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Chapter 29

The Right Opportunities

It has been a couple months since the death of Branislava and Ahma is holding a great festival over the summer in her memory. But before the festival itself begins, Ahma and those of his vassals that have already gathered at his fort decide to hold a bit of a spear throwing competition to pass the time. They would come to learn that combining spear throwing and ale however, was not a good idea when they heard an agonizing scream from down the range. Päiviö had been struck by a spear, thrown by an unknown contestant since no one had seen who had thrown it and no one admitted to having thrown it. The rest decided that they would throw one last round before calling it a day, lest someone else gets struck by a spear too. The winner of the little contest turned out to be Ahma's second son, Kettu, much to the surprise of everyone, as he wasn't really even considered to be the strongest of the men present.

As the festival began a couple days later, Ahma decided to join his fellow Followers in a hunt to look for offerings to the gods. Ahma's luck was mediocre this time, only catching couple of rabbits and a fox. His hunting luck had gotten worse over the years, as he had hunted wolves, bears, wolverines and moose easily when he was younger. But now, he couldn't find anything to track or even just notice by chance.
"Maybe you are just getting old" Sirtya, a fellow Hero, told Ahma.
"Nonsense, I'm still plenty young. I still plan to live a few decades for certain" he answered.
"I'm sure you will" Sirtya chuckled.
But Ahma had to admit that he was no youngster anymore, but he wasn't old either. He was merely 51 years old at this point. Sirtya was about 70 if he remembers right, and with one foot in the grave. And he himself is in much better shape than what Sirtya was in his age so surely he would live to be at least 80, maybe more.

On their way back to the fort from the hunt Ahma encountered an old crone who offers to determine what the spirits and skies have in store for Ahma in the future. Ahma decides to give her the payment of single squirrel skin to hear what she has to say. Her words of the future were about as what he expected.
"A period of good luck is just around the corner, and that you need only look for the right opportunities to change life for the better."
Ahma had never really believed that one could know for certain what the spirits have in store for one's future, let alone other's. And the crones vague words only confirmed this belief.
"You could attribute anything to those words" he thought to himself as he continued his walk back towards the fort.

Near the end of the festival there was a poetry contest and Ahma decided to be one of the judges. Standing there with his Iron Crown on his head, Ceremonial Axe on his lap and clad in a bearskin cape he was an imposing sight. And clearly seen from the stage of the contest, so as to see how the contestants fare under the pressure of performing under the eyes of their King. And sure enough, a couple of them buckled under the pressure but finished their poems nonetheless. But the most impressive was without a doubt Suoma, daughter of late High Chief Voitto of Karelia. And her poem was slightly unusual, to say the least. It described a lady lamenting how her husband was taking part in a competition between heroes past, and how he is accidentally wounded in the competition, but no one admitting their guilt of wounding him and leaving him a mangled cripple for the rest of his days. It was hinted in the story that the lady and her husband knew who it was but have not said anything yet, for it would only be their word against the hero's so they are waiting for the man to admit his guilt on his own.
And so, with her moving poem Suoma was chosen as the victor. And the people asked for more of her poems. She relented and told another one. This one however, was what really piqued Ahma's interest. In her poem she once again hinted to many current Chiefs and High Chiefs both in and outside of Finland and to the things they have done. Both great feats and secret, more clandestine actions. How she has managed to get all that knowledge, Ahma didn't know and couldn't even begin to guess, but he was definitely interested in her now.

Later that day Ahma has one his guards escort her to him to the side street where he was waiting, away from the hustle and bustle of the festival. And away from unwanted ears. When she arrived, she didn't seem surprised with suddenly being face to face with the King. More like she expected it.
"My King, it seems you wished to speak with me?" she asked as she kneeled.
"Stand up. As the daughter of a High Chief, and of my brother-in-law, you need not kneel" he said to her.
After she stood up, he continued.
"I don't know where you gained all that information or how, and quite frankly, I don't care. All I care about is that I'd like you to work for me."
Ahma stepped next to her and continued.
"Seeing as how much you already know it probably won't be a surprise to you that Branislava worked as a spymaster of sorts for me. As my 'hand in the shadows', if you will. And I haven't been able to find anyone to replace her in that position."
Ahma tried to hold back tears, but a couple still streaked down his cheeks, as her death was still so fresh in his mind. But he made sure it didn't show.
"So what say you Suoma? A job as the King's hand in the shadows and a position in my council?"
"I thought you'd never ask, dear uncle" was her answer.
Ahma couldn't help but begin to laugh as he walked back towards the hustle and bustle of the festival with the guard trailing him. But before he did, he quickly turned around and told her "I'll see you tomorrow in my study! Until then, enjoy the festival!"

