Bad Blood Runs Black - chapter eighteen

Bad Blood Runs Black - chapter 18 by John "Basileus Ioannis"

*** Quick recap: Pana, Haergrim and Chawinda sneak into the Pippenstock compound, and uncover a plot to have the High Porte of the Elfin nation conquer Hannetzbirg and Blackstone, allowing Sybille and Erick von Pippenstock to become vice-regents! The trio are attacked by ‘the bruiser’, a huge bugbear guard...Chawinda kills ‘the bruiser’, but runs into an old acquaintance, Sialkot the drow thief/assassin. Haergrim sacrifices himself to allow Pana and Chawinda to escape. We also find out that Haergrim is actually a high-ranking member of the High Porte of the elves. ***

By dawn, Pana had gone to the Schloss and talked with her mother Lilde, the Grand Duchess, who immediately sent the Watch and a contingent of guards with war mages to the Pippenstock estate. But the Pippenstocks had fled the capital, taking all their guards and several servants with them...the remaining servants were quite surprised to see the troops, and could contribute little as to where the siblings went.

More soldiers were dispatched to the fly-propulsion plant, to secure the facility...but the clerics required to produce the giant flies were also gone. Replacement clerics from Grusskirche took over, but it would take a while for them to figure out the process.

Lilde prepared a dispatch for her husband, and handed it to the castellan. “Dieter, I need this sent to Loewenherz on the very next Luftschiffe...it is urgent!”

“Right away, milady,” said Dieter, and ran down the hall to the staircase, putting the sealed scroll in a leather pouch. He flew down the stairs, and went out the side door leading to the parade ground, where a Luftschiff was preparing to depart. He reached it just as it unmoored from the tower, and beat on the windows on the gondola. One of them opened, and he thrust the pouch to a waiting hand. “Dispatch to the Grand Duke, it is urgent!”

“Right,” said a crewman inside the gondola, and closed the window. The guide lines were retracted into the Luftschiff as it drifted upwards, the wind carrying it backwards over the canal. The multitude of fly-propulsion pods burst to life with a droning buzz, and the grey sausage climbed away to the north along the canal. Several hundred yards into its ascent, a side window on the gondola cracked open, and a scroll was tossed out the window over the canal.

The wind caught the scroll as it drifted toward the water...and it landed on the roof of a house on the far side of the canal. It hung there for a moment, before rolling off the roof and landing on a bush in the yard. A halfling gardener tending the yard saw it, and picked it up. Seeing the wax seal of the Grand Duchy, he peered up to the sky, and saw the Luftschiff in the distance, climbing into the clouds.

Pana, her sister Gemma, and her mother Lilde were conferring with several military, warmage and clerical leaders in the library when a guard came running in and saluted. “Milady, the Watch just delivered this scroll...it has your seal on it...a gardener across the canal said it appeared to have been dropped by a passing Luftschiff.” The guard handed it to the castellan Dieter, who recognized it.

“Why, that’s your dispatch to the Grand Duke I handed to the Luftschiff crew!” he exclaimed. “But I placed it in a pouch, and made sure to hand deliver the pouch to a crewman, who took it and closed the window. There is no way it could have just fallen out, without the pouch!”

Lilde did not raise an eyebrow. “I had assumed as much...the von Pippenstocks have a lot of influence among the Luftschiffenamt, they must have been influenced to intercept this warning to the Grand Duke. That is why I have summoned you, Count and Baron.”

Count Zigfrid von Lichthafen sat in a chair around the table, and to his right sat the Baron Munfrid von Lichthafen, resplendent in his red plate armor. They bowed their heads, and the Count began, “Indeed milady...while I will conduct a thorough investigation into weeding out the von Pippenstock influence within the Luftschiffenamt, my son and his Fliegewaffenamt are at your disposal to deliver this dispatch to the Grand Duke, and to fly over the Lothengar mountains to look out for any incursions.”

Munfrid beamed, “Yes your ladyship, the Fliegewaffenamt is in a position to finally replace the Luftschiffenamt as the primary aerial combat force of Hannetzbirg. We have developed a new, larger Fliegezeug with much improved range...with additional sugarwater tankage, it should be able to reach the front from the capital in but a day. I will personally fly this dispatch to the Grand Duke!”

