The spring air was cool and refreshing on Alexander's pale skin, it was far more akin to the springs of Ruscovia than the unbearable heat further south in, and around, the Antiqua peninsular. Though Rolan had disagreed with Alexander, he relished the warmth and the luxuries of the south, so he and Alexander parted company temporarily as Alexander journeyed back North to Mercia. Prince Alexander knew, even if only for himself, that he had to observe the goings on of these southerly Kingdoms and assess there strengths and weaknesses.
Most of what he had descovered were screamingly obvious to those here, and he felt like an outsider just by asking the questions. The most powerful three Kingdoms are exactly as told in Sartov: Aquitaine, Castile and Mercia.
Aquitaine is said to be the most powerful of the three, it's armies are legion and it's territorial holdings great indeed - but it is held back by it's child king, and power hungry regents.
Castile is very much the former powerhouse ignoring it's slow decline, though few people would put it as bluntly as that. It's once vast territorial holdings have been superseded by Aquitaine expansion, it's royal family is debauched, and it's decrepit King is the only thing holding the nation back from the precipice of chaos.
Then finally, there is Mercia. A country hated venomously in Aquitaine - though beloved by all who dislike Aquitaine. It's territorial holdings are impressive, but it's army is quite unremarkable. The most popular talking point on people's lips is it's King, or he should say Queen. For Mercia is ruled by a women, Queen Mary. Surprisingly enough, what all detractors perceive as a weakness is actually strength, regardless there view is a grave and dangerious underestimation. Of the three Great Kingdoms, she is the only leader with any competence - her court is undivided, and her Navy is nothing short of extraordinary. Alexander had seen just part of it for himself as his ferry carried him into port.
If any of the three are a threat to Ruscovia, then it's Mercia. Castile's decline and instablitiy speaks for it's self. Though Aquitaine's armies are massive, and powerful, Alexander couldn't see how they could threaten Ruscovia, or why they would want to. Such an invasion would be fraught with risk, with few tangable benifets. Mercia on the other hand would threaten Ruscovia in different ways, Alexander doubted Queen Mary would seak terreotiral control. It's ships are more than powerful and numerious enough to blockade traderoutes, which would further starve his people. To the releif, if Queen Mary was shrewd, Mercia would seek domion over him, and Ruscovia.. Even without meeting her, Queen Mary's Imperial ambitions are clear, just as are Aquitaines.
Undoubtably one way of securing Ruscovia and improving it's economy might be allying with one of the three. When Castile's King dies, then the resulting chaos will mean civil war, and Alexander doubts it will remain 'civil' for long.
Alexander followed the other passengers as he made his first steps into Mercia. The port was only a short ride from the Rochester, it's capital city, which he was anxious to see for himself. Beyond that, he was starving.
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