Times of Trouble

[Evangeline Anovilis]

[b]OOC:[/b] Closed RP. For participation, please ask in the [url="http://forums.cybernations.net/index.php?showtopic=110646"]OOC topic[/url] first. Thanks.

[b]IC:[/b]

[b][url="http://forums.cybernations.net/index.php?showtopic=109028&view=findpost&p=2962178"]The beginning[/url][/b]

[b]Paris, France[/b]

As Charles Louis lay comatose, tensions in France and most of all its capital rose to an extreme level. The people looked at an uncertain future, as it was now up to the Senate to decide the succession, given the Salic Law of France's Orléanists (derrived from the Bourbons). But within the Palais de Luxembourg, the tensions were no less than on the street, where the weakness of the regency council under Aymar Le Baume-Pluvinel became rapidly apparent. Unemployment was on the rise, as was the hate for Frances neighbours and contempt of the elites, who ruled from above.

"I refuse to acknowledge your seizing of power. The throne rightfully belongs to her majesty!"

"But Madame Dalian, it is the ancient law of France that only males can inherit the crown. We cannot make an exemption just for this."

"Either you make one, or we'll have no monarch. His majesty stated his will to have the Madame Royale succeed him."

"There are other Bourbons. We need not make a woman Queen, just because we don't yet know a successor. Until then, the regency will continue."

"Monsieur Baume-Pluvinel, this is a farce. There are no Bourbons or Orléanists left in France. and the King has to be French as much as he needs to be male and catholic according to your line of thought. Don't think of us as idiots who'll believe in this."

"Madame, up to now, the regency has prevented anarchy from a lack of a monarch. I do not know where your distrust for the council stems from, but our actions are entirely for the Best of the French people."

"Mon Dieu, I will not argue any further with you, Monsieur. If you want to think you can lie to France, I bet it won't last long till your regime will crumble. Your attempt to preserve a status quo under your hegemony will not last and say not I have not warned you, when the people see that you are not up to your task, neither to govern these lands, nor to find a King for it."

The Premierministre looked angrily at Dalian, who looked at him with just the same amount of bitter hatred. "If this should be a threat, I hope you only spoke it out of your uncontrolled female emotionality. For I should have you imprisoned else. Madame Dalian, you may be a high noble, but I shall not tolerate you insulting the state and you should remember prison just too well."

"L'etat c'est toi? Well, I hope God will not make us all pay for such hubris. I for my part am done with you. Adieu."

With these words, Dalian walked out of the room. Just as the door closed, it was that Aymar realised the words, but as she was already out of his sight, he refrained from ordering the guard to arrest her. They had better things to do still.

Dalian meanwhile marched out on the street, entering the coach. "To Blois!" The words of the ignorant fool Baume-Pluvinel still angered her and she knew, the whole day would surely be ruined, thanks to this idiots actions. If not the whole country. "Madame..." Shocked, Dalian pressed against the bench. Out of thin air, it seemed to her, someone had materialised. "Lisette? I haven't noticed you. Pardon me."

"No problem, Madame. The session already ended?" 'Lisette' looked a bit surprised.

"No, I left. Don't ask. Just know that the regency council has no intention of accepting Her Majesty."

"Ahh, too bad. Well, the Madame de Blois sends me."

"Really?"

"Yes. We all awaited the outcome of the talks. I think we can proceed, no?" An innocent smile came to her face. Dalian looked a bit perplexed, Lisette surely had changed over the years.

"You know, you resemble your sister more and more."

"Is this a yes or no?"

"Prepare all that is necessary." Dalian sighed. "Hopefully it isn't much that is necessary."

"Oh, don't worry. Sometimes it needs the rain to clean the streets of the dirt." As 'Lisette' spoke those words, Dalian slowly moved nearer to the fellow Vicidalian. "My, Madame, what are you doing?"

"Lisette in an organisation like this, talking like that and such an innocent smile to such malevolent words... Aren't you supposed to rest with your Creator?"

"Only God knows what can all happen to the dead."

"Say, are you the only walking dead?"

"As far as I know, no. But you should ask the Madame de Blois on that. I need to go now. Au revoir." Within the blink of an eye, Lieselotte opened the door and jumped onto the street, vanishing in the crowd. Dalian exhaled deeply. Altough she could barely hold in the feelings of excitement, surprise and joy, feelings that nearly overwhelmed her, she could hold them, completely out of fear. She never was a great friend of Lieselotte and also Charlotte had warned her. But who knew what would happen. Maybe she was useful in the months to come.

Edited May 2, 2012 by Evangeline Anovilis

[Evangeline Anovilis]

[quote][size="5"][center]Proclamation by the Regency Council[/center][/size]

[center][img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Fleur_de_lys_%28or%29.svg/220px-Fleur_de_lys_%28or%29.svg.png[/img][/center]

As his Majesty, Charles Louis d'Orléans-Autriche-Este is sadly unable to rule, due to a heart attack he suffered two days ago, all matters of the state will be assumed by the Regency Council. For the time until we find a new King, this order will be kept up, to ensure continued order and stability for the French people. We ask you all to support France in this time of crisis, as only together we can prevent that the French nation will take lasting damage, which would be only helping our enemies.

Additionally, Dalian de Vicidalia, is hereby relieved of her office as President of the Senate of France, due to reasons that will remain private. It shall suffice to say that her interests were contrary to those of France.

Signed,

[i]Aymar Le Baume Pluvinel[/i]
[b]High Regent of the Kingdom of the French[/b][/quote]

[Sarah Tintagyl]

[i]Dijon, France[/i]

A stream of smoke blew from the nostrils of the man sitting in a leather chair as he threw a newspaper onto the desk in front of him. He chuckled to himself and took another drag of the cigarette and then snuffed it out, first over the words mentioning King Charles and then over the words discussing Dalian de Vicidalia. Blowing smoke into the air he leaned back in the chair and smiled. Friedrich Wilhelm von Hohenzollern had waited years, decades, for the chance which was now placed in front of him. Since the fall of the Zelle Regime and the death of his father, he waited patiently and with a great deal of sadness as France fell into various failed regimes and Germany become more and more Visarist. The dreams of a past age were all but gone now. Martens the Younger had failed, but he was still alive and well and with the determination to try his luck to restore the name of Hohenzollern to Europe. So long as he lived the Silver Revolution could continue and the desires of the Red Orchestra could be brought back once more to remake the Continent for the coming of an ideal world.

One where West and East met together for one glorious future.

"Rodrigo?" He called out from his chair and the door to his office opened as a tall, clean-shaven man with olive skin walked through the door.

"Señor Friedrich?" the man said bowing. Rodrigo de Salva was the Pretender's personal bodyguard, he had a way with blades that was both swift and deadly, while his eyes shimmered like onyx, A red rose blossomed on his black frock coat and another rose substituted for a plume in his hat. "What can I do for you Señor?"

"Have you seen the news?" Friedrich said running a hand over his graying hair. "The French King has suffered a stroke, a Council has been assembled to seek the new king. The problem is that they run into Sallic Law, Charles had only daughters and now the search is on for a male heir. Henri VII adopted my father when he was King of France, which means that I am a qualified heir. I believe it is time to make my move."

"Do you think most of the country will support you, Señor? Forgive my doubts, but your father was not well accepted and now there is even a more diverse population of the Kingdom than simply French."

"Those ingrates from the Americas? They don't count. The moment I become King they'll be released to a North American power, we are not babysitters of failed American states." He said standing up and throwing on a red frock coat with gold trim. "Though they may be of some use, especially if this woman has been relieved of her position by the Regency Council. However, I want my personal guard prepared, we will be heading towards the border of Lorraine, we should find a few like minded Frenchmen who want to see the glory of the Grand Country restored."

Rodrigo bowed his head with a smile, "I will prepare your horse and ready the guard personally, Señor Friedrich."

