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I just thought I’d post it from an Empire perspective.

As the fight happens, I’ll post what went on, in this same story-type narrative.

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“Is he out of his Imperial mind?” exclaimed Janus, as he looked up from the Imperial Orders. “He can’t be serious!”

“I believe he is,” said Weiss in his permanently expressionless voice.

Janus adjusted the magnifying glass in front of him and asked as he read the paper, “Old man Karl wants us to go to some unheard of Bretonnian town, link up with some random Bretonnian Baron, and proceed as needed? He doesn’t even say what we’re going against.”

Standing at attention, Weiss simply nodded.

“Why in the world are we helping the Bretonnians?”

“I can only surmise it is to put the border lords in our debt, Sir.”

The Elector went back to re-read the Imperial Orders, and said in disbelief, “And, in order to not upset our Bretonnian brethren, I can’t bring cannons or mortars?” Janus got up from his desk, and threw his hands up in disgust, “He’s out of his Imperial gourd! What does he want me to use, harsh language? Most of my mustered soldiery has already be sent off to the Border Princes, to aid some von Drakken or something.”

“My Lord, there are still Soldiers you can call upon. We still have my company, and the 19th Issengard. And our ranks can be bolstered with there are some freelancers.”

Janus closed his eyes, and took a deep breath to calm himself. Opening his eyes, he walked over to the picture window, and looked down at the farmland framing his estate. The harvest had long since been collected, and most of the fields had been plowed to prep them for the winter. Looking past the fields, he could see the cluster of homes and shops that marked his town. A Maypole still stood at the town square its thin ribbons dancing in the breeze. If he listened hard enough, he could hear the tiny bells on the ribbons. Mumbling to himself Janus said, “I’m getting to old for this.”

He turned to face the commander of his company of doppel troops and spoke, “Axe Bite Pass will limit what we can take South… if it’s even open still.”

“Only the heaviest of equipment, sir. Horses, footmen, and the like should make the trek without problem.”

“What about that hydra-gun that Engineer Katarina made? Think that could make the trek? Old Karl never said anything about not bringing the hydra-gun.”

Weiss thought for a moment, and replied, “I don’t know, Sir. More importantly, I don’t think it’s functional. It was never repaired after the initial testing that killed Engineer Katarina.”

“Well couldn’t we get that Krueger fellow to fix it?”

“Possibly, Sir. He hasn’t left for Tilea yet.”

Walking back to his desk, Janus picked up a pen, and began scribbling notes as he spoke, “Well, put him back on retainer. We’ll take him south, and that hydra-gun. If anyone can make that pile of bronze and iron work, it would be him. While we’re at it, get Gyr and his falconers here too. I’m sure the Halfling rangers will come in handy.”

Standing at attention, Weiss nodded.

“Ready your company as well, Weiss. And let Richter know to martial up the 19th.”

Weiss nodded in understanding, and interjected, “Should I also summons Bree’s crossbows? They’ve often worked as a detachment for the 19th.”

Janus nodded this time. “That’s a good idea… but don’t we have handguns we can give Bree’s men?”

Weiss shook his head ‘no’. “We sent all of our handguns to the Border Prince territories.”

“So much for that idea. Alright then, give Bree some more soldiers then, and let him command that squad, instead of attaching them to the 19th. We’ll find some adventurers we can use as detachments as we head south. Thinking of that, doesn’t Bree have a twin?”

Weiss nodded, “Yes, Sir. Fallecker is his name.”

“Then give Fallecker some crossbows too.”

Looking at his desk, the Elector shuffled around a couple of maps he had of the Empire-Bretonnia border. Picking up the magnifying glass, he scanned the forested border lands. Shaking his head he continued, “That’s a lot of ground to cover. We’ll need scouts.”

“I believe that Gyr’s halflings can cover that roll.”

“Well, I want some scouts of my own… something more reliable than mercenaries. Is von Kolt still here, or have they headed back for Altdorf?”

“Von Kolt and his sheriffs are still stabled here, Sir.”

“Good, that will give us some Pistoliers I can scout with… thinking of that, pay Krueger for one of those fancy-pistols of his, so von Kolt can use it.”

