ARISE!
Now I thought it'd be about time to resurrect this darned tale with some sort of action.. or well yes..
Anyways
Chapter Three
My Ally’s Ally Is My Enemy?
The next day, Copenhagen Harbour
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The sun was rising on the horizon heralding the arrival of 20th of October 1670.
As the busy workers and merchants of the harbour woke up, ate their breakfast and set off for work, Magnus was on his way towards his new life. He had come fresh from the service of the VOC and gone straight into the service of one of the greatest men in the twin kingdoms. Not a very bad career actually.
There she was, beautiful girl. Limbs so fine and delicate and with a body so sweet that even the driest of the driest members of Griffenfeld’s staff would send her dirty looks.
She would be his new home. He had a feeling in his gut that it was to be so.
He entered her and almost fell in love. What a mighty vessel, what a perfect way for the newest star in Northern diplomacy to arrive at the docks of Amsterdam on a fully equipped Wargalleon?
On deck he met Juel.
The young naval commander was dressed in a standard red uniform with golden buckles. His thick brown hair reached his broad shoulders and his eyes glinted in the morning sun.
“Ready to go?”
“More than ever.”
The vice-admiral nodded with satisfaction.
Magnus dumped his luggage under deck in a small cabin and returned to the side of Juel, who was already in the process of leading the vessel out of the harbour.
A mild breeze was blowing faster and faster. Soon the sails were booming with the power of the wind.
The ship left the safety of the harbour and ploughed through the dark blue waters of the Öresund. Seagulls heralded their coming as if they were heralds of the sea, and the small fishing boats duly made roam for his majesty’s wooden behemoth.
They passed the silent guns of Kronborg without any problems and Magnus was just pondering on how absolutely perfect it all was. Then the yelling started.
At first it came from the tall tree-like masts, then from the lieutenant standing guard.
Juel rushed to the bridge and Magnus joined him.
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His Majesty Christian V’s Office
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“Surely you can see the folly my dearest ambassador?”
Griffenfeld twisted his hands as a maniac while the king just stared blankly into the air.
“No I cannot. My king cannot. The Swedish people cannot. This is how it must be sire. My lord king Karl is firmly standing by his decision. It must be war; your foreign policy has driven him to launch this pre-emptive strike. You should be pleased to even receive this declaration.”
King Christian sighed deeply.
“What other messages does my dear neighbour send me?”
The ambassador smirked, bowed and began to bow backwards towards the door.
“He hopes you will fight well and better than your honoured father did.”
And then he left.
“Christ preserve us.”
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The Öresund
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“Swedish ships at starboard side!” The lookout cried now clearly.
Juel put his telescope to his right eye and examined the hastily nearing vessels.
“Two wargallons. Plenty of guns and plenty of Swedes! Load the guns!”
Magnus looked puzzled at the admiral.
“But we have no idea what their intentions are! You are almost giving them an excuse….”
An earth shattering boom silenced him for a second.
“.. to fire upon us?”
Compressed balls of iron now flew towards them. The enemy ships got closer and closer.
“Seek for the protection of the fortress! Full speed away!”
The Chase was on.
Magnus went to his post at the guns. The crew was feverishly loading the cannons and preparing for the oncoming battle. Magnus didn’t worry. He had seen battle before and knew the cold sweat of fear all too well. He sternly directed the marines to their positions, unlocked his pistol and prayed.
The two ships approaching them made a soft turn and from two dozens of cannon ports, two dozens of cannons unleashed another volley of piercing death on them. This time though, the shots went somewhat home. The sails of the front mast were shattered and the Danish vessel lost valuable speed. It was almost catastrophic. The two hunters split, one dashed forward to cut them off while the last one prepared for another series of volleys.
Finally the ramparts of Kronborg responded to Magnus’ prayers. Smoke engulfed the castle as its pieces tore though the air, and broke wood, bone and iron of the Swedish vessel trying to cut them off. It slowed down.
A loud cheer went up from both the ramparts and their allies’ deck. The pursuer was leak! Its crew were abandoning ship like a colony of rats! Juel turned his telescope to the south and smiled.
The last enemy ship gave up and hurried away from the menacing guns on the fortress.
His smile widened as he saw what was hurrying to meet it. Five galleys flying red and white colours were racing to their rescue, and the doom of another enemy vessel.
He called for Magnus to join him, and the young man gladly took up the offer.
“A nice little fight to get the blood rolling, eh?”
Juel breathed heavily - enjoying the fresh salty sea air mixed with the trilling odour of gunpowder.
“Indeed…”
Magnus responded . For beyond their rescuers, beyond the five galleys racing for them he saw a sea engulfed in blue and yellow…
Stay tuned!