"Good, I expect only the best for what I'm paying you and your men."

Friedrich walked the Spaniard leave the room as he turned back to his desk and took out two pieces of stationary.

[quote]
[i]To the esteemed Aymar Le Baume Pluvinel, High Regent of France:

Excellency,

These are truly troubling times for France, with a stroke leaving His Highness incapable of ruling our nation now stands at the brink of anarchy, yet as a private citizen I write this letter to tell you of an option to see anarchy ended before it can begin. My name is Friedrich Wilhelm von Hohenzollern, my father was King Charles XI of France, also known as Karl Martin von Hohenzollern, the adopted son of King Henri VII of France. Having presented my lineage and given that I am male, I hold all the requirements necessary to become a true ruler of France. I realize the policies of my father may have been questionable, but I assure you that while I am his son, I am not of his mind. Together, Your Excellency, we can restore France to her golden age and keep the terrors of revolution or the chance of being ruled by that Croatian war-criminal from entering our country.

I await your reply with great anticipation.

Regards,

Friedrich Wilhelm[/i]
[/quote]

[Evangeline Anovilis]

"This is unacceptable. We got enough enemies, even without crowning a German King. We do that and the mob will take out the Guillotine for us."

Aymar was less than happy, given the sudden appearance of the German pretender. "Monsieur Patitte, there is no need to tell me that. Hopefully the border guard will stop him. Germany just stamped out Martencists, we have better things to do than to aggreviate the foreign as well as the internal powers."

[quote]To the esteemed Friedrich Wilhelm von Hohenzollern,

Altough you may fulfill the claim as a male, you are neither French, nor do I know if you are catholic. Over a millenium the French crown has developed a set of requirements that have to be fullfilled for someone to become King of France. Both these things have to be made sure of, before we can even think of crowning you King of the French.

As you already mentioned, your fathers actions were rather questionable, if not hated by most French and it may be rather destabilising to France to have the son of Charles XI ascend to the throne. A mere letter will hardly do to convince us of your genuine intentions.

With regards,
[i]Aymar Le Baume Pluvinel[/i][/quote]

[hr]

The garrison of Paris would soon see a decrease in strength, as most troops prepared for departure. In response to this letter, only a force of a few hundred soldiers would remain, the rest marching towards Dijon and Caen to secure the integrity of France, for it was more than feared that the lack of a strong King could lead to separatist movements.

And it went without saying that neither the general public, nor Dalian was informed of the Hohenzoller issue, as the mere fact of a reply could trigger nationalist sentiment to cause an uprising.

[Sarah Tintagyl]

[i]Paris, France[/i]

The nationalist sentiment that Aymar feared would pour out in France through a different avenue than originally thought when it was known that King Charles was incapacitated. They were called Valentinists, but the normal French Communist hated such a nomenclature. The Valentin Regime had done nothing to equalize the rights of the people throughout France, instead her regime was filled with imperialist failures, the creation of an unholy alliance with the Faux-French Monarchists from South America, and then to add insult to injury, her regime was responsible for the inclusion of France within the Amazonian Empire. No, there was no such thing as a Valentinist on the streets of Paris, except for Simone Valentin herself, but that is a story for later.

However, even with the failure of Valentin's leadership, there were still those who fervently believe that France could be a successful communal state and the chance to create such a nation came with the fall of King Charles. There was no formal Communist organization at the beginning of the Troubles, instead, when news reached Paris of Charles' stroke, a majority of liberal minded students from the University of Paris poured out onto the street in force. They carried pure red flags and burned, with glee, the flags of both the Royalists and the old Valentin banner.

The students had a great deal of concerns to bring to the attention of the High Regent. First and foremost, their protests were adamentily against the Dalianist Camp; while it was not greatly reported in French newspapers, when the former Duchess of Croatia was given any position within the French government, protests immediately followed. Was she not a war criminal? Was she not ousted from power by a coalition of forces? Why was France going to be influenced once again by a foreigner who surely did not have French interests at heart? This of course was followed up by an increase of xenophobia towards the colonies. France, if they could help it, would not be influenced by the Great Royal Failure. In addition to opposition towards the arrival of the Croatian Duchess, the Communists wanted an end to the various monarchies which had ruled France over the decades. Zelle promised a golden age and was killed by Germans. Charles XI attempted to turn France into a colony of the Martenists, and the reign of Charles XII was filled with inactivity and the constant threats of wars with Athens, Germany, and England. It was time to throw off the ineffectiveness of leaders and embrace the French community, the people knew what to do, they would rule correctly.

Within days after Charles' stroke, Paris was covered with street mobs. Young students, leftist radicals, anarchists, and others lined the streets of the city and the greatest numbers could be found near the Hotel de Ville and other government buildings. Their banners waving high in the air as both women and men shouted towards government offices.

"There is no heir! This is a sign that the time of Monarchy is over! Give the people back their power!"

"We are tired of the Nobles! There is nothing noble about greed!"

"Share your wealth!"

"Revolution! A revolution of the Earth by the people who work the Earth!"

"Power in the hands who understand power! Not born into power!"

And as the days continued the numbers continued to swell, with only a few hundred soldiers of the Royalist Army in Paris, the Radicals would soon outnumber the actual armed forces. When the realization would dawn, Paris might very well be turned upside down once again.

---

Meanwhile, deep within the slums of Paris, far from where either the protests were occurring or the army was stationed, something was happening much more devious and cunning; a coup of power was about to take place. In a basement of a dilapidated butcher shop, two dainty legs were dragged down a set of wooden stairs while the body was thrown onto a wooden chair and her hands tied. A black hood was taken off Simone Valentin's head as she stared across at a young woman with a sad and tired face.

"The hell is this?" Simone hollered back as she squirmed in the chair. "Untie me right now!"

"You're in no position to make demands, Madame Valentin and I unfortunately have to remove your name from its association with radicalism." Said the woman as she took off her ruined tricorne, throwing it on the table, as her stringy brown hair fell over her eyes. "You failed this movement, miserably may I add. To think that it was because of your failures that France is now once ruled again by Monarchists and their ilk. Soon they will attempt to paint the protests in Paris as Valentinist and citing the various failures that caused the collapse of your regime." The woman said and turned to one of her guards, who wore a dingy military uniform from decades past. "Gerard, if you please."

"Of course, Mademoiselle Maxine." He said and handed the woman his pistol.

"No, what the hell are you doing?"

"Saving the revolution, Madame." Maxine Calvin sighed, cocked the pistol and fired a single shot into Simone's face, dropping the leader to the ground. "That should give the Royalists something to celebrate for a bit and give something for our people to rally behind. The failure of the revolution has been avenged, now we must start anew."

"Your thoughts, Mademoiselle?"

Maxine turned to a book laying on the bench behind her and sighed. "Find some men, five hundred should do. Burn Versailles to the ground. We must stamp out Royalism forever."

Edited May 3, 2012 by Sarah Tintagyl

[Triyun]

The fires of revolution now burned through the the streets of Paris and into the popular zeitgeist of the minds of the Paris Street. Gustav Mollet was one of those inspired by the calls of revolution. France's march towards socialism had been brutally torn to pieces first by the uprising of the Nords, then by the Amazonian Occupation, and finally the rise of the new regime, a monarchy which called upon the French people to abandon all progress which they had strove so hard to achieve. Now the king's death offered a chance to be born anew.

As one of the original members of the Revolution that had put Simone Valentin into power, he had seen that all collapse. Alliances of convenience overtook the noble goal of liberation. The sharp edge of the revolution had been dulled by the trappings of power. The seduction of acceptance among the global elite proved great... it would not be allowed this time. Excess in the defense of revolutionary ideals could not be seen as a weakness or moral fault, but as sheer necessity.

