Wednesday, September 9, 2009

A Hunting we will go ....

The time approaches for the annual visit to Ausfhart by the Hurtshog, Stanken Fhartz.
The old castle of Einfhart has been renovated, and there's a family reunion scheduled for the annual late grape harvest (okay, it's probably later than that in real Germany, but I always liked Reisling Spatlaze Rhine wines).

Since the family is as politically united as Frankfurter itself, this is going to take some ticklish diplomacy ....

Intendent Bastille pours himself a solid cup of Benedictine (Chevert Wine is for more delicate occasions) as he sees L'Comte Beauphaup sashaying towards his office.
I'll have to paraphrase their conversation as I don't speak a word of French ...

Bastille gulps it down and turns toward the door to greet his visitor:
Bastille: Good afternoon, m'Lord. What is the occasion of the honor of your visit?
Beauphaup (taking a sniff from his pomander): Nothing especial, your Excellency ... we just require a few notes of safe passage through the lines.
Bastille: Through the lines?
Beauphaup: Well, there's the Hurtshog cousin, who's declared himself the true Hurtshog and attached himself to Hesse Cassel and his entourage;
Bastille: Permit hostile officers through the lines?!?
Beauphaup (ignoring Bastille's irritation and shock): and the Ritter Frazlewitz, the Hurtshog's illigitimate half brother ...
Bastille: Ah, the old Duke did have a reputation!
Beauphaup: NO, no. That crowd would be too dangerous, somebody might decide to attempt a radical form of legitimization, if you follow my meaning ...
Bastille (even more shocked): So, this "half brother" is not his father's child?
Beauphaup: Of course not, and there is also Bombastus Fhartz, though he'll be a special problem ...
Bastille (a little rocky): a (his voice rises an octave)"special" problem?
Beauphaup: Oh yes, he's a renegade. Casts cannons for the Turk, you know. The Papal agents will be trying to catch him, and Stagonia will be trying to buy him ...
Bastille (with heavy sarcasm): and what is the purpose of these "little requests"?
Beauphaup: Well, the old family castle has been renovated, you know: Nice French style gardens with clear fields of fire and so forth. The Hurtshog feels that a grand family reunion amid the wine fest would help him with the people outside of the city where the Resistance hides out.
Bastille: So he's throwing ANOTHER ball?
Beauphaup: Oh yes. It'll be all local girls except for whomever you and the other foreign notables bring.
Bastille: You expect ME to attend another of the Hurtshog's balls? (His voice rising and trembling)
Beauphaup: Of course! How could we hold a state ball without bringing such powers as yourself? The official invitations probably won't go out for a few weeks yet ...
Bastille: Excuse me, m'lord Count, but I feel some indigestion ...
Beauphaup: So sorry. I'll leave these documents with you ... perhaps some Fraumilch might help?

Bastille lurches abruptly for the closet, waving Beauphaup away.
Beauphaup shrugs, does an about face, and hands a portfolio to Bastille's aide as he minces out ....

4 comments:

Bluebear Jeff said...

Sounds like fun . . . for someone at least.


-- Jeff

Martin said...

Hi Arthur!

I'd be honored to contribute to the storyline! Thank you for the invite.

I've been thinking about sending the Markgraaf's wife, the Markgraavine Sharon von Meltzer, a.k.a., the Baroness von Kerns to the "Fhartz Family Reunion". It's a little known fact that the von Kerns originated as a cadet, some say bastard, line of the Fhartz, but then again the same could be said of most of the population of Southwest Germany. Ha, ha, ha. (The "Alte Fhartz" no doubt misunderstood how to go about being, "The Father Of His Country"; or, on further reflection, did he?) As Raubenstadt's representative to the festivities, she'll need an escort. Hummm...Say!...von Mack is available!

Martin

Martin said...

Hi Arthur!

I'd be honored to contribute to the storyline! Thank you for the invite.

I've been thinking about sending the Markgraaf's wife, the Markgraavine Sharon von Meltzer, a.k.a., the Baroness von Kerns to the "Fhartz Family Reunion". It's a little known fact that the von Kerns originated as a cadet, some say bastard, line of the Fhartz, but then again the same could be said of most of the population of Southwest Germany. Ha, ha, ha. (The "Alte Fhartz" no doubt misunderstood how to go about being, "The Father Of His Country"; or, on further reflection, did he?) As Raubenstadt's representative to the festivities, she'll need an escort. Hummm...Say!...von Mack is available!

Martin

Frankfurter said...

Then again, the old Duchess was also quite "matronly" they say ...
:)
I guess we'll set up a nice intrigue with one of the old Fhartzen "other children" for V. Mack to frustrate...
:)
A