1633

by Eric Flint

  The next morning, a partially clad body was found in the snow by the city watch. All items of worth and identification were gone, but there was no sign of violence. When no one claimed the body in three days, it was buried in the potter’s field outside the city.

  Bundgaard didn't mind this at all. When Villereal failed to show to take delivery of the food, he put the word out that he had food for sale. Pure chance had delivered him an opportunity to sell those supplies three times.

  * * *

  "You were right Mette. Bundgaard is nothing but a thief! The whole expedition is in trouble," John said.

  Mette looked to Luke, who just nodded.

  Just then, a cabin boy from the Wilhelm entered the tavern and stepped over to Luke. "Captain de Puyter's compliments, sir. I was sent to tell you that the Kristina and the Hamburg have been sighted. They should be docking with the tide." He twisted his cap in his hands. "Is there any message I should take back?"

  "Yes. Please inform Captain de Puyter to expect messages for himself and Captains Johannson and Rheinwald for a meeting here tomorrow evening. He's to deliver the messages to the other captains when they dock."

  The arrival of the two ships helped Luke reach a decision. "Mette, I'll be up in our rooms. Would you send Svend up to help me prepare the messages?" Then he looked at John. "John, I've seen that look before. Usually about the time some sailor learns a hard lesson in seamanship. What are you planning?”

  "With the captain's permission," John said, "I would like to bring an outsider to the meeting tomorrow."

  "John, I've trusted my life and my ship to your judgment too many times to count. If you feel it's necessary, then by all means, bring your guest." When John didn't volunteer any more, Luke asked, "Do you want to at least give me a hint what it's about?"

  "I need to talk to someone tonight about our problem. I think we may be able to use our problem to solve one of his. If it doesn't work out, then you can't be implicated."

  * * *

  Karl walked over and threw his cape over the back of the chair across from his friend. "I'm not surprised to see you, John. I hear our mutual 'friend' is up to his old tricks." John motioned to the barmaid for a beer for Karl and nodded. Karl sat down and took a long drink before continuing. "You're not the first ship he's played tricks on. You're just his biggest scam. His cousin, the minister, gets a cut from all his thefts. The minister has the local magistrate bought off so no one can touch them. The word is that he still has your food but plans to sell it to a new buyer for a higher price. It's all stored in his warehouse down by the docks. I wish I could help, but my commander has threatened my job if I interfere with Bundgaard again. If I had an alternative, I’d give up this job in a minute.”

  John smiled broadly. “Maybe I have an answer that can help us both. My captain is meeting with our backers tomorrow night and I’d like you to come with me.” John set down his stein and fixed Karl with a stare. “Are you serious about taking a new job? We’ve been looking for a commander for our guard force. I’m confidant Captain Foxe would be interested in your skills.”

  Karl stared at the fire for a few minutes. This was exactly what his wife had already told him, Try something new and turn the house over to Johann . The chance to tweak his commander’s nose was very appealing, too. “My wife has already said she was interested in going. I just wasn’t interested in farming. What you've proposed changes everything. I will be there tomorrow night.”

  * * *

  The following day was a flurry of activity. The captains of the Kristina and Hamburg reported that when they unloaded their cargos for the forces besieging Luebeck, rumors were running rampant. The most prominent ones indicated that a naval relief force, commanded by Admiral Simpson, was expected once the weather moderated. The French were confident they would repel the force, but there were the fantastic claims about the strength of Simpson’s new style ships. If they were to be believed, the combined fleet could be annihilated and Copenhagen would be next. The time to depart was getting short.

  Word arrived on a French merchant ship bound from London that there were serious political problems in England. Fighting between the Trained Bands in London and the King’s new mercenary companies had escalated. When Luke asked Sir Thomas about what it meant for him, Sir Thomas was very blasé. “Wentworth seems to simply be digging himself deeper and deeper into a cesspool. I’m not sure Charles knows how to make a rational decision on his own anymore. I’ve cut my ties there. I just need to make sure that they keep forgetting I’m here. If I get a summons, then I’ll need to worry.”

