No news is good news

"Your Highness! Your Highness, madam, a thousand apologies for this interruption, but a despatch marked 'Quick' has just arrived from Schloss Neuhaus. I am afraid Highness, that it is not good news."

"My wife, von Smallhausen...?"

"No, no Highness, nothing of that ilk... but it is important..."

"Very well, madam, if you will excuse me...? Pray continue at your ease here, I am persuaded you will not have to wait overlong for the Herr Oberst."

"Of course, Your Highness."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Now, von Smallhausen, what is so urgent?"

"Perhaps you had best read it for yourself, Your Highness."

"Very well, give it here. Now..."

'Quick'

'3 April 1701

To Margraf Albrecht, Commander in Chief of Our Army

Your Highness,

I beg to report that as Commander of Your Home Army, I have today, in consequence of a series of incidents along our border with the Vikmark, and with the concurrence of Herr Otto Flick, placed our Landwehr forces in Kreis Hulstein, Kreis Schlessen, Kreis Kielland and Kreis Flensbergen on active service. In addition I have warned the remainder of the Home Army to prepare for service in the immediate future.

Gerhardt von Prostler
Generalleutnant'

'3 April 1701

To His Highness, Margraf Albrecht of Ober Nord Westfalen

Your Highness,

I regret to inform you that during the past week (commencing 26th ult) there have been a series of incidents along our border with the Vikmark. These incidents have taken the form of raids by persons in civilian attire, yet with the bearing of military men. Such raids have, for the most part, been restricted to barn and house burnings and the theft of livestock, there have, unortunately, been five cases of loss of life. All loss of life has occurred when our citizens strove to defend themselves and their property gainst the raiders.

Accordingly, I have requested Generalleutnant von Prostler to embody the Landwehr in the four northern Kreise, and to stand-to the remainder of his force.

I attach a draft of a note of protest, which with your approval, I propose to cause to be delivered to Prinz Svein.

I remain, Your Highness, your Most Obedient Servant,

Otto Flick

- - - - - - - - - - -

To His Highness Prinz Svein of Vikmark

Sir,

I write to protest the recent wave of incursions from the Vikmark into the sovereign territory of Ober Nord Westfalen.

I further give you notice that if an immediate cessation of such incursions does not immediately take place, then Ober Nord Westfalen will take all measures necessary to protect and ensure the integrity of her borders.


O Flick
Head of the Sekratariat to His Highness The Margraf of Ober Nord Westfalen'

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"You have read this, von Smallhausen."

"Of course, Your Highness."

"Yes, yes, of course you have. Tare an' Hounds! What a time for this to happen!"

"If you will permit, Your Highness?"

"Yes?"

"It occurs to me, Your Highness, that the timing of these attacks may not be entirely coincidental."

"And your meaning is...?"

"If Your Highness recalls, our preparations for this campaign have from the outset been plagued by a series of misfortunes. Both my respected superior, Herr Flick, and myself are convinced that these misfortunes owe more to the hand of human malignity than to chance."

"Yes, yes... von Smalhausen, I must think. Please arrange for a Council of War this evening. All general officers and Oberst Bruchmuller to attend. And yourself of course... and Oberst Wetherby... Wetherby, von Smallhausen, where is he? You did pass the word for him?"

"Of course, Your Highness! I shall send another runner instantly."

"No... do not send a runner, but rather, go yourself. You do know where he is quartered?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Very well, see to it."

"Directly, Your Highness."