Mopman43
Mountain-Hermit of Nitpeak
- Location
- Vermont
Every 6. The one before 2337 was in 2331.
Warhammer Fantasy: A Dynasty of Dynamic Alcoholism
- Thread starter torroar
- Start date
- Mature
-
- Tags
- warhammer warhammer fantasy fantasy intrigue happens male protagonist ck2 quest belief stronk count of cannons drunken wisdom foes in the shadows graf of guns (guns) if you have a question check the front page first it begins... mountain vietnam ogres paranoia rising unseen enemies everywhere use the search function before asking waifu wars wake the bull
- Pronouns
- He/Him
The one before last was in 2331, six years. So next turn.
1. He knows. That was included in the Tidal Diplomacy option that involved telling everyone why Frederick was so paranoid.
2. Magnus knows about the Flame. Logan was bellowing about it from the moment it was created to when he got to Middenheim. It's extremely well known, hence why pilgrims are mentioned heading to it even before the temple was beginning to be built.
3. Everyone knows this already, it's incredibly out of character, and was in just about everyone's rumor mills.
Massgamer
Advance toward the Future
- Location
- The Future
Thanks for info and nevermind then.
Could still bring up idea of setting up some kinda permanent presence on the island like talked about before, maybe something with the Emperor's backing and joint project between the provinces hosting the imperial fleets, something to think about if nothing else and work out details later.
We may have more to offer regarding beastmen movements if beast-path tracking and purge go well this year, since we already know IC beastmen movement has been weirdly organized lately.
Oh! Assuming it passes this turn or the next we can brag about Anna making the Vaportank! Be the first province to buy now and beef up your army with a previously impossible to recreate armored weapons platform capable of taking great amounts of damage and dish it out in turn!
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Next turn, dude. The reason Stirland was first/next on the list of Imperial stuff was because they were the closest notably friendly province. Then the rest of the neutrals, such as Hochland and Averland, or the positive/neutrals such as Wissenland and Reikland, now that the process has been proven, worked, and confirmed to be offered beyond the Northern Trident.
Also, DD vote closes in the morning.
Also, DD vote closes in the morning.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
If we're lucky enough to have one made as the culmination of the research, they'll know already via the Rumor Mill.Oh! Assuming it passes this turn or the next we can brag about Anna making the Vaportank! Be the first province to buy now and beef up your army with a previously impossible to recreate armored weapons platform capable of taking great amounts of damage and dish it out in turn!
- Location
- Here & There
Thanks for that Torroar. Though I have made an update edit about wanting to propose opening and maintaining a Permanent Port and Trading Route to Albion for the meeting. If not as a Empire Joint Measure maybe later as a Trident Group Plan. I think it'd be a good idea if it hasn't been brought up already.
Oh dude initiating it as a trident venture and then inviting in the rest of the empire is and interesting thought.
Though it may be better to invite the empire before announcing the it as a Trident venture. Different dynamics.
- Location
- Here & There
That is fair. Though we might have to make sure we don't do missionary stuff like forcibly convert the Albion natives to Sigmar and the myriad of other religions colonialism is a fuck.
If need be we might even get other people like the Asur on board. Though I'm not entirely sure if that's even possible. I hope that those who had to spend their political capital and literal cash capital to get that fleet long ago would still be interested in our waters. If only for the Waystones and knowing that Albion is another target for Dark Elves.
Side note 100% sure other people said this before me.
- Location
- Tarn-Vedra
[X] DD on Intensive Hunting
Vote Closed. Intensive wins.
HOWEVER!
Going to avert the 'usual' going about of things. Specifically, we're going to do Marienburg before we get to the Turn Results post, because there is significant potential that doing something in Marienburg might affect certain actions taken, yeah? Also for other reasons, such as [REDACTED]. It leads with the narrative, I think, and the general, heh, let's call it 'light exasperation' with the Cult of Manann situation leading to wanting it to get done as swiftly as possible in the year, certainly before certain actions could be considered 'complete'. Eagle-eyed readers will note that sort of thing is common, some things taking 'many months' and others vaguely just being 'done' within the 12 month/32-33 days/8 day/24 hours timespan. So considering that Magda sent a message last year, and was in communications this year, I'm fluffing it as Frederick going 'hey let's do this ASAP', because that seems to be what many might prefer. And, in return, Maghda said 'sure, come over ASAP'.
So...yeah. Also, I'll be posting the most recent trident meeting soon but also retroactively, because it affects certain stuff atm.
HOWEVER!
