England's Chancellor James had either nobly sacrificed himself for the good of England or else abandoned them - Bella was not quite sure yet how she was feeling about the matter - either way he had apparently felt The Call of the Wild and was gone.

Now it was up to England's young Queen and Bella to organize all the details James had previously taken care of.
First enquiries had already revealed that they were faced with a mess, a number of English knights were no one knew for sure where.
Apparently James had taken much paperwork regarding applications for joining the Queen's service with him - or never had kept any paperwork, but had instead kept it all in his head.
There were supply trains for the armies and transportation for men and horses to organize, orders to send to the army leaders - it was enough to cause a headache, if Bella had had time for such things.

But right now these details were far from her mind. She grimly buckled on her armor.

The Saxons, apparently judging their young opponents fearsome enemies, had arrived in Holland with three Saxon Regiments, two Italian armies and Finnish Knights in tow. Bella mounted her horse and turned the gelding to better survey the enemy. A host of enemy banners flattered in the wind.

Bella turned back to survey the troops of England and their allies. Though young, they made a brave display and looked to be in good spirits.
"My Countrymen, Allies, Knights. We will fight as Lions and shall meet the enemy as one! For God, our Queen and England!"

Anna got a message from the English Chancellor Bella, on the eve of the great battle of Holland. Perhaps this is the last chance to ever write a letter, because the opponent is strong and numerically superior.
She takes ink and parchment on hand and begins to write:

QUOTE:

To Bella, Chancellor of England, Baroness of North Haven

Dear Bella, I was sure to have met you in the defense of England against the Polish troops. At that time I commanded the Saxon army that was sent to your support.
I was sure to have you met there, but you will be right and I've mistaken for you. Sure we met at the big tournament.
Our scouts report that you also may be in Holland in the English army. They also report that your militia belonging to the elite and are well trained. They say its a really tough opponent and you together with your allies, are stronger as we Saxons, together with the Italians and the Finns. Certainly, this will be a memorable battle, and I wish you all the best, although I can not wish you to win.

Anna von Wassenberg
Countess of Utrecht
Commander of the Utrecht Heavy Guards

Hand over the private correspondence to the English Chancellor Bella, fast!
The despath rider nods and rides toward the English lines, under the banner of truce.

Bella saw a Saxon under a flag of truce riding over from the Saxon armies gathering on the other side of the soon to be battle field in Holland. Bella motioned for him to approach and received the message he bore - but she barely had time to spare for a quick glance at the note and to wave the messenger off again, before the archers got their orders to advance and draw aim and the cavalry drew up position for the charge on the enemy.

Bella thrust the note into her saddle bags, watched a hail of arrows darken the sky, then quickly ducked under her shield. After all the best armor and helmet availed one little, if one stood gaping up at the arrows - they'd be sure to find their way through the visor and any other weak spots of the armor of any fool doing so.

Then it was time for the cavalry to ride into battle, Bella urged her gelding first into a canter, then a full-out gallop, saw a number of knights go down under battle lances, as the front rows of the armies clashed, then had no more time to concentrate on anything but the enemy in front of her. She felt a number of her blows connect, but finally she was unable to block the axe an Italian was swinging at her.

She felt a fiery pain and her vision going black and was just barely able to guide her horse out of the thickest press of the battle to the sidelines, while she recovered.

She reviewed the battle-field. It was a depressing sight. Everywhere she could see the heavily armed and armored Saxons, Italians and Finns with their heavy cavalry overwhelm the lightly armed and armored English infantry, light cavalry and their small, far to small troop of heavy cavalry. The small contingent of Irish and Danish knights and the French fighting at the side of the English knights were not faring any better. Sorely did Bella feel the absence of some of England's best cavalrists and most experienced knights in this battle.

It just was no use. "Call the retreat," Bella ordered. They would have to cede this battle to the enemy. Though, Bella consoled herself, one battle after all does not win the war.

