June 1838
Høst, the Southern Isles
Ivar was forcibly shoved into the room by the trustees, who took extra care to beat the man down to the floor with their clubs, stopping only when he stopped attempting to get up. Thoroughly beaten, Ivar laid on the floor gasping for breath despite cracked ribs. He couldn't lift his head off the floor, and as such had a limited view of the room now. He could however hear voices.
"Sir? Your guest is ready to speak to you."
Footsteps entered the room, though Ivar could only see the high quality pair of high boots, well shined as they slowly strode into the room.
"Oh for goodness sakes lads, don't just leave him down there. Sit him up."
As ordered, the men fetched a chair and sat Ivar down roughly, before clearing away. Ivar was still weak however, and his head slumped forward, forcing him to tilt his eyes upward. Getting a better look, he recognized the man as the owner of the mining town, Gregers Sendsen. This was no usual beating, and that chilled Ivar's bones.
"Mister Ivar, I've been informed by my men that you've been fallen heavily into debt. As such they took the precaution of searching your home and found that you intended to skip town on me."
"No Sir!" It was a lie, but Ivar couldn't exactly tell his boss that, now could he? He knew how these places ran. If he bailed out of town, he was effectively stealing from the boss. And that didn't bode well.
"Well Mister Ivar, I happen to believe you. As such I'll give you the benefit of the doubt despite the small amount of evidence against you."
"You will sir? Thank you sir!"
"In fact, I'll do what I can to resolve your debt situation. I need men to work in the chasm."
"The chasm sir? But that's cripples' work-"a horrible realization struck the man, but before he could even scream one of the men swung a sledge into Ivar's knee cap, shattering it. He shrieked as he fell over onto the ground writhing in pain. Sendsen the casually strolled up, before kneeling down.
"Don't worry lad, you'll be able to walk again… someday. In the meantime I'm sure you'll be able to pay off the money you owe me. And I'd wouldn't try to leave town. I hate having to unleash my hounds."
With a warm smile Sendsen stood up before turning to leave the room. As he strolled out again, he passed his horrified 21 year old son. Turning to pat his shoulder, maintaining his joyful expression.
"See there Fess? That's how you handle employees."
….
September 25th, 1840
Kurzheim, the Southern Isles
It had been a surprisingly quiet 3 weeks for the people of the Island. Hans had begun construction on the Ceramics factory, the first facility being opened the following Monday, the 28th. The simple brick and wooden building had been constructed in a rush, to the point that Hans had paid for firewood to burn at night. The large bonfires had supplemented the much more expensive whale oil and allowed workers to work around the clock in shifts. To justify the rush job, the equipment needed to produce the ceramics already had arrived and was being installed even now.
In short, the long awaited ceramic plant was finally here. To celebrate, Lady Johanna had taken the advice of her Grandmother-in-law and arranged a Court gathering. To celebrate the opening of the factory, a diner party was being held. Invites had been sent to everyone who was anyone on Kurzheim. As such with the Party tomorrow, all staff was working overtime.
Kristina was cleaning the north wing's upstairs, her head full of thoughts. Her body snatcher had disappeared, which cut her off from one of her sources of extra income. More alarming was the loss of an easy body disposal services. A number of other things had also troubled her. Johanna was under a lot of stress due to planning for the party, in addition October was coming. Franz had left for Corona October 1st, and Johanna had learned of his death on October 31st. So the entire month was painful for the Lady, with the end of September and beginning of November bringing little joy.
So as Kristina cleaned the mirror standing outside the door and saw the door to the Lady's chamber open revealing the love of her life, she naturally smiled and did a little curtsey.
"Good Morning, M'lady."
Johanna gave her a look of sorrow and fatigue, before feebly responding. "Good Morning to you as well."
"What's wrong, love?"
"Well, October's coming and, well, you know."
"Franz. I miss him too, My Lady." Her words were genuine too. While she deeply loved the Lady Johanna, she also fully realized that Johanna didn't have true love for her. Friendship, yes. Sexual attraction, that too. But not true love. But that didn't matter. To Kristina, her love meant a desire to see Johanna happy. And if that happiness was with someone else, she had no problem standing aside. As she had done for Franz.
