The Storm: Part 2

[Korbel]

- Oh I'm so scared, yeah... Cheeky bastard, isn't he? - he turns to one of his companions.
- I'm pretty sure you meant to say "scoundrel", captain.
- Right, this word is trending now, I suppose... Hey you albino freak! You can scream your lungs out, I don't care. You'll stay here until you get hungry, maybe that will change your mind. Just don't be loud during the night, unless you want lord Siegfried himself to come here with the heaviest crossbow we have on the castle.

[Benedict]

Ruthard glares at the guard and his friends.

- When a man calls me a freak he usually ends in a shallow grave. But no so with you, right? Think you're safe behind your walls and your men. Let me show you what a freak can do. And how wrong you are for taking me for granted.

Ruthard dismounts and flexes his body, then approaches the portcullis. He bends his knees and grabs the iron bars. Slowly he begins to push upward.

The soldiers begin to giggle and jest.
- Yes, that's right. You can do it "captain". Just don't break your back.

The albino pays them no heed. The only thing that exists for him now is the portcullis. Sweat is coming down his brow and his breathing is heavy. Then the familiar grinding sound of metal on stone starts. The soldiers stop laughing and take a few steps back in surprise. One of them stumbles and falls on his buttocks. Sowly but steadily the albino is lifting the portcullis with his bare hands!

The guard snaps at his comrades.
- You fools! You left it unlocked!

[Korbel]

- Crossbows! Crossbows at the ready! And you stay where you are! - the guard yells shocked, but still in control. At least the monotony of his life was broken!

The guards on the walls, alarmed, hurry to take positions and ready their weapons to shoot.

[Benedict]

Ruthard steps inside and lets the portcullis fall down behind him. He bends and grabs his knees, catching his breath. He stands straight again, eyes the guards, and speaks in a commanding tone.

- I have a mission more important than dealing with fools - pointing at the head guard - who can't distinguish between duty and stupidity. Lower your weapons men, I am not here for a fight. Will someone inform Lord Siegfried that I have a letter for his eyes only, or you will leave me here standing all day?

[Korbel]

The captain guard contemplates for a moment, then gestures his men to lower their crossbows.

- Fine. We'll let you in. Keep in mind our lord is feasting now - you'll have to wait until he settles more important matters. And I won't let you roam around the castle unattended.

He picks two of his men:

- Escort him inside and keep an eye on him. Oh and take his horse to the stables.

[Benedict]

- Indeed. says the albino.

Ruthard nods in affirmation and follows the men.

[Korbel]

The guards lead the way - glancing at Ruthard nervously from time to time - through the second gate and inside the castle. His horse is taken to stables, but there's commotion already, boys racing to take care of the horses belonging to recently arrived knights, in hope of earning a coin or two. Ruthard can see the last of the knights entering the keep. Two armored guards stand watch there, halberds at the ready.

- You won't be allowed inside with your sword, leave it here at the barracks and then we'll take you to see the baron - the escorting guard finally speaks.

[Benedict]

Ruthard unbuckles his sword without a word and gives it to the guard.

- Will you take this as well? and points at his rondel.

[Korbel]

- No, it's fine.

Ruthard is taken inside the keep, the guard leading the way to the dining hall. It's quite crowded already. The baron himself has taken his elevated place at the table, with his chamberlain and an armored guard by his side. The knights from the Teutonic Order sit by this table, too, just like Siegfried's family.

Ruthard is seated at the second table, where he meets no one else but "Twinscars" - the bounty hunter recognizes him, but then just ignores him. Ruthard takes his place and waits for what's going to happen. Soon, the oldest of the knights takes the floor - he speaks about the ongoing successful campaigns of the Order in the east, how the blessing from Heavens grants them victories over the heather Prussians and so on...

The man sitting closest to Ruthard - funny enough, a genetic freak too, his eyes of different colors - whispers to him:

- Hey that's the Duetschmeister of the Order, an important figure...

The knight continues:
- ...so I came here to ask you to join us in our noble quest! We need people to settle there, to protect our land, to spread the Christianity!

