Cavazza/Berlin/Open Shadow
8th April RY154
I spent the night of the 7-8th April in my quarters at the Wewelsburg, getting up periodically to check on my patient - who thankfully seemed unlikely to die, although his injury was undeniably serious - and quietly nursing my grudges. The question was going to be how to find out which of my Knights, the men and women I had trusted as friends and colleagues, would turn on me in quite such a spectacular way. Certainly, I'd had officers who had become less than reliable in the past, but never one of those who had walked the Sable Pattern. For one of them, it should have been impossible to act against me.
I finally woke for the last time at a comparatively late 7.30am, and took myself into the bathroom for a leisurely shower. I stood under the water for longer than usual, letting it massage the kinks out of my system and cleanse me of the last remembrances of the pain of defending against the attack. By the time I emerged about twenty minutes later, Maxim Tresler, my batman when I'm in residence at the Wewelsburg, had already laid out a fresh uniform for me, and there was a strong pot of black coffee and a cup on the sideboard.
I dressed quickly, downed a couple of cups of coffee, and then headed downstairs to the Officer's Mess to get some breakfast. As I left my quarters, Heinrike Karsten, Schultz's Deputy, who I had made a Knight of the Summer Circle (the original Knights, the ones I Work with, remain the Winter Circle), and Leon Marius, fell in beside me.
"I hope you're feeling better this morning, Herr Reichsführer?"
"Much better, thank you, Heinrike," I replied, "any word on the patient?"
"Fraulein Doktor Steinbrück confirmed that he has rested comfortably since your last visit, with no further signs of deterioration."
"That's something, at least," I answered.
"Yes, sir," came the reply.
"Anything else I should know about overnight?"
"Oberstgruppenführer Heydrich wishes to see you at your earliest convenience," she replied, promptly.
"Understood."
I pondered whether to go and find him immediately, but in the end decided that I'd probably think better on a full stomach. So once I got to the Mess, I helped myself to a large plate of eggs, cold meats and rye bread, plus another mug of coffee, and headed for one of the tables. As I did, I noted with some amusement the surprised looks of various others of my staff who were already sitting around eating, and obviously trying to figure out whether they should be saluting me as I moved among them. After all, I don't usually choose to take breakfast in the Mess, and I also imagine that rumours were already flying about the events of the previous day.
I found myself a table, Karsten and Marius took up their usual positions, and I settled down to eat. About fifteen minutes later, I was polishing off my plate, when I saw Tristan heading across the room towards me. He had no qualms about saluting, and sat when I indicated for him to join me. We called for an orderly, who brought us a new pot of coffee, and then I looked at him expectantly.
"What do we know?"
"Are you sure you want to discuss this here?" he asked, glancing around. In reply I gestured, and brought up some privacy wards to encompass ourselves and my guards.
"I think we'll be undisturbed," I replied, pleasantly.
"Of course, Herr Reichsführer. Communication with Sable has indicated that they have got a fix on the direction where the attack came from yesterday, and a combined group of our agents and Sable's has headed for the site this morning. Our representatives are Emil Thorsten and Marina Wagner, as both have some ability with forensic magic, along with a couple of soldiers to watch their backs and Charlotte Pascal for transport."
"And theirs?"
"Their mage, the one who you said had alerted you to the attack, is with them, as she claims she can follow the trace of the energy back to its point of origin. I believe she's accompanied by the usual suspects, as it were."
"Do we have an identity for her, yet?"
"Apparently her name is Giselle Armand. She made contact with one of the agents in the Cavazza group."
"Which one?"
"Hauptsturmführer Pascal. It would seem that Ms Armand thinks they may be sisters.
"Very interesting," I mused, "is it possible?"
"I'm checking the records. Pascal was brought up Lebensborn, so I'm not casting the idea aside as yet. I'll let you know when I find anything, as I can see some interesting possibilities if it is true."
"As can I. When do you expect to hear from Thorsten?"
"Later this morning. Again, I'll inform you as soon as I have his initial report."
"I'll want to visit the site. Do my own forensics check if need be."
"I imagined you would, sir."
