((IC Between myself and @delpiero))
October 1460; Before the Stadtrat meeting
The hour of the wolf was fast approaching and the church bell and tolled several times as Heinrich covered up his young wife under the covers, noting that her carrying his child only made her more of a sleeping beauty. The child was due any day now, and Heinrich was doing his best to avoid stressing her anymore than the death of her beloved grand-father already had. Slowly climbing down the doors with a candle, he looks around what to most citizens of Lübeck is a fine townhouse with something akin to pride and prejudice at the same time.
It was by far not comparable to the houses of the Patricians or the richer Burghers, but the dowry and Heinrich’s own salary had ensured it was at least comfortable and warm… and all his. Not given or inherited, but earned. A warm hearth was burning near the centre of the ‘living room’ with his hound Rex sleeping next to it.
Going through the cupboards, Heinrich pulls out a decanter of wine and two mugs, sitting down as he awaits his guests arrival.
Torsten traveled to Heinrich’s house by carriage, the luxury of being a wealthy Patrician. Heinrich and his father Albrecht were his closest confidants and so he valued his input. He arrived in the late afternoon, knocked at the door and was walked their living room.
“Good afternoon, Heinrich. How are you? This rainy weather in Lübeck is not to my liking.” He laughed jokingly. “Thank you for the invitation.”
Opening the door and noting the additional visitor, Heinrich smiles and shakes Torstens hand before motioning him into the living room and the comfortable seats,”I stand well cos. Rainy though it may be, Lübeck surprisingly stands more comfortable than the barracks at Hamburg or Riga. Would you care for wine, or possibly cider?”
“Some cider, please. I’m a little bit thirsty. How is the defense of the trade posts? Albrecht said there have been only minor problems the last time he heard from you.” Torsten sat down on a nearby chair.
Heading back into the kitchen to pick up another mug and the cider, Heinrich pours for each of the two men before taking a seat as well, shrugging at the query,”No major problems. After it was made clear to the men that they would change to fit the job rather than the other way, they’ve become quite sterling at their jobs and the few bandits and corsairs that dare venture against the posts have been easily driven off. Mine only concern now stands should Fischer and Haas join forces to take the posts down, but even then I believe we’d give a fair accounting of ourselves.”
“The new head of House Haas, Markus, is an inexperienced lad but also very unpredictable. I hope he won’t dare to make a move against us. If you need more ducats to improve the defenses please let me know, or better Albrecht as he is more involved in the trading business and finances of our family.” He took a sip of his cider. “Ah, tastes delicious. Thank you very much.”
“Certainly.” Heinrich notes with a nod of respect to the man,”Depending on how these elections go we might have to, though obviously should you emerge the Statthalter the von Warendorf empire will survive at least for another 4 to 8 years.” Smirking a bit as he sips his wine, he continues with a more political line of thinking,”Speaking of elections and innocent waif’s such as Markus; have he and Fischer come to an accord on which of the two of them they will drive forth as the main candidate, or shall they divide up their support by both standing for election?”
“If I only knew! Last time the Haas family supported Fischer. I don’t know if the young Markus Haas will support Johannes Fischer this time or if he will run himself.”
“What does your heart tell you?” Heinrich jests,”But truthfully it matters not… if the supporters of Xaver remain true to the Warendorf clan you should have this election in the bag.. Though counting on the loyalties of men once bought to remain the same is as hoping for it not to rain in Lübeck. Let me know if I may offer assistance to you on that front somehow.”
Torsten had to think for a moment and so took a sip of his mug of cider. “I think Haas will support Fischer. He is too inexperienced to become statthalter so I don’t think he’ll run but one never knows.. In your letter you wrote that you like my proposal of eventually serving as Commander of the Forces, I am glad to hear that, I must say.”
“Aye… aye.” Heinrich muses thoughtfully on the political topic, not really familiar with the Three Houses yet. He’d gotten the cliff notes, but this was his first election,”But I would stand a fool were I not willing to accept an offer to command an army. The only reason I did not openly broach the subject with yourself or yon grandfather was out of respect for Cadorna. An old warhorse he may be, but he’s shown distinction and valour in his service and it seemed… improper to speak of such things afore his passing. Who knows? He might even outlive us all!”
“He might indeed but we must be prepared in case he doesn’t.” Torsten laughs. “The thought of a van Buren leading our forces makes me sick.”
“I had thought the van Buren’s were basically envassalaged to the Warendorfs.” Heinrich queries, his sole experience with Twan having been a few nights out with the younger Warendorf and rumours of the man’s father's bankruptcy,”Would the youth truly change his coat so towards his benefactors without so much as a ‘by your leave’?”
“Hendrik was indeed a good friend of my house but his son does neither appreciate nor value the alliance, unfortunately. My lawyer von Stade met Twan van Buren and their meeting did not go well. Twan doesn’t support my candidacy”
Considering the situation for a moment, Heinrich recalls his meeting in the woods with the Other Heinrich and Twan. Even then the youth had seemed moody and changeable, but he’d not suspected he would be so much so. Not that the support of a single disenfranchised burghers son mattered, but clearly the youth had risen to his captaincy by virtue of favour rather than valour, so it got a rise out of Heinrich whom could feel the bile rising in his throat. No blood nor glory, but vainglorious ambition clearly.
“Well, you’ll still have mineself and likely much of the crust that has gained under Xaver’s rule. I give you fair odds at winning, but then again these are my first elections. Would you like me to prepare for the possibility of yon defeat, and if so… how?”
“In case I lose the election, I would like you stay in charge of our trade posts’ defences. But let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” Torsten was fairly confident of his victory but one should never be too sure. “If I lose, I most likely also lose my position as Master of Coin, in that case I would go to the Rhineland and represent the Hanseatic League’s interests there.”
“Well then… I believe that settles business, aside for one issue: I would ask if you would stand as mine child’s godfather when the time comes?” The position of godfather was a sacred Christian duty and meant that should Heinrich and Anne-Marie both perish, the wardship and safety of the child would fall upon Torsten.
Torsten was full of joy. “But of course! What an honour! I gladly be the godfather of your new child. We should toast to that!” He raised his cup.
Smiling, Heinrich raises his mug in a joyful toast. Come what come may, they’d be ready for it.
