Warhammer Fantasy:Steel and gunpowder

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Vorgeheim 18-21th ,2488 IC

"Finally… my baby lives," I said, watching the blast furnace operate at full capacity. An army of blacksmiths was already turning over massive quantities of ore we had been stockpiling for the past three months, ever since we halted all iron production. Now, the furnace devoured tons of it like a starving beast.

A thick column of smoke rose into the sky as the furnace roared. The temperature kept climbing steadily, and I had barely slept the night before—too excited ever since they confirmed everything was ready. I just wanted to see it work.

When the sluice opened and molten steel began pouring out, I felt like a dozen paths opened before me: weapons, tools, armor, construction materials... everything was now within reach. The steel quickly filled the molds, each shaped into one-kilogram ingots. Once they hardened enough to be handled with tongs, the blacksmiths carried them straight to the forges to be turned into axe heads. Tool production had begun—but this time, with forged steel.

The obvious problem now was the supply of iron. I only had a few dozen miners, and with half a ton extracted daily, it wouldn't be enough to keep the furnace running non-stop. Expanding mining infrastructure would be a top priority… but not today.

"All ready, my lord," said one of my men-at-arms, bringing me my saddled horse.

"Good. This trip to Altdorf must be swift and uneventful," I replied as I mounted.

As much as I wanted to stay, I had to appear in court. It was the only way to ensure the margrave's threat was ended once and for all. Only then could I concentrate my resources on infrastructure and defense, without the shadow of a legal claim hanging over my lands.

Leaving the industrial zone behind, I joined Rutger's trade caravan. This time, the merchant brought a solid shipment: ten kilograms of blue pigment, over five hundred of soap, and a large amount of paper carefully stored in wooden crates. Since we started mass production, the number of workers in the workshop had increased from five to twenty, and they weren't allowed to rest. They had processed all available linen cellulose into high-quality sheets—perfect for accounting.

"Rutger… do you know anyone who sells leather? It might be a good idea to sell the books with covers already bound. We could make much more than just selling loose paper," I said, examining the contents of the crates.

"Stirland. They deal a lot in livestock. I'd recommend goats. Their hides are used to make the finest books sold in Altdorf," Rutger answered after thinking for a moment.

"Stirland, huh?... Could work. Still have contact with that noble? I could buy many more heads of livestock for my ranching operations," I added with a smirk.

I spurred my horse, and we finally set out for Altdorf. The trip was slower than I would've liked. We had to match the pace of Rutger's caravan, which had grown larger after he couldn't resist buying more merchandise from Marienburg merchants and engaging in his eternal game of "who swindles the other better." The result: a bulkier, slower caravan… and according to him, far more profitable.

Even so, we arrived within the usual two to three days it took to travel from Reinsfeld to Altdorf. We stopped only in a few small villages, as we took the most direct—and most dangerous—route. I couldn't afford to cross the margrave's territory, which was faster and better maintained, but completely unsafe for me. I'd rather face beastmen than walk into a legal or military ambush.

Accompanied by a strong escort, the few beastmen we encountered posed no real threat. As soon as they emerged from the woods to attack, they were cut down without mercy. Many of the men with me were seasoned hunters of those abominations; they knew exactly how and where to strike.

As we neared the great city, Altdorf loomed before us like a giant. From afar, the towers of the Imperial Palace and the majestic dome of the Cathedral of Sigmar were clearly visible. Imposing, eternal—they reminded all who saw them that this was the capital of the Empire: the beating heart of politics, faith, and power.

Here is where I parted ways with Rutger. He preferred to enter through the southern gate, more suited for merchant caravans, while I took the west gate, located almost right next to the Hall of Justice.

I didn't have to wait long. As soon as the guards saw the sigil my men bore, they let us through without much questioning, bypassing the long line of peasants, merchants, and artisans waiting to pay their taxes to enter the city.

Once inside, I rode quickly toward the court. I decided to present myself immediately at the Palace of Justice, where the legal battle would take place—one that, if the gods were fair, would finally put an end to the margrave's claim over my lands. I trusted that my army of lawyers, scribes, and legal investigators would corner him once the trial began… or so I hoped.

