3 rotten fruit

by ich du

  'Bribe you?' said Reiner, astonished. 'Sergeant, bribery was the furthest thing from my mind, I assure you.'

  'Then...?'

  'I, er, well, I nicked this to share with the lads, but your admonitions have shamed me, and I want you to return it to its rightful place. I don't want to embarrass Manfred with any bad behaviour.'

  Klaus looked longingly at the bottle. 'Why, that's damned decent of ye, Hetzau. I'll put in a good word for you with Count Manfred for this.'

  Reiner gave Klaus the bottle. 'I was just hoping you wouldn't report me.'

  'No fear,' said Klaus, not taking his eyes off the bottle. 'No fear.'

  LATER, AFTER THE other Blackhearts had gone to sleep, Reiner slipped out of his cot and peeked into the hall. He was gratified to see Klaus sprawled in his chair snoring like a lumber mill, the wine bottle empty beside him. Reiner tiptoed to Franka's bed and shook her gently. Like a good soldier, Franka came awake without a murmur, merely opening her eyes and reaching for her dagger - which she didn't have, as Manfred had disarmed them.

  Reiner put his finger to his lips and nodded towards the door. Franka looked around, frowning when she saw the other Blackhearts still asleep.

  'What's this foolishness?' she mouthed.

  He winked and motioned to the door again. Franka hesitated, then, with a shrug, swung out of bed, tugged on her boots and doublet, and joined him. He checked the hall again, then eased out. She followed and closed the door behind her. The latch clicked and they both turned to look at Klaus, ready to fight, but he did nothing but snore.

  Reiner led Franka quietly through the dark hallways and twisting stairs of the silent castle until he found the musicians' gallery above the main hall. He pulled her in and sat her down on a long wooden bench. Sheet music was strewn underfoot, and moonlight from the huge hole in the great hall's roof shone through the gallery's lattice work, casting geometric patterns of light and shadow on Franka's sweet face. Reiner was overcome.

  'Alone at last,' he breathed, leaning forward to encircle her in his arms.

  Something stopped him. He looked down to find Franka's small hand pushing firmly on his sternum. 'You presume much, my lord.'

  'Do I?' asked Reiner, genuinely surprised. 'Er, I thought, from your glances, from your coming away with me...'

  'I came so that we might speak of... all this.'

  'Speak? You want to waste these few precious moments we have speaking? This may be our only opportunity to...'

  'My lord, please.' said Franka. 'It's true that I have discovered, er, feelings, for you that I did not expect, and I too desire to, er, be closer to you, but...'

  'Then be with me now,' said Reiner reaching for her again. 'There's no telling how things will be when we get to Altdorf.'

  Once again her hand held him away. 'Let me finish, my lord. I am not the sort of woman you are used to trafficking with. I am a miller's daughter, not a harlot. The thing you ask I do not give lightly.'

  'You aren't exactly a proper Talabheim matron either,' countered Reiner. 'They don't join the army. And I doubt you and your Yarl ever crossed hands under the Hammer.'

  Franka looked at the floor. 'We were married in our way. In Sigmar's eyes if not those of the law. And that is one of the reasons I beg you to wait a while.' She looked up at Reiner. 'I made a vow on Yarl's death, in honour of my love for him, that a year would pass before I took a husband, or another lover. I intend to honour that vow.'

  Reiner fought to keep the frustration from his face. 'And a year hasn't yet passed?'

  'There are five months left before I may love again.'

  'Five months!' The words echoed through the great hall and Reiner and Franka froze, listening for a challenge. None came. Reiner lowered his voice to a harsh whisper. 'Five months? We could be dead in five months! Sigmar knows what madness Manfred has in store for us. He could send us to the Chaos Wastes, for all we know.'

  'Please, m'lord. You are cruel to press me like this.'

  Reiner sighed and sat back. 'Very well. I won't make a fool of myself. But could we not at least share a single kiss - as chaste as you like - as acknowledgement of our feelings toward one another?'

  Franka chuckled. 'And one kiss won't lead to another?'

  'Upon my honour, lady, I...'

  Franka held up a hand. 'Don't. It would pain me to be disappointed with you, so I won't give you the opportunity to lie.' She opened her arms. 'Instead, I will grant you your kiss, and be ready to defend myself.'

  'You wound me, lady.'

  'You will recover, I'm sure.'