Later, after they had found a temporary camp and seen to the wounded, Bella searched out first King Tristan Aratheon of Ireland, then the King of Denmark Locke and his right hand Kristina.
"You have England's deepest gratitude, for your staunch and unwavering alliance and support, for standing at our side, when we needed you and putting aside the worries and concerns of your own nations to help England. Be assured, we won't forget what you have done for us."

The French knights had already departed in a different direction and it became time for the English troops to move on, too and find a more secure camp.

It was several days later, before Bella was sufficiently recovered and had the time to spare to write a number of letters.

QUOTE:
To Anna von Wassenberg, Countess of Utrecht,

I think you have it backwards, from all accounts I have heard it was surely the English knights, who were defending the Saxon border on the continent in that war.

Well that is gone and in the past.

Regarding the last battle of Holland, we clearly have to cede the victory in that battle to Saxony and Italy.

I regret that there are currently many pressing concerns that prevent me from prolonging this correspondence.

With sincere regards I remain
Bella, Chancellor of England, Baroness of North Haven

QUOTE:
To Graumantel Count of Bremen, to be given to his hands at the Castle of Bremen
or, should she be absent
To the Castellan of the Castle of Bremen

News has reached me that you have imprisoned two English knights, who, being scattered after the last battle and cast adrift in Bremen, found themselves unable to cross the Elbe and depart your lands.

I beg you will have due care for the health of Countess Alane, a lady of advanced years and delicate health. Surely a lady old enough to be your mother deserves some consideration and respect for her gray hairs.

With sincere regards I remain
Bella, Chancellor of England, Baroness of North Haven

QUOTE:
To Vulture, King Consort of England, Roi du France

I know you but planned to finally be united with your wife, Queen Anne and were already hurrying to meet her, when you were forced to return home to take control of your mutinying armies. Thus you arrived in Holland in company with the French army - a most fortuitous happenstance it turns out, since we you were thereby able to fight at the side of your bride, when Holland was invaded by the Saxons and Italians.

I must confess I had some doubts to have the mutinying French knights fighting at our side in that battle and wondered, whether they would refuse to follow you into the battle, but pride in their nation must have won out, they fought most bravely.

Many are the concerns currently weighing on you I know, I foresee dark days ahead of France, if that black sorcerer succeeds in grabbing the reins of rulership out of your hands. May God have mercy on the souls of the French people in that case.

God be with you

Bella, Chancellor of England, Baroness of North Haven

QUOTE:
To Graumantel Count of Bremen,

A Merchant in Bremen heard from a washerwoman working in the castle at Bremen that Countess Alane died from your untender care - and reported this news to us, as soon as his ship docked in England.

This is an outrage! You were told that she was in delicate health. You have killed her, an unarmed woman under your care, as surely, as if you had thrust a sword through her breast. Know that I am holding you personally responsible for the murder of our valiant Countess, a sin which will surely lie on your soul evermore. Moreover I have heard that you are likewise holding her daughter Liliam hostage, who went to be at her mother's side in her hour of need.

Be sure that this is not the last you have heard on this matter!

Bella, Chancellor of England, Baroness of North Haven

Fishermen reported the approach of ships flying the banners of Britain's enemies sailing towards the British Isles - Saxony, Croatia, Finland, Italy, Burgundy were all reported to be present - though later reports said that amongst the forces, who had then landed in Berwyck, only Saxony, Croatia, Finland and Italy remained.

Bella, remembering the atrocities reported from other battle-fields, said a prayer for the people in Berwyck, then turned her steps towards the Council that had been called, to discuss what steps should be taken next.

The conclusion was clear - Humberland and York could not be defended and would have to be evacuated. Order's were given to the peasants to leave their farms and homesteads. Fields that were burned could be replanted, while lives could not be that easily replaced. Most of the peasants followed their queen's command, merely a stubborn handful remained behind, refusing to abandon their possessions.

Bella sorely missed a second Chancellor to share her duties with. Moreover, James, when he left, apparently had taken half of the staff of the Chancellery with him - at least he must have, Bella assumed, for many clerks were missing, while piles of correspondence accumulated and Bella was falling behind on her work.

Some of which she however now had time to do.