As I approached the palace, I noticed a small square nearby where several execution posts stood. Lifeless bodies hung from them, their legs swaying gently in the morning breeze. At their feet, wooden plaques nailed to the ground listed their crimes: breaking the windows of a noble estate, disturbing the public order, spilling beer on a noble lady's silk, murder, stealing bread...

"Stealing a loaf of bread… Damn, these judges love the death penalty for just about anything," I muttered, arms crossed, analyzing the scene.

I paused for a moment—not out of pity, but to better understand how justice worked in this city. If a peasant could be hanged for stealing food, that said a lot about the court I was about to face. No mercy. No leniency.

The guards stopped me until my identity could be confirmed, then allowed me to pass into the tribunal, where I observed the building adorned with elegant decor and countless images of the goddess Verena.

"Nice way to use a goddess's image just so those who serve her can stuff their pockets with bribes," I muttered under my breath.

As I looked around the elegantly decorated building, filled with Verena's likeness, I began to hear shouting—voices I recognized.

"What do you mean there's a high chance we'll lose? I'm paying you for a reason! I can't lose to him," said the margrave's voice, clearly irritated. He was surrounded by a group of Altdorf lawyers, men dressed impeccably, though visibly intimidated by his presence.

"My lord... please, try to understand. These are complex proceedings. A large portion of the opposing counsel has been combing through Imperial archives dating back over two hundred years, looking for any kind of applicable precedent. Furthermore, it is well known that the judges involved... have accepted generous gifts," one of the lawyers said, trying to calm the margrave's growing fury.

"Of course they've accepted them! I've also given them generous gifts," growled the margrave, visibly tense.

"Yes, but... among us, it's an open secret that the judges have been living quite well thanks to the lavish bribes given to them by the baron. Magistrate Konrad Tessenhoff, for example, has doubled the number of parties at his mansion. He's spending the gold he's received over the past three months with both hands. And apparently, the other magistrates aren't in a different situation. All signs indicate their political careers are being very carefully funded... through this conflict," the lawyer explained, choosing his words with cautious precision.

I watched as the margrave clenched his fists in restrained fury. His jaw twitched sharply, his teeth grinding. He was on the verge of exploding.

"Well, well… if it isn't my dear former tutor, the protector of Helmgart. How have you been? So many moons without the pleasure of your company," I said with a wide smile, spreading my arms as I walked forward, followed by some of my men.

"Albrecht… ungrateful dog," the margrave spat at the sight of me.

"Oh… I wasn't expecting such a chilly reception. I thought we were closer than that. After all, you were the one who so diligently oversaw my education during the years you were in charge of my upbringing," I replied with a tone that walked the line between forced courtesy and veiled sarcasm.

"If your father could see you now…" muttered the margrave, but I cut him off.

"He would be very proud of what I'm doing. Especially when I can face off in court, peer to peer, against a high noble of Reikland… By the way, how's my good friend Joachim?" I asked, interrupting him with a grin.

"That's none of your concern. Throwing it all away? Your post in the Reiksguard, your demigryph, and the honor of being knighted by the Emperor himself? All that, for what? To play at being governor?" he said, still trying to make me feel guilty.

"That's exactly what I want. I'd much rather steer my own destiny than leave it in someone else's hands. Besides, everything you mentioned—I can achieve it by other means. Not long ago, I killed a wargor and cleansed a site defiled by beastmen rituals. The Cult of Sigmar was quite pleased with the result… and once this is over, I'll keep purging my forests until not a single trace of their corruption remains," I replied with a calm smile.

The margrave readied another verbal strike, but the doors to the chamber opened before he could speak. Several nobles and lawyers emerged, some with triumphant expressions, others clearly defeated.

The hall emptied quickly. One of the court magistrates approached us, wearing a neutral expression.

