Standing on the grand balcony, Reinhardt inhaled a deep breath of the cool mountain air and relished the soft warmth of the fading light of New Berlin's afternoon sun. The air was crisp and cold, bracing, as his father would have called it. Reinhardt smiled inwardly to himself, letting his gaze slowly drift across the vista spread before him. The lindenallee of gnarled, ancient, trees that lined the roadway to leading to manor stretched off before him to the gatehouse near the private landing platforms. Those trees were much like the estate, he thought to himself - proud, but showing the toll time had taken upon it. Although most of the main house had been restored, it still told the story of a fallen house - gilded halls, yet beneath the facade the wear was unmistakable to the practiced eye. At least, the manse nestled into the forested hills not far from the main house had been fully rebuilt, though at no small cost. It had been designed by his great-great-great grandfather as a quiet retreat, its simple design was elegant yet comfortable, restrained yet proudly Rheinlandic.
Reinhardt let his eyes wander; there, far in the distance on the horizon, could be seen the glow of lights from the capital; but here on the Ehrenberg Estate had settled a peaceful quiet. He relished the moment; it had been weeks since he had time enough to simply stop and rest, it was high time.
"Or, perhaps, it is the quiet before the storm..." He muttered the words softly to himself, and nearly jumped in shock when from behind him came the answer: "Storms pass, mein herr." Manfred; Reinhardt had quite forgotten he had sent for him. Letting his gaze sweep across the snow covered vista one last time, he turned to his atttendant. "Is everything ready? My guests will be arriving before long... it is important that my honored guest should feel comfortable, is the Manse outfitted with everything he could need, is..."
"Alles ist gut, mein Junge, alles ist gut." Manfred cut across his master's questioning, he had served the family since the Admiral's grandfather's days, he was well accustomed to handling them. "Zere are amenities laid out for ze prince, and the kitchens are already hard at work."
"And the gift for the admiral?"
"In hand, Reinhardt. Bitte, I've been doing this long enough!"
Reinhardt smiled, and reached out to his aging attendant. He had indeed been a loyal servant, and Reinhardt could still remember fondly the games they had played in the snow as a child, when father was away. As always. He clasped Manfreds arm; "Ja.. I know, forgive me Manfred. Give me battle, give me war, but social obligations..." He shifted uncomfortably, before pushing the thought aside. "Gut, I will leave you to make everything ready Manfred, and if you would send a shuttle to the Hauptquartier, and another to the starport, to fetch my guests. The rest I believe will arrive via the landing pads", he gestured at the fixtures near the gatehouse, "make sure their nav-guides are unlocked." Manfred nodded as Ehrenberg swept past him back into the warmth of the house.
A few hours later, lost once more in status reports and troop movements in his office, Reinhardt was disturbed by a knocking on the door. It was Manfred; he did not have to say anything. It was time. Reinhardt stood, paused to correct his dress-uniform in the mirror, and left for the main room. Emerging from his office, looking down the grand stairway, he could see that Killian had been the first to arrive. Beaming, he called down: "Mein Sohn!"
The glare he got back from the young man stopped him dead in his track. Raising a hand by way of pacification, "Ja, ja... but we will have to talk about it sometime, Killian..." The glare did not fade, so he let the matter drop. "Ah vell... I had Manfred lay out a dress uniform for you, upstairs. Make yourself comfortable in the main hall, I will join you after I have met my... guest." The young man nodded silently, and quickly left the room. Grimacing inwardly, Reinhardt swept the matter from his mind. Now was not the time for family concerns, the Great Game was afoot, and like it or not it was time to play.
A faint beeping from the security system told him it was time, the shuttle was approaching the manor along the great lindenallee. He nodded to Manfred, before leaving the entry hall for the comfort of his private office. "When he arrives, show him to my office. When the admirals arrive, please make them comfortable in the main hall, and tell them I will be there soon." He did not wait for a reply, Manfred had never failed him before, and understood better than most the significance of this moment in his master's mind.
