The Year of the Lord 1646
After the trials of the previous year there are those who spend the winter proclaiming that now all New Jerusalem's enemies lie defeated and this will be a year of prosperity for the righteous. Those who look further than the borders of their fields however are in a better position to notice faint clouds gathering on the horizon.
Even so the year starts successfully for some in March when Lotte Luuk, Malachi Stark and others of those who harry the limbs of Satan beyond the fields return from their first venture of the year in high spirits and not a little wealthier from the despoiling of some wight of the hills and the slaying of those that summoned it. The suspicions of some are aroused that the full tale has not been told, and eventually it comes out that the wight itself was not destroyed merely returned to the place it had previously lurked along with its remaining fortune.
In the North
Various explorations and campaigns against the denizens of the wastes are undertaken in the following months, most notably in May Sgt Grimmelshausen leaves the Southfort for as few days to take the Switzer Doctor, Franz von Meinhoff, the preacher Elijah Richter, Thomas Kepler, Imogen Luckentrager to the northern forest, there to strike a blow against the golden legions, though this move seems to have been only a partial success, for their return from the north was made some way east of the town, and in something of a hurry. Out of the Sergeant's hearing it is suggested by some of his companions that even small 1lb cannon such as the pair carried on pack animals, while undeniably effective, were somewhat bulky for rapid movement as is sometime called for in the trees.
July
Plague
Hope that quiet times are come to New Jerusalem take a blow in July when the pleasant warm summer air about the Southfort is laced with the scent of sulphur, from bonfires lit in the settlement to clear the air of the miasmas of plague. As soon as the first case comes to their attention the Town Guard in the fort itself order the closing of the settlement gates and apply a curfew, while the road to town is barricaded to prevent, it is hoped, the closer approach of the sickness.
That evil does often its own works unintentionally confound, through God's grace, is shown when the inmates of the Southfort settlement mainly guards from the various wagon convoys awaiting their next departure rather than praying for deliverance from the pestilence, do riot one night and break out of the compound, while firing several buildings to take cover of the confusion and steal horses. Some are killed when the guns of the fort are turned on them to discourage the riot and cause them to disperse, which they rapidly do into nearby fields where they are mostly found in the morning. And yet, though much of the buildings and inns are burnt that night by the fleeing thieves it seems that the fire has driven away the plague for none further fall sick of it, and none at all die of it directly.
Of the horse thieves nothing further is heard, for they cannot be pursued, the Blitzpatrol being abroad in the field upon an extended exercise, launched a few days before the riot. When it becomes clear that they are gone for many days there is some concern expressed by the Town Council, but Captain Gerhardt stands firm and refuses to answer questions as to their whereabouts or mission, stating only that they are gone on his orders for operational reasons.
August
Signs and Portents
What is at first mild concern that something is going on, though none save perhaps Captain Gerhardt know what, is greatly increased upon the morning of the 21st of August, a Tuesday, upon their awakening people see that where once were rolling grasslands now stands a dark and foreboding forest to the east of town and road, obviously held in check, it is suggested only by the godliness and piety of New Jerusalem, for the frontmost rank of the trees come close to the edges for the fields at some points no more than twenty yards from the boundaries.
Knowing only too well what abomination dwells in the northern forest that has been in place since any can remember, the authorities immediately declare the new forest to be beyond bounds, and place guards to inhibit any foolish curiosity. Little of this there is, for most spend the day in prayer for deliverance and against this uncanny manifestation, though to no avail. It stands there next morning as though it has been in place as long as the sinister forest of the north. Suspicions that the place may conceal dark secrets are confirmed when Malachi Stark brings a party out from the woods which had trapped them on their return from a reconnaissance to the east which they had commenced some fortnight earlier. They seem most relieved to be taken into custody by those guarding the forest edge. Once it has been established that they are indeed who they claim to be and not denizens of the trees disguised, Stark, as a member of the Volunteer Patrol makes his report direct and in confidence to Captain Gerhardt, apparently confirming suspicions of the nature of the woods, and indeed his companions hint that they were approached by things unmentionable far more frequently than was normal even in the haunts of the north.
