It would be best, you thought, if you went for a bold, direct strategy. You would sail directly into their main port of Stosby and from there advance into the inland of the island. You would attempt to directly take over the castles located there before securing the entire island.
It would be risky, plenty risky, but you had a plan; you would send the envoy carrying the declaration of war only at the last minute. By the time Karl would open the letter, you would already be making landfall upon his so precious island.
Come the spring of 1273, a great fleet review was held in the bay of Greifswald, as men, cargo, and horses were loaded onto the ships assembled in the harbour of Libau, ready to set sail for the island of Ölfland.
<span class="mu-i"> ''Now remember,'' </span> Wittekind said as he was led aboard your own ship, <span class="mu-i"> ''I will remain on the decks and won't go into the cargo hold under any circumstances. </span>
<span class="mu-i"> ''That's all well and good,'' </span> The captain said. <span class="mu-i"> ''As long as you remember to relieve yourself over the railing, I don't want any horse manure on my planks.'' </span>
Snorting, your horse walked over to a specially prepared straw bed and lay down there. From what you could tell, there would be favourable winds, so you decided to make certain your belongings were all there: your clothes, sword, shield, lance, reserve dagger, and all the pieces of your armour as well.
You set out from port just before four hours before noon, on the high tides. While you didn't have much affinity for the sea, you could appreciate its strong winds and fresh, salty air. The Armentic Sea is an inland sea, so the journey ahead would be relatively calm compared to the open ocean, or so the captains told you, not that you were very knowledgeable about the navigations and ploughing of the seas. So you simply nodded.
The ship creaked and the sails filled as you settled into a life of waiting. It would take a few days at most if the currents and winds were favourable.
You had taken your daughter Sophia with you as well; her magic could be useful in battle or in more practical issues, though it was considered an unconventional choice to bring one's daughter along to the battlefield, though as with most things, those who can do magic usually form the exception.
<span class="mu-i"> ''But Father, should I not have a set of armour as well?'' </span> Sophia asked over dinner.
<span class="mu-i"> ''Doesn't your magic protect you? Why should you have armour as well?'' </span> You said as you cut open the fish.
