For Heolstor, Petra, Swift, Aelasuria, Salen, and others who will be involved in the Aquae Granni operation, Theoderic holds a briefing with the basic Geography.

Mos Trajectum has been, for years, the northeast point in Belgica.  It is the home of the youngest of the Dukes of Belgica, Duke Gwalthus.  Gwalthus is heir to a line of Merovingian warrior-leaders, and is actually a second cousin to Theoderic, on his father’s side.  His family was put there precisely because they had a reputation as brave fighters.  Mos Trajectum is home to an important bridge across the Meuse River.   This great stone bridge is part of the main Roman road that connects the northern Rhine River area to Belgica and the west.  The Huns have tried and failed repeatedly, attempting to take the bridge.

The Meuse River has played an important part in defending the city- in fact, the Meuse River Goddess has made her presence known, helping to defeat several Hun attacks.  The most recent battle at the bridge was the battle that saw the defeat of the demon-spawned witch Zerova.

Between the Meuse and Rhine Rivers are a string of towns, most along the road, but one key one off to the side- Aquae Granni.  This is a hot springs temple complex, dedicated to the god Apollo.  The land is mostly flat or low hills, with forest.

The plan has several parts.  Duke Gwalthus’s troops have patrols on the east side of the river, but never far from the bridge.  The Ardennes Elves (from the south, Leudica is one of their towns) also have patrols, and the Huns have patrols.  It will be necessary to slip (or fight) through the patrolled area, and reach the towns, and examine the towns to determine how what the Huns have there, and what can be done to defeat them.  Aquae Grannis is the prize, but Theoderic would not mind liberating several of the other towns in the area… but not too far.  He does not want to take more than his troops can protect in his absence.

A Map of the area.  Mos Trajectum is at the far west.  At the east edge is Colonia Agrippinia, a major city under Hun control.

Distances:  From Mos Trajectum it is 14 miles to Coriovallum, and from Coriovallum it is 19.5 miles to Juliacum.

 

Aelasuria has a seat quietly looking briefly at the others that might be gathered with a quick smile. She was happy to sit in on the strategy meeting, however that was largely Theo's purview. She would wait to perhaps add something after others had a chance to discuss things. At the very least they would have to take Aquae Granis which everyone knew. The question would likely be how many towns would they dare to liberate considering each one would require a proper garrison to protect the people and hold it.

She decides to ask Theo softly since she wasn't familiar with everyone present. "I think Swift will be doing most of the scouting? I can with proper preparation do certain forms of scouting myself if you need it Theo."

Graehl stood to one side, leaning against the wall and seeming to attempt to blend in with whatever shadows were available. He dressing in a plain hooded robe and carried a staff in weathered and scarred hands. He kept his silence for the moment.

A Saxon warrior cloaked in green sat still and mindful as Theoderic explained his operational concept. He sat beside a beautiful woman with hair like molten gold, resplendent where he was grim. Atop the warrior's shoulder perched a crow, mirrored by the raven stitched across Heolstor's leather vest. From where they sat Heolstor did not stir, but for a tapping of one of fingers atop the pommel of his blade.

When Aelasuria broke the silence he followed in, voice curious yet grounded in the weight of what they did."How many of your men do you plan to lead directly to the town? Or are we few to take it and wait for your soldiers to reach us."

"There is risk to the first: of discovery... but also speed, violence of action, and opportunity. The more damage we inflict, both physical and imagined, the greater the doubt we forge in his vassals' minds." Heolstor suggested. "I am no scout by trade... but I know the druidic arts. Petra too can be your eyes, she has her tricks."

Petra nodded in concurrence with Heolstor's words; gladdened he had chosen to endorse this cause. It was the one that resonated most strongly with her. And there was assuredly much worth winning, here.

The necklace of silver sigils that she wore marked her as priestess.  And marked her fealty to the Germanic gods of her northward home, for those literate in such symbology.

After Theoderic had answered Heolstor's queries, she had some of her own:

"This Goddess of the Meuse...can she be communicated with?  Would it be possible to coordinate with her, at all?  Perhaps a river goddess would be sympathetic toward the rescue of a natural spring. Given the association of water." 

"It's been done," Theoderic says, "by those who've had need, and honor the goddess.  As I understand it, she helped at the battle at the bridge, when Zerova was destroyed.  But on the other hand, when the Huns attacked Namaco, which is also on the same river, she... well, maybe there was something.  But not as much as was seen at Mos Trajectum.  Do river goddesses get tired?  What is it you are thinking of?  To cross the river away from the bridge, where the Huns might not notice?"

Then he turns to Heolstor.   "Yes, we have to inflict damage, and it must be painful to them.  The best outcome of this, no matter how many towns we take, is that the lesser warlords complain to the Emperor to come to their aid, and he does not.  But we have to do without the large forces we had before.  As to how many men... well, that's where our scouts come in.  I intend to have the enemy well scouted out from the inside, before hand.  We can get into those towns.  Magic, or scaling the walls, or whatever it takes.  Wooden horse, if we think it will work.  Therefore, we shall be in two groups- one to get inside a town, and one to make the attack from outside.  Those of you who can shape change.. let me know."

Duke Barstow, Duke of Lucimburic and lord of the Werefolk, raises his hand.

Theoderic smiles.  "But you're not going, Barstow."

"I know, I know, but a few of my finest will be.  The battle of Beda whetted their appetites."

"Such beings do indeed have their limits," offered Petra.  "And I would not wish to be presumptious toward this one, nor tax her beyond any of hers.  But, aye; crossing at another locale did cross my mind." She glanced toward Heolstor. "Or, perhaps, some timely interference, of some sort, against the enemy. At a point where we might be near to the Meuse." 

