Draco Rexus said:Nice.
Nice comment
Seriously, had you not been a steady customer with a proven record for readng the story I might have been a tad more.... hmm whats that word?
V
-
We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.
Nice comment
Seriously, had you not been a steady customer with a proven record for readng the story I might have been a tad more.... hmm whats that word?
V
Well, V, I was so awed by SM's masterful use of the language to mention an impending battle on the Mass of Christ's Birth without once actually mentioning Christmas, I could think of nothing else to write.
Not buying that? Well, besides being true, I was also kinda pressed for time at work when I finished reading SM's post I figured I'd be as breif and to the point as possible.
But now, now I've got a little breathing room soooo, man I can't wait to see what SM has planned leading up to the confrontation of Enrique and the Austrians under this backsliding Domnician monk. It ought to be quite monumental to say the least, eh?
Not buying that?
Well, besides being true, I was also kinda pressed for time at work when I finished reading SM's post I figured I'd be as breif and to the point as possible.But now, now I've got a little breathing room soooo, man I can't wait to see what SM has planned leading up to the confrontation of Enrique and the Austrians under this backsliding Domnician monk. It ought to be quite monumental to say the least, eh?
It sounds as though we are about to see either a spectacular campaign of success by the Spaniards against this upstart Dominican, or a horrible failure of monumental proportions. Here's hoping for the former.
Secret Master said:
I was talking with a friend the other day and he was saying that Christian countries were more likely to be peaceful than non-Christian conutries. I think your quote mirrored my view.
Joe
I just finished reading the last post. I've been reading a little every now and then for months, whenever I got some slowtime at work. I have had many nice houers here reading the story, (a little asocial in some of the lunch-houers too).
So I will just congreat SM on the best AAR I have read here so far and hope he keeps going for a long time yet.
So I will just congreat SM on the best AAR I have read here so far and hope he keeps going for a long time yet.
Hey, SM! How goes the war and the demon interaction these days? I think I'm going into withdrawl and I'm needing a fix here!
Hey folks.
I've been swamped at my job lately so ya'll haven't seen me around much. I could rant about why, but why spoil an otherwise pleasant mood in this place of relative sanity?
I'm looking at posting an installment this Saturday night or Sunday, when I get my first real day off since before New Years. I'll also post replies to feedback when I post my installment.
Part of the problem I've been faced with lately is that by the time I get home from work, I'm so evil and hateful that I need to unwind and then go to sleep so I can do it all over again. Where I writing Improbus' autobiography, it would be a good mood for writing; however, for Marcos and the king, it doesn't work.
So, I'm on mini-hiatus for the moment, but, like Douglas MacArthur and herpes, I shall return. (This isn't the best comparison to make, but it does illustrate the current mode of writing I'm in.)
I've been swamped at my job lately so ya'll haven't seen me around much. I could rant about why, but why spoil an otherwise pleasant mood in this place of relative sanity?
I'm looking at posting an installment this Saturday night or Sunday, when I get my first real day off since before New Years. I'll also post replies to feedback when I post my installment.
Part of the problem I've been faced with lately is that by the time I get home from work, I'm so evil and hateful that I need to unwind and then go to sleep so I can do it all over again. Where I writing Improbus' autobiography, it would be a good mood for writing; however, for Marcos and the king, it doesn't work.
So, I'm on mini-hiatus for the moment, but, like Douglas MacArthur and herpes, I shall return. (This isn't the best comparison to make, but it does illustrate the current mode of writing I'm in.)
Now, that is a colorful analogy that kinda scares me!
Don't sweet it, SM, no sense loosing your mind with trying to juggle RL and AAR-land!
Agreed. We'll be here whenever RL lets go of you for a bit. I know exactly what you mean about the mood upon arriving home. Sometimes it simply is not inducive to writing. Best have a beer and zone for a bit. In fact, have one on me in the bAAR, SM.
Sounds like life is a pain right now. Take your time at posting and remember that all bad things will pass. I kept telling myself that when I worked in a fish cannery on Pavlov Island in the Aleutian Islands. Now that was a depressing place to work but I survived. We’ll have to swap horror stories when you get back. Like the time the supply ship was a month over due and all the liquor on the island was consumed. All that was left in the end was eight-packs of those small bottles of booze you buy on airlines. I didn’t even know they made them until that dark and stormy not to mention DRY winter month.