Going to avert the 'usual' going about of things. Specifically, we're going to do Marienburg before we get to the Turn Results post, because there is significant potential that doing something in Marienburg might affect certain actions taken, yeah? Also for other reasons, such as [REDACTED]. It leads with the narrative, I think, and the general, heh, let's call it 'light exasperation' with the Cult of Manann situation leading to wanting it to get done as swiftly as possible in the year, certainly before certain actions could be considered 'complete'. Eagle-eyed readers will note that sort of thing is common, some things taking 'many months' and others vaguely just being 'done' within the 12 month/32-33 days/8 day/24 hours timespan. So considering that Magda sent a message last year, and was in communications this year, I'm fluffing it as Frederick going 'hey let's do this ASAP', because that seems to be what many might prefer. And, in return, Maghda said 'sure, come over ASAP'.
So...yeah. Also, I'll be posting the most recent trident meeting soon but also retroactively, because it affects certain stuff atm.
Oh nice. What's the planned framework for the Interlude going to be?
Meeting with Yhanna, choosing a choice, traveling south (bodyguard/accompaniment choices, saying goodbye to Magnus as he presumably goes off to lead the Intensive Hunt with the Runefang in tow and other children), and then hit Marienburg proper. Presumably city descriptions, possible dialogue with the greeters sent, and then on to the temple. Discussion at temple, choices offered, choices made, consequences undertaken, discussion afterwards (depending on conditions), choices offered to do something in Marienburg or return home. If return home, go home. If former chosen, decide what to do while there outside of the scope of the meeting. Epilogue stuff might go here.
Turn Results.
Epilogue stuff might go here.
Rumor Mill.
Barring suddenly changing circumstances, that's the plan.
Turn Results.
Epilogue stuff might go here.
Rumor Mill.
Barring suddenly changing circumstances, that's the plan.
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taovkool
Forever Gone
- Location
- The Library, Department of General Works
Hooo boy. Epilogue? So the quest is finally ending??
- Location
- Africa
Freddy has Griffin so he can just fly over to Marinburge over the courses of a day meet with Maghda hash things over the afternoon and then fly back to Wolfenburg within the bounds of the same day so it getting done with that quickly is plausible
SuperSonicSound
Shadowmancer of the Shadow Cabal
That's not what he meant.
MasterDrakus
DEUS SOL
- Location
- Minas Gerais, Brazil
He makes epilogues of events, like we had the Laurelorn and Karak ones
taovkool
Forever Gone
- Location
- The Library, Department of General Works
Ah, thanks for the info. Always felt like a dum dum whenever I missed something obvious.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Cool. Should be interesting.
Trident Meeting 2341 IC
GM Note: This was posted after the turn was finished, but has been shifted to its current position in the threadmarks.
Trident Meeting 2341 IC
Laughter and conversation filled the keep, the joined dynasties of the Northern Trident almost fully represented on the island of Manannsheim. Children danced, played, and generally ran around when they weren't already dozing as youthful exuberance met the wall of abrupt youthful exhaustion. Three whole Electors of the Empire were currently sitting at a table, joking and talking amongst themselves, their marriage partners sitting with them also. Nearby, causing even the stone floors to creak somewhat, was the famous ogre knight, Urgdug Greatbellow, and his wife Cherag. There was an assortment of Greatswords from the provinces of Nordland, Ostland, and Ostermark, but while they remained on guard and patrolled, they made sure to be as inconspicuous and non-intrusive as possible. The spread on offer was, understandably, heavily based around seafood, but the Elector Count's family was able to access foodstuffs from the mainland as well. The alcohol flowed freely, and in many varieties.
All was, generally, in that moment at least, well.
Which was why Magnus shared a look with Reinhardt as the two of them approached a remarkably maudlin Mena von Kessel. The normally boisterous Ulrican was not guzzling down the pints as usual in past trident meetings, but rather was sipping from a glass of wine. Which, both friends and heirs knew, was not her preferred drink. In fact, she usually ranted against the stuff, claiming it was the lesser drink compared to the beers and ales that were both cheaper and stronger. Furthermore, while Mena normally favored breeches and tunics, clothing that was in the eyes of some 'mannish' despite her unmistakable hips and curves, today she actually wore a dress. A noblewoman's dress, something of deep blue and white, mixed with highlights of crimson. She bore not an axe, but a simple belt knife, one that was actually quite unobtrusive all things considered. But worst of all, she was alone on the balcony save for a pair of Greatswords remaining out of casual hearing distance. Normally she'd be right in the middle of the party.
"Mena?" Reinhardt was the first to speak. "Are you all right?"
"Who the f-," The dark-haired woman startled, nearly dropping her glass, and whirled about while unsheathing her knife. "Oh," she lowered the knife, eyes dropping with it. "It's you."
"Yes. It's us," Magnus said, wrapping an arm around Reinhardt's shoulders. "Your friends. What's going on Mena?"
The Heir of Nordland blinked rapidly and then sighed, turning back to looking out over the balcony to the dark world below.
"It's nothing."
"It's clearly not nothing," Reinhardt shook his head, approaching to lean on the balcony next to her, Magnus following afterwards and positioning himself on the other side. "I've never seen you like this before."
