouts. They too offered their services and claimed that the Volgan UroHuns would follow them: they seemed to think that the Siberian UroHuns would also be delighted to escape Siberian domination. With Seg and his huge force so close Galgyn and Gwalchai were unable to act against Xanadu and Atle.

Galgyn sent an emissary who informed Seg that the brothers sought peace with honour: they did not intend to fight in support of Ghengis but asked that the neutrality of Volga be respected, rather glossing over the fact that it hadn’t been shown much respect so far!
Seg’s forces duly arrived at Mekha; they have established a series of camps which effectively ring Mekha on the left bank of the Don. Scouts everywhere, as usual, with a careful watch on the river and quite a few Byelohuns on the right bank cautiously watching the Siberians.. It is not clear if the Volgan forces would be allowed to leave if they tried to, nor is it clear if supplies will be allowed through the Byelohun line or indeed across the ford past the Siberian forces.

Xanadu Tuuf and Atle have shuffled their camp-site a bit further from Mekha and a bit nearer to the Byelohuns: Byelohuns watch them, entering and leaving their camp casually but politely.

SASSANIDIA.

Nubia.

Khamoun has been trying to raise a cavalry division but with very limited success: the Egyptians make very poor cavalrymen and the Sassanidians scent change or trouble or both.

The 21st Protector … a subgeneral in the Sassanidian Army of Nubia … an arrogant West Nile Sassanid, travelled with a substantial bodyguard to negotiate with Mustasha the younger.

It seems that the Protectors and Organisers will accept Mustasha’s continuing to rule as their agent on condition that he swears loyalty etc and that he acts with vigour to re-establish Sassanidian rule and to suppress Egyptian freedoms, indeed, to return the Egyptians to a state of serfdom, probably fairly abject serfdom.

If Mustasha is unwilling or unable to agree these terms, he will be permitted to leave with his personal possessions and his immediate family, household slaves, etc.

West Nile.

The Supreme Organiser of the P&O sent detachments of heavily armed men to El Minya, El Giza, and Memphis.

The group sent to Memphis to arrest Ar Mergevs got lost in the maze of allies and made enough noise to ensure that he was warned of their coming and he fled.

Ar Magrevs, Sheikh of El Minya and unofficial spokesman for the peasants’ party, heard that strangers were coming and mistakenly thought that he could sort things out with a mob of supporters at his back. When push came to shove his mob fled and he was arrested: his trial is scheduled for Ete 5th but it is unlikely that he will live that long.

The force sent to El Giza duly arrived and demanded to know where Ar Diotr was to be found. Eventually they found the Bey, Ar Tolovs, who told them that Diotr is the Bey of Asyut. Significantly displeased, they took Tolovs into custody and hastened to Asyut: too late, Diotr had fled. They hanged Ar Tolovs … he’s just another blasted uppity peasant … for complicity in Diotr’s escape.

To Sassanidia.

Ptelnet and the Immortals reached Trabzon without incident on the 20th. A day’s rest to load up the spare mounts with supplies and then off again, more cautiously now with scouts ahead but still maintaining a brisk pace. They should reach Malatya in another 1-2 days where their scouts have arranged a market, promising prompt and fair payments.

Spitames has arrived in Gaza with his 2nd division and a brigade of Tospades’ mounted infantry. They were followed by Savalaces with Ptelnet’s Hexopodry and then by Horisis with Ahmose’s and Karenen’s divisions.
Bifuud, the elderly Emir of the North and Bey of Gaza, a Sassanid born in Haifa, notoriously religious, upright, pious and boringly saintly, welcomed them with some evident confusion. It is entirely possible that though he attended the POSH, he may not fully have comprehended the significance of the event (he is alert but very hard of hearing) nor of the arrival in Gaza of the forces of the brothers, Angustus and Ptelnet.

He expressed anxiety about supplies and was greatly relieved when he finally understood that merchant ships were already unloading all that was necessary.

Page 1198

VIKINGLANDS.
A brief summary to confuse you.

Who knew what? Neither Sten nor Lemminkainen knew where anybody was. Foed and Dredd were in frequent contact and knew where Sten was though they were unaware of Lemminkainen’s whereabouts. Friederich knew where Sten and Harda were and they knew where he was.

Anders knew where Dredd intended to go.

The battle(s) of Vilna.

Sten Gunnarsen reached Vilna on the 2nd and was somewhat put out to learn that Vacuna had gone to Utena; he rightly guessed that he had gone there to discuss rebellion with Thor but learned that Vacuna had but a handful of warriors and he rightly guessed that Thor would have but a few dozen at the most.

Sten, unaware that Foed with a few hundred men and Dredd with 1-2,000 were with Vacuna and Thor, decided to nip the trouble in the bud. He crossed the Rusne unopposed but on the 4th he met the rebels. On their way to Vilna, they had been warned by Vacuna’s people of Sten’s approach and had prepared an ambush where the Vilna to Utena track skirts the forest. (See last News for map.)

Sten was outnumbered perhaps 4:3, but the element of surprise was crucial: many of his mounted foot warriors fled: others fought courageously but chaotically but of course now more heavily outnumbered.
Sten and about 850 of his men died. Those that fled fared no better: they reached the ford at Vilna at much the same time as Lemminkainen and Sigurd. Exactly why these two groups set about each other is uncertain as they were quite possibly on the same side … but then perhaps not. Whatever the reason, they fought, and Sten’s scattered and disorganised men with some of Dredd’s warriors still at their backs, again had much the worst of it.

Taurage, Birzai, & Utena.

Friederich, informed of the activities of the Dacians, has sent instructions that a small levy is to be raised in Bamberg and another, larger, in the Danube Plain to safeguard the crossing at Linz.

Friederich pushed scouts to Birzai and once the Ostragoth levy infantry had crossed the Rusne they followed, screened by their cavalry. They arrived on the 16th and found Birzai devoid of fighting men (v.s.) but behaved with reasonable propriety. Cavalry scouts pushed towards the Dvina Vale and towards Utena.

On the 25th the Ostragoths in Birzai learned of Sten’s death and of Foed’s part in it. The Ostragoths then sacked Birzai and the surrounding countryside with abandon: the pickings have been very good and one assumes that they will continue looting for a while longer!

The scouts who reached Utena found the small town equally devoid of fighting men and guessed that the missing warriors were part of the force that had killed Sten. They entered Utena unopposed and have just been joined by a couple of thousand Ostragoth cavalry.
Harda Knut and his cavalry arrived in Taurage on the 10th without incident or mishap: his infantry reached Taurage on the 24th with a few stragglers not arriving until the 25th. The inhabitants of Taurage, remembering only too well Harda’s last visit, were less than welcoming.

By then news of the disaster (deleted) misfortune at Vilna had arrived and been confirmed. Leaving a garrison to hold Taurage, Friederich and Harda set off up the Rusne Vale behind a substantial scouting screen.

Loki’s cavalry scouts watched much of these goings on and dutifully reported them to Loki and Atlas at Okolova.

PRIPYAT PROVINCE
Don’t ask me.

“¿ are you he they call gamle schlocken ¿
“Some Fools Mistakenly So Name Me. But I Am Not A Norseman, I Am A Gaul: I Am Le Vieux Chloque.”
“AARGhhhhhhhh.”
“¿ Brunnhilde, why did you kill him ¿
“¡ he was sent to kill us but gave himself away, arrogant old fool, using capitals ¡”

VIKINGSEAS.
Konigsberg & northwards.

Friederich’s fleet, accompanied by Sten’s cousin Torvik with those of Sten’s longships that were currently manned, rowed up the coast by easy stages from Konigsberg towards Durbe. In view of his great experience and knowledge of the coast Torvik took command.

Riga & southwards.

Hrunting negotiated the hire of a number of privately owned longships, 37 in total. Erik to pay!

On the 2nd Blovin and Smaragda arrived; Hrunting greeted Blovin warmly and thanked Samaragda for her efforts: she seemed inordinately pleased to see Hrunting again.

This fleet left Riga on the 4th, warriors having been transferred to the new longships. It was 5 days before they had passed the channel south of Valjala but they then made good progress down the coast with the wind behind them.

In sight of the coast were 32 knarrs and 60 longships; further out to sea but keeping in contact via 6 scout ships that weaved back and forth there were another 60 longships, their speed constrained by that of the knarrs. Another 20 longships scouted ahead at their best speed.

On the 7th these scoutships passed Durbe. Two days later they met Torvik with 35 longships. In view of the odds they turned and fled, rowing against the headwind with Torvik in pursuit.

Late on the 10th Torvik sighted the sails of Hrunting’s inshore fleet and rightly guessed that they were unfriendly. He turned and hoisted sail, now chased by 80 longships … though it is unlikely that he had counted the exact number. The knarrs were soon left far astern.

They sailed through the intermittent moonlight of the night, Hrunting’s ships spreading onto a broad front and showing lights to keep in touch. Torvik’s largely unlit but keeping close by shouts and shielded lanterns.
Dawn showed that the gap had lessened and in some desperation Torvik turned and headed for the mouth of the Rusne. Only 5 of his ships made it to the narrow Rusne estuary, the other 30 being overhauled, brought to battle, overwhelmed, and captured.

There were few survivors from Torvik’s force: at Smaragda’s insistence about 400 captured Latvians were set free. Hrunting’s forces lost about 1,000 dead or crippled.

Hrunting established a strong camp on an eminently defensible headland until the knarrs had caught up and whilst his men treated their injuries and repaired the ships and their equipment.

Konigsberg again.

Hrunting’s fast scout ships set off again to Konigsberg: ten then pushed on to Holbaek whilst ten went back to guide the fleet.

Hrunting’s fleet then sailed west, past and out of sight of Konigsberg before doubling back to approach and enter the large natural harbour at Konigsberg as if from Germany. An attempt to seize a gate in the timber and earth stockade that protects Konigsberg was none-the-less unsuccessful. However, the harbour is unfortified and 50 longships and 4 knarrs were seized almost unopposed.

The surrounding countryside has been looted for supplies, valuables, and maidens, but the people of Konigsberg are so poor that some of the looters actually gave trinkets to those they should have been looting and a number of maidens were all too happy to be carried off.

The ships that went on to Holbaek found a fleet coming towards them, probably Bjarni’s fleet.

Page 1199

CARTHAGE.

Trias.

Baal continued to provide … an unpleasant death for Motiph’s followers, and their goods and chattels for Baal’s adherents.

Zaranissa and Salammbo left Zytokberg with their followers and forces; they moved east then north to the coast road. There a detachment was sent up the coast road scouting towards Sidris. The rest continued eastwards along the coast road behind a large scouting screen. As they neared Sabratha they moved more rapidly: during the night of the 16th-17th they moved round Sabratha to attack at dawn with the rising sun behind them. Sabratha has a low wall around the city, big enough to hold 20,000 although the population has shrunk to a mere 4,000.

There is a harbour adequate for 45 ships with several largely derelict shipyards, and there is a first class fortress on a nearby low hill. But Sabratha is ruled by a Motiph mob, and their organisation did not run to sentries and guards; in fact the gates were open and a casual inspection suggested that they had not been closed for some months.

The Trias Baalist forces took over the city more or less unopposed and soon set about cleansing the city of all hints of Motiphation. The levy moved into the surrounding lands to continue the cleansing … and to scout to the east, just in case. On the 22nd they left headed up the coast road towards Sidris: they passed the Zytokberg junction a day ago.

Baal continues to provide.

Demiliton.

Philipo called on his men and those of Hasmarbal and Moloch to rally to him at Windicta: by the 18th those that were coming had come. Meanwhile Philipo sent emissaries to Trias to ask if they would help against the Motiphators, and perhaps also to find out if the Trias forces were moving against him.
Philipo’s men readied two battlefields, one on the road to the south of Windicta and one on the road north-west of the city where it runs along a ridge. In view of the reports he received, efforts were soon concentrated on the latter.

Elros with A’Rrosee and Melqart halted some 50 miles north-west of Windicta whilst their scattered forces concentrated and caught up. Each morning they sent light cavalry to threaten an attack, forcing the Baalists to send their own cavalry to protect the infantry working on the rather rough and ready field defences … a shallow ditch and a low upturn of earth and stones … which they were preparing on a gentle slope. Each morning Melqart and A’Rrosee (“No, Emperor, you shouldn’t take the risk.” “Oh, all wight then, I’ll have a thweetie.”) went to study the preparations.

On the 22nd the Motiph light cavalry … actually, they were Melqart’s Punic Imperial Guard cavalry … moved forward as usual but on this occasion the rest of the Motiph army was close behind them and the bulk of the light cavalry, almost 10,000, wheeled off to the right into the rough scrubland and started to move round the left flank of the Baalist position.

The Motiph line over-lapped the Baalist line; they moved steadily up the slope towards the fortifications but paused when in missile range and demonstrated all too clearly that a ditch and a low mound are no defence against skilled missilemen, then charged up the slope and over the obstacles.

The Baalist line-up from their left, was:
Mercedex Pedro Trias Blaaloch Cortex Moloch Hasmarbal,
with the Baalist artillery just behind the Trias contingent!
A’Rrosee, Ban’kher and Melqart faced them.

ML ML ML MC PC TC BI CI CL MX HC

Each group above represents about 500 yards frontage.
L is light troops, mostly light cavalry, C is armoured cavalry,
I is infantry except light, and X is a cavalry-infantry mixture.

AL AL AL AL AL AC BI MC MI MC ML ML ML

Quarter was rarely sought and rarely granted except for Melqart’s generosity at the end of the fighting.

Rather mixed fortunes: initially the two right-most of Mercedex’ light cavalry brigades fled, but Moloch and Hasmarbal, out on the left wing, presumably to mark their ignominy, broke the light cavalry attacking them.
Mercedex himself fled next as did half of Cortex’ force, soon followed by the remainder of Mercedex’ and Cortex forces.

About noon the Motiphs still struggling to cross those damned defences broke contact: none of the Baalists made the mistake of launching a pursuit! But by this time most of the Punic Imperial Guard light cavalry had reappeared on the ridge behind the Baalist position … only most of it as two or three thousand had gone to see if they could get into Windicta: no luck, there was still an alert garrison.

After a brief rest (statutory lunch break?) the Baalists decided on a desperate gamble; they crossed their defences, re-ordered, concentrated, and charged, the generals in the front line. The Motiphs counter-attacked, A’Rrosee and Ban’kher in the front line, Melqart prudently not.
Most of Pedro da Tineo’s cavalry, overstretched and out-flanked, broke on contact, the rest soon after. Then the Trias contingent, their flank now exposed, turned and fled … to Ban’kher’s immense relief! “Tough b*gg*rs, that lot.”

And finally the light cavalry arrived; some Baalists fought on, a few escaped to Windicta. Hasmarbal, Moloch and Blaaloch surrendered to Melqart who protected them and indeed their men against the Motiphators, with the suggestion that they were to be recruited into his army.

The other Baalists were less fortunate, many being slaughtered by the victorious Motiphators in a variety of traditional and non-traditional ways.
Losses: these numbers are rounded for convenience: (the Baalist discrepancies are probably in Windicta)

Hasmarbal
600 killed in battle, 360 slaughtered (out of 960)

Moloch
600 killed in battle, 450 slaughtered, 1,800 prisoners (out of 2,850)

Blaaloch
1,100 killed in battle, 620 slaughtered, 2,050 prisoners (out of 3,800)

Pedro da Tineo
1,500 killed in battle, 550 slaughtered, 0 prisoners (out of 2,500)

Mercedex
4,000 killed in battle (out of 4,600)

Artillery
None killed, 1,900 slaughtered (out of 1,900)

Cortex
5,000 killed in battle, 400 slaughtered (out of 5,400

Triassic division
500 killed in battle, 800 slaughtered, 700 prisoners (out of 2,700)

Ban’kher
1,300 killed in battle (out of 2,900)

Horus
150 killed in battle (out of 2,100)

A’Rrosee
1,500 killed in battle (out of 14,000)

Melqart
650 armoured cavalry killed out of 3,000, 2,600 light cavalry killed out of 12,250, 1,300 heavy infantry killed out of 3,700

Philipo was amongst those that made it back to Windicta, struggling past Melqart’s light cavalry through the scrub. Windicta is now in a state of some turmoil, loosely besieged on the landward side by the forces of Motiphation.

At a rough count Philipo now commands the garrison of 1,000 Leonese infantry, plus about 2,000 assorted cavalry, survivors of the battle.

In the harbour there are a dozen or so merchant vessels, and 20 transports and 16 triremes, Ostia’s fleet come in response to Elros’ command.

Melqart’s reward is appointment to the prestigious post of Commander of the Imperial Gooey Sweetie.

Page 1200

THE EAST.
At least the supply situation is now somewhat ameliorated.

Mesopotamian (2Rivers) rumours & politics.
Make sense of this lot if you can!

El Tanmud of Arbil, the Mosul ruling council who are mainly Ishmaeli, and even Altalaces of Sinjar have asked Brahma as their Emir to beg the Emperor to take them back into the Empire under his protection; Brahma strongly supported this move and intended to recommend it to the Emperor.

Abraham thought that a compromise might be for Nyfører to hold the Tigris Vale (perhaps excluding Tikrit) as Angustus’ satrap.

Abraham informed Brahma that an emissary from Nyfører had offered to cede Tikrit to Abraham (or to Suren) subject to an oath of loyalty to Emperor Angustus. Brahma expressed slight surprise as he had had a different offer from Nyfører.

In response to this offer from Nyfører Brahma said that his loyalty to Angustus has never been in any doubt and that he is hardly going to swear allegiance to the barbarian who is the cause of so much trouble, whatever inducement the said barbarian may offer.

After constructive meetings, sumptuous feasts, and lengthy discussions with Abraham and Wagnimandua about the present situation and how best to co-operate in the future, Brahma set off to discuss the situation with Emperor Angustus in Petra, promising to present Abraham’s ideas.

Before leaving, Brahma confirmed that Wagnimandua is to rule Tikrit as his Regent during his absence, and asked Abraham to give her the freedom to do this, and to give her any necessary support.

Nyfører has offered to swear fealty to Emperor Angustus for the lands of Upper 2Rivers and Tigris vale: he offers a meagre share of the taxation income in exchange for Angustus’ support in settling any minor (?minor?) unrest.

Nyfører confirmed Diamanjani in the post of Emir of the Upper Plain and thanked him for his support with generous gifts.

Mesopotamian (2Rivers) actions.

On the road from Mosul to Babylon Brahma was ambushed by a group of armed barbarians who easily killed or drove off his small bodyguard and then slew Brahma. Survivors claim that the barbarians were led by an Achmenid.

Abraham sent a reliable commander with 1,000 levy cavalry to serve Wagnimandua; they have pushed scouts eastwards towards Gorgan and northwards towards Sahand despite opposition from the Iranian tribes.
It is possible that El Tanmud of Arbil who is known to dislike Brahma personally as well as having a grievance over some land, was cynical in his support of the request to Brahma: about the middle of the month, aware that Brahma had left, he moved with 200 men to recover the disputed land.

Those he sought to evict are mostly Galatians but also include Iranians and Ishmaeli.

Initially they were outnumbered and had much the worst of the inevitable fighting, but their kinsmen rallied to their support and by the end of the month El Tanmud had been driven back to Arbil. El Tanmud has called upon Nyfører for help.

The two brigades of infantry and their cavalry escort, access to Sinjar still being refused, built a strong camp and established a rather loose siege. They also foraged locally, though in the face of increasing opposition.

Nyfører’s two biremes at Hakka-Hakkari have been dismantled and are being transported by wagon, pony and man-power: they turned north at the Hosa fort two days ago and are now headed for the northern end of Karakum Lake.

A new shipyard is being built at the Hakka-Hakkari complex.

Amol, Babol & Daran.

Boson’s 2nd brigade moved from Babol to Daran where they are securing the stores and camps. One of Hyasaqyte’s senior staff was sent to advise on the building of some harbour facilities but left muttering that the reason that there was no harbour was that no harbour was feasible and that they should continue to pray that no strong easterlies blow up.

Masacaces 2nd & 3rd cavalry, based in Daran, has provided escorts for the supplies being moved inland and has sent small well-supplied scouting patrols to watch shipping from convenient headlands.

Hans Hansson and his fleet moved to the Kura estuary where they were joined by the 112ers under Lief.

They established a camp and are building wharves near the mouth of the Kura estuary about 20 miles south of Amol. They were joined by Nyfører, and three days ago wagons arrived believed to carry part of Hyasaqyte’s siege corps.

Nyfører called upon Daraxes to surrender but was then told that Daraxes was out but was assured that were he, Nyfører, to be patient, it was probable that a satisfactory answer would be forthcoming. In response Nyfører’s men are constructing siege lines and artillery positions.

Nyfører has stated that any who wish to leave may do so: those who stay to defend the city or Daraxes will be killed or enslaved. If Daraxes and his family are handed over no one else will be hurt.

Nyfører sent a message to Polymetus and the men of his fleet asking them not to support Daraxes and to move their ships out of the city prior to Nyfører’s forces arrival.

Polymetus was given to understand that he would be assumed belligerent if his forces were to remain in the city without either helping Nyfører secure the city or harbour or alternatively agreeing to be hired by Nyfører to work for him for the year.

Polymetus is a Greek but is none the less loyal as well as able, popular and charismatic: he is also notoriously rash. He has married locally and adopted local customs: he has gone native. He and indeed his men are aggrieved that after many years faithful service they were dismissed … but they kept their warships, Viking style longships provided by Moab. Further, they have been sheltered by and have received largess from Daraxes.

Polymetus and his men, Armenians and Georgians, were pondering Nyfører’s request (deleted) ultimatum when they were apprised of the arrival of Hans Hansson and his fleet. They decided that it was time to repay their host for his generosity; Polymetus sent a messenger to Nyfører’s camp to say that Nyfører and his fleet were coming to join him … the messenger was unaware of their real intention, just in case.

Polymetus and his 20 longships rowed gently down the estuary with extra men hidden or casually lounging about, bows and fire arrows prudently concealed. When they reached Hans’ anchorage they found three of his ships beached and the others afloat at anchor though many of the crewmen were ashore.

It wasn’t really a battle: Polymetus captured Hans’ great drekar with Hans himself aboard, plus four of his longships and his three knarrs: five more of the longships were destroyed by fire and there was minor damage to two more. Polymetus’ losses were not negligible but easily replaceable.
Polymetus returned to Amol in some triumph to a hero’s welcome. He insisted that Hans and the other captured Vikings be freed unconditionally with one of the captured longships.

The Eastern Ocean.

The Chaldean navy continues to support and protect the merchant ships transporting grain to Daran.

Page 1201

Sevan & Oz, Shushu & Kazgan.

As anticipated, in an interview with Nyfører, Hrakon, popular, brave and honest, did blame Rosanna for the troubles in Ostland but he said that in his view Daraxes was blameless: his dislike of Sarmatians in general and Rosanna in particular is quite well known, but his defence of Daraxes was unexpected. He renewed his oaths of loyalty, willingly to Nyfører and rather reluctantly to Rosanna who without hesitation forgave him his lies (deleted) misguided comments about her part in events. He accepted a garrison in the citadel as well as one in the ford fort.

Nyfører confirmed Hrakon as ruler of Sevan; he also sent emissaries to Wulfric, to Cymonadice and to Haomoputri with offers which, seemingly not having been received, were neither rejected nor accepted. Nyfører has publicly blamed Daraxes and Darius for the present troubles in Ostland.

Darius and Daraxes were asked to surrender to Nyfører’s mercy … or else. In view of events elsewhere one must assume that they prefer the “or else” option.

Nyfører despatched a brigade of cavalry and a brigade of infantry up the Oz river valley to Oz. There they demanded the surrender of the city, according to Nyfører’s terms. The Regent, the Lady Haomoputri, informed them that the ruler of Oz, the son of the late Hamar, was currently visiting his summer residence on Wizard’s Isle in Lake Oz in the hills some 40 miles further up the valley. The cavalry stayed to establish a loose siege of the city whilst the infantry set off up the difficult path to continue the negotiations.

Hidy Harald, Skrapehake, and Laganides moved down the Arax with about 15,000 mounted men. A detachment rode towards Kazgan where they met Nestro’ai’s scouts. Nestro’ai in person rode out to meet the cavalry captain and told him that he would obey the direct orders of Rosanna, given in person, but until then would regard any further incursion into the Kura Vale as an act of aggression.

The main force pushed on towards Shushu but were met by increasing numbers of Ostland feudal cavalry, soon reinforced by Nestro’ai who seemingly took the failure to heed his warning as a personal insult.
After two weeks of increasingly savage cavalry and light infantry skirmishes with almost 1,000 Ostlanders and Sarmatians dead and with allied losses 300 or so less, Hidy Harald was able to claim victory (though Pyrrhus would have worried) and irritatingly his opponents failed to give ground, and indeed seemed keen to continue to press the fight.
“There’s so many of the bastards!”

Besh

Detachments of Boson’s division were sent from Besh to the Hakka-Hakkari fortress, to the southern end of the Sivas bridge over the Firat, and to the Kilis bridge. The latter found the bridge forts already occupied and were not only refused admission, but were rather abruptly ordered to leave the area or produce appropriate permits: they returned to Besh.
Sahand & Karakum.

Tremuras and the Caspian levy, in view of the increasing shortages of supplies, drifted west-south-west to Sinjar where supplies, although not munificent, are better, particularly as they can not only forage but indulge in a little light-fingered pilfering: pretty ladies too!
Za’rashti bar Zayid and the Pontic division of the Chaldean army is guarding the supply dump and the supply line from the Tigris. They have also pushed scouting detachments south to watch Iran and towards Sinjar and Tikrit; there have been some skirmishes. The 5 brigades in Karakum continue to help with the distribution of supplies.

Tareq with the Guard and Heavy divisions have protected the move to Amol of the 112ers and elements of the siege corps whilst pushing detachments west and south towards Sinjar and Tikrit: they have met serious opposition.

Minor Moves etc.
Bold Cnut and his army marched without incident to Zara where they had been assured supplies would be available. They arrived on the 15th: no supplies. By the 18th supplies were trickling in but it was not until the 23rd that Cnut decided that they had enough to tackle the mountains. But a new problem: prudent as ever Bold Cnut had sent a detachment of light foot ahead to scout to the Upper Arax. These now returned to report that supplies in the Upper Arax and in Ararat were inadequate.

Assured by the liaison officer that all would be sorted out long before they got to Ararat, the Vikings set off on the 24th carrying enough on requisitioned ponies to get them to Ararat. They have just reached the summit of the pass above the Arax river.

Naladi bar Sahdi with two brigades of 1st Seljux rode to the Tug bridge where he was joined by the 3rd brigade on the 15th, thence north via Sivas to the Black Sea at Of: they are now at Trabzon.

Suren has expressed some puzzlement as to why so much trouble has blown up in Ostland over what seems to be but a minor matter of hurt pride and trivial offence.

ALANSBERG
Retail therapy.

Thorsson sent detachments of light troops to scout out the best roads from the city. They also purchased (promissory notes to be redeemed by an officer coming forthwith) mounts and wagons from surrounding estates to facilitate the homeward journey of Thorsson’s men.

It seems that the light troop detachments initially were unaware of the fun (deleted) trouble (deleted) fun (v.i.) that they were missing and inadvertently deepened the confusion by detaining travellers whilst questioning them about the local geography and the state of the roads.

The fun (deleted) trouble: on the morning of Funfly 2nd, in what in retrospect can be seen to have been a misjudgement, Treasurer Enronaces ordered some of the treasury guards to apprehend a group of still or already, who can tell, inebriated and noisy Vikings. They resisted arrest successfully: Enronaces then petitioned Bey Artakan for support and yet more heavies turned out.
Matters then got seriously out of hand; the Anatolian heavies took a severe beating and the aggrieved Vikings started to loot in rapidly increasing numbers: for their own good reasons a number of them took control of the city gates; no-one could enter or leave. They also confiscated horses and ponies, and wagons and carts, from livery stables and private homes. A number of comely wenches kindly volunteered to help by pulling handcarts.