Joe
Take your time at posting and remember that all bad things will pass. I kept telling myself that when I worked in a fish cannery on Pavlov Island in the Aleutian Islands. Now that was a depressing place to work but I survived. We’ll have to swap horror stories when you get back. Like the time the supply ship was a month over due and all the liquor on the island was consumed. All that was left in the end was eight-packs of those small bottles of booze you buy on airlines. I didn’t even know they made them until that dark and stormy not to mention DRY winter month. Joe
“I won’t do it, I tell ya. I’ll not do it any more!”
“You’ll do it, because you’re being told to do it. Now get you and your boys out there and work those fields.”
The lord mayor was sternly staring at the peasants in front of him. They were dirty, filthy creatures, but then again, they also had to work their land and the land of their neighbors. For their part, Jose and his sons looked upon the mayor in contempt, even as they had their hats off their greasy heads in respect.
“And how are we gonna get it done? Me boys and I are already working every hour of daylight. We can’t work our land and Juan’s land at the same time.”
“You have to. All of Juan’s sons are away for the duration of the war. His family cannot work those fields alone. If you are running out of time for work, then I suggest you work as soon as Mass lets out, you lazy wastrels.”
“You mean work on the Lord’s day? All day?”
“If that is what it takes, then yes.”
The rabble stared with incredulity at the lord mayor for a few moments. The lord mayor met their stare without flinching, until he spied the conde from the corner of his eyes.
“Make way for the conde! All hail the Conde de Oviedo!”
Grudgingly, the peasants prostrated themselves before the conde while the lord mayor bowed deeply.
“My lord, I did not expect to see you…”
“What is going on here, lord mayor?”
“Nothing of import, my lord. I am just giving additional instructions to our peasants.”
The conde had seen more winters than anyone in the vicinity. His eyes showed that he knew exactly what was going on; however, he chose to forego mentioning anything.
“Very well. Come speak with me, lord mayor, when you are finished here.”
“As you wish, my lord.”
The lord mayor let his stern gaze fall upon the prostrated peasants.
“You have your instructions, Jose. Get your sons out there and work those fields.”
A pause.
“Alright.”
Jose and his sons stood up, brushed the dust from their dirty clothing, and walked to the fields. When they were out of earshot, the lord mayor spoke to the conde.
“I did not expect to see you so soon, my lord…”
“I know. But with my sons gone, I have to make all of the rounds myself. You are going to see a lot more of me than you have in the past. I have to do everything I normally do, in addition to what I left for my sons to do.”
“I am sorry about what just happened, my lord, I promise…”
“Do not apologize, lord mayor. This sort of thing always happens during war. It’s been a long time, but I remember such incidents the last time we were at war.”
“Is there anything I can do to stop it, my lord?”
“Not really, lord mayor. Just keep yourself alert and supervise carefully. I know that with your sons also away, it will be harder for you. But no matter how you need to get it done, make sure that the peasants have adequate supervision.”
“Any news from the ducal court in Toledo, my lord?”
“Nothing important. The duque’s wife keeps in constant contact with us, but there is no interesting news. Just the same old orders to maintain current levels of foodstuffs despite our lack of manpower.”
“So, no news from the battlefields?”
“Nothing exciting, I fear. Though with the army so far from home, the war might be over and we would not know it yet.”
“We can always hope, my lord.”
“We should hope for victory, lord mayor. Nothing less.”
“As you wish, my lord.”
*********
“My lady, that is the last of the messages from the provinces.”
Maria, the wife of the Duque de Toledo and the mother of the Prince of Toledo, sat at her desk, getting the last bit of use out of the quill she held. She had already ruined three today, and her young fingers twitched with fatigue as she wrote.
“Thank you.”
“Shall I fetch you something to eat, my lady?”
“No, that will be all, Juanita. I shall put myself to bed tonight. Go and get some rest. I will need you rested so you can help me with the estate inspection tomorrow.”
The servant paused, then bowed.
“As you wish, my lady.”
