Chapter 28
Archie
Augsburg
The trip from Ulm to Augsburg is less than half the distance from Ulm to Füssen, so it might surprise you that it took almost as long for Cortana and I to traverse that journey. It wasn’t that the country was hard or rugged, although it had many more hills than I was used to riding through. No, it was that after pushing Cortana so hard the first two days out of Füssen, I determined to take a slower pace in order to give the lad some rest. So we entered Augsburg through that familiar north gate a bit after the sun had passed its zenith that afternoon.
Dismounting before the gate, I led Cortana through it. I was stiff enough after that much time in the saddle that I welcomed the opportunity to move on my own two feet as opposed to his four. We emerged from the gatehouse into the bright afternoon sun. After the moments of dimness in the gatehouse, the sun caused me to blink.
I expected the normal questions city guards ask strangers in every town. What occurred next did surprise me, though.
“You!” barked a burly guard in a uniform coat and an ill-fitting helmet who was holding a halberd as if he knew what to do with it. That concerned me, as such a weapon in the hands of a man who knew it could be dangerous indeed. “Are you that man known as Archibald Gottesfreund, from Jena?”
I looked around the group of guards, six of them this time, all the while keeping at least one eye on the halberdier. As luck, or chance, or Fortuna, or even God would have it, one of them was Justus, the guard who had let me out this very gate the night I left Augsburg. To him I gave a nod and half a smile. He returned the smile, but remained in his place, eyes fixed on me.
I turned to face the halberdier full on. “And if I am that man, what matters that to you?”
He hefted his halberd, holding it across his body. “Why, only that we have orders to arrest you, if you are that man.”
“On what charges?” I spread my feet a bit and squared my shoulders.
“On charges of theft and possessing stolen property.”
Ah, well, that was an unpleasant word. I had hoped that my followers would not find my traces so quickly, or decide to try and follow me so soon if they did. And that my extra time in going to Ulm would somehow throw them off my track if they did find out. Alas, herewith was the reason why my old father cautioned me about trusting luck or chance—it isn’t reliable. Of course, he also had much the same to say about plans and being overly fond of them as well. “Far better to rely on the strength of your arm, your own wits, and your honor,” he told me over and over again. It was a lesson that it took me some time to learn, but it was one that I knew well. Settled deep in my bones, it was.
Looking behind, perhaps I should have ridden for Jena from Ulm, but I hadn’t wanted to leave Maus unclaimed for very long. He was a good horse, and I wanted him back under my hands and my seat as soon as possible. Ah, well, no use mooning over spilled beer.
I looked around the group again, and shook my head slowly. “A base falsehood, that is. I stole nothing.”
“We have our orders.” He took a step toward me.
I dropped Cortana’s reins and threw my cloak back over my shoulders to free my arms, resting my hands on the butts of my pistols where they rose from the holsters that rode my hips. That brought everyone to a sudden halt.
“I am a peaceful law-abiding fellow, I am.” The Scots lilt was strong in my voice at that moment. “But I’ll not be taken for a crime I did not commit. And before you think to rush me, use the eyes and the discernment that God gave you, and be wise enough to realize that these are up-time model pistols, and I have enough shots under my hands to take all of you to the paving. And it’s a good shot I am—with either hand, mind you.”
There was quiet for a moment. Then the halberdier said, “We won’t let you leave.”
“Fine. I don’t want to leave.” I could see that took them all aback. Meanwhile, my mind had raced ahead. Perhaps I could beat them on their own playing board. “Let us instead end this now. Send for your officers—both Catholic and Protestant. I insist on both. Send for my accusers. Bring them here—I insist. If you want to bring a magistrate as well, I won’t object. But get them all here shortly, and let’s deal with this.”
That shook them, it did. They stared at each other, before the rest of them turned to look at the halberdier, who was obviously the sergeant of the group. After a moment, he grounded the shaft of his halberd and pointed at Justus and another guard. “You two, go find the officers and the accusers and tell them they are needed here at the north gate.”
