Episode LXXXV: Quod In Celis Sol, Hoc In Tverra Caesar Est
Imperial Palace, City of Tver, 1815
It was a beautiful winter's day in the City of Tver, capital of the Imperial Commonwealth of Tver. Gentle snow fell from the heavens, a crisp film of frost crunched softly underfoot. And in the Imperial Palace, Czarina Maria, Empress of Tver and All the Russias, was relaxing in front of a roaring fire, enjoying a full-bodied red. Lying back in her chair, she extended an elegant, scarlet-gloved hand, and removed the cork.
'
Pfft.Thank you, Czarina.'
'What is it, Dobczyńska?'
'Not that we aren't having fun, but I really think we should get back to work.'
'Already?'
'The Neapolitans are causing havoc. They're advancing on Modena and our northern Italian provinces.'
The Czarina looked disturbed.
'They're...
bold.'
'Full of piss and balsamic vinegar. We need to reduce the number of fronts we are fighting on.'
'Right. How do we beat Japan?'
'We scare them.'
'How?'
'The Japanese are very polite. We will be so impolite to them that they will not want to continue fighting us for fear of caching our impoliteness.'
'Is impoliteness infectious?'
'Even if it was, Czarina, you would have nothing to fear...'
Thus it was that the army of the Tverian army in Shiribeshi did turn his back on the huge Japanese army across the strait, present his backside, and loudly rebalance his humours in the direction of Kyoto.
'Elegantly done, Dobczyńska.'
'Thank you, Czarina. I've also obtained a bit of leverage with the Dutch.'
'Oh? Do tell.'
'It involves myself, the Crown Princess of Holland, some recreational plants and a strategically placed artist.'
'A quickly painted watercolour of dubious quality is worth a thousand words. Let's have a look...that's not you is it?'
'I dress differently at weekends. Permission to present to the Dutch ambassador?'
'Granted, as long as I can have a copy.'
'Signed, if you like. I'm sure a little blackmail convince them to surrender...'
'Certainly if the king's daughter's any guide to go by.'
'...taking several of our nastiest enemies out of the war with them.'
'Right. I'm off to Lauenburg.'
'Is that siege
still going on?'
'Yes. And morale is low, as is manpower.I'd better make an appearance, and bring some more artillery with me.'
'Well. I want you back as soon as possible.'
'Don't worry, Czarina. The men will perk up once I deploy my cannons.'
Cannons were deployed. Perks were upped. The defenders of Lauenburg finally surrendered.
'Excellent work. With the Duke of Lauenburg suitably restrained...'
'It was fun!'
'...what now? I worry about these Neapolitans. They're causing...discomfort.'
'Naples chafing?'
'We have very few troops left on the Italian peninsula.'
'Don't worry, Czarina. I know how to handle Naples.'
'You've learned well.'
'The Austrians are still in retreat. The Holy Roman Emperor cowers in his palace, surrounded by our men.'
'Meaning?'
'Meaning we can move our armies from Austria to northern Italy.'
'About time, too. They're getting ideas.'
The Czarina shook her head. 'A weak Italian thinking he can take liberties with me.'
'The King of Naples or your husband?'
'There is a reason we have separate chambers.'
'Separate chambers is common enough. You barely live on the same continent.'
'Pah. Last time we were together, he called me a reptile! Am I a reptile, Dobczyńska?'
'Definitely a mammal, Czarina.'
'Indeed.'
'Very definitely...so very definitely...so tangibly, fully, comfortably, soothingly...'
'Dobczyńska.'
'Hmm? Sorry, Czarina. Got abit carried away.'
'That's all right.'
[…]
'So, are you going to move from there?'
'Oh. Yes. Where was I?'
'Firmly wedged in...'
'Naples! That's where I was. Let's hit them with everything we have. All our armies will move across from Austria and down from our attack on Burgundy.'
'Even better, Czarina. The Duke of Burgundy is now your vassal.'
'Excellent.'
'At least, I think that's what he was trying to say.'
The Tverian counterattack was ruthless. The Duke of Ferrara had joined the treacherous Neapolitans in their attack on the Imperial Commonwealth: now, his little Duchy lay crushed beneath the Tverian stiletto.
'Disgusting little man, Dobczyńska. Met him often when I was living in Modena. Twisted. Deformed. Only had nine digits on his feet as well.'
'Didn't know you were lack-toes intolerant.'
'I'm going to take a lot of pleasure in this. Annex them.'
with his armies in Italy defetaed, the King of Naples, chastened, was suing for peace. Unable to take the city of Naples itself, Tver's diplomats instead demanded the release of the Irish kingdom of Leinster, while Commonwealth spies sponsored rebel groups on the rest of the island in the hope of creating a unified, friendly Irish state.
The English – or British as they still insisted on calling themselves – were also in disarray. The Scots had retaken their ancient territories of Cumbria and Northumberland while the English armies were focused on defending their colonies from rebels.
This day, though, would reverberate throughout history for another reason entirely. It was to be a day of endings. Of closure. A chapter of history firmly slammed shut by th armoured glove of progress.
The Archduke of Austria, pale and trembling, knelt before Czarina Maria, offering her an ancient, elaborate crown that had graced the head of central Europe's most famous monarchs. A gift of popes to kings and princes from the very birth of modern Europe and beyond.
'Time, Czarina?'
'A time long overdue, Dobczyńska. Long, long overdue.'
'Ashes to ashes.'
'Scrap to scrap.'
'
Quod in Celis Sol, Hoc in Terra Caesar Est. Never was it truer.'
'But you are not Caesar, Archduke.'
'I am.'
