The Duchy celebrates your son's birth

The news spread quickly throughout Ostgrenze: Heinrich's wife Adanech has given birth to his firstborn son, Friedhelm.

Celebrations broke out as the people drank and made merry, praying for a bright and stable future for their homeland, Christian and Hebrew alike, that centuries later it would yet survive and endure as a nation where Christians and Hebrews alike can coexist in peace.

Yet even as the Duchy was overtaken by a brief mood of jubilance, the optimism was tempered by cautiousness as they remember being surrounded by Christian nations who fall under the Papacy's sphere of influence; they are a small duchy despite being the leader of the Almaini Confederation, and while some would find it embarrassing and even humiliating, it was in fact a boon in disguise.

No one bothered to even consider Ostgrenze unless it did something extremely Un-Christian, and the Papacy unofficially tolerated their acceptance of Hebrew migrants for the time being. The Slavic Kingdoms to the far east were far too busy skirmishing with each other for control of land, the Italican City-States were fractured as always, and the Kingdom of Francois embroiled in civil war.

Thus for the next three years, Ostgrenze was allowed to grow its strength and power in relative peace. Its population grew and its armouries and granaries stocked to the brim. Castles and fortresses were heavily fortified and patrols diligently carried out their solemn, boring tasks. The military was revamped from the ground up, now forming a far more cohesive, numerous and organised high command.

Their first true test would come in the year 1124 AD, when the barbarians to the east launched raids on small towns and villages for plunder.

Such a raid on the Confederation could not go unanswered, and as the Duke of Ostgrenze you sent out a call-to-arms to all Dukes and Counts, mustering your own troops for war.

It was time to baptise your new army in blood and fire.

Like most medieval European armies, the Confederation armies were a hodgepodge of feudal levies from different lords who brought their own banners, an avalanche of colours as far as the eye could see. Levies in general wore only basic chainmail and a surcoat bearing their lord's coat of arms with a conical helmet, leather gloves and boots. Half-plate armour was a luxury, and full-plate armour a wealthy luxury only the nobles could afford. Archers and levies patrolled the expedition camp while the rest went to sharpening their swords, polishing their armour or preparing meals around campfires.

The armies of Ostgrenze were a sight to see; polished lamellar armour and sharp swords and spears that looked superior to the levies' equipment; troops marching in lockstep formation with precision and efficiency, carrying themselves with confidence. Many nobles looked jealously at the troops of Ostgrenze, but the sons of Ostgrenze paid them no heed.

In the command tent, you gathered with various noble commanders - many of them experienced with barbarian raids - as you convened the war council.

"Gentlemen, we are here to deal with yet another round of raids by the barbarians to the east, as we have always done," You began, "Lord Siegfried, if you will."

Count Siegfried von Harkon, an aged veteran commander of sixty years, nodded at your words and stepped forward as he moved tokens on the map.

"The leader of the barbarian raids is a Chieftain named Vertrix, who was responsible for raiding the Kingdom of Boiiar to their east and even went as far as plundering the estates of both the Church and nobility alike," He began, "He is an exceptionally cunning and charismatic individual who single-handedly beat back a Slavic coalition while outnumbered three-to-one. He is currently the elected Warchief of the Magruvak Tribes, commanding an army sixteen-thousand strong while we brought along half that number."

"Less than half of what I hoped for, but we shall have to make do," You nodded, "We have to keep our borders guarded, and it was not long ago our Kingdom fought a devastating civil war. Anyone have any ideas on how to proceed?"

"I do, Your Grace," Siegfried nodded, "We lure the bulk of their army to a battlefield of our choosing and then attack hard and fast, smash their might to pieces. It is the fastest and most effective way to defeat the Magruvak, and time is of the essense."

"How do you propose we lure them out, Baron Siegfried?" A noble called out.

"Issue a challenge to Vertrix personally, **** him to attack you," Siegfried answered, "The Magruvak are a proud people with a strong martial tradition, and do not like any challenge or insult in general. Vertrix himself is particularly proud and prone to being provoked to such taunts."

"I have another idea, Your Grace."

"Viscount Sigmar?" You asked.

Sigmar von Graf was much younger than Siegfried - a man in the prime of his youth - yet similarly battle-hardened and cautious like Sigmar, though more willing to take risks compared to his elder counterpart.

"While I do agree with the logic of Count Siegfried's plan, we cannot say for sure if the rest of the Magruvak will not retaliate for the **** of their Warchief," Sigmar pointed out, "Remember that they are not a cohesively united kingdom but a union of tribes, each with their different agendas and interests. Furthermore, Vertrix has shown himself to be a highly cunning individual who has beaten back other armies from Boiiar and other Slavic states, so chances are he will refuse the duel."

"What would you suggest, then?" You inquired.

"We launch an attack and defeat the Magruvak in conventional battle, strike with all speed and strength and give them no reprieve," Sigmar suggested, "We attack in waves to continuously tire them out and rotate units with each battle. That way, we can keep the pressure and chip away at their strength and gradually **** the confrontation with Vertrix that Count Siegfried suggested."

"I like your idea already, Sigmar," Siegfried smiled, "Of course, we may have to make adjustments as the war unfolds, but I cannot find much fault with this strategy."

"Then it's decided," You said, "We march at dawn tomorrow."

"By your will, King Heinrich," They bowed.