That the forest is a portent is clearly apparent, though of what precisely is less so. In an attempt to determine this vital fact Captain Gerhardt orders forth a party to investigate the limits of the new forest, comprising mostly those who had survived the interior but with Luther Brock, Captain of the Volunteers to provide a more sober and objective report than is sometimes forthcoming from the wilder members of the irregular faction. Captain Brock and his band are gone for near on three weeks, at which point concern is beginning to mount for they included amongst their number such as Malachi Stark, often leader of his own expeditions, Conrad Steller, Johan Paulus Zwitter, and the peculiar McGregor and whatever else may be said about them none of these are suckling babes in such interference in forbidden and soul searing territory.
September
A Marching Host
The news they bring, when it comes, is worse than many care to hear. While the forest itself stretches only was far as the broken hills some three days down the road, then they pressed on some days further an army was discovered, marching against New Jerusalem itself. This news is brought by Johan Paulus Zwitter, who tells of his companions' struggle to capture a member of the invaders, and bring him for interrogation, that the objective of those approaching might be learned, and of how though this was accomplished an ill-smelling fog swirled about them and confused their passage as they sought to bring him back, the mounted members of the group hurrying with this intelligence while those afoot trailed the marching army. Indeed so delayed was the passage of the cavalry that they arrived a day behind their fore runner and only a day ahead of the foot, who report the approaching army to be at the southern extent of the diabolical forest, no more than three days from the town.
Captain Gerhardt, with the approval of the council, immediately makes declaration of martial law, and prepares the town for battle: the harvest brought in notwithstanding that it early, emplacements are dug and barricades readied, guns prepared, powder distributed and the like. The newly rebuilt inns in the settlement about the Southfort are levelled once more to give the big guns clear fire. The Blitzpatrol is still missing.
Concerned at the possibility of being caught between two foes, the Captain orders investigations of the northern forest and the legion that lurk there. And it turns out to be a fortunate foresight that the Lord has granted him in inspiring that order, for the irregulars kill or capture some dozen devotees of the golden idols of the north, gone to bring word to their vile masters. Those that are brought back burn of course, foremost an assistant preacher, one Schultz, who covered the depths of his vileness with false words of scripture, indeed to the extent of having come to notice for his excessive zeal on occasion though none had guessed what horror this covered. That such excesses should cover so black a conspiracy gives many pause when the nature of the enemy in the south is announced, as a result of more of the irregulars' raids and interrogations thereafter.
An Old Enemy
For the invader is none other than Captain Gabriel Richter, onetime sergeant in the Calvinist Guard, and son of the High Preacher of the old Church of New Jerusalem, cankers that were burn out of the flesh of the town after their abortive revolt of 1640. The Richters, father and son, being amongst the few of the plotters that escaped their reward in the aftermath. It is telling that the preachings of the false Schultz should have been as close as is permitted in these days to the excesses of the old church and that they should similarly conceal a dark and diabolical plot at their heart.
Together with the necessary purging of the town there are unexpected developments following the capture of the demon preacher and the reconnaissance of the northern forest is the Captain's decision to withdraw totally from the fields north of the river. This is signalled in the late dusk of Thursday the 20th when a roar and tremendous splashing indicate the demise of the ancient bridge over the Jordan, a tribute to Sgt Grimmelshausen's skill with powder and an immediate end to argument from those holding land to the north before it had even started.
The closing of the north fort frees the Captain in his deployment of the best of his great guns, two of the town's culverins having guarded the crossing against the coming of the army in the forest. These now take their places in defence against the immediate southern threat.
A Deliverance
That Satan's swordthrust at the heart of righteousness should then pause at the very gates for a week, is a deliverance for which all should give thanks. The approaching army pauses for a week in the south of the new forest, for no reason that can de discerned. Captain Gerhardt makes the most of this grace and strains every muscle in the town with preparations.
The Battle of Southfort
Capt Gerhardt reasons that the mercenary would rather defeat the forces of New Jerusalem in the field, and thus limit damage done to the town itself, should they be after loot or (as seemed more likely) intending to reinstate the Council of Faith or some similar form of rule.