As he entered into the room where Simone lay in a pool of her own blood, he felt a odd sense of satisfaction, "the fate of dogs and traitors." he muttered as he turned towards Maxine. He was dressed in a tattered tan overcoat, the bland clothes of a peasant beneath. His sandy blond hair was matted, his mustache and bear unkept "Mme. Calvin." he said, flashing a sinister grin, "It appears you have taken the first step in punishing the traitorous !@#$%*. I congratulate you."

He removed his own revolver, spinning it around. "But this is only the beginning..." he said. "My name is Monsieur Gustav Mollet, I come to offer my services as a faithful servant of the revolution. The !@#$%* you see on the floor, I once followed her, but I was betrayed. I come now to see if you have what it takes... to see through what is necessary to have a successful revolution. And to do that of course you need services of some of societies more unsavory character such as myself."

[Sarah Tintagyl]

When the guards Maxine station outside the butcher shop brought Gustav down into the basement, she nodded in approval at his attire and at his statements. "It would appear, Monsieur Mollet that my name precedes me, though I would rather you not address me as any leader but as another woman desiring liberty from oppression. It is not what I can do, it is what we can do together in the bonds of revolution." She extended a dirty hand to Gustav and smiled.

"Madame Valentin," said Maxine looking down at the former leader of France, "Her heart was in the right place, but her mind was not. It is a shame that such penalties much be inflicted for failure, but we have no choice if this new uprising will be a success." She opened her book and nodded before turning back to Mollet. "Things will get violent, the Regency Council will not give the people what they want, of that I have no doubts and thus it is imperative that we make sure that the Council has no way to project power. We will move fast, if they deny our rights, we will destroy them in one swift wave. The armies have left Paris leaving the government undefended. If you can do anything, Monsieur Mollet, you will do what you can to make Paris a fortress from the inside out. Meanwhile I will send other operatives throughout the country to start uprisings in the north and in the south."

She closed her book and started walking up the staircase to the storefront. "Of course, Monsieur, if you have any other services, don't be hesitant to employ them. But come, Paris awaits."

[Evangeline Anovilis]

[b]Paris, France[/b]

As the revolution claimed the capital, the Regency council fled the town. Like so often, the government would have to rule from Orléans, hoping to regain the capital soon. The garrison, altough small, was tasked to cover the retreat and also to retrieve the King for transfer to a new hospital outside Paris. The city was lost, but France was not, at least that was, what Aymar thought as he looked back on the capital that was taken over by the Communards.

Within Paris, the discontent people, especially from the lower classes began assembling to loot the royal arsenals. One could literally smell the freedom in the air, while they went around chanting their choirs. And between captions like "C'est la lutte finale...", "Aux armes citoyens" and "The proletariat has nothing to lose but it's shackles" musket shots and cries sprung up, when the mob clashed with the garrison troops and exchanged fire. But in the end, they would most often drive the Royalists back, until the city was theirs and then it was time to organise the defense of Paris, or maybe even the export of the revolution to the other parts of France. But that question would be up to the Commune.

[hr]

[b]Fontainebleau, France[/b]

As message arrived at Fontainebleau, the court was shocked. A revolution? The Valentinists uprising? The news of Valentins death had not made it far yet, as the chaos had severed most communication, but one thing was known by many. Should the Communards make it to Fontainebleau, they would most likely know no mercy for the noblesse. Josephine and hercousins had not really done much to oppose the regency council, as the worries over their grandfather still preoccupied their mind. Only Leopoldine had publicly protested the seizure of power. And she also was the only one not present at Fontainebleau.

"Mon Dieu, what shall we do?" Rapidly the Madame Royale went up and down the room. "I don't even want to remember what they did with the last Queen of our house, when the revolution ensued. They'll surely mob together and will come."

"Madame, we have to evacuate this place. They'll be here in no time."

"Monsieur, that's the problem. If we flee now, they'll catch us on the march, once regions further outside of Paris revolt. But it is hardly possible to hold our ground here."

Shyly, Elene raised her hand. Marie sighed. "You need not ask for permission. In these times, we are happy about every idea."

"Hadn't grandfather told us that the Maison militaire will protect us? What is with that?"

"He did, but they number not that many. At best, the guard we could assemble are a few thousand. And even though they are the best, they still are human." Josephine thought for a moment. "But I guess we should work on a defense here, until we know that our retreat can be secured. Monsieur, assemble the Garde. We shall dig ourselves in here."

One of the many servants bowed and went out. The orders of her Highness would be better announced as soon as possible, as time was a major factor now. And while a letter would be sent to the regency council, to send troops for protection, also another letter would be sent to the reserves, so that the Guard would have her ranks filled to the highest number possible. Every person counted in this defense.

[hr]

[b]Orléans, France[/b]

In Orléans, a town still loyal to the crown, the Regency council was no less shocked about the revolution. Throughout the town, troops could be seen and drums be heard as the military gathered. a defensive perimeter had to be set up, before an army was ready to put an end to the Commune. The commune had already fallen twice. And if all went to aymars plan, she should fall a third time. Otherwise, it would not end well for France.

[hr]

[b]Lyon, France[/b]

The further one went south, the stranger was the atmosphere. Given that it was rather far of events at the German border or the capital, the amount of troops stationed here were minimal. The region was deemed unlikely to join the Commune and also rather unlikely to be invaded by any major force, yet, the presence of troops could have prevented someone from finding a suitable location for their own plans.

Before the Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Lyon, Dalian stood before the masses. The instability of the council had been obvious, but with a new Commune, the situation had changed quite considerably.

"Citoyens de France,

These are dark times we are in. The Commune has risen again. Once again they want to destroy our country, once again they revolt against her Majesty. Fellow citizens of this country, I say, this is enough. Far too long, we have dragged on this farce of republic, commune and a weak kingdom, far too long, we have let this country be thrown into civil wars and bloody revolution, far too long have we tolerated the existence of those weakening France, far too long have we looked at our past. It is time to move onwards. Onwards to a brighter future. To a future in a new France. A France that has recalled its values, that has regained its inner strength, that has purged the evil of the Commune from its lands and that atones for its sins. The Commune has risen to throw us into chaos, they are the dictatorship of the barbarians, for what has the Commune done for the good of you people, or the good of France? Under their rule, the state has committed itself to an unholy axis with those that now oppose us, with those that attempted to destroy our culture. It speaks for itself that it needed the invasion from overseas to uphold a rule of Valentin. a rule we seemingly questioned, when we revolted against these !@#$%^&* of the proletariat.

However, people, hear me, we may curse the Communards, but we shall use what they provide us with. They gather, they come out of their holes. Let us crush them for the good of France. Them and the man who paved the way with his repression of reform. Aymar Le Baume Pluvinel is no less guilty of ruining this country than is the commune. It is upon us to rebuild this country, or no, it is upon us to build this country. We shall not lie to ourselves, the old order is unholdable. The Kingdom has proven too often their weakness, revolutions have far too often swept away the order that was seemingly by gods grace. Citizens of France, a new time has to begin. First, we shall ensure the throne for her Majesty Josephine. By the will of Charles Louis, the throne shall be made open for both genders. We will have to do away with this thinking of male superiority. Secondly, we have to stamp out the weakness of the state. No longer shall the subversive elements, the parasites of society, the Communards and corrupted nobles be able to limit the potential of France. Thirdly, France has to find peace within itself, for no matter what we do, the other Europeans will be hostiles and only if we find a united front, we can prevent our soil and goods to be stolen by the barbarians and autocrats. France is a world in itself, it has to be a world for all those considering themselves true French. The French shall know no home but France, but France shall know no proprietaire but the French people.

Citizens, it is time to rise against the regimes that try to impose the old orders upon us, it is time to do away with the corrupt noblesse of the council, to do away with the Communards preaching class struggle. France is one and indivisible! Levez-vous! a new Revolution nationale has begun. Because if we do not protect France, who will?!"