"He's right," Magnus nodded.
Mena just snorted and refused to look at either of them.
"You've seen me in dresses before."
"Rarely, but yes," Reinhardt shrugged, lips pursed. "Wine, only when there was nothing else. But the two together, along with you being out here and not in there," he gestured towards the innards of the keep. "It made us worried."
"We're your friends, Mena," Magnus said gently, "If something's wrong, you can talk to us about it."
Both men went quiet, and let Mena think to herself, and so it was not for another solid minute or so that she spoke again.
"Father is taking me out of the Blue Wolves."
A short silence followed, punctuated by boggling eyes.
"I-,"
"What?!"
Mena raised a hand to stop the immediate sputtered reactions of the two.
"He's right to do so," she said tiredly.
Reinhardt shook his head.
"You made the Blue Wolves what they are. They're one of the most well known and beloved formations in all of Nordland!"
His shout was enough that it got the Greatswords to look over, but they thankfully did not approach further. Within, someone told a joke or tale good enough to get Urgdug to laugh, the ogre's name of Greatbellow showing itself off quite well as the keep actually felt like it shook with the force of his laughter. Mena just winced at Reinhardt's words. Magnus paused in his own objections, his mind churning for a moment. He'd spent a few times in court in Ostland, including a particularly extended stint that none had planned for.
"Something's happened, hasn't it," Magnus said instead, voice quiet.
Mena sighed again and nodded, placing her wine glass on the balcony railing so that she could lean on the cool stone with both hands as if to keep herself upright. Each word that came next felt like it was individually pulling one of her teeth out just to say.
"It has become quite apparent to my father, my mother, and…and me, even if it took some time, that I need to step back from them."
Then she fell quiet again, shaking her head. A slight shudder ran through her, not quite a sob, surely not Mena von Kessel. She took a slightly choked breath before continuing.
"I spend more time with them than with my family. My children barely know me. My husband remains bound to me by our legal bonds, but there is no love between us, only duty."
"That's-,"
"She's not finished, Reinhardt," Magnus said, shaking his head at the Ostermarker.
Reinhardt blinked and looked down at Mena, who nodded, her eyes somewhat watery.
"There are rumors that have begun spreading that one of the requirements to join the Blue Wolves is to lay with me."
Fury erupted across the faces of both men as they stood upright, expressions thunderous and backs straightening.
"Who is saying these things," Reinhardt growled, eyes hard and flinty enough to be a match for a glare from the Iron Woman of Ostermark herself.
Magnus said nothing at all, but the creak of the bones in his tightening fists was audible.
"The world," she waved her hand towards the lands outside the keep. "As it goes, I am more wolf than woman, than human. Rutting with anyone who 'proves themselves in battle', that I cuckold my husband regularly. All the courts know of me is that I am a blood hungry killer, who can't think past the next fight and the next fuck."
By now, the other two Heirs of the Trident were practically vibrating in their rage.
"That's not true," Magnus said darkly. "Who is attacking you like this?"
"Why?" Reinhardt asked instead, word forcing itself past his grit teeth.
All the fire and passion in Mena was gone as she spoke, her tone dead.
"Because my father gave up all claims to the Middle Mountains. To Laurelorn. To our 'rightful' places. Because he laid with a wizard, and thus all of his children had to be legitimized, rather than born that way. Because as far as any of them know, it's true," she bowed her head, voice painfully quiet. "They think he's grown weak. And more than a third of the province hates what he's 'made them give up'. And because I've spent the last so many years deliberately avoiding court, the vast majority of the nobility don't even know what I rightly look like."
Then, just for a moment, the old spark returned as a snarl twisted on her face and she reared back before throwing the glass and the wine within off the balcony. But it faded once she'd done it, her shoulders slumping in a way that was distinctly un-Mena like.
"It doesn't matter who is saying it, at this point. The rumors have spread far enough that they can't be stamped out. Not how we'd like," she shook her head.
"And now the only thing you can do is try to fight it at the source?" Magnus grunted, wiping a hand down his face, dragging at his own skin with his fingers slightly.
"Your father's the Savior of Nordland," Reinhardt protested. "Without him, none of these people would even be alive!"
Mena huffed.
"Father was the Savior of Nordland more than thirty years ago. He's done so much, but now that he's getting older…," she sucked air through her teeth with a clicking noise. "Well, there's a new generation now. Mine. And some of them are convinced that if they beat me in a fight, we'll fuck," she spat the last part. "That I'm just some mangy…mutt, to be led around by then nose for the scent of a cock or a fight."
Reinhardt became very still.
"Who," he asked, unblinking. "Who dared come to you and declare such unwholesome things?"
