Chapter 23 23: finally free

------------------------- If there are spelling mistakes, please let me know. Leave a comment; support is always appreciated. I remind you to leave your ideas or what you would like to see. ------------------------------- "Calm down... calm down... don't get excited... You have to look grieved... I can't look like a madman celebrating my father's death in public," I thought, struggling to suppress the rush of anxiety building inside me. My heart was pounding, and I felt warmth in my ears—something I hadn't experienced in a long time. The Margrave, visibly surprised, frowned and stared at me. "What happened? He... he looked fine when I last saw him in the capital," he said, with a mix of disbelief and confusion. "I don't know all the details... truly, forgive me, my lord. I failed your father... he was killed by bandits on his way back from Altdorf," Rudolf answered, his eyes puffy and nearly red, clearly shaken. "But you're still breathing... what happened?" I asked, staring at him, unable to hide my need for answers. "I... never, my lord... I would never. We were brothers-in-arms. We fought together, bled together, won and lost together. By Sigmar, I swear, if it had been in my power, I would've given my life to save your father," said Rudolf, his voice nearly breaking, emotion pouring through every word. "Then explain it. How is it possible that he's dead and you're here claiming innocence?" said the Margrave, now clearly irritated, his jaw clenched tight. "Your... father," Rudolf said, swallowing hard. "He ordered me to return to Reinsfeld ahead of him to start processing purchase orders for materials and tools for a new village project funded by the Margrave's gold. Almost all of his escort left three days before his departure. He remained behind with two knights to handle unfinished matters with his son Heinrich. He was supposed to return three days later after finalizing everything with the judge. And he did... we found his body near the road to Reinsfeld when we went to meet him. Surrounded by mutilated corpses—what appeared to be bandits," Rudolf explained, clearing his throat, as if the weight of the words made them harder to speak. The Margrave fell silent, lost in thought, staring at the floor as he processed the information. "Many things come to mind about what could've happened..." he finally said in a grave tone. "Like what?" I asked, keeping a serious face but letting a faint hint of false grief show. "Your brother. A jealous noble. An angry merchant. Bitter peasants... too many motives. Your father wasn't loved... he was feared and respected for it. He's one of the few nobles I know who's never had a peasant rebellion under his rule—because he always fulfilled his duty of protection. But... the Von Kesselheims may have seen their claim to your lands in jeopardy... it's a possibility," said the Margrave, glancing toward the surrounding nobles, whose hushed whispers already betrayed their awareness of what was happening. "What about Heinrich... any suspicion?" I asked, looking at Rudolf for more answers. "No... no... In fact, they were getting along for the first time. It surprised me when I saw them. They reached an agreement... Heinrich would be disinherited, and in return, your father would pay for a full university education in Altdorf. Heinrich would renounce his claim and even give up his surname. So..." Rudolf began, before being interrupted by the Margrave. "It makes no sense... If he agreed to that before a judge, his case is dead. He wouldn't gain anything from the murder... So, was the Baron's body desecrated?" the Margrave asked, his stare sharp, his words slicing through the air like a blade. "No... untouched. As I said, we found him surrounded by bandits. I think he killed them all... but he was so badly wounded that he succumbed to his injuries. His purse, his sword, his armor—they were all intact. It wasn't a robbery. Or if it was, he killed every last one of them. We found his body seated against a tree," explained Rudolf, his voice trembling more with each word. "Whoever did it... got away with it, I suppose," I said, clenching my fists and teeth. Though inside, I was far too pleased with the outcome. No one could challenge my inheritance now—the sole heir to three villages, a small castle, the gold I had stashed away, father's coffers, and all the minerals waiting in the Grey Mountains... especially with no chains. Well, first I needed to deal with the Margrave. "Your father was... too brave, perhaps... didn't make the wisest decision," said the Margrave, grimacing as he spoke, like he couldn't quite fit the pieces together. "Certainly..." I said, breathing audibly. "Margrave Reinhardt, I know this banquet is partly in my honor, but I must beg you to allow me to take my leave... both from this noble gathering and from your service," I said, my voice tinged with sorrow, though carefully restrained. "Why? We must finish your training. You can assign someone to manage your lands while you pursue a brilliant future. I know this is a dreadful moment, but you can't throw it all away... Do you have any idea how many people would kill to have their son in the Reiksguard—with imperial recommendation and imperial gifts?" said the Margrave, raising an eyebrow, almost as if trying to make me see what I was giving up. "I wish to say goodbye to my father... Margrave... I need to. I want to see him before the priests of Morr bury him in his garden. I couldn't rest easy knowing that... I can't even remember his face," I said, forcing myself to shed a tear. I saw the Margrave grimace, clearly reluctant to let me leave. "Very well. But you must return once it's done... your father would've wanted you in the Reiksguard," the Margrave