Willard had found Lector Raphael von Mauchen in the Eppiswald Grand Garden again. Things seemed to be coming along nicely, as was some how almost always the case each year in the Grand Garden. However, it was the things taking place outside the Garden that weren’t quite as comforting to Willard, nor likely for the Lector either.
“So, what you are saying, Willard, is that acts of piracy, banditry, and bribery, have turned into territorial takeover and defense building, all, as you know, not something that has been approved of by the Countess?”
“Yes Father. Lithrum and Marius have reported forces from Wusterburg moving into and taking over the towns of Bedernau, Hornfurt, and Kell, while Gunther and Petrio have followed those soldiers that I mentioned during my last report, to Wusterburg, and then to the hills that are about 25 miles north of Trulben, in which there are defensive positions clearly being built.”
“Is this isolated to only Baron de Crux’s forces, and what of these soldiers that have been moving through Wissenland from elsewhere in the Empire?”
“At the Mitterdahl Festival in Wusterburg, there were representatives from Kreutzhofen, Scharmbeck, Nehren, and what was most surprising, the Dutchess of Arnalos, the Mayors of Mortensholm and Arkendorf, and even a general from the Helenic League. Gunther and Petrios identified those soldiers, that they’ve been keeping an eye on, as being from some place called Stattenland, up north on the Talabec River.”
“Stattenland? Hmmm, you know what I need regarding this, correct?”
“Yes, and I’ll be personally researching this in our library later this afternoon.”
“So we have Pfeifraucher, Dreisch, De Crux, Mecklenburg, someone from a place called Stattenland, and what were all of those Border Prince leaders doing here?”
“Uh, Father, I’m not sure how to tell you this, but, uh, it seems that the rumors are true.”
“I see. So we have those claiming Solland descent collaborating with Border Prince folk, who seem to be interested in meddling in Imperial matters, both groups wanting to exert a bit more influence over lands rightfully owned by others?”
“Yes, I’m afraid so, your eminence.”
“And what of Baroness Toppenheimer’s representive, Leopold von Bernau?”
“He, too, was seen in Wusterburg, but my informant in Pfeildorf has mentioned seeing him return, and this same source mentioned Von Bernau had a meeting with Sebastian Kerputz from Nuln, who was also present at the gathering in Wusterburg. We have nothing further at the moment regarding this.”
“Hmmm. Well, where Sebastian Kerputz goes, you know what else often comes of that?”
“Unfortunately, yes Father.”
Then the Lector paused, and seemed to stare out into the garden for a brief moment of contemplation before continuing. Willard stood, moving his eyeballs back and forth between the Lector, and the Eppiswald Grand Garden, waiting for Von Mauchen to finish his thinking.
“Ok Willard, here is what we need to do. First and foremost, I will write a note to the Countess, and you need your best and fastest messenger to attend to this tomorrow morning. Second, you need to send other messengers to Erbshausen, Halgerbach, and Staig with the exact same message, and with orders to pass this along to the Countess, as we would in any emergency situation, and as we seem to be facing here in Wissenland currently. They will all no what needs to be done from there. Third, I want your informant in Pheildorf to contact Kerputz, and we need to make things difficult for him, understand?”
“Yes, Father, completely.”
“Oh, and one more thing, Willard, do you know whom else you need to contact for me on your way to the library?"
"Yes, Father, I’ll be certain to let Marshal Augustus Trapien know you want to see him.”
“Excellent, and that’s exactly why I have you in my service, Willard. Keep me posted on whatever else your informants come up with next.”
Willard bowed ever so slightly, and hurried on and out of the Eppiswald Grand Garden.