"It doesn't matter-,"
"The hell it doesn't," the Verenan knight slapped a hand onto the stone railing. "They-,"
"It doesn't matter, because I gelded the two that tried," Mena interrupted, the tiniest bit of heat flaring up briefly in her eyes. "Pranced up to our company and declared it to all and sundry that they were there to 'Take the Blue'. I had no idea what the hell they were talking about until they explained," she gagged. "Then I gelded them."
"But that only enforced the image they had, didn't it," Magnus sighed, lips thinned to a line.
Mena nodded silently.
"This is the north, sure. We are Ulrican by majority, in our hearts. But…," her fists squeezed at her sides before relaxing. "I cannot defend myself if I am not there to do so. I have been away from court, from the cities, so often and so long, I'm practically myth to some. God's DAMMIT DRAKEN!" She hissed, screaming into her hands to only somewhat muffle the sound. "I can't just beat them unconscious, because I don't even know who is saying what!"
By no choice of their own, the Kessel family had been rocked by the loss of Draken von Kessel. This, Magnus and Reinhardt had known for some time. He had been the heir to the entire province. Mena had planned to live out her life as she wished, and could have, if only Draken had not manifested his magical talents. All of a sudden, the young woman warrior was placed into a role she had not been trained or prepared for. Draken, in turn, had come to resent the entire family, and his mother specifically for cursing him with her blood and her magic. It was an unhappy story that was known amongst the three families, disseminated in only bits and pieces at a time before the whole truth was properly assembled.
"Mena," Reinhardt laid a hand on her shoulder, but she shrugged it off.
"No, Reinhardt," she shook her head. "It's over. It was a nice dream while it lasted, but it was only a dream. I am the heir to Nordland. To Crow Feeder. The commoners may love me and the Blue Wolves, but they whisper to themselves the moment my back is turned," she raised one hand and lifted two fingers. "Two noble sons, now eunuchs." Then she raised the other hand, all five fingers splayed outwards. "Three common men and two common women, who joined the Blue Wolves because they lusted after me rather than the death of the Empire's enemies.
A slow, shuddering breath made it through Mena as she straightened slightly.
"So. I can't lead the Blue Wolves anymore. I need to attend court. I need to…this is a fight I don't know how to fight," her voice broke slightly, now refusing to look at either of them again. "You don't know what I…you two were raised for this. Born for this. I," her breath caught and she couldn't get another word out.
She did not see Magnus and Reinhardt's silent conversation. It was a short thing of anger and tilting heads before both nodded.
"Then lucky for you, you just got two advisors to help you out," Reinhardt said, leaning on the railing once more so that he could be of equal height with her.
Mena blinked and looked up at him.
"What?"
Magnus sniffed and cracked his neck from side to side.
"You heard him," he said firmly.
"I can't-,"
"Our parents help each other," Magnus continued, pointing towards the ongoing party. "We are their heirs, by birth or by circumstance, and that means we help each other out."
Reinhardt nodded at his words.
"That's…,"
Mena von Kessel did not cry.
She did not.
Some water merely managed to come from her eyes.
The very curt gestures from both Reinhardt and Magnus which dismissed the Greatswords just blew some air into them, that was all.
"So," Reinhardt finally said after the three of them ended up mysteriously alone on the balcony. "When are you…,"
"It's already happening. By the end of next year, that should be it. I'm just looking for a-a successor," she stumbled over the concept of something she'd plainly not thought she'd ever have to say. "Then I need to start trying to rebuild my reputation. Or maybe just build it in the first place."
"I didn't think Ulrican's would play politics like this," the Ostermarker shook his head. "They're a massive part of Ostermark, but…,"
"No," Magnus frowned. "They're wolves. They sense weakness…so they attack. Mena's father is a good and noble man, but…,"
"But he isn't Frederick von Hohenzollern or Ortrud Hertwig," Mena finished sadly. "As if he hasn't spent his time and energy on rebuilding the entire damn province, developing settlements and populations from the coast right back down to the border with Middenland. Working on creating or re-establishing industries and employing the people to improve the economy, rebuilding larger farms and clearing the forests," she began speaking faster and faster with naked anger in her voice, "Establishing the Trident treaties, maintaining the fleet, working towards more permanently improved relations with the elves, intensive patrols, working tirelessly to make the treasury capable of withstanding the birthing subsidies, I-," she cut herself off with a click of her teeth. "They don't care. And they think I don't either. Because I've never shown them otherwise."
She hung her head for a moment as a surprisingly warm wind blew in despite the chilly winter air.
"I just…," she trailed off again, "Never mind."
"No, none of that now," Reinhardt insisted. "No 'never mind'."
Something approaching a chuckle made its way to the fore out of Mena.
"Fighting in Laurelorn with your father," she said to Magnus, "It felt…it felt like it was one of the last great things I would ever do. And I can hardly tell anyone the full truth of the matter."
She'd sworn an oath on it, after all.
"And now, it ends. With my tail tucked between my legs as I scurry home to help my father fight off the dogs that have been nipping at him all this time," she sighed.