It took Thorsson two weeks to call his men to order, by which time hundreds of Vikings and thousands of Anatolians had perished, and an enormous amount of cash and valuables had been transferred to the former from the latter. The City treasury was sacked and the armouries were cleared of armour but the Imperial treasury and the Anatolian provincial treasury were both secure in the great citadel. The looters were unable to requisition enough wagons (or comely propelled handcarts) to empty the granaries, but some tons were taken.

A few hundred Vikings, when the pickings were beginning to diminish, visited the mines south of the city but found very little worth taking: they took it though.

Well, Thorsson got his men on the move and they are now approaching Corun. His army has been preceded by heralds who have informed the authorities of their approach and have promised good behaviour; and indeed the men have been impeccably well behaved … cheery greetings and paying for goods and services with a smile.

Amasra.

It has been widely reported that admiral Philip seeks a crown. There is no hard evidence of treason: the evidence is entirely oral but it is likely that any move to acquire a crown will be costly.

Page 1202

NAVAL AFFAIRS.

Central Mediterranean.

On the 15th a lone nondescript merchant ship entered Naples harbour: it paid its dues without demur. A cargo seemingly of grain but actually mostly ballast and a tough looking crew who found a convenient hostelry in which to spend their evenings.

On the 16th another two merchant ships arrived late in the evening, apologising in the harbour-master’s office, when they went to pay their dues, for the lateness of the hour and slipping him an amphora. He said that he would inspect their cargo in the morning … he was wrong, their cargo was fighting men.

At a yet more ungodly hour the afore-mentioned fighting men were let into Naples through a small gate near an unsavoury hostelry and at first light on the 17th they prevented the closure of the main wharf-side gates when 15 galleys and yet 5 more merchantmen arrived and disgorged a mixture of oarsmen and marines, soldiers, and Sardinian warriors.

Naples has no formal garrison, and the 400 or so local “policemen” were no match for what was reliably estimated to be a force of about 10,000.

The town was systematically looted and a number of citizens were rounded up, some perhaps for sale as slaves, others to provide home comforts.

There was one untoward and most unwelcome incident: three of the raiders’ merchant ships and one of the galleys caught fire during the night of the 23rd: two of the merchantmen were saved but one and the galley were lost.
It was suggested that the fires were set by the “comfort” ladies; most unlikely but they have subsequently been much more closely watched. A few of the captives perished as did half a dozen raiders.

On the 24th three of the merchantmen left heading out to sea: the raiders’ other ships left and visited a few nearby unwalled smaller towns up and down the coast.

The raiders have now gathered and a few hours ago headed out to sea in a south-westerly direction.

Malta.

The captain of the garrison declined to meet Temeraix; the latter has let it be known that if he has to wait much longer, the deaths of the garrison when the fortress finally falls will be that much more protracted: but he said that if he had to he would wait. His descriptions of the planned torments were graphic, but he did suggest that a prompt surrender would be generously rewarded.

The Adriatic.

With regret the death of Kallinikos the Geek Inventor is announced; the injuries he sustained during his amazing demonstration of his Kombustion Kit proved fatal. The future of his device and formula is unclear: it is to be fervently hoped that Murcia or his aides recorded and understood Kallinikos’ explanations and will bring the foersom device into production.

Eastern Mediterranean.

The New Persian 1st Fleet rowed from Salamis westwards and then northwards to the southern Pontic coast. They then turned eastwards along the coast. They were followed after a couple of days by the New Persian 2nd Fleet. Both fleets are now off Tarsus.

They have been shadowed by two or three fast Punic galleys, possibly with a few more over the New Persian horizon but visible to the Punic scoutships. An attempt to engage them was unsuccessful.

The Aegean.

Leo has sent generous gifts to Flaubal and to Sirsalis.

Sirsalis continues to support Maharbal and Ceutabaal. He has a small camp on Helios island whence his ships watch Gallipoli and Biga with occasional forays as far as Bolu.

Flaubal’s scouts patrol widely and in some strength throughout the Aegean. In the south they scout to western Crete and past Rhodes as far as Cyprus. His galleys are in frequent contact with those of Sirsalis.

GREECE.

Demetriaces and his armies.

At the beginning of Funfly Demetriaces moved with much of his court, his advisers, and Vashti, into Loppson’s camp. Loppson posted scouts and sentries to watch Philipopolis and the Provincial Army: hordes of messengers have sped throughout Thrace.

Because of the Carthaginian armies marching into Thrace martial law has been declared throughout the Province. Demetriaces has ordered a recruiting drive, initially of militia, throughout the province, and city authorities have been told to ensure that their garrisons have adequate grain supplies etc.

The elements of the Thracian Provincial army not already there rallied to Philipopolis. Artillery and then foot and cavalry detachments guarded fords and crossing points before rejoining the main body of the army. By the 16th they were all safely concentrated. On the 17th they set off for Adrianople, Demetriaces himself commanding a rearguard; they reached Adrianople a couple of days ago and are resting, re-supplying, and conferring.

Sahure & the UPA.

Sahure reached Istanbul without incident and after minor delays crossed to Anatolia. They are now about halfway from Amasra to Niksar having prudently decide to avoid the mountains.

Shalman and The Royal Polonovan Army.

The Emperor announced that Demetriaces is confirmed as the successor to the late greatly lamented Antigonus. He also announced that the Royal Guard is to be paid by the Imperium and not by the revered ex-Empress, and that it … the Guard … is to be summoned to Adrianople.

Shalman moved with the RPA to Adrianople whence scouts were pushed further west to see what Maharbal is up to.

Hebdobal in person informed these scouts that were they to cross the Nis this would be taken as an act of war, but he did take a Pontic cavalry captain to talk to the prisoners.
(What prisoners??? Read on!)

Montenegro.

Maharbal again sent messengers under flags of truce, to Philipopolis to reiterate that he came only to re-establish his rule in the Montenegran cities of Nis and Belgrade as arranged with the Empress Ate, and to the two cities asking that all foreign troops in their territories either move to Thrace or if this is not possible, surrender to his officers pending negotiations about their repatriation.

Sirsalis having been left in Thessaly to hold the city as a base and to use its harbour to amass supplies, Maharbal, Ceutabaal, and Leptonos and their forces headed north up the road and then over that well-worn track to the Nis headwaters.

Maharbal with his cavalry and Ceutabaal with his veteran mounted infantry, most with spare mounts carrying supplies, forced marches of up to 30 miles per day. Hebdobal’s light cavalry scouted ahead and Leptonos and Bomulqert followed at a more modest pace bringing yet more supplies. Maharbal and Ceutabaal debouched into the Upper Nis plain on the afternoon of the 5th.

Scouts from the Thracian Provincial Army and from the Pontic Royal Guard had been watching them … cautiously, and reported their progress to Nonobenines: “No army should march that fast if there is the possibility of a battle: they will be knackered. And they’ve split their forces!”

Page 1203

Greece, continued.

Katastrafos and the Imperial Siege Corps was still based on Nis and Nonobenines and the Pontic Royal Guard were encamped in the Upper Nis plain with elements in various of the forts. They conferred with some urgency.

On the evening of the 3rd they had received a message from the Emperor (“Who?” “Oh, him!”) to re-deploy immediately to Adrianople and were preparing to move, though perhaps without the expedition that the message demanded.

Nonobenines ordered Katastrafos to get the Siege Corps into Nis … “There isn’t room.” … across the Nis ford then, as quickly as possible.
Nonobenines had decided that he would seize the chance of defeating the Punic van whilst it was tired and disorganised but feared that he would be unable to prevent their cavalry getting past his infantry army with an obvious risk to the valuable Siege Corps.

On the 5th, even though it was getting late, Nonobenines moved briskly to attack the Carthaginians as they spilled out onto the plain; rather to his surprise the Punies formed a line of battle with exemplary dispatch and moved with equal speed towards his army, leaving a couple of thousand cavalrymen to guard their supplies and spare mounts. Nonobenines began to worry that he had miscalculated.

Nonobenines had deployed Tyrosinase on the Pontic right with his armoured close order infantry, and Achalaces with his mixture of iron and leather armoured close order, and intermediate and open order foot on the left.
Ceutabaal was on the Punic left with his close and intermediate order armoured infantry; his lethal slingers mixed with LHI on the wing: Maharbal on the Punic right had his armoured cavalry.

Pontic line-up (T=Tyrosinase, A=Achalaces)
T-HI T-HI T-EHI A-EHI A-MI A-MI A-LMI A-Mix

Punic line-up (C=Ceutabaal, M=Haharbal)
CMix CMix C-LHI C-LHI C-EHI M-SHC M-SHC M-EHC M-EHC

Each group (hyphened or otherwise) in both line-ups represent about 200 yds frontage: about 2,000 close order foot or 1,000 SHC, others in proportion.

Battle was joined in the late afternoon. Ceutabaal, Maharbal, and, courageously, Achalaces fought in the front rank. Achalaces medium and light medium brigades were broken on contact by Ceutabaal’s EHI and by Maharbal’s SHC. Within an hour Achalaces and his fully armoured foot had also routed along with a brigade of Tyrosinase’s heavies

As the light began to fade the rest of Achalaces’ men routed, leaving Tyrosinase with two brigades isolated and all but surrounded. Ceutabaal, returned from a brief pursuit, accepted his surrender.

Losses, dead or seriously injured:
Tyrosinase, 336 EHI & 2,126 HI.
Achalaces, 1,203 EHI, 4,000 MI, 1,413 LMI, & 82 LI.
Ceutabaal, 20 EHI, 232 LHI, & 159 LI.
Maharbal, 12 SHC & 244 EHC.

Maharbal arranged for the care of the wounded of both armies and expressed his regret that Nonobenines hadn’t had the good sense to surrender. Maharbal holds about three thousand uninjured captives and almost one thousand wounded who are expected to make a full recovery.

Maharbal pushed unengaged cavalry and mounted infantry rapidly down the valley: when they got to the Nis ford they found that Katastrafos, the miners, and the cart-mounted bolt engines had crossed the ford, but that the leading wagons were still a few miles away. The reluctance of the wagons to surrender was soon dissipated.

After a brief discussion about the disadvantages of rowing, Nonobenines agreed to order the garrisons in the forts to surrender. Officers went to the forts, and to Nis and Belgrade bearing the glad tidings that they were liberated from the burdensome Pontic yoke and were returned to the bosom of the Montenegran … well, you know what I mean.

The Punies are mostly at Nis with a substantial detachment at Belgrade and significant detachments bringing in supplies from Thessaly, guarding the track and the supplies against the bandits which infest the region..

Banditry.

The hills to the west and to the south of Philipopolis have always held a few assorted bandits: debtors, smugglers, escaped convicts and slaves, and so on. Their numbers were swelled by the recent Hunnic looting of the lands south and west of the Marit. They have recently become more daring but attacks on Punic forces have so far been few and unsuccessful.

Chaldean Travellers.

Shakbut bar Sahdi duly reached Amasra where he waited for Mustasha senior to arrive. Mustasha, muttering a bit about the uncomfortable design of modern new-fangled saddles, arrived two days ago and a ferry crossing has now been booked.

WALLACHIA.

Cambyses’ marching camp.

The training programme for Cambyses’ great army has now extended to long marches in full battle order. They have just arrived in Cluj: a route preparation planning exercise to Istanbul is also under way.

Having provided an elite personal guard for the Empress Ate a couple of years back, doting Uncle Cambyses is said to be incensed that the "jumped up ninny" has deprived her of it but provided one for his "barbarian floozy". Cambyses is rumoured to be planning to bring his entire army as a substitute.

GAUL.
A bad day at the Leonese camp.

Sancho was enjoying a rare moment of peace on the evening of 17th. An excellent meal, a comely cup-bearer (D) (“Would you like more?” “No, no, they’re quite enough.”) and a pleasantly warm evening.

But as the light faded an onlooker more alert than Sancho’s guards might have noticed a small mound of sand worming its way towards Sancho’s tent.

At the tent wall it halted and turned into a crumpled remnant whilst inside the tent a man gathered himself and then leapt, a short sword swinging.

Sancho is a hard man brought up in a hard school; ignoring a wound to his arm as he deflected the blow, he slashed his cup across the assassin’s face: the cup-bearer screamed and hit the assassin with the amphora: as guards arrived the assassin dived to crawl back the way he had come but Sancho with his own sword cut short the fellow’s escape and indeed his right leg at the ankle.

No he didn’t bleed to death and yes, he proved very willing to talk, as did his two accomplices challenged by an alert sentry and then caught. It seems that the would-be killer is … well, by now, was … a Carthaginian from Senastarte who had settled in Taragon Province some years ago after his military service; he was hired by an old army colleague:

One of his accomplices was a Taragonese horse handler whose amazing rapport with horses was based on a meeting of intellectual equals: the other accomplice was the old army colleague; hired in Taran Scodar by a Baal loyalist to avenge Sancho’s recent unwelcome intervention in Carthage.
They are probably all dead by now. Sancho’s injury was but a minor flesh wound.

But why the heading, “A bad day at the Leonese camp”? The cup-bearer apologised for breaking the amphora but pointed out that it was only half full, and empty would not have had such an impact “… true, but such a rare wine.”

Page 1204

The Leon levy arrives.

The Leonese crossed the Pyrenees without incident and joined in the fighting. As they were passing, the garrison of the Zaragozza mine fortress offered to surrender on terms: our reporter assumes that supplies are running low after so long cut off.
The conflict intensifies.

Cerdic, and Sancho and Leo pushed increasing numbers of troops into the great plain around Limoges using infantry, often mounted, to stiffen their cavalry. Intense skirmishing and small battles erupted from La Rochelle and the coast in the west to the Clermont hills and Bourges in the east, and occasionally as far north as the Loire.

The Gauls, getting the worst of the skirmishing, have given ground, stripping the land of flocks and herds as they retired. Anything missed by the Gauls has been gratefully seized by the invaders who have put some effort into rounding up herds and flocks around Mende, Clermont, and La Rochelle: horses have been distributed to unmounted foot. The locals are going hungry and many will starve.

The Gauls have prudently moved all boats however small to the right bank of the Loire and have strongly fortified all potential crossing points: the bridge at Tours is particularly strongly defended.

By the end of the month there was fighting along an ill-defined 50 mile deep front running west from Bourges for 150 miles or more, north of Limoges and south Tours. The Gauls may have lost as many as 9 10,000 men and the invaders some 1-2,000 less.

Nancy.

Learning from their scouts that Nancy is unfortified, the Dacian raiders headed there with some alacrity. An attempt to hold the Marne ford against them was overwhelmed and Nancy was over-run and looted. Many of the inhabitants were slaughtered before the raiders, alerted by their far-flung scouts, fired the town and prepared to face the Bruxellois.

The Bruxellois had almost reached Paris when they learned of the Dacian attack on Nancy. There was a long and heated discussion, but in the end only Kalevard IV elected to obey Cerdic’s orders and continue on to Tours where his men joined the fighting south of the Loire.

Rostiq, Odo, and Parapluix and their forces headed at their best speed up the Marne valley, most on the right bank but with a small detachment of light infantry on the left bank. They are now about 15 miles north-north-west of Nancy: the Dacians are about 2 miles NNW of Nancy.

The Dacians think that they are outnumbered, but not by too big a factor: the Bruxellois scouting had been a bit lax but they know that there are enemy near.

Marseilles.

The stalemate continues, with Marseilles city loosely besieged and the fortress now firmly in Tuscan hands. Regan has explained that not only has Cerdic not come to relieve them, but that he isn’t going to. They can either surrender to her now and keep their freedom and their belongings, or they can be assaulted, looted, and the survivors sold into slavery.

The Western Ocean.

The Bruxellois fleet continued down the Channel making fair time against the prevailing wind. They have requisitioned several small fishing vessels which the owners fear will be used as fireships.

Via Cherbourg and Brest, they arrived in Nantes five days ago and have used a couple of those fishing vessels as inconspicuous scoutships to inspect the Iberian navy’s position in the Garonne.

Unpromising in the extreme, the current militating against fireships and the narrowness of the estuary negating their numerical advantage of almost 3:1.

The able Villeneuve of Brest has been appointed by Cerdic to command the Breton fleet.

Sancho has moved much of his close order foot north to a strong camp more or less equidistant from Limoges, Clermont, and Bordeaux city.

Angst

Page 1205

NEWS of the KNOWN WORLD
INCORPORATING THE RAGNAROK REPORTER.
Ete 30th 123
PONTUS.
Galatia.

On receipt of the news from Alansberg Ate gathered her Provincial Army and called for the Pontic 77th to join her.
“Stop mithering Macalix, you’re MY husband not some milksop of a relation; I know there’ll be trouble, that’s the whole point!”
“But darling, I’m trying to tell you that the 77th is in Corun and cannot join you without fighting their way past …”
“Oh, b*gg*r!”

So Ate set off after the Vikings with her army.

Corun, with a population of less than 5,000, is protected by an earth and timber stockade about ¾ of a mile long. The 77th army was based in adjacent camps on the banks of the Kimil river and in the old hill fort a few miles east of the town.

Betelbix and his 2,000 or so infantry moved into the town: the 6,000 cavalry under Cooprix and Chassenix withdrew up the valley.

The call to the Galatian levies had already gone out, the Hillmen to muster in Corun and those from the East Coast in Malatya, but in the event few apart from those living in the Corun and Malatya localities arrived in time to take any part in the fighting.

On the 2nd Thorsson and his Vikings were, perhaps to their surprise, refused entry to Corun and no market had been set up. A phlegmatic shrug and they continued on up the valley to find that Galatian cavalry started to harass them. The Vikings set up camp and tried to parley with the Galatians, but to no avail.

That night, after conferring with his captains Thorsson dicided to return to Corun with a few ladders and about half his force, leaving the rest to guard their camp. His veteran axemen attacked the east gate and adjacent stockade, his archers shooting in support.

In Corun there was panic and confusion: Betelbix rushed to the east gate with reinforcements but was killed leading a counter-attack against the scant half dozen or so axemen that had gained the parapet and his demoralised men and many citizens then fled, many fleeing the town through its western and southern gates.

The Vikings roused the citizens and rounded up all who had not fled in the market square … about 450 of Betelbix’ men, and 2,000 citizens: Evistix the local ruler had refused to leave his people and he and his family were amongst the captives.

At dawn on the 3rd Evistix was sent with an epistle message to the Galatians: “Having been attacked by the treacherous Anatolians we came amongst you peacefully hoping only to return to our own lands. We’ll now continue our journey taking these captives as hostages. If we are allowed to leave unhindered, they will be well treated and will be released when we reach the Firat river.”

Macalix in person replied: "I don't do deals with anyone who attacks my wife's people, takes Galatians hostage and then hides behind women and children."

Next day the Vikings continued their march eastwards with Betelbix’ men and the male citizens scattered around the periphery of the column along with the few Viking archers and the EHI: the women and children from Corun were carried in plain view on the wagons and carts.

Despite Macalix’ urging, the Galatian harassment was obviously inhibited by the danger of hitting their comrades; the Anatolians were careful but less inhibited. A nocturnal attack on the Viking camp was only tried once!

After ten days when the Vikings crossed the border into Iberia the harassment diminished; it ceased abruptly when they approached Sivas. Iberia may well be part of Pontus but the Iberians made it very plain that their old Galatian foes were not welcome. No, not at all.

Anatolian and Galatian losses were 31: Viking losses were a bit over 600: about 120 of Betelbix’ men, 140 Corun men, and 12 women were killed.

At Sivas the Galatian prisoners were released, even those who would have made good handcart maidens: the Corun townsfolk were each given a gold piece as compensation: Betelbix’ men were given nothing. After a rest to lick wounds and to buy supplies, all scrupulously paid for, the Vikings continued their march and are now at Zara. The Galatians and Anatolians are on their way back to Corun.

Anatolia.

Before leaving Alansberg Ate sent word to her Uncle … as ever his words carry a wisdom and insight that astound her.

She also ordered the authorities in Alansberg to take all necessary steps to repair the damage done by her brother’s erstwhile allies … with friends like this who needs enemies!

Ate sent word to the Royal Guard recalling it to Anatolia but having crossed to Istanbul the messenger learned about recent events and returned to look for Ate. He finally caught up with her a couple of days ago … to his regret.

In Amasra Admiral Persil died on the 19th after a brief illness. It is thought that his death was due to entirely natural causes, though attempts have already been made to find a link to the recent demise of his son-in-law Kemal.

Shakbut bar Sahdi and his 2nd division had just crossed to Istanbul when an officer from Demetriaces’ court arrived and told them that they were to return to Nyfører in Achmenia. When the men were told this there was some grumbling, particularly amongst the Ishmaeli light cavalry: they are expected in Ordu in about a week.

Page 1206

THE EAST.
Ararat & Oz.

It is worth noting that Ararat and the hills around the Lake of Oz are legally and historically part of Armenia and thus belong to Thorsson: Bold Cnut of course knows this. Kazgan is/was part of Georgia.

On the 9th Bold Cnut and his men reached Ararat. The promised supplies were not there and in a fit of pique Bold Cnut had the liaison officer flogged and then fed for some days on horse sh*t (“… but beautifully cooked!”).
The elderly Nabonides, Emir of the Arax and Bey of Ararat, thought it prudent to feed his unexpected and, truth to tell, unwelcome visitors: Cnut kept his men in order.

Hearing from Nabonides that there were troops up at the Lake of Oz Cnut decided to go and see who and why. Supplies were generously provided by Nabonides: they reached the lake on the 13th to find a couple of thousand of Skrapehake’s heavy infantry trying to build rafts to get to Wizard’s Isle. Most of the men are Jutes but with a couple of hundred Estonians: Cnut’s men are Pripyat Vikings.

Cnut asked why they were there, listened, and suggested that they should leave and they were all too ready to agree. Once they had left Cnut invited the castellan to discuss the situation and over several bottles and a few trout it was agreed that Cnut would take Hamarsen, Bey of Oz, an infant, back to his mother in Oz.

So down to Oz where they arrived hot on the heels of Skrapehake’s men. The Lady Haomoputri, Hamar’s widow, perforce agreed to invite Cnut (and a few of his larger men) to join her for a friendly discussion.

Skrapehake’s infantry and Laganides’ cavalry brigade have gone to Sevan where the supply situation is better: they have arranged for supplies to be sent up to Oz where Cnut and his men have been resting whilst enjoying the Lady Haomoputri’s (somewhat limited) hospitality.

Kazgan and the lower Arax valley.

Rosanna with her beloved daughter and a handful of personal guards rode across to the Arax valley and crossed the river about half-way between Sevan and Shushu. At her request Hidy Harald, Skrapehake, and Laganides pulled back their men and an uneasy peace prevailed.

Rosanna then rode down the valley under a flag of truce and sought a meeting with Nestro’ai. On the 9th Nestro’ai and Rosanna greeted each other cautiously but after feasting and conferring for a couple of days reached agreement: they were joined by Darius bar Daraxes who, reluctantly, accepted their terms when Nestro’ai told him that otherwise he would throw in his lot with Nyfører.

Nestro’ai would continue to observe a truce and during this would ensure that all Daraxes’ men left Kazgan territory, defined as bounded by the Kura, the Arax, and the Oz hills. Darius would cede control of Kazgan to Nestro’ai and he and his men would leave Kazgan. It only remained to persuade Hidy Harald to accept the neutrality of Kazgan.

Hidy Harald and his advisers then joined this increasingly bizarre conference. His initial response was to reject the terms of the truce but both Laganides and Skrapehake told him that the alternative to Nestro’ai’s neutrality was defeat unless they were massively reinforced: so what if Nestro’ai gained Kazgan.

So Daraxes and Darius and their forces crossed the Kura to Shushu and Nyfører’s men and allies pulled back to Sevan.

The upper Arax valley.

Nyfører’s biremes have reached the Arax and are now being reassembled. It is likely that they will reach Sevan in about a week.

Sinjar.

Still rather truculently refused entry to the city, Boson’s and Tremuras’ men have been looting the surrounding lands.

Amol.

The siege lines and artillery positions being considered adequate, Hyasaqyte moved his engines into position; 5 heavy siege engines, 2 lighter engines, and a number of bolt engines, all carefully guarded by Lief’s 112ers

On the morning of the 6th the heavy engines started to hurl great stones at Amol’s western wall, though with relatively little effect on the thick earthen walls, faced with a mixture of stone and timber.

On the 18th the wind was, uncharacteristically, from the southeast; about mid-morning as the wind freshened the bombardment ceased and Lief’s veterans moved forward with scaling ladders, some towards the town wall and others towards the stockade that guards the wharves and the landward side of the harbour area. The defenders were too few and just not good enough to hold Lief’s men and they soon realised this and surrendered. Losses were a few hundred on both sides.

Simultaneously a merchant ship had moved toward the entrance of the fortified harbour and explained to the handful of men on guard that they bore strong drinks and other luxuries, a gift to Polymetus from Nyfører.

The discussions stopped when it was realised that hundreds of Lief’s men were on the wharves: the merchant ship moved into the harbour, followed after half an hour or so by Hans Hansson with his remaining longships: he was delighted to find his great drekkar undamaged.

Once the harbour and town were secured, the food and drink, seemingly part of some plan but not poisoned, were unloaded and the celebrations began. Polymetus is amongst the prisoners and is currently being entertained by Hans Hansson on his drekkar!

Tikrit.

When Wagnimandua heard of the slaying of Brahma she went with her new bodyguard, a mixture of Galatians and Chaldeans, to bring home his body: she swore vengeance on those behind so cowardly a deed.

Brahma’s surviving son Brahcua, a pompous and lecherous dullard, had assumed that he would succeed to his father’s honours, as was the custom.
To his dismay Brahma’s will divided his lands and titles between Brahcua and that upstart Galatian whore. she was to be the Bey of Tikrit, and subject to the agreement of Emperor Angustus, she was to be the Emir of the Tigris Vale, overlord of Arbil, Sinjar, and Mosul as well as Tikrit. The titles were to be vested in Abraham, Wagnimandua’s protector: Brahma had written that he hoped that they would have sons to inherit these titles.

He, Brahcua, was to be but the Sheikh of the Tigris Iranians, a title his stupid father could leave to no one else.

Brahma’s will made all too clear the value he placed on Wagnimandua’s good sense and devotion to justice, and his fear that Brahcua’s devotion to the pleasures of the flesh would leave him no time to attend to any onerous duties.

It is now strongly rumoured in the salons that Brahma’s assassination was organised by Wagnimandua at the behest of Macalix, though it is pointed out that the fact that at least some of the killers were Galatian suggests that the rumour is wrong: she’s far too clever to hire Galatians … unless it is a double bluff to throw us off the scent, … or not.

However, in the market-place the belief is that the killing was organised by the Chaldeans.

Suren has stated that he supported the decision of the late and much lamented Brahma to appoint Wagnimandua to rule in his stead while he is away, and that since Tikrit will be transferred to Chaldean rule once the exact arrangements are finalised, he expects he, Suren, will make the final appointment of the permanent city ruler in consultation, of course.

Page 1207

BRUXELLES.
A bad day for the Bruxellois.

Rostiq halted for a day to let stragglers catch up. During the day, whilst the devoted poured copious libations down their parched throats, he climbed from the valley to get a better view of the enemy … and was amused to see a small group of Dacians further south doing the same thing.

Rostiq saw that he outnumbered the raiders by almost 2:1 and worried: he sent scouts to make sure that there were not more lurking in ambush: no more were found.

Scurvius and his advisers estimated the odds at 3:2 but Scurilus pointed out that the Bruxellois had very few cavalry whereas their cavalry amounted to some 40% of their force. He thought that their line would be the longer.
Next day the two armies advanced towards each other and that night camped about a mile apart. At first light on the 3rd there was a mist hanging in the valley as the armies deployed but after a couple of hours or so the mist had been burned off leaving the morning bright and still, excellent weather for a battle, and revealing the following arrays.

Rostiq had placed Parapluix and his peasant Umbrelliacs in the valley bottom, the river protecting their flank on the Gallic right: to their left was Odo and his (socially superior) Umbrelliacs: Rostiq and the levies took the left of the Bruxellois line on the slightly higher ground there. Each of these forces was slightly more than half close order foot, the rest intermediate and open order, except for Parapluix’ peasants who were all in an intermediate order huddle.

