Josephine

𝓔𝓹𝓲𝓼𝓸𝓭𝓮 37: 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓖𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓽 𝓝𝓸𝓻𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓷 𝓔𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓭𝓲𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓑𝓮𝓰𝓲𝓷𝓼

June 19, 1973

Saint-Jerome, Occupied Lower Quebec

It had been four months since the fall of Ottawa and one week since the capture of Quebec City. The Quebecois rebels had chosen to retreat again into the thick swampy lands which stretched for hundreds of miles to the north. This inhospitable land we called the 'Marshlands'. It did have isolated communities but was generally empty. This was where Quebecois forces had regrouped enough strength to push the Imperial Army back to West Point in 1971. I was not going to allow that to happen again. We were so close to victory and I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I allowed these rapscallions to escape my grasp.

"Josephine, are you sure you wish to embark on such a... risky campaign?" Vittorio asked me, "Who knows how far north you will have to go!" 

"I cannot let them escape, I must pursue them and destroy them so victory can be achieved at last," I replied, "I do not want you worrying about me Vittorio darling,"

"That is the problem, I will always worry about you, especially when you will be thousands of miles away and you could die at any moment and I wouldn't know for weeks!"

I was a little surprised by how worried he was for me, but at the same time I was touched and moved by his concern. It showed that he did care very much for my health and safety and that he cherished me. 

"I will be fine Vittorio, after all, I've gotten this far unscathed-do you not think I will come back home?" I asked, almost like it was funny.

When he didn't reply and he looked down at the ground, I felt my eyes water. Did he really doubt my fighting skills or that I wouldn't be able to protect myself?

"Do you-do you really not believe in me Vittorio?" I asked, now my voice cracking.

My usual confidence and swagger was gone, if my husband didn't believe in me then what did I have left?

"Of course I do Josephine, I just cannot imagine living without you, you are my wife, and I cannot ever imagine a scenario without you, I know I live and rule a country thousands of miles from yours, but just knowing you're out there, lets me sleep soundly at night," Vittorio said.

I wrapped my arms around him and embraced him.

"But I do have my doubts," 

I looked up at him. 

"Josephine you are very bold and confident... but also very arrogant and brash. What concerns me is that if you win enough victories you will begin making less secure decisions and will begin acting on the fly... or that so much time from home will bring back the drinking habit you oh so poorly concealed," 

Vittorio knew about my alcoholicism? Oh goodness gracious... it has gotten better though! 

Right?

"Vittorio I will make sure I do not drink an ounce of liquor, wine, or beer-or whatever these soldiers drink and I promise to always think clearly and make the best decisions possible," 

"You are genuine and serious... okay god fine! I know there wasn't anyway to stop you from going... just promise to write me as often as you can okay?"

"Of course my love," 

Then I squeezed his bulky frame even tighter than before. 

"I love you Vittorio," I whispered, my voice just above a murmur.

I could sense him tense up at my words and he quickly separated from me.

"You must get going Josephine, those rebels are regrouping and strengthening and you must prevent them and destroy them like I know you can," Vittorio said, much colder than before.

Was he a lunatic? How could a man go from being so warm and loving to icy in a matter of seconds? Was it those four kind spirited words I said? I pushed my questions away as Vittorio turned back towards his open top car without another word being spoken.

I was a little taken aback by his change in attitude and had to wipe a tear from my eye.

"Your majesty?" A voice from behind me said.

I turned to see a soldier, one of the several thousand I was leading into the Marshlands. I rapidly recomposed myself, not to appear weak in front of them.

"Yes?" I replied, folding my hands.

"We are all ready to march, except we need our grand and powerful Empress before we can," He said.

"Ahhhh, of course, well let us go, I'm sure you all cannot wait to trudge through those swamps!" I quipped sarcastically.

He chuckled, accepting my joke. Hiding the brutal truth, which though obvious, was seeked to be avoided. The Marshlands was some of the worst terrain in North America, minus the Mojave Desert.

The soldier led me down a small path which paralleled the main road, we would be marching on. One of the only routes north from Montreal proper and its suburbs. I saw just how massive the army I was leading north really was. It was only the Thirteenth Legion, which was some of the most elite infantrymen in the Imperial Army. Cavalry and armor would be useless in the terrain, and only a small amount of light artillery could be towed through the muddy quagmires. The path soon opened up into the road, at the front of the column of soldiers. Right in front, waiting for me was Valentine. I stopped in front of her before climbing onto her back. I stroked her mane before the reins slipped through my hand. I hesitated momentarily, staring down the road ahead. God only knew how long we'd be on this road.

"Yah! Forward!" I commanded.

Valentine trotted forward and the soldiers behind me began to march and within moments as my army marched into the Marshlands all that could be heard was a thunderous march.

Let the Great Northern Expedition begin.