Citizens of Freiburg Part VI

To his fellow druids, Caerwyddich Bard of Carrig sends greetings.

A further report as to the Misbegotten one Peter O'Toole (Pistol) follows.

Thankfully there is no indication of any return to Avalon so if the Sidhe prove troublesome (ha !) then it will not be on his account. Little else I'm afraid has changed......

Breakfast at Drachenheim Manor. Borstenn, Franz, Eduarde and Pistol were tackling a table full of savouries (and a large bowl of porridge). Having rested up for a day the companions seemed in better form than could have reasonably been expected. Don Carlos was still abed and Dandelion was in a brown study in the Library, having been drinking heavily.

The sounds of serious breakfasting were broken by a knocking at the front door and the subsequent announcement by Armin of a visitor.

Pistol rose hurriedly, in fear of further unwelcome packages, and the others followed him to the front hall. There in a state of some anxiety was the Vodacce woman Teresa Erhardt. "It all went wrong" she cried "terribly wrong...". A livid bruise ran down the side of her face and her clothes were torn as if she had been attacked by a madman. "What do you mean ?" said Franz "Are you alright ?" asked Borstenn, "The monster has struck you again!" expostulated Eduarde. "Dat note wasn't my fault.." protested Pistol.

At that moment a further knocking interrupted Teresa's explanation. "Quick, this way" said Borstenn as he ushered the still disturbed Teresa into the cellar. "Stay behind this door. Best not to go down the corridor" he warned as he locked her in behind the door to the dracheneisen mine.

Meanwhile Pistol had opened the door a crack to peer outside. He saw nothing at all and was about to close the door when a delicate cough drew his eyes downwards. "A child" he thought but the eyes that met his held a lustre beyond the innocence of childhood. He could see that the slight figure of a woman before him was beautiful even if the veil that pronounced her a Vodacce only hinted at the features beneath. "No tanks, we already got one..." Pistol began before a cuff on the head from behind saw him mind his manners.

"Sorry m'am" Pistol corrected himself, how can oi be of service ?"

"My name is Lucretia Fredobella" announced the caller. "I believe I can be of some service to Teresa, who I saw enter this house not 5 minutes ago."

Pistol ushered in Lucretia and introduced her to Franz and the others who had taken the opportunity to resume breakfast. She had barely had time to introduce herself, reveal that she had been a friend to Teresa's identical twin sister and disclose that she had seen Teresa followed by a dozen men when a third knocking at the door was heard.

Pistol opened the door with a flourish "Mad Wolves or Erhardt's mercenaries?" he enquired of the burly group in red livery confronting him.

"The Vodacce bitch murderess has taken our lord's papers..." the frontman began.

"A moorderess ? really ?" queried Pistol, "Who's she killed den ?"

"She has murdered Lord Erhardt and stolen his papers..." said the spokesman.

"Well de papers belong to de estate den" reasoned Pistol. "And Lord Drachenheim has a claim..."

"Give us the bitch and the papers" the bullies threatened, advancing on Pistol.

Pistol cast an eye over his shoulder and seeing the reassuring vision of Franz, Borstenn and Eduarde readying weapons and advancing on the door he turned to the thugs. "Cop dis den" challenged Pistol stepping quickly out the door and down the street.

Lucretia followed Pistol and readied a crossbow behind his bulk. The mercenaries raised muskets and let loose a volley of shots which whistled round the ears of Borstenn and Pistol. Borstenn, Franz and Eduarde carved through the thugs like a hot knife through butter. Eduarde always careful to ensure he did not kill unnecessarily. Lucretia's bolt sped past the ear of one of their officers.

The two officers raised their giant zweihanders. Franz grabbed one with his panzerhand. The other swung at Borstenn before Pistol knocked him over with his belly. Eduarde finished off the remaining men in one fluid move. Seeing himself alone the remaining officer elected to leave his weapon in Franz's grasp and sprinted away.

Borstenn looked at the pile of bodies with satisfaction when he remembered.

"Teresa" he cried, and ran for the cellar.

Fortunately Teresa had heeded his instruction not to leave the doorway and seemed none the worse for being confined in the darkness.

Lucretia introduced herself and tended to her bruises with a salve that proved most efficacious. As she worked Teresa explained that the poison vial was supposed to be quick acting but Erhardt had consumed large quantities of spirits in the morning and he died very messily, calling upon his guards in his throes of agony. Teresa had grabbed various documents that he had been gloating over and run out of the house hoping to meet an appointment with a ship in the harbour. She was pursued by a large number of guards.