"Well, time to go to work." She took a quick glance in the freshly cleaned mirror, seeing her pale and sad self in the mirror. She shook her head, simply muttering a quick "Dreadful" before departing to inspect the dinner preparations. As Johanna left, an idea struck Kristina.
If only the lady could see herself the way I do…
She glanced at the mirror, before a solution came to mind. She took a deep breath, before closing her eyes and conjuring up a new enchantment. She waved her hand in front of the mirror, before opening her eyes. As expected her enchantment had taken effect, causing the mirror to reflect the person in front of it as Kristina saw them. As for herself, she saw a meek and non-imposing woman, unimportant.
I should really work on my self-image. Well, off to clean the abattoir.
She turned and began walking without thinking, suddenly colliding with the one person she didn't want to have seen her 'practicing'.
Lord Hans.
She froze, her mouth agape as she was petrified with terror. Short of her Ladyship finding out and rejecting her, she couldn't think of a worse person to be discovered by. Considering the last sorceress he met was nearly murdered by him.
"My Lord?" She breathed out, barely able to overcome her fear.
"Ah Kristina, just the woman I was looking for." Kristina attempted to read her Lord's expression for any trace of surprise or anger at her sorcery. However just like the rumors said, Hans was a very hard man to read.
"I have a question."
"Yes?"
"The night the Queen Dowager visited, I happened to notice that you happened to clean the Queen Dowager's necklace. You didn't do anything… extraordinary to it, did you?"
"Extraordinary? That doesn't sound like me at all, my lord. If I were extraordinary, I would certainly would've found a better job than a maid!"
"Of course. Well, carry on."
Kristina held off on sighing heavily in relief, heading towards the stare case. Her heart still pounding as her hand grasped the rail, she froze when she heard Hans' voice again.
"Kristina?"
She didn't even turn about to face Hans, fearful that her fear might give her away now.
"Yes, my Lord?"
"This mirror is… off. Might want to replace it."
"Of course, my lord." She strolled away, sweating bullets. She dared not look back, as it would arouse even more attention. At this point all she could do is pray, pray that Hans was still in the dark about her powers. Either way, Kristina felt that by the end of the day she'd know if her secret was safe or not.
…
Hans sat in the Manor's courtyard, enjoying his late breakfast as was his custom. Hans had a habit of waking early and ensuring his staff and workers were up and working as early as possible, stopping to eat only well into the work day. While he was prone to eat sandwiches as an early breakfast, it was only now that he ate 'the most important meal of the day.'
Even then, Hans was never too busy to talk business. So when Hans saw Rolf walk through the small gateway into the courtyard clutching his cap, Hans gestured him over. The odd Groundskeeper limped over fairly quickly, clearly possessing an injury. But if it bothered the older man much, he didn't say.
"You are back early, Rolf. Will my factory be completed on schedule?"
"Yes my Lord. In fact we just finished. I came to ask if his lordship has another task he wishes complete before I dismiss the lads for the day."
Hans stood up, smiling while patting the man on the shoulder. "No need, Rolf, Let the men go home for the day." A relative unknown, Rolf had taken the manor by storm ever since he had become the head Groundskeeper. Hans had taken a chance, and was pleased to see that it was working out in his favor.
Just looking around the manor grounds was a testament to his work, as well as Lady Johanna's admittedly good gardening skills. When he had stepped foot onto Kurzheim two months ago, the manor grounds was in shambles. Now the buildings were certainly still old, they were in good repair now. Several areas had been refurbished to be modernized, something that much of the castle desperately needed. Rolf was certainly keeping his job.
"Thank you my lord. I will let the men know straight away."
As Rolf turned and left, Hans noted the familiar sight of Wagner approaching into the manor grounds. Catching sight of his boss, he wasted no time to briskly move over and report. The two were past petty trivialities such as greetings or small talk.
"My Lord, I have the information you wanted."