  All the news wasn't bad. With the new plans to reopen settlements in Newfoundland, two fishing ship captains had contacted Sir Thomas to base a fishing port there. They would sell their catch to the colony and ship the excess back to Denmark. If the current food problems with Bundgaard could be solved, resupply should no longer be a problem.

  * * *

  Karl arrived early, and John escorted him to the back room where Luke planned to meet with the others. “Captain, this is the man I spoke to you about, Karl Andersen. He’s a sergeant in the local city watch and a former captain of a mercenary company. He’s interested in the guard force commander’s position. I told him he had to talk to you about it. For what it’s worth, my sources highly recommend him.”

  Luke motioned for Karl and John to sit down. “You’ve come at an opportune time, Mr. Andersen. We plan to leave soon, if some current supply problems can be solved. We were looking for a good man to handle our guard force. Initially, there will be fifteen men permanently assigned to keep the peace among the settlers and act as a cadre in case of attack. There are also four trained gunners to serve the cannons that will be landed. All able bodied men will be trained by the commander to serve as a militia. We have forty arquebuses for weapons. We don’t expect any trouble with the local natives. Captain James had a local Cree tribal member return with him on his last voyage. He will act as an interpreter and the native has assured us his tribe will welcome us."

  Karl was pleased with what he heard. This job wasn’t much different from combining his current work with his previous duties in the mercenary company. And Luke appeared to be a big improvement over his current watch commander. “I’m interested,” he said. “What’s this I hear about land? My wife is adamant that we have our own land if we go.”

  Luke smiled at the question. It sounded just like something Mette would have said. “You’ll have twice what a settler would receive, and regular pay.” When they reached an agreement, Karl and Luke shook hands. “Pending approval of our backers this evening, welcome aboard, Commander Andersen.” Luke turned to John, “I’m still a little mystified about your request last night, John. I know we were running short on time to find a good guard commander, but that didn’t call for all the mysterious comments.”

  “Now that Karl is on board with us, we can go over that part. Tell him about the warehouse, Karl.”

  Karl checked to make sure they couldn't be overheard by any patrons in the tavern. He then laid out all the information for Luke about Bundgaard’s operations. He finished by saying, “Just as I told John, Bundgaard still has all of your food supplies stored in his dockside warehouse, but he is planning to sell them to someone else. Just how badly do you need those supplies?”

  Luke could barely control his frustration. “If we don’t get those supplies before April, the expedition will not sail and a lot of people will go broke! We have to have those supplies, now. That’s what the meeting tonight’s about. We need to find some way to solve this crisis.”

  John leaned forward. “Karl and I have a plan we think will get you those supplies. It may mean roughing up some of Bundgaard’s men. I know personally, nothing would give me greater pleasure than to wipe those smiles off of his guards’ faces. Our ships are already docked close to the warehouse. If we can wait until we have a moonless night and Karl is on patrol in that area, we should be able to, ah . . . liberate the supplies.”

  “T
hat warehouse normally has only two night watchmen," Karl said. "I can make sure we don’t patrol that area when the time comes. If anything should happen, I can come to check it out. I don’t want my men involved. They’ll still have to live and work here and my conscience could not allow them to be hurt because of my actions.”

  “We should have enough men," Luke said. "With the sailors and miners, we can move all the supplies quickly. But let's keep it quiet until the time is right. Just us and the men coming tonight will know. Too many with the details too soon could let the plan reach the wrong ears.”

  Mette’s knock on the door announced the arrival of the rest of the attendees. “We’ll settle this immediately.” Luke introduced Karl as the new commander and got their approval. He then laid out the problem with the food stuffs and the proposed solution.

  There was unanimous support for the plan.

  Saul turned to Reuben, “Brother, I think we may want to plan a long business trip to somewhere else, shortly. It may be too hot here for us." He turned to Sir Thomas with a grin. "I guess that leaves it up to you to hold the bag.”

