210 205 1642

Elisabeth, although she did not really understand what these letters could change, she trusted me and did as I said... well, every relationship must be based on trust... a few weeks later, using a printing house, I printed the story describing the events and the plot that led to the death of the Elisabeth family, and pamplets and caricatures aimed at the Emperor... and by using Graf Ferber's trade contacts and his acquaintance with influential people, I distributed propaganda materials throughout the northern lands of the Empire

The coming 1642 brought new challenges and problems... Before the end of winter, Batory's column was completed, I organized the official opening, gave a speech... success, but not entirely. A few days later, I was visited by the Holy See's nuncio, Mario Filonardi, requesting that the statue of King Bathory be removed from the column. Explaining that according to the Christian tradition that such columns cannot contain images of lay people, and that only acceptable figures are Jesus, Mary or Saints... Of course, I told him to fuck off, although I used a more diplomatic language... which did not diminish conflicts. A complaint has been made against me to the king, the bishops and even the pope himself.

I didn't care about it, my land, my money, my position was high, and my contacts in Rome were good enough that I was sure that the matter would be settled.

Another unpleasant event was summoning me to an audience with the King, the official reason was the complaint of the Russian boyars that I did not help them stop the Tatar invasion... which was my duty as Hetman. Fortunately, I did not have the frequent pleasure of seeing the king, I even avoided the Seyms when they were called, I always had a convenient explanation... Unfortunately, this time it was impossible to avoid an audience. My conflict with the king grew less intense, but I still disrespected him, and he still thought that respect was due to him.

"Your Majesty, I did not see the need to help the traitors... now they come begging for help, bowing and falling to their knees, swearing by all that is holy... but I did not see them here a few months ago to warn us of the planned rebellion of some boyars." (MC)

"So you ignored the news of the Tatar attack and you ignored your responsibilities..." (King Władysław)

"Since I am Hetman, we have peace with the Crimea, the Ottomans, and what is left of the Muscovites is our vassal, although judging by their behavior, this vassal it is not worth protecting... as for the boyars and their complaint... either they are with us or they are against us, there is no place for neutrality... and they are very lucky to be attacked by the Tatars, I would not be so merciful." (MC)

Another reason for my audience, albeit less official, was the Queen and that the news of the plot carried out by the Emperor... I truthfully confirmed the rumors and said that I had evidence to back them up... It was another thing the King could do nothing about and probably wouldn't even do anything about... the question was only asked because of the queen.

The next weeks brought the completion of the equestrian-racing track, at the moment I was not going to make money on it, but rather treat it as a cultural investment, the time for profits will come later, when this place becomes more popular and gains a reputation... At the same time my cousin Jan Zamoyski came to Warsaw, my aunt finally decided that a male hand is needed in his upbringing... thanks to this I had the opportunity to some extent influence the upbringing of one future great magnate.

"Do you know why Aunt Katarzyna sent you to me?" (MC)

At the moment he was just a fifteen-year-old boy, after several schools, who didn't know much about life, or rather knew what he had read.

"She said I had to learn the craft of war..." (Jan Zamoyski)

My son in the future will need people who are loyal to him... Jan Zamoyski, Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki, Jan Sobieski and a few others.

"You have to learn a lot more." (MC)

After a few months, the behavior of my sisters-in-law started to improve, it was so good that they could function almost normally. Elisabeth took them to the theater and horse races, but they spent most of their time in the palace anyway.

"Don't you think my sisters should leave Warsaw, change their surroundings? Maybe to my uncle in England?" (Elisabeth)

"I don't know if England is a safe place. Charles now has problems with the Scots, Irish and the opposition in parliament and the country... I predict there will be a civil war." (MC)

Elisabeth knew what the situation in England looked like, but she did not know to what extent... civil war, then the plague and the great fire of London, a real accumulation.

"So maybe they will go to Denmark?" (Elisabeth)

"Maybe... but you really want it? When they leave, probably King Christian will find husbands for them or put them in a monastery, and in their situation it may not be good, at least get married..." (MC)

This thought Elisabeth, she understood well in what reality we live in... although her sisters had a social position, they did not have money that went almost entirely to regain the throne of Bohemia... they were not virgins either.

"I have an idea... let them go with you to Jazłowiec, an orphanage for children is being built there now, you always wanted this, maybe your sisters will help you and they will regain their peace of mind. You will not run out of work, there are over 700 orphans who require care." (MC)

"700?" (Elisabeth)

"They are Tatar war orphans, their horde has been destroyed and I have decided to take them." (MC)