The crowd cheered, as Dalian waived. These people had no intention to be ruled by the Commune and altough Dalian had not the support of the far more populous North, the South still was with her. The farce of Le Baume Pluvinel had gone on long enough. And above the cathedral a new flag would be set. As the times were dark, so was the banner of the Dalianists, decorated with the new symbol of the so-called Action monochrome, the lys-noir.

[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/OomYl.png[/img][/center]

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Dalian looked over the map of France. The inner circle of the Action monochrome had to make plans after all, for without a decent plan, nothing could ever be achieved. From the mobilisation of the population, to managing supply routes, to stamping out the foes of the Nouvelle Ordre, it needed careful planning. The struggle would not be easy. Before the Hotel de Ville, the first milices exercised to march, hopefully soon able to reinforce regular soldiers that had joined the Dalianist cause. "So, her Majesty plans to hold out in Fontainebleau. That sounds pretty dangerous." Visibly concerned, Dalian made out the town on the map. "Well, the Communards are still in Paris. Maybe the Northern regions will join them, once they beat back the government troops, but not as if we had not our own share of troops to fight." The others in the room nodded.

"We have to plan our movements well. The south is ours, but the North will struggle most likely. It'd be best we get a hold of the route to Fontainebleau."

"You think so? The route is long and we'd get dangerously near to the Communards, extending our lines of supply."

"Well, we have to work ourselves forward. And we will have to destroy the Commune anyway, if we want the Nouvelle Ordre to succeed. Better to get a hold of the Queen, before Communards kill her. We can need a surge in legitimacy."

"Sounds alright. But shall we outright march on Fontainebleau?"

"Mais non. Seize Dijon. Once we get Bourgogne, the way to Fontainebleau is clear. and the lands of Bourgogne may as well provide some supplies for our armies."

"When you say, our armies, we don't have that many troops yet. We are working on recruiting the townsfolk, but you know, the people either are too liberal or too conservative. These men aren't fighting for a woman that proclaims that the patriarchy should be gone. They are rather conservative there."

Dalian sighed. "Well, then recruit the women. Most likely the better solution anyway. If the men don't become at least useful in the production of supplies...well..."

"Are you sure about that? I mean, a female military? That is a bit too reminiscent of the Amazons."

"The Amazons were pagans from across the sea. So were the Americans, still we got potatoes. We cannot say, 'this is french, this is not', but we have to say, 'this is useful, therefor it is French...and this is not'. The Nouvelle Ordre builds upon its claim to reform France radically. It builds upon a Queen for these lands. Could we claim anything less than the female society? Our women have two hands each, they can hold a musket, they got two legs each, they can march, they got a head, they can think."

The audience looked a bit estranged at Dalian, who just retorted "What? If we create a new age. Let us begin already now."

In the coming days, the conscription in the south had changed drastically. Many were kind of surprised, male and female alike, but it did its job, the stubborn French volunteered in part even. Uniforms were dyed in a darker grey and muskets taken out of the Arsenals, for it was time to declare war, not only on the Commune and the Regency council, no, this was a war against the French mindset.

Edited May 3, 2012 by Evangeline Anovilis

[Triyun]

[quote name='Sarah Tintagyl' timestamp='1336020533' post='2962663']
When the guards Maxine station outside the butcher shop brought Gustav down into the basement, she nodded in approval at his attire and at his statements. "It would appear, Monsieur Mollet that my name precedes me, though I would rather you not address me as any leader but as another woman desiring liberty from oppression. It is not what I can do, it is what we can do together in the bonds of revolution." She extended a dirty hand to Gustav and smiled.

"Madame Valentin," said Maxine looking down at the former leader of France, "Her heart was in the right place, but her mind was not. It is a shame that such penalties much be inflicted for failure, but we have no choice if this new uprising will be a success." She opened her book and nodded before turning back to Mollet. "Things will get violent, the Regency Council will not give the people what they want, of that I have no doubts and thus it is imperative that we make sure that the Council has no way to project power. We will move fast, if they deny our rights, we will destroy them in one swift wave. The armies have left Paris leaving the government undefended. If you can do anything, Monsieur Mollet, you will do what you can to make Paris a fortress from the inside out. Meanwhile I will send other operatives throughout the country to start uprisings in the north and in the south."

She closed her book and started walking up the staircase to the storefront. "Of course, Monsieur, if you have any other services, don't be hesitant to employ them. But come, Paris awaits."
[/quote]

"As you wish comrade." he said with a smile. His eyes followed her before heading up the staircase behind her. "These regency council, they are used to living a life of privilege, their aristocratic birth right protected by a code. They may not be able to be King but their families protect them, even in the worst of times they cannot imagine too desperation, true fear, falling so far down." he said his words almost hissing like a snake.

"They do not know terror, this country deserves something better and we should give it to them. The nobility should sleep in their beds frightened of the people, just like the people had to sleep in their beds frightened by the whims of nobility. The streets should run red with the blood of the privileged, and only once all safety and entitlement has been excised from their minds should we allow them to set foot in a new paradise of the worker and the farmer.

Comrade Maxine, it is my sincerest wish to serve the revolution by throwing the old regime into chaos and teach them the true meaning of terror." he said followed by a cackling laugh once more.

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Within hours after the uprising in Lyon had taken shape, already the first facilities were seized. Among them the weapon manufacturies and storages in St. Etienne. The Armée grise could not leave any ressources unused in their struggle, especially not when it came to arms and ammunitions. The order by the Inner Circle had been to expand the Dalianist sphere as far as possible, as long as the North was occupied with Aymar and commune keeping each other in check. The further they spread, the more people would be possibly joining the cause and the more supplies could be used to make France a new nation.

Leopoldine looked over the land before her, the valley of the Saône river. Behind her, the cavalry, in their red uniforms. "Seems noone is around. But I guess, we'll encounter troops from the regency council soon enough." With a wink to signal to move forward, the avant-Garde continued their reconnaissance of the street to the North for the main army that would follow. Bourgogne had to be taken, the way to the North be kept free.

[Subtleknifewielder]

[left][left][left][left][left][left][left][font="Arial"][size="2"][b] [/b][/size][/font][b]Dijon, France[/b][/left][left]
[/left][left]Despite the size of this city, the local garrison was few in number, and thus couldn't fully man the walls against any concerted attack. No one had expected any hostile forces from the south, leading to any that would have fought for the Regency or the Communards, and the inner circle of the Dalianist movement took full advantage of this. While fighting and tensions broke out up North, forces under the command of Général de corps d'armée Henri Fournier marched north and seized the city. Being so far from their base of support, and seeing the forces arrayed against them, meant, in the end, that resistance was token and halfhearted at best, with naught but a scant dozen casualties in total on both sides, once they saw how many had already made it over the walls before they even realized they were under attack. Too many to prevent the seizure of the gates and let in the bulk of the forces.[/left][left]
[/left][left]Once that was over, the wounded were tended to, and the prisoners jailed--and the real work could begin, of course...first was seeing to proper defenses on the walls. Cannons, men, and of course ammunition readily accessible for both.[/left][left]
[/left][left][hr][/left][left]
[/left][left]The Général de corps, surprisingly, personally spoke to the people. The best way to ensure there was less resistance from the people...show them you were on their side--and there to protect them from an outside threat. Henri spoke from the square, in full view of the people...though there was one nod to at least a semblance of security--several guards ringed the Général in a circle of about twenty feet. "My countrymen...for too long, France has sold herself to her enemies, to outsiders--by the hand of communards, of Zellists, and foreigners who would pass themselves off as our own. All have had one thing in common. They have either betrayed us, or failed us. Weaklings, or traitors. We say again, no more! We will be united again, we will be strong, and we will do so under a proper, guiding force! One the communards, or the Regency Council, would have us believe is itself weak--a Queen! Our best years were under the guiding hand of a monarch, despite what the communards may say...and the Regency Council believes only a man is fit to rule, or provide for our protection. But I tell you here today...what makes a man so superior that only he can rule? Do you women lack hands, arms, legs, feet...and a mind to match us? I say no! A woman is just as capable as any man, whether it be in the common defense...or on the throne."[/left][left]
[/left][left]Others spoke throughout the city, of course, like Henri, encouraging volunteers from among both the men and the women to join their cause, pick up a sword, or a musket, and aid in the city's defense against all outsiders, against those who would give France to those who did not deserve her. And to keep an eye out for those that would be fit for service when the inevitible came and conscription became necessary.[/left][left]
[/left][left]A number were also out in the countryside, gathering and securing what provisions they could without overly angering the populace, or in the city, seizing what the local garrison had had in store for their own use.[/left][/left][/left][/left][/left][/left][/left]

