Homelands
Chapter Twenty One: Dawn of War
Part 4
Prelude:
The Caliph's rapid expansion in the first decade of the XIII Century was due to the final crush of Catholicism under its armed boot. Raids on the British Isles brought wealth and manpower required for the Caliph to undergo raids deeper into Christian territory. However, one region managed to remain untouched and beaconed to the Caliph like a golden goose: the Baltic. The Baltic Sea was the domain solely of the Prussian Kingdom. With the wealth and power to project its authority into the waters, other states either had to deal with tariffs or find another way to trade in the region. Most countries just accepted Prussian authority and dealt with it. In 1208 a new contender came into the ring, the Caliph. The Caliph hoped that Prussia would remain neutral during their invasions as they had promised with Western Europe. But King Meinekinus took the invasion of Denmark as a direct threat, but was hesitant to go to war with the Caliph. Instead he waged a satellite war funding the King of Denmark, a relative of his, in a fighting retreat to ensure as much of Denmark remained free as possible. In the end, Denmark would lose Jutland, Scania, its crown, and its independence. It wouldn't see unity again for almost two hundred years.
November 4th, 1208
Erik Knýtling, King of Denmark, was sailing off of Fyn for the last time. He looked back as the entire island seemed to burn, wafting a massive column of smoke upwards in the heavens. He was down to only a few last territories, and he would have to defend them to the last. With Sweden invading to the north, taking advantage of loss of Jutland to secure their own claim to his throne, Prussia remained the only hope. They were trying their hardest without actually committing to war: 4,000 troops, boats, embargos, and commanders. It was more than he had asked for, but it was too late to save the Kingdom from damage. From the south a ship chased after his own, it flew the Prussian banner was even from this distance, Erik could see it was manned by Prussians.
"Slow down, let them come up to us!" Erik ordered. As they did this the other ship slid carefully and quietly up to the side of his ship.
"Ahoy, my majesty, King Erik?"
"Yes."
"Good, I have been ordered by his majesty King Meinekinus to escort you to Pomerania."
"What?! Why? Am I to be some sort of prisoner."
"Nay, Swedes have attacked Copenhagen from the north. My King has declared war on Sweden and is currently sending 15,000 troops to defend Sjælland, but those troops are still a week away, it is likely that a treaty with Sweden would be the quickest way of securing the island, but it would also mean losing Scania and the crown of Denmark."
Erik sighed, it had come to this. Betrayed by one cousin and enslaved by another. "Fine, fine, fine! I'll sign the treaty with the Swedes, tell your King that there is no need to send so many troops." And so it was, over. Twisted, he though, a knife twisted so far round in my back... With a few of his personal guards he changed over to the Prussian ship and they moved him off toward his far-off lands.
November 21st, 1208
Erik was joined by Meinekinus and the King of Sweden, an ambassador from the Caliph also arrived in Copenhagen to humiliate Erik further. Denmark had been laid waste to, just another victim to Islam and Christian infighting. The Caliph made off with Jutland and Fyn, the Swedes with Scania and the crown of Denmark. Afterwards Erik sat down with Meinekinus to talk of the future.
Prussia in 1209, in light red are territories lost by Denmark.
"Erik, it isn't much, but henceforth you are to be known as Erik Prince of Pomerania; under my full protection. My hope is to continue the resistance in Denmark through monetary means, and eventually retake your ream for you. Your family will have Denmark back in time."
"Yes but how long? Our realm suffers under the yoke of foreign tyranny."
"I understand, but we can only move so fast. The Caliph is strong now, and we dare not make a move that will cost us the freedom of all Christians everywhere. Resistance in Fyn is strong, I assume that in a few years... if that... the Caliph will pull off the island. We can retake it then, I promise."
"I will take comfort in that," Erik said.
"Good. I also want you to understand that as the Count of Sjælland you have a very important duty of us." Erik seemed to perk up as he looked up, "I need you to act as Prussia's first line defense against the Caliph coming from the sea. He has been warned that another excursion into the Baltic will be seen as a threat to us, and we shall deal with it as an act of war. I shall take no more of this in my backyard, he is beginning to outstay his welcome."
"What about England and the such?"
"We are doing what we can. We are definitely stepping up our support of others. My father and his father were very willing to let the outside world suffer as long as Prussia made a coin, but that is not the Christian way. I am tired of the suffering, and I will work to end it... here... and now." He turned to Erik and looked legitimately concerned.
"I shall take up your good fight, my lord."
"Good, that is all I can ask of my allies." Meinekinus put one hand on his goblet and lifted it to his lips. He took a slow sip and replaced the goblet on the table. He became very quiet as he put his mind to work.
"What is it, my lord?"
"The Baltic Sea is mine," Meinekinus said flatly, "It is my Sea, I am not sharing it with invaders." His face had a scowl on it now as the thought of the Caliph betraying Prussia's trust and honesty crossed his mind. It was personal, an insult. He turned his attention back to Erik, "Make sure that you watch Fyn, I will want to have it seized as soon as possible. Make sure to keep the flow of supplies to the island moving. Like I said, in only a short while we should be able to get it back. It will be a minor victory, but it is necessary to plug the Baltic back up."
"Yes, sir," Erik said. Result, he thought, are something I like.
