Chronicles of Crowned Men (Semi-Closed/Attn. Quenmin)

[Quen Minh]

Italicized means they're speaking their home language.

"What do you think about this, Your Majesty," asked Lê Quốc Thuyết, muttering as he leans his head towards the Emperor.

"Quite surprising. Especially at how a rebellion has risen at this time," the Emperor replied.

"Should we deploy troops to help them quell it," asked Major General Kiều Dũng Hiền.

"Seems like a good idea, but I don't have the slightest conviction that it is the right path to take. We have other matters to take care of back home, anyways."

"Good answer. However, I feel like we should let Major General Hiền and his attaché, Captain Đắc, to stay behind to observe how it unfolds, and possibly, how the Vionnans handle the situation. Could be a sign of good will to our Vionnan friends," Thuyết replies.

The Emperor takes a deep breath through the nose."

"Major General, what do you think?"

"I think it's an idea that I'm willing to take. We may as well get some ideas for a future conflict with Aichi, if that ever escalates. If we are to be dragged into this, then we'll do whatever we can to defend ourselves."

"Well then, that's settled. Mr. Thuyết, you and I will talk to them about what we have suggested whenever they give us a chance to talk."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The Amabassador and the Emperor turn their heads towards the King and Forsworth while the General and the Engineering Officer conversed silently with each other about the future motive.

[The Protacan-Anzotac Peoples]

Ravenstern Outpost, Brumley

10 low-class, inexperienced marshals walk into 'King' Rambart's tent, Marshal Errol Stanton starts off the meeting by explaining the current progression of the rebels. "Well, we have atleast 7,000 in numbers, the majority are boys eager for violence and the minority are aged men volunteering just for money and to get away from their ever so worried wives", Marshal Langely stated "That and we have a couple ships barely the size schooners that loyal merchant captains lead", King Gerold Rambart stood and proclaimed "Do not complain about our military capacity nor whos in it, we chose to rebel for a reason...to start a new era under a new rule of Kings. We must honor that to the best we can. Our army will soon be formidable and competent, and if you can't believe that then I suggest you leave!" 4 out of the 10 marshals left. "Hmph they'll die rather sooner of desertion than on the field" Rambart mumbled.

Marshal Robert Angelico volunteerd to lead a shock infantry force, "900 men will be prepared and charge like a stampede of bulls" he recalled. Rambart agreed and asked if there were anymore questions or concerns, there weren't and he dismissed his marshals. Rambart glazed upon the tents of the outpost and then his soldiers, "Soon men, soon" he steadily said.

[Vionna-Frankenlisch]

Warden Street Police Station
Brumley, Kingdom of Frankenlisch

Station Inspector Griff was in an extremely precarious position. His officers, along with local loyalists, had manned barricades at both ends of Warden Street and Griff could hear sporadic gunfire from his office. The office in question was being used as a temporary command center for loyalist units in the Southern Residential District of Brumley, the Police Station as a whole was acting as a POW encampment, a Headquarters and a Comms station with space in the basement for shelter from bombing and bunkbeds usually kept in the cells had been moved down there for the use of civilians fleeing the combat.

As the ranking officer in the Southern Residential District Griff was in command of a rag-tag force of around seven hundred loyalists comprised of Police Officers, Armed Citizenry and stragglers from the local Militia. He was lucky enough to have a weapon apiece and ammunition to spare but with no heavy weaponry to speak of and without chance of much supplies, if any, he had to ration equipment and supplies. A large map of the city and a smaller one, detailing the Southern Residential District, were spread across a large table in Griff's office and he stood looking down at it with his deputy inspector next to him. Deputy Inspector Phillis was marking positions on the map, he drew lines across roads where barricades stood and marked supply dumps with triangles, rebel lines of advance were marked with red arrows, many of which were faint as each time a new report came in Phillis would run to the map and erase arrows, replacing them with other sprouting from different directions.

Downstairs, Female Constable Richards managed the Marconi Telegram communications, she called near and wide for reinforcements both within and outside of the city. Doctor Simm tended to the few wounded but mainly spent his time outside of the station, searching local buildings for medical supplies. The situation was tough yet stable, the rebels would launch major attacks every hour or so and the loyalist defenders had no choice but to wait for an official response.

St Illebins, Earldom of Brumley

And the response came. And it was loud.

