Chapter XXVIII: Der Alte Feldmarschall
December 19th 1111 VTE, Schloss Quedlinburger, County of Quedlinburg, Kingdom of Pomerania
Pomerlane, in the disguise of a Pomeranian Gentleman, had successfully made it to Schloss Quedlinburger without any suspicion of who he was. Though the regions he travelled through were not hostile to him nor was the Kingdom itself, he took the extra precaution to avoid any unnecessary encounters or notice. Pomerlane, after all, was an extremely famous man in Pomerania. It was a very cold day with snow showers dumping snow across the rolling planes and along the path. As he approached the gates to the manner, the two guards ordered him to halt, blocking the entrence with their muskets
"What business do you have with Count Quedlinburg, traveler? It is suspicious that someone would come in such weather." said one guard with an overzealous bearing.
"Your master requested me; my name is Lothar-Pomu von Kessler."
The guards look at each other, trying to remember if they were told about such a man before the other one speaks up "Ah, Freiherr von Kessler. Welcome, our master has been awaiting your arrival eagerly."
Pomerlane is escorted by another guard into the manor, where he is helped off his horse and escorted to the main hall. Pomerlane enters the hall, and is escorted to the Count's study, where the Count awaits him. Entering the room, the guard says, "My liege, I present to you your guest, Freiherr von Kessler."
The Count is sitting drinking coffee in an armchair, reading a book written by the esteemed writer Magnus von Essen. The old man is well dressed, wearing his dress uniform and a powdered wig. His aged face shows the stresses of campaigns on it, but his blue eyes show the energetic spirit that still rests within this old war horse. Taking off his monocle, he rises and says "Freiherr von Kessler, it is great to see you again. Turning to the guard Hans, make sure you put in a request for the finest delicacy to be brought to us and some hot tea." The guard bows his head and leaves the room.
When the door is shut, Quedlinburg says "It is nice to finally meet you, Prince of Greifswald. Come, sit and let us talk." Pomerlane begins to walk over, cane in hand "How was your journey? It's an awful day for traveling today."
Pomerlane begins to sit down and says "It was good, all things considered. No one noticed me on my way here, so I consider that a success."
Quedlinburg laughs and says "You certainly live up to your reputation of being a sneaky devil. I am glad you could finally make it."
A servant comes in bringing in the cake, chocolates and tea requested. After a toast, both men spend the next few hours talking about various topics, including poetry, family, the fine arts, music, and other more menial things. They have much in common despite their age, and the warmth of the conversations finally broken by Quedlinburg after a short conversation about von Essen after looking at the clock.
"Pardon me, my son, I have greatly enjoyed out conversation, but I think we have missed the true reason behind your visit; have we not?" Rising to his feet and approaching the fireplace the Count says, "You will not win this war with the strategy you have adopted."
Pomerlane places his hands on his cane while sitting and replies "Expound upon what you mean, Herr Marschall."
"Tis what I have said, the strategy you are using will not win you this war... Indeed, I am quite shocked that you have become so passive. This is not what from you at all... indeed you are fighting not to win but not to lose, my son."
Pomerlane looks at the old man inquistively, after a moment of silence, Quedlinburg continues "It is my opinion that you must take decisive action against one of your three enemies." Grabbing and throwing a log into the fire "And furthermore, you must do it to one of your enemies that lay in this Kingdom."
Pomerlane replies "That is the issue, Herr Marschall. The King of Pomerania told me that if my army entered Pomerania, he would consider it an act of war and would mobilize all the nation against me. I cannot afford to make more enemies with all of the setbacks I am currently facing."
Quedlinburg laughs and says "Do not tell me that a man who couldn't tell the butt of a musket from its barrel. A man that cannot command his own family in the home. A man whose only command experience is with his mistresses in the bedroom and commanding food to be brought to gorge himself is someone you fear." Sitting back down in his chair facing Pomerlane he continues "Are you truly the same man that I was told you were? Or have I be living in a dream this whole time because it is rather unbelievable to me that you are the same man who invaded Syrenia with no more than 3,000, defeated a larger enemy and captured Aquileia by your trickery, destroyed an army twice your size at Pelusium with an army of mostly conscripts, had the guts to travel to Kalmar and make a deal with Magnus, and took Atalanta, a city thought to be unconquerable, by diverting the Vesta. Are you the same man?"
Pomerlane looks down in shame, the Marschall is completely correct, why was he playing so passive? Looking back up he says "Herr Marschall, you are correct. Indeed, since my marriage and the birth of my twins; I have seemingly lost that sense of daring that worked so well in the past."
the old man laughs, "I can see why now my son why you have conducted yourself this way. You care deeply about your wife and children; afraid you will die and leave them in great danger." Taking a drink of tea, he continues on "That is nothing to be ashamed of, I never had that fear personally considering I have never been in the same situation as you." pausing for a moment, he says "But I am sure you know that your daringness and the matter which you conducted your campaigns with such aplomb and vigor are what made you into the man you are now. Passivity has never won any war nor will it ever...I have fought for 3 kings over 50 years and took part in 30+ campaigns. I have seen enough to know that you will be victorious against the entire Kingdom. You may already know that many here support you and see your cause as righteous. There will be many nobles that rise up in support of you. Shock the world, my son."