Well, so far my gambit had thrown them off their own balance and forced them to call for reinforcements. Well, and enough. It would be interesting to see what came of it. I smiled a bit at that.
Justus took off at a dead run, whereas the other fellow didn’t move at much more than a trot. From that it was likely that it would take some while for these personages to assemble. And so it proved.
I moved to stand in front of where Cortana’s reins lay on the ground. He stood stock-still, in accordance with his training, but reached out his muzzle and snuffled the back of my neck. After a moment, he lifted his head and looked at the halberdier. Cortana had enough experience as a war horse to recognize a foe, so I smiled a bit at that thought, wondering if the sergeant would be complimented by the thought that my horse thought he was dangerous. If he wasn’t, the more fool he.
I shifted my hands off the butts of my pistols, and placed my thumbs behind my belt. I didn’t fool anyone, of course. It was obvious that I could pull them in an instant. But even so, the guards relaxed a tiny bit. And so we stood: them watching me, me watching them, and Cortana standing like a statue. I could have used the old soldiers’ trick of dozing with my eyes open, but I spend my time thinking about what likely words would be passed soon, and what openings it might give me to keep myself out of the Augsburg gaol and freely on the road.
As the peals of the bells sounding the second hour of the afternoon faded away, we could hear men approaching up the main street to the gate. In a moment they all moved into view, apparently having met up before they reached us. Justus was companioned by three men wearing broad sashes, two men older than me and one slightly younger who had to be the guard officers. Trailing slightly behind them were the other watchman with a richly dressed burgher on one side of him. On the other were two men in sober clothing, who, although I had not seen their faces in Füssen, were of a size to match the two men who had ridden horses into Füssen that day looking for me.
As this group arrived and spread into an arc facing me, I spoke up before anyone could open their mouth, placing my first card on the table. After all, when one is alone and facing multiple enemies, sometimes aggression is your best tactic.
“My name is Archibald Gottesfreund.” I spoke in a firm voice using the same tone that my old sergeant used with me in years past. “I am the agent and companion of Master Tiberius Claudius Titus Wulff of Jena. I am traveling to handle some small works of business for him. I arrived at this gate not even an hour ago, whereupon I was informed I was to be arrested and charged with theft. I object to the base and false accusation and slander that such represents. I do not have time to subject myself to an inquiry or an extended court hearing, although I am certain that Master Tiberius’ brother, the noted attorney Augustus Nero Domitian Wulff of Grantville and Magdeburg will be more than happy to participate in such a hearing.” I left a sound of satisfaction in my voice, and I saw the burgher swallow. It pleased me to have evidence of Master Andy’s reputation having reached so far south.
“So, I offer this proposal. I propose to prove my innocence by allowing a search of my bags and belongings. If the object in question is in my bags, then I will not resist the arrest. If it is not in my bags or property, then I will be free to proceed about my business. Agreed?”
While notables were looking at one another, after a moment, I continued with, “And oh, by the way, just what is it that I have supposedly stolen?”
The two accusers looked at each other, and the older one answered in something like the Bavarian dialect. “A large, very old, very rare, and very valuable Greek codex of the Bible. It was stolen from the Vatican. It may be the oldest Bible in existence.” His face wore a very grim expression as he realized that, having chosen this stratagem, I certainly would not have the codex in my possession. Too late too wise, my friend. I suppressed the smile that threatened to break out. Time enough to smile when I have taken the winnings.
“Ah, a Bible. And you are?”
They looked at each other. The older man responded with, “Augustus Heinzerling.”
The younger man added, “Nicholas Smithson.”
I smiled now, about to deliver another blow in the game. “To be completely accurate, that should be Father Augustus Heinzerling and Father Nicholas Smithson, of the Society of Jesus I would think. Are you here from Munich or from Grantville?”
The city watch officers and the burgher had stiffened at the revelation that the accusers were Jesuits. That probably caused them some problems, given the nature of relationships between the Catholics and Protestants in Augsburg, especially.
Before the priests could respond, I turned toward the others, pushing the pace. Sometimes keeping an opponent off-balance will create an opening for a thrust, after all.
