28th May, 1068, Ulm
In one swoop of fate Duke Rudolf of Swabia is no more, after a serious illness he ascended to the heavens, leaving the duchy to his underage son Berthold von Rheinfelden. Following the funeral and the accession of Berthold I. I was granted the honorable offices of Master of the Hunt and Spymaster. It seems to me that our rise to greatness has just begun.
The new liege of Count Friedrich
Friedrich stopped writing as his thoughts revolved again and again around the events of the last days.
The death of Rudolf seems to me like a sign of heaven. With a weak regency for little Berthold the chances within Swabia are limitless....Especially now that I am entrusted with managing the network of spies. Maybe it might even be the time to press our own families claim to the duchy...
Looking up from the parchments he missed the feeling of home he always had, when looking out of the window of the library in Tübingen. Instead he carefully watched around his new rooms within the castle of Ulm. Closing the book he stored it away in one of the chests next to his bed.
Time to get to work...
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6th May, 1069, Ulm
A gentle knock on his door woke Friedrich from his slumber. As he shook off the last remnants of sleep he waited for the prearranged signal of his spies. A further 3 quick knocks were followed by 2 long ones. Carefully and silently Friedrich got out of bed, afraid to disturb his spouses sound slumber next to him. After lighting some candles at his desk Friedrich opened the lock on his door, allowing his nightly visitor in.
Recognizing his worker, Friedrich quickly waved him inside took another look outside to check for followers and then closed the door.
"Have a Seat, Gerhold." Friedrich pointed towards one of the chairs at the window, while seating himself on the other.
"Thank you, mylord."
Waiting for Gerhold to help himself to some wine, he asked.
"What news do you have?"
"Only the best, mylord. Do you remember the task you set me two years ago? The one for yourself?"
A glint flashed up inside Friedrichs eyes as he nodded, while leaning forward, urging Gerhold to continue.
"It is done. I have delivered the documents to your brother Otto in Tübingen and he told me that he is waiting for your orders."
"The claims are foolproof?"
"As good as it could be done, mylord. As soon as you seize the territories by virtue of combat nobody will doubt you anyway."
Going into a more relaxed posture Friedrich smiled.
"I must admit I had doubted your abilities. But I have never been more happy to be wrong."
"You flatter me, mylord, I was just doing a task you gave me."
"Of course, it is as it is. Here." Friedrich took a heavy purse out of one of the chests in the room. "A well earned reward, I say."
Weighing the money in his hands, Gerholds eyes widened, "I am in your gratitude, mylord."
"Wondering why it is more than I had promised?"
Gerholds face reddened. "I do not mean to..."
Waving his counterparts weak voice away, Friedrich took a piece of vellum from his desk and his quill.
"It is because I need you to deliver this letter to Otto."
As Gerhold waited, Friedrich quickly wrote down his orders.
Dear brother,
as Gerhold told me, you know that we are ready to strike. I do want to see this through as quick as possible, but we have to be certain of victory. Therefore I want you to wait for several years to build up a war chest, big enough to hire some mercenaries to overpower the Count of St.Gallen. Keep me updated on our progress and do keep a close eye on Ludwig.
Signed, your brother Friedrich.
"Here take it and off you go."
Taking the sealed letter, Gerhold left the room as quietly as he had entered it.
Going back to his bed, Friedrich saw Rocca stirring from her sleep.
"What happened, Friedrich? I heard you talking to someone..."
"Nothing, dear." he hushed. "just our first steps towards our rightful place."
"A rightful place?" Rocca sat up. "What do you mean?"
Friedrich gave her a kiss. "How about the place we were last night?"
The "other" result of that night
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Author's Note:
After all the crap going on with my save. I must say I am happy to be playing the AAR again 
Hopefully you have enjoyed this update, more is too come!
On another note, I changed the name of the son to Konrad, a more "Hohenstaufen" name than the one suggested.
). Hopefully you have enjoyed it and more is to come soon!