Mighty explosions roared as guns rocked back on their carriages, spurting heavy steel shells packed to the brim with shrapnel towards any rebel positions that the King's force could be certain of. The assembled strength of the Imperial Palace Yeomanry, four battalions of the Frankenlisch Rifles and a battalion of the Royal Hastings Fusiliers along with the tall, turbaned gunners of the Royal Zianian Artillery manning their field guns and howitzers.

King Alexander had set up his HQ in the chapel at St Illebins, the chapel's Reverand, a man named Leonard, came to the King suggesting the location the moment King Alexander arrived with his forces. Truth be told, it was a good idea as the chapel already served as the gathering point of the local militia so as the King's party entered the chapel, thirty men were already formed up in ranks in their militia battledress with M1870 rifles at their sides. Reverand Leonard announced happily that he was awaiting the forty men of the Leddic Militia and a further ninety men from the Barrow Militia led by the Baron Barrow to arrive before moving off to join the fighting in the city.

As the HQ was being established a runner arrived for the King, Captain Lord Barrow and Lieutenant Tatlock (who turned out to be the Reverand). The messenger wore a Naval Ensign's uniform and bore a message stamped with the personal sigil of the Earl of Brumley, Commodore Calis Rotail.

To His Royal Highness

Merchant sailors and their captains have risen up against Your Royal Highness. They rise in support of 'King Gerold Rambart'.
The majority of our ships left the city yesterday evening as Rebel forces took the fort so we have few vessels to combat them. Nevertheless, we will do our duty.

Lord Brumley

"So much for a leftist and liberal uprising." The King exclaimed and quickly sighed as Reverand Tatlock opened his mouth to correct him.

"Actually, sire, the liberals and Jacobins are supporting this Rambart. One would assume his policies are more... Sympathetic to their cause than yours, sire." Tatlock explained, "And in the industrial districts, the rebellion remains leftist, in fact, it was Socialists that siezed the fort yesterday afternoon."

While he was annoyingly eager, Tatlock did have a solid grasp of the situation, King Alexander made a note to listen to the man's advice.

"Very well, Lieutenant." The King replied, "Once the Baron has arrived with his men, I suggest you move towards town. Set up a position on the outskirts and ready it for the arrival of the Hastings Fusiliers, together you will launch an assault against the fort tomorrow at noon."

"Oh, yes sire." Tatlock replied, saluting, he turned to report the news back to his men.

"Gentlemen..." King Alexander said, smiling as he turned to the Quenminese officers, "I'd recommend that you stay here, away from danger. However, should you like to get closer, a detachment of the Palace Yeomanry will escort you to the positions of the Hastings Fusiliers and Lieutenant Tatlock's Militia. If you wish, you may watch the assault tomorrow."

[The Protacan-Anzotac Peoples]

Fort Atranta, Brumley

A aide of Rambart rushes in almost tripping "My liege, our scouts report of hearing talks of an assualt on Ravenstern, we have 7,000 ready to defend and hundreds more in reserve."

Rambart scuffed and calmly said "Do not worry, Ravenstern has barely any strategic value now. All its values have been moved here..Change its garrison to 650 mere recruits, I want 6,800 volunteers prepared, armed, and fed well in the morning we will attack the stations holding some prisoners of us and then use it for our own use."

"But who will we put in charge of Ravenstern's garrison?"

Rambart took a second to think, then finally said "Colonel Richard Fairfax will, he is the only one capable enough to lead a last stand."

Rambart sat and took a piece of paper and wrote

To His Lowly Majesty,

I hear you assemble quickly with a few lowborns and couple who know how to atleast shoot, I also hear you plan to attack Ravenstern but this can be dealt with without violence. I ask you meet me to form a treaty of some sort, of course we both do not want to lose men for an uncalled for war but neither power so we will use our voice and language to fight and our hands to sign but no more guns to be fired, no more war to be fought.

Signed, His Imperial Sovereign, King Gerold I Rambart

"Your..Grace you actually plan to discuss terms so early into this war?

"Heavens no, if he falls for this...things will not go as he believes, but they will very well go as planned as I have it"

[The Protacan-Anzotac Peoples]

Fort Atantra

"My king, we have recieved news that the jacobins and liberalist workers have joined us.
Increasing our forces to the estimated 11,000."

The King quickly gathered his commanders and officers, he told them this news and all were startled.

"Seems we are already winning this war.." quoted Lieutenant Rodrik Sanders.

"Barely we are, I want all of you to have an aide or messanger of some sort spread our cause to local towns and farms, I want 20,000 supporters ready to fight by the end of this week."


