Terra Ferra

Kai-Felshilgel

The news was bad. Mikal sat studing the various reports from the north. His ambassador to Keller was reporting that the Chancellor was professing an undying desire for peace. At the same time Freiherr Von Elmar Thierse was claiming a decisive victory over Kellerite forces but admitting that Klien Hoysee had been occupied! What was he to do? Hoysee had just fought a war and was still recovering, to mobilise again after such a short time would be very expensive. Mikal considered for, what to the gathered advisers, appeared a long time. Finally as if galvanised he sprang to his feet.

We will write a note to the Kellerite Ambassador, informing him that we expect the total and immediate withdrawal of the Kellerite army from Klien-Hoysee. Send out a warning order to the Army to prepare to recall the reserves but to await further orders before doing so. Finally, here he stood straighter, I will join the Reserve Brigade and reinforce Thierse at Leasowe. It will take the best part of a week to move the Reserves forward. If by the time we have no answer from Keller we will advance to eject them across the river before they can receive any significant reinforcements. Only then will we decide on a full mobilisation.

Klien-Hoysee

General der Infanterie Kaspar Seidl surveyed the view from his headquarters. The small port below him was busy. To the left a group of Keller's fledgling navy swarmed around the scuttled form of the Jakob Pastor. If they could raise her the navy would in one stroke would massively increase in both size and power. At the same time the final few reinforcements were arriving. He now or at least soon would have under command The 1st Infantry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Brigade, along with the rest of the Division HQ's troops of artillery and Jaeger. He also had a Landwehr battalion to keep peace in the county of Klein Hoysee.

The occupation had been rapid and as yet no resistance had developed, Kaspar knew it was only a matter of time, you cannot over turn centuries of semi-independence without at least some reaction. That meant the war with Hoysee needed to be concluded and soon. He was well supplied but it would take some 5 weeks to gather enough shipping to support an increase in his troop levels, so he would have to do the best with what he had. Hoysee's delay in mobilizing was a welcome relief. If he was quick he could advance towards Leasowe and give the troops there a bloody nose before they significantly out numbered him. With a clear victory perhaps the Chancellor could conclude a peace before the Klien-Hoysee powder keg finally blows up!