The minutes seemed to pass like hours, an eternity in every breath. But at long last a knocking on the door heralded the arrival of his guest; as the door swung open, Reinhardt laid his eyes on the young prince Christian for the first time. Although he far outranked the newly transfered soldier, he nonetheless had to fight to overcome a stammer; he gestured to the comfortable chairs by the fireplace, where glasses of the finest Riesling had already been set out. "Ich bitte sie, euer G'naden... setzen sie sich."
Christian was more than a little surprised to be summoned to such a fine house only to be referred to as 'Your grace'. He presumed that he was in trouble, or there to receive his orders or an assignment of some nature. He stood uncomfortably in the doorway While I thank you for your offer sir, I prefer to collect my orders and leave you in peace. No one had told him why he'd be here or what to expect, but the grand nature of the building already made him feel out of place and very under-dressed for such an occasion. Escaping was the first tactic he'd try and if that didn't work, then he was out of luck. Still, he couldn't quite figure out what 'Your Grace' actually meant in this case. He was simply 'Albrecht', nothing more nothing less.
For the briefest of moments the admiral froze, his mind racing; had the offended his guest? Then, suddenly, it dawned on him. Despite his name, despite his lineage, this was not a man accustomed to his rank; he had spent much of his life as an officer of the law, not an an imperial scion. He openly smiled, reaching down onto his desk his retrieved a manilla envelope. Walking around his desk, he offered the man the folder: "Your orders. You have been assigned as the Strategic Operations Officer in my Kampfgruppe. Given your file, I have no doubt you will find yourself more than equal to the task."
Taking the few steps to the table, he took a glass of the Riesling and offered it to the man, taking the other for himself. "But I confess, eu... Herr von Albrecht, that you are not here simply for your orders... Ach, I've never been good at subtleties, so please forgive my bluntness: To say I know your family, is an understatement. Your family and mine have a great deal of history, and there are those amongst us who... still believe."
Reinhardt took a sip of the Riesling, relishing it for a moment. As he did so, his eyes lingered on the bust above the fire; showing centuries of wear, the depiction remained clear enough: cut there were the features of the last emperor, still proudly surveying the room. "Ahh. You should try ze Riesling, it really is very good," he chuckled, "but I invited you here because I wished to meet the man, not just the file."
Chosing his words carefully, he scrutinized Christian von Albrecht's face, "Well, the simple truth is that there is a great game afoot, and there are no doubt those that would see you harmed, or a pawn in the game. If you are willing, I offer you my protection both personal and professional. And besides, I should like for you to meet some of the officers of the admiralty, most are very keen to make your acquaintance."
"I realize... I realize that this must be a great deal to take in, so suddenly. Please, ich bitte sie, take your time." He gestured out the grand bay window; to the far left side of the estate, nestled against the mountains, the roof of the old manse peaked out above the trees, "I took the liberty of refurbishing my ancestors quiet retreat, it is yours to use. The men guarding it are my most loyal, anything you should need, simply ask. And... I took the liberty of having a dress uniform in your measurements laid out for you."
Christian stood there dumbfounded, and for a brief moment silence dominated the room. Sir... If what you say is true. Then I'm going to need a few minutes to actually collect my thoughts. If anyone seriously needs me I'll be in your retreat for a while. As I'm sure you can imagine, I'm more than a little shocked. With a curt bow and a swift 180 turn, Christian left before the man even had a chance of replying. He walked quickly, eager to get away from other people. He thought about legging it as far away as possible, but he knew in his heart of hearts, it wouldn't do him any good.
The retreat was, thankfully, empty and Christian slumped into a large arm chair, his head resting in his hands as to what he was just told. He wasn't happy, he wasn't angry or distressed either, but he was certainly confused. The real problem was that Reinhardt was absolutely correct, people would seek to use him, or harm if. If what the man said was true of course. For all he knew, it was an elaborate joke by someone particularly cruel. Yet everything was as the man said, a dress uniform was laid out, the room was empty and there was obviously men patrolling the grounds. If there was any further truth to the mans words, he would need to explore some more. But for now, he decided that no one would worry if he had a nap before anything happened.
Reinhardt stood there for a few moments, listening to the footsteps pass down the hall and out of earshot. He could barely imagine the turmoil the prince must be feeling, from officer of the law to imperial scion in a day. He could not help but chuckle out loud, how absurd this all must seem.
