Saint Karlsheim

Inquisitor Ulrich Lachrimosan

Henke would be at the top of the hill, surveying the completion of the palisade wall there. Should his expedition come under attack the settlers could seek safety here. One day they would be replaced with great, stone walls, and a fortress would be erected where he stood.

A path led down from this area, a causeway, and into the crowded encampment below. The settlers were busy erecting their tents and setting their things in order. They had brought smiths, tailors, hunters, lumberjacks, masons, shoemakers, farmers, and so much more with them. A number of men had been sent to forage, fish, and hunt, just to ensure a proper food supply. Ultimately, Henke hoped, the surrounding country would be covered with farmland.

The expeditionary commander would send for Inquisitor Ulrich, and when he arrived the two would discuss the Erstonian Order: a new fraternity serving under the Brotherhood, tasked with the protection of the Order's assets here in Helmfirth. Hochmeister Adrian had already granted Henke the role of Marschall of the Erstonian Order, but it had not yet been officially declared.

Ulrich would find that the 29 Knight-Brothers who had accompanied the expedition would be present with Henke. There were also 21 other men who the Inquisitor would recognize as Halbruders and non-affiliated knights. They were gathered atop the hill, some seated and others standing, but all wearing ceremonial robes.

"You are right, my friend," Henke would tell him. "This is a land of evil, both primal and otherwise. We will bring civilization, order, and purity to this place, and smite all who might stand against us. But first, we must open a new chapter in the history of the Brotherhood."

Henke motioned at the men gathered around. "29 Knight-Brothers. And 21 men to join their ranks. The half-brothers I have gathered have proven themselves capable warriors, loyal comrades, and devoted Angelists. They will serve us well as Knight-Brothers. The others," Henke motioned at the non-affiliated knights: guests and allies of noble birth who came to assist the Order's expedition. "Are men who would like to join our fraternity. We will accept them into our fold, and they will ride with us as Brothers in arms."

Henke now drew his sword and said "I hereby authorize the Erstonian Order, as requested of me by Hochmeister Adrian von Heschburg, and who has named me Marschall of the Order. He began to knight each new Knight-Brother while speaking: "I knight you in the name of the Brotherhood. Rise not as guests or half-brothers, but as Knight-Brothers... of the Erstonain Order." After he was finished knighting each man he turned to Inquisitor Ulrich. "Bless these men, Ulrich, so that HE may watch over them in the struggles to come."

Marschall Henke grinned and rasied his hand, acknowledging Ulrich's request to take the men. "They're under HIS gaze now, my Brother. May HE be with you." Henke put his fist over his heart and bid the Inquisitor farewell.

Meanwhile Henke set about writing letters and brainstorming potentital ways to increase the Erstonian Order's influence. Ulrich was already doing his part: the mountains would indeed supply the Knights with valuable resources, food, and even ice.

With men limping, riding, or halfheartedly marching the Inquisitor returned. He was himself however keeping a brisk pace, and then ran ahead. "Come, men! Rejoice for we have lived, whilst the fallen have eternal rest! Come, rejoice!" he shouted, giving a blessing upon them. He ran into Karlsheim to tell those inside to cheer for the arriving Crusaders, hopefully raising morale. Then, he promptly went to stand in the most visible and clear part of the settlement until Henke found, and himself approached him. There was no rush, and patience was a virtue. So he stood motionless, like a statue and breathed in the wondrous air, letting the sun fall upon his armour. 

After finishing his business in the Open fields, Maschall Henke had returned to Saint Karlsheim.  He had previously sent a vanguard to the outskirts of Alnwick, that dreadful pirate-infested 'paradise'.  Then he arrived here, at the Erstonian Order's headquarters, to sally the Brothers, mercenaries, and levies, which would then advance to the Alnwick encampment.

So it was a lucky chance-encounter that Gareth and Gerulf arrived when they did.  Upon hearing of their entrance, Henke sent a servant at once to retrieve the two.  They would be brought in to the keep's meeting chamber.

A fine wooden table sat at the end of the room, filled with chairs where the Marschall and his advisers sat.  An open area, directly accessible from the entrance of the room, sat across from the table, where visitors would come in and speak what they had to say.  A fireplace burned on one side of the room, and various windows allowed natural light into the abode.

"Gareth!  Gerulf!  I am pleased to see you," the Marschall eagerly welcomed the two men.  "Come, come, sit."  Henke offered the two men a place to sit at his table and servants brought bread and wine out to them.  "Excuse the accommodations, my Brothers, the keep is still under construction.  Though soon, it shall rival even that of Arburg!  Now... now... let us speak and fill our bellies.  Then, we will discuss important business."

Henke awaited the two mens' replies, expecting stories of their background, adventures, and crusades.

Henke leaned back in his chair to consider the request. He nodded slowly and stroked his beard. Meanwhile the nearby fire crackled, casting shadows across the room. The sun began its slow but eventual retreat behind the western horizon, and soon the fireplace would be the only source of light. The servant girls made sure to keep the wine flowing and the bread coming.

"We are looking for able-bodied knights," Henke said, leaning back up to the table. "Recruitment in Helmfirth is... slower; there is no landed nobility in these parts; no worthy sons of reputable families to draw upon. We can only rely on the locals to hold pikes and stay in formation."

The Marschall stood up and began pacing around the room slowly. "Soon.... the Erstonian Order will march on that dreaded pirate paradise known as Alnwick. I have sent a vanguard there already, and am preparing to mobilize our forces here. Soon I will leave this place with my men and take the town. It will be a joint attack, with land forces laying siege and a small fleet of fire ships to prevent an escape via vessel."

The Marschall turned to look at both men. "I would have you come with me. Not as Brothers yet... but as my aides. Prove to me you are capable of joining the ranks of the Brotherhood, and I will grant you whatever privileges you wish." Henke glanced at the clasped hands of the men and grinned. "Any privilege."

Marschall Henke smiled. "Perfect!"

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