Colonel Edwin Lee steadily says "A recruitment like that may take more than weeks! I'd be even suprised if we got 15,000 by the end of this week, its not just appropriate at the moment" six other officers agreed.

"Well, if those who agreed feel it is a hard task that simply can be done in a few damn days are to be demoted to cadet, you all act as if im asking you to fight a damn war by yourselves."

"On this day forth, we are to hereby be independent from vionna. The Sovereignty of Anzotac it shall be called, we will fight until we see the Imperial Palace and the entire royal family at our knees." Shouted in determination by Rambart.

"Now! I want 20,000 by the end of the week, prepared and ready for our march on the capital no worries about the petty police force and milita there to just slow us down."

All of the officers and commanders left, Rambart placed General Edward Miller in charge of the imperial army, as Lord Commander in Chief.

The Committee of Governance was made by Rambart earlier, they were to oversee peace within his tiny kingdom.

Rambart then created the Imperial Guard, 7 elite master at arms designated to protect him. He called them his rainbow guard personally.

Sir Harren Versati: The Orange
Sir Loren Langley: The Green
Sir Peter Hoare: The Purple
Sir Haemon Highman: The Red
Sir Jacob Harroway: The Yellow
Sir Alexander Coran: The Blue

[Vionna-Frankenlisch]

Officer's refusal checked with Quenmin

King's HQ, St Illebins

The Quenminese officers chatted in the corner of the room in their own language, presumably about the situation. They had been right to stay away from the fighting, after all, this war was nothing to do with them, they were only observers. Baron Barrow had arrived earlier and had marched off with his militiamen along with Reverand Tatlock and the Reverand of the chapel at Leddic who led that village's militia. The battalion of the Hastings Fusiliers, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel William Dawson had taken a little longer to prepare but eventually marched down to join the militia.

A runner arrived, this time from the Post Office of St Illebins, the boy was no older than twelve and waited impertinently after giving the King the telegram. Major Dencker, the chief of Alexander's engineers, realised that the King was ignoring the boy as he didn't understand why he was there, Dencker flicked the child a tanner and he happily ran off. Dencker, when asked a simple question about the defences of the fort, replied that the king, "Owed him sixpence," a comment which earned him no more than a confused, dirty look. The King turned his attention to the telegram, it had been sent from the police station on Warden Street in Brumley's Southern Residential District. It came with a note.

Your Royal Highness. This message is a copy of a handwritten note delivered to us by a Jacobin officer.

He read on.

To His Lowly Majesty,

I hear you assemble quickly with a few lowborns and couple who know how to at least shoot, I also hear you plan to attack Ravenstern but this can be dealt with without violence. I ask you meet me to form a treaty of some sort, of course we both do not want to lose men for an uncalled for war but neither power so we will use our voice and language to fight and our hands to sign but no more guns to be fired, no more war to be fought.

Signed, His Imperial Sovereign, King Gerold I Rambart

The note was slowly passed around the room, even making it's way to the Quenminese officers before arriving back in the King's hand. "He yearns for a bygone era..." Brigadier General Fosworth commented.
"Why wouldn't he?" King Alexander replied, "His house hasn't held a major title since King Jacob Rambet of Frankenlisch. That was a good six centuries back."
"Will you answer his request?" Fosworth asked.
King Alexander looked back, mouth agape. "Will I answer his request?" He echoed sarcastically, "I think not."
"But what if he's being truthful, sire." Fosworth replied, "At least send an emissary."
"Very well," Alexander said, "You may go, sir."

Fosworth was taken aback by the comment but didn't abandon his point, "Very well, sire." He submitted, "I'll ride down in the morning and go to him." Fosworth left the chapel for his billets, he was clearly worried but not enough to argue against his King's command.

Durranges, Earldom of Brumley

"The men have been marching for nine hours straight y'grace," Major Rinder exclaimed, "They'd benefit from some rest, sir."
"They can rest once we reach Brumley," Field Marshall Poltov, the Duke of Teutonberg, replied.
"But y'grace, how will they be able to fight if they're exhausted?"
"They won't, we'll give them a night to rest and then we'll join the fighting in the morning."

Oswald Poltov and his forces had marched from Teutonberg, all the way to Brumley, it had taken days of course and even with half the journey taken on trains, the soldiers were exhausted but the large force would be instrumental in the coming fighting. Oswald had been picking up militia as his march went on meaning that his force was larger than when the march had begun. Desertions were surprisingly low, a phenomenon that confused Oswald, nonetheless he was grateful as a mass desertion on the march could be disastrous.

