Family Business
Hans had sent the servants away, down the to village, so that they would no have to bear witness to what was to come. His first impulse had, of course, been to send Ingrid as well, but he ultimately decided that she was likely safer with himself, Ali, and Samus there as protection. Far better she be in their company, even with the possibility of danger, than to be on her own and vulnerable to being captured or worse by his detestable cousin.
By the dates on the letters and estimated travel times, Anton Arcane would not arrive until at least the day after next. But preparations had to be made now. Hans himself was planning on being very well armed. Several pistols about his person, so that when one was spent he could simply toss it away and draw a fresh one, as well as a knife stored in his boot, and a fencing saber strapped to his side.
"The castle itself is highly defensible," he says to Samus and Ali. "If we are lucky, we may be able to simply pick Anton and any he would chose to bring with him off from the ramparts."
He shakes his head. "Though I doubt that we shall be so lucky."
All for something he did not even truly understand. The Claw. Some sort of magical artifact with the powers over life and death. Powers no one should be able to hold so easily. He himself was a death-dealer, a slayer of men, but even he was repulsed by the notion of such dark forces.
Perhaps he should have destroyed it. Perhaps he shouldn't have kept it in his home. It was a giant target, too tempting a jewel to resist. But he did not. Much to his shame.
He only hoped it would not bring about the end of those he loved most dearly.
By the dates on the letters and estimated travel times, Anton Arcane would not arrive until at least the day after next. But preparations had to be made now. Hans himself was planning on being very well armed. Several pistols about his person, so that when one was spent he could simply toss it away and draw a fresh one, as well as a knife stored in his boot, and a fencing saber strapped to his side.
"The castle itself is highly defensible," he says to Samus and Ali. "If we are lucky, we may be able to simply pick Anton and any he would chose to bring with him off from the ramparts."
He shakes his head. "Though I doubt that we shall be so lucky."
All for something he did not even truly understand. The Claw. Some sort of magical artifact with the powers over life and death. Powers no one should be able to hold so easily. He himself was a death-dealer, a slayer of men, but even he was repulsed by the notion of such dark forces.
Perhaps he should have destroyed it. Perhaps he shouldn't have kept it in his home. It was a giant target, too tempting a jewel to resist. But he did not. Much to his shame.
He only hoped it would not bring about the end of those he loved most dearly.