Maria let the candles in the room burn for a few moments as she scanned the paper in front of her. She had saved this letter to her husband for last today, but she was really too tired to properly write it. The candles did not light the room sufficiently to truly see what she was writing, but she was determined to finish it before tomorrow. There would be no time to do it when she performed her inspection of the estate.
But what to write? It was the question which haunted her every day she sat down to write a letter. Though her husband did not know it, she meticulously edited the events that transpired in her life before sending them in a letter to him. Ironically, he was the one who taught her how to do that, for she had no desire to bring down the spirits of her only son while he was at sea. The technique had worked before, and by all accounts, it was working now.
Her eyes began to ache as she finished the letter. She folded and sealed it with the ducal signet that her husband had left in her keeping. Then, without ceremony, she undressed herself, put out the candles, and went to sleep.
She had another long day ahead of her tomorrow.
****
“Damn these mountains! How can people live in such a place?”
“I have no idea, Carlos. But if the Austrians can move their artillery over the mountains, so can we.”
The old men watched as the artillery moved a few more inches up the mountain trail. The snow was gently falling, but the trail we still visible.
“At least we know that the shadowing force is having as much trouble as we are. They can’t move any faster through these mountains than we can.”
Toledo paused as he considered Carlos’ words.
“I think you are right. The scouts report their difficulties do compare with ours.”
Carlos watched as several men helped the horses drag a canon over a rock in the road.
“You know, your nephew sent us here to help, but I do not think there is much we can do.”
“I agree. For once, Catalonia cannot be blamed for the tardiness of his guns. The only way to move faster would be to leave half of them behind.”
They watched the guns for one more moment. Then, they turned away from them without a word and started towards their horses.
“Any news from home?”
“No, just the same old thing. Maria is keeping herself busy managing our lands. She complains that she misses us. You know, the usual.”
“So, do you know what is really going on back home?”
“Probably peasant unhappiness, difficulties with farming and animals, servants being testy. You know, the usual.”
“Nice to know nothing really changes.”
“Well, almost nothing. Part of the Istrian coast, Croatia, and western Hungary are now occupied by Castilian forces. Did you ever think you would see something so strange during your lifetime?”
“No, and I never thought we would spend so much time on the march during the winter in such a climate. Africa, maybe, but not in these mountains.”
“Well, let us retire to the king. We may catch up to him by nightfall if we hurry.”
“Not likely. He has probably moved past the mountains and has Pest in sight. With any luck, he has seized the rest of Hungary to the Polish border and is waiting for the first detachment of infantry to catch up with him.”
They both chuckled a bit as they mounted their horses.
*****
The young king sat in his tent wrapped in more layers of clothing than during his coronation. He was still cold, but he refused to move to the great fire that was burning just fifty yards away, at least not until he finished with these reports.
The pile of messages and reports he had to read never seemed to end. Then again, he knew that he was the cause of all this. Everyday he demanded hard work from his duques. His reward was more work for himself.
It was daunting, but he knew that there was no other rational choice. The men depended on good leadership, and good leadership depended on constant communication and alterations to existing plans. To do this, he had to spend most of his day reading reports, composing messages, and riding to survey the progress of the army.
They had been fortunate so far. For the first week of snow, no noticeable increase in casualties due to injury or disease were reported. Still, foraging was becoming more difficult. They needed to reach the plains before the harsh February winds put a stop to their advance.
The enemy’s screening force constantly shadowed them. Brief skirmishes resulted in it retreating, but it always returned. The king found himself frustrated that their presence denied him the ability to send Granada directly north to scout out the position of the Czech Negra’s primary force. Did such a force even exist? Was it resting? Reinforcing itself? Rallying from some problem it had suffered? The people of this land were not unkind, but the enemy had wisely shielded his movements from the common folk. All they knew is that they had been fleeced for their livestock and food before the Castilians arrived. At least they still enjoyed open communication all the way to the sea. The Prince of Toledo was keeping a steady string of supplies, such as they were, coming from Sicily to Ragusa.
The question he had asked of his duques of late, however, had remained unanswered: should they strike at the Austrians before settling down for the winter?
None of the reports in his tent answered this question. Enrique shivered as he continued to read. He would get little sleep tonight as he pondered this.