"Carry on."
"Firstly, I found the men you wanted. Forty good, hard men. Some are locals, some are going to have to be brought in. All are good and loyal to your family, and in case we need it, are less than… sympathetic towards sorcery. With good pay and decent treatment these men could be the loyal private army you wanted."
The old mercenary paused, pulling a pair of packets out of his jacket pocket.
"Secondly, I have been collecting information on Sendsen, which was not a difficult task at all. The man has left a trail of pain and suffering a mile wide behind. How this man has not been killed by former employees is astounding. I have the full report here on both Sendsen and the men here."
"Thank you, Wagner. Excellent work as always."
"That's not all sir. I've been putting feelers out, and they report to me that a man has… disappeared."
"On Kurzheim?" Hans was actually surprised by the development, as people didn't really go missing here. The island was too small for it. No point on the island was more than 5 miles from the ocean, and little of it was wooded, and that was sparsely at that. No predators that could kill a man either.
"Yes, a traveler that came into town. One 'Otto' from Corona it seems. Gave his business as 'laborer', but my fellows say he look more a soldier of fortune. Now he's missing."
"I see. Keep an eye out for him, in case he's snooping around where he shouldn't be. But I don't think he is. I have a feeling our good friend Mister Sendsen is responsible. If you can get dirt on Sendsen, get it."
"Yes my Lord."
"As for I, I think I shall send a messenger to visit our Industrialist colleague. Extend the good news. He may be trouble, but one mustn't forget manners. As for myself, I have a party to plan."
…
September 26th, 1840
Kurzheim, the Southern Isles
Fess Sendsen adjusted his tie for the ninth time that evening, before taking another sip from his wine glass. All around him the party was flowing on without him, as he expected. Fess was never one for these events, and would have stayed home if it was his choice. But it wasn't his choice.
Fess was 23 years old, the same age as the Lord Hans. However, unlike the former Prince, Fess was not nobility. As such saving himself for political marriage was not expected of him. As the only son of an industrialist, he was expected to produce heirs for the continuation of the company, though. His father was more than adamant on that line. But Fess wasn't an outgoing guy in that regard. Whenever he was at one of these social functions, he quickly found a corner to hide in and watch the clock until it was time to leave.
Fess was practicing that strategy right now when he saw his father lumber into view. Overweight but not grossly so, with a well-groomed beard and haircut, both had long since gone grey. His suit itself was also prim and proper, attempting to look every bit the gentlemen. He dare not say it aloud, but he knew that to be a farce. He had heard the story of how the Sendsen mining company came to be.
"Fess!" His father lumbered over, before grasping his son's shoulder. "You know why we're here, son. Every girl here is the daughter of somebody, boy. Pick one!"
Fess cast his eyes down, before mumbling in protest. "Father, they're noblewomen. We're industrialists. They wouldn't give us the time of day!"
The elder Sendsen paused, not one to dismiss a valid point before countering. "If they reject you, then fuck them! Find a nice maid, let's see them turn their noses up at us when you are married and expecting, and those noble bastards are still dirt poor!" His father proceeded to take another draft from his flask, one Fess hardly thought was his first. "In all seriousness boy. You and I are better than every one of those 'nobles'. We know cold, hunger, and disease. They never worked a day in their lives."
Gregers stopped himself, realizing he was about to gone on another tirade of his loathing of the nobility, before getting back to his main message. "Son, it doesn't matter who. Just find a girl!"
…
Hans stood, watching the party unfold smoothly as planned. Having done a meet and greet with all the guests, he was enjoying his favorite part- spying. Hans had a deaf maid teach him lip reading at an earlier age, and found it quite useful at eavesdropping from a safe distance. Even now he watched the elder and younger Sendsens have a lively discussion.
Fess is shy around girls, yet is under pressure to marry? I'm pretty sure I can find a loyal maid willing to 'fall' for charming young Master Sendsen…
He turned his attention elsewhere, spotting a few of the garrison officers mingle. Though it looked less than friendly towards one officer. Hans recognized the man as Lieutenant Feingold, a newly arrived officer brought in to replace a corrupt officer. Unlike most here, Feingold had an excellent record, and only wound up on Kurzheim for one reason.