During the last day of the festivities Ahma heard news from a merchant who had arrived in town recently. Apparently his son-in-law Chief Vechkas had finally declared war on High Chief Kezhevat of Mochkava to claim his birthright after the boy High Chief was weakened in a war against some Slavic adventurer, looking to claim some lands for himself. Ahma was surprised that there had been no call to arms from his son-in-law to the war, but considering just how barely the High Chief's army won, it seemed Vechkas thought he could take on the remainder of the army just fine by himself.

As autumn was coming around and Ahma was leaving for yet another great gathering a messenger arrived. He brought news that Chief Pyry of Satakunta, son of late Ihala 'the Moaner', had died of old age. So now his son, and Ahma's nephew, Urho has become the Chief. Ahma thanked the messenger and then went on his way. His sister Ilta had married Pyry such a long time ago, it seemed. To sort of mend the wounds that the bitter rivalry between Ahma and Ihala had caused. For the most part it had seemed to have worked. None of Ihala's sons held any animosity towards him, quite contrary, they hated their own father. "He was quite the unlikable man" Ahma later thought to himself.

Upon arrival to the Gathering Ahma notices a curious sight. A Bolghar man has joined their ranks. Ahma asks about the man from Rayda, the newest Hero of the Followers.
"Do you know who that Bolghar man is? When did he join?"
"Oh, him? That's Khagan Sevar. I oversaw his induction myself. Quite the promising man indeed."
"You did?"
"Yes, well, I was the closest of the Heroes to where he's from. His lands are just south of Perm. He and his clan recently broke away from the Pechenegs after their Khagan died. They have followed the same gods as us for a generation or two, but only now had an opportunity to leave behind the tengri Pecheneg Khagans."
"I see. Interesting, indeed. We'll see how he will fare among us."
"Oh, don't you worry. I'm expecting great things from him myself."
Rayda then broke out into his easily recognizable booming laughter, and everyone took it as a sign to begin the celebrations. Later the same day Ahma was talking with some other members who had concerns about their fellow Warrior, Feodosia. She hasn't been doing well in fights recently, mostly because she has been trying to fight those above her skill, and now she seems to be afraid of fighting anymore. Ahma then suggests that Suonjar, a fellow Warrior who should be of somewhat equal skill to Feodosia have a sparring match with her. It took some convincing and suggesting but finally the two of them were outside with their fists up. The fight was rather one sided despite the two supposedly being of equal skill and strength. Suonjar almost beat Feodosia to a pulp and she was afraid for her life. Needless to say, she didn't appreciate the effort of trying to get her to fighting spirits again.

Once the Gathering was over and Ahma was on his way back home he received two letters a few days before getting to Finland. Ahma thanks the man and takes the letters. First one seems to be from his chancellor, High Chief Onni of Savonia. Onni begins the letter by telling that his son-in-law Vechkas is now the High Chief of Mochkava and Meschera. He had indeed been successful in his war to reclaim the High Chiefdoms. This pleased Ahma greatly, as he would have another ally who just kept growing in strength. Then Onni writes about some less fortunate news. It seems Ahma's most experienced scribe has passed away. The man was one of the most skilled scribes in all of Finland, even being an apprentice to one of the teachers that Amalric originally taught to write and read so long ago. Ahma cursed his luck, but decided that this would not hinder his project. He would finish his book, even if he would have to travel to Miklagardr to find a scribe to replace the dead one.
Ahma then opened the second letter. It didn't have any sort of markings on it to distinguish as to who it was from, but as soon as Ahma opened it, he saw who it was from. It was from his new spymaster, Suoma. She began by apologizing that she hasn't been able to perform her duties to her fullest for a few days due to grief over the death of her husband, Päiviö. But she says that she had managed to find some dirt on one his Chiefs that could help him keep the said Chief in line, if he so wished. Ahma hoped that it wouldn't come to that but he decided to hold on to that information just in case for now.

The next winter also brought with it a letter, this time directly from his son-in-law, High Chief Vechkas of Moskva and Meschera. In it he explained how someone from the entourage of Hellä had belittled Vechkas' achievement of conquering the High Chiefdoms that were taken from his father. He called the person's actions "tasteless" and "unacceptable for a representative of an ally". Ahma wrote two letters that evening. One for his son-in-law, apologizing for the man's behavior and that he will take care of it. The second was addressed to the rude diplomat. He was to apologize for his behavior and words and to return to Finland immediately or he would not be considered a representative of the King anymore and thus would be at the mercy of the High Chief to punish him as he sees fit.

Ahma then leaned back in his chair and sighed. He thought he had chosen good people to travel with his daughter to take her to Vechkas. But apparently he had misjudged at least one of them. Hopefully no more rotten people would be found from among his representatives around his allies' courts. "I'm merely 53, yet sometimes I feel like I'm already getting too old for this," he thought to himself before heading to his chambers.
 
