The Eternal Exile: A Nation Hopping AAR

Boris: It's always hard to come in at such a time and be King. But...he'll manage.
Blsteen/Aliasing: Yeah, she hasn't killed THAT many of them! I mean, more than anyone else, but still!
Sather: Yeah...just pray she doesn't become good at it!
morningSIDEr: Spot on. Henri's an earnest boy, I think. We'll see what happens!

700 Posts!

Chapter 25 – An Important Lesson

15/12/1536

There was chaos on the battlefield. When more then 80,000 troops came together in battle there was bound to be some chaos, but this was worse than most.
Snow drifted down from the sky, occasionally obscuring the battlefield. Cannons blazed and muskets cracked. Everywhere was the screams and shouts of battle, and Talena was lost.

The day had started so well, with the French defending against a larger Austrian army. An artillery duel followed by skirmishing had started proceedings, but then the Austrians had finally launched their main offensive around noon. Their heavy pike blocks had caused immense impacts, and Talena had watched as a furious battle raged.



It was then that King Henri had decided that he was needed. Raising the flag high, he had led a massive counter charge on horse. Talena had ridden with him, but then….



Talena picked herself off the ground, watching as her leg healed. She stumbled and almost fell as her dying horse twitched. In front of her the cavalry charge was vanishing in the distance, leaving behind those felled by the cannonball. Talena could only remember riding and then a massive impact, and then she was sprawled on the ground.
Talena looked around, seeing where the Austrian cannonball had hit the ground before ploughing on into the cavalry.
She needed to get forward. Looking around she saw a riderless horse and grabbed it. Soothing the animal she galloped forward, desperate to catch up.
As she neared she saw that the melee was not going well for the French. Though they had driven through the Austrian cavalry they were now faced by pikemen, and were being pushed back badly. Cavalry were down, and the pikemen rushed forward with swords or knives to finish them off.
As if in slow motion Talena saw the King, the stupid boy having led his forces in person, was being surrounded, and several of his companions were down.



Talena charged in, bursting into the combat in time to knock a pikeman coming for the King’s horse.
“Get back, dammit!” she swore at the King. She sliced her sword down, right into the face of an Austrian.
Henri had taken a few scratches, and killed a few enemy, but now seemed to wake up. “Withdraw!”
Talena hacked down again, hitting the helmet of an Austrian. Such was the power of the collision that her sword snapped. Angrily she used the shard to stab the man in the face, and kicked away.



Both sides could see who it was who was escaping, and threw themselves into the fray, to protect or capture the King. Talena kept behind Henri and wildly lashed at anyone close, pushing the monarch until they were clear of the battle.
However, when they were free they could clearly see that the battle was lost. Austrian forces had suffered far more attacking up the hill, but they were gaining the flank and their superior cavalry was threatening to turn the flank. The only option was to commence a fighting retreat.
Henri looked rather battered. He had a cut on his arm and a black eye where his helmet had caught a blow. Still, he looked resolute, despite his young age.
“Talena, thank you. But you must do something for me.”
“What do you wish?” Talena asked.
“Ride to de Guise. I will retreat north. I want him to bring his troops north to meet up with us – as many as he can spare. Count Reynard will go with you. Ride quickly, and bring back as much help as you can.”
“You’ll be alright?” Talena asked.
He smiled ruefully. “I’ve learned a lesson today. Rashness is the death of Kings. And…keep strange women with swords around!”
Talena had to laugh at that, despite the defeat before them. “I’ll go at once, Majesty.”





Edit: It must me noted that I lost this battle because of a stupid ally force who got here before me so I had their crappy leader instead of my own. Still, it worked in the story.

Same one I do them all in. I use google maps terrain feature, copy it into Powerpoint to do the arrows, then into paint.net to save the picture.

It's a bit of an annoying process I'm afraid.

blsteen: The arrows and shapes are the only reason I use powerpoint. I don't know any other good way of doing it!
Dewirix: Very true. She needs to learn to control herself better. Manpower was actually OK. What my problem was was that I simply didn't have enough troops raised. It's a mistake I won't make again....
Chris Taylor: Yes, narrow escape. Hopefully he becomes a little wiser now! Hmm, I think she's absolutely against seducing him. Though she could probably give it a try!

