Page 39 of The Broken Dawn

"Three years?" Freddie looked startled. "That's absurd. Germany will have Poland wrapped up within weeks."

"They're saying that Poland is only the beginning," Gustav said, lowering himself carefully into his chair. "Britain and France won't simply allow Germany to keep expanding. They believe that Hitler won't stop with Poland." He nodded to the secretary, who placed the new dispatches on the desk and quietly withdrew.

"What's Sweden's position, Father?" Freddie asked. "Surely we'll maintain our neutrality, as we did in the Great War?"

"Neutrality served us well then," Gustav agreed, though something in his tone made Hal look up from the map. "But whether history will repeat itself remains to be seen."

"The situations are completely different," Hal said, thinking aloud. "Last time, the powers were evenly matched. This time..." He gestured to the map. "Germany has been preparing for years while everyone else disarmed."

Gustav nodded, a flicker of approval in his eyes that Hal missed as he bent over another dispatch.

"There's more," Gustav said. "The first British merchant vessel was torpedoed in the North Sea yesterday. Without warning."

Freddie frowned. "That violates all conventions of naval warfare."

"Precisely." Gustav coughed, a dry, rattling sound that he tried to disguise as clearing his throat. "And it raises serious concerns about our own shipping routes in the Baltic."

"The Germans wouldn't dare interfere with Swedish vessels," Freddie said confidently. "Our iron ore is too valuable to them."

"Which makes us a target for the British," Hal pointed out. "If they decide to cut off Germany's supply lines."

Gustav watched his younger son with quiet intensity. "Go on."

"We're caught in the middle," Hal said, warming to the analysis. "Germany needs our iron. Britain needs to deny it to them. Our ships will be at risk no matter which route they take." He traced the shipping lanes on the map. "And if either side becomes desperate enough..."

"They might decide neutral Sweden is an obstacle rather than an asset," Gustav finished. Another cough shook him, and this time he couldn't hide it.

Freddie was at his side instantly. "Father, you should rest. The doctors said⁠—"

"The doctors can wait," Gustav said, waving him off. "This cannot." He pulled a thin folder from beneath the maps. "This came through diplomatic channels an hour ago. For your eyes only."

Hal opened the folder and felt his blood run cold. The report detailed atrocities in occupied Poland—systematic roundups of intellectuals and community leaders, mass executions, entire Jewish communities being forced into ghettos.

"This can't be accurate," Freddie said, reading over Hal's shoulder. "Even the Germans wouldn't⁠—"

"It's accurate," Gustav said heavily. "Confirmed by multiple sources. Note the specific mention of Wieruszów. Twenty Jewish citizens executed in the market square as an 'example.'"

Hal's mind immediately flashed to Jakob—his quiet intensity when speaking of his family's flight from Russia, the careful way he navigated the antisemitism at Riddarhuset. What would happen to someone like him if Sweden fell under German influence?

Gustav noticed his reaction. "You're thinking of your friend at the academy."

It wasn't a question. Hal looked up, surprised. "I—yes. Cadet Eliasberg."

"Ah, yes." Gustav nodded. "Excellent tactical mind, from what I hear."

Now it was Freddie's turn to look surprised. "You have reports on Hal's classmates?"

"I make it my business to know who's training to lead Sweden's military," Gustav said mildly. "Particularly those who impress my sons." He fixed Hal with a penetrating look. "You want to return to Riddarhuset."

Again, not a question. Hal nodded. "I've been away too long. And with Christian still there..." He trailed off, not wanting to voice his concerns about his cousin in front of Freddie, who had always been closer to Christian than Hal was.

"Christian knows his duty," Freddie said stiffly. "He wouldn't do anything to embarrass the family."

Hal and Gustav exchanged a brief glance that spoke volumes.

"You may return tomorrow," Gustav said, turning to Harald. "But I want you to continue receiving daily dispatches. The situation is developing too rapidly for you to be uninformed."

"Yes, Father."