Road of Queens - CKII India AAR

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Six : Prepping For War

Paperwork - The Foundation Of All Empires​

The Queen Arminestra the Cruel sat at her desk in her private chambers and thought. It is said when she was thinking the expression on her face became softer and less furious looking.

Outside the palace the air was warm, the skies clear, and the birds were happy. The 30th of July was a slow day. A perfect day to think about her next steps in ruling her Kingdom.

She had decided, for now, to put aside the issue of income to focus more on the military side of her Kingdom. She sighed and pulled out a small scroll and unrolled it. It was a short list of the Commanders available to direct her warriors. Many of her best Commanders were also the same men who would switch sides in battle. She needed to turn them into loyalists. Only Partap and Hippolytos liked her.

As she glanced over the list she could not help but snicker. The Ex-King, Prince Balavarman, was one of her Commanders. And there was a reason he had failed to keep his throne. He was neither a master of individual combat nor a master of tactics.

The Commander who interested her the most was Prataparudra. He was one of the best Commanders she had AND his dislike of her wasn't as great as many of the men in her court. After all, it wasn't like she had done anything BAD to him. She had invited him to her court and then hadn't give him a position on the Council.

She pulled out some paper and used a small stone mortar to grind up some fresh ink. After a few minutes of work she gently dried the ink with a blotter and rolled up the two newly made scrolls carefully. She then sealed both with red ribbons. She rang a bell and gave the scrolls to the answering attendant.

"Make sure these go to the right Commanders," she commanded. She smiled as the attendant took the two scrolls away.

One scroll was the appointment of the Prince as her Seneschal. He was now the person responsible for feasts and entertainment. Most of the work was done by helpers but it was still a prestigious post none the less.

The second scroll was for Prataparudra. He was now Master of the Royal Elephants. The Elephants were symbols of stability and strength. Therefore the position was a very important one.

She also decided to authorize a small gift to be made to Prataparudra of 15 gold coins. She hated to bribe people but felt, in this case, it was justified.

The results would be worth it.

Now that was over she could enjoy the sight of the tiger skin on the floor of her private quarters. It reminded her of good times. It also reminded her of the first war she was planning.

Thakur Pusyamitra of Srihatta, the province she planned to take, was a lusty, warrior of the Hindu Faith. But she did care about him. What interested her more was one of his Commanders.

Harjjaravarman was a Buddhist and his training would have likely made him a better scholar or monk than a soldier. And he LIKED the Queen more than his own liege.(1)

As she looked over the information she decided that she needed to keep track of this man. He may end up being the new Count of the province and one of her newest vassals once the province was hers.

"Now," she said as she rolled up the other scrolls, "to work on guarding my right flank."

She placed the remaining scrolls into pigeonholes built into the desk. She then stood up and went to her dresser where she gently applied some perfume to her cleavage.

Perfume - Another Type Of Weapon​

The Queen rang the bell again and told the answering attendant, "Get my maids. I need to pack. And alert the guards. We are going on a short journey.”

When her husband came to her to ask where she was going she explained that she was going on a diplomatic mission.

“I am going to see the Maharaja Dharmapala. When we go to war I want him to be on our good side. Be a dear and keep at your work.”

“But surely that is my job,” pointed out her husband.

She smiled and patted him on his left cheek and replied, “But you're so busy right here helping with the politics and diplomacy of the Kingdom and court. I need you here.”

As, from what the history books tell us, she had a very scary smile he protested no more.

So on the 31st of July she headed off to seduce the seventeen year old Great King of the Kingdom of Pala.

The roads between the two Kingdoms were long but safe. And, of course, she had her own guards to protect her from any bandits, tigers, or crazy street vendors. She timed it to arrive right when the Pala Kingdom was holding a festive outing, a picnic, which was a somewhat crowded affair.

He seemed to enjoy her flirting. Maybe the King was into older women?

Next she sent a letter to him. He sent one back confessing his attraction for her. Her goal, of making him fall in love with her, was almost within reach.

Then the Great King went to war. He declared it on a one-province piece of soil called Rajrappa. But a rich province.

The Queen could not get to see him no matter how many times she went to seduce him. He was leading troops in battle and that was that. He still liked her but felt the business of the Kingdom came first.

By January of 771 she gave up trying to seduce him. But did not give up on trying to influence him.

