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Chapter Eight: The Lioness of Alania
Like her father, Natia begins her reign by welcoming the Jews. Hopefully she won't need to expel them again.
Still fighting the war her father started, Natia is not the zealot her predecessors were. In fact, she has much less for the church and its customs than any previous ruler. But she is a devoted queen and eager to make Alania a major power.
Once again the armies of the Horde and Alania prepare to clash.
She also deals with a neighbor who had been bothering her before she became queen.
Natia! 
You were supposed to get Gardener!
A group of Sunni rebels, believing that Alania is distracted, revolts against the queen.
Far away, the Crusade for Jerusalem ends. There's just one problem. King Jocelyn is in the Shah's prison.
Tengri rebels also decide to declare war on Natia.
All three wars are won, and a few months after the victory celebrations, Natia discovers she is pregnant.
Seeing that Jerusalem has just been liberated, Natia decides to take a pilgrimage there.
It turns out to be an interesting and eventful trip.
Next, she improves the barracks at Itil.
Seeing as the Golden Horde is involved in a civil war, she decides to add a third party to the fight.
While the rebel army is large, it is not enough.
Natia also prepares an alliance with the Holy Roman Empire.
One more duchy added to Alania.
And another revolt rises up.
And another daughter is married off.
Seeing as they cannot win, the Sunnis capitulate.
Since she's already said hello to some rebels, Natia decides to say hello to the Khan.
She might have underestimated him a little.
But the superior soldiers and leaders of Alania win the day and the horde breaks.
Among the dead is found a minor noble in the Golden Horde.
Backed up by Russian reinforcements, the Alanians finish the Golden Horde.
The Khans are beginning to fear the Alanians, who now form an important part of the wall of Christendom.
Another alliance is made with the Swedes.
A young boy ascends to the throne of the Golden Horde and Natia decides to assist in his education.
It goes well until Persia intervenes. Things look bleak on the war front, as the first of many Persian reinforcements stream in.
Yet for reasons known only to the young Khan, the Golden Horde surrenders despite the aid of his powerful brethren. But Natia knows better than to look a gift horse in the mouth.
I was very confused here. Persia would have easily wiped the floor with me, as the troops you saw were far from the only army. But I'm happy I won.
Natia sends spies to gather information on the Caliph. While cowardly, Megujin has no need to fight, as he has legions of troops to throw at any problem. His real talent is his ability to get the various chiefs and rulers to work together.
In more curious news, a dark-skinned woman rules the kingdom of Lotharingia.
Megujin declares a jihad for the tempting of fruit - Anatolia. Many Muslims have tried to take the kingdom, but all have failed. But Megujin is one of the powerful men in the world, and he outnumbers the Emperor.
But the emperor is not alone. Both the new Georgians and the old Georgians come to his aid.
The Caliph has many troops, but his invasion has united the quarreling Byzantines and the Alanians are battle-hardened from many wars.
Once again, the enemy is turned back at Anatolia. If only such fortune had existed at Manzikert.
Not shown: constant swearing and sighs of relief during the war. I was not exactly focused on taking pictures here.
It seems the HRE won't be much of an ally. Most of its Italian provinces have broken away and the King of Castille has become independent and formed his own empire. Now it is engaged in a series of brutal civil wars.
It's time for another war with the Golden Horde.
Once again the horde is not up to the task of defending itself.
Once again they surrender.
It is the last war Natia will fight.
Next Time: The Short Reign of King Malkhazi