Author's Notes: I still don't own anything.
Karl arrived at Strousenburg shortly before dawn four days after setting out from his village. He was tired halving walked through the night. He had spent every night siting with the shackles waiting for the change to come again but it never did; it was starting to really worry him, the longer it did not come the greater the chance that he would get careless and it would catch him off guard. So the waiting had become a nightly ritual for him, only going to sleep when he was sure that the change would not come that night.
He had seen other people on the road but he had avoided them. At first he was concerned he might change and attack, or at least be seen, but there were other reasons as well. He was obviously neither a hunter nor a traveling peddler. A person like him travelling alone would attract questions, questions he did not want to answer. The last two days he had seen more people as well as farms and other signs that he was approaching Strousenburg. He was glad to be here, he was quite tired of the road. There were a few things that Brome had left out of his stories. For example, he had failed to mention that four days of constant walking tended to make feet sore and produce blisters, which where annoying and hurt when they burst. He had also failed to inform him that the ground was rather harder than his old bed and one tossed and turned for quite some time before finally falling asleep.
On the other hand, he found himself rather nervous about entering the town. What was he going to do when he got in there? He did not know anyone and he had no skills besides that of miller, and of course there was the little problem of his changing into a monster every now and again.
He was distracted from these thoughts by the sound of the gates opening. He rose and squared his shoulders; forcing his worries to the back of his mind, he had not come all this way to be stopped by nerves. With renewed confidence he headed toward the gate.
He stared around him in amazement. He had known that his village was small but Strousenburg seemed enormous. The entirety of his village could have fit into one part of this place and have room to spare. His senses, all of which he found were markedly better now than they had been before, were overwhelmed by the sights, scents and smells. The temple of Sigmar was made of stone; he had never seen a building made of stone. An over there was a building that was three stories tall, how did a building so tall not fall down?
As he stood there wondering he heard a chuckle behind him. Turning he saw a man standing a few paces behind him was a man of about middle years. He was a good deal shorter than Karl but was dressed far better in a doublet of burgundy trimmed with gold lace. He was wearing hose of a dark color and he wore highly polished black boots. But it was his hat that grabbed Karl's attention. It was a massive affair of dark red with a gold band, but what really fascinated Karl was the massive feather of green and blue that was tucked into the band.
"Yes it is quite magnificent is it not?" The man asked proudly brushing his hand against the hat. Karl thought it rather ridiculous but he nodded politely, feeling a little nervous to be the focus of attention of someone of obvious wealth and doubtless prominence. The man stood there for a while saying nothing; just looking at Karl, rather in the way a farmer might look at a cow or pig he was considering buying. It made Karl want to growl in annoyance but something about the man made him hold back any angry remarks he was tempted to make.
"Indeed mein herr it is a fine hat."
"Quite." Said the man obviously pleased with the compliment. "If you don't me saying so you man this appears to be your first time in Strousenburg. At least if the gapping of your mouth is any indication." He said with a smirk. Karl's embarrassment and anger flared and he was about to take a step toward the man when he saw two men who were obviously members of the city watch coming around the corner. The last thing he wanted was a fight with them so he held himself in check.
"Yes, this is my first time here. Do you live here sir?"
"Me, live here?" The man said, affecting a horrified voice. "Sigmar save me no. I am Ludwig Marx of Altdorf, and I only come here because…STOP DAMN YOU!" This last bit had been yelled at a boy of about twelve who had run up and grabbed Ludwig's purse and took off down an alley. Without thinking Karl took off after him. The boy was fast and obviously knew his way around; but Karl was faster now then he had ever been and it seemed that everything but his prey seemed to fade into the background. 'Prey, where had that come from?' Karl wondered briefly but the thrill of the chase soon pushed the thought away. The boy dropped down and crawled under a cart that blocked the other end of the alley, but Karl jumped over the cart and tackled the boy. He wrenched the purse away from the boy and held the boy till the two guardsmen caught up with them.
"Well, that was well done." Said Marx as Karl handed his purse back to him. "You know, you seem a capable young man. As I was saying, before we were so rudely interrupted, I am from Altdof and the only reason I am in this glorified coaching inn is because I am passing through on my way back. Regardless, as I was saying, you seem a capable sort and I was wondering if you would care to sign on with me. I could use a bodyguard to make sure those rouges in the caravan don't steal my goods or rob me blind."
Karl was stunned silent for a moment. He did not like Marx but on the other hand he nothing else to do and a job meant money and he needed that. There was the risk that he would be discovered but that would be true anywhere. Besides, it might be exciting and get him all the way to Altdorf, the capitol of the Empire, and said to be the greatest city in the world.
"Yes, I'll do it, but I don't have a sword."
"Splendid, splendid." Said Marx with a smile. "As for a sword think nothing of it. I doubt that we'll have any trouble along the way. You'll be just be there to protect me and my goods from the others in the caravan. So that's settled then we better hurry or they will leave without us."
Author's Note: Well another chapter down. A bit shorter this time I'll admit. Don't worry next time we'll be back to a nice helping of blood and death. For now goodbye and may Jesus bless you all.