Terra Ferra

“This is a disaster!” Louis de Plein, Grand Marquis of Flamboyance gestured towards the three documents strewn on his desk. One in elegant script with the arms of Hoysee, another equally fine from Nordsbocco and a rather plainer document from General Morace commanding the invasion forces arrayed against Nordsbocco. The other men in the room waited for the Grand Marquis to continue, they were disappointed when he didn't it meant they had to respond.

“The Nordsboccains were in a very strong position sire” Polliluv the first minister replied, “ and the Hoysee document is simply a diplomatic maneuver I'm sure.”.

“Hmm.” Louis humphted and regarded the documents again. The report from Morace recounted the battle of Roccioso Ridge and requested more reinforcements. The letter from his esteemed cousin the Grand Duke of Hoysee, offered to mediate between Flamboyance and Nordsbocco, but warned that Hoysee could not allow Flamboyance to conquer the canton. Louis at least intellectually understood the Hoysee position if the situation had been reversed he would have sent a similar document, but the implied threat was hard to swallow. perhaps the most insulting document was the third. From Nordsbocco, obviously written in the euphoria of victory at Roccioso Ridge demanding not only the complete agreement to the current trade talks and an indemnity but to reopen all previous tariff agreements for a review with Nordsbocco expecting a general increase of 5%. That last was impossible, Flamboyance commerce could never survive that level of tariff restriction. “So what do we do? Any suggestions?” he eyed his cabinet arranged around the table.

The four man cabinet were each as different as their responsibilities. Polliluv a tall well boned individual who in his day had been quite a dashing man about town. Now in this later years still held some charm and elegance, especially when compared to the slightly dumpy figure of his master. Brigadier Pelotte Defense Minister, a busy looking man always carrying a stack of reports he was obsessed by detail. An excellent trait considering Louis' lack of interest in any form of detail. von Klos was the Grand Marquis' Foreign Minister, a minor noble from a small state in Northern Germania he was one of a class of men who found employment in foreign courts across the region as discreet, well connected, representative of their adopted states. The final man was Defretus the Finance Minister, a scion of the Marquisate's banking community he was an efficient administrator if not a gifted innovator. These men were now gathered to decide the next step in the war against Nordsbocco.

“I think you should got to the front Sire, along with the 3rd Division and take command. ” Pollilov replied after a suitable pause as if genuinely considering the question. Defretus noded in agreement, “That would help confidence in the business community. A return to the good old day of your Grandfather.”

“Gentlemen, nobody believes I'm my grandfather or anything like” Louis glanced at the imposing picture wich hung over the rooms fireplace. “perhaps, Sire” Brigadier Pelotte agreed,“but if we move Colonel Favreau for the 2nd to your HQ as chief of staff we could hardly do worse than General Morace.” The Brigadier never managed to hid his feeling about the hard charging General.

“But what do we do about the Hoysee letter?” von Klos questioned “ If the Grand Marquis is victorious or worse, looks to be winning but is still tied up down south Hoysee will intervene”. This time Polliluv did pause and consider the question.

“Nordsbocco is not coming down of their ridge any time soon. That will give us time to deal with Hoysee before they can mobilise and then with all our forces including the 2nd who are watching Hoysee at the moment settle Nordsbocco later.” Pelotte rifled though his reports finding the one he wanted held it up. “Our agents report the Hoysee has still not managed to mobilized most of its forces as they are collecting the harvest still.” “Very well then”,Louis spoke up,“I was rather looking forward to the opening night of the new opera season but I suppost this cannot wait.” he turned to Pelotte, “ Inform our General Morace that he is to dispatch the Cavalry Division to join me at Hoysee River. Order the 2nd to concentrate ready to advance and the 3rd to leave there mobilization encampments and join the 2nd.”

He next addressed von Klos,“ Prepare a response to this letter from my cousin. We will make use of that new telegraph think and send it just before we are ready to advance. Tell him that the interference in the affairs of the Grand Marquisate of flamboyance is unacceptable and we require an undertaking to not interfere in our affairs immediately.” he than widened his attention to include the others,“I suppose another question is how many more men can we raise after all taking on Hoysee and Nordsbocco at the same time is no small task. Can we raise a 4th Division?” Both Pelotte and Defretus looked aghast. “We cannot take untrained civilians and arm them!” Pelotte objected,“They would just be an armed mod!”. Defretus also disagreed with the idea “The impact on industry would be quite severe and detrimental to the business community” he explained the look of shock on his face being even more expressive than his words, there might be a war on but industry could not be effected even for that. It was von Klos who provided a possible solution. “ We could recruit foreign troops. Perhaps Figgibicci the Nordsbocco dissident?”

Pelotte appeared mollified, “ Not a division a handful of poorly equipped battalions, a provisional brigades worth. Almost useless but they could hold down a quite region say Hoysee after the victory while we deploy the whole of the regulars against Nordsbocco.” “Good”, Louis stood to indicate the discussion was over, “ I will prepare to go to the front and perhaps you von Klos will send out feelers about employing some extra troops.” The discussions were over and the war about to expand.

The crossing of the Hoy