136: The Proposal

When Blume came back she took a closer look at Luciana and spotted that she wore a pendant that might be in honour of Solkan, the god of vengeance and justice, and decided that Luciana’s anger suited that of the angry god.

Erina told Greta what she had learned about Fassbinder, and they decided to keep an eye on her, and as Fred was already keeping an eye on her, she was being well observed. Erina said that he had mentioned that we would be travelling south, and Greta said that Volkmar had said the same thing to her.

Baron Heinrich was talking to Graf Holzkrug and Blume sidled over to catch what they were saying. Sometimes her plainness is an asset. She had been trying to make the baron notice her since they had first met, but she was beneath him, and Holzkrug didn’t take any notice of her either.

Holzkrug said, tensions between Ostland and Talabecland has been simmering for generations, and had more to do with control of Ostland’s forests than the death of Crown Prince Hergard and that Heinrich shouldn’t blame himself. The baron said he didn’t blame himself as he had done all he could. And then Holzkrug mentioned ‘Nastassia’ being the baron’s spy, which made Blume think that she might be the person he had mentioned as gathering intelligence on her and KITUM.

But the baron said, ‘My mind must be getting as foggy as Altdorf. I haven’t a clue who you are talking about.’ And Holzkrug said, ‘Well, if you did you could tell her the Black Chamber always has an opening.’ But I don’t think any of us knows what the Black Chamber is.

So, Blume decided to butt in and told them that she knew a Nastassia from Altdorf, and asked whether it could be the same person. And then she told them she was in KITUM, a secret spy army in Middenheim. I am not familiar with the clandestine machinations of the umgi, and they are certainly more prone to scheming and secrecy than us more straight forward dwarfs. But I am pretty sure it is not typical of them to tell everyone if they are in a secret organisation.

And then she told Holzkrug about her mission to Karak Skygg and her ride in the dirigible. And all the time the baron was looking annoyed, but it seemed that he wasn’t able to stop Blume from blabbing, or it would just lend credence to her story. And in the end he was looking so uncomfortable Blume insisted he should come round to hers for some soothing tea, and he just walked off.

And Blume was left talking to Holzkrug and he seemed to be interested in her, and asked her about herself, but she said she was more interested in hearing about him. And after some small talk Blume asked him who Nastassia was. And Holzkrug said he didn’t know who she was talking about.

Later, Holzkrug was talking to Emmiline von Kaerzburdger and Erina was listening. He said that the Kaerzburdger name rang a bell, which was obviously a ploy. It looked like Holzkrug was putting her family down, by pretending not to have heard of them. But Emmiline admitted that her family name had not been great since the great war. And Holzkrug said that war could make the name great again. But Emmiline said she hoped it wouldn’t come to that.

Then Fred asked Emmiline about the picket and whether she had been relieved of that command. Emmiline said that she was back here reporting to the graf about the battle at Brass Keep and the disease that was visiting the picket. And he asked about Guido.

Fred asked whether she thought there was going to be war, and Emmiline said it could be close. Fred suggested that the rat men threat was a bigger threat to the Empire. And Emmiline said that she thought he had blown up the mountain. But Fred said, you know what rats are like.

Blume came to find me, which wasn’t hard because I was just stood in the corner trying to drink the terrible beer. And she told me that that she feared she had messed up talking to Bettie. And she gave me a crown and told me to give it to her, for whatever information she had. I am not sure she had any information, but I agreed.

Meanwhile Fred was listening to Holzkrug talking to Veiran. Veiran said that he had heard that Holzkrug opposed the motion to seize Ubersreik. Holzkrug said he always stood by his emperor but Veiran said that he had heard that he had privately objected. And Holzkrug said that perhaps he had. He said the emperor and his uncle were convinced that the Jungfreuds were swelling their retinues in preparation for a rebellion. They never let me review the evidence that led them to this conclusion.