Edited May 4, 2012 by Subtleknifewielder

[Evangeline Anovilis]

[quote]To the esteemed Général de corps d'armée, Henri Fournier

I heard that Dijon has been secured for our cause, which is most splendid news in these dark times. Let me congratulate you to this success, altouugh, I hope I will also be able to congratulate you in the future. Given Dijons position, it would be detrimental for it to be in the enemies hands, severing us from the North, preventing effective campaigns on Paris, the border and the Loire Valley. It is of utmost importance that the town be readied for a defense and that Bourgogne contributes to our cause as much as possible. Far too large is its ressource base to be ignored. I therefor urge you to not lose it and to also take all necessary steps to hold Dijon. It may be necessary to create new lines of fortifications though, as the medieval town wall alone, may not hold much in the face of modern cannon and mortar.

In about a week, an army should be sent against towards Fontainebleau, which would require quarter in Dijon too. We hope you could arrange for that.

With regards,

[size="4"][font="Vladimir Script"]Dalian de Vicidalia[/font][/size][/quote]

Edited May 4, 2012 by Evangeline Anovilis

[Subtleknifewielder]

[quote]
To Her Highness, Grande Princesse Dalian de Vicidalia,

Her Highness did indeed hear correctly. Dijon has been secured with a minimum of resistance, a local garrison that numbered in the pitiful dozens. They did not expect us, and that oversight is to our advantage. Rest assured I am doing everything in my power, the power of the troops you have entrusted to me, and the citizens even now eagerly embracing our cause, to ensure any aggressive army will shatter itself on the city's walls.

I already have my men hard at work, digging a series of trenches around the city, and packing the excess soil up against the wall--these walls are a bit to antiquated, as Your Higness has already noted, but I can only hope bolstering them like such will be enough to protect them from Cannon fire. These, and several other endeavors (not the least which the construction of redoubts for our artillery at key points around the outside of the city, and supplementing the ditches with poles to discourage any enemy cavalry from approaching to closely or swiftly)) which will be implemented upon the completion of the current one, should prove sufficient to the task of transforming Dijon into a veritable fortress.

Despite the industriousness, Dijon should have sufficient lodging, or material to construct such, for the bulk of Your Highness' army when it arrives. I look forward to that day they return victorious from their task.

Your ever faithful and humble servant, Henri Fournier.[/quote]
And it was as communicated. Were one able to view the ongoing labors of the army corps, the city of Dijon would look like nothing so much as a giant anthill, men and women going every which way as they went about their assigned duties.

Not only were efforts to construct the listed defenses underway, but also to train the volunteers from the citizenry into at least a semblance of a fighting force. There was no telling how effective that training would be until they were actually battle-tested, but by God, and her Highness, they were going to be trained and drilled to within an inch of their lives, and none would be spared for reasons of gender or age, so long as they were judged fit.

Edited May 5, 2012 by Subtleknifewielder

[Evangeline Anovilis]

The news of a revolt in the South, led by the Biblioprincess had shocked the Regent almost as much as the news of the Commune. It was said that when he dined with his staff in Orléans, the news reached him and in his rage he not only threw all of his meal to the ground but found a whole dictionary of swear words to describe the person he saw as the greatest traitor to France ever. But Dalians speeches had also reached his ears and from such extreme stances, from a person that had quite a record, it was to be expected that the revolt would only grow slowly. she just was not the charismatic person like her sister and had litle legitimacy. It was wondersome how she managed to cause a revolt in the first place.

[b]Battle of Clermont-Ferrand[/b]

A swift victory over the Action monochrome, that was what would had to be achieved. A three-way civil war, that was by no means anything France would profit from. The French armies were mostly in the East, guarding the border to Germany, who just now began assembling to march against Paris and Dijon. Having been spread out over the Eastern fortifications and towns, they would be of little help for the time being, but once in motion, Aymar counted on them to crush the uprisings. But while the Eastern flank of the enemy was easily covered, in the west, the Regency had a much worser outcome to expect. To the point that maybe Paris could be threatened, but so could Orléans. And Dalian could hardly be threatened at all in her movements existence, as the south was practically free to be overrun. The envisioned solution was a gamble. Throw troops of the West against the Dalianists, block their ability to move west, destroy them with the troops from Lorraine and link up the East and West to strangle the Commune. It did mean Orléans had for a certain amount of time less of a defense, but if the defense was recreated by the time the Commune had mobilised, that was of little concern.

Général Auguste Briant, a young man from Anjou had been entrusted with the command of the army in what was supposed to be a quick war against the southern revolt. The long trail of white uniforms stretched through the landscape, as the Southern Expedition, an army of 40,000 marched to retake Auvergne. Briant hadn't served in many wars yet. Mostly he was made General, because noone else was seen as capable in the West of commanding the army. He wasn't even sure if he himself could achieve a victory over the revolters, but as it seemed, the enemy had far less troops, operating over a few provinces. It should not be hard to regain Auvergne. Or so he thought. As he rode besides the trail suddenly a courier arrived. "Monsieur Général, Monsieur Général! L'Avant-Garde, we encountered the enemy army!" "Vraiment? Show the way!" They had come this far already without any encounters, but as it seemed, here, near clermont-Ferrand, the march became more than just a peaceful voyage. Swiftly he brought his horse to gallop and together with the messenger, Briant flew along the white line to the very head of the snake.

The Dragons of the Avant-Garde had already halted, awaiting the orders from Briant himself. Before them stood a few hundred meters of a field, before on a hill, clearly visible, the enemy rested, banners high, a closed row of grey uniforms. The hill was at least 50 metres higher than the ground on which they stood, altough it was not too steep. Cavalry would easily pass it. "They surely have taken a good position. Let our men form three lines. Once our cannon are in position, we assault." Slowly the Royal French Army poured onto the field, filling slowly the ranks as they formed the lines. But it was not the only thing that was white. A Lieutnant who had kept the Armée grise under observance turned now to the Général. "Monsieur Général. Look. It seems they send us a messenger. Your orders?" "Hmmm, let's see what they have to say." a woman, completely in white, slowly made her way to the loyalist lines. Briant couldn't help but think of an angel descending from the heavens. He decided to ride forward and meet the messenger in the middle of the field.

"Bonjour Madame, how may I help?"

"Monsieur, I guess these are troops under your command."

"Indeed, they are."

"I guess, they're here to fight our soldiers."

"Indeed, that is our mission."

"Well, Madame de Vicidalia tasked us with negotiating an agreement to avoid bloodshed of fellow French."

"Madame, I hope this is a surrender, as Monsieur Le Baume Pluvinel will not leave a revolt be. Your Grande Princesse has betrayed this country, when she revolted, in a rather inopportune moment for France herself."

"Monsieur, that is relative. The current order is not to be kept, her Highness stated. The nobles are corrupt and the leadership incompetent. France needs a renaissance."

"Madame, her Highness is the most corrupt and incompetent of them all. And if we get rid of such opportunists like hers, then this state has had good enough a bloodletting. Now, what is it you want to discuss."

"Monsieur, I fear that your harsh words may be signs that my offer will be declined, but her Highness does not think it will lead to success if fellow French spill unnecessary amounts of French blood. We are not here to kill French, we are here to ensure that this country will be led by the rightful Queen and new ideals. The Chaos rampant has to be respected."

