Episode XXVI: Tversted Interests
Dobczyński entered Prince Mikhael’s study, closing the door behind him. The Prince of Tver looked up and smiled as his retainer entered. As did Pusia, who loped over to the veteran soldier. Her eyelashes fluttered, and she rubbed her neck against his leg, purring gently. He smiled awkwardly, gently stroking her luxurious fur, ready to jerk his hand out of amputation range at a moment’s notice.
‘Good morning, sir.’
‘Good morning, Dobczyński! A glass of wine?’ He gestured at the bottle of red that sat on his desk. ‘ A Burgundian ’22, outstanding vintage.’
Dobczyński’s nose twitched involuntarily. ‘Very kind, sir, but no thank you.’ Being of mixed Polish/Scottish inheritance, and having spent his working life in Russia, Dobczyński was very fond of spirits, but not wine. Red wine, in particular, turned his stomach. Given a choice between a red Burgundian ’22 and a glass of his own urine, he would have taken the Dobczyński Number One House White every time.
Mikhael smiled. ‘I will make a civilised man of you one day, Dobczyński.’
‘I’m sure you will, sir. Talking of civilisation, the princess sends her greetings, and hopes that her husband dies soon so that she can come home.’
In order to further good relations with his Russian neighbours, Mikhael had approved of the marriage of his daughter, princess Barbara, to the Prince of Murom. It had strengthened the two countries’ relationship...and would, Mikhael hoped, bring some civilisation to the rather poor, backward principality.
Dobczyński continued. ‘And some good news, sir. Our re-fitting programme for the army’s weapons is complete. We’ve reformed our cavalry and artillery units, and equipped all infantry with pikes.’
‘You approve of pikes, Dobczyński?’
‘Certainly, sir. Always liked a good, firm shaft. And finally, the colonisation of Bersh is complete.’
‘Excellent! Begin construction of a holiday resort.’
‘Yes, sir.’
Not everyone, though, was enamoured of Mikhael’s revitalisation of Bersh as a place of relaxation. Another Sunni uprising occurred in Samara, requiring to be put down by Sheleshpansky’s troops.
With Bersh now under control, Mikhael moved his attention to the next Nogai province: the trade city of Astrakhan. Its capture would be a huge economic boon to the Principality, granting them control of a second major centre of commerce.
Mikhael, meanwhile, had grown tired of his ineffectual government. He dismissed them, giving them a week in which to arrange a new cabinet for his approval. With direct control, he set the nation a new, more sensible goal.
‘Cousin Boris is in a difficult position, Dobczyński. We must look after him and his people.’
‘Yes, sir. Shall we try and be diplomatic about it?’
‘Of course! He is family, after all! We Rurikoviches have to stick together!’
‘Very well, sir.’
‘And...Murom.’
‘Murom, sir?’
‘I think it may be time to take matters in hand, Dobczyński. The prince is...unsuitable.’
‘Unstuitable, sir?’
‘Yes. To be a prince of Russia, Dobczyński. He knows nothing of art, or science. An idiot in a diamond-studded crown. He builds no statues, funds no artists! What will he leave behind him? Nothing.’
‘Then why did you let Princess Barbara marry him?’
‘I thought that she could
improve him, Dobczyński. Introduce him to the wonders of culture. But he is a boor, nothing more, nothing less. It is time to save his country’s artistic legacy.’ He sighed. ‘Let it be known that the Principality of Tver claims the throne of Murom.’
The reply came a week later: the prince of Murom rejected Mikhael’s claim to the throne or Murom. The Prince of Tver was going to have to do this the hard way.
He had hoped that Cousin Boris would join him in this just and noble endeavour. Boris, though, was a man of little more artistic ability that the Prince of Murom – and even less of a military tactician. With his six thousand men located in the east, fighting the Golden Horde, leaving Moscow completely open to Tverian attack...he decided to side with Murom.
Dobczyński and the third army decided that it was time to put the Prince of Muscowy out of his misery.
The Battle for Moscow was short. As the Tverians advanced, one of Dobczyński’s footsoldiers fell down a manhole. Paralysed with laughter, the Muscovites had little choice but to surrender.
Dobczyński began the attack, and the largest city in Russia was soon in Tverian hands.
Holed up in his palace, Dobczyński convinced the Duke of Muscowy to become a Vassal of his cousin, and to build at least one statue a month, in exchange for keeping his throne.
The battle for Murom was similarly short, their small army immediately surrendering to the forces of Tver. The city was soon under Tverian control.
The Prince of Murom was deposed, and replaced by Princess Barbara, who would rule in the name of her father.
War with the Golden Horde had broken out again, but the Tartars posed little threat to the armies of Tver.
Further good news was soon to reach Mikhael as Astrakhan was brought under control of Tver, granting the Principality its second Centre of Trade. Merchants flocked to take advantage of new commercial opportunities.
With new gains to the south east, the maps of Tver were again redrawn.
With three crowns to his name, and that of Muscowy his to give to a vassal Duke, Mikhail was the undisputed master of Russia. He was surrounded by potential foes, with the rampant Hungarians to the west and the powerful Ottomans bordering his new city of Astrakhan.