“Very well, Baron, I entrust this urgent message to your care. Make haste!” Dieter found another leather pouch, and put the scroll in it, handing it to the Baron. Munfrid stood up and saluted Lilde, and bowed his head. He took the pouch, and turned on his heels and clanked out of the room.

After the Count was excused, Lilde turned to the remaining advisors. “While I have no reason to doubt Baron von Lichthafen’s veracity, since he has loyally served Hannetzbirg for almost a generation, and his father the Count for two score years, we must take certain precautions considering the insidious influence the von Pippenstocks have on our society. Therefore, I would like to send a duplicate message magically. Master von Hemstedt, I would like you to deliver this duplicate message to the front using your channels.” She handed another scroll, unsealed, to an elderly mage with a long white beard in a golden robe.

“You are a wise leader, madame, and you flatter us of the Academy of War Mages with this responsibility. I will see to it at once, milady.” The wizened old man rose, using his staff for support, bowed to the Grand Duchess, and left the library. Now only two advisors in plate armor remained, one being a horse rider and the other the Matriarch of Grusskirche.

“Now Sir Jurgen and Matriarch Sophia...I understand where your allegiances lie. I do not question the loyalty of the Riders, for after all you chose my husband, Loewenherz, to be your Grand Duke. The Church...I understand that Benevolencia was acting alone in the coup attempt three years ago, and both of my daughters are entrusted to your tutelage. Stengal von Pippenstock may have been a tool for the former Matriarch’s machinations, but the current insurrection is centered on the von Pippenstocks, and they are a House of mages. They have a lot of influence amongst the war mages as well as the Luftschiffenamt, therefore I do not know how much we can rely on the Academy. I trust both of you implicitly. Therefore, I ask you, Sir Jurgen, to have your men take this duplicate copy of the dispatch to the Grand Duke, while we prepare ourselves for both the invasion from the east, and for the contingency of the loss of the Academy’s services.” Both Jurgen and Sophia nodded their assent.

“Milady, I will have my most trusted Contubernium deliver the missive by horse. Between the Watch and the military garrison, we can muster close to a Legion immediately, to defend the city and your family as required. We have already sent patrols to the Lothengar range to scout for the enemy...we should have a preliminary report by sundown.” The Grand Duchess nodded, handing another scroll to Dieter, who placed it into another leather pouch and handed it to Sir Jurgen.

“I will ensure that our clerics are ready to defend our realm against both magical and martial attack. We can call upon at least a thousand priests, two hundred high priests, and my personal staff, not including reinforcements from outlying communities. We will not let you down.” Lilde reached out and touched Sophia’s hand and smiled.

Both Sir Jurgen and Matriarch Sophia stood, and bowed. Lilde also stood, and nodded. The two advisors left the room, leaving Pana, Gemma, and Dieter alone.

“Pana, Gemma, I want you to continue training for war with your mentors. Dieter, we will have to make further preparations, stay here a moment longer. Pana, let me speak with you before you leave.”

Mother and daughter stepped out into the corridor for privacy. “Pana, my dear daughter, be strong. Haergrim was a good friend of this family, for at least three generations. He was not found when the Watch raided the estate...they must have taken him with them. That is a good sign, dear...they probably did not kill him, especially if he was a valuable member of the Porte. But without knowing where they took him, there will be little we can do to effect a rescue.”

A tear rolled down Pana’s cheek, but she brushed it away and sniffed. “I know Mother...I just feel...awful...responsible...”

“No dear...if he wasn’t with you and your drow friend, you might not have made it out yourselves...and had you not gone, we would not have found out about this conspiracy and the immediate danger it poses.”

“Yes Mother...you’re right...”

Lilde held Pana tightly. “You did the right thing...now, you must prepare for the new threat that is to come. I want you and Gemma to be as ready as you can be...and remember, we may not be able to trust the Academy of Mages. I only hope your father gets the message...now off you go. Be careful.”

Pana nodded, and went upstairs to change into her armor. She was impressed by Mutti’s resolve. She was certainly not the broken woman she was three years ago, when she had been told Vati was dead. Mutti radiated control...she wasn’t just her and Gemma’s mother, she was the mother of Hannetzbirg.

“Your armor, mistress.” Greta was already in her room, ready to help Pana don her armor. As she dressed, Pana saw her black leathers laying on her bed...a flood of memories came back of the night before. “I will have your suit cleaned and folded, and put in your dresser drawer,” said Greta, noticing Pana’s gaze. Pana turned and smiled at her attendant, then went off to Grusskirche.

