Homelands
Chapter Twenty Nine: March of the Prussians
Part 2
Prelude:
The period between 1286 and 1306 is often referred to as the "March of the Prussians". It was a period of expansion and domination for the Prussian state, done mostly through strength of arms. It was speared headed by King Kiten with the overwhelming support of the nobles, clergy and people. It was a rare time of unity for Prussia, where all walks of life were united in a common cause. Kiten used this popularity to slowly subvert the powers of the nobles and clergy behind their backs. The war is Pskov was planned to start mere weeks before the beginning of the war in Germany. The hope was that it would be finished in a matter of days, that was not the case. The point, though, to disrupt Mordvia's connection to the outside world was successful enough to be considered a success, but Kiten wanted the land connection to Finland, so it was so. Pskov was inhabited by Ingrians and so-called "New Mords", vassals of the Mordvins and closely related to both Mords and Finns. Wedging them out of their long-time home proved difficult, partially due to weather, but also due to the Prussians underestimation of Ingrian will to fight.
The Uralic Peoples and their slow creep into Russia proper.
May 4th, 1288
Report from Pskov were coming in to King Kiten. His generals were concerned that they'd have to postpone the invasion of Germany until next summer, but Kiten didn't want to wait. Things were ready now and they had to strike while they still had the element of surprise.
"My lord, I don't think it is wise to attack the Germans while all of this is still going on," Erasts Littosun began. Erasts was one of the best military minds in the kingdom, and the son of a well-liked count. But he was known to be overly cautious, treating each small skirmish as if it would decide the fate of the war. "We should finish the Pskov theater before moving on to Germany."
"But if we stall too long, Germany will eventually catch on. We've moved a large number of troops onto their border, they already have to be suspicious. If we don't strike soon, they'll just prepare for our attack." Scurdo Akosun was a long-time rival of Erasts both by family and by doctrine. He sat with his arms folded across his chest and his feet up on a table. He closed his eyes as he took a deep breath and stood up to walk over to the maps. "It is not like you to ignore a powerful advantage like surprise."
Erasts scowled, he didn't like being patronized. "We cannot even defeat some damned pagan tribes, what makes you think we can take on Germany?" he asked, pounding his fist on the table.
Scurdo crossed his arms again, "You know as well as I that Vikentas underestimated the Ingrians, and you know as well that the extra troops that are on the way to Pskov will quickly end the problem." Scurdo paused, "I also believe that we are overestimating the ability of Germany to keep fighting what is essentially all of Europe."
"My, lord," Erasts turned toward Kiten, "Why am I brought here just to be told that I am wrong? We all know you are going to invade Germany, so why bother ask my opinion?" Scurdo got a smug look of satisfaction on his face, his years of obscurity during the peace were finally over. He was becoming the foremost leader of the Prussian armies.
Kiten, who up until know had been silently listening to the two men argue finally stood up and walked over to the two men, "Erasts, you have misunderstood. I did not ask you to come here to debate whether or not we should invade Germany... you are right, I have already made that decision. I have asked you two here to plan that war. Whether you like each other or not, you are the two best commanders we have, and you will work together, dammit."
"You best bet," Scurdo began, "Would be to strike at Altmark, but it depends on what you are trying to gain."
"Altmark is a good target, so is Jutland. I would like to try to secure both of these. Maybe have troops land on Jutland and then march south into Holstein from the north?"
"Yes, divide their forces with a two-pronged attack, hopefully chase them south into the waiting maw of the Caliphate," Erasts agreed. "However, I see no reason to agree with you that this is going to be a cake walk. First, they'll have to divide their armies, what if they don't? What if they counter-attack with a larger force? You aren't thinking this through!"
"Neither are you, Erasts, is Germany seriously going to go on an all-out offensive with an enemy army wreaking havoc in the homelands? No. They are going to want to halt both advances. And we can always vary the pressure a bit. Let one army push a bit harder to attract the attention of the Germans and when it has it, the other one will pick up the pace! Perfect."
Erasts growled quietly, "You too are making assumptions! You assume that we will always win!"
"And you are assuming that we will never win... now when dealing with disorganized peasant and church rabble which is more likely?!" The room grew silent. Scurdo sat back down on his chair and put his legs up on the table. "Why don't you have some faith in the soldiers for once?"
Kiten smiled to himself, they were right where he wanted them, "Assumptions are powerful things, gentlemen. Without them, nothing would ever have been done. At some point, thought, the assumptions must be proven true or false. And if one particular assumption has one answer it becomes fact. But we are dealing with people, generals. People with brains. It is a lot harder to make assumptions when humans are in the equation. Neither assumption is likely to be valid. Will we win every single skirmish? Unlikely. Will we lose every skirmish? Unlikely. Will we win the majority of skirmishes and probably win the war? Very likely."
"It is like with Pskov," Kiten continued, "They might have made a few upsets, but there is nothing they can do against the inevitability of our victory. They can only postpone the inevitable. Now, can we plan this war or shall you two continue to bicker over bad assumptions?"
"I apologize, my lord," Scurdo said. Erasts nodded his head in agreement. But as they got back to the drawing board a messenger entered the room. He bore the crest of Vikentas Sabesun, the general leading the expedition into Pskov.
"What is it?" Kiten asked, anxiously.
"My lord, sir Vikentas was found dead the other day. The invasion has been halted so that a replacement leader can be found. But sir, we beg that you act quickly! It will not be long before the enemy regroups!"
"Drát!" Kiten shouted. Impulsively he kicked over a chair. Taking a deep breath he looked at Scurdo and Erasts for some idea.
"I shall go, my lord," Erasts said.
"No, I need you two in Germany. Boy," Kiten said to the messenger, "Find one of my aides, tell him to take you to Gunvald Vilis Gunvaldsun, that is your new commander." Kiten quickly sketched an order and a promise of land grants for serving the nation again.
"That old koot?!" Scurdo asked.
"Shut it," Erasts said, "Don't speak of Vilis like that, he thought us everything he knew. He can do it."
"Thank you, my liege," the messenger ran out with the letter.
"What did you promise the old master? He's been happily retired for a decade now." Erasts asked.
"Pskov... I promised him Pskov and Ingria," Kiten answered. Vilis was family, and Kiten knew that even if he hadn't offered his uncle land that he would have jumped at the chance. Pskov was a way of saying thanks for many years of service.