Notes:
Extra-long chapter.
The AAR was started with Kingdoms 1.4, since 1.5 I've been getting errors but I think I got it now. So let's finish this thing!
--Chapter 15: The Next Board--
Of course things were more complicated than that in the real world.
In his mind, Casimir envisioned riding at the head of the army with Lord Juvage at his side to provide advice. The reality was something else again. While King Tautvilas fully intended Casimir to take part in the campaigns, he was not about to send a man newly come of age alone to the north. King Tautvilas and Juvage were brothers by decree and law but not blood, and certainly not related to Casimir. Casimir was the only surviving male of the official royal, bloodline. Where he might have expected to become King in some lands, in Lithuania the crown passed to Tautvilas as the eldest son, regardless of blood. It bothered Casimir sometimes but as Juvage had pointed out when he'd asked him about it years ago, it forced everyone to earn their way resulting in better kings--at least in theory.
Theory. In practice Juvage had been sent with Skirgaila to the southwest while a re-organization began to implement the new plans for expansion. It meant he sat in a fort south of Marienburg in the snow. At peace with the Poles, it had meant patrolling the same stretch of border week after week. The soft underbelly of the realm was vulnerable, especially with the mighty citadel of the Poles unconquered. For now the Lithuanians could only hope to expand elsewhere and prepare for the day the peace would end.
To that end, more money was needed even Casimir understood the most vital needs of the state were men and money. Juvage had been sent across the sea to Gotland and the coastal towns resisting the Danes and Norwegians. Desperate for some excitement--Skirgaila spent a lot of time with the local women and wine in the name of allowing Casimir to "practice his leadership"--Casimir eagerly broke the seal on Juvage's latest letter.
After resupplying at Visby, we made landfall not far from the town of Kalmar and began to exercise our rule over the outlying regions with some success. From local informents I gathered that the petty thane of Kalmar, one Gustav, a cavalry man, had already beat back two attempts by the Danes to force the issue of soveriegnty.
Gustav's forces were well balanced but his resources were limited and he was forced to draft peasants when we arrived. I knew that the Bajorijia would easily overwhelm him once we reached the walls--it was getting inside that would prove the problem.
I had constructed a great deal of siege equipment including towers for the Bajorijia. It would do no good to send them up the ladders and I wanted them fresh when they reached the walls.
As we began the assualt, Gustav's archers resisted us ferociously setting their arrows alight. Our only ram caught fire to my surprise. It was a minor set back only as I'd been counting on the towers but it was not a good omen to begin with.
To my surprise, Gustav made an error in judgment or he let his men get away from him. The peasants rushed out the door intend on savaging the crew with the ram--needless to say they did not last long.
The Samogitians as always demanded to go up the ladders to be the first to meet the enemy on the walls.
The defenders fought hard, but we were assaulting the wall all along the line, and I'd made sure the assault came in places where our units could support each other.
After winning the walls the Bajorijia led the assault deeper into Kalmar.
In the end, Gustav took refuge in the square and we had to rush him... I led the charge but don't tell your mother. She always worries about me for all that she's known me since your father spoke so well of me.
It was over quickly, and we'd gained our first territory in Gotland. Because I had already been seizing the land while we laid siege to Kalmar itself, I was able to reorganize my forces and headed north with a detachment while the rest secured Kalmar....
He was interrupted then, Skirgaila entered and tossed a sealed letter to him.
"I don't think you'll be staying here much longer. I rather envy you," he said without real rancor. He leaned against the tent pole an idly played with his riding gloves as he eyed Casimir. Skirgaila had gotten used to the easier life of patrol and he was quite content not to be in near constant battle.
Casimir opened this letter with slightly shaking fingers breaking the seal and quickly scanned the contents.
"I'll order your bodyguard to move out," Skirgaila grinned at him. "Enjoy yourself up there, but when you get back from smacking around some noisy rebels, you'll be in the real war."
"But the Poles..."
"If not them then the Republic or the Danes. I hear the Prince of Novgorod is getting a little nervous at the pace of our expansion and the Danes won't take kindly to our claims in Gotland however much Juvage gets the country behind him."
"I understand," Casimir said with a stiff nodd of his head. "But action is action."
"Don't get your back up," Skirgaila said sounding aggrieved. "If you learned nothing from me learn this: peace never lasts. Not now, not here."
That was how Casimir found himself some months later staring out at the Gulf of Riga. It was beautiful day of course, though it wouldn't last much longer as they had spent most of the summer gathering enough troops to take Abo and make it stick. Gentle waves were lapping at the shoreline and he essayed a smile.
"I hear you're going alone," a warm voice purred in his ear. He smiled.
"I am, the news came with the latest courier." He half turned as a young woman with very dark hair slid up behind him he slid an arm around her waist. It was semi-scandalous for them to be that way but he didn't care. "Go ahead Tove, I know you want to say it."
"I told you," she smiled. "I was right again."
"You did," he agreed amiably. "You are." He felt her hand on his arm flex for a moment. She liked to twitch him and was always a little put out if she didn't.
