Mecklenburg: A journey to warmer lands.
Jyllands ship was slowly nearing the Breton coast. He had his new French friends come pick him up with a warship. He wasn't planning on taking the risk of using a Mecklenburgian gally. He had heard that the newly conquered vassal was good for nothing, the amount of funds that came their way was even less than pocket money. No matter though, Armor was rumored to produce tons of cloth, that would offer a great trade opportunity.
Jylland was not in a good temper however, he had heared France was beautiful nation, it was part of the reason he decided to invade here. But what he saw here was almost no different from the weather at home. A thick fog was hanging over the coast, and not a nice sand coast, but rocks every where the eye could see. This was not what he had hoped and to make matters worse that idiot of a king had decided to join him on this journey. If he was to believe the king Armor would be the future royal residence. "Ah well if the king want's this misty piece of land he can have it. I'll search for sunnier locations."; Jylland thought. "Ill make sure my company has a solid base here and then I'll move out again. The king can stay here for all eternity for all I care."
Blois ,Captain Kessler and a small host of Bretons were already waiting for Jylland and the King at the harbor. While the king basked in the admiration of the Bretons, Jylland gathered Blois and Kessler.
"I must say this is quite a dissapointment Blois. Is all of your motherland as misty as this?"
"Yes, sir."
"I see as summier as ever. Well then Kessler did we suffer any great losses?"
Kessler looked happy and told Jylland that his planning had made sure that almost the entire army was still intact.
"I see. That's great. Get them ready to move out then. I'm taking care of bussiness here and then we're done here."
Kessler didn't look suprised and neither did Blois, they knew that although Armor had decent opportunities for production it was neither rich nor pleasant enough to please Jylland.
Jylland walk walking up and down in the building they had procured. He thought that his first conquest would please him, but this rainy piece of rock would not do. Yes he might make a ducat or two and the king was certainly pleased, but this was not the type of rich provinces he expected to conquer.
The door of his room opened and Blois appeared.
"I have news, sir."
"Yes what is it Blois, speak up man."
"War between Portugal and Morocco, sir."
"War between... What do I care? Do I look like a muslim to you?!"
"Gold, sir."
"Gold... Gold?"
"Gold, sir."
"What gold? What are you talking about? Do I have to pry every single word from you? Tell me more about this gold !"
"Gold in Sus, sir."
"Gold in Sus?" Jylland got the map he carried around in his backpocket ever since he departed from home. He opened it up and looked until he found Sus.
"There is gold there you say?"
"Yes, sire."
"Hmm, hmm. They are embroild in a War against Portugal and if I'm not mistaken also a war against Castille. It seems the reconquesta is never over. Hmm. Hmmmm. Get Kessler over here."
"Sir."
This might become a great chance, Rettin would be overjoyed when he had some muslims to convert. It would be a great chance to get that man out of his way. The king would also love a chance at conquering some muslim lands. They need not know about any gold that would be found. No, they definitely did not need to know. Blois would not tell anyone and he doubted anyone but Blois knew about the gold, the man was very very resourcefull. Perhaps they could even get a chance at the last stronghold of Granada while they were at it. It would offer his trading company more salt to trade.
"This is what I want you to do Kessler. Grab the fleet and move out to Ifni. Move half your army to Sus. We wouldnt want anyone else getting there first."
Kessler looked suprised: "But sir we would only conquer the riches of this world wouldn't we? There is nothing but sand there, sir!"
"You do not see the holy task we have? To conquer and convert the disbelievers?"
Kessler deeply doubted the sudden zeal of Jylland, but he didn't become a captain because of his independant thoughts.
"I'm sorry sir! I will do as you say immidatly!"
"Good get on your way then, I shall inform the king."
"Conquering the infidels? That sounds great doesn't it Rettin?": The king seemed overjoyed. His normal vague smile now seemed to divide his head in two.
"We can spread the word of the Lord everywhere, ow what great times we live in!"
Rettin looked at Jylland. He knew the man didn't care for religion. So why would he carry out the Lord's wishes so zealously? It was every man of the church's duty to convert the infidels and he would gladly take this task upon him, but what could that snivling snake gain from this? He would keep an eye out and his ears open.
"Yes your majesty, a great chance is given to us. I will make sure the infidels will only speak of our Lord the moment the Grand Merchant conquered their lands.": Rettin said.
"Then I will take my leave, Your majesty, Bishop."; Jylland turned around and walked out of the throne room.
"Just you wait Jylland, don't think I'm not on to you": Rettin thought and turned to his Majesty.
"Well my king what do you want to the rest of the day?"
Excerpt from Kessler's journal
Day 7
The declaration of war preceded us with just a day. The generallisimo is great in planning stuff like this. There isn't even a single army in sight. We saw armies clash in other provinces as we sailed here, but noone actually seems to mind us jumping in! We made our landing in Ifni as planned. There is not much to conquer here, we secured some oasis to maintain a supply of water and I send half our army under Klutz to Sus. I wonder what the Generalissimo is thinking? What can we gain here?
Day 20
Finally a word from Klutz, it seems they didn't meet any resistance. They have secured the land without even seeing a city or town. What a desolate land this is! Perhaps the enemy wants us to have it, it's as useless as a sixth finger.
Day 27
In order to get a good peace treaty we received the order from the Generallismo to move up to Fez and conquer as we go. Thought there won't be much fightning. Blois (who came together with the order, I guess to help with the peace treaty.) told me that Morocco was left with not a single soldier. They must have received a beating from the Portugese and Castillians. I was also told to ship part of our army to Granada and leave mercenaries here to conquer the remaining empty provinces. I'm glad I can leave this god forsaken desert. I'll leave Blois here to oversee operations and get the Almohads to sigh the treaty. It's what he's best at.
Day 34
This is a lot better! What a beautifull city this is. And what a riches are hidden in every palace we come across. I think that the generallisimo will be very pleased! To bad we don't have Blois to sign a peace treaty. I'll just have to my best. I received a message from Klutz, it seems the mercenaries had an easy time. They conquered all that was requered to break the Almohads resistance.
Day 37
We rounded up the last pockets of resistance. There is not a single muzleman with a sword left in the entire city. The city is ours!