"His Royal Highness the King has sent a telegram for you, y'grace." Rinder informed Duke Poltov, "He asks on our strength."
"Send him a copy of our Order of Battle."
"Yes, sir."

To: His Royal Highness, King Alexander

Duke Teutonberg sends his regards and reports that we have the following strengths:

Third Army Corps (Poltov|28,000 Men)
7th Rifle Division (Walgarth|8,000 Men)
-16th Brigade
Four battalions of the Royal Teutonberg Rifles
-9th Brigade
Four battalions of the Royal Teutonberg Rifles

8th Rifle Division (Smith|8,000 Men)
-8th Brigade
Two battalions of the Royal Teutonberg Rifles
1st Battalion, Royal Picting Rifles
2nd Battalion, Royal Picting Rifles
-21st Brigade
1st Battalion, Royal Haerndean Rifles
1st Battalion, Royal Bredwardine Rifles
1st Battalion, Royal Clarcton Rifles
2nd Battalion, Royal Clarcton Rifles

9th Rifle Division (Rolf|8,000 Men)
-20th Brigade
2nd Battalion, Royal Haerndean Rifles
2nd Battalion, Royal Bredwardine Rifles
3rd Battalion, Royal Bredwardine Rifles
1st Battalion, Royal Aston Rifles
-6th Brigade
Four Battalions of the Royal Aston Rifles

3rd Army Corps Artillery (Kimberly|2,000 Men)
Two Battalions of the Royal Teutonberg Artillery

3rd Army Corps Engineers (Hải Tran|2,000 Men)
Two Battalions of Sappers

Teutonberg Retainers (Poltov|817 Men)
-Mounted Retainers (217 Men)
-Foot Retainers (600 Men)

-Teutonberg Militia (12,000 Men)
-Riechlins Militia (72 Men)
-Waal Militia (40 Men)
-Xander Milita (Sentin|120 Men)
-Polton Militia (80 Men)
-Iffingstone Milita (57 Men)

Your Royal Highness will observe that this force totals 41,186 Men, with the Royal Force this number will surely be enough to force the Brumley rebels to stand down.

[The Protacan-Anzotac Peoples]

A messenger arrives and hands a piece of paper to Rambart "My liege, we inter-"

"41,000 men?! Pfft, I swear my aide told me they had a few milita groups and a small army.." Shouted Rambart in discretion

"Apparently not, but we have half that"

"Well our numbers in units?" ask the king, curiously


"Our latest military report, my lord"

Army Units
Kingdom of Anzotac
20,000 soldiers
30 ships

1st Milita Unit-
C.O - Colonel Ferdinand Stayson
X.O - Captain Ryan Coran
Unit Size: 2,000

3rd Volunteer Unit-
C.O- Lieutenant Colonel James Ford
X.O- Lieutenant Michael Ray
Unit Size: 3,000

1st Imperial Regiment-
C.O- Colonel Alexander Ramsay
X.O- Lieutenant Colonel- John Highman
Unit Size: 10,000

4th Milita Rifleman-
C.O- Captain Rayman Hughman
X.O- Sergeant Major Luther Coswell
Unit Size: 5,000

Navy
20 Ships

I.S.S Ruby Ford
Rambart's Ship
Crew: 200

I.S.S Atantra
Admiral Flag Ship
Admiral Samuel Johnson
Admiral of The 1st Fleet
10 ships

Schooners: 2
60 crew members each

Warships: 5
150 crew members

Merchant Ships (Converted to Transports): 4
90 crew members each

"Seems decisive, dismissed..
Tomorrow we strike" - Remarks the king, determined for victory.

[Vionna-Frankenlisch]

The Saltworks, Brumley
Earl of Brumley's HQ

Calis Rotail, the Earl of Brumley, enjoyed having his headquarters in a... Sailors establishment... His men were happy, generally, the ale was good and they were contributing to the local economy. Of course there were actual military advantages to be had from the position. Commodore Rotail had a clear view of the harbour and naval base, the fort was clearly visible and Rotail could only wait and hope the fort would be retaken before the Socialists could turn the fort's artillery on Imperial loyalists inside Brumley. The majority of Rotail's sailors and ships had evacuated the harbour when the fort was taken but his marines still held the line and Rotail's Greyguard Class Sloops remained in port. With their quick firing three-inch guns and top speed of 40 knots, the Greyguard Class were perfect for close combat. Rotail had five of them but no info on the enemy squadron aside from the transports and unarmed merchant vessels, he knew that no naval vessels had been captured in the early hours of the rising so the enemy armed vessels couldn't be particularly impressive.