With that he stood, and as I dropped the privacy wards he saluted and then headed back out of the Mess. I watched him go, then finished my coffee and made my way to my office on site.
* * * * * *
He contacted me by Trump about three hours later, and from the background, I could see he was no longer in the castle. I didn't recognise his location, but it looked like a quarry.
"You have something?"
"I do, Herr Reichsführer," he replied, and I could tell he was decidedly ill at ease, as if he was the bearer of bad news waiting for me to shoot the messenger. However, he was obviously resigned to his fate, as he offered me his hand. I took it and stepped through to join him, taking Karsten with me, but leaving Marius behind.
The smell of death and decay struck me immediately, and after having to consciously control my gag reflex, I looked around me. I noticed that Karsten was also looking decidedly green, but was doing her best to control herself, then cast my gaze further afield. Everywhere I could see bodies wearing KZ uniforms. And every one of them had had their throat cut. Thorsten and Wagner were off to one side, looking deeply concerned, but of any representatives from Sable there was no sign.
"Report, Sturmbannführer Thorsten?" I asked, walking towards him, Karsten bringing up the rear.
"Captain Bond took his party back to Sable once he realised that this was a Reich internal matter, Herr Reichsführer," Thorsten said, with some trepidation.
"Perhaps an explanation is in order."
"Fraulein Doktor Wagner and myself made a forensic investigation of the site, along with Comte Ragoczy."
"Ragoczy was here?"
"Captain Bond called him in as a forensic consultant. None of his group had that skill set."
"Go on."
"We made a very disturbing discovery. Ragoczy confirmed that he was seeing the same thing."
"Yes..." I said, getting impatient by this time.
"Herr Reichsführer. It would appear that the ritual which took place was undertaken by the Totenkopfverbande," Wagner said, finally, "under the direction of Obergruppenführer Sigiswald."
I almost thought she was trying to hide her glee as she said that. But then, she is Wilhelm's agent, not mine.
"Are you sure?"
"I didn't want to be," Thorsten replied, "That's why I asked Oberstgruppenführer Heydrich to confirm."
I glanced over at Tristan, who nodded.
"It certainly looks that way," he said, "however, I imagine you will also want to confirm this for yourself as I appreciate that it is somewhat difficult to believe."
"You imagine correctly."
With that, I brought my magical senses to bear and started doing a circuit of the site, noting as I did so the signatures of those who had walked this path before me. Even for me, the stench of death magic was difficult to cope with. Yes, I've done some unpleasant things in my time, but never anything quite like this, and never anything with such a specific aim. I do what I do for the good of the Reich. What had been done here was out of hate and spite towards me in specific, and Wilhelm as a by-product.
Once I started to look backwards in time, I could see Totenkopfverbande guards, each entrusted with a prisoner, and towards the centre of the site I saw the image of Sigiswald, working with a woman it took me a while to identify as Standartenführer Morana Engels. As I watched their movements and actions, it was obvious that on this occasion she was acting as his Priestess, and they were obviously comfortable Working together. The ritual they were enacting appeared to be one they'd devised themselves, but there were certainly elements of the Brotherhood's ritual at the castle within it, as well as elements from the tradition which she must have been taught in, which was based in a much deeper Norse mythology. Probably Germanenorden?
The ritual itself was tidy and well executed. However, rather than working for the common good, this was to a personal agenda. What had turned him from my loyal vassal into this? Then finally, on cue, his men killed their captives as simultaneously as the death of over sixty KZ inmates can be achieved. The release of power was enough to knock me back out of my trance and into the real world, and I could feel myself shaking from the effects. I took a few moments to centre, before looking at the others. Then I approached Thorsten and Wagner once more.
"I find no fault with your investigations," I said to them, quietly, "and concur with your assessment. This matter is now classified under the Office of the RFSS, and is not to be discussed with anyone."
"Yes, Herr Reichsführer," they answered, pretty much in unison.
"Anyone, Doktor Wagner," I said quietly, and after a brief pause, she nodded. Not that I had any particular confidence that she wasn't going to report this straight to Wilhelm.
"I understand, sir," she replied, with a slight nod of the head.
"Then I think what needs to be done here has been done."
