Chapter XLVII: Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?
September and October 1112 VTE
It was now September 1112, and it had become apparent to Magnus that this entire war had changed its course. While Pomerania proper had entered the war, and he had large swathes of Syrenia, including Neapolis and Trinitas, under control; but his nation could not justifiably continue this war much longer. The idea of "total war" was not something widely accepted by any of the national leaders, and the ever-pragmatic Magnus believed that he may be able to secure a peace settlement that would allow all sides to end the war with honor. In Mid-August, he penned a letter to the Empress, the King of Pomerania, Duke of Pomura and Pomerlane. The letter has been lost to time, but Magnus's letter was written differently to his enemies rather than his friends. The conditions for all, however, would be the following for a true:
- All lands under occupation shall remain under occupation for now.
- Food and supplies would be given to isolated garrisons by all parties. All sieges would be effectively over for the time being.
- Priority would be given to feeding the citizens of all realms and prisoners of war would be exchanged
- All parties will agree to a truce lasting until next spring or until a peace settlement would be settled with honor.
To the Empress, he made the point that this war was proving ruinous to the normal people of their realms and that he believed that many would starve during the upcoming winter due to the depletion of farmers. It was an eloquent appeal to the heart of the Empress. He furthermore claimed that he would be more than willing to settle any disputes, and that he believed his friends would as well. The Empress, knowing that many were going to have a turnip winter, agreed.
To Pomerlane, he wrote that he had grown to respect him a lot as his enemy and was willing to negotiate concessions on behalf of his nation and furthermore, pressure his allies into accepting the treaty. He even made the claim that he would make sure the Duke of Pomura would have to give Greifswald to him. He also made the point that if his allies did not agree, he would be more than willing to turn a blind eye and that the possibility of future concessions regarding the occupied lands under Imperial control in Pomerania would be in order. Effectively, Magnus was willing to backstab his allies to ensure that his own people would not suffer from a horrible harvest. He also schmoozed the Prince, telling him he believed his allies were decadent cowards and if it were to him, he would allow Pomerlane to control all of Pomerania and would support him. Pomerlane, who was just captured Wittenhagen, agreed to the terms. His men were exhausted and despite their experience, the Royal Army was no joke. One mistake and his efforts would be gone. It certainly didn't help that his demons were getting the best of him
To his friends, Magnus was rather blunt in his dealings, he told the King of Pomerania that this was not a war that they could win and that Drakenland would sign a peace regardless of the King's actions. He furthermore pressured the King by reminding him that much of his population was not loyal to him anymore, rather to Pomerlane and that one defeat could see him lose his whole crown. "Why not come to the table, and settle this whole affair? It was your subjects who drug you into this. Many of them have defected to the Prince of Greifswald already, and more will if we do not make peace now. If nothing more, it would give you until spring to truly unleash the power of Pomerania onto the Imperials." The King had a heart attack when he first received the letter but ultimately agreed. There was no reason to not be willing to make peace without more people dying. He may be a decadent fat slob, but he truly did love his people. The same could be said of the Duke of Pomura
The Duke of Pomura was ever closer to capturing Diamond City when Magnus's letter reached him. Magnus outright lied to him and told him that all other parties agreed to the treaty and that should he not accept, then he would be targeted by all parties and have his lands stripped from there. Pomuranus was furious at this clear betrayal from the King of Drakenland, but he had no choice but to accept. Secretly however, he vowed to have his revenge on all of them and even went as far to make a master plan that would see all of his enemies, which included his "allies" crushed under the might of his power. But that is another story for another day
By Mid-September, all parties agreed, and they all vowed to meet at Lillehammer to discuss terms. Magnus had managed to pull off a marvelous coup with this treaty. Fighting soon died down on all fronts, except in the swamps, hills and forests of Syrenia for reasons that were out of control of any of the representatives. Each one of the parties brought different demands to the table, but all had their reasons for peace; except for the Duke of Pomura. They all would arrive in Lillehammer in Early October.
For the common people of all realms and the soldiers, it was a great time. Many were able to return home to see their families again and others were able to talk once more with their former friends that they fought against. Food supplies, from Tsukinode, flowed into the realms and the people of Drakenland in particular were grateful that they would not face starvation. Finally, merchants were able to travel without fear for just a brief respite. The wisdom of Magnus and Emylia had saved the lives of possibly hundreds of thousands of common peasants across all of the realms and this is why September 1st, the date which these two agreed to arrange peace, is held as a national holiday in Drakenland, Eliria, Pomerania and Syrenia.
But the ultimate question was, would peace be able to be had? Peace sells... but who's buying? Would all parties be able to agree on some sort of settlement, especially considering one of the parties was truly not interested in peace at all? Or would this time of respite be just the eye of the storm that was about to escalate this war even further, and bring about some of the most horrific atrocities yet seen?