“You’ll do it, because you’re being told to do it. Now get you and your boys out there and work those fields.”
The lord mayor was sternly staring at the peasants in front of him. They were dirty, filthy creatures, but then again, they also had to work their land and the land of their neighbors. For their part, Jose and his sons looked upon the mayor in contempt, even as they had their hats off their greasy heads in respect.
“And how are we gonna get it done? Me boys and I are already working every hour of daylight. We can’t work our land and Juan’s land at the same time.”
“You have to. All of Juan’s sons are away for the duration of the war. His family cannot work those fields alone. If you are running out of time for work, then I suggest you work as soon as Mass lets out, you lazy wastrels.”
“You mean work on the Lord’s day? All day?”
“If that is what it takes, then yes.”
The rabble stared with incredulity at the lord mayor for a few moments. The lord mayor met their stare without flinching, until he spied the conde from the corner of his eyes.
“Make way for the conde! All hail the Conde de Oviedo!”
Grudgingly, the peasants prostrated themselves before the conde while the lord mayor bowed deeply.
“My lord, I did not expect to see you…”
“What is going on here, lord mayor?”
“Nothing of import, my lord. I am just giving additional instructions to our peasants.”
The conde had seen more winters than anyone in the vicinity. His eyes showed that he knew exactly what was going on; however, he chose to forego mentioning anything.
“Very well. Come speak with me, lord mayor, when you are finished here.”
“As you wish, my lord.”
The lord mayor let his stern gaze fall upon the prostrated peasants.
“You have your instructions, Jose. Get your sons out there and work those fields.”
A pause.
“Alright.”
Jose and his sons stood up, brushed the dust from their dirty clothing, and walked to the fields. When they were out of earshot, the lord mayor spoke to the conde.
“I did not expect to see you so soon, my lord…”
“I know. But with my sons gone, I have to make all of the rounds myself. You are going to see a lot more of me than you have in the past. I have to do everything I normally do, in addition to what I left for my sons to do.”
“I am sorry about what just happened, my lord, I promise…”
“Do not apologize, lord mayor. This sort of thing always happens during war. It’s been a long time, but I remember such incidents the last time we were at war.”
“Is there anything I can do to stop it, my lord?”
“Not really, lord mayor. Just keep yourself alert and supervise carefully. I know that with your sons also away, it will be harder for you. But no matter how you need to get it done, make sure that the peasants have adequate supervision.”
“Any news from the ducal court in Toledo, my lord?”
“Nothing important. The duque’s wife keeps in constant contact with us, but there is no interesting news. Just the same old orders to maintain current levels of foodstuffs despite our lack of manpower.”
“So, no news from the battlefields?”
“Nothing exciting, I fear. Though with the army so far from home, the war might be over and we would not know it yet.”
“We can always hope, my lord.”
“We should hope for victory, lord mayor. Nothing less.”
“As you wish, my lord.”
*********
“My lady, that is the last of the messages from the provinces.”
Maria, the wife of the Duque de Toledo and the mother of the Prince of Toledo, sat at her desk, getting the last bit of use out of the quill she held. She had already ruined three today, and her young fingers twitched with fatigue as she wrote.
“Thank you.”
“Shall I fetch you something to eat, my lady?”
“No, that will be all, Juanita. I shall put myself to bed tonight. Go and get some rest. I will need you rested so you can help me with the estate inspection tomorrow.”
The servant paused, then bowed.
“As you wish, my lady.”
Maria let the candles in the room burn for a few moments as she scanned the paper in front of her. She had saved this letter to her husband for last today, but she was really too tired to properly write it. The candles did not light the room sufficiently to truly see what she was writing, but she was determined to finish it before tomorrow. There would be no time to do it when she performed her inspection of the estate.
But what to write? It was the question which haunted her every day she sat down to write a letter. Though her husband did not know it, she meticulously edited the events that transpired in her life before sending them in a letter to him. Ironically, he was the one who taught her how to do that, for she had no desire to bring down the spirits of her only son while he was at sea. The technique had worked before, and by all accounts, it was working now.
Her eyes began to ache as she finished the letter. She folded and sealed it with the ducal signet that her husband had left in her keeping. Then, without ceremony, she undressed herself, put out the candles, and went to sleep.
