The Inheritors
Early the next morning Reiner Dargenberg stalked the common room of the Gables inn, leaving the innkeep to his work. The soldier marked the passage of a coach at this ungodly early hour. He was soon joined by Edgar and the quiet student from the coach, both of whom sat reading as breakfast was served. Eventually the rest of the company rose and the irritable coachmen asked Igor for the part of their coach so they might ready the coach.
The innkeep explained to the company that the Ratchett Lines Coach Company was in poor financial straits compared to the newer and cheaper coaching companies such as the Four Seasons Coaching Company that were dominating the Altdorf-Middenheim road.
In contrast to the previous morn the coach was readied and it was only the late arrival of Lady Isolde and her entourage that delayed the departure. Eventually the coach was loaded and the fellows set for with too much haste for Edgar's preference.
Two hours later as Edgar remarked on this to Gunnar they were forced to stop suddenly. On the road was a hunched figure which turned out to be eating one of the coach drivers from the coach Reiner has seen drive past the inn that morn. At first fearful of the grizzly sight even the most stout heart faltered. The horses, fearful of this unnatural freak, bolted. It took Sidonia to rally the menfolk to action but as she struck the mutant it appeared to recognise her. However the mutant died on Reiner's halberd soon after this.
Realising there were doubtless more of these foul freaks of Chaos the company split. Igor relieved the fellow of his mailed shirt while Phillipe Descartes offered to protect the coach and its passengers. Edgar, Sidonia, Reiner, Brokk and Igor attempted to investigate the howls of the prowling mutants. They found the overturned Four Seasons coach and dispatched five more mutants. Sidonia, Reiner and especially Edgar distinguished themselves and it took Edgar's dweomers to slay the chief mutant.
Sifting through the corpses of the passengers Edgar happened upon one that bore an uncanny resemblence to Reiner. So uncanny was it that the callow apprentice grew pale and his stomach failed him. Igor searched the corpse and found the following missives:-
Dear Herr Lieberung,
After many lengthy researches, we have come to believe that you are the only living relative of one Baronet Lieberung, late of the town of Ubersreik. This being the case, and any other, heretofore unknown and pertinent factor notwithstanding, I am herewith charged to inform you that you are the sole beneficiary of the Baronet’s last will and testement (hereinafter referred to as the document of the first party)
I, the undersigned, acting in my capacity of legal executer of the aforementioned document of the first party, do therefore urge you to make your way with all speed to my offices in the fair town of Bogenhafen. Thereupon, providing that you can produce an affidavit of your identity as Kastor Aloysius Lieberung, signed by two witnesses, we shall be pleased to hand over the title deeds to the Baronet’s Manor House, together with its contents (which include a most tastefully stocked wine cellar), its extensive estates, and the sum of twenty thousand gold Crowns.
I remain your most humble and respectful servant,
Dietrich Barl, K.C., LL. B. (Alt)
Signed this day, the 10th of Nachexen, in the two thousandth, five hundred and twelfth year of the Empire.
and the shorter missive:-
We the undersigned, do solemnly swear that the bearer of this document is one Kastor Lieberung.
Signed
Ingrid Zichermann, Priestess of Sigmar
Oskar Helmut - Guildmaster of Merchants' Guild
Reiner needed little convincing to go after the 20,000 gold crowns. Sidonia and Igor too were enticed by the thought of a share. Edgar on the other hand remained unconvinced and did not agree or disagree and lastly though wine was not to Brokk's taste he realised that 4,000 gold crowns could buy him enough ale and send him to the Chaos Wastes to meet a death of his choosing. They did agree not to mention this to the rest of the coach party.
Phillipe called to the group, interrupting their thoughts of wealth. He told them that the he has spotted riders approaching their coach. Reiner recognised and hailed them as road wardens. Giving his name and rank and explaining the situation to the road wardens (omitting of course the two legal documents of Kastor Leiberung) the road wardens hitched horses to the carriage and let the company continue on to Altdorf.
The innkeep explained to the company that the Ratchett Lines Coach Company was in poor financial straits compared to the newer and cheaper coaching companies such as the Four Seasons Coaching Company that were dominating the Altdorf-Middenheim road.
In contrast to the previous morn the coach was readied and it was only the late arrival of Lady Isolde and her entourage that delayed the departure. Eventually the coach was loaded and the fellows set for with too much haste for Edgar's preference.
Two hours later as Edgar remarked on this to Gunnar they were forced to stop suddenly. On the road was a hunched figure which turned out to be eating one of the coach drivers from the coach Reiner has seen drive past the inn that morn. At first fearful of the grizzly sight even the most stout heart faltered. The horses, fearful of this unnatural freak, bolted. It took Sidonia to rally the menfolk to action but as she struck the mutant it appeared to recognise her. However the mutant died on Reiner's halberd soon after this.
Realising there were doubtless more of these foul freaks of Chaos the company split. Igor relieved the fellow of his mailed shirt while Phillipe Descartes offered to protect the coach and its passengers. Edgar, Sidonia, Reiner, Brokk and Igor attempted to investigate the howls of the prowling mutants. They found the overturned Four Seasons coach and dispatched five more mutants. Sidonia, Reiner and especially Edgar distinguished themselves and it took Edgar's dweomers to slay the chief mutant.
Sifting through the corpses of the passengers Edgar happened upon one that bore an uncanny resemblence to Reiner. So uncanny was it that the callow apprentice grew pale and his stomach failed him. Igor searched the corpse and found the following missives:-
Dear Herr Lieberung,
After many lengthy researches, we have come to believe that you are the only living relative of one Baronet Lieberung, late of the town of Ubersreik. This being the case, and any other, heretofore unknown and pertinent factor notwithstanding, I am herewith charged to inform you that you are the sole beneficiary of the Baronet’s last will and testement (hereinafter referred to as the document of the first party)
I, the undersigned, acting in my capacity of legal executer of the aforementioned document of the first party, do therefore urge you to make your way with all speed to my offices in the fair town of Bogenhafen. Thereupon, providing that you can produce an affidavit of your identity as Kastor Aloysius Lieberung, signed by two witnesses, we shall be pleased to hand over the title deeds to the Baronet’s Manor House, together with its contents (which include a most tastefully stocked wine cellar), its extensive estates, and the sum of twenty thousand gold Crowns.
I remain your most humble and respectful servant,
Dietrich Barl, K.C., LL. B. (Alt)
Signed this day, the 10th of Nachexen, in the two thousandth, five hundred and twelfth year of the Empire.
and the shorter missive:-
We the undersigned, do solemnly swear that the bearer of this document is one Kastor Lieberung.
Signed
Ingrid Zichermann, Priestess of Sigmar
Oskar Helmut - Guildmaster of Merchants' Guild
Reiner needed little convincing to go after the 20,000 gold crowns. Sidonia and Igor too were enticed by the thought of a share. Edgar on the other hand remained unconvinced and did not agree or disagree and lastly though wine was not to Brokk's taste he realised that 4,000 gold crowns could buy him enough ale and send him to the Chaos Wastes to meet a death of his choosing. They did agree not to mention this to the rest of the coach party.
Phillipe called to the group, interrupting their thoughts of wealth. He told them that the he has spotted riders approaching their coach. Reiner recognised and hailed them as road wardens. Giving his name and rank and explaining the situation to the road wardens (omitting of course the two legal documents of Kastor Leiberung) the road wardens hitched horses to the carriage and let the company continue on to Altdorf.
posted by Stuart | 3:40 PM
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