Well at 53 he is definitley getting ona bit.
 
Chapter 30

Long Live the Kings!

The year began with the birth of another granddaughter, Tuuli. The happy parents were Haapa and Mielikki. But summer brought with it major news outside Finland. King Kaleva of Greater Ilmenia has died of Great Pox and his cousin Kuuti was elected as the next King, despite the fact that Kaleva had two legitimate sons and even two more illegitimate sons. The eldest legitimate son, Kettu, inherited the High Chiefdom of Estonia and Chiefdom of Läänemaa. He also declared independence from the Kingdom, vowing that he will be King one day. Vootele, the younger legitimate son however decided to stay as part of the Kingdom, seeing as how his inherited lands of Rovaniemi and the recently conquered Toropets were on the opposite ends of the Kingdom. King Kuuti himself has decided to continue to pay tribute to Ahma though, which was the major worry of Ahma after he heard King Kaleva had died.

Later the same year Chief Voitto of Kemi died of pneumonia and Ahma's son-in-law, Jurva, became the Chief of Kemi. "Another ally in a position of power" Ahma thought to himself having heard the news, though Jurva would still be a vassal of King Kuuti it was better than being landless.

A year had passed since the ascension of King Kuuti and Ahma received news that Rurik had once again sent raiders to Laatokka. Ahma was truly boiling once again after many years.
"That worthless little mutt!" he muttered to himself.
"I've had enough of him!" he declared. "I will lead my personal guard to dispatch of him once and for all!"
And so Ahma lead his guard of some little under 3000 men to Laatokka where he managed to catch Rurik's men off guard. They barely numbered over 500 and the skirmish was quickly over. Afterwards Ahma sent an official challenge to Rurik. Rurik accepted the challenge and the two men would meet the next day for a duel.

The two men met just after sunrise. It was a crisp morning, since it was still late winter. Ahma looked at Rurik, sizing him up before the duel. "He looks quite nervous. And that armor. It is way too big for him, did he find his grandfather's old armor from the armory or something? Should we do this later so that he can at least gather his composure and we can get a real fight?"
Ahma then took a deep breath of the fresh morning air.
"Nah, he knew what he got himself into when he accepted my challenge."
The two men ready themselves and then lunge at each other. The fight ends soon when Ahma cuts off Rurik's sword arm. The man is screaming in pain on the ground. Ahma ponders about ending him then and there but decides against it. "If he dies, he dies. I've already cut off his arm, he's less dangerous than a kitten now," he thought to himself.

A month later Ahma is attending another gathering of the Followers and is pleased to see that his son-in-law, Vechkas, has finally joined their ranks.
"Vechkas, how good to see you! How's Hellä doing?"
"Good to see you in such high spirits. And your daughter is doing just fine, Hero."
The two men talked for a good while at the gathering, getting to know each other. At some point Ahma decided that it would be a good idea for Vechkas to have a little sparring match with Inyava, a fellow Fledgling. Vechkas was hesitant at first but after a little encouragement he agreed. The two fighters went outside and decided to have their little match bare handed. Ahma knew that Inyava wasn't all that impressive of a fighter and that Vechkas didn't know that. He just wanted to boost his son-in-laws confidence.
The brawl was over soon with Vechkas as the victor. He had fought so impressively in fact that some of the Followers actually heaved him on their shoulders to celebrate his first victory. Ahma just stood there, a little further from the crowd, somewhat pleased with himself.

Next winter brought with it sad news however. Ahma's grandson, Miemo, son of Helmi and Chief Jurva of Kemi, had died. He had fallen from a window, though some claim he was pushed as they said that they saw someone with him at the window. Ahma was there for the funeral and saw that his daughter was absolutely heartbroken. Miemo was her firstborn and she had held him as he was dying. Ahma tried to console his daughter the best he could, but he had to return home. He worried for Helmi though, as she seemed to have been hit really hard by the death.

Later the same spring Suoma comes to meet Ahma in his study.
"You had some news for me? About Urho?"
"Yes, my King. It seems that your son has had a affair going on for awhile now."
"An affair? With whom? And how many times have I told you, you don't have to be so formal with me" Urho was still unmarried as Ahma hadn't been able to find a suitable match for him. He could only hope he hadn't gone and gotten involved with a married woman.
"With a daughter of one the servants of the fort. Her name is Tuija."
"With a peasant woman?" Well, better that than the wife of some Chief or High Chief. "We'll just tell him to end it and find him a more suitable woman for his wife."
"Well, there's one other thing," Suoma seemed a bit anxious.
"What is it?"
"She has already given birth to a son whom I have reason to believe is Urho's"
"For the love of-" Ahma leaned his forehead on his hands. "Is she married?"
"No, she is not."
"Then I'll have my son take responsibility and marry that woman. It was his choice to get involved with her, now he will have to live with it!"
"As you say. Do I bring him here so you can tell him yourself?"
"Yes, do that. And tell someone to bring me some mead too."
Suoma bowed her head and left the study. Ahma turned back around to his desk and continued writing his book. "Damn horndog, couldn't keep it in his pants" he muttered to himself.

