Fridericus Page #5

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You probably mean Wallis.

Ballis or Wallis, you're a fraud.

Don't be so crass.

I introduced myself to her

as Wallis out of vanity.

It's my stage name.

I write verses under this name.

- Why keep it from the king?

- Simple.

As far as I know, His Majesty

doesn't like my verses.

If I'd introduced myself

as Count Wallis...

the evening would've been

ruined for the both of us.

But feel free to tell him.

Allegretto?

Good choice, Baron.

Very good after such

a charming evening.

I'm so happy.

I haven't played in five years.

Ready?

One, two...

How could you give me

something this complicated?

What ass composed this?

What? Me?

Let's do it again.

I can't play the flute anymore.

I didn't think it was that bad yet.

Your Majesty plays very well.

I'm not so far gone

that I have to rely on flattery.

Farewell, gentlemen.

But, Majesty, is such a wonderful

evening to end like this?

I'm sorry. I forgot myself.

Let us chat a bit.

His Majesty is comfortable here,

I'll have to prepare a room for him.

Let's talk politics.

I'm not good

at anything else anymore.

What do people say about

the Prussians in the world?

Shouldn't we talk about

more pleasant things?

Talking about one's worries

is always pleasant.

- I propose a game.

- A game?

It's very amusing.

I used to play it with my friends at San Souci.

Imagine you are the Austrian

Chancellor Kaunitz.

What would you say to me?

- I'd say, I respect you-

- Be honest, don't gloss over.

- But you're a tremendous nuisance.

- No flattery. I want candor.

You are dishonest and deceitful.

You falsify your reports

about your troops and fortresses.

I've mastered this craft for years.

This is why I appreciate

honesty in others.

You always think you know

better than others.

It's the national disease of the Germans.

They want to regulate the world-

And create unrest.

The current war is proof of that.

The European states themselves are at fault.

I've gotten used to them wanting to decide

Germany's fate and mine.

They take offense when I oppose this.

I don't want to be a pawn

between East and West.

I won't tolerate such humiliating

drudgery any longer.

There are other means than war

to change that situation.

But I don't want war.

I'd make peace tomorrow if I could.

No one believes you.

All of Europe distrusts you, Majesty.

I'll clear Europe of the poison

spread by the diplomats.

I'll show the world

who the real troublemakers are.

I wish you good luck.

It's the misfortune of old states

in decline not to accept their fate.

- They fight it.

- Unless they're right.

But do you want to use poor,

small Prussia to rewrite history?

Yes.

It's easy for wealthy nations.

They have a lot of ink.

I must write Prussia's history with blood.

And Brandenburg tosses sand over it.

That's how it goes.

You carry a lot of responsibility

on your shoulders.

I believe there's a calling

for Prussia in Europe.

My instinct tells me

that it will succeed.

- You may be mistaken, Majesty.

- Certainly.

Then Prussia would be destroyed.

But we don't beg either.

Your subjects can hardly share this view.

Being a father means

seeing farther than the child.

A thankless job.

Most of what we do

comes down to making people happy...

who don't want to be happy.

Years later, you realize

you've spent your life for others...

while forgetting about yourself.

I've suffered much.

I'm alone very much.

That's why I talk so much.

Majesty, I wish the actual Austrian

chancellor had listened to you.

Thank you, sir.

It's been a blissful hour.

I think I'll spend the night after all.

Tomorrow morning,

I'll be back in the saddle.

Majesty, you want to spend

the night at the castle?

Yes.

But you only have a handful of

hussars to protect you.

Consider, the Austrians are close by.

Thank you, Marquis.

I see you are a friend.

Good night.

Beware of Count Wallis, Majesty.

Wallis? Why?

I know the Empress has sent him

to the troops on a secret mission.

He's said to be very ambitious

and capable of anything.

I'm not afraid for myself.

History is not about sleight-of-hand tricks.

One inside.

One outside.

Two men for patrols.

You stay here.

No one passes.

And don't sleep or chat.

No one passes.

And don't sleep or chat.

- We won't.

- Quietly.

Leave the door open.

Lock it only once I am back.

Wallis?

The time has come.

- How many?

- 50 horses.

- How long for back and forth?

- One hour.

- Too long.

- All right, half an hour.

Ride quietly. Surround the castle.

And don't shoot.

You're leaving tomorrow.

And I have so much to tell you.

In a few hours, it'll be too late.

Darling, don't make it so difficult.

I'm afraid for you,

terribly afraid.

Your hand.

Now, I can still hold it.

Now-

No, I won't let go.

Careful, you.

This doesn't belong to you. It's royal property.

I'll be reasonable again.

It has passed.

- Let's go inside.

-Just five minutes more.

- Promise me that you'll be careful.

- And prolong the war?

No, I'll try to finish it sooner,

so that I can come back to you.

- I'll wave to you tomorrow.

- From where?

Up there, from that window.

Quiet. Look.

I tell you.

He's a crazy poet.

He was probably looking at the moon.

- But why through the window?

- He didn't want to alert the guards.

Good night.

I have inspection now.

Good night.

Wake up.

Who is Wallis?

Wallis? I don't know. What about him?

You're going to tell me the truth right now.

- I'm not to blame.

- What's he up to?

- I wanted to warn the king.

- What's he up to?

- Pandurs.

- Where?

At the outworks.

He wants-

No sound. Your Majesty

has to leave immediately.

- The pandurs are here.

- What?

The marquis is Count Wallis.

He's called them.

Count Wallis? Where is he?

Next door, through this door.

Go.

Get ready to leave.

You've lost the game, Count Wallis.

It would seem so.

When are your pandurs

going to be here?

In half an hour.

Could they be here sooner?

Yes.

But no sooner than 1 5 minutes.

My compliments.

What will you do with me?

I'll give you freedom...

and you can return

to the imperial troops.

You will then act on my behalf.

I will not do that.

- You'll have to condemn me.

- What good would that do me?

I'll buy my freedom, Majesty.

With what?

A message that is extremely

important for you.

Go ahead.

A French army has positioned itself

at the back of your troops.

It cuts off your contact with Berlin.

How many?

About 20,000.

I will let you go, sir.

I hope we'll have another chance

to continue our chat.

General Finck.

You will attack the French today.

Like lightning and thunder.

I'll give you my best troops...

1 5,000 men and 1 66 guns.

Your Majesty wants to split the army.

That's a desperate measure.

The times call for desperate measures.

I run the risk of being squeezed

between the Austrians and the French.

Impossible.

Meanwhile, I'll be on my way

to Schweidnitz to capture Daun.

Are you afraid of 20,000 French troops?

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