In fact she had decided to send him a concubine. She was in her office, trying to decide which of the women in her court hated her the most, when her water broke.

On the 17th of January, in the year 771 AD, the Queen Arminestra the Cruel and Despot Balavarman of Kamarupa gave birth to a sickly male baby who was named Andronikos.

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Author's End Notes:

1. The Court of Srihatta had a mixture of Hindus and Buddhists. For example, the Count's wife was Buddhist and she disliked her own husband while secretly approving of the Queen.

 

[stnylan]

All in all these "refusals" must be very frustrating for her.

 

[Eurasia]

All in all these "refusals" must be very frustrating for her.

Well, the Great King isn't refusing her. He is leading troops in battle - he is just not available. He is literally in the field.

Unless you mean the Baron, then, yes.

 

[Macke11]

So now Arminestra has someone to carry on her legacy, however he seems to be struggling with illness. If Andronikos prevails in that struggle he will be perfectly fit for the task, for perhaps it is a test to his strengths, perhaps he has to prove himself worthy.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Seven : Birth And Illness

The Beauty of Motherhood​

Births could be difficult at the best of times. In the year 771 AD, in Medieval India, births could go very badly.

Not only was the boy born sickly but something went wrong inside the Queen. The midwives had called for the Court Physician. Even while they waited for the Physician the Queen took the boy, looked him over, and then said, “I name you Andronikos. May you be worthy of it.”

Historians today believe her following illnesses were caused by stress due to all the traveling she had been doing, the complications of childbirth, and the mixture of medical skills of the Court Physician Makarios Tarmid.

Even while waiting for the Physician she could not be stopped from scheming. After some study she sent Devavati, one of her courtiers who was jealous of her, to become Maharaja Dharmapala’s concubine. He gladly accepted the Queen’s offer.

She also made her worried husband promise that their son would be educated in the way of duty. She figured if he ended up being the only child he should be trained to become the ruler. Even if he was male.

After examining the Queen the Physician announced she had cancer. He then proceeded to wrap her in wet linens like she was a mummy.

When the Queen started vomiting the Physician announced she had food poisoning and forced her to jog around the palace.

Funny enough, during all this, her old face wound healed. It left a scar that impressed quite a few people.

All the jogging, on the other hand, gave the Queen the runs. The Physician announced that it was still food poisoning, no doubt caused her humors which were out of balance, and it could be cured with bloodletting.

​

According to many sources from within the palace the Queen swore to her husband that she would let the Physician’s blood out soon if she didn’t start feeling better soon.

At this point, about the middle of March, the De Jure War over Rejrappa ended. Of course the Greet King won.

She was so ill she was ready to die, if only to end the pain, but the Physician suggested one more cure. The Queen made her own suggestion. She suggested he use a treatment that was well tested. It is said in the stories passed down from generation to generation that she said it with a smile. Her well known smile. A scary smile.

He covered her in cow dung and herbs. By early July she had recovered completely.

Blessed Buddha​

She spent a few days enjoying life and it is said she even promised, aloud in public, to repay Buddha for her continued life. Afterwards she went to her private quarters and demanded as much information about current events and news as they could bring her.

She found out that the Great King still felt some strong feelings towards her. And Dharmapala truly seemed to be happy with his new concubine. But the servant network told the Queen that the concubine was not happy with her new Lord. While Devavati had many good traits and could produce some wonderful offspring this could make her all the more dangerous if she felt her children were threatened.

That was the big problem with Harems. They could become tiny battlefields. If he married a wife or gained more concubines there was every chance that the women would try to kill each other. The women would do anything to protect their own children's future. And yes, that included murder.

The Queen had placed a fox inside his henhouse and he didn't know it. He should have been more selective.

Also, she noticed that there were foul rumors floating around about the Maharaja. No doubt started by an enemy or rival. No matter who started it the rumor was doing damage to his public image.

Looking at her own "House", as it were, she noticed at least six of her eight vassals were sending her income. Not as much as they should of, in most cases, but still a nice bit of change.

And in her private writings there WAS a promise made to Buddha that one day she, or one of her descendants, would build a temple to him.

So my readers I set down my pen and blow out my lamp. As I close this chapter I leave you with this image of a older but wiser Queen, ruling a stronger Kingdom and giving birth to the future of said Kingdom.

