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Feudal Chapter Six: The Senior Apparent
During the early parts of the ninth century, the Polish crown was declared to go to the eldest descendant of the High Chieftess Dobrava. That meant that upon Ruslan?s death it would go to High Chief Svetozar, Conqueror of Minsk and Chief among Chiefs.
In practice, Svetozar was already in charge of the realm. He was a backstabber yes, but he was also very very good at juggling the desires of the realm?s many vassals. The Prince was another story.
By contrast, the Prince himself had shut himself inside his estate in Kiev. Rumors swirled that his humiliation at the hands of Svetozar had reduced him to a coward that raved at the world before he slept. The truth was that he was carefully managing the realm?s treasuries and trying to build castles similar to the ones across the Black Sea.
As the Prince was not an active player in realm politics at the time, the intrigue ? and power ? did rest with Svetozar. The Prince was kept in the loop through missives.
Immediately one of our cousins decides he wants the throne of Poland. News for you, Rodislav. I?m next in line and I won?t surrender it.
Oh, you?ve hired some more men? Well have at you!
To the Prince:
-I have heard you have increased the salaries of the palace guard. I hope this ensures you live a contented life.
Sincerely, the High Chieftain
It seems that my brother is investing heavily into Korsun for another castle. I don?t see why I should stop him. His things will be mine when the time is right.
I will admit it is a chore to lead the armies of the realm in the Prince?s stead. But if it gets the vassals on my side when I take power then so be it.
Damn the seers! The religious fervor that swept the realm before our time continues to have ripple effects.
The rebellious Chief I had hoped to free from the Prince?s prison in exchange for a future boon. But the Prince demanded he remain in the dungeons and that some of his lands would go to his sons. A minor setback. Radoslav is a smart kid.
Speaking of minor setbacks, some Polish lords are revolting again. And for once in his damned life Ruslan is taking interest.
He rode out from our ancestral homeland of Turov to meet the rebels.
Excellent news! I hear the Prince is in pain after his side was pierced by a spear. Perhaps the wound will be fatal?
I saw the Prince a few days later on what I hoped would be his deathbed. News of my exploits was spreading throughout the court. My succession, a smooth succession, it is now guaranteed.
Ruslan reemerged with a scar over his right cheek and the doctors proclaim his health was blessed by the gods. Damn the doctor?s eyes, I knew I should have paid up when I had the chance.
Rumors from the Middle East caught my attention. The Armenian Miaphysites, in spite of all the things stacked against them, are holding out against the Abbasids. They have summoned the Church of the East to their lands to discuss a potential united front against the Crescent Men. Of course, they claim it?s peaceful...
To the Prince:
I heard rumors that you are taking lessons from one of the Spymistress?s trusted sources. It is a waste of money.
-The High Chieftain
To the Black Ox:
Nix the manure plan. He knows.
-The High Chieftain
Thanks to machines and techniques stolen from the Byzantines that I?m sure I?d know the names of if I cared enough to pay attention to the Prince, Korsun is now a formalized estate of the Crown.
And then the wars started. Oh, the wars. Two Tengri chieftains decided that the Poles were someone to be trifled with!
One was immediately cast to the ground.
GODS BE BLESSED. The Lithuanians? Again? Why did our lords not seek their destruction again?!
Our allies have refused to help us. We are on our own.
And the Prince, that coward. For his ?divine? recovery and victories he is proclaimed ?the Sword of Triglav?. He is not nearly as holy as I am, nor is his sword so blessed!
Why is he not dead yet?!
News from the front that one of the participants in the war is captured. More gold for our stocks.
Ruslan wanted to finish the war, but I had a peace signed while he wasn?t looking. We need all the men we can muster against the damn Lithuanians.
Our forces mass as they cross back into Poland proper.
THE NOVOGROD PRINCE?! WHY NOW?
HE?S A HERETIC? THIS IS INTOLERABLE. TO WAR WE RIDE.