(If this seemed a bit rushed, it’s because I’m summarizing madly.There are some spoilers for the first book but I tried to avoid all of them.)
It was then that the rest of Europe finally began to take Gustav seriously. Cardinal Richelieu, puppet master of France, declared Grantville Satan’s work, Thuringia damned to hell and Gustav in league with Jews and other devil worshipers. To this end, France would finally allow the Spanish army to go through it's borders to the Germanies and do the Lord’s bloody work.
Meanwhile the bulk of the Swedish army was stuck in the siege of Nurnberg (there would NOT be another Magdeburg), circled by the Bohemian army and the incoming Bavarian forces. In the midst of all of this the Spanish army marched unchallenged for Grantville. The Americans had marvelous weapons and had fought against invaders before, but in the face of an army of Croats? They would need experienced soldiers to aid them. A small expedition was sent, lead by the Swedish madman: Captain Gars.
Sweden, for reasons of his own went as well, compelled to see with his own eyes where these time travelers came from. The situation was rapidly spiraling out of control, and he needed answers to questions he could not bring himself to ask. In the madcap rush to beat the Spanish army to Grantville, the small cavalry force failed to notice an additional party member, until they stopped to let the Lapplanders scout ahead, several days later.
Finland should have been back in Nurnberg, helping with the siege. Not half way to Grantville where the mysteries of the future was available to anyone who could understand English. Finland could not read, thank God, but his English had rapidly improved as he bullied the Scot cavalry into lessons.
Finland brushed some mud from his filthy face, avoiding Sweden’s furious glare. “You.” Sweden was overcome with anger, almost unable to speak. He pointed back the way they had come. “Go back.”
“You want me to go back, by myself, though a war sewn land with 10 different armies running about?” exclaimed Finland, “The forest is crawling with Swabians! Do you know what Swabia does to hostages?”
“Then don’t get caught!” Sweden grabbed Finland by the scruff of his neck planning to place him on his horse and send him on his way. Instead Finland hit him with his elbow, causing Sweden to react by hitting back with his other hand.
Finland looked up at him, eyes suddenly scared as his cheek began to redden. “You promised you’d never hit me. You swore to me when we left Denmark you’d never hurt me.” As Sweden let him go he scrambled back, afraid of another blow.
“Said I’d keep you safe!” growled Sweden, “’s all I promised you. Can’t promise you anything if you come with us.” His voice failed him for a second, but he pushed on. “Please Timo, go back.”
I can’t protect you, I understand nothing about these people, their weapons, their ways, go home and be safe. The things they have, the promises they made. There will be consequences and I… Even in his mind his feelings were foggy.
“Ruotsi.” Finland had stopped backing away, but he was still wary. “I’m a Nation too. And part of your territory. Everything you do affects me, just like everything I do affects you.” He stood up, still out of reach. “I have to know what these Americans are, what they know about me. Please.” He clenched his fists and took a deep breath. “Don’t you want me to grow up someday, be strong like you?”
A small vicious part of Sweden thought that that was a terrible idea, letting Finland become strong enough to leave him. He pushed that part of himself away and merely glared at his ward in silence.
“I hate to interrupt.” Said Captain Gars loudly, intruding on the two Nations. “But if we don’t get moving there won’t be any American’s alive to ask anything.” He swung his horse around without waiting for a reply.
Sweden shot a warning finger at Finland. “Stay in my sight, don’t go anywhere without me.”
Finland huffed, but nodded as they both mounted their horses. Captain Gurs was a mad man; he would leave them both behind if he felt the need. . . .
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Faith and Facts 1.e
(Anonymous) 2013-05-29 08:27 pm (UTC)(link)It was then that the rest of Europe finally began to take Gustav seriously. Cardinal Richelieu, puppet master of France, declared Grantville Satan’s work, Thuringia damned to hell and Gustav in league with Jews and other devil worshipers. To this end, France would finally allow the Spanish army to go through it's borders to the Germanies and do the Lord’s bloody work.
Meanwhile the bulk of the Swedish army was stuck in the siege of Nurnberg (there would NOT be another Magdeburg), circled by the Bohemian army and the incoming Bavarian forces. In the midst of all of this the Spanish army marched unchallenged for Grantville. The Americans had marvelous weapons and had fought against invaders before, but in the face of an army of Croats? They would need experienced soldiers to aid them. A small expedition was sent, lead by the Swedish madman: Captain Gars.
Sweden, for reasons of his own went as well, compelled to see with his own eyes where these time travelers came from. The situation was rapidly spiraling out of control, and he needed answers to questions he could not bring himself to ask. In the madcap rush to beat the Spanish army to Grantville, the small cavalry force failed to notice an additional party member, until they stopped to let the Lapplanders scout ahead, several days later.
Finland should have been back in Nurnberg, helping with the siege. Not half way to Grantville where the mysteries of the future was available to anyone who could understand English. Finland could not read, thank God, but his English had rapidly improved as he bullied the Scot cavalry into lessons.
Finland brushed some mud from his filthy face, avoiding Sweden’s furious glare. “You.” Sweden was overcome with anger, almost unable to speak. He pointed back the way they had come. “Go back.”
“You want me to go back, by myself, though a war sewn land with 10 different armies running about?” exclaimed Finland, “The forest is crawling with Swabians! Do you know what Swabia does to hostages?”
“Then don’t get caught!” Sweden grabbed Finland by the scruff of his neck planning to place him on his horse and send him on his way. Instead Finland hit him with his elbow, causing Sweden to react by hitting back with his other hand.
Finland looked up at him, eyes suddenly scared as his cheek began to redden. “You promised you’d never hit me. You swore to me when we left Denmark you’d never hurt me.” As Sweden let him go he scrambled back, afraid of another blow.
“Said I’d keep you safe!” growled Sweden, “’s all I promised you. Can’t promise you anything if you come with us.” His voice failed him for a second, but he pushed on. “Please Timo, go back.”
I can’t protect you, I understand nothing about these people, their weapons, their ways, go home and be safe. The things they have, the promises they made. There will be consequences and I… Even in his mind his feelings were foggy.
“Ruotsi.” Finland had stopped backing away, but he was still wary. “I’m a Nation too. And part of your territory. Everything you do affects me, just like everything I do affects you.” He stood up, still out of reach. “I have to know what these Americans are, what they know about me. Please.” He clenched his fists and took a deep breath. “Don’t you want me to grow up someday, be strong like you?”
A small vicious part of Sweden thought that that was a terrible idea, letting Finland become strong enough to leave him. He pushed that part of himself away and merely glared at his ward in silence.
“I hate to interrupt.” Said Captain Gars loudly, intruding on the two Nations. “But if we don’t get moving there won’t be any American’s alive to ask anything.” He swung his horse around without waiting for a reply.
Sweden shot a warning finger at Finland. “Stay in my sight, don’t go anywhere without me.”
Finland huffed, but nodded as they both mounted their horses. Captain Gurs was a mad man; he would leave them both behind if he felt the need.
.
.
.