A report had come in from Colonel Lord Islington, the commander of Rotail's marines, notifying him that the marines had taken eighty casualties so far and had held the line fine, inflicting an estimated two hundred losses on the enemy, both socialist and liberal.

Brigadier General Fosworth

Fosworth approached the outskirts of 'Fort' Atantra bearing a large white flag of truce. He still carried a sword but had decided to leave his revolver in his billets. As he got closer to Atantra he called out, "Hello? My name is Brigadier General Matthew Fosworth, I come to treat with Gerold Rambart!"

[The Protacan-Anzotac Peoples]

Fort Atantra, Brumley

A aide rushes in, handing Gerold a paper.. "200 casualties my lord, our milita was no good and we've lost the outskirts of Atantra...The nearest loyal port is 300 kilometers away we can escap-"

"My King! A man named Matthew Fosworth has arrived to speak terms" quickly said a messenger

"Send Colonel Alexander Ramsay in my place with a retinue of 5 guards."

"Yes, my liege" and the messenger ran out


"As for our losses, we'll pull 500 out of our reserves..As for their leader?"

"He died.."

"Very well, have a soldier recover his body, Lieutenant Jackie Wayman will replace him."

"Very well my king and about the white flag...We are surrendering?"

"Nonsense, we are just luring them in, Ramsay has half of his regiment in the woods, matter of fact, put 40 on the wall of this fort aiming directly at Matthew"


"Right away, your grace."


Rambart went outside for some fresh air, he had been making plans and orders all day...Though nothing much to smell outside except the smell of smoke and despair of his soldiers. Too many soldiers he had and not enough clothing nor food. His own leaders were friends of his noble family that sided with him or farmers that gathered 50 men or more. His army used primitive muskets or muskets stolen from the enemy. He walked upon the walls, inspecting his 6-pounders and steadily stared at the brigadier general, he told Ramsay to take his rainbow guard instead something was sure to go down he believed.


"My King!! Reports from Luxington Port state that loyalist to us were captured, killed or worse..Ships were burned, 8 out of our 15 ships made it."


"Tell Admiral Samuel to direct those ships to a secured port, have 60 crew members armed with swords, pikes and guns. We cannot afford to lose any ships"

"Aye, my liege!" and the messenger quickly rode off on his horse

Rambart thought for a second, he believed if we were not to surrender they might come from Luxington, take Ravenstern, and then attack Atantra on two fronts. He had 1,000 of his best militiamen sent to Ravenstern, Major Lucas Avert would lead them.

Meanwhile, Colonel Ramsay and Rambart's Rainbow guard right behind him walked towards Matthew,

"You wanted to talk?" carefully said Ramsay.

[Quen Minh]

"Quite intriguing this engagement was," Major General Hiền said.

"You said it, General. Especially for the marines. They've put up a good fight," Captain Đắc replied.

"Indeed. Their resilience is to be admired; a trait that our troops need for any future conflict. How is your wife, by the way?"

"She's fine, although she's craving for my return home."

Hiền chuckles.

"In this kind of conflict, you'll surely see her again soon. Alright, then. I'll be heading to the Earl's office for a conversation before I send a letter to the Emperor. You should take some time to write to your wife about your experiences."

Đắc chuckles.

"Will do, General."

Then he sees the Major General walk out of his quarters.

[Vionna-Frankenlisch]

Crude, I know...

King Alexander II

King Alexander's forces, with the exception of the militia and Hastings Fusiliers, remained encamped at St Illebins with the Royal Zianian Artillery. The guns had since been entrenched along two, long gun lines that flanked the main road heading through St Illebins and into Brumley. King Alexander stood at the edge of the hill St Illebins sat on, to his right a group of staff officers and runners conversed, occasionally a runner would peel away from the group to deliver a dispatch. Alexander looked to his left, the Quenminese Major General Hiền had just walked out of his billets and was looking through some binoculars at the huge industrial city below.

