January 17th, in the year of our Lord 1439
Late afternoon, Heidelberg Castle
Without knocking, Stefan pushed the heavy oak door to the study open.
“I have returned,” he said as he entered the room.
He stopped almost immediately for the first thing he saw, sitting in a large chair near the fireplace, was a surprisingly hale-looking Ludwig who turned with remarkable speed at the unexpected intrusion and half arose from his position.
“But…the servants…they said you were…” Stefan ground to a halt in his confusion. “I…”
“Aye, Stefan. A ruse,” said Otto, rising from a chair opposite the Kurfürst. “We felt that if we spread the rumour that Ludwig was at death’s doorstep then our increased troop activities would either go largely ignored, or would be interpreted as simply a heightened alert in case any should wish to test our mettle. I assure you that he is doing quite well. Now, Ludwig, let me help get you comfortable again, and let us hear my brother’s news.”
As Otto fussed with the Kurfürst, settling him back into the chair, Stefan drew a stool up close to the fire and began warming his hands. As he did so, he noticed that Johann was also in the room, seated behind the Kurfürst’s desk amidst a sea of scrolls, maps and reports. He had barely moved as Stefan entered, merely pausing mid sentence in whatever he had been writing. Now, placing the quill in its holder, he rose and joined the others near the fireplace.
“Yes Stefan. I too am eager to hear your news. We received word from Ruprecht that von Mörs has agreed to use the resources of Köln to support us and will move on their position in Kleves. At that time, The Butcher was reportedly still encamped at Düsseldorf, but that is now intelligence that is more than three weeks old. Otto, however, feels it unlikely that he would wish to move his men before the worst of the weather has passed so he should be caught flat-footed and poorly supplied. It will take him days to get ready to move, and by then von Mörs’ army will already be at full strength and prepared.”
“What will he do?
“He had not yet decided, apparently, whether to hold their position and see what Richemont does; or whether to attack him in force while they are still unprepared. We expect word within the next few days as to which tactic he favours.”
“How many men does Richemont have?”
“Perhaps fifteen or sixteen thousand, and most of them foot - although, as I said, the report was old and the details were sketchy at best. Ruprecht wrote that the Archbishop seemed confident that he can attack with nearly double the enemy’s strength; and of course the Archbishop retains rather a large number of Ritter.”
Stefan glanced over to Otto. The general shrugged. “Aye, they could hold the Butcher if he seeks to cross the Rhine into Köln, but fear they will be sorely tested if he chooses to cross the river instead and engage him directly in Kleves. I would never discount the danger of that man. He is, by all accounts, a wily leader and brilliant tactician. Even outnumbered, I would not wish to bet against him.”
“Speaking of betting,” Stefan asked, turning back to Johann. “What was von Brunn’s response to your overture?”
“It seems that the good Archbishop has some reservations on the matter. He told me that he cannot strip Würzburg bare of its defences, but that he would honour our alliance by supporting our actions. He will pray for the souls of our men…”
At this, Otto snorted. “Aye, and he will ‘posture’ with his army, but he will not send them to ‘die in the fields’ of France. The man lacks a spine, just like his champions.”
“He did assure me, however, that if the French break through our lines, or circle around them, he will ride to help defend our lands. I know that it is less than we had hoped for, but at least he will not abandon the alliance altogether.” Seeking to forestall another outburst from his youngest brother, Otto quickly continued. “But come Stefan. You are warmer now – I can tell because your face is almost red - and you have news that we must hear. Tell us, what did our northern allies had to say?”
“I have both good and bad. Which would you hear first?”
(OOC: well folks...what will it be?
)
Late afternoon, Heidelberg Castle
Without knocking, Stefan pushed the heavy oak door to the study open.
“I have returned,” he said as he entered the room.
He stopped almost immediately for the first thing he saw, sitting in a large chair near the fireplace, was a surprisingly hale-looking Ludwig who turned with remarkable speed at the unexpected intrusion and half arose from his position.
“But…the servants…they said you were…” Stefan ground to a halt in his confusion. “I…”
“Aye, Stefan. A ruse,” said Otto, rising from a chair opposite the Kurfürst. “We felt that if we spread the rumour that Ludwig was at death’s doorstep then our increased troop activities would either go largely ignored, or would be interpreted as simply a heightened alert in case any should wish to test our mettle. I assure you that he is doing quite well. Now, Ludwig, let me help get you comfortable again, and let us hear my brother’s news.”
As Otto fussed with the Kurfürst, settling him back into the chair, Stefan drew a stool up close to the fire and began warming his hands. As he did so, he noticed that Johann was also in the room, seated behind the Kurfürst’s desk amidst a sea of scrolls, maps and reports. He had barely moved as Stefan entered, merely pausing mid sentence in whatever he had been writing. Now, placing the quill in its holder, he rose and joined the others near the fireplace.
“Yes Stefan. I too am eager to hear your news. We received word from Ruprecht that von Mörs has agreed to use the resources of Köln to support us and will move on their position in Kleves. At that time, The Butcher was reportedly still encamped at Düsseldorf, but that is now intelligence that is more than three weeks old. Otto, however, feels it unlikely that he would wish to move his men before the worst of the weather has passed so he should be caught flat-footed and poorly supplied. It will take him days to get ready to move, and by then von Mörs’ army will already be at full strength and prepared.”
“What will he do?
“He had not yet decided, apparently, whether to hold their position and see what Richemont does; or whether to attack him in force while they are still unprepared. We expect word within the next few days as to which tactic he favours.”
“How many men does Richemont have?”
“Perhaps fifteen or sixteen thousand, and most of them foot - although, as I said, the report was old and the details were sketchy at best. Ruprecht wrote that the Archbishop seemed confident that he can attack with nearly double the enemy’s strength; and of course the Archbishop retains rather a large number of Ritter.”
Stefan glanced over to Otto. The general shrugged. “Aye, they could hold the Butcher if he seeks to cross the Rhine into Köln, but fear they will be sorely tested if he chooses to cross the river instead and engage him directly in Kleves. I would never discount the danger of that man. He is, by all accounts, a wily leader and brilliant tactician. Even outnumbered, I would not wish to bet against him.”
“Speaking of betting,” Stefan asked, turning back to Johann. “What was von Brunn’s response to your overture?”
“It seems that the good Archbishop has some reservations on the matter. He told me that he cannot strip Würzburg bare of its defences, but that he would honour our alliance by supporting our actions. He will pray for the souls of our men…”
At this, Otto snorted. “Aye, and he will ‘posture’ with his army, but he will not send them to ‘die in the fields’ of France. The man lacks a spine, just like his champions.”
“He did assure me, however, that if the French break through our lines, or circle around them, he will ride to help defend our lands. I know that it is less than we had hoped for, but at least he will not abandon the alliance altogether.” Seeking to forestall another outburst from his youngest brother, Otto quickly continued. “But come Stefan. You are warmer now – I can tell because your face is almost red - and you have news that we must hear. Tell us, what did our northern allies had to say?”
“I have both good and bad. Which would you hear first?”
(OOC: well folks...what will it be?
)