The fields to the south of the town are therefore prepared for a "sponge" defence, based about the strong barns and the gun towers. These are more normally used to defend the workers in the fields from the marauding demons that flap about the skies, but after the business of von Dreiden's escape from the town some years ago, basic ground fortifications had been added and are now enhanced. Selected pathways and lanes were barricaded and field gates blocked to channel invaders to routes lined with militia armed with everything from sickle and rabbit gun to small wallguns and pivot cannon overseen by a Guardsman.
As far as possible the militia defend their own fields or at least the nearby area that they know well, lest they have to leave quickly in the face of the advancing invaders.
The Volunteer Patrol have a dual role - they are to keep the Captain informed of the progress of the invaders, and provide local reinforcement to hard pressed militia with their superior range and accuracy of fire (being mostly equipped with rifled weapons). Again from their Field Patrols they are familiar with the lie of the land and can navigate the fields and barricades with relative ease, far more so than the invaders, it is hoped.
The Southfort has a heavy and a light battery of guns, and a garrison of 60 Guards and volunteers over and above the gunners. Outside the fort is a battle line anchored on the fort at the west end and falling just short of a group of strong stone-built labourers cottages at the other. This line is comprised of Militia, mainly formed into pike blocks, with a few musketeers of their own but mostly Guard muskets. These come from four "companies" deployed as musketeers, three to the line of battle and one stiffening the militia scattered through the fields. Approximately a third of the Guard is kept back by Captain Gerhardt as reserve in his personal command, ready to intervene at a critical moment, or to hold the town in case of calamity.
It is the Captain's intention to use the lure of a "decision in the field" to bring the invaders to attack the force apparently offering battle and thus bring themselves into range of the cannon in Southfort. However he is quite aware that the militia or his guardsmen cannot be expected to fight on even terms with hardened veterans, thus their orders are to make a show of resistance then retire to the fields behind the Southfort, hopefully luring the enemy into them where their formations can be broken up and dealt with piecemeal by the defenders there and the Captain's reserve.
The invaders arrive in the late afternoon of Wednesday 26th, preparing themselves a camp and forming for battle overnight. At dawn it can be seen by sharp eye and spyglass that their line is formed before high ground a few hundred yards beyond the effective range of the Southfort guns. And with the dawn comes an emissary from the invaders, directly to the Southfort. Here he makes a speech claiming to have no quarrel with honest soldiers doing their duty, but only with their masters. Should the Southfort be yielded up its garrison will be well treated and assured of good treatment under the new regime. Sergeant Grimmelshausen is only too well aware of the value of the Southfort, even more so its guns, to whoever holds it and unswayed by such words. But such offers are traditional, he says, before the battle so he does not order the emissary shot down but rather lets all with ears to hear know of the Southfort's resolution by discharging one of his culverins over the emissary's head. That one takes this as, the equally traditional, refusal.
As the opening move of the battle, the mercenaries' line manoeuvres to bring it more directly against New Jerusalem's, and away from the Southfort as far as is practical. It is about nine in the morning then that the Southfort's main battery commences fire in earnest, rather than ranging shots, as the attackers turn from manoeuvre to advance. Once they have started forward they also deploy, at the Eastern end of their line beyond the range of the Southfort a battery of light and mobile guns that peppers the Guardsmen of the left end of the defender's line with shot, though causing few casualties as they fire at extreme range. Meanwhile the fire of the Southfort is slowing the main advance, though inflicting relatively light casualties as yet.
As the enemy progresses a small, unexpected advantage becomes apparent the largely self equipped militia muskets, being a variety of weapons generally used for hunting prove to have something of an edge over their opponents in range an accuracy. Their first volley proves stingingly accurate and gives even their hardened opponents pause.
