War Is Declared???

 

War Declared in the Grand Duchy???

Efforts to Settle a Matter of Some Importance Break Down

 

Schmitten, Electtorate of Zichenau, 16. June 1765 --  

Emerging reports indicate that the always tenuous relations have once again broken down between the Grand Duchy of Stollen and its nemesis the Electorate of Zichenau.  At emergency meetings in Krankenstadt this week, representatives of Grand Duke Irwin-Amadeus II, the terminally befuddled and fashion mad ruler of Stollen, have failed to reach an agreement with emissaries acting on behalf of Princess Antonia III, the capricious and conniving ruler of Zichenau.

All information coming out of Krankenstadt would indicate that attempts to maintain amicable diplomatic relations have broken down amidst a series of hotly debated talking points. Most of these seem to concern when precisely the current asparagus season for the year concludes in the long-contested Duchy of Schleiz.  Dignitaries from Zichenau, who have been representing their princess in Krankenstadt during the last 14 days, declined to comment further on the matter as they prepared to leave the city Thursday morning.

When asked directly for his thoughts on the matter, Zichenau's Minster of Agriculture, Prince Lothar von Pfefferlinge-Abendessen, replied simply "At this time, we are not prepared to speak further on the matter beyond the obvious.  This insolent Grand Duke must be punished!" 

He climbed into his coach and closed the door with the firm question to his attending footmen, "Isn't it time for eleven-sies yet?  No?  Blast!"

The atmosphere in Krankenstadt this Friday morning can best be described as fraught.  Drafts of troops have been arriving from the countryside all week, taking their places at assembly points just outside the city walls while officers on summer leave race to return to their regiments.  It seems likely that war between Stollen and Zichenau is once again in the cards despite all efforts to the contrary during the recently held talks between the two.

The armies of Stollen and Zichenau are reportedly on the move once again although further details are not available at this time.  Early reports from scouts in the area, however, suggest that a powerful Zichenauer force, led by that notorious French mercenary-adventurer General Phillipe de Latte, is about to cross the frontier into the Duchy of Schleiz along the highway leading to the small market town of Spargelzeit.

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Press Contact:

Katrina-Bettina von Heffelfinger

Die Krakenstadt Tageblat

 

Zichenauer cavalry on the march.

Croats in Zicheauer pay cross the frontier into the long-contested Duchy of Schleiz.

Unfurled standards flying, Zichenau's Ernestine-Sachsen Regiment of Infantry sings as it marches to war.

"Ugh!  That last demitasse of espresso was a touch bitter, wouldn't you say Biscotti?"  More Gallic glowering from General Phillipe de Latte.