Mouth of the Dauva (Post here first)

The morning sun had just barely peaked over the horizon.  Moisture from the wet night hung in the air as Hochmeister Adrian observed the final wave of crusaders board the transport ships.  The cargo had been loaded the previous day, including nonperishable foods, supplies, personal belongings, and armaments.  Most of those boarding the ships were settlers and their families: farmers, miners, builders, laborers, smiths, and woodworkers.  These people would lay the foundations of civilization in Ostfront.

Aside from the settlers the transports were also boarded by the Knight-Brothers, their sergeants and squires, as well as a score of mercenaries.  Adrian had sent ravens to the Brotherhood garrisons scattered across the Overworld, urging them to Vessia to participate in the new crusade.

"We await your orders, sir," came a voice from behind Adrian.  He turned to see the ship's captain, a man named Olav.  Olav was nearing old age, but he was still reliable and efficient.  In his younger years he had been a simple trader, but eventually carved a maritime trading empire along Vessia's northern coasts.  Most of the ships being used on this crusade were owned by Olav, who was generous enough to loan them out.

Adrian nodded at Olav and then turned to look at the fleet.  "We're ready," he said with satisfaction.  A horn blew loudly across the placid harbor; the ships drew up anchor and started to row out into the sea...


He rubbed the tiredness out of his eyes; the ship lulled about, trying to coax him into sleep.  He barely had any rest, staying up late to study the maps of Ostfront.  Some journals and letters, collected from Vessian merchants who had visited the frontier, sat on the opposite end of his desk.  He folded up the map and placed it on top of the books before looking out of the window.  The sun was coming up; it was foggy out, but he could still see the faint light of the sun.  He cursed in his head as he realized morning was upon him.

He turned to see Cerridwyn von Heschburg , who lay on the soft bed on the other side of the cabin.  Olav had been kind enough to allow Adrian and Cerri to sleep in the captain's cabin.  Most of the Knight-Brothers and sailors slept topside; very few sought rest below deck as the smell of dung, piss, and sweat permeated the wooden walls.  He lazily grinned at Cerri, appreciating her beauty.  In the darkness of this world she was his only light.

Helmut along with a small group of other Witch Hunters coming for some additional "purity" had taken a separate ship, with little to no decoration or armament mostly containing torture implements, archives full of ancient documents on the region and files on absolutely every single person present. There was of course, an agent of the organization on every ship disguised as someone else entirely. It was thanks to this that he could have absolute if not direct control of the affairs at hand. 

Helmut had commissioned three Legions (one from every province) to accompany the Crusaders on their path to the Amber Coasts along with convincing some financially interested nobles to come. Still, it was at great expense and best yield results lest the rage of some interest groups be raised at the waste. 

Eventually he made his way to Adrian's ship, standing at one of the broadsides and staring at the Coasts. With a single word a man would be sent along to casually inform Adrian of his arrival; he would only knock once before opening the door. Adrian would not be told of any specific intentions of Helmut or requests but obviously if he came over then there was something that needed seeing to.

Just one moment... That was all they had. A tender moment where Adrian was able to see and feel the growth of the life they had created together. And then the knock came... She felt disappointed that he could not even get a moment to sleep, let alone curl up next to her. But she knew that she had to be patient, she knew that it would be this way.

She lay there and watched his retreating back, and then moved from the bed as soon as the door was shut. She pulled a gown on, it was not a rich one but it was mostly comfortable. It needed to be let out some as her belly started to grow. Cerri sighed and slipped on her shoes so she could get some air.

She left the confines of the cabin and went up to the deck, trying to ignore the smells that greeted her nose. She moved to the rail and looked out over the water, her hands clasping behind her back.

Adrian watched Cerri lean upon the rails of the ship. She was a beacon of light set upon the bleak fog; an island of hope inset on this cold, miserable sea. He was happy, happier than he had ever been - but he also felt sorry, and regretful. How it pulled at his morality and conscious that he had not only broken his vows, but also brought her out to sea. But she would be fine; he would make sure of that. His resolve was unmatched.

He looked away from Cerri and back to the southerly shore, refocusing on what Helmut was saying. "...properly married have you..." the Witch-Hunter continued with his incessant nagging. It could get annoying, and at times nigh intolerable, but the Hochmeister maintained his resolve. Adrian would need all the help he could get, and he knew the Witch-Hunter would pull his own weight.

Adrian mentally sighed and replied to his ally. "Marriage isn't a priority," he said. Any casual or compassionate habits he had adopted during his time with Cerri had all but vanished, except in the Lady's company; the strict, to-the-point tones familiar to him resurfaced in no time, especially now. "The Lady has a role to play in the coming crusade," he continued, "she may prove to be a valuable asset. Above all things, The Lady's touch is good for the settlers' morale; seeing a noble lady like her inspires them."

And indeed it had. If Cerri or Helmut had been paying attention to the non-combatants they would have observed such optimism. It was one thing to be lorded over by war-mongering knights and fanatical witch-hunters, but Cerri's presence seemed to sooth those men, women, and children who shared a common love for peace and gentleness. Her pregnancy would only serve to represent the potential for New Life on the Amber Coast.

"Bring a Priest if you must," Adrian told Helmut, "if we are to be married, it will be like you said: later. The crusade comes first. Our main focus is to establish a beachhead, proper defenses, and a port." Adrian looked back at the rest of the fleet. "The Brothers will provide an adequate defense until the Imperial crusaders arrive."

Adrian paused for a moment and collected his thoughts. "The maps indicate a hillfort along the Dauva. These fortress are ancient, and have been used by the locals for centuries. Women and children may seek refuge in them, and a handful of men can defend the walls against an entire army until a relief force arrives." Adrian shook his head and spoke confidently, "but they are no match for the Brotherhood. We will take the fortress as quickly as we are able. The settlers may seek shelter there if we are attacked, and our soldiers can hold the walls against the pagans. Temporary shelters will be hastily constructed around the fort to provide living quarters for the colonists, and the farmers may begin to lay claim to their plots. Lumberjacks can fell the trees for the necessary supplies with which to build permanent homes and artisan lodgings. Hunters and fishermen will begin collecting food. The miners will be directed to a nearby quarry to gather stone, and the masons will use the stone to replace the wooden hillfort."

Adrian envisioned a stone fortress, surrounded by a growing town, which in turn would be surrounded by a stone wall. It would take time, but it would serve as the heart of the crusading effort. "Best of all," the Hochmeister continued, "this particular hillfort is situated near the river. A port will allow trade to flourish and fill our coffers, and offer suitable docks for arriving crusaders and supplies."