Chapter 26 – The Telling Blow

26/12/1536

It was COLD.

No, it was FREEZING!

Talena had joked once to Rodrigo about the Pyrenees being cold. Yet she hadn’t remembered them being as cold as this. When she had crossed a century and a quarter before she had done it in late summer, and it had been pleasant. Now it was not pleasant.
An icy wind blew down from the mountains and snow obscured her vision. However, through the snow she could clearly see the French forces pursuing over the snow.
“This way,” their guide ordered.
As soon as they had gotten close the sentinels had accosted Talena and her small party and demanded their business. Since Talena and Count Reynard had the seal of the King himself they had been escorted to where the Duke of Guise was directing the army.

The Duke and his commanders were mounted and watching their forces move when Talena and Reynard approached. Despite the fact that she had the King’s confidence and had been given his seal de Guise turned to Reynard instead.
“My dear Count, what brings you on this most hurried of errands?” he asked. He completely ignored Talena.
“Your Grace, the King is hard pressed in the north and requires help. He has asked me to request assistance from you in the form of several great companies of foot and horse.”
De Guise smiled rather unpleasantly. “I assure you, Count Reynard, I am being more helpful here. You may wonder why my men are moving in such horrible conditions? The answer is that, quite simply, we have the enemy. Just two weeks ago we defeated the Emperor and he is being driven before us. I hope to trap him today!”
Reynard was stunned, looked for confirmation to the other leaders. This was no joke. “Such a victory could end the war – if the Emperor is taken, that is!”
“My thoughts exactly. I have dispatched two thousand of my best cavalry to head along the coast and block the road to San Sebastian. Did you wish to go with them?”
“I would be honoured, your Grace,” Reynard replied.
“I’m going too,” Talena decided.
De Guise contrived to indicate that Talena was not even there, and turned away.
“One day, you and I are going to have a serious disagreement,” Talena said softly before turning away herself.

27/12/1536

The Spanish guns lay by the roadside. The monstrous weapons, largely ineffective in the field, had slowed down the army too much. Next came the wagons, stripped bare of supplies. Then came the dead and dying horses and men.
Finally the Spanish army turned at bay. To resist the rested, confident French was bound to end in disaster, but they had one chance; a bridge over a river. If they could escape then some of the army would limp away to San Sebastian to fight another day.
However, as the first troops started to cross there was a wail of despair. The banner of France had been seen; the French cavalry had arrived just in time!

Talena was tired, but now the end was in sight. The massed Spanish army below her was trapped against the river, with only a single road out. And now her forces were astride the road. The exhausted French drew their blades and trotted forward, as if daring the Spanish to try and cross. It seemed it wouldn’t be needed. Already white flags were being raised.

It was Count Reynard who spotted it, and he shouted suddenly. “There! He’s getting away!”
Indeed, a small party of horsemen was swimming across the river. Some were swept away in the icy waters, while others were shot down by Frenchmen rushing to the bank. Some made it though.
“After them!” Reynard shouted. With him went Talena and a small party, and they set off in pursuit. The majority of the cavalry remained to block the crossing, but about twenty followed the Count.
The Spanish had a good lead, but their horses were just as tired, many of them affected by the icy water, and soon they started to lag.
Although Talena did not exactly know who was ahead of her she could guess; the Emperor. He had escaped once, he could not escape again!

One by one the Spanish fell or turned aside, but their leader kept riding, his horse was better, and his equestrian skills were impressive. Soon all but Talena and Count Reynard had dropped out, and they could not go much further. Their horses were labouring and panting. It would be over soon. The Emperor would escape, the war could continue, and Henri would surely be overrun.

However Talena had one last trick. She drew her pistol. The impossible weapon from the future, flung back in time with her. It still worked, because she had always maintained it carefully. Even so, the Spaniard was a good two hundred yards away. Could she still even remember how to aim?
Dismounting she got down on one knee. Nearly forgotten lessons from her past came to her. Aim…carefully aim. Breathe in, relax. Let half the breath out….

FIRE!