"I see. So…what, you wanted one last ride? One final deed to mark down?" Magnus asked softly.
"It would be nice," she shrugged, "But if everything were as I'd like, Draken would be heir. Not me," her eyes dropped again, "Not dumb brutish Mena."
"Don't," Reinhardt said harshly, startling her. "Don't say that about yourself. You're no fool, no brute."
Magnus raised his fist upwards, facing towards Mena.
"You're an intelligent and fierce warrior, and one of the best around. And if they want to start this fight, with words and whispers rather than blades? Well we'll help you fight back."
"Exactly," Reinhardt nodded firmly, placing is fist against Magnus.
Then the two of them looked at Mena, who's eyes were not watering again.
"I…okay," she nodded, and added her fist to the duo, making it a trio instead. "Thank you," she added at the end, though it was so quiet that it might have gone unheard entirely.
"So. Next year is the last, eh?" Magnus said after they'd put their arms back down.
"Yes, I already told…," Mena paused, looking at him. "You've got a look in your eye, Magnus."
"Next year, we're extremely likely to go hunting for the Beastmen, whether in their damned paths or elsewise," Magnus informed them. "Or both, now that I think about it, but I can't say for certain. Want to bring the Blue Wolves along?"
Mena tilted her head.
"We do that a lot of the time anyhow, though."
"Not with the rest of the Trident, though," Reinhardt said, "It wouldn't be the Blue Wolves just running around as rabids, it would be them working together, openly, with the forces of Ostland and Ostermark."
Magnus nodded before pausing and looking over at his friend.
"Wait, what was the last part?"
"If Mena brings in her Blue Wolves, and I bring some of my knights, then it is the heirs of the Trident working together. It will remind the detractors of the Kessel family that they are an equal partner in the Trident, and are respected as such in Ostland and Ostemark," Reinhardt said with a shrug. "It doesn't matter if your father isn't Frederick von Hohenzollern or Ortrud Hertwig. Because the sons of those two are working with your father's daughter. And they had best remember that once the terrible days that must come are over, and we are the ones wielding the Runefangs, that we will not forget our close friends."
Something ugly danced in Reinhardt's eyes, or perhaps was simply cast there by the shadows of the torchlight.
"And our enemies."
Mena blinked rapidly before looking back over at Magnus.
"I don't…Magnus, is that even something you could authorize?"
"I'm the heir to the province. I have commanded all three of Ostland's armies at one time or another, both as whole groups or in separated blocks. I'm pretty sure I can get it done," Magnus nodded with a smile.
"Then…that would…that could be…," Mena said cautiously. "That could work, then."
It might, they knew without her saying it, be the last major fight she might ever partake in for quite some time. The rumors were absurd, damaging, and obscene. Such things were not fought off quickly, or lightly, and yet it was one that Mena had quite clearly committed herself to if her choice of dress and drink were anything to go by.
"Well, we'll see what happens, eh?" Magnus said with a smile.
It was worth it to see the light come back into Mena's eyes, at least. Both men could not bear to see their friend in such a state. Though thoughts of a certain red-haired woman storming her agents through the province washed through the mind of the bull, and a steely eyed woman with a helmet cast in the scowl of an owl stomping rumor mongers underneath passed through the mind of the manticore, neither gave air to such thoughts. Now was not the time for such things. Now they had the hard but welcome duty of cheering up their friend. And so both tugged her back into the party after some coaxing and helped let the warmth of cheer and family re-enter her wounded heart.
Trident Meeting 2341 IC
Laughter and conversation filled the keep, the joined dynasties of the Northern Trident almost fully represented on the island of Manannsheim. Children danced, played, and generally ran around when they weren't already dozing as youthful exuberance met the wall of abrupt youthful exhaustion. Three whole Electors of the Empire were currently sitting at a table, joking and talking amongst themselves, their marriage partners sitting with them also. Nearby, causing even the stone floors to creak somewhat, was the famous ogre knight, Urgdug Greatbellow, and his wife Cherag. There was an assortment of Greatswords from the provinces of Nordland, Ostland, and Ostermark, but while they remained on guard and patrolled, they made sure to be as inconspicuous and non-intrusive as possible. The spread on offer was, understandably, heavily based around seafood, but the Elector Count's family was able to access foodstuffs from the mainland as well. The alcohol flowed freely, and in many varieties.
All was, generally, in that moment at least, well.