This slight rebuff provides the opportunity for the line to commence its withdrawal as planned, and enhance the manoeuvre by their discouragement of close pursuit with occasional volleys, again more effective at the range than might have been expected by the enemy or their own commanders. While this manoeuvre is conducted surprisingly smoothly, an organised withdrawal under fire being regarded as a difficult feat by even the most experienced commander, there are problems in the Southfort itself. After a couple of hours of continuous firing the guns slacken their pace as it is discovered that supply of ammunition from store to guns cannot keep up, and that the fort is grossly overcrowded with all its guns manned and another 60 odd guardsmen musketeers garrisoning it, making more difficult the task of reorganising the supply.
Thus as the enemy passes closest by the fort the fire is weakest, and little damage is done. At this moment it seems that the battle hangs in the balance with the mercenaries about to fall upon Captain Gerhardt's defenders in the fields unweakened.
On the far end of what had been New Jerusalem's line the enemy's cannon drove both guardsmen and militia to take shelter in a small clump of Councillor Volger's stoutly built labourer's cottages whence they harass the oncoming pikes with their small contribution of fire until their turn to withdraw comes. The guardsmen obey their orders, but the militia remain in place, fearful of the storms of small shot unleashed on their shelter by the nearby battery, preferring in their ignorance to take their chances with the oncoming mercenaries. Noon has passed. Here now is the pivot point of the battle. The defenders scrambling across the outer hedges of the fields, the fort's gunnery in some confusion and the enemy poised to fall upon their prey. But the Captain's stratagem has worked better than he had intended, for the enemy apparently believes the force in the field to be broken, fleeing to the safety of the town. Thus some of the assault halts and redeploys, while others advance upon the Southfort apparently with some intention to engage against it, however rapidly withdraws as the fort's weight of fire falls upon them, both cannon and the muskets of the additional guard garrison. Indeed this withdrawal to beyond the range of the forts cannon spreads to the entire force as their commanders consider their next action.
In the fields Captain Gerhardt puts the respite to good use, positioning his men through the fields ready to meet any blow at the town, reassuring all that their withdrawal was executed just as he had wanted, contacting the fort to ascertain they stood firm with no need for reinforcements, and preparing his personal force to intervene where ever required.
In the late afternoon the second assault comes, but not aimed at striking to the heart of New Jerusalem, but rather at the Southfort itself, the enemy apparently deluded by the poor performance at the peak of the earlier action into believing it to be weakly held and poorly served. However the fort's affairs have been put in order during the pause and now strike with full force, the hail of shot preventing all but a few of the enemy reaching even the foot of the defences, and fewer still from gaining the outer fighting stages though being musketeers these cause some problem as they fire upon the defenders inside until driven forth by a counter blow lead by Sgt Grimmelshausen, who is badly wounded in the fighting.
As evening draws on it become apparent that the assault has failed, and the attackers withdraw. Though it is not apparent at this stage they have left some sixty of their number dead, of a force totalling perhaps 300 men mostly from the costly mistake of the assault on the Southfort. It must be considered a decisive victory for Righteousness and Captain Gerhardt, whose forces have suffered at most two dozen dead.
These details are not known, however, on the New Jerusalem side, until the sunrise reveals the details of the slaughter about the fort. Even so for an hour or two the mercenary army presents itself as if preparing for another attack, but this only covers their preparations to depart as they strike camp. They are gone by midday.
This is not the end of the matter though, for no sooner are the enemy disappeared down the road than a body of horsemen are seen approaching it is Captain van Rijn's Blitzpatrol and a regiment of heavy cavalry he was secretly sent by Captain Gerhardt to hire for the town's protection when the intelligence of the mercenaries reached him. Though a day late their arrival is timely and fortuitous, for subsequent to certain negotiations with the Captain they pursue the retreating enemy with intent to harass their progress, while the Captain organises the Guard and town, putting much emphasis on the watch of the diabolical forest, for some news he has privily received from van Rijn regarding the delayed arrival of the new hiring increases his suspicions that the attack by the tools of the discredited Council of Faith had allies that true Christian men would disdain.
