Baron Drachenheim part VI

by Borstennskoldmund

"Read it again Dandelion!" we cried, as we sat around the breakfast table at Drachenheim manor. Dandelion stood and cleared his throat, reading from the morning edition of the Freiburg Gazette. Today there was a couple more letters to the editor, and a section of the editorial devoted to the disgrace of Oberst Grüber and Die Adler. So it has been for the last 3 or 4 days since our memorable day on the arch above the bridge over the Rotstrum. Our only regret is our need to keep the celebrations to ourselves, as we would not want Redmond Erhardt to find out that we were behind the deed.

"Hang on a second", said Dandelion, reading from a news item on page four, "Listen to this:"

It seems that there is no end of woes for the forces of Die Adler. Your correspondent reports that a small force of Die Adler soldiers attacked the premises of the renowned Herr Redmond Erhardt last evening, and were summarily defeated, obviously underestimating the capabilites of Herr Erhardts mercenary guard and their fine swivel cannon. The reason for the foolish attack has not been confirmed by either party but unconfirmed rumours suggest that Herr Erhardt's men may have been behind the incident at the bridge several days ago.

Our plan to implicate Erhardt had obviously succeeded but we were somewhat disquieted at the news of the forces Erhardt has at his disposal.

At that point, breakfast was interrupted by a knock at the front door. Armin introduced Herr Sieger, son of Eisenfürst Erich Sieger, and currently secretary to Eisenfürst Trägue. Young Sieger proved to be a most congenial fellow, and joined us in our repast - as soon as he learned there was more on the menu than porridge, strange how he doesn't enjoy porridge as much as Franz, I'd thought it was a national trait.

It seems that Eisenfürst Trägue is to host another ball! Very strange indeed, as the Eisenfürst is not noted for such frivolity. Sieger obliquely indicated that our 'business with the records department' may be able to be conducted during the evening. The ball was to be in two days time.

In the meantime, we set about further investigations in to why Erhardt has such an interest in the real estate in our area. Perhaps there is something under the ground in this region? Dandelion went up to the manor's library to do some research into the manor's history. Pistol and I headed off to the Explorer's Society, where I could do some research, and Pistol could 'assist' me with bringing back the barrel of never-ending ale.

I met Madeleine du Bisset at the society headquarters, and we discussed the various items we'd found at the house of twenty doors. Madeleine seemed surprised that we wanted to keep the bung, which as it happens does not provide endless ale, but renders the barrel into which it is inserted weightless. The other items included a fine pair of bookends that would show a path to the last item placed between them. Very useful. And there was this strange clockwork device, which apparently can be used to recall images - one activates the device while looking at a particular scene, and some time later if the device is activated again, it recalls in perfect detail the earlier scene, again I could see many uses for such a device. Still, the bung is what I was sent to get, so get it I did. I then spent some time researching in the archives. I discovered not much of interest - it's likely that there were lots of drachen bones in the area, but that's true of most of the areas around the Stein.

Pistol meanwhile, had procured some fine wine at a good price, and we headed back to the manor, where Dandelion had some exciting news - he had discovered a map of the manor hidden behind some books. Most interestingly, a section around the cellar had been cut away.

We carried out a major search of the manor, concentrating on trying to find a new section of cellar, but we were unable to find anything of interest.

The night of the ball came, and we again dressed up in our finery, and headed to the city hall. Much the same people were there as last time, although Madeleine was not present.

Franz had a pointed discussion with Erhardt, warning him to ensure that his men did not use the good name of Franz von Tannen to threaten tenants in the area of his manor. Erhardt let Franz know in no uncertain terms that he suspected us of impersonating his men to disgrace Grüber. Now however did he get that idea?

Later Pistol also spoke to Erhardt, he told us later that he had been pretending to betray us, and received a small payment from Erhardt for some false information he gave him about a tunnel we had supposedly found. Erhardt had sounded very interested, and asked Pistol to keep him advised and it would be worth his while. He is a crafty fellow that Pistol.