He was a Jew.
Hans shook his head at the blatant Anti-Semitism prevalent in his homeland, at times wishing for them to follow the example of the Danes. Still, if the idiotic prejudices of his people was sure to give him a steady supply of competent Jewish officers, it only benefitted him. He would be sure to write a letter to his father expressing his views and his willingness to take on more Jewish officers with good records. He made a mental note to have a 'chat' with the belligerent officers. He would not tolerate infighting amongst his officers.
He returned to scanning, when he heard a faint sob. His curiosity, he moved from his 'perch' in the manor's great hall over to a hallway, where he heard the sobbing coming from. Before long he found a young maid sitting against the wall crying gently into her hands. Likely no older than ten years of age, she was likely an orphan adopted by the Manorial staff to work as a maid. Hans was aware of the small orphanage maintained on the manor ground to give young boys and girls occupations and a 'good' home. As Kurzheim lacked a proper orphanage or even public schooling, it really was their best bet in life.
He knelt down, before addressing the girl. "What's the matter?"
The young girl took her hands out of her hands, her eyes wide in terror when she recognized the man in front of her. She knew full well that she was supposed to be working, and being caught by the master of the house was no good indeed. "M-my apologies my Lord, I'll return to work right away!"
Hans raised his hand in protest, before asking again. "Relax, I'm not angry at you. Now what's wrong?"
"Nothing a Lord wishes to hear about…" the young girl sniffed.
"Well that's not true at all. Any man who doesn't wish to hear the concerns of the people who live under the same roof he does is a fool. Now, what's the matter?"
"Some of the older girls, like to tease and hit me. They poured ice down my neck, and called me useless."
Hans twitched his eyebrow, as more than a few unpleasant childhood memories involving older brothers came to mind. He thought a moment, before an idea came to mind. "Firstly, what's your name?"
"Else, my Lord. I'm 9 years old."
Else, huh? That's a humorous coincidence.
"Well, Else. Are you useless?"
Else cast her eyes down once again, as she honestly had little esteem for herself. "I don't know… I don't seem to do much right…"
Hans visibly shook his head in disapproval. "Well, that simply will not do. Want to know a secret?"
"My Lord?"
Hans lifted his jacket sleeve, revealing a branding scar. "When I was only 12, some of my brothers thought it would be funny to stick me with a hot iron. Want to know what I did about it?"
"What?"
"I cried at first. Cursed my life, about how unfair it was. It didn't make my problems go away. I was still bullied, and my life was still hell. One day, though, I took that same iron and walked over to the brother that did it. Want to know what I did then?"
"…what?" the young girl asked, wondering how this was going to turn into a motivational and heartwarming story.
"I beat his teeth in. After that the worst of it stopped, and my life got better. There's nothing wrong with crying Else. But it won't improve your life. Work harder than those older girls, and get payback in whatever way you can. They can't call you names when their nose is bloody, can they? Nor can they call you useless when you are the best maid in the house, can they?"
"I guess not…"
"Greatness is never given, Else. It is earned through blood, sweat and tears. Now you can sit here and cry, or you can get up, and prove them wrong. It's your choice."
Else wiped her tears away, before donning a face of determination. She was tired of being bullied. The Lord Hans was right. If was to get anything from life, she'd have to take it. She stood up, before returning to her duties, her head beginning to dream up ways to get revenge.
As Hans saw a rebirth in the girl's resolve, he let a warm smile spread across his face. This was strange. Hans had given many fake smiles over the years, after all he was the mirror. He had also given a number of evil grins and smirks as well. When he was about to kill Queen Elsa, and therefore win came to mind. But this was different. No plot filled his head, no agenda was being accomplished. The mirror had seen its own reflection for a change, in a young child angry at the world. Hans therefore was compelled to help, and by doing so felt good about it.