 

[JabberJock14]

So she didn't have cancer! (Lousy court physician - at least he didn't kill her treating food poisoning). Seems like her line may not be the most stable though - 43 and with one sickly son. No wonder she's trying so hard to seduce everyone...

 

[Eurasia]

So she didn't have cancer! (Lousy court physician - at least he didn't kill her treating food poisoning). Seems like her line may not be the most stable though - 43 and with one sickly son. No wonder she's trying so hard to seduce everyone...

Welcome JabberJock14. The seduction was just to increase the victim's opinion of her. Opinion is more important then many of the laws. If a vassal's opinion is too low they refuse to pay liege tax and refuse to send troops in time of war.

No, I made sure she stopped before the hanky-panky. She wanted the Despot's baby. If her baby had been a bastard the real father might have even claimed it as his own. That would have been a BIG problem.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Eight : Duchies And Buddhist Monks

Eat, Buddha, Become Big And Strong​

The Queen stared at the map in front of her. She had to make a decision and she didn't want to. Ever since she had claimed the throne one of the complaints from her vassals was she had one too many Duchies. Kings or Queens could only have two. That was the way it was. That was the way it had always been. Tradition! Custom! What ever you called it the fact she had three Duchies was hurting her.

So if she give one away the vassals would be happier with her. And some might loosen their purse strings more than they have done already.

Money. Oh, the need for money above all else. It was driving her like the devil. Not because she liked how the gold coins shined. But because of what it can pay for. It could help keep her warriors on the field, keeping them fed and supplied. It could help PAY for hired swords and also keep them in the field, allowing her the advantage in numbers.

The problem was not knowing WHAT to do. She knew which Duchy to give up and who to give it to. She just wondered about the long term issues that might arise from such a decision.

The Duchy of Kamarupanagara held the Counties of Kamarupanagara and Kamatapur. Kamarupanagara held her Trade Post, her Silk Road Trade Post, and her Castle/Palace. As that County was her money-maker there was no way she could give up that Duchy.

The Duchy of Sutiya held the Counties of Haruppeswara and Kundina. Both were on the Silk Road and were perfect places for future Trade Posts. To give them up would be to give up the future of the Kingdom. So there was no way for her to give up that Duchy.

Then there was the Duchy of Para-Lauhitya. She owned the County of Dimapur while her husband held the County of Goalpara. Neither were part of the Silk Road and therefore were no where as valuable to her future and power.

So the best Duchy to hand out was the Para-Lauhitya. And as her husband already had a County there he was the best one to get the title. The reason for this was, one, he was loyal and, two, the Duke of a Duchy needs to have land within the Duchy to have a capital.

If she gave the Duchy to somebody else she would also have to hand over the County of Dimapur. She wanted to keep the county - she liked direct income.

By handing over the Duchy to her husband, her vassals will be happy to see her spreading out her power a tad, which should make them gave her more money and that would make her happy.

But there were issues. Dukes had a habit of wanting to control ALL the Counties under their title. Her husband may want Dimapur for himself. Or he may even start a war with the Raja for the third County he believed was traditional part of his holdings.

And there was also the problem of her son.

If he became King he would inherit the Duchy and County his father held when the Despot died. Which he could then use himself, as the King, to reward good vassals.

If, on the other hand, she had another child and it is a daughter, her son would inherit the titles from his father when he died, becoming a Duke (and Count). Which wasn't a bad thing if he was content with those holdings. And was okay with NOT being the King.

But what of he wanted more? What if he decided he wished to be King? A powerful and will liked Duke could cause a lot of problems. That was the issue when giving out power. You never knew when it might be used against you.

She had to decide and she decided to go through with it. She put her seal on the proper documents and made the announcement on the 8th of July, 771.

Her Husband was VERY pleased at his new title of Doux Balavarman the Third of Para-Lauhitya. And he didn’t seem to have any problems with having only one County of his new holdings. Yet.

Now, she knew that the Kingdom’s yearly income, or at least her share of the cut, had been 48.46 gold coins. So she decided to wait a little, let things settle down, then check with the accountants and see what the new yearly projections were and see what changed happened among her vassals.

While waiting there were other events that drew her notice. First off the Great King started another war. This time wanting the province Kusinagara. This was part of a larger two-province holding. But this province was the capital and therefore the most developed of the two. A worthy prize.

