translated by Sarah Hanbury Tenison

Chapter 1 - The Onslaught

Like a great eagle with its wings spread wide, the royal castle of Stauffermark loomed over endless lines of roofs in the royal city of Königsstadt.  The countless towers and oriels sported a range of pennants bearing the royal lion that could be seen from the other side of the valley.  Thin columns of smoke rose heavenwards from tall chimneypots on the fine townhouses. A company of black-robed riders was hastening towards the mighty lion gate; the long white crusader cross could be glimpsed, both at the front and the back of their robes.  When they reached the watchtower, they delivered a parchment and exchanged a few words with the duty captain. Then the great drawbridge was lowered and the newcomers were admitted.

The black-clothed men were clearly in a hurry. Scarcely had they handed their horses to the stable lads then they were stepping briskly up the broad staircase to the palace doorway. They waited impatiently as the doorkeepers dragged the doors open. The news of their arrival had already made the rounds.  Knights and counts were standing in the throne room; they stared curiously at the visitors as they approached the throne with measured tread.

King Albrecht, the ruler of Stauffer Borderlands, was leaning back on his lion throne.  Although an old man, his powerful body, aquiline nose, and energetic chin, all testified to an unbowed will.  The four visitors knelt down on the steps leading to the throne.  The first one, who was clearly the leader, had a long, narrow face, like that of a bird. His large black eyes flashed when his gaze fell on the king.

“Hail to you, Albrecht, King of Stauffermark!  We bring you tidings from Jerusalem!“

With these words, he handed a parchment roll to a page, who brought it to the King. He broke its splendid yellow seal and opened the scroll, with an unconcerned air.  Albrecht’s eyes then slid carefully along the lines of script with their golden illuminations.  His smile did not falter. During the last few days, secret couriers had been bringing him disturbing news, and to his relief, this news was of quite a different order. He gave a little sigh and rolled the message up again.

“You are very welcome to our halls! The friends of Jerusalem are the friends of Stauffermark. Long live the Emperor!“ Albrecht rose and threw his cloak over his shoulders, saying, “You must certainly be tired and hungry!“

The bird-faced man smiled imperceptibly and nodded. Several hours later, the king leant back in his seat. The dinner had had been splendid and lavish, and the conversation with his guests lively and interesting.  It was about the tenth hour.

Albrecht yawned expansively.  He gestured with his head at his General, Wolfhart, the Count of Tannenberg, smiled, and murmured these words:

“Wolfhart, these people are rascals and liars.  They were the guests of Richard of the Cross a few days ago. They told me that he is well.”

Wolfhard’s mouth twisted to form a smile and he muttered: “I understand, Lord.“

“Set three guards before each man’s bedchamber and double the sentries on the gates and entrances. Treachery is in the air.“ Albrecht turned back to his guests with a pleased expression, and clapped his hands. The lute and shawm music ceased and silence fell.  “Noble guests, Knights, Counts and gracious ladies!“ he nodded as he spoke to Salome, his beautiful golden-haired granddaughter, who was seated at his right. “Pray allow an old man a well-earned night’s sleep. There’s a time for everything. A time for waking and a time for sleeping.  Tomorrow I shall confer the order of knighthood, an occasion that I have been looking forward to for weeks. I would like to be well-rested and on time for that special day.“ The visitors laughed in a half-hearted way.  Albrecht rose and said, “Wolfhart will accompany our guests to their chambers. May Our Lord God grant us peace this night!“ After the four guests had taken their leave of the king, the dining hall was empty and quiet. Albrecht beckoned Salome to his side. He looked carefully in all directions before whispering:

“Salome, I’ve told my scribe to give you a message. As soon as you have it, ride to Falkenstein.  Ride as though your life depended on it, because the Empire is in deadly danger. Avoid all the main roads, and you had better buckle on a sword. You may need it.“

“Don’t look at me like that, my dear child! Your smile graces you far better!“

“Grandfather, I hope you’re not in danger?“

The king gave a little laugh. “A king is always in danger. But if he’s a good king, he will be aware of it in time. God be with you!“

“God be with you, too, Grandfather!“ Salome kissed Albrecht’s forehead. He smiled proudly and happily.

By the third hour, Albrecht was lying, still awake, in his bed. Outside, a cold wind was beating at the walls, or was it the flapping of birds’ wings? Suddenly, he did hear the beat of wings. A puff of wind blew the curtain away from the window and a great black crow landed on the wooden sill. Its large black eyes stared at Albrecht.  He sat up in bed and looked at his night visitor with astonishment.  Then he felt an icy sensation at the back of his neck.  He had seen that look before, that very day.

More flapping sounds, and three more birds landed on the sill, beside their fellow. Then they hopped off the windowsill and approached the royal bed, stepping ponderously.  One of them flapped onto the king’s golden doublet, which was hanging over a chair.

Albrecht had been on the lookout for many things that night, but not this!  He leapt out of bed and drew his golden sword.

“Guards, to me!“ he shouted, but the guards at his door would never respond to anyone’s call again. The king stared in horror at the dreadful transformation that was taking place in his chamber.

“Is this how you reward a Stauffermark welcome, you ruffian?“

Albrecht slashed at him with his great sword. Thus began a desperate fight between an old man and his overweening enemy. Outside, countless crows could be heard cawing. Their black metallic plumage reflected the fires that were blazing in the houses and stable blocks.  Steadily increasing flocks of birds came tumbling out of the sky, to settle like a dark cloud on Königsstadt.