"What about the bodies?" Thorsten asked.
"Cremation," I replied, with a shrug, "nothing more is required. Do you have a means of transport back to Berlin?"
"Yes, Herr Reichsführer," he answered, "Courier Pilot Pascal is waiting nearby, with a carriage."
"Then you are dismissed."
"Thank you, sir," they replied, promptly, and after saluting, they headed off towards the south.
I waited until they were out of sight, then turned back to Tristan, and indicated to him to walk with me towards the edge of the site.
"Cremation?" he asked.
"If you'd be so kind as to have a Trump ready, yes," I replied, "after all, they're only KZ inmates. It's not as if they matter. My anger is due to the aim behind killing them."
"Of course," came the answer, and he dug into his pocket and drew out his deck, selecting a card.
Once he was ready, I turned back to the site, and concentrated, and after a short while the fireball I had called into being had incinerated the entire site. And neatly, before the flames could harm us, Tristan transferred the three of us through to the Wewelsburg courtyard.
"Nicely done," I commented, with a wry smile.
"I try," he answered, slightly more soberly.
"Upstairs. We need to decide how to proceed."
"Of course."
We waited until we were in the privacy of my office before speaking further.
"The obvious question, is was that Sigiswald, or was it a Machine duplicate," Heydrich commented, as we settled down with a bottle of whisky between us. After what we'd seen on Cavazza, we both felt we needed a relaxant. I offered one to Karsten as well, but she declined, instead moving off to one side to let us speak.
"Much as I'd like to believe the latter - the fact that one of the Knights turning on us being a matter of some embarrassment, as well as a breach of trust and honour - my instinct is telling me that it was him."
"Sadly, so is mine," he replied, "however, the possibility had to be raised."
"The obvious answer is to find him and speak with him. If he isn't running like a little girl, then there's a good chance he's innocent and we're looking at another of Andreas's care packages. What do we know about the woman?"
"Standartenführer Engels? She holds a Masters in Magic, with partial specialities in defensive magic and healing. She joined the Totenkopfverbande as soon as she left Bad Tölz and has been camp commandant of at least one facility. She's always had very pro-Aryan views, but then, a lot of the Totenkopfverbande personnel do. It makes it easier for them to perform their duties. But nothing stuck out as unusual. She isn't a registered ritual mage, which is interesting, as she's obviously learned the ability elsewhere."
"I'm tending towards the Germanenorden from what I felt when I was checking the site. I certainly don't think Sigiswald taught her."
"Quite possible. They certainly do have a ritual tradition, and there are similarities in the style. And when we've come across them before they've had a fluid attitude towards ritual mage registration. Oh, and she and Sigiswald have been lovers for some years."
"I remember your report on that."
"So how do we find them?"
"Well, there's an obvious place to start," I replied, and reached into my pocket to pull out Sigiswald's Trump. I concentrated on it, but there was no reply.
"Interesting...not conclusive, but suggestive," Heydrich commented, "can you use it as a focus to find him?"
"Potentially. However, I was thinking of something else. Something less likely to be obvious to him, but potentially more successful."
And with that I patted my Honour Dagger in its scabbard. Heydrich looked at me, curious.
"I can use this to a link to his equivalent. If it's on him, then problem solved. We can settle down and have a pleasant chat. If it's not, then I can use it to find him."
"Why is that a superior method to the Trumps?"
"The arcane connection to an athame, which is unique, is far stronger than the connection through a Trump, of which there are multiple copies."
"That would make sense," he concurred, "presumably, the same would be true for all of us. You could locate us at will if you wanted to."
"Not at will, exactly, but with a little work, yes."
He didn't seem entirely comfortable with the prospect. But then, neither would I have told him that little snippet of information under other circumstances. However, he wisely changed the subject, instead of pursuing it further.
"Are you going to get Jürgen involved in this? He is, after all, the senior Knight besides yourself."
"True, but he's currently also busy confirming the final positions for the Waffen-SS, now the Treaty is in place. And no doubt locking horns with my least favourite nephew in the process. However, once we have our culprit located, then yes, we'll call him in. After all, if it comes to an Honour Court, only myself, you, Jürgen and Dominik have the seniority to try him."