Her writings, and the writings of those close to her, suggested she was wondering how the Maharaja Dharmapala was handling all the new members joining his court and all the new vassals. Yes, he had a huge army, but he seemed to be growing a little too swiftly from her point of view. Just dealing with the vassals she had started out with seemed bad enough to her.

On the 17th of August her husband alerted his wife about the peasants of Dimapur and a new tradition they had started. Really, it seemed like a reason to party but she realized that if she helped it along it could draw more people and more business to the region. So she willingly put forth some coins into the province to help the tradition along. She gained some prestige and the Harvest Festivals would increase the wealth in the province.

That same day she called on her accountants to check to see if the projections of yearly income had changed. The yearly income had gone up to 51.06. But this increase had come from other sources than her vassals, for the holdings of Hajo was, in fact, giving her less money. It seemed like there was a change in ownership of the Hajo but she did not remember replacing anybody? Who in Hades’s name was Anatolios?

She was slightly disappointed in the lack of change among her vassals.

It seemed the investment into the Harvest Festivals were the cause for the increase in her income. The accountants said that those events would help the province increase trade and business, for now, and help boast the Queen’s income. So much of a boast, in fact, as to cover the lose of the 1 gold coin. And then some.

She decided to investigate the matter herself.

Bhikkhu Anatolios was an ordained male monastic. In plain terms that meant he was a Buddhist monk. He was VERY handsome, was fighting his biggest flaw (he REALLY loved his food), and he sucked as a Tax Farmer. He had no skills at stewardship AND he didn‘t like the Queen as much as the last Priest had. The Vihara of Hajo (the Buddhist Monastery) was making 8.03 gold coins yearly and sending her 3.44 gold coins of it. That was over 42%! Which was still pretty good.

He must have replaced the old Pujari and that was all there was to it. No where were there records on what had happened to the old Priest in charge. Maybe he was traveling in a journey of self-improvement. Maybe he had died. Maybe he had married. Maybe being seduced by the Queen had opened his eyes to the world of love and making babies.(1)

Nobody even explained to her how a Hindu Temple Priest, and Hindu temple, had been replaced by a Buddhist Monk, and a Buddhist Monastery, within just a couple of months.(2)

She decided to let it slide. Better to keep the Buddhists happy then getting fussy over one gold coin. They seemed to like her and she could always use the Karma.

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Author's End Notes:

1. One author suggested that Pujari Gopala left the Kingdom, brokenhearted, and ended up a Hindu Temple Priest in Pushkar. The problems with this is the author could not explain how the Pujari Gopala had become older so fast (he was now in his forties), had changed his appearance, and changed his ethnicity.

Of course the book was on the New York Time's Bestseller List for five months.

2. It could be a Buddhist Queen was drawing more Buddhists to the Kingdom, driving out those of the Hindu Faith, but there is really no evidence of this within the historical records.

 

[Nikolai]

Customs. So traditional and boring to an ambitious Queen.

 

[stnylan]

Hehe, those treatments - but she is made of stern stuff and sterner smiles.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Nine : Walk About The World (Again)

Always Take A Map When On The Road​

My lovely readers, welcome back to the world of Queen Arminestra. Let us take another peek at the outside world. And once again what is the best way to examine the outside world, the known world, but to look at the military powers in August, 771 AD. Let us start!

First we fly to the Middle East, were we find the Caliph Al-Mansur of the Arabian Empire is still on top. With four wives, three sons, thirty-one vassals, and over eleven thousand warriors in his armies. He had gained three wives but lost three vassals. Must be nice to be the Caliph! Still, at his age he better be careful.

Then we fly to Asia Minor where we find Basileus Konstantinos the Fifth of the Byzantine Empire. He still has the same wife, same amount of offspring, forty-seven vassals, and over five and a half thousand soldiers. Gained three more vassals it seems. And only in one war. Very nice.

But he is also getting on in years. When he passes on will his son be strong enough and patent enough to handle such a Empire surrounded by enemies? And how about the enemies within his own family? Only the future will tell.

We fly to the west and slightly to the south, to Anadlusia, still known as the Umayyad Sultanate, still under the Abd-al-Rahman. Seems his first wife has passed away, being replaced by his second wife. He also wed three others wives, no doubt as backups. Looks like he has broad tastes in his women. He has two more children but they don't count - they're girls. He has thirty-one vassals and over four thousand soldiers. In two wars but I am sure he can handle it.