Franz advised her that most of the guards were now no longer interested in pursuit and Teresa expressed her thanks but noted that the survivors were likely to call on reinforcements and she had reason to believe that the city guards had been bribed to ignore conflict.

"Oh, no" exclaimed Pistol, "Dere go da windows agin. We'd better make a stand in the ballroom where we can use the chandelier...."

"I know" offered Borstenn "We can disguise Teresa and smuggle her to the docks."

Eduarde covered his face with his hands.

"And oi could distract them into the cellar while you go on to meet the ship...." said Pistol.

"What if we go by river" suggested Borstenn "We could all fit in the "Stolen Kiss".

Franz and Eduarde thought this a good plan even though Pistol agreed with it.

Franz instructed Pistol to collect some of Dandelion's clothes so that Borstenn could disguise Teresa and Pistol set about doing so. Before he left Pistol dropped the keys to the cellar back in Franz's hand, somewhat to his puzzlement.

Pistol swiftly returned and soon Borstenn had Teresa looking like a Montagnen noble. In the meantime Pistol had prepared the "Stolen Kiss" and the party was soon afloat.

En route Eduarde noted that if people were looking for a Vodacce noblewoman then Lucretia would fit that description. "Quickly" cried Borstenn "a further disguise". Equipped only with the end of a tarry rope, some fish scales from the bilges and various rags used by Pistol to polish brass Borstenn managed to disguise Lucretia as a fishwife. "You're sure this is absolutely necessary" queried Lucretia as she looked with some disdain upon the wreck of her dress. "Absolutely" affirmed Pistol, "if you can't trust Borstenn in these matters who can you trust ?". Eduarde had his face in his hands again but this time his shoulders shook with suppressed giggles.

As the "Stolen Kiss" approached the docks the party could see various groups of mercenaries wearing Erhardt's livery. Borstenn, drunk with success at his disguises, merrily waved at the closest. The officer peered hard at the boat "The Vodacce bitch and her accomplices..." he cried. Borstenn flushed and his wave turned to a clenched fist. "You will never have her while dere is breath in Lord Drachenheim's body" challenged Pistol as he slipped a mooring line over the bollard.

Franz had indeed charged magnificently up the stairs from the quay and was laying into the officer and his squad. Borstenn snarled and unlimbered his axe. The squad fell back in fear from Borstenn as he leapt up the steps but the officer advanced upon him with a zweihander. Lucretia let slip a bolt from her crossbow which parted the hair of the officer.

Pistol shot his grappling hand to the street above and hoisted himself up to street level. He was now above Erhardt's men.

Eduarde and Franz quickly carved through the men on the steps but the officer advanced on Borstenn dealing him two savage blows with his huge weapon. Pistol ran straight at the officer putting his substantial bulk behind a hip shoulder and belly. The officer, arms and legs flailing, fell straight into the river and swam off leaving his weapon to sink.

Other mercenaries, alerted by the fighting, made for the group. There were too many even for Eduarde to fight! Lucretia gasped in recognition and called out "Paulio, Paulio, over here, help us". A large Vodacce with a voluminous black moustache accompanied by many sailors looked over from the inn he was leaving. "Little Lucretia" he exclaimed "we will deal with these dogs".

True to his word, the sailors swiftly put the remaining mercenaries to flight and everyone was pleased to deposit Teresa in the safe hands of Paulio, captain of the "Blue Unicorn". Teresa thanked the party as they left her on the boat and said she would never forget their kindnesses to her. She pressed the documents she had taken on Franz. "Give the people back their homes" she charged him. She waved as the vessel set sail down river.

Suddenly the party had to leap for their lives as a dozen barrels bounced through the group. One knocked Lucretia flat. The others recovered their balance and turned to see the grinning face of Felix Du Paix with his puzzle blade and the remnants of the Mad Wolves !

"Come and get some Montaigne steel, served hot and fast" taunted Felix. "I see you've got what you think it takes" responded Franz "extra men !".

Felixes men let loose with a volley of musket fire that misses all concerned. Felix, Franz, Borstenn and Eduarde all thrash at thin air. Pistol knocks down two of the scoundrels with his tum but they quickly jump back up again. Three jump on Eduarde and grapple him but he quickly throws them off.

Felix, sensing that things are going against him, takes to his heels with Borstenn, Franz and Pistol in pursuit. Eduarde quickly deals with 5 of the luckless thugs but holds his blade as the last, a woman, attempts to grapple Lucretia.

