Year 12.328 After the Founders Autumn 58.

News of the victory of Totila and the annihilation of the enemy vanguard threw the entire army into a festive mood.

To commemorate the army’s strict restriction on ale and wine was lifted and the men were allowed to drink for that day. The morale of the entire army was greatly increased by this.

Using this victory, King Kniva began to work on politics, sending many riders to spread the news all over the kingdom, creating a massive propaganda campaign in order to draw more men and nobles to join them, especially the nobility who had yet to move.

The Queen was one first one to be informed, rather than riders, she received a special message via a Sky crow, a type of intelligent monster bird who was domesticated in order to ferry messages, it had the ability to change its color to camouflage(much like octopus) in the sky and even go as high as the clouds. A very rare beast that was mostly used for privileged communication.

Immediately, Cassandra began to work on her agents, spreading rumors, inflating numbers and glorifying the battle through the use of criers, merchants, bards, street performers and even prostitutes.

The result would show itself later, when many men with dreams of riches, glory and lands from all classes would show up to join the army of the king, inflating it’s numbers.

Things seemed to go well for this campaign, however the Lusians and Oderickians were not the only players of this war.

As the queen was giving orders, some concerning information began to show up: There were movements in the other kingdoms, both the Alaric Kingdom and the Teodorico Federation, two nations who had borders with the Lusian Kingdom and were part of the Vasconcy Region, were moving.

Quickly, the queen sent a reply to her husband in order to give him this information. The Sky crow was then sent with haste, and arrived the day after the battle at night.

In the midst of celebrations, Kniva received the message. He was happy for the victory of course, but he knew that many did not wish for this success to continue, so he made a pretense of confidence and boasting while awaiting for his queen's response.

And as expected, when Kniva read the message, much of his happiness cooled down, the two other kingdoms were sending reinforcements for the Oderickians. The only fortunate thing is that they have not yet committed to truly helping the Oderickians, for the reinforcements came only in the form of mercenaries and money for now. Still, this would certainly make up for the losses the Oderickians suffered in the battle.

“This leaves us at square zero again I guess...” sighed the king.

“What’s wrong son-in-law? Are you not enjoying the meat I looted from the enemy camp??” Came Totila with a big piece of meat in his hand and a mug of ale in his other one.

“Here, look at this father(father-in-law)” Kniva handed over the information he had just received.

“Hmmm… Well I guess my hammer is going to get busier, and the wine blender as well .”

It was clear that the previous cheerful mood Totila was in greatly soured, in the past during Eurick, The Harsh’s, time he had faced similar interference, it escalated into a 3 front invasion which resulted in the current state of affairs.

Thankfully the kingdom of Lusian at the time had several great commanders and a better organized army thanks to King Eurick’s policies of meritocracy. Unfortunately while the previous king was a great administrator, knew how to choose his personnel and was himself a great warrior, he was a terrible politician, shunning away many powerful allies and vassals in an attempt to centralize power.

Now, the Kingdom of Lusian enjoyed better political stability while maintaining many of the policies of the previous king from which the kingdom benefited. However, being “better” doesn't mean being great, many of the problems still remain, which is why there is still no sign of the other great nobles moving to support their king, even the Duke Cavadonga, who had previously agreed to join seemed to be dragging his heels.

“I guess we are going to be advancing sooner than expected then.” Affirmed Totila.

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“Indeed, Father(father-in-law), if we wait much longer they might receive more and more men, we have to try to use this victory. For now we shall offer battle to the enemy main army at Catalunia castle.”

“If they dont? We burn everything around them?”. Said Totila with a displeased face.

“... No… these used to be lands from our kingdom, if possible i dont want to resort to pillaging in these lands.”

Pillaging and looting the enemy lands is a common practise in this age, it served to destroy the enemy economy, to show to the adversary’s subjects that they are not being properly protected by their overlord and to obtain resources and supplies. This many times makes at least some of the enemy move in order to protect their property and people.