Now we fly up to Hunoald of West Francian Revolt. Wait, you ask, what happened to West Francia? This Revolt kicked it down the list. This King, with his wife, one surviving son, twelve vassals, and just under three thousand soldiers is causing the King of West Francia some grief.

And yes, you are correct to point that out, the soldiers he can call out does not look like a lot of soldiers. If he was a well liked King and a well organized King he could call to war over four and a half thousand soldiers. That is why he and the Revolt is number four. Because of the possible numbers he could one day call forth. But at the age of fifty-four, with two wars on his hands, AND stressed I doubt we will be seeing him in future reports. Or maybe we will?

Now we cross the Mediterranean to the Kingdom of Africa, who has won its war, and is still ruled by the Sultan Umar. He has added three more wives to his court, has twenty-two vassals (which means he added two new vassals), but still no children. He is also stressed.

Still, he has just over four thousand warriors, good military skills, and his youth. I assume he will do great things in the next few years.

Now we fly back to India and to the Kingdom of Pala (Bengal). Wait, you say? What happened to the Rashtrakuta Kingdom? Well, remember that Revolt? It is still going on. In fact, the Rashtrakuta Revolt would be number eight if we bothered to make the list that long. Seems they have more troops available than the Rashtrakuta Kingdom even though the Revolt seems to be losing.

So we all know the Kingdom of Pala. The Maharaja Dharmapala of Pala. One concubine, no offspring, thirty-one vassals, and over three thousand warriors. He once had more but he IS in his third war - he barely gives his military time to recruit and train between conflicts! Of course, the rumors about him may also be hurting his vassals opinions of him.

He seems young and strong but does have a habit of leading his men by example. In other words, he is right up front. Not a bad trait but maybe not the best idea if he wants to enjoy the glory his armies are giving him.

Now, for number seven! For that we fly back to Western Europe! To Middle Francia! With the knocking out of the other two Kingdoms, King Karloman, of the Karling Family, also known as the Witch Hunter, has his moment to shine. With one wife, two sons, thirty-two vassals, and just under four thousand troops he looks like he may be near the top for future reports. Even at war with the Umayyad Sultanate. Of course among his claims is a claim on West Francia. Looks like he has big plans. Very big plans. One day he plans to rule France.

This does not look good for West Francia.

So the players have changed, slightly, as wars and fate bring them down or push them up. Once again my dear readers, let me clean my pen, put out the lamp, and carefully close the book on this chapter. Our next chapter will fly back to India, where we will focus our eyes on the Queen and the events surrounding her Kingdom. For is that not what this story is for? To follow the current main character, Queen Arminestra the Cruel, and see how she handles the stresses and tribulations of the future.

 

[Nikolai]

Nice overview.

 

[stnylan]

Watching the Franks implode is usually quite entertaining

 

[Eurasia]

Nice overview.

Thank you. Sometimes I just like to look around the map and figure people who love this game would like to take a peek also.

Watching the Franks implode is usually quite entertaining

Oh, the Karlings. I know players on YouTube who made wiping out every family member of the Karling family as a challenge.

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Ten : Dynasties And Greeks

The Goal Of All Royal Families - To Be too Big To Fail​

The Queen looked over the reports from her son's nannies and personal maids. It seemed that while her boy was very sick he was showing himself to be a quick learner. Prince Andronikos was well liked by most of the people around him. He was even given some coins as gifts!

Her own boy made her think about her neighbors. Their children today could be her enemies tomorrow. She ordered that her scribes and record keepers bring her anything they had on the next generation of the two Kingdoms next to her.

When they arrived she took them to her private chambers, opened the bundles with a small knife, and gave them a look over.

The first papers she looked over dealt with Shurapala Shantideva. Older than her son he wasn't much to look at yet. His father directed his early upbring and would likely educate him well into adulthood. He was an only child and his father had no other offspring so unless there was an accident he would become the next Raja.

No surprises there.

But the next bundle of paperwork was much more interesting to read. Rajkumar Vakapala was the Great King's younger brother. He disliked his older sibling and at the age of 14 was already talking about how he wanted to be the The Great King. His only really outstanding features was that he was fast learner and he was somewhat greedy. Also, she noticed the older brother was NOT the boy's Guardian and Teacher. Who knows what lessons the boy was learning? The Great King didn't know.