Lucretia lunges twice with her dagger to no effect then, skilfully avoiding the clutches of her attacker, leaps to the top of a barrel. "Come on little one" cries Eduarde "if only there was some mud for the wrestling..."

Lucretia glares at Eduarde and the distraction is enough for opponent to grab her legs ! Eduarde knocks the Mad Wolf girl on the head but seems disappointed that the show is over.

Meanwhile Felix has gained a substantial lead on his three pursuers. Franz falls behind in the unfamiliar streets and decides to visit Erhardt's house.

Borstenn, spying a washing line hanging across the street in front of the fleeing Felix, throws his axe in a flashing whirl. He misses and the axe falls to the ground as the runners bump through the washer women.

A bystander walks out in front of Felix and he slows to knock him aside with curses. Pistol nearly catches up but Felix recovers and using the warren of alleys in the Shades as cover is soon gone.

Franz finds that Erhardt's estate is open to looters with the windows and doors wide open and people snatching what they can find. Even the guards appear to be joining in. Everything is being made off with including a large wooden crate being handled under the direction of a disgruntled looking man who appears to be covered in wax !

The party regroups and at Pistol's suggestion tries the nearest inn for word as to Felix's hideouts. They stop outside "The Blue Garter" an establishment whose sign is an obvious prostitute pulling up her skirt to show a blue garter. "Dis should be jest the ting" says Pistol before they enter.

Franz and the others are surprised to find that an establishment recommended by Pistol appears quite clean and efficiently run. Light streams in through unclouded windows casting a lucid luminescence over the happy and honest patrons within. A rosy cheeked landlord greets one and all with a cheerful smile and bids them sit at the comfortable but homely tables. A fire crackles warmly in a well-tended fireplace and a plump cat starts stroking itself on Borsten's legs and purring. All in all a more welcoming and jolly scene could scarcely be imagined.

"Dis won't do at all" splutters Pistol. "Dis is exackly de koind of ting dats givin' Freiburg a bad name. Come on you lot" he orders "out of here and follow me".

Reluctantly his companions draw themselves away from the attractions of the "Blue Garter" and follow Pistol around the corner to "The One-Eyed Rat". Pistol sighed contentedly as the murk inside enveloped him. Shouts of "Hey Pistol", "Look its old Pistol" and "Where's those marks you owe me Pistol" were heard. Pistol quickly fell into conversation with some people who appeared even more disreputable than him while the others pretended they weren't there.

Shortly Pistol led them out exclaiming that Felix was a cunning one. "Who would ave tort dat he'd go back to the old carriage house agin". "Well he's mistaken if he tinks we're gonna give up on that glazier's bill just like dat".

The companions quickly made their way to the old carriage house. As they approached Borstenn jostled an old man in the street. Franz frowned at him but before he could say anything Borstenn grabbed the old man's wig and lo, it was Felix !

"So Franz" muttered Felix nervously attempting a taunt "I see you are once again the carriage boy".

Franz looked solemnly at Felix. "You are so sad I don't know whether it is worth fighting you" he replied.

Borstenn and Pistol looked at each other and nodded. They had no such misgivings.

Felix looks desparately around him and catches Lucretia's eye. She spits delicately over her thumbnail and tooth and says "Fie". Felix's shoulders slump as the knowledge he is cursed sinks home.

Borstenn's axe whistles through the air but before it lands Felix has embedded the puzzle blade in Borstenn's arm. "Go on but if you kill me then Christina Bianca will die" he snarled. Pistol shrugged and prepared to gouge him in the eyes but Franz held his arm.

"What about Christina?" Franz demanded. "No Franz" said Pistol "It's a bluff. And even if it's not Giancarlo will only hurt her eventually anyway. Lets get him".

Franz, however, was not convinced and after some negotiation down from Felix's initial demands Franz agrees to allow him safe conduct, surrendering the puzzle blade, once Felix takes them to Christina. Felix does so and turns to go as Pistol grinds his teeth.

"But what about the glazier's bill" asks Lucretia as Felix scurries off. Eduarde shakes his head and picks up Lucretia to look her in the eye "Never, never listen to Pistol little one" he says seriously "That way lies madness, pain and death". Lucretia glares at him again and puts her thumbnail to her tooth before Eduarde hurriedly replaces her on the ground.

"My hero and saviour" cries Christina when she is freed from her bonds. She throws her arms around Franz's neck and presses herself passionately to him. Franz, however, sternly holds her at arms length and promises to see her safely to Giancarlo.

The Eisen are famous for such loyalty my fellow druids. It may be why they have a country full of blood and death and all the Vodacce get is the pretty women.