"Understood. So, what happens now?"
"We go downstairs to the Chamber. The energies there will be particularly suited for what we need to do."
With that, we headed downstairs, although on this occasion we didn't bother to robe up before we entered. After all, it wasn't a full meeting of either circle of the Knights. I collected a few bits and pieces, which I would need for the location ritual, and then drew my Honour Dagger and laid it on the altar.
"Is there anything we can do to help?" Heydrich asked.
"Watch my back, and if I need energy, feed it to me," I answered, and then I started to concentrate. The ritual was relatively simple, but somewhat high-powered, given the item I was trying to locate. However, the link between my Honour Dagger and those of my knights is strong: after all, as part of the initiation ritual when they become full Knights, their weapons are given power by contact with mine, and that power is confirmed in blood. Admittedly, it wasn't a secret I'd been particularly forthcoming in sharing over the years - although my various priestesses had been aware of it - but this didn't seem the moment to be coy.
I went through the motions, aware of Tristan and Karsten observing with interest, and eventually I began to get a reading. The dagger was in his quarters in the SS Village in Berlin.
I closed down the ritual, and then informed my companions.
"That may be good..." Heydrich commented, attempting optimism.
"Or it may mean he's abandoned it and walked away," Karsten ventured to point out. She was still getting used to the fact that being a full Knight gave her certain privileges as far as offering suggestions is concerned: having spent so long in the subordinate position as one of the Honour Guard, it was taking a while for her to adjust. But this was a hopeful step.
"It would seem we need to go to Berlin and pay a visit," I replied.
I tidied up the Chamber, physically and magically, and then we headed back upstairs where we picked up Marius, before I brought a Trump to mind and took us through to the Hradcany Castle courtyard. I called for the car, which Marius brought round, and a few minutes later we were headed for the Village.
Even though the majority of my senior officers live elsewhere, we all at least have quarters in the Village. It makes it easier to stay over after a late night, or if you want to entertain privately. Sigiswald's was a top floor, corner apartment looking out over the Thingplatz, a couple of buildings across from where my own equivalent was located. The guards on the door saluted as we approached, but didn't prevent us from heading inside. Marius called the lift, and we headed upstairs.
The doors opened and we walked down the corridor to Sigiswald's apartment and knocked, but there was no reply. Karsten was about to bend and pick the lock - after all, why break the door down when you can be polite, and he wasn't convicted yet - but I told her to pause, and took a look with my arcane senses. Sure enough, there were magical defences on the door beyond what I would normally expect, even for one of my Knights. I concentrated for a moment and took them down with relatively little difficulty, and then indicated for her to continue. A few moments later, there was a click, and she pushed the door open.
We headed inside and the others began to look around. My aim, however, was the dagger, but as it turned out, he'd made it easy for me. I found it lying sheathed on top of his dress uniform, which had been neatly folded and placed on the trunk at the foot of his bed. I looked at it for a few moments as Karsten and Marius went through the rest of his apartment with neat professionalism, and could feel a cold anger taking hold of me. Now I knew for sure that we weren't looking for a Machine duplicate: a drone wouldn't have had the imagination to rub its treachery in quite so openly.
"Perhaps we should take that as his resignation?" Heydrich said lightly to me, but I wasn't in the mood for levity. I glared at him, and one look at my face and he shut up.
"Herr Reichsführer," Marius said, "it looks as if all his personal effects are gone. Also, all civilian clothing. His uniforms are still hanging in the cupboards."
"Does he seem to have left in a hurry?"
"No, sir. Everything is neatly ordered."
"So he was planning this," Heydrich commented, "he knew what he was doing and made sure everything was out before he staged the attack?"
"Planning, yes," I said, slowly, "but he's been back since he tried to kill me. He used his dagger for the ritual and he was in uniform in the forensic images."
"He always was a cool customer," Tristan observed.
"It rather comes with the territory with his position," I answered, then corrected myself, "...former position."
"So what now?"
"This," I replied, hearing the coldness in my own voice, and I took his dagger, and slipped it into my pocket, "with this, we'll find him."