BATTLE LINE-UP TO BE ADDED LATER

The Dacian deployment had been beset by arguments, no ruler wishing to see his force split up with some of his men under the control of another princeling … we are all good friends, but not that good!

Scurilus took the left of the Dacian line with Scurvius to his right: Scurvius had Jurassa’s followers as well as his own (yes, she trusts him!) and this left the assorted lesser Dacian leaders and Aardrid as an outflanking force: Skabidol, Detaxoz, and Decaboluz; Wallis and Zurch; and Aardrid were still moving into position.

As the mist cleared from the upper slopes Rostiq had moved forward quickly to take up a good position to charge down the slope onto Scurvius’ still unprotected flank.

As the mist thinned in the valley bottom Scurilus sounded the charge and as his men moved forward those of Parapluix’ men facing him first halted and then with almost one accord turned and fled, Parapluix swept away with them. The rest of Parapluix’ Umbrelliacs turned and joined the rout before Jurassa’s retainers had even started their charge.

Rostiq, seeing this from his vantage point realised that all was lost and ordered his men to cover the Umbrelliacs’ flight: most of them preferred to save their own skins: Odo’s Umbrelliacs retired gracefully and briskly in rout.

On the far left of the Bruxellois line, further up the slope, Chatenier and Wetstard with their few hundred men also left the field, the only Gauls not in flight by midday.

Losses were not, as might have been hoped, few, as the Dacian feudal cavalry pursued vigorously and viciously, believing that they had a score to settle.
Scurilus lost 162 men, Jurassa 29, and Scurvius 115.
Parapluix lost 4378 men, Odo 696, and Rostiq 460.
Odo was amongst the dead.

A bad day for the Dacians.

Belisarius, Exorcette, and Kalevard agreed to travel separately at their best speeds and to concentrate at Dijon. Belisarius pushed a handful of fast scouts ahead.

When, by the 17th, many of Kalevard’s men had not reached Dijon, and with his scouts reporting the Dacians fewer than he had feared, Belisarius asked Kalevard and his 5,000 men to go down the left bank of the Marne to prevent the Dacians escaping across the river.

Behind a screen of Breton levy cavalry Belisarius and Exorcette moved briskly towards the Dacians who had rallied from their pursuit of the Bruxellois and were a few miles north of Nancy heading towards Reims.

On the arrival of the Bretons the Dacians concentrated and prepared for battle, entirely unaware of what was behind the Bretons. They found out on the 27th.

The Dacians were no match for the Gallic veterans: fully armoured cavalry and armoured infantry who routed them almost as quickly as they had routed the Bruxellois some three weeks earlier.

The Breton cavalry and a few of Kalevard’s cavalry who had crossed the river pursued them relentlessly and indeed are still hunting for survivors. Few Dacians tried to surrender and even fewer were taken prisoner. Jurassa took poison rather than risk capture.

It is not certain that any of the Dacians or their allies will survive. Belisarius and Exorcette lost about 500 men all told.

RHONE VALLEY.

You may remember that Fabricio with a detachment of a few hundred infantry had been left to bring back half a dozen engines but having been cut off by the Dacians had over-wintered in Davos.

Fabricio, well-liked, courageous and a competent administrator, is the ruler of Clermont Ferrand as well as a divisional general in Cerdic’s army; he revels in war.

In Davos Fabricio told Destrier, who was made Earl of the Upper Danube and Baron of Davos by Cerdic back in 111, that he must return to Gaul to help and asked Destrier to come too. Destrier regretted that his duty was to hold Davos for Cerdic but Fabricio shamed him into “lending” him some of his retainers, some 1,000 cavalry and 2,000 infantry, all Bretons settled locally.

To speed his march Fabricio abandoned the heavy timbers of the engines, taking only the parts critical to rebuilding them. With the cavalry scouting ahead they headed west along the great highway at a brisk pace.

With most of the Dacian warriors already in Gaul, they met no significant opposition, and by the 10th were in Bern where Lygenard, two of whose sons are held as hostages by Scurilus, updated Fabricio on the situation.

Some of the information he gave was inaccurate, though probably not maliciously so.

Fabricio crossed the Rhone and continued his march down its left bank.
On the 23rd he reached the island some 20-30 miles above St Etienne where, the spring floods now abated, the river can be forded with surprising ease.
Here he encountered a patrol of Escarrio’s light infantry who rightly thought that they were too few to oppose his crossing the ford., but shadowed the Gauls whilst reporting back.

Late on the 25th Fabricio reached St Etienne where he resupplied and rested his men for a day. Early on the 27th, believing that forcing the Mende gap would be too hazardous, he set off south harassed by Escarrio’s men though he had the best of the exchanges.

Escarrio and Publius Nitius hold Nimes and its fortified bridge: Fabricio, astonished at the scant opposition he has met to date, is preparing to besiege them: his men are cutting timber to reconstitute his siege engines.
The stalemate at Marseilles continues.

Page 1208

THE CENTRAL PLAIN.

Cerdic pulled his men back behind the now well fortified line of the Loire in the north and of the Allier and Loire in the east.

During the withdrawal Asprix was killed in a skirmish when the patrol he was with was ambushed by Iberians. (A ruthless man of limitless ambition, Asprix became Baron of Andorra in 118 after he killed Menendes and subsequently appointed himself CinC of the Tolosan army after killing Zantacard, the then commander, in Aufield of 120. Courageous, and popular with his men, he was noted for his devotion to war and his dislike of Parapluism.)

The invaders have spent most of Ete looting the now undefended lands of La Rochelle, Limoges, Bourges, and Tours.

They made no attempt to storm La Rochelle or Bourges: Limoges and Tours, both unwalled and largely deserted, were looted and burned.

When the news of the disaster at Nancy reached him Cerdic detached Belisarius with 7,000 infantry, 2,000 paid cavalry and 6,000 Breton levy cavalry, and Exorcette with 3,000 SHC and 1,000 light cavalry, and Kalevard with his paid force of 3,000 cavalry and 2,000 infantry.

THE WESTERN OCEAN.

Villeneuve of Brest set off with his new command at first light on the 1st day of Ete, a brisk north-westerly wind hindering their departure from the Loire Estuary but then speeding them to La Rochelle where they called to pick up the latest intelligence, and to sacrifice for a propitious wind.
“But admiral, this wind from the north-west is fine.”
“From the north-north-west or the north would be better."

Villeneuve knew that his arrival would have been seen by enemy cavalry and guessed that he could not avoid detection in the Garonne Estuary (there is no Gironde in the Known World).

He sailed at dusk on the 4th with a slim crescent of newish moon and with reliable local pilots on his leading ships and carefully screened lights for the others to follow.

By dawn his ships had entered the estuary without mishap: though the marshes were devoid of cavalry patrols he was soon seen. But the wind had veered a point! Enough. The river is notorious for its sandbanks and dangerous currents, but at least the strong spring flow had ended.

When Dagamo learned of the attack time was short but he had rehearsed his plans; his warships drew up in a relatively narrow channel and then, the ships anchored fore and aft and roped to each other, the warriors waited, the crews strengthened with extra men, fire-arrows at the ready.

Six fishing smacks led the attack: fireships, but the Iberians had foreseen this and small rowboats steered them through gaps or onto sandbanks.

They had not foreseen that Villeneuve would sacrifice nine (he was misinformed as to the number of Dagamo’s warships, he had 14) Veneti warships whose minimal crews abandoned them at the last minute.

You would think that the catastrophe of last Aufield at this self-same site would have been warning enough: but no.

There were soon men struggling to put out the fires or leaping overboard, just as Villeneuve had planned: but he had not expected the Portuguese ships to be an immovable wall: with the wind behind them many of his ships were driven into the inferno, though with the wind blowing the flames away from them, his men had more time to escape.

Losses: about half the warriors from lost warships escaped, to the shore for the Portuguese, into following ships for the Gauls.

Dagamo lost 8 of his 14 warships: Villeneuve lost the 9 set on fire deliberately plus another 8 caught in the bonfire. The surviving Gallic warships made their slow and difficult way back against the wind to La Rochelle.

CARTHAGE.
Demiliton.

Elros, A’Rrosee, and Melqart rallied their forces and then moved on Windicta. On arrival outside the city they called for its surrender: Faron himself came out to offer the surrender, and to inform the Motiphators that the criminal Philipo had fled with those few of his men who had survived the great and glorious victory of the Emperor Elros and his noble allies etc etc.

Faron presented Elros with a particularly large and glutinous confection. (There is no truth in the rumour that Elros is taking a diet of bees to reduce his weight.)

Melqart has been made Chief of the Imperial Staff and has been infvested with the Order of the Boiled Sweet. Ugh!

It is rumoured that in the Motiphmas honours list he will be granted a Provincial Governorship.

Small cavalry patrols were pushed as far as Vosmaer and Sanrashtra and down the coast road.

Meanwhile Zaranissa with the Triassic and Baalist forces continued up the coast road to reach the Senastarte junction some 50 miles or so north of Linka on the 26th, cleansing as they went.

It was about then that Zaranissa’s scouts and those of the Motiphators met near Sanrashtra and on the coast: in the subsequent skirmishes the Motiphator scouts were pushed back by the more numerous Baalists.

SLAVONIA.
Buda.

In the election for the post of Chairman and CEO (Chief Executing Officer) of the so recently elected Buda Council the fourteen year old Rheann was unanimously elected after a recount.

She has selected an Administrative Division … herself and three advisers … and informed the other members of the BC that their next full meeting will be held early, well earlyish, in the new year if there is sufficient business to warrant such an upheaval: the AD will manage all day to day business until then. So this was agreed upon.

Drusus accepted the invitation to discuss “a mutually beneficial defensive alliance” and he and Royer and Rheann have agreed that as a first purely defensive step they will send out joint patrols to ensure that all inhabitants of Buda, Baja, Vasvar, Graz, and Vizver understand their duties. They have suggested that Drusus become the CinC of their Confederation Dunarican forces and that his Tuscans form the elite core of these otherwise rather variable forces.

Bellerophon has been reinstated as Prince of Baja and has been provided with half a dozen dedicated personal guards.

The city leaders of this unusual Confederation have agreed to meet in Vizver and have issued an open invitation to all other Slavonian rulers. Rold and Baldog have also been invited.

Page 1209

VIKINGSEAS.

Throughout the period of interest there was a moderate and fairly steady wind from the north.

On the 3rd Hrunting’s scoutships reported back: an enemy fleet of about 50 longships. Hrunting immediately prepared 131 longships to be manned by the levy plus 12 which he intended to use as fireships should the wind prove favourable. Blovin had a further 27 fully manned longships. Another 19 beached longships and 36 knarrs anchored close inshore were left behind.
Blovin’s men are experienced in fighting afloat or ashore, but only about a third of the Estonian levy comes from the Seaward Riding; the rest, from the Hunward and Southward Ridings, are mostly without experience of shipboard fighting.

Hrunting and Blovin put to sea from Konigsberg about mid-morning on the 4th, sailing west.

At dawn on the 2nd Bjarni’s fleet of 42 longships had been about 25 miles north of the island (which for convenience I shall call) Bornholm. Once past Bornholm five of his faster ships spread out ahead and to the south, whilst the fleet sailed eastwards with some southerly drift.

All Bjarni’s men are experienced sailors from the islands or Neustadt, and most are well-experienced in shipboard fighting.

On the evening of the 5th Hrunting and Blovin beached for the night just east of the mouth of the Wista: Bjarni was about 80 miles to the north-west.
On the 6th Hrunting and Blovin rowed north-west; Hrunting’s scout ships fanned out ahead of the fleets, also perforce rowing.

Bjarni continued to sail eastwards, close hauled, still with some drift to the south, his scout ships ahead between his fleet and the coast. That evening the scout ships sighted each other and Bjarni learned that he faced an enemy fleet at least twice as big as his.

The two fleets more or less turned towards each other, about 30 miles apart. Hrunting ordered his men to rest and his ships drifted slightly south on their sea-anchors. Bjarni continued under sail.

At first light on the 7th they were still some 10 miles apart. Hrunting and Blovin hastened to get their ships into line, Hrunting in the centre with a close packed double line and with the ships manned by the Hunward and Southward levies untidy on his left. Blovin on the right preferred a single line.
At first Bjarni sailed towards the enemy centre, but when he saw that Blovin’s ships (on his left) were obviously competent, he veered to his left to attack them, guessing that the obviously less competent enemy left flank would be very slow to join the fighting.

The 16 captains from Neustadt were to Bjarni’s right and did not like this plan, fearing that they would end up fighting against 100 or more enemy: they veered to their right to attack the less competent left flank of Hrunting’s line. Hrunting, in the centre, was not attacked.

The battle was a disaster for the levies of the Hunward and Southward Ridings. The Neustadt ships continued under sail and deliberately ran through gaps in the enemy line, smashing into the enemy’s oars and injuring any oarsmen still trying to row. They then lowered their sails and fought a more conventional boarding action.

Although weight of numbers was beginning to tell, by midday over 25 of the ships of Hrunting’s left wing had been taken, any of their crews unable to leap to another ship being dead or swimming.
It was about noon that men of the Hunward Riding saw a chance to light one of the fireships and push it between two of the Neustadt longships. The fire spread rapidly.

In the east Blovin’s 27 longships were attacked by Bjarni’s 28 but increasing numbers of Hrunting’s longships joined in.

It was soon obvious that Hrunting’s men were no match for Bjarni’s and even Blovin’s ex-114ers were hard pressed to hold their own. By noon 8 of Hrunting’s longships, 6 of Blovin’s, and 5 of Bjarni’s had changed hands.
When, an hour or so after noon, the extent of the fire at the western end of the battle became apparent, Blovin and Bjarni and their men stopped fighting and moved together to pick up men who had leapt into the sea to escape the conflagration.

13 of the Neustadt longships and 47 of Hrunting’s were lost to the fire. The Neustadt levy lost about 750 men to fire and fighting: Hrunting lost about 3,000 men, many unable to swim.

In the east Hrunting lost about 500 men, Blovin about 250, and Bjarni about 300.

Bjarni and Blovin, having rescued as many as possible, started to exchange survivors and prisoners. They also shared food and drink and came to a private agreement. They would go to Bornholm to make appropriate sacrifices: Blovin would then return to Valjala and Bjarni to Holbaek: their war was over.

When Hrunting was told of their decision, most of his captains decided that they too would go to Bornholm. The subdued fleets landed on Bornholm late on the 10th, and after sacrificing and feasting, left on the 14th.

VIKINGLANDS.

Friederich and Harda Knut continued their march and arrived at Vilna about midday on the 6th. Dredd, Lemminkainen, and Foed learned of the approach of this substantial force late on the 3rd and by the 6th had crossed the Rusne and were fleeing hastening north.

They met but failed to realise the significance of a few Ostragoth scouts, but on the 7th met rather more than 2,000 Ostragoth armoured cavalry. By this time a few hundred of Harda’s medium cavalry were harassing their rear.

Almost 1,000 Latvians were killed: Lemminkainen was amongst the dead: Goth and Jutland losses were little more than 200. The victors rallied from their pursuit in Vilna.

On the 10th a messenger from Loki arrived in Friederich’s camp to offer his congratulations on Friederich’s re-establishment of law and order in Latvia and to confirm Pripyat’s continued support for Friederich and his allies.

Friederich has received the following message:
Noo then Fryedryk,
Aa thowt Aa’d ax whaat are yee deein’ comin’ intiv Viking lands. Aa knaa ye ax’d for Eryk t’ gi yee hee’s cottrills like bu’ ye knaa fine weel tha’ Eryk’s not ower clivvor he’ssell but he’s nee a southern softie.
If yee an’ yon yeps gan hyem, mesell an’ mi marras will too.
Whaat di yee think?
Hrunting.

Page 1210

SASSANIDIA.
Cairo, Gaza, & Said.

In Cairo rumours began to circulate and confused reports reached the new authorities. The Supreme Organiser sent a senior officer to Gaza to seek an explanation of the arrival in Nile of uninvited armies.

Spitames reminded him that they had recently been welcome and that only a generation ago Gaza and Said had been part of Sassania; he went on to explain that he was in Gaza on the orders of the Emperor Angustus and at the request of Prince Ptelnet, the heir to the Sassanidian throne, refusing to countenance the officer’s claim that Stephanus still lived and indeed ruled in Sassanidia.

Whilst waiting in Gaza for Ptelnet to arrive, Spitames had also been contacted by supporters of the old regime in Cairo who told him that the Nile armies were mustering.

They also reminded him that Said had no Bey and indeed had not had a Bey since the assassination of Furates in 117: somehow typical of Sassanidian administration.
Furates of Petra, the 61 year old Bey of Said, loyal, scrupulously honest, popular, and a long-time opponent of the late Aken’fut, was cut down by an assassin’s knife on the 17th of Hexober.
That his assassin escaped must be regarded as unusual, even in these troubled times. He is mourned by several wives and concubines and a large number of children.
It seems that his eldest son had taken over the title but whilst awaiting official confirmation, he was assassinated by one or more of his brothers and that a joint family committee had run the city ever since.

Spitames discussed with Horisis, Ahmose, and Karenen the possibility and advantages of seizing Said with its large natural harbour.

Horisis, lacking relevant orders, refused to countenance such a move and forbad his sub-ordinates to participate.

However, once he had heard and understood Spitames suggestion, Emir Bifuud gave the plan his blessing.

Spitames with the elderly Bifuud rode down the coast road to Said with a brigade of his armoured cavalry and the brigade of Tospades mounted infantry, a brigade of light cavalry scouting ahead as far as the Stephanoid Canal.

Spitames omitted to inform the Said authorities why he had come and the Protectors and Organisers had failed to alert them: his entry to the walled city was unopposed. He took control with virtually no bloodshed. Bifuud, in his capacity of Emir of The North (of Nile Province) held a diwan and after, with some difficulty, hearing the numerous complaints against the late Furates’ family, appointed a distant cousin, Aaroun, as Bey.

Bifuud, feeling his age, then set off back to Gaza with an escort of Spitames’ cavalry. The elderly Bifuud became unwell and increasingly confused on the journey back to Gaza where he is now being nursed by doting grand-daughters and the family physician.

Pure coincidence, of course, but Spitames knew Aaroun’s family rather well when they lived in Petra.

At Spitames’ urging, Aaroun took most of his female cousins as wives (“No, none: some are dire and some risible but the combination doesn’t make desirable”) and arranged for his male cousins to join Spitames’ staff: one or two objected briefly.

In Cairo the news of the [strike]uninvited incursion[strike] invasion, first Gaza and now Said, roused the ire of the Organisers and Protectors, particularly as they know that most of Horisis’ men are peasants from the Nile Province.
The 1st, 11th, 12th, and 13th Protectors readied their 25 30,000 men for the march: these, the 1st (Nile) Army, the Nile Provincial Army, and the Mercenaries, left Cairo 2 days ago.

Ptelnet’s march.

Ptelnet reached Kilis without incident and thence crossed the mountains towards Adana. Officers sent ahead reported back: nowhere near enough shipping to be useful so Ptelnet and his men took the road to Tyre where they arrived on the 13th.

In Tyre his officers had managed to hire shipping to transport the armoured cavalry and most of their horses: the light and medium cavalry continued on down the coast road at a good speed with the now unarmoured horses: indeed they were able to keep up with the ships which, cautiously, refrained from sailing by night.

On the 21st they all reached Haifa; the authorities there warned that facilities for disembarking at Gaza were limited so the armoured cavalry disembarked in Haifa and the whole force continued down the coast road, leaving Haifa at midday on the 22nd.

They reached Gaza on the 29th and have had a welcome day’s rest.
Ptelnet paid his respects to the ailing Bifuud and has conferred with his son Bifuad.

West Nile.

In view of anxieties about the situation in Said and Gaza the death of Ar Magrevs was brought forward but the deaths of Ar Mergevs and of Ar Diotr have been postponed. One assumes that they will be pleased.

Nubia.

Mustasha the Younger informed the envoy from the P&O that he would consult his aides and give him a reply as soon as possible but that in the meanwhile he wished to offer the envoy and his retinue all comfort and courtesy.

The envoy, the 21st Protector, brusquely replied that that was not good enough. He offered Mustasha “…a simple choice: agree to our terms now or leave immediately. I am leaving and when I return it will be with my army. Order will be restored!”

Sahure’s march.

I know he isn’t in Sassanidia! He may be going there.
Sahure and his long column of wagons and several thousand infantry crossed the Kimil at Gerze a few days ago. His van should reach Trabzon soon, but the rear of the great column is probably a week from the city.

HUNLAND.
All quiet on the Don.

The odd stalemate continued, with the Volgans in Mekha fearful of trying to leave, and with the Siberians on the right (ie south at Volsk) bank of the Don patrolling anxiously and guarding any possible crossing points. Seg’s Byelohuns trained, hunted, and waited patiently, their camps ringing Mekha. Supplies have been brought in to Mekha without let or hindrance.

On the 12th of Ete Honoria informed Seg that her agents friends had observed Tenapin ap Orlin, whose camps are east of Mekha, conferring with known Siberian agents on two occasions, and that on the second occasion Volgans were present. She again urged Seg to caution, and listed his potential enemies: Tenapin with almost 20,000 followers; Galgyn and Gwalchai with almost 15,000 Volgans, and Ghengis with 15-20,000 Siberians.
“Yes dear, but they cannot rely on the Urohuns in their levies, and surely we have about 50,000 even not counting Tenapin.”
“Oh yes, and how many of Subedai’s men would fight against Tenapin? I’ld rather trust that Senha ap Gryp that you’ve had under yurt arrest for so long … yes, I know he is well treated and all that; I’ld trust him though, rather than that Tenapin.”
“Yes dear.”

Angst

Editor's Note: the last page of Ete News was accidentally omitted from the above post and so is appended here.

MONTENEGRO.

Nis.

In recognition of his great victory Maharbal sacrificed to all the gods and distributed splendid trophies to many temples.

He has organised the repair of defences, the demolition of old siege-works and ruins, and the garrisoning of all forts.

An ambitious and efficient young officer, Affectobal, was allocated 200 Montenegran light cavalry and 350 Ellenic mounted armoured terrain foot and a bag of gold. He was asked to go and buy the support of the locals in suppressing the banditry in the hills along the supply line from Thessaly to Nis.

By a most unfortunate coincidence an emissary from Thrace was also sent to the area with a smaller bag of gold and no troops. After analysing their options the bandits divided into two groups: the employed-by-Maharbal quick, and the dead.

By the end of the month the former group was smaller but much richer: the Thracian envoy involuntarily joined the larger group.

Bubonides, the Tyrant of Belgrade, came to offer his fealty and during a private and very convivial feast mentioned, to the surprise of Maharbal, that Thassos as well as Thessaly was previously part of Montenegro. Maharbal expressed his polite disbelief.

Bubonides’ brother in law Niarchos the Tyrant of Nis, was of course also at the feast, and rather reluctantly confirmed that Thassos and Thessaly had been part of Greater Montenegro during the last century.

All settled to Maharbal’s satisfaction in Nis and Belgrade, Maharbal went with a small personal guard to consult the oracles. Under the command of Ceutabaal and Leptonos the armies are returning to Thessaly, leaving substantial garrisons with copious supplies in both the liberated cities: the prisoners have accompanied the armies, carefully guarded. The should all have reached Thessaly in about a week.

Whether Maharbal will be pleased to find that Ariadne has moved to Thessaly to welcome his return is a moot point.

THRACE.

Sesamoides, the senior Archon of Istanbul, was killed during the night of the 22nd. A deeply unpopular local man, his death was caused by a blow to the head, probably with an axe. The murder weapon (suicide has been discounted) has not been found nor has any specific cause for his killing come to light.

Mustasha Sr expressed minor astonishment at Shakbut’s changed plans but decided that they didn’t affect him and he duly continued his journey and is now with his sister Vashti and his nephew Demetriaces. They and Lysander have had long discussions about the situation.

Overheard in the Thracian Camp:
"So he has not conferred with our Prince, nor given any orders?"
"He just assumes we will conform to his army's posture and movements - the arrogance of it..."

Demetriaces has sent scouts to watch Maharbal’s armies and for any forces near Thessaly.

Naladi bar Sahdi and his 5,000 or so Chaldean cavalry have just crossed to Istanbul.

Shalman and the Royal Polonovan Army marched briskly to Istanbul, crossed to Anatolia, and then marched on via Amasra and Ankara to Alansberg where they arrived two days ago, fairly tired.

MEDITERANEAN.

Near Messina.

Xenophon, the one-time Strategos of Thassos and more lately Admiral of the Thracian fleet, also known as the Pontic 5th fleet, died after consuming a large bowl of seafood. Two of his men also died and half a dozen others became quite ill having shared the dish. The possibility of poison has not been excluded as the dish tasted excellent and one of the dead men was the cook.

The Adriatic.

It seems that Murcia didn’t really understand the explanations of Kallinikos the Geek and that the notes and diagrams relating to his Geek Fire device were lost in the conflagration.

Unidentified fast scout ships have been seen off the toe and heel of Italy and off the western Greek coast. One seen off Corcyra and then Ston was lucky to escape when Murcia sent fast triremes to investigate.

Cyprus and Tyre.

The New Persian 1st fleet has been exercising from Salamis and the 2nd fleet has been training from Tyre.

Windicta and Malta.

Philipo gathered his surviving troops and went to the treasury at dawn on the 1st and there took all portable cash and valuables plus as much iron as they could easily carry. About noon a man sent by Faron arrived with orders for the treasury guards that under no circumstances was Philipo to be admitted to the treasury … but that was OK as he was just leaving.

He and his men opened negotiations with Admiral Ostia and his captains and a mutually satisfactory arrangement was soon agreed.

At dawn on the 2nd Philipo and Ostia left Windicta harbour with 6 heavy triremes, 10 light triremes, 20 transports, and 8 merchantmen, along with almost 3,000 of Philipo’s men.

They crossed to the western end of Sicily and then sailed east along its southern coast, thence to Malta where they arrived on the 13th.
You may remember that Temeraix and his Gauls hold all of Malta except the harbour’s fortress.

At the time of their arrival Temeraix with two of his galleys was out on patrol to the south; by the time that he saw Ostia’s fleet it was, luckily for him, too late to get back into Malta harbour: Temeraix fled to the north-west, surely not intending to return to Toulouse Province.

But back at Malta: Temeraix’ men refused Ostia’s ships entry to the inner, fortified, harbour. Philipo went ashore with about 2,000 men and approached the fortress from the landward side: after very brief negotiations they were admitted and then sallied forth into the fortified harbour.
In the ensuing bloody fighting the Gauls held their own until the rest of Philipo’s and Ostia’s men joined in: the Gauls were then slaughtered. Ostia bemoaned the fact that he was unable to stop the slaughter “We’ve captured 3 heavy triremes: they could have rowed if we hadn’t killed them all.”
A few hundred of Philipo’s and Ostia’s men were killed.

AZOV.

Gilgamesh considered the reports from his agents both north of his lands and south of his lands but decided that it was important to tour his newly conqu oops the newly liberated lands. He is accompanied by Ogada and a modest force.

He has inspected the mines near Bayan and the armouries at Bayan and Taskent. He is now inspecting the serviceable but deserted strong fort at the northern end of the Tiflis-Taskent pass which he has ordered should be garrisoned. He is next to visit Uil to inspect the small mine and armoury there.

Numerous scouts patrol his borders and coastline.

Powellopolis.

Old Moab is unwell: in his eighties and grievously unpopular, he is unlikely to be mourned by many.

Angst

Mustasha the Younger publicly declared his support for Sassanidian rule in the spirit of Stephanus the Golden and expressed the hope that Ptelnet would crush the arrogant P&O dictatorship and their insane demands to reimpose serfdom on the Nubian Egyptians.

He appealed to Nubians of all races and ethnic groups to preserve the new unity and freedoms enjoyed under Mustasha the Younger, founder of Nubia's House of Hamid.