Moving to one of the small tables, Weiss picked up a candelabra and moved to join his Lord at the desk. “Sir, if I may suggest, we should bring some knights as well. I can send a donation of silver to obtain the services of a pair of squadrons from the Royal Order of the Sun.”

Janus made a couple more tick-marks with his pen. “Not a bad idea either, see to it Weiss… but no Inner Circle. We’ll never hear the end of it from those templars, and they’ll constantly be saying we still should donate to them for their services. Thinking of that, let Knight Sorren use my Banner of War. That’ll keep us in good favor with him and the Royal Sun at least.”

Weiss nodded in agreement.

“Do you think you could find a couple dozen men capable of using a sword-and-shield?”

“Yes, Sir. I can use some of the men training to be doppel troops. I should easily be able to muster two-dozen of them.”

“See too it. Richter tends to defend a lot with those spears of his, and not attack. I need a couple of blocks of infantry who want to attack.”

“Sir, we could see if the Templars Autumnal and Erik the Red would be willing to work with us. I’m sure I could convince Erik to even grant us the use of some Inner Circle Autumanls.”

Janus thought about the idea for a few moments, tapping his pen nub on the map. “You can ask, Weiss. But if he asks for a donation of silver or anything, the deal’s off. While you’re over in that part of town, see if the Sigmarite Priestess Genevieve and the Sorceress Issabella von Hauptmann would care to travel South. ”

“Understood, Sir.”

Janus looked at his notes, and at the border again. “Well, I hope that’ll do. Old Karl is out of his mind to be asking me to do this. Hobbling together an army to march south… I’ve got a bad feeling about this, Weiss.”

Weiss just nodded.


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Weiss kept scanning left and right, making sure that the Bretonnian Soldiers didn’t decide to to bum-rush his Count. Shrugging, the veteran replied, “I do not know, Sir. Krueger, you’ve traveled all over, what do you make of it?”

The old engineer sighed, and tucked his hands deeper into his greatcoat. The late autumn chill was getting to his old bones, making him stiff and uncomfortable. “Well, I haven’t spent a lot of time in Bretonnia… they don’t take fondly to one of my profession, but… I’d have to say that it’s because we’re walking.”

“I don’t follow,” said Janus as his hand came to rest on the hilt of his sword.

The old Marienburg engineer coughed over his shoulder, and explained, “In Bretonnia, only peasants walk… and we sure aren’t peasants, so… they probably don’t know what to make of us.” Krueger loosened the holster of one of his multi-pistols, in case the onlookers got ugly.

“Let’s make haste,” ordered the Elector, and he kicked sludge off his boot. He didn’t even want to know what the slime might have been. “I want this stupid errand done as quickly as possible.”

The three men picked up the pace, trudging their way down the mud road towards the center of camp.

“YOU!” Barked a voice from their right. “How dare you travel the Kings road. And where did you get your arms and armaments. Bandits, trying to pass as Men at Arms.”

The trio turned to their right, and saw a mountain of a knight, his armor polished to shine, even on this cloudy day, riding a roan stallion at a cantor towards them. The Bretonnian’s watching the trio, bowed to difference to the knight. His lance was lowered, as was his visor. “I’ll make sure you pay for your thievery!”

“Halt, Knight. We’re no thieves,” answered Weiss, his left hand drifting to the hilt of his zweihander. “We’re emmasaries from The Empire, here to work with Baron Leon.”

“BAH! Lies!” spat the knight… though he did tug on his reins. The stallion stopped, and snorted at them. “No Imperial dogs would help us. Lord Leon has said nothing of… allies. You’re thieves and bandits. And, as Knight of the Relm, it is my duty to bring you to justice. Make peace with whatever god you believe in, for the Lady has no mercy for brigandry.”

Janus challenged the Knight, “We are no thieves, and I am greatly offended to be called such. I am Elector Count Janus van Fleet. You will take us to your Baron, now.”

The knight raised his visor, and sneered at the trio. “And now you pretend to be nobility? Imperial nobilty, but nobility none-the-less. Imposters and brigands… you are the worst of scum. I will see the Lady’s justice done this day.” The knight slamed his visor down, and lowered his lance.