"When we strike we should perhaps take out a lesser warlord or two along the way. If the orc Warlords truly feel their lives are on the line they will be aggressive in demanding what they feel they need. We should also take out any orc that is clearly high ranking of any warlord we intend to leave alive to complain. Plus any that obviously have magic which will help to cripple certain warlords making them feel incredibly vulnerable. Possibly prompting one warlord to attack another. It's just a thought as perhaps the plan simply calls for simply taking out a few warlords and their followers which would also accomplish the goal."

Smiling when Duke Barstow raises his hand speaking softly to him. "You would always be welcome Duke Barstow. Well if we want to do lightning fast strikes and move on perhaps we could have two large contingents of Were folk slowly following behind. They can fortify any towns that we feel we have the strength to hold. We should take ones that will frighten the warlords most and that are reasonable for us to hold. If we cut off and Isolate a few they might panic. I prefer to liberate them all though I know at this time we can't. We could also do a feint making them think we intend to strike a important target when it's not the case. If the warlords send portions of their forces to defend somewhere else they will be more vulnerable where we do hit them. Forcing redeployments of limited forces could be a very effective tactic."

Heolstor smiled, nodding in time to Petra's suggestion. "If this river goddess cannot disguise our passage, that might do. The feint isn't a novel military maneuver - it's been used time and again, because it wins victories."

Duke Barstow's comments were uplifting. "It is good to know, your Grace, that the people of Lucimburic find pride in that battle's ending. We broke the Huns there, but we could not have done so without Texxor and his men along our Southern flank. Never have I fought beside a more ferocious warrior."

Swift has gotten to the breifing a little late but then just listens. She is a scout that will just make sure they are going in the right direction. She sips some wine she brought with her.

During the battle at Mos Trajectum, the River Goddess- Mosanna- helped by providing a dense mist that both healed and concealed.  Theoderic is among those who heard the story.

He's wary about just showing up and begging a favor, though.  Whether it is deserved or not, or whether the River Goddess can do it easily or not, is not the point.  One simply doesn't walk up to a river having assumed the goddess will be helpful.  It's not respectful.

Someone should go in advance, and commune with this being, and see if she is willing to help.

Naturally, Theoderic looks at Petra.  She brought it up.  She's a cleric.  And she has a flying horse.

“There is no one better for this,” he says.

Texxor shuffles in a few of his warriors, and addresses Theoderic.  “You're planning a campaign against the Huns with a small force.  How small a force?”

“As small as I can get away with,” he says,  “If we can find allies among the inhabitants of those towns, so much the better. “

“ But how small a force will you have?”

“I plan no more than a hundred in the field.” the king says.

The Werewolf general does not look happy.  He never does. “ A hundred cannot assault a Hun fortress and win.  They have great numbers.  They threw thousands against Belgica and the Ardennes, but that is only a small fraction of their numbers.”

“I do not plan an assault,  not at first, anywhere.  I plan to break them down into pieces, attacking from the inside.  The idea is not to let it become a pitched battle.  Fight only where I can control the odds.”

Texxor nods, with a “not sure, but I'll go with it” look.  He introduces the group he brought in.  “You asked for a contingent from us.  I have for you  five who have already proven themselves.  Graehl, a priest who was with us during the Beda campaign.  Hector and Vollax, two of my best Werewolf warriors.  Farchis, a Wereboar, and Zernit, a Wererat scout. “

“I think I have met Zernit,” Theoderic says.

“You did.  Apparently the Wererat is impressed.  She volunteered.  Not a common habit for the Wererats. “

Things get more concrete, as plans are made.  Theoderic starts picking out a team that will do the pure "infiltration work" on the temple complex, slipping in, finding out what they can, and what the defenses are.  Naturally, he looks to the stealthier Werefolk, Swift and Zernit.

Swift looks at the king "My lord King, I have no trouble sneaking in as a werefox. I can go in and see who the leaders are and where. And maybe if there are any other ways in."

Petra was surprised at this sudden assignation of duty.  It wasn't that she was not willing -- she was just surprised.  She had no direct experience with Elemental beings.  It seemed more suited for Tugdual, or another high-druid.  Which brought her to wonder where he was...she did not know, and Heolstor had mentioned nothing in particular.

Or perhaps Theoderic's wife, who was a wizardess of no mean skill, if Petra had heard right.

Nonetheless, she accepted and nodded, glancing to Heolstor-- "It should not take long.  Whether I can actually bring her to speak with me, or no." 

"I will do what I can to help. Theo are you thinking about hitting more then one target at once?" She didn't know if he had something like that in mind. Probably not unless he had more then one small independent force.

Aelasuria glances at Petra hopping that she was successful. The river goddess aid was no small thing and truly appreciated when and if it was given.

Heolstor too was taken by surprise by the duty asked of Petra by Theoderic. "I've no doubt you'll see it through better than any other might. Though I would rather you stayed by my side, this seems a vital role." He replied, voice honest and warm - words meant for her alone. The Saxon looked to King Theoderic then, watching and listening to find out what else the Frank intended to lay down in plan.

There is one more thing, of course, and it puts Theoderic's request of Petra into context.

"The battle ahead will be one of speed and wit over Hun force," Theoderic says.  "We're going to do this with a small force, and secrecy is essential.  We already know there was.. and maybe still is.. a spy here in Lucimburic.  We have to slip out in small groups, and take separate paths.  If their resources are limited, they will choose to watch me, over anyone else, so I have to assume I am watched.  I will be the last out, then.  Petra first, so she can see if she can make contact with the Goddess of the Meuse.  Heolstor next, then Salen, and Scolo, each with a team and we will all meet again in Mos Trajectum.  We'll take different routes, and I'm going to give each of you a letter to take to Duke Gwalthus of Mos Trajectum, so he'll know you're with me."