She placed the papers onto the desk and shook her head. In two years he would be old enough to plot and scheme and demand titles. All it would take is a marriage to a worthy woman and he could be dangerous. Anybody with half a brain would realize he could be trouble. But with big brother away at war all the time...

After returning the bundles to her staff she spent the rest of her time waiting, plotting, scheming, and keeping track of the money dripping into the coffers. Weeks went by. And she made sure to keep track of every coin, every report, every hint of anything of import.

In April, of 772 AD, the De Jure War Over Kusingara ended. Of course the Great King won. Again.

The information of the victory confused the Queen slightly and she went to her Council for some answers.

"I thought the war was for the County of Sravasti," she stated, pointing out one of the maps.

No, no," they explained. "The war was against Sravasti over the province of Kusinagara. See, on this map of Countries, Sravasti was also the name of the Thakur's holdings AND the name of the County, as you can see on this map of Counties."

"So Thakur means Count?" she replied.

"Oh yes, just as Raja is equal to a Duke or Doux," they stated.

"But Raja means King," she commented, even more confused.

"Well," said her husband, the only one brave enough to correct her, "a lot of independent rulers use Raja as a title."

"So Maharaja is Great Duke?" responded the Queen looked even more confused.

"Well, no," he said with a shrug. "It means Great King. Raja does translate to King but it has been used to describe a Duke or Doux under a more powerful liege or a independent liege who is not powerful enough to be a Maharaja. So Maharaja translates to Great King but means just King in most cases."

It is said the Queen face palmed.

Shortly after this a group of five Greeks showed up in the Court. They said they had traveled all the way from Greece to find the "Famous Queen Who Ruled In The East". Sadly they had no gifts.

The Queen didn't believe it for a second. From their dress and manners she knew they were from the Byzantine Empire. So they were telling part of the truth. But it was easy to see they were lowborn scum. They also seemed very uncomfortable in her throne room. She could tell they disliked her and seemed to dislike the Buddhist statues and symbols about her palace as well. (1)

One day a in May the Protostrator brought to her attention a military talent called Romanos. Not only did he have some wonderful skills and was loyal BUT he was willing to serve as a Commander. And he was a Buddhist Greek to boot!(2)

When she compared him to one of her other Commanders there was no contest. Romanos replaced Ratnapala - luckily it seems nobody gets upset when removed from military duty so she didn't cause any more damage to the Ex-Commander's already low opinion of her.

In late August the Maharaja Dharmapala of Pala Kingdom created the title Raj of Magadha (Duchy of Magadha) and in late October he started a Pala-Munda De Jure War over Munda. A County that belonged to Thakur (Count) Pasna. A County that produced 1.40 gold coins yearly.

She pondered that. He was trying to take a County because of what? Not wealth. Surely a war would cost him more than 1.40 gold coins. Why then? Because it was on his border and, therefore, easy to invade? Because he could? Or did he feel that he SHOULD?

She frowned and rubbed her forehead. If the Great King was so interested in expanding he might not care if he found her attractive or not. He might come for her Kingdom because it looked good on one of his maps. She put that away, safe and sound in the back of her mind, to worry about later.

In November a son was born to Makarios Tarmid and Tarma Anktsastkacer named Anktsas Makariosoya. The couple asked for the Queen to decide his future education and she demanded they teach the boy about Buddha and Greek culture.

As they took the baby away the Queen suddenly had an idea on what to do with all those Greek exiles hanging about her palace.

First she invited three young women to her court. Then she made three of the Greek slackers (Dionysios, Alexios, and Ioannikios) marry the women. None of the men were what we would call a catch and the couples did not seem to enjoy the idea of getting married to each other. But they obeyed their Queen.

After the weddings her confused husband asked her why she had done that.

Her reply was, "New blood."

On the 1st of February, of the year 773 AD, the Queen was pondering her next move. She had less than a year before the five years of peace she had promised were up. And she wanted to start the war as soon as possible. The Kingdom had 153 gold coins and the warriors she could call up from her own holdings and her vassals numbered almost two thousand. She had earned respect and karma. Her largest and most powerful neighbor had a crush on her and would mostly likely not even notice if she started a war.

But she wanted more. One more advantage. It was a dangerous gamble but if she pulled it off - and if she could do it without spending money - it would help greatly in the upcoming war.

