Sigismund assembles an army consisting of merely five thousand men in February 1598 after loses his patience when he finds out about what has happened in Finland.

Unable to accept Duke Charles’s disrespectful actions, the King decides to use force.

A larger army had been proposed, but had been dismissed since Sigismund expects Swedish forces to join him, and also does not want to come into conflict with them.

The advisers and the King expect military support from Finland and Estonia (homes of the Swedish gentry formerly commanded by baron Klaus Fleming).

They also want help from Denmark–Norway and pro-Sigismund parts of Sweden.

The diplomat Laski is dispatched, but Denmark shows no interest.