  They closed each other in an embrace. Franka raised her face to Reiner's. He lowered his lips to hers. It was a chaste kiss, at first, but after a moment the tension went out of their arms and they pressed closer, melting into each other as if the boundaries between them were blurring. Franka moaned in her throat and her hands ran down Reiner's back. Her lips parted. Reiner gripped her hips and pulled her into him.

  'No!' Franka was suddenly pushing back, turning her head away. Reiner thought he saw tears in her eyes.

  'But why?' asked Reiner urgently. 'Your need is obviously as great as mine. Why do you deny yourself?' 'Because I have made a vow. I would dishonour Yarl's memory if I broke it.'

  'Damn all vows,' growled Reiner, reaching for her again. 'You dishonour your true nature by denying-'

  'Hist!' said Franka, turning. 'I heard a noise.'

  'None of your tricks,' said Reiner, but now he heard it too: a rustling and bumping. He and Franka stepped to the lattice that screened the gallery from the great hall below and looked down.

  Shuffling somnolently through the patches of moonlight that illuminated the big room, dressed only in his night shirt, was Groff's son Udo. His eyes were open, but he moved like a blind man pulled forward by some invisible rope.

  'He sleepwalks,' murmured Reiner.

  'We... er, we should follow him,' whispered Franka. 'And make sure he doesn't do himself a mischief.' She turned towards the door.

  Reiner gave her a sly look. 'Are you concerned for his safety or your own?'

  Franka smirked. 'You are very perceptive, sir.' And before he could pull her back, she evaded his arms and slipped into the corridor. Reiner sighed and followed.

  As they started down the stairs to the hall, they saw Udo coming up. They backed around a corner until he topped the stairs and walked away down the corridor.

  Franka started after him. Reiner cursed. He had felt her desire. It would only have been a matter of time before she succumbed. Now who knew when they could come to grips again. Five months? Unthinkable.

  Udo turned a corner. When Reiner and Franka reached it, Franka peeked around, then pulled quickly back.

  'What is it?' asked Reiner.

  'A... a woman,' said Franka, frowning.

  'What?' Reiner eased his head around the corner.

  At the end of a short hallway, open doors revealed a scene from some old romantic painting - a couple embracing on an ivy-covered balcony, the lovers haloed softly in the moonlight - except in the painting, the man would undoubtedly have worn breeches.

  The woman was shockingly beautiful, a voluptuous succubus in a plum velvet dress, with glossy black hair and a full-lipped, heart-shaped face. Udo was fully under her spell, trying to close with her like a lust-crazed schoolboy while she held him off.

  'Later, beloved.' she was saying. 'We must speak of other things first.'

  The scene felt familiar, but Reiner was so beglamoured by the woman's beauty he couldn't remember why. He only wanted to continue to look at her.

  A hand pulled him roughly back. 'Do you want them to see you?' hissed Franka.

  'I was, er, well...'

  Franka rolled her eyes.

  The woman's voice floated around the corner: a throaty contralto. 'No, beloved. First you must tell me what was said at dinner. Why is Valdenheim here? Does he mean to destroy us?'

  Reiner and Franka froze at the mention of Manfred's name.

  'Dinner be da
mned.' whined Udo. 'You don't understand how much I need you. I ache for you.'

  'I know exactly how much you need me, silly boy. Now tell me or I shall leave.'

  Udo yelped. 'No! You mustn't! I will tell! Though they said little enough. Father begged Valdenheim for help fighting the "horror" in the forest, but Valdenheim put him off, saying the Empire hasn't the resources.'

  'So he hasn't come to hunt us down?'

  'No. He's only passing through. Taking spies to be questioned in Altdorf, he said.'

  Reiner and Franka heard the woman's relieved sigh. 'Very good. Now did you tell your father of the white stag as I asked? Has he agreed to the hunt?'

  'I told him, but... but, beloved, is it really necessary to kill him? I know he's a fool, but he is my...'

  'He will never consent to our union, my sweet. Or to the kingdom of pleasure we hope to found here. It is best...' She stopped suddenly, then murmured something Reiner and Franka couldn't hear.

  'What?' said Udo loudly. 'Overheard?'

  Reiner and Franka began backing hastily away, but before they could take three steps Udo was around the corner, swinging his fists wildly. 'Assassins!' he cried. 'Spies!'

