[Act 2] [Scene 5] [Flamberge]

[thirtythr33]

Marco coaxes Giorgio out of the room in the commotion before he gets the chance to say something he will regret. They walk down the corridor and exit into the morning sun in the courtyard of the keep. Following a small distance behind them is Gregor, now resting a Landsknecht Flamberge over one of his shoulders.

Seeing the "flame-bladed" sword, Marco is immediately struck by the memory of Seraphim Uriel's weapon that he used to defeat the three headed ogre in his dream.

[EinBein]

The German casually passes the two foreigners, seating himself on a bench in the shadow. It is apparent that he is an outsider even within the walls, as the guard at the gatehouse seems to overlook Gegor's presence on purpose. The bearded man rests his head against the cool stone wall behind him and half-closes his eyes, laying the sword on his knees.

[Korbel]

"It's probably not the best idea to bother this stranger, especially in Giorgio's presence; he is looking dangerous and who knows what might happen? - that's what Marco would think, if he weren't really just a careless, naive boy. But he is...

- Hello there my friend! I've never seen such a blade... what is it and where did you get it? - he approaches Gregor with genuine smile and curiosity in his eyes.

[EinBein]

The man on the bench looks bewildered by the attention of a stranger Italian noble, coupled with ... friendliness? He glances over his shoulder in order to check whether there might be someone in his back, whom he didn't notice, but quickly turns back when he sees only a solid stone wall.

"Are you talking to... me, Meister?"

[EinBein]

When Marco doesn't respond immediately, Gregor regains his senses, jumps to his feet and places the blade over his shoulder again. He furrows one eyebrow, seemingly to search for words in the Italian language, then speaks: "This sword is a Flammenschwert... don't know the proper Italian term, though. It was forged in the city of Chur, which the Italians call Coira, in the region of Graubünden, with another Italian name that I have forgotten by now. But how I came to rightfully own it and - more importantly - how I came to use it as well as I do today is a long story involving a young man with dreams and ambitions, great battles, Spanish and German teachers, our struggle with the French over Italian soil and a great deal of things that I thought were wonders. Today, I know that these were just trickeries, orchestrated by a greater evil to lure an idealistic fool into a deathly trap, while God just sat there and watched. But I bet you aren't interested in a thatcher boy's tale this long and tiresome, aren't you?" by the end of his speech, he smiles a bit, as if enjoying talking to another person who seemingly doesn't care for his heavy German accent. He noticeably speaks slowly and even stops sometimes, in order to make it as easy as possible for Marco to follow his words.

[Korbel]

Marco is listening carefully, but even though he nods in agreement and comprehension from time to time, at the end of the speech he seems a little bit lost.
- So, you're a soldier? What are you doing here, then?

[EinBein]

"I was a soldier, but now I am..." at first it seems, that Gregor wants to answer upfront instinctively, but he stops and looks to the floor for a few heartbeats before making eye contact again: "I ended my career a few weeks ago. Had different opinions than my superiors. Now I'm serving Giovanni to the best of my abilities." he is visibly not happy with the latest development of the conversation.

[DannyBoy]

What did I just see? Giorgio's head was spinning, That boy was dead, I know he was. What did they do to him?
That child Don Giovanni and his skeleton man believed him an illiterate bum. Just another cutthroat and mercenary killer. Indeed a killer he was, but not a fool. Just sleeping was he? What the Hell do you take me for Giovanni? He fought the urge to spit at the thought of the name. I know more than you think you stupid little boy.

He is vaguely aware of someone speaking next to him. He drags a weary hand down his face and shakes his head, bringing himself back to reality.
Marco, that naive young lad. Speaking to the German as though they were simply sitting at a cafe on the Piazza San Marco. How he is so willing to accept that his dead friend is no longer as such, Giorgio does not know. He finds himself somewhat envious of that foolishness. To just accept the world as it is without questioning must truly be the safest road to sanity.

"Sorry, I was lost in thought" he says to no one in particular. He moves protectively to Marco's side and extends his hand towards the German.

"It would seem that we got off on the wrong foot last night" he says. "If you would, I hope that we may start again. My name is Giorgio."

[EinBein]

The German is completely taken by surprise, but gets a grip on himself quite quickly.

He accepts the hand: "Gregor. I may be wrong, but have we met in Pavia? I vaguely remember some Italian guys at a campfire the night before the battle..."

[DannyBoy]

At the mention of Pavia, Giorgio feels the pit of his stomach drop out and hopes that Gregor doesn't see it on his face.
"You are mistaken, Gregor, I have never been to Pavia." It's a weak lie but he hopes it will suffice.

[EinBein]

The German furrows a brow once more, but says nothing more of this. He's pretty sure that there was a guy of Giorgio's build among the Italians, which is seldom enough in its own right. But he remembers also one of his comrades, advising him not to take seat at the Italian's fire. He had heard of this particular guy, that he was feared among his brethren and that even they kept their distance when he swung his sword on the battlefield, in order not to be counted to his victims... But who could be sure? In the end, Pavia is two years past and there were dozens of new faces and a lot of alcohol at the camp fires that last evening before they marched out.

Instead, Gregor says: "Then I must've been mistaken. Please accept my apologies."

When a bell rings out from the kitchen building, Gregor takes Giorgio by the shoulder. "Time for breakfast. We'll show Meister Acerbi to the master's hall, then we can have some food ourselves in the servant's quarters. I think your friend Ferran might also get a soup there and maybe even Gasparo will join us."