“And you are?”
The burgher spoke first, shifting to put a bit of space between himself and the priests. “I am Hieronymus Imhof, city councilman and magistrate.”
I nodded in respect. This could be a good man to have here. I turned to the second man and raised one eyebrow.
“Philipp Jacob Imhof, captain of the militia.” There was a definite resemblance between him and the burgher as I looked back and forth between them.
“My son,” the burgher said in response to both raised eyebrows and the obvious question. A perceptive man, the magistrate. That also impressed me.
Before I could even turn to them and say a word, the older of the two remaining officers spoke.
“Captain Paulus Stetten, and my lieutenant Christoph Stetten, also my son. Protestant,” he added, almost as an afterthought.
I had to suppress another smile. “You seem to be such that can make a decision about my very reasonable proposal.” I said nothing more, just stood there with my hands in my belt and an easy expression on my face, all the while watching them with care and assessing the odds every few seconds.
At last, with visible reluctance, Magistrate Imhof nodded. The circle of releasing tension in the space was almost like watching ripples float across a pond from a stone plunging into it. Gazes shifted around the circle.
I cleared my throat, bringing all eyes back to me. “Are you in agreement on what needs to be done?
“Our men search your bags and belongings,” said Captain Imhof. “If they find the codex, we arrest you.”
“If they don’t find the codex, you’re set free,” from Captain Stetten.
The Jesuits were stone-faced. They were certain now that the codex would not be found, but having entered the game they had to play it out. I was going to insist that we search everything, just to prove my point and to make the Jesuits look unreasonable. I’m sure they were good men, but the theft accusation was a low blow, and I wasn’t averse to getting a bit of my own back. I am a Scot, after all.
I turned and took Cortana’s reins in hand to keep him still while these others were moving around him. “All right lads, time to have at it. Unpack everything on that stone bench over there. I don’t want to have to pick my things up out of the dirt.” They unstrapped the baggage from the back of Cortana’s saddle. I even took off my cloak and jacket and passed them along.
I watched Heinzerling’s face grow increasingly sour as each bag was emptied, while Smithson simply stood and watched alertly. There was a brief moment of hope when one of the watchmen began by picking up the knapsack and started unstrapping it, by which I knew that the Franciscan monk must have mentioned the knapsack. Their faces fell again when he opened the knapsack and pulled out a large bundle that was about the size of the codex but turned out to be my buff coat rolled and folded small enough to fill the knapsack.
By the second bag the watchmen were having a good time of it, cracking jokes, some of them at my expense. After young Justus finished picking through my wadded-up clothing, he looked at me and said, “What, they didn’t have laundries where you’ve been?”
“No time, lad,” I called back over the chuckles from his mates.
After that moment, it was all over with. No trace of the codex. No one moved to search my person, but it was obvious from the fit of my shirt and trousers I was not hiding it.
Both captains frowned at the Jesuits, who nodded in acknowledgment and walked away. The magistrate nodded as well, a definite magistrate’s nod. Then he and his son followed behind the Jesuits, while making no evidence of a desire to catch up to them. I at last let that smile cross my face, just for a moment.
I looked at the remaining two officers.
“We’re done, and you’re free to go,” Captain Stetten said. “But I suggest you don’t stay in Augsburg long.”
“I’ll be leaving tomorrow, Captain.”
“Good. See that you do.” Left unsaid was the thought that I’d best not have any more trouble in Augsburg, but the message was received. The good captain didn’t desire that any more than I did. I’d already had more adventures this trip than I’d ever wanted.
The J-Team
Nick had to almost break into a trot to keep up with Gus, who was striding along at almost breakneck speed while muttering to himself in dark tones so rapidly that Nick couldn’t understand him. He put up with it until after a couple of blocks they were hailed from behind and they both had to stop and turn to face who had called out to them. It turned out to be son of the magistrate, Captain Imhof.
“Yes, Captain?” Nick responded for them both.
