So we are back once again in Paris as the fighting heats up. It's still the same day but later in the day. So before I answer some of the reviews I gotta talk about the Bonnie Blue. The Bonnie Blue flag was the original design of the flag for the Confederate States of America. You are probably wondering what this has to do with the story. Well, the flag inspired a song and it's about the southern states leaving the union. The only reason why I included the song is that it's fitting as the Vikings are trying to fight for the rights as independent tribes. I also modified the song a bit to fit the time period and story. Anyways on to the reviews.
Silvolde: That's a valid point, however, I've gotta keep some historical accuracy. The Prussian army was one of the best in the world and I made them surrender early on. Louis XIV was a very good leader and his armies were some of the best but I made his troops utterly incompetent. On top of that, there would be NO WAY in hell Britain and France would ally each other. The two kingdoms hated each other ever since William the Conqueror took the crown of England.
Berkian Camp
Astrid and Stormfly landed in the camp, for the most part, it was empty. Only a few men stayed behind cleaning up the camp. As the two of them moved throughout the camp, they found Toothless laying next to Hiccup who was standing over a map.
"Hey, Astrid."
"Hey, babe."
Astrid gave him a quick peck on the lips before looking at the map.
"Sorry about the last minute changes, we need to put pressure on both sides of the river."
"I understand. When are your troops moving out?"
"Soon."
Astrid nodded and looked at the city in front of them.
"By the way, I like the corps flag you designed," Hiccup said breaking the silence.
"It's nice isn't it, Bonnie blue I call it."
The music corps came walking up to them.
"Captain Andrews how may I help you."
"My lord, my lady, glad you two are here. The music corps has prepared a song about lady Hofferson's corps."
"Then let us hear it."
Andrews smiled and turned around to the music corps. He lifted his baton in the air and directed the band. A few men started to sing.
"We are a band of brothers and native to the soil
Fighting for our liberty, with treasure, blood, and toil
And our freedom was threatened, the cry rose near and far
Hurrah for the bonnie blue flag that bears a single star
Hurrah!
Hurrah!
For Viking rights, Hurrah
Hurrah for the bonnie blue flag that bears a single star.
Hurrah!
Hurrah!
For Viking rights, Hurrah
Hurrah for the bonnie blue flag that bears a single star.
As long as the British were faithful to her trust
Like friends and brethren, kind we were, and just
But now, when British treachery attempts our freedom to mar
We hoist on high the Bonnie blue flag that bears a single star.
Hurrah!
Hurrah!
For Viking rights, Hurrah
Hurrah for the bonnie blue flag that bears a single star.
Hurrah!
Hurrah!
For Viking rights, Hurrah
Hurrah for the bonnie blue flag that bears a single star.
First gallant Berk nobly made the stand
Then came Berserk and took her by the hand.
Next quickly Meatheads, bog burglars, and defenders of the wing.
All raise on high the Bonnie blue flag the bears a single star
Hurrah!
Hurrah!
For Viking rights, Hurrah
Hurrah for the bonnie blue flag that bears a single star.
Hurrah!
Hurrah!
For Viking rights, Hurrah
Hurrah for the bonnie blue flag that bears a single star.
Ye men of valor gather round the banner of the right
Skull crushers and fair shield crackers join us in the fight
Carolus, our loved king, and General Hofferson are
Now rally round the bonnie blue flag that bears a single star
Hurrah!
Hurrah!
For Viking rights, Hurrah
Hurrah for the bonnie blue flag that bears a single star.
Hurrah!
Hurrah!
For Viking rights, Hurrah
Hurrah for the bonnie blue flag that bears a single star.
(instrumental)
And here's to brave Sweden, the old Viking kingdom
With the young kingdom at length has linked her fate
Impelled by her example, now other tribes prepare
To hoist on high the Bonnie blue flag that bears a single star
Hurrah!
Hurrah!
For Viking rights, Hurrah
Hurrah for the bonnie blue flag that bears a single star.
Hurrah!
