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Vorhexen-14-2492
"You damned bastard! Who do you think you are, using my marriage for your political sches?" I roared, chasing after the ambassador as he ran like a hare, seeking the safety of his guards.
"Don't bla the ssenger, I only follow orders!" squealed the ambassador, finally shielding himself behind a wall of steel: the Reiksguard knights lowered their lances, forming a barrier between us.
"And who gave the damned order? Speak now, or I'll cut off your head right here!" I bellowed, shoving three Reiksguard knights out of my way.
"The Chosen of Sigmar…" the ambassador replied in a trembling voice, stepping back at the sight of my fury.
"Luitpold? …Luitpold? I give him my loyalty, and this is how he repays … that dog…" I muttered through clenched teeth, gripping the handle of my runic mace tightly.
"Kislev… Kislev agreed to recognize the Imperial cults within its pantheon, granting them tolerance… in exchange for military support from the Empire. Support you can provide—filling your coffers with gold, selling weapons… The Cult of Sigmar gains a new seat, the Emperor secures the eastern frontier… everyone wins," stamred the ambassador, sweating cold.
"Yes, everyone but … Now it turns out I've been married off to who knows who, and I'm the one left with the problem," I snapped back.
"To Princess Katarin, heir to the Tzar… A marriage that secures the union between the Empire and Kislev," said the ambassador in a trembling voice.
"I don't believe the Emperor would do sothing this insane… Just thinking of the implications makes my head ache. Do you realize what this ans? They've married Sigmar's Champion to a mage! …A mage! Do you have any idea the chaos that will erupt in Altdorf once the Grand Theogonist learns of what has just happened here?" I said furiously, stomping my boot on the ground.
"The Grand Theogonist is not a man bound by the fanatical doctrines of the clergy… he accepts the mages," murmured the ambassador, trying to sound convincing while hiding behind the Reiksguard's armor.
"And what about inheritance? I have no heir. Will the Westerlands join Kislev, or Kislev the Empire? Or do they intend to turn all this into a political circus, with my blood as currency?" I replied, now more thoughtful about the problems this Imperial move would bring .
"That will be resolved later… one of your mistresses, or… all of them, could help legitimize so of the fruits of your adventures, prince," the ambassador dared to suggest.
My eye nearly started twitching with rage. "Do I look like the kind of man who has mistresses? Do you think I have damned ti to chase skirts when I have campaigns to lead and an Empire to hold on my shoulders?" I replied in a tone so harsh that several of the Reiksguard knights swallowed nervously.
"M-my apologies, prince… I assud wrongly," stamred the ambassador, still cowering behind the Reiksguard armor.
"Watch your step, fool… or you may find yourself lost in the forests of Talabecland," I said, stepping closer, only for the Reiksguard knights to try to hold back.
"Get your damned hands off ," I growled, shoving them aside.
"The Tzar Boris requested that you co to discuss the marriage matters when you are able, prince," said the ambassador nervously.
"Ah… great idea. Just when I'm itching to kill soone," I muttered, striding toward the Kislevite camp tent to see if I could sort out this ss.
I crossed the bridge slowly, followed by several of my guards who shielded from the hostile stares of the Kislevites stationed at the riverbank. The air was heavy, as if every breath turned into frost.
The Tzar's guards let through without much issue. Inside the tent I saw him seated in his chair, surrounded by priests clad in white furs and ice witches radiating a palpable cold. And there she was: his daughter, Princess Katarin, gazing at with glacial eyes that seed to pierce flesh and touch bone.
"Your shouting could be heard all the way here," said Tzar Boris with a faint smile, his deep voice rumbling like distant thunder.
"Very funny… Now tell , what is all this about marriage?" I asked, fixing my gaze on him.
"Strange… many nobles would kill for a mont alone with my daughter, and you receive the privilege of marrying her. Yet you seem displeased with the honor bestowed upon you," said Boris, turning his head slightly toward Katarin, who kept her cold, imperturbable expression.
"I had no interest in this. My only intent was to fulfill my patriotic duty to the Empire: to strengthen the frontier and devote myself to destroying its enemies. Marriage was not in my plans… not for years, perhaps decades," I replied with clear irritation.
"Yes, I could see it in your eyes," Boris said with a rough laugh. "You are a hot-blooded warrior. We probably would have beaten each other to death had we kept talking on that bridge. Ha, ha, ha… But Kislev needs the Empire, and the Empire needs Kislev. You shut down all trade, even in tis of peace. That I could not accept. So the Emperor Luitpold's proposal pleased … even my dear daughter recomnded this union."
"You realize we are both knee-deep in trouble now… I am recognized by the Cult of Sigmar as their Champion… and I've just been married to… forgive if I offend… a mage. The cult will hound for this, and I dare not imagine what will happen to you and Ursun now that you've agreed to tolerate Imperial cults… especially the matter of inheritance," I said more calmly now, taking a seat.
"I know," Boris growled, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "But I'd rather pay you the gold I owe in smaller monthly installnts than all at once. Kislev has too many projects pending: we need n, weapons, training. And you can provide all of that…"
"Good." I sighed heavily. "That takes the weight off my shoulders. The grievance is settled."
"Wait… you're more concerned about the grievance than the gold?" Katarin spoke for the first ti, her cold voice raising an eyebrow ever so slightly.