"A sad sight..." Alexander mused, having moved next to Hiền, "Such a beautiful, bustling city, overcome by the scourge of Socialism and fighting itself into the ground..."
He looked upon the southern edge of the city, "and this Rambart..." He added, "a mere pretender, his family's claim to any throne was extinguished centuries ago."
Alexander's eyes flickered and his moustache bristled and he turned his head to the Quenminese officer, "And you, sir." He said, "What do you think of all this?"

Earl Calis Royail

"So the rebels hold Luxington?" Calis asked, confused.

"Yes m'lord," Major Linton replied, "and Ravenstern at that."

"Andy save us... They hold more ground than expected, alert the Duke of Teutonberg and His Royal Highness."

"Yes, m'lord."

"And send them the good news, our attack on the enemy ships succeeded and they are moving, possibly to Luxington. Also, Lord Mayor Umbridge's militia are beating back Rambart's forces, reports suggest that they have reached the outskirts of the Atantra District."

Duke Oswald Poltov

The Duke of Teutonberg's forces had lain down to rest in the village of Wachter, a small township a few kilometres away from Ravenstern. His artillery was entrenching itself in gun lines shaped in a wide vee so some faced Ravenstern and Luxington whilst the others faced Brumley. Wachter's militia, a Reverend-led force of forty-three men, set pickets to defend the entrenching artillery as the rest of Poltov's army was bedding down for the night.

Brigadier General Fosworth

Fosworth was taken aback as men from the crude fort levelled their muskets at him, weapons clearly pinched from slain militiamen. He took a slow step back and replied, "I did! His Royal Highness was delivered a note from King Rambart, I was sent as an envoy."

[Quen Minh]

Hiền sighs at the picture of the violently decrepit city.

"It is mad for the opposing side to grab up arms and conjure up violence to disturb the peace, and it is certainly insane for a pretender like Rambart to fight with inadequate support and a lost cause. Mad, indeed."

He then returns to observe from his binoculars.

"However, if there comes a time where you have to fight for peace, then you must fight. After all, what else can you do to respond to an insurrection like this?"

[Vionna-Frankenlisch]

King Alexander II

"Exactly..." Alexander replied, "The rebels are doing nothing to help the people they claim to represent, they are dragging Brumley down around them."

Alexander looked down at the ensuing chaos through his binoculars, muttering the whole time, "Mayhem... Utter mayhem."

"They wouldn't have dared, not if mother was still ruling," Alexander exclaimed, "She knew how to come down on these terrorists, and I must do the same. Tomorrow I will order a general assault on all flanks of the enemy and crush this insurrection once and for all. Lord Teutonberg can dispatch some of his men to push Rambart out of Luxington and Ravenstern." He took a deep breath, "I only hope dear Fosworth is unharmed."

[Quen Minh]

"I hope so, too," Hiền replied, storing his binoculars in place, "Alright, I'll head down to my quarters to write a letter to His Majesty, the Emperor, about our observations today. In the meantime, good luck with your offensive tomorrow. I'll see you around."

[Vionna-Frankenlisch]

King Alexander II

"Good day to you, sir," Alexander replied with a respectful nod of the head. He continued to overlook the chaos below for some time before turning and walking towards his billets in the small town hall that served also as the mayor's house. Nobody was there now, the Mayor had joined up with the Militia when they marched off towards the Fort. Alexander turned in for the night, his staff officers would keep him abreast of the major moves overnight but in general, the King would be left to his rest. Nobody wished to disturb the man who was facing a rebellion before the first week of his reign was up.

[Vionna-Frankenlisch]

Battle and Bloodshed in Ai Chi
Part One - Newspaper
Imperial Palace, King's Dining Area

The King read his newspaper with ardent interest, flicking the pages across as he finished them. It would be some time until his wife awoke so his breakfast had been thankfully undisturbed. As King Alexander turned the page of his newspaper again he remarked loudly, "Good god!" Lord Oaksworth, who had been sitting in silence until now, jumped up to tend to the King. The Master-at-Arms rushed to the King's side. "Sire! Sire!" He called with inflated urgency. "What is wrong, sire?" He asked, confused and worried, "Are you unwell."

"Look at this!" King Alexander declared, holding up the open newspaper for Oaksworth to read. "Quenmin is going to war with Ai Chi!" He said before Lord Oaksworth could finish reading.

"Quite so, sire..." Oaksworth replied, confused, "What is so surprising?"

"I hadn't been informed!" Alexander shouted, "Call a meeting of the bloody War Council!"

"Yes, sire..."