She had another long day ahead of her tomorrow.
****
“Damn these mountains! How can people live in such a place?”
“I have no idea, Carlos. But if the Austrians can move their artillery over the mountains, so can we.”
The old men watched as the artillery moved a few more inches up the mountain trail. The snow was gently falling, but the trail we still visible.
“At least we know that the shadowing force is having as much trouble as we are. They can’t move any faster through these mountains than we can.”
Toledo paused as he considered Carlos’ words.
“I think you are right. The scouts report their difficulties do compare with ours.”
Carlos watched as several men helped the horses drag a canon over a rock in the road.
“You know, your nephew sent us here to help, but I do not think there is much we can do.”
“I agree. For once, Catalonia cannot be blamed for the tardiness of his guns. The only way to move faster would be to leave half of them behind.”
They watched the guns for one more moment. Then, they turned away from them without a word and started towards their horses.
“Any news from home?”
“No, just the same old thing. Maria is keeping herself busy managing our lands. She complains that she misses us. You know, the usual.”
“So, do you know what is really going on back home?”
“Probably peasant unhappiness, difficulties with farming and animals, servants being testy. You know, the usual.”
“Nice to know nothing really changes.”
“Well, almost nothing. Part of the Istrian coast, Croatia, and western Hungary are now occupied by Castilian forces. Did you ever think you would see something so strange during your lifetime?”
“No, and I never thought we would spend so much time on the march during the winter in such a climate. Africa, maybe, but not in these mountains.”
“Well, let us retire to the king. We may catch up to him by nightfall if we hurry.”
“Not likely. He has probably moved past the mountains and has Pest in sight. With any luck, he has seized the rest of Hungary to the Polish border and is waiting for the first detachment of infantry to catch up with him.”
They both chuckled a bit as they mounted their horses.
*****
The young king sat in his tent wrapped in more layers of clothing than during his coronation. He was still cold, but he refused to move to the great fire that was burning just fifty yards away, at least not until he finished with these reports.
The pile of messages and reports he had to read never seemed to end. Then again, he knew that he was the cause of all this. Everyday he demanded hard work from his duques. His reward was more work for himself.
It was daunting, but he knew that there was no other rational choice. The men depended on good leadership, and good leadership depended on constant communication and alterations to existing plans. To do this, he had to spend most of his day reading reports, composing messages, and riding to survey the progress of the army.
They had been fortunate so far. For the first week of snow, no noticeable increase in casualties due to injury or disease were reported. Still, foraging was becoming more difficult. They needed to reach the plains before the harsh February winds put a stop to their advance.
The enemy’s screening force constantly shadowed them. Brief skirmishes resulted in it retreating, but it always returned. The king found himself frustrated that their presence denied him the ability to send Granada directly north to scout out the position of the Czech Negra’s primary force. Did such a force even exist? Was it resting? Reinforcing itself? Rallying from some problem it had suffered? The people of this land were not unkind, but the enemy had wisely shielded his movements from the common folk. All they knew is that they had been fleeced for their livestock and food before the Castilians arrived. At least they still enjoyed open communication all the way to the sea. The Prince of Toledo was keeping a steady string of supplies, such as they were, coming from Sicily to Ragusa.
The question he had asked of his duques of late, however, had remained unanswered: should they strike at the Austrians before settling down for the winter?
None of the reports in his tent answered this question. Enrique shivered as he continued to read. He would get little sleep tonight as he pondered this.
A little bit of everything in that update. Nice.
And the King ponders an important question. Attrition in the winter is never fun. Still, I'd attack before the winter. And it seems the issues surrounding the lord mayor are still there, if only because you brought him back for a moment. Somehow connected to Improbus...but how?
Great to see another update...and a good one at that!
And the King ponders an important question. Attrition in the winter is never fun. Still, I'd attack before the winter. And it seems the issues surrounding the lord mayor are still there, if only because you brought him back for a moment. Somehow connected to Improbus...but how?
Great to see another update...and a good one at that!
Don't tell me we've lost you again, Secret Master. This is way too good to let fester too long! As is commonly suggested around these parts -
Please...
This is way too good to let fester too long! As is commonly suggested around these parts - UPDATE
Please...
