news (from someone); word; letter; tidings; contact
to stir; to churn; to rummage around; to throw into confusion; to throw into chaos
to come to nothing; to be spoiled; to be spoilt
to open hostilities; to take up arms (against)
balance of power (in a relationship); power dynamic
excellent plan; best policy
8000; eight thousand; many
setback; deadlock; standstill; impasse; miscarriage
solidarity; banding together and working as one for a common cause
to take by storm (e.g. a castle); to assault; to capture; to reduce
unity; union; solidarity; combination; banding together; teaming up
as much as one can; as much as possible
implicitly; indirectly; tacitly; by implication; obscurely
only natural; no wonder; as expected; of course; as it should be
skillful words; deceitful words; glibness
improvisation; improvised; impromptu; extempore
at this point; at this last moment; this late in the game
to (finally) arrive at; to reach (at last); to (manage to) get to; to find one's way to
underestimation; undervaluation
fault; weakness; flaw; crux (of a matter); difficult point; point of contention
as likely as not; fifty-fifty; even match; tie
strong; resolute; firm; strict
cruelty; coldheartedness; relentless; ruthless
to be taken aback; to be astonished; to be dumbfounded
enemy movements; enemy's position
appearance; shape; form; atmosphere; look; feel
crossing swords; competing against; contending with; fighting against
one's chance; the right time; target; objective
to pick up; to adopt (a proposal); to take up (a topic); to take issue with; to make a problem of; to report (news); to cover
soon; in a moment; nearby; close; direct; spot transaction
poor; meagre; meager; feeble; scanty; shabby
to be pretentious; to put on airs; to show off
to affect a stylish air; to try to look good; to show off
lie; falsehood; fiction; fabrication
a little; a bit; somewhat; slightly; rather
arranged; taken care of; settled; completed; finished
lawfulness; propriety; reasonableness; appropriateness; legality; legitimacy
to impersonate someone; to go under a false name; to make fraudulent use of someone's name
feudal lords; barons; princes