Tsar Alexius surveyed the Swedish ambassador standing before him. “Perhaps it is time to negotiate”
The ambassador snorted contemptuously “You already tried. Full withdrawal is the only term we will accept.”
Alexius raised his eyebrow “Perhaps something more mutually acceptable? We could make rescuitation for the lost land.”
“No. You will withdraw, pay reparations and we will continue what we were doing before which was the continued rights and autonomy of the Russia and Finnish people.” Said the ambassador.
“The Russian people will be ruled by Russians and only Russians.”
“They were in an autonomous protectorate under the Swedish Government
that you invaded.”
“Russians will not be your puppets,” said Alexius
“The Russians were not our puppets, as it was mutual trading relationship which benefits both the Automous regions and us. Besides, we are unwilling to let our protectorate, which we are sworn to protect, into the hands of a tyrannical government that kills its own people. The Automous region of Russia as a Swedish protectorate rules themselves not under the thumb of Russian dictators. We are unwilling to compromise on this issue. So again, withdraw, pay reparations, and then we will have peace” replied the ambassador angrily
Alexius smirked “We will withdraw from Swedish territory.”
“Withdraw to pre-war borders”
“Then withdraw from the Holy Roman Empire”
“This is a peace treaty involving Muscovy and Sweden not Muscovy, Sweden, and the Holy Roman Empire” said the ambassador hotly
“We are allies unfortunately and your aggression against the Holy Roman Empire was what started this war so do not tell me that.”
“Do you want peace or continued war against Muscovy where all members of this alliance will not rest until our enemies are defeated? Depending on your answer do not tell Sweden to cease its war on the Holy Roman Empire.”
“Peace with honor we do not abandon our allies even though you may break peace treaties.” Said the Tsar
“It matters little to us. After all what is the opinion of a man who kills his own people worth? Less than nothing. Now do you want peace or will you continue to dictate terms to me that I have already refused?”
“This peace would be separate from that with Poland?” questioned Alexius
“We would convince them to peace. After all they came into the war only at Sweden’s behest.”
“So they will withdraw?”
“If you withdraw from our lands,” said the ambassador
“This is likely acceptable” said Alexius sarcastically
“Unfortunately I feel that we are being lured into a trap.”
Alexius raised his eyebrows.
“The war will continue until such time that the allies achieve victory without the possibility of a double cross.”
Alexius laughed “So let me get this straight, you are rejecting the peace treaty that you just demanded?”
“We have agreed to nothing. The Tsardom of Muscovy will continue to exist at its pre-war borders following the war, but at this time Sweden is unwilling to allow any 'peace' to occur while Muscovy still has a large military force, and an apparent dedication to its alliance.” Said the ambassador coldly
“In other words you wish to destroy Muscovy's power, and honor. This we will not allow. You have made your choice. There will be no peace. It is you who will regret it.”
“Honor is a dead word among us two. You speak of honor; yet kill your own people. You speak to me of honor, but we have already abandoned it. War takes no prisoners, and your continued clinging to the word 'honor' is annoying, and unneeded.”
“The Swedes may be barbarians and unscrupulous but we Muscovites do not bow to anyone nor do we abandon our allies. You may kneel to the FK but we will never do such.” Said the Tsar angrily
“Barbarians? Who slaughtered civilians again? Remind us for we both seem to have forgotten.”
“Enemies of the state, not civilians. You are the ones that attacked the Holy Roman Empire unprovoked, the one who made a peace treaty and then broke it. You are no one to speak of this.” Shouted the Tsar
“And you are the one that invaded Sweden on the basis of freeing the people of Russia even when they had already been freed.”
“They are puppets that bow to you. We remove their humiliation.”
“We broke our peace treaty for reasons beyond honor that are far more important to us then anything Muscovy can offer. What humiliation do you speak of?” said the emissary
“The humiliation of being slaves to a foreign power.”
“They enjoy more rights and freedom under our rule than they would yours. Yours would kill them for wanting those rights. For being “enemies of the state”.
“When are those rights and freedoms when they are tossed as one would a bone to a dog?” said Alexius scornfully
“All our people enjoy the same rights that the autonomous regions of Russia receive. It is not “tossed” to them but given to all people.”
“Your people are Swedes not Finns or Russians. You will no longer rule over the people you have lost control of.” Said the Tsar icily
“They fall under the jurisdiction of Sweden thus they are our people.”
“We give them independence and freedom from slavery and humiliation and beggary which is why they join us so readily and flock to our cause. Our cause is true and just. Our cause gives them real freedom.”
“Oh? What freedom do you speak of? The freedom where the Oprichniki silences those who cry for rights and freedom?” asked the Swedish emissary
“The Oprechniki remove the corrupt nobility, and those that weaken Muscovy and betray the Muscovite people. Freedom does not come into this”
“Yet you crusade for freedom, yet give none to your own people. Call for honour, yet dishonorably execute those who threaten you. A double standard, perhaps?”
“What freedom do you speak of? Our people live in their own countries, ruled by their own people that make their own laws. They have their dignity, honour and pride. The Russians under your rule are mere servants or vassals who must answer to you and chafe under your cruel fist. There is nothing in that sort of existence. We have lifted the Russian people up and held them shining before the world. They have been liberated from your grasp who seek to subjugate more and more free people of the world.” Said the Tsar
“We do not subjugate”
“In the end after the dust on the battlefield has settled the world and God will see our cause to be true”
“If you have forgotten, the war in the HRE was fought to free the peoples of Northern Germany”
“Oh I'm sure it was.” Said Alexius sardonically
“And we signed a treaty with the now destroyed New Prussian government promising these things.” Continued the ambassador
“The people of North Germany who would then become your slaves. Your vassals, mere servants of your rule.” Said Alexius angrily
“They were recognized as an independent country. Not vassals, and certainly not willing to follow Swedish commands. Allies, nothing more, nothing less.”
“Yes some allies considering the fact your armies were in Northern Germany”
“Fighting with in conjunction with theirs” shot back the emissary
“You do not delude us when you attempt to tell us they would not be vassals for once they had served their purpose you would subjugate them.”
“Oh have you forgotten? Please, your threats and accusations are hoarse and biting, but with little information to back your claims.”
“We do not forget nor do we forgive. We remember what you did during the Time of Troubles. Novgorod remembers. We will have our vengeance” grinned Alexius
“Novogorod was the city in which the Veche, the autonomous Russian parliament was based.”
“Yes the city that you stole from us not so long ago.... They willingly came over to our side if you recall”
“Because of the rather large army you had surrounded them with. It matters little.”
“They did not resist, they joined us of their own free will and they stay with us of their own free will. You may speak of your high ideals of freedom and democracy...but you do not respect it actually.”
“Again, I just mentioned the Veche, which was an autonomous Russian parliament, elected by Russians, and enacting laws for Russians.”
“That joined us of their own free will and continues to stay with us. They want nothing to do with you. They tire of being lorded over. You continue to repeat your propaganda like a parrot with little concern for the facts” Said Alexius
“I am tired of you, an absolute monarchy, accusing of the Swedish government, one of the most free countries in the world. I have had enough of this so kindly cease and desist.” Said the ambassador angrily.
“ I see.” Said Alexius taking up his sword he slashed at the man’s hand chopping it off in one fell blow. Blood sprayed on the stone floor and the Swedish emissary collapsed to the floor clutching the bleeding stump of his hand in agony.
“Go back to your master.” said Alexius harshly “Tell him the next man to come to me with such a mission will be flayed alive”
“The time for words has ended. We will settle this on the battlefield.”