People start whispering to each other, then talking louder.. Ruthard's neighbor leans to him and whispers again:

- Not expecting he's gonna be very succesful. Hard to find valuable men these days, you know... and where are you from? maybe you should try your luck and fight for the Order?
- Oh I've seen my share of fighting. Perhaps later I could join them Teutons, but not before my task is completed. But my price is high, perhaps even for the Teutons.
- Funny that you say so.. listen, I've heard they have inherited unimaginable wealth from the Templars... and it makes sense! look how they're prospering now, expanding their rulership, challenging the Crown of Poland even!
- I think they might even try to invade Russia given the right circumstances. If there can be such a thing with this icy waste.
- Invade Russia? that would be madness!
- By the tales I hear religious zealots are not the sanest of people.
- Don't fall for that... - he lowers his voice to minimum - their words may be full of christian ideals, but it doesn't mean...
- I don't. Their leaders are schemers and conquerors. But when they preach to recruit they plunge a two-edged blade in their army; some will say its their power, I say its their weakness.
- We shall see.... for now, I fail to see a power capable of stopping them.

The conversation is cut short - chamberlain silences everyone and announces that now they're going to settle other matters. As it turns out, "Twinscars" (or Kneller, we should say) was hired by baron Siegfried to help seeking for archbishop Paul. Then Ruthard is called.

- Come over here... not so close! what is your business?
- I bear a sealed letter by my master Lord Erich for you Lord Siegfried - Ruthard responds.

The chamberlain gestures a passing servant to fetch him the letter. Siegfried's takes it, opens and reads. It looks like he skips the opening polite phrases, but then his eyebrows raise in amusement for a moment. He looks at Ruthard, then continues reading. When he's finished, he gives it to the chamberlain and points at the fireplace behind - and soon the paper is eaten by flames.

- Who are you?
- Ruthard Adler, former Captain of the White Company.

The knights at the table turn their attention to Ruthard, but the chamberlain continues:

- You'll stay here in the keep and wait for the response... the guards will show you your room. That's all, you can go now.
- A personal request, Lord Siegfried.
- Yes? - Ruthard can hear his voice for the first time.
- I request that I reside in the barracks with your soldiers for my time here - I am a soldier myself - and have no use for private rooms.
- Fine, but in this case we'll appoint a guard to watch you all the time.
- I expected nothing less Lord Siegfried says Ruthard with a half bow.

Ruthard heads to barracks, where he tries to speak with "Twinscars" - but the bounty hunter is fixed on his job, and on finding Hans later, so the whole conversation is fruitless. Before the day ends, another event draws Ruthard's attention - the villagers have gathered outside the castle, in protest over an unknown matter - but as nothing interesting happens, Ruthard goes back to his bed and falls asleep soon.

[Korbel]

Johann Kneller, known as "Twinscars" in some circles, wakes up next day morning in the barracks of Siegfried's castle. About 20 guards from night shift are already here, most of them resting now, others talking quietly or taking care of their equipment.

Time to go back to work and earn some coin... Twinscars says to himself. He takes a few dips of water and - as usual - skips his breakfast. That's what his friend Maciej used to do and Johann took over this habit during countless days spent together. They were working in duo, combining Maciej's brawn and Johann's knowledge about the region and his network of contacts to effectively hunt every single man they were hired to track down. And now? Maciej is dead, killed by an outlaw they were after - Hans Foth. I will have my revenge, I swear the God!!

Twinscars dresses up and leaves the castle to meet with one man, to hopefully find out where his current mark - archbishop Paul - might be. Deep in his toughts, he doesn't realize he's being followed...

Some time later...
Ruthard, hidden behind the trees, is watching Twinscars, who's talking with a bald, ugly-faced and quite overweight man, on a meadow outside the village.

- ...I told, give coin. You no pay last time. Today me wants money - the stranger's voice is even more repelling then his face.
- But listen Luca - Twinscars tries to convince him calmly - you know I'm in trouble. I've lost my friend Maciej, now it's really hard for me to earn enough. If you help me find the archbishop, I'll have enough to pay you double. Do we have a deal?
- No agree. My last word, give coin first... wait, what this noise? Who's there?

Ruthard hears some steps, too. Right behind him... concerned, he turns around: there's a man with a crossbow aimed at him!
- Don't move darling, or I'll shoot your balls off. Hey boss - ho shouts to Luca - looks like we have a guest! Who are you, albino?

[Benedict]

He eyes the crossbowman.

- You don't need that. Better lower that crossbow before anyone gets hurt. says Ruthard with a grim look.

- As to who I am, ask Kneller. He knows me well enough.

[Korbel]

- You partners? - Luca turns to Twinscars - Liar, you said you alone! Give coin or go away!
Twinscars gives Ruthard an asking look...

[Benedict]

- Hey Kneller, I brought the money. You shouldn't have left in such a hurry.

Ruthard turns to Luca.
- Name your price.

[Korbel]

- Two silver coins for me and one for my friend... - Luca smiles greedily.

[Benedict]

Ruthard tosses him 3 coins.
- Here you go. If what you say is interesting you'll get three pieces more.