– Your Highness? Everyone has arrived, they are waiting in the next chamber – the servant leaned towards the king and pointed to the door on the left. John II Casimir Vasa, by God’s grace the King of Pol and, the Grand Duke of Lithuania, etc. etc., looked up from the chessboard and stared at the logs burning in the fireplace for a while. The page looked at the trabants guarding the royal chamber but they seemed like stone statues – none of them even blinked. The servant was about to speak once again when the king himself broke the silence:
– Call the colonel and lieutenant, no one else. Hermann, Fromhold – the trabants called by their names nodded
their heads – leave us.
Moments later two noblemen entered the chamber. Both bowed low to the ruler and stood still, awaiting his words.
John Casimir returned to the chessboard, thinking about his next move. Finally, he moved the white bishop and whispered
something that might have sounded like “check”. Then he turned to the waiting officers:
– Is everything ready? Have you chosen the men?
– Yes, Your Highness. I personally picked twenty dragoons from my banner. They are led by my trusted wachtmeister Luśnia, all are experienced soldiers, they spent many years in the service of Your Highness – replied the shorter of the
men while twirling his mustache – They will not fail.
– I believe you, colonel. And what about those two volunteers that you chose? Is this a good idea ?
This time the taller officer answered:
– We know them both from the siege of Zbaraż, our lives and the lives of our… – he stopped, smiled slightly and continued – we owe them much and know that in difficult temporibus they will not fail us.
– I can understand the Lithuanian Hercules, a hero second to none, such a man will surely come in handy – the king looked at the chessboard once more – but why do you need this drunkard and loudmouth? I admit that he had his merits in wartime, but now… You will need an extra carriage just for his belly.
The lieutenant wanted to speak but the colonel was faster:
– Your Highness, our task is not only to protect your envoy. We will surely need to talk to the locals and keep track of other envoys and their retinues. Our friend is an experienced man, he also has a lot of hidden talents he does not brag about being incredibly modest. He will surely not be a hindrance.
The king sighed and reached for a glass of wine. There was an awkward silence which was broken by a salvo of sneezes and swearing coming from the other chamber. The officers went pale and looked at the king awaiting his reaction with anxiety. But the king laughed when he heard the swearing old nobleman and the melodic accent of the Lithuanian who was trying to quiet him down.
John Casimir waved his right hand at the waiting officers:
– Sir Michał, sir Jan, off you go to Vienna then. May our Lord protect you, because you are going straight into the open gates of hell …
***
The Defenders of the Crown are mostly characters drawn from Henryk Sienkiewicz’s Trilogy. However, in the world of Anno Domini 1666, their fates unfold somewhat differently than in the novels.
They form a colorful and diverse team. The leader, Wołodyjowski, is the best swordsman in the game. Longinus can defend a key area even against an entire group of opponents, while Zagłoba knows numerous tricks to hinder the enemy.
The embassy from the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth consists of honorable and faithful people. Thus, you won’t find any evil characters or, especially, demons in their band. Although, as with every rule, there are exceptions…
LEADER - MICHAŁ WOŁODYJOWSKI
LEADER - MICHAŁ WOŁODYJOWSKI
Born in the year 1626. He enlisted in Prince Jeremi’s dragoon banner. Chmielnicki (Khmelnytsky) Uprising began several years later. Wołodyjowski showed great valor during the siege of Zbaraż, and was promoted to namiestnik (a junior officer rank).
After Prince Jeremi’s death he stayed in the army. He was promoted to colonel for his extraordinary performance during the Deluge (the Swedish invasion during the Second Northern Wars).
Excellent swordsman. Recognized as first sabre of
the Commonwealth.
JAN ONUFRY ZAGŁOBA
JAN ONUFRY ZAGŁOBA
Born in the year 1600. During his youth he fought against the armies of Gustav II Adolf in Livonia, and subsequently against the Chmielnicki Uprising. Supposedly he was part of hetman Żółkiewki’s army at the battle of Cecora, where he was captured and imprisoned by the Turks for several years.
It’s hard to tell which of his stories are true.
Anyway, he’s 66 years old now and his wits are as sharp as ever.
LONGINUS PODBIPIĘTA
LONGINUS PODBIPIĘTA
Born in the year 1616 in the Lithuanian village of Myszykiszki. His forefather Stowejko famously decapitated three Teutonic knights with one swing of his sword at the battle of Grunwald (Tannenberg). Longinus swore not to marry until he cuts off three
heads with one swing himself, but he is yet to fulfill his oath.
Longinus is tall, lean and very strong. He can easily twirl Zerwikaptur – Stowejko’s own sword.
As a deeply religious man, he claims his life was saved by Virgin Mary’s intervention when he attempted to sneak through the enemy lines at the siege of Zbaraż.
JAN SKRZETUSKI
JAN SKRZETUSKI
He’s a year younger than Wołodyjowski. Has a reputation of a reliable and loyal soldier. Initially he served in Prince Jeremi’s cossack-style banner, and was soon promoted to namiestnik (a junior officer rank).
During the siege of Zbaraż he made himself famous by breaking through the enemy lines and delivering important letters to the king.
After Prince Jeremi’s death he stayed in the army and joined Jerzy Sebastian Lubomirski’s hussar banner as the namiestnik. He was promoted to lieutenant shortly afterwards..
KETLING
KETLING
Ketling, or Hassling-Ketling of Elgin, is a Scotsman in the service of the Commonwealth and Wołodyjowski’s friend. He is a handsome and rich man loved by women and respected by men.
As a noble Scotsman, Ketling has an adequate weaponry – 2 Scottish pistols with metal butts. This type of weapon was made in pairs and fitted with snaphaunce mechanism.
In one pistol the lock was on the right and in the other on the left. A hook carrying the pistol on the belt was fitted on the opposite side of the barrel base.
BAŚKA JEZIORKOWSKA
BAŚKA JEZIORKOWSKA
Baśka Jeziorkowska is also called Hajduczek (the Little Haiduk), is Michał Wołodyjowski’s fiancee.
Quite unlike other noble girls, she prefers fencing and adventures over wholesome life at home.
Shewould never leave her loved one’s side, so naturally she joined him on his mission Vienna.
Saber is not the only weapon in her arsenal. She also has two pistols. One of them she carries in her… skirt!
The way Baśka carries her pistol is taken from a 16th century painting. Skirts often had partings, covered by an apron. It was possible to fasten the pistol on the parting.
POLISH DRAGOONS
POLISH DRAGOONS
Dragoons are soldiers who get around on horseback, but dismount for battle and fight as infantry.
Dragoons from Hetman Sobieski’s regiment are big, strong guys well accustomed to the hardships of the campaign trail. They all undergo musket training, but many prefer hand to hand combat.
Among those who accompanied the delegation to Vienna, there were veterans and the Wachtmeister , who commanded the unit in the absence of an officer.