He was so engrossed in helping the young maid that he was completely unaware of the spectator of it all. Still suspicious of her lawfully wedded husband, Johanna had quietly followed the former prince, before watching the whole thing from a distance. She was genuinely shocked by it all.
Hans had just displayed kindness. His perverse version of it, sure, but no less sincere. No scheme could be had in securing the happiness of a little orphan maid, especially with as truthful of a confession as he just gave. In doing what he did, he just displayed the first real act of humanity Johanna had ever seen from him. Hans it seemed, could actually care for another human being and want to see them succeed, not as a tool, but as a person.
She smiled before she whispered to herself. "Perhaps, Lord Hans of Kurzheim could become a decent husband and human being. Just perhaps."
She decided to let Hans be, before turning her attention back to the party. Soon the event would end, and the guests would need to be sent off. She was eager to get the guests out, as she and Kristina had… plans for tonight.
…
Kristina laid in bed with Johanna, on the verge of deep sleep. She really meant to get up and return to her room, but after the last several days of working around the clock, she felt too lethargic to get up, and instead drifted off into a familiar dream.
It was dark and cloudy that morning, she remembered. She remembered because the adults mentioned it multiple times throughout the day, and her mother made her wear a wool coat over her new maid uniform. Yet as always, it was bright in the dream world.
Kristina had just moved to Kurzheim from her home on the Island of Kesselburg. Mother said it was for work, but she knew the real reason why. She had powers, and things were starting to happen to people. Some good, some bad. Kristina was getting a hold of them, but it was too late. Suspicion was gathering on her and her mother. So they left. She was 11.
Food prices were higher on Kurzheim, so her mother soon had her enrolled into the workforce earlier than expected. Her mother was a good friend and servant to the Lady of the Island, and so landed Kristina a job as a maid.
Today was her first day.
"Hurry up Kristina. We need to get there before it starts raining."
"Yes Mama."
It was a quick pace, but they reached the old manor just as the first rain drops began to fall. The uniformed guards hassled them as they entered, calling them names that Kristina would not learn the meaning of until later. If her stoic mother was affected, she didn't show it. Soon they were inside, and before the Lady of Kurzheim.
She was an older woman, prim and proper and standing as upright as flagpole. Her clothes were old fashioned but certainly regal, though her lack of decent perfume was noticeable. Her hair was grey but well groomed, the opposite of her mother's messy blonde hair. She smiled a cold smile when looking at Kristina, not out of any malice, but simply due to being a cold but well-meaning person.
"Ah, so this is Kristina. I must say she is a lovely young girl. She really is remarkable, Anna."
"Thank you, my Lady. Do you have any further questions about Kristina's… gifts?"
"Mama, I thought we were to not supposed to discuss that with anyone?"
Before her mother could scold her, the Lady herself interjected. "It's quite alright, child. Your mother in her short time here has already proven her dedicated loyalty. As such, I have trust in her, and she has trust in me."
"Thank you my Lady. But nobody else does, Kristina. So we must tell no one. Am I understood, little one?"
"Yes Mama."
"My lady, anything else you wish to know?"
"That'll be all Anna. You may assume your duties"
"Yes my Lady."
And with that, her mother bowed, turning and leaving her alone with the old woman. Sensing her anxiety, the Lady of the House sought to comfort her.
"Come child. I will show you to your duties."
The two began to make their through the castle, before long passing a painting of an older, handsome man. Based on the location and furnishing, she surmised it was a painting of the Lord. The Lady of the house showed little love for it though.
"That is my husband child. You are still too young for his tastes, but be warned. Do not feel pressured into doing anything with that… man. If he attempts anything you let me know, and I will put a stop to it right away."
Before long they had entered the upstairs north wing, with the Lady opening a door opposite a mirror. As she entered, Kristina was surprised to see a young girl, similar to her in age. At first glance, it was as if someone had created a younger, smaller version of the Lady. Prim grooming, upright posture, and regal. However there was a spark of energy, a certain warmness that the Lady lacked.
"Kristina, this is Johanna. You will act as her lady in waiting. Did your mother tell you what that means?"
