I edited this thing again. So please re-read it if you would like :) Comment and love on it, welcome to the story of Prussia.
The horse neighed and began to calm its trot, its fur was warm and his heart was thumping in his chest as heavy as his riders. The sun beamed high in the sky behind thick smoke and a blazing red sky, the rider patted the horses side of the neck. Stroking its fur gently, the animal shuddered as its breath calmed. Finally it began to slow down and come to a halt with the whispers of its owner.
"Its ok, easy boy, easy." A soothing voice whispered into the animals ear. The ears twitched at the breath and responded.
The strong animal brought his right leg up tapping it, in a shoveling motion. In a slow motion the man got off of the animal slowly and took a deep breath looking back to see his army had won. The odds were against him, but they had won. This meant the lands would be theirs to name. A soldier broke his trance and asked him a question.
"Gilbert, sir, your orders?" He asked.
"Casualties?" Gibert asked petting the ivory animal in front of him, this horse meant a lot to him and he made sure to take care of the animal.
"over a quarter of the men are gone sir." The man spoke in a worrisome tone.
Gilbert was a soldier to the Teutonic order, he was ordered by the higher ups to cleanse the lands. He didn't really believe in doing so, but there was one thing making him lean towards his actions. This single thing was a home to call his own, the land he "cleansed" were his to fight for and name. Thus he had already placed a name down in his thoughts, Prussia. He was ready to do anything for it, but once the battle was done, it was done.
"What about the villages surrounding?" Gilbert asked turning to the soldier.
"The men…are currently occupying them." He itched his head nervously.
Gilbert shuddered at the thought of what was happening to his future people. He knew far to well what "occupying" in armies terms meant. It meant to basically lounge around and force the woman onto their knees. It wasn't a pretty sight and it was something he would not tolerate.
"Those are Prussians now you idiot!" He shouted making his eyes flare with fury.
"Sir the orders were to kill and rid the world of non-christian Prussians "
Gilbert took out his sword and pointed it at the younger soldier " We are not to harm the women and children! Is that understood?"
"B-but sir, they just want to-
Gilbert interrupted him " One more word from you and I will make you another casualty." He growled stepping onto his horse and turning it back around. "Come on Starke." He directed clicking into the animals sides. The horse backed up a bit, Gilbert took the reigns and pulled him back making the horse rear up and lunge forward into a gallop that was racing towards the smoke.
There were bodies surrounded the battlegrounds, weapons were seen everywhere and some survivors were dying in agony. They had one the battle the Teuton's had won the battle that felt as though they were waging for centuries.
The horse suddenly made a noise that put fear in Gilbert's stomach. It was almost a roar and it came to an abrupt halt making the horse raise up in the air in attempt to dodge whatever was in front of him. The white horse fell back and landed on the ground. Gilbert felt his body hit the ground hard above the animal.
He could hear the animal huffing and puffing. The animal was shaking itself off already and getting to its feet, he scoffed and rolled over slowly.
'What spooked a unspeakable animal like my horse? Why didn't I see anything?' Gilbert wondered
He sat up and gasped sharply in pain, it suddenly hit him the screams woke him up suddenly from far away. He winced at the pain his body was experiencing and tried to get up quickly but in the end it failed. He made a ticking noise with his mouth trying to get the animal to come to him. He then heard a new noise, it was far closer then he expected.
It was a loud sobbing, Gilbert whirled around and unsheathed his sword. It sounded like it was pained, the thick black smoke in the air didn't help him see anything. He glared around in a defensive stance, he stepped forth towards the noise. He could then hear his horse huffing and breathing heavily. He lifted his head up in confusion cocking his eyebrow What could it be?' He stepped forward once more to see a shape coming to form, it was Starke. He hurried towards him hoping it wasn't his beautiful horse that was harmed, he began to speak " C'mere, its ok boy."
The horse neighed only quietly and then the noise started up again. He hurried towards the shape in the smoke and it was like his world stopped. His eyes widened to the small being beside the animal, it was a boy. All of the world just stood still, time itself paused, his breath would not leave his lungs and all he could do was stare at the tiny child. He had blonde hair and bright gleaming blue eyes, he was laying around nothing but the carnage of war.
