Konrad, it was decided, would remain with you for the duration of the war, or at least until you had some idea of what to do with him.

Leverage, hostage, a semi-ambassador—when the war was over, it was to be thought about.

The summer rains kept on falling for about a week more. And for the rest of the summer and autumn, you dispersed and rounded up the remains of Konrad's former army.

It very much was a cleanup situation; if you didn't make certain they were flushed out, certain men would most certainly take up the opportunity to harass the locals for food and money. And besides that, the more knights, nobles, and other lords that managed to escape but were captured now, the more ransom you might get later.

News from the rest of the country was good as well. Wladislaw had successfully secured his position and had defeated some rebel lords in the field. Now, only Leszek remained. And it had been barely two years.

For now, you could take it easy for a bit. While you could have gone into the heart of Konrad's estates to seize his castles and other holdings, you decided to march a tad bit to the east. To be a bit closer to Wladislaw and his army.

Obviously, you couldn't keep the fact that you had captured Konrad secret, or else his servants might think him dead. You did manage to cow the rest of his fiefs and estates into cooperation that way, which certainly helped. Konrad's treatment did help a good chunk of the castles and cities to surrender to you.

It was nearing the end of the year, and while you were preparing to march further east to be in position against Leszak, you received a visit from none other than King Wladislaw IV, who had ridden upon a great black-coated destrier.