Hurrah!
For Viking rights, Hurrah
Hurrah for the bonnie blue flag that bears a single star.
Then cheer, boys, cheer now, raise a joyous shout
For Gotland and Riga now have both gone out;
And let another rousing cheer for the Bone Beakers be given
The single star of the Bonnie blue flag has grown to be eleven!
Hurrah!
Hurrah!
For Viking rights, Hurrah
Hurrah for the bonnie blue flag that bears a single star.
Hurrah!
Hurrah!
For Viking rights, Hurrah
Hurrah for the bonnie blue flag that bears a single star.
Then here's to our kingdom, strong we are and brave
Like Vikings of old, we'll fight, our heritage to save.
And rather than submit to shame, to die we would prefer
So cheer for the Bonnie blue flag that bears a single star
Hurrah!
Hurrah!
For Viking rights, Hurrah
Hurrah for the bonnie blue flag that bears a single star.
Hurrah!
Hurrah!
For Viking rights, Hurrah
Hurrah for the bonnie blue flag that bears a single star."
Once the song finished Astrid and Hiccup clapped.
"Good job boys, now go get the men ready."
"As you wish my lord."
Hiccup turned back to Astrid who was looking back at the city.
"Where is Rehnskiold?"
"He's assaulting some supply cache in the city."
"Got it."
Rehnskiold's position…
After marching for a couple of minutes, Rehnskiold and his men found themselves taking cover behind a stone wall in a park. At least 600 French troops guarded the supplies while Rehnskiold only had 900 troops of his own. Behind the supply cache was a bridge, a bridge that they needed to capture.
"Captain, notify general Rommel or Hofferson tell them we have begun our assault on the supply cache in the… what park is this?"
"Anzio park sir."
"Tell them we are attacking the cache in Anzio park and we need reinforcements."
"Yes, sir."
The captain got up from where he was crouched and ran to go find one of the two generals.
"Alright, boys we are going to charge. Move!"
The Berkian soldiers jumped over the wall and began to charge, their bayonets aimed at the French soldiers.
A short man from Stockholm
A man of the wild
Thrown into combat
Where bodies lie pilled
Hides his emotions
His blood's running cold
Just like his victories
His story unfolds
Bright a white light
If there'd be
any glory in war
Let it rest on men like him
Dead men will never come back
Crosses grow on Anzio
Where no soldier sleeps
And where hell's six feet deep
Death does wait
There's no debate
So charge and attack
Going to hell and back
The Berkian soldiers smashed into the French soldiers, sparks were flying everywhere. Rehnskiold blocked an attack by a French officer with his sword. He disarmed him and stabbed the officer.
A man of the 15th
A man of can do
Friends fall around him
And yet he came through
Let them fall face down
If they must die
Making it easier to say goodbye
Bright a white light
If there'd be any glory in war
Let it rest on men like him
Who went to hell and came back
Crosses grow on Anzio
Where no soldier sleeps
And where hell's six feet deep
Death does wait
There's no debate
So charge and attack
Going to hell and back
After a prolonged melee, the French soldiers began to surrender. Of the 900 to make the charge, 500 still stood.
"Colonel, have your men take position over there. Those wagons just before the bridge."
"Yes, sir!"
In the distance, cannon fire was heard.
"I thought Lewenhaupt was told not to fire if we were pushed back?"
"He was, take cover!"
The men began diving to the ground, covering their heads with their hands. Cannon shells rained down upon them as the French were determined to throw the Berkians back.
Oh gather round me and listen while I speak
About war where hell is six feet deep
And all along the shore
Where cannons still roar
Their haunting my dreams
They're still there while I sleep
The bombardment subsided and the dust settled revealing the state of the supply cache. It was still intact but there were holes everywhere, some crates of supplies were destroyed. Luckily, no gunpowder was hit.
"We got lucky, no doubt they will attack again. Be prepared for the attack."
"Yes, sir!"