Even if many Nobles see their people as nothing but money bags and property they still need their loyalty, otherwise they risk a peasant revolt that would cause damage to the aristocrats regardless if they quell it or not, so most try to do the minimum for them at least.

That is why despite being cruel and inhuman, it cannot be said that pillaging is not effective.

Both Totila and Kniva despise pillaging, but unfortunately even they sometimes resorted to it in times of crisis, although they did so against the enemy’s subjects, it sat ill with both of them.

“For now we march towards their smaller towns and castles on the way, too soon to speak about the final battle” - Said the king still wondering about their next move.

“But that “final battle” can’t take long though, we dont have enough resources nor man for a very long campaign.”

“I know father(father-in-law), if we take too long we might have to press even more men into the levy, i dont want that.”

War is a man’s duty in such feudal societies, many have to join when their lord called, but no lord that has campaign experience wants to rely on forced conscripts and poorly equipped militia, so they try to limit their participation in the form of taxes or labour(which logically when such manpower is taken in by the military they stop producing, and this cracks the economy).

“Anyway father(father-in-law), for now, we shall settle for this city.” Kniva pointed toward a considerably large point on the map they were currently looking over.

“ Arrianne, that is an obvious choice, and because of that an obviously well defended one.” Said Totila with a grin face.

Arrianne was a medium sized town with a population of about 25.000+, it bordered a river that was big enough to carry goods and man and also ran through much of Catalunia, making it strategically invaluable. The problem was that everyone knew that so it was well defended with a strong garrison and proper fortification.

If Arrianne was not taken, the Lusians would have to find another place to cross in order to reach Catalunia Castle and still expose their supply lines to the Arrianne garrison, so it was nearly impossible to ignore it.

“Yes father(Father-in-law), I am aware, however we have to take it one way or another. I have some arrangements made but if they do not bear fruit I have a way to take it by force. It will still be brutal however. “

“Then let’s hope your first plan succeeds”

As Totila was about to leave, Kniva stopped him with a question.

“How are my sons, father?”

“The little pupies? Well, their training so far has been good, it seems they grew closer to each other too.” Totila replied, lighting up a bit when thinking of his grand-children.

“Is that so?” Kniva smiled a bit. “What are they doing right now?”

“They are helping to tend to the wounded, we don’t have many casualties so the situation over there shouldn't be too bloody.”

“Isn't it a bit too close to the prisoner's location?“Kniva said, a bit worried.

“Well… Yes, there were few wounded on our side but on the other there was a large number of them, so we set them up closer so it would be easier to treat both.”

“I am going over there.” Kniva got up and was ready to move, however Totila assured him.

“Stop worrying too much your majesty, Recimir and my best men are together with them, besides the boys are way stronger than you think, I can vouch for them even more so for Teia.”

“But…” before Kniva continued, Totila kept going.

“I know you are worried, but we still have to relay our conversation to the war council and analyze our options, we still have to go through all of the reports about scouting, supplies and enemy movements. Well, when i say “we” i mean “you”, hahaha. “

“Ugh…. fine, you’re right.”

“Here is the thing, if you are still worried, send Alexios and his unit to them. That man’s abilities will be able to cover all problems that may happen”

“Indeed, sorry and thanks.”

“Think nothing of it, not like I haven't felt the same way as you just did, anyway let’s get ready for the war council.”

The king sent a call for every company captain of his retinue, for every mercenary commander and the nobles for a war conference. There they would decide the next move of the army, and each of the mentioned people would give suggestions and advice.

In the end, the final decision would be left to the king and the most powerful noble houses, in this case it would be only Totila, the king and the duke of Baeleris, Hevermund who actually speak while the others would only do so when requested. As such no one objected when the plan discussed with Totila was brought up by the man himself, and because of his early victory, many felt confident in his decision and ended the meeting without turmoil.

It was then decided that the army would march toward the city of Arriene, taking small castles and towns in the way.