But Veiran asked whether, since the takeover of Ubersreik any evidence of rebellion has come to light?’ And Holzkrug said, ‘No. On the contrary! It appears the Jungfreuds had done nothing untoward. By the Hammer! They were loyal! There are those at the palace who refuse to believe it yet,’ and then he got very angry and shouted, ‘but the Jungfreuds were loyal and the takeover has been an incalculable blunder.

I saw the High Capitular was free for a moment, and I thought it would only be polite to explain my lineage briefly to him, so I introduced myself as Hetri Aronsdottir daughter of Baragor Grundisdottir of Zhufbar, apprentice of the Engineers’ Guild, daughter of Grundi Baragorsdottir, who reforged the cracked cannon Grudgefire and returned it to the western wall, daughter of Baraga Stonehand, who slew three grobi in the drainage tunnels with nothing but a smith’s hammer, daughter of Durga Ironbraid, who forged a matched brace of pistols for the engineers during the Winter Powder Riots, daughter of Kazrika Blackmantle, who stood watch upon the western rampart for nine nights during the greenskin incursion, daughter of Thorina Coppervein, who discovered a rich copper seam beneath the lower foundries, daughter of Bora Anvilmark, who crafted the iron hinges of the Old Powder Gate that still bear her maker’s rune, daughter of Kadrina Oathkeeper, who carried a grudge to Karak Kadrin and returned with it settled in blood, daughter of Hargina Stonefist, who crushed a raki tunneller discovered gnawing at the mine supports, daughter of Durika Forgewarden, who oversaw the casting of thirty cannons for Zhufbar’s walls, daughter of Barundina Greybeard, who fought beside the engineers when Skaven burst from the aqueduct tunnels, daughter of Kazadora Flintbeard, who lit the beacon-fires warning Zhufbar of an approaching greenskin horde, daughter of Thraina Goldthumb, who carved runes of accuracy into the clan’s first swivel gun, daughter of Brokka Ironmantle, who sealed a tunnel collapse and saved a hundred miners from the deep, daughter of Dorika Longledger, who recorded three centuries of grudges in the clan’s great book, daughter of Kazrika Deepdelver, who drove a new mine shaft deeper than any of her kin before her, daughter of Urika Anvilborn, who forged the first warhammer carried by the clan in battle, daughter of Bromnira Firebeard, who survived a furnace explosion and rebuilt the foundry herself, daughter of Grundina Barrelmaker, who crafted powder casks used in the defence of the lower gates, daughter of Dwalina Runechisel, who carved warding runes into the gateposts of the eastern tunnel road, daughter of Morgrima Shieldthane, who held a tunnel against Skaven for six hours until relief arrived, daughter of Thorgina Blackpick, who first claimed the clan’s ancestral mining rights beneath Zhufbar’s iron quarter.

The High Capitular listened to my words and afterwards thanked me, and seemed to approve. I think it was the first interesting thing he had heard all day. And he replied in Khazalid. I have heard a few umgi talk with a smattering of my language, and with a thick accent, but the High Capitular’s Khazalid was almost perfect. I told him that if there was anything I could do for him, I would. And he thought for a moment, but then simply thanked me.

Meanwhile Fred was with Veiran and Graf Boris. Veiran said that if we were concerned about sending the right message, we could dig the old Carroburg colours out of the vaults. Boris said that would be an excellent idea. Veiran said he’d send Sergeant Hortiz for it before we leave. But Boris told the preceptor to do it himself as he wouldn’t want word of it reaching the wrong ears. Fred knew that this referred to a standard from the historical battle for Carroburg which was captured from the Sigmarite army by Ulricans. And he decided that although it sounded controversial, it could be a decent peace offering, if done properly.

Greta introduced herself to Holzkrug, as a member of a minor branch of the Thulenburg family. And she asked him what he thought of rat men. This immediately took him aback, and Greta went on about finding hundreds of them in Karak Skygg, and how advanced they were, and how their threat was being covered up. The graf clearly didn’t want to even think about this, and rushed off for a drink.