Mustasha the Younger took personal command of his army (the Egyptians), enthusing them with a rousing call to fight to preserve their hard-won freedom. He then led them north towards the border with Nile Province.
Mustasha ordered the city garrisons to be strengthened and for grain to be stockpiled in the city granaries, and he called upon the levies to ready themselves to defend their lands.

The 2nd, 21st, and 22nd Protectors were already on the move with the cavalry, infantry and elephantry of the 2nd Sassanid (Nubian) army (the Sassanids) and the West Nile Sassanid cavalry levies, some 10-15,000 cavalry, 130 elephants, and 5-10,000 infantry.

Apart from a few thousand levy they crossed to the right bank of the Nile at Alexandria and headed south. On the 8th they reached Beni Suef where jubilant citizens pelted them with flowers.

Onward, their cavalry scouting ahead. Their advance was slowed briefly by some of Mustasha’s infantry harassing their march from the forest north of Nubia city but 2nd pulled his line of march a little way from the forest edge and sent a couple of thousand light infantry to clear the forests. On the 13th the Sassanids reached Nubia city, a town normally of about 5,000, its population now swollen to perhaps 8-9,000, mostly Egyptians but with several hundred poor Sassanids.

Some of these let down ropes by night, and at dawn on the 14th the Sassanid army entered the town and systematically butchered every non-Sassanid man, woman and child, the elephants smashing down the mud-brick houses and the cavalry hunting down those who sought to flee.

By the 18th the Sassanids were ready to continue their march. South of Nubia the track passes through a band of open forest where Khamoun and Mustasha had concentrated the Nubian forces and when the Sassanids entered the forest on the 23rd the harassment was sufficiently intense to halt them and indeed to make them recoil back into the open land.

The levy moving up the left bank was alerted by the Sassanids of Asyut and by messengers from 2nd. On the 26th they crossed to the right bank. Alerted by their scouts Mustasha and Khamoun with some difficulty extricated most of their men and retreated southwards towards Thebes, harassed by Sassanid cavalry and light infantry.

Egyptian losses mounted rapidly and Mustasha ordered his men to cross the Nile as best they may to seek the shelter of the denser woods on the left bank. 2nd sent his light infantry and cavalry across to the left bank to harry the retreating Egyptians.

Mustasha himself with his personal guard hastened to Thebes to join Atenatra and Mustasha the youngest, as well as his close advisers and followers.

The Nubian levy, about 7,000 strong, has mustered and has now joined Mustasha in Thebes, but the Sassanid levy of almost 2,000 has also mustered and, led by Gotark’uh, is moving north through the desert east of the Nile to join 2nd.

The gold mine near Shiraz-Ur has been the site of increased engineering and prospecting activity; a brigade of cavalry is conducting vigorous training exercises nearby.

Both Torud and Shiraz have recently inaugurated new public works, and a welcome public holiday has been celebrated across the Province in celebration of Kublai’s benign rule.

And at Gorgan the Syrian infantry have been celebrating the completion of the town wall on which they have been labouring for so long. The rest of the army continues to train and to patrol Zagros’ borders.

Thorsson and his men are back in Powellopolis after their not uneventful vacation.

Nyfører has agreed to hand over his rights in the Tigris Vale to Suren (or his representative), in payment for Suren's outstanding performance and long term contribution to the New Persian Empire. To clarify, the Tigris Vale consists of the cities of Sinjar, Mosul, Arbil and Tikrit including associated lands and fortifications.

Nyfører would like to thank all the residents of the Tigris Vale for their unstinting support over the last two seasons.

The agreement is of course subject to the beloved Emperor Angustus' formal approval. A senior emissary sent by Angustus was overheard muttering: “With support like that, … what is a stint anyway?“ The emissary then rather more formally announced: “As long as they pay the Emperor his share of the taxes, and stop making trouble, then the Emperor will certainly approve.”

Wagnimandua has taken over the defence of Tikrit and the post of Bey with the blessing of the Emperor’s emissary

The siege of Sinjar has been lifted and the Caspians and White Latvians now patrol peacefully from Hakka-Hakkari down both sides of the Tigris as far as Hosa and Aziz.

Abraham has discussed with Wagnimandua the possibility of Brahcua and the Iranians rebelling: he ordered all city and fort garrisons and the river fleet to be alert for any Iranian trouble.

A flying column of mounted foot moved up to Mosul with supplies for the Chaldeans who hold the fortified bridge. Further supplies have been delivered by the Chaldean river fleet.

Chaldean levy cavalry in strength, about 10,000 men, have moved up the east bank of the Tigris as far as Sinjar, scouting on a broad front: contacts with Kublai’s scouts have been cautiously friendly on both sides.

Small patrols have pushed as far Hosa, Sahand, and Daran: a patrol that intended to cut across the Iranian desert to Gorgan was politely turned back by Kublai’s men.

Nyfører has publicly announced that Daraxes’ forces can surrender at any time and that they will be well treated: this offer does not extend to Daraxes or Darius.

Nyfører has confirmed the agreement with Nestro’ai and has arranged for Skrapehake and Hidy Harald to arrange border patrols to ensure that their men do not inadvertently enter Kazgan territory.

Nyfører has publicly confirmed Wulfric, the Pripyatter, as Bey of Shushu on condition that he stand down any men currently supporting Daraxes. Wulfric has replied that he has ordered his men to their barracks, that he offers his loyal support to Rosanna and looks forward to formally offering her his fealty, and that he offers his eldest daughter to Nyfører to cement the relationship.

Rosanna (“I bet that lecher Wulfric would prefer to put his hands between my thighs rather than between my hands; apart from that I trust him!”) was asked to open a dialogue with Cymonadice: she expressed some astonishment and not a little anxiety but travelled under a flag of truce to

Shushu, though she did leave her beloved daughter with trusted guards.
In Shushu she met Daraxes who up-braided her harshly but honoured the flag of truce. He tried but was unable to prevent her meeting Cymonadice. She told the latter that Nyfører would confirm him as Emir of The Lower Kura & Bey of Baku were he to return to Baku with his men.

He promised to do so immediately and there and then offered Rosanna his fealty. Wulfric also formally promised to lust after be loyal to Rosanna.

Whilst in Shushu Rosanna met her husband Rosbarn; despite his fears it was an amicable enough meeting “… and of course I’ll return immediately to my our yurt with my our followers.”

Rosanna then sought and was granted a formal audience with Daraxes and his son Darius: she stressed the hopelessness of their position and urged them to surrender to Nyfører’s mercy. After a lengthy and at times heated discussion Darius said that he would return with Rosanna: Daraxes refused to do so and said that he would go to Powellopolis to seek Thorsson’s protection.
Nyfører has also offered Haomoputri the option to swear loyalty to him as steward in charge of Oz for her Viking-Armenian son until he comes of age. He adds that Bold Cnut is welcome to court her but should not force a union and should be warned of the dire consequences of washing and shaving to make her happy.

Nyfører met Polymetus and after an amiable discussion, Polymetus agreed to serve Nyfører with his fleet.

A longship and a few cavalrymen went to Baku to ask the ruler there to recognise Nyfører’s authority: they were told that Cymonadice had already agreed to do so.

Skrapehake and Hidy Harald and their men, whilst scrupulously avoiding Nestro’ai’s lands, have patrolled the Arax from a base near Sevan. A detachment of their men covers the lowest Arax ford, though on the right bank only as the left is in Kazgan’s territory.

Nyfører’s two biremes reached Sevan without incident and after resupplying, continued cautiously down the Arax and then the Kura to Amol, their shallow draught allowing them to cross the ford (vs) without mishap.

Bold Cnut bid the lady Haomoputri a fond farewell: he left 250 of his most reliable men to guard her and Oz. Leaving garrisons in Sevan and its fort, he moved down the right bank of the Arax with a screen of Laganides cavalry: he and Hyasaqyte and his engineers then surveyed the Kura but soon decided that a pontoon bridge is not practicable, particularly in view of the paucity of adequate timber.

Bold Cnut and Laganides continued on to Amol.

Nyfører was unable to build a conventional pontoon bridge and had insufficient longships and indeed timber to build a bridge of boats. He used the various navies now at his disposal to ferry men and mounts across the Kura at Amol: his crossing was unopposed.

Even though the Chaldean warships were escorting the merchant ships bringing in the supplies, Nyfører still had almost 30 longships to supplement the capacity of the ferry taking the men across, but when it came to horses, they could only be unloaded at the small wharf on the north bank.

Lief’s men were soon across and established a defensible bridgehead: they were followed by Chaldean cavalry. By the 16th Cnut and Laganides and their men had also been ferried across to the north bank.

The Bukharan problem.

Nyfører sent a trusted envoy to Bukhara and also another two longships to patrol north and east from Amol in the direction of Bukhara … just in case.
Aware that once Nyfører had re-established his rule in mainland Ostland, which seemed to be all too likely all too soon, Bukhara would be next, Anders was already worrying.

Having learned from the envoy as much as he could about the recent naval battles, on the 9th Anders arrested the envoy and those of his men unwilling to join him, and added the longship to his fleet.

On the 11th he set sail, the envoy’s longship and two others with double crews well ahead of the rest of his longships. The ruse worked and he added the two patrolling longships to his growing fleet.

Anders now had 1,600 Estonians manning his fleet of 20 longships plus another 14 privately owned longships manned by 1,100 Estonians of his retinue. His plan was simple enough: he knew he could not beat Nyfører on land, so he would destroy Nyfører’s fleet.

On the afternoon of the 17th he camped on the seaward side of the point at the broad mouth of the bay that becomes the Kura estuary. At the first faint hint of dawn on the 18th his fleet rowed up the bay in three groups: the first reached Amol just before noon.

They may have been seen but if so they were not recognised as a threat. Virtually all Hans Hansson’s longships, including those of Polymetus, were tied up at Amol or were anchored or beached a bit further upstream near the ferry, most of the crews idling after the long hard slog of ferrying the armies over the river.

In the ensuing fighting Anders lost 1 of his own and 1 other longship, but managed to tow away 4 of Hans’ ships and to set fire to 13 others though 2 were saved essentially undamaged. There were relatively few deaths.
Anders freed the envoy and his longship and many of its crew at the mouth of the bay to bear a message to Nyfører. “If you acknowledge me as undisputed and perpetual ruler of Bukhara and of the isle of Kara Bogaz, I shall attack neither your lands, nor your supply ships, and there will be peace between us.”

Anders with his fleet and prizes reached Bukhara on the 27th. Polymetus pointed out that it could all have been much worse: Anders could have arrived during the ferrying operation.

Dagamo left Bordeaux on the 1st and sailed, with some difficulty against the prevailing wind, to Muros where he arrived 3 days ago.

Meanwhile Villeneuve sent a couple of merchant ships south to see what they could see: they arrived after Dagamo had left but since they prudently did not venture up the Garonne estuary, they did not realise that he had left. They are currently off Bayonne.

Sancho has moved most of his forces to the Limoges area where they are based in strongly fortified camps: Leo has moved large numbers of men to camps south-east of Limoges close to the Vichy bridge: with the harvest season starting supplies are so far not a problem.

Their scouts range to the ocean, to the Loire, and to the Allier. A series of probing attacks along Cerdic’s defensive line on the Allier and Loire have become bolder as the falling water level has revealed potential new crossing places, a few in the Loire upstream of the Tours bridge, but mostly in the Allier.

Foraging and looting have continued throughout the lands roamed by the Iberians and Italians. La Rochelle and Bourges have been invited to open their gates immediately and be spared, or to hold out and face fire and death later. Elbert of Bourges has opened negotiations, asking to know the exact surrender terms offered.

Dubius Status, the 77 year old commander of the so-called Rietan Home Guard, the Old Doloran 9th, and Dux Populi of Rieto, died during the night of 11th-12th of Dujuly.

His death was unexpected but there was no untoward circumstance. He will be succeeded by his popular son Varius Status as Dux Populi of Rieto.
Varius is known to dislike the military life and his younger brother Parlus, serving with the Old 9th, has taken command of the Rietan forces.

Escarrio and Publius Nitius conferred: with no reinforcements coming they decided to abandon Nimes city, fearing that with no citadel and no entirely adequate strong-point they would be unable to prevent the citizenry helping Fabricio take the city. Instead they would concentrate on holding the strategically crucial fortified bridge. They told Archeolis of their plan and told him that it would be in his best interests to welcome Fabricio into the city but to remember that they would be back.

They kept him incommunicado until they had moved to the bridge. On the night of the 2nd they moved men, equipment, and some supplies along the road to the bridge, sweeping aside a small detachment of Fabricio’s men. Despite the pitch dark they were able to find their way easily along the already surveyed track: Fabricio, fearing a trap, let them go. Archeolis welcomed Fabricio and his men.

Next day Fabricio sent scouts to investigate the strength of the Nimes bridge. Rather strong and Archeolis told him that the Italians had bolt and light engines.

By the 10th Fabricio’s men had rebuilt their siege engines and had built suitable and well-defended artillery positions; they started to hurl rocks at the right bank (western) fort. The Italians hurled smaller stones and a few bolts back with such accuracy that Fabricio was forced to pull his artillery back and build new positions for them.

Escarrio built a camp at the eastern end of the bridge whence his men patrolled the left bank of the Rhone in some strength. They also made contact with Regan at Marseilles to inform her of the new situation and she informed Leo by ship.

2,200 of Kalevard’s cavalry with about 2,000 extra mounts moved south to the Saone, then down the right bank of the Saone and Rhone via St Etienne to Nimes where they arrived on the 20th. Fabricio has pushed numerous scouts towards Mende, Montpellier, and St Etienne.

At the ford above St Etienne 200 cavalry crossed to the left bank and continued south. They were of course seen by Escarrio’s scouts and on the night of the 18th their rather carelessly built camp was over-run by 1,000 or so of Publius Nitius’ light and armoured terrain troops. A few may have escaped.

Regan’s agents have warned her that any attempt at storming the city would most probably be an expensive failure, but she is much cheered by their reports that a growing shortage of food is causing increasing tension between the 1-2,000 Tolosan refugees, the Italian citizenry, and the Gallic garrison.

Regan had gathered elements of her Northern League Army to the great fortress that lies some 60 or so miles west of Marseilles; heeding the advice she has instead instructed her men to loot Marseilles’ lands.

She went with a small personal guard to the great open iron mines in the hills 20 miles NNE of Marseilles city. There she explained to the captain of the Tolosan garrison that she would be returning in some force in a few weeks and that if he and his men were still there, she would ensure that they lived long enough to regret it. She advised them to leave via the ford north of St Etienne.

Sassanidia is a country with four provinces, Nile, West Nile, Libya, and Nubia. Sassania is one of the provinces of New Persia and is the original homeland of all the Sassanids. The Old Emperor divided his realm between two sons Angustus and Stephanus: their brother, Ptelnet, was omitted from the share-out for no recorded reason.

Returning from the Diwan in Said with a guard of Spitames’ men, the elderly Bifuud had become unwell: greatly lamented, he died on the 3rd despite the loving care of his family and physician. He is succeeded by his eldest surviving son, Bifuad.

By this time Ptelnet had set off for Said with his army. Told of Bifuud’s death Ptelnet returned to Gaza with a small bodyguard: his forces continued on to Said. Informed of the death, Spitames set off back to Gaza, accompanied by Aaroun, the new Bey of Said (and by Aaroun’s male cousins!).

In Gaza, after the funeral, Aaroun and Bifuad discussed the governance of the region: they agreed, Bifuad perhaps reluctantly, that, as local convention demanded, Aaroun as the more senior should be Emir.

It is rumoured that Aaroun has mooted the return of Said and Gaza to New Persia

Before leaving Said Spitames sent emissaries to inform the 1st 11th 12th & 13th Protectors that if they cross the Canal they are invading what is historically Sassanian ie New Persian territory: an act of war that will be punished.

After appropriate obsequies Ptelnet and Spitames hastened to Said where they rejoined their forces on the 7th. On the 8th Spitames’ scouts informed them that the Sassanid armies had taken the coast road and that their scouts had crossed the Stephanoid Canal on the 7th and by dawn on the 9th their entire force had crossed the Canal and was continuing along the coast road in battle order. They halted about 10 miles east of the Canal.

Ptelnet ordered Ahmose to remain in and hold Said. With the rest of his armies he marched west along the coast road: on the night of the 12th the armies were camped some four or five miles apart. Ptelnet sent heralds to address the enemy but the 1st Protector had anticipated this and the words of the heralds were drowned out by prolonged drumming.

Next morning the armies drew up in battle order, and again there was much Sassanidian drumming to boost morale or drown out any appeal from Ptelnet.

“Sire, they outnumber us by at least 3:2. Should we withdraw and seek reinforcements from Emperor Angustus?”
“Horisis, have courage. What do you think, Spitames?”
“They’re mostly on foot, we need no reinforcements.”

Despite the disparity in numbers Ptelnet’s line overlapped the Protectors’ by a few hundred yards. Horisis commanded the centre of about 4,000 infantry and 76 elephants with a frontage of about 800 yards: on the left Spitames had the Imperial cavalry and some Immortals, 4,000 EHC and about 2,500 lighter cavalry covering some 2,000 yards: Ptelnet commanded the right wing with 4,500 EHC, about 1,000 HC & MC, and 3,000 or so light cavalry spread over about 2,700 yards.

“Dimwit, you said that we outnumbered them! Look!”
“Sir, 11th is correct. Look at the depth of our line.”

The 1st Protector had deployed 13th in the centre with their 8,500 mercenaries and 20 bolt engines on a frontage of almost 1,000 yards: 11th was on the Protectors right with 4,000 EHC, 2,000 HC, and 2,000 LC on a frontage of 2,400 yards: 12th was on the Protectors’ left with a mixed force of 1,000 EHC, 1,000 HC, 3,000 HI, 1,225 LHI, and 5,000 forced levy spread over some 1,500 yards.

Ptelnet refused his centre, his flanks advancing quickly. The Protectors’ mercenaries, fearing envelopment, advanced slowly despite the ineffectual urging of 13th.

12th had drawn up the levy in some depth immediately to the left of the mercenaries and joined them in person to bolster their courage: he was carried away when the levy broke on seeing EHC bearing down on them at a smart canter, preceded by a hail of arrows. In the south Spitames LC was overwhelmed by twice their number of 11th’s HC, but Skaphos’ Immortal division of MC and LC carried away two brigades of 11th’s LC.

In the north by mid-morning only a few hundred of 12th’s cavalry still fought on: the centre was still unengaged: and in the south Spitames had broken half of 11th’s EHC. 11th was fighting in the front rank of the remainder.
An hour or so after mid-day the fighting slackened and water bottles were passed round. In the North all of 12th’s men were in flight: in the south 11th and his men were also in flight apart from the HC who had routed Spitames’ LC and had prudently refrained from returning to the fray.

In the centre the mercenaries offered their surrender: they reported that they were leaderless as not only had 13th fallen backwards onto his sword whilst trying to demonstrate some point, but that the 1st Protector himself had hastened to them to make the same point with the same unfortunate result.
“Why did your bolt engines not kill any of my elephants?”
“We were not provided with any bolts.”
“Just as well for you!”
Losses include crippled as well as dead: Ptelnet and Spitames recovered their injured more promptly so more survived.
The 11th lost almost 4,000 of his 8,000 men.
The 11th Protector died of his wounds.
The 12th lost 8,300 of his 11,225: these losses were high at least in part because flight was hampered by the Canal.
The 12th Protector was killed in the pursuit of the levy.
Ptelnet lost 966 men.

Cheops, fighting in the front rank of his EHC, received a wound from which he is now almost recovered.
Spitames lost all his LC and 420 EHC.
“Sire, I trust that my Emperor will not begrudge the cost we have paid today to win you your Empire: but, Sire, remember the debt should he need your help in the future.”
“Are you going back to Petra now?”
“No Sire, my orders are to help you as long as is necessary.”

Ptelnet spent a week caring for the wounded, collecting valuables, and rounding up prisoners, the latter trapped between the Canal, the Sea, and the desert. Scouts and emissaries were pushed to the outskirts of Cairo.

On the 21st Ptelnet resumed his march on Cairo, a march that soon became a triumphal procession as crowds gathered to welcome their new Emperor. On the 29th Ptelnet established a great camp just east of the city and asked that the civil and remaining military authorities come forthwith to submit … or else!

The wagons and infantry are now near Malatya. Officers have pushed ahead to check the road from Alep over the mountains to the sea.

It is worth noting that at present Ptelnet and his opponents, and the people of Cairo and Alexandria and places north thereof do not know what is happening in Nubia, nor do those in Nubia know of 1st’s disastrous defeat setback in the north.

Ceutabaal and Leptonos and their armies and prisoners had all reached Thessaly without incident by late on the 6th to find Maharbal and Ariadne awaiting them.

Maharbal had already sent an emissary to Thassos to discuss the status of the city: the emissary travelled by sea and was accompanied by Sirsalis and Pygophilos and their fleets.

Thassos is a walled city of about 10,000 inhabitants; there is a great fortress attached to it, and the harbour is also fortified. The Strategos of Thassos is Kryptos, uncle of Heracles of Thessaly and brother of the late Admiral Xenophon: he decided to defy the Punic and Greek fleets and refused them entry to his harbour.

Kryptos is noted neither for his intellect, nor for his popularity, nor for his courage. He may have been persuaded to defy the Carthaginians because of a misplaced confidence in his drinking and whoring companion, Astofolos, whose siege corps garrisons the fortress.

Sirsalis and Pygophilos camped on the western side of the Thassos inlet and established a naval blockade.

Maharbal asked Ceutabaal to sort out Thassos whilst he went to a conference (vi)

On the 14th Ceutabaal and the armies arrived outside Thassos, though the cavalry had arrived on the 11th and established a blockade by land.

Perhaps disheartened by the sight of the Pontic Royal Guard prisoners, capitulation became a race, won by Astofolos who welcomed Ceutabaal into the fortress when the latter was assessing its strength. Kryptos was not far behind: he hastened from the city to welcome Maharbal, failed to find him, but prostrated himself before Ariadne
“… and your noble son Kostas, the rightful king of Greece.”
“Was that a tactful thing to say?” “Er, um, oh.”

In what is regarded by the naive as an amazing coincidence, Chairman Heracles of Thessaly was killed just before midnight on Dujuly 22nd by a blow to the back of the neck with a heavy sharp implement: death must have been instantaneous.

Vice-Chairman Declivitos pronounced himself Chairman of the Council, but then realistically added
“… subject to the agreement of Commander Maharbal, oh, and of the Lady Ariadne, and indeed of King (oops) Kostas.”

Demetriaces reviewed the Thracian Army and made a point of meeting and talking to all its officers: he arranged the purchase of ponies for Arne Loppson’s men.

He then conferred with Laconeas, the loyal and vigorous Senior Archon of the city before leading his forces across the river to establish a camp on the west bank of the Marit.

Demetriaces and Mustasha the Elder and their advisers, and Arne and his men rode up the river to reach Philipopolis late on the 10th. They established a comfortable camp in a village some five miles west of Philipopolis.
Maharbal (vs) rode with his bodyguard from Thessaly to this self-same small village and arrived late on the 11th escorted by guides from Philipopolis.

The two leaders exchanged gifts and fulsome compliments and over a series of feasts established a warm rapport. We hear that they discussed the state of the Known World, the desirability of peace and the importance of wise rulers: they parted as friends, promising to seek opportunities for co-operation in the future.

Cambyses and his field army marched to the Danube in three fast moving groups, the wagons following as a fourth and slower group.

The main crossing was at Galati but Ruse and Kish were also used. The wagon train with its bridging equipment used the pontoons to speed its crossing. Lysander in person with staff officers greeted Cambyses and did all he could to facilitate his march with maps and markets.

By the 20th the wagons had reached Constanta: by this time the rest of the army was re-united in Burgas. Late on the 27th the van entered Istanbul; if anyone thought of denying them entry, they prudently refrained from voicing the thought … no Archon to ask anyway.

During the night the Istanbul ferry terminal and the ferries were secured.
At crack of dawn on the 28th three of Komopedion’s infantry brigades crossed and secured the Anatolian terminal. By the afternoon of the 29th the remainder of the troops apart from the wagons had reached Istanbul: the wagons are expected to arrive in about a week.
¨
Seg informed Galgyn and Gwalchai that he was happy to respect their neutrality - Ghengis is the enemy. But Seg went on to say that they have ever so slightly got in the way, and that if they could please withdraw to Volsk and then keep their heads down he would be very grateful.

Seg sent friendly messages to Xanadu Tuuf and Atle wishing them well but asking them to please stay out of the way.

He suggested that they go and visit their northern Urohun cousins or perhaps even go and loot Siberia/Lagoda. After a very brief discussion they opted to go and loot Siberia: they left and headed north and have just entered Siberia.
Seg reminded his forces that the Volgan and Ural lands are to be treated with respect and he let Galgyn, Gwalchai, Xanadu Tuuf and Atle know that he had so ordered.

With Ghengis holding Volsk and fearing treachery, Galgyn and Gwalchai were unable to cross the river to Volsk: they explained the problem to Seg and then hastened to get out of his way by moving east along the left bank of the Don.

Seg moved men into Mekha and when it was clear of Volgans he asked Tenapin and his men and his own foot levy to hold Mekha and the left bank of the Don.

On the 5th Seg set off up the left bank of the Don with the rest of his forces: Ghengis was slow to realise what was happening but then sent light cavalry to shadow the Byelohuns, following more slowly with the rest of his army.

Between Tula and Kursk there are three fords: there is also another at Tula but it was not used. Ghengis’ light cavalry was unable to prevent Seg’s forces pouring across the river and by the 25th they had concentrated on the right bank at the good ford that lies about 20 miles above Kursk, perhaps 40-50,000 strong. Suborai’s small levy joined Seg.

Ghengis’ forces, about 15,000 strong, were at this time more or less concentrated some 50 miles south of Seg’s. Ghengis fled redeployed westwards at his best speed.

After 5 days vigorous light cavalry skirmishing … both armies at this stage protecting their armoured cavalry … Ghengis forces were having much the worst of the exchanges. Some of his men are beginning to throw away heavier items, others try to slip away at night, hazardous though it be.

It seems possible that Ghengis hopes to reach the Holy Tree of Hunland (Site of) where he could clasp its trunk and claim sanctuary, though the lack of an actual tree or indeed of a bush could be a problem.

The Ostragoth levies regrouped at Birzai and then made their way to the Dvina ferry at Viski. Here light troops swam the river and, unopposed but not unobserved, brought the ferry back to the left bank on the 13th. One 200 ton ferryboat; hardly adequate for so many.

After some rather fraught argument it was decided that the armoured infantry with a few light troops to screen them would cross using the ferry and take Viski: Johan would lead everyone else in a forced march to the ford some 40 miles or so below Ulla and then force a march back to Viski; the whole force would then march on Riga.

It all went wrong.

In Viski were many of the defeated rebels: they watched with disbelief. When two ferry-loads of Ostragoths, mostly light infantry, had crossed, the rebels attacked the unprepared infantry without warning.

When the Ostragoths on the left bank realised what was happening they hastened to reinforce their comrades with heavy infantry, perhaps overloading the ferry, though that wasn’t the problem.

As the ferry reached the landing stage firebrands were hurled into it and with disembarkation vigorously opposed, the Ostragoths were trapped.
The ferry was consumed by the fire and the men aboard were killed by rebels, fire, or drowning.

Johan reached Viski three days ago to find the town not only deserted, but burned. His men still on the left bank have now crossed to the right bank using rafts.

Friederich and Harda Knut marched to Okolova: as they approached the town they were met by Loki and Trinian who welcomed them to Pripyat Province, and asked that their men refrain from looting or foraging and pay for all that they needed.

Friederich agreed and ordered the men to act accordingly; they continued their march and are now but one day’s march from Ulla, watched by cautious Sarmatians.

Whilst on Bornholm Hrunting spoke to Bjarni at length, trying to persuade him that as a Viking, indeed as an Estonian, he should not be helping Friederich and the Germans.

