In late April, in Central Europe, at Magdeburg.
Golden sunlight filtered through sparse clouds, casting mottled shadows across the docks outside the city. Driven by a strong northern wind, a cargo-laden longship departed the pier and headed upstream along the Elbe River toward Moravia.
The first day of the voyage went smoothly, with the north wind helping push the vessel against the current.
By the afternoon of the second day, the river became increasingly winding and shallow. The captain gripped a long pole at the bow, probing the riverbed to avoid running aground or striking hidden rocks.
On the morning of the third day, mist drifted over the water, and dew gathered on the mast.
The crew spotted an overturned fishing boat ahead, half stranded on a sandbank. The captain ordered an inspection, but they found nothing except an empty wineskin.
On the fourth day, the merchant vessel reached a remote fishing village called Dresden, the traditional border between East Francia and Moravia.
After the war, responsibility for the region's defense had fallen to the Duke of Bavaria.
At the same time, the Emperor remained convinced that silver deposits existed nearby. He had retained the mining rights for the area and dispatched a large survey team from the homeland to search for silver veins.
After resting for a night, the ship continued upstream.
From time to time, Slavic hunters could be seen standing among the trees along the riverbank. They stared across the water at the passing vessel, their gazes resembling those directed toward intruders entering their territory.
By the evening of the fifth day, a settlement enclosed by wooden walls appeared around a bend in the river.
They had arrived at the Moravian border trading station.
Compared to the past, an iron chain now stretched across the river.
Stone fortresses were under construction on both banks, and Greek stonemasons and engineers could be seen everywhere at the work sites.
After paying customs duties—and an additional bribe—the captain continued upstream until they finally reached the docks south of Žatec.
"We're here."
As twenty sailors began unloading cargo, five passengers shouldered their belongings and bid farewell to the captain.
One of them, a young man, headed directly toward the eastern district of the town in search of the residence of Lord Kocel.
Inside the lord's hall, the two verified their passwords.
Kocel's expression immediately changed.
He hurriedly led the young man into a secluded corner of the garden behind the estate.
"Who are you?"
"Agent codename Red Snapper. Intelligence Service—Investigation Bureau—Moravia Division. I've been assigned to reside in Žatec permanently.
"But why are you so nervous? Has something happened?"
During his journey through town, Agent Red Snapper had already noticed that the atmosphere was abnormal.
People hurried through the streets with their heads lowered, speaking little to one another.
Something significant had clearly happened in Moravia.
Kocel's eyes swept repeatedly across the lush garden foliage as he lowered his voice.
"Recently, the old king finally made up his mind.
"He has fully embraced the faith promoted by the Eastern Romans and expelled the five nobles most strongly opposed to it from the royal court.
"To the west stands Emperor Vig. To the east stands Emperor Basil.
"With two great rulers watching us simultaneously, how could Moravia possibly remain stable?"
Kocel ruled territory in western Moravia and had long been dissatisfied with the old king's rule.
He asked the question that concerned him most:
"When will Emperor Vig make his move?"
Agent Red Snapper paused briefly.
"That depends on the circumstances."
His rank was far too low to know such critical information.
From his perspective, the Empire was not yet prepared for another full-scale war.
The eight thousand soldiers stationed at Magdeburg were sufficient only for limited conflicts.
They lacked the strength to rapidly capture Moravian towns.
If a prolonged siege attracted Croatian armies from the south—or Eastern Roman forces from the Balkans—the situation could become extremely troublesome.
The ideal scenario was for Moravian nobles to launch a coup in defense of traditional customs, swiftly eliminate the king, seize control of the country, and then invite Viking forces to enter and assist in maintaining order.
Kocel tore a red flower from a nearby bush and crushed it in his hands.
"Fine.
"I'll contact other nobles.
"Once it's done, I want all of western Moravia.
"I'll call myself the Duke of Bohemia."
Red Snapper spread his hands helplessly.
"My lord, I'm not authorized to make promises of that nature.
"However, the Empire never mistreats those who render great service.
"The greater your contribution, the greater your reward.
"The final decision depends on the Emperor's assessment."
At this point, Kocel finally committed everything to the conspiracy.
In May, with forests thick and green, he invited four friendly nobles on a hunting excursion in the countryside.
Sunlight filtered through intertwined branches, while the fragrance of wildflowers drifted through the air.
"Look over there!"
Kocel suddenly reined in his horse and pointed toward a dense patch of brush.
A large stag stood alert among the foliage, its massive antlers gleaming dark brown beneath the sunlight.
Almost simultaneously, three nobles behind him raised their bows.
Two arrows missed.
The third struck cleanly into the deer's abdomen.
"Haha! I hit it!"
The successful hunter let out a triumphant whistle and charged into the woods with two retainers.
That afternoon, the group rested beside a river.
The water shimmered beneath the sunlight, while fields of pale-yellow wildflowers bloomed on the opposite bank.
Servants soon roasted the venison.
Kocel and the four nobles reclined upon blankets, drinking wine, eating meat, and listening to a bard's songs.
After more than ten minutes, the guests entered that pleasant state between sobriety and drunkenness.
Kocel dismissed the servants and bard before bringing up recent developments in the capital of Velehrad.
"The king only cares about currying favor with Basil.
"He has abandoned our ancient traditions.
"His court is now filled with Greek priests, advisors, and officers.
"Before long, he may even begin granting lands to Greeks."
Encouraged by wine, the guests finally voiced their true thoughts.
They complained bitterly about the king's policies, especially the special taxes imposed upon local lords to fund a standing army and church construction.
"Why should we pay for it?
"My lands lie in the valleys. I collect no commercial taxes and survive only on modest agricultural revenues.
"I nearly couldn't afford my daughter's dowry."
"Exactly!
"If the king has chosen to rely on the Eastern Romans, then Basil should be the one paying!"
Throughout the discussion, Kocel remained calm, carefully observing every reaction.
After the hunt concluded, he paid a private visit to the young noble who had reacted most strongly and invited him into his cause.
After two months of networking and persuasion, Kocel's conspiracy had grown to six members.
He also received encouraging news from Londinium:
If the operation succeeded, the Emperor promised to grant him a ducal title.
Yet just as everything seemed to be progressing perfectly, a royal messenger suddenly arrived from Velehrad.
The king had summoned all nobles to court immediately.
Not good.
Kocel sought out Agent Red Snapper.
"What do we do now?
"Exactly how many troops are there at Magdeburg?"
"Eight thousand soldiers.
"Additionally, the Duke of Bavaria can raise over four thousand more troops—but that will take time."
If war broke out now, Kocel was not confident of victory.
Nor did he possess the courage to stake everything on a desperate gamble.
In the end, he could only cling to hope and accompany the royal messenger to the court.
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