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The next day after our return, Rotmistrz Czarniecki gave me a report on this year's volunteer training, there were even a few people who stood out with their talent.

"Recruit them permanently, they will be the backbone of my infantry. Let them train all year, and next winter they will be responsible for training more new recruits." (MC)

"They're mostly peasants, can they handle such a task?" (Rotmistrz Czarniecki)

"You know why peasants don't matter in wars?" (MC)

"Lack of training, courage..." (Rotmistrz Czarniecki)

"No... Most peasants do not care who will be the new Lord, they will exchange one Lord for another and the only thing that changes for them is taxes, so they see no reason to die for it. Therefore, they need to be given a sense of identity, something that will be theirs and of which they will be proud... something for which they will fight, something they will kill and die for." (MC)

"I understand, but I don't know how to do it." (Rotmistrz Czarniecki)

"It's quite simple... a sense of identity and belonging will be provided by uniform, banner, training. We will tell them that they are part of something bigger and more important... and these first recruits will become officers and non-commissioned officers." (MC)

Czarniecki thought about what I said for a long time.

"I don't know if I'm the best person for this task, Lord. I can teach peasants to shoot, use pikes or other weapons, but my whole life is cavalry and I don't know much about infantry training." (Rotmistrz Czarniecki)

Although I understood his fears, I did not have anyone better and trustworthy at the moment. So I explained all my plans to him in detail... from training, uniforms, backpacks, tools, weapons, hierarchy to tactics. It was a collection of various ideas from the Roman times, through the Napoleonic period to the present day. Obviously I understood the time constraints in which I lived and could not transfer exactly the 21st century training methods to the 17th century, but some concepts were possible.

And I was finally home... but for the first few weeks Elisabeth could not find a place for herself in Jazłowiec, the only entertainment that was available here was reading books, playing cards, horse riding and hunting... and the last two were not her forte, just like playing cards, but at least after long persuasion I convinced her to strip poker... and our intimate life had improved, but it happened slowly. Despite the fact that sometimes I managed to persuade my wife to do new things, deep down she was a princess from a good home, who only fell on her knees before god... therefore, on this point I had to rely on Galina, who knew that the mouth was not only for eating and speaking.

In mid-May, Saddat returned from Crimea with a letter from Khan and wedding gifts, it was some Eastern-style jewelry and ornate fabrics for Elisabeth... and I got a golden musket that was as useful as a woman's hymen... broke after the first shot.

"I know what Khan writes, but what have you seen and heard in Crimea?" (MC)

Khan, of course, willingly agreed to the attack, the more that he did not lose anything on this attack, and his profits could be enormous.

"Khan was pleased with the proposal to attack the Muscovites, but more pleased was Islam. He has built up a reputation as a good warrior and leader in Persia and wants to uphold that reputation." (Saddat)

"So his position is strong?" (MC)

"Yes, if the present Khan died now, Islam would probably become the next Khan. He has the support of powerful families and most hordes. From what I have seen he has friendly relations with the Turks and Persians, but he is closer to the Persians... Perhaps because he fought for them against Ottoman." (Saddat)

It was not something I wanted to hear, nor did I have a good solution to this situation... Our vassal showed signs of rebellion and we had to remind him that he was helpless without us, and the Tatars were the perfect tool for that. However, the military success of the Tatars will strengthen Islam's position as the future Khan... but ultimately more important for me was the potential of the Muscovites, which was much greater and more dangerous than the Tatars, even though now weakened they could regain their lost strength and position, and I cannot let that happen... Crimea will have to wait.

"At least he's not fraternized with the Ottomans, and Persia is far away... I'll have another task for you, another long journey. You know the Nogai hordes?" (MC)

"I have had contact with them, but they are not trustworthy... these are not people like us, but they are also not stupid, they will not conquer cities, and when someone gives them such an order, they may rebel." (Saddat)

I didn't know a less trustworthy person than me, even I didn't trust myself... but I understood what Saddat meant and knew the reputation of the Nogai hordes.

"My brother-in-law wants to regain the throne of Bohemia, I promised to help him. Do you think they will fight for gold?" (MC)

"Yes, but for them to stop fighting... it will cost you more, Lord." (Saddat)

"We'll come back to the topic, now rest. Take care of your family, you haven't seen them for several months." (MC)

The following months passed calmly, not much happened in our life ... Elisabeth focused most of her attention on writing, articles for the newspaper and letters or on reading, and I dealt with local matters, I watched garrisons stationed in Kamieniec Podolskin and Bar, I also helped Czarniecki in training my infantry.

With the arrival of early fall, Elisabeth received a letter from The Hague saying that her mother, sisters and brothers would be coming to us for Christmas and all winter... I was fucking delighted.