December 7th, 1690 Paris… (kinda of a huge time jump, needed to make this chapter longer)
The fighting in Paris came to an abrupt halt in mid-September. Neither side was willing to sacrifice men in brutal street fighting. The morale had fallen in both armies as the siege dragged on. In November, Austrian troops had to retreat as they were needed to deal with the Ottoman empire who were attempting to retake possessions lost in previous wars. On top of that King Jan was struck and killed by a stray bullet while leading his men in defense against French troops.
Things for Berk weren't going good as well. Rehnskiold had come down with the flu in late November and forced to take time off from leading. Snotlout had been struck in the leg by a stray bullet in October and Hiccup forced him to go home and rest. Astrid's prosthetic leg had been destroyed by a bullet and Hiccup was working on fixing it. So for the time being Astrid could only ride Stormfly or Traveler. Speaking of Hiccup, the king had been hard at work drafting up a surrender proposal for the French. He hoped that Louis would give in and accept a formal surrender.
A thin blanket of snow covered the destroyed city, covering the dead as well. The city reeked of death as some soldiers went unburied, decaying in the streets. Rommel had taken over leading the attacks while Hiccup worked from his headquarters. The French bearly held onto the city, only holding the two bridges to Notre Dame and a bit of land outside the reach of the cathedral. There were also small pockets of French troops spread across the city but most of them were behind Berkian lines. Only 45,000 French troops still fought on, most of the defenders at the start of the fight were either dead wounded or captured. The 9th division had started the month of December guarding Notre Dame, now they had created a bulge in the front lines. Behind them was the 12th division, a unit that had been fighting on the front lines since the start of the fighting.
Many civilians fled towards the cathedral, escaping the grasp of the Berkian and Polish armies. They feared execution and torture, so they sought refuge with what was left of the French army. The 9th division's orders had quickly changed from driving the Berkians back to guard the bridge so civilians could escape. Everyone knew the city wouldn't hold much longer, it was only a matter of time before the rest of the army surrendered.
"My lord, the French troops that have crossed the bridge are right for the picking. Let me attack sir."
"General Rommel, if I tell you to attack, then Astrid will want to attack and you know how stubborn she is."
"She gets it from you, my lord."
"Very funny Rommel."
Hiccup stood up and faced the Prussian general. Hiccup had grown out his beard (A little bit farther out then in the hidden world) over the fall. His uniform was dusty and dirty from his constant moving around the camp.
"Where is Astrid by the way?"
"General Hofferson, last time I checked was eating breakfast."
"Alright, thank you Rommel. Rest up your men, and prepare to attack."
"Right away my lord."
Rommel gave a salute and walked off to talk with his officers. Hiccup stepped out of the building with Astrid's prosthetic, wrapped in cloth in his right hand. Hiccup and ordered to move the camps forward to get closer to his enemy. Louis still held on and Hiccup was growing tired of the fighting in Paris. Once he got to the camp he immediately found Astrid sitting with the officers around a campfire.
"Enjoying the cold m'lady."
"Oh, it's the best" Astrid replied in a sarcastic tone.
"I've got something for you, an early Christmas present."
Hiccup unwrapped the cloth and showed her the prosthetic.
"Kinda been working on this, added some Astrid flair, if you know what I mean."
Astrid laughed and grabbed the limb out of his. She placed on her leg and made sure it was fastened tightly before taking a few steps.
"How is it?"
"Good, now when do we attack?"
"Rommel will be moving out shortly. Notre Dame is the target do not stop. Take my guards with you and the Valkyries, we must win today."
Astrid nodded and got on her horse, Stormfly in tow.
"Hiccup, a lot of men will die today but this will be the last of their suffering."
"Then with God's grace Astrid, attack!"
Astrid smiled sadistically and saluted before riding off leaving Hiccup staring at the cathedral in the distance.
Sorry again for the massive time skip. Needed to make the chapter longer and didn't want to repeat myself by having Rehnskiold facing off against waves of French troops. Paris is on the verge of falling, will one last attack break their will to fight? -Dilloncoll
