Inferno

Chapter 95

Danish Headquarters, the Citadel

Peymann was propped up in a Bath chair, the wound in his thigh bound tightly but clearly causing him pain. Several of his staff stood about him.

The bombardment was now only a faint background grumbling of guns but a dozen or more fires were still alight in the old city.

An aide arrived but did not meet Peymann’s eyes as he laid the paper in front of him. ‘Your report of damage, Generalmajor.’

‘Norregade, Gammeltorv – the Helligaands. This is a dreadful price, Knud,’ he whispered, more to himself than the others.

‘Sir, the people are frantic, knowing not where to go to escape the terror,’ Bielefeldt ventured. ‘How can I tell them-’

‘They must endure – as must we all,’ Peymann said, lifting his head and glaring at him with blood-shot eyes. ‘His Royal Highness has not seen fit to vary his instructions. I’m bound to obey him in this, to hold and protect Copenhagen with my honour and life.’

There could be no answer to that, but a major in crumpled and stained uniform said flatly, ‘The firemen have not rested. I cannot answer to their effectiveness should the bombardment continue. If it does, all Copenhagen will be left ablaze and-’

‘Sir! Your cares are noted. Allow that I have the higher concern. The decision is mine. And that is to fight on.’

‘But-’

‘Enough!’ Peymann blared. ‘How are we to know what the Crown Prince intends? At this moment an army of thousands may be on the march to relieve us. Should we cravenly surrender before it’s had chance to reach us, I shall answer for it with my head.’

‘Then-’

‘Then you shall do your duty, sir, as I will do mine.’