by Eric Flint
"Are you saying that Magnus and Georg could get work with Buergi in Essen?"
Peter shrugged. "Why not? Magnus has a lot of talent, from what you've told me, and Georg is very precise in his work. De Geer asked me to be on the watch for men with mechanical ability. And the Dutch don't have the same kinds of problems with honor and dishonor as the German guilds do, especially in Essen." He smiled. "Now you just have to convince Magnus and take care of the marriage issue."
"Ah yes, the marriage issue. Or more precisely, the parental permission aspect of the marriage issue." Philipp shook his head. Perhaps his children had come up with something.
* * *
"You really aren't helping very much," Magnus Fetzer complained, looking around the table at Sophie, Augusta and Georg Hainhofer. "I want to marry Barbara. I'm going to marry Barbara. I love her, and she loves me." He sighed. "She is my soul mate. My stomach hurts just thinking about her."
The public room of the Inn of the Golden Grape was beginning to fill as the businessmen staying there came down from their rooms for dinner and merchants stopped by to indulge in a glass of wine before heading home. There were many fewer wine taverns in Cologne in 1633 than had been true in the late sixteenth century as beer became more popular. The few higher class businessmen's hostels that still served wine did a thriving business.
"Hunger pangs are no problem," Georg said. "The cook here serves an excellent roast pig."
Sophie hit her brother on the arm. "Its not hunger, silly. Its love pain." She smiled. "It's so romantic."
Augusta laughed. "You've been reading too many of those novels from Grantville . . . again." She turned to Magnus. "How did you meet Barbara, Magnus? You never did tell us. Given that her family has been involved with skinners for three generations, she obviously must live outside the city."
Magnus nodded. "Yes, their house is north of the city, on the Rhine. You remember how much I like eel?"
Augusta nodded.
"Well, several sons of fishermen I grew up with and who are now guild members themselves, used to stop by the skinner's house for a drink during bad weather along the river. A little gambling takes place and . . ."
Sophie laughed. "I remember. You always were interested in dice and strap jump-off."
Magnus nodded. "And you don't want to get involved with the sharper's rings here in Cologne." He shuddered. "They steal you blind and if you complain too loud you wind up in a brook with your head crushed. The council tries to outlaw them, but they move around a lot. So finding a friendly game is worth it, even if it is in the skinner's house."
Magnus held his hands out. "So . . ."
Sophie snickered. "Love at first sight."
Magnus nodded again, this time in misery. "Yes. My one true love." He put his face in his hands. "What am I going to do?" He moaned.
"Trop aimer est amer," Sophie said.
Georg nodded in agreement. "Full of trouble indeed."
"Men verdrinkt zowel in de liefde als in een rivier," Augusta said.
"Oh, stop showing off, Augusta," Sophie said crossly. "None of us understand Dutch except for you."
Augusta pouted. "I was just agreeing with you. It translates as 'One can drown in love as well as in a river.'"
Sophie suddenly sat upright. "That's it!"
"What?" Georg asked.
Sophie motioned her siblings in to the center of the table. "Remember 'Romeo and Juliet'?"
Augusta smiled. Georg looked puzzled. Magnus took his face out of his hands with a clueless expression on his face. Sophie looked over at her sister. Men were so dense.
* * *
Barbara Leichnam listened for the towermaster's footsteps to fade away before returning to her task. She had her doubts about the plan that Augusta Hainhofer had come up with. But if this was the only way to be with her beloved . . .
It took over an hour to sharpen the metal spoon Augusta had slipped to her. Then she had to wait for just the right time. When that time came, Barbara reminded herself that the cuts had to be just right.
* * *
Towermaster Hans Schreck was making his usual rounds when he came to Barbara Leichnam's cell. He was a bit nervous about this prisoner. It wasn't just her size, although she was one of the tallest women he had ever met. It was also the reputation of her father, Martin Leichnam. Not a man to make angry, not at all.
Hans glanced into the cell, expecting to see Barbara kneeling in prayer. Instead he saw her body on the floor in a pool of blood.
"Dietrich, get the physician! Barbara Leichnam has committed suicide!"
* * *
Magnus looked at the fast-flowing Rhine, buried in his own thoughts. Was this really the only way to be with his one true love?
Courage, Magnus, courage. Barbara was courageous. Now it is your turn.
"I'm coming, sweetheart."
Magnus jumped into the swift moving waters of the Rhine.
* * *
Martin Leichnam glared across the room at Paul Fetzer.
"This is your fault, Fetzer. I should never have listened to your drivel about my daughter. If you had had more control of your son . . ."
"My son would never have met your daughter if you didn't allow honorable men into your home for gambling and drinking!" Paul responded. "Your kind are an abomination!"
"My kind?" Leichnam said softly. "My kind are the ones keeping you from drowning in your own filth, shopkeeper. Perhaps it's time for my dagger to bury itself in your doorpost."