"The same ritual as before?"
"No. Something far easier," I answered, "let's adjourn to somewhere more comfortable."
And with that, I brought a Trump to mind and jumped us to our own quarters in the Village, where I felt rather more comfortable trying what I planned to do next. I cleared the floor, cast a circle, and then I drew his dagger, laid it on the wooden boards in front of me, and settled down in the centre to concentrate. The others watched with interest as I began to Work. I brought up a combination of the Pattern and my skills as both ritual magician and investigative sorcerer, and began weaving them together into single location spell. The ritual elements were connected with the arcane connection and the dagger itself, the investigative magic would work within my Pattern lens as a locator, and the Pattern would give it range and stability across Shadow.
Before long, I had a trace, and could see the path Sigiswald was taking through Shadow: while he was an initiate of the Sable Pattern, he had never studied further, and his route was easy to see. He was in a car, the woman driving and him navigating, and they had already made good progress - I could tell they were beyond the Machine Exclusion Zone.
What I couldn't understand, is how he expected to get away with it. Although, of course, if he thought he'd succeeded in killing me, which was quite possible, he may have figured that he had nothing to fear. After all, he may well have decided that without me, the organisation would be headless, and there would inevitably have been a period of adjustment as I'd never formally named a Deputy to take over should anything permanent happen to me.
I will admit that, in part, I'd refrained from doing so as choosing a successor would effectively paint a target on his back, although mentally, I'd always assumed that Kessler, Heydrich or both would take over from me, as the two senior Knights. They had a reasonable working relationship. They probably wouldn't kill each other on day one. And they make a devastating team in pursuit of a common goal.
I drew my mind back from my musings, and fixed it back on the problem at hand. I had them, now how to stop them? I concentrated for a few moments, looked for an appropriate ambush site, on a bleak, technologically neutral Shadow, and then wove the probabilities such that they would arrive there in a short while. Then, having fixed the location in my mind, I brought myself back to my apartment, stood and broke the circle.
"Success?"
"Success. Call Jürgen and Dominik would you, Tristan. This won't take long."
"Yes, sir."
As he did so, I contacted Schultz, and about five minutes later, he and another six of the Guard, plus Jürgen and Dominik were present in the room with us.
"This has all the appearance of a hunting party?" Dominik said, with a wolfish grin.
"Later," I answered, although the idea appealed as a potential punishment for one or both of the traitors, "for now...I have an idea. Jürgen. Can I borrow you for a moment?"
"Of course, sir," he said, a little surprised, but stepped forward.
I approached him, then put my hands to the collar of his uniform jacket and cast the rank insignia spell. This particular version, however, I needed to think a few moments over, as I'd never had cause to use it. Once I was done I stepped back and admired my handiwork. The startled looks around the room were worth the effort in themselves, as they recognised the laurel wreath and oak leaves collar tabs I'd temporarily invested Kessler with.
"What's the plan?" Dominik asked.
"Sigiswald wanted me dead. Let's make him think he succeeded. The three of you..." I indicated my three senior Knights as I said that "...make yourselves known to him. Talk to him. See if he wants to say anything unwise."
"And if he confesses, then it just so happens that between us we constitute an Honour Court of sufficient rank to try him," Dominik said, with a chuckle, "nice."
"I thought so," I answered, with a wry smile, as I conjured up a set of black armbands, just for added effect, and distributed them around the party.
"Rikart and I, of course, will observe from the wings, as it were, given that we're supposed to be dead. Heinrike, you and one other of the Honour Guard of your choosing, take position beside Jürgen. Make it look convincing. And in general remember, we want our...Brother...alive. The woman...well, if we apprehend her in one piece, I'm sure we can find something amusing to do with her, but he is our objective here."
There were nods of understanding all round.
"Oh, and Oberstgruppenführer Kessler..." I said, with a gentle emphasis on his rank.
"Yes, sir."
"Don't get any ideas," I said, and I realised I wasn't entirely joking. Sigiswald's betrayal smarted, and I was feeling rather insecure.
"I wouldn't dream of it, Herr Reichsführer" he replied, and appeared to mean it.