"You did not offend him did you, mein herr?" Manfred's tone was measured, but the good-natured barb was a familiar tone to Reinhardt. He had quietly entered the room as Christian left, ever the attentive domo. "Should I go see to him?"
"Nein, I... well, I hope not. And I think not yet, let the poor man have some peace and quiet; see to it he is not disturbed for now. In any case, the admirals are arriving, ja?" He paused for a moment, "Once all my guests have arrived, send someone trustworthy... Peter, or Alfred, perhaps, and invite him to join us. If he does not wish to, make sure he has food, drink... whatever he wishes."
Manfred nodded slowly by way of response, "Ja, they are beginning to arrive now; I will see the prince gets all he requires."
"Gut, but... don't overdo it with princely titles, I think it made him uncomfortable, and I wish for him to be comfortable as well as safe." Reinhardt took one more sip of the riesling, before placing the glass on his desk. Adjusting his dress uniform, he made his way from the upstairs office down the grand stairway into the reception hall to meet his guests. Entering the hall he could see a few of the gentlemen had already arrived, he summoned his most hospitable tone: "Guten abend zusammen, meine Herren."
It felt already late for the Offiziere as they arrived. Neither Wolfgang wasn't able to sleep the whole night, nor Karl-Heinz. As the Kaiserstolz landed near the Ehrenberg estate, Wolfgang had already drunk more than one liter of coffee. "It's about time we arrive, Herr Leutnant, we don't want the others to have to wait for us!" Karl-Heinz grumbled. The old Vizeadmiral hates the feeling to be too late. "You are right, Vater!" Wolfgang looked at his watch. Rheinhardt would be already waiting with the rest of the Admirality. "I understand, Sirs, I can promise you, we are still in time." " I hope that you are right, Leutnant..."
Karl-Heinz went to the car that was already driven out of the Kaiserstolz to bring the von Thielaus to the estate. " Danke, Hauptmann Zoller. You may sit down in the back of the car with my son." "Zu Befehl, Herr Vizeadmiral!" Wolfgang sat down in the car and could barely keep his eyes open. He opened a energy drink and enjoyed the ride to the impressive estate.
As soon as they arrived Karl-Heinz left the car and turned to his men. "Hauptmann, Leutnant, you will drive back to the Kaiserstolz and await further orders. Wolfgang, mein Junge, don't look to tired at a Gala-Abend! Follow me.""Jawohl Vater, I know the etiquettes!"" Dann ist's gut mein Junge." Karl-Heinz calmed down a bit and stumbled. "Was zum... he looked around a bit. "I don't see the others…"
Then he finally saw the Konteradmiral and a few other guests, as they entered the estate. "AH Reinhardt!" he shouted out. " Good to see you, mein Freund! Ah, I see you have the Riesling already im Anschlag" *he chuckles* Wolfgang entered the building slowly after his father and saluted as he saw the Konteradmiral, while his father already started talking with the other guests. " Reinhardt, Sir, a pleasure to see you! Dankesehr für die Einladung!" *Wolfgang looked at the Riesling Manfred offered them* " Ein sehr guter Tropfen, as always, Reinhardt!" Karl-Heinz came back after he greeted the other guests; "I must agree", he said. " Dein Riesling is the only one which still has rheinländische Qualitätsgarantie" *he grinned* Wolfgang looked at the two Admirals " Should we join the others, Vater? Reinhardt?"
The old man didn't answer and just nodded to Reinhardt.
Reinhardt returned the old admiral's respectful nod, and greeted Wolfgang with a firm handshake. He smiled and nodded at the men's glasses, "I'd be pleased to have Manfred set aside a case of the Riesling for you to take home...? Grandfather had the foresight to lay down an entire cellar's worth..." He chuckled. With a sweeping gesture of his arm, von Ehrenberg indicated to the main hall where the other guests had assembled. "Meine herren, bitte."
Passing through the door, flanked by soldiers in unassuming grey military uniforms, the grand hall opened up before them. Great marbled columns reached up two stories along the walls, seeming to raise up the great etched ceiling, once clearly adorned with intricate decorations and now faded with age. At the far side of the hall the great stone fireplace, crowned by an ancient and worn carving of the Rheinlandic eagle, brimmed with artificial plasma fire - a dance of a thousand colours, glittering through the room.