Which was why Magnus shared a look with Reinhardt as the two of them approached a remarkably maudlin Mena von Kessel. The normally boisterous Ulrican was not guzzling down the pints as usual in past trident meetings, but rather was sipping from a glass of wine. Which, both friends and heirs knew, was not her preferred drink. In fact, she usually ranted against the stuff, claiming it was the lesser drink compared to the beers and ales that were both cheaper and stronger. Furthermore, while Mena normally favored breeches and tunics, clothing that was in the eyes of some 'mannish' despite her unmistakable hips and curves, today she actually wore a dress. A noblewoman's dress, something of deep blue and white, mixed with highlights of crimson. She bore not an axe, but a simple belt knife, one that was actually quite unobtrusive all things considered. But worst of all, she was alone on the balcony save for a pair of Greatswords remaining out of casual hearing distance. Normally she'd be right in the middle of the party.
"Mena?" Reinhardt was the first to speak. "Are you all right?"
"Who the f-," The dark-haired woman startled, nearly dropping her glass, and whirled about while unsheathing her knife. "Oh," she lowered the knife, eyes dropping with it. "It's you."
"Yes. It's us," Magnus said, wrapping an arm around Reinhardt's shoulders. "Your friends. What's going on Mena?"
The Heir of Nordland blinked rapidly and then sighed, turning back to looking out over the balcony to the dark world below.
"It's nothing."
"It's clearly not nothing," Reinhardt shook his head, approaching to lean on the balcony next to her, Magnus following afterwards and positioning himself on the other side. "I've never seen you like this before."
"He's right," Magnus nodded.
Mena just snorted and refused to look at either of them.
"You've seen me in dresses before."
"Rarely, but yes," Reinhardt shrugged, lips pursed. "Wine, only when there was nothing else. But the two together, along with you being out here and not in there," he gestured towards the innards of the keep. "It made us worried."
"We're your friends, Mena," Magnus said gently, "If something's wrong, you can talk to us about it."
Both men went quiet, and let Mena think to herself, and so it was not for another solid minute or so that she spoke again.
"Father is taking me out of the Blue Wolves."
A short silence followed, punctuated by boggling eyes.
"I-,"
"What?!"
Mena raised a hand to stop the immediate sputtered reactions of the two.
"He's right to do so," she said tiredly.
Reinhardt shook his head.
"You made the Blue Wolves what they are. They're one of the most well known and beloved formations in all of Nordland!"
His shout was enough that it got the Greatswords to look over, but they thankfully did not approach further. Within, someone told a joke or tale good enough to get Urgdug to laugh, the ogre's name of Greatbellow showing itself off quite well as the keep actually felt like it shook with the force of his laughter. Mena just winced at Reinhardt's words. Magnus paused in his own objections, his mind churning for a moment. He'd spent a few times in court in Ostland, including a particularly extended stint that none had planned for.
"Something's happened, hasn't it," Magnus said instead, voice quiet.
Mena sighed again and nodded, placing her wine glass on the balcony railing so that she could lean on the cool stone with both hands as if to keep herself upright. Each word that came next felt like it was individually pulling one of her teeth out just to say.
"It has become quite apparent to my father, my mother, and…and me, even if it took some time, that I need to step back from them."
Then she fell quiet again, shaking her head. A slight shudder ran through her, not quite a sob, surely not Mena von Kessel. She took a slightly choked breath before continuing.
"I spend more time with them than with my family. My children barely know me. My husband remains bound to me by our legal bonds, but there is no love between us, only duty."
"That's-,"
"She's not finished, Reinhardt," Magnus said, shaking his head at the Ostermarker.
Reinhardt blinked and looked down at Mena, who nodded, her eyes somewhat watery.
"There are rumors that have begun spreading that one of the requirements to join the Blue Wolves is to lay with me."
Fury erupted across the faces of both men as they stood upright, expressions thunderous and backs straightening.
"Who is saying these things," Reinhardt growled, eyes hard and flinty enough to be a match for a glare from the Iron Woman of Ostermark herself.
Magnus said nothing at all, but the creak of the bones in his tightening fists was audible.
"The world," she waved her hand towards the lands outside the keep. "As it goes, I am more wolf than woman, than human. Rutting with anyone who 'proves themselves in battle', that I cuckold my husband regularly. All the courts know of me is that I am a blood hungry killer, who can't think past the next fight and the next fuck."
By now, the other two Heirs of the Trident were practically vibrating in their rage.
"That's not true," Magnus said darkly. "Who is attacking you like this?"
"Why?" Reinhardt asked instead, word forcing itself past his grit teeth.
All the fire and passion in Mena was gone as she spoke, her tone dead.
"Because my father gave up all claims to the Middle Mountains. To Laurelorn. To our 'rightful' places. Because he laid with a wizard, and thus all of his children had to be legitimized, rather than born that way. Because as far as any of them know, it's true," she bowed her head, voice painfully quiet. "They think he's grown weak. And more than a third of the province hates what he's 'made them give up'. And because I've spent the last so many years deliberately avoiding court, the vast majority of the nobility don't even know what I rightly look like."
Then, just for a moment, the old spark returned as a snarl twisted on her face and she reared back before throwing the glass and the wine within off the balcony. But it faded once she'd done it, her shoulders slumping in a way that was distinctly un-Mena like.
