.

The longboats were ready to depart as the messenger returned.
"I was asked to deliver a message to you."
Morrigan's eyes became small: "Did you agree?"
"Sure", the messenger took the offered mug of mead.
"And, do I wanna hear it?"
"Guess not."
"Well okay, keep it and ask me again, if I seem to be in a mood for it."
"No problem."
"We'll see.", she was laughing and added: "who sent it?"
"A Croatian."
"Hm." Morrigan turned to a tall man near the bow. "Stian, do I know any Croatians?"
A dry "nope" returned.
"The northwind may be both a blessing and a curse sometimes", Morrigan began to grin.
"Right as it's children" replied the messenger.
"True."

A few moments later the vikings were back on their path to the place and time to open the gates to eternity.

QUOTE:
The Treaty of Minsk

1. Withdrawal of Poland and its allied forces from the lands outside their and the Polish borders with the quickest route possible.
2. Withdrawal of Rostov and allied forces from the territory of the Kingdom of Poland and allies with the quickest route possible.
3. All shires to be restored to pre-war status, with Kiev shires to be negotiated per point 9.
4. No reparations will be paid to any of the sides involved in this agreement.
5. The treaty involves all the nations participating in the war and must be signed by all involved as specified in points 5.1 and 5.2.
5.1 Nations on the side of Rostov: Rostov, Finland, England, Denmark, Norway, Saxony, Burgundy, Croatia, Pechenegs, Khazars, Smolensk. Note that because of the current situation, the nations declaring themselves as mercenaries are included officially in order to prevent any retributions.
5.2 Nations on the side of Poland: Poland, Hungary, Serbia, Bavaria, Sweden, Lithuania, Prussia.
5.3 Nations guaranteeing this treaty: The Roman Empire
6. Every signatory nation will guarantee the peace and will have to start a war against signatory nations that break the peace between the signatory states by invading shires owned by other signatory nations. Casus belli does not apply if signatory nations fight on shires owned by countries not mentioned in point 5 or on neutral shires.
7. This peace will last for 3 KH years.
8. Poland renounces any influence or restrictions it imposes in the internal and external politics of Kiev and the countries mentioned in 5.1.
9. The issue with Kiev will be finally resolved with arbitration from the Roman Empire in a separate treaty, however the following points are agreed upon in advance and guaranteed by this treaty:
9.1 Kiev will remain orthodox (requiring an official conversion ceremony) and without Polish knights inside it, any Polish knights will be obliged to leave it 3 months after this treaty comes into effect. That applies for any Polish armies present on Kiev soil throughout the duration of this treaty, their appearance there will be considered an infringement of this treaty.
9.2 Kiev will renounce any agreements with Poland for allied status and will guarantee that no such agreements will occur again in the next 3 years.
9.3 Kiev will be open to settlement by any Russian knights willing to do so.
9.4 Kiev will be provided with 500 silver from the Rostov treasury in order to rebuild its shires within 1 KH year of the final ratification of the treaty.
9.5 The ruler of Kiev will remain the same only after an investigation performed by the Roman Empire on the charge that he is a Polish agent.
9.6 Any other decisions and the status of Kiev shires will be discussed between Kiev, Rostov, Smolensk, the Pechenegs, and the Roman Empire. In case of disagreement, the Roman Empire will provide arbitration and its opinion will be the final one.
10. This Peace Treaty is guaranteed by all sides involved and by the Roman Empire.
11. The treaty comes into effect in the moment when it is signed by all nations mentioned in point 5

*Signed and Sealed*

QUOTE:

To the King of Kiev:

you have attacked a Rostov shire for no recognisable reason. Unless Rostov has given permission for this attack, you have violated the peace Treaty of Rostov. Although this treaty is not legally binding as not all parties have signed this treaty, I myself feel bound to it. So please explain your behaviour.

If this was an accidant, well, then you might as well pay compensation to Rostov for your deed.

Signed and sealed,


Dorenn de Almuin, Khagani of Khazar

QUOTE:

To Kiev:

I am rather surprised that you attacked a shire under our temporary administration while Smolensk was away. Could you please explain your actions?

Valdemar von Vetinari, Foreign Minister of Rostov

QUOTE:
To anyone, who can read and write in Kiev:

to commit an act of war and not reacting to diplomatic inquiries will be potentially lethal, as I might just decide to declare war on you. You have broken the peace treaty that has been signed by most of the countries outlined in the Minsk Peace Treaty. Whether it be binding or not, since not all the mentioned nations have signed, I do not care. If I do not get a satisfactory answer, you will have my declaration of war very soon. At the latest after our tournament to honour the new orthodox monastery in Khazar.

Signed and sealed

Dorenn de Almhuin, Khagani of Khazar.