Gilbert stepped forward and dropped his sword next to him. The child became silent and watched as he lowed down to his leveled. Gilbert swallowed nervously and finally spoke.
"You ok?"
The child didn't speak and bit his lip nervously.
Gilbert looked down at his hands, they were covered in blood. Even his silver armor was covered in blood, he looked back up at the child.
"Are you scared?"
The child began to cry once more. Gilbert felt his heart ping with sadness " Shh! Its ok, I am here." Gilbert beamed with happiness. The child looked at him and began to smile. "That's right I am here!"
"…"
"Where is your mother at little one?" He asked worryingly.
The child pointed behind Gilbert and Gilbert than understood why he was way out here in the battlefield. The mother probably sent the child away to flee for someone's help. The child began to cry once more, Gilbert rose to his feet and unbuttoned the white cape on his back. In one swoop he took the child into the cape and lifted him in his arms. The child became frantic and Gilbert instinctively shushed him to a low whine.
He ticked for his horse and with the child in hand got onto the horse. "Look what you have done Starke." He spoke in a lecturing tone towards the horse. It was too late for the village, it was in flames by now and the chances of any survival was slim. He took the child back towards the camp where the other knights were cheering and drinking beer. The war was over and we were the victors over our land. He slowly marched the horse into the camp where the soldiers silenced as they saw Gilbert was not alone.
"You bring us some meat!" One laughed.
Gilbert glared at him and halted the horse " Have you become a heathen!" He barked " Remember the order." He growled marching towards his tent.
That night Gilbert had reprimanded the men for their actions, he said " Being a knight of the order we must remember god and not torture the women or children. Take them hostage but do not do anything against our honor!"
As soldiers of god, their was no other way. In reality Gilbert was only fighting for his country. He had founded this country hundreds of years ago. In our world there are people who represent the countries of the world, they change as the country changes. They are not normal humans and no one ever questions it, they are a symbol of the world and some have not become known and some have. The world is vast and being that, their may be more like Gilbert, but Gilbert knew one thing was true. He would fight for his country until the end. He would strike down any who oppose it and any who were a threat. He was Gilbert of Prussia and he was the founding father of the lands around him.
Gilbert went back to the tent after his speech and found the child he had found was awake and playing with the cross that was on the table. He had that one made for himself but he couldn't help but feel something pull at him when the child was playing with it. He smiled warmly.
"You like that?"
The child dropped it nervously and lowered his head " S-sorry." It fell to the ground.
"Well pick it up." He laughed at the child.
The boy picked it up as directed and handed it to the tall commander. " You like?"
"Its shiny, and mean."
"Mean?" Gilbert laughed " how could this be mean?"
"Well…Mommy saw them and when she saw them she told me to run as fast as I could." The child rambled, it was as he predicted.
Gilbert walked over and took the necklace in hand " We are not mean, we are just kind…of…" He raised an eyebrow. " Can you keep a secret?" Gilbert asked in a whisper.
The child smiled at the thought of such a question and nodded.
"You have to swear, by god." He directed.
"I do."
"Our army is strong but they are mis-directed." He spoke low enough for only the two to hear. "Things will get better though."
"Is mommy coming back?"
"…"Gilbert looked at him " I-I don't think so."
"…"He didn't cry.
"I am going to take care of you from now on, would you like that?" He grinned.
The boy nodded with excitement. "What's your name?"
"My name is Gilbert of Prussia, and yours?"
"Ludwig."
Gilbert smiled and looked down at the black and silver cross in hand, it had a silver chain connected to it. He smiled and leaned forward wrapping the chain around his neck. " You cherish this with all of your heart ok? This is my present to you, my little brother." He grinned and made sure it was fastened.
It hung from the child's neck and sparkled brightly. Ludwig grinned and pointed at Gilbert " Brother!"
Gilbert lifted him up onto his shoulders " Yuppers little guy we are partners in crime now!"
This is was only the beginning of their brotherhood and friendship, neither of them knew what was in store for them but Gilbert smiled for the first time since he found his home of Prussia.