79 Back in Vienna

A few days later, a delegation from Copenhagen arrived at our camp to find out if Christian IV was alive and healthy, they even offered to pay a ransom for him, but I refused. There was also the question of the soldiers who survived the battle, after disarming, I decided to release them, but I did not allow the Danes to take the cannons, which I ordered to sink in the lake.

The ships that took us to Jutland arrived two days later, in the interests of the king's safety, he was accompanied by several Danish ministers on his voyage, probably the second reason for their presence was negotiations.

I found Wallenstein in the tent where he was holding another meeting with his officers ... it is possible that they were still looking for a way to get to the Danish islands.

"Prince Jazłowiecki ... what a surprise, I sent messengers to Jutland to find you, but you and your army were nowhere to be found ... Can you explain it to me?" (Albrecht von Wallenstein)

He was staring at me angrily, his voice was rough and I felt he was trying to control his emotions, which is hard for him.

"I'm not going to explain anything, that's not why I came here. I want you to write another letter for the Emperor ..." (MC)

"Why would I write another letter? Your boats failed, I lost over seven thousand people !!!" (Albrecht von Wallenstein)

"I see, you are trying to blame your failures on others ... I gave you boats to transport people, I advised you to attack at night, but you wouldn't listen to any more advice and that's my fault?... I am not here to discuss your failures, but my successes. You will write a letter to the Emperor that I have captured Christian IV, King of Denmark, and handed him over to you ... " (MC)

"You... you captured the King ?! How? It's impossible." (Albrecht von Wallenstein)

"We built boats and crossed the sea at night ... and the rest? You didn't want to listen then, so now it doesn't make sense to talk about the details either." (MC)

He wasn't pleased with my presence or the way I spoke to him, but it didn't matter at the moment. Thanks to me, he could have the King of Denmark in his hand ... probably if I wanted to sleep with his wife in exchange for the King, he would also agree.

Wallenstein quickly wrote a letter and handed it to me, after reading the contents, the letter was sealed and I ordered my people to bring Christian IV, Heinrich Holk and the ministers ... another stop Vienna.

"Before I leave, little advice, my dear Generalissimo. Limit their fleet. Without a fleet, they will no longer be such a difficult opponent, and their ability to help Protestants in the Empire will be limited." (MC)

Now we have to travel 1,200 kilometers before we reach Vienna, but I was not going to impose a fast pace, my people deserved a bit of rest and entertainment after such a difficult battle ... while we were still in Jutland, Mecklenburg and Brabdenburg, I gave them freedom of action. The areas we traveled ran red with blood, and at night you could see the glow of burning villages and settlements... We reached our destination after two months.

We set up camp on the bank of the Danube, in the same place that we set up when we arrived in Austria a few months ago ... this time is running out so quickly, we left on the first day of spring, now we could feel the approaching winter in the air. Nine months away from home ...

In order not to waste any more time, the next day I went to the city to report to the Emperor ... but before that happened, I had wasted a lot of time waiting for the audiences. This time the Emperor crawled me less officially, he was accompanied by only one person ... it was Johan von Tilly, the man responsible for the massacre of Protestants in Magdeburg... It won't be until three or four years from now, and he'll get the cool nickname of the Butcher of Magdeburg ... I envied him a little, I was hoping to get a nice nickname myself.

"Your Imperial Majesty." (MC)

"Prince Jazłowiecki, I hardly recognize you ... these scars." (Emperor Ferdinand II)

I chose not to react to that remark, I didn't have to be pretty. Stefan Czarniecki, one of the most outstanding Polish Hetman, had smallpox holes in his face, a tin palate, and he was missing a few teeth after being shot in the mouth.

"I am bringing a letter from Albrecht von Wallenstein, it took us more time to return than I planned. Unfortunately, I also have bad news, I have three more months to serve in the Imperial Majesty's army, but due to my wounds, I will not be able to complete this service. The doctor recommended I have a rest in a warm place. That's why I am going to Italy. Please forgive me." (MC)

Ferdinand II said nothing, I handed him the letters and he began to read them carefully, after a few minutes, he put the letters down and looked at me.

"120 boats?" (Emperor Ferdinand II)

"Yes, but as far as I know, this attempt turned out to be a failure. Although I don't know the details ..." (MC)

"Prince ... you captured King Christian?!" (Emperor Ferdinand II)

Instead of answering every question, I told the whole course of events, only unnecessary details, such as the fact that the imperial army lost seven thousand infantry because of me. Nor did I say anything about my fleet.

"Incredible story. Prince Jazłowiecki, you have accomplished a lot and although I could demand that you serve these extra months, it would not be appropriate on my part. However, I have a request, when you feel better, consider whether you would like to join my army." (Emperor Ferdinand II)

"I will definitely consider this proposal, Your Imperial Majesty." (MC)

"Just as a bad deed cannot escape punishment, a good deed cannot be without a reward. You said that only when your deeds were sufficient would you ask for a reward. They are sufficient." (Emperor Ferdinand II)

I took out a few documents from the pannier and handed them to the Emperor, after a short while, Ferdinan II finished reading ...

"Prince, are you sure about this?" (Emperor Ferdinand II)