Erik IV Dagmarsson Crovan
Emperor of the Crovan Empire, King of the Western Isles, King of the East and West Vikings, King of Germania and King of Vinland and the Skraelingias. Lord of Foppingtonia, Slavelandia and Zanzibar, High Admiral of Gibralter, Life-President of the Sino Trade Company and the Rightful King of All Poland.
In Which Kennet Commits Treason
(1 January 1647 – 30 March 1651)
From the acclaimed 1985 CBC Documentary “The Fall of the House of Asta”
“Against all odds, Erik actually fell in love with his new son Harald, neglecting the duties of the Emperor to taking fishing trips, go on cruises about the empire and really, just bond.”
“His grip on power slipped to such an extent that three major wars were launched and concluded without the approval of the Emperor or the Imperial Cabinet. In all cases, local leaders simply launched into wars for personal gain.
With the encouragement of their father, Einar Egilsson, the virtual overlord of Sraelingia, his sons launched a private war against Zapotec with Crovan soldiers ‘appropriated’ for that task, giving themselves large personal fiefs and a hefty percentage of the war indemnity.
The lack of any sort of Imperial response caused Ossor Larsson, commander of the 10,000 strong Mexico Horse Division to do the same thing to the Incan Empire.
He too wound up enriching himself as well as the Empire, securing Lima and the last Non-Crovan major trade center in the Skraelingias.
This led directly to a Sino Trade Company Director deliberately provoking Tunisia…
…and her allies into a war with the goal of gaining a Persian foothold.
Instead, the Sino Battle Fleet of Carracks was swept from the sea and then the surprisingly decent Persian fleet sank a transport fleet and pinned the only other fleet in India.
Forced to intervene by the public outcry over the defeats, Erik gave orders that the Indian Ocean enemies be ignored and Tunisia crushed, which they were, with overwhelming force that included the Famed Imperial Marines.
Then a slightly less dilapidated fleet of Caravels was dispatched to maintain Crovan power in the Indian Ocean and Erik called it a day.
The grumblings in his cabinet grew…
“…and not to mention that you’ve been an Imperial Advisor for more than 50 years. You’re the only one he’ll trust.”
Kennet pondered this a moment. “Yes, yes, I guess you’re right. It is up to me to save the Empire and Erik from, well, himself.” He strode purposefully from the room.
“I know it has to be done, but why Kennet? We all like him?”
“Well, see, I’m involved in this death pool and if I get one more, I think I’ll have enough points to win the league this year…”
Kennet bursts into the Emperor’s Apartments. Erik and Harald are making Macaroni Pictures.
“Oh son, that’s just fabulous! It looks just like your mom…eh? Yes Kennet?”
Kennet took a deep breath, his heart racing and mouth dry as a bone. Then he spoke. “Well sire, I’ve been an advisor to the Imperial Court longer than you’ve been alive. I started my service under the Great Brain-Dan IV. I served Erik III the Conqueror and his children Gunnar III, your mother Dagmar and Bard IV. Now I serve you. Sire, in that capacity and out of the love I bear you and your family, I must implore you: Sire, the Empire needs you. Please, please return to your duties.
“What? And neglect my son? Impossible!”
…
“Sire, that child is obviously not yours.”
…
Erik’s face hardened, when he spoke it was softly. “Thank you Kennet. That will be all. I shall take your words into careful consideration and act accordingly.”
Kennet smiled and bowed. He left the room almost giddily. That had gone very, very well. He’d saved the empire no doubt.
The next day
So that’s it for Crovania’s long suffering Imperial advisor. Will Erlend win his Deathpool? Find out on the next exciting episode of
