The Storm: Part 2

[Korbel]

I say, I say - the coins disappear in his pockets. A lone man was ambushed. Not dead...

The crossbowman, tempted by silver, wants to provide some information, too:
- I've heard somebody was taken secretly to baron's tower and locked there inside. Maybe he's the man you're looking for?

"Twinscars" contemplates for a moment.
- But he has hired me... Maybe to cast suspicions off himself? What do you think... partner?

[Benedict]

- I suspected as much. I think that you know who is playing you around. Maybe even searching for a scapegoat. Nothing better to get rid of a priest's abductor, especially when it's a black-clad hound carrying a big sword.
Says the albino with a grim smile. He looks squarely Kneller in the eye.
- If you hadn't acted like you did yesterday I could have told you so myself. And we'd be better off. Both of us. Now, will you put the past where it belongs and listen to me?

[Korbel]

- You could have?... What? Fine, I think we really need to talk. Let's go. Thank you, Luca!

Then Twinscars can speak with Ruthard privately, he asks:
- So, what do you know and what's your plan?

[Benedict]

- First I want to make something perfectly clear between us Kneller. Despite our past unfortunate encounter I consider you honorable. If things were different we might even be friends. I've already proved that with actions.
Ruthard takes a measured pause to let the words sink in and eyes the hound gravely.

Kneller grudgingly nods.
- Yes, you've said so before Adler. So?

- I go a step further by taking you into my confidence. You hadn't heard because you were dismissed from Siegfried's court at the moment.

I am here serving as Erich's messenger. This is only a rouse. Siegfried has imprisoned the bishop for his own political gains. Erich wants the bishop freed and delivered to him. As you understand its a war between those two. And we two are caught in the middle of it, serving opposing sides. It's a matter of time before we come to blows over that. Which honestly feels like a waste, because if we do battle, only one will walk away. I am not stupid to underestimate you, and so should you. It's the truth and we both know it. The problem is that your employer is not to be trusted. The way I see it Siegfried will have your head on the end of a pike once you've served your purpose to him. Why else would he employ a hound to locate a man that he had imprisoned in the first place?

My proposal is to try and locate this priest together and get him to Erich. I'm sure that Erich will reward you with gold for this. While Siegfried's reward will be in steel and blood.

So, what do you say?
asks the albino, and offers his hand to Kneller.

[Korbel]

- And what if Siegfried doesn't really want to kill me? Just make an impression that he's doing something about the disappearing of the bishop... he would let me work for some time and then just let me go...

He's partly thinking out loud, partly speaking to Ruthard.

- Why should I take the risk and side with you? What's really stopping me from snitching you to Siegfried, my partner?

He places his hand on the hilt of his sword. Just one hand.

[Benedict]

- I could try to talk you into this Kneller like before. I could sweeten the pill , stuff you with lies and half truths. And probably fail. You know how I operate, as I know how you operate.

Ruthard slowly opens his arms in a non threatening manner and holds his ground.
- Nothing prevents you from snitching me to Siegfried. Nothing but your honor and your intellect. If I am wrong about you then its a set back. I'll have to work twice as hard for this mistake. But I'm sure I'm not mistaken. I have faith in you. I'm sure you know I'm right, that Siegfried will have you burned - or worse - in the end. We are mere fodder for people like the baron.

- As I said, we both know each other. We're both mercenaries. We're both fighters.

A measured pause.
- We're both survivors Kneller. And we are good at what we do. Our best chances lie in working together, not against each other.

[Korbel]

- I'm not a child, Ruthard. I've worked for powerful people many times and I think I know their ways. Siegfried may be a bastard, but I don't believe he would have me killed...

But when the chance seems to be lost, Kneller continues, his voice more and more frantic:

- But you do know where Hans Foth is, don't you? Let's help each other - I'll side with you now, you'll help me get Foth later. Favor for favor. That would work for me... do I have your word?