"No, my Lady." She said sheeply, shamed that she already didn't know something expected of her.
"No matter, I will. A Lady in waiting is the personal attendant to a noblewoman. She attends to all the needs of the noblewoman. This means advice, moral support and when she needs it, criticism. Ideally you will be close friends, despite your difference of class."
"Friends, Mother? But you always said…"
"Hush Johanna!" It was the first bit of anger Kristina had seen from the Lady Kurzheim, but the ease it was summoned told Kristina that it was likely often used. "Yes, I said that as nobles we should stand above the people. I meant that we should be examples to the common people. As such I declined the offers of using the daughters of the local Knights, and instead offered it to Kristina here. I do this as a reminder that there is a world of people out there. And our decisions affect them."
"Yes, mother." A simple glare was extended by the Lady, prompting Johanna to do what was next. "My apologies, Miss Annasdatter."
"No harm, my lady."
"Now that that's settled, I'll leave you two to get acquainted." Without much further ado, the Lady left the two to an awkward silence, before Johanna broke it.
"So… a friend. I don't think I really had one of those before. Perhaps mother is right." With that Johanna broke into a toothy smile. Unlike the frozen smiles of the Lady of the house, these possessed a real warmth. It was at that moment that Kristina felt an odd feeling. A feeling she had never had before, until now. A feeling that the girl standing across from her was something… special.
Kristina woke up the same way she had fallen asleep, naked in her Lady's arms. As she lifted her head, her long blonde slid up with it, as she let her eyes adjust to the dark. When she could see well enough, she carefully slipped from the bed as to not awaken her lover. There was little chance though, as the Lady Johanna was a very deep sleeper. She gathered her clothing, before slipping into a spare nightgown that was left for occasions like this. She took another look at her beloved, who even in the dark still seemed to glow.
She opened the door, closing it carefully to avoid slamming the door and waking her beloved. She couldn't help but smile, as she was still on a post-coitus high. It would take something terrible to bring her down to earth.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Her heart froze, her body trembling so much so that she had to move her hand away from the doorknob so it wouldn't rattle. She turned about, to face the source of the slow clap.
Lord Hans.
"Oh Kristina, this does explain a lot, now doesn't it?"
"How did-"
"How did I get in? Well, when I ran into you the other day, I took the opportunity to lift the key off of you, making a copy using a wax imprint." He paused, before raising his right hand, as if he was genuinely forgetting something. "Oh, by the way, nice magic mirror."
"How did you know?"
"Well I was suspicious after I saw you doing odd gestures in front of it on Friday. It was this-" he pulled out an old compass and a pouch, presenting them proudly "-that confirmed it."
"What is it?"
"Well, this is a compass that allows one to find magical items and creatures of any kind. See?"
Kristina looked at the opened compass, seeing that instead of the arrow pointing north, there were two glowing arrows of light. One pointed at the mirror, and one at herself.
"Now, while I could tell you about the history of this piece, I am a man of business. I may be a virgin, but I know that the sounds coming from the room are not one makes when cleaning. If you were a man, I would have slit your throat by now. But, as it stands you are a woman incapable of impregnating my wife."
Kristina continued to sweat, as she had been in enough conversations to know that a 'but' was coming.
"But, I'm still rather troubled by you having the stomach to sleep with a man's wife. But I can be forgiving, as long as I get something in return. Otherwise, you'd be on the next boat out with nothing but the clothes on your back. So let's see to it that I get what I want."
He slammed his hand with a soft thud into the door frame, blocking her in and putting the two face to face.
"What I want to know little sorceress, is what powers were on the Queen Dowager's amulet."
…
Bit of Notes-
Well, Hans' Fate is now longer than Faith and Duty now, as planned. It's been a long haul, and we got longer to go. Not much to say this time around, not really. Once again this chapter was longer than expected, as I've been meaning to get a 2K word chapter out in a 2-3 week frame to increase update speed, but well, shit happens. Here's hoping next update comes soon, fellas.
Deuces,
Dragunov