The War for Rheinland and Alana's Return

There is another short war for the Duchy of Rheinland. Old Duke Elbert finally met his maker and it resulted in a succession war since the old man did not issue a will as to who would inherit his lands and position. There were many who brought for their claim and you were one of them. Some of the claimants backed off immediately after you pressed your claim. Other stubbornly decided to fight on and consequently lost. With each battle, you lost men but the surviving men grew battle hardened and gained experienced in fighting. Just as you gained experience in leading them.

The Duchy of Rheinland is now under your control and you appoint a noble who was the first to side with you as the new Duke of the region. A short celebration is held as well as the first step to proper integration. But soon you leave for home.

"My King, you've done it! Ostgrenze is bigger than ever! All within the first years of your rule! Impressive work!" says Otto with pride and mirth.

"Impressive work indeed, Otto. But this was not the work of one man. The soldiers and generals of Ostgrenze had a big hand in this as well. Rheinland is ours. Now Gunther has more work to do."

"My King!" A man quickly approaches, "I beg your pardon, my King. But Dowager Queen Alana is here to see you."

You see that Alana has set up a huge tent for herself. A guard at the entrance lets you in and inside is Alana with her belly round and heavy with child. Alana dismisses the guard. With her right hand caressing her swollen belly and a beckoning finger from her left hand, she tells you to come closer. You look at her though with stern eyes and walk none to please to her.

"Why do you give me that look, young King?" she asks playfully and rhetorically.

"Alana, has your pregnancy progressed well?"

"Oh I'm hurt, young King. You are concerned for the child within and not the mother."

"I will take that as a yes." You roll your eyes.

Alana laughs, "The child is almost ready to come into the world. I have decided to come to Ostgrenze and visit my dear Queens Camilla and Helga and see their children." Your eyes narrow threateningly hearing that. "Perhaps, if you would allow it, my child and their children will grow up like siblings."

Alana takes your hands and puts them on her stomach and whispers, "After all, they all came from the same seed."

“What exactly do you want, Alana?” You feel the child stirring within.

“Can I not play nice with you, young King?” She smirks. “But to answer your question, well... that is a secret. What do I want? You’ll know when I already have it. I am to give birth soon. You know what? I want you to stay here with me until the child is born. We both know how much you want to be there for the births.”

“We leave two days after it’s born and not a day sooner.”

“Cruel.” She plainly says back.

You leave her tent and go find Otto. When you do find him, you give him one command, “Otto, send word to the other commanders. Tell them to go on home ahead of us.”

“We’re not going with them, Sire?”

“No, not until Dowager Queen Alana gives birth.”