“Stay your hand, Knight Tremiere,” commanded a second knight. “These men have been given invitation by King Leoncoeur, and are to be treated as honored guests.” While Knight Tremiere looked impressive, this new comer carried with him an air of martial prowess and a grand nature that glowed with the power of the sun compared to a candle. Behind the new knight swarmed a pack of… what seemed to be zealots, but of a Bretonnian nature.

He raised his visor, and greeted the trio, “I am Grail Knight Colvere. I understand you are Elector Count von Fleet.”

Janus nodded. “I am. These two gentlemen are Weiss, Captain of my doppel troops, and Michal Krueger.”

Kight Colvere nodded towards Weiss, and then turned his attention to Kreuger. He studied the old man for several moments, and then said, “You, Krueger, do not look like a knight, or a soldier… what is your purpose here?”

“Boy, can they get any more pompous looking,” mumbled Kreuger. Looking at Knight Colvere, he coughed to clear his throat and answered, “I am a… specialist, Knight Colvere. Elector Janus has asked me to accompany his army to aid in tomorrow’s battle.”

“I… see.” Knight Colvere returned his attention to Janus. “Elector Count van Fleet, I regret to say, but my Lord, Baron Leon, is busy with preparations for battle tomorrow. You will have to wait for your audience till the morning. He has asked me to invite you to his tent for breakfast at sunrise.”

Janus removed his open-faced helm and replied, “Then I will join Baron Leon tomorrow for breakfast.”

“I suggest you return to your own camp, Elector Count van Fleet.” Knight Colvere turned to the other knight and said, “You will return to your post, Knight Tremiere.” Knight Colvere turned his mount around, and rode back deeper into the Bretonnian camp, his entourage of zealots running after him.

Knight Tremiere scowled at the trio growling, “I’m watching you,” before spurring his stallion to follow Knight Colvere.

The three of them looked at each other for a couple of moments before Krueger spoke up. “Well… that went better than expected.”

“No point in staying here,” said Janus. Putting his helm back on, he began to trudge back down the mud-road away from the Bretonnian camp, and back towards his own. The other two men fell into pace next to him.

“Still have no idea what we’re doing here… Weiss, how go our own preparations.”

“Camp is set, and the companies are drilling. We are much further along that what we saw of the Bretonnian camp.”

“If I may, Janus,” interjected Krueger, “while the commoners are… slovenly at best, Bretonnian knights and nobility are very impressive. I bet they don’t trust us, and simply don’t want us to have any idea how many they have… incase we stab them in the back or something.”

“I’m still not impressed. Have you gotten that hydra-gun to work?”

“Yes. It’s fully functional. I’ve even managed to get a couple of gunsmiths to act as a crew for it. I took the liberty of offering a few of the crossbows I have to Bree’s soldiers as well.”

“Fine, fine. I suppose I’ll get charged a pretty silver for that too.”

As they walked a halfling stepped out of the shrubs in front of them. The ranger blended in well with the Forrest, his orange-and brown coat looking like the trees of the area. Casually, the Elector wondered how the halfling made no noise approaching them, what with all the pots, cups, and pans he had strapped to him. “Greetings, Gyr. I take it you have something for us?”

Saluting in the odd way Halflings do, the ranger replied, “Aye, Sar, aye do.”

“What have your scouts found?”

“Bretonnian’s, Sar.”

“Gyr, we’re surrounded by a Bretonnian camp. I don’t time for this.”

“Ya deedn’t let mah feenish, Sar. Not jest ahny Bretonnians… dead’uns.”

Weiss and Krueger’s ears perked up at what the ranger had just said. “Undead Bretonnians?” asked Weiss. “Are you certain?”

“Aye. Aye shaw eet weth me own eye. Ahpharrently they be tahking a greet offense to ya’ahll behing here. Got em ahll rhiled up.”

“How many?” asked Janus.

“Chouldn’t sahy, Sar. They be diggen up ahll sorts of emselves.”

Janus shook his head. His voice full of cynicism, the Elector joked, “Well, I suppose it is a good thing that Genevieve agreed to come with us.”


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