"It doesn't matter who is saying it, at this point. The rumors have spread far enough that they can't be stamped out. Not how we'd like," she shook her head.
"And now the only thing you can do is try to fight it at the source?" Magnus grunted, wiping a hand down his face, dragging at his own skin with his fingers slightly.
"Your father's the Savior of Nordland," Reinhardt protested. "Without him, none of these people would even be alive!"
Mena huffed.
"Father was the Savior of Nordland more than thirty years ago. He's done so much, but now that he's getting older…," she sucked air through her teeth with a clicking noise. "Well, there's a new generation now. Mine. And some of them are convinced that if they beat me in a fight, we'll fuck," she spat the last part. "That I'm just some mangy…mutt, to be led around by then nose for the scent of a cock or a fight."
Reinhardt became very still.
"Who," he asked, unblinking. "Who dared come to you and declare such unwholesome things?"
"It doesn't matter-,"
"The hell it doesn't," the Verenan knight slapped a hand onto the stone railing. "They-,"
"It doesn't matter, because I gelded the two that tried," Mena interrupted, the tiniest bit of heat flaring up briefly in her eyes. "Pranced up to our company and declared it to all and sundry that they were there to 'Take the Blue'. I had no idea what the hell they were talking about until they explained," she gagged. "Then I gelded them."
"But that only enforced the image they had, didn't it," Magnus sighed, lips thinned to a line.
Mena nodded silently.
"This is the north, sure. We are Ulrican by majority, in our hearts. But…," her fists squeezed at her sides before relaxing. "I cannot defend myself if I am not there to do so. I have been away from court, from the cities, so often and so long, I'm practically myth to some. God's DAMMIT DRAKEN!" She hissed, screaming into her hands to only somewhat muffle the sound. "I can't just beat them unconscious, because I don't even know who is saying what!"
By no choice of their own, the Kessel family had been rocked by the loss of Draken von Kessel. This, Magnus and Reinhardt had known for some time. He had been the heir to the entire province. Mena had planned to live out her life as she wished, and could have, if only Draken had not manifested his magical talents. All of a sudden, the young woman warrior was placed into a role she had not been trained or prepared for. Draken, in turn, had come to resent the entire family, and his mother specifically for cursing him with her blood and her magic. It was an unhappy story that was known amongst the three families, disseminated in only bits and pieces at a time before the whole truth was properly assembled.
"Mena," Reinhardt laid a hand on her shoulder, but she shrugged it off.
"No, Reinhardt," she shook her head. "It's over. It was a nice dream while it lasted, but it was only a dream. I am the heir to Nordland. To Crow Feeder. The commoners may love me and the Blue Wolves, but they whisper to themselves the moment my back is turned," she raised one hand and lifted two fingers. "Two noble sons, now eunuchs." Then she raised the other hand, all five fingers splayed outwards. "Three common men and two common women, who joined the Blue Wolves because they lusted after me rather than the death of the Empire's enemies.
A slow, shuddering breath made it through Mena as she straightened slightly.
"So. I can't lead the Blue Wolves anymore. I need to attend court. I need to…this is a fight I don't know how to fight," her voice broke slightly, now refusing to look at either of them again. "You don't know what I…you two were raised for this. Born for this. I," her breath caught and she couldn't get another word out.
She did not see Magnus and Reinhardt's silent conversation. It was a short thing of anger and tilting heads before both nodded.
"Then lucky for you, you just got two advisors to help you out," Reinhardt said, leaning on the railing once more so that he could be of equal height with her.
Mena blinked and looked up at him.
"What?"
Magnus sniffed and cracked his neck from side to side.
"You heard him," he said firmly.
"I can't-,"
"Our parents help each other," Magnus continued, pointing towards the ongoing party. "We are their heirs, by birth or by circumstance, and that means we help each other out."
Reinhardt nodded at his words.
"That's…,"
Mena von Kessel did not cry.
She did not.
Some water merely managed to come from her eyes.
The very curt gestures from both Reinhardt and Magnus which dismissed the Greatswords just blew some air into them, that was all.
"So," Reinhardt finally said after the three of them ended up mysteriously alone on the balcony. "When are you…,"
"It's already happening. By the end of next year, that should be it. I'm just looking for a-a successor," she stumbled over the concept of something she'd plainly not thought she'd ever have to say. "Then I need to start trying to rebuild my reputation. Or maybe just build it in the first place."
