Again, I would like to thank the nice people who wrote a review for me.

Also, I will repeat the warning that this story may be written in a very bad English and I'm happy about the people who read it nevertheless.

Feel free to correct me, I'm still learning after all.

"Such a heavy burden you are carrying. Let me help you."

Katyusha looked up in surprise and smiled insecurely. "It's alright. I'm used to it", she replied. For at least one day she hadn't wanted to think about war or battles. She had spent the day with caring about her chickens and geese, with baking some fresh bred and patching her favourite coat.

In this last hour before dusk she had wandered into the village and bought a bale of cloth for a new dress she wanted to knit as well as fresh milk she had traded off against some eggs.

Katyusha's back ached as usually but she hadn't got the feeling that she was carrying too much. Surely her brother just wanted to lend her a helping hand.

The siblings hadn't seen each other for several years, once a year her brother had sent her a messenger with a letter but that had been everything. It was not surprising that Katyusha didn't know how she was supposed to behave towards Ivan. She knew that representatives of countries were even more powerful than nobles and she had to be respectful and humble towards them. Yet Ivan was her brother and she had known him since he was a little boy. Besides his elegant clothes he even still wore the scarf she had presented him once.

Ivan cleared his throat and asked "Is it a long way from the village to your residence?"

Katyusha would have never called her little hovel a residence. "Not that much. Half an hour if you walk very fast."

"How come my dear sister does not ride to the village then?", Ivan asked and this time she couldn't hold back a smile. "I don't have a horse" she explained. "And there's no need for one. I'm blessed with eternal youth and my legs work pretty well."

For a moment they walked in silence. The road to Katyusha's home was merely a small, rambling path, leading through cornfields and forests and finally finding its destination on a hill.

After a while the silence made Katyusha feel uncomfortable and she asked "What are you doing here, if I'm allowed to ask? "

"Troops I have sent for help have entered the nearest town", Ivan replied. "And I thought I could pay my lovely sister a visit while I am here. It truly is a shame we have not met each other for such a long time."

Katyusha was surprised that her brother suddenly cared that much about her. If he had missed her that much he could have visited her earlier.

"Right", she answered softly. "But is it alright for you to accompany me? Aren't you needed for war planning?" She hadn't wanted to think about it but once he had mentioned the troops she was reminded that she was at war now.

"Do not worry about that, my dearest. I have promised that I will win this war for you, so you do not have to think about it any longer. Your oppressors do not have a chance."

Katyusha bit her lip. "But please don't hurt Toris. He's a good man."

She truly did hate Feliks but Toris had always been gentle with her and since she knew how cruel her brother could get she feared for the friendly and patient man.

Ivan raised an eyebrow. "Are you talking about Lithuania?" His tone made clear that he couldn't stand the other man but Katyusha could only guess that the reason for that was another war. She nodded while looking at her brother with pleading eyes.

„That was not a part of our agreement" he sighed.

He was talking about the contract they had concluded.

It had been one week previously. Russians and Cossacks had met in Pereyaslav, a city which really meant much to Katyusha. Once she was there she was reminded of the past, of great victories in battles and of times she had spent with her siblings.

Katyusha was neither rich nor powerful but still this city belonged to her and she felt pride being there.

On this certain day, a week ago, all of her men had pledged allegiance to the Russian tzar in exchange for help against the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Even Katyusha herself had sworn an oath.

She could remember clearly how her brother had taken her hands with a gentle smile and she still could hear his words. "You do not have to fear any longer about these beautiful land of yours. I will protect them as if they were my own. All you have to do is promising me something. Promise me that from now on we will always be together."

Katyusha didn't know herself why but for some reason she had a bad feeling about this.

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The boy paid no attention to the beautiful flowers in the garden as he rushed along the path. He stopped in front of the giant door, holding his sides and panting heavily. Suddenly he didn't seem to be in a hurry anymore.

He waited until his breathing was calm again, ran his fingers through his light brown curls and smoothed his coat. Only then he took the final step forward and knocked on the door.

Just a few breaths later the heavy wings of the door were opened and the boy slowly stepped inside.

A friendly voice greeted him. "Good to see you're back, Raivis. Come in, come in."

Inside the mansion it was dark and compared to the warmth outside pleasingly cool. Since this country belonged to the 'Lord of the North' Raivis hadn't expected the summer to get so warm.

Raivis looked around in awe, it wasn't his first visit here but he was still impressed by the high ceilings, the precious paintings at the walls, the expensive carpets and the tiles of pure marble. Every time he was here he felt small and out of place.

"Here. You must be thirsty." Tino handed him a jar with water and Raivis thanked him quickly. He barely dared to look at the other man who was a close familiar of Sweden himself. Although he smiled there was a sadness in his hazel eyes which scared Raivis.

"I have news for Mr Sweden", he said and although he didn't look up, his tone of voice made clear how important said news were. "I will go for him then", Tino said. "Please wait here."

Raivis nodded and slowly wandered through the entrance hall which was almost as big as his entire house. Sometimes he dreamt about being a great and powerful nation himself. It was a silly dream, he could never be as great as Sweden or Russia or Poland and Lithuania, and still he liked thinking about it.

After a short while he heard footsteps approaching and the Lord of the North himself appeared. It wasn't an official title but since Eduard had called him that once, Raivis used it.

Berwald Oxenstierna had defeated the once mighty Denmark, ruled over a grand country, dared to attack all of his powerful neighbours and left them shivering in fear. He was one entire feet taller than Raivis and his blue eyes were colder than the deepest winter.

Gilbert, Ivan, Feliks, Toris...all of them had once ruled over Raivis but no one impressed him like Berwald did. When this man looked at him he felt like a tiny insect, not worthy enough to even speak.

Now Berwald did not even have to say a word, his frown was enough of an order.

"I have news", he repeated. "It really looks like Mr Poland and Mr Lithuania want to go to war!"

Berwald showed not a single emotion. "Against who?" was everything he replied.

"I heard against Russia. It looks like they are fighting over the territory of these rebelling Cossacks."

Raivis was very proud that he found out this important information. For almost an entire year he had lived secretly in a Lithuanian town, trying to catch every single bit of an information that could be interesting for Sweden. Most of his information he did get from Gilbert, though, who talked surprisingly freely about this matter.

"Both of our enemies fighting against each other", Tino murmured. "This sounds like a great chance."

Berwald just kept staring at Raivis who automatically took a step back. Finally he said "Continue."

Raivis gulped. "They are already preparing for battle. Both Mr Poland and Mr Lithuania have left their residence and are heading for Smolensk. All their troops focus on the East."

With one last scowl Berwald nodded and turned around. "Finland" was everything he said. "Yes. I will prepare everything!" Tino sounded excited. "They won't even have a single chance against us! I guess, soon Poland will be a part of the Swedish empire as well. Thank you very much for the good news, Raivis."

The boy was unable to return his smile. He just hoped Berwald wouldn't force him to fight.

First, this Treaty of Pereyaslav was really concluded in 1654 and is an important part of Russia's and Ukraine's history.

Second, I have no historical background for Latvian spies.

Reviews would make me very happy, you all understand that, right?