When Ilse knocked and then entered General Wurst’s study, Major Von Barner was shocked, was this smart young lady his daughter? It was quite a transformation.
The General responded before he could “Fraulein Von Barner, I’m glad to see my wife could find some suitable apparel for you and I must say it is more than suitable in my opinion”
“Thank you General, but I must say, I am puzzled by all this attention”
“Well I must let the Baron reveal what he might wish you to do for the Freistadt”
It was only a ten minute walk to the Baron Wilhelm’s residence in Pappenheim, but it took nearly a half hour to traverse the roads through this fashionable part of town. This was due to the large numbers of young gentlemen who insisted on stopping and passing the time of day.
Looking at his daughter as she responded to yet another gentleman passing the time of day the Major realised that she could be very attractive and yet dangerous as the highwaymen had discovered.
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
Friday, 24 February 2012
Smartened up
No sooner than they had stepped through the door of General Wurst’s house than Frau Wurst was there to greet them.
“Welcome Major, I see the problem, now young lady if you will accompany me”
“Father” queried Ilse
“We are going to meet the Baron and you have to be presentable, now go along with Frau Wurst and she will do the best she can in the limited time we can spare, I’ll be in the study with the General”
Having ascended to a bedroom, Frau Wurst looked Ilse up and down “ I don’t know if I can manage in the time. Now girl, don’t looked so frightened, just get out of those things, as you just look like a maid”
“But it was the best I had at the time”
“Of course, but now, give yourself a quick wash, while I find something suitable from my daughter’s clothes. Martha, where’s the hot water?”
“Coming Marm, have you heard the excitement about the highwaymen attempting to rob the Welle post-coach?”
“No! What happened?”
“Well they shot the guard, then this girl! Can you believe it! She took his place and killed lots of them”
“I only killed one!” exclaimed Ilse to their surprise. “and killed a horse….and knocked another off his horse”
“Well no wonder you need tidied up” expressed Frau Wurst “Now run along Martha and find a suitable bonnet as I don’t have time to wash and set this young ladies hair”
“Welcome Major, I see the problem, now young lady if you will accompany me”
“Father” queried Ilse
“We are going to meet the Baron and you have to be presentable, now go along with Frau Wurst and she will do the best she can in the limited time we can spare, I’ll be in the study with the General”
Having ascended to a bedroom, Frau Wurst looked Ilse up and down “ I don’t know if I can manage in the time. Now girl, don’t looked so frightened, just get out of those things, as you just look like a maid”
“But it was the best I had at the time”
“Of course, but now, give yourself a quick wash, while I find something suitable from my daughter’s clothes. Martha, where’s the hot water?”
“Coming Marm, have you heard the excitement about the highwaymen attempting to rob the Welle post-coach?”
“No! What happened?”
“Well they shot the guard, then this girl! Can you believe it! She took his place and killed lots of them”
“I only killed one!” exclaimed Ilse to their surprise. “and killed a horse….and knocked another off his horse”
“Well no wonder you need tidied up” expressed Frau Wurst “Now run along Martha and find a suitable bonnet as I don’t have time to wash and set this young ladies hair”
Monday, 20 February 2012
New arrivals in Pappenheim
As the coach swept into the main square in Pappenheim, Ilse was surprised to see a mass of red uniforms. By the time the coach reached the Greyhound Inn, she realised they were from Glowstein and she could see her father waiting for her.
Of course he was shocked as she leapt down from the driving seat and grabbed her bag from the militiamen. “Hello father”
“No time for that, you are late, come with me straight away to General Wurst’s house”
With that they were striding off up the main streets with Ilse given no chance to explain what had happened.
Of course he was shocked as she leapt down from the driving seat and grabbed her bag from the militiamen. “Hello father”
“No time for that, you are late, come with me straight away to General Wurst’s house”
With that they were striding off up the main streets with Ilse given no chance to explain what had happened.
Saturday, 18 February 2012
Highwaymen (3)
As the coach neared Tonclot, the Driver turned to Ilse “could you hold the reins Miss, while I sound the coaching horn”
“No it’s OK, I can sound it what should I play?”
“One long and then two short blasts”
Ilse picked up the horn took a deep breath and sounded a long note, another breath and then two short ones”
“Good Miss, nice and loud, now wait a moment and sound it again”
By the time Tonclot came into view Ilse could see the Militia assembling.
Once they arrived the driver quickly explained what had happened and a couple of riders disappeared up the road to look for the missing Guard and any traces of the highwaymen.
Another rider headed off for Pappenheim with the news and two burley militiamen settled into the carriage with their equipment in case of further trouble. Ilse was glad she had decided to remain on top of the carriage. With another change of horses the coach was off.
Well Miss, if we’re lucky they’ll find Kurt and fix him up. You see he was new to the business and he grabbed the blunderbuss first and fired at too great a range. Now settle back and we’ll soon be in Pappenheim”
“No it’s OK, I can sound it what should I play?”
“One long and then two short blasts”
Ilse picked up the horn took a deep breath and sounded a long note, another breath and then two short ones”
“Good Miss, nice and loud, now wait a moment and sound it again”
By the time Tonclot came into view Ilse could see the Militia assembling.
Once they arrived the driver quickly explained what had happened and a couple of riders disappeared up the road to look for the missing Guard and any traces of the highwaymen.
Another rider headed off for Pappenheim with the news and two burley militiamen settled into the carriage with their equipment in case of further trouble. Ilse was glad she had decided to remain on top of the carriage. With another change of horses the coach was off.
