Chapter 1

 

        As the night neared its darkest hour, Rudolf, Baron of Holzstadt, remained wide awake as he looked over the castle flower garden. His gaze was not to observe the garden’s beauty, he only needed an object to direct his eyes toward as he lost himself deep in unrelated thought. The garden’s roses were simply the only thing the moon had illuminated beyond the reach of his candlelight. On his mind were many matters, though ultimately matters of little matter. After all, he was only a mere baron. Despite his power over the people of Holzstadt, Rudolf yearned for something greater, something he simply couldn’t have in the strict hierarchy of Avaria. Not only was Holzstadt quite the small barony, but Rudolf himself was quite the young nobleman, being only twenty years of age as the sole patriarch of his land. Avaria wasn’t like the other feudal kingdoms of the time. No baron or count, no matter how loyal his men, could challenge Willem. In fact, it would be blasphemous to do so. Wishing to be as great as King Willem was like wishing to ascend to godhood, and Rudolf was dreadfully aware of his limits.

Rudolf’s gaze was brought away from the roses as the marching of horses sounded from his left in the distance. Though he would never admit it, the sound did catch him off guard, and he nearly began to reach for his sword before realizing any guest must have already been admitted by his guards patrolling the castle walls.

It wasn’t long before the horseman, or rather horsemen, had come into clear view. It was two knights, each clothed in glistening chainmail. They stopped and dismounted their horses just by the garden, about fifteen feet away from Rudolf.

“What brings you here at this hour?” Rudolf asked, “It’s not typical for me to see guests this late into the night.”

“Good evening, my lord,” the closest of the two men said, “We bring word from Count Dietrich. It is regrettable news, but urgent nonetheless.”

As he came closer to Rudolf, it became apparent that he was holding a letter in his hand. It was written by the Count himself and was inscribed with his official seal, though that was really all Rudolf could make of it in the darkness.

“I’m sorry, could you tell me what this says?” Rudolf said, squinting, “It seems my eyes are getting tired.”

“Of course, my lord,” the knight replied, his companion continuing to stand silently behind him, “You and all of the other barons under Isenburg, as well as Lord Dietrich himself,  have been called to send your men to the County of Rheinmark, as it’s been invaded by Alemannia from the west. We are told that all of Rheinmark’s forces have already been depleted.”

“Alemannia?” Rudolf exclaimed, “Who the hell does Étienne think he is stepping into our holy land?”

“Reports say King Étienne has somehow found access to magic,” the knight said before stopping himself, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t repeat such rumors.”

“No,” Rudolf interjected, “It is important to consider even the most bizarre possibilities in a crisis such as this.”

As he held the candlelight closer to the knight, Rudolf began to make out his physical features with greater detail. The knight had a tall, imposing figure, with light hair, short but still unkempt. His face was marked with a light stubble, giving him a mature appearance. With Rudolf leading such a comfortable and sedentary life, he often found himself somewhat intimidated by knights his age, but there was more than that to this man that piqued his interest.

“So you report directly to Dietrich, eh?” he asked, “Don’t tell me, are you Sir Bernhart?”

“Simply Bernhart, my lord,” the man replied quickly, “I am no knight, only a professional soldier. Sir Canagan beside me here is a knight, however.”

“A professional,” Rudolf said, disregarding the newly introduced Canagan, “If what I’ve heard of you is true, I can see why Dietrich would hire someone like yourself despite your low background.”

“Thank you, my lord,” Bernhart said, likely unprepared to receive so much praise in this moment, “But I digress, please read the contents of Lord Dietrich’s letter when it’s light enough to do so. Willem has ordered your men begin the trek to Rhienmark the morning after tomorrow. Myself and Sir Canagan will remain in Holzstadt until then to escort them.”

“I see,” Rudolf replied, folding the letter and fitting it in his pocket, “Very well then, I’ll have my men ready in no time at all, Bernhart.”

“Thank you, my lord,” Bernhart said again, “We will see you when the time comes.”

“Get some rest in the meantime,” Rudolf said, “I feel sorry you have to find me so late. I should probably head to my chambers as well.”

“Good night, my lord.”

Rudolf raised his hand goodbye as he turned away toward the door inside. The sound of Bernhart and Canagan’s horses trotting grew quieter and quieter until the night was just as calm as it was before. Though he figured it would be best to get some sleep, rest wouldn’t come so easy on a night like this, as his mind began to wander once again. In all of Rudolf’s life as an Avarian noble, not one foreign entity had dared to attack the kingdom. As unbelievable as it may have sounded, Alemannia discovering magic was really the only explanation as to why Étienne would have thought it wise to invade. 

However, as much as it was an explanation, it was also a conclusion that questioned everything the Avarians knew of their country, although Rudolf was no typical Avarian. What would the commonfolk do if they had learned the truth? he thought as he scaled the stone steps to his room.

It was the answer to this question that would define the remainder of the baron’s life.