To War Minturn
Your lords were waiting for you in the great hall. The air was still as they looked to you. Zima was sitting next to your chair, drinking a cup of wine.
Unfortunately, your lords were not very enthusiastic of your sudden entrance, judging from the annoyed glares coming from them. Well, all but Rodrick, he was intently studying the map.
"About damn time you showed up!" Pietro complained. "We've been here for hours."
"Pietro, you're not one to talk," Rodrik replied, not looking up from the map. "You were in your quarters until an hour ago, warming your feet by a fire while myself and Viktor were discussing strategy. And I seem to remember dragging you out here by your hair."
There was a harsh glare from the cyclops, but Pietro shook his head as if he had seen that glare before and was used to it. But he did grab some of his long hair defensively.
"Apologies for my delay, there was business that I needed to attend to." You replied. You needed to say goodbye to your children. Let them have a happy memory before you left them.
"My lords." You took your place at the head of the table. The map was littered with wooden pieces, each representing forces. Your guesses on where the Mongol troops were littered in various positions across the east, while your troops were clustered around Novgorod. Fulk's troops were at the Vanguard, sitting at the border of the Frontier. Further west was Zima's troops, still mustering in Warsaw. It would take time for them gather and head east to assist you. To the south, you knew Vlad was marching his troops north post-haste. "I believe it is time for this war to begin in earnest."
"About fucking time you coward!" Viktor shouted.
"Excuse me, Lord Viktor?" You said, gritting your teeth as the other two great lord's faces morphed into indifference to shock. "I did not catch that. Would you care to repeat yourself?"
"Two years, I have waited for you to give the order! I have lost thousands of golden ducats paying for my troops to sit around and do nothing! All while you delay, and coddle your children, instead of teaching them how this world works!" Viktor continued. "And now Artyom is gone, and you do nothing, you coward!"
You stood up, and panic gripped the room. "That's enough Viktor!" Pietro shouted, trying to stop Viktor from saying anything else. "You've made your point clear!" He looked at you. "Vasily, please!"
"Viktor." Your voice was quiet and your voice silenced the room. You walked over closer, to make sure all three men could hear you. "I will admit that I have delayed. You may not agree with my decision. And to be fair, I'm sure you would not even care because you are so minuscule and blind, that you do not even see that almost 50,000 men are joining us to fight the Mongols, meaning we're only outnumbered 2 to 1 at least." Viktor started to shake. In rage or in fear you did not know, but you clearly had his attention. "Of course, that's not even counting the cannon and artillery we have that will give us an edge against the Mongols bows."
"Vasily," Rodrick said your name in fear. "You've made your point."
"But you dare insult my children Lord Viktor." Your statement caused Viktor's angry facade to break and he stepped away from you. "I should kill you right now for that insolence."
"I'm-" Viktor stammered, trying to defend himself.
"You're what? Scared?" You mocked, but still kept a gaze of anger in his eyes. "You should be. But I'm not going to stain my floors with coward's blood, even if you threatened my children. What I want you to do, is put that anger against the real enemy. The one that has taken everything from us."
Viktor's squeezed his hand into a fist before he exhaled. "Yes, my prince."
You looked at Rodrick. "Are our troops ready to march?"
"Yes my prince!" Rodrik replied eagerly. "But there is the reinforcements from Poland and Wallachia that I'm worried about. They will be here in the winter, but we might not be able to march them once the winter snows start to fall. And Novgorod does not have the supplies to handle such a large force without getting into the siege granaries."
"And we need those." You whispered quietly. Novgorod was prepared and had strong defenses, yes, but that would not be enough to withstand a full Mongol horde.
"What are our options?" You asked. You already knew your options, as did Rodrik, but Pietro and Viktor were kept in the dark.
"We can start our march now and begin our campaign against the Mongols while spring is still upon us with General Fulk. But the rest of our reinforcements will have to catch up to us, leaving them vulnerable to attack in case the Mongols slip past us." Rodrik replied.
"You're underestimating the speed of my Hussars Rodrik," Zima stated. "They'll be here before winter."
"That decision is up to you Vasily," Pietro replied. "And we will do as you command."
When do you start the campaign?
[]Now while you can move quickly: Your troops and that under General Fulk is ready, and you shall begin immediately. (Starts Campaign Turns. Campaign season will be set to Spring)
[]Wait for Zima's forces: You will choose to wait for Zima's forces. You are lacking in calvary, which is something you sorely need. (Zima's forces will be linked up with yours. Starts Campaign Turns. Campaign season will be set to: Summer)
[]Wait for Vlad And Zima's Forces: Vlad's Forces still need time to gather supplies and men for the journey north. They said they would arrive just as Winter is upon the Rus. Zima's forces will be ready at Novgorod. (Vlad and Zima's forces will be linked up with yours. Starts Campaign Turns. Campaign season will be set to: Winter. Note taking this option may lead to attrition among your forces due to lack of supplies.)
[]Delay the campaign: You need more time to prepare for this campaign. (Campaign turns delayed, Regular turns shall continue.
(A few hours later)
Zima was rightfully afraid when she told you the news. Not because of the happiness that would bring you, but from the terror you now felt.
"No, I can't let you go on the campaign." You stated firmly.
"That is not your decision to make Vasily. It is mine." Zima replied.
"You're pregnant! With our children!" You shouted. "Of course it is my decision! More lives than your own are on the line!"
"I am not going to let you go to the east to fight the Mongols alone," Zima replied. "And me being pregnant will not affect my ability to command."
"What happens if you go into labor in the middle of a battle? Or you miscarry? And if you don't die when the children are born, how will you care for them on the march? Have you thought about that?!" You shouted.
"I have," Zima replied. "And I have already made the proper plans for those events since I learned about it. My mind is made up. I am going to help you win this war."
You shook your head. "Why? What madness is driving you to do this?"
"You." Zima replied.
"Me?" you stammered. "How?"
"You know why." Zima stated.
"Enlighten me?" You replied.
Zima sighed. "You think I don't know about the oath you made to your father? You will tear yourself apart. You will be completely driven by killing as many Mongols as you can that you will forget the bigger picture. You will succumb to your bloodlust and that will leave you open."
"I won't." You replied. "I'll never let my revenge cloud my judgment."
"Do you really believe that?" Zima asked.
You close your eyes and took a deep breath. "Yes. And you will be safer here than anywhere else in the empire. And I will feel safer knowing that the boys have you to protect them."
"Then convince me," Zima said. "Give me a reason to stay behind with our sons when I would be more useful to you with my men."
What do you say?:
[]Relent: You had no argument for her. (Zima will command her troops, this may have negative effects on her own and her babies health when they are born. Your sons will not be accepting of this news and will lash out in anger and fear.)
[]Ask her to stay until her Pregnancy is over: Try to convince her to stay until she is no longer pregnant. DC: 50%. (Zima will not command her troops until she is no longer pregnant. Her newborn babies will not suffer any negative effects. Your sons will be less angry at you and won't lash out.)
[]Ask her to stay behind: You need someone you can trust to lead the defense of Novgorod and take care of the boys. There was no reason to abandon them like this. DC: 30% (Zima will stay behind and not command her troops. Your sons will be okay.)
AN: Enjoy.
Edit: A word was missing.