Fetzer blanched. Such an act would be terrible for business. And he would be unable to remove the dagger without incurring an honor offense himself. His own gaffel might expel him as the clockmakers had expelled Magnus.
"Please, gentlemen, please," Philipp said. "Clearly the suicide attempts by both Barbara and Magnus show the depth of their affection for each other. Perhaps they are indeed both insane with love. But unless you want to jeopardize their souls . . ."
Martin nodded. "I've done what I could. Barbara will be expelled from my house, but to preserve her soul I give my permission for her marriage to Magnus Fetzer."
Philipp looked over at Paul. "Paul?"
For a moment it looked as if Paul Fetzer would maintain his obstinacy. His will crumbled when he saw Leichnam place his hand on his dagger.
"All right! I agree. I give my permission for Magnus to marry Barbara. We have done all that we can. But what will he do for a living? The clockmakers have expelled him and the city council has upheld them!" He looked over at Martin.
Martin shook his head. "Don't look at me! I won't have him!"
Philipp smiled. "I think I have found just the position for Magnus. In Essen."
* * *
"They look so cute," Sophie said.
"Cute is not quite how I would describe them," Georg said slowly. Barbara and Magnus were arm-in-arm waving to the few friends they left behind in Cologne as the ship moved away from the dock. Both were tall, over six feet. But where Magnus was thin to the point of emaciation, Barbara was solid and broad as a warhorse.
"Oh come on, Georg, where is your sense of romance?" Augusta said. "I remember you being all goo goo eyes over Sybilla Waiblinger."
"That was different." Georg said.
"Oh right, different," Sophie said. She looked at Augusta. "Amantes sunt amentes."
Augusta smiled. "Latin. Lovers are lunatics." She thought for a few seconds. "Try this one . . ."
* * *
Gearing Up
Written by Sean Massey
Happy Acres
October 1633
"Du dummes, undankbares Stück scheiße!" Jost Neubert screamed. He waved his arms and hit the old John Deere Model B tractor with his hat. The tractor hadn't seen this much work in decades, and steam now poured out of the radiator. "Warum jetzt??"
Jost had harvested five acres of wheat on the other end of the field this morning, and had hoped to bring in a large portion of his crop before the sun set. But here it was, early afternoon and only half an acre
harvested when the tractor broke down.
He unhitched the pull-type combine harvester from the tractor. I wish I had one of those fancy motorized harvesters.
The tractor, like the land he was farming, had once belonged to Ted Moritz's father. The land had been slated to become a subdivision until the Ring of Fire intervened. Ted's father had also been an avid fan of what he called the "Golden Age" of mechanized farming and spent a lot of time restoring old tractors and farm implements. Except for a few items that he held onto for sentimental reasons, Ted sold most of his father's collection.
"Having problems, Mr. Neubert?"
Jost looked up. He could barely make out Gary Rose standing near the road, accompanied by Marie Moritz.
"Yeah, Gary," he shouted. "Can you come take a look at it?" Gary Rose was the ad-hoc mechanic on the Neubert farm, and he had been responsible for keeping the two tractors, which were pushing the half-century mark, in operating condition. That had been a tall order, since two years of hard work for the Grange, along with a lack of regular maintenance, had taken their toll on the engines.
Gary looked the tractor over and shook his head. "Looks like you're really cooked her. I don't know if I'll be able to fix her this time." He paused a moment. "It might take all night, but maybe I can have the crawler back together by tomorrow."
"That would be great, Gary," Jost said. "I really need to get this crop in. Sometimes I wish I could have a new mechanical beast. Then I wouldn't have to keep you here all night working on these old beasts."
***
"Where's Gary?"
Marie shrugged. "He was talking with Mr. Neubert, Tad. It looked like he was having some problems with one of Dad's tractors."
Tad, Phil Jenkins and Albert Neubert were comparing different teams in one of the final video football games released before the Ring of Fire.
"Son of a . . ." Phil said. He cut himself off. He swore enough lately, and his mother hadn't been thrilled to learn of his expanded vocabulary. "All right, guys. It looks like Gary won't be joining us today. Let's get started without him."
"Isn't that Gary?" Albert said. He was looking out the large front window that overlooked the street. Gary was walking by, apparently oblivious to everything around him.
A mischievous smile spread across Phil's face. "Let's sneak up on him."
***
Gary was lost in his own little world contemplating the work he had to do when he reached the shed. He began to unlock the door, not even realizing he was doing it.
"Hey Gary!" someone shouted.
Gary fumbled with his keys and dropped them.
"Hey!" the voice called again. It was Phil Jenkins. "You gonna come up and join us?"
"Not today, Phil," Gary said. "I got work to do."
"Sure." Phil smirked. "You just don't want to come up because Sunshine isn't there."
Gary felt the blush creeping up his face. He had nursed a huge crush on Sunshine Moritz for some time now. Not that it mattered. She never noticed him, since she was after Phil. Gary's stumbling efforts to get her attention hadn't even gotten the time of day out of her. .
