The good the bad and the ugly (part 1of 4)

A week had passed since Friedrich escorted his mother and sister back to their village. Elsa had begun to settle into her new life at the estate, her presence bringing a warmth that contrasted sharply with the cold, gothic grandeur of the surroundings. Friedrich, however, had little time to enjoy the tranquility. His mind was already racing with plans, his focus shifting to the prisoners in the basement.

He descended the stone steps, his boots echoing against the damp walls. The air grew colder as he approached the cell where the princes were held. Louis sat slumped in his chair, his face bruised and his expression sullen. Nova, though less visibly injured, looked equally defeated. Friedrich's gaze flicked to the Serpents standing guard, his voice sharp with reproach. "What happened to him?"

One of the Serpents stepped forward, his tone defensive but respectful. "He attempted to escape, my lord. We had no choice but to restrain him."

Friedrich's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. Instead, he gestured for the guards to leave. "Give us a moment alone."

Once the Serpents had retreated, Friedrich unlocked the chains binding the princes. They made no move to resist, their earlier defiance replaced by a weary acceptance. They knew who Friedrich was—a man of calculated ruthlessness, not to be trifled with.

Friedrich pulled up a chair, sitting across from them with an air of calm authority. "I have a proposition for you," he began, his voice low but firm. "I know you possess lands—a 300-acre farm in England and a 700-acre farm in Prussia. I want them."

Nova's eyes widened in surprise, but Louis scoffed, his voice hoarse. "And why would we give them to you?"

"In exchange," Friedrich continued, ignoring Louis's tone, "I will arrange for you to see your mother. She's alive, hidden in the castle dungeons. But if you want her freed, you'll sign a treaty transferring those lands to me."

Louis leaned forward, his bruised face twisting in anger. "Otto would never allow it. He'd sooner see us dead than let you make such a deal."

Friedrich's smile was cold, his gaze unwavering. "Otto doesn't need to know. This is between us. Sign the treaty, and I'll ensure your mother is brought here. She'll remain under my protection until I decide her fate—exile, perhaps, or something more permanent. The choice is yours."

The princes exchanged uneasy glances, their desperation palpable. After a tense silence, Nova spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "And if we refuse?"

Friedrich leaned back, his expression unreadable. "Then you'll never see her again. And your fate will be far less pleasant than exile."

The threat hung in the air, heavy and unspoken. Finally, Nova nodded, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "We'll sign."

Friedrich produced a parchment and quill, sliding them across the table. The princes signed their names with trembling hands, their signatures sealing the transfer of their lands. Friedrich examined the document carefully before folding it and tucking it into his coat.

"Good," he said, rising to his feet. "Your mother will be brought here soon. But remember—this is not the end. If you attempt to cross me, the consequences will be severe."

As he left the cell, Friedrich's mind was already racing ahead. The lands would provide the resources he needed to fund his ambitions. His Serpents, though loyal, were paid only the standard military wage. Friedrich wanted more for them—better equipment, higher pay, and unwavering allegiance. By financing them himself, he could ensure their loyalty was to him alone, not to Otto or the crown.

But his plans went beyond mere finances. Friedrich envisioned a future where his Serpents were not just soldiers but a private army, capable of crushing any threat to his power—whether it came from external enemies or internal uprisings. Otto's aversion to unnecessary bloodshed was a weakness Friedrich had no intention of sharing. He would act decisively, in secret if necessary, to secure his position.

Later that evening, Friedrich assembled his Serpents in the estate's grand hall. The room was dimly lit, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows across the stone walls. Friedrich stood at the head of the table, his presence commanding as he outlined his plans.

"The princes have agreed to transfer their lands to me," he began, his voice calm but firm. "With these resources, we will build something greater—a force loyal not to the crown, but to us. You will be paid better, equipped better, and trained to handle any threat. But this must remain secret. Otto cannot know."

The Serpents listened in silence, their expressions a mix of admiration and determination. They had sworn their loyalty to Friedrich, and now, his vision was becoming their own.

***

Otto sat at the head of the long oak table, his fingers drumming restlessly against the polished surface. Across from him, Klaus and Heinrich leaned forward, their expressions grim as they discussed the looming threats to Bavaria. The room was dimly lit, the flickering light of the chandelier casting long shadows across the walls.