He thought back to his arrival in Riga. He'd gathered troops from the country-side on his way north while more soldiers had come from Windau, the fief Tautvilas owned before he ascended to the crown. To his surprise the soldiers had been lead by his daughter Tove. As Tautvilaus daughter, she was styled a princess, but she was no blood of Mindaugas and he was certainly glad of it.
As Riga fell under the personal jurisdiction of her family, she'd come along not only to lead the soldiers but to administer the region for some time before returning home. In this way she would cycle through her father's holdings making sure everyone remembered who was in charge--and who was the new king. He'd been a bit unsure of himself when he'd been introduced to her, but he quickly discovered that she was far more interested in practical matters than simpering behind her hand and had a spirit of fierceness that fascinated him and he'd found himself spending more and more time with Tove, whether it be to discuss provisioning the troops, or inspecting the farms and villages around Riga itself.
He'd been afraid to admit to himself but he had fallen in love with her.
"Do you know what other news the courier brought?"
"You obviously do, so why don't you tell me."
"Your friend Lord Juvage has had incredible success in Gotland and Svealand.... but it's gotten us in trouble."
"The Danes."
"None other," Tove agreed.
"How did it happen Tove, and why am I still to head to Abo?"
"Are you complaining Casimir?" she sounded amused. She was very cool headed, one of the things that he found beguiling about her.
"Tove..."
"Right. Sorry," she said. She spoke in a more normal tone now, sounding actually contrite. "It's very simple, Juvage has set up the beginnings of a fortress at Skara to guard against the Norwegians. They were forcibly removed from Albion and their new King needs some successes or he will be in trouble. By the way, it seems Juvage was stunning in his conquest of Skara...."
"....he charged the enemy lines almost alone and slaughtered hundreds of them. As a result?"
"A delegation from the Hansa, they wish to located the league headquarters in Visby."
"Tove, that's wonderful! The money--" He said turning to face her. He grabbed her upper arms.
"Yes, I know," she said smiling at him. "They sent a huge regard-gift for allowing them to base themselves with us and that means..."
"We can afford to--but I am to leave."
"Before you go. It has to be now."
"But Tove--"
"No. I won't allow it," she said staring at him in that intense way of hers. "If I must lose you, let it be as a widow and not a maid."
The preparations had been made, and everything went perfectly though he knew he'd angered many people by having it so quickly. But Tove was right. If they had to part let it be as husband and wife.
Due to their alliance with the Republic, regular correspondence could be sent to Abo and he began to wait for her letters as they came with the supply ships.
My Dearest love,
I hope this letter finds you well. I read your last, and I was somewhat distressed to find that little news makes it up to to you. Let me remedy that as well I can:
To begin, news of the Hansa siding with us stunned the norther world. The King of England raised tarrifs, the Flemish lords apparently got into some sort of fight with him about it which actually forced more trade our way. It was said that the Catholic Pope tore his robes and burned one of his hats, which amused the council greatly when the messenger recounted it! Though I don't quite understand the details.
More seriously, while the Emperor is our ally and we are safe from Crusade for the moment, the news has caused the Danes and Norwegians to turn their attention to us. Though not at war, we believe they are attempting to sabotage the League.
In response to norse aggression, your friend Juvage has laid siege to the castle of Hassleholm in southern Gotland. I have not a mind for complex military matters but I can follow his plan well enough, if he wins there he will be able to secure Gotland against the Danes and for us.
In the south, I hear that lord Edivydas has laid siege to Zhytomyr to provide cover for my father and brother. They are heading south to the old heartland with the aid of the Republic. Kiev! Think of it my dearest, Kiev in our hands! The thought fills my mind with delight....
It must be lonely to be up north when so much else is occuring but I know you will soon triumph. Out nation is growing so strong! Though I must say I was moved to learn about the conditions you are enduring now. There is little I can do to ease the burden for you save to remind you that I await your return. I know when next we meet you will be crowned with victory.
Until then I remain, your wife,
Tove
As Casimir finished reading the letter from his new wife, a wife he had only seen a few days after marrying, he went outside his tent to survey the camp. It was well ordered as Juvage taught him. Something his father had always done, believing organization and discipline was the key to victory even more than courage though of course his father had shown his mettle in the battle that brought Riga under their banner.
Above him the northern lights were sparkling like the Gods' own fires and he smiled at the omen. They were anticipating a good show. Well he'd give it to them but not tomorrow or even the day after. He hoped he'd be able to finish here soon, not just to return to Tove for a while but also to take part in the expansion. Lithuania was a strong state, large and powerful a country on the rise and following the true heart and soul she had always possessed with a strong arm. He could see that in the armored men surrounding him, a strong army, one of the largest ones the county had put into the field but not the only one.Still, something inside him wondered: they were surrounded by the Christians, the reaction to the Hanseatic League had shown that. One day, would Lithuanian to be one of them? Was that the way to true strength? Casimir shook his head to banish the thoughts but they continud to worm away at him completing his circuit of the camp when he went back to his tent....
End Chapter 15