And so, a few weeks later when Tuija had fully recovered from childbirth the two were married. Urho was a bit shocked when his father confronted him, but quickly agreed to the marriage. After all, the relationship between him and Tuija wasn't just physical, but of love.

Later that year, just as first snow had begun to set in, Chancellor Onni came to meet Ahma.
"My King, have you heard the news?"
"What? About the Kievans? Yes, actually, I have."
There was a new King in Kiev. Zhavoronok, High Chief of Pronsk, had declared a war of subjugation against the child King Koz'ma some time ago. And he had finally won.
"Not that, about your son-in-law, Jurva!"
"What? What about Jurva?"
"He has been elected as the new King of Greater Ilmenia."
"Are you serious? But, what happened to King Kuuti?"
"They say a tree fell on him when he was hunting. A bit shady if you ask me but that's not the point."
Ahma took a sip of his mead. He knew that Jurva was a capable man, but to be able to get himself elected as King? That Ahma had not expected of him. But this would only mean that his alliances were that much more stronger.

And in just a few years, those alliances would be put to the test...
 
Interesting developments. What a fortunate tree-fall.
 
Interesting developments. What a fortunate tree-fall.

Yeah, had to come up with something since he died under "suspicious circumstances", (aka succesful plot murder) so there was no known murderer/assassin to blame. Then I noticed that he had a hunter trait so I grabbed that and went with it.

Note that Miemo also died under "suspicious circumstances", (aka succesful plot murder, also) so I like to think that for whatever reason Kuuti had Miemo killed and Jurva found out and plotted his cousin's murder in return.
 
A great AAR Keizaal, I've read it all in one sitting. If this is the quality you are setting with your very first AAR I'm looking forwards to your career here. I'll be following this closely and hope many more follow it.
 
Another score settled, and a domestic problem dealt with. Ahma truly is in control right now, I wonder how long that lasts.
 
A great AAR Keizaal, I've read it all in one sitting. If this is the quality you are setting with your very first AAR I'm looking forwards to your career here. I'll be following this closely and hope many more follow it.
Thank you, great to hear my writing is good enough to keep someone reading it all in one go. :)
Free time can be under a rock with a 2,5 year old kid running around so not gonna make a whole lot of AARs any time soon but this one I'm determined to see through. Quite possibly all the way to EUIV as well, we'll see. ;)

Another score settled, and a domestic problem dealt with. Ahma truly is in control right now, I wonder how long that lasts.
As long as he wants to stay in control :D
 
Chapter 31

Vultures Over Kiev

Ahma was discussing in his study with his spymaster Suoma about ways of returning the lands of Karelia to her family. Even though Ahma had changed laws so that women could inherit now, it would still be unacceptable to just give them land. But she had a son, Seppo. Even though he was just three years old at this point, they had agreed that he would be given the chiefdom of Viena, and hopefully in the future, the High Chiefdom of Karelia, if he grows up to be a man fitting to rule like his grandfather.

No sooner than had the two of them agreed upon this that the chancellor burst into the study with a letter in hand.
"King Ahma!" he shouted when bursting into the room.
"By the gods Onni, no need to shout, I'm already here."
"But this is urgent. It's from your son-in-law, King Jurva!"
"What could be so urgent that you have burst into my study shouting your lungs out?"
Ahma took the letter and his eyes widened upon reading the short letter.
"Is this real? Is he truly going to go to war with Kiev?"
"The letter seems to be real. But why so suddenly? He could have told us beforehand so that we could've prepared for such a big opponent."
The war was to take the chiefdom of Rzheva. And even though Kiev has only come out of a brutal war little over a year ago, the soldiers they have left are veterans of the wars. That, and they are a tributary of Khagan Zebulun of Khazaria. Apparently King Zhavoronok was a tributary before becoming King and had decided to continue paying tribute, at least for now.
"Did you know anything about this?" Ahma asked Suoma as he turned to her.
"No. I've heard nothing about preparing for war coming from Ilmenia."
Ahma shook his head. On the other hand this would be a great opportunity to show Finnish hegemony in the North once again. But he didn't feel like going to the battlefield. He had his book to write and he was aching all over, not that he had told about that to anyone but his wife.
"Alright, we shall answer this call to arms, but I won't be taking to the field. Susi and Kettu shall lead the army."
This way Ahma would get time to finish his book, and his sons would get a great opportunity to establish themselves as leaders, so the succession can go as smoothly as possible. He knows his vassals favor either Susi or Kettu as next King. He himself favors his eldest Susi to become King after him, but he can't be certain if his vassals prefer Kettu at the time of his death. Ahma has tried to persuade his vassals to pick Susi whenever possible, but nothing is certain once you are dead.
"Shall I bring them to you so you may tell them yourself?" Suoma asked.
"I'll wait for them in the great hall, bring them there."
With that both Onni and Suoma left the study and Ahma remained there for a while thinking if he made the right decision. He had tried to get his sons to work together but he had noticed there being some friction between the two lately.