Bjarni countered that Friederich had honoured and trusted him, making him the ruler of Latvia and that he was also indebted to Harda Knut who had in the past saved his life.

At a final feast hosted by Hrunting on the 30th Bjarni, drunk, mocked Hrunting for believing that he, a landlubber from Vibor some 200 or so miles from the sea, could ever hope to best him, Bjarni, a man born in Tallinn who had spent all is life on the sea.

Hrunting, as host, maintained a dignified silence. However Smaragda was obviously enraged: everyone guessed from her gestures that she was cursing Bjarni fairly comprehensively, but since she was cursing him in the Sarmatian dialect of Gruntish few understood exactly what fate she called down upon him. Next day they all left.

Hrunting and his followers sailed south to the coast of the North German Plain, largely populated by Vikings, landing at the mouth of the Oder on the 3rd. They were offered supplies and hospitality by Ymir the leader of the Estonian migrants settled in and around Stettin.

On the 5th Hrunting sailed east, much slowed by the knarrs’ problems with the unfavourable winds.

Further east the coastal plain is predominantly settled by Latvians, who are unsurprisingly disturbed by the news trickling back to them, doubtless often much distorted and exaggerated, about the war in Latvia.

By the 25th Hrunting and his fleet was some miles off the mouth of the Wista. Smaragda persuaded Blovin to have a look at Friederichshaven, pointing out that their oarsmen could easily catch up with the rest of the fleet.

Following the destruction of Friederich’s fleet, the harbour was largely deserted and they were able to enter almost unopposed: they burnt what they could and then left.

Hrunting and his fleets are about halfway from Friederichshaven to Polessk, the knarrs still struggling against a steady headwind.

Ostia’s fleet sailed from Malta to a large bay on the south-west facing coast of Sicily. There they put ashore about 1,500 men who moved to Prizzi on a broad front, looting as they went. Prizzi’s gates were firmly closed but this small army continued to loot with enthusiasm, heading steadily west.

Meanwhile the fleet moved westwards along the coast, looting the coastal villages. The fleet and the army have rendezvoused near the fortress on the western tip of Sicily. It seems that there is a number of refugees in the fortress: they have refused to open the doors.

It seems that two of the triremes fled when the opportunity presented, and returned to Windicta.

Another pirate fleet entered the small harbour very early on the 15th and disembarked a horde of eager raiders.

The elderly alcoholic Bercus Bibulus, the Dux Populi of Brindisi, was still up entertaining a dozen or so sailors from ships recently arrived in his harbour: some local deity’s feast day. But he is now but a figurehead, with authority vested in Gordianus, an alert great nephew, who reads the News, had left the celebrations early and got his men up and armed.

When the sailors readied themselves to leave, no longer inebriated but surprisingly brisk and well-ordered, they were detained by Gordianus. The raiders made a few desultory attempts to scale the walls but in the end had to be satisfied with looting a few wharehouses and taking one merchantman.

This fleet is now just approaching Messina.

Faron has publicised an apology from Philipo who also hastens to assure Faron that he will return. Faron has indicated that his return as soon as possible and in chains would be much appreciated.

It is rumoured that Faron has received a cash offer for the armour in his treasury.

An attempt by Philipo to recruit men was frustrated by the moderately sudden death of the half dozen optimists who made the offer in a bar on the Windicta waterfront.

Emperor Elros and A’Rrosee and most of their forces have rested and recuperated in and around Windicta. Melqart has started to incorporate the Punic captives into his army.

It is rumoured that Elros hopes to unite Baal and Motiph in a new Baaliph religion. In his favour it has to be admitted that adherents of both religions show equal antipathy to the suggestion.

It is increasingly obvious that Elros’ diet of bees is having a dramatic effect on his weight: whereas once he spent all his time eating, he now spends at least half of it drinking.

Zaranissa and the various Baalist forces fell back to Linka.

After a brief rest there they headed west via Oysk: they are now about halfway from Oysk to Paender.

They have been followed and rather cautiously harassed by elements of the 10,000 or so Sassanid Converts of the Libyan levy.

Angst

The Tolosan officer and two of his men have come from the Zaragozza silver mine to Sancho’s camp and have asked for surrender terms. It seems that the Tolosan is not over-ambitious in his requests!

On the 15th, the lighter winds and favourable tide for which he had waited having arrived, Villeneuve led his fleet to the Garonne: as he was deploying for another attack sympathetic local fishermen told him that Dagamo and the Iberian warships had gone.

Suspecting a trick he sent a reliable (and courageous) man to go with the fishermen and check the facts. Just in case, a couple of the fishermen stayed with Villeneuve: they understood why but took no offence.

The departure of the Iberians was confirmed: Villeneuve contented himself with a brief foray ashore to show the flag and to see if there were any enemy nearby: there were so he left and returned to La Rochelle without mishap.

Cerdic’s men have erected field defences to protect the west bank of the Loire ford that lies 40 or so miles east of Vichy, and to defend the east bank of the Allier at the more obviously feasible crossing points.

However there have been several storms in the mountains where these rivers rise, with considerable damage to crops caused by enormous hailstones: animals and indeed men caught in the open have been injured.

Anxious locals have tried to point out that one or two more potential crossing places will appear when the rivers return to their normal summer level.

Whilst continuing to mount strong patrols throughout the Central Plain from the camps near Limoges, Sancho and Leo concentrated most their forces at Clermont: on the 9th Elasticus arrived with the siege train.

Baccalix, Fabricio's popular eighteen year old son who rules Clermont Ferrand as Regent (with advice from mummy) whilst Fabricio is away, intended to fight on despite Clermont having but a wood and earth stockade, few able-bodied men, and fast dwindling supplies, but mummy and the city elders persuaded him to negotiate: he nevertheless sent a messenger to inform Fabricio.

On the afternoon of the 10th the city gates were opened; Baccalix handed over 5,000 gp in cash and valuables: the city was not looted.

Sancho and Leo have built strongly defended camps and their foragers continue to collect the harvest throughout Toulouse Province.

Elbert opened the city gates and handed over the meagre contents of the city treasury along with about 5,000 gold pieces which he collected from the citizenry, in exchange for which the city was spared.

At dawn on the 8th Escarrio sortied from the fortified Nimes bridge in strength. Fabricio’s artillery positions were over-run and his engines were destroyed or seriously damaged.

Fabricio (“Well of course I wasn’t prepared for this! Why’s he done it? We weren’t doing enough damage to the bloody bridge to merit his taking such a risk!”) counter-attacked, leading Destrier’s close order infantry in person, and with cavalry and loose order infantry in close support.

Escarrio was one of the few to escape back through the gates of the western bridge fort before panicky defenders shut the gates. Destrier’s men took no prisoners.

Escarrio lost 800 of Publius Nitius’ (“Sorry Publius, I was just obeying orders.”) infantry.

Fabricio lost two heavy and one light siege engines destroyed and one and two respectively damaged: the crews were also lost, killed or deserted, as were about 100 infantry.

Fabricio’s scouts clashed with some of Leo’s scouts near Mende: initially they had the better of the exchanges, but the Italians were soon reinforced and the Gauls were forced to give ground. When the invaders continued to push south and east past Mende, Fabricio realised that he was in danger of being cut off: he thought it prudent to head for St Etienne rather than the more direct but difficult route to Vichy.

Fabricio is now camped on the west bank of the Rhone by the ford that lies 20 miles or so north of St Etienne.

Archeolis informed Publius and Escarrio that Fabricio had gone: when their scouts confirmed this the Italians were once more er, welcomed into Nimes city.

The unrest in the city boiled over into rioting and at times fierce fighting between the Tolosan refugees and the Italian citizenry with the heavily outnumbered Tolosans getting much the worst of it until the Tolosans of the garrison joined in to help them.

The Greek mercenaries of the garrison have opened negotiations with Regan.

Meanwhile the captain of the Tolosan garrison at the Marseilles iron mine had decided to take Regan’s advice: he and his men came down from the hills but unfortunately Publius’ men, angered by the needless brutal slaughter of so many of their comrades, ambushed and killed them.

Ptelnet reviewed his forces and praised them for their great victory. He announced rich bonuses to all, with particular generosity to Spitames’ men and to Cheops cavalry, and with the promise of further rewards when the campaign is finished.

Ptelnet asked the prisoners taken after his victory if they wished to serve in his army. The mercenaries, 8,410 Greek infantry, volunteered to a man but despite Horisis’ encouragement, none of the Sassanid prisoners, some probably fearing victimisation in the UPA, others unwilling to serve alongside and even under peasants.

The Sassanids were however willing to swear an oath of loyalty to the new Emperor, particularly when the news of Stephanus’ murder became common knowledge (v.i.), and they were duly freed.

And so to the capture of Cairo. A herald had barely started to demand, in the name of the Emperor Ptelnet, legitimate ruler of Sassanidia, the brother of the late Emperor Stephanus who was so foully murdered (well, perhaps not yet in fact … v.i.) by the occupiers of Cairo, that the city gates be opened forthwith, when the sound of fighting was heard coming from the city.

Spitames sent a detachment of Tospades men forward with scaling ladders but before they reached the walls citizens had seized a section of the city wall and were letting down ropes. Once Tospades’ men were inside the few P&O guards were easily overcome and the city the gates were opened: Ptelnet and his men entered. The P&O fled.

The citizens welcomed Ptelnet and his men with unalloyed joy, though a significant proportion took the time and trouble to hunt down and slaughter any P&O functionaries who had not had the wit to flee.

Spitames in person led Tospades’ men to the palace and its attached citadel. They took the palace and then the citadel almost unopposed.
In the palace harem they found and took into protective custody Stephanus’ grand-daughters, 23 year old Steputra and 16 year old Cleone. These unfortunates had been taken to wife by the so-called Supreme Organiser but had hidden when he fled in such haste.

They claimed that the SO was the great grandson of Me’socolon of Alexandria and that it was to Alexandria that he had fled. They also told Spitames that all Stephanus’ family had been massacred except for themselves and Stephanus himself who was incarcerated in the palace cellars.
In the cellars Spitames found a recently slaughtered corpse, filthy and emaciated: the terrified and tearful women identified it as their grandfather, the now late Emperor Stephanus.

Stephanus was interred with all appropriate honours.

Ptelnet’s Immortals scouted widely to Alexandria and into the Delta without finding any significant enemy forces. Sympathisers in Alexandria informed Ptelnet’s men that there was a reign of terror within the city as the P&O tried to cling onto power. They are thought to have but a few thousand unreliable followers at most.

Mustasha the Younger ordered the urgent purchase of mounts for the levy and asked Khamon to take command, in conjunction with Pa’Simba, of course.
He also raised anti-Sassanid oops anti-P&O fervour by donating 1 gp to each soldier in his army and each volunteer in the levy.

Mustasha sent Urban Rameses, Horaph’uh’s brilliant young son who usually leads the levies of the Upper Nubian tribes, to command the light infantry in the forest on the left bank of the Nile north of Thebes. Rameses took with him several hundred volunteers from the Nubian Egyptian levy, mostly light troops but with archers as well. He also took enough gold to pay the men for their service and to buy supplies and help when necessary.

Atankhmun, youngest brother of Atanates and Horaph’uh, was seen leaving Thebes by night with a couple of dozen cloaked companions. That Atenatra has not been seen recently has led to the suspicion that Mustasha the Younger has sent her and Mustasha the Youngest to safety.

Mustasha the Younger made a rousing speech to the citizens of Thebes and messengers have borne the following far and wide:

“Mustasha the Younger condemns the mass extermination of the entire civilian Egyptian population of Nubia City down to the last man, woman and child by the P&O butchers, and rallies all Egyptians and true Sassanids of a united Nubia to the Sassanid cause of Ptelnet, the brother of the late Stephanus the Golden, to whom Mustasha the Younger pledges his support.”

Mustasha decided to hold Thebes: he declared martial law: Arsap’ur the unpopular Sassanid Bey of Thebes decided it would be prudent to visit relations far to the north and fled, as did most of the Sassanids still in Thebes. Mustasha handed out cash to reliable local leaders to buy grain and improve the city defences where possible.

All grain supplies have been placed under guard and as much as possible of the harvest has been brought to the safety of the city: experts opine that there is enough grain in the city to feed its defenders and citizens for a year and more.

Mustasha spoke to the Sassanids in his army, a small unit of light cavalry still loyal to him … so far. He gave them generous bonuses and asked them to make their way to join Ptelnet by next Wapenry. When the news of Ptelnet’s successes reach them I can reveal that they will hasten to join him, full of praise for the noble Mustasha.

Mustasha sent men to hold Aswan and they destroyed the ferries on both banks of the Nile.

Meanwhile the 2nd, 21st, and 22nd Protectors and their armies continued their slow but inexorable advance. By the 15th of Aufield their cavalry was outside Thebes, looting and laying waste the land. By the 18th all their forces had arrived and established strong camps in an arc around Thebes, their light troops still on the west bank completing the encirclement of the city by establishing camps in the thin forests opposite Thebes.

On the night of the 23rd Rameses and his men attacked these camps on the west bank and succeeded in driving off almost all the light cavalry’s mounts.
On the same night a small force, about 1,000 or so under Pa’Simba attacked one of the besieger’s cavalry camps and fired the painstakingly collected fodder and grain stores.

The P&O forces are finding it increasingly difficult to find fodder and grain: the locals have mostly fled southwards or have melted away into the forests, hills and deserts, taking flocks, herds, and harvest with them.
You may remember that the Nubian Sassanid levy led by Gotark’uh had deserted intending to join the P&O forces: they swung far to the east and when they finally made contact, found that they had ridden too far to the north. They circled round the eastern forest and moved south-east towards Thebes.

When they saw a distant mounted force at the edge of the forest, unaware that many of the Egyptians were now mounted, they sensibly enough assumed them to be Sassanids. A lethal hail of arrows disabused them: they fled, pursued by Khamon … rather briefly, as he only had 15 cavalrymen.
For some reason the P&O are felling trees.

Most of the Sassanid converts of the Libyan levy, harassing the Baalists on their march from Oysk to Paender, had given up and returned to Windicta, leaving a few hundred to continue to watch the Baalists.

These too were ordered back to Windicta but the orders arrived too late.
Zaranissa and his forces had tired of the unwelcome attentions of the Motiphators. Using locals and their knowledge of their home terrain, Zaranissa arranged a successful ambush in overwhelming strength. Very few of the Motiphators escaped: prisoners were not taken. Baalist losses were but a few dozen.

Having rallied from an exhilarating pursuit, Zaranissa and Salammbo and their forces have continued on to Paender, reducing the numbers of Motiphators whenever the chance presented … not all that often now; there are few who follow the Motiph persuasion in Trias province these days.

Informed of the direction taken by the Baalists though before he heard of the above minor set-back, A’Rrosee ordered his forces west along the coast with all haste.

By the end of the month A’Rrosee and his Sassanid converts and Ban’kher and the Chosen were in Schkender along with Elros. Horus and the Peasant converts had reached Kahra.

Melqart and his army including the new recruits had also reached Schkender apart from the elephantry which is due in Cahns in another 2 days.
Elros rode with the van and arrived in Schkender on the 24th, rather the worse for wear.

Our reporter says that two days ago, perchance still exhausted by the fast ride from Windicta or weakened by his diet of bees … (“Don’t be so stupid; he doesn’t eat bees: that’s what his physicians say ails him.” Ed) … Elros fell into a slumber from which it is increasingly difficult to rouse him.

Melqart in particular has shown considerable concern.


Naladi bar Sahdi and his men moved to Adrianopolis whence they scout to the south and east. His men have been in contact with Maharbal’s scouts; cautious though without friction.

Maharbal and his forces have stayed at Thassos where all is now calm and where it is clearly established that Kryptos continues to rule at Maharbal’s pleasure. Astofolos and his small band of mercenary artillerists have been incorporated into the New Ellas forces, along with their useful transport ships.

Maharbal’s men continue to scout widely, to the Marit and in very small numbers across the river to Gallipoli. Maharbal’s scouts have made no attempt to cross at Adrianople or at Philipopolis but do exchange pleasantries and supplies … an amphora of wine or freshly caught game … with Demetriaces’ scouts.

Demetriaces returned to Philipopolis accompanied by Lysander and his other aides and trusted advisers, by Mustasha Sr and Vashti, and by Arne Loppson and his Vikings.

After a week feasting with the local dignitaries Demetriaces continued his progress; he and his retinue are now in Gallipoli where they have been welcomed and feasted by Chairman Orpheos and the local Councillors and dignitaries.

A galley has arrived in Gallipoli harbour to wait until Mustasha Sr needs transport.

Philipo and his men continued to loot Prizzi’s lands in the west of the island; the Prizzi iron mine was raided and a few tons of ore were taken and loaded aboard the ships still raiding along the coast.

A small coastal ship was used to send an emissary to Sardinia: the report that he was eaten is totally untrue.

The commercial harbour has been packed recently. Probably as a result of the growing rejuvenation of Malta under its new management there has been quite an influx of willing guest workers: labourers, menials, and skilled workers from the islands as well as oarsmen and marines seeking employment.

Of course many had come for the annual 3 day festival of Neptune that started officially at sunset on the 29th. Notorious for unbridled licence and the inordinate consumption of the local bouiabaisso … bouillabaisse to you and I … and wine, by morning many revellers were the worse for wear and a few had joined Neptune with fatal results. Many were still very sober and very well organised.

Philipo had left a reliable 500 man garrison in the fortress and had hired 250 Maltese to defend the fortified part of the harbour. A couple of Corsardian pirate ships having been reported off Gozo, the fortress garrison was on a full alert though it has to be said that the Maltese were a bit lax as regards the security of the inner harbour where the wine flowed freely.

By dawn on the 30th Malta and the fortified harbour were under the control of a motley crew including Corsardians, Greeks, Carthaginians, and Gauls led by the self-same Temeraix that had so recently lost the island to Philipo.

You may recollect that the fortress is extremely strong and with a 500 man garrison and adequate supplies and an excellent chef could withstand a siege for years. However, that so excellent chef opened the fortress doors: a lot of the garrison were still alive though incapacitated, but Temeraix had them killed, more vengeance than kindness, we fear.

The chef and his half dozen kitchen staff were happily unharmed, not having partaken of the delicious bouillabaisse that they had so lovingly prepared.

The young captain Poseides who has shown such skill with light galleys has been promoted to the admiralcy left vacant by the untimely death of Xenophon.

One of the new-fangled small warships, a liburnian, left Crete a week ago headed north. It came from Sicily.

The first full meeting of the Dunarican Confederation started off a lively affair but Rheann, Royer, and Drusus soon put a stop to that. Drusus was confirmed as the CinC of their forces and was asked to present a plan for their organisation and improvement.

A praesidium was agreed: each city ruler and Drusus: the latter suggested that Rheann should be Prima inter Pares and since his Tuscans were providing the guards for the meeting, this was passed unanimously, though it is widely thought that the result would have been much the same even in the absence of Drusus and his men.

The meeting decided unanimously that Sombor should be invited to join the Confederation and a messenger was despatched to speak to Alkibiades who intemperately despatched the messenger.


Cambyses has absolutely no legitimate reason to be marching on Alansberg. Marching on the capital is rebellion, he knows that. Pontus is about to go down the pan as a consequence, once the neighbours figure out what's happening. One day we'll have to fight the Punies for real if Cerdic goes. That means building up the fleet, strengthening the frankly weak armies, and making allies in the west (not attacking them!) “Yes, yes, east!” This just makes it easy for the Punies: Leo and Sancho will love this mess.

At dawn on the 1st the Pontic 77th (Galatian) Army left its camp just south-east of Alansberg and set off in good order for Tuz. They were followed by scouts from the Royal Polonovan Guard.

Macalix left Ate’s Palace at about the same time and went to join the 77th. Later that morning officials of PLODIre (Inland revenue extraction) arrived at the palace but were refused entry by Paciartes men even though they had a valid warrant for the arrest of Macalix for tax evasion.

Perhaps suspiciously, there is no rumour suggesting that Macalix was warned by Ate’s adherents in PLODIre.

When Cambyses arrived in Alansberg later in the month Macalix went to confer with him: unusually, whatever was said or agreed has not yet leaked into the public domain.

Ate had invited El Cid to meet her but when he arrived yet later on that selfsame busy morning he had a large number of burly guards with him. Paciartes men were loathe to let them enter but knew that he had Ate’s invitation and he said that without his guards he would leave.

“In this present tense situation I feared that there could be yet another attempt upon my life. The noble lady may trust me or not, as she wishes, but I trust not her husband. I am a Galatian and know full well that no Galatian is to be trusted.”

El Cid and his bodyguard were allowed in. It seems that he was entirely correct: Galatians are not to be trusted. Exactly what happened next is open to dispute: that there was some sort of altercation is certain; that there was a scuffle in which Paciartes men were bested is possible; that the Lady Ate was man-handled is unlikely in the extreme.

Be that as it may, after a brief meeting the Lady Ate left with El Cid and went with him to Shalman’s headquarters in the citadel “ … to discuss this growing threat to our beloved Empire … “.

Onlookers and eavesdroppers report that Shalman greeted his sister warmly and affectionately in person, though it is said that neither the warmth nor the affection were fully reciprocated, and indeed Shalman may no longer be on Ate’s Mithrasmas card list.

Shalman ordered the mounts from the Imperial stables to be gathered to Alansberg where they were loaded with grain and sent east along the Corun-Sivas road.

A significant amount of grain was moved into the citadel and a 700 man garrison was installed there; it is widely rumoured that they have been given a significant bonus and generous promissory notes in recognition of their onerous task.

Shalman sent orders to the rulers of all Pontic cities that under no circumstances is the rebel Cambyses to be allowed to enter the cities, or be provided with supplies. (As an ex-Empress Ate's orders should not be obeyed, and Macalix is a Galatian, so only a fool would obey him.)

Shalman also sent orders (rather optimistically) to the fleets explaining that Cambyses is now an outlaw and traitor to the throne of Pontus, asking them to prevent Cambyses's crossing the Bosphorus.

Deputations of nervous and concerned citizens have approached Shalman to appeal for compromise and moderation.

On the 16th of Aufield Shalman set of with his army and family: past Tuz where Ate sent Paciartes to insist that a civil war was not to be started and that she was not in any danger and was learning many really useful new skills. They passed Corun 5 days ago. Paciartes and his army following doggedly.

Paciartes showed obvious signs of distress. He summoned all his men to the Alansberg citadel but it was all too obvious that he did not have the strength to oppose Shalman’s Royal Polonovan Guard. None the less his men camped outside the citadel. Ate came to an upper window and ordered them to refrain from violence, insisting that though she was not happy with her sequestration, she was in no danger. When Shalman left Alansberg, Paciartes and his men followed. Grimly and glumly. Paciartes was granted an audience with Ate, private but carefully guarded exits.

Cambyses sent an officer to Naladi bar Sahdi who was camped a few miles west of Istanbul with 4-5,000 Chaldean cavalry; Naladi was to be permitted to continue his march to join Demetriaces. Naladi was given a message to deliver promising Cambyses' support, setting out Cambyses' political position (basically that Ate is right and Shalman a twit), and warning against any involvement on the weaker and least competent side in any internal Pontic dispute.

Cambyses had been offered the opportunity to ransom the captured Royal Guard at a bargain rate. He agreed, COD at Istanbul. A few of Cambyses’ less temperate men collected the cash … as a loan … from the citizens of Istanbul, who were told that it is all Shalman's fault.

The ransomed Guardsmen have just reached Istanbul where the cash was handed over to Maharbal’s agent.

Meanwhile Cambyses had detailed Hextus to maintain control of the crossing and it was some of his men who collected the donations from the citizenry.
Cambyses crossed to Anatolia with Komopedion’s, Lentoras’ and Al Abamah’s divisions in the van, followed by the other divisions, with the wagons and elephants bringing up the rear several days behind.

At Amasra Kamnashires, the elderly, indeed senile, Bey granted them free access to the Imperial granaries.

Tiridates, Bey of Ankara, was nervously welcoming: his merchants were however happy to sell grain to Cambyses’ quartermasters at only a very slight profit.

Cambyses and his van reached Alansberg on the 19th; the last of his other divisions has just arrived except for the wagons and elephantry which have just reached Ankara.

In what must may be regarded as a spontaneous episode of combustion 20 … don’t be daft, it was far more than that: the whole lager went up … of Cambyses’ wagons caught fire when camped outside Ankara last night. It has to be admitted that being in a friendly country, precautions were lax: however there is no suggestion … but what about that strange smell?

Sahure and Kyriaces and their forces arrived in Alep without incident; the journey over the mountains to the coast went slightly slower but they are now all in Tyre where loading of the wagons and heavy equipment aboard hired shipping is under way.

Many of the infantry are to continue down the coast road with the horses. A couple of officers have gone ahead to inform Ptelnet of their progress.

Friederich asked Loki to swear fealty again: Loki replied that he had not previously offered fealty to Friederich because his liege lord is Bifrost of Bragin: were he to swear fealty to anyone else he would of course expect to lose his posts and positions in Pripyat: he offered Friederich his friendship and support and the matter currently stands thus.

Loki with a small personal guard accompanied Friederich.

Friederich and his forces crossed the Dvina at Ulla and then moved down its right bank. A cavalry screen pushed well ahead. At Viski Friederich linked up with Johan and his subdued levies on the 16th.

The cavalry had reported that the rebels were in Riga, perhaps 3-4,000 under Dredd and Foed., so on down the valley to Riga where Friederich’s main force arrived on the 23rd. Stragglers tended to disappear: perhaps the watching Sarmatians are not as cautious and are more numerous than at first thought.

Riga is protected by a timber and earth stockade but about ½ of its perimeter faces either river or sea. A siege being inappropriate because of Riga’s harbour and the lateness of the season, Friederich ordered his men to build scaling ladders and to cut a couple of battering rams. By the evening of the 25th they were ready.

Hrunting and his fleet camped at the mouth of the Rusne late on the afternoon of the 3rd to wait for Blovin and Smaragda who joined them later that same evening. Scouts rode to Polessk, Taurage, and Birzai but found little of note except 5 recently burned longships at Taurage, probably Sten’s.

On the 5th the Estonians set off up the coast, with a few scouts keeping pace with them on land. With the prevailing wind against them the knarrs made only slow progress and it was late on the 15th before they reached Durbe.

On the 24th they camped in the shallow bay on the mainland opposite the southern tip of Valjala Island. It was here that the news of the situation at Riga reached them.

After sometimes heated discussions well into the night it was dicided that volunteer skeleton crews would take the captured longships to Riga where they would take off any who wanted to leave: the ships were not to be risked.

They were not going to reach Riga until latish on the afternoon of the 26th.


At first light on the 26th Johan’s Ostragoth infantry moved to launch the attack.

The palisade was defended not only Dredd and Foed and their rebels, but also by the able-bodied men of Riga … and indeed by many less able-bodied and by not a few women: perhaps 6,000 to defend an accessible frontage of about 1,200 yards.

The first attack was repulsed, as were the second and third, with increasingly heavy losses as the Ostragoths became increasingly enraged and incresaingly foolhardy. But by late morning the southeast gate had been smashed by a battering ram and even though barricades had been erected they were eventually over-run.

By this time the 25 approaching longships were clearly visible: what was not obvious was that they were almost devoid of crew, not packed with another 3-4,000 fighting men, though it would have made little difference if they had been.

When the longships reached the wharves almost all the town was held by the Ostragoths and less than 1,000 fighting men and a few hundred women and children escaped. The longships returned to Hrunting and the fleet.
Over the next three days Riga was looted and its inhabitants slaughtered: neither Friederich nor Johan were able to prevent the Ostragoths killing almost everyone who had not fled.

The Ostragoth losses in the three assaults and then in the vicious fighting in the town were possibly as high as 9,000.

Order was finally restored on the 29th and Friederich and his forces left early on the 30th, still watched and harassed by Sarmatians.

Bjarni has been taken to task by a number of his advisers, but most worryingly by his wife, Uliv Tyrsdottir, who seems to have discovered that he has a second wife and a baby in Latvia.