As she walked out into the morning sun in the forum, she didn’t even notice the lecherous merchant. Instead, a shadowy figure was suddenly walking next to her. “Going off to training, missy?” asked Chawinda. Pana looked at the hooded drow, and realized she was wearing a bronze mask with smoky quartz lenses over her eyeholes...she had forgotten that the drow tend to shun sunlight, and Chawinda was risking her health for her.

“Yes, I should be in there until sundown...I’ll be safe, thanks Chawinda.”

“Good, ‘cause I need to get some sleep too.” Pana imagined the toothy grin under her mask.

Pana reached the cathedral door, and opened it. She turned to say goodbye to Chawinda, but the drow was already gone. She smiled, remembering how she comforted her in her abode. “It’s gonna be alright, missy...I’ll protect you.” Despite the loss of her shadow Haergrim, Pana felt good that Chawinda was filling his big shoes in his absence.

A month went by without any sign of the elven invasion...daily patrols had reported no activity along the mountain passes. The internal investigations found several people with ties to the von Pippenstocks, and through magical means, found a few loyal to the siblings. But the Academy of War Mages showed no signs of disloyal actions...as a matter of fact, compared to the buzz of activity among the Watch, Army riders, and the Church, the Academy was surprisingly quiet.

Grand Duke Loewenherz and his retinue came riding into the capital to much celebration. He warmly greeted his family. “My darling wife and daughters...I am so proud of you for discovering the conspiracy and making preparations. Baron Munfrid von Lichthafen delivered your warning message, and I immediately sent a parley party to the Blackstonians to call for an armistice until this situation to our east was cleared up. As we separated our combatants, and I was about to leave my field headquarters, Sir Jurgen delivered the duplicate copy by horse. I’m glad you had the foresight to send it.”

“My husband, it is good to see you safe...and yes, I had sent the first missive via Luftschiff, but sympathizers to the von Pippenstocks intercepted it. I also ordered the Academy of War Mages to send you the message via magical communications...did you not hear from them?”

Loewenherz frowned. “No, dear, the mages did not tell me anything. By the time I received Sir Jurgen’s duplicate message, I concluded that you had indeed used the mages for immediate delivery, and it must have been intercepted. So it looks like the conspirators’ influence on the Academy runs deep...that will prove troublesome should the High Porte actually invade...”

The Grand Duke himself had no news of developments east of the Lothengar range, and the Blackstonians, even if they knew something, had told him nothing during the parley. An uneasy ceasefire settled along the frontier between the two belligerents, as all eyes turned east...

During the month, Baron Munfrid had a new facility built near the capital for his Fliegezeugen, at the village of Vittburg. Further facilities were built closer to the northern and eastern borders, to allow his new craft to take over aerial patrol duties from the obsolete Luftschiffen, which were relegated more and more to transport duties. The older, shorter-ranged Fliegezeugen continued to operate in the Luftschiff-borne mobile interceptor role closer to the front, operating when overcast conditions allowed the gasbags to operate within the safety of cloud cover. When Vittburg became operational, several Staffeln of ten Fliegezeugen each overflew the capital amid much cheering, and to the chagrin of the Luftschiffen crews. They were forced to cooperate under Count Zigfrid von Lichthafen’s auspices, but animosity between the two continued to fester, threatening unity of Hannetzbirg’s aerial forces.

The Army sent investigators to the Academy of War Mages to inquire about the lost message to the Grand Duke, but were politely rebuffed. Further visits proved fruitless, so Loewenherz himself decided to pay Master von Hemstedt a visit. A Banda of over thirty armored cavalry escorted the Grand Duke, but they were not permitted to enter the Academy grounds. Incensed, Loewenherz demanded the Master come forth and answer for this affront, but he was told politely that the Master was indisposed.

One does not deny the rightfully selected Grand Duke of the realm without consequences...and thus Loewenherz returned the next day with three Bandon of heavy horse and a contingent of priests from Grusskirche, including the Matriarch and several high priests. Just before arriving at the Academy, he had the high priests cast magical buffs on the mounted men. Again the gates refused to open for them.

Matriarch Sophia sensed the magical protections placed on the gates, “Milord, the portal is warded. Shall I remove the wards?”

“Yes, do it,” said Loewenherz as he turned to his troops. “Abteilung, prepare to charge the gates!”