Along the left span of the room, opposite the great bay windows that looked out across the grounds, sat long tables upon which was laid out an array of fine foods, attended by a handful of staff. Many of the other guests had already arrived, gathered around the hall in groups and clusters; amongst their select number the members of the admiralty and small groups of young officers sporting an impressive array of honors on their dress uniforms.
With the majority of his guests arrived, Reinhardt thought it about time to do his proper duty as a host. For a brief moment he thought back to the formal gatherings his grandfathers had arranged, and smiled inwardly. Bracing himself for the need for proper etiquette, he spent some time making the proper introductions amongst his guests. After some time, a young officer surreptitiously entered the room via a side entry, signalling the admiral.
Noting the signal, Reinhardt turned to the two von Thielau's. "Please forgive me, but Admiral Baeke is about to arrive, I must attend to some final preparations." Half-turning, he paused for a moment before adding: "You should try the apfelstrudel, my chef's attempt at imitating your famous family recipe... its not quite there, but a good effort nonetheless." He laughed, gave both men a polite nod and left them to find Manfred.
The ever observant attendant, Manfred quickly moved to Reinhardt's side. "A gut, Manfred... the admiral is about to arrive, ja?" A nodded reply sufficed, and the admiral barely paused, "Gut, then please have someone fetch the gift. And if you please, would you see to Herr von Albrecht..." He hesitated, thinking, "Ask him if he wishes to attended, but.."
"Don't put pressure on him, verstanden, Reinhardt. And if he does not wish to attend..."
"See he has food, drink, whatever he wishes." Manfred turned to attend to his task, quickly leaving the hall. Reinhardt watched him go, before retunring to his guests.
Manfred walked slowly up the gently sloping path that lead up to the old retreat. Although the walk was not long, nor particularly taxing, Manfred was not as young as he had once been and the slowly meandering path up the hill wore him out if taken at speed. As he approached the manse, he could see armed men dotted here and there patrolling the grounds. He was still getting used to having armed soldiers about the estate, but the men of the admiral's select unit of guards were skilled at their work, and had shown themselves trustworthy time and time again.
Emerging from the trees that gave the retreat its privacy, the full view stretched out before him: nestled into a crag in the mountains the manse was simple yet peaceful. The structure was dominated by great hand hewn stones, braced with a dozen grand beams made of whole oak trees. At the front of the main square framed house, the entryway was overhung by a balcony on the floor above, pillared at each end with large squared stones; scarring the pillars in uneven running lines some unknown metal was faintly glowing in the evening sunlight. Stretching out to either side in a long v-shape from the main two storey building, ran two low lying annexes with recessed windows, each framed by much newer looking wooden beams. Capping it all, barely peaking above the treeline, sat the dark-slated roof; although in parts worn, it is streaked unevenly with patches of newer looking stone.
Passing the last guard before the house with a familiar nod, Manfred made the climb up the last few steps to the house. Before entering, he glanced up at the chimney-stack; good, although the prince had been left alone for a few hours, the old-fashioned wood fire was still burning. Manfred smiled inwardly at that - he had protested the old-fashioned fire be left during renovation, but he had not been able to argue that old-grandpa Erich von Ehrenberg would have preferred it this way.
Entering the manse, Manfred paused for a moment, listening. The house and grounds were quiet but a faint crackling was coming from the fire in the main lounge. Making his way there, he found the fire still burning well and the price resting in the armchair beside it. The dress uniform was still laid out, untouched. Manfred smiled to himself, made for the small, homely, kitchen and quietly set about preparations. Armed with a warm, bracing coffee made from the admiral's own supply, Manfred approached the dozing prince. "Mein herr?"
A pause, and again. "Entschuldigt, mein herr?" Manfred placed the tray on the table beside the chair, gently rousing the man by the arm. "Mein herr? Mein herr, Herr von Ehrenberg's compliments, I have brought you a coffee...," he gestured at the drink, and over at the dress uniform, "and he asks whether you wish you join him and his guests, Herr von Albrecht?"