  'Hush, beloved!' hissed the woman, following him. 'You'll wake the house.'

  Reiner and Franka dropped Udo with a few well-placed fists and knees, and he rolled away, groaning. The woman was another matter. She flashed towards them like an oiled shadow, a stiletto glinting in her hand. Reiner and Franka dropped their hands to their belts, forgetting again that they had no daggers.

  The woman lunged at Reiner, her blade seeking his neck. He grabbed her wrist, trying to force it back. It was like trying to bend iron. He looked in her eyes. They shone with a weird light. His mind began to swim. Franka kicked the woman in the stomach. The beauty snarled and backhanded her, breaking eye-contact with Reiner. Franka flew back, head bouncing off the wall, and she slid to the floor.

  Reiner caught the woman's arm as she stabbed again, this time averting his eyes, but even using his whole body to hold the stiletto away, still it inched towards his neck.

  Sounds of doors opening echoed down the hall.

  'Unhand her, villain!' cried Udo, staggering up. Franka grabbed his legs. He kicked her in the face.

  'Idiot child!' hissed the beauty. 'Be silent!'

  Udo pummelled Reiner. His blows were weak, but a lucky punch to the kidney made Reiner's knees buckle and the witch's stiletto jerked forward, gashing his collar bone.

  With a look of triumph, she ripped her arm free of Reiner's grip and raised the stiletto, but feet were running towards them and they heard the scrape of unsheathing swords. The beauty looked up, cursing, then jumped back, eyes flashing angrily at Udo. 'Fool! I told you to be silent.' With a frustrated hiss, she ran to the balcony and leapt over. Reiner half expected her to fly away like some bird of prey, but she dropped out of sight and was gone.

  Udo's fist caught Reiner on the cheekbone. 'Spoilsport! You've chased her away!'

  Reiner ducked back and grabbed Udo's arms. Franka lurched up and caught Udo's collar from behind, pulling his shirt down over his shoulders to trap his arms. Reiner was about to head butt the youth when he saw a livid mark on Udo's exposed chest. A small puncture wound, purple-black with infection, rose directly over his heart. It looked like a third nipple.

  'Ware,' muttered Franka, looking past Reiner. 'Manfred and our host.'

  Reiner looked back. Manfred and Groff were hurrying towards them in robes and nightshirts, swords drawn, leading a handful of knights and house guards.

  Udo shoved Reiner back and pulled his shirt closed. 'Father,' he cried. 'These men have assaulted me! Arrest them!'

  'What is the meaning of this?' demanded Groff, bustling up. 'Manfred, aren't these your prisoners?'

  'They are,' said Manfred. 'And I promise a reckoning when I discover who let them out.'

  'My lords,' said Reiner quickly, 'there is greater evil afoot here than our petty truancy. Your house is infiltrated, Lord Groff. There is a witch on your grounds. She came to meet your son and just now leapt over the balcony. If you hurry-'

  'What nonsense is this?' barked Groff. 'You try to draw attention from your crimes by accusing my son of witchcraft? Manfred, slay these insolent-'

  'But 'tis the truth, my lord,' said Reiner. 'She has marked him. You have only to look at his...'

  'Enough,' said Manfred. 'What are you doing out of quarters, and who let you out?'

  'My lord,' said Franka, imploring. 'She is getting away.'

  'Answer my question, curse you!'

  Reiner ground his teeth. 'Here's your answer, y'damned fools.' And before anyone could stop him, he grabbed Udo's collar and ripped his nightshirt clean off.

  Groff jumped forward, shouting and swinging his sword as Reiner dodged back. 'He assaults my son before my eyes! Stand, villain, I will...'

  But Manfred was staring at Udo, who stood dumbly, with the unclean wound exposed for all to see. Groff followed his gaze and choked as he saw it.

  'Groff,' Manfred said quietly. 'Lock up your son. He has been tainted and cannot be trusted.' He turned to one of his knights. 'Strieger, rouse the others and make ready. And lock the prisoners in the carriage. We ride within the hour.'

  'You're not leaving?' exclaimed Lord Groff. 'Not now?'

  'We must.' said Manfred. 'This was obviously an attempt to corrupt your house from the inside, but now that they know we know of their existence and their intent, they will try to stop us from warning Altdorf. We must be away before they surround us.'

  'But they'll slaughter us!' cried Groff.