"Madame, you know, once we find her Highness, she will not see the daylight anymore, until the date when the sword severs her head." Briant had enough. "And please, did you listen to yourself? Dieu et le Roi. That is a true Frenchman."

"Monsieur, pardonnez-moi, but if our views are this inconcilable, I will have to embrace even more the motto of Reinne et l'État. For it is time that we also consider the Frenchwomen." The woman looked up at Briant for the first time, fierce green eyes and an expression that made him retreat a pace. It was clear, there would be resistance. "May the Lord be kind to the souls of those that fall here today." She signalled a cross with her right, before folding her hands and turning around.

When the woman arrived at her lines, the forces of Briant had almost fully assembled. He wondered still what she had meant with the Chaos rampant. Was it some metaphor? Some insanity? He wondered, still when suddenly a loud thunder burst through the silence. With a short whistling, three solid cannonballs ploughed their way through the loyalist lines, taking their tribute. On top of the hill, the Armée grise had brought forth their own cannon. In the midst of the heavy clouds of smoke, one could still see the dark blue uniforms of the crew, busy to reload the gun and to bring it anew into position.

"Goddamn." Briant looked at the losses. The artillery of theirs would surely need a while still. "Well, three cannons. Lieutnant. Give signal to assault. Once the cannon arrive, bring them into position to support our infantry." The sheer mass of troops assembled made it hard to retreat for now and if the informants were to be trusted, the enemy only had about 20,000 troops to fight this encounter. Pure force would cost lives, but it would bring victory. The woods to the left and right of the field made effective flanking impossible, and if it came to a bayonet fight, or a shooting contest, the professional troops of the army would prevail.

Under the sound of the drums, the lines were set into motion, muskets pointed forward, bayonets attached. "Let them march up, fire your muskets at closest distance possible. I think 30 meters, then charge." "But Monsieur, the first ranks..." "This is a war. The second can take their place. In the end, we shall win and put the Biblioprincess to justice." The tricolores were raised high on both sides. A sad view, as French fought French, killing French with French steel, French lead and French powder. "And I want the third rank to be the grenadiers. The sooner these peasants run for their lives, the better." The last word would only have to be guessed, but most got it right, as another barrage from the Dalianist battery ripped through the white blocs, this time at about 250 meters, causing considerable gaps, that were, however, closed quickly by those following. It was at 180 meters that Briant got his first surprise though.

The grey line suddenly raised its own drum music and the first row kneeled down. "Tirez!" A full salvo of lead was fired at the tightly packed line. A few fell, but the most obvious result was a smile on the Général's face. "Now, they are just dumb. Firing at double the normal distance. They won't hit the broad side of a barn with that..." He shook his head. "Give signal to march faster. They won't get a second one." With an increase in the drummers tempo, also came an increase of marching speed. The morale of the Armée blanche had risen to new levels over the thought of fighting an obviously incompetent enemy. But well, it was not as if the rebels had much time to train. "Pour Dieu et le Ro..." They wouldn't finish it, as the next wave of thunder ripped through the call and a wave of lead through the first few lines. To the left and right, the ranks had holes punched into them, sometimes a few ranks deep. Briant was shocked. "What has happened?" But quickly he realised. "Mon Dieu, the salvo was a ruse..." In the cover of their own smoke, the infantry had retreated and given way for the rest of the artillery behind them, that just blindly fired their cannister into the loyalist ranks. But then, a horn was to be heard and out of the heavy clouds the Gendarmes appeared, swords drawn and charging into the gaps at full force. The infantry following. "Montjoyer! Saint-Denis!" Not the fusiliers stormed though, but almost antiquitated halberdiers, commanded by the woman that formerly had led the negotiations, this time clothed in black. Without a coherent front, the impact exploited the damage of the cannons and altough old, the halberdiers still held an edge over the bayonets, which soon made the whole battle a one-sided slaughter in the front ranks, later generations would say the blood was flowing downhill, as the Dalianists showed little mercy as long as the battle ravaged. Briant was shocked. "Give...Give the signal to retreat." "Monsieur, you leave them this victory?" "No, I just leave myself some soldiers."

At the end of the day, Auvergne would have to be abandoned, the news of a rebel victory would go around and the loyalists had lost almost 5,000 men to a force of 23,000 that had only lost a few hundred. For Aymar, a disaster.

Edited May 6, 2012 by Evangeline Anovilis

[Kankou]

At Brest, a tall girl got off to be escorted to a large carriage, which would take her to Fontainebleau. There, under the aegis of the multiethnic part of the [i]Gardes de la Manche[/i] which had arrived earlier, she entered the château, passing by the barricades, being led to the office of Charles Louis where the [i]Filles de France[/i] meet each day to discuss the situation. What was noticeable were the few Asian women following her, half of them with red eyes. Emma van Oranje-Nassau, van België had arrived.

Edited May 6, 2012 by Kankou

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Josephine, for half of France already proclaimed Reine, but herself on a more neutral position would greet Emma. Sitting behind the office desk she stood up and went towards the window at the end of the room, overseeing the courtyard. "Bon jour Madame van België, I thank you that you came to our help. My grand-father had much trust in you, as far as I was aware. and now...we got all these problems. The specter of communism, the uprising of the Grande Princesse, according to reports by people in aymars cabinet that have a shred of loyalty to our house, it is as bad that the son of Karl Martin wanted to claim the throne. We are currently fortifying ourselves here, to fend off any Communards. I know, it is no light task, it may be ones end, but I'd like to ask you, as a Garde de la Manche, to defend at least my sisters."

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Altough being victorious, the Armée grise still did not attempt to engage the loyalists a second time. Even with the extreme casualties the Blanches had taken, they still were over 10,000 soldiers stronger. Thus, the advance halted at Montlucon, from where new advances were planned, mainly towards Limousine, Aquitaine and Toulouse.

[hr]

Altough the civil war went on, most people stayed at home and tried to continue their daily routine as well as possible. Not yet had the countryside felt too much, or at least the soldiers didn't just ransack their homes, kill their livestock and destroy their crops. Even free passage was given still. For the moment, the civil war had a rather civilized face, as neither Briant, nor Vertorre ordered any repression against the French people. This however had also strategic reasons. Neither side could just aggreviate the population too much, as Aymar lived off his modest position, while Dalian was far better off, if her followers, that were not unlimited would not just be massacred.

In Orléans, noone really knew what was going on anymore in the South. The national renaissance had begun at the Rhône and slowly, it had taken root. With the victory at Clermont-Ferrand, the Action monochrome had established a credible powerbase, Dalians words were not just listened to by a few, but those few spread the word. And as some were actually decent demagogues, slowly society reformed itself.

Once again in her long white dress, the woman walked along the simple road through the fields. It was a rather lonely single-track road, leading from Montlucon to Saint-Amand-Montrond. To her left and right, the green fields interspersed with the yellow of dantelion and red of some wild poppies. Slowly and with a sense of grace, she made her way north. A few trees were at each side of the road, providing a bit of shadow from the sun, something she was thankful for, even though the sun was not shining too strong and the wind had a certain force that day. The woman sighed. her chestnut hair had grown rather long lately. She hadn't cut it, since she left her hometown, she would not cut them shorter before being back there. One could hear the sound of grasshoppers, the song of individual birds, the wind, as he moved the landscape, steadily, and suddenly, she could also hear the hooves of horsemen as they rode over the hard soil. Immediatly, she stopped, awaiting their arrival. They were a group of maybe ten, clothed in red, definetively dragoons in the Regency councils service. As they spotted the woman, they too, stopped their fast ride. "Bon jour Madame. May I ask what you are doing alone on these ways? You come from lands that are in open arms against the High Regent."