"I didn't think Ulrican's would play politics like this," the Ostermarker shook his head. "They're a massive part of Ostermark, but…,"
"No," Magnus frowned. "They're wolves. They sense weakness…so they attack. Mena's father is a good and noble man, but…,"
"But he isn't Frederick von Hohenzollern or Ortrud Hertwig," Mena finished sadly. "As if he hasn't spent his time and energy on rebuilding the entire damn province, developing settlements and populations from the coast right back down to the border with Middenland. Working on creating or re-establishing industries and employing the people to improve the economy, rebuilding larger farms and clearing the forests," she began speaking faster and faster with naked anger in her voice, "Establishing the Trident treaties, maintaining the fleet, working towards more permanently improved relations with the elves, intensive patrols, working tirelessly to make the treasury capable of withstanding the birthing subsidies, I-," she cut herself off with a click of her teeth. "They don't care. And they think I don't either. Because I've never shown them otherwise."
She hung her head for a moment as a surprisingly warm wind blew in despite the chilly winter air.
"I just…," she trailed off again, "Never mind."
"No, none of that now," Reinhardt insisted. "No 'never mind'."
Something approaching a chuckle made its way to the fore out of Mena.
"Fighting in Laurelorn with your father," she said to Magnus, "It felt…it felt like it was one of the last great things I would ever do. And I can hardly tell anyone the full truth of the matter."
She'd sworn an oath on it, after all.
"And now, it ends. With my tail tucked between my legs as I scurry home to help my father fight off the dogs that have been nipping at him all this time," she sighed.
"I see. So…what, you wanted one last ride? One final deed to mark down?" Magnus asked softly.
"It would be nice," she shrugged, "But if everything were as I'd like, Draken would be heir. Not me," her eyes dropped again, "Not dumb brutish Mena."
"Don't," Reinhardt said harshly, startling her. "Don't say that about yourself. You're no fool, no brute."
Magnus raised his fist upwards, facing towards Mena.
"You're an intelligent and fierce warrior, and one of the best around. And if they want to start this fight, with words and whispers rather than blades? Well we'll help you fight back."
"Exactly," Reinhardt nodded firmly, placing is fist against Magnus.
Then the two of them looked at Mena, who's eyes were not watering again.
"I…okay," she nodded, and added her fist to the duo, making it a trio instead. "Thank you," she added at the end, though it was so quiet that it might have gone unheard entirely.
"So. Next year is the last, eh?" Magnus said after they'd put their arms back down.
"Yes, I already told…," Mena paused, looking at him. "You've got a look in your eye, Magnus."
"Next year, we're extremely likely to go hunting for the Beastmen, whether in their damned paths or elsewise," Magnus informed them. "Or both, now that I think about it, but I can't say for certain. Want to bring the Blue Wolves along?"
Mena tilted her head.
"We do that a lot of the time anyhow, though."
"Not with the rest of the Trident, though," Reinhardt said, "It wouldn't be the Blue Wolves just running around as rabids, it would be them working together, openly, with the forces of Ostland and Ostermark."
Magnus nodded before pausing and looking over at his friend.
"Wait, what was the last part?"
"If Mena brings in her Blue Wolves, and I bring some of my knights, then it is the heirs of the Trident working together. It will remind the detractors of the Kessel family that they are an equal partner in the Trident, and are respected as such in Ostland and Ostemark," Reinhardt said with a shrug. "It doesn't matter if your father isn't Frederick von Hohenzollern or Ortrud Hertwig. Because the sons of those two are working with your father's daughter. And they had best remember that once the terrible days that must come are over, and we are the ones wielding the Runefangs, that we will not forget our close friends."
Something ugly danced in Reinhardt's eyes, or perhaps was simply cast there by the shadows of the torchlight.
"And our enemies."
Mena blinked rapidly before looking back over at Magnus.
"I don't…Magnus, is that even something you could authorize?"
"I'm the heir to the province. I have commanded all three of Ostland's armies at one time or another, both as whole groups or in separated blocks. I'm pretty sure I can get it done," Magnus nodded with a smile.
"Then…that would…that could be…," Mena said cautiously. "That could work, then."
It might, they knew without her saying it, be the last major fight she might ever partake in for quite some time. The rumors were absurd, damaging, and obscene. Such things were not fought off quickly, or lightly, and yet it was one that Mena had quite clearly committed herself to if her choice of dress and drink were anything to go by.
"Well, we'll see what happens, eh?" Magnus said with a smile.
It was worth it to see the light come back into Mena's eyes, at least. Both men could not bear to see their friend in such a state. Though thoughts of a certain red-haired woman storming her agents through the province washed through the mind of the bull, and a steely eyed woman with a helmet cast in the scowl of an owl stomping rumor mongers underneath passed through the mind of the manticore, neither gave air to such thoughts. Now was not the time for such things. Now they had the hard but welcome duty of cheering up their friend. And so both tugged her back into the party after some coaxing and helped let the warmth of cheer and family re-enter her wounded heart.
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- Pronouns
- He/Him
"Oh boy, I hope that Beastmen problem I left at home doesn't snow ball into one of the most intensive conflicts in the empires history while I'm away from home in Marienburg!"
Beastmen: Allow this one to greet for itself.