"Marvellous. Are we ready?"
There was a resounding chorus of "Yes, Herr Reichsführer", aimed pointedly in my direction, which warmed the cockles of my heart, and then I brought the Pattern to mind and jumped us to the location I had previously identified. I indicated for them to get into position, evenly spaced around the area where our quarry would become available, and started preparing some modifications to the Shadow.
As I saw the vehicle Sigiswald was driving come into view, I barred the Shadow we were on, such that he couldn't escape from it, and then turned off internal combustion and gunpowder. As I watched, their vehicle's engine sputtered and died, and they both climbed out looking concerned and talking urgently with each other. At which point I indicated for Jürgen to take the lead.
At my signal, the arrest party made themselves known, and I saw Sigiswald and Engels go pale, although Sigiswald recovered more quickly than his companion. I also noted the flick of his eyes and the hint of a satisfied smile, as he saw Jürgen's collar tabs, and noted Karsten and Marius flanking him.
"Afternoon, Rutger," Tristan said pleasantly, "nice day for a drive?"
"Tristan...Dominik. What a delightful surprise," Sigiswald answered, and I almost had to admire the fact that he was about to try to tough this out. Almost. "Jürgen...or should I say Herr Reichsführer?" and the most perfect look of concern crossed his features, "What's happened? Where's Reichsführer Delatz?"
"There was an attack," Tristan said, his tone suitably funereal, "at the Treaty signing."
"Was anyone hurt?"
"Details are still sketchy, but it looks as if Reichsführer Delatz and Kaiser Wilhelm were killed in the blast."
"And the King of Sable? Prince William?"
"We have no confirmation one way or the other," Heydrich answered, his own face beautifully grave.
"But you're obviously certain about Reichsführer Delatz," he asked, seeking confirmation.
"You were absent when our Brothers agreed to appoint me as his replacement," Kessler commented, looking pointedly at him and neatly avoiding answering the question, "we attempted to contact you earlier today, but you didn't answer."
"The call came at a bad moment," he answered...faltering for the first time since he had recovered from his initial reaction, although he picked himself up again - metaphorically speaking - reasonably quickly, "I was in the middle of particularly tricky set of shifts. Trying to avoid a Machine outpost."
"And what brings you out into Shadow?"
"I was on a mission for Reichsführer Delatz," he answered.
"Without this, Rutger?" Heydrich asked, producing Sigiswald's Honour Dagger, and handing it to him, hilt first but still sheathed. Sigiswald took it, although I detected some hesitation as he did so. I was pretty sure he wasn't sensitive enough to recognise that I'd used it as a focus, but of course he knew exactly where he'd left it, which meant that he had a good idea that Heydrich, at least, had been to his apartment.
"He ordered me to travel sterile," came the prompt response, and from my place of concealment, I could see that he was trying to bring their attention to himself. The woman, meanwhile, was looking around slowly but carefully, obviously gauging escape angles.
"What was the mission, Rutger?"
"I can't tell you that...I was sworn to secrecy."
"By a man whom I have now replaced. Do you acknowledge me as his replacement?"
"Why would I not?"
"Then I order you to tell me," Jürgen said, snapping just the right tone of imperious command.
He looked about him, the picture of concern and inner struggle, before finally appearing to capitulate.
"He asked me to look for a new KZ location in deep Shadow. Far away from any area where Sable might have influence. He obviously didn't divulge his reasons to me, but reading between the lines I had the impression that he believed there would still be need for such a location, and he wanted to keep it quiet."
He was good. Very good. After all, once the dust had settled, I was likely to do exactly that.
"And Ms Engels' reason for being here?" asked Heydrich.
"He asked me to take one person who I trust with me, as a second pair of eyes. I chose her."
"Did you find a suitable location?" Kessler said, with curiosity.
"Not as yet, Herr Reichsführer. And of course, now the Treaty isn't going to happen..."
"You seem relieved about that," Heydrich interjected.
"It was a betrayal of everything we believe in," he answered, more hotly than perhaps he should have done, "to sign a peace settlement at a moment when we're weak. Yes, I'm relieved. In fact, I'm delighted."