And so, Susi and Kettu were put in the command of an army of 9000 soldiers. Kettu had protested a little at first, citing his wife's pregnancy, but agreed soon enough to the position. The two brothers led the army south and soon found the Khazarian army of some 5500 soldiers in Tver. The two brothers decided to face the enemy army, since they had the numerical advantage and it would be good to thin out the Khazarian numbers early on. The battle of Tver started out well, with the Finnish light cavalry keeping the Khazarian riders busy, but the Finnish cavalry wasn't nearly as good as the Khazarian riders and soon they were overwhelmed. Once Finns had lost their cavalry, there was very little hope of defeating the Khazarians anymore. The battle of Tver was a defeat for the Finns, but Khazarians could barely celebrate their victory either. Finnish losses were almost 4000 and Khazarians had lost almost half their number, around 2500 riders. While a defeat, this would prove to be a crucial battle later on in the war, as the Khazarians would have very little impact in the war afterwards.

Susi and Kettu had retreated back all the way to Laatokka to recuperate. Whilst there a messenger arrived with news that Kontäw had given birth to a daughter. She was to be named Pihla, as they had agreed in the case it was a girl.

Back in Finland Ahma has received news. First is that his marshal, Satatieto, has died. For Ahma this did not have a major impact for he already had his eyes on one of his commanders as the next marshal. The second piece of news however, was more troubling. Ahma had received a letter from his son-in-law and tributary, King Nabtiko of Nenetsia, to participate in his war to make High Chief of Velsk his vassal. Both were Finnish tributaries and Ahma didn't want to get involved in wars between his tributaries. Besides, even if Nenetsia takes over Velsk it wouldn't affect the tributes much. Also, his armies were south in Kiev so there was no way he could truly involve himself in a war back north. So he simply wrote a letter to Nabtiko declining the call to arms citing the aforementioned reasons as to why. Nabtiko would certainly not be pleased, but he should definitely be able to handle the war on his own just fine.

Meanwhile in the south the army of Susi and Kettu has won a major battle against the Kievans in Rzheva. Some 4500 Finns fought and won 2500 Kievan warriors. Less than 200 Finns died whist Kievans lost almost a thousand. But when the army reaches the main settlement and fort in Rzheva they notice that it is already occupied by someone else.
"That is the banner of the High Chief of Merya! What in the blazes are the Meryans doing here?" Kettu shouted.
"It seems everyone has smelled blood in Kiev. We and the Meryans are not the only ones waging war against them, you know that brother." Susi said. He then continued. "Who else was there, do you remember? There were so many banners we've seen around Kiev and fought alongside of too. There was at least that one Chief from Kromy, what's his name?"
"Mechislav."
"Yes, chief Mechislav. He was trying to take back the High Chiefdom of Smolensk and the chiefdoms of Karachev and Novosil too. Said he had some sort of claim to those lands."
"Yes, apparently his father or was it grandfather had held those lands before the first King of Kiev took those lands. And were there some puny vassals who were also trying to conquer lands for themselves? Like that chief Gediminas of Nalsia that was trying to conquer Lukoml. He was just a vassal of High Chief Stanislaw of Mazovia, Lithuania and both Lesser and Greater Poland, yet he dares to try to go against a whole Kingdom!"
"True, but I'm more annoyed by that list of titles of High Chief Stanislaw than his vassal daring to go to war with a Kingdom. He should just declare himself a King already since he controls so much land. And those lands wouldn't be so badly split between his sons after his death if they were under the rule of a King instead."
Kettu glanced at his brother after that remark, but continued.
"Wasn't there also that other chief from Jersika. Sviendorog was his name if I remember right. He is trying to conquer Latgale from Kiev while he is only a vassal of High Chief of Zemigallians and Livonia. Rushky was the High Chief I think."
"Yes, that was his name. And it truly seems that the vultures are circling around Kiev as of late. And I'm sure there will be more opportunistic conquerors before our war is over."
"Yes. It seems Kiev didn't turn out to be the kind of threat to Finnish hegemony in the North as father first feared them to be."

