This is my take on how Wolfgang and Gerde came to be, and the backstory on Gerde. Takes place around 1988, 5 years before the start of GK1.


"Herr Huber. I'm retired for five years now, you know this. I don't have time for new cases." Wolfgang squinted at the man at the large door to Schloss Ritter. He wasn't used to opening this door.

Behind Werner Huber stood a teenaged girl with hair as golden as the sun, even when drenched. The heavy rain beat down behind them into the evening, and their shivering suggested that they didn't want to stand in it much longer.

"Herr Ritter, this isn't Schattenjager business. This is for your own well-being. You're getting old, Wolfgang, and you shouldn't live alone...it isn't healthy to be locked away with no contact to the outside world." he explained gruffly, his beard moving with his jaw.

Wolfgang's eyes moved to the girl. "Who is this?" She met his gaze as well.

"Gerde Hull. She is the daughter of Herr Hull, remember? His wife died a year ago." Huber asked.

"No, I don't seem to recall. I haven't been down to Rittersberg in a very long while."

"Well, he just passed away earlier today in an automobile accident."

"I am sorry to hear that." Wolfgang looked at Huber, then Gerde. Gerde solemnly stood there. Wolfgang continued, "But I still fail to see the purpose of your visit, Herr Huber."

"Rittersberg is a very small village, and no one can afford to take her in. She is still not old enough to be on her own."

Wolfgang became more alert and said, "If this is about money, I have none. My castle is in disrepair, and there is no money coming in."

"I was thinking more along the lines of letting her stay in your castle, even just temporarily. It surely is big enough, don't you think?" Huber exclaimed. He gazed inside, at the Great Hall behind Wolfgang.

"It is certainly no place for a child." Wolfgang said with a laugh.

"But Wolfgang! No one else can take her in! It will do you good to have a companion. Even if just for a few days, yes? Until we get her situated?" Huber pleaded.

"I'm sorry, I just can't. I will not have a little girl running around my castle. This is a Schattenjager sanctuary, not a playground. And what about you? Why can't you take her, and let her work as a barmaid in your Goldener Lowe?"

"I have my own children to worry about. You, Herr Ritter, have no children."

That stuck a knife in Wolfgang; he stood there staring at Huber in disbelief that he once again reminded Wolfgang of his painful past. An awkward moment passed where nothing was spoken.

Gerde finally spoke up politely, "...Please, Herr Ritter. I'll do anything you need. I can cook and clean...just let me stay here? I have nowhere else." Her blue eyes shone with hope.

Wolfgang looked at Huber and said, "Nowhere else?" Huber shook his head no.

Her eyes got him...Wolfgang finally gave up.

"...Fine. A Schattenjager can't turn away someone in need. You are welcome to stay, if you wish." Wolfgang reluctantly said with crossed arms. Gerde's face lit up, as well as Huber's. Wolfgang continued, "But if you stay, you will work."

"Thank you greatly, Wolfgang. I will tell the mayor of your decision; he will determine where she is to go, and if she has any family left." Huber briskly shook hands with Wolfgang, and Wolfgang ushered Gerde inside. Huber tipped his hat to Wolfgang in goodbye. The heavy wooden door closed shut with a creak.


"I will show you to the room you'll be sleeping in." Wolfgang pointed out the obvious as he led Gerde down the silent hallway. He was at least a head taller than she.

As Gerde followed him, she looked around, and on the cold stone walls were some old black and white photographs. One showed a man with curly hair and another man with blonde hair (brothers?) both standing in front of an old automobile. The next photo showed the curly-haired man and a woman, and his hand rested on her pregnant belly; happiness adorned their faces. On another photo, there was the same woman, but this time holding a newborn baby in a blanket. That was the last photograph on the wall.

"Was that you in those pictures, Herr Ritter?" Gerde quietly asked. She matched the man's curly hair with Wolfgang's curly grey hair.

He stopped and looked back at her. "What pictures?"

"Those ones on the wall." she pointed.

His eyes were drawn to the photos, then got wider and then he rapidly turned and ordered, "Those are nothing, forget them. Follow me to your room, it's just up here."

Gerde glanced at the pictures once more, then caught up to speed with him.

He then opened a door and Gerde poked her head inside. It was a simple, extra room in the castle, fit for a guest passing through.

"Thank you, Herr Ritter."