War Office, Council Chamber

"Why the hell wasn't I informed that Quenmin was going to war with Ai Chi?" King Alexander ranted, having arrived red-faced in a state of extreme agititation, "I am the bloody king, I'm the bloody Commander-in-Chief! I should have been informed!"

"Your Grace," Field Marshall Sir Edward Stanley, the Chief of the Imperial General Staff, replied, "We thought it too trivial to bother you with. The Quenminese sent us a note last Sunday about it but it was dismissed."

"What?" Alexander replied, pointing his finger menacingly, "Too trivial? I promised the Quenminese support, I promised them men and equipment!"

Eyes widened and throats were cleared all around the room. "Your Grace..." Lord Monton said, picking his words carefully, "Might I ask what, exactly, you... Offered the Quenminese?"

King Alexander thought for a moment, "Thirty Thousand men, as I recall. A full battery of cannon and a few thousand horse."

"Not possible..." Admiral Johanssen interceded, "We cant spare the ships, we cant spare the transports. War with Molvani is inevitable, sire, we cannot spare a single ship."

"You will spare what I order you to spare, Admiral, the Molvanians are incapable of putting up major resistance on the sea without the Caledonians. You can't hear the army complain, because they know it is possible." King Alexander turned to the Army staff, "Generals, how long will it take to put together an Expeditionary Force?"

"Eighteen Thousand men, sire..." General Walker replied, "We can raise an expeditionary force of 18,000 men and have them embarked for Quenmin in four days time. Admiral Gannon, when can a fleet be put together?"

"A fleet could be arranged, including transports, in three days. It'd take two weeks to reach Quenmin." Vice Admiral Sir Paul Gannon replied.

"Very well, let it be done, I will leave the specifics to you gentlemen," the King replied, finally calm, "Get a message to the Quenminese government and armed forces. Tell them what we've spoken about."

[The Protacan-Anzotac Peoples]

OOC: Post up in a bit.

[Vionna-Frankenlisch]

OOC: Post up in a bit.

Righto, we can do this at the same time as me and Quen do the Ai Chi War stuff as I'm not sure if you'll be of much use with that.

[Quen Minh]

Part Two - Deliberation

Imperial Palace - Dining Hall

The Emperor, Prime Minister, Minister of War Huỳnh Quý Vĩnh, Colonel Generals Nguyễn-Thạch Trương Sáng and Thủy Sỹ Vương, and Major Generals Kiều Dũng Hiền, Viscount Giang Truc Bao of Ca Bi, Marquis Phung Huu Chinh of Quyến Vĩnh, and Tô Tâm Thiện were having a nice spot of dinner before heading out to commence the long march down south. After the Minister of War brought up the Vionnan government's message of assistance by passing the note around and the Prime Minister asking for opinions on the note, all the persons sitting along the shining mahogany table looked and turned to each other.

"I don't think it is necessary at the moment," said Colonel General Sáng.

"Why do you think so," asked the Prime Minister.

"Because we already have enough men and power to implement this whole thing out."

"But King Alexander has already promised us that he will send in men. He has said this to Ambassador Thuyết personally when His Majesty's delegation visited Vionna in regards to his coronation," replied Hiền.

"That would prove to a driving cause to accept the King's request, and it would surely enhance this country's relationship to such," said Vĩnh.

"If you may excuse me," responded Chinh, raising his hand.

"Marquis," replied the Prime Minister.

"While I would understand the outcome of that move, I'm afraid I have to agree with Colonel General Sáng," responded Chinh, "we already have enough manpower to carry out the conflict, and we can always conscript more when we are in need of more reinforcements."

"Surely, we can use their help for a while," said the Viscount, "after all they would be serving under our command at the moment, albeit not directly."

"That I can agree with," replied Thiện, "it would serve as a benefit to us at least."

The Prime Minister hummed.

"Anybody else," he asked.

Silence.

"Colonel General Vương, your opinion?"

"I am uncertain at the moment, and in this case, I will leave it to His Majesty to conjure up an opinion on the matter."

"Your Majesty, what do you think?"

The Emperor put his fingers on his mouth while staring at the table. Breathing to himself, he contemplated without even staring at his fellow cohorts.

"I think we should accept his offer. Surely, he can be willing to help us out in this conflict, and I know him well; he's always looking for a fight; and this also serves a gesture of goodwill to him and his nation," he said.

"Sounds like His Majesty has decided to agree on King Alexander's proposal. Any current objections on the matter?"

Moments of silence occur once again, until Sáng had the energy to speak.