I spent my time following the Vendel Hägen brothers around the room. They had glared at me with hatred in their eyes - I had spoiled their big moment at the last ball where they had brought forward a great gift of wine to encourage all at the ball to look upon the Vendel league kindly. I had turned their gift back on them by suggesting to the gathered crowd that the gift was a sign that barter is a better form of trade. They were livid, and I was most amused. Today, they were supplicating each of the emissaries from the other Koenigsreichen, trying to win favour for the Vendel League again.

I took it upon myself to speak to the same emissaries, warning about undermining the good Eisen Mark. I had an interesting discussion on that and other matters with Josef Braun, the emissary from Heilgrund. We were in discussion when Dame Gretchen von Lyn arrived, a stunning woman, immaculately dressed, wearing an expensive looking necklace. I discovered that Dame Gretchen was a noted philanthropist, encouraging the nobility of Eisen to do more to help the poor. I was sure that she would have much of interest to discuss with Franz, and indeed I saw Wilma Probst introducing the two. Braun on the other hand scorned the woman, saying instead that the only way for Eisen to win back its former greatness was through establising a new leader, but the leader must be strong. I suspected that he referred to his own Eisenfürst Stefan Heilgrund.

Giancarlo spent time with the young artist Cristina Bianco, and later indicated to us that he intended to meet her soon with a view to becoming her patron.

Franz and Dame Gretchen did indeed have an interesting discussion, while they are closely aligned philosophically, it appears they have different methods. Franz distributes largesse to the Waisen where and when he can, Gretchen implores the nobility to donate soup kitchens and other facilities. Gretchen said that she didn't have much in the way of funds of her own, her family was very poor, in fact her only item of wealth was the necklace she wore. As she left to talk to others Franz and Wilma Probst shared a short discussion. It was obvious to both of them that the necklace Gretchen wore was a fake, yet Wilma said she saw Gretchen wearing the original just a few hours ago, it had obviously been stolen and replaced with this replica.

Franz indicated that we would look into the matter immediately, it would be devastating to the poor woman if she discovered her one and only treasure was lost.

Meanwhile, Dandelion had headed down to the records office, where he found the door opened and the office unoccupied, as had been arranged. He found the records showing which houses Erhardt owned, and which he did not, and the names of the various owners. As he returned, Franz gathered us together and explained the situation with Dame Gretchen.

We headed straight down to Gretchen's room, she was staying at a ground floor apartment in the hall. I knocked at the door and Gretchen's old maid answered, we explained that we were here to meet Dame von Lyn regarding a donation, and would be happy to wait until after the ball. The maid was happy with the explanation and went back to her bed. We then conducted a search of the room, discovering an open window leading to the yard.

A guard walked up to the door as Pistol was examining it, and asked for an explanation of Pistol's behaviour, Pistol glibly placated the guards suspicions and we continued our search. I went out of the room and quizzed the guard about any visitors to the room. The guard said the only one to visit the room had been a kitchen servant with a meal for the duchess.

We then examined the area outside the window and saw a large footprint as if perhaps someone had just jumped out the window. Franz discovered a silver tray behind a nearby bush.

We quizzed the guards in the yard and discovered a kitchen servant had been in the yard that evening, and left by the gate, apparently to fetch some more supplies. He had not returned.

Next to the kitchen, where we found that none of the servants was missing, but there was a missing jacket and a missing silver tray. The chef identified the tray we had found. The chef said that there had been a lot of people about today, due to the ball which was organised in a rush. There were a number of men from the Wounded Boar (butchers) that had access to the kitchen area, and in fact there was one of them that fitted the vague description the guards had given us.

Pistol had a thought - there had not been much time from the announcement of the ball to get such a high quality fake necklace made. In fact there was only one man he knew of that could do it, a certain Guy Reagan. We trusted Pistol's opinion on such matters!