Ahma had been receiving news that the war in the south was going well, despite the setback of the first battle against the Khazarians. Ahma had also decided recently to start doing some running exercises to keep himself in shape even in his old days. Ahma had just returned from one such running trip when he was approached by a messenger.
"My King, I'm afraid I bring bad news. Your son-in-law, High Chief Vechkas has died."
"What? How?" Ahma was in shock. Vechkas was still young, there was no way he should be dead.
"In a duel. Chief Kezhevat challenged Vechkas to a duel for his titles. Well, Kezhevat won and is now the High Chief of Meschera and Vechkas' son Malyaka is now chief of what was left, namely Pereyaslavl Zalessky."
"Wait, Malyaka. That is not one of my grandchildren."
"Indeed not. He is the son of a concubine named Praskovya. She is of Russian descent and apparently worships this weird God of the Southerners and his son, Christ. But not in the same way as the people in the Southern Empire but in the... Roman way, I think it was."
Ahma was shaking his dead. Why would Vechkas take such a woman as concubine, he couldn't understand. But what's done is done.
"What about my daughter Hellä and her children?"
"They are fine, but Hellä said she is considering returning to Finland as she doesn't get along with Praskovya all too well."
"No surprise there to be honest."
"But it would seem she has to leave her children behind."
"What!?"
"Yes. Malyaka is still but a child, and Praskovya is acting as his regent so she has a lot of power in the chiefdom now. And she won't let Hellä take her children with her if she leaves since they are Vechkas' children and heirs first, and Hellä's children second. Thus they must remain in Pereyaslavl Zalessky. That, and possibly out of spite."
Ahma could start to feel his blood boil. All this because some upstart decided to challenge Vechkas to a duel for the lands he had rightfully taken back through war, not in some petty duel.
"I swear Kezhevat, your life won't be easy from now on" he thought to himself after he dismissed the messenger and started to head back to his fort.
 
Looks like the battle against the Khazars was one of the "lost the battle, won the war" kind. At least the princes seem to think that.

Kettu's comments towards High Chief Stansilaw should be a cause of concern for Susi. The brothers don't seem to get on well enough for one to rule over the other...
 
Ahma is getting his blood up. Time to start channelling Erziya surely, or some other grand forebear. The family should not take this lying down.
 
GOALS: Form Kingdom of Finland | Reform Suomenusko religion | Maybe form an empire (Scandinavia, Volga-Ural, Custom, we'll see where the game takes us) | Build a wonder, maybe two, if time and money allows | Establish a bloodline, maybe two, we'll see what the game gives and takes |

Hmm, well that all seems doable. Bloodlines are actually easier to get multiple of with pagans. With Catholics you have to pray you get two saints in the same family!

Will be reading presently. Btw, noticed you had unrestricted independence option selected. Are you planning on splitting up realms and playing someone else eventually or just looking for neat borders?
 
Looks like the battle against the Khazars was one of the "lost the battle, won the war" kind. At least the princes seem to think that.

Kettu's comments towards High Chief Stansilaw should be a cause of concern for Susi. The brothers don't seem to get on well enough for one to rule over the other...

Yeah, have to admit, I made a miscalculation when I decided to fight them. :oops: But I never saw them again in Kievan lands so I guess they were sufficiently weakened for the other ones to take care of them.

Hmm, well that all seems doable. Bloodlines are actually easier to get multiple of with pagans. With Catholics you have to pray you get two saints in the same family!

Will be reading presently. Btw, noticed you had unrestricted independence option selected. Are you planning on splitting up realms and playing someone else eventually or just looking for neat borders?

Yeah, they are pretty doable. But like I mentioned in the beginning, I try to keep this AAR as 'realistic' as possible, so no world conquest or anything like that. And those goals seem like something that could be considered 'realistic'.
And I just like the option to release vassals be unrestricted. To me it feels a bit stupid that you can't release a vassal just because they're a de jure vassal. You know, release someone you don't like, leaving them to fend for themselves in the middle of hungry vultures and then pick up the pieces a few years later and install someone you like. A roundabout way of doing it, sure, but it can be pretty fun to watch them lose their lands bit by bit. ;)


And I must confess I've been pretty darn occupied with Bannerlord now that it has finally come out on Steam so the pace of uploading chapters might slow down a bit. A little. A lot...
 