"Of course," I replied calmly. "I am dawongi of a Dawi clan, and I have many ties with Karaz Ankor. Do you think they'd take kindly to letting an offense slide? That would have dood my relations with the Dawi… And trust , the Dawi give the finest gifts in the world to those who aid them."
"Well… interesting," said the princess, showing the faintest smile for the first ti, though her eyes remained like ice.
"Well," Boris resud, slamming his gloved hand hard against the wooden table. "The most important thing to calm both sides of the nobility is that we reach an agreent on inheritance as soon as possible. Quite simple: you must have at least two children. One will inherit the Imperial territories, the other Kislev. And since you are married, neither of you will be heir to the other. That way we avoid problems on both sides. The boyars and atamans will kick and scream, they'll refuse furiously… but it's the only way. And I am certain this will bring prosperity to Kislev."
"What a headache this is going to be… Why couldn't you just pay?" I said, shaking my head.
"If I had done that, Erengrad would have died with your decision to close the trade. Kislev would have died slowly," replied Katarina, her gaze piercing as if judging every word.
"Yes, that was the general idea…" I nodded with irony. "Well then, I have to… let's see: campaign in Reikland for the first two months, campaign in Black Fire Pass in the third and fourth months, perhaps extending into a fifth…" I paused for a few seconds, counting ntally. "I'd be open to a joint offensive against the Norscans or the northern tribes. The following year I'll be occupied marching and marching, so I'll have to decide whether to head to Middenheim to clear its forests of beastn… or whether we can plan a joint campaign."
I looked at him firmly, waiting for his reaction.
"Well… you were right," said the Tzar, glancing at his daughter. "He's colder-minded than he appears. I'm surprised: before you threatened to burn Kislev to ashes, and now you speak of planning joint campaigns?"
"We're already stuck in the biggest ss of our lives… do you want to add bad blood between us on top of it? I think a rope and a tree would be faster," I replied with sarcasm, crossing my arms.
"Ha… we'll get along," Boris growled, showing his teeth in sothing like a smile. "I'd like us to first try to reclaim so defensible areas of Kislev that are infested with mutants, before going after the Norscans."
"Pff… the problem is ti. Traveling back and forth will take weeks. I have a treaty with the Elector Count of Talabecland to build a railway line toward Ostermark. If you sells the land, I could extend it into Kislev, even to Praag, and with that move troops quickly. Though that would require keeping the area very secure. For the next year, don't count on —I'll make sure the railway line is secured by clearing the forests," I answered thoughtfully.
"Given the situation, land in those areas is very expensive… Imperial prince," Katarin intervened, her icy eyes fixed on .
"Exactly, farmland of great value. And whoever controls it, controls much of Kislev," added Boris gravely.
"Ah… so that's the angle. As it happens, Imperial firearms have gone up in price quite a lot… especially since soone used them all to arm his army. So I'm afraid they'll be sold very dearly," I replied with a half-smile.
"A little stingy, considering we're family now," the Tzar laughed, though his gaze remained hard. "But fine, about another matter… I need instructors for my armies. And according to the Emperor's ambassador, your n are very disciplined and well-trained."
"The best in the Empire, without a doubt. The problem is language. I believe I am the only one, or among the few, who speaks Kislevite fluently. So it will be difficult for them to serve as instructors… unless you use translators. Still, I suppose we can work sothing out for firearms training," I replied.
"Good, then… who will be able to stay?" asked the Tzar, leaning toward .
"I'll ask among my n who would be interested in working here. But you'll have to pay them well out of your own pocket," I answered, thoughtful.
"If necessary, I will. You've already noticed that…" began the Tzar.
"That your n were shaful, yes. I would have crushed them easily if not for your witches," I interrupted him dryly.
"Very observant…" Boris growled. "The ice witches are the Motherland's greatest defense. It's good that you know to respect their power. My daughter is one of the most powerful of her circle, and even in her youth she surpasses many of her teachers. Be careful what you do."
"What? I'm not afraid of your witches, Tzar. In fact, I already had a plan to kill them easily," I replied harshly.
"Oh really? And how would that be? I'm interested to hear such arrogance," Katarin said, narrowing her eyes and fixing her gaze on .
"Cast a spell on , please," I said, extending my arms. "Whichever you want. Try to kill ."
Katarin looked at her father with doubt, and the two exchanged a puzzled gesture. Then she agreed and conjured a small shard of ice, hurling it at imdiately. The magic dissolved in the air, absorbed by my runic ring, which began to glow.
"Ah… Dawi runecraft," I murmured, watching as the princess summoned larger fragnts of ice.
I remained motionless. All the magic was absorbed by the ring, though this ti I felt a faint chill.
"I've never seen such a powerful arcane artifact," she said, astonished.
"Runic… the proper term is runic," I corrected calmly. "It's from the War of the Beard, one of the most powerful objects against Elven magic. So it's no surprise you failed. That ans my idea of launching a frontal attack with my griffon against the witches would have worked."
"Stop thinking about fighting. We're allies in this now, and we'll have to work together," Boris said firmly.
"Yes, there are many benefits to be gained," I replied, though my mind was already wandering to what businesses I could open in these lands.
"Katarin will return to the Empire as an ambassador, with a strong escort. I expect you to weigh the reprisals of the Cult of Sigmar against her. In the Empire she'll be safer, at least for now," said the Tzar.
I nodded silently. At the end of that short conversation, I returned to my n, accompanied by a large escort of ice witches and palace guards.
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