Blume was hanging around near Baron Heinrich and heard him chatting to Baron Ewald von Laue. They were talking about the Nikses, and the Gaussers, the two most powerful families in Nordland. But in the end, Blume decided that Ewald was just toadying to Heinrich and just telling him what he thought he wanted to hear.

And then the High Capitular stepped forward and addressed the room. He said, ‘My lords and ladies, now we are introduced I shall deliver my message. His high holiness the Grand Theogonist travels to the Shrine of the Shining Rock, symbol of unity and hope. He beseeches you, Ar-Ulric Emil Valgeir, to meet him, clasp hands in respect and vow to uphold the integrity of our Empire. And to say aloud that the heresy is a lie.’

But Ar-Ulric replied that his god was not a god of peace. ‘Nor mine,’ the High Capitular replied. ‘And if we can stand united against our enemies then our enemies have true cause for woe.’

People in the room seemed rather humbled by the High Capitular’s words, even Ar-Ulric brooded in silence. ‘Furthermore,’ said the High Capitular, ‘Crown Prince Wolfgang Holswig-Abenhauer extends his hand in marriage to Katarina Todbringer, daughter of the Graf of Middenheim. Now you will excuse me, I have a long journey to Shining Rock ahead. Send your answer before I leave in the morning.’

Then he made his way out of the ballroom and the rest of the Altdorf contingent followed him. On the way out, we heard Zuntermein talking to Fassbinder. He asked who we were and said that the Black Chamber had files on everyone in the court. Fassbinder told him that we were just adventurers who had earned the graf’s trust.

And when they had gone the graf asked us our opinion. Greta told him that she didn’t think the delegates were top tier, and Erina wondered why they had sent an expert on cults. I pointed out that the High Capitular was a traditionalist. Fred mentioned Holzkrug’s concern with Ubersreik.

And then he asked us to leave while he spoke to Katarina, and we were reminded that the High Capitular had just demanded that she marry the crown prince. Blume had heard rumours that he was a werewolf, but she did well not to mention this until we had left the room.

We retired to Wasmeier’s old office. Erina asked Blume what she had said to Fassbinder and asked if she had mentioned KITUM. Blume said she hadn’t and said he had thought she was Kastelle Lieberung, which suggested he might be Purple Hand. Greta decided she needed to make a report for the High Inquisitor. And we wondered about Heinrich’s spy and decided that Holzkrug mentioning Nastassia meant it could well be her.

When we returned to the ballroom, we were invited to travel to Shining Rock, as predicted by the Altdorf delegates. Erina told Katarina that she had heard that the crown prince was a werewolf, but Katarina did not find that at all funny.

We were told to be ready to leave first thing in the morning, so after all our travails I think it would have been sensible to retire to Hausnung for a good night’s sleep. But instead, Blume insisted we all go for a night out at the Heaven’s Lament.

This was a club where Blume was a member, but apparently, one of the rooms had a secret exit which led to tunnels infested with raki. Blume was upset to learn that her favourite bouncer was no longer employed there. And she noticed that people weren’t pleased to see her, and there was some disgruntlement at our presence.

Greta suggested we go elsewhere, but Blume insisted we stay. She said it was good to have people talking about you, even if they were saying bad things. And we got the gist that people were saying that we were Sigmarite sympathisers, even though Greta had made an effort to play down the fanatical Sigmarite look. And after Blume went on loudly about how she gets Ulric, especially as furs were in this season and she boasted of saving the Bettie from the cruel Altdorfers, the place relaxed a bit.

And as we headed off to bed, I noticed I still had the crown that Blume had given me, and had completely forgotten to give it to Bettie. But then that was all I did have to my name. Fred said that he could get me kitted out from the watch’s armoury in the morning. That will be better than nothing, but umgi equipment is extremely shoddy, and I was glad that at least I had picked up that dwarf-made axe in Karak Skygg.