[POTN] 1.2 - A Soldier in the Making

Chapter 1 - The Undying Viking

1.2 A Soldier in the Making

Young Christian was visiting his father, the King, from his duty in Norway. These years, he had finally found his true home in the ranks of the Norwegian battalions, learning various Norwegian dialects while drinking with his fellow cadets - the life he had often dreamed of - with true friends, and true happiness.

The atmosphere in Copenhagen, however, was far more serious than he had remembered. The Palace seemed to be in a state of panic, and would have broken into anarchy if not for the old King, who had been keeping his calm amidst the ongoing diplomatic crisis with Sweden.

A few young recruits rushed into the throne room just as Christian entered to see his father. "War, Your Majesty! War! The wicked Swedes have invaded Holstein from their occupied lands and allied principalities in the Empire!"

The old King was shocked for a moment. He never expected an invasion from that direction.

"From the South, you said? Not the Scanian front? How many Swedes? led by?" "Reports vary, Your Majesty, but there are at least fourteen thousand Swedes, possibly up to seventeen thousand. All led by Field Marshal Torstenson himself."

The King frowned and dismissed the recruits before summoning an emergency council with his other sons and important ministers of the state.

The Crown Prince and Prince Frederik soon entered the room - the Crown Prince trying hard to keep his composure, while Prince Frederik was apparently angry and panicking. Young Christian stood by the side, nervously listening to the panicked discussions ongoing.

After brief defense plans were made, the King dismissed the ministers, though the princes stayed. Christian deemed it a good time to finally voice his thought that he had been holding for hours...

"I would like to fight, Father, for our own people and land. I've been trained in military... I may be young, but I'm ready to fight like a proper man and prince."

The King stayed silent for a moment, contemplating, but Prince Frederik already interjected before the King could speak.

"Who do you think you are, lad? You think you can bleed for Denmark just because you want? You know what, it takes real men to defend Denmark! Real, honourable, proper man! You disgraceful, ungrateful bastard will never be one!"

"You're just titled Prince because of the King's mercy! All of Copenhagen knows your mother had long had affairs before you were born! A traitor of the nation! You're not remotely worthy to fight for Denmark."

Young Christian was shocked at the sheer cruelty of the words from someone he called his older brother, so he just stared up, his mouth open wide, in utter shock.

The Crown Prince frowned slightly at Frederik's insensitivity and tried to diffuse the tension by asking some maids to lead Christian back to his chambers.

Christian, being led out, glared at Frederik - this time no longer a gaze of shock, but rather a gaze of disgust, of fury, and of hatred.

Frederik simply ignored him, still panicking in his mind - blissfully unaware of how deeply young Christian would forever remember this day...