  'Twenty knights would do nothing to change that outcome,' said Manfred, striding down the hall. 'We will pass Boecher's garrison on our way south. I will ask them to send reinforcements.'

  Groff trotted after Manfred, mewling his distress, as Manfred's knights took Reiner and Franka in tow while Groff's guards did the same with Udo.

  'But my lady doesn't wish to hurt anyone,' whined Udo. 'She wants us all to live only for pleasure.'

  A HALF HOUR later, the Blackhearts were back in the cramped coach, bouncing and jolting uncomfortably as they raced down the rough track that led to the main Altdorf road. The thunder of Manfred's knights riding at full gallop drowned out all other sound and made conversation impossible.

  A quarter of an hour out, there came a cry of 'Ware, bandits!' and the Blackhearts heard the knights draw steel.

  Reiner and the others crowded to the slatted windows. On both sides of the road was a large, hastily-made camp. Bandits caught in the act of raising tents and starting fires were backing towards the woods as they gaped at Manfred's retinue. Others were snatching up weapons and preparing to fight. But when it became clear that the knights didn't intend to stop, some of the bandits waved their arms and called out after them.

  'What they say?' asked Giano.

  Pavel swallowed, nervous. 'They said, "Turn back".'

  ONLY A FEW minutes later there was another cry from the knights, and the coach reined to a sudden, slewing stop. Reiner and his companions again pressed to the windows. It was impossible for them to see forward, but they heard anxious muttering from the knights, and on both sides of the coach the forest crowded too close to the road.

  'It's blocked,' said a knight.

  The forest was changed. Choking the tall pines and stout oaks were twisted vines, black of leaf, and heavy with purple, pendulous fruit, that gave off a cloying odour.

  'The vines,' whispered Giano. 'They move.'

  Reiner wanted to chide him for his foolish imaginings, but when he looked at the tendrils stretching toward the road he couldn't be sure the Tilean wasn't right.

  'Dortman!' came Manfred's voice. 'See if a way can be cut.'

  'Yes, my lord.'

  Hooves trotted forward and the Blackhearts heard a thwacking of sword on vine. 'It is very thick, my lord. And I can see no end to-'

  His words were cut off by a whistling thud, and a crash of armour hitting har
d-packed dirt.

  'Archers!' cried a knight, and suddenly the air was hissing with arrows. They thudded and rattled off the coach and the Blackhearts jerked back from the windows and dropped to the floor in a frightened pile.

  'Fall back!' cried Manfred. 'Back to the castle!'

  As the coach lurched around awkwardly, arrow heads splintered through the back wall. They glistened with green putrescence.

  Hals hissed. 'Poison.'

  THREE KNIGHTS DIED in the ambush, and two more were dying from cuts that barely bled, screaming in agony as poison burned through their veins. The coachman too had died. Klaus had manned the reins in their headlong flight to the castle.

  Now Manfred conferred again with Groff in the courtyard while his knights stood by, and the Blackhearts waited with Klaus.

  'How many men do you have?' asked Manfred.

  'Sixteen knights, my lord,' said Groff. 'And forty foot, most with bows and spears, And I've pressed the staff into service, though they've to make do with pitchforks and fire-irons. Isn't much, I'm afraid.'

  Reiner followed Manfred's gaze as the count surveyed the broken walls, where a collection of peasant conscripts, cooks and pot-boys made an inadequate defence. Groffs 'knights' - beardless youths pressed into armour after their older brothers had died in the recent conflict - guarded the widest, most easily breached gaps in the walls. They were spread very thin. Manfred looked grim. Reiner wanted to throw up.

  'Pull half those boys off the wall,' Manfred said, 'and set them to tearing apart that scaffolding. Sharpen the ends of the poles and plant them at an angle before the gaps in the walls. Next, use the wood of the stables to make bonfires fifty yards from the walls in all directions so we may see the enemy before they're at our throats. Pour all the lamp oil you have into the moat and be ready to light it when they attempt to cross. It will not be enough. We will die, but at least we will take as many with us as...'

  'My lord,' said Reiner. 'Might I make a suggestion?'

  'You may not,' snapped Manfred.

  'A suggestion that may allow us to win, my lord.'

  Manfred turned on him, glaring. 'What is it?'

  'The bandits, my lord. They are trained men, armed with bow and sword. If...'