said, his voice trying to sound firm but laced with concern. "Thank you very much, your lordship. My journey will be swift. I hope to return soon," I replied, rising from my chair with purpose. "Head to the stables. Rudolf will leave as soon as possible," I said, just as I turned to head toward my room. I quickly removed the garments that had been driving me insane—the elegant noble attire that made me feel like a caged animal—and put on servant's clothes, the only ones that still felt comfortable. I had grown so much over the past years that the clothes I arrived with no longer fit—they hung off my shoulders like ornaments. As for noble garments, forget it—nothing fit right anymore. I didn't take long to come out carrying the chest with all the wealth I had accumulated, and once I met with Rudolf, we headed for the stables. As I mounted my horse, I found the rest of my father's men-at-arms. Like Rudolf, they were covered in dust, their horses muddied. They all looked at me with eyes full of guilt, as if waiting for me to blame them for my father's death. We immediately began the journey back, stopping only to rest in the lands of other nobles, who allowed us to sleep in their guest quarters. The guards who accompanied me were on edge, like hawks, reacting violently to any potential threat. They barely strayed far from me whenever the road neared dense woods. The fear of another ambush kept them tense, and the shadows beneath the trees always seemed more menacing than they really were. It wasn't long before we crossed the river again and continued riding toward Reinsfeld. As we reached the forest's edge, all the men-at-arms came to a halt. Rudolf rode closer, wearing a serious, almost grim expression. "This is where it happened, my lord... this is where we found your father," the knight said, pointing to an open area within the trees. I dismounted and walked toward the spot he indicated. The air was heavy with the same desolation I had been avoiding throughout the journey. The bark on several trees was scarred, clearly where a great sword had struck with force. Though the scene was calm now, the traces of what had happened still lingered. However, after so many days, it would be impossible to determine exactly what had occurred. All that remained was the fact that whoever had killed my father had gotten away with it. "Nothing else? Is there nothing more we can do here?" I said, turning to Rudolf and the others. "Let's go home," I ordered, spurring my horse sharply to leave the area as quickly as possible. An hour later, we reached the village, and the progress was visible. There were more houses than I remembered, a good sign that the settlement had grown in recent years. In the distance, I saw a large building on the village outskirts, likely a new business, given the number of wagons parked outside and the size of the structure. At least, the town seemed to be thriving. Though it was already night, we didn't hesitate to head for the Temple of Morr, located just beyond the village. We passed through the stone walls that surrounded the graveyard—another measure to ensure privacy for funeral rites. Silence reigned as we entered, and the priests of Morr received us without a word, guiding us down into the crypt beneath the temple. Only a single candle lit the way, casting long shadows and creating an oppressive, grim atmosphere. Eventually, we reached a stone door. The priest began unlocking it, removing a seal and turning a series of hidden mechanisms, gesturing for me to step inside. It was clearly the family crypt, as I saw several tombs carved with the names of my ancestors. Everything was wrapped in a thick silence that seemed to weigh in the air. At the center stood a stone slab. Upon it lay my father's body, covered in familiar-colored cloths and adorned with the family heraldry. His greatsword rested on his chest, and his armor was laid carefully over the fabrics, as if he were still ready for battle. "May Morr guide your father's soul to the eternal garden, and may the crow lift the weight of despair from you. Will you keep vigil, young lord?" said the priest of Morr, his voice muted and respectful, though filled with a reverence that felt unfamiliar to me. "No... seal it... let his soul rest forever in Morr's garden," I answered firmly, my gaze fixed on my father's body. The cultists of Morr moved quickly. They shifted a part of the stone table to lift the body together, taking my father and placing him in his tomb. When the tomb was closed, sealed, and covered, the cultists began reciting prayers and placing protective wards against necromancy, ensuring that nothing could disturb his rest. "In Morr's shadow, we are all equal. But your father was a man of duty, and his name will not be lost in the mist of forgetfulness," said the priest as he set the final nameplate on my father's grave. I stood there, watching in silence. The last seal was set, and finally, I stepped back. The priests sealed the crypt once more, and the darkness that had already begun to swallow the place closed in entirely. As I exited the crypt, my guard was waiting for me. "Will you return to Helmgart tomorrow, my lord?" Rudolf asked, guiding me back to the castle. "No... I don't plan to go back," I said with a smile. "But my lord, your education... you're still too young to take on your duties and—" Rudolf said, clearly worried. "I don't need a regency, or anyone managing my estate... I'm finally free, and I'm going to rule even better than father ever did," I said, smiling. ------------------------- If there are spelling mistakes, please let me know. Leave a comment; support is always appreciated. I remind you to leave your ideas or what you would like to see. -------------------------------