Chapter 32

Warfare and Loggers

Ahma closes the back cover of the book in front of him.
"Finally it is done" he thinks to himself and lets out a sigh. "If I had known just how much work writing a single book would be I might not have started it in the first place."
He turns the book around and opens the front cover to reveal the title of the book inside, on the very first page. 'On Tribal Warfare'. Simple, but it holds all that needs to be known about the book. In the book are detailed instructions about warfare in a tribal society like the Finns, but with added instructions about how to add more sophisticated tactics and strategies in to the mix, such as those of the South. His father's old notes were a great help in that, as were the stories of battles from soldiers young and old of the Southern Empire that Ahma had heard during his journey.
"Those were the days," he reminisced. "And out of all those who left for the journey I'm the only one left. The last of a generation. The last of a legend."
He stood up from his chair and headed for the door. Hellä should finally be arriving today or tomorrow. He wanted to be there for his daughter when she gets there.

"Finally, this bloody fort is under our control!" Kettu exclaimed with both joy and frustration. "For two damned years we roamed around Kievan lands taking whatever forts and settlements there were until finally the Meryans made peace with the Kievans and left this place up for grabs!"
Susi didn't say anything, as his brother was voicing aloud the thoughts of pretty much everyone in the army. The Finns joined on the side of Greater Ilmenia to conquer Rzheva, but those lands couldn't be occupied right away as the Meryans, who were trying to conquer Tver, had already occupied the land themselves. He didn't think this would be the end of the war though, not by any stretch. The Kievans had been doing well in their other wars, currently mainly fighting in the western parts and pushing the invaders there back. They wouldn't give up now when they're finally picking up momentum. So Susi has decided on a bold strategy that requires they leave with due haste. But he'll let his men celebrate tonight, for tomorrow they march on dawn.

Ahma is sitting on a stone in the Hiisi he had ordered made many, many years ago. Most of the trees have been growing well, and even the old birch tree seems invigorated somehow. He liked to come here to collect his thoughts and to calm himself if something was upsetting him. Sometimes he would even ask his ancestors for guidance, especially his father. Though his advice might not anymore be as valuable as it once used to be. He has lived longer than his father did, and has even accomplished much more than him. He has finally accepted that he no longer walks in the shadow of a Giant, that he hasn't for years, really. He himself has become the giant whose shadow falls over the future generations. That he would become the ancestor many would come seek advice from. "I wish I can help at least some of my descendants to rise out from my shadow and make their Kingdom rise to even greater heights" he thought to himself as he was basking in the setting summer sun. Ahma had almost forgotten the reason why he had come to the grove to begin with. Earlier that day he had received another call to arms from King Nabtiko of Nenetsia. This time it was urgent, at least according to the messenger. King Nabtiko requested assistance in both wars he was in now. The vassalization of Velsk and Noregr conquest of Bjarmia. It had been almost three decades since Ahma drove out the Norse from Bjarmia and had placed Nabtiko as King of Nenetsia. And now they were trying to come back. Ahma would've gladly joined the defensive war, but in the letter Nabtiko insisted it was an 'all or nothing' situation. Either Ahma would join and be considered part of both wars, or if he refuses to join, Nabtiko refuses to acknowledge him as his suzerain and discontinues paying tribute. Ahma also knew that if he joined the war Velsk would stop paying tribute, but that wasn't honestly the biggest of problems. The biggest problem was that his army was still in Kiev. He had thought the war would be over by now, but no. Kiev was being ripped apart which made things much more complicated than they really needed to be.
As the last of the sunlight was disappearing behind the horizon, Ahma had stood up from the stone he was sitting on, with his mind made up. He would join these wars, but he would also make it clear that Nabtiko might have to wait for a while until the Finnish army could come to his aid and that he was on his own for now.

Soon it was midwinter and Ahma was attending another gathering of the Followers. He welcomed the distraction, since his daughter Helmi, Queen of Greater Ilmenia, had died a few months earlier. She had never gotten over the death of her son, Miemo, and many said she died of grief and heartbreak. Ahma had a suspicion that she had taken her own life, seeing as how depressed she had been the last few times he had seen her after Miemo's death.

Ahma quickly snaps out of his thoughts when he hears the name of High Chief Kezhevat mentioned. He is still bitter about the death of his son-in-law who was on a streak of success under his guidance. "He would've been a mighty ally in the future if my tributaries refuse to pay tribute to my successor," Ahma thought to himself. Then he heard someone even closer mention the name of Kezhevat. Ahma could keep his mouth shut no more.
" 'High Chief' Kezhevat this, Kezhevat that! What has the man ever TRULY accomplished!? He got the lands and titles simply by challenging someone more inexperienced to a duel and won! But he has never led an army, he has never been in a war! He is no leader! He is just a timid, spineless recluse, who cannot even properly talk with his friends or family and cannot hope to be a part of any kind of community! So do tell, what is so great about that 'man'?!"
Ahma hadn't spoken loud enough for the whole hall to hear, but most of the people around him were quiet and hadn't dared to say a word. Mostly because they were indifferent to the matter, but some who would side with Kezhevat on the matter, either couldn't disprove Ahma's words or wouldn't dare to talk back to a Hero. A couple of people even left the hall soon after. At least one of them, Ahma knew, was a commander under High Chief Kezhevat. "Good, that rotten coward gets to hear my thoughts about him right away," he thought to himself as he was downing another tankard of ale. The rest of the night was rather uneventful, just a few arm wrestling competitions and sparring matches.

