First, I am very sorry that I needed so long for this. Also it's again quite short and it's completely un-beta-read so just be warned. ;D
I have no idea of English punctuation so it would be nice if someone could tell me how it works.
I also would like to thank all the nice people who wrote a review for me and follow this story!
The morning air was filled with the sound of two wooden sticks clashing against each other. Every hit was followed by a step forwards or backwards. The two opponents circled around each other, it almost looked as if they were dancing.
Toris loved sword fights. It was the only time he would not restrain, the only time he could show the violent strength he was always holding back.
They were not really trying to hurt each other so they just used sticks instead of real swords and still the sticks turned into murderous weapons inside their hands.
With one final smash Feliks' stick broke.
"Have you finally decided to kill each other?", an amused voice asked and both men turned around. Toris had been so focused on the fight that he didn't hear the horse approaching. "We are just practising", he replied calmly.
The Duchy of Prussia, Gilbert Beilschmidt, patted the neck of his horse and said in a mocking tone: "Looked like you would try to behead Poland." He glanced at Feliks and added: "To be honest, you seem to be a bit weak, mein Herr."
"I was just holding back", Feliks answered, looking slightly offended.
With the enormous power he had, Feliks had become quite carefree. He didn't spend time with fighting and therefore his skills had become inferior to Toris'. Since the fightings with Katyusha's men had increased, Toris had decided that his friend would need some training.
Feliks wiped off some sweat of his forehead and asked "So, what are you doing here, Prussia? Have you decided to fight alongside us?" There was a glimmer of hope in his voice.
Six years ago the Cossacks had started a rebellion and it didn't look like they would ever give up. No matter how many lives were lost, no matter how many villages were burnt- they would not surrender.
Maybe Katyusha would change her mind if Feliks and Toris would meet with her in person. Albeit, Toris did not really believe that- they would need brutality if they wanted to stop these rebellions. For that reason Toris wanted to practise his fighting skills- and Feliks who still couldn't believe that they were in trouble hoped the provinces and duchies under their control would come to help.
Gilbert grinned but his eyes were cold. "I am ever so sorry but I won't join your battles. I would rather see Katyusha becoming independent."
"Don't you dare fighting against us!", Feliks said, pointing with his broken stick at Gilbert. Toris wondered if he really thought he would be threatening. Of course Gilbert did not look much impressed but he said "Don't worry, I won't fight. I'm actually just here to pay my tribute."
Once a great power Prussia was now nothing more than a Duchy under Polish reign. He longed for his independence and Toris was afraid he would become a threat in the future. But at the moment he really didn't look like he wanted to start a battle. Certainly, it would be the best choice now, not to show any hostility.
"You could train with us" Toris offered but Gilbert just shook his head. "No, thank you. But I'm curious, what are you going to do against this war? I mean, have you planned when you want to fight face-to-face with Katyusha?"
"Why do you want to know?", Toris asked. They hadn't decided anything yet, mainly because they couldn't come to any agreement.
"I would like to go to your funeral then", Gilbert answered with a humourless smirk and Feliks frowned angrily. "Why would you say something like that? I could defeat Katyusha at any time! She's just a woman and she's not even a real country!"
"Why don't you go to battle then?", Gilbert asked and Toris realised what he was up to. "We should not...", he started but Feliks interrupted him. "Well, maybe I'm going to do that! Toris, prepare everything! At the end of the week I want to be in Smolensk!"
He threw the useless stick away and ran towards the house, probably to do his own preparations for battle.
"You wanted him to fight, right?", Toris asked in a serious tone. "That is why you came here. You just want to weaken him."
Gilbert smiled innocently. "I just came here to pay my tribute and ask harmless questions."
Toris sighed. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to fight, if it could stop all the battles it surely would be a good thing. And their opponent was no one else than Katyusha and some rebellious men. They were not really a threat to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. He should stop worrying so much.
Katyusha cried without making a sound. Her back and shoulders did hurt more than usual and the cold weather made her feel even worse. Dirt covered her boots and blood splatters stained her clothes. And one more battle had been lost.
Katyusha had hidden herself in the ruins of a house during a fight where no hostile soldier could find her and wished she could do more for her brave men. It had been Khmelnytsky himself who told Katyusha to stay in safety. As long as she wasn't captured and harmed the men wouldn't lose their faith in victory.
But Katyusha did not want to just hide and let others fight for her, even die for her.
Although she wanted this war, although she was determined to fight until the very end, she still had a heart and she mourned over every death. Her own helplessness made her cry.
Just at that moment she heard someone approaching and a soft voice saying "Katyusha, my dearest." She had never expected to hear this voice here. Looking up with red and swollen eyes she whispered "Brother, I have lost another battle again."
Ivan smiled down at here and answered "Fear not. I will make sure you will suffer no more defeat."
Some historical notes:
This takes place in 1654, six years after the prologue.
Khmelnytsky was the leader of the rebellious Cossacks.
Smolensk is a city in Russia but at that time it belonged to Poland but it was far in the East of the country.
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