"But it's come at the cost of the death of Reichsführer Delatz," cautioned Jürgen, "which is an undeniable tragedy for both the SS and the Reich."
I tensed slightly, hoping that Kessler wasn't about to over-egg the pudding, but Sigiswald blundered on regardless. It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion. But then, I hadn't really appointed him as Head of the Totenkopfverbande for his brains: it was his blind willingness to do what others would consider unspeakable, and his native cunning to talk himself out of a tricky situation, which had been his main qualifications for the job.
Engels, on the other hand, was far quicker on the uptake, and I saw her blanch. I think she realised at that moment which path her lover was being neatly led down. Or perhaps she had realised that at no point in the conversation had either she or Sigiswald been addressed by rank.
"He deserved it for being so foolish as to be taken in," Sigiswald retorted, "he was a traitor to the Reich."
As I heard that, I knew he was about to screw up and incriminate himself, I could taste the anticipation on my tongue. I glanced at Schultz who gave a not entirely pleasant smile.
"What about the Kaiser?" Heydrich said, promptly picking up the cue.
"He let his minions negotiate us into a position of weakness. He is no better than Delatz, and I have no regrets with regard to his fate."
"What is the appropriate punishment for treason towards the Reich," Jürgen purred, his tone calm.
"Execution," came the response.
"Did you execute Reichsführer Delatz for treason, Rutger?" Heydrich asked, smoothly.
"What was his own phrase about the Work of our Brotherhood? It's a dirty job and someone's got to do it? He taught us everything of honour and duty to Blood and Soil, and the warrior traditions of our ancestors. And then he betrayed it, and us, first in his dealings with the King of Sable over a number of years, and then in agreeing to the Treaty. Without his support, it would never have got off the drafting table. So yes, I took his words to heart and acted, to restore our honour, and for the good of the Fatherland."
"So what now?" Kessler asked, his tone suitably curious.
"Reichsführer Kessler, you have commanded the Waffen-SS. You are not afflicted by the weakness shown by König or Delatz. After all, you have seen the war up close and personal, and you know the cost. So I know that you will understand, and to you I pledge to my loyalty and bravery."
"And Kaiser Johan?" asked Heydrich.
"Like Reichsführer Kessler, he is a solider, and thankfully he has not been blinded by stupid, foreign notions. He understands that we need to keep our country strong and unshackled by unsuitable and unfortunate attachments such as this."
"And you, Ms Engels?" said Kessler, his tone calm, "do you share your companion's views?"
"She was the one who opened my eyes to the truth," Sigiswald said, proudly.
"Thank you, Rutger," Heydrich said, quietly, and stepped back.
Game over. I love it when he and Tristan work together.
"You damned fool," she hissed at Sigiswald, "you have no idea what you've done, do you?"
"I know exactly what I've done," he answered, smiling, "I'm proud of it. You should be too. After all, you were with me every step of the way, and without your instruction and guidance, we could never have achieved this. You are my muse. And together we've struck a true blow for the honour of the Reich."
"Shut up. Shut the fuck up," she answered, urgently, and now I could see that she was seeking the best direction in which to run.
"Problem, Ms Engels?" Heydrich said, mildly, but in return, she tried to bolt.
She had a good turn of speed, but Dominik, who had been covering that area of the perimeter, was faster, and was on her like a flash. He took her down with a rugby tackle to the knees, and she fell hard, banging her head. It was enough to stun her, although that didn't stop him landing her a crushing blow to the head just to make sure she was out of it. But it was only as he tied her hands behind her back and dragged her to her feet pretty much by the hair, that what was happening registered with Sigiswald.
"I don't understand?" he said quietly.
"The problem with attempting to execute a superior officer," I said, quietly, stepping out of my concealment with Schultz at my side, "is what happens when he doesn't die."
The shock on his face was a picture.
"The defendants are found Guilty on the Charges of Treason against the Reich, Attempted Regicide, Attempted Murder of a Senior Officer, and Attempted Murder of a Knight of the SS," Kessler said quietly and clearly from his position near to Sigiswald, "the sentence for which is execution. This Honour Court is adjourned."