Tyranny of Steel

Linde stood in front of the Kaiser's desk with a smug smile on her face. After months of hunting down traces of the long forgotten deities of ancient Germania, she had finally found a trace of the mythical figures. Words could not express the difficulties she had gone through to secure this information. 

Her own subordinates had begun to question her sanity as they searched endlessly across Europe for traces of mythological figures. If not for preparing a proper response, they would have petitioned for the Kaiser to remove her from her position due to concerns of mental health. 

The reasoning that Linde used to explain these ludicrous searches to her agents was explained as assisting the department of Archeology on fabricating claims to the lands north of the Schleswig-Holstein borders. Luckily for the veteran spymaster, her subordinates bought this line, as the Kaiser had previously used ancient Germanic mythology and culture as a means to persuade the public about some of his more controversial policies. 

Currently, Linde presented a map to her husband. On this map was an area circled that had many rumors surrounding it, and though they had not been proven, a mysterious mist would commonly come from its woodlands, much like the case of the forests of Frisia where the goddess Baduhenna dwelled.  Berengar studied the map, and the details recorded in the dossier earnestly as he listened to his wife's emphatic speech.

"In Jutland, there is a special wooded area that the locals report to be mysterious. Many who have wondered into these woods have never returned. Others who have survived the ordeal return to their homes speaking of madness. I am certain that there is something supernatural hidden in those woods, and I believe it is related to the so-called gods you have spoken about..."

Berengar admitted the rumors behind the woodlands had some similarity with those where he encountered Baduhenna, but it was difficult to say for sure. Normally he would just send out an expedition to investigate, however, he was uncertain whether they could find anything of value. It was rare for the gods to interact with humans, and they were not likely to bother wasting time revealing themselves to some random field agents. 

However, as a reincarnator, Berengar had some kind of connection with the gods of this world. Though exactly what that was, he did not know for sure. Still, it was his opinion that if he visited the area himself, whatever mythical figure that was lying dormant in those woods would reveal themself to him. Thus, Berengar nodded his head and smiled before responding to Linde's claims while hatching a plan.

"I believe it would be most prudent for me to visit these mysterious woods myself. It is funny. I was just thinking that it was about time I revisited my allies in the north. I have not spoken to King Alvar of the Kalmar Union in some time, and I am concerned about the state of his military. As an ally of the Reich, they are required to maintain a large standing army, however unlike my allies in Al Andalus and the Byzantine Empire, I have not done my part to oversee the establishment of the Kalmar Union's army."

Linde became concerned as she heard the excuse her husband had come up with to visit the mysterious forest in Jutland. There was a major problem with his reasoning that she was more than happy to point out. 

"The capital of the Kalmar union is in Copenhagen. How will you convince the man to let you pass through Jutland?"

In response to this, Berengar wore a confident smile. His reasoning was quite simple, and was merely the whims of a foreign emperor, but with the power that Berengar wielded, such petty concerns should be enough to convince the Kalmar King. Thus, he did not hesitate to reveal his master plan. 

"I will just explain to Alvar that I plan to take the scenic route. My journey will start by travelling to the Province of Schleswig-Holstein via train and then ride on horse to the shores of Jutland. Where I will then set sail for Copenhagen. He can consider it an act of curiosity on my part, particularly about how much his lands have developed since I gave him such vital agricultural technology." 

It was an utterly foolish reasoning for going through the lands of the Kalmar Union, but Linde knew it would be enough to convince King Alvar. Though they had seldom met over the years, the rapport between Berengar and Alvar was decent enough. Besides, if the German Kaiser demanded to take the scenic route, then any neighboring Kingdom would be more than willing to roll out the red carpet. Berengar simply wielded too much power to refuse. Thus, Linde was convinced, causing her to voice her next question on the matter. 

"Alright, when do we depart?"

Berengar raised his brow when he heard this before questioning the woman's intentions.

"We?"

Linde refused to allow Berengar to travel to the Kalmar Union by himself, if there were truly deities in these woods, she wanted the same treatment as him, to have her soul brand removed so that she could follow Berengar into the afterlife of his choosing. Thus, she was adamant as she made her point.

"If you think you're going to those woods by yourself, then you've got another thing coming. Whether you like it or not, you are taking me with you on this journey. If there is really a deity there, I won't pass up the opportunity to be with you for eternity!"

Berengar could only smile when he heard how adamant his wife was to spend eternity with him. However, he shook his head before caressing the woman's cheek. He was too worried about her safety, until he could confirm that there really was a deity there, and that the journey was not hazardous. He would not take Linde with him. Thus, he denied her request with a loving smile on his face.

"I'm afraid that is impossible. I won't put you in such a dangerous situation. If I can confirm the path is safe, and that there really is a deity there, then I will bring our entire family into those woods, and have them freed from their fate. You must stay here until I have scouted the region out."

Linde pouted as she heard these words, but she no longer insisted. She knew the logic behind her husband's words. She was not exactly a fighter, and had grown up especially pampered. If the situation were to turn dire in the woods, she would only be a liability to the man. Unlike Berengar, who was accustomed to fighting for his very survival, Linde rarely had faced such dangers during her privileged life. 

She was the spider queen behind the web, but she was not a soldier. If any of Berengar's wives could safely accompany him on this journey, it would be Honoria. Thus, she sighed before agreeing to his demands while making an additional stipulation. 

"Fine, but you must take Honoria with you. I won't let you go on such a perilous journey with only your Imperial Guard to protect you."

Berengar chuckled when he heard this demand. He knew the real reason behind it and quickly poked his wife on the nose before teasing her.

"You're just worried I will pick up some Norwegian chick to be my next bride, aren't you?"

Linde blushed in embarrassment. Her intentions had been so easily seen through, but she did not admit to it. She merely harrumphed while crossing her arms.

"hmmph"

Berengar found this aspect of Linde's character to be endearing. Thus, he hugged her tightly before whispering in her dainty ears.

"Very well, if it means that much to you, I will take Honoria along with me..."

A pretty smile carved itself upon Linde's beautiful face as she heard this. She did not hesitate to question when her man would be departing.

"So, when do you leave?"

Berengar thought about it for a few moments before responding.

"A week at the most. It should not take long for my messenger to reach Copenhagen and inform King Alvar of my intentions to visit. Once my messenger returns with confirmation, I will depart immediately."

Linde nodded her head in silence as she hugged onto her husband's chest, while pressing her head against his broad torso. A single phrase escaped her lips as she stood intimately with the man.

"Be safe..."

Berengar responded to this worry by petting the woman's silky strawberry-blonde hair before smiling confidently.

"I always am!"

Though he doubted this journey would be particularly dangerous as he was entering allied territory with his own Imperial Guard in tow. It was impossible to know what he would encounter in this shrouded forest. If there was, in fact, a deity hidden in these woods, perhaps they could prove hostile. Though he doubted such a scenario would occur. 

Either way, Berengar took his safety seriously, and would be well prepared for whatever he may encounter in the region of Jutland. As for Linde, she would do her best to support his efforts from behind the scenes, as she had always done.