We were very polite with Cleopatra, but firm. We asked for Thebes and she squeaked out a feeble no.

 
Well, we never. Such disrespect of her betters. And wearing last year's bonnet! Of course, this means only one thing -- war. 

1560 AD
Preparedness

We have Cossacks, but also plenty of Infantry and Artillery. Our defense assured, we will go on the offensive. 

Ivan's Cossack Army will destroy the enemy Cavalry. His Heroic Epic will be told by the bards. We will one day establish a Military Academy where our Valiant Soldiers will study the strategies of the Great and Terrible Ivan.

Very dashing, Ivan is. 

Infantry warfare is slow and difficult. We reluctantly agree to a cease-fire. Nevertheless, we have successfully expanded our Empire and dislodged Cleopatra from her capital of Thebes. 

Czarina Catherine of Russia had a magic mirror.
"Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the most cultured one of all?"

"You are, my Queen," said the mirror,
but Cleopatra is a close second."

Our Glorious Russian scientists have been busy mastering the technologies leading to Motorized Transportation. Finally, the stalemate of Infantry Warfare has ended. We shall requisition many more Tanks.  

There are eight turns left in that dastardly peace treaty, Cleopatra, then you'll get your comeuppance. 

Bismark stabs at us in the back. He shall pay for his insolence. 

That was quite uncalled for. We shall have to reconsider Bismark's invitation to the upcoming Charity Ball in Celebration of the Fallen Heroes. 

During the War Against the Backstabbing Bismark, a remarkable Leader emerges. Lovely Peter builds us a new Palace in Hieraconpolis.

Quite a gentleman, that Peter. We are rather fond of him. 

1680 AD
Still Peeved

We are still peeved with Cleopatra for not giving us Thebes when we asked. From our new Palace in Hieraconpolis, we can keep a close eye on her.

In fact, we are so upset that we will take away her royal titles. 

Nowadays when making a challenge, most use a glove loosely held in the right hand, a quick movement of the wrist to slap the opponent, then dropping or throwing the glove at the feet of your nemesis. We prefer the old days. One would send the head of the Rival's Emissary back in a box, usually somewhat ornate, though the best available would do if on field campaign. 

It's the thought that counts. 

The Golden Hair Girl

Many, many years ago there was a great magician, Poloza, who was known for as keeper of the Ural mountains' treasures. This magician had hundreds of guards who watched over all his gold, silver, and jewels he had. But living among such valuable possession, he treasured most of all his daughter the Golden Hair Girl, whom Poloza was guarding more than all his material riches.

Once upon a time Golden Hair met a handsome, nomad from the Bashkirian tribe, who was hunting nearby Poloza's Palace. They fell in love, decided to get married, and to go to live in the hunter's house.

However, Poloza was against letting his daughter live in the forest with the simple-folk Hunter-nomad and refused the marriage. Despite Poloza's refusal, the young Hunter decided to abduct Golden Hair. When he did so, the father twice returned his daughter back to the Palace using his magical powers.

The young hunter then went to seek advise from the magic wise owl, which lived deep in the forest. The owl explained to him that there was only one place where the magical powers of Poloza could not reach, and that was the large island, located in the middle of the Lake.

For the last time the young Hunter abducts the Golden Hair girl from her father's palace and takes her to the Island in the middle of the Lake. This time the magic powers of Poloza were unable to take the daughter away from the Hunter.

On this beautiful Island the couple found meadows and forests, herds of horses and sheep, wonderful gar-dens with flowers in bloom all year round, plenty of food, and all manners of comfort.

However, there was one condition that the magic wise owl told the hunter, and that was that both he and the Golden Hair girl were to be captives on this Island for eternity. Knowing this they still decided to live on this island.

Although, many centuries have passed, since these days even today the old folks living nearby the Lake say that sometimes at dawn, couples, walking along the bank of the Lake bank, can see the Island and the beautiful maiden sitting on a stone at the water's edge. She lets her hair down, and the water turns into pure gold.