"If His Majesty decides to accept the offer, then I have no objections."

"I will speak the same," Vương responded.

The rest of the room hums in agreement subsequently.

"Then it is decided. Minister Vĩnh, write to King Alexander about our answer," the Prime Minister requested.

"Will do."

[Vionna-Frankenlisch]

Part Three - Journey
HMNS Invincible, Bridge

And that's how it came to be that Commodore Gerald Pritchard was standing on the bridge of the Imperial Class Battleship HMNS Invincible supping lukewarm tea from a steel mug on his way to Ai Chi with his squadron behind him. Invincible was strong, powerful enough to best most of the Aichian fleet and certainly match the ironclads of the Quenminese Navy, this said, she was no HMNS Dreadnought though and her armaments were a confused mixture of nine and eleven inch guns mounted in a myriad of armoured turrets. Her speed was easy to rival too, eighteen knots could hardly be considered ideal and her engines were prone to breakdowns which could prove fatal in a battle. All of this was overcome by the spirit of her crew, however, Dreadnought's crew was made up of new sailors and snotty young officers motivated more by ambition than duty or love of the homeland, Invincible's crew, on the other hand, comprised of experienced officers and crewmen that had fought both at sea, against pirates and foreign privateers and on land against rebels at the Battle of Brumley. Many of the Invincible's crew were press-ganged colonials that had since been motivated by reward and actual pride for their service, the officers were men motivated by duty and, like the other portion of the crew, were from Frankenlisch and Brumley with some hailing from other parts of Gestoria, the sons of minor nobles and knighted gentry they performed their service out of duty to Vionna-Frankenlisch.

The rest of the hastily thrown together squadron could hardly be considered inadequate, the Line of Battle consisted of the Invincible along with HMNS Edrington, an Armoured Cruiser of the Prince Class and HMNS Simon II an Archbishop Class Protected Cruiser named after the High Archbishop of the same name who served in his post between 1801 and 1803. Along with this force, the tally of its guns adding up to four eleven-inch, eight ten-inch, eight nine-inch and twelve six-inch making a total of 32 high calibre guns, was deployed six Destroyers, one of the Town Class named after Toffhampton in the Earldom of Breem, another of the Knight Class and named after Sir Ian Walsh, the other four were Coronation Class and named after guests at King Alexander II's Coronation. These vessels were all armed with the latest in torpedo design, the 18-inch Mark II Naval Torpedo had a range of 1 kilometre and had a warhead containing a 230-kilo charge, the torpedo could reach a speed of 30.5 knots.

Accompanying this force, Commodore Pritchard's direct subordinate, Romulus Captain John Mercrin commanded a supporting group of ten ships comprised of the River Class Monitor HMNS Kuban, three Torpedo Boats of the Redford Line, a line of vessels outlined in the 1898 Redford Reforms. The five transport ships of the fleet were also based on designs put forward by James Redford's design committee. The final vessel, the Passenger Liner RMS Sevenfield was a large liner operated by Qunard Ltd and requisitioned by the government for military transport at a rate of five hundred Lucans a day.

Below decks, eighteen thousand soldiers of the Imperial Expeditionary Corps slept, ate, drank, talked, smoked, played card games and threw up into metal drums which were emptied over the side of the grey transport ships. Three thousand men were allotted to each of the first four transport vessels and a further six thousand bunked aboard RMS Sevenfield which had been converted from the pleasureful liner it had served as for four years into a great steel labyrinth of storerooms, military utilities and great barracks rooms stuffed to the brim with the Vionnan lower classes. In the fifth transport ship was carried several hundred tons of ammunition, thirty-two field guns fresh out of the factory in Newmarket and hundreds upon hundreds of horses. These horses were spread out amongst the fleet but the vast majority were carried aboard T-5, their whinnying and neighing and other equine noises audible throughout the entire ship, except, of course, the engine rooms and even these doubled as storerooms for spades, planks, empty sandbags and other pieces of equipment invaluable to entrenching a position.

The fleet of nineteen, all the Admiralty was willing to spare, trundled it's way towards the shores of Quenmin. The revelry of soldiers and sailors alike echoed across the empty oceans, a single song across the fleet as if each ship were in competition with each other, "Over There" was a cheery and patriotic soldier's song and could be easily changed for any campaign, enlisted men in their bunks stacked high, NCOs smoking on deck and officers in their more private dormitories sang of glory and valour on foreign shores. Little did they know, over There, the carnage had already begun...