Outside the grand wooden doors of the Imperial Parliament stood a line of Rick Guards on duty. The Rick Guards have always served as the Emperor's personal troops and are the strongest cavalry in Brunswick, apart from the Royal Semi-Griffon Guard. They are responsible for safeguarding the Emperor and, in many cases, representing him in patrols and inspections.
Another year has come and gone, and this season the Rick Guards have recruited several new members, mostly the offspring of nobility, with some coming from knightly or elite military families. The Rick Guards are open to welcoming many people, as long as they meet the standards of military excellence and display absolute loyalty to the Emperor.
Within the Rick Guards, there is an elite inner circle known as the Rick Inner Circle Knights. This group comprises only about thirty to forty men, yet they are known for their sturdy armor, agility, strength, and excellent problem-solving skills. They are tasked with isolating the commoners from the royal entourage and guarding the Emperor. They often wield heavy shields, longswords, poleaxes, and greatswords, wearing full-body plate armor polished to a mirror finish and adorned with beautiful feathers.
Today marked the day of an expanded emergency meeting of the Imperial Parliament. The Inner Circle Knights stood in formation outside the doors of Parliament, ready to protect the Emperor's court.
At the forefront stood two senior Rick Inner Circle Guards, named Schuler and Wadsey, who scolded the new recruits to focus and stay alert. They warned everyone that the Emperor and the Elector Counts were meeting, and that the court's only task—its most critical mission—was preparing for war.
"War? What war?" sneered several of the jesters and noble lords favored by the Emperor. "What war?"
The past year or two had offered the Empire a rare moment of peace. In the southern Badlands, the Empire's threat from the green skins had lessened significantly since Eight Peaks Mountain was reclaimed, forming a line of defense. In the East, High King Sorgrim had seized Gunbad Peak, throwing its last goblin over the cliffs before returning victoriously to Everpeak with a five-hundred-man team of miners left behind to extract resources.
To the West, the Treaty of Friendship and Mutual Assistance between Bretonnia and the Empire had greatly reduced tensions and troop presence along the border. Only about a thousand troops remained on either side—a fraction of the previous number—allowing military funds to be redirected to other essential needs.
So, if war was looming, it could only be from the North. But weren't the tribes fighting the dark elves?
The Rick Guards, ever stubborn, denied entry to all visitors. Several nobles and high-ranking courtiers, draped in perfume and noble airs, attempted to assert their privilege, only to be met with drawn blades as a stern reminder that this was no jest.
The lengthy meeting was taxing even on the guards, with some recruits struggling to remain upright after prolonged standing. Even the strict Inner Circle Guards showed signs of fatigue, though they knew their duty was unwavering.
Eventually, a general emerged from behind the doors: Rudolf von Lichtenstein, an Imperial General. Schuler immediately approached him. "Rudolf, what's the situation?"
"Everyone understands the threat of Chaos in the North," Rudolf replied with frustration. "The Kislites, those damned pig-headed fools, have charged headlong into a fight with Chaos without alerting us to the extent of the situation."
Through the still-open doors, more voices could be heard from within.
"Katarin and her court have withdrawn to Ostermark, carrying centuries' worth of royal treasures, but most of her elite forces are gone, and she's brought along a massive entourage of court servants and boyar nobles. I can barely find room to house them all," declared the Ostermark Speaker, Elector Count Hetwig, with impatience and urgency. "The flood of refugees has overwhelmed our defenses and strained our supply lines. Ostermark needs reinforcements, food, and weapons support immediately—at least ten thousand sets of equipment and five thousand tons of grain."
"Our situation mirrors yours," added Grand Duke Vladimir von Zhukov of Ostland. "No one expected this. Kislev should have held out for aid, but word is that Praag has fallen, and Chaos forces now occupy the area. Erengrad remains silent."
"Impossible!" shouted Nordland's Grand Duke Theodorik Gaisel. "I know Kislev's army—elite units like the Bear Riders, the Winged Hussars, and the Kreml Guards don't just vanish! I suspect Katarin is holding back her forces and unloading her burdens on us."
"Listen up," bellowed Boris Todbringer, Elector Count of the White Wolf, in his trademark loud voice. "Now is not the time for debate. The Empire must unite. We need to declare a general mobilization and summon all troops to stand against Chaos at our borders. If they want war, let them have it. Middenheim will stand firm until the last son of Ulric falls."
"Hold on, hold on, my friend!" interrupted Helmut Feuerbach, Elector Count of Talabecland, signaling for Boris to calm down with a "T" gesture. "General mobilization? Are you serious? Such an order would ruin every province permanently!"
The Elector Count of Averland, Marius Leitdorf, also opposed general mobilization. "Every province has its own issues. Let's secure the borders and ensure supplies first. How can you be sure the Tsarina isn't exaggerating to cover her own failures?"
The Emperor remained silent, seemingly hesitant to speak.
Edbrand Ludenhof, the Grand Duke of Hochland, spoke up clearly and forcefully. "Hochland will attempt a general mobilization, but we're vulnerable and need more support—troops, equipment, food, and gold."
Schuler listened to everything, eager to find a way to aid the Emperor.
