The Will
The reading of the Will provides no surprises - Ada is to inherit the Barony and assume the title on her 14th birthday, Steward Meyer is to rule in her stead until then and provide her with a tutor in the meantime.
Meyer says he is willing to speak with any of those present at the Merchant's Hall in an hour and implores them to come together, saying the Baron's death should not be in vain and that Ada's heritage is not in question.
Count Ludenhof announces that he will pay a 50 gold crown reward for the head of Gazrin One-horn, that his friend should be avenged. Baron Todbringer says he must leave for Middenheim and Kepler Karzburdger acuses him of fleeing as he had Renault Scheffers murdered! Suddenly everyone is talking at at once.
Magdalena takes Ada and Gilbert back to the house with Jean Saunier, agreeing to bring them to the meeting at the Merchants Hall shortly.
Amos manages to get the clock in the temple of Verena working for 1pm, then heads out to The Pit, but a commotion on the other side of the gates has led to the guards preventing entry or exit, so he makes his way to the Roamer's Pint to join Farfordda and Norgrim. He arrives shortly after Taciana Petraska, who having spotted Farfordda sitting at the window has dropped by to tell him the Strigany are breaking camp and intend to leave Holzbek by sunset. From the window they see Baron Todbringer leaving the town.
The various noble parties convene at the Merchants hall to argue their cases. Lady Eisenhal that Ada should stay with them in Sohk as Dunfurter is no place to raise a young Baroness, Elector Count Ludenhof that she should be raised at his castle in Hergig for the same reasons, plus she can get to know her betrothed then too. Magdalena weighs in with what turns out to be a seemingly acceptable compromise; Ada should be raised at Dunfurter but the Eisenhal's will provide her with a tutor and the Ludenhofs a troop of soldiers to protect her.
The Duke of Immelscheid is called away during the debate - the east gate has been locked down as men of his were in a scuffle with the Freelancers and a sergeant was killed. Meyer manages to have a brief chat with Magdalena, asking that she comes with them and stays close to Ada until they reach Dunfurter. The plan is to leave at dawn tomorrow.
Farfordda and the Dwarves leave the confines of the town walls for the Oststrasse, Amos picking up a copy of the Holzbek Herald on route - its piece on the Baron's Will prints the details and Meyer's speech verbatim with almost nothing in the way of commentary or opinion.
As the Dwarves go for a drink in The Pit, Farfordda visits the Strigany camp, which is in the process of packing up. Petru Uriah tells him things are getting too fractious here, they are moving on before they start getting the blame for all the ills of the town. Farfordda presents him with his share of the Oberholzbek glimmer-lead as a gift and asks that he pass word back to Farfordda's kin via his Strigany confreres of old who know them; that he has spent the past while fighting the forces of chaos and that should he survive this coming Grunsnacht he can be found at the Eonir settlement near Altdorf. Taking a not-so-subtle subtle hint Uriah gifts Farfordda a bottle of Dreamwine and then they haggle over potions. 2 Sun stones (Farfordda & Norgrims) and a few gold crowns are exchanged for a Panacea Universalis and a Draft of Forms. They say their goodbyes and Uriah gifts Farfordda a lucky charm as they part.
When they return to the town Amos drops by the print works, he found another copy of the seditious pamphlet at The Pit and comparing it with the type on the Holzbek Herald is not entirely sure if it was printed here. The printer claims he would never let such a thing be printed, it looks like a Middenheim job to him. Amos tries to pass on some engineering tips about the machinery before he leaves.
It is time for the funeral rites of Baron Holzbek. Magdalena attends the service at the temple of Sigmar with Elena and Ada, while the others join the crowds in the town square outside. Fog gathers as the sermon reaches its climax and the Baron's body is carried out by Von Reiter and his household guard to the chanting of a Sigmarite dirge.
Brother Holsenheimer speaks on behalf of Morr, then Sister Garner on behalf of Verena and finally Wolf-born Heinlein on behalf of Ulric. Steward Meyer lights the Pyre and the body burns as the sun sets. Farfordda with his Second Sight and Amos with his glasses can see the twisting colours of Dhar rise up in the smoke as the corruption burns.
Once back at Holzbek Manor Magdalena takes up position in Ada's room - after asking Elena where is Sir Vaksman, he's been sorting out travel arrangements all afternoon apparently. Magdalena stresses to Ada that even though Dunfurter might not be as fancy as some castle in Sohk it will be an easier life than growing up on a farm in the shadow of the Middle Mountains. She then jams the door shut and settles down for the evening.
Norgrim and Farfordda make for The Pit, time for Norgrim Reaper vs Jolly Joss Volker - well it will be after the first fight, where Tyson Eisenmenger absolutely destroys Waldron Jaekel. Farfordda turns a few heads by putting down 1 GC on Norgrim, the odds are even.
Amos turns up just in time for the starting bell - he dropped by the temple of Verena to receive Sister Garner's thanks for fixing the clock and borrows a book on engineering saying he'll leave it at Dunfurter.
Its 9pm, Festag, 3rd Nachgeheim, damp and foggy outside, but hot and sweaty in The Pit, packed to the gunnels and heaving with chanting and stamping as the starting bell rings...
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