The Festival of Meat, also known as the "Farewell to Winter Festival," is one of Kislev's ancient traditions.
Around a thousand years ago, the Kislevites began migrating west from the Kurgan steppes, crossing the World's Edge Mountains to settle in their current lands. There, they defeated the Ugol and Prosven peoples, with the Ugols ultimately choosing to serve the Ice Witch Miska, while the Prosven disappeared from history forever.
Initially, the Kislevites worshipped the Northern Three Gods: Ursun, the Bear God; Dazh, the Sun God; and Tor, the Thunder God, with Ursun as their chief deity. This ancient belief was so old that even the Ugols worshipped these gods before the Kislevites arrived. Alongside the Three Gods, the people also revered Shallya, the goddess of healing and comfort.
The traditions of the Festival of Meat stem from these beliefs. According to legend, when Ursun transforms into a great bear to tear apart Chaos' forces, and when Tor strikes down the fog of Chaos with his thunderbolts, and when Dazh shines his light upon Kislev's lands, corruption and ice will recede. People will gather to celebrate surviving another year of hardships in Kislev.
During the Great War Against Chaos, Kislev fell, only to be reclaimed when the savior Ludwig marched north after his victory at the Battle of the Fasha, eventually restoring the kingdom. However, the people's faith in the Northern Three Gods waned, as they began to doubt whether these deities could protect them. This led to the rise of worship for Ulric, the White Wolf God, and Taal, the Nature God, until Tsar Boris Bokha personally served as the high priest of Ursun and proved, through divine intervention, that the Bear God had not forsaken the land.
Nonetheless, the Festival of Meat endured as a cherished tradition.
As Belia led his contingent along the southern bank of the Lynsk River, they arrived at Kislev's capital. The Ugol officer gazed at the snow-covered Bokha Palace, with its onion-shaped domes and the imposing two-kilometer-long Ice Wall. This was Kislev, the slowly beating heart of the snow-bound kingdom.
Snow continued to fall heavily as Belia presented the diplomatic credentials from Ryan, granting them priority entry into the city. The convoy, laden with goods, caused the citizens to look on with envy. However, no one dared to act on their desires—the seasoned Ugol soldiers were heavily armed, equipped with both high-quality weapons and firearms.
Despite the famine plaguing the city and the desperation of the refugees, none would risk their lives by trying to rob these well-armed soldiers.
In addition to the 200 Ugol horse archers, the convoy included numerous servants and many young and attractive Kislevite women, who followed closely behind the soldiers, dressed in warm fur coats and thick trousers.
Some of these girls had been acquired for "cheap" prices. For instance, the beautiful blonde girl trailing behind Belia was only fifteen years old. Belia had bought her from her father for a box of white bread, two kilograms of beef, and a handful of silver coins. Though she had become his maid, it wasn't as though the girl was forced into servitude. In fact, when Belia made the offer, the girl, named Holgina, had eagerly agreed to sell herself. After all, her family had survived on thin porridge for three months, and the opportunity to serve a general like Belia was a privilege she gladly accepted.
Thus, many of the mid- and lower-ranking officers in Belia's contingent had each taken a woman as their companion. The group had grown considerably in size, and Belia, while encouraging his officers to take in these women, maintained strict discipline. Unlike Ivan, who was lax on discipline but provided no perks, Belia's leadership offered benefits while also demanding rigorous adherence to the rules. One soldier, caught trying to extort a few loaves of black bread, was immediately executed by Belia, who personally shot the man and had his body fed to the wolves of the frozen plains.
Thanks to Ryan's excellent relations with the Empire, the diplomatic mission was housed directly within the Imperial Embassy in Kislev. There, Belia was greeted by Kaspar von Felten, the Imperial Ambassador to Kislev. Kaspar was a man with an illustrious past. He had started as a humble spearman under the former Emperor Luitpold, eventually rising through the ranks after defeating a shadow beast (a monstrous beastman Minotaur) at the Battle of Bloodpine Woods. He later fought in the Nordland campaign, repelling northern barbarian invaders. For his valor at Helmgart, he was promoted to the rank of general. After five more years of distinguished service, this common-born Imperial general had caught the eye of a noblewoman from Nuln, Lady Madeleine, and the two were married. Kaspar retired with honor to live in Nuln.
Unfortunately, Madeleine passed away a few years later, leaving Kaspar deeply lonely. He accepted the Emperor's appointment as Imperial Ambassador to Kislev. Now, the embassy housed an entire Imperial infantry regiment and a unit of Leopard Knights. Belia was surprised to see the leader of the Leopard Knights, Reinhardt, a veteran legendary hero, also present. Although Belia didn't know why Reinhardt was in Kislev, he greeted the knight respectfully.
After settling in, Kaspar and Belia sat down for a conversation in the embassy, exchanging pleasantries before moving on to more serious matters. Belia, with warm friendliness, asked, "So, how are things in Kislev, Kaspar?"
"Things? Not good at all!" Kaspar replied bluntly. With his white hair and Mediterranean look, the Imperial Ambassador bore a striking resemblance to Blackheart Repp, though he was taller and carried himself with the dignity of a true soldier. "Kislev is swarming with refugees, unemployment is sky-high, and the markets are empty. Meanwhile, the black market is filled with overpriced food and goods. The refugees rely on the charity of a few churches—Shallya's, the War Goddess's, and the Goddess of Justice's—for meager handouts."