He paused for a moment, letting the message sink in, continuing quickly therafter: "Or, if you prefer, I can arrange for some appropriate food and drink - and anything else you may require - sent up?"
At the same time Manfred was caring for von Albrecht, the two von Thielaus were talking to a young butler who was ordered to give them the case of Riesling they can take home. "Meine Herren von Thielau! I was ordered to give you these." Karl-Heinz looked at the bottles. He turned them around and held the bottle into light to see the color of the Riesling. "Ein wunderbarere Jahrgang. Reinhard really has a hand in selecting the best!" Karl-Heinz took a small comm-link out of his jacket. "Zoller! Komm mal her! I have a case of Riesling, a very nice gift from Reinhardt. Please be quick, I don't want to miss the Admiral's speech!"
"Jawohl, Herr Vizeadmiral! I send you a Laufmann to get the Riesling, he should arrive in short time." Zoller shook his head. "All this Wein... Hopefully the whole Rheinwehr Führungsstab doesn't has a Kater tommorow morning..." He had to laugh as he imagined that.
After the Laufmann had taken the Riesling, Karl-Heinz and Wolfgang entered the grand hall. Both were impressed by the ornaments. Karl-Heinz had to greet at the Adlerstatue as he was drilled. "Heil und Gesundheit dir, Rheinland! We will protect you and your citizens as you are the most important in the life of a Rheinwehr Offizier!" Wolfgang pulled his father away from the glancing golden Eagle and directed towards the long table with the finest food, Rheinland has to offer.
"Vater, I see you are hungry again, come, we will test the Apfelstrudel the Koch made! I hope he is as good as Rhinhardt tuld us, otherwise I order Jürgen to bring ours." Wolfgang laughed and took a piece of Apfelstrudel to put it on his plate. He looked around and spotted his father at the warm buffet. His father stood there with glancing eyes and it seemed his plate wasn't big enough for all the things Karl-Heinz puts on his plate. "SCHNITZEL! Heiliger Gott, Reinhardt really knows what a real Rheinländer needs to be happy!" Wolfgang chukled seeing his father happy again. He went to the long table and placed his plate next to the sign with his name on it. Wolfgang grinned inwardly. "Rheinhardt didn't miss anything", he thought while tasting the Apfelstrudel. It was warm with a tight taste of cinnamon. It was almost as good as his familie's Apfelstrudel.
Karl-Heinz sat down in front of Jürgen, as higher ranked officers got a better view on the podium, where the guests will be greeted probably by Reinhardt von Ehrenberg himself. Both ate their food and exchanged news with officers next to them. All were waiting for Reinhardt to come and give his honoring words he announced.
He was somewhat alarmed at this new arrival and shot up from the chair in which he'd slumped into and fell asleep. What? he asked, his senses slowly coming back to him. Oh..coffee..thank you but no thank you. He said standing, rubbing his eyes and waking up a bit more. Actually, yes. I will have that coffee. Was I supposed to..do something? Was someone expected to give a speech of some nature? I thought I was in some hellish nightmare where they thought I was a royal he gave a small chuckle. By now his senses had returned to him and he was standing upright, tying his shoelaces and brushing off his jacket. I hope I wasn't gone to long. Now, what's happening?
Manfred deftly helped the prince dress, unoptrusively providing the garments he needed at each turn. As von Albrecht finished speaking, Manfred adjusted his coat so that it lay neatly across the shoulder. "Nothing so formal mein herr, you may know Admiral Bake has recently retired as Grossadmiral? Well Reinha... herr von Ehrenberg is throwing this gathering in his honour."
Reaching for the small wooden case of medals and decorations, he also handed the price a handwritten list of names; each was of some old noble family, ranking officer of the high command or decorated combat veteran. "He thought you", he lingered on the word for a moment, "should meet them, and as the newest member of the admirals' command staff its only fitting."
Ever the fussy attendant, Manfred straightened the prince's dress uniform one more time, ensuring the decorations all sat correctly. Looking up at the young man, he gave him a warm, almost fatherly smile. "Da, the perfect image of the Rheinlandic gentleman. And," he paused a moment, "you're the prince. If you don't want to deal with it, well they aren't going to complain are they?" The old manservant chuckled to himself as he directed the prince from the manse to the manor.