After a week and a half journey, Victor arrived back at the palace in Hannover, however, he did not stay long after dropping off the carriage, his luggage and servants he and the cavalrymen with him made haste for the military outpost.
As Victor and his escorts came upon the camp it was larger and busier than before. In a week and a bit since the new summons had arrived the camp had cleared out a large perimeter of trees making the clearing larger and easier to guard against ambushes.
Sturdy and tall palisades had been erected around the camp; deep trenches were in front of them. New buildings had been constructed and furnished in such a short amount of time. It helped that over 500 people focused on construction and were able to build new stables, barracks, a canteen and even a double-story house for the lord and officers.
Arriving at the centre of the camp Victor was greeted by General Rapp. "Welcome back my Lord, How do you like the new improvements to the camp?"
Victor well and truly impressed replied, "It is definitely exceptional, I almost mistook it for a fort on the ride in." Sharing some small banter Victor was led into the double-story house for the officers.
Informing his general about the situation Victor and the officers began to plan their coup. The main subject was the role of the soldiers during this coup. The plan would be to let into the city and palace and they were tasked with capturing key figures like the Duke and his family while subduing any soldiers who contested them.
After finalising the role of Victor's military, Sergeant Junot offered a keen suggestion. "My Lord, would it be wise for you to establish your own coat of arms? It'd do our battalion good if we had all the same uniforms and were able to fight under your flag."
The room of men nodded in agreement, it was a good idea. From Victor's perspective establishing his own coat of arms and having his troops fight under his flag would prove to bring many benefits.
Victor looked at his officers and said, "An excellent idea Sergeant Junot. I shall create one immediately. Given that the majority of our soldiers have predominantly blue uniforms, we shall make all the soldiers dress in blue. The Royal Scots Greys and Russian Jaegers will need new uniforms. I shall leave it to you men to organise it."
All bowing in unison they exited the planning room. Victor was left to his own thoughts and began thinking of what his coat of arms should look like.
The Cassell Dukedom's coat of arms featured a purple rose on a white field. The Cruyff Dukedom had two crossed red axes on a dark green field. The Luxenberg Dukedom had a blue eagle on a grey field.
With only a week before Duke Cassell's subordinate arrived, Victor was ready to announce to his officers the new coat of arms for his faction. Prominent figures like Captain Nowak, Sergeant Junot and General Rapp were present for Victor's unveiling of the design he sketched.
"Gentlemen I present our new coat of arms." Victor proudly said showing his design.
Using the eagle from his family's coat of arms, Victor had a golden eagle on a field of dark blue, taking inspiration from Napoleon's French Imperial coat of arms. The men in the room nodded to each other, impressed with the design presented by Victor.
Satisfied with the design Victor returned to Hannover to get Florence and Sebastian to assist his officers in dealing with the uniforms and creating flags for his army to raise. All Victor could do now was wait in anticipation for Duke Cassell's subordinate.
The week went quickly. General Rapp spent it organising his soldiers seeing that they were all dressed in blue uniforms. The other officers, such as Captain Nowak and Sergeant Junot were in charge of drilling the men and making them completely disciplined. Victor and his servant prioritised swaying the neutral ministers and commanders to their side.
Only half of Victor's faction supported the idea of the coup, but with some careful bribes and extortion, the hesitant members soon came around to the idea of Victor overthrowing his father. Many in Victor's faction had no love for Duke Vipon. He was a cold and emotionless man who was hard to please, hence why the idea of a coup wasn't outrageous.
With everything as prepared as it could be Victor waited patiently at the entrance to Hannover. He did not know who would be coming and how he would identify them. Many people walked through the entrance every day. Merchants, farmers and mercenaries were frequent comers and goers. Doubt crept into Victor's mind, 'Was this the best way for the plan to unfold?'
While lost in thought a hooded individual slowly approached him on horseback. Recognising this Victor cantered his horse forward to meet him. As he got closer and closer the hooded fellow grew more familiar. His attire was well put together underneath the hooded robe. His silver eyes and purple hair complimented his youthful appearance. With the two men standing eye to eye Victor calmly said, "Welcome uncle how was your journey."
"It was peaceful. Since there are no bandits thanks to you, it was a pleasant journey," Replied Larys Cassell. After exchanging small pleasantries Victor led his uncle to the military outpost. As they approached two large vertical banners hung from the palisades at the the front entrance.
Displaying a golden eagle on a field of dark blue the banners fluttered in the wind almost as if the eagle were flying. Intrigued Larys Cassell asked, "Whose crest is that?" Victor looked at him, smiled and began to gallop in front.
"My own!" Victor shouted back leading his uncle into the outpost. Entering the fort the two men were greeted by the entirety of Victor's personal soldiers. In a parade-like manner, the soldiers stood at attention as they made their way to the officer's house.
"My Lords, welcome, let us discuss further in the meeting room." General Rapp said leading them into a room filled with officers. Although he had only been at the outpost for some time Larys was impressed.
'A strong military outpost filled with a battalion of hardened soldiers, colour me impressed nephew,' Larys thought. The room fell silent and all eyes were now fixated on Victor who was at the head of the table. Looking at his uncle and the officers he took a deep breath and said.
"This is the plan."