See if you can spot any references! I try to hide them, but they are very recognizable.

I forgot to mention, but in this universe the kingdom of Prussia ( basically all of Northern Germany) has been taken by the Swedes.


"My lord, how do you fight those who do not fear death?".

"You show them something much worse than death, Áki. You show them the furthest a human can possibly fall. You show them fear." Said the Commander.

Áki tried to suppress his own fear, at what his Commander was going to do. The Commander had not told him, and his imagination ran wild. The truth was not far from the worst he had thought.

"Bring me the Count and his son." The Commander demanded, his tone steeling, becoming harder, unkind. Áki thought that this was because the Commander could not bear to do what he must, but in reality, he did it to contain his excitement. It wouldn't do to be found out, by a peasant soldier, no less.


Áki returned with the Count and his son some five minutes later. They were still dirty from the night's battle, and blood stains spattered their expensive leopard skin covers. They were weak, but, as nobles, trained to always keep their composure and pride. The Count simply stared into the eyes of the Commander, while his son kept quiet at his side.

"You will order your men to surrender, Count." The Commander said.

The Count laughed at what he saw as the most unlikely thing to happen, before God coming before them, and proclaiming that he do so.

"Never! My men will fight to their deaths! They are honorable, and will not give up before this army is so crippled, it cannot fight any more battles!" The Count spat.

The Commander's eyebrow raised into a questioning position. He thought honor was useful, to inspire men, to give them courage. But, to condemn thousands to die? He was insane, he knew this, but that was downright stupid.

"If you do not, you will see your son die." The Commander said.

The Count had expected this, and thought that it was strange that only a Commander had been appointed to request his surrender. He now understood why.

"Your king uses you to win this castle. He will make you a scapegoat if word of this gets out." The Count said, hoping to sway the German to his favor.

The Commander barked out a laugh, unable to contain himself.

"You think I am stupid enough to not know this? You debase me, sir. And he is not my king. He took my homeland!" The Count spoke, angry that the Count thought so little of him.

The Count, however, had a new avenue of approach. He would twist this man, promise to help him in his journey to free his homeland. He intended to kill him as soon as he was released, however, as no man would cross him!

"I will help you reclaim your homelands! I will pledge my army to you!" The Count pleaded.

All through out the Count's son had kept quiet, but at this outburst of disloyalty, he could not keep his peace.

"Father, what are you doing? You told me to bear steel against your liege lord is death!" The son said.

The Commander could not hide his grin at this, as he had a suspicion that the Count did not mean his words. He had hoped however, as his one goal was to free his brothers, and become a King in Prussia. He would defend his brothers and sisters from any who would dare to defy German supremacy.

"Damn you Branimir, you fool! You've doomed us!" The Count said, exploding with anger.

The Commander found this highly amusing, however, the Count's son was ashamed, his father had only been trying to save him, and he had ruined it all.

"You will not order your forces to surrender?" The Commander questioned, the fate of the Count being sealed on the outcome of his answer.

"I will not, no! Never!" The Count replied, indignantly.

"Then all you sought to protect shall suffer, fool" The Commander decreed.

The Count felt fear for the first time in decades at this, as the Commanders tone had betrayed his insanity. The Commander also noticed this, but after what he would do to The Count, he too would be insane.


Well this is the end for now, sorry if it seems like I'm holding off for the gruesome bit, but I wonder if you actually want me to add it in? I'm not very good at human anatomy, but I can try. If you do want me to add it in, please tell me as I will wait for someone to tell me what they want before I do anything.