Tyr, the elected leader of the Waste Coast migrants, and an unusually skilled fighter, is perhaps not someone to offend lightly.


Ghengis and his 15,000 or so men continued westwards at a brisk pace with Seg’s 40-50,000 snapping at their heels.

The Siberians realised that hordes of Seg’s light cavalry, perhaps 10,000 or more, were passing their left flank and the Siberians veered increasingly northwards, homewards. If Ghengis had thought to go to the Site of the Holy Tree of Hunland, he was thwarted.

Meanwhile Tenapin left Mekha and rode up the left bank of the Don with his 15-20,000 cavalry.

The Siberians headed for Moskva, intending to cross the Don above Moskva where it is much more easily fordable.

As they crossed they were attacked by Tenapin and his light cavalry, and then their rear was assailed, first by Seg’s light cavalry but then by his armoured cavalry. The 2,000 Urohuns and Lagodans in Ghengis’ forces were quick to surrender.

Many Siberians surrendered, most fought and many died, some fled but were hunted down, a few fled and got away.

Ghengis’ dead are thought to be about 5,000: Ghengis is amongst them. The prisoners number approximately 500 Urohuns, 1,500-2,000 Lagodans, 4,000 Siberian levy, and 4,500 Siberian army veterans.

Seg lost rather more than 500 men, mostly light cavalry, and Tenapin lost about 1,000 of his light cavalry.

The Byelohuns have been celebrating rather noisily near Moskva and indeed many of their prisoners have been permitted a celebratory drink.

Xanadu Tuuf and Atle continued to loot Eastern Central Siberia. Galgyn, Gwalchai, and their followers headed home much relieved, though some of their more thoughtful sages worried as to the future and even opined that they should have helped Ghengis, despite everything, in order to avoid being ruled by Seg. “Could be worse though.”


The Galatians captured by Nyforer, having laboured satisfactorily, were given their freedom, plus food and drink for the journey, and have now returned to Galatia.

We hear that Suren has ordered a further tightening of personal security … not sure why but I don’t blame him.

Nyforer’s scouts watch to the west for Galatians and to the south for Iranians.

Nyforer has expressed admiration for Darius’ brave return, in marked contrast to that of his father Daraxes.

Angst

Thorsson sent one of his more urbane and polite lads to the princesses: this hulking warrior was perchance less fluent in the Persian tongue than he believed but having gained their attention by regretting that he did not know how to undress a princess formally, then offered them a Palace Guard of Viking warriors.

Back in Powellopolis it was announced that the loot would be shared out in instalments: there was some grumbling but they all realised the sense of the arrangement.

It is widely rumoured that the handing over of the later instalments of the loot will be dependent on each warrior having armour, a horse, and a pony (“Only to eat in an emergency, you fool; to carry loot!” “Oh, good idea; I had to leave that attractive piece of kitchenware behind because she walked so slowly and I couldn’t carry her.”)

This would produce a need for some 7,000 horses and 7,000 ponies … more if Bold Cnut’s men were to do the same: a number of astute lads realised that prices would rise. Some decided to buy early, and a few decided to buy a few extra hoping to make a profit. Prices are expected to climb over the coming months.

It has been formally announced in Kazgan that Nestro’ai is to travel to Powellopolis to be confirmed as the Bey of Kazgan and to swear fealty to Thorsson.

Daraxes moved to Powellopolis in response to an offer of sanctuary from Thorsson: Daraxes presumably does not know that once he had arrived Thorsson sent a messenger to Nyfører asking what should be done with Daraxes. The mechanism by which this duplicity has become public knowledge in Nyfører’s camp is uncertain: tents have ears.

Bold Cnut has collected his men and ordered them to return to Powellopolis: he himself will go via Oz with his Guards to collect those of the Guard he left there.

He has already sent a messenger ahead to inform the Lady Haomoputri of his plans: whether the message detailed his plans explicitly or not is unclear but the Lady Haomoputri is now unusually excited and is making arrangements for his welcome in the great hall … and in her private chambers.

The men garrisoning Maikop have sent a detachment to refurbish and occupy the small fort that lies some 25 miles to the east on the coast road.

Elsewhere Gilgamesh’ men have surveyed the forts along his southern borders, making repairs and clearing the approaches where necessary.


The various levies have all now been thanked and dismissed to their homes.
Suren conferred with Abraham and Tomeniaces before setting off with his personal bodyguard for Petra where he expects to swear allegiance to Angustus for the cities he holds on his behalf. He will also doubtless discuss the looming Pontic civil war. It is likely that he will spend the winter at Angustus’ court.

Tomeniaces has informed the Chaldean army that it is to overwinter in Upper Mesopotamia.

Hrunting made contact with the Sarmatians harassing Friederich’s forces: hearing that the Germans had set off up the Dvina Valley he entered Riga to give the dead decent burial.

Most of the Riga refugees elected to stay in Riga: Hrunting left what supplies could be spared to see them through until they could gather whatever harvest remained gatherable.

Hrunting and the Estonians then returned to Estonia.

Friederich pushed scouts out in some strength to deter the Sarmatians and to watch for Hrunting. His forces moved briskly up the Dvina to the Ulla ford, thence via Okolova and Vilna to Konigsberg where they are expected in another couple of days.

At Viski Friederich detached 2,000 volunteers who moved into the town and took over the great hall and most of the better houses, causing not a little resentment.

At Ulla a further 1,000 were detached to garrison Birzai: on arrival they also took over the central meeting hall and a few adjacent hovels.
Another 1,000 were left in Taurage as a garrison and we hear that 1,500 are to stay in Konigsberg.

Friederich is encouraging people to go and settle the vacant lands around Friederichshavn and Konigsberg: oddly enough, many of the people settled in the nearby North German Plain are Latvians who moved when the population pressure was pushing in the other direction.

Friederich has asked Bjarni for advice on a shipbuilding programme to replace losses.

After a tour of Siberia to underline his supremacy Seg is now on his way back to Byeloland. The victorious Byelohuns and their allies are heading for the Site of the Holy Tree of Hunland where traditional celebrations are expected to be unusually lavish.

It is widely anticipated that many Siberian and Lagodan chieftains will also attend and take the opportunity to formally swear fealty to Seg, thus removing their names from next year’s visiting list.

It is further expected that the majority of the many Siberian prisoners will be ransomed (not much of a market for second hand Huns).


“Did you think that the messenger from Demetriaces looked frightened?” “Yes, and the seal on the message was broken and then clumsily repaired: spies, but probably not my husband’s!”

Shalman continued down the Corun-Sivas-Zara road. Hassadates took the narrow Tokat track with any of his and Kazim’s infantry that were without mounts; at the Kimil river crossing he left a detachment to hold the ford, continuing on to Tokat with the bulk of the men. Paciartes realised that Ate and Shalman had continued eastwards to the Firat (Mus) Valley and left an officer to so inform Cambyses.

Macalix dismissed those of the Galatian levy who had not yet dispersed to their homes and set off after Shalman and Ate. He offered Cambyses his public support and ensured that Cambyses’ men were well supplied as they crossed Galatia, and indeed Cambyses and his cavalry soon overtook Macalix.

Macalix sent a mutual acquaintance, Lepenac, to seek out El Cid to try to persuade him of the error of his ways: this led to a most unfortunate incident. El Beaurum, El Cid’s second in command and commander of the 1st division, entered the tent where Lepenac and El Cid were talking over a glass of wine: El Cid abruptly and discourteously ordered El Beaurum to get out.
El Beaurum, not the most courageous Galatian, got out sharpish but went to report what he had seen to Shalman. Even though El Beaurum is an unpopular troublemaker, Shalman felt obliged to go with him to see what was afoot: he took a couple of personal guards and, curious, Ate and Polonova tagged along.

El Cid lost his temper, muttering about trust, and when he saw El Beaurum smirking, drew his sword and moved forward to attack him. The guards mistook his intention and seriously wounded him.

Lepenac also misunderstood the unfolding events and thought that he should join in what he took to be an attempt to kill Shalman. Rather to his surprise the wounded El Cid grabbed him, but too late: the guards fatally wounded the bemused Lepenac, who wouldn’t have got past Polonova anyway.

El Cid, now in Sivas, is expected to recover.

At dawn next day as they broke camp, El Beaurum’s mutilated corpse was discovered in a ditch.

Shalman said that he would take temporary command of the Royal Polonovan Guard, but Polonova assured him that he would do no such thing: they’re hers! She announced that she will personally command the late little lamented El Beaurum’s 1st division … they are cavalry, and that she will take temporary command of all her guards until El Cid recovers.

The 1st Division troopers were mostly rather pleased to get Polonova in place of the cordially disliked El Beaurum.

Once Shalman had entered Iberia Province he was able to obtain supplies easily, and to make it difficult for the pursuers to get them.

Polonova with some of her guards went to speak to Paciartes taking a message from Ate. Paciartes was to go and speak to Macalix and Cambyses and persuade them to give up the pursuit, which was increasingly obviously going to be fruitless.

They, Ate and Polonova, had spoken to the PITHOff before leaving Alansberg and assume that he will do as they asked. They should all meet in Alansberg and settle everything amicably. Polonova added an invitation instruction to attend her wedding in Mithrasmas in Alansberg.

Cambyses and Macalix realised that Shalman could be brought neither to his senses nor to battle and are now making their way back towards Alansberg. Shalman and his forces are in Zara, reports from scouts anxiously awaited. There is no truth in the report that Shalman spoke sharply to Polonova on her return from visiting Paciartes, who watches anxiously from a camp in the Firat Valley.

Men assumed to be agents of general Cambyses have let it be known that it is not his aim to overthrow the government or provoke civil war. He hopes instead that common sense will prevail (but does not expect much of it to originate from Shalman).

A detachment of Cambyses men are blockading the treasury.

It is now known that Shalman had a brain storm and escaped from the 2 big men in white coats giggling foolishly; the expedition to free Ate is a romantic rescue attempt by her devoted hubby and loving uncle … who happens to be the Empire's most successful general who has proved in the past to be totally disinterested.

In view of the current unsettled times and following instructions the Pontic Imperial Temple High Official has called a meeting of the Pontic National Council. This will be held in Alansberg and will start on 15th Mithrasmas.
There will be a formal truce from 1st Mithrasmas until two weeks after the last session of the Council, whenever that may be. Breaking the truce will result in the PITHOff becoming very cross and calling down retribution upon all truce-breakers.

All satraps (namely Cambyses, Demetriaces, Philip, Macalix, Ate, Shalman, and Sardanes (“Oh, isn’t it: we must remedy that.”)) are of course expected to attend or to send a representative empowered to vote on their behalf.
In the certainty that the progeny of the Great Mithradates will have the well-being of the Empire as their prime concern, the PITHOff points out that under the law of Mithradatic Primacy, if Ate and Shalman both vote in the same way on any agenda item, their combined vote outweighs all the other votes put together.

The PITHOff has stated that if the Empress Ate is not self-evidently voting as a free agent, this will be construed as a breaking of the truce by those who constrain her and her votes will be null and void: retribution will be called down as appropriate. The affected votes will then be taken again.
The PITHOff regrets that the Empress Polonova is not entitled to vote: she has offered to keep order and to guard all Imperial personages and the PITHOff felt constrained to accept her offer.

All other interested parties are, as usual, invited to attend, namely Emperors, Kings, Princes, generals, admirals, and foreign satraps. His usual seat near the Imperial Lions will be reserved for Ghengis (“Oh, is he? How sad for Ate.”) and any other Huns who may wish to attend.

The PITHOff has refused to appoint a Lieutenant-Governor on the grounds that he is not empowered to do so: it needs the Emperor or a full meeting of the PNC.

One of Cambyses’ officers arrived and told Bey Tiridates that he must immediately replace the burned wagons and that if he does not arrest the culprits, city taxes will be subject to a swingeing increase.
Tiridates replied that it is not his task to guard military equipment and that he cannot be held responsible for military incompetence, nor is it in the power of a provincial military commander to tax an Anatolian city.

The undamaged wagons have reached Alansberg.

Amongst Ptelnet’s captives were the crews of 20 bolt engines, along with the engines. These men, Nile Sassanids, let it be known that they wished to be released. Ptelnet let it be known that he is going to build a small coastal navy to safeguard local shipping. This will require oarsmen, and Ptelnet is quite happy for them to serve as unpaid oarsmen if they don’t wish to take up his offer of well-paid employment in his army.

After careful but brief consideration the men volunteered to serve in the army. Some were reportedly heard muttering about desertion during the winter: their names and origins and the names of their next of kin have been very carefully recorded.

Skaphos and the 2nd Immortals went to Damietta and informed the Council that Ptelnet is now the lawful Emperor of Sassanidia: he asked them to confirm their allegiance.

Chairman Aliides welcomed Skaphos and informed him that the Council is willing to continue the agreement made with the late Emperor.

He reminded Skaphos that Damietta is a self-governing free city and port that had never supported the P&O nor permitted them entry. Although Damietta pays no taxes, he reminded Skaphos that the city had always been mindful of its debt to the noble Stephanus and once freed of Punic forces had always contributed generously to the Imperial treasury: this they would be happy to continue to do.

Skaphos rejoined to Ptelnet and reported.

Bezadates and the 4th division moved up the Nile on the right bank and took up position opposite Alexandria in the old camps there.

Ptelnet with Koribis and Cheops and their divisions, and with Spitames and his men, and with the new mercenary division under Xenoipod, marched to Rosetta where he was welcomed by Bey Masonides and enthusiastic crowds … predominantly Greek but none-the-less genuinely enthusiastic.

The army was ferried across to the left bank of the West Nile by the (quite inadequate) ferry, helped on Masonides orders by the merchantmen gathered at the port.

During this time Ptelnet and his senior officers were entertained by Masonides who unhesitatingly swore allegiance to the new Emperor.
On the 7th Ptelnet and his forces marched up the Nile to arrive outside Alexandria on the afternoon of the 12th, scouts pushing well ahead towards Memphis.

On arrival he was greeted by a deputation of citizens who informed him that the people had responded to the reign of terror instituted by the P&O by rising in revolt against them. The P&O had been too few to suppress the revolt and had retreated to the citadel. All of Alexandria other than the citadel were in the hands of the citizens and they unreservedly welcomed their new Emperor.

Spitames said that he would take his infantry and a few cavalry and make certain that there was no trap. Arrived at the citadel he demanded its surrender: the senile Bey Me’socolon appeared at the citadel’s parapet and querulously demanded to see “…the leader of you faithless rebels.” Spitames promised him safe conduct to the Emperor “Oh, is he here, that’s all right then.” and bizarrely the citadel was thus surrendered, none of its small garrison daring to say no to the old fool.

However, it is known that the Supreme Organiser realised that the Alexandria citadel would be but a trap: when it was confirmed that Ptelnet was moving towards Alexandria he fled with most of his followers, probably hoping to rally the surviving 1st army troops with the intention of joining the 2nd Protector and his (reputedly so far) successful forces.

On the 14th, all being under control in Alexandria and the few remaining P&O functionaries having been despatched, Ptelnet ordered the 1st, 2nd, and 4th divisions of the Immortals south to Memphis.
¨
They moved cautiously but met no opposition, arriving in Memphis on the 19th. Ar Mergevs, Emir of the Nile valley & Bey of Memphis, was still in hiding, fearing that the 2nd Protector’s men would be back to look for him. He was little reassured when friends told him that New Persian Sassanids had arrived in Memphis looking for him.

Horisis has gathered the UPA at Cairo.

On the 2nd, believed to be a propitious day for the 2nd Protector, the Sassanids launched an assault on Thebes. They had 2-3,000 cavalry, 5-6,000 infantry, and 120 elephants of the 2nd army, plus about 9,000 levy cavalry: on the left bank there were 2-3,000 levy light troops.

Mustasha jr had 8-9,000 of Khamon’s infantry and his personal bodyguard in Thebes, but Urban Rameses, Khamon, and Pa’Simba had about 7,000 mounted foot and 300 or so cavalry nearby.

The elephants proved to be a problem … to both sides.

A brigade of 30 or so attacking the main gate from the north were panicked by accurate archery including a few fire arrows: they fled back to and then through the open forest whence they had set off, to the detriment first of the infantry following in close support and then to the detriment of those on their backs.

However, the attack from the east was better organised with massed archery supporting the spearmen and elephantry and a side gate was smashed down and increasing numbers of Sassanids, infantry and a few elephants, forced their way into the town: about noon they captured and opened the nearby east gate and yet more Sassanids and elephants poured in.

Once within the town the elephants rampaged not only down the narrow streets, but often through the flimsy buildings as well.

The fire that followed may have been started deliberately by a desperate defender, but was more probably started by accident, perhaps a brazier overturned by one of the elephants: whatever the cause, the outcome was a disaster.

The houses burned fiercely and in the ensuing panic many were crushed to death by friend or foe or elephant as they sought to escape through the gates at the same time as others were still struggling to get in. Any defenders who got out, other than across the river, were killed.

On the east bank Pa’Simba and Khamon attacked the rear of the Sassanids but were driven off with fairly heavy losses. Urban Rameses attacked the Sassanids on the west bank, scattering them with great slaughter.

Mustasha jr was rescued by members of his bodyguard and ferried across the Nile.

Losses, approximate:
Thebes was destroyed;
Sub-general Osiri’uk died in Thebes;
6,000 Nubian Egyptians in Thebes;
1,000 of Carminagua’s mercenaries in Thebes;
290 of Mustasha jr’s bodyguard in Thebes;
3,000 Egyptian levy, fighting outside Thebes, east bank;
200 Egyptian levy, fighting outside Thebes, west bank;
57 elephants in Thebes, and 13 still scattered in the forest;
1,500 Sassanid infantry, in Thebes;
800 Sassanid cavalry, fighting outside Thebes, east bank;
900 Sassanid light levy, fighting outside Thebes, west bank.

The 2nd, 21st, and 22nd Protectors gathered their men and prepared to exploit their costly victory but on the 5th, a less propitious day for the 2nd Protector, a messenger brought the news of the disasters in the north.

With the Sassanid levy already restless, the season being so far advanced, and food so scarce, prudence dictated a return to defend their home province and at dawn on the 6th they set off on the long march. By the middle of the month the Sassanids were about halfway to the Asyut ferry and the levy’s discipline was breaking down. Mounts and an injured elephant were added to the rations.

When they reached the turn-off to the Asyut ferry; a large detachment was sent down the track only to discover that some malefactor had burned the ferry. This is something of a problem as their homes are west of the Nile; you may remember that they used the Alexandria bridge to cross on their way south.

They have just reached Nubia city but supplies remain scarce. Scouts have been pushed as far as Beni Suef where Emir Shah’ur has promised to make grain available. He has also pointed out that the ferry is only capable of taking about 100 cavalrymen per hour.

A’Rrosee and Melqart conferred. Their mutual respect and indeed affection as comrades in arms more than outweighed their religious, racial, and social differences and they discussed the options amicably.

Both realised that Elros was on his way to the big sweetie jar in the sky and Melqart confirmed that his allegiance and that of his army would perforce be transferred to the six year old Harribal bin Elros. Both know that he is almost certainly not the son of Elros and the witch Hekate, but of Hekate and one of her guards; a man with more dick than sense, subsequently disposed of by Salammbo.

So what? Continuity is all, and by accepting Harribal as Elros’ heir the claims of Sophonisba’s children Philipo and Hugo jr, of Astrax through his marriage to Elat, and of Keret’s children … now returned with their mother to Iberia … are all negated. And he is only six so we need a Regent: oh, I’ll do that!

A’Rrosee admitted that he felt the need to return to the Libyan Desert to cleanse his soul and commune with the Prophet Motiph. He told Melqart that if any of his Sassanid followers wished to stay to serve Melqart he would not attempt to dissuade them. He indicated a lack of interest in the future of Horus and the Converts and indeed of Ban’kher and the Chosen (“They’re all peasants!”) but did think that Melqart would need to insist that they leave Carthage.

A’Rrosee has announced that he intends to revive the traditional Mithrasmas Games at the El Ayntri Oasis south of Qattara to which all are invited, and indeed entries from both Carthage and Sassanidia will be welcome (“Do you know if the rumours of regime change are true?”) (“Why is the big open race called Gran’s Gnash N’all?”)

When Elros died on the 3rd he confirmed, with his last breath, that Harribal was his heir and he appointed Melqart as Regent.

Elros was conveyed to Taran Scodar on the back of an Imperial Elephant with another 75 Imperial Elephants (returned to Melqart for a consideration) following, from the backs of which Elros’ favourite sweeties were distributed to the mourning crowds. A traditional Baalist funeral followed.

Many were astonished that A’Rrosee was so obviously saddened by Elros’ demise. At a maudlin farewell feast Melqart and A'Rrosee swore an everlasting pact between friends and comrades-in-arms, promising mutual support, co-operation, and tolerance.

A’Rrosee and his Sassanids have set off back to Libya to prepare for the Games at the El Ayntri Oasis: it is as yet unclear how many are staying to serve with Melqart. Melqart has promised to attend and indeed to enter a team in the El Ayntri Oasis Games.

Feeling isolated and perhaps even threatened in Taran Scodar, Ban’kher and Horus and their increasingly subdued followers have moved to Windicta: some are thence dispersing to their homes but it seems likely that most of them will overwinter in Windicta.

Meanwhile, in Trias Province the Baalist followers of Salammbo and Zaranissa continued their march to Tanistat: on the march they continued to seek out the increasingly scarce and increasingly unmotivated followers of the Prophet Motiph.

In Tanistat the few remaining heretics were duly denounced and then duly despatched to meet Baal: Zaranissa and Salammbo and their forces then returned to Paender where the levies were thanked and, after appropriate feasts and ceremonies, dismissed.

Zaranissa had prudently sent scouts towards Tanitopolis and towards Kys and it was these latter that met and escorted General Hasmarbal to Paender, treating him with the deference and honour due to a great general who had fought so valiantly for the Baalist cause. They reached Paender five days ago.

When Elros died, Melqart had sent Hasmarbal with an escort of Imperial Guards to seek out Salammbo, Massinulor, and Zaranissa, to inform them that Elros was dead and that the duty of Melqart and the Guards was as always to serve the emperor, now Harribal bin Elros, whose return to Taran Scodar is requested.

He took impressive gifts as thanks for their able care of the Emperor.
Hasmarbal suggested that if Salammbo were to return to the temple in Taran Scodar with the young Emperor, she could, indeed should, continue to care for him and to supervise his education.

Hasmarbal expressed the hope that his guards could provide an adequate escort for the young Emperor, but said that if necessary Melqart would come with the entire Imperial Army to escort Harribal back to Taran.

The reply of Zaranissa and Salammbo is awaited.

It is rumoured that Murcia has acquired a liburnian and that at Corcyra efforts are being made to copy it. Our naval expert opines that he is trying to cut costs by reducing manpower requirements, following his novel payment system for oarsmen, a system which is expected to have a considerable influence world-wide this winter.

We hear that one of these new fast warships has been delivered to Tyre by a Sardinian.Sicily.

We hear that the liburnian last seen leaving Crete entered Amasra harbour where it was impounded by the authorities and dismantled.

When the news of the Maltese debacle reached him, Ostia conferred with his captains and then took an ultimatum to Philipo. With the end of the safe sailing season so close they were alarmed at the lack of a harbour to use as their winter quarters. If none were to be forthcoming forthwith they would return to Carthage and seek pardon and employment with the authorities … whichever were in power.

However, before any decision had been reached, on the 2nd a couple of local galleys approached Ostia’s scattered fleet still looting off the western coast of Sicily: they approached under a flag of truce and managed to talk to the officers and crews of half a dozen of Ostia’s ships before they were chased off. It seems that they wished to recruit any or all of Ostia’s ships and crews to their own fleet: they also ascertained that Ostia had 20 naval transports and 6 heavy triremes manned by experienced slave rowers, and 8 light triremes rowed by inexperienced freemen.

At this time, there being no nearby proper harbour, the transports were beached in a cove but the warships were patrolling.

Next day at dawn the pirates visitors re-appeared with a few friends: exact numbers are disputed: rumour mentions Temeraix the Tolosan though the observant claim that he deferred to the Greek-looking captain of a light quadrireme. A Carthaginian asked which of Ostia’s ships wished to join them: 1 heavy and 3 light triremes volunteered.

The pirates attacked those that had not joined them: the odds were against Ostia’s ships as many of the marines and some of the free oarsmen were still ashore looting.

3 of Ostia’s light triremes were oar-raked of which two foundered and one managed to run aground, wrecking itself in the process: 2 escaped undamaged.

Amazingly, the slave rowers of the 5 heavy triremes shipped their oars, presumably hoping to be better treated by the pirates than by their current masters: attempts to restore order were vicious, but failed, and the pirates moved to board the immobile galleys.

Ostia and then Philipo realised the seriousness of the situation (who wants to be marooned on Sicily for the winter, at the mercy of the Messina anti-foreign invaders assassins?): they hastened to cram the transports with fighting men and then had them rowed out to repel the boarders.
All 20 transports put to sea, but only 4 actually got to the fighting. the others were rammed, oar-raked, or set on fire by the pirates.

The slaves were freed as and when the galleys were boarded: the freed slaves joined in the fighting with desperate savagery and some of their harsher erstwhile masters fared badly during their transition from master to captive.

By the end of the day 4 more of the heavy triremes had been captured and one foundered. The transports fared worse: 5 beached and were destroyed along with most of the slaves; 2 were captured and the slaves freed; the other 13 were lost; foundered or burned.

Neither Ostia nor Philipo has been found; they are feared drowned but could perchance have reached the shore.

Pirate losses were not negligible but are more than compensated for by the rush of enthusiastic volunteers, not only of the freed slaves, but also various marines and ex-Iberian cavalry!

Temeraix has returned to Malta with the new recruits, perhaps so that they cannot reveal the position of the pirate base should they be so minded. The other pirates headed west, presumably to their base. The Corsardian galleys which had joined the pirates are thought to have headed for their homes.

A Regency Council, Prince Demetriaces, Lysander, and Mustasha the Elder, has been formally established to help and advise the Prince. The Council, meeting in Gallipoli, has discussed the present political situation in Pontus and its implications for Thrace.

A high level diplomatic and trade mission has gone to Maharbal’s court: it is
widely rumoured that they not only discuss trade, but also the possibility of strengthening the current peace by forging a marriage link between Maharbal and Demetriaces.

A senior emissary has been sent to meet Cambyses with a view to facilitating contact and negotiations. A senior nobleman has been appointed ambassador to the Imperial Pontic Court: he is to represent Demetriaces at the PNC, should one be held. Both have experienced advisers and are expected to negotiate on his behalf.

The Thracian army moved to Gallipoli: the forts have been strengthened by having some of the men billeted in them. Men from Philipopolis and Adrianople scout to the western frontier and south towards Thassos and Thessaly.

On arriving in Gallipoli Kelerunos and his engineers surveyed the narrows.
Plagiar has been appointed military governor of Istanbul pending the Regency Council’s appointment of an Arcon when normality returns and martial law has been lifted. Plagiar has now arrived in Istanbul with a substantial Viking bodyguard.

Plagiar informed the ransomed Royal Guard that he was taking command of them. Nonobenines, Tyrosinase, Achalaces, and Katastrofos unanimously informed him that that was just not an acceptable suggestion. Further, an officer had been sent by Cambyses: they are to re-armed and re-mustered as the Empress Ate Guard.

The ensuing discussion was at times heated. Plagiar said that unless they accepted his orders they would not be re-armed by him; Nonobenines ordered his men to leave and they crossed on the ferry: the three senior generals have gone to Alansberg to get further orders whilst Katastrofos and the junior officers and men wait in Amasra.

Plagiar announced that in recognition of the loyalty and endurance of the Istanbul citizens in billeting Cambyses’ army and the loans made to ransom the Pontic Guard, Istanbul taxes this year will be reduced by 30 percent: no tax will be sent to Pontus but will deducted from the Pontic debt.

Overheard in Istanbul:
"Is it true that Prince Demetriaces is next in line to the Imperial Throne of Pontus?"
"Oh yes, he is heir presumptive, being of the senior line - Ate is of the junior line. But anyway, Shalman's first child will automatically be heir apparent."