The Matriarch cast Dispel Magic on the portal, and the Grand Duke waved his arm in the air. Ten horsemen charged at the gate, as the gate guards were seen fleeing the walls. Ten pairs of hooves turned the wooden doors into kindling, as one Banda after the other poured in through the gates. The horsemen surrounded the campus, as Loewenherz prepared to dismount to enter the main building.

Suddenly the main doors of the Academy flew open, and a huge gauntlet nearly filling the substantial doorway flew out and hit the first rank of troops climbing the steps, sending horses and men flying through the air like rag dolls. Lances stabbed at the Bigby’s Clenched Fist, while the Matriarch Sophia and her retinue cast Sanctuary and dismounted, running past the massive disembodied gauntlet. Loewenherz and his bodyguards joined the fight, and the giant fist dissipated into nothingness. The Grand Duke led his men into the inner sanctum, and found a bright, rainbow-colored glowing wall blocking their way. The Matriarch raised a hand to halt the knights, “Careful milord, it’s a Prismatic Wall. Your men should avert their eyes, lest they go blind.”

“Can you Dispel it?”

“No, milord...we will need mages to negate it in a specific order...after they cast their spells, we can finish the job.”

Suddenly a mage in gold robes appeared from an alcove...the Grand Duke’s bodyguards immediately leveled their lances at her, but the mage kneeled and presented open palms in surrender. “Milord, please hold...not all of us mages are in league with the Master, von Hemstedt. We will gladly lend our spells to bring down that Prismatic Wall, to prove our fealty to you and to Hannetzbirg.”

Loewenherz called off his guards, but they remained wary as several mages in gold robes joined the first. The female mage continued, “The Matriarch is correct...to negate this Wall, mage spells must be cast in a specific sequence. We will do this now, at your leave.” The Grand Duke nodded, and extended his hand toward the Wall. The gold robed instructors stepped forward, and cast numerous spells at the glowing magic barrier...Cone of Cold...Gust of Wind...Disintegrate...Passwall...Magic Missile. At this point, high priests stepped forward to cast Continual Light and Dispel Magic, and with an audible POP, the barrier disappeared. “The Master’s chambers lie beyond...we will lead the way.”

With the instructor mages leading the way, clerics immediately behind, and the knights bringing up the rear, Loewenherz entered the traitorous Master’s quarters. They found von Hemstedt in the far end of a vast chamber, preparing to walk through a magic portal with his spellbooks under his arms. As he saw the intruders, he cursed, dropped his spellbooks, and prepared to cast a spell. The knights loosed a volley of arrows at the archmage, but they hit thin air and clattered to the floor...he had buffed himself against missiles. Matriarch Sophia was quick...she cast Earthquake centered under the magic portal. The entire end of the chamber shook mightily, upsetting bookcases and sending objects on von Hemstedt’s desk spilling onto the floor. The archmage fell down and hit his head hard. The portal’s brass frame tumbled over, and a large stone slab from the ceiling fell on it. Mages and priests quickly cast debuff spells on the unconscious archmage, and he was soon bound and gagged by the knights.

Outside in the sunlight, the bound Master of the War Mage Academy was joined by several lower-ranking compatriots...the loyalist mages made sure they were debuffed and secured for the troops to escort away. Loewenthal turned to the female instructor mage that had helped subdue von Hemstedt. “Well, it looks like we will need a new Master to run my Academy...what is your name, wizardess?”

By sundown, the victorious Grand Duke and his troops had returned to Schloss Jettingen with the traitorous mages in tow. The prisoners were placed in the dungeon to await trial, with an anti-magic shell placed in the cells just in case. Pana and Gemma came home to find their home filled to capacity with celebrating troops and clerics.

“Wow, what’s the occasion?” asked Pana.

Dieter the castellan greeted the Jettingen daughters. “Oh mistress, it was glorious...your father the Grand Duke led our forces against the traitor, former Master of the Warmage Academy, and put down his insurrection! The evil-doers are now in the dungeon below, and the Academy is now in loyalist hands! It is a glorious day!”

Suddenly Baron Munfrid came running in through the side door, having managed to land his Fliegezeug on the relatively short parade ground...he had a wild look in his eyes, as he yelled, “THE ELVES COME! GRAND DUKE, THE ARMY OF THE HIGH PORTE HAVE CROSSED THE MOUNTAINS!”

--- to be continued ---