Please, please, pla-hease tell us you're still working on this masterpiece, SM. PLEASE!
Okay, enough of the begging.
Now, let's hope we don't need to resort to having Uncle Guido coming by and making some offers that SM can't refuse, eh?
Okay, enough of the begging.
Now, let's hope we don't need to resort to having Uncle Guido coming by and making some offers that SM can't refuse, eh?
The Return of the Master
The countdown to the return of the Secret Master has begun. After a several month hiatus, he will be returning to the forum in three days.
Chills! Thrills! Spills!
The fun begins in three days. Stay tuned for details!
*elbows Joe* Psst... does he know about the new FC book?
(Which is my way of saying welcome back, SM.)
(Which is my way of saying welcome back, SM.
)
Eagerly awaiting the return of the SM! All Hail the SM!
Okay, so it's been three days SM.... where you at?
Okay, so it's been three days SM.... where you at?
I can’t believe I’m really home. Everything is just as I thought it would be. My fields are planted, my wife has given birth to our newest son, and a new crop of warhorses are beginning their training. It’s beautiful to be home…
The Duque de Granada was snoring with great volume as he continued to dream.
And look, there are my mistresses. They are simply gorgeous in their gowns…
“I told you, it is urgent that I wake him…”
Wake me? I am awake…
“He is not to be disturbed, my lord. He left specific instructions.”
Whatever it is, it must be important if they want to bother me on my estate.
“And my instructions are to wake him if something important happens. Now stand aside!”
I suppose I should find out what is going on.
The duque opened his eyes. The homely face of the Conde de Evora greeted him, while the fumes of the conde’s last meal wafted into his nose.
“This had better be important, conde.”
“It is, my lord. The shadowing force has disappeared.”
The eyes of the duque grew wide.
“Send a message to the king at once. And get my servants. I need to be ready to stand before him within the hour.”
“Of course, my lord.”
***
“What do you mean, they have disappeared?”
“My dreaded king, sometime during the night, the shadowing force broke camp and marched off. They left all of their fires burning and left some tents standing. We had no way of knowing they left until dawn.”
Enrique glared at him.
“I suppose it is asking too much to have them found before noon?”
“My cavalry are looking even as we speak.”
“That is not good enough, Granada. You have let them slip away into the night. Now, instead of having a shadow to the north watching our movements, we have a mystery force wandering around our flanks.”
“I am very…”
“And what of the main force? Where is the Czech Negro?”
“We do not know, my lord.”
“Then you need to find them both. I do not care how much it fatigues your mounts, you will find the enemy. Do you understand? Your men will not rest until the enemy is located. And when they are located, you will pin them down for us.”
“As you wish, my king.”
Granada remained prostrate for a moment.
“You are dismissed, Granada.”
The king turned towards his elders.
“What do you think, uncle?”
“I think the unexpected warm weather has convinced our enemy to have one more go at us before we settle down for the winter.”
“That is obvious, my uncle. Do you have a more specific guess for what they are going to do?”
“Cut us off from our link with the coast.”
“And what makes you say that, Toledo?”
“It’s what I would do under these circumstances.”
“But we are within a day or two march of the plains. We threaten the heart of Hungary. Why not stop our advance before the snows put an end to the campaign season?”
“That would also be a possibility. I think it the less likely of the two, however.”
“Perhaps you are right.”
The three men were silent for a few moments.
“Get my messengers, Toledo.”
“And what orders should I prepare them for, my dreaded king?”
“The enemy will be to our front. We march with all deliberate speed for Pest. I will not be spooked from the objective of this portion of the campaign by the disappearance of a small force of the enemy.”
“But what of our link…”
“I have noted your thoughts on the subject, uncle. There is no way they can sack all of the fortresses between us and Ragusa during the snows of winter. We will winter in Pest while the Austrians do whatever it is they do during the winter.”
The old men glanced at one another. Then, Toledo bowed.
“As you wish, my dreaded king.”
He grabbed Carlos by the arm and moved him away from the presence of the king. For his part, Carlos let his jaw hang open for a few moments.
“I cannot believe what I just heard. I mean, what did he bring us along for, if he is not going to listen to us.”