Kaspar's frankness was a little off-putting for Belia, who wasn't used to such direct talk. But the Imperial Ambassador wasn't just a diplomat; he also served as a military advisor and commander of the Empire's forces in Kislev. Given his military background, it wasn't surprising that Kaspar spoke like a soldier.
"That sounds pretty grim. Has Tsarina Katarin done anything to address the situation?" Belia probed further.
"Done anything? Ha! Where would she find the money?" Kaspar laughed bitterly and shook his head. "Belia, I'd advise you to stay off the streets today. And if you must go, take plenty of guards with you. Today is payday, and the city's soldiers are gathering at the Gods' Hammer Armory to receive their wages."
"What?!" Belia sensed something amiss and pressed, "How did they suddenly come up with money for wages? Where did Katarin find the funds?"
"Funds? What funds?" Kaspar scoffed. "You've heard about the Tsarina's recent move to raise tariffs and control the export of magical ores, right? On top of that, some of the spoils from the Ostland army's Norsca expedition were shared with Kislev. Everyone knows the royal treasury is flush with cash right now. If they don't pay the soldiers now, there would be hell to pay. But from what I've heard, the Tsarina is strapped for money, so the Bear Cavalry, Gryphon Legion, and Krem Guard will be paid first. As for the Kossars, Kislev Gunners, and city garrison troops... well, they'll get whatever's left."
"Whatever's left?" Belia leaned forward, his unease growing. "Please, Kaspar, what exactly does that mean? How much are they planning to give the regular and core troops?"
"I've heard it's ten kilos of black bread, two large sacks of potatoes, a small block of butter, and fifteen silver coins for each man," Kaspar sighed. "I've already ordered the embassy's forces and the Ulric Temple across the street to be on high alert. Let's just hope nothing happens…"
"Damn it!" Belia cursed, rising from his seat. "Sherepin!"
"Here, General!" Sherepin immediately stepped forward.
"Gather our men and arm yourselves! We're heading to the armory, now!"
"Yes, sir!"
—————— Trouble's Brewing ——————
With just five days left until the Festival of Meat, Kislev's Gods' Hammer Armory had, for the first time in ages, opened its doors. Soldiers were pouring in, eager to finally receive their long-overdue wages. Outside, the Krem Guard maintained order, ensuring that thousands of soldiers lined up properly, waiting to collect their pay.
Heavy snow continued to fall outside, and even inside, there was no warmth from a fire. The quartermasters were conducting final checks, knowing full well the storm that was about to break.
General Andrei Vasily sat silently at his desk, his expression grim as he listened to the Tsarina's envoy deliver her message: "General Andrei, today, the soldiers of the Kossar Regiment, Kislev Gunners, and several city defense battalions will be receiving their pay. Unlike the nobles, the Bear Cavalry, or the Krem Guard, these men are hard to handle. They've been counting on these wages for survival. Tsarina Katarin has entrusted you with this difficult task."
"This is all we have to give
?" General Andrei closed his eyes, already dreading the soldiers' reactions—first, the excitement and hope, then the crushing disappointment and rage.
"The treasury is nearly empty. Each man will receive ten kilos of black bread, two sacks of potatoes, a block of butter, and fifteen silver coins. That's all there is. It won't last long, maybe four or five days at most for a family," the Tsarina's envoy admitted, sighing. "But it's all we have."
"I understand," General Andrei nodded wearily. "Tell Tsarina Katarin that I, Andrei, will never abandon my homeland."
With the envoy gone, the gates opened, and the first Kossar soldier strode up, grinning with anticipation. "I'm first! Let's get this over with."
"Name, regiment, and rank?" General Andrei asked solemnly, swallowing hard.
"Kossar Regiment, First Battalion, Third Company. Alexei Konstantinovich," the soldier replied, and the quartermaster quickly found his name on the list.
"Sign here," the officer instructed.
Alexei signed his name, pressing his thumb into ink for his fingerprint.
"Distribute his wages," General Andrei ordered, and a quartermaster handed over a large bag of black bread, two sacks of potatoes, and a small handful of silver coins.
The Kossar's face fell as he examined his payment. "What is this? General, what's going on?"
"This is your pay," General Andrei confirmed grimly. "Take it home, and enjoy the festival with your family."
"This?! This is my pay?! I've been waiting for over half a year, and you give me this?" Alexei's voice rose in anger. "I'm owed at least fifteen gold ducats since May! This doesn't even add up to two and a half!"
Murmurs of discontent swept through the crowd of soldiers waiting for their turn. They looked at each other in growing frustration, inching forward.
"What's going on?"
"Why are we getting so little?"
"We fight and bleed on the front lines, and this is how they treat us?"
"Betrayed! We've been betrayed!"
"They paid the Krem Guard and the Bear Cavalry in full, but we get this?"
The crowd surged toward the armory, growing more agitated by the second.
"You think this is enough to get us through the winter?"
"Fight back! Take what's ours!"
"Soldiers, arm yourselves! We'll take back what belongs to us!"
"If you won't give it, we'll take it ourselves!"
The crowd of angry soldiers, feeling utterly betrayed, pushed past the guards, storming into the armory to seize weapons and provisions. Inside, the Krem Guard and Kossar soldiers soon clashed, fists and blades flying as chaos erupted.
A violent mutiny had broken out in Kislev's capital, at the heart of the kingdom.
Not far from the scene, a blue-clad figure in a cloak smiled coldly, disappearing into the crowd.
"Change is upon us."
"Time is running out."
"All praise the Lord of Change!"
_________________________
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