Negotiations

“Haha.  Why did she send you? To parley?”  Hag Queen Hella could not be more pleased with the arrival of the Imperial negotiator.  The results of the last battle was more fruitful than she thought, how only had she and her allies crush the elite Imperial New Byzantine army, they had also secured lots of gold and slaves and now to her pleasant surprise, the Imperials had sent their negotiators.

“Indeed I am here to ask for terms.  In a few weeks times, we will be fighting against the Orc and Goblin Army of Warlord Elmer, and I am under orders by Vern and Commander in Chief Repanse De Lyonese to invite you and your legions to participate.”  The name of the Imperial negotiator was Bernon and his tone was calm and confident despite being surrounded by menacing elves.

Upon hearing this Hellas howled with laughter and said mockingly, “Participate?  More likely to send me to waste my forces against the Warlord so those two cunning foxes can wipe me out.  I am not a fool!”  Then came laughter and jeering as several of her handmaidens participated in the humiliation.

Bernon nodded slightly, “Indeed this is one of our attempts to destroy you.  But think about it.  Ever since your great victory last month, you have been trapped in this city of Reval.  To the North are the icy wastes and to your Southeast is the Imperial Bastion of Novgorod.  All other areas are blocked by the sea.  Your forces are trapped now, you cannot take to the boats as your troops will be no match to our Norse fleets.  Indeed we cannot beat you in a pitch battle, not yet, but will you risk all your soldiers in attempting to storm Novgorod without siege engines?  Indeed you can’t.  So now you are trapped in this city relying on supplies raided and those sold to you by the merchants, once you run out of your plunder you will starve.” 

Bernon raised his head and continued, “So listen to our suggestion.  We are willing to pay you and your allies ten thousand gold coins upfront.  For every casualty you suffered in the battle, we will pay your double the amount you paid them.  With the gold you easily replenish your forces (if you can find recruits), haven’t the merchant guilds been supplying you with supplies and mercenary reinforcements?  Besides, didn’t you always want to fight in the battles with the other warlords, did you not raise your flag of rebellion after being denied the chance to fight previously?  Besides, if you troops are as good as you claim, you could have pulled off without much causalties.

Hellas sunk back into her chair, indeed the negotiator was right.  She is now trapped and he had also wisely stroke her emotions by playing into her desire to participate in wars overseas. 

Her thoughts were interrupted by her ally, DreadLord Draken.  “Only if I am made Supreme Commander, and I want every soldier participating in the battle to be under by command, even after the battle.”

Bernon shook his head, “No I am sorry.  You are too low ranking compared to Lady Veronia Darkspear.”

The room went silent.  So Lady Veronia Darkspear has arrived in the North.  The most senior and experienced commander of the Imperial armies, veteran of thousands of battles and more important the chief architect in the formation of the Druchii armies within the empire.  So skilled is her in the art of war that she was known to singlehandedly defeat armies.  Lady Darkspear was appointed to lead campaigns and not battles.  No the battle against the Greenskins is just a sideshow, the real target was Hella’s rebellion…

****

Bernon left the gates of the city at nightfall.  The rebel leaders had asked for time for an internal discussion but within an hour they had given the answer.  The name of Lady Veronia Darkspear is sufficient to strike fear and admiration in the hearts of these rebels.  In two weeks time, a thousand and six hundred elves will march out of Reval to join the Imperial forces.  Bernon remember the teachings of Sun Tzu, hem in the enemy from all sides and he will fight to the death, leave an oulet for escape and he will lose the courage to fight.  Indeed, by offering the rebels to fight in the battle against Warlord Elmer and thus the opportunity to flee into the wilderness at the end of the fighting, the rebellion alliance will dissolved on its own.  Bernon smiled, indeed who says war is all about strength…

I know this is a bit Deus Machina but I cannot really find the time to play another battle so I am going to borrow's Elmer's "knife" to see how Hella's forces will fare.