After the British armies had routed their enemies in Gloucester Bella had hoped for a quick victory and end to the war. Unfortunately it came otherwise, the Saxon, Finnish and Croatian armies were tough enemies and no victory could be won without luck and much effort.

The British forces had to content themselves with making progress slowly and had to weather a number of setbacks - oh well, it was a well known adage that if at first one did not succeed one just had to try again.

Now the Brits had just bought the rebellious peasants of the Upplands back under control, who had a while become partisans to the Finns. Some knights set out to see, whether any Finnish or Saxon knights might be hiding behind the skirts of the farm-wives, but Bella judged this a futile persuit. She settled down against the bedroll in her tent instead and put up her legs on her saddle-bags - the next battle would no doubt come soon and one had to get what rest one could.

At least only some of the Saxon forces had invaded England so far - though some Saxon reinforcements had been sighted by coast guards. Still, Bella said a prayer of thanks for those armies, who were said to have carried war to the Saxons own lands, keeping several Saxon regiments busy at home.

It would appear that God was having a little nap today for verily he was paying no head to the good and righteous people of England and Scotland.

For today the great armies of these two nations were for some unbeknown reason allowed to suffer an ignominious defeat in the hands of those that some would call treacherous opportunists.

Now as a mortal man it is obviously not within my remit to try and second guess the reason for this. However, I have enough belief in my faith to realise that God doth these things for a reason. He/she knows that right is on the side of the English and Scots and therefore to temporarily abandon them this day should be very worrying for the enemy host for obviously there is a purpose to this action.

That purpose can only be to inflict even greater hardship on the enemy when the true time of reckoning approaches.

If I were on the side of the victors of today's battle at Uplands I would be extremely worried because vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord and Vengeance I am sure will be forthcoming should the good Lord see fit. If I were the enemy I would seek to bring an end to this war because although they are Leagues from their home land, wrong doing is wrong doing no matter where you do it.

The Armies of the righteous have been stung and wounded and the Scottish nation as well as the English has been invaded and Shires lost. The true Scottish man in the streets is so angered that we are having to turn away volunteers to our armies such is the venom against those nations that dare to trespass on our lands.

Our Kirks and Chapels are full with the nation offering up prayers to its army and take head those prayers will be answered!!

Amidst the war in England, finally there was some cause for joy and celebration: A new English Princess was born in August 1051.

Bella, whose means were somewhat straightened due to the campaign, searched high and low, till she found a merchant who still had some wares to offer and bought a warmly padded silk blanket embroidered with butterflies for the little princess. The merchant demanded an exorbitant price - but well, everyone knew that silk had to travel all the way from Cathay - Bella sighed and paid the man.

Bella then set out with this offering to tender the Queen her congratulations. Bella wondered, while wending her way through the tents of the encampment, whether Vulture knew yet that he was a father - though had he had any proper husbandly feelings, he should surely have rushed to his wife's side, while she was thus encumbered.

Still, the queen had all of the English knights at her back, who would, to the last man and woman, lay down their lives for the protection of the young princess, Bella was sure. A pity that the queen's great uncle, the Scottish king, could not be present for the event - and the battle that would surely soon be fought again, judging from the scouts reports.

Long and raucously did the English knights celebrate their victory against the Saxon, Finnish and Croatian armies at Cheshire. A battle England had won without even the help of her allies. "For once everything, just everything went right," Bella sighed happily and took another sip from her mug of wine.

And even greater was the jubilation, when the coast guard reported that the invaders had disembarked from Britain, taking course on the continent, their declared goal being to hunt Danes and to return to Britain later. "Well," Bella said, "one thing at a time. For now we are well rid of them and can enjoy our breathing space."

But only a few days later, an urgent communication arrived from King Tristan Aratheon of Ireland: Sails of Icelandic ships had been sighted off the Irish coast.

"What," Bella exclaimed, "do they truly plan to attack our Irish Brothers - what's more our baby siblings practically?" Bella liked the Irish king, the young man did indeed remind her of several of her younger cousins.