We decided a visit to this fellow was in order, so we headed to his shop. On the way we were accosted by a gang of thugs. A fight ensued, and we won out despite a lack of weapons. The thugs proved to be just opportunists waiting for anyone coming from the ball, they weren't associated with the Mad Wolves.

Eventually we got to Reagan's and Pistol woke him up by throwing pebbles against his window. I'd never have thought of something as subtle as that!

Pistol was able to convince Reagan with a little cash and veiled threat that it would be in his best interest to give us information about a certain necklace. Reagan informed us that we might find a negotiation in place if we headed to the Wounded Boar. So we took off to the butcher's place, intending a little butchery of our own.

When we got there, we discovered the place had both a front and back entrance, and lights were on inside. We stepped back in to an alleyway where Dandelion suggested he could procure weapons for us in a few minutes. He gave me a pin to hold, then opened a bloody rent in space, and stepped through. A few minutes later he stepped back again, taking the pin back from my grasp, he had fetched some weapons from Drachenheim manor for us.

As he returned, a man stepped up, demanding to know what we were up to. We were evasive until Pistol pointed out that he was Kelby, leader of the Wachthunder, keepers of the peace here in Freiburg. Franz explained what we were here to do, and Kelby explained that he too had been keeping a watch on the butcher's place, he was aware a certain thief by the name of Fritz Vroman was on the premises meeting with a Vendel, Ilsa Lunde and her offsider plus a troupe of her guards.

Giancarlo, Eduarde and Pistol headed around the back to come in from the rear entrance, Franz, Dandelion, Kelby and I gave them a few minutes then kicked in the front door. Franz and Kelby jumped immediately into the fray, as we were confronted by a group of six guards. Dandelion and I followed soon after, and we quickly dispatched the guards, I headed to open the door on the other side of the room, and standing upon a rug in front of the door, I felt my feet give way. Fortunately I was able to hold my balance and avoid falling into a pit, with nasty spikes at the bottom. I then opened the door from the side. Kelby jumped the pit and engaged a group of guards in the doorway. I picked up one of the tables in the room and placed it upside-down over the pit.

Meanwhile, at the rear door, Ilsa Lunde, her offsider and 9 guards had rushed out to be met by Eduarde, Giancarlo and Pistol. Eduarde skillfully cat a swathe through the leading six guards to confront the Vendel Leegstra swordsman. However he was unable to get to Lunde in time, and she pulled out a brace of pistols, and let fire a fearful blast at Eduarde. Eventually Giancarlo and Pistol were able to come to Eduarde's aid, Pistol tackled Lunde in a most ungentlemanly manner, taking her to the ground. The remaining guards were dispatched, and the offsider made a run for it with Giancarlo in pursuit.

By this time, we had made our way into the second room and I confronted the thief, still in the livery of the city hall kitchen. Franz and Kelby picked off a group of guards each while Dandelion subdued another who surrendered to him.

Vroman turned out to be a skilled fighter, but I had called upon the rune of Krieg the warrior, and felt a surge of ferocity flow through my bones,and soon Vroman fell in a bloody heap at my feet.

We made our way through a third room and then outside to see Eduarde battered but not defeated, Pistol grinning as he dunked Madam Linde's head into a patch of mud, and Giancarlo pursuing the remaining Vendel. I followed the pursuit, and Giancarlo and I were able to cut down the Vendel. We returned dragging the bodies with us. We had Linde as a prisoner, plus Dandelion's prisoner, but we could not find the necklace.

Eventually the guard caved in to interrogation and revealed the necklace was in the boar head's mouth, and indeed it was. Kelby took control of the prisoners explaining to an indignant Linde that she would be shaved, dunked and thrown out of town.

We then headed back to the hall, and met with Dame Gretchen. Eduarde was at pains to explain the great personal injury he had taken in order to retrieve her valuable possession. She seemed most grateful. Eduarde's demeanour picked up remarkably!

"See you tomorrow Eduarde...", and we left for home.

Borstennskoldmund.