"Please, call me Wolfgang." he smiled. "So this is your bedroom for the short time you're staying here. In the meantime, you will cook the meals and clean the messes, ja?"

"Ja, Wolfgang." Gerde went inside the room and plopped down on the bed, her eyes closed.

"And also do NOT wander into rooms around the castle and-are you listening to me, young lady?" said Wolfgang, exasperated.

"Ja, Wolfgang." Gerde giggled. She sat up, looking at him still in the doorway.

"I will not tolerate childishness in this castle, Gerde." Wolfgang crossed his arms, his signature pose. "Now, you are not to go into rooms you are not authorized to be in, do you understand?"

"What rooms?"

"All the rooms. Just stay in the kitchen, the Great Hall, and your bedroom, and there will be no problems."

Although Gerde didn't understand why, she just shook her head yes.

"Good." Wolfgang looked around Gerde, then back out in the hallway, then back at Gerde again. "Where's your bags? Didn't you bring your clothes and belongings with you?"

"My father was in a lot of debt...somebody else owns my house now. There's still much of the debt to be paid."

"To whom?" he inquired.

"Some man I don't know. I don't even know what the debt came from, I wasn't involved in my father's dealings." her eyes were sorrowful.

"Oh...poor girl." he for the first time got a good look at her, with her staring back at him. He realized how naturally beautiful she was...with her golden hair falling down like a waterfall, blue sapphires for eyes, elegant cheekbones...

'No,' he thought, 'I can't fall for her sob story, as charming as she is. She'll be leaving in a few days.'

Gerde gave a strange look, like a 'why are you just standing there looking at me' kind of look.

Wolfgang coughed. "All right, then. All set for the night? Gute nacht." he quickly said and stepped outside. The door shut abruptly, leaving Gerde alone.


Early the next morning, Wolfgang awoke to a loud banging on his bedroom door. 'Oh, who is this at such an early hour?!' he thought and warily rose out of his bed. He cracked all the creaks in his body and stretched.

'Oh wait...it's just Gerde. There's nobody else in the castle. Heh. You're getting old, Wolfgang.' he chuckled to himself.

On opening the door, Gerde stood there in a blue dress, holding a tray. On it was a plate of fried potatoes, eggs over easy, a bread roll and some wurst sausages.

"Here is your fruhstuck!" Gerde smiled. Her hair was in an elegant, braided bun.

"You're this eager to work? This early? You found the kitchen?" Wolfgang yawned and took the tray and set it on the small dresser next to the door. "Did you eat already?"

"Why, yes I am eager to work, if it means me staying here. Yes, I did find the kitchen; it took a little adventuring, I'm not going to lie." her blue eyes met his brown as she smiled. "And yes, I did eat mine already."

He pulled up a chair to the small dresser for a makeshift table and starting eating his breakfast. 'She's so innocent and simple...and sweet.'

"Come in, come in, girl. Where did you live in Rittersberg?" he said between mouthfuls. She sat down on the large window ledge, her feet not even reaching the stone floor.

"On the outskirts. My father owned a farm, and we raised cattle, goats, sheep...all kinds of farm animals and I was in charge of them as a girl." she explained.

"So you're a country girl. Which explains why you're so work-minded." he smiled.

"I loved caring for the animals...I wish I still had them. Everything including the animals and the land was sold...but it was still not enough." she seemingly trailed off in her thoughts.

Wolfgang's heart sank at her sadness. "It is a shame. If I could do something about it, I would."

She continued to stare at the floor.

He cleared his throat and said, "Where did you find that dress? I haven't seen that in...years."

"Oh, this? I found it in my room, in one of the dressers. May I wear it?" she asked, her graceful brows arcing.

"Ja, of course. It was my wife's, many years ago. You are grown enough that it fits?"

"It does. Perfectly. It's so pretty." she smiled sincerely and ran her hands over it.

"...It is. It fits you well." Wolfgang didn't even notice that he'd finished his breakfast until now. "Look at me, I'm not even dressed properly yet." he said with a laugh and stood up. "I will dress and then go to my study. You can do whatever you'd like-read, draw, whatnot-but stay in your room or the Great Hall. If you need me, knock on this bedroom door, okay?"

Gerde stood as well and went for the door. "Understood." she said with a smile, and walked out. She was going to find something to do in her room to pass the time.