David Bishop - A murder in Marienburg

“Even more so than that fool Sandler?”

“I did say ‘among the most ambitious’,” Belladonna replied lightly.

The commander frowned for a moment. “And how did you assess his level of ambition during a tavern brawl? I know your powers of deduction can be remarkable, my dear, but still…”

“I’m told he’s been waiting outside your antechamber for two hours.”

“Hmm, very well. Send in Quist, Sandler, and those two imbeciles that hang on Sandler’s every word. Give us five minutes before telling Schnell to join us.”

Belladonna nodded. “There’s one other matter, sir-I’d like to request a transfer.”

“Why?”

“Much as I’ve enjoyed studying the machinations of office politics in your presence, I believe my talents would be put to better use on the streets. You don’t need me here.”

“Perhaps not, but I enjoy your company,” the commander replied evenly. But his face had hardened and his eyes betrayed seething anger at her request.

“Be that as it may, I believe I would better serve the city in a more active role.”

“No doubt you have somewhere in mind?”

Belladonna smiled. “Working with Schnell. I doubt things would ever be dull on his watch.”

The commander smiled, like a shark about to devour its prey. “You should be careful what you wish for. I’m told the Cathay people have a saying about it being a curse to live in interesting times.” He placed his elbows on the armrests of his chair, forming his fingers into a steeple in front of his brooding face. “When you bring Schnell before me, stay and observe what happens. If you still wish to go where I am sending him, then you are fool enough to deserve that fate-I will not stand in your way.”

She nodded her thanks and retreated to the antechamber. Kurt was surprised when the woman from the Seagull and Spittoon appeared from the commander’s antechamber. “You can come inside now,” she said, beckoning him in. Kurt had assumed she was merely a messenger, but it seemed she acted as adjutant to the commander. A curious arrangement in a city where women wielded the most power as matriarchs at home, or holding sway in courtly circles. Few females were seen in law enforcement, and fewer still in the watch. Perhaps she was the commander’s consort, and he employed her in his office as a ruse to hide her real role? Whatever her true function, Kurt sensed she was sympathetic to his cause. He jerked his head to the grand doors leading into the commander’s office.

“I saw Quist, Sandler, Rottenrow and Wout go in-who else is in the room?”

“Just the commander.”

“Four captains and the boss,” Kurt mused, trying to make sense of these portents.

Belladonna smiled at him kindly. “Don’t worry, you’re not in trouble. Yet.” She waited another minute, busying herself with a few parchment scrolls at a desk before moving to the doors leading into the commander’s office. “It’s time.” She admitted Kurt, before following him inside.

“Come forward,” the commander called, beckoning Kurt closer to the raised dais. The four captains were split into pairs, Rottenrow and Wout on one side of the dais, Quist and Sandler on the other. Kurt chose to ignore them and concentrate his attention on the commander. Always focus on the deadliest enemy in any situation, Kurt’s father had taught him. Deal with them first and the others will be easier prey. The brave warrior fights the hardest foe, even if it costs him dear-that is the mark of bravery. “First of all, I’d like to congratulate you, Sergeant Schnell.”

“Thank you, sir,” Kurt replied. He said no more, holding the commander’s gaze but refusing to ask the obvious question-why was he being congratulated? Instead Kurt counted inside his head: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight-

“Very good, Schnell! Most people in this situation cannot allow seven seconds of silence to pass without caving in and asking for more information. You show remarkable resilience of will.”

“Must be in the blood,” Quist muttered. “Shame he doesn’t have more of Old Ironbeard’s talents.” The captain was silenced by a glance from the commander, before the focus shifted back to Kurt.

“You’ve done well since joining the Black Caps. Some might even describe it as a meteoric rise through the ranks. In all the areas of Marienburg where you’ve served, reported crimes on dry land have dropped dramatically and clear-up rates for past offences have doubled. You’ve also been instrumental in ridding the watch of its more corrupt elements in those districts.”

“I’ve been fortunate in my assignments,” Kurt replied. “The likes of Goudberg are not what I’d describe as the city’s most dangerous or challenging districts.”

“So, it sounds like you’re more than ready for something that’s more of a stretch, yes?”

Kurt nodded. Here it comes…

“Good. I’m hereby promoting you to rank of acting captain. Your task for the next twelve months will be to re-establish a presence in an area of the city that we’ve been guilty of neglecting for far too long. You will reopen the old station and impose the firm spank of authority on the more recalcitrant elements nearby. It will not be a simple task by any means, so I’ve asked these captains to provide the help you’ll need. Each of them is sacrificing three of their best men to staff your new posting and each assures me you’ll be getting the best of the best from among their ranks.”

A snigger escaped one of the captains, but Kurt did his best to ignore it.

The commander got up from his seat and came round the desk toward Kurt, but remained atop the dais. Even so, his eyes were just level with the newly promoted captain. “Succeed in this task, Schnell, and your promotion will become permanent. Fail, and-”

“I won’t fail,” Kurt cut in, his voice sounded far more certain than he felt. “Where is my station?”

The commander smiled broadly, mischief in his eyes. “Three Penny Bridge.”

Kurt felt the muscles in his jaw line ripple involuntarily as he fought to keep the panic from his eyes. He was not a native of Marienburg but he knew the reputation of Three Penny Bridge all too well. It was the most dangerous, most lawless area of the city. The rule of law had not touched the benighted district of Suiddock for five long years. If you believed the legends, the abandoned station was cursed, destined to attract doom upon all who set foot inside it. “You want me to reopen the station on Three Penny Bridge?” he asked helplessly, wanting to make sure this was not all some elaborate practical joke on him.

“Correct. You did say you wanted a challenge, Schnell.”

Kurt nodded, “Didn’t the last captain go insane after being infected by Chaos?”

“Joost Holismus was a good man,” Sandler interjected. “I considered him a close, personal friend. Joost would never give in to that taint. He drowned himself, rather than see others infected.”

The commander snorted derisively. “Believe that if you wish, Sandler. The rest of us have our own suspicions about what happened to Joost, and none of them are quite so noble.”

Sandler started to protest but quickly fell silent beneath the commander’s glower.

Kurt took a deep breath. “When do I start?”

“Tonight. Today, if you wish-the sooner that place is cleaned up, the better,” the commander enthused, clapping a hand on Kurt’s right shoulder. “Good luck, Schnell-hopefully you will not need it, but I wish you every good fortune in the task ahead.”

“Thank you, sir.” Kurt stepped back, saluted and turned away. Belladonna was already holding open the door for him to leave. As he strode from the office, Kurt could hear the captains laughing and joking with each other about his fate.