In the throne hall, Ryan distributed detailed intelligence reports from the Empire to all attending dukes, as well as the Lake Enchantress Morgiana, the head of the Sorceress Assembly Veronica, her two deputies, Aurora and Teresa from Military Intelligence, and Roland, the marshal of the Border Guard.
As they reviewed the reports, the scope of the situation grew clearer. It was now early November, nearly ten days since the Battle of Zedovka. The Kingdom of Kislev was on the brink, with Praag confirmed abandoned. With the execution of General Pavlov, the remaining defenders and militia had mostly disbanded, and Nurgle's chosen champion, Festus, had just entered Praag with an army of around 60,000, moving south at a slow pace.
The Slaanesh champion, Prince Sigvald, was heavily weakened after Zedovka, with only 13,000 troops remaining. Currently, he was encamped at Zedovka, awaiting reinforcements from the Northern Wastes, though his forces had only managed to grow to about 20,000 so far. The Norscan mountain legions had been reduced to 35,000 at Zedovka but quickly replenished their numbers to 50,000 with new warriors joining from Norsca. Now they marched directly toward Erengrad.
Finally, the largest threat loomed in the form of a 100,000-strong Chaos main force led by the black-armored Morkar Mortkin, marching swiftly southward toward the Empire's border. However, heavy blizzards—summoned by Tsarina Katarin and her ice witches—had delayed their advance, temporarily slowing them. Adding to this force, a Chaos reserve army of 50,000 had begun moving south from the Mourning Mountains.
Additionally, reports from the Norscan dwarfs indicated that more than 100,000 Chaos forces were massing in the Northern Wastes, preparing to march south.
These reports weighed heavily on everyone in the throne hall. Duke Taubert of Lyonesse, usually eager to challenge Ryan's decisions, spoke first. "Your Majesty, could this information be exaggerated? Weren't the northern tribes busy fighting the Dark Elves? How could they muster an army of 300,000 so suddenly?"
"I agree, Your Majesty," added Duke Ford of Montfort, the youngest among the dukes. "This sounds like the Empire and Kislev inflating the numbers to reduce their own losses and get us involved."
Duke Theodoric of Brionne, always quick to express his skepticism, nodded as he eyed the Lake Enchantress, Morgiana. "I suspect it's true that Chaos is advancing south, but I doubt they number more than 50,000—perhaps similar to the size of the army we faced at Chantillon."
Regent Duke Louen responded seriously, "Fifty thousand Chaos warriors couldn't have shattered Kislev's 80,000 troops so thoroughly. If their numbers were so low, Kislev wouldn't have suffered this badly."
Theodoric scowled but pressed on. "We don't know what happened at Zedovka. Like Ford, I suspect the Empire and Kislev may be exaggerating their plight to share the burden with us."
"I don't think that's the case, Theodoric," Ryan interjected. "If the situation were different, the Empire and Kislev would have framed it that way."
"I agree with His Majesty." Francois, Ryan's father-in-law, chuckled as he stroked his goatee. "For example, they could have said, 'We defeated one million enemies and are retreating in victory to Bekafen.'"
Laughter erupted in the hall at the joke, a nod to how Ryan had led Bretonnia to victory after victory, with their latest triumph at Chantillon fresh in mind. The contrast with Kislev's defeat made many look down on Kislev's performance.
"What's the longest joke?"
"The Tsarina's strategy at Zedovka."
Such were the jests circulating in Bretonnia about Kislev's recent losses.
After a pause, Queen Sulia spoke with regal authority. "Laugh all you want, but don't mistake Chaos for being weak. Even if you doubt Kislev or the Empire's word, can you truly ignore the dwarfs' reports? When a dwarf warns of danger, you should take it seriously."
Sulia's words silenced the hall.
Indeed, they might question other humans, even their Empire allies or the distant Kislevites, but dwarfs? Having dealt with King Lorek of Karak Hirn and Belagar of Eight Peaks, Bretonnian knights understood that a dwarf's warning was no light matter.
"If that's the case, then the situation must be quite dire," Duke Hagen of Gisoreux said thoughtfully. "But why are we being asked to mobilize as well? Shouldn't the Empire handle this?"
"The Empire has its own battles to fight," Francois explained. "Caught off guard, they need time to mobilize. Their job will be to slow Chaos's tide while we march to aid them and expel the Chaos filth from the Old World."
Duke Casvain of Parravon, who had never forgotten his loss at Helmgart, scoffed. "Once again, the knights of Bretonnia are asked to sacrifice while the Empire reaps the benefits. What exactly will we gain from helping them?"
"Not much," Ryan admitted quietly. "All Emperor Karl Franz can promise us is logistical support. But Casvain, tell me, what is the knight's duty?"
Casvain fell silent.
"When the tide of destruction comes, everything it touches is annihilated. All life is slaughtered or corrupted, and every achievement of mortal civilization is wiped from memory," said Morgiana, the Lake Enchantress. "We must prevent this from happening. Without our support, Kislev will soon fall, and the Empire will suffer unimaginable devastation. And then, Casvain, they will come for us."
"Exactly," Duke Hubald of Carcassonne added solemnly. "It's our duty to hold back the darkness, not within our own lands, but beyond our borders. We must protect what the Lady has blessed us with."