October
An Enemy at Bay A few days into October, the news comes that the main body of the enemy is trapped by the cavalry upon the ridge of the battle of Oxen Run, where they apparently mistook their way in poor weather to be caught with the drop of the cliffs at their backs. The Captain forms his men, who have experience in those parts from the siege of Steelback, and marches south at all speed and with cannons to break the stalemate between the mercenary infantry and their equally mercenary cavalry entrappers.
Elsewhere life returns to normal. Malachi Stark leads a discrete exploration of the new forest, to investigate the Captains concerns regarding a large force of abominations seen to enter it some way south, on the day of the fighting. What is found is somewhat different as, of the six that set out three return, all bearing gunshot wounds. Stark, Zwitter and Luckentrager are those that return, long time adventurer and bar keeper of the Southfort's slightly less disreputable institutions has gone to his reward, a lonely grave in the forest, and two have disappeared the incomprehensible MacGregor and a dane, a newcomer to the group. As the bullets are extracted from about their persons the survivors tell of an assault upon them as they slept, mounted by stragglers of the mercenaries who have taken to the woods in their wish to flee justice at the Captain's hand. Those missing had set out to avenge the attack upon their comrades, but had not returned.
In the meantime Captain Gerhardt does return to tell of a great victory. Under the threat of the Guard and guns the mercenaries had sued for peace, deserted by their leaders and paymasters in the very weather that had by the Lord's design led them astray and delivered them into the Captain's hands. Tempering justice with mercy the Captain accepted their surrender, seized money and goods near sufficient to repay the town the cost of the campaign and incidentally depriving the defeated men of the ability to wage war against the town in any meaningful way, then permitted them to depart bearing only their personal weapons for protection and the advice that they mend their ways and pray God to deliver them into safety as he had humbled them in defeat.
Treachery Rooted Out
Further victory is then delivered into the Captain's hands, now openly referred to as The Protector so much has he done for the town. Days after he calls the council together to hear his report of his dealings with the mercenaries in their name, he calls them together again, dispatching guardsmen to bring all to the Council Chambers with an urgent summons to hear his latest proclamation. Not all arrive in the chamber for the Captain learned well the lesson of the rebellion of the Council of the Faith in 1640, that put him on the road to his present position. They were taken from their homes, place of business or wherever they were found and conducted to the Guard barracks in the Southfort where they were given to understand they would meet the Captain instead they met a firing squad. For as the Protector explains to the remaining councillors, who had voted him the emergency powers to take such actions, certain evidence had come into his possession the head of ex Councillor Malachi Neuman, a condemned ringleader of the revolution, and from the body a list of traitors and contacts in the town, amongst whom the missing councillors had been numbered.
The list is in a safe place the Protector explains. Having taken rapid action to cauterise the canker eating at the heart of the council he proposed no further action at this time, preferring to give those misguided souls named upon it time to repent and see the error of their ways no such mercy had been shown by the Council of Faith in their bloody attempt for absolute power he pointed out. But should any named on the list show signs of an excess of ambition, it would be the work of a moment to copy the name onto a warrant of execution.
Elections are arranged for December to fill the places of Councillors Luther Richter, Fritz Hoffman and Ezekial Himmler (Landholder, Guild and Trade).
Late in October, matters being under control in the South with the assistance of Colonel Schwenk's Reiters, Protector Gerhardt's business partner in the Giant's Head Inn, of bygone days, and fellow explorer of the wild places when such work was seen with no favour by those then set in authority over the town, Dethorm Muller stirs himself from his innkeeping in the Southfort (while it is being rebuilt) to undertake a venture to the northern forest he knew in his younger days. With him goes Lotte Luuk the huntress, another who knew the northern woods well, and the foreigner Euan MacGregor. These disappear to the north on a pass from the Protector himself, and report to him upon their return.
Whatever it was they had to say to him however is overwhelmed by the mysterious disappearance of Sgt Grimmelshausen, hero of the Southfort, during his convalescence. Mysteriously he has gone with neither armour nor halberd, and no word to any about his intentions. The Protector is concerned that the remnants of the enemies of the town may have abducted the sergeant and orders searches, fruitlessly. Similarly several expeditions are made into the surrounding lands by the irregulars, many of whom have a wary respect for the sergeant. Again fruitlessly.