The crack of the weapon echoed, and it recoiled in her hands. Looking, she saw the Emperor’s horse stumble, one leg shot through and useless.
“Come on! Get him!” Talena shouted.
The Count, amazed by this gun which fired without smoke and over such distance, kicked himself into action.
Carlos had dismounted his dying beast, grabbed his sword and vanished into some trees.
Talena drew her new sword and gave chase, pushing through the trees, while other French cavalry circled around the woods to cut off any escape.

And then, she was there! The Holy Roman Emperor was before her, at bay. She held out her sword.
“I’d much rather take you prisoner, but if I have to kill you I will, regicide be damned,” Talena growled, advancing.
Carlos, faced by this armed woman seemed to consider his chances. But then Count Reynard was there, and the sounds of more horses crashing through the trees. The Emperor threw down his sword.
“Very well…I yield.”
Talena grinned. “Good, though I’ve never killed an Emperor before. I was kind of looking forward to it!”
Reynard gently removed her sword. “He must be taken to the King.”
“I am no slave to be driven at will!” Carlos complained.
“You’re right. You’re going back to France. In the time until we get there we’ll have worked out a treaty, and you’ll have signed it.” Talena’s smile was most disconcerting. How was THIS for changing history!

Aliasing: Haha! Remember she only has 5 more bullets left...so there can't be THAT much pew-pew!
Chicken: Thanks!
Boris: It certainly will! Just as well too...I was in a bad position so I took what I could at this point.
Dewirix: Let's hope so!
blsteen: Hmm, no. But that time may come.
Sather: Ahh, but you forget that so long as she is useful and gains victory such things can be overlooked. If France ever loses...that's when it's time to worry.

Chapter 27 – In the Nick of Time

7/1/1537

The army was in a bad state. The defeat and pursuit of the King’s army had demoralised the French army to the point where discipline was breaking down, and desertion was high. Now the army had come to rest just one hundred miles from Paris, taking up positions on a wintry hill overlooking a river.
However, they could already see the columns of Austrian soldiers advancing. It was time for a final stand. Would King Henri stand with his army, or would he flee like the Emperor had? Sitting on his horse the young monarch gave no indication either way.

As the Austrian army approached, far outnumbering the French, it seemed as though the final battle would be fought here.
But then, suddenly, from the French side was a white flag! A cheer went up from the Hapsburg forces while the French army let out a wail. They thought they knew what was happening as a party departed their lines and headed to the Austrian forces.

Austrian Ambassadors and their general, Count Freystadt, approached a central area between the armies. They looked smug, confident of their power.
However, they were soon to be confused as a tent was setup, and the French entered. Henri looked serenely confident, and with him were several others, among them Talena, Count Reynard and his generals. Both Talena and Reynard looked extremely tired and worn out, but confident.
“Hail, King Henri, you requested a truce to discuss an armistice?” Freystadt asked. He looked at the woman, who was dressed partly in armour and with a sword, but did not ask who she was. Women had no place here, but he was still feeling confident.
“I did,” Henri said.
“Of course, we should strive to avoid the further bloodshed of Christians,” Freystadt went on, still quite unaware of what was going on.
Henri seemed tempted to continue, but decided to wrap things up. “Therefore we ask you to withdraw from France,” he said.
Freystadt laughed for a second, then saw it was not a joke. “Majesty, you are serious? My army outnumbers yours by two-to-one, we have the terrain and the artillery!”
“But things have changed, my Lord,” Talena said, stepping forward. It was against protocol, but she just had to do it. Still, she didn’t drop the bombshell yet.
Henri smiled slightly. “Lady Talena is correct. Just over a week ago forces under the Duke of Guise defeated and drove back the Spanish army. And there it was trapped, and the Emperor was captured.”
“You’re bluffing!” Freystadt declared angrily.
With the dramatic flourish of a man laying down a winning hand the King presented an elaborate treaty signed with the seal of the Emperor itself.
Freystadt took it and his face paled. “This…cannot be right!” he protested. He slammed the document down. “This is a forgery, I will not be tricked into-“ he begun.