Toledo stood silent for a moment, his face dark.
“I don’t understand him sometimes. He must not be letting us in on his thoughts.”
“Perhaps not.”
Carlos looked at his old friend.
“What are you thinking?”
“I am thinking that as the weather gets colder, we will find less reason to be with the army.”
“Why?”
“Because the king will have no need for us to be his strategic crutches.”
“That is a bit dramatic.”
“Perhaps it is. Care to wager on whether I will be right?”
“No. I don’t like the odds.”
“I didn’t think so.”
“So, what do we do now?”
“Get the messengers ready.”
The Duque de Granada was snoring with great volume as he continued to dream.
And look, there are my mistresses. They are simply gorgeous in their gowns…
“I told you, it is urgent that I wake him…”
Wake me? I am awake…
“He is not to be disturbed, my lord. He left specific instructions.”
Whatever it is, it must be important if they want to bother me on my estate.
“And my instructions are to wake him if something important happens. Now stand aside!”
I suppose I should find out what is going on.
The duque opened his eyes. The homely face of the Conde de Evora greeted him, while the fumes of the conde’s last meal wafted into his nose.
“This had better be important, conde.”
“It is, my lord. The shadowing force has disappeared.”
The eyes of the duque grew wide.
“Send a message to the king at once. And get my servants. I need to be ready to stand before him within the hour.”
“Of course, my lord.”
***
“What do you mean, they have disappeared?”
“My dreaded king, sometime during the night, the shadowing force broke camp and marched off. They left all of their fires burning and left some tents standing. We had no way of knowing they left until dawn.”
Enrique glared at him.
“I suppose it is asking too much to have them found before noon?”
“My cavalry are looking even as we speak.”
“That is not good enough, Granada. You have let them slip away into the night. Now, instead of having a shadow to the north watching our movements, we have a mystery force wandering around our flanks.”
“I am very…”
“And what of the main force? Where is the Czech Negro?”
“We do not know, my lord.”
“Then you need to find them both. I do not care how much it fatigues your mounts, you will find the enemy. Do you understand? Your men will not rest until the enemy is located. And when they are located, you will pin them down for us.”
“As you wish, my king.”
Granada remained prostrate for a moment.
“You are dismissed, Granada.”
The king turned towards his elders.
“What do you think, uncle?”
“I think the unexpected warm weather has convinced our enemy to have one more go at us before we settle down for the winter.”
“That is obvious, my uncle. Do you have a more specific guess for what they are going to do?”
“Cut us off from our link with the coast.”
“And what makes you say that, Toledo?”
“It’s what I would do under these circumstances.”
“But we are within a day or two march of the plains. We threaten the heart of Hungary. Why not stop our advance before the snows put an end to the campaign season?”
“That would also be a possibility. I think it the less likely of the two, however.”
“Perhaps you are right.”
The three men were silent for a few moments.
“Get my messengers, Toledo.”
“And what orders should I prepare them for, my dreaded king?”
“The enemy will be to our front. We march with all deliberate speed for Pest. I will not be spooked from the objective of this portion of the campaign by the disappearance of a small force of the enemy.”
“But what of our link…”
“I have noted your thoughts on the subject, uncle. There is no way they can sack all of the fortresses between us and Ragusa during the snows of winter. We will winter in Pest while the Austrians do whatever it is they do during the winter.”
The old men glanced at one another. Then, Toledo bowed.
“As you wish, my dreaded king.”
He grabbed Carlos by the arm and moved him away from the presence of the king. For his part, Carlos let his jaw hang open for a few moments.
“I cannot believe what I just heard. I mean, what did he bring us along for, if he is not going to listen to us.”
Toledo stood silent for a moment, his face dark.
“I don’t understand him sometimes. He must not be letting us in on his thoughts.”
“Perhaps not.”
Carlos looked at his old friend.
“What are you thinking?”
“I am thinking that as the weather gets colder, we will find less reason to be with the army.”
“Why?”
“Because the king will have no need for us to be his strategic crutches.”
“That is a bit dramatic.”
“Perhaps it is. Care to wager on whether I will be right?”
“No. I don’t like the odds.”
“I didn’t think so.”
“So, what do we do now?”
“Get the messengers ready.”