Chapter 13: Coalition
Czar Alexander stepped onto the metal deck of the Pyotr Velikiy, watching the tumbling seas and the harsh glare of the setting sun. He squinted his eyes as he pulled the maroon velvet cloak around him tighter. Sighing, the Czar watched a messenger scurry towards him. When the young man arrived, the Czar held out his hand to receive a tight glued envelope.
"A message, Your Majesty, from the Archduke of Austria." The messenger said, his breath hitching.
"Thank you. You are dismissed." The messenger bowed and left the Czar to his thoughts as he slowly opened the envelope.
Ripping the fold, the Czar groped inside and felt the fabric of parchment. He took it out and saw the seal of the Austrian Archduke, a coat of arms depicting a lion and a snake entwined around a sword covered in thorns. Using one hand to remove the seal and the other for holding the envelope, the Czar stared at the parchment. It was a delicate brown, almost having a dewey moisture. The smell of the parchment was intoxicating, like the red wine from Marseilles. It was of the ambrosial smell of jasmine, tincture of maypop and the lavish delicacy of honeysuckle. His nostrils flared with the strong redolence. On the parchment was a neatly written statement. The black print was carefully stroked in delicate curves and whirls, and the tails were given a dramatic flair.
The Czar smiled to himself. The Archduke always had a style of elegance and theatrics. His smile turning into a serious frown, Alexander read the lines meticulously, making sure he did not misinterpret anything.
The 21st of the tenth month of the year of 1870.
Within the walls of the Hofburg Imperial Palace in Vienna, Austria
During the afternoon, along the sun's setting
Your Imperial Majesty, Czar Alexander,
Upon further stability and strengthening the bonds of our two countries, Austria is more than pleased to ally herself with the glorious Russia. She is ready to stand by with her ally against the foes that dare resist our sovereignty. Under His Majesty's supervision, Austria is therefore subjected to send troops, supply and provisions to the Russian factions within our realm. His Majesty, the Emperor of Austria, hopes that Russia, and her resplendent rulers, will express mutual respect to Austria's generosity. By nightfall of the day the Russian Czar reads this letter, Austria's troops will be standing with those of Russia. She is freely willing to fight those who would venture to defy our rule. Also, His Majesty asks for assistance. The Spanish kingdom has alarmingly become powerful. We hope to not be in the way of conflict if it wishes to enter war.
By the grace of God, we place our lives in His name.
Written in the hand of the Archduke of Austria,
Charles Louis.
Alexander held the letter tightly before he straightened it out. Seeing a lamp nearby, he took of its lid and watched as the parchment turned to a dark black color before falling into ashes, quickly whitening. When he was through, Alexander took the lamp and threw it overboard. The once strong flame died to nothing as the tumbling waves capsized the object into the murky depths below. He turned back to the deck and called for a servant.
"Please contact Chancellor Frank Archer. Inform him that I want to see him."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The servant bowed before he left in search of the Chancellor. Alexander merely watched the waves hit the ship, deeply in thought. He wondered if the situation, nigh war, was worth the search for the Rose.
He didn't need to wait long. In a matter of minutes, the young Chancellor appeared. To Alexander, the Chancellor had a predatory look to him. He was pale, big and tall, with a heart-shaped face and electric blue eyes. His thick brown hair was swept back and it gave him a more vulturine mien. But to the Czar, it was the man's gaze, which was directed at him, that was most disturbing. His eyes were cold, almost merciless and evil. It gripped him in a frosty chill.
"You wish to see me, Your Majesty?" The Chancellor asked, his tenor voice booming; like a thunderstorm over the horizon.
"Yes, Chancellor. I have received word that Austria has finally aligned herself with us in case of the emergent need that we be enter war." Alexander started, watching the insane-like gleam toughen up in the man's hypnotic blue eyes.
"That is good, Your Majesty. It seems that the Lord has blessed us. Austria is known for her military power." Archer exclaimed in his deep, growling-like voice.
"Yes, it is. So, I would like for it, since Austria gallantly gave her troops to our disposal within their territory, that we do the same. I want the second division force to head to Austria." Alexander announced, unable to watch the man's eyes and, therefore, watched the sun in the distance.
"It will be done."
"One more thing. Spain has escalated to a powerful sovereignty. In the case that she may choose to ally herself with our enemies, I want the first, third, fourth and fifth divisions to surround her in a reasonable distance. I do not want to be the one who ignited the flames of battle, Chancellor. Let it be known that the troops are merely there to garrison nearby and be alert and vigilant for any trace of insurrection." The Chancellor bowed his head as a sign of affirmation.
"Anything else, Your Majesty?"
"Yes. I want an audience with the Grand Duchy of Tuscany when we arrive at Florence."
Author's Note: I know that this chapter is so short and that the length I took from the last was unreasonably long, but I just want to inform all of you that I am beginning to lose motivation for this story. So I am sorry that I was unable to give my best shot here. I hope to do justice to the story. And in order to do that, I wish for motivation from my readers, for enthusiasm that you all are indeed, reading my story.
A question, though. I am not quite sure about the military ranks of Imperial Russia, so I just used Chancellor as the highest rank in the military, second to that of the Emperor. If any of can simply enumerate the ranks by order( highest to lowest, please), then it would greatly help me organize the story.