CHAPTER EIGHT - ENEMY OF MY ENEMY IS MY FRIEND
Serbian coast, Kotor - 21st of June 1424
The King, whole Royal Court and his servants enjoyed the beauty of Adriatic Sea, on the beaches of Kotor city. The King deserved his rest. After African and Adriatic campaign, King Đorđe I proclaimed collective vacation of Serbian Royal Court for a month. But, diplomacy had to be done in that period, so Arovski and the King spent hours and hours a day together, doing diplomatical stuff. Not so great vacation.
- Your majesty, good morning.
-- Hi Arovski. Do we really need to work today? Can we take a break?
- I'm afraid we can not do that, your majesty. We are in a zenith of our so far history.
-- Argh, alrighty then. Lets see, what's new?
- Well, that Aragonese-Turkish war really got out of control. Aragon conquered all of Ottoman Africa, and Ottomans conquered Aragonese lands in the central Greece.
-- As long as the Ottomans or Aragon aren't fighting with us, I don't care about them. Anything else?
- Yes, your majesty. God's will has been made clear to us. We shall strike Albania!
-- Arovski, why would we do that?
- Because, we have casus belli for vassalisation, provided by the PI God himself. We can vassalise them for 0.8 infamy, your majesty.
-- Then what are we waiting for? Lets go to war!
- Sir, you can't go like that to war.
-- Why, what's wrong?
- You're almost naked and sand-dirty, sir.
-- So what? I have nothing to hide!
- Absolutely, my lord. But, if an arrow hits you in your 'sensitive' area, and you don't have a shield nor armor..
-- Well, I believe you are right this time, Arovski. Bring me my suit and armor!
King's tent, fields of Kastrioti - 23rd of June 1424
-- Ah, Arovski, come in!
- Thank you, my lord. It's nice of you that you putted some clothes on.
-- Ah yes, it was a little bit cold out there last night. How's our siege going, Arovski?
- Well, it's over.
-- How do you mean, over? They attacked us from their walls and our army shattered all over the field?
- No, sir. They gave up after two days of siege.
-- But why?
- They ran out of wine, sir. Their army rebelled against their leader, they didn't wanted to fight without wine.
-- And they surrendered?
- Yes. With one term. Wine.
-- Pleasing and strange, Arovski.
- Indeed, my lord.
King's hunting day, woods of Kruševac - 17th of January 1428
-- Got one!
- Indeed precise aim, your majesty. I am thrilled with your skills.
-- Thank you, Arovski. I think it was a dear.
- Most likely, your majesty.
-- Ah, got one too! It's a dear again!
- Khmm.. very well, your majesty. But I think it's not a dear.
-- You think it's a wild boar?
- I think you arrowed one of the guards, your majesty.
-- It was a dear, Arovski.
- Your majesty, I heard "Outch! It hurts!" when you hited him.
-- Maybe it's a dear who learned our language, Arovski.
- I believe that is not poss..
-- Shut up, Arovski. It was a dear. Now, what news do you bring?
- Remember that small Greek island of Crete, whom we sent money and weapons to fight for their independence, when we were at war with Venice?
-- No.
- Nevermind, your majesty. The thing is, they succeded, but they are now at war with Venice.
-- So, we should protect them, right?
- Yes, your majesty.
-- Off to war, then!
Outside of Istria fortress, laying siege - 22nd of November 1428
-- Surrender! We will give you wine!
- I'm afraid that won't work with them, sir.
-- Why? It worked with Albanians.
- I think they just don't like wine, my lord.
-- Rubbish! Everyone loves wine! Hey, hey, Venetians! We'll give you wine, surrender!
- Sir, maybe you should rest?
-- Excellent idea, Arovski. Lets go to my tent. Any news?
- Yes, your majesty. Apparently, troops are adoring Todor Lazarević, they think he is one of the biggest military minds in our country. Right after you, ofcourse.
-- Ah, we should reward that man. Next?
- Our Russian allies are conquering Tartar land, they might even exit on Black Sea, or Caspian Lake.
-- May good Lord protect them and their leader!
- Sad news are coming from Moldavia. Apparently, Hungarians annexed their country, their ruler and your cousin, Teodor I Hrebeljanovic was executed.
-- What an evil state Hungary is! They'll rot in hell!
King's visit to Crete - 2nd of August 1429
-- Beautiful island. It will be ours one day.
- Sir, talk quieter.
-- Why? It's not like they can understand us. Just smile, Arovski.
- My lord, they have translators.
-- Oh. Yees, yes, I have a good point. One day, I can buy a house on this island, beautiful!
- Very swiftful managing, my lord.
-- Thank you, Arovski. So, any news?
- 10,000 Venetians landed on Sardinia last month.
-- 10,000?! And you are telling me that today?
- They are already beated, my lord.
-- Oh. Well then, I forgive you. But, next time, you will tell me everything!
- Yes, my lord. I'm thankful for your forgiveness. I have some good news too. Istria surrendered today.
-- They ran out of wine?
- No sir, they ran out of food, and they all died from hungerness.
-- Pathetic. They could've been drinking wine by now, if they surrendered earlier.
-- I'll go and rest now, Arovski.
- Fine, my lord. We will continue some other time.
King's Palace, Sardinia, New Rascia - 12th of July 1430
-- Hi, Arovski, my dearest chancellor.
- I'm your only chancellor, sir.
-- Shut up, and take the compliment.
- Thank you, my lord!
-- Good. Any news?
- Yes, Venice and Crete putted an end to hostilities.
-- Ah, cheerfull. What about other news?
- Ottomans are not Defenders of Sunni Faith any more.
-- Greeat! We can conquer Africa now! I would kiss you if you were not a man, Arovski.
- Thank you, my lord.
-- What are you waiting for? Prepare our armies, we are going to a Crusade against Hafsid!
- Crusade, sir?
-- You became senile, Arovski. That's just a ridicilous casus belli for the conquest war.
- Ah, ofcourse, my lord.
- Maybe this wasn't so good idea, my lord.
-- Why?
- I got some informations about their army.
-- I see. But, do not be pesimistic, Arovski. Most of these 130,000 soldiers are Mamelukan, and Aragon is holding Tripolitanian area, so they can't come to us.
- But they have navy, sir.
-- Those barbarians have boats and ships?
- Yes, my lord. Yes.
-- We need to finish conquest of Hafsid as fast as we can. As the best millitary commander, I will lead the occupation.
- I think that's not a good idea, my lord.
-- Are you calling me incapable for war, Arovski?
- Not at all sir, not at all.
This is awesome! Subscribing now
By the way, how the hell is great britain formed in 1423?
Thanks, welcome aboard!
I'm not Pukovnik but I assume it's because England rampaged through Scotland (as it always does) and it vassalised the Irish minors.
Yes, indeed. They swallowed Scotland and Ireland pretty fast.