"Don't they know that since the time of Agorian de Wolfe was King of England, the Assembly of the British Isles
has been in place - with only a few years interruption in between?" It seemed high time to send a messenger to the Icelanders and ask after their intentions - only it was so late in the evening - Bella sank down on her bedroll. "Tomorrow, I'll do it tomorrow," she murmured and went off to sleep.

Italy had held England's shires of Flandern and Holland occupied for an insulting length of time.

Bella's recent message to the young prince Owaen Rhodry, heir to king Rhodry of Italy, urging him to hurry home - taking his armies with him, went without saying - and leaving the English lands had gone unanswered. It therefore seemed high time for England to do something about the matter.

And now - Bella eagerly scanned the horizon, to see whether the messenger, she had sent out for news, had returned yet - for now a most tantalizing rumour had come out of Dauphiny...

Britain's and Italy's forces finally met in battle in Dauphiny, with Britain emerging victorious.

"Reports are the Italian forces abandoned their king in their hurry to retreat from Dauphiny - find him. Since he is of royal blood offer him every courtesy, ask him with all politeness to accompany you to the castle yonder - but do not take no for an answer," the English soldiers were told.

Thus it came that shortly later Owen Rhodry, accompanied by two of his counts, was escorted to the castle, sitting at the top of a hill in Dauphiny and left in a room at the top of the castle keep, with several sheets of parchment, quill and ink and the information that the British leaders were still expecting a reply to whether the Italian armies were going to return to Italy and cease hostilities against Britain and occupation of English shires...

Many battles were fought by Britain against the Italians, who were aided by Saxons, Burgundians and others - and recently they had even gone so far to call upon the infidel Muslim Sicilians and Fatimids. The war raged on - both on the continent and in Britain.

Then one day Bella received a letter from her family. She considered the matter for a while, but finally her course of action was clear. She arranged matters with her family's retainers, ordered her affairs, then wrote to her queen:

QUOTE:
To Anne de Flandre, Queen of England,

my queen, I have recently received news from my cousin, who married a foreigner and lives in foreign parts. She is in great need of help. I have served England and Your Majesty since I reached adulthood and was made a knight. But the call of blood is stronger even than these loyalties.

I therefore crave your permission to leave your service.

England is currently fighting a war - and normally I would not leave my nation in the middle of a war. Unfortunately I am not sure, when an end to this war may be in sight and my family's affairs cannot bear an indefinite delay. A few more months can make no great difference to my cousin anymore, so if you so desire I will remain in your service till the beginning of June, lest current battle plans be disrupted. But at 1.6.1053 at the latest I must set out to go to my cousin's aid.

Likewise I can relinquish my responsibilities as Chancellor of England at once or at the beginning of June, as Your Majesty pleases. Should there be any questions regarding the English Chancery, I expect to remain within easy reach of messengers.

Regarding my own plans, I will make known all further details, once my mission has been successfully accomplished.

Respectfully yours

Bella of North Haven

To Baroness of North Haven

Dear Bella,
It's an unbelievable news. After James left ,again we are going to lose you. So sorry to hear about your cousin. If there is anything I can help, please just let me know. Your are so amazing, charming and Intellectual. I know I won't be too sad about this because I know it won't be permanent. You will always in this country and between us. Just remember you always have a friend in England and you can always count on me. Take care of youself.

Best,
Richard

QUOTE:
To Richard of Wessex, interim Earl of Berry,

my Lord, I thank you for your well wishes. Be assured, I will always regard my life in England with fondness and if you should ever take up travelling on your own and wish to rest at my hearth, you will ever be welcome.

But I do indeed hope this new endeavour, I am setting out on, will bear permanent and lasting fruits.

Bella of North Haven

Having obtained the queen's permission to leave her service, Bella then called for her squire to pack up her tent, saddled her horse and rode out of the English encampment, on her way towards her new life.

Rumors spread like a fire...england armies are close and some of that rumors pigeons delivered from england camp..

- Only english women i can talk with seems to be going somewhere...pitty,guess I wouldnt need english scribe anymore.

Servant just noded and left tent ,Derg turned to table and looked on reports and maps