[Benedict]

- I swear upon my father's bones that I do not know where Foth is. If you want to find him for a job unfinished, if its about you losing face, you should go to the baron right now.

- Because I'm no hunter of men.

- If on the other hand it's for your friend's death my sword is yours. Vengeance and denied justice are two things I know all too well.

[Korbel]

- Vengeance, yes... I will have my revenge and I'm glad you're willing to help me.
He shakes Ruthard's hand and looks at him, but his eyes seem empty and staring at something far, far away in the distance...

[Korbel]

On the castle, later this day, around noon

- Sir, the peasants are revolting. Again!
- What the hell... fine, bring more men to the gates, get your weapons ready...

Outside, the angry crowd approaches the castle. Yesterday, they didn't really accomplish much - one man was shot, his foot pierced, and the enthusiasm was gone. Surprisingly, they have come back, this time led by the pig-faced Luca...

Meanwhile, Ruthard is summoned to the keep to receive the reply message for Erich. This time, he's escorted to a smaller room, where lord Siegfried with his inseparable chamberlain and two guards are awaiting.

- How was your night? - the chamberlain asks without really caring for the answer - the letter is ready and the seal on, take it to Erich. Any questions?

[Korbel]

Ruthard takes the letter and leaves the room. But here's the opportunity he needed: the guards in the corridor, somehow distracted by the revolting mob outside, don't pay much attention to what's going inside the keep. Albino sneaks away from them and then upstairs...

- Hey! What are you doing here? - a guard, in plate armor and brandishing a halberd, stands on his way to the tower.
- Drop your weapon. Or die - Ruthard draws his sword.
- Intruder? - the guard smirks, adopting a defensive stance, his pole-arm ready to receive the attack - I'll teach you a lesson!

Ruthard charges in, swinging his longsword - but his opponent knows what he's doing! He knocks the blade aside with such a force Ruthard loses his grip and the sword is thrown a few yards away. Then he responds, but Ruthard manages to grab his arm before the halberd strikes him.

- I need to get there and you won't stop me! - in a struggle, Ruthard wins advantage and goes on the offensive. He grabs the poor fellow's head, drives a finger into his eye, then pushes even harder and in an instant the body goes limp, eyeballs and brain pierced and destroyed in a bloody mess!

Ruthard quickly takes the helmet and the tabard from the fallen guard and enters the tower, climbing up the ladders to find the archbishop... but he's not there! Ruthard searches the room, only to find the evidence that the man was probably locked here indeed, but he must've fled through the window, using a rope to climb down and leave the castle...

[Benedict]

Ruthard thoroughly searches the room, picking up a forgotten rosary. That priest was really here.

With no time to lose the albino exits the castle posing as one of Siegfried's men. Just when out of sight he discards the tabard and the halberd and reaches for Erich's guards.

"Greetings my friends. It seems our quarry has escaped during that riot. I have secured the services of a bounty hunter to go after the priest. I need to you return in all haste to lord Erich and report to him everything. I will keep three of the horses, they are needed to reach them in time, then return back."

The guards accept the order, saddle their horses and set off, as Ruthard prepares his gear and the three remaining horses. In less than an hour Ruthard locates Kneller.

"The bird has flown from its nest. Time to go after him."

The bounty hunter nods in agreement, and the two men trot to the north east side of the castle, but well out of sight from the guards.

They both dismount and start searching the scene. Ruthard finds some horse-tracks. "Strange" exclaims the bounty hunter "it seems there are two of them riding a single horse".

Twinscars mentally scouts the area as to the best possible route taken by the fleeing priest. They head off into the woods, continuing north by north-east.

Not an hour passes and Kneller waves to Ruthard to be silent then points forward. The albino sees two figures on a horse. A smile breaks his face, as they methodically approach without alerting their targets.

[Korbel]

The fleeing men are about two hundred yards ahead, just leaving the forested area. But as the river bars their way, they turn north, to reach a wooden bridge there and cross the water. Ruthard and Kneller are just about to adjust their path and close the distance, when...