  “If the rumors I’ve heard about conditions in England are true, I may be joining Captain Foxe. If I’m not welcome in Copenhagen, I may be recalled to England to see what the Tower looks like from the inside. Wentworth was my friend at one time. I’m not sure anyone has a friend at Court now. I have enough enemies that my position is in peril. If Christian wants a scapegoat for this affair, I may be a convenient sacrifice.”

  Luke wasn’t surprised by Sir Thomas’ statement. “We can always use someone with your talents. We said to that man from Grantville that we would help those fleeing injustice.”

  Sir Thomas winced. “I just never imagined I might be the first!”

  Luke tried to settle his fears. “If it comes up, I’m sure we can handle it. But first, we have to settle accounts with Bundgaard.”

  “Agreed!”

  “The new moon is in ten days. Do we have all of our people and supplies ready?” Luke looked to the Abrabanels and Bamberg for the answer.

  “Right now, we have one hundred and sixty seven settlers and soldiers. Karl and his wife add two more. We’ll collect our head bonus when we move them on the ships. That timing could be tricky if Christian holds off payment. We probably should load them this week to make sure we get paid." Bamberg added, "Outside of food, the supplies are ready. Your suggestion to take on extra livestock and passengers when you stop for wood and water at the Orkneys will give you an extra month's food.”

  After the meeting broke up, Luke took Bamberg aside. “Adolphus, you aren’t officially part of the company, so you should be all right. I have a favor to ask. It would be better if Mette and the children waited to come with our resupply ships. Can you watch over them and help her settle her affairs? She means so much to me, if anything untoward should happen, I could never forgive myself.”

  “You needn’t worry, Captain. I’ve known Mette for a long time. I’ll make sure she shows up safe and sound.”

  “Thank you!” Bamberg extended his hand to shake, but Luke grasped it with both hands, like a drowning man would grasp a rope. “A friend like you is hard to find.”

  Chapter 12

  Eight days later, a warship arrived from England. Immediately after docking, two sets of visitors disembarked. The first headed directly to Rosenborg Castle to present the new ambassador's credentials. The palace was in turmoil. News had just arrived of a major naval action off Wismar. Assuming the English visitors were tied to that event, they were immediately escorted to the King.

  The new ambassador was introduced and then handed his credentials to Christian. “Your Majesty, I have been instructed by King Charles to represent him at your Court. Due to distressing news the King has received concerning certain actions by Sir Thomas, I have been instructed to request Your Majesty’s assistance in securing the former ambassador’s return to England to answer for those actions. I pray that Your Majesty will look kindly on this request from your ally.” He again bowed and awaited a response.

  King Christian slowly turned purple with suppressed rage at the court fool that had escorted this problem straight to him at this time of crisis. If they had only inquired as to the reason for the visit, I could have stalled for at least two or three weeks. Now I’ll have to do something! Hopefully, Sir Thomas had his plans in order.

  “Baron Finch, I accept your credentials as the new ambassador to my court from England. You arrive at a time when I have many issues within my own kingdom to resolve. Word has just arrived that the League’s naval forces near Luebeck may have suffered a reverse. I’m afraid that it will be some time before sufficient men are available to assist in locating Sir Thomas. As I understand, the last I heard he had been traveling out of the city. You may speak to Chancellor Scheel, when he is available, to request assistance in locating and detaining Sir Thomas. You are excused.” Christian arose and left the room, ignoring the sputtered protests of the new ambassador. Once he was out of earshot of the room, he grabbed the major domo by his collar. “Don’t you ever bring someone into my presence without ascertaining what their business is! Now go find Scheel and make sure he’s unavailable to that man until I tell him differently.” He released the official with a shove and sent him on his way.

  The second group was an officer and two armed men who asked at the dockside for directions and then marched off toward the house of Sir Thomas Roe. They had instructions that left no doubt that Sir Thomas was to be detained. Their only restriction was that they could not cause a major scene that would embarrass the ambassador. When they arrived at the house, the officer pounded on the door with the hilt of his sword. Michael, the doorman, cracked the door to see who it was.