Pomerlane thinks this over for two minutes. Quedlinburg sits calmly awaiting his response. He knows the words coming from him meant a lot to Pomerlane, whom he had been told he was idolized in Pomerlane's mind by Emylia.
Finally, Pomerlane says "Thank you for your advice, but I must raise another question. What did you mean when you wrote to me these words which have stuck in my mind "Will you save Pomerania or destroy her? Will you love your own people or send them to destruction?" "
Quedlinburg pours himself and Pomerlane more tea, before stands up and walks to the window, teacup in hand. "My son, this kingdom will die soon. Though I loyally serve her, the Kings of this land have allowed my beloved home to fall into disrepair... They have allowed the Inapuff heretics to take a prominent place in our politics and have spent their times living the life of luxury in the palace while the Triumvirs destroy the state from within... From generation to generation down the Royal Dynasty, the true meaning of being a Pomudachi has been forgotten...This is problem comes from the complaceny and the royal intrigue that has occured. Good kings have been undermined or assassinated, and bad kings have been promoted. Outside Powers interfere in our politics to ensure this is the case... There is no redemption to be found in the royal line as of now. The Crown Prince is even worse than his father... He is a pretentious, arrogant, and hedonistic brat whom I have had the displeasure of trying to train unsuccessfully into a warrior king..." He lets out a great sigh "What happened to your family was what disillusioned me completely with the Royal Family. In any other kingdom, the Pomurans would be turned into dust for their great crimes... But here, the King looked the other way and had the gall to tell me he was glad that your father was dead because he found him to be too prudish for his own taste... That is absolutely disgusting and unforgivable!"
Pomerlane rises to his feet and approaches the old man "Herr Marschall, if the Royal House is beyond redemption, then surely a Prince of the Blood could rise and take their place?"
Quedlinburg turns to him "Yes, yes.. That would be the desired outcome... My biggest fear is that vile republicans will overthrow the system entirely... What we need is a monarchy that rules based upon the ways of Pomu.. That will sweep away the corruption from this land..."
Pomerlane suddenly has an idea run across his mind. He is a Prince of the Blood himself and Pomu told him she wanted him to cleanse her land of the wickedness within it. Perhaps this is what she meant? "Herr Marschall, I was told years ago by Pomu shortly before my campaign into Syrenia that she wanted to clean the land of the wickedness in it." Quedlinburg looks surprised as Pomerlane continues. "I hadn't been able to figure out what she meant because I never considered that it could mean me taking over the Kingdom as a Prince of the Blood myself. What do you think?"
The old man ponders this for a minute, before saying "If the Goddess herself told you that, I believe that is likely what she wants... This certainly sounds like the Goddess too." He turns to him with enthusiasm exclaiming "My Son, do as the Goddess wills and she will lead you to success."
"I will Herr Marschall, but I have one more request from you.. If you would be willing to answer." Pomerlane pauses for a moment to think how to word this "Would you be willing to support me and join me in this endeavor?"
The Marschall looks perplexed as if he is torn on this before bluntly saying "A Pomeranian Feldmarschall does not betray his King!"
Pomerlane quickly responds with "Correct, but whom are you more loyal towards, the Kings of Pomerania or Pomu herself? A Pomeranian Feldmarschall does not betray his King, but the King and his house have betrayed Pomu." Pomerlane begins pacing "Loyalty should always be towards our Goddess first, then to the Crown, and then the people. The Divine Right of Kings is only held up by the Divine so long as the King upholds his end of his right. The Kings of Pomerania have forfeited that right long ago by allowing such heresy to consume the land." He turns to the Count and says with some authority "When you stand before Pomu in the afterlife, will you be able to state that you served her with such sediment"
The Count is quite shocked but then chuckles "You are every bit the charismatic leader you are made out to be, my Son. You might be the first Prince of the Blood with such convictions and brilliance since Pomeranius himself... And I must agree with what you have said but I also ask: Why do you want an old washed-up man like me in your ranks."
Pomerlane replies "You may be old but are certainly not washed up. I can see it in your eyes, you still have the brilliance and passion that brought you fame. I need someone like you for reasons more than just fame. I need you because you are one of the few men that I have confidence to lead in my absence. Indeed, You are the one that I believe would be most capable in my absence of command. What do you say, "Der Alte Feldmarshall"? Will you accept my offer? Your nation needs you more than ever, and there is still one last chapter to add to your magnificent career."
The Old man sighs and laughs "If you so insist, I will come out of retirement for the service of my nation, may Pomu guide us to victory."
Pomerlane embraces the old man, and the old man returns the favor. Pomerlane would spend the next 3 days at Schloss Quedlinburger with his new friend. Not only would he depart with the Count, but the Counts whole family would join them weather got better. "Der Alte Feldmarschall" was about to begin on his magnum opis that would catapult him into folk hero status for generations to come.