November Content Update: Notes on a Crisis Pt 1

NOTES ON A CRISIS

6/2/617

Awoken early today. Case White.

To say that this was completely unexpected would be to lie. There are contingencies in place. There are preparations left in waiting for a day which I had hoped would not come, but which has presented itself regardless.

My personal sentiments would drive me to suppress the spread of this intelligence, if only to give myself the time to mourn in private. My personal sentiments must make way for the exigencies of this service which I have now succeeded to. Any attempt to obstruct or otherwise conceal this news for any reason would be seen as duplicity, and such an impression would only serve ill for the credibility of the Crown, a matter of chiefest importance at such a moment.

Halford is due to arrive within the hour. From him, the rest of the realm will be made aware. I may have a few hours subsequent to compose myself before all Aetoria upends itself. I must use that time wisely.

------

6/4/617

Clear now that W. does not intend to challenge the succession. His attitude of these past two days has been the very picture of conciliation. There is no doubt now that he believes patience to be the best strategy.

Perhaps he is right. Once again, the compromises of Edwin the Strong are found to have burnt unevenly on the pyre. Legal precedent renders me both ward and guardian of the powers which have recently come to me. W. may attempt to force a Cortes regency, though such a move would likely strain the bounds of legality - something which he is yet loathe to do.

No, more likely he will attempt some new compromise, to frame himself as a guarantor of my powers rather than a guardian - a position which will outwardly seem to favour me but accrue to himself all leverage. For all that he is a fool in other matters, he remains a champion sophist.

But if I am to deny him such a compromise, I must ensure that he lacks the means to force the issue. Aetoria is a boiling pot which will scald whomever it is tipped towards first. Its base must be made firm before all else.

------

6/5/617

My Lord Halford,

It is not our intention to allow for any deterioration of the splendour and majesty of this institution. However, one forgets himself if one is to believe such aspects anything more than supports for the structure of legitimacy. 

Under normal circumstances, a coronation in the traditional style may serve us well, but given the straitened disposition of much of the country, such a ceremony could very well be seen as an unwarranted extravagance at a time when the country may ill afford it.

The decision stands. We have already spent more than we can spare on mourning white. To triple that expenditure on oranges and blues would be inadvisable at this time.

-IR

------

6/5/617

Sir Daniel,

Regarding your memorandum of yesterday, I must make agreement with all of your points presented therein. That the Highland Regiment must be rated the most trusted corps of the Army save for the Grenadiers in these circumstances cannot be denied, nor might the ability or loyalty of its Colonel in Chief.

However, it is precisely because of these reasons that I must decline to follow the course of actions you have advised.

Firstly, there is the fact that the reputation which has served the Highlanders so well on the field of battle will work against them in the circumstances which you advise deploying them. Few in the city will rest easily with men of such foreign customs and fearsome aspect patrolling their streets, and the very actions which have made your own regiment odious to so many in the city this autumn last are common practise amongst the Kentauri.

Secondly, any prolonged absence from Kentaur by the greater part of Clan Havenport's armed strength will serve to render the whole of the region more unstable. The Highlanders are needed to hold the south more than they are needed here.

Lastly, should the Crown seek to deploy upon the streets of Aetoria a regiment known to be loyal to it, certain interested parties will almost certainly be provoked to rashness, under the impression that we seek to accomplish the very ends which you propose to strive for. It does not serve the interests of the Crown to be seen as attempting the overthrow of its own Cortes by force of arms.

Find another regiment for this task.

-Isobel

------

6/7/617

Discounting the Highlanders leaves me with three potential options, which means I am left with one option.

The Marines would seem fit for the task on first glance, being as they are accustomed to the practise of keeping order aboard ships of war. However, they are not suited for long marches, and I suspect too close to the Admiralty Club, which in turn has fallen under W. and his party.

The Lancers might be more fit to cover ground, but their attitude and their armament make them poorly suited to keeping order. Likewise, to treat them as trustworthy in carrying out the Crown's business would greatly compromise the position of its Colonel in Chief in a manner which will be detrimental to the interests of the country.

That only leaves one corps with the appropriate drill and armament, whose disposition might be agreeable to all parties. That leaves only one regiment which might be called to Aetoria.

------

6/7/617

To His Grace, the Duke of Cunaris

Colonel Commanding, the Royal Dragoon Regiment.

Given the current state of affairs, we have seen fit to place your command at the direct disposal of the Crown for the purpose of maintaining peace, order, and good governance within our capital of Aetoria. In pursuance of that aim, the following measures are to be taken.

Effective immediately, the regiment is authorised to recruit to wartime strength of six squadrons.

Effective immediately, all officers on half-pay are to be recalled to active service.

Effective immediately, the three squadrons comprising the regiment's peacetime strength are to make way for Aetoria, where they will present themselves as fit for service at the Southern Keep in no more than ten days following the receipt of these orders.

Upon arrival, His Grace is expected to present himself at soonest opportunity before the Privy Council for further instructions.

Isobel

General-Royal