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Author's End Notes:

1. Many scholars believe the men were fleeing the Byzantine Empire which was being rocked by a Revolt against the current Iconoclast Emperor, Basileus Konstantinos the Fifth, whose nickname was now “Son of Satan”. The Revolt was NOT about religion as the Empire’s official religion was Iconoclast and both sides was Iconoclast.
Iconoclasts believe religious images are a form of idolization and must not be allowed. This would explain why they felt uncomfortable within the Kingdom. Yet it could be they had no choice as the Queen’s Court was likely the only Greek Court outside of Greece that they could flee to.

2. Or is it Greek Buddhist?

 

[Eurasia]

Crusader Kings 2 - The Road of Queens
Chapter Ten : The Way Of The Dagger

A Queen's Dagger​

The Queen locked the door to her bedroom and approached her huge trunk placed at the foot of her huge bed. She opened it and looked down at her old armor. She had not seen it for almost five years. She kneed down and shifted it till she could pull out her old sword. She carefully pulled it from the sheath and examined it. Nicked and worn the sword was a warrior's sword. No gold or silver on this tool of war. It was created in the fires of a skilled weapon smith. Yet, it had seen better days. Still, there was nothing wrong with it that some oil and a day with a grinding stone could not correct.

"Soon you will taste blood," she promised it.

She sheathed the large blade and placed it back into the trunk. She then pulled out her dagger. She carefully pulled it out, as it had a habit of sticking, and smiled. It too was not one of those fancy pieces of art Nobles had on their belts. It was a Bhutanese dagger with a wooden handle and sheath. The kind of dagger traders and hunters carried. It could be used to slice cooked meat or to kill a bandit. It was perfect for close work and showed no signs of age. She had purchased it from a tiny old man in one of the nearby markets. He made the blades himself, right at a tiny forge, for all to see.

She slid it back into the sheath with a snick and placed it back with the other pieces of her history. She closed the trunk and smiled to herself.

Before the war started, before she used the "Sword" she would use the "Dagger". In other words before starting the overt military operation, such as assembling the warriors and marching on her enemy, she needed to carry out a covert operation against him.

She planned to assassinate him. If she could. What she needed to do was send out feelers and find those near him who were willing to murder the Raja. A nation with a child as a ruler would be much easier to deal with.

She sent out rumors, hints, feelers to the Raja court in Bikrampur. Not a bite. Nothing. Nobody was interested. Even the folks who preferred her to the Raja refused to get involve. As they say today, nobody wanted their fingerprints on this train wreck.

To try to organize some kind of plot she even sent Hormoz to the enemy court to probe and poke and try to get something started. He was a highly skilled Spy Master yet there was still a slim chance he may be killed. On the other hand he was also starting to show his dislike for the Queen and his death would not have upset her as much as other deaths might.

Also, wishing to increase her funds faster she send Kumarapala to Karmarupanagara to collect taxes. There was a slim chance that the peasants will likely kill him. A very slim chance. But he was starting to cool to the Queen also. So if the mobs killed him, well, he could be replaced.

Now she had to wait and wait and wait.

In April the Pala-Munda De Jure War over Munda was over. Of course Pala had won. Shortly afterwards she realized she was heavy with a child again. She did the math and was relieved when she realized she would give birth to it and be back in shape before the war started.

​

And then in May the Court received important news that the Defensive Pact opposing Rodislav Slovensky had come to an end.

"Who now?" asked the Queen.

The Council members shrugged their collective shoulders and called for their advisers to find out who the man in question was.

He turned out to be some High Chief way off in the backwoods of Western Europe. Died at the age of 30. Sad, really. Of course, nobody in India cared.

Maharaja Dharmapala declared another war on another tiny County.

Then on the 10th of October news came of the death of Gandharavati. At the age of 20 the wife of her future enemy died frothing at the mouth. The Queen sent a message to her Spy Master, demanding to know what the heck he was doing but his reply said he was totally innocent. As far as he could tell it had been a natural death, related to a second child she had given birth to.

The Queen was feeling a tad depressed by the middle of October. She was feeling her age and the growing belly did not help with her self-image.

But she fought the urge to become nasty towards other younger and more blessed than she. After all, she WAS the Queen.