Talena really knew she shouldn’t, but she was impulsive. It also turned out that she was quicker fingered than most! Reaching into her pouch she threw an item onto the table. The laws of physics and drama came together to make it sparkle and glint and roll to a stop on the paper.
It was a ring…THE RING. It bore the crest of the Hapsburg family, it was the symbol of the Empire, the very ring used by the Emperor. In fact, it was a ring not even used to sign the treaty, but one used for only the most secret correspondence.
“Then believe that,” she said triumphantly.
Freystadt picked up the ring in shaking fingers. “Where is his Imperial Majesty?”
“Safe in our keeping,” the King said. “Treated with all honours as my father was. But like my father, he will not return until all of the conditions of this treaty are enacted.”
Freystadt sighed and looked at his other nobles and leaders. “Then so must it be. I fear we have given up a chance here to destroy you, Majesty,” he told Henri without rancour.
Henri accepted the words with a smile. “I assure you that it won’t happen again!”
With a scowl Freystadt stormed from the tent, his nobles and officers behind him.

When they were alone, King Henri looked at Talena and Reynard. “Thank you. I had…begun to fear that my fate was to be prisoner in Madrid like my father.” He smiled at them and left.
“I must see to matters also,” Reynard said.
Talena was left to walk back to her horse, contemplating events. In the distance the Austrians were starting to retreat.

XXX

The victory gained by France was considerable. Areas of land claimed for generations fell into her hands, and Imperial dominance in many areas overthrown. A key clause in the treaty was the splitting of the Hapsburg Empire into Austrian and Spanish halves, something which Carlos had been planning for some time regardless.

(Which is how Austria and Spain became separated in the narrative even though they are never so in game.)

Boris: Indeed it could have - but with Carlos as a French hostage he would have been unlikely to push it.
Sather: Indeed! Haha, no One Ring...precious!
blsteen: Right on.

Section 4: Intrigues and Feuds

Chapter 28 – A New Age

14/2/1537

Another birthday. Talena stared out over the gardens and forests, the snow still laying thickly all about.
“Happy…” she paused, calculating. “One-hundred and sixty-eighth birthday,” she said with a sigh. “Many happy returns….”
She drunk from a bottle she had and looked out again at the snow. Finally, in a fit of sudden anger she hurled it at a distant tree, hitting it and shattering the glass.



An ironic clapping filled the air. Maria was standing a short distance off. “Very dramatic. And impressive of course!”
Talena glared. “You!”
“Hey, don’t get your panties in a knot. I just came here to thank you. Your help has made France the most powerful nation in Europe.”
“But why do you care?” Talena demanded.
Maria approached. “Because you can seriously change things, Talena. Time is hard to change, but you do it without even trying. Why do I care? Because I want to see the power, the instability. I can gain from it…if you’re interested we can do a very good deal together.”
Talena blinked. “What do you mean?”
“Sure, this isn’t your time, but the two of us…we can live like Queens, you and I. Of course, I can help you, and you can help me. I’m on the run, and between you and me, if we stick together we’ll do well out of this.”
“You’re looking to profit here? Why not skip a few centuries ahead?”
“Because you’re here, and anything in the future will be changing as you live. And besides…you’re good to have around.”
Talena nodded. “As you wish. But don’t get in my way,” she warned.
“I wouldn’t dream of it!”

Talena entered the palace of Fontainebleau and was heading to her room when Cardinal Moreau approached. His tall, dignified manner made him seem more princely than many of the nobles.
“Lady Mazari, might we speak?”
“Of course, your Eminence,” she replied.
“I have not forgotten the service that you gave to the King before he was crowned. Therefore I ask you to continue in your duty to protect the King. Will you do this?”
“I shall.”
“Then may God go with you,” Moreau said, leaving her alone.
There was a sound. A disapproving sound, and Talena turned to see that an extremely angry Catherine de Medici was watching her. With a glare she turned and left.
Talena sighed. Things never got easier.

XXX

France’s triumph in the war was broad and long lasting. Despite the numerical disadvantages held by the Imperial army, the interior lines and superior concentration of the French armies achieved a victory.
After Carlos returned to Spain, humiliated, he passed the Imperial crown to his son in Austria and set about rebuilding Spain’s power. Significantly he did not attempt to rush into a war of revenge with France, and on his eventual death Spain had been decisively weakened.