"The princes are still out there," Otto said, his voice low and tense. "If they infiltrate the castle and free the queen, it could spell disaster for us. Klaus, I want you to tighten security around the castle. Double the guards, increase patrols—do whatever it takes to ensure they can't get close."

Klaus nodded, but a faint smirk played on his lips. "At this point, Friedrich should be king," he joked, leaning back in his chair. "He's guarded more than you are, Your Majesty."

Heinrich chuckled, the sound echoing in the room, but Otto's expression darkened. The king's eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening as he processed Klaus's words. What was meant as a lighthearted remark struck a nerve, igniting a spark of suspicion in Otto's mind.

"Friedrich's influence is growing too quickly," Otto said, his tone sharp. "He's praised more than I am, and his Serpents are loyal to him above all else. Klaus, I want you to infiltrate his estate. Find out what he's planning. And while you're at it, find a way to weaken the Serpents. I made the mistake of giving him too much power when I was... indisposed. Now, they're a threat to the crown."

Klaus's smirk faded, replaced by a look of unease. "Your Majesty, Friedrich is loyal to Bavaria. He's proven that time and again. The Serpents are an asset, not a threat."

Otto slammed his fist on the table, the sound reverberating through the room. "I'll decide what's a threat and what's not! Do as I command, Klaus, or I'll find someone who will."

Before Klaus could respond, Heinrich interjected, his voice calm but firm. "Your Majesty, there's more to consider. Friedrich's village has been singing his praises. They claim they only feel safe when he's in town, and there's talk of making him the baron of their village. If that happens, his influence will only grow."

Otto's eyes narrowed. "A baron? That's preposterous. He's a soldier, not a noble."

"Perhaps," Heinrich replied, "but the people see him as a protector. And it's not just the villagers. The soldiers in our army admire the Serpents—their uniforms, their advanced weaponry, the privilege of being housed and fed by Friedrich. There are rumors that thousands of them would rather serve under Friedrich than the crown. If this escalates, Friedrich could amass an army of his own."

Otto's face flushed with anger. "Are you saying my own soldiers would betray me for Friedrich?"

Klaus leaned forward, his tone cautious. "Your Majesty, Friedrich has earned their respect through his actions. He's a brilliant strategist and a fearless leader. But that doesn't mean he's disloyal. We should tread carefully. Accusing him without cause could turn even more people against us."

Otto's jaw tightened, but before he could respond, a messenger burst into the room, his face flushed with urgency. "Your Majesty, urgent news from Prussia! The British have attacked their borders. They're requesting our aid, claiming the British will invade their lands by the end of the week."

Otto's eyes lit up with a calculating gleam. "This could work in our favor," he said, a sly smile spreading across his face. "We'll send Friedrich and his Serpents to aid Prussia. Along with a battalion of 30,000 undertrained soldiers. When they're inevitably overwhelmed, Klaus, Heinrich, and I will swoop in with a combined force of 125,000 men. We'll save the day and restore Bavaria's glory—and my reputation."

Klaus's unease deepened. "Your Majesty, Friedrich is not so easily defeated. He's one of the strongest soldiers Bavaria has ever seen, and his Serpents are unmatched. I've fought alongside them twice. Five hundred Serpents could easily wipe out 2,000 to 5,000 well-trained soldiers. Sending them into a trap could backfire."

Otto leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. After a moment, he nodded. "You're right. Friedrich is too dangerous to underestimate. We'll reduce his battalion to 15,000 men. That should be enough to weaken him without making it obvious. And while he's away, we'll infiltrate his estate. I've seen the weapons he's been stockpiling for the Serpents. If he's planning something, we'll find out."

Heinrich nodded in agreement, but Klaus remained silent, his mind racing. He had served alongside Friedrich for six years, fighting side by side in some of Bavaria's most decisive battles. They had taken down Napoleon together, a feat that had cemented their bond as brothers in arms. The thought of betraying Friedrich sat heavily in his chest, a weight he couldn't shake.

But Otto's offer was tempting—a large sum of money and a chance to secure his own position. Klaus was torn between loyalty to his king and loyalty to his friend. As Otto and Heinrich laughed, their voices filling the room with a false sense of camaraderie, Klaus felt a knot of dread tighten in his stomach. He was caught between duty and what he knew was right.