Her Spy Master, even while in a distant court, had the time to remind her of actions and investments that could help the Kingdom. He sent a suggestion about helping Kundina set up a messenger system. She felt it would help the County, and therefore help her, so she sent the money.

In November Romanos hinted to her that he would not turn down a Councilor position. As her Protostrator Harshapala had become cool towards her she filed that information away for after the war.

That same month her second son was born.

As she held him close and noticed how ugly he was she said, "I will name you Basileios. May you be worthy of the name." Deep inside she was wishing he had been a girl. But at least she had a back-up son now, just in case. And hopefully he would grow out of being ugly.

She told her husband that Basileios would need to learn to compete and prove himself. "Train him with the other children of the court," she added as they took her second away. If the older bother was to be King the younger brother would need to learn to be tough so he could be a future soldier.

Even while she was recovering from her birth news came from her Spy Master that Dharendranarayan, the newly born child and second son to the Raja, died. He had been a very sickly infant.

The Queen felt a mixture of feelings. Mostly amazed that everybody in the Raja's family seemed to be dying but him! But also feeling relieved that Buddha had blessed her with two births and continued life.

In early December the Great King Dharmapala won his war and took Jharkand.

Later in December her husband announced he had improved relations with Baron Birapala of Nalrajar Garh.

Now the Baron wanted to kill her swiftly and not slowly as before.

On the 2nd of January of 774 AD the Kingdom was full of crowds, old and young, celebrating the five years of peace their Queen had brought.

Even as people cheered and feasted and praised her name she ordered Hormoz to Srihatta to disrupt the operations of the province as much as he could.

Then she went to her bedroom, threw open the trunk, pulled out her sheathed sword and shouted out for her attendants. They swiftly entered the room and asked her what she wanted.

She held out the sheathed sword and stated, “Clean it, sharpen it, and make sure it ready for battle.”

As the attendants took the sword away to be prepared as she had ordered her husband rushed to her bedroom.

“Is it to be war dear?” he asked, trapped between excitement and a certain sense of dread.

“Yes,” she replied. “The dagger failed me. Now the sword must drink.”

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OOC Note: That dagger is mine. I got it during the Washington DC Folklife Festival in 2008. Not only was there a tiny Bhutanese Buddhist Temple there but there was also a tiny old man sitting on the ground with a tiny forge making not-so-tiny daggers. He did it out in the open, no tent, just a circle of knee high ropes to keep people from bothering him. Or to keep idiots from getting burnt. It was amazing to watch.

So I bought one at the Smithsonian outside gift shop. Then returned home quickly because now I had a weapon in DC! It is just as I described - a dagger like those used by travelers and herders in Bhutan. Used to cut down small trees, slice food, or fight off bandits. Simple, sharp, pointy, and cool as heck to own. If my condo is ever attacked by mountain bandits I'm ready!

Tiny Temple Is A Relative Term​

 

[stnylan]

Finally she can do what she thinks she does best - war!

 

[JabberJock14]

A second son (yay?) and war (yay!). Poor kid though - he has a face even his mother doesn't love. Still, I'm sure she'll come to see his value in the future - and maybe sooner rather than later with a sickly brother.

 

[Nikolai]

OOC Note: That dagger is mine. I got it during the Washington DC Folklife Festival in 2008. Not only was there a tiny Bhutanese Buddhist Temple there but there was also a tiny old man sitting on the ground with a tiny forge making not-so-tiny daggers. He did it out in the open, no tent, just a circle of knee high ropes to keep people from bothering him. Or to keep idiots from getting burnt. It was amazing to watch.

So I bought one at the Smithsonian outside gift shop. Then returned home quickly because now I had a weapon in DC! It is just as I described - a dagger like those used by travelers and herders in Bhutan. Used to cut down small trees, slice food, or fight off bandits. Simple, sharp, pointy, and cool as heck to own. If my condo is ever attacked by mountain bandits I'm ready!

Cool story.

 

[Eurasia]

Finally she can do what she thinks she does best - war!

She thinks? Don't let her hear you say that.

A second son (yay?) and war (yay!). Poor kid though - he has a face even his mother doesn't love. Still, I'm sure she'll come to see his value in the future - and maybe sooner rather than later with a sickly brother.

We will see. If the two brothers get along then the future King will have a good ally.

Cool story.

Thanks. I enjoy other cultures and when I was a kid traveled some with family, mostly to Europe and within the Americans.