“No disrespect intended, Father—Fathers—but my father sent me to advise you that Master Gottesfreund will be given a written judgment as a result of this…investigation. He also requests that you do not linger in Augsburg, as your presence as not officially recognized Jesuits could cause some…difficulties.”
“Thank you for that notice,” Nick said. “You may advise your father that we will be leaving your city tomorrow morning.”
Captain Imhof nodded, then leaned forward slightly. “For myself, I would say you should avoid Master Gottesfreund for the next little while.” He gave another nod, pivoted on his heel, and walked away.
Nick could hear Gus’ teeth grinding. He grabbed his friend’s arm and pulled him over to over to the side of the street against a building wall. Shaking Gus by the arm, he said, “Okay, Gus, it’s over. Done. He’s proven that he doesn’t have the codex, and we can’t take it any farther.”
Gus stood rigid for a long moment, then sighed and his shoulders slumped. “You’re right. I’m still more than half-convinced he had it. If he did, the reason why he was so late in getting here was because he stopped somewhere and hid it or passed it on to someone else to carry for him. But there’s no way to prove that, now is there? And once he got here, my foolish decision to ask for his arrest before he arrived meant that we had no choice but to play his game. And he played it well, didn’t he? Outplayed us—me—at every turn. I don’t think he’d have caught Mazarini or Athanasius in that game, but then, they’re better players at any kind of game than I am, aren’t they?” There was a bitter tone to the older man’s voice, but also a tone of resignation that Nick was rather glad to hear. It meant that Gus wouldn’t continue to pursue the matter any longer, which, in the current circumstances, was the best response.
Nick wrapped his arm around his friend’s shoulder. “Let’s go find a mug of beer, Gus. Maybe you can find some tobacco for your pipe here in Augsburg. We’ll have a good dinner tonight, and begin the ride home tomorrow.”
They started walking down the street at a more normal rate. After a moment, Gus chuckled. “Heh. At least we won’t have to ride so hard on the way back.”
“Amen to that,” Nick said. “If my buttocks don’t contact a saddle for a year it will be entirely too soon.”
More chuckles trailed behind them as they moved down the street.
Archie
After all the notables left, the city watchmen went back to doing their city watchmen business. Justus did help me gather my things back into my bags. It wasn’t long before everything was strapped back to Cortana’s saddle, except for my cloak and my buff coat, which I laid across my saddle. He grinned at me and moved to join his mates. I looked to where the sergeant was hefting his halberdier, to see him looking at me.
I touched my right hand to the brim of my hat, and he nodded in response. And with that, I led Cortana out of the space by the gate and headed toward The Brass Kestrel.
It wasn’t long before we arrived at the inn, and I led Cortana back to the stable. “Otto!” I called out as I neared the stable. That worthy fellow almost popped out of the doorway. After a moment of surprise, he grinned in delight.
“Master Archie! It’s good to see you.”
“Good to see you, too, Otto. How’s Maus doing?”
“Right as right can be, Master Archie. Foot’s all healed and he’s wanting to get back on the road, I can tell you.”
“Good. Very good to hear.” I passed Cortana’s reins to him and unstrapped all my baggage from the back of the saddle. “And here’s a new cloak and hat for you,” passing the cloak from the saddle and the hat from the top of my head. I slapped Cortana on the shoulder. “This lad and I have had a rather tough few days, and he’s in need of a good rubdown and a lot of grain and rest. Check his feet and shoes, too. Tomorrow, put the saddle on Maus and we’ll give this one a light road for a day or two.”
“That I can do, Master Archie. That I can do.”
“I know you can, Otto. And I’ll see you in the morning.”
Inside the inn, after renewing acquaintances with Master Tobias, I had one of the local messenger boys lead me to the nearest laundry and bath, where I soaked and cleaned my outside while getting my clothes cleaned. Somewhat damp around the edges, I returned to the inn, where Master Tobias had Moses the barber ready to shave me. A short while later, clean from top to bottom, I had an early supper, and retired to my room.
I looked forward to seeing Master Titus’ reaction to his new treasure. That thought was on my mind as I fell asleep.