In view of the reports of piracy, the cities of Gallipoli and Adrianople are on a special alert and the garrisons of the forts have been training with newly delivered engines.

The Council has decided that a small fleet is desirable, that it should be of the highest quality, and that it should be based in Gallipoli.

Maharbal has announced that there is now agreement on a treaty of trade and peace with Demetriaces of Thrace.

In view of the reports of piracy Maharbal has ordered an alert around the coasts and the navies are ordered to patrol more widely and aggressively.
He has ordered a reduction in the size and number of scouting patrols around his borders.

Aufield’s storms returned with a vengeance in ‘Umshofbrew: persistent rain was punctuated by massive storms, particularly in the mountains, not only of south-east Gaul but also of the western parts of Dacia and northern Italy.

The result was unprecedented flooding in the valleys of the Allier and the Loire, and of the Rhone, and to a slightly lesser extent, of the Saone and Po.

Fords became impassable, the wooden bridge above Tours lost two spans with another two looking decidedly unsafe, though the Vichy and Nimes stone-built bridges have survived.

There have been considerable losses of crops, flocks, and herds.

Fabricio moved up the right bank of the Rhone-Saone but was unable to cross the Loire to get to Vichy and is camped by the swollen ford.

Leo and Sancho have been moving supplies to Clermont Ferrand and improving the defences of the town and of their nearby camps. Any harvest not damaged by the inclement weather, and all flocks and herds, have been collected to Clermont and it seems likely that the invaders intend that at least a part of their forces will overwinter there.

The invaders have continued to push scouts out widely but the weather has precluded any serious fighting, except with the largely cowed peasantry. Escarrio remains in Nimes but is now in contact with Leo.

The Greek mercenaries, some 700 or so, mostly Montenegrins, despairing of the outcome of the siege when Tolosans and Italians were fighting each other with increasing savagery, negotiated with Regan to obtain safe passage across Italy to Greece.

On the 6th they rode out with flying colours: Regan provided them with a small escort to act as guides, to procure markets, and to make sure that all went well. Unfortunately, in a small coastal town some 60-70 miles from Marseilles there was some trouble with the locals: whores inadequately paid for their services, and their protector then manhandled by the Greeks.
Regan’s officers smoothed it over but on the 11th the Greeks found their progress barred at the fortress with barricades across the road, manned by 1-2,000 infantry. 4 5,000 cavalry rode up behind them.

General Draggus in person rode up to the Greeks and explained that in view of the recent trouble, they were asked to hand over all weapons except their personal side-arms. Trapped between the mountains and the sea, the Greeks really had no choice but to hand over their spears and swords.
Draggus warned them to behave more prudently.

They continued on their way but were now escorted by the Tuscan cavalry, and the prices in the markets were higher and rising. Unsurprisingly this led to further trouble. This time a cavalry brigadier appeared and told them that they were to surrender their armour, and their mounts: all too late they realised that this was Regan’s vengeance. She can be vindictive!

They fought but were heavily outnumbered and under-armed and were no match for the Tuscan cavalry. In the end about 450 surrendered and have been sold into slavery.

Back at Marseilles there was a lull when the Greeks had left, the Tolosans and the pro-Gallic citizens all too aware that they needed to co-operate. But the growing shortage of food sparked frequent trouble and on the 17th fighting flared up again.

That night the pro-Italian faction seized and held a gate and next day Senilitas entered the city with 1,000 or so infantry and opened negotiations. The fate of the Greeks was of course unknown to the defenders and they accepted terms: the Tolosan garrison and any Tolosan refugees who wished to leave would be escorted to the Nimes bridge and could thence return to their homes.

When they reached the bridge they found it barred against them and with the Rhone in flood and Tuscan cavalry watching, they headed north up the valley, now harassed by the Tuscans.

The ford north of St Etienne was dangerously deep: despite this many tried to cross and drowned: the remainder continued north increasingly harassed by Tuscans and now by locals. Few are thought to have survived.
Back in Marseilles there was a blood-bath as the long victimised pro-Italian faction sought its revenge, aided and abetted by Senilitas’ men. Cerdic’s governor, Caractacus the Briton, brilliant but deeply unpopular, fell on his sword in preference to falling on Regan’s mercy.

“They’ve arrived then, these Dunaricans. I wonder why Alkibiades wouldn’t talk to them: his sister in law Berena I dare say.”

“Anyway, so late in the season and them with no siege equipment and the walls just refurbished, they’re mad.”
“Well, yes: I think the Dunarican idea may have something going for it, but I wouldn’t say so out loud if I were you.”
“Hey, the Dunaricans have drawn up to the west astride the old imperial road, and Berena has had a platform erected.”
“You what? Everything? Berena, starkers? Well of course I know that her magical charms stopped Cerdic’s siege train from even damaging the walls of Graz last year, but they can’t help a siege.”
“They’re painting what on her where?”
“No!”
“You say Rheann’s joined her: are you sure?”
“B*gg*r duty, she’s a real sweetie, I’m going to watch this! Where are you going then you great prat, the best view will be from the west wall, not from over there.”
“Why’s Rheann laughing; what’s she pointing at?”
“How did they all get in here? You and your mates opened a gate for that Drusus. You b*st*rd. What a sensible idea, I wish I’d thought of it: Rheann only took off her helmet!”

Berena, still gorgeously painted, persuaded Drusus that Alkibiades should stand trial for the murder in 117 of her late husband, his brother Hesiod. There was little hard evidence but Alkibiades is … well, was … quite unpopular and there was little protest when she refused him the benefit of the doubt: she gave him the choice of being impaled or of confessing and being garrotted: he chose the latter and Drusus’ men carried out the sentence.

Less popularly, but no one was willing to argue with Drusus, Berena then had the leading citizens of Sombor brought before her to be questioned about their complicity in the now proven murder: any who failed to maintain steady eye-contact when she spoke to them were also garrotted; quite a few of them in the event, as she had an unnerving way of twitching her paintings.

Royer was made Earl of the Vales. Drusus announced that he would make Sombor the headquarters of the Dunarican Federal army and there being no suitable local candidate, he graciously accepted the Baronetcy of Sombor.

The cities of the Lower Danube have been invited to join the Federation, though without any attendant threats. It is likely that Turnu and Lugoj with their Slavonian majorities may well do so: the response of the predominantly Wallachian cities of Arad and Hateg is less certain.

Angst

Angustus has sent an emissary to his brother Ptelnet, congratulating him on his well-deserved victories and informing him that he has instructed Spitames to continue to offer his help throughout the coming year.

The emissary was, usefully, accompanied by replacements for Spitames’ losses and a war-chest for the coming season.

The 1st, 2nd, and 4th divisions of the Immortals under Koribis advanced cautiously from Memphis until opposite Beni Suef; Xenoipod with the 6th division moved to Memphis.

Ptelnet arranged for supplies to be brought upstream by boat.
Meanwhile the 2nd, 21st, and 22nd Protectors moved north down the east bank of the Nile: they arrived at Beni Suef with its welcome supplies but were dismayed to learn that the west bank was held against them in some strength.

Ptelnet with Cheops’ 5th division of the Immortals, and Spitames and the New Persians followed, intending to join Koribis. They were attacked between Memphis and Beni Suef.

You may remember that the Supreme Organiser had fled redeployed from Alexandria and set about rallying the dispirited and scattered forces of the 1st (Nile) and Nile Provincial armies.

With some 3,000 armoured cavalry and perhaps 1,000 light cavalry he attacked Ptelnet and Spitames, probably under the erroneous impression that they were reserves or a supply train.

Whatever the reason, it was a poor move: scouts had warned of their approach and when they neared, Cheops and Spitames raced to attack them. A high proportion of these rabid nationalists showed a remarkable turn of speed: those that didn’t died.

It seems very likely that even though the Supreme Organiser survived, having a very fast horse, the men will desert and disperse over the winter and try to make their way back to their homes.

The 2nd, 21st, and 22nd Protectors along with the Nubian army and the West Nile Sassanid levies were stuck on the wrong side of the river. Morale, already low, plummeted.

The 2nd and 21st Protectors headed back up the valley: many deserted, particularly those from the Nile Province, the rest crossed the river on makeshift rafts and fled, to be slaughtered by vengeful Egyptians or back to their homes if they were lucky. The 22nd stayed in Beni Suef.

With so many of the Sassanid fighting men away in Nubia the Egyptians of Farafra and then Asyut had sought their revenge. Thousands of Sassanids were slaughtered or driven out, their property taken by their erstwhile serfs: others were enslaved.

With the return of the men of the Sassanid levy the fighting between Sassanid and Egyptian has become yet bloodier. It is feared that the unrest will spread to the other West Nile towns … with the exception of Rosetta and Damietta and possibly Memphis.

The 6 triremes and 12 biremes of the Sassanid New Fleet, led by admiral Glaciis, have moved from Tyre to Cairo after serving without distinction in the war against Carthage.

In Cairo scurrilous rumours circulate, presumably put about by supporters of the P&O. One rumour goes that Stephanus the Golden was not killed by minions of the P&O, but by Spitames, on the orders of Ptelnet (with a variant that it was on the orders of Angustus).

Another, juicer, rumour has it that Stephanus is the father of his 23 year old grand-daughter, the result of a liaison between Stephanus and his daughter in law, the late Clytemnestra.

The only other rumour not obviously totally fantastic has it that Stephanus is not dead but that it is he who is the Supreme Organiser, though if true it makes rumours numbers one and two too complex to contemplate!

Mustasha met with Khamoun to review the state of Nubia: Nubia city and Thebes are a bit of a mess!

He then met Khamoun and the Army and levy commanders to express his thanks and praise for their contribution to the victory, especially Khamoun, Pa'Simba, Urban Rameses and Carminagua.

With Sassanidia once again united under an Emperor, Mustasha believes it would be sensible to offer Nubian allegiance to Ptelnet, as was the arrangement in the days of Stephanus the Golden before his decline.

There being general agreement, Mustasha proposes to go to the coronation in the new year, if the Nubian situation is favourable, and there swear allegiance to Ptelnet.

Mustasha has made the Thebes ruins his winter camp, with his bodyguard and a unit from the army. He has made arrangements for the refugees to be fed and has announced his intention to rebuild the city.

Ptelnet sent messengers to seek Mustasha junior with messages of peace from the new Emperor. They informed Mustasha that Ptelnet did not intend to levy taxes in Nubia.

We hear that the redoubtable Atenatra, having left Thebes with her uncle Atankhmun, her infant son Mustasha the Youngest, and a handful of trusted guides and guards, moved to a family hunting lodge on the edge of the Nubian Desert.

The Nile Valley being over-run with P&O troops and levy, Atenatra and her companions, having rested, moved across the desert to Gemsa where a smuggler fisherman of dubious character was hired to take them to Mdina.

The fisherman put them ashore a short distance from Mdina and left hastily.
The group was arrested: they offered bribes to the guards but these were refused and Atenatra and her friends were thrown into the local jail for the night; next day they were taken to Citror, the Bey of Mdina.

Atenatra ignored the advice of her uncle and told Citror the truth. He, entranced by her romantic story, provided them with accommodation in his not very palatial palace. He said that he hoped to be allowed to provide guides and an escort to take them across the desert to Chaldea’s Great Oasis.

The loyal Citror sent a fast rider to Petra with a message for the Emperor: honest as ever he told Atankhmun that he had done so.

To the alarm of Atenatra and Atankhmun the messenger eventually returned with a detachment of Angustus’ guard commanded by Angustus’ son in law Calcaneus. Happily it transpired that he had been asked by the Emperor to accompany the travellers to the Great Oasis to ensure their safety. They have just set off.

Moloch invited Melqart to a private meal and a glass or two to discuss the future governance of Carthage and Moloch’s place in it: how could he best help?

Unfortunately Melqart, intemperate and greedy as ever, choked on a chicken bone. Happily one of Moloch’s guards with training in first aid and known for his para-military medical skills was nearby but unhappily, despite an emergency tracheotomy and the dexterous use of his dagger, Melqart perished. As he died Melqart pointed at Moloch with a gesture that all present agreed was an indication that he, Moloch, was Melqart’s chosen successor both as general and as Regent.

Moloch published a proclamation: because of this unfortunate and untimely accident he, Moloch, must perforce bow to Melqart’s last wish and take over his command.

It went without saying that Melqart, cautious, loyal, honest and a brilliant career soldier will be sorely missed.

Moloch has sent an envoy to Zaranissa to reinforce the idea that the child-emperor would be best in Moloch’s care.

We hear that Hasmarbal, commander of the Primas army, has offered his unstinting support to Moloch, his old comrade in arms., as has Zceras the ruler of Primas Province and adviser to the late lamented Elros.

The Demiliton armed forces are of course bound to back Moloch, one of their more able commanders, but it is widely rumoured that Faron, administrator of Demiliton under successive rulers, is asking to be confirmed as the ruler of the province in his own right.

With Ban’kher and Horus in Windicta with 3,000 or so men, it is not clear to what extent Faron is a free agent.

The late lamented Melqart had entered a team for the Mithrasmas Games and had intended to attend in person. When his team, already well en route for Qattara, heard of his fatal accident, they dicided to continue, confident that Moloch would have approved their dicision.

As Melqart was no longer able to ride in the famous Grannies Gnash’n’all, the team manager chose Hummer bar Melqart to ride in his place.

Hummer’s victory has not been welcomed with the warmth one might have anticipated, but A’Rrosee rejected the 19 protests which derived from his riding an unusually combative elephant instead of the more usual horse or camel.

Some protested that the elephant not only frightened the other mounts (before the start it killed two camels and a horse); but also that it failed to even attempt to jump over the jumps; this was thought unsporting “… but not illegal!” Its trumpeting was disconcerting.

Be that as it may, after the traditional end of games feasts A’Rrosee and his Sassanids dispersed into their Libyan desert homeland.

We hear that Hummer has gone with A’Rrosee as his honoured guest. Bizarrely, it seems that he suspects that the death of his father was not an accident, despite the very obvious evidence to the contrary.

Salammbo has announced the succession of Harribal as Emperor. The Empire is reinstated, under the ever watchful eye of Baal.

Salammbo has confirmed that she is Protector of the Heir, Harribal, and has announced that as soon as the weather permits she will be taking him to the Temple in Taran Scodar to ensure he is brought up in the ways of Baal.

Salammbo, unaware of the tragedy, recognised Melqart as Commander of his various forces and appointed him to govern Primas & Demiliton. She confirmed Zaranissa as the Ruler of Trias.

Salammbo has called a meeting of all Punic Generals and Admirals. To allow time for winter travel, they are to convene in Windicta in late Frostmon where they are all to swear fealty to the Emperor. War chests for pay and feed will be provided to those that are loyal.

Salammbo said that she will control the Imperial Treasury and funds.

Emissaries have been sent to Greece, Iberia, and Italy to inform the Punic and other authorities that Carthage has returned to the true path of Baal and is keen to continue with peaceful and respectful relations as long as this is reciprocated.

Zaranissa has toured Trias restoring order and the structures of good government.

It is announced that all Provincial Governors are expected to gather taxes and pay due portions to the Emperor. Baal is watching.

The mines and armouries are to be brought back under government control, as appropriate.

Local government officials throughout Carthage have been ordered to carry out a survey of their locality … any Motiphators are to be identified for purging in the Spring.
__________________________________________________ ______________

You may recollect the sad fate of Kallinikos the Ishmaelite aka Kallinikos the Geek. His one-time mentor, Petros of Damietta now offers the infamous foersom device for sale following successful trials in Damietta Bay.

It would seem that Blackbeard & Morgan, the firm of Maritime Legal Extortioners, not only engineered the death of the said Kallinikos but also recovered the designs.

We hear that Murcia has already expressed an interest, perhaps two-fold. He certainly hopes to purchase the foersom device, but also perchance hopes to get even with Blackbeard & Morgan if he can track them down.
For those who may be interested, the News of Aufield and Mithrasmas 122 and of Wapenry, Funfly, and Ete 123 refer.

Various projects are now finished:
Salamis wall upgrade and three forts on the coast.
The fortified bridge at Sevan.
High town wall and strong fort at Farafra.

Significant restlessness is reported in the following localities:
Linka, Sabratha, Tours, Montpelier, Turnu, Alansberg, Vibor, Riga, and Viski.

More serious unrest is reported in:
Dijon, Andorra, Toulouse, Thermopolae, Zagreb, Zaragozza,
Polessk, and Birzai.

Out-right revolt is not unlikely and may be imminent in:
Taganrog, Dam, Melitipol, Kherson, Marseilles, Benghazi, The Promontory, The Dry Coast, The Sands, Qattara, The Libyan Rising Desert, The Libyan Setting Desert, and Konigsberg.

Anyone wishing to quell, augment, or otherwise exploit any of the above must be (in theory) aware of the situation they wish to quell or exploit, either because they are near enough for the news to have reached them (news is assumed to travel slowly unless there is a cogent reason for it to travel quickly), or because they could realistically expect to be informed by agents, spies, or whatever, or because it is their fault.

Food shortages, military and similar set-backs, diminishing socio-political status, diminishing wealth, agitators, bad dice throws and computer errors may be amongst the causes for the above unrest.

Demetriaces’ representative to the PNC sent one of his advisers, a Chaldean, to seek Suren in New Persia: he found him in Petra. After a lengthy discussion with this emissary Suren informed Angustus that he needed to attend the Pontic National Council meeting in Alansberg: he declined Emperor Angustus’ generous offer of a detachment of Imperial Guards and took his leave, bearing his Emperor’s fraternal greetings to the Pontic Emperor(s).

Suren reached Alansberg without mishap and conferred at considerable length with Demetriaces’ emissary.

Suren presented Demetriaces’ apologies to Shalman and the PITHOff: they accorded him a warm welcome and confirmed that he is to attend as Demetriaces’ representative.

Two days before the PNC was due to start Ate and Shalman issued a joint statement indicating general agreement between them and asking the satraps for their views as to the military and political actions needed in each of their spheres of influence.

During welcoming speeches to the PNC delegates Shalman thanked them for their attendance at the wedding. He then made a point of referring to the recent troubled relationship between Galatia and the Imperium. He stressed the continuing importance of Galatia to the Empire, as a source of troops and wine [hic!], and expressed the hope that these problems were now in the past. Shalman went on to say that the past treatment of the Galatian diaspora had been unacceptable and he forcibly reminded those with responsibilities in these areas that he expected all such communities to be treated with decency and respect.

Ate, Shalman acquiescing, expressed the hope the Empire’s recent troubles can be put behind and everyone in Pontus can work together in peace and harmony. etc etc

The meeting was then opened formally … on time … by the PITHOff proposing a toast to the Pontic Empire.

The following notes were made by the Chairman Chairwoman ChairEmpress: with punctuation by Stylus.

1b. Any other business. No, you old fool, that’s later. It really would be best, but, all right; then it’s:
Minutes of the last meeting (if they can be located). Oh dear: then on to the first motion.
1c. It is confirmed that if Emperor Shalman and Empress Ate agree on any matter, their votes over-ride all others.
1d. The PITHOff wishes to know what happens in the event of a tied vote on any matter.
Ate announced that she would decide: Shalman agreed, so that was that
1e. Shalman, with Ate’s support, invited the PITHOff to step down and Polonova to take the chair.
"No dear, you don't pick it up and hit people with it, you tell them when they can speak.”
“Ouch! May I speak dear. Yes, thank you. Love you too."
Ate explained the purpose of the chair to Polonova and calm was restored.
The PITHOff was seen to be sulking; he likes being chairman.

2. Governance of the Empire. Ate and Shalman agreed on every vote as follows.
2ai. That Ate be confirmed Empress of the Pontic Empire in perpetuity regardless of position. YES.
2aii. That were Empress Ate to come out of retirement she and Emperor Shalman would rule the Empire jointly. YES.
2b. That Polonova be confirmed Empress of the Pontic Empire. YES.
2c. That Shalman be confirmed Emperor of the Pontic Empire. YES.
2d. The line of succession be confirmed as Shalman’s children (if any): Demetriaces: Demetriaces’ children (if any): Ate.
Ate’s children by Macalix, being Galatian, cannot ascend to the throne: Ate’s other children would be next in line.
Ate and Shalman voted for this, except the part about children, and ask PITHOff to define what the succession line should be for children of the current succession (Shalman, Demetriaces, Ate).
The PITHOff was still sulking and shaking his hip flask ruefully, and gave no coherent answer.
2e. That one or more of those now confirmed as Emperor be asked/begged/pretty please to rule the Pontic Empire.
Ate and Shalman voted themselves Executive Emperors and took the joint throne (“There isn’t room for all three of us”)
2f. Pontus now having two Executive Emperors, all further votes were advisory to the Emperors.

3. Recriminations and matters from the past.
Ate and Shalman cancelled all voting on matters of censure. Ate said that there had already been enough recriminations.
Except Nonobenines is to be investigated for the Royal Guard losses.
All satraps are reminded taxes should be paid in full.
Ate very warmly thanked her doting uncle for his concern, but hopes he will soon return to the valiant defence of Pontus's northern borders, she being naturally worried about her Empire's defence ("Oh, and your Empire too, dear brother")
Ate said she feels sure she can keep Shalman under control co-operate fully with Shalman and she noted with great pleasure he has already (?) apologised to her new sister Polonova.
"By the way, what's a floozy Ate?" "Err, it's a Pontic term of endearment." "Better be, or he isn't riding a horse for a while"

4. Plans for the future.
4a. That the bodyguard provided by Cambyses for Ate be reinstated. YES.
All other items were replaced by:
Philip should provide a plan for the building-up of the navies, and his plans for the next year.
Greece to be stabilised. Relations with Maharbal to be normalised.
Cambyses to assess, report and act on the dangers in the north, particularly Seg ("Want me to have a word with my Aunt?") and Gilgamesh.

The RG and Demetriaces' army to be rebuilt.

5. Any other business.
“Where’s my hip flask … no I wont shut up.”

Stylus recorded the following comments, from a variety of sources. For reasons not always clear to him, Polonova refused to include them in the official minutes so they are published herewith, perchance mangled or garbled.

Ate is not yet empress, ouch. Polonova, stop hitting him and sit down!
The PNC should not surrender its powers to an executive. Geese should not vote for Mithrasmas.

Sounds ok, though of course potentially politically paralysing. The idea of several emperors beggars belief! Multiple emperors/empresses - or multiple PNC Chairpersons, or multiple army Commanders or multiple anything in positions of decision-making - is bizarre and potentially disastrous!!! Omg, get me out of here. Does that mean Shalman? Which - the chair or throne/thrones, or both or all? This whole idea: I will vote against. One emperor, full stop!

A 2-headed hydra...no, no. Or 3-headed? *puts his three heads in his six hands* omg, Pontus has gone mad!

Cambysses bitterly resents accusations that he has abandoned his post. He has defeated every Barbarian invasion of Macedonia, including several by Sarmatians, and after years of struggle has broken the power of all the aggressors and achieved a firm peace. Other military leaders of Pontus have by way of contrast squandered men and money on unnecessary (and worse, failed) aggressive wars. If any young pup questions his honour, he will be liable to get spanked. Cambysses is a crusty old gentleman, and while susceptible to young and attractive women, he does not suffer fools of any rank gladly.

Cambyses insists on a formal enquiry as to who gave orders for his baggage to be attacked. If it is established that no such order was given by any individual, the corollary is that the civil authorities of the region are responsible for a culpable break-down in law and order and must be fined the cost of reparation.

Cambyses is of the opinion that Pontus should seek to be on friendly terms with all its neighbours and shun foreign adventures. The money saved should be spent on beefing up and proper garrisoning of critical frontier fortifications, roads, and the navy. There is no glory or benefit in losing wars
Royal Guards should not be committed to combat unless led by royalty.

Cambysses wishes it to be widely known that he believes that punishing a general for showing initiative (however mistaken) is unwise, since it inculcates a pass the buck mentality.

He the gods would destroy, they first put on a committee.
Perhaps Uncle Camby would be kind enough to find a present to send Polly to befit her new status?

A not totally welcome visitor was heard to comment:
“I suspect that Shalman, and possibly Ate after being wounded at the last battle, would agree that Macalix has killed more Galatians through the folly his own self-genocide self-defence of the Galatians than anyone else has managed in recent times.”

It has been announced that Polonova has received the “Barbarian Floozy of the Year" award from "Swords and Arrows" magazine. The downside is that she may be expected to pose in a chain mail bikini, but Ate can advise on that.

When Cambyses met Polonova, he exuded an old-world gentle charm: Polonova remained cold. Cambyses then presented her with a large bunch of (horse-edible) flowers and a top class horse dealer's voucher for an unbroken colt or filly of her choice, explaining that this is to avoid crude suspicion and because he considers that she is probably more capable of choosing and training a steed than most professionals. Polonova thanked him almost warmly.

Onlookers claim that Cambyses was wearing a steel groin protector.

The marriage of the Emperor Shalman and the Empress Polonova was preceded by a quaint Sarmatian custom, gannen doon toon: Polonova and a number of close female friends and confidants, amongst whom most notably Empress Ate ("What happened to him?” “He said ex-Empress Ate!” “Oh, well he wont do that again!”) went out for an incognito drinking bout in down-town Alansberg. They were accompanied by a number of large men in fancy garb over their armour. Sadly, by the end of the evening, only two of the large men were still with the party, and they only because the ladies were, rather optimistically, carrying them.

The PNC was preceded by the official marriage of the Emperor Shalman and the Empress Consort (“i am not going to be called that i understand galatian and i am not any sort of one of them i am the empress polonova” “Yes dear!”) Polonova of the Royal House of Sarmatia. Very large quantities of excellent wine were consumed.

When many were seriously incapacitated, the still-able-to-walk-clearly-and-talk-in-a-straight-line Empress Polonova approached the worse-for-wear PITHOff and informed him that she was attending the PNC as the duly accredited Satrap of Sarmatia.

It seems that he acquiesced because Emperor Shalman had inspected her credentials and agreed on her taking up this position. Exactly how he proposes to explain this egregious error of judgement to Cambyses is open to speculation.

Conraces, the editor of "Twerps Peerage and Monarchy" has pointed out that while Polonova is undoubtedly of Royal blood, she is descended from the previous dynasty, not that currently ruling Sarmatia and allied to Pontus. Her grandfather frequently invaded Pontic territory with rapine, slaughter and Hunnic friends, and is currently in an honourable and alcoholic happy retirement in a secure Pontic establishment.

At a party to celebrate their re-union, Macalix and Ate received their guests:
“Isn’t it wonderful, I’m with a little one.”
“He’s not that small.”
“Not me you fool, she’s pregnant!”
“Did you hear: Ate’s expecting, and Macalix isn’t the father.”
“No! Well who is? I bet it’s Shalman: he had her abducted”
“More likely that Cambyses: he’s chased her everywhere.”
“Don’t be stupid, she isn’t chaste: remember her with Kemal”
“Mmm; they never did find out who killed him, did they?”
“Shh, here’s the Emperor.”
“As I was saying, I do so admire Shalman. Oh, hello sire.”

Armour is in short supply: sellers who wish to use the open market should let me know: they could state a reserve price: if so, do not aim too low!
Grain is also in short supply and the price is expected to climb steeply when you start trying to remedy your deficits!!
Mounts: ponies are available @ 0.5 gp, horses @ 1 gp, and heavy horses @ 5 gp, mostly in the east. Buyers elsewhere must therefore be prepared to arrange transport or face significant transport costs.

It is reliably reported that when he has been crowned as Emperor of Sassanidia Ptelnet intends to relinquish his Satrapies in New Persia to concentrate on his new Empire. It is likely that Emperor Angustus will acquiesce in the following arrangements.

Ptelnet will give the Sassanian Satrapal ring to General Spitames: in view of the general’s existing commitments it is likely that the administration of the Province will fall upon Angustus and his treasurers.

Ptelnet will hand over the administration of Parthia Province, also known as Syria, to Suren. Emperor Angustus agrees contingent on his receiving his share of the taxes as previously.