December
In December elections are held to replace the traitors executed by the Protector. Those successful are:
Cornelius Stein(landholder)
Hans Gerbier(merchant)
Martin Leibnitz (cobbler)
Amongst the unsuccessful landholder candidates is Malachi Stark, who buys a field close to the town itself to qualify him to stand and vote, for his holding, while extensive, is in the new Southfort fields, which do not so entitle him. He receives a reasonable proportion of the vote but fails to achieve his objective for his opponent's word to his fellow landholders is that only those with established holding in New Jerusalem can truly reflect its best interests. Nonetheless Stark wins a certain sympathy with his arguments, and certainly backing from others with strong interests in the Southfort, who feel they are under represented in the Council.
Fellow landowners, hear the word of God as it is written in the 2nd Psalm.
ii) The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take council together, against the Lord and against his anointed, saying
iii) Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
v) Then shall He speak to them in his wrath, and vex them in His sore displeasure.
ix) Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
Read your psalms, good gentlemen, read them and see how the vengeance of the Lord has fallen on those who has sinned in his sight and betrayed this town of New Jerusalem. Gentlemen, I offer to replace one of these sinners now gone to their just reward in the fiery Pit. I don't come before you claiming perfection, for all men are sinners, but I repent my sins and I am strong in the Lord. And a strongman is the man you need.
We need strong men in the council; strong men who will protect order within the town and the fields and stand against the spies and traitors of papacy and witchcraft; who will protect the town and the road from the evils which lurk in the wilderness; who will protect men like you, gentlemen, from those who wish to raise our taxes and take the humble fruits of labour our families have worked so hard to earn.
For the sake of our families we must not permit the profit of our honest toil to be stripped from us. Although taxation is a necessity the burden must be light and not cripple those sturdy souls such as you and I who must bear it. Indeed, the more taxation rises, the less we can afford and all within the town will suffer. Many of us are charitable towards the poor. If we must struggle merely to maintain our families in a proper Christian manner, who will succour the deserving poor? Will more taxes be required? I say no, keep taxes down in the first place.
It is clear to all that we responsible citizens must be able to maintain and improve our current position, for it is also true of the poor that they need standards to respect, standards which will show them what diligence and piety can achieve. Who does not have peasants in his fields who must look up to him and serve him? For their sake too, it is necessary that our coffers are not bled dry.
Much money is spent on the protection of the town, and rightly so; but is that money well spent? I can claim some military experience I spent the youthful and wilful tears of my manhood in the west, in battle against the papists on foot and on horseback; and since my return to settle once more amongst the good Christian men of New Jerusalem I have been actively involved in the patrolling of the Outlands both with the irregulars and as a gentleman of the Volunteer Patrol. You may know of some of my actions, such as my part in the slaying if the griffon which threatened the trade route at times and numerous other little incidents; but let this bandaged shoulder speak for me a wound received when I led the party which brought back the head of ex councillor Neumann and revealed this most recent treachery of those who once claimed to serve us.
So it is that I know the wilderness as well as any and I know the threats posed by Satan's creatures which inhabit it and menace our welfare. I can decry with authority foolish spending and council well on matters of defence for our town and the road.
We must not ignore the speck in our own eye, so truly exposed by recent events. I favour careful control of the populace of New Jerusalem, for not all are erect and pious as you, fellow landowners. Some of the peasants believe in various heresies, some follow such as Neumann was and some are truly more wicked than I can understand or tell you, ignoring the wise teaching of our preachers; and many in their ignorance are loath to be bidden by their masters and betters. I shall encourage the deployment of a firm hand against such idlers and wrongdoers, knowing that we must lead them out of sinful ways and encourage their righteous and fruitful labours within the town and within our fields. For listen to the word of the Lord as it pertains to those who persist in such ways and will not repent; as it is written in the 21st chapter of the Revelation of St John:
viii) But the fearful, and the unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death.
If you would truly have a strong and pious man serve you in Council I stand the sole choice for your vote.
Malachi Stark