"Monsieurs, I heed for Blois. My sister lives there. In these times, I want to know wether or not she is safe."

"Well, Blois is still held by loyal forces. The furthest they came, was Montlucon, as far as we are informed.", the Officier replied, but then he looked a short moment at the woman and with a bit of distrust he added. "Say, how would we know you are no agent of the Biblioprincess. You are clothed like one of her people."

The woman looked at herself, her white old-fashioned dress, a bit dusty from the road, but still, clearly of the sort that was worn by those of her Highness' sorts. Just as old-fashioned as so many things of the movement. "Monsieur, I am a citizen of France, regardless of who is at its head. I may be of the South, but I am a civilian." She looked at the man with her emerald eyes, before blushing lightly. "Could I ask for you to trust me or... must I undergo inspection by a honorable Dragon of his majesty Roi Charles Louis?"

The line had not failed its function. Immediatly the Officier distrust transformed into embarrassment. "Mais non, Madame. Well, you do not have neither musket nor sword. I guess we can let you go. But please watch yourself."

"Merci, Monsieur. I trust in the Lord to guide me well, I shall also pray for your souls, as it seems you ride towards the rebelious territory."

"Oh, indeed. We'd be thankful for a maiden as pure as you to pray for our soul, altough it is just a patrol, to keep ourselfs informed on their movements."

"It is still a dangerous road. May the Lord guide you well." Silently, she folded her hands and whispered a prayer. The soldiers looked a bit fascinated, but did not dare interrupt the awe-inspiring scene. Once finished, she looked up again and smiled. "Be blessed on your way, for we are all French and children of the Lord." She then went on while the Officier signalled the small group to continue the patrol, but after a few metres, he turned around a last time.

"May I inquire your name, Madame?"

She turned around, and without a sign of lie or malevolence. "Lieselotte Vertorre, Monsieur. Maybe we see each other again. Au revoir."

"Au revoir." The Officier waived, then turned around his horse and in a modest manner to his soldiers he continued. "If we just had more people as kind and good as her. It's moments like these making me proud to be French and defend la France." "Aye" the others agreed.


Meanwhiile, Lieselotte continued her way. But looking up at the sky, a wall of clouds had formed. It would maybe be better to look out for an inn...

[Evangeline Anovilis]

[b]La Valliére, France[/b]

It rained heavily and black clouds made the dark sky even darker. The village of La Valliére was a few kilometres to the north of Blois, a small, but still a fief on its own. With a Château on its own. Louise Françoise le Blanc de la Vallière sat quietly in the dining room. In the corner, the fire danced and slowly consumed the wood it turned into light and warmth. One could say it was a rather calm evening. "Your Highness, would you like anything more to your dinner?" "Thanks, but I decline. It is more than enough, Lisette." "As you wish." silently, Lisette stood next to her master, ready to move, should any wish be voiced. But the Duchesse de la Valliére quietly enjoyed her meal. Piece for piece, she stuffed the small portions into her petite mouth, following the etiquette a noble should follow. Outside the rain poured down and even thunder could be heard every now and then. Inbetween though, suddenly someone knocked on the door. "May I look and open up, Madame?" "Of course."

Lisette went to the main door, from where the sound came and echoed through the halls of the castle. She was rather surprised that anyone would seek her Highness at this hour, but even more surprised was Lisette when she opened the door and met noone less but the chestnut haired, green-eyed Liselotte. "Sister? Lieselotte?! Are you alright?" Less did she enter, but rather just slump on the castle floor as the door went open to the inside. Her dress was completely soaked, her breath heavy and her condition didn't look well. "Madame, I'm back soon. If you need me, I'm on my room." Lisette shouted, before taking her sister up to her room.

The chamber of a maid would normally be rather simple, filled with only the most needed pieces of inventory. Lisette however, had quite a large inventory, of all sorts of things. As the Comtesse de Nouvelle-Béziers, Lisette was not just any maid, but a noble still. A noble in the service of her lady. Carefully, Lisette layed Lieselotte down on the bed, Lisette would usually sleep in. Then she changed the clothes, before her sister would get a serious illness. "Why are you marching through such rain at this hour? You'll die out there."

"I won't die." a nearly silent voice replied. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, you're the one I'm worried about. God, what did bring you here?"

"I wanted to see you. We are sisters after all. And who knows...maybe this time my death is more real than last time."

"Death? Are you fighting in the war? Don't tell me..."

She smiled slightly. "You were always concerned about me, but don't fear. I trust in her Highness and it is our duty to serve them. Dalian too."

"But...but, you can't be serious to rebel in such times."

"Sister, I am. But it is not just a revolt. It is the start of a new era. Dalian has plans. She needs all help she can get. France will be better off. The people won't live like today anymore, all is cared for."

"I don't appreciate it, if my sister dies for it though."

"Do not fear. I'm not fighting in the first line and I shall pray for as little bloodshed as possible."

Lisette looked surprised. "You do what?"

"Well, spilling our own blood cannot be a solution. I was not happy with the results in Vicidalia, I'm saddened with this. I may be a politician, but to spill the blood of brothers and sisters is not going to help us much."

Lisette cried. "Well, I just want you safe though. Please visit after the war, alright? Or as soon as possible. I won't sleep, knowing you could die out there."

"I shall." Lieselotte smiled. "But if the Commune marches towards Blois, please flee. I think they'll have little mercy for noblesse."

Lisette nodded and stroked the chestnut hair of her sister, who dozed off after her last line. "You're really making me worry all the time." Lisette sighed. "Still I love you."

[Evangeline Anovilis]

[quote]To the esteemed Général de Corps d'Armée Henri Fournier,

As you may have heard about the victory our soldiers achieved in Clermont-Ferrand, the Inner Circle has decided to use it to secure our position in Bourgogne. Most likely, the enemy will attempt to break through from the East, which we have to prevent at all costs. I hope it is possible for Dijon to contribute now, not only supply and quarter, but also soldiers. It is of utmost importance that Dijon is held, as is that we liberate her Majesty in Fontainebleau, for which Dijon is a must. Without Dijon, the Action monochrome will be having an even harder fight, when Lyon herself is under threat to be besieged. Soon our troops will begin their march to dijon and I hope you'll have at least a few thousand to join their ranks to capture the surrounding area.

With regards,

[font="Vladimir Script"][size="4"]Dalian de Vicidalia[/size][/font][/quote]

[hr]

At the Rhône, the core of the Dalianist movement had turned busy. Was the movement only a small fringe group first, so had it turned into a mass movement. Altough the supplies in St. Etienne provided thousands of muskets, still, many had to be armed with less modern arms, mostly pikes and halberds. The usual ratio of 1:3:1 of melee to musketeers to grenadiers soon turned into a 2:2:1, but Clermont-Ferrand had shown that even the old troops could be of use. Dalian had found allies. Altough most remained in the shadows, their influence became visible, when the army turned from a ragtag band of mercenaries and levies into a force of somewhat disciplined, but also devoted troops. With faith, ideology and loyalty to her Majesty, the troops gathered a decent morale, some even in excess of that. And like so many ideologies, also the Action monochrome attracted the fervent and pious followers, militant and ready to die for what they saw as a righteous cause for a new France. It would be stupid to believe such troops had the same value as a professional guard soldier, because stupidly running into secure death was not a virtue per se. However, it were such people that could be the base of such a guard in the future and it was such people that formed the Garde monochrome, a unit that was left to be trained by Lieselotte upon return.

[Razgriz 2K9]

Angoulême, a quaint little town overlooking the River Charente, was largely away from any major political fighting since the conflict started. The fief remained neutral, attempting to avoid entanglements from the Regency Council, the Valentinist Radicals and the Dalianists. However the conflict was not out of necessity or pragmatism, but for the case of Elvire Isabelle d’Orleans d'Angoulême, the young and unmarried Duchess of Angouleme, it was a fear of choosing a faction, only to be let down. Ever since her mother passed away and she inherited the fiefdom, Elvire had acted in a pragmatic tone, doing what she could to help the people there in such difficult times.

