Pg3_C2_Final

    “I will send my man te follow behind ye. He will meet with ye in Hamburg, and I will join ye shortly.” Iain addressed the Corporal.
     “Yes Lieutenant.” the Corporal bowed and quickly exited the tent.
     “You can not seriously think of going to Hamburg. This spy has identified you, it is surely a trap . . .”
     “Aye that I count on.”
     “I can not in good faith allow this commission Iain. The letter from Maxmillian is real enough, but I doubt the impostor’s words. And as you well know I hold yours and Duncan’s release papers in my desk.”
     “Aye. This spy, Lendl, more than likely killed the real emissary and stole the letter. It had been opened before hand. But he was well informed beyond what the letter says.”
     “What I do not know is why the Duchess of Seislach’s correspondences are of such importance.”
      “Weel I would say ‘tis what I found intringin’ about them m’self.”
      “And what would that be?” The General smiled.
      Iain pulled out of his pocket a second ribbon tied bundle of letters and folded parchments, as well as a small leather bound diary.
      “I was actually in the process o’ copying these, seein’ as I did promise the Duchess I would return them promptly, when I handed the bundle o’ my work te the spy.”
      The General chuckled with delight, “Iain I see why the Elector favors you so.”

    He crossed behind his spoil and sat down, pulling out a small leather case. He opened it and unfolded a small gold trimmed pair of spectacles. He carefully untied the red velvet ribbon and took the top letter.
      It was after reading the fifth and final correspondence that the General set down his glasses and rubbed his eyes, “These seem to be the intimate letters of the Duchess, I will not even try to imagine by what means you came to them. Though she is quite known for her beauty.”
      Iain said nothing, only flashed his eyes.
      “Unfortunately, I do not see anything of great importance here.”
      “And ye wouldna, unless ye were to ken fer whom the letters were addressed, and that the Duchess wasna referring to intimacy but alliances.”
      The General’s eyes brightened like a child’s, “Of course.. And who are these intended for?”
      “That would be the Dowager Elizabeth.”
      “But the Dowager is in hiding, Maxmillian has been trying for months to locate her.”
      “Aye, and who would benefit either from helpin’ her or kidnappin’ her?”
      “All of Europe just about, the land is under Maxmillian’s protectorate, of course. But it borders the Spanish Netherlands as well as France’s much desired Alsace.”
      “And she is the King of England’s sister.”
      “Yes and England is wed to France.” The General added.
      “Weel if ye read further within the Duchess’s diary, she mentions the prospect of peace, and it seems she is intent on returning the Dowager to her seat in the Palatinate.”
      “Peace.” the General relished thought, “And are you sure of the Duchess’ intentions? Did she convey them herself?”
      “Nay, her best maid did.”
      “Such a dangerous life Iain.”
      “Och, a smile fer a pretty lass will get ye everything.”
      “Hmmm.” was all Tilly replied as he reread the letters.
      “The sly vixen!” He slapped his hand upon the desk, “Here she mentions Savoy and King Christian, I suppose. Ahh! And here this reference to ‘his holiness’ can only be Richelieu. But this is the Protestant Alliance, and we knew of that.”

    “Aye, but if they are secretly joining to support the Dowager . . .”
     “Or even more so, a peace agreement.”
     “Aye, the talk of peace is strong in Berlin as well as many other courts o’ Europe, this war has dragged fer twenty so years and devastated and drained many a household. It is time. .”
     “But that may very well be the illusion, for if the Protestant Alliance plans to return the Palatinate to Elizabeth, then they would gain another strong alliance, the Palatinate and very well England. The war would drag on and the Catholic forces would surely feel the losses, both of men and homeland. The Duchess mentions Savoy and Nassau, but not Mecklenburg. Hamburg is one of the strongest Protestant territories.”
     “Aye, I did notice that as weel.”
     “There are strong politics at work here, and we are merely the men sent to do the work they wash their hands of. I do wonder why Maxmillian is so interested in this. Ferdinand did make it clear that the Palatinate, the title and electorship would eventually return to Freidrich’s heir . . .”
     “Aye, but later rather than sooner. What do ye ken of the Palace Kreigstaad?”
      “Not very much I am afraid Iain. I once visited, but I was but a boy, very long ago.”
      “Aye, and what do ye remember of the palace?”
      “Large, many rooms and corridors. The Freiderichs have always been a family of opulence. Every generation has added on to that palace. It has so many twists and turns.”
      “What about secret passages and tunnels?”
      “I would not doubt it, but I never saw them.” The General replied scratching his head.
      “This impostor,” he continued, “do you suppose that he was sent by the Grand-Duchess? She is known to play both sides. She has formally pledged allegiance to Ferdinand, all the while harboring Protestant political as well as civilian refugees."