The Empire's situation was dire. Chaos forces were expected at the borders in as little as two months, and the Empire was unprepared. Kislev had been ravaged, and the Empire hadn't even started mobilizing its troops. Fully assembling a large army could take three to five weeks, and moving from the capital to the northern front would take six to eight weeks. The question remained: who would fund the astronomical costs of soldiers' pay and the vast quantities of daily rations?
Inside the Parliament, Emperor Karl Franz sat silently, his brows furrowed. He glanced at the Grand Theogonist, Volkmar, hoping for support, but Volkmar seemed distracted by his own troubles. The issue with Luthor Huss had spiraled out of control, with High Priest Esme III using it as leverage to attack Volkmar and pursue goals like selling indulgences, heritable benefices, and stripping Huss of his clerical status. Volkmar opposed each of these demands, though he knew Esme had ample support within the Church.
"Let's begin localized mobilization in high-risk areas," the Emperor finally spoke after a prolonged debate. "The provinces nearest the front lines—Nordland, Ostland, Ostermark, and Hochland—should mobilize immediately. Meanwhile, the southern provinces, including Reikland, will follow with support in food and funds."
"When will we get support? How much?" Hetwig demanded, banging the table in frustration. "My Emperor, this is no time for empty words. Delay has already proven fatal!"
The Emperor shot back, "Gathering supplies and mobilizing takes time! I understand the urgency, but that's why I've called you here!"
The heated exchange subsided as Hetwig realized his urgency might have overstepped.
"Mobilize the standing army and garrison troops for the North immediately!" growled Grand Duke Gaisel. "We need gold—coins bearing the Emperor's and Elector Counts' faces, or even the Dwarven and Bretonnian kings' likenesses. Only gold will secure the loyalty of the nobility, councils, and even mercenaries like the Ogre Brigades to fight for the Empire!"
The Emperor's face darkened. His treasury had some funds, but nearly half of it was war debt owed to the High King. The remaining reserves wouldn't satisfy the Elector Counts' demands. After this year's abundant harvest, he'd hoped to set aside some funds for palace repairs.
At that moment, all eyes turned to a single figure.
Over recent years, no one in the Empire had grown wealthier than Emmanuelle von Lebowitz-Bernadino, the Countess of Nuln. She had reaped the most benefit from the Empire-Bretonnia Friendship and Assistance Treaty, enjoying immense favor in Bretonnia.
The Countess, listening intently, sat alongside her trusted advisors: Nuln's Grand Marshal, Ernst-Ein, and High Judge Theodore Bruckner. Today, she wore a high-waisted, classical dress in shades of peony and ink, paired with a noblewoman's cloak in black and gold. Her golden hair was styled in a regal updo, fixed with an electoral crown, and her tall, slender figure commanded the room.
Sensing the gaze upon her, Emmanuelle's face remained impassive, concealing her disdain for the Tsarina. After a moment's consideration, she finally spoke. "Nuln and Wissenland will assist the Empire as much as possible, though I'll need to discuss specific amounts with the city council upon my return. Nuln and Wissenland will dispatch five regiments with some provisions to the North."
"Not enough, Countess!" Gaisel complained. "You could field thirty regiments, not to mention the steam tanks and Nuln Ironclads. We need everything!"
"Who will guard Nuln if my Ironclads protect you?" Emmanuelle replied sharply. "The
South faces its own threats from Goblin tribes in the Black Mountains."
"Salzland is under Gelt's Alchemist's Guild. They'll address the South. Deploy your forces North, or it'll be too late!" shouted Vamir, Duke of Ostland.
"Our River Patrol and Sylvania Border Guard are non-negotiable," declared Stirland's Grand Duke, Elector Count Graf Alberich Haupt-Anderson, still in his worn leather coat. "I can spare a few regiments from Ubersreik, but you'll handle their provisions."
"You expect us to mobilize, feed, and fund everything on our own?" erupted Marius Leitdorf of Averland. "Who said we're refusing aid? But if we mobilize now, our lands will pay a heavy toll!"
"Enough!" Karl Franz struck his gavel to quiet the Parliament. "We are here to discuss countering Chaos, not bicker! The South's Elector Counts seem reluctant to fully mobilize, while the North lacks the funds to do so."
The prolonged debate made it clear that the Elector Counts understood the severity of this Chaos invasion. Faced with an approaching enemy force of 300,000, they finally reached a compromise: the Southern Elector Counts would supply funds, food, and some troops, while the Northern Counts would mobilize fully and fortify the borders.
"Sire, could the Empire request aid from the High Elves?" Gaisel asked the Emperor.
"I'll notify the ambassador," the Emperor nodded.
"Could we also request aid from the Dwarves?" added Marius of Averland.
"I'll send a messenger to the High King," the Emperor responded.
"Well, then, Karl, should we seek aid from the Kingdom of Bretonnia?" said Boris Todbringer, Elector Count of the White Wolf. "Aren't alliances meant for times like this?"
The Emperor hesitated, unsure if the Empire should rely on Bretonnia's help in this desperate moment.
"What do you think, Countess Emmanuelle?" he finally asked.
_________________________
[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]