A Surprising Turn of Events
Johann and Friedrich walked out of the Palace, flanked by several Royal Guards, overcome with joy. Both had tied for the lead vote-getter, thanks to their grandfathers interpretation of a democracy. That is: if you cant win, make a law that says you can. Freidrich was filled with beer, having indulged himself in the victory feast held after elections, while Johann sampled some fine Spanish wines. The feast was simply immaculate. Lavish foodstuffs, live entertainment, and the aforementioned wine all made appearances. Johann could not have asked for a better end to the day. Both brothers had agreed to give the other a gift if either won the election. Having tied, it was more or less an exchange.
Johann, when should I give you your present? Freidrich asked in slurred speech. I could give it to you tonight. Johann, knowing the gift was either alcohol or women, declined.
But, Johann replied back, have I got the gift for you. He knew Freidrich would love it. The gift was a military treatise, given to himself as a gift by one of his beneficiaries, a man from the Far East. Ill give it to you tomorrow afternoon, at the speakers ballot. But, the truth was, there would be no tomorrow for either of them. For neither brother would ever see the daylight in Germany again.
***
Friedrich swaggered down the path, drunken, back to his home within the royal complex. Though rather Spartan, it was still home to him and about 8 women, whom he called his entourage. Freidrich saw that only one was home tonight, and embraced her in a long, deep kiss. They made like animals for the bedchamber, tearing clothing and scratching skin. Freidrich could tell that it was Catherine home tonight, his favorite. He laid down on the bed, gasping for breath, while she lit a candle. Blissful pleasure turned to fearful terror, however, when the woman turned around. It was not Catherine home tonight. In fact, Freidrich had no idea who this woman was. He attempted to leave the chamber, but a well-timed kick to the groin by the mystery woman had him flat on the floor. Suddenly, from what seemed like shadows on the wall, three masked men appeared. The woman sat on a table, filing her nails, while the men pinned Freidrich down to the bed. She then crept over Freidrich, took out a knife from her pocket, and plunged it into his heart.
***
Johann thought he heard a scream emanating from the royal complex. It sounded oddly like his brothers, but he merely dismissed it as a bird. Freidrich never screamed. So Johann continued down the path. He was staying in Berlin inn, one of the finest inns in the country. The palace, containing most of the guest quarter, was under renovation, being built to house nearly double the guests it once could. Many living in the castle offered to give up their residence in order to house Johann, but he decided he would rather stay in an inn than displace someone else. Johann felt safe, for he had the royal guards to watch him. Plus, the army had come and cleared the area of any highwaymen ahead of time, for many nobles of the Reichstag had been staying in Berlin. The road was not as crowded as it usually was during the daytime; several merchant carts were all that Johann had seen. For a moment, Johann thought he saw one of his friends, the Baron of Stade, in the forest. Knowing that Adolph had a thing for the wilderness, Johann thought he could sneak up on him and thank him for his support in the Reichstag. Tiptoeing through the undergrowth, Johann tapped Adolph on the shoulder. Adolph gave him a silent message to quiet down. This is the largest stag Ive ever seen in all my years hunting, he pointed at the animal. Adolph cocked his bow, ready to strike. I just wanted to thank you for
Johann was interrupted by an arrow through Adolphs head. Struck right between the eyes, he crumpled to the ground, his own arrow flying up into the air.
Guards! Johann yelled, too terrified and frozen to do anything other than scream.
Your guards are dead, a hooded man said, coming into view. Johann, peeking through the trees, saw this was true; three men in armor lay in pools of blood on the side of the road. Now, the man continued, We will allow you to live, but only if you follow all of these rules. First, you will show no resistance to your relocation. Second, you make no attempt to ever come back to Germany. Third, you never reveal your heritage or my role in this plot. Do I make myself clear?
Johann nodded.
Good, the man continued. Now, I believe your ride has arrived, he said, jerking his head toward a horse-drawn carriage. And remember, if you violate any of these rules, your wife and children will not be very safe. Johann, gritting his teeth, climbed into the carriage, never to be seen again.
***
The Reichstag, led by speaker Georg Capet, a nobleman chosen as a neutral party, was thrown into a frenzy. Neither brother appeared at the scheduled decision. When news came that Freidrich had been found dead in his bedchamber, the room absolutely burst into panic.
Quiet down! Order! Georg boomed. Eventually, the nobles did sit down. Now, I am aware that Johann has not appeared at the meeting. Currently, the kings retinue is out searching for him. Every city in Germany is being notified and is out looking for him. If they do not locate him in two weeks, then I will have to crown Konrad Karling as King of Germany.
After the meeting, two elderly men stood outside the Reichstag building. One had a long beard. The other wore a long, tattered, hooded cloak.
I want to thank you for what youve done for me, the hooded man said. I really cannot believe youve gone this far for me.
Its really no problem. Only a simple favor I owed a friend. Just needed to tie up some loose ends, the bearded man responded.
No matter what, the hooded man continued, I want you to know that you gave me the best gift I could have ever received.
And what would that be?
The title of King.
Both men said farewell in a brotherly fashion before the bearded man hopped onto a passing carriage and left. Konrad Karling took off his hood and thought, Thank you, Ludwig. Not all Hohenzollerns are bad, after all.