Well Miss, if we’re lucky they’ll find Kurt and fix him up. You see he was new to the business and he grabbed the blunderbuss first and fired at too great a range. Now settle back and we’ll soon be in Pappenheim”
Monday, 13 February 2012
Highwaymen? (2)
“What did you think you were doing Micha?”
“Well you said find out where we were and the simple solution was to ask the wealthy people on the coach”
“You mean your lads wanted a bit of fun, and now one is dead and another has a face covered in bruises, you were lucky you didn’t lose more”
“Sorry Sergei”
“Well we had better find out where we are and head in the right direction before they come looking for you. Did you discover anything at all?”
“No, it was all in that funny writing, but I could draw the words on the coach if it would help”
Studying the drawing Sergei eventually worked it out “Frundsberg Post!, So in avoiding the Prussians we have come to far north. We have to head south, lets go”
“Well you said find out where we were and the simple solution was to ask the wealthy people on the coach”
“You mean your lads wanted a bit of fun, and now one is dead and another has a face covered in bruises, you were lucky you didn’t lose more”
“Sorry Sergei”
“Well we had better find out where we are and head in the right direction before they come looking for you. Did you discover anything at all?”
“No, it was all in that funny writing, but I could draw the words on the coach if it would help”
Studying the drawing Sergei eventually worked it out “Frundsberg Post!, So in avoiding the Prussians we have come to far north. We have to head south, lets go”
Sunday, 12 February 2012
First meeting of the Regents
The three regents and General Von Gessler reconvened in the Morning room with guards posted outside the doors.
“I didn’t think it would come to this” sobbed the Grand-Duchess Mari
a
“Well the Grand-Duke did and that is why we are allied with Prussia and Alsace” expressed the General “We had hoped for a bit more time to get our allies into position, but we still have the advantage of the ground and our fortified cities”
“Is there anything I can do?” asked the Archbishop
“You could pray for victory and for the Ottomans to cause trouble for the Austrians”
“No I meant I could try negotiating with the Austrians”
“Too late for that, I’m afraid; the Ambassador must have had pretty specific instructions”
A couple of shots broke the momentary silence. Count Vladislav, walked to the window “A bad day for pigeons it seems. Our precautions seem to be working , no-one allowed in or out off the gates and game keepers and falconers ready to deal with any carrier pigeons. It may give us a couple of days extra to prepare.”
“I may be a man of the cloth, but why is there a red flag flying on my cathedral?” asked the Archbishop.
“What, exclaimed the Count. Guards, Guards!”
As the guards entered the room he count shouted at the officer in charge “Get to the cathedral immediately remove that flag and catch whoever is responsible”
“Hmm” expressed the General, “It seems our enemies anticipated our precautions, we need to be more careful”
“I didn’t think it would come to this” sobbed the Grand-Duchess Mari
a
“Well the Grand-Duke did and that is why we are allied with Prussia and Alsace” expressed the General “We had hoped for a bit more time to get our allies into position, but we still have the advantage of the ground and our fortified cities”
“Is there anything I can do?” asked the Archbishop
“You could pray for victory and for the Ottomans to cause trouble for the Austrians”
“No I meant I could try negotiating with the Austrians”
“Too late for that, I’m afraid; the Ambassador must have had pretty specific instructions”
A couple of shots broke the momentary silence. Count Vladislav, walked to the window “A bad day for pigeons it seems. Our precautions seem to be working , no-one allowed in or out off the gates and game keepers and falconers ready to deal with any carrier pigeons. It may give us a couple of days extra to prepare.”
“I may be a man of the cloth, but why is there a red flag flying on my cathedral?” asked the Archbishop.
“What, exclaimed the Count. Guards, Guards!”
As the guards entered the room he count shouted at the officer in charge “Get to the cathedral immediately remove that flag and catch whoever is responsible”
“Hmm” expressed the General, “It seems our enemies anticipated our precautions, we need to be more careful”
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
The bells
Franz was exhausted; it had been a long limb up the Cathedral bell tower. But there was a splendid view from the top, especially across to the Ducal Palace. Finding the flagstaff, he got prepared and as he looked across to the palace he could see all the dignitaries arriving.
Taking out his telescope, he could get a clearer view. Watching the last one enter and the doors being closed he settled down to wait, but trying to remain alert. He was sure he had prepared everything for a hopefully unseen rapid departure and a wedge was ready to place behind the roof door as he left.
After what seemed an age people began to emerge from the palace, Franz lifted his telescope and spotted the Austrian Ambassador pausing just outside the entrance and mopping his brow. The Frundsberg ambassador joined him and offered him his startlingly red kerchief, the offer was declined, but the offer was strangely repeated.
Franz scrabbled over to the flagpole and raised the flag he had already attached to the halyard and left as quickly as possible.
Taking out his telescope, he could get a clearer view. Watching the last one enter and the doors being closed he settled down to wait, but trying to remain alert. He was sure he had prepared everything for a hopefully unseen rapid departure and a wedge was ready to place behind the roof door as he left.
After what seemed an age people began to emerge from the palace, Franz lifted his telescope and spotted the Austrian Ambassador pausing just outside the entrance and mopping his brow. The Frundsberg ambassador joined him and offered him his startlingly red kerchief, the offer was declined, but the offer was strangely repeated.
Franz scrabbled over to the flagpole and raised the flag he had already attached to the halyard and left as quickly as possible.
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