Der Todesgruß der Legionen, 1. Band

In the chilly February of 1870, the modest river town of Saint‑Dizier clings to the banks of the Marne, its timber‑cutting workshops and iron foundries humming against a backdrop of historic pride. The town’s narrow streets wind past an ancient church and a bustling spa, while the surrounding plains stretch beneath a moonlit sky, hinting at both serenity and the gathering storm of conflict.

Against this backdrop two Northern German émigrés stride along the river promenade. The younger, sharp‑eyed Cappei, a former dragoon, carries a restless blend of intelligence and restless ambition; his older companion, the steadfast Rühlberg, bears the hard‑won grit of a veteran sergeant. Their whispered conversation reveals doubts about the French authorities’ promises to the displaced community and foreshadows a decision that could pull them into the looming turmoil of the Franco‑Prussian war.

The story weaves personal honor, exile, and the restless pulse of a nation on the brink, inviting listeners to follow these men as they confront the uncertain future that lies ahead.