This appears to be part of a local re-allocation of territories and responsibilities. Suren has asked Abraham to arrange the transfer of the Tigris Vale cities, namely Sinjar, Mosul, Arbil, and Tikrit, to Kublai. We hear that Wagnimandua expects to retain the Emirship, left to her by Brahma, as well as remaining the Bey of Tikrit, and we hear that Angustus expects to receive 30% of the taxes, as recently agreed.

Peace and quiet: the army patrols, the miners mine, and Kublai feasts with his high command.

Fibula has sent senior advisers including naval experts to Angustus’ court; they have pledged his continuing support and have discussed future options, in particular as to fleet funding and operations.

It seems that each city-state is to be self-governing with few centrally imposed laws. Perhaps the most important is that each male capable of bearing arms has been enrolled in his city-state’s militia with the obligation to train each week, the number of hours to vary with the seasons, and with age and skill. The city-states are to provide weaponry as well as bear the cost of the standing army under Drusus, but central taxes have been reduced to about one third of their previous levels.

We hear that Drusus has been training his men in the use of new weapons and tactics and that they in their turn have been training the militias.
Unusually, each unit of the regular army is led but not commanded by a “Virgo Victrix” who not only receives officers’ pay but after her 5-year service continues to receive the same sum as a life-long pension. Their exact role is as yet unclear.

Ariadne gave birth to a robust son on Hexober 15th: mother and child are thriving: Maharbal is delighted.

Demetriaces toured Gallipoli and its harbour and defences, and reviewed the new fleet. He welcomed a group of New Persian naval experts sent by Fibula to help train his fleet: his galley captains, mostly well-tried veterans, have privately indicated that they are unlikely to learn much from these trainers, most having less experience than Demetriaces’ captains.

Demetriaces and his Viking bodyguard was joined by Wolledates and his division of infantry and they have moved to Istanbul.

There Demetriaces conferred with Plagiar and supported his decision not to arm the rebel guard units. Demetriaces thence travelled via Burgos, Constanta, Ruse, and Troyan to Vidin, examining harbours and fortifications and conferring with the authorities as he went.

In Viski the Latvians showed their resentment at the billeting of 2,000 Ostragoths in their town, often violently, and by mid-Hexober the situation had deteriorated to the extent that the Ostragoths drove all adult males out of the town: the majority of their womenfolk and families left too, to find shelter as best they could in the surrounding countryside.

When their supplies were beginning to run low the Ostragoths found it increasingly difficult to find food in the surrounding countryside; the Latvians used their knowledge of the terrain to harass or even ambush foraging parties. Perhaps as many as 100 of the original 2,000 have perished.
Those left to garrison Birzai were lucky to find the harvest gathered in and this they guarded carefully but they did share it fairly with the few Latvians remaining in the town, though they also shared the women … the widows complained less than those whose husbands had survived.

The Ostragoths left in Taurage and Konigsberg got supplies by ship and they too have shared the supplies with the locals with little friction.

Despite or perhaps because of the militaro-political situation there is a moderately large migration of Latvians from the North German Plain back to their ancestral lands in Latvia.

After a great feast to celebrate the defeat of Friederich’s navies, the levies dispersed to their homes.

In Northumber Gylfi arrived at Ladoga in a fast longship and offered cash for longships delivered to Achmenia by spring, with the option of employment for delivery crews should they want it. There were some misgivings at the terms … cash on delivery … but times are hard and already longships and crews are assembling at Ladoga for the hazardous journey.

A captain Thorstein, recently returned from Bukhara, was elected as their leader despite Gylfi’s offer to lead them. Thorstein swung the votes his way when he hinted that they could join the Bukhara pirates freebooters if the terms of employment offered turned out to be as poor as they sounded.

We hear that Bjarni is so busy building and recruiting that he has not had a lot of time free to spend in the dog-house arms of his loving wife, Uliv Tyrsdottir.

The body of Arrakis the Tolosan has been found hanging from a tree in an orchard southwest of Paris. The possibility of suicide has been discounted in view of a knife-wound to his stomach and the fact that his hands were fairly firmly bound behind his back.

Which of his numerous enemies may be responsible for this outrage is as yet unclear.

It seems that Philipo failed to perish in the seas off Sicily. He, or someone claiming to be him, came ashore near Aloala with a couple of hundred fighting men. They avoided too much discussion with the Aloalan authorities and set off up the Ebro Valley.

In a bizarre accident Latticraccus, the Dux Populi of Crotone, and Marius Boscus, the Governor of Cassata and Dux Populi of Naples, were both killed when their carriages collided on the main Melfi to Crotone road. They were travelling in opposite directions and met on a bridge narrowed by repairs.

It seems that both urged their coachmen to press on expecting the other to give way. The carriages fell into the river, swollen by the recent rains, and both perished. The coachmen both survived but have been executed, just in case.

“stylus help me with this letter” “im writing to uncle seg and auntie honoria” “no you fool nobody reads or writes hunnic gruntish any longer you write the sounds using the greek letters but miss out all the vowels” “i dont know probably an edict from ghengis to save parchment the problem is the ys is a y a vowel or not” “why cant it make up its mind” “look what ive written so far ‘dr ncl sg nd nt hnr i mst tll y (it cant be a vowel there or you disappears) bt th rg n th rt whn t nd dcdd t gt prgnnt’” “well yes i wondered if it should be ‘rgy’ and ‘yrt’ and the is disappeared” “of course i should tell them why were both pregnant” “what dyou mean you were there” “pss ff then and dont wave your stylus at me


Vacancy. Applications for the post of editor of the prestigious publication "Twerps Peerage and Monarchy" are sought following the unexpected and extremely sudden death of Conraces, the previous editor.

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.

Angst

A deputation from the cities of the Lower Danube arrived in Sombor a few days ago, led by Hermes, Earl of the Lower Danube and Baron of Arad. He explained that whilst Turnu and Lugoj, with their Slavonian majorities, were willing and ready to join the Confederation Dunarica, the cities of Hateg and Arad wanted a clear statement that these two essentially Wallachians cities would be accorded equal status etc etc.
Drusus was away on military business but Rheann unhesitatingly accepted these conditions, confident that Drusus would approve, and the relevant treaties and documents are now being drawn up. The deputation has been feasted and entertained, though not unduly lavishly.
That Gallic speaking Thracian ambassador and his light cavalry escort and the guides provided by Drusus duly reached Davos (not via Vasvar!) where he presented his credentials to Earl Destrier. It is said that he claimed that Pontus wished to help Cerdic in his struggle against Carthage … well, against Sancho and Leo.
Rather to his surprise the Earl introduced him to an emissary who, having travelled through the winter, had recently arrived from Cerdic with gifts and proposals for Drusus: a fine horse and armour and an offer of an alliance and trade links and an invitation to invade Italy. It seems that further gifts are on their way … mounts and some equipment … which will wait in the Upper Bern Vale.
At the urging of Cerdic’s emissary Destrier sent 100 or so of his infantry to reinforce Cerdic’s garrison (“But they went long since; they passed here and have not been replaced since.” “To replace the caretakers then!”) in the fort at the summit of the pass to the Po Valley and Verona.
This force found the pass still under snow and deemed it adequate (and prudent: they fear the summit fort is held by Tuscans) to occupy the fort at the foot of the pass at its northern end.
A second force of about 100 cavalry was despatched westwards along the Royal Road to the Bern Vale whence they are to occupy the fort at the summit of the Bern to Milan pass. They learned that four wagons and a thousand or so horses from Cerdic have arrived in Bern. The cavalry has just set off south up the track towards Milan, now almost clear of snow.
Cerdic’s emissary has been hastened on his way to Drusus and is likely to reach him in a few days or so. Demetriaces’ emissary is awaiting events as Destrier’s guest.
Destrier has gathered the rest of his men at Davos.
Drusus has established an Agricultural Academy of Excellence in Sombor which is being staffed by practical experts with a generous annual budget.
He has also established a Mining Academy of Excellence in Sombor, similarly to be staffed by experts.
Drusus has invited the leading Slavonian merchants to a series of meetings which culminated in the formation of the Dunarican Merchants Guild.
Drusus, after a rigorous selection process, has established a personal elite guard, the Heart Guard, 20 strong. Rheann has a smaller similar guard.
Drusus ordered the recruitment of more paid troops from the Sombor militia. His paid forces have been training assiduously and by the end of the month were in Graz.

A weary and shifty looking traveller was arrested at the Turnu ferry by Demetriaces’ men. His claim to be an emissary from Cerdic who had been travelling all winter, en route to the Pontic court, was viewed with some suspicion but he was escorted to Demetriaces, arriving a couple of days ago.
He reluctantly told Demetriaces that Cerdic had sent another emissary to Drusus to urge the Dunaricans to invade Italy (“That is just not possible.” “Via the Milan pass which Cerdic controls.” “Oh.”) and that Cerdic hoped (“It is very much in your own interests!”) that Pontus would help, eg by paying Drusus.
Kelerunos and his division have arrived at the southern Turnu ferry terminal and have started preparations to build a fort there to house the ferry guards.

Demetriaces’ army has moved up the Marit to Philipopolis: small detachments have been sent to watch the two fords near Nis.
Demetriaces himself has moved to Gallipoli with his court.

Mustasha Sr’s aide, Djelicaces, has been appointed admiral of the growing Thracian fleet. It is rumoured that oarsmen have been lured from the Lebanon by the high rates of pay offered.

Arne Loppson’s army has refused orders to go to Turnu on the not unreasonable grounds that they have not received relevant orders from Thorsson, their paymaster. Rumours of a transfer to Gaul have made the men restless.
Plagiar has received a rather pessimistic report from the military engineers who have surveyed the harbour. The harbour can hold about 50 ships and is protected by moles which would be adequate for low outer walls or parapets but which are not strong enough to support proper fortifications.
Further, although the harbour entrance can be closed with a boom, the Bosphorus is too wide to be so closed.
Plagiar has set Wolledates men to building a parapet along the moles.

Dagamo and his 6 surviving warships of the Portuguese navy had sat out the winter on the edge of the large natural harbour at Muros licking their wounds and repairing their ships.
Now ready to sail south, back to their Gib base, they were astonished to hear that Leon was rebelling and that Amerigo had left Muros with the fighting men to join Philipo and Carmino.
At dawn on the 3rd Dagamo and most of his men entered Muros: the few remaining guards were very slow to realise that these were no longer the friends who had been their drinking companions for months.
The Leonese merchant fleet was burned as it lay at anchor or alongside the wharves, apart from four ships which were found to be laden with grain. These were taken.
Sadly for Dagamo, and unknown to him, at Philipo’s request Amerigo had taken the bulk of the Provincial treasury with him. Dagamo was none the less more than satisfied with what he found in the city and provincial treasuries.
For over a week the Portuguese looted the town though it has to be said that they were almost apologetic, and certainly not unduly bloodthirsty. They then sailed south.
On the 19th they reached the mouth of the Douro. The four merchant ships were at first left anchored offshore with small crews but later moved up to Porto.
On the 20th the warships sailed up on the tide to an unsuspecting Porto which they entered unopposed. Here the inhabitants put up a stiffer fight and the Portuguese rather ill-temperedly burned the ferry.
The elderly but still lecherous ruler, Miguel de la Mancha, unfortunately died of shock when the attackers burst into his room where, despite the hour, he was pursuing his favourite past-time with more vigour than sense.
The Portuguese are still in Porto looting.

As the last (he hoped) of the winter storms died away Villeneuve set sail southwards with his fleet, a mixture of veterans and newly trained crews … and half a dozen ponies. Despite unfavourable winds his fleet reached Bilbao on the 6th without loss. There they went ashore to replenish supplies and to see what was what and who was where.
A few hundred miserable Tolosan Umbrelliacs offered a sullen welcome, but no supplies: only water was plentiful.
Onward after a brief stay, virtually into the teeth of the near gale-force winds. They rounded the north cape on the 24th, delayed not only by the wind and weather but also by the need to forage along that bleak coast. Villeneuve had refused to let them eat the ponies apart from one that fell in the bad weather and broke its leg: 1 pony between 4,000 men hardly seemed enough.
They reached Muros at noon on the 30th.

Zorro and Tonto with their 5,000 or so warriors, having gathered in Najera, took the low pass to Arevalo, avoiding the still snow-bound high passes.
They were seen as they crossed the Douro ford during the morning of the 7th. Panic! The town gates were closed in time but the manning of the timber and earth walls by the fighting men still in the town was inadequate: too few and too slow.
The Basques enthusiastically seized any valuables, goods, and women they found in the town, killing all who opposed them. After a week the raiders fired the town, recrossed the river, and set off down the Duoro valley, looting as they went. They are now about halfway to Freixo, somewhat scattered!

A number of shifty men have perished at the hands of the Woodsmen of Entcopse in the great central Iberian forest. They proved to be a very talkative lot before they succumbed and even though there is no evidence that Carmino or Philipo had sent them, both they and their interlocutors assumed that to be the case.
Some of them were carrying and offered to donate significant sums of money but to no avail: too late really.

Unaware of these events Carmino pushed scouts cautiously across the Tajo.
Philipo publicly offered his loyalty to Sancho and made sure that the news of this reached Sancho’s men in Portugal: unfortunately it also reached his men in Leon.
Philipo sent men to Muros but even though they carried garlic these men have not reached Muros, either eaten by undead of some sort or killed by Basques.
Julio, with light troops pushed well ahead, marched briskly to reach Anchuras with his main body late on the 5th. Crossing the still full Guadiana caused some delay but his light troops and cavalry, first across, drove back the cautious Leonese scouts.
Julio then pushed on to the Tajo and crossed the river at the ford some 50 miles or so upstream of Toledo near the forest edge. Leonese scouts fairly accurately estimated the Portuguese to number less than 20,000.
Despite the delays at the Guadiana and the Tajo, Julio had crossed by midday on the 18th. He now knew that he was only outnumbered by rather less than 2:1 so led his men briskly down the right bank of the Tajo with a handful of light troops keeping pace down the left bank.
Amazed by their good fortune, on the 22nd Philipo and Carmino drew up east of Toledo with their right flank resting on the river, a strong detachment holding the ford, and baggage and non-combatants safe in the city.
Julio withheld his right (or open) flank, well aware that the Leonese cavalry would be more numerous than his (4:1 in the event) and that he would also be outflanked by the more numerous rebel foot. He in person led a reserve of 300 fully armoured noble cavalry, positioned behind the right of his infantry line, hoping that the shock of their charge would break the inevitable Leonese outflanking move.
It was not to be. The shock of the impact of the Portuguese infantry was too much for the Leonese foot. Some fled as the Portuguese started their charge, many more broke on impact, and soon there was but the Leonese left wing, still manoeuvring to outflank the Portuguese. They thought better of it.
We hear that Julio was really upset when he realised that the Leonese had fled before he could launch his master-stroke. “Craven bastards!”
Toledo may have stone walls, but they were only designed to hold 5-6,000. A lot of the Leonese lighter infantry got away and indeed many of the armoured Leonese found it convenient to cast away their heavier gear.
Despite this, a few more than 10,000 Leonese are thought to have perished, against just under 1,000 Portuguese.
It is thought that Carmino and Philipo, being mounted, escaped, probably towards Muros.
The citizens of Toledo opened the city gates when Julio explained what would happen if they didn’t. The city was looted with some enthusiasm for a few days but pickings were meagre: and too few women.
Julio not only captured the contents of the city treasury, but much of the Leonese treasury, abandoned by its guards in their efforts to flee.

On the 28th Julio led most of his men down the Tajo Valley. He sent emissaries ahead to Tajo and Cartaxo to inform Urgelo and Calamo that he was coming and advising them to welcome him and his men with unalloyed joy, and to hand over any traitors for execution.
Julio asked Barloclos to go to Barrax in Taragon province and to enlighten the provincial leaders as to the seriousness of their misjudgement.
Barloclos took 3-4,000 men, confident that the Taragonese would be cowed enough by the news from Toledo to cause no trouble.
He sent emissaries ahead to summon the Taragonese leaders, both native Taragonese and Punic, to meet him in Barrax … or else.
It is anticipated that he will reach Barrax in another 7-10 days

Sancho asked Leo to take strategic command of his men whilst he was away, with Grau Roig as acting CinC. He appointed Salvadoro, the superstitious but courageous young warrior from Gib, as subgeneral to replace Escaldes.
Sancho then hastened south with 3 brigades of cavalry, each man with a spare horse, forcing marches.
On the 9th they rested in Aloala whence Sancho sent a proclamation to the Leonese “… put down your weapons and go home now or face death … any town failing to open its gates to my forces or harbouring Philipo will be razed.”
Then on down the coast road to Malaga (leaving a trail of alarmed Taragonese officials in his wake: they are all the more likely to hasten to Barrax when they get Barloclos’ orders!) and then inland to reach Cordoba on the 20th where Sancho was alarmed to hear that Julio had never received his instructions and had gone to give battle.
On the 21st Sancho pushed light cavalry scouts north and west to find out where Julio had gone, while he rested the remainder of his men and their mounts for a day.
Sancho then moved cautiously to Anchuras where he was met by his scouts accompanied by a few of Julio’s injured but jubilant men.
Sancho and his men are resting in Anchuras.

Fabricio had finally made it to Vichy where he and his men over-wintered.
Early in Wapenry he recrossed the Loire ford east of Vichy: he was joined by a couple of brigades of Exorcette’s cavalry and this force then continued eastwards to cross the Saone before turning south. An infantry force was left to hold the Vichy bridge.
They crossed the Upper Rhone and are now about 40 miles from the ford-at-the-island that lies about 30 or so miles north of St Etienne.

The Iberians and Italians have continued to loot systematically and ruthlessly, whilst scouting aggressively along the line of the Loire and the Allier.

All very quiet: some rotation of garrisons in Tuscany, particularly around Marseilles.

A small squadron of small galleys has been sighted on occasion off the northern coast of Carthage, peacefully heading west.
A number of ships, perhaps as many as 40 though some were merchantmen, have recently left Malta, though we have as yet no reports as to the direction taken.

Admiral Philip and his 4th fleet, including several new galleys, have been training between Amasra and Kish.

The tragic death of Thorstein is reported. He was drowned in a boating accident which all too clearly pointed up his incompetence and unsuitability for command … that Gylfi tried so valiantly to save him after he had fallen overboard is a charming reflection on Gylfi’s character. Gylfi was fortunately able to recover the anchor.
Anders and Gylfi have been training their crews: they have established bases on Ighland, the island to the east of Baku, and on the larger of the Eyl Isles. They recently set off northwards, perhaps rather optimistically to survey the rather less hospitable Moosh Rock.
Admiral Sinbad has detailed 5 light triremes to escort a merchant fleet from Tehran to Gemsa. 40 or more merchantmen have gathered in Tehran where it is rumoured that there are to be 80 merchant ships in this great fleet, gathered from Bukhara, Amol, and Tehran itself.
At 3 gp per week per ship there is no shortage of volunteers, though we hear that in view of the hazardous route proposed they are demanding cash in advance.
Two biremes of Nyfører’s river fleet have arrived in the estuary off Tehran, but it seems that they are unlikely to attempt the hazardous voyage to Gemsa.

All very quiet: Seg is touring Siberia and Lagoda with his army: his levies have not been called.
He is currently in Inner Siberia where a deputation has sworn permanent fealty (Trans: until you stop winning) and has begged their noble Highest Khan to free any remaining Siberian captives that he may hold … ransoms have been mentioned.

Ptelnet inaugurated a recruiting drive and some reorganisation of the divisions of the Immortals and the UPA. We hear that several thousand new recruits are now about to leave Alexandria to join their divisions.
Skaphos and the 2nd division of the Immortals went to Cairo where they collected a couple of wagons before continuing onwards via Said to Gaza where they rested briefly. They are expected to reach Petra in another 3 days.
Skaphos was accompanied as far as Said by Kyriaces with Ptelnet’s Parthian division but all being peaceful the latter have moved ahead more rapidly and have just reached Damascus.
Ptelnet with the 1st, 3rd, and 4th divisions of the Immortals, about 10,000 men, marched into West Nile province with the avowed intention of restoring law and order.
On the 10th as he approached El Giza after a cautious but uneventful march … minor harassment soon stopped when the would-be heroes found the Immortals rather more competent than they had hoped … Nash'ir bin Nash came to meet, nay to welcome, his new Emperor, the Golden Horus, Sharanshar of Sassanidia, Pharaoh of Egypt.
(The Editor is grateful: Stephanus the Golden had a whole page full of titles.)
You may recollect that Nash’ir had been the hereditary Sheikh of El Giza but had been replaced in 118, though he had continued to lead his tribe. Following the death of the peasant-Sheikh Ar Tolovs, Nash’ir had cautiously re-established his rule.
He informed the Golden Horus that the rebels, led by various P&O … errrm … renegades, had fled south towards El Minya, where Nash’ir’s second cousin Q'biq bin Q'binn still ruled his tribe though he too had been replaced as Sheikh in 118 by the peasant Ar Magrevs … now deceased.
Nash’ir swore fealty to Ptelnet who confirmed him in his post. After 5 days during which courts were re-established with the task of ensuring justice for all Persians, Ptelnet took the road south to El Minya with guides led by Nasser bin Nash’ir, the eldest son of Nash’ir.
Harassment on the march became more persistent but still remained rather ineffective and on the 24th Ptelnet’s scouts reached the town.
El Minya is only 2-300 yards square but has high stone walls and a citadel. The gates were closed and remained so despite polite requests to open them to admit the Golden Horus.
Q’biq was not in the town: on the 26th having received a promise of safe conduct he cautiously approached Ptelnet’s camp where he was overjoyed to find Nasser who was able to reassure the nervous Q’biq.
Q’biq averred that there were 1-2,000 rebel Nubian Sassanids and 2-3,000 rebels from the West Nile province in the town.
Seemingly they have gathered supplies, perhaps sufficient for some months as they have driven out most of the usual inhabitants of El Minya … apart for some womenfolk who were not allowed to leave.

The 1st and 2nd divisions of the UPA, having received their new recruits, are about to depart up the Nile Valley, escorting a number of slaves.

In an effort to reverse the effect of years of neglect Ptelnet has appointed a team of engineers to survey the extent of the silting up of the canal and to supervise its clearing.
Early estimates suggest that the canal should be usable by shallow draught river craft in a few weeks, but that to allow the passage of sea-going merchantmen will take at least a year.
A workforce of some 2,000 or slaves has been sent under guard. It has proved impossible to insure their lives.

Ar Mergevs, the once-upon-a-time peasant leader who rose during the troubled times to become Emir of the Nile Valley and Bey of Memphis, was killed as he left a ceremony of thanksgiving to the Earth Mother.
An able and vigorous though unpopular man who still adhered strongly to the old religion … there is no evidence that he was involved in human sacrifice despite the rumours … he leaves no obvious successor to either of his posts.
Who killed him? Why, Sassanids of course. He was attacked by half a dozen mounted men who scattered his few guards and speared him as he tried to flee.

Salammbo and the Heir (“No, no! He is the Emperor! There should be no doubt about it.) have moved to Paender with her guards.
Zaranissa has sent a number of emissaries:-
To Moloch:
he is welcome to come to Tanistat to swear fealty to the emperor and be confirmed as Provincial Governor of Primas and commander of the Primas forces.
To Faron:
he is invited to publicly acknowledge Harribal as Emperor and be confirmed in post and receive a cash bonus of 5,000gp.
To Ban’kher and Horus:
they and their men can be welcomed back into the arms of Baal (much better than receiving Baal’s sun blessing!!) – simply acknowledge Harribal as Emperor, receive 3,000gp between you to share, your men will get 1gp each, and publicly forswear the Prophet Motiph for the love of Baal.
There has not yet been time for replies to be received.
The Trias army has moved to Tanistat whence scouts have been pushed towards Xenaxros, Kys, Schkender, and Lucca.
The levies have also been summonsed to Tanistat. 10,000 or more of Zaranissa’s followers have gathered there but many of Salammbo’s followers have chosen to join her in Paender: we would guess that there are less than 10,000 in Tanistat and perhaps 15,000 in Paender.

Faron is now thought to be in effect a captive of Ban’kher and Horus: he is rarely seen out and about and is then always guarded by Motiph infantry, as indeed he is when carrying out his official duties.

Cyrus, the elderly Bey of Aral and Emir of Bashkan, as far as the post still exists, died peacefully in his sleep, attended by many of his wives … and also by his nephew Phlateries. Despite this no suspicious circumstances attend the demise of the increasingly senile 83 year old.
Loyal, but in his younger days a noted troublemaker with a reputation for venality, he has been succeeded by that 62 year old nephew who had in all but name become the Bey of Aral “… to help my beloved Uncle, the Emir Cyrus.”
Phlateries has announced that as well as becoming Bey, he intends to reinvigorate the post of Emir, a post to which he asserts that he naturally succeeds.
Gilgamesh has announced that an Academy of Taxation and Bureaucracy is to be established and young nobles from the city-states of Bashkan and Kazakh are to be enrolled: men from Baykal and Baykonur in particular are urged to study diligently and apply what they learn in an effort to bring order to their home cities.

Erik, at Hrunting’s suggestion, has given generous gifts to the Jarls and lesser leaders throughout Estonia.
They have also shipped grain to the cities of the Dvina Vale to alleviate shortages.

Kalevard, with several important Bruxellois in attendance, journeyed to Krefeld where he met and was welcomed by Friederich to whom he pledged his fealty.
After the ceremony 1,000 or so light Visigoth cavalry move through Bruxelles cautiously, scouting.
Friederich has called out the local Visigoth levies, and these have taken up defensive positions along the Rhine.

The Ostragoth levy, some 10-15,000 strong, has gathered at Friederichshavn under Johan. They were joined by Harda Knut’s mercenary levy and by his new paid force. A number of would-be emigrants has also arrived; they prudently are waiting to follow when it seems safe to do so.
When Friederich arrived a mock battle was staged between Harda’s paid men and an equal number of Johan’s Ostragoths, to try a new fighting technique. Everyone else watched.
There is no doubt that the Ostragoths won but it was pointed out that the Ostragoths were all veterans chosen for this combat.
Harda Knut has sacrificed generously to Odin and Thor to ensure the favour of the gods in the coming season. Raven banners have also been distributed to the worthy.

In what may have been a drunken diatribe towards the end of a feast for his new captains, Bjarni all too publicly complained that he was asked to buy longships when none were available, and to prepare for war when he had few competent crews: and that fool Harda Knut will march across the sea to our assistance! When his wife, Uliv, tried to hush him he rounded on her and intemperately accused her of an inappropriately close relationship with her redoubtable father.
There was a deafening silence, followed by an uneasy shuffling of chairs, followed by a rapid emptying of the hall as his guests fled took their leave.

Sardanes, Poignas, and Diamanjani are in Van city: they are to visit Mus: something to do with mining.

Two brigades of Boson’s foot and one of Laganides’ cavalry have just arrived at the bridge over the Firat (or Mus) river, just south of Sivas. They have stayed on the south side of the river and have made neither effort to cross nor to impede traffic.
They have told the curious that they are to build a fort … just timber and earth … on the southern end of the bridge.

Calcaneus has been welcomed by Suren as a trusted advisor.
Kerashkes has visited Suren who, we hear, apologised for the mismanagement of communications. Kerashkes was offered and accepted the posts of Vizier and of CinC of the infantry in the new reorganised Chaldean forces, with Abraham continuing to lead the levy and Tomeniaces commanding the cavalry.
We hear that Kerashkes’ eldest son is to marry into the Hamid Qabal.
Abraham has visited Atenatra at the Great Oasis and we hear that Suren is also to pay his respects in the near future.
The 2nd division of the Seljux Army has set off to join the 1st division.

A brigade of Kublai’s armoured cavalry has arrived and having paid their respects to the Emperor, has settled down to wait.

Shalman and his court and army have returned to Sivas in Iberia. Empress Polonova is said to be missing her bosom friend, the other Empress.

Macdonix, the brilliant 33 year old second cousin of Macalix has been appointed to command the 77th army