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[B][CENTER]Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn, the Flame of the East[/CENTER][/B]

[i]Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn ordered the retreat, even as he watched his squadrons wheel around the flaming monsters to launch another attack. 

"My lord? We must win here, God wills it!" said one of his many adivsors; a young man, full of vigor and not in the slightest bit disheartened by the demons they were faced with.

 Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn smiled, shaking his head, "a foolish man, who allows his enemy to see his true resolve; a pitiful King, who would needlessly send his soldiers to the slaughter." 

Bemused, the young advisor drew his scimitar and called for his horse, 'God wills it! I will lead the next charge, we can break them! Look how many we have slain!" 

"You will not," snapped the Sultan. His sun beaten face creasing in slight anguish as a great sphere of fire crashed into the front ranks of his assembled spear infantry. Dozens of men screamed like strangled animals as they rolled in the sand; fighting flames that would not extinguish. "Come. Sound the horns once more, and then we leave. Send the Sinners against them as a rear guard, let it be known that those who do their duty and survive, will be forever lifted of their sullied title."[/i]

The Sultan of the Ayyubid Dynasty has ceded control of Libya to the invading army of flame demons that have spread across the North African Continent in a bloody storm. However, it is well known that of all the human Kingdoms, Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn's is currently the strongest. There is little telling how many brave Muslims he can call to his banner at the stamping of his feet, or how many more he could call to him if he declared a Jihad against the invaders. What is known however, that he is perhaps the greatest general in the known world, and it is unlikely that even the monstrosities that have spewed forth from Gorika will be able to unnerve his battlefield genius. 

[B][CENTER]The Fourth Crusade[/CENTER][/B]

As France's territorial integrity dwindles, and the Holy Roman Empire struggles to recover from having its heart ripped out, the Pope in Exile has finally taken action. Convinced that Hell has come to claim the planet, Pope Honorius III has declared a Crusade against the Isarimer race. He calls all good Christians, whether they are Catholic or Orthodox, to put aside their differences and unite against the common foe. 

This act has been a much needed morale boost to the beleaguered populations of Western Europe. Even now, as the Isarimer consolidate their gains, and the Lorenvolk march unopposed into southern France, thousands of knights, men-at-arms and the much feared Templars are assembling in Northern Italy. It will be some time before the force has gathered its full strength however, but all Gorikan races should fear the moment the pathetic humans, mired in disagreement, fear and cowardice array themselves into one army fit for one purpose: the reclamation of God's realm. 

[B][CENTER]England Stands Ready[/CENTER][/B]

Seeing its neighbour teetering on the edge of oblivion, and concerned about its own territorial integrity should France fall, King John has ordered the complete mobilisation of the English Royal Army. Capable of boasting 40,000 knights, men-at-arms and longbowmen, it will be a force to be reckoned with. Cut off from Northern Italy, and therefore unable to join the Fourth Crusade, it is operating free from Papal dictation. Where the King, safe as he is across the channel, will send his men is not yet clear. 

However, should France collapse into the dust, one can only assume the English will step in to prop up their besieged former enemy.

[B][CENTER]France and the Humlon Agree Terms[/CENTER][/B]

Relieving the strain somewhat on the collapsing country of the Franks, the Humlon have agreed to a cease fire. In return, King Philip II has ceded them the Nord-Calais-Pas region of France, and has agreed to withdraw his whittled troops from the borders of Flanders. The peace with the demons of the marshes has been looked on with dismay across the Christian world, but the French King cares little - he cannot fight a war on one front, let alone two.