[HumanePain]

Chapter 1

The night sky was full of darkened clouds heavy with winter moisture, but they held back the rain with miserly frugality letting only drizzle collect on the stone sides of the castle. The rivulets of water flowed through the cracks and joined in black tributaries until they flowed across the estate entrance as a moat, threating passage in or out of the grounds.

High above in the fourth story window of the Master's Turret, dark curtains dimly shed red light revealing silhouettes in slow pacing back and forth.

Closer inspection of the window allowed the unmistakable figure of a curvaceous woman to be seen, her hand lifting a cigarette to her mouth.

"There is no one else better to leave in charge than Duchmann! He has the support of the Clan and will better suit the new Mayor and Council! Do you not care for our future?"

The other figure that had been slowly pacing whirled around, and arm flailing, threw a goblet at the fireplace with a crash, flames leaping up to hungrily consume the 50 year old cognac.

"DAMN DUCHMANN! He is but a dangerous fool with no thought for our dearly earned legacy! I shan't hear his name again!"

Bloodshot but cataract clouded eyes drilled out from under wiry and black eyebrows, mouth in a grimace and veined knuckles clenched white.

..................

The woman, confident in her ultimate goal, flicked her cigarette into the fireplace, and left the Library, closing the heavy oak door quietly but with finality. The dottering old fool! For how long did Von Paine think he could control the events she already unleashed? Molly McKenzie may be a redheaded and voluptuous plaything for Gentlemen, but that helped her to hide her subtle strategies and tricks. She smiled as she stepped down the sweeping spiral staircase to the entrance.


Gazing from the rain spattered window, Von Paine watched the harlot be escorted to the motorcar and leave. He knew he would eventually lose persuasion and ultimately the battle for the future of the Clan. It was bittersweet to have the wisdom of a crystal ball, and yet see his demise. He hung on in the hope that his apprentice, the young Renatus, his most advanced pupil, would develop in time to wrest back control of the great order and resume the steady and dignified course. Here was a kindred soul, who saw the same vision as he, and more importantly was overlooked by the McKenzie woman, yet had power, power as yet unrevealed. More than a pawn in the unfolding struggle for power and direction, he was a dear friend and confidant.

Then came a knock at the door, and a rude entrance without a wait for approval or acknowledgment.

"Von Paine you old ponce, we will simply run out of glassware before we run out of liquor if you keep smashing things! I say, are you drunk? Tsk tsk tsk, a most undignified thing to do, and being drunk limits one's powers of observation, hey? Or were you insulted that Molly rejected an advance of yours, hmmm?" Duchmann smiled, revealing yellow teeth on red, red gums.

"Duchmann, you didn't wait for permission to enter. Typical interruption."

"Nor do I need to old fellow. When the devil are you ever go to just plain up and die?"

"As long as the Clan is in danger I have an obligation to try my best to see it placed in safety. Once secured, I will be happy to relinquish power."

"Ah, as all despots say. You're fooling no one you know. Well, I see I came too late to have a snifter of the old cognac. You old ponce you, thinking only of yourself and no one else. Well, I shall go bugger Honey for a glass or two. Good night you old bean."

Duchmann left, leaving the door open. Von Paine collapsed into the wing chair, and knew that one way or another, the seeds of Duchmann's defeat would be sown by the fool himself, leaving Von Paine to only water it. He allowed himself a grin.

.......................

The Council had just adjourned. Men in hats and trench coats grumbled goodbyes at the Mayor's estate entrance and separated into their respective cars. Headlamp beams magnified the raindrops as they swerved towards the road to town. Inside one car were two men, rainwater steaming from their faces as they looked at each other.

"As you saw, the Mayor is well protected, as was Von Paine. Your attack must be secret, a frontal assault will be of no use."

The other man's thick German accent immediately took command of the conversation:

"I vill make use of skill for dis kill. It vill be my masterpiece." He lit a cigarette.

"There must be no mistakes. If you miss, Von Paine and the Clan will be merciless. There are no second chances for this coup!"

The German simply looked at the other then looked forward, drawing on his smoke. He smiled in confidence. The car splashed through puddles all the way to town.

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