  The officer took a step back and announced, “I am here, by order of King Charles. Is Sir Thomas Roe in residence?”

  Michael realized the worst had happened and stalled for time. “Sir Thomas is not here at the present. He’s not expected back from his trip until late tomorrow night." Michael didn’t bat an eyelash at the lie. Sir Thomas had actually just stepped out for his morning walk and would return within the hour.

  “Very well, I shall return then. Please give him these documents when he returns.” He handed over a sealed packet, turned and left abruptly. The two soldiers lingered behind, down the street from the house. They would insure that Sir Thomas didn’t leave unescorted, once he returned

  Agnes came out timidly from the library. “I heard what he said. Is Uncle in trouble?”

  “I fear so, child. You know the pastry shop where he stops on his walk. Put on a cape and fetch him back quickly. He needs to see this right away. Make sure he comes in the back way, in case the two soldiers are still there.” He held up the packet so that she could see the wax seal with the King's stamp on it.

  Her eyes went wide, but she did as she was told. Five minutes later, Agnes reached the pastry shop where Uncle Thomas was chatting with the owner and eating one of his favorite kringles. Agnes paused to catch her breath and then entered the shop. “Uncle, Michael sent me to let you know that your expected visitor from England has arrived.”

  Sir Thomas successfully fought the urge to flinch. Agnes had thoughtfully phrased the message so that Inge, the gossipy pastry cook, wouldn’t have anything to pass on to someone who might ask later. “I’ll be right along, Agnes. Why don’t you pick out a pastry? A brisk run deserves a reward.”

  “Thank you, Uncle.” Once they left the shop, Agnes whispered. “Michael suggested that you might want to use the rear entrance. Two soldiers were left to watch the front door. He told the officer you weren’t expected back until tomorrow night.” She stopped and looked up at her uncle. “The soldiers scared me, Uncle. Are we going to be all right?”

  “I hope so, Agnes, but we won't be staying in Denmark. What do you think about a long sea voyage?” The smile that lit up her face told Sir Thomas a lot.

  As soon as they slipped in the back door, Michael handed Sir Thomas th
e packet. Matilda, the cook, stood by with clenched hands. Sir Thomas broke the seal and quickly read the summons. “What we’ve feared has happened. I’ve been summoned home to be questioned. England isn't safe for me now. I will not return, but instead will travel with the expedition. You are both welcome to accompany Agnes and me.”

  Matilda answered immediately. “If Agnes is going, then I go, too. She’s like a daughter to me and I won’t leave her. Someone needs to make sure you’re both fed well.”

  Michael paused before answering. He hung his head, “I’ve met a lady, sir, and we were planning to get married. Her parents need her. I’m sorry, but I need to stay. I’ll help to cover your departure if needed.”

  “Very well. I’ll leave funds for you with Factor Bamberg to close up the house Michael and store what we can’t take with us. You can have it shipped once we’re settled in the New World. He’ll also have a pension for you." Sir Thomas reached for the door. "I need to see Captain Foxe and let him know what’s happened. Start packing. I’ll be back late this evening with help to finish.”

  When Sir Thomas arrived at the Köbenhavn , he was met by John Barrow. “The captain is at the warehouse going over the plan with the miners, Sir Thomas. Can I help you?”

  “It appears my niece and I will be joining your voyage. Do you have someone that can help load us tonight? We will need to do it discreetly. There may be watchers who want to interfere.”

  “Captain Foxe said this might happen. I’ll have a wagon and five men at your back door after sunset. We’ve kept a cabin for you on the Hamburg ." He paused, and then grinned. "I’ll send two sailors to distract any watchers.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Barrow.”

  “Think nothing of it. It will be good practice for the bigger job tomorrow night.

  * * *

  “Now remember, no knives! The guards must not be killed. There should only be two of them. We’ll surprise them and swamp them with numbers. We need to be able to come back here, so we take only what we paid for, nothing else!” Luke looked around to make sure there was no misunderstanding.