QUOTE:
To Jessica vom Greifenstein, Queen of Finns, Sovereign of Saxony,

the Countess Alane recently died in Bremen. I am asking you to ensure that her grave is decently upkept and enclose this Alabaster Sculpture of the Virgin Mary to cover the costs. Her daughter Liliam was recently released from her imprisonment in Bremen upon your orders I hear, for which you have my thanks. If she should desire to arrange for the moving her mother's mortal remains to England, I trust you will have no objection.

Bella, Chancellor of England, Baroness of North Haven

Bella hoped she was in time and the Saxons, some of whom were said to be quite parsimonious, had not put her in some pauper's grave.


Further letters would have to wait for now, Bella had to go see to her horse, who had begun to look rather colicky in the last days - which might have been caused by bad fodder - and to check whether any other cavalry mounts suffered from similar ailments.

Since the day the bad news about a countess dieying in the prisons of Bremen had passed the Queen of Finns received the letter of the Baroness of North Haven.

Quickly she orderd ink and paper to write an answer on her request.

QUOTE:
Dear Bella, Chancellor of England, Baroness of North Haven,

my condonlence about the recent loss you had to suffer. We pray your Queen will become comprehensible so events like these won't need to happen again.

The corpse of the former countess Alane was brought to Hannover, buried on a graveyard with many saxon nobles like my own father where Saint Vitus is keeping watch over them. I am certain the cemetary maintenance will also find a place where your gift is well placed.

About moving her dead body to her english homelands we do certainly not doubt, even we hope young Lilliam is willing to wait until this war has ended so it may be done in the needed devotion and dignity

In kind regards
Jessica vom Greifenstein
Queen of Finns
Sovereign of Saxony

"Damn", Bella thought, looking down at her loyal charger, who had not recovered from the colic and breathed his last. "Double damn. This is the last thing I need in the middle of a war." But there was no help for it. Sighing Bella went down to the horse market - but naught was on offer, save the most inferior backyard bred nags.

Nostalgically Bella recalled the events, through which her loyal charger had carried her, the battles and tourneys; meeting King Borna at the last tourney in London and discovering that the gelding had once been his. For a moment she wondered, whether to send him a messenger, to tell him that his old horse was dead. But then she recalled the wars and massacres that had since taken place and her heart hardened. No. That friendship was over and done with.

Bella broke the seal of the letter a messenger in Saxon livery brought her. "Oh, oh, oh, the Saxon sovereign is a philistine!" Bella thought upon reading Jessica vom Greifenstein's letter. Didn't she know that alabaster was plaster stone and would be washed away if left exposed to the elements for even a few months?

Well, no need to send a reply, the way things were looking, they'd soon meet on the field of battle and would there have the opportunity to speak in person.

But it came otherwise. When England's knights, with the Scots beside them, rode out to meet the Saxons and Finns in Gloucester, the banner of the Saxon Sovereign was nowhere in sight.

Well, Bella had no further time to spare for such thoughts, the troops were mustering. Bella rode over to the contingent of peasants, who had marched over from her own Barony of North Haven, to help defend their hearths and homes.

"We're fighting for queen and country, with God on our side, for our cause is just!" Bella called to them and wheeling her horse gathered him for the charge on the enemy.

In the subsequent battle the English and Scottish knights flattened the Saxons and Finns.

"We won, we won, we won!" Bella cried exuberantly, falling upon the necks of the knights standing closest to her. "Oh bravely fought. Oh well done."
"Not that there were many of them", a knight muttered.
Bella brushed the comment aside. "Who cares? We'll throw the lot of them back into the sea they came from. After them, before they can escape!"

As one of those Scots who fought beside yea, may I offer my condolences on the loss of your charger.

I am too young to know the bond that exists between man or woman and the beast that carries them on a daily basis into battle. We sometimes forget that when we feel fear they also do, when we are elated so are they.To loose such a trusted ally at a time like this is tragic indeed.

My advice Madam, for what it is worth, is to refrain from purchasing a replacement until this inconvenience with the trespassers is over and then to go North to Scotland where we are famed for our horses, particularly our Clydesdales who are the perfect working horse for battle.