"It has nothing to do with Sunshine," he said. "I need to finish fixing the other tractor so Jost can get his harvest in. And how's Maria these days?"
Phil rolled his eyes. "Come on, man. That's low. You know she left two weeks ago. Why don't you at least come up, pick your team, and play your first game? We can simulate the rest until you're done. Or we can come down and help you so you get done sooner."
"What're you? Crazy? Unless you're gonna be here at three in the morning helping me, I don't think that's gonna happen. If it wasn't a Friday, I wouldn't even be doing this."
"Come on," Phil said. "Why can't Mr. Moritz do this? They're his tractors. Besides, you know you want to come up and see if Sunshine is home."
"You're not going to drop this until I go up there, are you?" Gary asked.
"No," Phil said. "I'll even help you out. Even if it takes all night."
Gary chuckled. "The last time you said that, you fell asleep at eleven. Right in the middle of Office Space, too."
"I'll stay up this time," Phil said. "I swear. We're not watching some crappy movie."
"Dude," Gary said, "it's not a crappy movie. You just have no sense of humor."
"Right," Phil said. "Keep telling yourself that. So are you coming?"
"Yeah. Let's go."
***
Gary yawned. It had to be about three in the morning.
He didn't know how Phil could sleep on the shed's concrete floor with only a cruddy old blanket to keep him warm, but he somehow managed that an hour ago. At least all the hard work was done by then. Phil had stayed awake long enough to get the engine remounted on the tractor's chassis and reconnected to the drive train.
Gary was beginning to feel a little tired himself, and he wished he had a Coke or something. He could use the quick boost of energy.
He yawned again and picked up the shop manual—an old book that showed how the engine and drive train fit together. The picture started to blur, and he shook his head to clear his vision. Thank God that Mr. Moritz and his father used to restore these things. I don't know how I would get it done without them.
He flipped through the book until he found the exploded view of the drawing he was looking for. He rubbed some sleep from his eyes and pressed on with his work.
***
Gary was startled awake by a rooster's crow. He wiped some drool from the corners of his mouth and massaged a kink out of his neck. The tractor seat wasn't the most comfortable place to sleep, but it was much better than a concrete floor.
Phil was still sleeping in the same spot. The floor couldn't have been as warm or comfortable as a bed, and he was amazed that Phil hadn't gone home.
After a few quick stretches, Gary inspected the tractor, hoping he hadn't missed anything. Having the tractor break out in the field because he missed something would be a bad thing, and he didn't want Jost to miss a rent payment to Uncle Huddy.
The rooster crowed again. Oh crap! I bet it's already after 6. Mom is gonna be pissed when I get home. I should have called her before I started working on this. I'm dead.
***
"Yes, Mrs. Rose," Mrs. Neubert said. "I'll send someone down to check on Gary, and when he gets up here, I'll make sure he calls. And I'm sorry this whole thing happened. Jost should have had more sense to make sure he checked in with you first. You have a good day."
Wilhelmine Matz watched as her aunt carefully navigated the minefield that Gary's poor sense had caused. She was always amazed by Aunt Franziska's diplomacy skills and tact, and hoped that she had inherited them..
"Mina, would you be a dear and go down to the shed to check on Gary? And tell him to come up here when he gets done. I should have some breakfast ready soon."
"Yes, Aunt Franziska," Mina said. She wondered what Gary would look like after a night of working on an engine as she slipped on her shoes. She giggled as she imagined his hair disheveled and strategically placed grease smears across his face. She hadn't really admitted her crush on him to anyone. He was two years younger . . . and interested in Sunshine.
I don't get what guys see in Sunshine. She's a . . . Mina struggled to find the word to describe Marie's younger sister, but she couldn't find just one word that fit. Besides, she's too skinny. Whenever she wears that bathing suit, I can count her ribs. Worse, she's a . . . gold digger. That's what the up-timers call it. Why do guys like girls that?
When she finally reached the shed where Gary was working, she was surprised to see the doors wide open. She could see the top of his head peaking out from behind the green caterpillar tractor. The butterflies in her stomach began to fly around. She turned as if she was going to walk back toward the house and began to chew on her thumbnail. What do I say? I didn't think he'd be awake!
"Mina?" Gary asked. "What're you doing down here?"
"Your mom . . .um . . . called, and you're supposed to, um, come up and call
her back."
He smiled. "Yeah, I forgot to call her last night. I'm probably going to be grounded until I'm thirty."
"Oh," she said. "I'm sorry that my uncle got you in trouble."
"It's my fault." Gary shrugged. "I should have called. Oh well. I'm sure it won't be that bad. It's not like Larry hasn't been out all night with some girl without calling, and he usually gets off kind of easily."
***
"Mom," Gary whined, "that's not fair. I'm only asking if I can go to the library after school. It's not like I want to go running around town with Freddy and Larry!"