Oh shit, shit, shit... - the bounty hunter curses under his nose. We have company.

From the opposite direction on the road, a small armed group is approaching. They have spotted Ruthard and Twinscars already and aware of their presence, head to meet them, following the signals of their broad-shouldered apparent leader. And their white cloaks with black crosses leave no questions - Teutons!

Ruthard doesn't waste his time, he relocates to a spot confined by two massive trees and heavy overgrowth, where only person could possibly charge them - and is waiting for the arrival of the Brothers.

- God bless you, travelers, and bless our meeting! - the man looking like a leader of the group halts a few yards from Ruthard and makes the sign of the cross, followed by his companions. I recognize you, I've seen you during the feast yesterday... shame we didn't have the time to speak. What are you doing here?

[Benedict]

"Well met good knight. My name is Ruthard Adler, former captain of the White Company. My companion here is Johann Kneller. I'm on a mission for my Lord Erich Abitz."

"I know, I remember you captain" responds the knight with a deep voice "you were to deliver a mesasge to your Lord... It seems you have strayed from your path. His domain lies in the opposite direction."

"You are correct. It's because there has been foul play Lord Siegfried. You see, he has imprisoned Archbishop Paul in his castle tower. By chance I discovered the fact and set off to report to my Lord. Siegfried's men cut us off i an attempt to hide his vile act. So we moved in the opposite direction to shake them off..."

The knight cuts the albino short.
"These are grave accusations captain.Are you sure it is like you say?"

Ruthard eyes the knight sternly.
"I am fully aware of the severity of my accusation. This is my proof." and gives him the discarded rosary. The man inspects the piece and gives it to his priest companion., while Ruthard continues his speech.

"Not only Siegfied abducted the archbishop, he even hired meister Kneller to locate archbishop Paul. A commision made in public in his court with numerous witnesses to it. Yourself included. When I got proof of this duplicity and alerted meister Kneller of Siegfried's duplicity he tried to have us arrested."

The priest exclaims with a shocked tone.
"He speaks the truth! Only an archbishop would own such a relic!"

The other two knights start to mumble. One of the men asks.
"What are we to do sir?"
"We need to report back to headquarters."
"And what of those two?"

Ruthard shoots a stern glance to the man.
"And I have to report back to my Lord."

The leading knight responds.
"No, we will escort you to our headquarters east from here. From there you can continue your journey to your Lord's domain, without fear of been intercepted."

Ruthard stays composed.
"I am sorry but I have to decline your offer. You see, there are four of us. We split up to confuse our pursuers. The fools took the bait and should be lost somewhere west in these woods. My men must be north from this place. I must first locate them."

"But we need you witness captain. And we should be swift about it."

"You are correct. That's why you must set immediatelly for your stronghold and inform your superiors. And I must locate my men as soon as possible, then report to my Lord. Doing otherwise will give Siegfried enough time to hide in his castle and will divide our forces. Better take him from the south and east in a combined effort."

"That sounds reasonable."
"Trust me, I know my duties. When the time comes I will step up to it."
"You are right. Let's not waste more time."
"Till we meet again. God speed good knight."
"Gott mit uns!" and they turn around to leave.

After the knights leave Johann starts speaking.
"Hey, Adler... You sure its the best idea to let them go?"
"Would you rather tell them we are after the archbishop? These fanatics would drag us to their fort in chains and flog us for that. We have to locate the priest fast, then flee to safety."
"Safety? Lord Erich is hardly a lord. Yes, he bears the title. But he lacks the castle and the manpower. Things will get nasty and they will get you you fool. And they are gonna get me too... We need to stop them before they report back and we have the whole Order on our heels!"
"That leaves us one option Kneller. Murder. I thought you weren't keen about murdering people... But you are right. If we don't stop them now we will suffer greatly. It's us or them."

A short pause.
"Us or them..." says Twinscars with a thoghtful look.