She had little trust in the Regency Council, which she believed, was taking its sweet time in finding an heir to the throne since Charles Louis was incapacitated. Most of all, she despised Aymar Le Baume-Pluvinel, the head of the French Regency, and wanted absolutely nothing to do with him.

Then there was the Valentinist faction, the Communists seeking to overthrow the Monarchy and institute a Revolutionary Republic, and from what she heard, had already seized control of Paris, and forced the Regents to Orleans. Had this been another faction within France she would’ve cheered privately, but she was rather deathly afraid of the Radicals who took power, who sought nothing more than the death of all who bore titles like hers, to create a republic that would shake her country to the core.

And then there were the Dalianists, who sought to end the Salic Laws concerning succession and install Josephine as Queen regnant. Elvire believed that she could’ve ensured a successful French succession had the Salic law not been in the way. However, what support she would have for them was not there. Elvire liked the ideas that Dalian had preached, but lacked the stomach to support them, in fear of losing her lands and her head should they fail.

Thus, the Duchess turned to God, and at Angoulême Cathedral, she turned to pray alone at the altar, believing herself to be safe from harm. The dreaded cold air could be felt within the church walls, as she prayed for the safety of her countrymen, in the hopes that her countrymen would shed little blood in this dispute.

“Madame, it is time we depart to de ville.” One of the Duchess’ aides said as he entered the cathedral, and the burnette haired woman stood up, and turned around. “Very well, has there been any further news of the situation?”

“The Dalianists has achieved a victory over the Regents at Auvergne, they have secured control over the region and have most likely confirmed support over Bourgogne as well.” Elvire closed her eyes and nodded, remaining calm of the situation, but struggled to keep from scowling over it. “That means that either Madame Dalian or Monsieur Le Baume-Pluvinel will be arriving here to try and convince me to support them.” She took a deep breath and began to walk down the aisle, continuing her conversation. “If that is to be the case then we will greet them, but I will try to reaffirm our neutrality, we may support the next ruler of France, whomever they may be, but these are still my people, and their lives matter to me.” The pair opened the doors leading out, the dark skies looming overhead as the pair would head to the Hôtel de ville.

“Your decision to remain neutral might hurt you should one or both of them become unreasonable, you know this, do you not?” The aide said in a serious tone, stroking his grey beard as he pondered.

“I know…but I do not know what I am to do on this matter, do I continue to support the Ancien Regime, or support the new order that Madame Dalian continues to preach?” Elvire said calmly, a hint of nervousness and fear in her voice.

“I will support you no matter which path you choose, Milady.” The pair would reach the Ducal residence, and where the aide would part ways, “I know you will make the right decision, I shall retire for the evening.

“Farewell.” Elvire said with a weak smile before the timid young Duchess too began to head inside and see about retiring to bed herself.

Edited May 7, 2012 by Razgriz 2K9

[Evangeline Anovilis]

[b]La Valliére, France[/b]

Lisette had accompanied her sister up to the entrance to the courtyard. The rain had stopped, only a fresh wind blew slightly and a few puddles on the ground remained of the storm of the day before. She had given Lieselotte a dress of her own, with the white one folded in a bag, given it was clean, but still, the weather made drying it to more than a damp state impossible in the short amount of time. Lieselotte had regained her strength quickly and her leave from the forces could not be extented any longer. After all, someone had to command the troops. And so, the two stood beneath the portal, neither willing to talk first about the parting words. Lisette was rather unhappy to see her sister go, but she was right. Serving her Highness was the duty of their House. "So, I guess you will have to go."

"Indeed. It was nice to see you and the Duchesse are well."

"Well, as always I'm taking care of her. Slowly she get's things done on her own."

"Well, I guess it is your excellent care."

"Maybe. But I had much practice with someone else who always needed my help and wouldn't ever listen."

"Heh?" Lieselotte wanted to laugh at the joke, but as she opened her mouth, she could only look surprised, as Lisette lay in her arms.

Quietly sobbing, Lisette gave her no other option but to hug her twin sister too. "I will return. Don't worry."

"I-I shouldn't worry? You are going into a war. I don't want you to die."

"I won't die. And if, well, it is not up to us to decline the honour to die for our master."

"Lieselotte. I don't care about loyalty here. You are my sister. If you were to die...I don't even want to think about it. Don't go. Please."

Lieselotte could feel how her new clothes became partially wet again, as the tears of Lisette fell upon it. "Lisette, we both know, this can't be it. I promise I shall return, should God guide my way. The Commune has to be crushed and Dalians cause is controversial, but we have to belive in her. I will try to return as soon as possible and then I hope we can meet again."

Lisette went a step back and wiped her tears away. "I'll pray for your safe return then. Everyday, until we meet again, so you are guided well."

"Thanks. I'll be looking out for the dangers to me and Dalian as well as possible."

"Well, as long as you survive, I don't mind what happens. I couldn't call it a live without you."

"Thanks. But I'm confident that it will work out. But now, I have to go. Au revoir."

"Au revoir."

The two embraced each other another time, before Lieselotte marched southward again. Lisette looked after her for some time, even after she vanished behind the horizon, before returning to her duties.

Edited May 7, 2012 by Evangeline Anovilis

[Razgriz 2K9]

[b][u]Angoulême, France[/u][/b]

Elvire awoke the following morning to a calm morning. The winds of war had yet to reach Angoulême, and yet it was so close she could taste it. She had every reason to be precarious of her position, an aide briefed her on what she had possessed in terms of defense, few men and ever fewer Francs, any potential defense of her domain fell largely on either support from the outside, or Arming the citizens from inside, and even then, it would not field an army large enough to defend her fief.

And yet, the Duchesse was calm as she ever was, putting on her clothes and dress before walking around the Hôtel de ville. Such walks were made to calm the mind, she knew that someone will come to her, but how should she respond was the main question. Her aide suggested taking a side, but her stubborn desire to not to bring suffering and war to her people put her off on such matters. But even she knew that it would be a matter of time where remaining neutral would no longer be an option. “If I only knew what I must do.” Elvire thought in her mind.

[Subtleknifewielder]

[quote]
To Her Highness, Grande Princesse Dalian de Vicidalia,

Highness, might I congratulate you on the victory our forces achieved in their first major encounter? As for Your Highness' desire for troops, it will be done. I cannot promise Your Highness many experienced soldiers, but I can promised at least moderately trained ones. I expected at least a few to join our ranks, but I was pleasantly surprised at how many willingly joined before we needed to resort to conscription, and so far, the people of the city seem fairly receptive to our cause.

I am also pleased to report that in addition to our successful recruitment and the securing of supplies, the construction of our defenses is moving along nicely with so many willing hands. Soon the city will be all but impregnable to any foe that should stand against it!

With my undying loyalty,

Général de Corps d'Armée Henri Fournier[/quote]

Edited May 8, 2012 by Subtleknifewielder

[Evangeline Anovilis]

[b]Dijon, France[/b]

It was a good thing Général du Corps Fournier had recruited soldiers, because it was not a long time before the army arrived. However, not from the direction it should've come from. First only single escadrons of Dragons and Gendarmes, but they only were the Avant-Garde of what was meant to arrive. The Regency had ordered the attack on the revolting lands already some time ago and while most troops were stationed in the fortifications and towns along the German border, they had now gathered and were to complete the task given to them. To crush Commune and Dalian.

It was in the morning of the day after the letter was sent to Dalian that a Dragon arrived from the north, asking for a meeting with the Général du Corps. "The Blancs, the Blancs, they are marching on our town. I saw their army just today, on my reconnaissance patrol. The combined troops of Metz and Belfort are marching to retake Dijon." He was out of air and visibly exhausted, as he rode as fast as he could. Most likely the Horse looked just as bad.