May, 1500

Georg squinted at the letter. The Frisians writing was poor, the letters sloppy. Clearly though, the letter had been written in haste. "Have we received anything from Heinrich? Confirmation of what Edzard writes?'. The chancellor shook his head. 'No your Grace. It could be the messenger was caught and killed, or perhaps worse. The Frisians seized the town and your brother is a hostage.'. Georg swallowed. A wretched time for such events, his father was away in Augsburg and would be unable to respond for some time. In his fathers absence, and serving as regent it fell to him to rally an army. He turned to a scribe, and notified him to type a letter. Upon its conclusion he sent it forthwith to Augsburg on the fastest horse available.

Father,

News from Edzard, Heinrich besieged in Franeken. Peasant uprising, extremely large. I am rallying an army of Mercenaries to retake the territory immediately. Will march as soon as you give word of wear to meet you on the march.

Your Son, Georg*

The letter was short and sweet. To the point. His father need only hear of the urgency of the situation and he would come running surely? However, Georg realized he could not sit idly and wait for his father to reply, god only knew how long that might take. He must rally and army himself. The call was put out, Georg would rally an army of some 5,000 infantry (1,500 Mercenary Swordsmen, along with some 3,500 Landsknecht) supported by 1,000 Crossbowmen (hired from across Germany), along with some 900 mounted men (300 Feudal knights recruited from Saxon estates, and some 600 Mercenary Lancers.). An agreed fee shall be pain upfront, with the rest of the fee to be paid off after the completion of the campaign.

As the preparations were under way, a letter returned from Augsburg, with strange tidings.

Georg

*Important issues a foot at the diet. Will not be joining the Army. I task you with the defeat of the Frisians until such time as I can join you. Leave Count Von Draxdorf and your Lady Wife Barbara to serve as regents. A young son from the Margrave of Baden will join you on the march at Kassel. He is to be rewarded with lands you can find in Frisia. Should he fail to join you, he is to receive nothing.'.

Your Father, Duke Albrecht

Georg swallowed again. The Heir of Saxony was on the war path.