"Your Majesty, let us go to war."
"Yes, Your Majesty, send us to battle!"
"Knights live for the honor of the Grail or the return in shrouds; send us to war!"
The Lake Enchantress's approval tipped the scales. The dukes realized their goddess supported this holy war, and with her blessings, new Grail Knights would surely emerge. Ryan's presence and authority silenced any further opposition.
Only Duke Adalhard of L'Anguille raised a concern. "If we march to aid the Empire, what of the Norscan dragonship fleet that still threatens our coastline?"
"The dragonship fleet's purpose is likely to tie us down," Francois replied. "I propose we mobilize in a way that doesn't disrupt daily life."
Ryan looked skeptical. "Can someone explain how we mobilize without affecting daily life?"
"In a kingdom of over eight million people, it's best to recruit one soldier per 50 or 75 households to avoid disruption," Regent Louen suggested.
The dukes nodded in agreement. A 1:50 recruitment ratio would hardly strain the kingdom, while a 1:75 ratio would likely see volunteers competing for the chance.
"Then let it be one soldier per 75 households," Ryan declared. "Now, given this ratio, how many troops can Bretonnia raise, including your existing forces and willing freemen?"
Louen calculated briefly. "Between 35,000 and 40,000, Your Majesty, perhaps more. With winter upon us, many peasants will be eager to enlist in hopes of earning advancement."
"Let's assume 38,000 troops," Ryan concluded. "Gentlemen, a new crusade is upon us!"
"For the Lady and the King! For Bretonnia!"
With that, the decision to aid the Empire and Kislev was set.
Bretonnia would send three waves.
The first would be the Northern Army under Calard, freshly reinforced. Calard's force would join forces with Duke Bodrick's sea knights and, after preparations, embark by sea to break the dragonship blockade and reach Erengrad.
The second force, led personally by King Ryan, would include Morgiana, Veronica, Aurora and Teresa of Military Intelligence, Regent Louen, Duke Bohemond of Montfort, and other northern nobles. They would travel by land, crossing through Marienburg to Middenland.
The third wave, led by Francois, consisted of southern knights who would gather and move at a slower pace, serving as reserve forces and reinforcing from Nuln and Talabheim as needed.
Sulia would remain in Couronne, governing the kingdom in Ryan's absence, with Olica to support her. While both seemed disappointed with this decision—especially Olica, who preferred staying close to Ryan—he felt it was the wisest arrangement.
Thus, the kingdom began its preparations for war. Calard and his Northern Army readied for an imminent departure alongside the Sea God's fleet.
In this world of darkness and despair, only the fire of battle remained.
In late November, in the outskirts of Erengrad, Grovod Forest.
The tide of destruction advanced closer to Erengrad.
After Zedovka, Marshal Rokossovsky managed to rally a few remaining soldiers and organize a partial retreat into Erengrad, taking in numerous refugees along the way. To him, Erengrad's strategic location as Kislev's only seaport meant it was imperative to hold. Not only did it offer hope of reinforcements from the Empire or Bretonnia, but it also tied down Chaos forces, buying time for the Empire to respond.
Erengrad
was also home to Kislev's only small armory, Kirov, capable of producing firearms and cannons.
To the city's north and east lay the dense Grovod Forest, which provided some cover. Upon taking control of Erengrad, Rokossovsky and Admiral Kuznetsov placed the city under martial law, preparing for the inevitable Chaos assault by setting up defenses within the forest to slow the enemy.
Then came the Tsarina's order for Rokossovsky's execution.
The Bear Rider Marshal could hardly believe it. As he tried to rally Kislev's last hope for survival, the Tsarina had condemned him, blaming him for Zedovka's failure.
Aged only in his thirties, Rokossovsky had looked to the Tsarina as his sovereign, but now he felt utterly betrayed, especially when the Cheka informed him that Katarin had abandoned the kingdom and fled south.
Desperate, he argued with the Cheka, pleading to be allowed to atone by holding Erengrad. But the Cheka refused, insisting on his immediate execution.
Rokossovsky, disillusioned, turned to his troops one last time to deliver the news of the Tsarina's orders.
The men of Erengrad, particularly those who had fought at Zedovka, were devastated. Why was their savior now marked for death?
At that moment, the Kislev Red Navy burst into outrage.
"This must be Chaos's doing—a false decree!"
"It's a forgery! A forgery!"
"Execute the Cheka! Kislev's sons will never abandon Erengrad!"
The furious sailors seized the Cheka agents and handed them over to Rokossovsky, who conferred briefly with Kuznetsov. Together, they made the decision to execute the Cheka and disregard Katarin's command. The nobles and city representatives gathered and swore to defend Erengrad to the last.
With a resounding cannon blast from Erengrad's navy, the Erengrad Defense Coalition was officially formed. The entire city, from marshals and boyars to refugees, united under a single purpose: to hold Erengrad, no matter the cost.
As they steeled themselves, the Norscan mountain legions arrived at the edge of Grovod Forest.
The Siege of Erengrad had begun.
_________________________
[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! $5 for all!!]
[w w w . p a t r e o n .com / INNIT]
[+100 PowerStones = +1 Chapter] [+5 Reviews = +1 Chapter]