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The Enemy Within - Empire in Flames: Altdorf Redux (S5E15)

 

Captain's Log:

That moment of peace had passed. Ah well, you've got to work towards it to make those moments so satisfying! It was time to go see Heinrich and all the Elector Counts. There's so many of them yet I cannot remember the names of more than, say, three! They were all seated around a long wooden table and looked to the largest chair at the top. Ar-Ulric stood beside it and announced Heinrich in. He looked very happy to be holding Ghal Moraz. I understand that feeling. Heinrich, after a brief speech, declared himself Emperor Heinrich Toddbringer! One by one they all stood up and announced their approval. All were willing to serve him as the new Emperor without a second thought! I almost stood up to say something but The One pulled me back down. She was right, I had nothing to say really. I just wanted to be involved... we soon were! The Emperor turned to us and smiled warmly. He commended our bravery and immense heroism in recovering Ghal Moraz. We would need a coronation to properly grant Heinrich the title. A small party would need to be sent ahead to bring a message to Yori, the Grand Theogonist. The Heroes of the Hammer were perfect for it, of course! We were to head off in the morning with a letter of authority in hand. I was given the Knight Eternal's tent to sleep in. Curiously, there was an illustration of him speaking with people during the Middenheim festival. I learned that he used to speak with important and remarkable members of the city in front of an audience, asking questions and playing the role of a humorous host. It all ended when he accidentally shot a guest with a renowned duelist's pistol. Awful. At least he died a brave and inspiring knight!

We were given a boat. Fantastic! It was for sailing to a barge that would allow us to reach Altdorf quickly. The only thing of note on that part of the journey was a group of Talabecland soldiers looting the dead! Ordering them to stop only made them willing to draw their weaponry. Werner dissuaded them by introducing The Devastator. Blessed Jim, Werner and I all exchanged warrior handshakes to celebrate a job well done. Met a superior officer soon after. Werner sent him and his fighting-men off after the looters. Our confidence had been soaring after returning the hammer and stopping the looters. We casually gave the large approaching group of Ostland knights a friendly greeting and our letter of authority. After a brief glance they returned the letter and let us pass. There is no greater pleasure as an adventuring hero than having people actually believe you! Finally got to the barge and met its crew. The captain was a large fellow who gruffly complained that we were commandeering his boat. I do apologize for using your vessel to help bestow our next Emperor his title so that he can save the whole bloody Empire! Ah, sorry. His son was a pleasant man named Diel. That barge also gave me a strange feeling. Something about a vessel named "The Hindenburg" really unnerved me...

The first day of travel was uneventful. The night grew darker so we employed lamps at the prow before dropping the anchor at midnight. We got up at dawn and carried on with the journey quickly. I'm very sure that their sudden leap in knots was inspired by the idea that they'd get rid of us quicker. Well I'm not too fond of them or their Hindenburg, so I was fine with this speed! The next day or two was grueling after we became low on food. We met a strange fellow who insisted that we buy some of his specialty stew. He claimed to have gotten the ingredients from a farm isolated from the rest of the community. I was so hungry I couldn't think straight and, by the hammer, it was delicious! The One refused to eat any. Werner and I discussed the possible ingredients that gave it such a distinct flavour until Blessed Jim fell unconscious. Poisoned! The One brought him below deck while Werner and I kept a patient watch. We knew that we were set up by that merchant and expected the worst. Six bandits climbed on board, drew their short swords, and paused. One asked aloud why we were both still standing. Werner answered him by kicking the thug straight in the ribs, forcing him overboard! I cut off the nearest bastard's arm off and he too fell into the river. Seeing the river run with blood made the rest of those scoundrels flee in terror! Our captain emerged and started yelling that all of these misfortunes were somehow caused by our appearance.

"Yeah it's a real disaster on The Hindenburg" I replied.

A horror was before us about a day later. Corpses on branches, skin flowing like leaves on those trees, all tattered livery and a ghastly light in those waters! I was enchanted to follow it, as were Diel, Werner and The One. Blessed Jim, however, would not stand for such magical trickery! He convinced, with great wit and conviction, nearly everyone to stop pursuing their certain doom. Diel was still charmed! Shite! We crouched, to avoid that horrid light, and pulled him down by the legs. Everyone lay still in fear until we were completely sure that the eerie sight was behind us. Reached the River Talabec tributary joining the River Delb. Met a very charming young lady along the way. She asked to come aboard as her uncle in Altdorf suffered from a terrible brain pox. Heidi Reich was her name. She was very interested in me for some reason. I assumed at the time that she was highly impressed by my stories and knowledge of the rivers.

Altdorf was not the glittering jewel it once was. The entire eastern section had been burned to the ground, including vital bridges and houses! The crew and I soon heard that it was the work of a fearsome dragon. Was it the very same dragon who killed Yodri, or another wyrm summoned by these dark events? I hope, for all of us, that it is the former. One dragon is enough to raze a city, let alone two! Bringing The Hindenburg to the dockside made me realize how chillingly empty the whole city was. You would easily assume that it was the home of restless ghosts! Heidi was quick with her goodbyes. I thought it was odd that someone so fascinated by my tales would... my coin purse felt lighter. I came to the realization that in my private conversations with her that I can't really remember what was exactly said... she used hypnotism on me! Damn. Ah well, I've still got the crew and Fiendcutter. That's all I need. Gave the bridge guard the letter. He gave the letter to his superior as he couldn't read it. I know what that's like. We heard that the landlord of The Crossed Lancets had passed away in his sleep. He was a good man, very friendly with Harbull. I wonder where that doctor is now?

We headed towards the temple to speak with the Grand Theogonist. The junior clerics treated the letter and situation with some disdain, which confused me greatly, but they gave us an audience with Yori regardless. He was very glum after he read the letter. Didn't seem to recognize us either. Strange, I'd recognize anybody that saved my life! He was very insistent that we stay at the nearby inn for the night. As soon as we stepped outside of the temple, Werner suggested that we should stay at The Crossed Lancets instead. Nobody disagreed. Met the captain of the watch there briefly. Werner insisted that we try not to talk to anyone and head up to our rooms immediately.

The coronation is tomorrow. I can't wait to see it!

  • Johann Dasbuut.

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