07 Death of the Warrior

The next day in the morning, we went again to the saber workshop ... When I saw the finished saber or rather a work of art...

My future life companion, although young and not yet experienced, was splendidly built. Her slim and delicate figure made it impossible to take my eyes off her ... but her character was hard and sharp. She was also not vain, she did not need gold or precious stones to be more beautiful, her beauty was natural... all these features meant that many men will lose their heads because of her in the future... yes, my beautiful girl is thirsty for blood.

I took it in my hand, the hilt was pleasant to the touch ... made of black oak, with delicate silver ornaments. I made a few cuts ... if someone asked me now what better to have in my hand, tits or a saber ... I wouldn't know what to choose. I guess I would still say tits, but only because there are two ... in fact, the breasts are just fat ... but with nipples. No, I still choose breasts.

A moment later my father ordered a return to Jazłowiec, I fastened my sabers to my belt, got on my horse and we set off ... Five days later we were already there.

I sat in my room and thought about the events of the last few days ... and my grandfather in particular. I wanted to get his fortune for my own purposes, but it wasn't just greed that was driving me. If my aunt inherits the property, then this money will be taken over by my cousin Władysław Dominik Zasławski ... and he was everything I hated in the Polish nobility ... maybe my meeting with my grandfather will change something, I am the son of his eldest daughter and I have part of his blood in me.

A few days later, Jacek Dydyński left Jazłowiec, my teacher was not an emotional person, and neither was I. Our farewell was brief ...

"I taught you what I could, don't get killed. So that I don't have to be ashamed that I had such a stupid student." (Dydyński)

"It is not the fault of the student that the teacher was not the best." (MC)

I felt a blow to the back of my head, then Dydyński got on his horse and left Jazłowiec.

The following days and weeks, according to my father's wishes, I spent learning ... dance and music, at least I could choose an instrument and chose a bandura for myself.

Soon after the Polish-Turkish war broke out, there were many reasons for this. Tatar invasions on Polish lands and Cossacks on the coast of Turkey. Polish meddling in the politics of Moldavia and Wallachia, and the rapprochement of the political interests of Poland and the Habsburgs.

Of course, as an old and experienced soldier, my father took part in this war ... unfortunately it was his last war, on September 18 he was killed in the Battle of Cecora ... when I found out that he was going to participate in this war, I expected such a turn of events ... The Polish forces had only 8,600 soldiers, the Turkish side had as many as 40,000, although the majority were Tatats and Wallachians.

I found out about my father's death on October 10 ... and on the same day I became the only heir in Jazłowiec and the head of the family... the death of my father did not make me sad or cheerful ... it was for me like a stranger had died. Our relationship was very formal, if we sum up our conversations or the time we spend together for all 15 years of my life ... it wouldn't be more than 30 days.

I immediately ordered secretary Kowalski to organize a funeral, although the coffin will be empty, formalities must be completed ... One of the surprising things was that I did not receive information about my grandfather's death, I remembered that he should have died in September, maybe my birth influenced his life as well.

Preparations for my father's funeral took two months, following the custom of the pompa funebris. Most of the preparations were handled by Secretary Kowalski. It was he who hired an architect to build a catafalque, sent letters about the death and achievements of the deceased, commissioned a coffin to be made, and hired an artist to paint a portrait of the deceased. He also hired archimimus, an actor to play the deceased. According to the custom, when the actor approached the catafalque on which the coffin stood, people began to break the copies, sabers, seals and coat of arms prepared earlier.

At that time, I was getting acquainted with the family property and finances. I became the owner of eight cities, one hundred villages, twenty-seven farms, two taverns and baths ... all this gave me an income of 50,000 ducats a year. However, expenses in the form of taxes, maintenance of the castle, servants, a small garrison, horses ... all this cost me from 20,000 to 25,000 a year. My father also left behind a large amount of cash ... ducats, thalers, pennies, the total value of all this was 270,000 ducats. The value of paintings, furniture or ornaments ... I couldn't define.

I was rich and could live a quiet and peaceful life, but I knew that sooner or later war would knock on my door. Long time ago, I decided that I would do what I could to turn the fate of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, but my fortune was insufficient and my position was too low, although I was a nobleman, I did not hold any public office.

My first goal will be to reform my lands, increase my wealth, gain fame and recognition ... although I was from the future, I had no technical knowledge to accelerate the country's development, all I knew was history and a few things related to it.

Another thing I have to do is Sveta's appointment as my private maid ... only her husband ... but times are not safe, it is easy to have an accident.