The following summer Ahma received some interesting visitors. They claimed to be elite artisans from East Francian lands and had come to Pohjanmaa to start a business there. Finland is filled with forests, so naturally there is more than enough lumber to be sold to foreign merchants as well. But it seems Finnish wood has become known as prime quality and these artisans are interested in setting up their own logging company in Finland. They would handle the wood cutting and the processing of the logs to various other goods such as planks, pieces of art or simply firewood. Ahma considered this offer for a while and then gave his conditions for them.
"I will give you permission to set up your business here, but in return at least half of all you produce, be it logs, planks or simple firewood, must be sold to local Finns. The rest you can sell to whomever you wish, be it foreign or local merchants or simply farmers or townspeople. And if by the end of the year you haven't sold half of your goods to locals, the Crown will buy it from you."
The artisans discussed among themselves about the conditions for a while. Most of them seemed somewhat fine by the condition, a couple of them called it 'outrageous' but they all eventually agreed.
Later that day Ahma was talking with Susi's wife, Vezhav, who at this point was visibly pregnant. She had visited her husband in Toropets during a calm period of the war and had soon begun to show signs of pregnancy upon her return.
"If I may, my King, why did you give the artisans such a condition? I'm still a little lost about the whole 'half must be sold to the locals' part."
"Well, you see, if they truly are such exceptional artisans with lumber then surely their products are also more expensive than of any local logger or carpenter. So expensive that my people might not be able to buy much of anything from them if they get to decide their prices on their own and thus would just sell everything to foreign merchants. But this way they must sell cheaper to the locals or I will buy it from them cheap. That way I guarantee that the locals benefit from this new company as well, and I also get to benefit from it if they fail to sell half of their stock to my people."
Vezhav's eyes clearly began lighting up as she began to understand the reason for Ahma's condition to the artisans and later thanked him for explaining it to her. "She will hopefully make a decent Queen once I'm gone. She has never been the brightest, but she isn't dull either. It's just that most that she has is her looks," Ahma thought after she had left.
Later that fall Susi's and Vezhav's daughter, Kielo, was born.

Late the same year King Zhavoronok of Kiev finally accepted the peace deal and the lands of Rzheva were given to King Jurva. Susi's bold strategy had paid off. He had marched his army straight to Yelets, Zhavoronok 's capital, and sieged it down. From there he proceeded to siege down every single Kievan fort east of river Dnieper, which was about half of the territory of Kiev. Upon returning east after defeating his enemies in the western parts of his Kingdom, Zhavoronok couldn't believe the reports he was getting. Susi and Kettu had made sure no messengers could reach him in time to stop their army, and now it was too late. With half of his Kingdom, along with his capital, occupied and forced to cross a major river if he were to wish battle an enemy army more than a thousand men stronger than his, the only sensible choice was to surrender the war.

"Finally, this gods forsaken war is over" Kettu sighed.
"Yes, but only this war. We have two more waiting in the north," Susi told his brother.
"Don't remind me. Why did father have to agree to that damn call to arms from Nabtiko?"
"Because we would've lost an ally if he didn't. Besides, the Velskian war is going to be over quick. It's the Norse that concern me more."
"True. Father drove them out long ago, but they're trying their luck again while he's still alive. They must be going senile or they're so young they weren't here then. Or they think father has gone soft with the years."
Susi let out a small chuckle. "Father. Going soft? Ha, never would anyone who knows him think of that."
"Well, clearly they don't know him."
The two brothers had started to get along at least a little better during their time in the field, but their different personalities still clashed at times.
"Anyway, I have a plan with dealing the Velskians right from the get go, so we can focus on the bigger threat of Noregr."
"Oh, do tell me brother. What is your great plan this time?"
"Despite years of war already, the Nenetsians have been unable to take the capital of the High Chiefdom, Kargopol. Well, we shall march right at their gates and tear them down!"
 
No shortage of wars - I think Kettu is almost getting bored.

And holy heck I just realized I've been writing this AAR for a year now. Much thanks to all of you who have been reading, commenting and supporting this journey. And I hope you will stay here until the end :)
Congratulations :)