"Hmm… Ah, yes. The case of Mackensen vs. Reinsfeld," the magistrate murmured, observing us for a few seconds. "Do Your Lordships have availability for a hearing tomorrow? We've been waiting months for this case to reach us, and it would be wise to begin reviewing the evidence—although your lawyers and legal scholars baron have already consulted me with a great many documents. The legal groundwork is solid."

"Fine by me," I said as I stepped forward, slipping a hand into the pocket of my overcoat and discreetly letting something fall to the floor. I bent down to pick it up, theatrically opening it in front of him. "Oh, Magistrate… I believe you dropped this."

The box I held was crimson velvet with golden filigree. I opened it right before his eyes.

"Well now… incredible, isn't it? Is that not an amethyst necklace with gold, ruby inlays, and matching emerald earrings? I think I saw one like it at a jeweler's for nearly two thousand crowns. Magistrate… your wife must be a very lucky woman to have such a thoughtful husband."

The magistrate smiled and took the box naturally.

"Oh, how clumsy of me. Thank you kindly, Baron. And if you wish to see just how lucky my wife is, you are most cordially invited to the party I'll be hosting in the coming days. There'll be plenty to celebrate," he said with a sharp smile.

I slowly turned my head toward the margrave. His face boiled with contained rage. His lawyers were pale, too scared to speak.

"Very well. If there are no objections, I'll begin reviewing the evidence tomorrow," announced the magistrate before turning and leaving the Hall of Retribution, flanked by two guards in Imperial livery.

We were left alone in the hall once more. Silence fell like a stone slab. Only the margrave's heavy breathing could be heard; he refused to look at me or respond. I kept smiling nonetheless.

"This doesn't have to end like this, Margrave. There's no need for someone to win or lose," I said calmly, my voice full of intention.

The margrave continued breathing heavily, tense, eyes fixed on the floor. One of his lawyers—pale as death, trembling—dared to speak for him.

"What… what do you propose, Baron?" he murmured, as if afraid the margrave might glare him to death.

"I still say all this was a misunderstanding. That a rebellious knight, misinterpreting the margrave's goodwill toward me—now that I am recognized as an adult by both the Cult of Sigmar and Shallya—acted on his own. He attempted to take my lands by force, without the margrave's knowledge. A simple miscommunication… Isn't that right, Margrave?" I asked, looking him straight in the eyes.

The tension was thick enough to cut with a blade.

"There's no need for anyone to be humiliated. We only need to tell the magistrate that after today's discussion, we've resolved the conflict and see no need to waste more of Verena's servants' time. The rebellious knight will be executed for high treason, his men—deceived by him—will be released, and you and I will go back to being good neighbors… just like in my father's day."

I slowly extended my hand.

The lawyer looked at the margrave, who remained motionless. His fingers trembled beside his tunic.

"Given the circumstances… it's the best outcome we can hope for," he said softly, like each word was a struggle.

The margrave grimaced, pursed his lips. "Fine," he muttered, turning to leave.

"Margrave? You're going to leave me hanging?" I called out loudly, still holding my hand out.

"Does it matter?" he snapped, not stopping.

"I consider this a gesture of good faith between parties, so I must insist," I added, keeping my hand extended.

"Forget it. That's not going to happen," he said coldly.

"Then I'm afraid there's no deal between us. The only way this ends is with a handshake," I said, eyes locked on him.

The margrave's lawyer pleaded silently, with clumsy gestures and cold sweat already soaking his brow.

"You'll escalate all this over a damn handshake?" the margrave growled, grinding his teeth.

"You really want to be humiliated in court tomorrow just because you refuse to shake my hand?" I replied calmly.

The margrave's jaw tightened. His eyes fixed on me for a moment, as if they meant to pierce me through, then without another word, he turned around.

He approached, extended his hand abruptly, and gave me a firm grip. I returned it with all the strength my arm could muster, smiling.

"This was all a misunderstanding," i said , looking at his lawyer. "Inform the magistrate there'll be no need for a hearing. The matter has been resolved. I'll cover any legal costs."

I let go of his hand slowly, smile still intact.

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If there are spelling mistakes, please let me know.

Leave a comment; support is always appreciated.

I remind you to leave your ideas or what you would like to see.

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