I would be only too willing to escort you myself and show you the prime Markets. I realise that most females take much more care in the choice of what they ride than doth the male of the species, so I am well aware that you would be quite capable of sourcing your own replacement.

Regrettably one cannot predict whenthis might happen because one doesn't know when those Saxons, Finns and Croats will take the hint and return to their homelands and leave us God fearing Peace loving souls alone.

The majority of us fighting feel that this has gone on long enough and it is time that they stopped attempting to rape and pillage along the length and breadth of England and Scotland.

Wars is for Kings and Queens, but regrettably if they will nae listen then they will have to have the trumpet thrust in their ear by the common man so that they can hear the message being delivered.

Remember my Lady between these two great nations of ours you will never walk alone.

Bella had been introduced to a number of the Scottish nobles, who had fought at the sides of the English knights in many battles, but had so far had opportunity to converse with but a few of them. She was glad to find opportunity to remedy that lack.

"Lord Nivek I thank you for your concern and consideration.

And you are quite right, this bag of bones" - she gestured at the sorry nag - "is most certainly no replacement for my noble charger. It carries me from one place to another - but that is all that can be said in it's favor. Can you imagine, what would happen, if I attempted to ram a charger mounted on that? I'd find myself down in the dust - and moreover probably underneath that clumsy beast - in three seconds flat. Look at it, it is no higher than 14 hands and weighs 60 stones at most I'd warrant. While for a proper shire horse the mares are at least 16 hands tall, the stallions easily 17 hands tall and have more than double that weight. A rather different proposition I'm sure you'll agree. Why, if I attempted to equip the nag with proper barding and armor, it would collapse under the weight, I would not be surprised.

Yes, I'd be most interested to see other horse markets. Horse breeding, as everyone knows, is a tricky business and many a line has failed for lack of fresh blood or through some fault in the stud, recognized too late.


But forsooth Lord Nivek, I must reproach you, serving the will of your king should be your prime goal and consideration. It is my pleasure and privilege to fight for the honor of England and of my Queen.


My thanks however for your assurances, verily, as long as our two nations stand together, the sure support and staunch loyalty of our brothers will help us master every calamity.

But onwards now, the armies won't wait on us."

While Bella wondering about Queen of Saxony,many miles away...

Franken,Saxony

Derg recieving report from officer

" My lord,there is a thing you must hear!Incredible!Soldier Srboljub !Come here!Tell to Lord Derg whats happen!"

Short but firm man entered with broad shoulders,looked like a made it from stone,just bones and muscles but with gently simple face..

" Khm,khm,if i may,Boss... - man said blushed in face ,with restless fingers...

" Boss, I am brother third knee,from mother side of your fathers late servant Radoje"

" I remember you,you are smithy isnt you?I have even today dagger my father gave me and you made it without any ornaments ,just with serbian shield engraved,you are known as Srba Mrga! Srba Silni! -Derg smiled ( mrga - untranslatable something like - thumping )

" Yes Boss ,people call me,but i am peacefull man,my late ma' was a huge woman and god give you the best,she did bring me on the world with strong hands" - man smiled blushfuly

" So tell me Srboljube whats happend?"

" After the battle I cathed some woman with parts of armour and saxonian crest,not so preety ,poor thing,she tried to strugle but ..."

" Yeah strugling is not a way with Srba Mrga " - Derg laughed

" Yeah Boss ,so poor thing snort like a cat in february,remeinded me on Cvijete sheep hearder in our native place boss,so i felt sorry and left her to go.poor thing,maybe next time will listen her father and dont mess with man's work,will stay at home,they had a some money I can say,will easy find oporunity for marriage,poor thing"
Soon after that I've notice a a shred of her cape with personal crest in my hand. I've tried to get her into my strong hands, she dodge and I get only the cape it seems.


Man grab the shred from his belt and showed to Derg the crest...


"Srbo sunce ti kalajisano..." - Derg was astonished

The crest were of Jessica , Queen of Saxony